English Basic Adjectives

The mayor; despite his avuncular face plastered about the city; was hardly aboveboard -- some concluded that it was his ingratiating smile that allowed him to engage in corrupt behavior and get away with it.

I can't believe you've bought this painting. It's abysmal!

Coach Ramsey took his newest player off the field after watching a few painful minutes of her abysmal performance.

For all his surface affability; Marco was remarkably glum when he wasn't around other people.

The center of the city had sadly become a pit of penury; while; only five miles away; multi-million dollar homes spoke of affluence.

She seemed an amiable girl, but then I was disappointed with her impoliteness.

Amy's name was very apt: she was so amiable that she was twice voted class president.

The experience of being exhausted is in a way analogous to drunkenness.

In many ways; the Internet's transformative effect on society has been analogous to that of the printing press.

Aunt Betty had antiquated notions about marriage; believing that a man should court a woman for at least a year before receiving a kiss.

There is an appreciable difference between those who say they can get the job done and those who actually get the job done.

"Thy" is an archaic word, nobody uses it anymore.

Hoping to sound intelligent; Mary spoke in archaic English that was right out of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice--needless to say; she didn't have many friends.

Martin is an avid birdwatcher; often taking long hikes into remote mountains to see some rare eagle.

Her dress was becoming and made her look even more beautiful. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE

Known for their bellicose ways; the Spartans were once the most feared people from Peloponnesus to Persia.

The tumor located in your ear lobe seems to be benign and should not cause you any trouble.

Unremitting overcast skies tend to lead people to create bleak literature and lugubrious music -- compare England's band Radiohead to any band from Southern California.

He was a boon companion to many; and will be sadly missed.

Some actors take challenging roles in which they have to lose so much weight that they appear cadaverous.

Even with a perfect stranger; Charles was always candid and would rarely hold anything back.

Most cultures consider gambling a cardinal sin and thus have outlawed its practice. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE

What seemed like incessant nagging and carping about my behavior from my mother turned out to be wise and useful advice that has served me well.

Percy dismissed the issue with a cavalier wave of his hand.

A cerebral analysis of most pop music finds it to be simple and childish; but that ignores the point--the music's effect on the listener. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE

One by one; the presidential candidates dropped out of the race; their respective checkered pasts-- from embezzlement to infidelity--sabotaging their campaigns. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE

Marco's chivalrous ways; like opening doors and pulling out chairs; was much appreciated by his date.

A cogent argument will change the minds of even the most skeptical audience.

A well-written; cohesive essay will keep on topic at all times; never losing sight of the main argument.

Eiffel Tower is not big, it is colossal!

Few appreciate the colossal scale of the sun: if hollow; it could contain a million Earths.

For your commendable effort I would like to give you a rise.

The efforts of the firefighters running into the burning building were commendable.

After the water polo team won their sixth championship; they became complacent and didn't even make it to the playoffs the next year.

The head waiter was careful to tell the amateur diners that red wine was complementary with beef; each bringing out subtle taste notes in the other.

Studying in a quiet room is conducive to learning; studying in a noisy environment makes learning more difficult.

Tyler was the consummate musician: he was able to play the guitar; harmonica; and the drum at the same time. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE

Always on the forefront of fashion; Vanessa looked contemptuously at anyone wearing dated clothing.

Though he stole his little sister's licorice stick with malevolent glee; Chucky soon became contrite when his sister wouldn't stop crying.

The wedding reception was convivial; friends who hadn't seen each other for ages drank and ate together before heading to the dance floor.

Instead of solving the math problem in three simple steps; Kumar used a convoluted solution requiring fifteen steps.

There are few cities in the world as diverse and cosmopolitan as New York.

Critics agreed the movie was creditable; but few gave it more than three out of five stars.

Only ten years ago; being an avid reader and a traveler meant carrying a cumbersome backpack stuffed with books--these days we need only an e-reader.

The portrait of her in a simple white blouse was sweet and demure.

I was surprised by her derisive tone; usually; she is sweet; soft spoken; and congenial.

Never before have we seen a debate between two political candidates that was so derogative and filthy.

Many know that smoking is detrimental to your health; but processed sugar in large quantities is equally bad.

The conspirators; willing to dispatch anyone who stood in their way; hatched a diabolical plan to take over the city.

The main house has been restored but the gazebo is still dilapidated and unuseable.

Michael was a diligent gardener; never leaving a leaf on the ground and regularly watering each plant.

The professor thought that he was discreet; subtly wiping the stain off of his shirt; but as soon as he stepped off the podium a member of the audience pointed out the large ketchup stain.

After the visiting team scored nine times; the home team's fans were disheartened; some leaving the game early.

With the advent of machines capable of looking inside the brain; fields as disparate as religion and biology have been brought together by scientists trying to understand what happens in the brain when people have a religious experience.

Mozart was well-known for his eccentricities; often speaking words backward to confuse those around him.

Thomas; on returning from Morocco; replaced his dirty gray carpet with an elaborate one he'd brought back with him.

Many first time skydivers say that describing the act of falling from the sky is elusive.

These days we are never short of a D.C. politician embroiled in scandal--a welcome phenomenon for those who; having barely finished feasting on the sordid details of one imbroglio; can sink their teeth into a fresh one.

Most discrimination and hatred is based on a lack of empathetic awareness of people that have the same aspitations and fears.

Irish cuisine makes great use of potatoes; but ironically; the potato is not endemic to Ireland.

Unlike his peers; who spent their hours studying in the library; Matthew preferred errant walks through the university campus.

My girlfriend is really erratic. One day she's caring and loving, and the other day she is angry with me for no reason.

It came as no surprise to pundits that the President's attempt at re-election floundered; even during his term; support for his policies was erratic; with an approval rating jumping anywhere from 30 to 60 percent.

Every time I call the bank; I receive the same evasive answers about our mortgage and never get a clear response.

Teachers often have trouble being evenhanded to all of their varied students.

After the boulder rolled a couple of feet; pinning my friend's arm; he experienced excruciating pain.

The jury was hardly moved by the man's plea that his loneliness was an extenuating factor in his crime of dognapping a prized pooch.

Facetious behavior will not be tolerated during sex eduation class; it's time for all of you to treat these matters like mature adults.

She was so fickle in her politics; it was hard to pinpoint her beliefs; one week she would embrace a side; and the next week she would denounce it.

Murray has years of experience in family practice; but he is just a fledgling in surgery.

The exam's passage is flush with difficult words; words that you may have learned only yesterday.

The police regularly face dangerous situations; so for a police officer not to wear his bullet-proof vest is foolhardy.

I did not expect the insurance agent to give us any straight answers; but I was pleasent surprised by how forthright he was.

I thought I could repair the car myself; but after two days of work with no success; I have to admit that my efforts were futile.

Betty is a genial young woman: everyone she meets is put at ease by her elegance and grace.

A live string quartet would provide a more genteel air to the wedding than would a folk singer.

I have found that the more glib the salesman; the worse the product.

Having grown up in a humdrum suburb; Jacob relished life in New York City after moving.

Though Al Capone was engaged in many illicit activities; he was finally arrested for income tax evasion; a relatively minor offense.

The judge found the defendant's comments immaterial to the trial; and summarily dismissed him from the witness stand.

He was impeccably dressed in the latest fashion without a single crease or stain.

The impending doom of our world has been a discussed and debated for 2000 years--maybe even longer.

The sand bags placed on the river formed an impermeable barrier; protecting the town from flooding.

According to many lawmakers; the huge variety of factors affecting society make devising an efficient healthcare system an imponderable task.

As a child; Amy would build pillow castles and pretend they were impregnable fotresses.

Although Prohibition was rooted in noble ideals; the inadvertent and costly consequences of making alcohol illegal in the U.S. led its the repeal.

Although a brilliant economist; Professor Black was completely inarticulate; a terrible lecturer.

I don't mind small children in brief doses; but I think the incessant exposure that their parents have to them would quickly wear me down.

When packing for a trip to the Caribbean bring tank tops and shorts, but don't forget a raincoat in case of inclement weather. Marcus Aurelius; though a fair man; was inclement to Christians during his reign; persecuting them violently.

Middle managers at times make important decisions; but real responsibility for the financial well-being of the corporation is ultimately incumbent on the CEO.

The plants and animals indigenous to Australia are notably different from those indigenous to the U. S-- one look at a duckbill platypus and you know you're not dealing with an opossum.

"When the cyclist swerved into traffic; it forced the driver to brake and elicited an indignant shout of ""Hey; punk; watch where you're going!"""

Pete was an industrious student; completing every assignment thoroughly and on time.

It only takes one person to leave an inflammable comment on an Internet thread for that thread to blow up into pages upon pages of reader indignation.

The movie director was known for hiring beautiful actors in order to deflect attention away from the insipid scripts he would typically use.

With credit card bills skyrocketing; a shockingly large number of Americans are truly insolvent.

The intermittent thunder continued and the night was punctuated by cracks of lightning--a surreal sleepless night.

If Arthur's dog is not fed adequately; he becames highly irascible; even growling at his own shadow.

He stood irresolute at the split in the trail; not sure which route would lead back to the camp.

My uncle was always in a jocular mood at family gatherings; messing up people's hair and telling knock- knock jokes to anyone who would listen.

The business trip is going to be extremely laborious.

The most laborious job I've had was working 20 hours a day as a fisherman in King Salmon; Alaska.

Without checking his references and talking to previous employers; I am leery of hiring the candidate.

Nothing can make a person more lethargic than a big turkey dinner.

Though Walters writes about physics and time travel; his writing is always lucid; so readers with little scientific training can understand difficult concepts.

Edgar Allen Poe was considered the master of the macabre; his stories vividly describe the moment leading up to--and often those moments after--a grisly death.

Villians are known for their malevolent nature; oftentimes inflicting cruetly on others just for enjoyment

My little brother is so malleable that I can convince him to sneak cookies from the cupboard for me.

Some thermally active fountains spew sulfur fumes--the air around them is sometimes so malodorous that many have to plug their noses.

Americans tend to remember Abraham Lincoln as kindly and wise; not at all martial; despite the fact that he was involved in the fiercest war America has even fought.

Since the Board just terminated Steve as the CEO; what the finance committe might have thought of his proposed marketing plan for next year is now a moot point. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE

After Stanley found out he was no longer able to go on vacation with his friends; he sat in his room morosely.

Helen preferred muted earth colors; such as green and brown; to the bright pinks and red her sister liked. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE

No number of pleas and bribes would get him to change his obdurate attitude.

"Even after all his success; I found him to be accommodating and obliging; sharing with me his ""secret tips"" on how to gain wealth and make friends."

The coach suggested improvements Sarah might make on the balance beam; but she remained obstinate; unwilling to modify any of the habits that made her successful in the past.

The ornate Victorian and Edwardian homes spread throughout San Francisco are my favorite part of the city.

That light could be both a particle and a wave seems paradoxical; but nonetheless; it is true.

Those who imagine America's countryside as a pastoral region are often disappointed to learn that much of rural U.S. is filled with cornfields extending as far as the eye can see.

Our office manager is peevish; so the rest of us tip-toe around him; hoping not to set off another one of his fits.

Even at the old-timers games; Stan Musial would get the loudest cheer: he was a perennial favorite of the fans there. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE

While the salaries of the players might draw attention in the media; such monetary figures are not pertinent to the question of who plays the best on the field.

The chef; with a mere flick of the salt shaker; turned the bland tomato soup into a piquant meal.

I enjoy reading the Daodejing for its pithy and insightful prose; it always gives me something to think about.

Doug is normally placid; so we were all shocked to see him yelling at the television when the Mets lost the game.

Charlie may seem to run at a plodding pace; but he is an ultramarathoner; meaning he runs distances of up to 100 miles; and can run for ten hours at a stretch.

People smoke to relax and forget their cares; but ironically; in terms of health risks; smoking is far more precarious than either mountain-climbing or skydiving.

Just as Martha was about to take the only cookie left on the table; Noah preemptively swiped it.

Many felt that Barney was presumptuous in moving into the large office before the management even made any official announcement of his promotion.

Drill sergeants are known for demanding pristine cabinets; uniforms; and beds; and often make new recruits clean and clean and clean until they meet the expected high standards.

During mile 20 of the Hawaii Marathon; Dwayne was sweating so profusely that he stopped to take off his shirt; and ran the remaining six miles wearing nothing more than skimpy shorts.

Until the corporate office hands down a definitive decision on use of the extra offices; we will share their use in a provisional arrangement.

"The comedian told one flat joke after another; and when the audience started booing; he pugnaciously back at them; ""Hey; you think this is easy -- why don""t you buffoons give it a shot?"""

The men found him raffish; but the women adored his smart clothes and casual attitude.

As soon as he arrived in the city; the rakish young man bought some drugs and headed straight for the seedy parts of town.

criticized his actions as rash. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE

Remiss in his duty to keep the school functioning efficiently; the principle was relieved of his position after only three months.

Only weeks after the hurricane made landfall; the local supermarket shelves were replete with goods; so quick was the disaster relief response.

"Nelson was always the first to leave soirees--rather than mill about with ""fashionable"" folk; he was retiring; and preferred the solitude of his garret."

Chris preferred bland and mild beers; but Bhavin preferred a beer with more robust flavor.

Even during the quiet sanctity of evening prayer; she held her chin high; a sanctimonious sneer forming on her face as she eyed those who were attending church for the first time.

With the prospect of having to learn 3;000 words during the course of the summer; Paul was anything but sanguine.

With his savvy business partner; the company was able to turn a profit within a year.

Richard Feynman was renowned for his scintillating lectures--the arcana of quantum physics was made lucid as he wrote animatedly on the chalkboard.

I don't like romanticism for the same reason I don't like melodramatic acting and soap operas--overly sentimental.

I'd never seen him so serene; usually; he was a knot of stress and anxiety from hours of trading on the stock exchange.

The office building had been constructed in a slapdash manner; so it did not surprise officials when; during a small earthquake; a large crack emerged on the façade of the building.

When Phil was dating the model; he had a smug attitude that annoyed his buddies.

The chairman interpreted Taylor's question about promotions as a snide remark; but in all innocence Taylor was trying to figure out the company's process.

The nightly news simply announced that the senator had had an affair; but the tabloid published all the sordid details of the interaction. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE

Frank came from a staid enviroment; so he was shocked that his college rooommate sold narcotics.

A good captain needs to be steadfast; continuing to hold the wheel and stay the course even during the most violent storm.

Every morning; Bhavin was a surly unhappy person; but once he ate breakfast; he became loving; laughing; and a joy to be around.

Carol expected to find New York City magical; the way so many movies had portrayed it; but she was surprised how often tawdry displays took the place of genuine elegance.

The hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney was so taxing that I could barely speak or stand up. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE

Her unbecoming dress was very telling when it came to her sense of fashion.

The many telltale signs of chronic smoking include yellow teeth; and a persistent; hacking cough.

As a thoroughgoing bibliophile; one who had turned his house into a veritable library; he shocked his friends when he bought a Kindle.

He was economical; spending his money thriftily and on items considered essential.

If we lived forever and life was not transitory; do you think we would appreciate life less or more?

I thought you are twins, not friends! There is an uncanny resemblance between you two.

Reggie has an uncanny ability to connect with animals: feral cats will readily approach him; and sometimes even wild birds will land on his finger.

The relationship between Bart and Hilda ultimately failed because they were both so uncompromising; never wanting to change their opinions.

The lawyer's demands were so unconscionable that rather than pay an exorbitant sum or submit himself to any other inconveniences; the defendant decided to find a new lawyer.

When America first created its national parks; the idea of setting aside the most beautiful land in a country was unprecedented in the history of mankind.

Walk in to any preschool and I am sure that you will find an unruly and chaotic scene--unless it's nap time.

He acted in an unseemly manner; insulting the hostess and then speaking ill of her deceased husband.

Because of his service as an intelligence officer and his refined tastes; W. Somerset Maugham became the inspiration for the urbane and sophistcate spy James Bond.

To the journalist's pointed question; the senator gave a vacuous response; mixing a few of his overall campaign slogans with platitudes and completely avoiding the controversial subject of the question.

"The advent of twitter is a celebrity stalker's dream; as he or she can--through hundreds of intimate ""tweets""--vicariously live the life of a famous person."

Though the other girl had only lightly poked fun of Vanessa's choice in attire; Vanessa was so vindictive that she waited for an entire semester to get the perfect revenge.

Steven was a voracious reader; sometimes finishing two novels in the same day.

Due to wanton behavior and crude language; the drunk man was thrown out of the bar and asked to never return.

Adults look to kids and envy their whimsical nature at times; wishing that they could act without reason and play without limitation.