Vocabulary Workshop Level F: Units 6-10

accrue

accrue

(v.) to grow or accumulate over time; to happen as a natural result

synonyms: collect, accumulate, proceed from
antonyms: dwindle, decrease, diminish, lessen

annotation

(n.) a critical or explanatory note or comment, especially for a literary work

bedlam

(n.) a state or scene of uproar and confusion

synonyms: commotion, pandemonium, chaos, anarchy
antonyms: peace and quiet, order, tranquility

covert

(adj.) hidden, disguised, purposefully kept secret; sheltered, secluded; (n.) a sheltered place, a hiding place

synonyms: (adj.) undercover, clandestine, sub-rosa
antonyms: (adj.) open, overt, undisguised

debonair

(adj.) pleasant, courteous, lighthearted; smooth and polished in manner and appearance

synonyms: carefree, jaunty, gracious, suave, urbane
antonyms: distraught, agitated, boorish, churlish

dun

(v.) to demand insistently, especially in payment of a debt; (n.) a creditor; (adj.) dark, dull, drab, dingy

synonyms: (v.) hound, pester, harass, nag

efficacious

(adj.) effective, producing results

synonyms: effectual, efficient, potent, powerful
antonyms: ineffective, worthless, useless

equanimity

(n.) calmness, composure, refusal to panic

synonyms: tranquility, imperturbability
antonyms: excitability, flappability, agitation

fortuitous

(adj.) accidental, occurring by a happy chance

synonyms: unintentional, unplanned, random, lucky
antonyms: intentional, deliberate, premeditated

gist

(n.) the essential part, main part, or essence

synonyms: substance, core, nucleus

gratuitous

(adj.) freely given; not called for by circumstances, unwarranted

synonyms: voluntary, unjustified, uncalled-for
antonyms: justified, warranted

imperious

(adj.) overbearing, arrogant; seeking to dominate; pressing, compelling

synonyms: domineering, magisterial, urgent, imperative
antonyms: fawning, obsequious, humble, unassuming

invective

(n.) a strong denunciation or condemnation; abusive language; (adj.) abusive, vituperative

synonyms: (n.) vituperation, abuse, diatribe, philippic
antonyms: (n.) tribute, panegyric, encomium

motley

(adj.) showing great variety, composed of different elements or many colors; (n.) a jester's costume; a jester

synonyms: (adj.) variegated, heterogeneous, diverse; (n.) fool
antonyms: (adj.) uniform, homogenous, monochromatic

munificent

(adj.) extremely generous, lavish

synonyms: bounteous, liberal
antonyms: stingy, miserly, tightfisted, parsimonious

procrastinate

(v.) to delay, put off until later

synonyms: stall, temporize, dillydally

provocative

(adj.) tending to produce a strong feeling or response; arousing desire or appetite; irritating, annoying

synonyms: stimulating, arousing, vexing, galling
antonyms: dull, insipid, bland, unstimulating

recondite

(adj.) exceeding ordinary knowledge and understanding

synonyms: esoteric, arcane, profound, abstruse
antonyms: simple, uncomplicated

reprobate

(n.) a depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person, scoundrel; (adj.) wicked, corrupt, or unprincipled; (v.) to disapprove of, condemn

synonyms: (n.) scoundrel, blackguard; (adj.) immoral, corrupt
antonyms: (n.) saint; (adj.) upright, virtuous, moral

sedentary

(adj.) characterized by or calling for continued sitting; remaining in one place

synonyms: seated, stationary, static
antonyms: active, peripatetic, migratory

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

adulation

(n) praise or flattery that is excessive

Synonyms: adoration, idolization, hero-worship
Antonyms: ridicule, derision, odium

anathema

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

Synonyms: abomination, imprecation, malediction
Antonyms: benediction, blessing

astute

(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom'

Synonyms: shrewd, acute, sagacious, judicious, wily
Antonyms: Obtuse, doltish, empty-headed, dumb

avarice

(n.) a greedy desire, particularly for wealth

Synonyms: cupidity, rapacity, acquisitiveness

culpable

(adj.) deserving blame, worthy of condemnation

Synonyms : guilty, delinquent, peccant, blameworthy
Antonyms: blameless, innocent, laudable, 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, piddling

equivocate

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

Synonyms: to speak 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, 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 paster, pro, expert

penury

(n.) extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency

Synonyms: destitution, want, indigence
Antonyms: alluence, luxury

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
Antonyms: 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

syn: revitalize, reanimate, restore, reactivate

slovenly

(adj.) untidy, dirty, careless

Synonyms: unkempt, slatternly, slipshod, lax
Antonyms: neat, 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, vigorous

acrimonious

(adj.) stinging, bitter in temper or tone
s: biting, caustic, rancorous, hostile, peevish
a: gentle, warm, mild, friendly, cordial

bovine

(adj.) resembling a cow or ox; sluggish, unresponsive
s: stolid, dull, slow, stupid
a: alert, sharp, bright, keen, quick

consternation

(noun) dismay, confusion
s: shock, amazement, bewilderment, dismay
a: calm, composure, aplomb

corpulent

(adj.) fat; having a large, bulky body
s: overweight, heavy, obese, stout, portly
a: slender, lean, spare, gaunt, emaciated

disavow

(verb) to deny responsibility for or connection with
s: disown, disclaim, retract, abjure
a: acknowledge, admit, grant, certify

dispassionate

(adj.) impartial; free from emotion
s: unbiased, disinterested, cool, detached
a: committed, engaged, partial, biased

dissension

(noun) disagreement, sharp difference of opinion
s: strife, discord, contention
a: agreement, accord, harmony

dissipate

(verb) to cause to disappear; to scatter, dispel; to spend foolishly, squander; to be extravagant in pursuit of pleasure
s: disperse, strew, diffuse, waste
a: gather, collect, conserve, husband

expurgate

(verb) to remove objectionable passages or words from a written text; to cleanse, clarify
s: purge, censor, bowdlerize

gauntlet

(noun) an armored or protective glove; a challenge to combat
s: dare, provocation, trial, punishment

hypothetical

(adj.) based on an assumption or guess; used as a tentative idea to direct an investigation
s: assumed, supposed, conjectural, conditional
a: actual, real, tested, substantiated

ignoble

(adj.) mean, low, base
s: inferior, unworthy, dishonorable, sordid
a: admirable, praiseworthy, lofty, noble

impugn

(verb) to call into question, to attack as false
s: challenge, deny, dispute, query, question
a: confirm, prove, verify, validate

intemperate

(adj.) immoderate; lacking in self-control; inclement
s: excessive, extreme, unrestrained, inordinate
a: moderate, restrained, cool and collected

odium

(noun) hatred, contempt; disgrace or infamy resulting from hateful conduct
s:abhorrence, opprobrium, shame, ignominy
a: esteem, admiration, approbation

perfidy

(noun) faithlessness, treachery
s: betrayal, disloyalty, treason, duplicity
a: faithfulness, loyalty, steadfastness

relegate

(verb) to place in a lower position; to banish; surrender, to assign, turn over
s: transfer, consign, demote, exile
a: promote, elevate, advance, recall

squeamish

(adj.) inclined to nausea; easily shocked or upset; excessively fastidious or refined
s: nauseated, queasy, delicate, oversensitve, priggish

subservient

(adj.) subordinate in capacity or role; serving to promote some end; submissively obedient, serving to promote some end
s: secondary, servile, obsequious, useful
a: primary, principal, bossy, domineering

susceptible

(adj.) open to; easily influenced; lacking in resistance
s: vulnerable, receptive, impressionable
a: resistant, immune

austere

(adj.)severe or stern in manner; without adornment or luxury, simple plain; harsh or sour
syn. forbidding, rigorous, puritanical, ascetic, unadorned, subdued
ant. mild, indulgent, luxurious, flamboyant

beneficent

(adj.)performing acts of kindness or charity; conferring benefits, doing good
syn. humanitarian, magnanimous, charitable
ant. selfish, cruel, harmful, deleterious

cadaverous

(adj.)pale, gaunt, resembling a corpse
syn. corpselike, wasted, haggard, emaciated, ghastly
ant. robust, portly, rosy, the picture of health

concoct

(v.)to prepare by combining ingredients, make up (as dish); to devise, invent, fabricate
syn. create, fashion, rustle up

crass

(adj.)coarse, unfeeling; stupid
syn. crude, vulgar, tasteless, oafish, obtuse
ant. refined, elegant, tasteful, polished, brilliant

debase

(v.)to lower in character, quality or value; to degrade, adulterate; to cause to deteriorate
syn. cheapen, corrupt, demean, depreciate
ant. elevate, uplift, improve, enhance

desecrate

(v.) to commit sacrilege upon, treat irreverently; to contaminate, pollute
syn. profane, defile, violate
ant. revere, honor, venerate, consecrate

disconcert

(v.)to confuse; to disturb the composure of
syn. upset, rattle, ruffle, faze, perturb
ant. relax, calm, put at ease

grandiose

(adj.)grand in an impressive or stately way; marked by pompous affectation or grandeur, absurdly exaggerated
syn. majestic, bombastic, highfalutin
ant. simple, modest, unaffected, humble

inconsequential

(adj.)trifling, unimportant
syn. trivial, negligible, petty, paltry
ant. important, essential, crucial, vital

infraction

(n.)a breaking of a law or obligation
syn. violation, transgression, breach, offense

mitigate

(v.)to make milder or softer, to moderate in force or intensity
syn. lessen, relieve, alleviate, diminish
ant. aggravate, intensify, irritate, exacerbate

pillage

(v.)to rob of goods by open force (as in war), plunder; (n.) the act of looting; booty
syn. (v.) ravage, sack, loot; (n.) booty

prate

(v.) to talk a great deal in a foolish or aimless fashion
syn. chatter, prattle, blab, blabber, palaver
ant. come to the point, not waste words

punctilious

(adj.) very careful and extract, attentive to fine points of etiquette or propriety
syn. precise, scrupulous, exacting, fussy, finicky
ant. careless, negligent, lax, prefunctory

redoubtable

(adj.) inspiring fear or awe; illustrious, eminet
syn. formidable, fearsome, awesome, august
ant. laughable, risible, contemptible

reprove

(v.) to find fault with, scold, rebuke
syn. chide, chastise, upbraid, reproach
ant. praise, commend, laud, pat on the back

restitution

(n.) the act of restoring someone or something to the rightful owner or to a former state or position; makin good on a loss or damage
syn. compensation, reimbursement, redress, restoration

stalwart

(adj.) strong and sturdy; brave; resolute; (n.) a brave, strong person; a strong supporter; one who takes an uncompromising position
syn. (adj.) sturdy, stout, intrepid, valiant; (n.) mainstay
ant. (adj.) weak, infirm, irresolute, vacillating

vulnerable

(adj.) open to attack; capable of being wounded or damaged; unprotected
syn. defenseless, exposed, unguarded
ant. invincible, protected, safe, secure

anomalous

(adj.) Abnormal, irregular, departing form the usual.

SYNONYMS: Exceptional, Atypical, Unusual, Aberrant
ANTONYMS: Normal, Regular, Customary, Typical, Ordinary

aspersion

(n) A damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming.

SYNONYMS: Innuendo, Calumny, Denigration
ANTONYMS: Endorsement, Testimonial, Praise

bizarre

(adj.) Extremely strange, unusual, atypical.

SYNONYMS: Grotesque, Fantastic, Outlandish
ANTONYMS: Normal, Typical, Ordinary, Expected

brusque

(adj.) Abrupt, blunt, with no formalities.

SYNONYMS: Curt, Tactless, Ungracious, Gruff, Rough
ANTONYMS: Gracious, Tactful, Courteous, Diplomatic

cajole

(v.) To coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises.

SYNONYMS: Wheedle, Inveigle, Soft-Soap, Sweet-Talk
ANTONYMS: Coerce, Force, Strong-Arm

castigate

(v.) To punish severely; to criticize severely.


Synonyms: Chastise, Rebuke, Censure, Upbraid

Antonyms: Reward, Honor, Praise, Laud

contrive

(v.) To plan with ingenuity, invent; to bring about as the result of a scheme or plan.

SYNONYMS: Think UP, Devise, Concoct, Fabricate

demagogue

(n.) A leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power.

SYNONYMS: Rabble-Rouser, Firebrand

disabuse

(v.) To free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking.

SYNONYMS: Undeceive, Enlighten, Set Straight
ANTONYMS: Deceive, Delude, Pull wool over one's eyes.

ennui

(n.) Weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom.

SYNONYMS: Languor, World-Weariness, Listlessness
ANTONYMS: Enthusiasm, Liveliness, excitement, intensity

fetter

(n.) A chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural).
(v.) To chain or shackle; to render helpless or impotent.

SYNONYMS: (n.) Bond, Restraint; (v.) Bind, Hamper
ANTONYMS: (v.) Free, Liberate, Emancipate

heinous

(adj.) Very wicked, offensive, hateful.

SYNONYMS: Evil, Odious, Abominable, Outrageous
ANTONYMS: Excellent, Wonderful, Splendid

immutable

(adj.) Not subject to change, constant

SYNONYMS: Unchangeable, Unalterable, Fixed, Invariable
ANTONYMS: Changeable, Inconstant, Variable, Fickle

insurgent

(n.) One who rebels or rises against authority.
(adj.) Rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority; surging or rushing in or on.

SYNONYMS: (adj.) Revolutionary, Rebellious, Mutinous
ANTONYMS: (adj.) Loyalist, Loyal, Faithful

megalomania

(n.) A delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., Far in excess of reality.

SYNONYM: Delusions of grandeur
ANTONYMS: Humility, Modesty, Self-Abasement

sinecure

(n.) A position requiring little or no work; an easy job.

SYNONYMS: "No-Show" Job, Cushy Job, "Plum"

surreptitious

(adj.) Stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud.

SYNONYMS: Furtive, Covert, Clandestine, Concealed
ANTONYMS: Open, Frank, Aboveboard, Overt

transgress

(v.) To go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law.

SYNONYMS: Overstep, Exceed, Trespass, Err
ANTONYMS: Obey, Toe the Line

transmute

(v.) To change from one nature, substance, or form to another.

SYNONYMS: Transform, Convert, Translate, Metamorphose
ANTONYMS: Maintain Unchanged, Preserve

vicarious

(adj.) Performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another.

SYNONYMS: Surrogate, Substitute, Imagined, Secondhand
ANTONYMS: Real, Actual, Firsthand.