Unit 14 Vocabulary

beatific

beatific

(adj) blissful; rendering or making blessed

synonyms: rapturous, ecstatic

antonyms: disconsolate, dejected, doleful

behemoth

(n) a creature of enormous size, power, or appearance

synonyms: whale, elephant, colossus

antonyms: dwarf, pygmy

blandishment

(n) anything designed to flatter or coax; sweet talk, apple-polishing

synonyms: allurement, cajolery

antonym: intimidation

cacophonous

(adj) harsh-sounding, raucous, discordant, dissonant

antonyms: harmonious, melodious, mellifluous

chicanery

(n) trickery, deceptive practices or tactics, double-dealing

antonym: fair dealing

consign

(v) to give over to another’s care, charge, or control; to entrust, deliver; to set apart for a special use

synonyms: remit, convey

coup

(n) a highly successful stroke, masterstroke, tour de force, act, plan, or stratagem; a sudden takeover of power or leadership

antonyms: blunder, faux pas, gaffe

euphemism

(n) a mild or inoffensive expression used in place of a harsh or unpleasant one; a substitute

febrile

(adj) feverish; pertaining to or marked by fever; frenetic

antonym: leisurely

gainsay

(v) to deny, contradict, controvert; to dispute, oppose

antonyms: confirm, corroborate, support, admit

imminent

(adj) about to happen, threatening

synonym: looming

antonyms: distant, remote, faraway

innate

(adj) natural, inborn, inherent; built-in

synonym: congenital

antonyms: learned, acquired, extrinsic, accidental

loath

(adj) unwilling, reluctant, disinclined

synonyms: averse, indisposed

antonyms: eager, inclined

manifest

(adj) clear, evident to the eyes or mind (v) to show plainly, exhibit, evince (n) a list of cargo and/or passengers

synonyms: apparent, reveal, disclose

antonyms: unrevealed, hidden, hide, conceal

minutiae

(n) small or trivial details, trifling matters

synonym: trifles

antonym: essentials

moratorium

(n) a suspension of activity; an official waiting period; an authorized period of delay

synonyms: postponement, stoppage

antonym: escalation

nostrum

(n) an alleged cure-all; a remedy or scheme of questionable effectiveness

synonym: elixir

pariah

(n) one who is rejected by a social group or organization

synonyms: untouchable, persona non grata

visionary

(adj) not practical, lacking in realism; having the nature of a fantasy or dream (n) one given to far-fetched ideas; a dreamer or seer characterized by vision or foresight

synonyms: utopian, idealistic, impractical

antonym: practical

wizened

(adj) dry, shrunken, and wrinkled (often as the result of aging)

synonyms: withered, shriveled

antonyms: bloated, distended