Verb
Obfuscate
IPA /ˈɒbfʌskeɪt/
To make something unclear or harder to understand, often deliberately.
See example sentence: Obfuscate
The company’s spokesperson tried to obfuscate the issue with vague jargon and technicalities.
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Noun (countable); plural: sycophants
Sycophant
IPA /ˈsɪkəfænt/
A person who flatters someone powerful or influential in order to gain favour or an advantage. Sycophant is a strongly critical word; ordinary kindness, respect or sincere praise does not by itself make someone a sycophant.
See example sentence: Sycophant
The fictional king surrounded himself with sycophants who praised every decision to win rewards.
Adjective
Ubiquitous
IPA /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/
Found throughout a place or encountered very widely; so common that it seems to be everywhere.
See example sentence: Ubiquitous
Bright wristbands were ubiquitous throughout the festival.
Adjective
Implacable
IPA /ɪmˈplækəbl/
Unable to be calmed, satisfied, or appeased; relentless and unyielding.
See example sentence: Implacable
The victim's family remained implacable, demanding justice years after the verdict.
Adjective
Parsimonious
IPA /ˌpɑːsɪˈməʊniəs/
Unwilling to spend money or use resources; extremely frugal or stingy.
See example sentence: Parsimonious
Despite his wealth, the businessman was notoriously parsimonious—even with tipping waiters.
Verb
Excoriate
IPA /ɪkˈskɔːrieɪt/
To criticise someone or something very harshly, often by pointing out serious faults or failures in an angry way.
See example sentence: Excoriate
The journalist excoriated the government’s response as slow and incompetent.
Verb
Dissemble
IPA /dɪˈsɛmbəl/
To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to disguise or hide under a false appearance.
See example sentence: Dissemble
She smiled politely, dissembling her disappointment at the rejection.
Noun
Imprecation
IPA /ˌɪmprɪˈkeɪʃən/
A spoken curse; the act of invoking evil or misfortune upon someone.
See example sentence: Imprecation
The villain hurled an imprecation at the hero before vanishing into the shadows.
Adjective
Dilatory
IPA /ˈdɪlətəri/
Slow to act or intended to cause delay; procrastinating or sluggish.
See example sentence: Dilatory
His dilatory response to the urgent email caused the team to miss the deadline.
Adjective
Trenchant
IPA /ˈtrɛntʃənt/
Incisive, sharp, or forceful—especially in expression or style; often used to describe keen analysis or biting wit.
See example sentence: Trenchant
Her trenchant critique of the education system left no flaw unexposed.
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