u1-6

approbation

(n.) the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise, official approval.

synonyms: sanction

antonyms: disapproval, condemnation, censure

assuage

(v.) to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench

synonyms: mitigate, slake, allay

antonyms: intensify, aggravate, exacerbate

coalition

(n.) a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

synonyms: alliance, league, federation, combine

antonym: splinter group

decadence

(n.) decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay; excessive self-indulgence

synonyms: degeneration, corruption

antonyms: rise, growth, maturation

elicit

(v.) to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)synonyms: evoke, extract, educeantonyms: repress, quash, squelch, stifle

expostulate

(v.) to attempt to dissuade someone form some course o decision by earnest reasoning

synonyms: protest, remonstrate, complain

hackneyed

(adj.) used so often as to lack freshness or originality

synonyms: banal, trite, commonplace, corny

antonyms: new, fresh, novel, original

hiatus

(n.) a gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing)

synonyms: pause, lacuna

antonyms: continuity, continuation

innuendo

(n.) a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)

synonyms: insinuation, intimation

antonym: direct statement

intercede

(v.) to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement

synonyms: intervene, mediate

jaded

(adj.) wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)

synonyms: sated, surfeited, cloyed

antonyms: unspoiled, uncloyed

lurid

(adj.) causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint

synonyms: gruesome, gory, grisly, baleful, ghastly

antonyms: pleasant, attractive appealing, wholesome

meritorious

(adj.) worthy, deserving recognition and praise

synonyms: praiseworthy, laudable, commendable

antonyms: blameworthy, reprehensible

petulant

(adj.) peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset

synonyms: irritable, testy, waspish

antonyms: amiable, placid

prerogative

(n.) a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence

synonyms: perquisite, perk

provincial

(adj.) pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward; of a simple, plain design that originated in the countryside; (n.) a person with a narrow point of view; a person from an outlying area; a soldier from a province or colony

synonyms: (adj.) narrow-minded, parochial, insular, naive

antonyms: (adj) cosmopolitan, broad-minded

simulate

(v.) to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of

synonyms: pretend, affect

transcend

(v.) a rise above or beyond, exceed

synonyms: surpass, outstrip

umbrage

(n.) shade cast by trees; foliage giving shade; an overshadowing influence or power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion

synonyms: irritation, pique

antonyms: pleasure, delight, satisfaction

unctuous

(adj.) excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable

synonyms: mealymouthed, fawning, greasy

antonyms: gruff, blunt

ameliorate

to improve (v)

aplomb

poise (n)

bombastic

full of yourself (adj)

callow

immature (adj.)

drivel

saliva; nonsense (n)

to speak nonsense (v)

epitome

an instance that represents a larger reality (n)

exhort

to urge strongly, advise earnestly (v)

ex officio

by virtue of holding a certain office (adj or adv)

infringe

to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds (v)

ingratiate

to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense) (v)

interloper

one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder (n)

intrinsic

belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part (adj)

inveigh

to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval (v)

lassitude

weariness of body or mind, lack of energy (n)

millennium

a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy (n)

occult

secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means (adj) to hide, cover up; eclipse; (v) matters involving the supernatural (n)

permeate

to spread through, penetrate, soak through (v)

precipitate

to fall as moisture; to bring about suddenly; (v) characterized by excessive haste; (adj) moisture; the product of an action or process (n)

stringent

strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste (adj)

surmise

to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; likely idea that lacks definite proof (v)

Abominate

(v.) To have an intense dislike or hatred for.

Synonyms: Loathe, Abhor, Despise, Detest

Antonyms: Relish, Savor, Cherish, Esteem

Acculturation

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

Synonyms: Adaptation

Adventitious

(adj.) Resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital.

Synonyms: Extrinsic, Incidental, Fortuitous

Antonyms: Essential, Intrinsic, Inherent, Congenital

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 faster.

Synonyms: Accelerate, Facilitate, Speed Up

Antonyms: Hinder, Hamper, Impede, 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.