Vocabulary Workshop Level G - Unit 13

Abstruse

(adj.) extremely difficult to understand

Synonyms: arcane, recondite, occult

Antonyms: simple, straightforward

Affront

(n.) an open or intentional insult; a slight; (v.) to insult to one's face; to face in defiance, confront

Synonyms: (n.) offense; (v.) offend

Antonyms: (n., v.) compliment, praise

Canard

(n.) a false rumor, fabricated story

Synonyms: hoax

Antonyms: -

Captious

(adj.) excessively ready to find fault; given to petty criticism; intended to trap, confuse, or show up

Synonyms: faultfinding, carping

Antonyms: uncritical

Cognizant

(adj.) aware, knowledgeable, informed; having jurisdiction

Synonyms: acquainted

Antonyms: unaware, unconscious, oblivious

Contrite

(adj.) regretful for some misdeed or sin; plagued by a sense of guilt; throughly penitent

Synonyms: remorseful, rueful

Antonyms: unapologetic, impenitent

Cynosure

(n.) the center of attraction, attention, or interest; something that serves to guide or direct

Synonyms: focus

Antonyms: -

Decorous

(adj.) well behaved, dignified, socially proper

Synonyms: seemly, becoming, tasteful

Antonyms: unbecoming, improper, tasteless

Deign

(v.) to think it appropriate or suitable to one's dignity to do something; to condescend

Synonyms: deem

Antonyms: -

Desiccated

(adj., part.) thoroughly dried out; divested of spirit or vitality; arid an uninteresting

Synonyms: dehydrated, shriveled

Antonyms: sodden, waterlogged, drenched

Efficacy

(n.) the power to produce a desired result

Synonyms: effectiveness, potency, reliability

Antonyms: impotence

Engender

(v.) to bring into existence, give rise to, produce; to come into existence, assume from

Synonyms: generate, cause, form;

Antonyms: stop, deter

Ethereal

(adj.) light, airy, delicate; highly refined; suggesting what is heavenly (rather than earthbound)

Synonyms: heavenly, celestial, gossamer

Antonyms: infernal, hellish, thick, heavy

Facade

(n.) the front or face of a building; a surface appearance (as opposed to what may lie behind)

Synonyms: exterior, surface, mask

Antonyms: interior

Ghoulish

(adj.) revolting in an unnatural or morbid way; suggestive of someone who robs graves or otherwise preys on the dead

Synonyms: barbarous, monstrous

Antonyms: -

Incongruous

(adj.) not in keeping, unsuitable, incompatible

Synonyms: discordant

Antonyms: compatible, harmonious, consistent

Machination

(n.) a crafty, scheming, or underhanded action designed to accomplish some (usually evil) end

Synonyms: plot, maneuver

Antonyms: -

Mesmerize

(v.) to hypnotize, entrance; to fascinate, enthrall, bewitch

Synonyms: -

Antonyms: -

Opprobrium

(n.) disgrace arising from shameful conduct; contempt, reproach

Synonyms: infamy, dishonor, odium

Antonyms: acclaim, honor, glory, renown

Putative

(adj.) generally regarded as such; reputed hypothesized, inferred

Synonyms: supposed, presumed

Antonyms: corroborated, confirmed