High Frequency Word List: U-W | 3 Months Preparation for CAT PDF Download

Word List: U

1. Undermine (adjective): 

• to weaken (usually paired with an abstract term)
• Example: The student undermined the teacher's authority by questioning the teacher's judgment on numerous occasions.

2. Underscore (verb): 

• give extra weight to (a communication)
• Example: While the hiking instructor agreed that carrying a first aid kit could be a good idea under certain circumstances, he underscored the importance of carrying enough water.

3. Unequivocal (adjective): 

• admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding; having only one meaning or interpretation and leading to only one conclusion
• Example: The President's first statement on the subject was vague and open to competing interpretations, so when he spoke to Congress about the same subject later, he was cafeful to make his position completely unequivocal.

4. Unscrupulous (adjective): 

• without scruples or principles
• Example: In the courtroom, the lawyer was unscrupulous, using every manner of deceit and manipulation to secure a victory for himself.

5. Upbraid (verb): 

• to reproach; to scold
• Example: Bob took a risk walking into the "Students Barbershop"--in the end he had to upbraid the apparently drunk barber for giving him an uneven bowl cut.

Word List: V

1. Vacillate (verb): 

• be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
• Example: Some students vacillate between schools when deciding which to attend, while others focus only on one school.

2. Vehement (adjective): 

• marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions
• Example: While the other employees responded to the bad news in a measured way, Andrew responded in a vehement manner, tipping over his desk and shouting at the top of his lungs.

3. Venality (noun): 

• the condition of being susceptible to bribes or corruption
• Example: Even some of the most sacrosanct sporting events are not immune to venality, as many of the officials have received substantial bribes to make biased calls.

4. Venerate (verb): 

• to respect deeply
• Example: The professor, despite his soporific lectures, was venerated amongst his colleagues, publishing more papers yearly than all of his peers combined.

5. Veracious (adjective): 

• truthful
• Example: While we elect our leaders in the hope that every word they speak  will be veracious, history has shown that such a hope is naive.

6. Vilify (verb): 

• spread negative information about
• Example: Todd was noble after the divorce, choosing to say only complimentary things about Barbara, but Barbara did not hesitate to vilify Todd.

7. Vindicate (verb): 

• to clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proof
• Example: Even seven Tour de France wins cannot vindicate Lance Armstrong in the eyes of the public--that the athlete used performance enhancing drugs invalidates all those wins.

8. Vociferous (adjective): 

• Conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
• Example: In giving Marcia a particular vociferous response, Paul caused people at every other table in the restaurant to turn around an look at them angrily.

9. Volubility (noun): 

• the quality of talking or writing easily and continuously
• Example: The professor's volubility knows no bounds; he could talk through a hurricane and elaborate a point from one St. Patrick's Day to the next.

Word List: W

1. Wanting (adjective): 

• lacking
• Example: She did not think her vocabulary was wanting, yet there were so many words that inevitably she found a few she didn't know.

2. Winsome (adjective): 

• charming in a childlike or naive way
• Example: She was winsome by nature, and many people were drawn to this free and playful spirit.