Sadlier Unit 13

Abet

(v.) to encourage, assist, aid, support (especially in something wrong or unworthy)

Antonym: Hamper, Hinder, Impede, Frustrate

Aver

(v.) to affirm, declare confidently

Synonym: Assert, Asseverate, Avouch

Antonym: Deny, Disavow, Repudiate, Disclaim

Blatant

(adj.) noisy in a coarse, offensive way; obvious or conspicuous, especially in an unfavorable sense

Synonym: Flagrant, Glaring, Egregious, Disagreeably Loud

Antonym: Inconsequential, Trifling, Piddling, Petty

Broach

(v.) to bring up or begin to talk about (a subject); to announce, introduce; to break the surface of the water; to pierce; (n.) a spit for roasting; a tool for tapping casks

Buttress

(v.) to support, prop up, strengthen; (n.) a supporting structure

Synonym: Bolster, Reinforce, Brace, Shore Up

Antonym: Undermine, Weaken, Impair

Carousal

(n.) Noisy revelry or merrymaking (often with a suggestion of heavy drinking)

Synonym: Drinking Bout, Drunken Revel, Binge

Collate

(v.) to compare critically in order to note differences, similarities, etc.; to arrange in order for some scientific purpose

Synonym: Sort Out, Cross-Check, Rearrange

Connoisseur

(n.) an expert; one who is well qualified to pass critical judgments, especially in one of the fine arts

Synonym: Authority, Savant, Pundit

Antonym: Ignoramus, Philistine, Yahoo

Disconsolate

(adj.) deeply unhappy or dejected; without hope, beyond consolation

Synonym: Grief-Stricken, Inconsolable, Comfortless

Antonym: Cheerful, Blithe, Buoyant, Jaunty

Encumber

(v.) to weigh down or burden (with difficulties, cares, debt, etc.); to fill up, block up, hinder

Synonym: Overload, Saddle, Hamper, Clog

Antonym: Unburden, Unload, Relieve

Foment

(v.) to promote trouble or rebellion; to apply warm liquids to, warm

Synonym: Instigate, Incite, Stir Up

Antonym: Quell, Quash, Squelch, Suppress

Grisly

(adj.) frightful, horrible, ghastly

Synonym: Gruesome, Gory, Hideous

Antonym: Pleasant, Delightful, Attractive

Herculean

(adj.) (capital H) relating to Hercules; (lowercare h) characterized by great strength; very hard to do in the sense of requiring unusal strength

Synonym: Mighty, Powerful, Arduous, Onerous, Colossal

Antonym: Puny, Lilliputian, Bantam

Impassive

(adj.) showing no feeling or emotion; inanimate; motionless

Synonym: Emotionless, Stoical, Unemotional, Insensible

Antonym: Emotional, Passionate, Excitable

Inauspicious

(adj.) unfavorable, unlucky, suggesting bad luck for the future

Synonym: Unpropitious, Unpromising, Untimely

Antonym: Propitious, Favorable

Incontrovertible

(adj.) unquestionable, beyond dispute

Synonym: Incontestable, Indisputable, Indubitable

Antonym: Debatable, Dubious, Open to question

Nonplussed

(adj., part.) puzzled, not knowing what to do, at a loss

Synonym: Perplexed, Baffled, Stumped, Flabbergasted

Antonym: Poised, Confident, Assured

Opportune

(adj.) suitable or convenient for a particular purpose; occuring at an appropriate time

Synonym: Timely, Appropriate, Felicitous

Antonym: Untimely, Inconvenient, Inappropriate

Prolific

(adj.) abundantly productive; abundant, profuse

Synonym: Fruitful, Fecund, Proliferous

Antonym: Barren, Unproductive, Sterile, Sparse

Rejoinder

(n.) a reply to a reply, especially from the defendent in a legal suit

Synonym: Answer, Reply, Response, Riposte, Retort