Vocabulary Workshop Level F: Unit 3

seditious

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

Synonyms: mutinous, rebellious, subversive
Antonyms: supportive, faithful, allegiant

peculate

(v.) to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use

Synonyms: defraud, misappropriate

proclivity

(n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)

Synonyms: penchant, propensity
Antonyms: inability, incapacity

sangfroid

(n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

Synonyms: poise, self-assurance, equanimity
Antonyms: excitability, hysteria, flappability

tenuous

(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

Synonyms: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy
Antonyms: strong, solid, substantial, valid

vitriolic

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

Synonyms: withering, acerbic, mordant
Antonyms: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

wheedle

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

Synonyms: inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk
Antonyms: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm

abominate

(v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for

Synonyms: loath, abhor, despise, detest
Antonyms: relish, savor, esteem

acculturation

(n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend

Synonyms: adaptation

adventitious

(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital

Synonyms: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous
Antonyms: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital

ascribe

(v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute

Synonyms: impute, credit

circuitous

(adj.) roundabout, not direct

Synonyms: indirect, meandering, winding
Antonyms: straight, direct, as the crow flies

commiserate

(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

Synonyms: feel sorry for, empathize
Antonyms: feel no sympathy for

enjoin

(v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

Synonyms: bid, charge, adjure
Antonyms: allow, permit

expedite

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster

Synonyms: accelerate, facilitate, speed up
Antonyms: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct

expiate

(v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert

Synonyms: redeem, make amends for, make reparation

ferment

(n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action

Synonyms: (n.) commotion, turmoil, unrest
Antonyms: (n.) peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

inadvertent

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental

Synonyms: accidental
Antonyms: deliberate, intentional

nominal

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

Synonyms: titular, inconsequential
Antonyms: actual, exorbitant

noncommittal

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no

Synonyms: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest
Antonyms: positive, definite, committed