Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop Level G: Unit 9

acclamation

(n.) a shout of welcome; an overwhelming verbal vote of approval

syn: ovation, cheering, plaudits

ant: booing, hissing, jeers, catcalls

bucolic

(adj.) characteristic of the countryside, rural; relating to shepherds and cowherds, pastoral

syn: rustic

ant: metropolitan

calumniate

(v.) to slander; to accuse falsely and maliciously

syn: defame, libel

ant: flatter, whitewash, praise

chary

(adj.) extremely cautious, hesitant, or slow (to); reserved, diffident

syn: skittish

ant: heedless, reckless, incautious

collusion

(n.) secret agreement or cooperation

syn: conspiracy, plot, connivance

dilettante

(n.) a dabbler in the arts; one who engages in an activity in an amateurish, trifiling way

(adj.) superficial

syn: amateur

ant: professional

imperturbable

(adj.) not easily excited; emotionally steady

syn: unflappable, unexcitable, serene, unruffled

ant: excitable

increment

(n.) an enlargement, increase, addition

syn: accretion

ant: reduction, decrease

mandate

(n.) an authoritative command, formal order, authorization

(v.) to issue such an order

syn: (n.) directive

ant: (v.) forbid, ban, outlaw

paltry

(adj.) trifling, insignificant; mean, despicable; inferior, trashy

syn: measly, meager, piddling, trivial

ant: gigantic, immense

paroxysm

(n.) a sudden outburst; a spasm, convulsion

syn: fit, seizure

pedantry

(n.) a pretentious display of knowledge; overly rigid attention to rules and details

peregrination

(n.) the act of traveling; an excursion, especially on foot or to a foreign country

syn: journey, wandering, odyssey

redolent

(adj.) fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to arouse memories or create an aura

syn: evocative, reminiscent, aromatic

ant: unevocative, odorless

refulgent

(adj.) shining, radiant, resplendent

syn: splendid

ant: dim, darl, obscure, dingy, dull

shibboleth

(n.) a word, expression, or custom that distinguishes a particular group of persons from all others; a commonplace saying or truism

syn: password, slogan

tyro

(n.) a beginner, novice; one with little or no background or skill

syn: neophyte

ant: veteran, past master, expert

unremitting

(adj.) not stopping, maintained steadily, never letting up, relentless

syn: incessant, unrelenting

ant: desultory, intermittent

vacillate

(v.) to swing indecisively from one idea or course of action to another; to waver weakly in mind or will

syn: fluctuate, oscilliate

ant: persevere

vituperative

(adj.) harshly abusive, severely scolding

syn: abusive, scurrilous, insulting

ant: complimentary, laudatory, flattering