Advanced Vocabulary Starting with "R"

201 entries

• radar A detection system that transmits radio waves and analyses their reflections ...
• radicalisation The process by which a person or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme po...
• radioactive Emitting or relating to the emission of ionising radiation or particles cause...
• radiograph An image produced on a sensitive surface by X-rays or other forms of radiatio...
• radiology The branch of medicine that uses imaging techniques — such as X-rays, CT scan...
• radiotherapy The treatment of cancer and other diseases using controlled doses of radiatio...
• radius A straight line from the centre of a circle or sphere to any point on its cir...
• ramification A consequence of an action or event, especially one that is complex, far-reac...
• rancour Bitter, deep-seated resentment or ill will that persists over time. Stronger ...
• rapacious Aggressively greedy or grasping, especially in the pursuit of wealth or resou...
• rapprochement The re-establishment of harmonious relations between parties that have been e...
• rapture A feeling of intense pleasure, delight, or love that absorbs the mind entirel...
• rasping Harsh, grating, and rough in sound, as if produced by friction or scraping; c...
• ratify To formally approve or confirm a treaty, agreement, or decision, giving it of...
• rationale The underlying reasons or logical basis for a decision, action, or belief; th...
• rationalise To reorganise a business, system, or process to make it more efficient, often...
• rationalism The philosophical theory that reason and logical thinking, rather than experi...
• rationalist A person who regards reason and logical analysis as the primary source of kno...
• ravine A deep, narrow valley or gully, smaller than a canyon, typically formed by th...
• reactance The component of impedance in an AC circuit caused by capacitance or inductan...
• reactionary Opposing political or social progress and seeking to return to a former, usua...
• reagent A substance used to bring about a chemical reaction, especially one employed ...
• realism The quality of representing things as they actually are; an artistic and lite...
• realist A person who accepts and deals with situations as they actually are, rather t...
• rearguard The soldiers or units positioned at the rear of an army to protect it during ...
• rebate A partial refund to someone who has paid too much for something, especially a...
• rebellion An act of armed resistance or defiance against an established government or r...
• rebuke To express sharp disapproval or criticism towards someone, typically from a p...
• rebut To claim or prove that evidence or an accusation is false, typically by prese...
• recalcitrant Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline;...
• recalibrate To adjust or correct a measuring instrument, system, or approach in light of ...
• recapitulate To summarise and state again the main points of something; to go over the key...
• recapitulation A summary that restates the main points of an argument, narrative, or discuss...
• receivable Amounts of money owed to a business by its customers or clients; in accountin...
• recession A period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial acti...
• recharge In hydrology, the process by which water percolates through the soil and rock...
• recidivism The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend, or the rate at which releas...
• reciprocal A quantity obtained by dividing one by a given number or expression, or an ad...
• reciprocity The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit; the princip...
• reckless Heedless of danger or the consequences of one's actions; acting with a lack o...
• recklessly With a complete disregard for danger, consequences, or the safety of others; ...
• reclamation The process of claiming something back or of returning land to a usable state...
• recluse A person who lives a solitary life and avoids contact with other people, ofte...
• reconcile To make two accounts, statements, or sets of figures consistent with each oth...
• reconciliation The restoration of friendly relations after a period of conflict or estrangem...
• recondite Obscure, little known, or dealing with a subject matter so specialised that i...
• reconfigure To rearrange or restructure the elements of a system, space, or organisation ...
• reconstitute To form or build something again, especially an organisation, committee, or s...
• recoup To recover or regain money that has been spent or lost, typically through sub...
• recourse The use of a particular course of action, source of help, or remedy when othe...
• recruitment The process of finding and hiring new employees or attracting new members to ...
• rectangular Having the shape of a rectangle, with four right angles and opposite sides of...
• rectifier An electrical device that converts alternating current to direct current by a...
• rectify To put right something that is wrong, faulty, or unsatisfactory, especially t...
• recurrent Occurring repeatedly or returning after a period of improvement. In medicine,...
• recursive Relating to or involving a process in which a function or procedure calls its...
• redact To edit or censor a document by removing or obscuring sensitive, confidential...
• redeem To compensate for faults or bad aspects of something; to fulfil a promise or ...
• redemption The act of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil; the process of reg...
• redolent Strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something. Also used literally to mean ...
• redoubtable Commanding respect or fear; formidable, especially as an opponent or competit...
• redress To remedy or set right an injustice, grievance, or imbalance. As a noun, comp...
• reducible Capable of being simplified, broken down, or converted into a more basic or f...
• reductio Short for reductio ad absurdum: a method of argument that disproves a proposi...
• reductive Tending to present a subject or problem in a simplified or oversimplified for...
• redundant No longer needed or useful; (in British English) dismissed from employment be...
• referendum A direct vote by the electorate on a specific political question or proposed ...
• refined Elegant and cultured in manner and taste; having undergone a process of purif...
• reflective Given to or characterised by deep, careful thought. Also, relating to or capa...
• reforestation The replanting of trees on land that was previously forested but has been cle...
• reformation A major movement or period of reform; specifically (capitalised), the 16th-ce...
• refraction The change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another, ca...
• refractive Relating to the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, or ...
• refrain To stop oneself from doing something; to hold back from an action or impulse,...
• refurbish To renovate, redecorate, or restore something — typically a building, room, o...
• refutation The act of proving a statement, theory, or argument to be wrong or false, typ...
• refute To prove that a statement, theory, or accusation is wrong or false by providi...
• regal Resembling, befitting, or characteristic of a monarch; impressively dignified...
• regency A period during which a country is governed by a regent acting on behalf of a...
• regenerate To bring new and more vigorous life to an area, institution, or system; to re...
• regeneration The renewal and transformation of a run-down urban area through investment, d...
• regression A return to a former or less developed state; in psychology, reverting to ear...
• rehabilitate To restore someone to health or normal life through therapy and training afte...
• rehabilitation The process of restoring someone to health or normal life through therapy and...
• reification The treatment of an abstract concept as if it were a concrete, tangible thing...
• reimburse To repay money that someone has spent on your behalf, or to compensate them f...
• reimbursement The repayment of money spent on behalf of another person or organisation; com...
• reincorporate To include something again as part of a larger whole after it has been separa...
• reinforce To strengthen or support something by adding extra material, personnel, or em...
• reinforcement The process of encouraging or strengthening a pattern of behaviour through re...
• reinstate To restore someone or something to a former position, right, or condition, es...
• reintegrate To restore someone or something to a position within a larger group, system, ...
• reinvigorate To restore vigour, energy, or effectiveness to something that has become tire...
• reiterate To say or state something again, typically for emphasis or clarity.
• rejuvenate To make someone or something look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively; t...
• relativism The philosophical position that knowledge, truth, or morality exist only in r...
• relativist A person who holds that knowledge, truth, or morality are not absolute but de...
• relegate To assign to a lower rank, position, or status; in British football, to move ...
• relent To become less severe, harsh, or determined; to soften one's stance or abando...
• relentless Unceasingly intense, harsh, or severe; showing no abatement of determination,...
• relentlessly In a manner that never stops or weakens, showing no abatement in intensity, s...
• relic An object, custom, or belief that has survived from an earlier period, often ...
• relinquish To voluntarily give up a right, possession, or claim; to let go of something ...
• remand To send an accused person back into custody or release them on bail while awa...
• remedial Intended to correct or improve a deficiency, especially in learning or skills...
• remediation The action of reversing or stopping environmental damage, particularly the cl...
• remedy As a verb, to set right or cure an undesirable situation or condition. As a n...
• remission A temporary or permanent decrease in the severity of disease symptoms; in oth...
• remit The scope of authority, responsibility, or area of activity assigned to an or...
• remittance A sum of money sent as payment or transferred to another party, especially fu...
• remonstrate To make a forceful protest or objection, typically in a reasoned rather than ...
• remuneration Payment or compensation received for work or services; the total financial pa...
• renaissance A revival of interest in or a period of renewed activity in something; when c...
• renal Relating to the kidneys. Used extensively in medical and scientific contexts ...
• renegade A person who deserts and betrays a group, cause, or set of principles they fo...
• renewable Capable of being replenished naturally, especially referring to energy source...
• renounce To formally declare one's abandonment of a claim, right, belief, or course of...
• renovation The process of restoring and improving a building or structure, typically to ...
• renowned Famous and widely admired, typically for a particular skill, quality, or achi...
• reparation The making of amends for a wrong; compensation paid by a defeated nation for ...
• repatriate To send or bring someone back to their own country, or to transfer money or a...
• repatriation The return of a person to their own country, or the return of something (such...
• repeal To officially revoke or annul a law, act of parliament, or regulation so that...
• repercussion An unintended consequence of an action or event, especially an unwelcome one ...
• repertoire The complete list of works that a performer, musician, or company is prepared...
• replenish To fill something up again after it has been depleted, restoring stocks, supp...
• replete Filled or well-supplied with something; abundantly provided. Can also mean co...
• replicate To reproduce or copy something exactly; in research, to repeat an experiment ...
• repository A place, building, or container where things are stored or can be found; in c...
• reprehensible Deserving strong criticism or condemnation; morally wrong to a degree that de...
• repression The unconscious exclusion of painful memories, thoughts, or desires from awar...
• repressive Serving to restrain, suppress, or inhibit freedoms, expression, or dissent, e...
• reprobate An unprincipled or morally disreputable person. Often used with affectionate ...
• repudiate To reject or refuse to accept something firmly and decisively, especially an ...
• repugnant Extremely distasteful or morally offensive; arousing strong feelings of revul...
• repurpose To adapt or convert something for use in a different way or for a different f...
• requisite Necessary or required for a particular purpose; as a noun, something that is ...
• requisition To formally demand or take possession of property, supplies, or resources for...
• rescind To officially cancel or withdraw a law, order, agreement, or decision, render...
• rescission The formal revocation, cancellation, or annulment of a law, contract, or agre...
• resection The surgical removal of part or all of an organ or tissue, most commonly perf...
• resettlement The process of settling people in a new place, particularly refugees or displ...
• resilience The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; the ability of a system, c...
• resistivity An intrinsic property of a material that quantifies how strongly it opposes t...
• resistor An electronic component that limits or regulates the flow of electrical curre...
• resolute Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering in one's course of action or...
• resolutely In a determined, unwavering manner, showing firm purpose and resolve in the f...
• resonance The quality in a sound of being deep, full, and reverberating; in physics, th...
• resonant Deep, clear, and continuing to sound or reverberate; evoking strong feelings,...
• resourcefulness The ability to find quick, clever ways to overcome difficulties; practical in...
• respiration The process of breathing; also the set of metabolic reactions in cells that c...
• respirator A device worn over the mouth and nose to filter inhaled air, or a machine tha...
• respiratory Relating to or affecting breathing or the organs and structures involved in b...
• resplendent Dazzlingly beautiful or impressive; shining brilliantly with colour, light, o...
• respondent A person against whom a petition, appeal, or legal application is brought, re...
• restitution The restoration of something lost or stolen to its rightful owner; compensati...
• restive Unable to remain still, patient, or content; feeling restless and agitated, e...
• restoration The act of returning something to its original condition, or the reinstatemen...
• restrictive Imposing limitations on activities, freedom, or rights; preventing free actio...
• restructure To organise something differently; to change the structure of a company, syst...
• resurgent Rising or becoming active again after a period of decline, dormancy, or suppr...
• resuscitate To revive someone from unconsciousness or apparent death, typically through m...
• resuscitation The act of reviving someone from unconsciousness, cardiac arrest, or apparent...
• retaliation The act of fighting back or taking revenge against someone for harm or wrong ...
• retention The continued possession, use, or control of something; the ability to keep o...
• reticent Not readily revealing one's thoughts or feelings; inclined to say little, esp...
• retraction A formal withdrawal of a previous statement, claim, or publication, typically...
• retractor A surgical instrument used to hold back the edges of a wound or incision, or ...
• retribution Punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act; jus...
• retrofit To add new technology, components, or features to an existing system, buildin...
• retrospect The act of looking back on or reviewing past events, situations, or experienc...
• retrospective Looking back on or dealing with past events; (as noun) an exhibition or revie...
• revenue The total income generated by a business or organisation from its normal acti...
• reverb The persistence of sound after the original source has stopped, caused by mul...
• revere To regard someone or something with deep respect, admiration, or devotion, of...
• reverent Showing deep respect, awe, or veneration, especially towards something sacred...
• reverie A state of pleasant, dreamy abstraction or absent-minded musing; a daydream.
• revile To criticise someone or something in an abusive or scornful manner; to subjec...
• revisionism The practice of reinterpreting or challenging accepted historical narratives,...
• revitalise To give new life, energy, or vitality to something that has declined or becom...
• revoke To officially take back or withdraw a licence, privilege, right, or permissio...
• revolutionary Involving or causing a complete and dramatic change; relating to or engaged i...
• rhetoric The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing; language designed to ...
• rhetorical Relating to the art of persuasive speaking or writing, or (of a question) ask...
• righteous Morally justified and correct; acting in accordance with what is right and ju...
• rigorous Extremely thorough, careful, and precise; adhering strictly to standards or r...
• rigorously In an extremely thorough, strict, and exacting manner; with the highest degre...
• riparian Relating to or situated on the banks of a river or stream. Used in ecology, l...
• rivet A short metal pin or bolt used to hold together metal plates, with its headle...
• robust Strong, healthy, and vigorous. When describing an argument, system, or approa...
• robustness The quality of being strong, resilient, and able to withstand adverse conditi...
• romanticism A late 18th and early 19th-century artistic and intellectual movement emphasi...
• rote Mechanical or habitual repetition as a means of learning, without necessarily...
• rubric A set of criteria or guidelines used to assess and grade student work; more b...
• ruddy Having a healthy reddish colour in the face, suggesting vigour and time spent...
• rudiment The most basic or elementary principles of a subject, skill, or field of know...
• rudimentary Involving or limited to basic principles or the most fundamental level; not f...
• ruminate To think deeply and at length about something, often turning it over repeated...
• runoff The draining away of water or other substances from the surface of an area, e...
• runtime The period during which a computer program is executing; also the software en...
• rustic Having the qualities associated with the countryside; simple, rough, or unsop...