Predatory

Predatory

<pred-ah-tore-ree>

greedy; exploiting; preying;

taking unfair advantage of others.

The loan was predatory so the judge declared it void.

Memory trick:
predatory reminds of predator

At work:
Their contract is predatory. We won't sign it.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Dilettante

Dilettante

<dil-leh-tont>

dabbler; rookie; amateur;

someone does an activity without becoming an expert.

I play the guitar but I am a dilettante. I can only play simple songs.

Memory trick:
dil reminds of dil
A dill pickle takes no expertise to serve

At work:
You would be a better salesperson if you were not a dilettante. You should learn about making sales.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Usurp

Usurp

<yew-serp>

wrest; commendeer; seize;

to take something by power or force.

The knight was able to usurp the king by rallying the people. He then became king.

Remember:
usurp reminds of You Slurp
you slurp someone elses drink

At work:
I don't want to usurp his authority. You need to ask him what to do..

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Circuitous

Circuitous

<sear-qew-it-tis>

meandering; tortuous; winding;

a road or route with many twists and turns.

The circuitous river made the journey take longer.

Remember:
circuitous reminds of circuit such as a race track

At work:
The instructions are circuitous. Please make them simple.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Arrogate

Arrogate

<ah-rah-gayte>

seize; take; claim;

to take something not belonging to you.

The cat will arrogate your fish given the chance.

Remember:
arrogate reminds of arrogant
it is arrogant to take something not given

At work:
You have no right to arrogate my stapler. Please give it back.

(c) 2015 Carruthers

Autonomous

Autonomous

<awe-tonn-no-mus>

independent; free; self-ruling;

being without control from someone or something else.

The writer enjoyed autonomous freedom and wrote what he desired.

Remember:
autonomous reminds of auto
we go where we want in an auto

At work:
You will be autonomous on this project and make all decisions.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Mercenary

Mercenary

<mer-sen-nair-ree>

greedy; selfish; materialistic;

being a person who wants money above all else.

The mercenary man sold all he owned because he loved money.

Memory trick:
Mercenary reminds of monetary

At work:
We should be less mercenay and lower our prices.

(c) E. Carruthers