TOEFL Vocabulary #6

(n.)—self-serving flatterer; yes-man

The prime minister is surrounded by sycophants.
He is enabled by low-life sycophants who thrill in being around his celebrity.

(v.)—to verify, confirm

We have evidence to substantiate the allegations against him.
Reports that children had been hurt have not been substantiated.
They have enough evidence to substantiate complaints of vandalism.

substantiate: /səbˈstæn.ʃi.eɪt/ (v)

substantiation (n)

(n.)—the act of refraining from pleasurable activity, e.g., eating or drinking

We found that with abstinence from smoking, the severity of symptoms decreased.
Alcohol abstinence is recommended for breastfeeding mothers.

abstinence:  /ˈæb.stə.nəns/ (n)

abstinent (adj)

(n.)—flatterer, yes-man, a person who praises and is artificially pleasant to people in authority, usually in order to get some advantage from them:

Everywhere he goes he is surrounded by an entourage of toadies.

(adj.)—secret, stealthy, done secretly, without anyone seeing or knowing, clandestine: 
She seemed to be listening to what I was saying, but I couldn't help noticing her surreptitious glances at the clock.

surreptitious: /ˌsɝː.əpˈtɪʃ.əs/ (adj)

surreptitiously (adj) - surreptitiousness (n)

(adj.)—lacking authenticity, false

Some of the arguments in favor of shutting the factory are questionable and others downright spurious.
They made spurious claims of personal injury.

(n.)—moral uprightness; honesty

An austere man of unquestioned moral rectitude, Nava inspired deep devotion in those who worked for him.

(v.)—to quibble, evade the truth

He accused the governor of prevaricating.

prevaricate:  /prɪˈver.ə.keɪt/ (v) 

prevarication (n)

(adj.)—faithless, disloyal, untrustworthy, unable to be trusted, or showing no loyalty, treacherous

She described the new criminal bill as a perfidious attack on democracy.

(adj.)—illegal, improper, disapproved of by society:

illicit drugs such as cocaine and cannabis
the illicit trade in stolen vehicles
an illicit love affair
illicit trade
illicit activities

illicit: /ɪˈlɪs.ɪt/ (adj)

illicitly (adv)