Purport

Purport

<per-port>

imply; pretend; impersonate;

presenting something in a false or fake way.

The purport of rain turned out to be my brother using the hose on the window.

Memory trick:
Pretend report

At work:
You purport to be a computer expert but your program is not good.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Dubious

Dubious

<do-be-us>

unsure; uncertain; unclear;

something in doubt with no clear answer.

Math is a dubious subject because I don't understand it.

Memory trick:
We dub something when we don't understand it.
dub means to make up words.

At work:
The report is dubious because I don't trust the numbers.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Chasm

Chasm

<kah-zem>

crater; canyon; separation;

something dividing two things having a hole.

The horses jumped over the chasm and landed on the other side.

Memory trick:
chase down into

At work:
The is a chasm between our companies. We should meet to work together better.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Circumspect

Circumspect

<sir-kum-spekt>

wary; cautious; careful;

not willing to take chances or risks.

The circumspect rabbit stayed in the hole and never came out.

Memory trick:
circumstances we inspect before we go forward.

At work:
He is circumspect about the contract so we need to calm his fears.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Animadversion

Animadversion

<ahn-nah-mad-vur-shun>

slur; criticism; accusation;

saying something negative about someone.

The animadversion of the crowd grew and they began throwing things.

Memory trick:
We are animated when we reject their version.

At work:
There was not an animadversion in the room because they loved the presentation.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Predominant

Predominant

<pree-dom-min-ant>

ruling; main; chief;

The most important item or the most dominant thing.

Sugar is the predominant ingredient in soda.

Memory trick:
Predominant reminds of dominant.

At work:
The quality of the product will be our predominant focus in the presentation.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers