Sadlier-Oxford: Level F: Unit 4

Affable

(adj.) Courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to.

Synonyms: Genial, Amicable, Agreeable, Cordial

Antonyms: Surly, Cantankerous, Dour, Inhospitable

Aggrandize

(v.) To increase in greatness, power or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear greater.

Synonyms: Augment, Amplify, Enhance, Exalt

Antonyms: Reduce, Decrease, Diminish

Amorphous

(adj.) Shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion.

Synonyms: Formless, Unstructured, Nebulous, Inchoate

Antonyms: Definite, Well-Defined, Clear-Cut

Aura

(n.) That which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality.

Synonyms: Ambiance, Atmosphere

Contraband

(n.) Illegal traffic, smuggled goods.

(adj.) Illegal, prohibited.

Synonyms: (adj.) Illicit, Bootleg, Unlawful

Antonyms: (adj.) Legal, Lawful, Licit

Erudite

(adj.) Scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic.

Synonyms: Profoundly Educated, Well-Read

Antonyms: Ignorant, Uneducated, Illiterate

Gossamer

(adj.) Thin, light, delicate, insubstantial.

(n.) A very thin, light cloth.

Synonyms: (adj.) Filmy, Diaphanous, Sheer, Airy, Feathery, Gauzy

Antonyms: (adj.) Thick, Dense, Solid, Massive

Infer

(v.) To find out by reasoning; to arrive at a conclusion on the basis of thought; to hint; suggest, imply.

Synonyms: Gather, Deduce, Presume, Guess, Speculate

Inscrutable

(adj.) Incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically.

Synonyms: Impenetrable, Incomprehensible, Enigmatic

Antonyms: Comprehensible, Intelligible, Penetrable

Insular

(adj.) Relating to, characteristic of, or situated on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience.

Synonyms: Narrow-Minded, Parochial, Provincial

Antonyms: Catholic, Cosmopolitan, Liberal

Irrevocable

(adj.) Incapable of being changed or called back.

Synonyms: Irreversible, Unrecallable, Unalterable

Antonyms: Reversible, Changeable

Propensity

(n.) A natural inclination or predilection toward.

Synonyms: Natural Bent, Proclivity, Penchant

Antonyms: Natural Incapacity or Inability

Querulous

(adj.) Peevish, complaining, fretful.

Synonyms: Petulant, Touchy, Cranky, Irritable

Antonyms: Uncomplaining, Stoical, Serene, Placid

Remonstrate

(v.) To argue or plead with someone against something, protest against, object to.

Synonyms: Reason Against, Expostulate

Repudiate

(v.) To disown, reject, or deny the validity of.

Synonyms: Disavow, Abjure, Renounce

Antonyms: Avow, Affirm, Aver, Avouch

Resilient

(adj.) Able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly.

Synonyms: Springy, Elastic, Buoyant, Bouncy

Antonyms: Rigid, Stiff, Inflexible, Unyielding

Reverberate

(v.) To re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly.

Synonyms: Ruble, Thunder, Boom, Echo

Scurrilous

(adj.) Coarsely abusive, vulgar or low (especially in language), foul-mouthed.

Synonyms: Obscene, Filthy, Abusive, Vituperative

Antonyms: Decorous, Seemly, Tasteful, Dignified

Sedulous

(adj.) Persistent, showing industry and determination.

Synonyms: Assiduous, Tireless, Indefatigable

Antonyms: Lackadaisical, Listless, Indolent, Otiose

Sleazy

(adj.) Thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethnically low, mean, or disreputable.

Synonyms: Inferior, Cheesy, Tawdry, Tatty

Antonyms: Superior, First0Rate, Quality, Sturdy