ASVAB Vocabulary

Cards · 60

Adversary

An opponent or enemy in a contest or conflict. Synonyms: foe, rival, antagonist.

Benign

Gentle, kind, or not causing harm (often used medically). Synonyms: harmless, mild, favorable.

Candid

Truthful and straightforward; frank. Synonyms: honest, blunt, outspoken.

Docile

Ready to accept control or instruction; submissive. Synonyms: compliant, obedient, manageable.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Synonyms: compassion, understanding, sensitivity.

Frugal

Sparing or economical with regard to money or food. Synonyms: thrifty, prudent, sparing.

Gullible

Easily persuaded to believe something. Synonyms: naive, credulous, impressionable.

Hapless

Unfortunate or unlucky. Synonyms: ill-fated, cursed, jinxed.

Impartial

Treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair. Synonyms: neutral, unbiased, objective.

Juxtapose

To place close together for contrasting effect. Synonyms: compare, contrast, align.

Kinetic

Relating to or resulting from motion. Synonyms: active, moving, dynamic.

Lucid

Expressed clearly; easy to understand. Synonyms: clear, coherent, intelligible.

Meticulous

Showing great attention to detail; very careful. Synonyms: precise, diligent, thorough.

Nefarious

Wicked or criminal in nature. Synonyms: villainous, evil, heinous.

Obsolete

No longer produced or used; out of date. Synonyms: outdated, archaic, defunct.

Pinnacle

The most successful or highest point. Synonyms: peak, apex, summit.

Quandary

A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do. Synonyms: dilemma, predicament, plight.

Resilient

Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. Synonyms: tough, hardy, adaptable.

Scrutinize

To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly. Synonyms: inspect, examine, probe.

Tenable

Able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection. Synonyms: defensible, viable, justifiable.

Ubiquitous

Present, appearing, or found everywhere. Synonyms: omnipresent, pervasive, universal.

Venerate

To regard with great respect or reverence. Synonyms: revere, honor, worship.

Wary

Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers. Synonyms: cautious, vigilant, alert.

Zealot

A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their ideals. Synonyms: fanatic, extremist, radical.

Affluent

Having a great deal of money; wealthy. Synonyms: rich, prosperous, opulent.

Brevity

Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech. Synonyms: conciseness, shortness, succinctness.

Censure

To express severe disapproval of someone or something, especially officially. Synonyms: condemn, reprimand, criticize.

Deterrent

A thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something. Synonyms: obstacle, restraint, discouragement.

Elated

Ecstatically happy or thrilled. Synonyms: overjoyed, delighted, euphoric.

Feasible

Possible to do easily or conveniently. Synonyms: practical, achievable, workable.

Gregarious

Fond of company; sociable. Synonyms: outgoing, friendly, extroverted.

Haughty

Arrogantly superior and disdainful. Synonyms: conceited, snobbish, arrogant.

Incite

To encourage or stir up violent or unlawful behavior. Synonyms: provoke, instigate, agitate.

Lethargic

Sluggish and lacking energy or enthusiasm. Synonyms: drowsy, listless, apathetic.

Mitigate

To make less severe, serious, or painful. Synonyms: alleviate, ease, lessen.

Novice

A person new to or inexperienced in a field or situation. Synonyms: beginner, learner, neophyte.

Ominous

Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen. Synonyms: threatening, foreboding, sinister.

Pragmatic

Dealing with things sensibly and realistically. Synonyms: practical, sensible, logical.

Recant

To say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief. Synonyms: withdraw, retract, renounce.

Subtle

So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or detect. Synonyms: understated, faint, elusive.

Taciturn

Reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little. Synonyms: quiet, reticent, untalkative.

Usurp

To take a position of power or importance illegally or by force. Synonyms: seize, commandeer, hijack.

Vacillate

To alternate or waver between different opinions or actions. Synonyms: dither, fluctuate, hesitate.

Wane

To decrease in vigor, power, or extent; become weaker. Synonyms: diminish, decline, dwindle.

Acumen

The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions. Synonyms: shrewdness, insight, sharpness.

Boisterous

Noisy, energetic, and rowdy. Synonyms: unruly, rambunctious, lively.

Coercion

The practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats. Synonyms: intimidation, duress, compulsion.

Dubious

Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon. Synonyms: doubtful, suspicious, questionable.

Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time. Synonyms: fleeting, transient, short-lived.

Fastidious

Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail. Synonyms: meticulous, fussy, painstaking.

Galvanize

To shock or excite someone into taking action. Synonyms: rouse, motivate, spur.

Hinder

To create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay. Synonyms: impede, obstruct, hamper.

Innocuous

Not harmful or offensive. Synonyms: safe, benign, harmless.

Judicious

Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense. Synonyms: wise, sensible, prudent.

Lament

To express passionate grief, sorrow, or regret. Synonyms: mourn, bewail, grieve.

Mundane

Lacking interest or excitement; dull. Synonyms: ordinary, boring, routine.

Nullify

To make legally null and void; invalidate. Synonyms: revoke, cancel, annul.

Obstinate

Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action. Synonyms: stubborn, headstrong, unyielding.

Pacify

To quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of. Synonyms: soothe, appease, calm.

Quell

To put an end to something, typically by the use of force. Synonyms: suppress, crush, extinguish.