Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop: Level G: Unit 4

atrophy

(n.) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure; (v.) to waste away

SYN: degeneration, deterioration, wither

ANT: growth, mature

bastion

(n.) a fortified place, stronghold

SYN: citadel, rampart, 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 perfection

SYN: masterful, clinch, conclude

ANT: launch, initiate, begin, kick-off

disarray

(n.) disorder, confusion

(v.) to throw into disorder

SYN: disorganization, dishevel, mess up

ANT: 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: cull, pick up

grouse

(n.) a type of game bird; a complaint

(v.) to complain, grumble

SYN: kvetch, bellyache

incarcerate

(v.) to imprison, confine, jail

SYN: intern

ANT: liberate, free

incumbent

(adj.) obligatory, required

(n.) one who holds a specific office at the time spoken of

SYN: mandatory, necessary

ANT: optional, unnecessary

jocular

(adj.) Humorous, jesting, jolly, joking

SYN: waggish, facetious, droll

ANT: solemn, grave, earnest, grim

ludicrous

(adj.) ridiculous, laughable, absurd

SYN: risible, preposterous

ANT: heartrending, poignant, pathetic

mordant

(adj.) biting or caustic in through, 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: peeve, annoy, incense, gall

ANT: please, delight, soothe, pacify

pecuniary

(adj.) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money

SYN: monetary

pusillanimous

(adj.) Contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited

SYN: lily-livered

ANT: stouthearted, courageous

recumbent

(adj.) in a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of one sleeping or resting

SYN: prone, supine, inactive

ANT: erect, energetic, dynamic

stratagem

(n.) a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end

SYN: trick, ploy, subterfuge