Sadlier Level G Unit 10 - Definitions, Synonyms, and Antonyms

attenuate

v. to make thin or slender; to weaken or lessen in force, intensity, or value

Synonyms: thin, dilute, water down

Antonyms: thicken, strengthen, bolster

charlatan

n. one who feigns knowledge or ability; a pretender, imposter, or quack

Synonym: mountebank

decimate

v. to kill or destroy a large part of

Synonym: devastate

forgo

v. to do without, abstain from, give up

Synonyms: refrain from, renounce

Antonyms: indulge in, partake of

fraught

adj. full of or loaded with; accompanied by

Synonyms: charged with

Antonyms: devoid of, lacking, deficient in

obsequious

adj. marked by slavish attentiveness; excessively submissive, often for purely self-interested reasons

Synonyms: fawning, servile, sycophantic, mealymouthed

Antonyms: assertive, bumptious, candid, frank, independent

oscillate

v. to swing back and forth with a steady rhythm; to fluctuate or waver

Synonym: vibrate

penitent

adj. regretful for one’s sins or mistakes

Synonyms: remorseful, regretful, rueful

Antonyms: remorseless

n. one who is sorry for wrongdoing

rebuff

v. to snub; to repel, drive away

Synonyms: repulse, reject

Antonyms: accept, welcome

n. a curt rejection, a check

Synonym: setback

shambles

n. a slaughterhouse; a place of mass bloodshed; a state of complete disorder and confusion, mess

askance

adv. with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval

Synonyms: distrustfully, suspiciously

benign

adj. gentle, kind; forgiving, understanding; having a favorable or beneficial effect; not malignant

Synonyms: benevolent, salubrious, harmless

Antonyms: malevolent, deleterious

cavil

v. to find fault in a petty way, carp

Synonym: nitpick

n. a trivial objection or criticism

foible

n. a weak point, failing, minor flaw

Synonyms: shortcoming, quirk

Antonyms: forte, virtue

inure

v. to toughen, harden; to render used to something by long subjection or exposure

Synonyms: accustom, acclimate

luminous

adj. emitting or reflecting light, glowing; illuminating

Synonyms: bright, refulgent, lustrous

Antonyms: dark, opaque, dim, murky

obtuse

adj. blunt, not coming to a point; slow or dull in understanding; measuring between 90 and 180; not causing a sharp impression

Synonyms: thick, mild

Antonyms: perceptive, quick-witted

peremptory

adj. having the nature of a command that leaves no opportunity for debate, denial, or refusal; offensively self-assured, dictatorial; determined, resolute

Synonym: unconditional

Antonyms: irresolute, mild, unassuming

reconnoiter

v. to engage in reconnaissance; to make a preliminary inspection

Synonym: scout

sporadic

adj. occurring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order

Synonyms: intermittent, spasmodic

Antonyms: steady, continuous, uninterrupted