Vocab Unit 12

Abjure

DEF = (v.) to renounce, repudiate under oath; to avoid, to shun

SYN = forswear, retract, recant, abstain from

ANT = affirm, avow, aver, profess

Acrid

DEF = (adj.) harsh in taste or color; sharp in manner or temper

SYN = irritating, stinging, bitter, caustic

ANT = gentle, soothing, mild

August

DEF = (adj.) majestic, inspiring admiration and respect

SYN = stately, dignified, exalted, venerable

ANT = humble, base, mean, lowly, abject

Callous

DEF = (adj.) emotionally hardened; unfeeling

SYN = insensitive, unsympathetic, thick-skinned

ANT = sensitive, compassionate, tenderhearted

Clandestine

DEF = (adj.) secret, concealed; underhanded

SYN = covert, furtive, surreptitious, stealthy

ANT = open, overt, undisguised, aboveboard

Compunction

DEF = (n.) remorse, regret

SYN = scruple, qualm, misgiving, contrition

ANT = shamelessness, insouciance, nonchalance

Conflagration

DEF = (n.) a large destructive fire

SYN = holocaust, wildfire

ANT = deluge, flood

Elated

DEF = (adj., part.) in high spirits, jubilant; extremely pleased

SYN = overjoyed, ecstatic, tickled pink

ANT = depressed, crestfallen, despondent, blue

Indelible

DEF = (adj.) not able to be erased or removed; memorable

SYN = lasting, permanent, unforgettable

ANT = erasable, impermanent, ephemeral

Indulgent

DEF = (adj.) yielding to the wishes or demands of others

SYN = lenient, permissive, tolerant, liberal

ANT = strict, severe, inflexible, hard-nosed

Inveterate

DEF = (adj.) firmly established, long-standing; habitual

SYN = persisting, chronic, dyed-in-the-wool

ANT = sporadic, intermittent, occasional

Irrelevant

DEF = (adj.) not to the point, not applicable or pertinent

SYN = inapplicable, immaterial, beside the point

ANT = pertinent, material, apropos, germane

Nocturnal

DEF = (adj.) of or occurring in the night; under cover of darkness

SYN = nighttime

ANT = daytime, diurnal

Platitude

DEF = (n.) a commonplace, stale, or trite remark

SYN = cliché, truism, bromide

ANT = epigram, quip, witticism, bon mot

Quelle

DEF = (v.) to subdue, put down forcibly

SYN = suppress, pacify, squelch, quash, crush

ANT = incite, provoke, arouse

Quiescent

DEF = (adj.) inactive; at rest

SYN = still, inert, motionless, dormant, tranquil

ANT = active, thriving, lively, bustling, volatile

Ruminate

DEF = (v.) to meditate, think about at length; to chew the cud

SYN = ponder, reflect, mull over, muse

Tacit

DEF = (adj.) unspoken, silent; implied, inferred

SYN = unexpressed, unvoiced, understood

ANT = explicit, express, specific

Tangible

DEF = (adj.) capable of being touched; real, concrete

SYN = perceptible, actual, evident, palpable

ANT = immaterial, imperceptible, insubstantial

Trenchant

DEF = (adj.) incisive, keen; forceful, effective; cutting, caustic, clear; distinct, clear-cut

SYN = penetrating, cutting, telling, acute

ANT = dull, bland, insipid, vapid, imperceptive