How to Sound Smarter: 10 Vocab Word Swaps That Instantly Impress

1. New Word: Endemic (en-DEM-ik)

Meaning: Belonging to a particular region or people
Instead of: “Them Tasmanian Devils are only found in Tazakistan, I’m pretty sure. And zoos.”
Sound Smarter: “The Tasmanian Devil is endemic only to the Australian island of Tasmania.”

 

2. New Word: Cavil (KAV-uhl)

Meaning: To quibble or nitpick
Instead of: “Well, I guess that’s for the jury to decide.”
Sound Smarter: “I hate to cavil, darling, but I’m fairly sure that man you just hit was riding a Segway, not a scooter.”

 

3. New Word: Parlous (PAHR-lous)
Meaning: Dangerous

Instead of: “This won’t hurt a bit!”
Sound Smarter: “I assure you there is nothing parlous about the intracranial demulsification procedure.”

 

4. New Word: Imbibe (im-BAHYB)

Meaning: Drink; absorb
Instead of: “Let’s go sit on the porch, down a few cold ones and take in the scenery.”
Sound Smarter: “Please join me on the veranda to imbibe some refreshing beverages and enjoy the spectacular ocean view.”

 

5. New Word: Soporific (soh-puh-RIF-ik)
Meaning: Sleep-inducing
Instead of: “I could eat a whole ’nuther helping of pie—but I’m just too pooped.”

Sound Smarter: “Unfortunately, the soporific effects of the turkey, not to mention all the wine I’ve imbibed, prevent me from staying awake long enough to partake of dessert.”

 

6. New Word: Alacrity (uh-LAK-ri-tee)
Meaning: Quick, cheerful enthusiasm
Instead of: “Brian’s a go-getter, isn’t he? I like him. But he kind of bugs me, too.”
Sound Smarter: “Brian’s tendency to approach every task with alacrity made him not only one of the office’s favorite employees, but also one of the most annoying.”

 

7. New Word: Circumspect (SUR-kuhm-spekt)
Meaning: Cautious
Instead of: “Uh, Fred, you might not want to look down that tube.”
Sound Smarter: “Frederick, a more circumspect approach to that fireworks cannon you just lit might be advisable.”

 

8. New Word: Phlegmatic (fleg-MAT-ik)

Meaning: Apathetic; sluggish

Instead of: “Get your lazy butt up off the sofa and answer the phone yourself.”
Sound Smarter: “Guinness World Records just called to let you know you’ve been named Most Phlegmatic Couch Potato.”

 

9. New Word: Enmity (EN-mi-tee)
Meaning: Ill will, hostility, or outright hatred
Instead of: “I hate you! I hate, hate, hate you!”
Sound Smarter: “Be assured, my charming friend, that my enmity for you is outmatched only by my resistance to having my tonsils extracted through my nasal passages.”

 

10. New Word: Temerity (teh-MEHR-eh-tee)

Meaning: Foolhardiness; reckless courage
Instead of: “I don’t know if that was brave or just stupid, what you just did. Did it really eat your cell phone?”
Sound Smarter: “It takes extreme temerity to jump into the grizzly bear enclosure, Jethro. Shall I call an ambulance?”

 

 

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