Vocabulary Unit 12 - Level F

absolve

(v.) to clear from blame, responsibility, or guilt

synonyms: acquit, exonerate, vindicate, excuse, pardon

antonyms: condemn, convict, incriminate, inculpate

caricature

(n.) a respresentation (especially a drawing) in which the subject's features are deliberately exaggerated; (v.) to present someone or something in a deliberately distorted way

synonyms: (n.) cartoon, burlesque, parody, lampoon

clangor

(n.) a loud ringing sound; (v.) to make a loud ringing noise

synonyms: (n.) din, clamor, uproar

antonyms: (n.) silence, stillness, peace and quiet

contiguous

(adj.) side by side, touching; near; adjacent in time

synonyms: adjoining, abutting, next door to

antonyms: detached, apart, distant, remote

cupidity

(n.) an eager desire for something; greed

synonyms: avarice, rapacity, craving, lust

antonyms: generosity, contentment, satiation, gratification

deleterious

(adj.) harmful, injurious

synonyms: detrimental, destructive, pernicious, damaging

antonyms: helpful, beneficial, harmless, innocuous

enhance

(v.) to raise to a higher degree; to increase the value or desirability of

synonyms: improve, magnify, heighten, elevate

antonyms: diminish, reduce, lessen, degrade

enthrall

(v.) to captivate, charm, hold spellbound; to enslave; to imprison

synonyms: fascinate, enchant, attract, bewitch

antonyms: bore to tears, repel, put someone off

extenuate

(v.) to lessen the seriousness or magnitude of an offense by making partial excuses

synonyms: moderate, mitigate, diminish, downplay

antonyms: intensify, aggravate, worsen, exacerbate

implicit

(adj.) implied or understood though unexpressed; without doubts or reservations, unquestioning; potentially contained in

synonyms: inferred, tacit, unspoken, unconditional

antonyms: explicit, expressed, stated, revealed

incisive

(adj.) sharp, keen, penetrating (with a suggestion of decisiveness and effectiveness)

synonyms: acute, cutting, perceptive, trenchant

ostentatious

(adj.) marked by conspicuous or pretentious display, showy

synonyms: flashy, overdone, affected, flamboyant

antonyms: modest, plain, simple, demure, retiring

paragon

(n.) a model of excellence or perfection

synonyms: exemplar, ideal, paradigm, model, good example

paraphrase

(v.) to restate in other words (n.) a statement that presents a given idea in new language

synonyms: (v.) reword, rephrase; (n.) a rendition, version

antonyms: (v.) repeat verbatim, duplicate, quote

politic

(adj.) prudent, shrewdly conceived and developed; artful, expedient

synonyms: tactful, diplomatic, judicious, circumspect

antonyms: unwise, injudicious, imprudent, rash

prosaic

(adj.) dull, lacking in distinction and originality; matter-of-fact, straightforward; characteristic of prose, not poetic

synonyms: commonplace, humdrum, literal, pedestrian

antonyms: remarkable, distinctive, poetic, inspired

redundant

(adj.) extra, excess, more than is needed; wordy, repetitive; profuse, lush

synonyms: unnecessary, superfluous, verbose, prolix

antonyms: succinct, terse, laconic, scarce, inadequate

sanctimonious

(adj.) making a show of virtue or righteousness; hypocritically moralistic or pious, self-righteous, canting, holier-than-thou

antonyms: heartfelt, sincere, humble

scintillating

(adj., part.) sparkling, twinkling, exceptionally brilliant (applied to mental or personal qualities)

synonyms: stimulating, lively, glittering, flashing

antonyms: dull, boring, insipid, flat, tame, vapid

winsome

(adj.) charming, attractive, pleasing (often suggesting a childlike charm and innocence)

synonyms: winning, engaging, delightful, prepossessing

antonyms: unattractive, unappealing, repulsive