The task was _____ but has been undertaken successfully. (great difficulty)
formidable
If teaching paid more it might attract people of (a) higher ______. (quality, ability)
calibre (UK)/ caliber (US)
This massive toy ____ viewers at the 2009 Toy Fair. (shocked)
astounded
Only a few ______ tables and chairs remained by the time we got to the auction. (not interesting)
prosaic
Teach him gently , but don't ____ him. (overprotecting)
coddle (also cook food in water below boiling temperature)
Her speech was full of excuses and ____ and never properly addressed the issue. (avoiding)
evasions - tax evasion (not paying tax illegally)
The government needs to _____ the unemployment problem. (tackle directly - UK)
get to grips with
It is unclear how to ____ the effects of tourism on the island. (make it less harmful)
mitigate
There's an _____ bond between twins. (inseparable)
inextricable
I've been working _____ all week to get it finished on time. (hurriedly done in excitement/ confusion)
frantically
The painter has managed to capture every ____ of the woman's expression. (very slight different)
nuance
We had to ____ to catch the bus. (run very fast)
sprint
They ignored all her pleas and she became very _____. (angry about unfairness)
embittered
The year 1969 was a ___ in her life - she changed her career and remarried.
watershed
When she's in a bad mood she's _____ to everyone. (disapproving: rude, unpleasant)
obnoxious
What's this?
hinge
Her performance was described as ____ and earned her many admirers. (holding attention completely)
spellbinding
She gave me a ____ look. (seeming to ask question without saying anything)
quizzical
If the school continues to gain in _____, it will attract the necessary financial support. (good reputation)
stature (also means height)
She's got a _____ (= very bad) temper. (frightening, violent)
ferocious
Jeff's always stayed in his _____ when it comes to dating women. (comfort zone)
wheelhouse
The most extraordinary thing, indeed, about that extraordinary man is the _____ of his survival in the minds and memories of those who knew him. (determination)
tenacity
When my husband tried to ____, I told him we could either be partners or I’d leave him. (instruct other to do authoritatively)
lay down the law (informal)
I need a job that ____ with my family life, as I have two little kids. (match)
meshes
If someone insults you, don't _____ as it only makes the situation worse. (hurt so back because they hurt you)
retaliate
The network was trained by processing 12 ___ of the complete training set. (repetition to improve)
iterations
The few who disagreed became the targets of _____ written attacks on the Internet. (intend to destroy badly)
vicious
The government has ____ (that) the new tax policy has been a disaster. (admit sth is true unwillingly)
conceded
I think you _____ poor Frazer - he never said a word the whole time you were here. (frighten someone and make them unable to speak)
petrified
The FBI had the duty of obtaining evidence of ____ activity. (destroy political systems intentionally)
subversive
There are also certain topics to which with ___ the authors would perhaps have given more emphasis. (knowledge gained after sth happened)
hindsight
The ____ figure of the movie is Annette Corley, a dancer who has boyfriend troubles. (UK)
focal (central and important)
What's this?
a gurney
Her latest play is more _____ and less ambitious than her earlier work. (boring)
pedestrian
Each individual fitness measure may have its own optimal or ___ solutions. (not the best)
suboptimal
Maybe she gets drunk to ____ painful memories. (remove completely)
obliterate
She wears the most ____ colour combinations you could ever imagine. (extremely ugly)
hideous
They hold widely ____ opinions on controversial issues like abortion. (different)
divergent
She urged young people to be more daring, to take more risks and venture into ____ seas. (unspoilt)
uncharted
Both sides agreed to the settlement to avoid the expense of ____. (the process taking arguments into a court of law)
litigation
The history of the world provides many examples of leaders of _____ whose ambitions have lead to the deaths of uncounted millions
tunnel vision
Reading should be an adventure, a personal experience full of ______ surprises. (by chance)
serendipitous
They recently ran a series of tests to measure the ___ of the drug. (effectiveness)
efficacy
The architect was asked to add some sculptural _____ to the building design. (adding)
embellishments
He seemed a bit ____ at lunch - is he all right? (not loud as usually)
subdued
There was a long delay, and people became increasingly ___ as they waited for the train. (worry/ angry)
agitated
The first one represents a skeptical approach and the second one represents a ____ approach. (gullible)
credulous
There are lots of really ___ apartments in the city's poorer areas.
sordid (unpleasantly dirty)
He claimed that the middle class would ______ the tax increase. (suffer the worst problems)
bear the brunt of
We managed to complete the project on time ________. (narrowly succeed)
by the skin of our teeth
Another deep breath was necessary to regain his ____. (calm, in control)
composure
He was criticized for his ___ handling of the situation. (no skill)
inept
Through hard work and ______, he worked his way up to the top. (determination)
perseverance
She was in ___ health. (strong and healthy)
robust
What's this?
boulder
In _____ to nature lovers, the town refused to grant a permit to builders who would have filled in a swamp used by many birds. (respect and politeness)
deference
She had _____ him with her knowledge and beauty. (impressed)
bedazzled
Increasing the supply of weapons will only ____ the violence and anarchy. (continue)
perpetuate
"I didn't lie," he said with a spike of ____. (angry about an unfair situation)
indignation
The marketing manager was ill and her deputy ran the meeting ____. (in place of her)
in her stead
In the event of an attack, take ____ in the basement. (shelter)
refuge
She may not have followed the trends of ____, but she had her own sense of style. (luxurious clothes)
couture
He's been accused of ____ up racial hatred in the region. (encourage bad feedlngs)
stoking
He shouldn't try to control every ____ of her life. (part)
facet
Her desperate request for help was met with a ___. (refusing in an unfriendly way)
rebuff
No one is ___ by the sight of guns here any more. (informal - worry, suprise)
fazed
Charles Dickens ____ lawyers (= represented them in a way that made them look silly) in several of his novels.
caricatured
This gown is not just a prom dress; it's a classic ___.
ball gown
The bus station is _____ to the railway station. (very near)
adjacent
They were horrified at this unexpected _______. (change)
turn of events
From now on the idea of cosmic life became ____ with the physical and mental characteristics of the alien.
synonymous
"Why am I here?" the witness responded in an _____ tone. (show not wanting to believe)
incredulous
They took out a £40o,000 ____ (= they borrowed £40o,000) to buy the house.
mortgage
When she saw the money hidden in the box she ____ in surprise. (short quick breath)
gasped
I've told her she should stay at home and rest but she's ____ that she's coming. (impossible to persuade)
adamant
Be careful not to ____ your sweater on the rose bushes. (get catch on sth sharp)
snag
They felt refreshed and ____ after the walk. (full of energy)
invigorated
The report criticizes the banks for being ____ in their lending. (unwise due to not thinking of the result)
imprudent
The school chose to _____ its curriculum by equipping classrooms with new technology. (completely change to make sth more effective)
overhaul
Her latest fashion collection features shimmering _____ materials. (bright colors change in different lights)
iridescent
Otherwise, simple, hasty decision will only make yourself ______. (in danger)
walk on thin ice
He has a few plants in pots on the ______.
windowsill
He felt a sense of ____, anger, and pain at the accusation made against him. (not wanting to believe)
incredulity
He had such _____ pain that he had to lie quite still in his bed. (extremely painful)
excruciating
His ____ mind calculated the answer before I could key the numbers into my computer. (quick, precise, agile)
nimble
Archaeologists are _____ a site near the cathedral. (remove earth to find old buried objects)
excavating
Judy Garland was bright and ____, with a vibrant singing voice. (attractively energetic and enthusiastic)
vivacious
I ____ my Biology exam. (fail - US informal)
flunked
Henson's flying machine, designed in 1843, was the earliest attempt at ___ on a great scale. (business using aircraft/ flying)
aviation
There are three world-class tennis players ______ for this title. (compete to win)
contending