Level

Advanced vocabulary

Explore expressive words with distinct shades of meaning. Read the usage notes before treating similar words as interchangeable.

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Advanced vocabulary

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
ambiguousadjective	Open to more than one reasonable interpretation.	The ambiguous instruction left us unsure which door to use.
benevolentadjective	Showing kindness and a desire to help others.	A benevolent neighbor quietly paid for the damaged fence.
conciseadjective	Expressing the needed information clearly in few words.	Please send a concise update before the meeting.
diligentadjective	Working with steady care and effort.	The diligent researcher checked every quotation against its source.
fortuitousadjective	Happening by chance, especially in a helpful or lucky way.	A fortuitous meeting at the library led to a new research partner.
gregariousadjective	Enjoying the company of other people.	Our gregarious host introduced every guest to someone new.
inevitableadjective	Certain to happen and unable to be avoided.	With every road flooded, a delay was inevitable.
lucidadjective	Clearly expressed and easy to understand.	The guide gives a lucid account of how the machine works.
mitigateverb	To make a harmful effect, problem, or risk less severe.	Planting trees can help mitigate heat in a paved courtyard.
pervasiveadjective	Present throughout a place, group, or situation.	A pervasive smell of smoke lingered throughout the building.
profoundadjective	Very deep, strong, or important in its effect or meaning.	Learning to read had a profound effect on her independence.
scrutinizeverb	To examine something very closely and carefully.	The editor scrutinized the figures before publication.
skepticaladjective	Not easily convinced that a claim is true or reliable.	I was skeptical of the promise until I saw the results.
vindicateverb	To show that someone or something was right, justified, or unfairly blamed.	The recovered records vindicated the employee who reported the error.
sardonicadjective	Using dry, often bitter humor to show criticism or scorn.	When the printer jammed again, Jo gave it a sardonic smile and called it our most reliable machine.
impetuousadjective	Acting quickly on a strong feeling without thinking through the result.	In an impetuous moment, Leo volunteered to lead the event before checking his schedule.
tenuousadjective	Weak, uncertain, or supported by very little evidence.	The claim rests on a tenuous link between two unrelated events.
ameliorateverb	To make a harmful or difficult situation better.	The extra bus service should ameliorate crowding during the morning rush.
ubiquitousadjective	Found in so many places that it seems to be everywhere.	Bright yellow umbrellas were ubiquitous along the rainy shopping street.
ephemeraladjective	Lasting for only a short time.	The ephemeral rainbow faded before I could find my camera.