ISEE Middle Level Vocabulary > Group 33
strident
loud and harsh; grating
sublime
of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe
subside
become less intense, violent, or severe
succumb
fail to resist (pressure, temptation, or some other negative force)
surmise
suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it
surpass
exceed; be greater than
susceptible
likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing
swelter
of a person or the atmosphere at a particular time or place) be uncomfortably hot
talisman
an object, typically an inscribed ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck
tedious
too long, slow, or dull
teem
be full of or swarming with
tentative
not certain or fixed; provisional
theme
the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person’s thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic
tirade
a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation
tract
an area of indefinite extent, typically a large one
transition
the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another
treason
the action of betraying someone or something
trepidation
a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen
turbulent
characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not controlled or calm
tycoon
a wealthy, powerful person in business or industry
ultimate
being the best or most extreme example of its kind
ungainly
(of a person or movement) awkward; clumsy
universal
of, affecting, or done by all people or things in the world or in a particular group
validate
check or prove the acceptability or accuracy of (something)
variable
not consistent or having a fixed pattern; liable to change
vie
compete eagerly with someone in order to do or achieve something
vilify
speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner
voracious
having a very eager approach to an activity
wage
carry on (a war or campaign)
wrangle
have a long and complicated dispute
