Adjective
pragmatic
IPA /præɡˈmætɪk/
Focused on what will work in a real situation, rather than only on ideas or ideal solutions.
See example sentence: pragmatic
Taking the bus was a pragmatic choice when our car broke down.
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Adjective
reliable
IPA /rɪˈlaɪəbəl/
Someone or something reliable can be trusted to do what you expect, even when you need them often.
See example sentence: reliable
My old bike is still reliable; I ride it to the shops every day.
Adjective
Feckless
IPA /ˈfɛkləs/
Lacking initiative, strength of character, or effectiveness; weak and irresponsible.
See example sentence: Feckless
The project failed under feckless leadership that couldn’t make decisive choices.
Adjective
Obsequious
IPA /əbˈsiːkwɪəs/
Excessively eager to please or obey; overly submissive and flattering.
See example sentence: Obsequious
The obsequious waiter laughed at every joke the wealthy man told.
Adjective
Inexorable
IPA /ɪnˈɛksərəbl/
Impossible to stop, prevent, or persuade; relentless.
See example sentence: Inexorable
Time marches forward with an inexorable force, indifferent to human desires.
Adjective
Inscrutable
IPA /ɪnˈskruːtəbl/
Difficult to understand or interpret, especially because someone’s expression, motives or intentions reveal little. An inscrutable face gives you few clues about what the person is thinking; it does not necessarily mean that the person is dishonest.
See example sentence: Inscrutable
Her inscrutable expression gave us no clue whether she liked the surprise.
Adjective
Contumacious
IPA /ˌkɒntjuˈmeɪʃəs/
Stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority.
See example sentence: Contumacious
The contumacious witness refused to answer the judge’s questions.
Adjective
Truculent
IPA /ˈtrʌkjʊlənt/
Aggressively defiant; eager to fight or argue.
See example sentence: Truculent
The truculent teenager challenged every rule set by his parents.
Noun
Obfuscation
IPA /ˌɒbfʌsˈkeɪʃən/
The act of making something unclear or difficult to understand, often deliberately.
See example sentence: Obfuscation
The company’s financial report was full of jargon and obfuscation.
Noun
Avarice
IPA /ˈævərɪs/
Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
See example sentence: Avarice
The tycoon’s avarice drove him to exploit his workers for greater profit.
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