Tag: softskills

Dull means not bright - lacking luster, shine, or vividness (for colors or surfaces). It can also mean boring or not sharp. Insincere pious speech is cant, done slyly is secretly dishonest, and glancing through quickly is skimming.

Dumbfound means to astonish or make someone speechless with surprise. The root comes from 'dumb' (speechless) combined with the idea of being struck or overwhelmed. Options B, C, and D describe unrelated concepts - ill temper, position, or usage.

A dummy is an imitation or replica of a real object, used as a substitute for the original. Common examples include practice dummies for sports, crash test dummies, or display mannequins. A cantata (B) is a musical composition, to enervate (C) means to weaken, and a niggard (D) is a miser.

A dupe is someone who is easily fooled or deceived - the root connects to duplicity (double-dealing). A canter (B) is a slow gallop for horses, to underscore (C) means to emphasize, and a skirmish (D) is a minor fight. Dupe specifically refers to a person, not an action.

Duplicity means double-dealing or deceitfulness - intentionally misleading someone while appearing trustworthy. It comes from 'duplex' (double/twofold). Canto (B) refers to poem divisions, dissimulation (C) is hiding truth, and inconstant (D) means changeable - but duplicity specifically requires intentional deception, not just changeability.

Duration is the length of time something lasts or continues - a neutral time measurement. To poll (B) means to collect opinions, an undertaker (C) directs funerals, and turpitude (D) means depravity/wickedness. Only A describes time span.

Duress means forcible restraint or compulsion, especially unlawful constraint - being forced to act under threat. Roomy (B) means spacious, to undulate (C) means wavelike motion, and to sneak (D) means moving secretly. Duress specifically involves coercion against one's will.

Dutiful (variant spelling duteous) means showing respect, obedience, or care in fulfilling one's duties - conscientious behavior. Faculty (B) means ability, to dig (C) means excavate, and gradual (D) means slow. Dutiful describes how someone performs responsibilities.

Dwindle means to shrink, diminish, or gradually reduce in size, amount, or strength. Fine-bored (B) describes something thin ( unrelated), unearthly (C) means supernatural, and to slow up (D) means decelerate. Only A captures the sense of gradual reduction.

Dynamic means energetic, forceful, or characterized by constant change and activity - the opposite of static. To surrender (B) is to yield, plain (C) means ordinary, and dross (D) is metal waste. Dynamic specifically conveys energy and active force.