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Words I Like

On January 23, 2021 in thoughts • 2 minutes read

Table of Contents

• Frayed, /freɪd/
• Penchant, /ˈpɒ̃ʃɒ̃/
• Erstwhile, /ˈəːstwʌɪl/
• Vindicate, /ˈvɪndɪkeɪt/
• Ascertain, /ˌasəˈteɪn/
• Prance, /prɑːns/
• Enthral, /ɪnˈθrɔːl,ɛnˈθrɔːl/
• Bamboozle, /bamˈbuːz(ə)l/
• Sham, /ʃam/
• Disseminate, /dɪˈsɛmɪneɪt/
• Quagmire, /ˈkwaɡmʌɪə,ˈkwɒɡmʌɪə/
• Affable, /ˈafəb(ə)l/
• Formidable, /ˈfɔːmɪdəb(ə)l,fəˈmɪdəb(ə)l/
• Epistolary, /ɪˈpɪst(ə)ˌləri/
• Stagnate, /staɡˈneɪt,ˈstaɡneɪt/
• Enthused, /ɪnˈθjuːz,ɛnˈθjuːz/
• Ensconced, /ɪnˈskɒns,ɛnˈskɒns/
• Blithely, /ˈblʌɪðli/
• Crucible, /ˈkruːsɪb(ə)l/
• Hallowed, /ˈhaləʊd/
• Laconic, /ləˈkɒnɪk/
• Decree, /dɪˈkriː/
• Obstinate, /ˈɒbstɪnət/
• Phlegmatic, /flɛɡˈmatɪk/
• Abdurate, /ˈɒbdjʊrət/
• Pertinacious, /ˌpəːtɪˈneɪʃəs/
• Obliging, /əˈblʌɪdʒɪŋ/
• Tantalising, /ˈtantəlʌɪz/
• Trifecta, /trʌɪˈfɛktə/
• Perturbed, /pəˈtəːbd/

Frayed, /freɪd/

adjective

• (of a fabric, rope, or cord) unravelled or worn at the edge
• (of a person’s nerves or temper) showing the effects of strain

Penchant, /ˈpɒ̃ʃɒ̃/

noun

• a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something

Erstwhile, /ˈəːstwʌɪl/

adjective

• former

adverb

• formerly

Vindicate, /ˈvɪndɪkeɪt/

• clear (someone) of blame or suspicion
• show or prove to be right, reasonable, or justified

Ascertain, /ˌasəˈteɪn/

verb

• find (something) out for certain; make sure of

Prance, /prɑːns/

verb

• (of a horse) move with high springy steps
• (of a person) walk or move around with ostentatious, exaggerated movements

Enthral, /ɪnˈθrɔːl,ɛnˈθrɔːl/

verb

• capture the fascinated attention of

Bamboozle, /bamˈbuːz(ə)l/

verb

• to deceive by underhanded methods
• to confuse, frustrate, or throw off thoroughly or completely

Sham, /ʃam/

noun

• a thing that is not what it is purported to be

adjective

• bogus; false

verb

• pretend to be or to be experiencing
• falsely present something as the truth

Disseminate, /dɪˈsɛmɪneɪt/

verb

• spread (something, especially information) widely
• spread throughout an organ or the body

Quagmire, /ˈkwaɡmʌɪə,ˈkwɒɡmʌɪə/

noun

• an awkward, complex, or hazardous situation
• a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot

Affable, /ˈafəb(ə)l/

adjective

• friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to

Formidable, /ˈfɔːmɪdəb(ə)l,fəˈmɪdəb(ə)l/

adjective

• inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable

Epistolary, /ɪˈpɪst(ə)ˌləri/

adjective

• (of a literary work) in the form of letters.

Stagnate, /staɡˈneɪt,ˈstaɡneɪt/

verb

• (of water or air) cease to flow or move; become stagnant.
• ​​​cease developing; become inactive or dull.

Enthused, /ɪnˈθjuːz,ɛnˈθjuːz/

verb

• express eager enjoyment, interest, or approval regarding something.

Ensconced, /ɪnˈskɒns,ɛnˈskɒns/

verb

• establish or settle (someone) in a comfortable, safe place.

Blithely, /ˈblʌɪðli/

adverb

• in a way that shows a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper.

Crucible, /ˈkruːsɪb(ə)l/

noun

• a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures.

Hallowed, /ˈhaləʊd/

adjective

• made holy; consecrated.
• ​​​​greatly revered and honoured.

Laconic, /ləˈkɒnɪk/

adjective

• (of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words.

Decree, /dɪˈkriː/

noun

• an official order that has the force of law.

verb

• order (something) by decree.

Obstinate, /ˈɒbstɪnət/

adjective

• stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.

• (of an unwelcome situation) very difficult to change or overcome.

Phlegmatic, /flɛɡˈmatɪk/

adjective

• (of a person) having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition.

Abdurate, /ˈɒbdjʊrət/

adjective

• stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action.

Pertinacious, /ˌpəːtɪˈneɪʃəs/

adjective

• holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action.

Obliging, /əˈblʌɪdʒɪŋ/

adjective

• willing to do a service or kindness; helpful.

Tantalising, /ˈtantəlʌɪz/

verb

• torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable.

Trifecta, /trʌɪˈfɛktə/

noun

• ​​​​a run of three wins or grand events.

Perturbed, /pəˈtəːbd/

adjective

• feeling anxiety or concern; unsettled.