Vocabulary Workshop Level E, Unit 12

abjure

(verb) to renounce, repudiate under oath; to avoid, shun

Synonyms: forswear, retract, abstain from

Antonyms: affirm, avow, aver, profess

acrid

(adj.) harsh in taste or odor; sharp in manner or temper

Synonyms: irritating, stinging, bitter, caustic

Antonyms: gentle, soothing, mild

august

(adj.) majestic, inspiring admiration and respect

Synonyms: stately, dignified, exalted, venerable

Antonyms: humble, base, mean, lowly, abject

callous

(adj.) emotionally hardened, unfeeling

Synonyms: insensitive, unsympathetic, thick-skinned

Antonyms: sensitive, compassionate, tenderhearted

clandestine

(adj.) secret, concealed; underhanded

Synonyms: covert, furtive, surreptitious, stealthy

Antonyms: open, overt, undisguised, aboveboard

compunction

(noun) remorse, regret

Synonyms: scruple, qualm, misgiving, contrition

Antonyms: shamelessness, insouciance, nonchalance

conflagration

(noun) a large destructive fire

Synonyms: holocaust, wildfire

Antonym: deluge

elated

(adj., part.) in high spirits, jubilant; extremely pleased

Synonyms: overjoyed, ecstatic, tickled pink

Antonyms: depressed, crestfallen, despondent, blue

indelible

(adj.) not able to be erased or removed; memorable

Synonyms: lasting, permanent

Antonyms: erasable, impermanent, ephemeral

indulgent

(adj.) yielding to the wishes or demands of others

Synonyms: permissive, tolerant, liberal

Antonyms: strict, severe, hard-nosed

inveterate

(adj.) firmly established, long-standing; habitual.

Synonyms: persisting, chronic, dyed-in-the-wool.

Antonyms: sporadic, intermittent, occasional.

irrelevant

(adj.) not to the point, not applicable or pertinent.

Synonyms: inapplicable, immaterial, beside the point.

Antonyms: pertinent, material, apropos, germane.

nocturnal

(adj.) of or occurring in the night; under cover of darkness.

Synonym: nighttime.

Antonyms: daytime, diurnal.

platitude

(noun) a commonplace, stale, or trite remark.

Synonyms: cliche, truism, bromide.

Antonyms: epigram, quip, witticism, bon mot.

quell

(verb) to subdue, put down forcibly.

Synonyms: pacify, squelch, quash, crush.

Antonyms: incite, provoke, arouse, foment, stir up.

quiescent

(adj.) inactive; at rest.

Synonyms: still, inert, motionless, tranquil.

Antonyms: active, thriving, bustling, volatile.

ruminate

(verb) to meditate, think about at length.

Synonyms: ponder, reflect, mull over, muse.

tacit

(adj.) unspoken, silent; implied, inferred.

Synonyms: unexpressed, unvoiced, understood, implicit.

Antonyms: explicit, express, specific.

tangible

(adj.) capable of being touched; real, concrete.

Synonyms: perceptible, actual, evident.

Antonyms: immaterial, imperceptible, insubstantial.

trenchant

(adj.) incisive, keen; forceful, effective; cutting, caustic; distinct, clear-cut.

Synonyms: penetrating, cutting, telling, acute.

Antonyms: dull, bland, insipid, vapid, imperceptive.