134 VOCABULARY FOR TOEFL iBT
disconcert (dis·ko ̆n·'surt) v. 1. to upset the composure of, ruffle. 2. to frustrate
plans by throwing into disorder. The arrival of Miriam’s ex-husband and his new
wife managed to disconcert the typically unflappable Miriam.
disconsolate (dis·'kon·so ̆·lit) adj. 1. sad, dejected, disappointed. 2. inconsolable,
hopelessly unhappy. The disconsolate look on Peter’s face revealed that the letter con-
tained bad news.
disdain (dis·'dayn) n. a feeling or showing of haughty contempt or scorn; a state
of being despised. v. 1. to regard with haughty contempt or scorn, despise.- to consider or reject (someone or something) as unworthy or beneath one’s
dignity. I was humiliated by the way Angelica disdained every idea I proposed at that
meeting.
disenfranchise (dis·en·'fran·ch ̄z) v. to deprive of the rights of citizenship, espe-
cially the right to vote. The independent monitors were at polling locations to ensure
neither party tried to disenfranchise incoming voters.
disingenuous (dis·in·'jen·yoo·u ̆s) adj. 1. insincere, calculating; not straightfor-
ward or frank. 2. falsely pretending to be unaware. Carl’s disingenuous comments
were not taken seriously by anyone in the room.
disparage (di·'spar·ij) v. to speak of in a slighting or derogatory way, belittle.
Comedians often disparage politicians as part of their comedic routines.
dissipate ('dis· ̆·payt) v. 1. to separate and scatter completely; to disperse to the
point of disappearing, or nearly so. 2. to be extravagant and wasteful, especially
in the pursuit of pleasure; squander. The crowd dissipated when the riot police
arrived, and only the very angriest protesters remained.
dissemble (di·'sem·be ̆l) v. to disguise or conceal one’s true feelings or motives
behind a false appearance. Tom needed to dissemble his goal of taking his boss’s job
by acting supportive of his boss’s planned job change.
dissuade (di·'swayd) v. to discourage from or persuade against a course of
action. I tried to dissuade them from painting their house purple, but they didn’t lis-
ten.
dither ('dith·e ̆r) v. 1. to hesitate, be indecisive and uncertain. 2. to shake or
quiver. During a crisis, it is important to have a leader who will not dither.
dogma ('daw·ma ̆) n. a system of principles or beliefs, a prescribed doctrine.
Some find the dogma inherent in religion a comfort, whereas others find it too
restrictive.