Level F Unit 2

ameliorate

(v.) To improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming.

Synonyms: Amend, Better

Antonyms: Worsen, Aggravate, Exacerbate

aplomb

(n.) Poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity.

Synonyms: Composure, Self-Possession, Levelheadedness

Antonyms: Confusion, Embarrassment, Abashment

bombastic

(adj.) Pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas.

Synonyms: Inflated, Highfalutin, High-Flown, Pretentious

Antonyms: Unadorned, Simple Plain, Austere

callow

(adj.) Without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers.

Synonyms: Green, Raw, Unfledged, Inexperienced

Antonyms: Mature, Grown-Up, Polished, Sophisticated

drivel

(n.) 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.

Synonyms: (n.) Balderdash, Hogwash, Tommyrot; (v.) Slaver

epitome

(n.) A summary, a typical or ideal example, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality.

Synonyms: Abstract, Digest, Model, Archetype

exhort

(v.) To urge strongly, advise earnestly

Synonyms: Entreat, Implore, Adjure

Antonyms: Discourage, Advise Against, Deprecate

ex officio

(adj., adv.) By virtue of holding a certain office.

infringe

(v.) To violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds.

Synonyms: Encroach, Impinge, Intrude, Poach

Antonyms: Stay in Bounds

ingratiate

(v.) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense).

Synonyms: Cozy Up To, Curry Favor With

Antonyms: Alienate, Humiliate Oneself, Mortify Oneself.

interloper

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

Synonyms: Trespasser, Meddler, Buttinsky

intrinsic

(adj.) Belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part.

Synonyms: Immanent, Organic

Antonyms: Extrinsic, External, Outward

inveigh

(v.) To make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval.

Synonyms: Rail, Harangue, Fulminate, Remonstrate

Antonyms: Acclaim, Glorify, Extol

lassitude

(n.) Weariness of body or mind, lack of energy.

Synonyms: Fatigue, Lethargy, Torpor, Languor

Antonyms: Energy, Vitality, Animation, Liveliness

millennium

(n.) A period of one thousand years; a period of great joy.

Synonyms: Chiliad, Golden Age, Prosperity, Peace

Antonyms: Doomsday, Day of Judgement

occult

(adj.) Mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means.

(v.) To hide, conceal; eclipse.

(n.) Matters involving the supernatural.

Synonyms: (adj.) Supernatural, Esoteric, Abstruse, Arcane

Antonyms: (adj.) Mundane, Common, Public, Exoteric

permeate

(v.) To spread through, penetrate, soak through.

Picture: The food coloring permeated the paper towel.

precipitate

(v.) 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 product of an action or process.

Synonyms: (v.) Provoke, Produce; (adj.) Reckless, Impetuous

Antonyms: (adj.) Wary, Cautious, Circumspect

stringent

(adj.) Strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste.

Synonyms: Stern, Rigorous, Tough, Urgent, Imperative

Antonyms: Lenient, Mild, Lax, Permissive

surmise

(v.) To think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess.

(n.) Likely idea that lacks definite proof.

Synonyms: (v.) Infer, Gather; (n.) Inference, Presumption