Vocabulary Level F Unit 9

abate

(v.) to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit

synonyms: diminish, decrease, subside, let up

antonyms: intensify, increase, magnify, wax (become larger)

adulation

(n.) praise or flattery that is excessive

synonyms: adoration, idolization, hero-worship

antonyms: ridicule, derision (ridicule/mockery), scorn, odium (disgust)

anathema

(n.) an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article)

synonyms: malediction (phrase w/ intention of evil; a curse), imprecation (a curse), abomination

antonyms: benediction (blessing), blessing

astute

(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom

synonyms: shrewd (having sharp powers of judgement), acute, sagacious (having keen discernment), judicious, wily (skilled)

antonyms: obtuse, doltish (stupid), empty-headed, dumb

avarice

(n.) a greedy desire, particularly for wealth

synonyms: cupidity (greed for possessions), rapacity (aggressive greed), acquisitiveness (excessive interest in acquiring)

culpable

(adj.) deserving blame, worthy of condemnation

synonyms: guilty, delinquent, peccant (offending), blameworthy

antonyms: blameless, innocent, laudable (deserving praise), meritorious

dilatory

(adj.) tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt; intended to delay or postpone

synonyms: stalling, slow, tardy, laggard

antonyms: prompt, punctual, speedy, expeditious

egregious

(adj.) conspicuous, standing out from the mass (used particularly in an unfavorable sense)

synonyms: glaring, flagrant, blatant

antonyms: unnoticeable, paltry (small), piddling (trivial)

equivocate

(v.) to speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague or ambiguous

synonyms: to talk out of both sides of one's mouth, palter, hedge

antonyms: to speak one's mind plainly

evanescent

(adj.) vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy

synonyms: ephemeral (something that lasts very short), transient, transitory

antonyms: everlasting, immortal, imperishable

irresolute

(adj.) unable to make up one's mind, hesitating

synonyms: indecisive, vacillating, wavering

antonyms: determined, decisive, unwavering

nebulous

(adj.) cloudlike, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color, not transparent; vague, confused, indistinct

synonyms: hazy, fuzzy, cloudy, vague, murky, opaque, indeterminate

antonyms: definite, distinct, clear, sharply focused

novice

(n.) one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience (also used adjectivally)

synonyms: neophyte, tyro, trainee, apprentice

antonyms: veteran, past master, pro, expert

penury

(n.) extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency

synonyms: destitution, want, indigence

antonyms: affluence, abundance, luxury, opulence

pretentious

(adj.) done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on one's skill or abilities, ambitious

synonyms: inflated, ostentatious, affected

antonyms: unassuming, unaffected, modest

recapitulate

(v.) to review a series of facts; to sum up

synonyms: review, summarize, sum up, go over

resuscitate

(v.) to revive, bring back to consciousness or existence

synonyms: revitalize, reanimate, restore, reactivate

slovenly

(adj.) untidy, dirty, careless

synonyms: unkempt, slatternly, slipshod, lax

antonyms: neat, tidy, careful, meticulous

supposition

(n.) something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence

synonyms: assumption, presumption, hypothesis

torpid

(adj.) inactive, sluggish, dull

synonyms: sluggish, lethargic, otiose, languid

antonyms: energetic, dynamic, vigorous