Vocabulary Workshop Level D Unit 12

autocratic

(adj) absolute in power or authority

lithe

(adj) bending easily, limber

irreverent

(adj) disrespectful

subversive

(adj) intended to undermine or overthrow; (n) one who advocates or attempts to undermine a political system

humane

(adj) kind, merciful

synthetic

(adj) made or put together by people; (n) something artificial

temperate

(adj) mild, moderate

laborious

(adj) not easy, requiring hard work; hardworking

concerted

(adj) planned or performed in cooperation with others

venomous

(adj) poisonous; spiteful, mean

wily

(adj) sly, shrewd, cunning

brawny

(adj) strong, muscular

appreciable

(adj) sufficient to be noticed or measured

intolerable

(adj) unbearable

illustrious

(adj) very famous, distinguished

blasphemy

(n) an act, utterance, or writing showing contempt for something sacred

maltreat

(v) to abuse, use roughly or crudely

ponder

(v) to consider carefully, reflect on

contend

(v) to fight, struggle; to compete; to argue

blanch

(v) to remove the color from; to make or turn pale; to parboil