144 VOCABULARY FOR TOEFL iBT
imbroglio (im·'brohl·yoh) n. a confused or difficult situation, usually involving a
disagreement or misunderstanding. In Shakespeare’s comedies, there is often an
imbroglio caused by a case of mistaken identity.
immolate ('im·o ̆·layt) v. 1. to kill, as a sacrifice. 2. to kill (oneself) by fire.- to destroy (one thing for another). In order for the plants to grow, I had to
immolate the weeds.
impasse ('im·pas) n. a deadlock, stalemate; a difficulty without a solution. The labor
negotiations with management reached an impasse, and a strike seemed imminent.
impassive (im·'pas·iv) adj. not showing or feeling emotion or pain. It was hard to
know what she was feeling by looking at the impassive expression on her face.
impecunious (im·pe ̆·'kyoo·nee·u ̆s) adj. having little or no money; poor, penni-
less. Many impecunious immigrants to the United States eventually are able to make
comfortable lives for themselves.
imperialism (im·'peer·ee·a ̆·liz·e ̆m) n. the policy of extending the rule or author-
ity of a nation or empire by acquiring other territories or dependencies. Great
Britain embraced imperialism, acquiring so many territories that the sun never set on
the British Empire.
imperious (im·'peer·ee·u ̆s) adj. overbearing, bossy, domineering. Stella was
relieved with her new job transfer because she would no longer be under the control of
such an imperious boss.
impervious (im·'pur·vee·u ̆s) adj. 1. incapable of being penetrated. 2. not able to
be influenced or affected. Hadley is such a diehard libertarian that he is impervious
to any attempts to change his beliefs.
impetuous (im·'pech·oo·u ̆s) adj. 1. characterized by sudden, forceful energy or
emotion; impulsive, unduly hasty and without thought. 2. marked by violent
force. It was an impetuous decision to run off to Las Vegas and get married after a
one-week courtship.
implacable (im·'plak·a ̆·be ̆l) adj. incapable of being placated or appeased; inex-
orable. Some of the people who call the customer service desk for assistance are
implacable, but most are relatively easy to serve.
importune (im·por·'toon) v. 1. to ask incessantly, make incessant requests. - to beg persistently and urgently. Children can’t help but importune during the
holidays, constantly nagging for the irresistible toys they see advertised on television.
imprecation (im·pre ̆·'kay·sho ̆n) n. an invocation of evil, a curse. In the book I’m
reading, the gypsy queen levies an imprecation on the lead character.