Words designed to impress (ii)

Here we continue our look at words which are sure to impress if you use them correctly.

These words show that you know your subject (or if used wrongly they show that you don’t)

See how many you already know from the list below.

foment – to foster; to encourage or provoke
fulminate – to issue decrees with violence
or threats
funereal – dismal; mournful
hegemony – leadership; predominant influence
heterogeneous – composed of people
or things that are not related to one another
heuristic – serving or leading to find out
hiatus – a break in something that should
be continuous

homogeneous – composed of people or
things that are related to one another
hubris – over-confidence; arrogance that
brings about disaster
iconoclastic – opposed to or attacking
traditional beliefs or customs
imprimatur – approval or permission
incipient – just beginning to happen
inculcate – to instil with frequent
repetitions
insidious – developing gradually and
imperceptibly

intractable – impossible to solve, cure or
deal with
invidious – likely to cause envy,
resentment or indignation
labyrinthine – full of intricate twists and turns
laconic – using very few words
loquacious – talkative
mercurial – tending to change suddenly
and unpredictably
meretricious – superficially attractive but
of no real value or merit; insincere
mordant – sarcastic or critical in a clever,
but sometimes cruel way

nebulous – vague, not clearly defined or developed
noisome – harmful to health; disgusting or
offensive to sight or smell
obfuscate – make unclear, confusing, or
too complicated to understand
obloquy – reproachful language; censure;
slander; disgrace
obstreperous – noisy; unruly
oleaginous – fawning or sycophantic
opprobrium – severe public criticism or disapproval

Next week we will conclude our look at impressive words.

* All words in this blog post have been supplied by The 12^th edition of The Chambers Dictionary. ISBN 97805501002379

Tagged as: Words Wednesday