Vocabulary Workshop Level F Unit 1-6

Approbation

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

S: commendation, sanction;

A: disapproval, condemnation, censure

Assuage

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

S: mitigate, alleviate, slake, allay

A: intensify, aggravate, exacerbate

Coalition

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

S: alliance, league, federation, combine

A: splinter group

Decadence

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

S: degeneration, corruption

A: rise, growth, development, maturation

Elicit

(v) to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)

S: call forth, evoke, extract, educe

A: repress, quash, squelch, stifle

Expostulate

(v) to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning

S: protest, remonstrate, complain

Hackneyed

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

S: banal, trite, commonplace, corny

A: new, fresh, novel, original

Hiatus

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

S: pause, lacuna A: continuity, continuation

Innuendo

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

S: insinuation, intimation

A: direct statement

Intercede

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

S: intervene, mediate

Jaded

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

S: sated, surfeited, cloyed

A: unspoiled, uncloyed

Lurid

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

S: gruesome, gory, grisly, baleful, ghastly

A:pleasant, attractive, appealing, wholesome

Meritorious

(adj) worthy, deserving recognition and praise

S: praiseworthy, laudable, commendable

A: blameworthy, reprehensible, descreditable

Petulant

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

S: irritable, testy, waspish

A: even-tempered, placid, serene, amicable

Prerogative

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

S: 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

S: narrow-minded, parochial, insular, naive

A: cosmopolitan, catholic, broad-minded

Simulate

to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of

S: feign, pretend, affect

Transcend

(v) to rise above or beyond, exceed

S: surpass, outstrip

Umbrage

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

S: irritation, pique, annoyance

A: pleasure, delight, satisfaction

Unctuous

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

S: mealymouthed, servile, fawning, greasy

A: gruff, blunt

ameliorate

(VERB) to improve,make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

S: Amend, Better

A: Worsen, Aggravate, Excerbate

aplomb

(NOUN) pose, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity

S: Composure, Self-Possession, Levelheadedness

A: Confusion, Embarrassment, Abashment

bombastic

(ADJECTIVE) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words inended to conceal a lack of ideas

S: Inflated, Highfalutin, High-flown, Pretentious

A: Unadorned, Simple, Plain, Austere

callow

(ADJECTIVE) without experience; immature, not fully developed, lacking sophistication and poise, without feathers

S: Green, Raw, Unfledged, Inexperienced

A: Mature, Grown-up, Polishd, Sophistiated

drivel

(NOUN,VERB) saliva, or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk, or thinking; nonsense; (v) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly

S: Balderdash, Hogwash, Tommyrot, slaver

epitome

(NOUN) a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality

S: Abstract, Digest, Model, Archetype

exhort

(VERB) to urge strongly, advise earnestly

S: Entreat, Implore, Adjure

A: Discourage, Advise against, Deprecate

ex officio

(ADJECTIVE,ADVERB) by virtue of holding a certain office

infringe

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

S:Encroach, Impinge, Intrude, Poach

A: Stay in Bounds

ingratiate

(VERB) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a criticl or derrogatory sense)

S: Cozy up To, Curry favor with

A: Alternate, Humiliate oneself, Mortify oneself

interloper

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

S: Trespasser, Meddler, Buttinsky

intrinsic

(ADJECTIVE) belonging to someone or something by its very natre, essetial, inherent, originating in a bodly organ or part

S: Immanent, Organic

A: Extinsic, External, Outward

inveigh

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

S: Rail, Harangue, Fulminate, Remonstrate

A: Acclaim, Glorify, Extol

lassitude

(NOUN) weriness of body or mind, lack of energy

S: fatigue, Lethargy, Torpor, Languor

A: Energy, Vitality, Animation, Liveliness

millennium (millennia)

(NOUN) a period of on thousand years; a period of great joy

S: Chiliad, Golden age, Prosperity, Peace

A: Doomsday, Day of Judgement

occult

(ADJECTIVE,VERB,NOUN) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; (v) to hide, conceal eclipse; (n) matters involving he supernatural

S: Supernatural, Esoteric, Abstruse, Arcane

A: Mundane, Common, Public, Exoteric

permeate

(VERB) to spread through, penetrate, soak through

precipitate

(VERB,ADJECTIVE,NOUN) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct form to (adj) characterized by excessive haste; (n) moisture; the poduct of an action or process

S: Provoke, Produce, Reckless, Impetous

A: Wary, Cautious, Circumspect

stringent

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

S: Stern, Rigorus, Tough, Urgent, Imperative

A: Lenient, Mild, Lax, Permissive

surmise

(VERB,NOUN) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess (n) likely idea that lacks definite proof

S: Infer, Gather, Inference, Presumption

Abominate

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

Syn. loathe, abhor, despise, detest

Ant. relish, savor, cherish, esteem

Acculturation

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

syn. adaptation

Adventitious

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

Syn. extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous

Ant. essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital

Ascribe

(v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute

Syn. impute, credit, attribute

Circuitous

(adj.) roundabout, not direct

Syn. indirect, meandering, winding

Ant. straight, direct, as the crow flies

Commiserate

(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

Syn. feel sorry for, empathize

Ant. feel no sympathy for

Enjoin

(v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

Syn. bid, charge, command, adjure

Ant. allow, permit

Expedite

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster

Syn. accelerate, facilitate, speed up

Ant. hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct

Expiate

(v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert

Syn. 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

Syn. commotion, turmoil, unrest

Ant. peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

Inadvertent

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental

Syn. accidental, unconsidered

Ant. deliberate, intentional, premeditated

Nominal

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously.

Syn. titular, token, trifling, inconsequential

Ant. real, actual, exorbitant, excessive

Noncommittal

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no.

Syn. cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest

Ant. positive, definite, committed

Peculate

(v.) to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use

Syn. embezzle, defraud, misappropriate

Proclivity

(n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)

Syn. natural bent, penchant, propensity

Ants- inability or incapacity

Sangfroid

(n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

Syn. poise, self-assurance, equanimity

Ant. excitability, hysteria, flappability

Seditious

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

Syn. mutinous, rebellious, subversive

Ant.supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant

Tenuous

(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

Syn. flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy

Ant. strong, solid, substantial, valid

Vitriolic

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

Syn. withering, acerbic, mordant

Ant. bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

Wheedle

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

Syn. cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk

Ant. coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm

affable

(adj.) courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to. A: surly, cantankerous, dour, inhospitable

aggrandize

(v.) to increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear greater. A: reduce, decrease, diminish

amorphous

(adj.) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion. A: definite, well-defined, clear-cut

aura

(n.) a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing.

contraband

(n.) illegal traffic, smuggled goods; (adj.) illegal, prohibited. A: legal, lawful, licit

erudite

(adj.) scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic. A: ignorant, uneducated, illiterate

gossamer

(adj.) thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; (n.) a very thin, light cloth. A: thick, dense, solid, massive

inscrutable

(adj.) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically. A: comprehensible, intelligible, penetrable

insular

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

irrevocable

(adj.) incapable of being changed or called back. A: reversible, changeable

propensity

(n.) a natural inclination or predilection toward. A: natural incapacity or inability

querulous

(adj.) peevish, complaining, fretful. A: uncomplaining, stoical, serene, placid

remonstrate

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

repudiate

(v.) to disown, reject, or deny the validity of. A: avow, affirm, aver, avouch

resilient

(adj.) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly. A: rigid, stiff, inflexible, unyielding

reverberate

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

scurrilous

(adj.) Coarsely abusive, vulgar or low (especially in language), foul-mouthed. A: decorous, seemly, tasteful, dignified

sedulous

(adj.) persistent, showing industry and determination. A: lackadaisical, listless, indolent, otiose

sleazy

(adj.) thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean, or disreputable. A: superior, first-rate, quality, sturdy

infer

(v.) conclude by reasoning

amnesty

(n.) a general pardon for an offense against a government, in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution

autonomy

(n.) self-government, political control

syn: home rule

ant: dependence, subjection, colonial status

axiomatic

(adj.) self-evident, expressing a uniersally accepted principle or rule

syn: taken for granted

ant: questionable, dubious, controversial

blazon

(v.) to adorn or embellish; to display conspicuously; to publish or proclaim widely

syn: broadcast, trumpet

ant: hide, conceal, cover up, bury

caveat

(n.) a warning or caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior

syn: admonition, word to the wise

equitable

(adj.) fair, just, embodying principles of justice

syn: right, reasonable, evenhanded

extricate

(v.) to free from entanglement or difficulties; to remove with effort

syn: disentangle, extract, disengage

ant: enmesh, entangle, involve

filch

(v.) to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in petty amounts

syn: pilfer, purloin, swipe

flout

(v.) to mock, treat with contempt

syn: scoff at, sneer at, snicker at, scorn

fractious

(adj.) tending to be troublesome, unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable

syn: refactory, recalcitrant, peevish

ant: docile, tractable, cooperative

precept

(n.) a rule of conduct or action

syn: principle, maxim

salutary

(adj.) beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome

syn: salubrious, curative

ant:detrimental, deleterious, pernicious

scathing

(adj.) bitterly severe, withering; causing great harm

syn: searing, harsh, ferocious, savage

scourge

(v.) to whip, punish severly; (n.) a cause of affliction or suffering, a source of severe punishment or criticism

syn: (v.) flog, beat; (n.) bane, plague, pestilence

ant: (n.) godsend, boon, blessing

sepulchral

(adj.) funereal, typical of the tomb; extremely gloomy or dismal

syn: doleful, lugubrious, mortuary

soporific

(adj.) tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness or lethargy; (n.) something that induces sleep

syn: (n.) narcotic, anesthetic

ant: (adj.) stimulating; (n.) stimulant, stimulus

straitlaced

(adj.) extremely strict in regard to moral standards and conduct; prudish, puritanical

syn: high;y conventional, overly strict, stuffy

ant: lax, loose, indulgent,permissive, dissolute

transient

(adj.) lasting only a short time, fleeting; (n.) one who stays only a short time

syn: (adj.) impermanent, ephemeral, evanescent

ant: (adj.) permanent, imperishable, immortal

unwieldy

(adj.) not easily carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity

syn: cumbersome, bulky, clumsy, impractical

ant: manageable, easy to handle

vapid

(adj.) dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force

syn: insipid, lifeless, colorless

ant: zesty, spicy, savory, colorful, lively