Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Level G Unit 4

atrophy

atrophy

(n.) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure; (v.) to waste away Syn: (n.) degeneration, deterioration; (v.) wither Ant: (n.) growth, development; (v.) mature, develop

bastion

(n.) a fortified place, stronghold Syn: citadel, rampart, bulwark, parapet

concord

(n.) a state of agreement, harmony, unanimity; a treaty, pact, covenant Ant: disagreement, strife, discord

consummate

(adj.) complete or perfect in the highest degree; (v.) to bring to a state of completion or perception Syn: (adj.) masterful; (v.) clinch, conclude Ant: (v.) launch, initiate, begin, kick off

disarray

(n.) disorder, confusion; (v.) to throw into disorder Syn: (n.) disorganization; (v.) dishevel, mess up Ant: (n.) organization, order, tidiness

exigency

(n.) urgency, pressure; urgent demand, pressing need; an emergency Syn: requirement, crisis

flotsam

(n.) floating debris; homeless, impoverished people Syn: floating wreckage

frenetic

(adj.) frenzied, highly agitated Syn: frantic, overwrought Ant: calm, controlled, relaxed, leisurely

glean

(v.) to gather bit by bit; to gather small quantities of grain left in a field by the reapers Syn: collect, cull, pick up

grouse

(n.) a type of game bird; a complaint; (v.) to complain, grumble Syn: (v.) gripe, kvetch, bellyache

incarcerate

(v.) to imprison, confine, jail Syn: intern, immure Ant: liberate, release, free

incumbent

(adj.) obligatory, required; (n.) one who holds a specific office at the time spoken Syn:(adj.) mandatory, necessary Ant: (adj.) optional, unnecessary

jocular

(adj.) humorous, jesting, jolly, joking Syn: waggish, facetious, droll, witty Ant: humorless, solemn, grave, earnest, grim

ludicrous

(adj.) ridiculous, laughable, absurd Syn: risible, preposterous Ant: heartrending, poignant, pathetic

mordant

(adj.) biting or caustic in thought, manner, or style; sharply or bitterly harsh Syn: acrimonious, acidulous, sardonic, scathing Ant: bland, mild, gentle, soothing

nettle

(n.) a prickly or stinging plant; (v.) to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger; to vex or irritate severely Syn: (v.) peeve, annoy, incense, gall, irk Ant: (v.) please, delight, soothe, pacify

pecuniary

(adj.) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money Syn: monetary, financial

pusillanimous

(adj.) contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited Syn: craven, lily-livered Ant: stouthearted, courageous, daring

recumbent

(adj.) in a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of one sleeping or resting Syn: prone, prostrate, supine, inactive Ant: erect, upright, energetic, dynamic

stratagem

(n.) a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end Syn: ruse, trick, ploy, subterfuge