Day 1
Indigenous = native, aboriginal
The government ignored environmental complaints by indigenous groups.
pinpoint = locate exactly, clearly identify
With GPS technology, it is possible to pinpoint a person's position anywhere on the planet.
Pinpoint = precise, exact, accurate
After years of training, baseball itchers develop pinpoint control of the ball
Annihilate = destroy, completely remove, exterminate
An asteroid impact 65.5 million years ago, nearly annihilated all living things on the planet.
Compensate for = balance, offset
The manager compensated for the unfair distribution of duties by assigning more work to certain staff.
Postulate = hypothesize, suppose, claim, propose
Isaac Newton postulated that gravity pulls objects toward the Earth.
Substantiate = confirm prove authenticate verify
Rober Peary was unable to substantiate that he had reached the North Pole in 1909
Strenuous = intense arduous laborious
Gina's muscles were very sore after her strenuous workout at the gym.
Sleek = smooth silky
Octopuses usually have sleek skin, but it can become rough or bumpy when frightened.
invoke = call upon pray to conjure
The Aztecs sometimes invoked their gods to bring a good harvest.
astoundingly = incredibly surprisingly shockingly astonishingly
The fall colors in the mountains are astoundingly beautiful
aftermath = result outcome consequence aftereffect
Many nations provided aid to Thailand in response to the aftermath of the tsunami
extant = surviving, in existence, existing, living, remaining
The oldest extant painting of an American city is a portrait of Philadelphia in 1720
perfect (v) = refine improve develop
Before moving to China, Greg wants to perfect his Chinese skills.
Unrivaled = unequaled unparalleled matchless peerless
The skill of Renaissance painters is unrivaled even today.
Contour = outline
The contours of the Atlantic coast are very irregular.
irrevocably = permanently, irreversibly, irretrievably
During World War 2, many historical buildings in London were irrevocably damaged.
Stunted = underdeveloped hindered hampered
The stunted trees had grown to barely three feet high.
Malleable = flexible
When heated to high temperatures, iron and steel become malleable.
Pillar = column post
Classical Roman architecture featured several outdoor pillars surrounding a building.
Encroachment = invasion intrusion
The encroachment of genetically modified organisms into the food supply worries many consumers.
Day 2
heterogeneous = varied assorted mixed
English includes words from a heterogeneous collection of other languages.
Conspicuous = noticeable clearly visible prominent obvious
Sharon's addition to alcohol became conspicuous as she lost control of her drinking habit.
Slight = minor small trivial mild
A proofreader will often make slight changes to the final draft of a novel.
Monotonous = unvaried boring tedious dull
Eric quit his job on the assembly line because his tasks were so monotonous
Supplant = replace substitute displace supersede
3D printers are expected to supplant traditional manufacturing methods.
Colossal = enormous monstrous gigantic
The government paid a colossal sum for accidents regardless of the cause.
Mechanics = procedure
In the course, students will learn about the mechanics of good writing.
emanate = emerge spring originate
When an unpleasant odor emanates from a pipe, it could indicate a gas leak.
sporadically = occasionally at intervals infrequently
The Sun sporadically emits bursts of energy known as solar storms.
stamp out = eliminate eradicate extirpate
Medical researchers are working hard to stamp out cancer.
Stagnation = low growth downturn
The recent unemployment problem is due to stagnation in the economy.
Specify = stipulate state define
The menu specified that all of the restaurant's dishes were prepared with organic ingredients.
entail = require demand
Farming has always entailed long hours of labor.
Stockpile = store up save reserve
Squirrels stockpile food under the ground during the winter.
Boom = flourish thrive prosper rapidly expand
During the Civil War, the American economy boomed.
Ravage = destroy demolish devastate ruin
The large hurricane that ravaged the city of New Orleans caused extensive flooding.
Plug = file up stuff pack
The townspeople plugged the old, unused well with concrete so no one would fail in accidentally.
Discrepancy = inconsistency disparity dissimilarity
Check your tax forms to ensure there is no discrepancy between your reported and actual income.