Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Level E Unit 15

abrasive

adj.) causing irritation, harsh; grinding or wearing down;

(n.) a substance used to smooth or polish

syn: chafing, grating, rasping, erosive

ant: smooth, polished, satiny, oily

acclimate

(v.) to adapt a new climate, environment, or situation

syn: accustom, learn the ropes

chagrin

n.) irritation or humiliation caused by disappointment or frustration; (v.) to cause such a feeling

syn: vexation, mortification, abash, mortify

ant: jubilation, exultation, triumph, exult, delight

complacent

(adj.) self-satisfied; overly content

syn: smug, unconcerned

ant: discontented

concur

(v.) to express agreement, approve

syn: agree, assent, ratify, sanction

ant: discontented

defamation

(n.) slander or libel

syn: vilification, calumny

ant: salute, tribute

explicate

(v.) to make plain or clear, explain; to interpret

syn: elucidate, untangle, spell out

ant: confuse, bewilder, obscure, obfuscate

fracas

(n.) noisy quarrel or brawl

syn: row, altercation, rhubarb, brouhaha

ant: agreement, accord, unanimity, harmony

grotesque

(adj.) unnatural, distorted; bizarre

syn: fantastic, outlandish, ugly, deformed

ant: appealing, attractive, comely

pandemonium

(n.) a wild uproar, din, or commotion

syn: chaos, bedlam, three-ring circus

ant: order, calm, tranquility, peace, repose

raucous

(adj.) disagreeably harsh-sounding; disorderly

syn: boisterous, clamorous, strident

ant: placid, tranquil, peaceful, serene, pastoral

receptive

(adj.) open and responsive to ideas or suggestions

syn: open-minded, tolerant, amenable

ant: narrow-minded, intolerant, hidebound

renounce

(v.) to give up or resign something

syn: repudiate, disown, abdicate

ant: retain, secure, affirm, assent, aver

repress

(v.) to hold back; to put down or check by force

syn: subdue, curb, stifle, bottle up

ant:liberate, set loose, provoke, excite

reticent

(adj.) not inclined to speak; reserved; reluctant

syn: taciturn, closemouthed, tight-lipped

ant: talkative, garrulous, voluble, long-winded

savory

(adj.) tasty, appetizing; pungent or salty, not sweet; inoffensive, respectable

syn: delectable, flavorful, aromatic, piquant

ant: distasteful, unpalatable, malodorous, bland

somnolent

(adj.) sleepy, drowsy; inducing sleep

syn: groggy, soporific

ant: alert, lively, wide-awake, stimulating

vehement

(adj.) intense, forceful, powerful

syn: emphatic, vigorous, impassioned

ant: apathetic, lukewarm, subdued, muted

voluble

(adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent

syn: loquacious, garrulous, long-winded, prolix

ant: uncommunicative, reticent, terse

zealous

(adj.) eager, earnest, devoted

syn: ardent, fervent, devout, dogged, gung ho

ant: reluctant, unwilling, averse, tepid