1/9/16

Proponent

Proponent

<proh-poan-nent>

advocate; backer; patron;

a person who supports a cause.

I am a proponent of eating vegetables because they are good for you.

Memory trick:
proponent reminds of pro.

At work:
He is a proponent of good testing. He never releases bad programs.


(c) 2016 E. Carruthers

1/8/16

Complaisant

Complaisant

<Kum-play-sant>

compliant; docile; accommodating;

being agreeable and wanting to please.

The complaisant dog waited for her command. It was friendly and obedient.

Memory trick:
complaisant reminds of "come pleasant".

At work:
Your complaisant and happy. It is a pleasure to work with you.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

1/7/16

Censorious

Censorious

<sen-soar-ree-us>

disapproving; condemning; denouncing;

being extremely critical;

The first review was censorious but great reviews followed. The play was a success.

Memory trick:
censorious reminds of censor.
censor means to block out something.
we censor the unlikable.

At work:
The censorious complaints are well deserved. We need to do a better job.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

1/6/16

Ratify

Ratify

<rat-tuh-feye>

affirm; okay; endorse;

to authorize something with approval.

The town did ratify the new parking rules. You can park there all day.

Memory trick:
we rate it when we agree with it.

At work:
We decided to ratify the terms of the contract. We can now sign it.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

1/5/16

Nettle

Nettle

<net-tul>

annoy; provoke; harass;

to do something to upset someone.

The cat liked to nettle the dog. He liked to be chased.

Memory trick:
think of the nettles on a rose.
they are meant to bother you.

The product problems will nettle the customers. We must delay the launch.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

1/4/16

Inundate

Inundate

<in-nen-dayte>

flood; overrun; swamp;

to overload or overwhelm beyond capacity.

The rain would soon inundate my garden with water. I could not see the vegetables.

Memory trick:
inundate reminds of "in under".

At work:
We should not inundate them with too much work. We need to manage their projects.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers 

1/3/16

Goad

Goad

<gode>

incite; prod; provoke;

to urge someone until they do something.

I used a treat to goad the dog into my car. We became friends forever.

Memory trick:
goad reminds of go.
we make them go.

At work:
A demonstration will goad the customer into buying. You always get a sale.


(c) 2016 E. Carruthers