Sadlier-Oxford: Level F: Unit 6

Anomalous

(adj.) Abnormal, irregular, departing form the usual.

Synonyms: Exceptional, Atypical, Unusual, Aberrant

Antonyms: Normal, Regular, Customary, Typical, Ordinary

Aspersion

(n) A damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming.

Synonyms: Innuendo, Calumny, Denigration

Antonyms: Endorsement, Testimonial, Praise

Bizarre

(adj.) Extremely strange, unusual, atypical.

Synonyms: Grotesque, Fantastic, Outlandish

Antonyms: Normal, Typical, Ordinary, Expected

Brusque

(adj.) Abrupt, blunt, with no formalities.

Synonyms: Curt, Tactless, Ungracious, Gruff, Rough

Antonyms: Gracious, Tactful, Courteous, Diplomatic

Cajole

(v.) To coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises.

Synonyms: Wheedle, Inveigle, Soft-Soap, Sweet-Talk

Antonyms: Coerce, Force, Strong-Arm

Castigate

(v.) To punish severely; to criticize severely.

Synonyms: Chastise, Rebuke, Censure, Upbraid

Antonyms: Reward, Honor, Praise, Laud

Contrive

(v.) To plan with ingenuity, invent; to bring about as the result of a scheme or plan.

Synonyms: Think UP, Devise, Concoct, Fabricate

Demagogue

(n.) A leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power.

Synonyms: Rabble-Rouser, Firebrand

Disabuse

(v.) To free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking.

Synonyms: Undeceive, Enlighten, Set Straight

Antonyms: Deceive, Delude, Pull wool over one's eyes.

Ennui

(n.) Weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom.

Synonyms: Languor, World-Weariness, Listlessness

Antonyms: Enthusiasm, Liveliness, excitement, intensity

Fetter

(n.) A chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural).

(v.) To chain or shackle; to render helpless or impotent.

Synonyms: (n.) Bond, Restraint; (v.) Bind, Hamper

Antonyms: (v.) Free, Liberate, Emancipate

Heinous

(adj.) Very wicked, offensive, hateful.

Synonyms: Evil, Odious, Abominable, Outrageous

Antonyms: Excellent, Wonderful, Splendid

Immutable

(adj.) Not subject to change, constant

Synonyms: Unchangeable, Unalterable, Fixed, Invariable

Antonyms: Changeable, Inconstant, Variable, Fickle

Insurgent

(n.) One who rebels or rises against authority.

(adj.) Rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority; surging or rushing in or on.

Synonyms: (adj.) Revolutionary, Rebellious, Mutinous

Antonyms: (adj.) Loyalist, Loyal, Faithful

Megalomania

(n.) A delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., Far in excess of reality.

Synonym: Delusions or Grandeur

Antonyms: Humility, Modesty, Self-Abasement

Sinecure

(n.) A position requiring little or no work; an easy job.

Synonyms: "No-Show" Job, Cushy Job, "Plum"

Surreptitious

(adj.) Stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud.

Synonyms: Furtive, Covert, Clandestine, Concealed

Antonyms: Open, Frank, Aboveboard, Overt

Transgress

(v.) To go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law.

Synonyms: Overstep, Exceed, Trespass, Err

Antonyms: Obey, Toe the Line

Transmute

(v.) To change from one nature, substance, or form to another.

Synonyms: Transform, Convert, Translate, Metamorphose

Antonyms: Maintain Unchanged, Preserve

Vicarious

(adj.) Performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another.

Synonyms: Surrogate, Substitute, Imagined, Secondhand

Antonyms: Real, Actual, Firsthand.