Level F, Unit 3

abominate

abominate

(v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred

SYNONYMS: loathe, abhor, despise, detest ANTONYMS: relish, savor, cherish, esteem

acculturation

(n.) the modification of social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another.

SYNONYMS: adaptation

adventitious

(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause of character; accidental, not essential

SYNONYMS: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous ANTONYMS: essential, intrinsic, inherent, fortuitous

ascribe

(v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute

SYNONYMS: impute, credit, attribute

circuitous

(adj.) roundabout, not direct

SYNONYMS: indirect, meandering, winding ANTONYMS: straight, direct, as the crow flies

commiserate

(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

SYNONYMS: feel sorry for, empathize ANTONYMS: feel no sympathy for

enjoin

(v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

SYNONYMS: bid, charge, command, adjure ANTONYMS: allow, permit

expedite

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress further

SYNONYMS: accelerate, facilitate, speed up ANTONYMS: hinder, hamper, impeded, obstruct

expiate

(v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert

SYNONYMS: redeem, make amends for, atone, make reparation

ferment

(n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence. v. to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action

SYNONYMS: commotion, turmoil, unrest ANTONYMS: peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

inadvertent

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention, unintentional, accidental

SYNONYMS: accidental, unconsidered ANTONYMS: deliberate, intentional, premeditated

nominal

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

SYNONYMS: titular, token, trifling, inconsequential ANTONYMS: real, actual, exorbitant, excessive

noncommital

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position

SYNONYMS: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest ANTONYMS: positive, definite, committed

peculate

(v.) to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use

SYNONYMS: embezzle, defraud, misappropriate

proclivity

(n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)

SYNONYMS: natural bent, penchant, propensity ANTONYMS: inability or incapacity

sangfroid

(n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

SYNONYMS: poise, self-assurance, equanimity ANTONYMS: excitability, hysteria, flappability

tenuous

(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

SYNONYMS: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy ANTONYMS: strong, solid, substantial, valid

seditious

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

SYNONYMS: mutinous, rebellious, subversive ANTONYMS: supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant

vitriolic

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like strong acid)

SYNONYMS: withering, acerbic, mordant ANTONYMS: - bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

wheedle

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

SYNONYMS: cajole, soft-soap, sweet talk ANTONYMS: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm