Nuance (Nuance) (NOO-ahns)
A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
The painting displayed a subtle nuance of color.

Paradox (Paradoxe) (PAR-uh-doks)
A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
The concept of less is more is a paradox.

Cogent (Cogent) (KOH-juhnt)
(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing.
She presented a cogent argument for her proposal.

Ephemeral (Éphémère) (ih-FEM-er-uhl)
Lasting for a very short time.
The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral.

Ubiquitous (Ubiquitaire) (yoo-BIK-wi-tuhs)
Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.

Ostensible (Ostensible) (os-TEN-suh-bul)
Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.
His ostensible reason for being late was traffic.

Juxtaposition (Juxtaposition) (juks-tuh-puh-ZISH-uhn)
The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
The artist used juxtaposition of light and shadow.

Dichotomy (Dichotomie) (dye-KOT-uh-mee)
A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
There is often a dichotomy between theory and practice.

Paradigm (Paradigme) (PAR-uh-dym)
A typical example or pattern of something; a model.
The company's new business model represents a paradigm shift.

Tenacity (Ténacité) (tuh-NAS-i-tee)
The quality of being very determined; determination.
Her tenacity helped her overcome many obstacles.

Evoke (Évoquer) (ih-VOHK)
Bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind.
The smell of cinnamon evokes memories of Christmas.

Insinuate (Insénuer) (in-SIN-yoo-ayt)
Suggest or hint (something bad or reprehensible) in an indirect and unpleasant way.
He tried to insinuate that I was lying.

Galvanize (Galvaniser) (GAL-vuh-nyze)
Shock or excite (someone) into taking action.
The speech galvanized the crowd into protest.

Mitigate (Atténuer) (MIT-i-gayt)
Make less severe, serious, or painful.
The new law helped to mitigate the effects of poverty.

Alleviate (Alléger) (uh-LEE-vee-ayt)
Make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.
The medicine helped to alleviate her headache.

Fabricate (Fabriquer) (FAB-ri-kayt)
Invent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent.
He fabricated an excuse for his absence.

Discern (Discerner) (di-SURN)
Recognize or find out (something) with slight effort.
She could discern a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

Capitulate (Capituler) (kuh-PICH-uh-layt)
Cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; yield.
The company finally capitulated to the workers' demands.

Proliferate (Proliférer) (pruh-LIF-er-ayt)
Increase rapidly in number; multiply.
Bacteria can proliferate quickly in warm conditions.

Substantiate (Justifier) (suhb-STAN-shee-ayt)
Provide evidence to support or prove the truth of.
The scientist was able to substantiate his claims.

Astute (Astucieux) (uh-STOOT)
Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
She is an astute observer of human behavior.

Sagacious (Sagace) (suh-GAY-shuhs)
Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd.
He offered sagacious advice on the matter.

Eloquent (Éloquent) (EL-uh-kwuhnt)
Clearly expressing or indicating something.
She gave an eloquent speech on the importance of education.

Ingenious (Ingénieux) (in-JEEN-yuhs)
Clever, original, and inventive.
He came up with an ingenious solution to the problem.

Resilient (Résilient) (ri-ZIL-yuhnt)
Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
She is a resilient person who bounces back from setbacks.

Meticulous (Méticuleux) (muh-TIK-yuh-lus)
Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
The artist was meticulous in her brushstrokes.

Pragmatic (Pragmatique) (prag-MAT-ik)
Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical considerations rather than theoretical ones.
He took a pragmatic approach to solving the problem.

Serendipitous (Sérendipiteux) (ser-uhn-DIP-i-tuhs)
Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
The discovery was serendipitous.

Taciturn (Taciturne) (TAS-i-turn)
Reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.
He is a taciturn man who rarely speaks.

Vivacious (Vivace) (vi-VAY-shuhs)
Attractively lively and animated.
She is a vivacious and energetic personality.