To “circumscribe” means to limit or restrict. Its literal meaning is “to draw a line around” – that is, to create a boundary containing one thing inside and keeping others out.

Example:  “The novices’ activities were very circumscribed during the first two weeks of their enrolment, during which they were allowed no contact with the outside world.”

To “comprise” means to be made of, to contain, or to include.

Example:  “The panel will comprise members of each university department.”

“Equitable” means fair, just, and impartial.

Example:  “The judge ruled that the owners of the failed business had to make an equitable division of the remaining money in the bank account.”

“Amenable” means “open to persuasion.” It doesn’t necessarily mean you change your opinion about something, but that you’re willing to go along with the other person to avoid conflict, reach a conclusion, or in some other way keep things moving forward.

Example:  “There are many movies I’d like to see this weekend, but I’m amenable to any suggestions or preferences you might have.”

“Intransigent,” meaning stubborn and unwilling to compromise. It’s similar to “adamant,” but has the additional sense that the person is perhaps being inflexible just to be stubborn or contrary, and not for any firmly-held belief.

Example:  “Although Jamie had already won the arguments over child custody and support payments, she remained intransigent in her insistence that her ex-husband also pay for all of the school uniforms.”

“Compliant” means “willing to comply.” Synonyms of compliant are “submissive” and “yielding.”

Example:  “The new worker was so afraid of losing his job that he was compliant even with the supervisor’s most outrageous demands.”

“Adamant,” meaning inflexible or unyielding. Someone who is determined and will not move from their position or change their opinion is adamant.

Example:  “The head of the school was adamant in his belief that boys and girls should eat meals at separate tables.”

“Utilitarian” means practical and functional, without anything that doesn’t contribute to that functionality. Six extra cup-holders in a car will not make the car run more smoothly.

Example:  “IKEA is famous for its selection of utilitarian home furnishings, like unfinished wood shelving you assemble at home yourself.”

“Ubiquitous” means omnipresent or pervasive; in other words, found everywhere.

Example:  “The advertisements for that new car are ubiquitous; I even saw one in the community center’s monthly flyer.”

“Cacophony” means a loud confusion of sound, where the level or type of noise – or both – are unpleasant.

Example:  “I don’t really like most modern jazz; all I hear is a cacophony of notes with no real melody or rhythm.”