Level F, Unit 12 (copy)

absolve

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

*SYNONYMS:* acquit, exonerate, vindicate, excuse, pardon
*ANTONYMS:* condemn, convict, incriminate, inculpate

caricature

(n.) a representation in which the subject's characteristic 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.) 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

*SYNONYMS:* acute, cutting, perceptive, trenchant

ostentatious

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

*SYNONYMS:* flashy, overdone, affected, flamboyant
*ANTONYMS:* modes, plain, simple, demure, retiring

paragon

(n.) a model of excellence or perfection

*SYNONYMS:* exemplar, ideal, paradigm, model, good example

inimical

(adj.) tending to cause harm or obstruct developments; being oppositional or adverse

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Synonyms: unfriendly, hostile, antagonistic, contrary

Antonyms: friendly, hospitable, kind

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 or 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:* stimulation, lively, glittering, flashing
*ANTONYMS:* dull, boring, insipid, flat, tame, vapid

winsome

(adj.) charming, attractive, pleasing

*SYNONYMS:* winning, engaging, delightful, prepossessing
*ANTONYMS:* unattractive, unappealing, repulsive