Level F, Unit 4

resilient

(adj.) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly *SYNONYMS:* springy, elastic *ANTONYMS:* rigid, stiff, inflexible

scurrilous

(adj.) coarsely abusive, vulgar or low (especially in language), foul-mouthed *SYNONYMS:* obscene, filthy, abusive, vituperative *ANTONYMS:* decorous, seemly, tasteful, dignified

affable

(adj.) courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to *SYNONYMS:* genial, amicable, cordial *ANTONYMS:* surly, cantankerous, dour, inhospitable

irrevocable

(adj.) incapable of being changed or called back *SYNONYMS:* unrecallable, unalterable *ANTONYMS:* reversible, changeable

inscrutable

(adj.) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically *SYNONYMS:* impenetrable, incomprehensible, enigmatic *ANTONYMS:* comprehensible, intelligible, penetrable

querulous

(adj.) peevish, complaining, fretful *SYNONYMS:* petulant, irritable *ANTONYMS:* uncomplaining, stoical

sedulous

(adj.) persistent, showing industry and determination *SYNONYMS:* assiduous, indefatigable *ANTONYMS:* indolent, listless

insular

(adj.) relating to, characteristic of, or situated on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience *SYNONYMS:* narrow-minded, parochial, provincial *ANTONYMS:* catholic, cosmopolitan, liberal

erudite

(adj.) scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic *SYNONYMS:* profoundly educated, well-read *ANTONYMS:* ignorant, uneducated, illiterate

amorphous

(adj.) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion *SYNONYMS:* formless, unstructured, inchoate

sleazy

(adj.) thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean, or disreputable *SYNONYMS:* inferior, cheezy *ANTONYMS:* superior, first-rate

gossamer

(adj.) thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; (n.) a very thin, light cloth *SYNONYMS:* (adj.) filmy, diaphanous, sheer, airy, feathery, gauzy *ANTONYMS:* (adj.) dense, solid, massive

propensity

(n.) a natural inclination or predilection toward *SYNONYMS:* natural bent, proclivity, penchant *ANTONYMS:* natural incapacity or inability

archetype

(n.) an original model on which something was patterned or replicated; the ideal example of a particular type of person or thing *SYNONYMS:* model, prototype, epitome

contraband

(n.) illegal traffic, smuggled goods; (adj.) illegal, prohibited *SYNONYMS:* (adj.) bootleg, unlawful *ANTONYMS:* (adj.) legal, lawful, licit

aura

(n.) that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality *SYNONYMS:* ambience, atmosphere

remonstrate

(v.) to argue or plead with someone against something, protest against, object to *SYNONYMS:* reason against, expostulate

repudiate

(v.) to disown, reject, or deny the validity of *SYNONYMS:* disavow, renounce *ANTONYMS:* avow, affirm, aver

aggrandize

(v.) to increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear greater *SYNONYMS:* augment, amplify, enhance, exalt *ANTONYMS:* reduce, decrease, diminish

reverberate

(v.) to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly *SYNONYMS:* rumble, thunder, boom, echo