|
innocuous
(adj.) harmless; dull; innocent
The remark was rude but innocuous.
He couldn't bear to sit through another innocuous lecture.
The teens engaged in an innocuous game of touch football.
innovate
(v.) introduce a change; depart from the old
She innovated a new product for the home construction market.
innuendo
(n.) an indirect remark; insinuation
The student made an innuendo referring to the professor.
The office was rife with innuendo that a takeover was in the works.
inquisitive
(adj.) eager to ask questions in order to learn
An inquisitive youngster is likely to become a wise adult.
insinuate
(v.) to work into gradually and indirectly
He will insinuate his need for a vacation by saying how tired he has been
lately.
insipid
(adj.) uninteresting, boring flat, dull
Many people left the insipid movie before it was finished.
Declaring the offerings insipid, the critic grudgingly awarded the restaurant
one star.
insolvent
(adj.) unable to pay debts
The insolvent state of his bank account kept him from writing any checks.
instigate
(v.) start; provoke
It was uncertain to the police as to which party instigated the riot.
insubordinate
(adj.) disobedient to authority
The boy's insubordinate behavior was a constant source of tension between
the school and his parents.
insular
(adj.) having the characteristics of an island; narrow-minded, provincial
After walking along the entire perimeter and seeing that the spit of land
was actually insular, we realized it was time to build a boat.
His insular approach to education makes him a pariah among liberals.
insularity
(n.) having the characteristics of an island
The insularity of the country made it a great place to build a resort.
intangible
(adj.) incapable of being touched; immaterial
Intangible though it may be, sometimes just knowing that the work you
do helps others is reward enough.
intercede
(v.) to plead on behalf of another; mediate
The superpowers were called on to intercede in the talks between the two
warring nations.
intermittent
(adj.) periodic; occasional
Luckily, the snow was only intermittent, so the accumulation was slight.
The intermittent blinking light was distracting.
intractable
(adj.) stubborn, obstinate; not easily taught or disciplined
Every teacher in the school became frustrated with the intractable student
and sent him to the principal's office.
An intractable pet can be very frustrating..
intransigent
(adj.) uncompromising
With intransigent values, no amount of arguing could change her mind.
The baseball owners and players remained intransigent, so a deal was never
struck.
intrepid
(adj.) fearless, bold
The intrepid photographer flew on some of the fiercest bombing raids of
the war.
Her intrepid actions deserved a medal.
inundate
(v.) to flood; to overwhelm with a large amount of
The broken water main inundated the business district with water.
Surfing the Internet can inundate you with information: That's why a web
browser comes in handy.
inured
(adj.) accustomed to pain
Beekeepers eventually become inured to bee stings.
inveterate
(adj.) a practice settled on over a long period of time
The inveterate induction ceremony bespoke one of the school's great traditions.
invoke
(v.) ask for; call upon
The parishioners invoked divine help for their troubles.
iota
(n.) a very small piece
There wasn't one iota of evidence to suggest a conspiracy.
irascible
(adj.) prone to anger
The irascible teenager was known to cause fights when upset.
Knowing that the king was irascible, the servants decided not to tell
him about the broken crystal.
ironic
(adj.) contradictory, inconsistent; sarcastic
Is it not ironic that Americans will toss out leftover French fries while
people around the globe continue to starve?
irrational
(adj.) not logical
It would be irrational to climb Mt. Everest without some very warm clothing.
irreparable
(adj.) that which cannot be repaired or regained
The damage to the house after the flood was irreparable.
The head-on collision left the car irreparable.
|