Tag: softskills

Aloft means high up in the air, above the ground or overhead. It describes something elevated like birds flying aloft or flags suspended aloft. The distractors define unrelated concepts: isolated, reserved in relationships, and a noisy quarrel.

Amenable means agreeable, responsive to advice, or obedient to authority. Someone amenable is willing to cooperate or follow suggestions. The other options are unrelated definitions: nonmoral (lacking moral qualities), amiable (friendly), and ameliorate (to improve).

Ancillary means serving as an aid, accessory, or supplementary support to something primary. It describes something subordinate but helpful, like ancillary staff or equipment. Distractors include ancestry, annihilate, and animadversion (harsh criticism).

Antediluvian literally means 'before the flood' (biblical reference) and describes something extremely old, antiquated, or outdated. It's often used humorously for anything hopelessly old-fashioned. Distractors are antithesis (opposite), alluvial (soil deposits), and antidote (remedy).

Apocalyptic means prophetic, especially describing revelations about catastrophic or world-ending events. It originates from the Apocalypse (biblical Book of Revelation). Distractors include aphasia (speech loss), apolitical (unconcerned with politics), and apostate (one who abandons faith).

Arcane means mysterious, secret, or understood by only a few - often referring to specialized knowledge or obscure practices. It describes something requiring hidden or exclusive understanding. Distractors include arcade (covered passageway), archaic (belonging to the past), and archetype (original pattern).

To badger means to pester, harass, or annoy someone persistently with repeated demands or requests. It comes from the practice of dogs baiting badgers. Distractors include babble (chatter idly), baffle (perplex), and backslide (revert to bad habits).

Barefaced means shameless, bold, or brazenly done without any attempt to conceal. It's often used for barefaced lies told openly and confidently. Distractors include benign (good-natured), bastion (stronghold), and bland (soft and mild).

A bastion is a stronghold, fortification, or something that serves as a source of protection or defense. It can be literal (military fort) or figurative (a bastion of democracy). Distractors include banal (lacking originality), bawdy (about sex in a rude way), and bastard (illegitimate child).

Belabor primarily means to discuss something excessively or at length, but literally means to attack or beat someone physically. The modern meaning is about over-explaining or repeating arguments. Distractors include beneficiary, bent (determined), and bereaved (deprived through death).