Vocabulary Power Plus: Level 3 - Lesson 5

imprecation

n. a curse

synonyms: condemnation, anathema

antonym: blessing

panegyric

n. an expression of praise

synonyms: tribute, extolment

antonym: denunciation

nebulous

adj. hazy; vague; uncertain

synonyms: cloudy; indistinct; obscure

antonyms: distinct; precise

bowdlerize

v. to remove offensive passages of a play, novel, etc.

synonym: censor

fop

n. an excessively fashion-conscious man

synonym: dandy

elegy

n. a sad or mournful poem, often about a dead person

synonyms: dirge; lament

deference

n. respect; consideration

pedantic

adj. tending to show off one's learning

synonym: bookish

non sequitur

n. something that does not logically follow

synonyms: fallacy; misconception

sanguine

adj. cheerful; optimistic; hopeful

impair

v. to weaken; to cause to become worse

synonyms: damage; deteriorate

antonym: enhance

quandary

n. a puzzling situation; a dilemma

synonyms: predicament; problem

ebullient

adj. enthusiastic

synonyms: exuberant; lively

antonyms: dejected; dispirited

carnal

adj. relating to physical appetite, especially sexual

synonyms: erotic

antonyms: chaste; modest; celibate

rakish

adj. dashingly stylish and confident

synonyms: dapper; jaunty

antonyms: slovenly; disheveled