TOEFL Vocabulary — Set 156

Set 156 of TOEFL Vocabulary covers 5 words: obdurate, mutual, indolent, carnivorous, insipid. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. obdurate · adjective/ˈɑb.dʒəˌrɪt/

   stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action

   Despite numerous pleas from his friends, he remained obdurate in his decision to quit the team.

   Synonyms: stubborn, unyielding, inflexible

   Origin: from Latin 'obduratus', the past participle of 'obdurare' meaning 'to harden, persist'

2. mutual · adjective/ˈmjuːtʃuəl/

   shared by two or more parties

   Their mutual respect for each other's opinions made the discussion much more productive.

   Synonyms: shared, reciprocal, joint

   Origin: from Latin 'mutualis', from 'mutuus' meaning 'borrowed or lent'

3. indolent · adjective/ˈɪndələnt/

   having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion or activity

   Despite having plenty of work to do, his indolent attitude led him to procrastinate for hours on end.

   Synonyms: lazy, idle, slothful

   Origin: from Latin 'indolentem', meaning 'free from pain', from 'in-' (not) + 'dolere' (to feel pain)

4. carnivorous · adjective/kɑːrˈnɪvərəs/

   feeding on other animals

   Lions are known for their carnivorous diet, primarily hunting large herbivores for food.

   Synonyms: predatory, meat-eating, flesh-eating

   Origin: from Latin 'carnivorus', from 'caro' meaning 'flesh' and 'vorare' meaning 'to devour'.

5. insipid · adjective/ɪnˈsɪpɪd/

   lacking flavor, vigor, or interest

   The movie was so insipid that I struggled to stay awake during the entire film.

   Synonyms: bland, dull, tasteless

   Origin: Latin 'insipidus', meaning 'tasteless', from 'in-' (not) + 'sapidus' (tasty)