TOEFL Vocabulary #5

(v.)—to clear from blame or suspicion

The decision to include Morris on the team was completely vindicated when he scored two touchdowns.
The investigation vindicated her complaint about the newspaper.

vindicate: /ˈvɪn.də.keɪt/ (v)

vindication (n)

(adj.)—out-of-date, not attributed to the correct historical period

He described the law as anachronistic and ridiculous.
Anachronistic mechanical voting machines are gone, replaced with computerized scanners.

anachronistic:  /əˌnæk.rəˈnɪs.tɪk/ (adj)

anachronistically (adv)

(n.)—a person who complies with accepted rules and customs, someone who behaves or thinks like everyone else, rather than being different

She was the conformist daughter while her sister was a rebel.

conformist: /kənˈfɔːr.mɪst/ (n)

conformity (n)

(adj.)—shy; lacking confidence

You shouldn't be so diffident about your achievements - you've done really well!

diffident: /ˈdɪf.ɪ.dənt/ (adj)


diffidence (n) - diffidently (adv)

(adj.)—thrifty, cheap,economical, sparing

a frugal lifestyle
a frugal meal of bread and soup
Lungren, a fiscal conservative when it comes to spending taxpayers’ money, is frugal in his personal life as well.

frugal: /ˈfruː.ɡəl/ (adj)

frugality (n) - frugally (adv)

(adj.)—rash, impulsive, acting without thinking

He's so impetuous - why can't he think things over before he rushes into them?
The governor may now be regretting her impetuous promise to reduce unemployment by half.

impetuous:  /ɪmˈpetʃ.u.əs/ (adj)

impetuously (adv) - impetuousness (n)

(adj.)—cowardly

a craven act of terrorism

craven: /ˈkreɪ.vən/ (adj)

cravenness (n)

(adj.)—at rest, inactive, in suspended animation (dormant account/ dormant company)

The long-dormant volcano has recently shown signs of erupting.
These investments have remained dormant for several years.

dormant: /ˈdɔːr.mənt/ (adj)

dormancy (n)

(n.)—patience, restraint, leniency

He thanked his employees for the forbearance (that) they had shown during the company's difficult times.

(adj.)—continuous, never ceasing, ceaseless, constant, never-ending, perpetual, unceasing, unremitting

incessant noise/complaints
The region endured weeks of incessant rain.
Bob talks incessantly about their new baby.

incessant: /ɪnˈses.ənt/ (adj)

incessantly (adv)