Tag: softskills

Salutary means beneficial, producing good effects, or wholesome - especially for health. The tablet had a positive/curative effect on the disease. Salute and salutation share the Latin root but mean greeting; respectable is unrelated.

Obstreperous means unruly, noisy, and difficult to control - literally someone who creates obstruction or trouble. The context suggests a troublesome plan will backfire. Obstructive captures this sense of creating problems or resistance. Preponderous is a misspelling of preposterous; callous should be callous.

Anomie refers to a state of social instability resulting from breakdown of standards and values - literally lack of social or moral standards in a society. The context describes a society without normal ethical frameworks. Lawlessness is a symptom, not the definition; anomaly and tyranny are different concepts.

Fulsome means complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree - insincere and overly effusive praise. The context advises against insincere flattery in office settings. Sincerity is the opposite; fragrance is unrelated. The key is that fulsome praise sounds positive but is actually insincere/excessive.

Rhetorical in this context refers to language designed to impress or persuade rather than communicate sincerely - bombastic, grandiloquent, or empty of real meaning. The politician made comments that sounded impressive but were difficult to understand or lacking substance. Bombastic captures this sense of pretentious, inflated language.

Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering - typically medical-assisted dying. The Netherlands was indeed the first country to legalize it. "Medical killing" captures the essence of physician-assisted death. The other options are either too specific (killing by injections) or misleading (killing a European in Asia is a mnemonic, not the meaning).

Chequered means marked by alternating periods of good and bad fortune - a mix of successes and failures. The success made people forget the person's mixed/troubled past. It doesn't mean "very bad" or "very happy" - it specifically means varied/alternating, like a checkerboard pattern.

In this context, gambit means a bold move or strategic attempt - particularly entering a new domain like politics. While gambit in chess means an opening move, in general usage it often means a foray or calculated risk. Foray best captures the sense of making an entry into something new. Opening move is too chess-specific; gamble is close but foray fits the context of entering politics better.

Coerce means to compel or force someone to do something by using threats or pressure. The victim said he was compelled (forced under pressure) to give the statement. Independent is the opposite; foresee is unrelated; kick is too literal. Compelling captures the essence of forcing through pressure.

Coruscating means sparkling, glittering, or flashing brilliantly - literally or metaphorically. The context describes a party with lots of jewellery flashing. Glittering captures this visual brilliance. Significant and extravagant are contextually possible but not the meaning of coruscating; presentable is too weak.