pungent adj. (PUN jent) having a sharp odor or taste. These spices are too pungent for my taste.
purge adj. (PURJ) to eliminate, excrete, or cleanse. To repair your computer, we must purge it of viruses.
quack n. (KWACK) one who practices a profession, especially medicine, yet is unschooled and incompetent. The quack's magical medicine turned out to be made of sugar.
qualify vb. (KWAL uh fye) to modify. Bill reported that the company would not be making any more widgets, but I need to qualify that statement; we'll make them if we get sufficient orders for them.
quandary n. (KWON duh ree) a predicament. We're in something of a quandary here; you say companies require experience to get this job, but how do we get experience if they won't hire us?
quantum leap n. (KWON tum LEEP) a radical change or altering of direction. The popularizing of the personal computer has produced a quantum leap toward a global information network.
quell vb. (KWELL) to subdue or suppress. In an attempt to quell inner-city violence, the mayor is advocating stricter gun control.
que sera sera Spanish for "whatever will be will be." If you've taken every safety precaution possible, there is no longer any purpose in worrying; que sera sera.
quixotic adj. (kwik SOT ik) impractically romantic or idealistic, from the fictional character of Don Quixote. Her dreams of spending her honeymoon on a tiny sailboat in the middle of the Pacific were quixotic; neither she nor her fiance knew how to sail.
radical adj. (RAD i cul) extreme; fanatical. His idea to shut down all businesses that pollute was radical.
rakish adj. (RAY kish) dashing, jaunty. The women turned their heads in unison as the rakish gentleman entered the room.
rambunctious adj. (ram BUNK shus) unruly; raucous and noisy. Any rambunctious children will be removed from the museum.
ramification n. (ram uh fuh KAY shun) a consequence or effect. The loss of the nuclear plant would have several ramifications, not the least of which was significantly higher energy bills.
rampant adj. (RAMP unt) growing or spreading out of control. Population growth in many third world countries has become rampant.
rancor n. (RANG kur) deep-seated hatred. The rancor between the two parties may prevent them from agreeing on anything worthwhile.
rapacious adj. (ruh PAY shus) predatory; plundering. The rapacious pirates stole every last item of value from the government vessel.
ratify vb. (RAT uh fye) to pass or officially approve. The bill was ratified by an overwhelming vote.
rationalize vb. (RASH uh nuh lize) to convince oneself through self-serving arguments that one's actions are defensible or positive when they are not; to justify one's actions. The looter rationalized stealing the television because, after all, the shop door was unlocked and everybody but him already owned a TV.
rebuke vb. (ri BYOOK) to reprimand and criticize. The children were rebuked sharply for riding their bicycles in busy traffic.
rebuttal n. (re BUT ul) a counterargument; a refutation or retort. The defense made some strong points but we had a powerful rebuttal prepared.
recant vb. (re KANT) to retract or take back something previously stated. I'd like to recant my criticism against all cats; actually, what I meant was, I don't like some cats.
reconcile vb. (REK un sile) to resolve differences or make up. After their fight, the boys were asked to offer apologies and reconcile.
red herring n. any issue or object employed to distract from a larger, more important one. The president's vociferous focus on the booming economy was obviously a red herring to distract reporters from his past unethical behavior.
redress n. (REE dress) compensation for or correction of a wrong. The company's lawsuit seeks redress for the reporter's slanderous report.
redundant adj. (ri DUN dunt) repetitive, wordy; more than what is called for. When making a speech, you may make a point in various ways, but try to avoid being redundant.
refute vb. (ri FYOOT) to argue or prove that something is wrong. We plan to refute the newspaper's poorly researched report with facts and figures of our own.
regale vb. (ri GAYL) to entertain. The comedian regaled us with one hilarious story after another.
regress vb. (ree GRESS) to retreat to an earlier stage; to progress backwards. Don't let a teenager regress to her childhood by crying for a snack; that's embarrassing.
reiterate vb. (ree IT uh RAYT) to repeat or go over what has already been said. I will reiterate these directions only once, so I strongly urge you to take notes.
relegate vb. (REL uh GAYT) to assign or consign. As the youngest of ten children, I was always relegated to carry out the most meaningless chores in the house.
relentless adj. (ri LENT less) unremitting, incessant. The relentless rain caused the river to flow over its banks and inundate the town square.
relinquish vb. (ree LIN kwish) to give up or renounce. Even after losing to the challenger, the vanquished fighter refused to relinquish his championship belt.
remiss adj. (ri MISS) negligent in one's duties. I would be seriously remiss if I forgot to take the trash out for three weeks in a row.
renaissance n. (REN i SAHNS) a revival or resurgence. The city is undergoing something of a renaissance, with several new office buildings and a new park planned.
renege vb. (ri NIG) to go back on one's word or promise. Don't renege on written agreements unless you want to be sued for breach of contract.
renounce vb. (ri NOWNCE) to give up or reject. When Sally learned of the fraud involved, she quickly decided to renounce her belief in psychics.
repartee n. (REP ar TEE) clever verbal exchanges or witty remarks. The comedian engaged himself in some stinging repartee with his hecklers.