Week 11

1. dissuade - v. to deter by advice or persuasion

Harry was dissuaded from going to the dance by Ron, who preferred to play Halo all night.

2. placate - v. to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures

I had to placate the infant with a pacifier.

3. flagrant - adj. shockingly noticeable or evident

The New York Times made a flagrant error in reporting on the subway accident.

4. serendipity - n good fortune; luck

George found the $20 bill by serendipity.

5. maelstrom - n a restless, disordered, or tumultuous state of affairs

The day care was a maelstrom of activity.

6. zenith - n a highest point or state; culmination

Winning the senate race was the zenith of Barbara's career.

7. enthrall - v to captivate or charm

The ballerina was enthralling.

8. uncanny - adj having or seeming to have a supernatural or inexplicable basis; beyond the ordinary or normal; extraordinary

His resemblance to Prince Harry was uncanny.

9. revoke - v to take back or withdraw

He failed more than 2 classes and the state revoked his license.

10. sublime - adj elevated or lofty in thought; supreme or outstanding

My time in the mountains was absolutely sublime.

11. quandary - n state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do; dilemma

Steve put himself in a real quandary when he locked his keys in the rental car.

12. jubilant - adj showing great joy, satisfaction, or triumph; rejoicing; exultant

Having to go to work on your birthday is not a jubilant feeling.

13. harangue - n a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack

The drivers' instructor when on an harangue when Andrew ran over the small child.

The drivers' instructor harangued Andrew when he ran over the small child.

14. reciprocate - v to give, feel, etc., in return

Sally felt the need to reciprocate the favor when Bob came over to watch her children in the middle of the night.

15. quagmire - n a situation from which extrication is very difficult

The tie in the electoral college was a quagmire, no one wanted to break the tie and anger half the country.