Cajole

The verb cajole means to gently persuade someone with flattery or promises.

Synonyms are deceive, blandish, seduce or persuade.

The word origins from French (1640s) cajoler meaning “to cajole, wheedle, coax” a word of uncertain origin. Perhaps a blend of Middle French cageoler meaning “to chatter like a jay” and Old French gaioler meaning “to cage, entice into a cage”.

In order to pass, she cajoled her teacher so she will allow her to submit her lacking outputs.

I had to cajole my mom to let me go swimming with my friends.

The slaves cajoled for their freedom.

Belie

The verb belie means to hide the truth and give a false representation about something.

Synonyms are contradict, misrepresent, conceal, or distort.

The word origins from Old English beleogan meaning “to deceive by lies” from be- plus lie meaning “to lie, tell lies”. Current sense of “to contradict as a lie, give the lie to, show to be false” and is first recorded in the 1640s.

The policeman needed to belie in order for the operation not to be disturbed.

I don’t understand why she always belies and tricks us, as we’ve always been good to her.

He belied and got caught so he tried to defend his act. But white lies or not, lies are still lies.

Abridge

The verb abridge means to reduce or shorten a written work without sacrificing the text’s sense.

Synonyms are shorten, truncate, curtail, or trim.

The word origins from Middle English (1300) abriggen meaning “to reduce, diminish, shorten” and from the Old French (12c.) abrigier. It also origins from Late Latin abbreviare meaning “make short” from ad meaning “to” plus breviare meaning “shorten”.

It is not my intention to abridge contexts.

There are principles or some contexts that might have been abridged in this book.

My mother carefully abridged her written speech since she didn’t want to talk much on tomorrow’s conference.

Zealot

The noun zealot means a fanatic person who has extreme opinions about something, usually about religion or politics, and forcefully tries to influence the opinions of others.

Synonyms are militant, fanatic, enthusiast, or activist.

The word origins from Late Latin (early 14th century) zelotes and from Greek zēlōtēs meaning “one who is a zealous follower” from zēlos meaning “zeal”. It does have an extended sense of “a fanatical enthusiast” first recorded in the 1630s.

She is professional and intelligent, yes, but she is also one of the worst kinds of zealot.

One of the downside of social media is that zealot people are literally everywhere.

I know a place that is run mostly by zealots.

Whimsical

The adjective whimsical describes something or someone strange, unusual or playful in thoughts or action in an appealing way.

Synonyms are weird, freakish, impulsive, or odd.

The word origins from whimsy plus -ical and was first used in 1653.

I love books with whimsical charms.

Once you get to know him, you will be surprised by his whimsical personality.

It is just something whimsical I painted a long time ago.

Vacillate

The verb vacillate means to hesitate in choosing between different opinions or actions, being indecisive, or swaying unsteadily from one choice to the other.

Synonyms are waffle, seesaw, waver, or fluctuate.

The word origins from Latin (1590s) vacillatus, past participle of vacillare meaning “sway to and fro, hesitate” (to and fro = move repeatedly from one place to another and back again, or from side to side). The meaning “to waver between two opinions or courses” is recorded from 1620s.

The teacher keeps on vacillating so the class was dismissed without a decision being made.

I always vacillate between studying or sleeping.

It is not an easy decision so it is understandable why the leader vacillated.

Undermine

The verb undermine is to weaken, subvert, or make something less strong by attacking or removing its supporting materials or foundation.

Synonyms are cripple, sabotage, enfeeble, or compromise.

The word origins from the 1300s undermyne meaning “render unstable by digging at the foundation”, from under + mine. The figurative sense “injure by invisible, secret, or dishonourable means” is attested from the early 15th century.

It was designed to help with the country’s undermining economic position.

The continuous heavy rain has undermined the soil, causing a serious landslide.

This fact alone could undermine his years of hard work, so he better fix himself.

Taciturn

The adjective taciturn describes someone who is very quiet, does not say much or is reserved. This person could seem unfriendly for being uncommunicative.

Synonyms are close-mouthed, distant, reserved, or reticent.

The word origins from Middle French (15th century) taciturne and from Latin taciturnus and tacitus meaning “not talkative, noiseless”.

I don’t know him that much but he’s obviously a taciturn.

Jake and Ryle are both taciturn, I admire their friendship for being so strong without having much conversation.

We were friends since grade school but didn’t know she’s a taciturn at home until we became roommates.

Sage

The noun sage is defined as someone who is very wise. It also refers to a plant with grayish green aromatic leaves used as a culinary herb. Sage can also act as an adjective which means wise or considerate, especially as a result of experience.

Synonyms are discerning, insightful, perceptive, or prudent.

The word origins from Middle English and Anglo-French (13th century) sage, salge, and from Latin salvia, salvus meaning healthy from its use as a medicinal herb. It also meant “a man profound wisdom” in the mid 14th century. Originally applied to the Seven Sages: Thales, Solon, Periander, Cleobulus, Chilon, Bias, and Pittacus. As an adjective, the word came from Old French (11th century) sage meaning “wise, knowledgeable, learned, shrewd, skilful”. It meant “characterized by wisdom” in the 1530s.

Believe it or not, my grandmother adds sage when cooking fried chicken.

What she needs the most right now is a sage suggestion.

I’ve been wanting to interview a sage and it’s finally happening on Monday.

Ramble

The verb ramble means to walk for pleasure or wander around without a definite route. It could also be used as a noun which means a walk for pleasure.

Synonyms are maunder, rattle, excursion, orouting.

The word origins from Middle English (mid 15th century) perhaps frequentative of romen meaning “to walk, go”, probably an alteration of romblen (late 14th century) meaning “to ramble”. The vowel change is probably influenced by Middle Dutch rammelen, a derivative of rammen meaning “copulate”, “used of the night wanderings of the amorous cat” and the meaning “to talk or write incoherently” is from the 1630s. It is first used as a verb in the 15th century and as a noun in 1639.

He rambles on for minutes before briefly encounter a point that he wanted to make.

I often spend my leisure time rambling and a little bit of exercising.

He has been rambling and climbing for almost an hour now.