WORD LIST 145
impudent ('im·pyu ̆·de ̆nt) adj. 1. boldly showing a lack of respect, insolent.
- shamelessly forward, immodest. Thumbing his nose at the principal was an
impudent act.
impugn (im·'pyoon) v. to attack as false or questionable; to contradict or call
into question. The editorial impugned the senator’s reelection platform and set the
tone for the upcoming debate.
impute (im·'pyoot) v. to attribute to a cause or source, ascribe, credit. Doctors
impute the reduction in cancer deaths to the nationwide decrease in cigarette smoking.
incense ('in·sens) n. fragrant material that gives off scents when burned. (in·'sens)
v. to make (someone) angry. Marcel’s criticism incensed his coworker.
incendiary (in·'sen·dee·er·ee) adj. 1. causing or capable of causing fire; burning
readily. 2. of or involving arson. 3. tending to incite or inflame, inflammatory.
Fire marshals checked for incendiary devices in the theater after they received an
anonymous warning.
inchoate (in·'koh·it) adj. 1. just begun; in an initial or early stage of develop-
ment, incipient. 2. not yet fully formed, undeveloped, incomplete. During the
inchoate stage of fetal growth, it is difficult to distinguish between a cow, a frog, or a
human; as they mature, the developing embryos take on the characteristics of their
own particular species.
incognito (in·ko·ne ́e·toh) adj. or adv. with one’s identity concealed; in disguise
or under an assumed character or identity. The star was traveling incognito, hop-
ing to find some measure of privacy on her vacation.
incontrovertible (in·kon·tro ̆·'vur·t ̆·be ̆l) adj. indisputable, undeniable. The
photographs showed Brad and Allison together; their relationship was an incontro-
vertible fact.
incredulous (in·'krej·u ̆·lu ̆s) adj. skeptical, unwilling to believe. The members of
the jury were incredulous when they heard the defendant’s farfetched explanation of
the crime.
inculcate (in·'kul·kayt) v. to teach and impress by frequent instruction or repeti-
tion; to indoctrinate, instill. My parents worked hard to inculcate in me a deep sense
of responsibility to others.
incursion (in·'kur·zho ̆n) n. a raid or temporary invasion of someone else’s terri-
tory; the act of entering or running into a territory or domain. There was an
incursion on the western border of their country.