Vocabulary Workshop Level F: Unit 6-10

hypothetical

(adj.) based on an assumption or guess; used as a tentative idea to direct an investigation s: assumed, supposed, conjectural, conditional a: actual, real, tested, substantiated

culpable

(adj.) deserving blame, worthy of condemnation Synonyms : guilty, delinquent, peccant, blameworthy Antonyms: blameless, innocent, laudable, meritorious

corpulent

(adj.) fat; having a large, bulky body s: overweight, heavy, obese, stout, portly a: slender, lean, spare, gaunt, emaciated

intemperate

(adj.) immoderate; lacking in self-control; inclement s: excessive, extreme, unrestrained, inordinate a: moderate, restrained, cool and collected

punctilious

(adj.) very careful and exact, attentive to fine points of etiquette or propriety SYNONYMS: precise, scrupulous ANTONYMS: careless, perfunctory

penury

(n.) extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency Synonyms: destitution, want, indigence Antonyms: alluence, luxury

Dun

(v.) To demand insistently, especially in payment of a debt (n.) A creditor (adj.) Dark, dull, drab, dingy Synonyms: (v.) hound, harass, nag

Disabuse

(v.) To free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking. Synonyms: Undeceive, Enlighten, Set Straight Antonyms: Deceive, Delude, Pull wool over one's eyes.

mitigate

(v.) to make milder or softer, to moderate in force or intensity SYNONYMS: lessen, relieve, alleviate ANTONYMS: aggravate, intensify, irritate, exacerbate

concoct

(v.) to prepare by combining ingredients, make up (as a dish); to devise, invent, fabricate SYNONYMS: create, fashion, rustle up

impugn

(verb) to call into question, to attack as false s: challenge, deny, dispute, query, question a: confirm, prove, verify, validate

dissipate

(verb) to cause to disappear; to scatter, dispel; to spend foolishly, squander; to be extravagant in pursuit of pleasure s: disperse, strew, diffuse, waste a: gather, collect, conserve, husband

disavow

(verb) to deny responsibility for or connection with s: disown, disclaim, retract, abjure a: acknowledge, admit, grant, certify

Anomalous

(adj.) Abnormal, irregular, departing form the usual. Synonyms: Exceptional, Atypical, Unusual, Aberrant Antonyms: Normal, Regular, Customary, Typical, Ordinary

Brusque

(adj.) Abrupt, blunt, with no formalities. Synonyms: Curt, Tactless, Ungracious, Gruff, Rough Antonyms: Gracious, Tactful, Courteous, Diplomatic

Fortuitous

(adj.) Accidental, occurring by a happy chance Synonyms: unintentional, unplanned, random, lucky Antonyms: intentional, deliberate, premeditated

Sedentary

(adj.) Characterized by or calling for continued sitting; remaining in one place Synonyms: seated, stationary, static Antonyms: active, peripatetic, migratory

Efficacious

(adj.) Effective, producing results Synonyms: effectual, efficient, potent, powerful Antonyms: ineffective, worthless, useless

Recondite

(adj.) Exceeding ordinary knowledge and understanding Synonyms: esoteric, arcane, profound, abstruse Antonyms: simple, uncomplicated

Munificent

(adj.) Extremely generous, lavish Synonyms: bounteous, liberal Antonyms: stingy, miserly, tightfisted, parsimonious

Bizarre

(adj.) Extremely strange, unusual, atypical. Synonyms: Grotesque, Fantastic, Outlandish Antonyms: Normal, Typical, Ordinary, Expected

Gratuitous

(adj.) Freely given; not called for by circumstances, unwarranted Synonyms: voluntary, unjustified, uncalled-for Antonyms: justified, warranted

Covert

(adj.) Hidden, disguised, purposefully kept secret; sheltered, secluded; (n.) a sheltered place, a hiding place Synonyms: (adj.) undercover, clandestine, sub-rosa Antonyms: (adj.) open, overt, undisguised

Immutable

(adj.) Not subject to change, constant Synonyms: Unchangeable, Unalterable, Fixed, Invariable Antonyms: Changeable, Inconstant, Variable, Fickle

Imperious

(adj.) Overbearing, arrogant; seeking to dominate; pressing, compelling Synonyms: domineering, magisterial, urgent, imperative Antonyms: fawning, obsequious, humble, unassuming

Vicarious

(adj.) Performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another. Synonyms: Surrogate, Substitute, Imagined, Secondhand Antonyms: Real, Actual, Firsthand.

Debonair

(adj.) Pleasant, courteous, lighthearted; smooth and polished in manner and appearance Synonyms: carefree, jaunty, gracious, suave, urbane Antonyms: distraught, agitated, boorish, churlish

Motley

(adj.) Showing great variety; composed of different elements or many colors (n.) A jester's costume; a jester Synonyms: (adj.) variegated, heterogeneous, diverse; (n.) fool Antonyms: (adj.) homogeneous, monochromatic

Surreptitious

(adj.) Stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud. Synonyms: Furtive, Covert, Clandestine, Concealed Antonyms: Open, Frank, Aboveboard, Overt

Provocative

(adj.) Tending to produce a strong feeling or response; arousing desire or appetite; irritating, annoying Synonyms: stimulating, arousing, vexing, galling Antonyms: dull, insipid, bland, unstimulating

Heinous

(adj.) Very wicked, offensive, hateful. Synonyms: Evil, Odious, Abominable, Outrageous Antonyms: Excellent, Wonderful, Splendid

nebulous

(adj.) cloudlike, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color, not transparent; vague, confused, indistinct Synonyms: hazy, fuzzy, cloudy, vague, murky, opaque, indeterminate Antonyms: definite, distinct, clear, sharply focused

crass

(adj.) coarse, unfeeling; stupid SYNONYMS: crude, tasteless, oafish, obtuse ANTONYMS: refined, elegant, tasteful, polished, brilliant

pretentious

(adj.) done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on one's skill or abilities, ambitious Synonyms: inflated, ostentatious Antonyms: unaffected, modest

grandiose

(adj.) grand in an impressive or stately way; marked by pompous affectation or grandeur, absurdly exaggerated SYNONYMS: majestic, bombastic, highfalutin ANTONYMS: simple, modest, humble

dispassionate

(adj.) impartial; free from emotion s: unbiased, disinterested, cool, detached a: committed, engaged, partial, biased

torpid

(adj.) inactive, sluggish, dull Synonyms: sluggish, lethargic, otiose, languid Antonyms: energetic, vigorous

squeamish

(adj.) inclined to nausea; easily shocked or upset; excessively fastidious or refined s: nauseated, queasy, delicate, oversensitve, priggish

redoubtable

(adj.) inspiring fear or awe; illustrious, eminent SYNONYMS: formidable, august ANTONYMS: laughable, risible

ignoble

(adj.) mean, low, base s: inferior, unworthy, dishonorable, sordid a: admirable, praiseworthy, lofty, noble

vulnerable

(adj.) open to attack; capable of being wounded or damaged; unprotected SYNONYMS: defenseless, unguarded ANTONYMS: invincible, protected, safe, secure

susceptible

(adj.) open to; easily influenced; lacking in resistance s: vulnerable, receptive, impressionable a: resistant, immune

cadaverous

(adj.) pale, gaunt, resembling a corpse SYNONYMS: corpselike, wasted, haggard, emaciated, ghastly ANTONYMS: robust, portly, rosy, the picture of health

beneficent

(adj.) performing acts of kindness or charity; conferring benefits, doing good SYNONYMS: humanitarian, magnanimous, charitable ANTONYMS: selfish, cruel, harmful, deletorious

bovine

(adj.) resembling a cow or ox; sluggish, unresponsive s: stolid, dull, slow, stupid a: alert, sharp, bright, keen, quick

austere

(adj.) severe or stern in manner; without adornment or luxury, simple, plain; harsh or sour in flavor SYNONYMS: forbidding, rigorous, puritanical, ascetic, unadorned ANTONYMS: mild, indulgent, luxurious, flamboyant

astute

(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom' Synonyms: shrewd, acute, sagacious, judicious, wily Antonyms: Obtuse, doltish, empty-headed, dumb

acrimonious

(adj.) stinging, bitter in temper or tone s: biting, caustic, rancorous, hostile, peevish a: gentle, warm, mild, friendly, cordial

stalwart

(adj.) strong and sturdy; brave; resolute; (n.) a brave, strong person; a strong supporter; one who takes an uncompromising position SYNONYMS: (adj.) sturdy, stout, intrepid, valiant; (n.) mainstay ANTONYMS: (adj.) weak, infirm, irresolute, vacillating

subservient

(adj.) subordinate in capacity or role; serving to promote some end; submissively obedient, serving to promote some end s: secondary, servile, obsequious, useful a: primary, principal, bossy, domineering

dilatory

(adj.) tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt; intended to delay or postpone Synonyms: stalling, slow, tardy, laggard Antonyms:prompt, punctual, speedy, expeditious

inconsequential

(adj.) trifling, unimportant SYNONYMS: trivial, negligible, paltry ANTONYMS: important, essential, crucial

irresolute

(adj.) unable to make up one's mind; hesitating Synonyms: indecisive, vacillating, wavering Antonyms: determined, decisive, unwavering

slovenly

(adj.) untidy, dirty, careless Synonyms: unkempt, slatternly, slipshod, lax Antonyms: neat, meticulous

evanescent

(adj.) vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy Synonyms: ephemeral, transient, transitory Antonyms: everlasting, immortal, imperishable

Aspersion

(n) A damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming. Synonyms: Innuendo, Calumny, Denigration Antonyms: Endorsement, Testimonial, Praise

adulation

(n) praise or flattery that is excessive Synonyms: adoration, idolization, hero-worship Antonyms: ridicule, derision, odium

Fetter

(n.) A chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural). (v.) To chain or shackle; to render helpless or impotent. Synonyms: (n.) Bond, Restraint; (v.) Bind, Hamper Antonyms: (v.) Free, Liberate, Emancipate

Annotation

(n.) A critical or explanatory note or comment, especially for a literary work

Megalomania

(n.) A delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., Far in excess of reality. Synonym: Delusions or Grandeur Antonyms: Humility, Modesty, Self-Abasement

Reprobate

(n.) A depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person, scoundrel; (adj.) corrupt or unprincipled; (v.) To disapprove of, condemn Synonyms: (n.) scoundrel, blackguard; (adj.) immoral, corrupt Antonyms: (n.) saint, (adj.) upright, virtuous, moral

Demagogue

(n.) A leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power. Synonyms: Rabble-Rouser, Firebrand

Sinecure

(n.) A position requiring little or no work; an easy job. Synonyms: "No-Show" Job, Cushy Job, "Plum"

Bedlam

(n.) A state or scene of uproar and confusion Synonyms: commotion, pandemonium, chaos, anarchy Antonyms: peace and quiet, order, tranquility

Invective

(n.) A strong denunciation or condemnation; abusive language Synonyms: (n.) vituperation, abuse, diatribe, philippic Antonyms: (n.) tribute, panegyric, encomium

Equanimity

(n.) Calmness, composure, refusal to Synonyms: tranquility, imperturbability Antonyms: excitability, flappability, agitation

Insurgent

(n.) One who rebels or rises against authority. (adj.) Rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority; surging or rushing in or on. Synonyms: (adj.) Revolutionary, Rebellious, Mutinous Antonyms: (adj.) Loyalist, Loyal, Faithful

Gist

(n.) The essential part, main point, or essence Synonyms: substance, core, nucleus

Ennui

(n.) Weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom. Synonyms: Languor, World-Weariness, Listlessness Antonyms: Enthusiasm, Liveliness, excitement, intensity

infraction

(n.) a breaking of a law or obligation SYNONYMS: violation, transgression, offense

avarice

(n.) a greedy desire, particularly for wealth Synonyms: cupidity, rapacity, acquisitiveness

anathema

(n.) an object of intense dislike; a curse or stong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article) Synonyms: abomination, imprecation, malediction Antonyms: benediction, blessing

novice

(n.) one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience (also used adjectivally) Synonyms: neophyte, tyro, trainee, apprentice Antonyms: veteran, past paster, pro, expert

supposition

(n.) something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence Synonyms: assumption, presumption, hypothesis

restitution

(n.) the act of restoring someone or something to the rightful owner or to a former state or position; making good on a loss or damage SYNONYMS: reimbursement, redress, restoration

gauntlet

(noun) an armored or protective glove; a challenge to combat s: dare, provocation, trial, punishment

dissension

(noun) disagreement, sharp difference of opinion s: strife, discord, contention a: agreement, accord, harmony

consternation

(noun) dismay, confusion s: shock, amazement, bewilderment, dismay a: calm, composure, aplomb

perfidy

(noun) faithlessness, treachery s: betrayal, disloyalty, treason, duplicity a: faithfulness, loyalty, steadfastness

odium

(noun) hatred, contempt; disgrace or infamy resulting from hateful conduct s:abhorrence, opprobrium, shame, ignominy a: esteem, admiration, approbation

Transmute

(v.) To change from one nature, substance, or form to another. Synonyms: Transform, Convert, Translate, Metamorphose Antonyms: Maintain Unchanged, Preserve

Cajole

(v.) To coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises. Synonyms: Wheedle, Inveigle, Soft-Soap, Sweet-Talk Antonyms: Coerce, Force, Strong-Arm

Procrastinate

(v.) To delay, put off until later Synonyms: stall, temporize, dillydally

Transgress

(v.) To go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law. Synonyms: Overstep, Exceed, Trespass, Err Antonyms: Obey, Toe the Line

Accrue

(v.) To grow or accumulate over time; to happen as a natural result Synonyms: collect, accumulate, proceed from Antonyms: dwindle, decrease, diminish, lessen

Contrive

(v.) To plan with ingenuity, invent; to bring about as the result of a scheme or plan. Synonyms: Think UP, Devise, Concoct, Fabricate

Castigate

(v.) To punish severely; to criticize severely. Synonyms: Chastise, Rebuke, Censure, Upbraid Antonyms: Reward, Honor, Praise, Laud

desecrate

(v.) to commit sacrilege upon, treat irreverently; to contaminate, pollute SYNONYMS: profane, defile, violate ANTONYMS: revere, venerate, consecrate

disconcert

(v.) to confuse; to disturb the composure of SYNONYMS: upset, rattle, ruffle, faze ANTONYMS: relax, calm, put at ease

reprove

(v.) to find fault with, scold, rebuke SYNONYMS: chastise, upbraid, reproach ANTONYMS: praise, commend, laud, pat on the back

debase

(v.) to lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade, adulterate; to cause to deteriorate SYNONYMS: cheapen, corrupt, demean, depreciate ANTONYMS: elevate, uplift, improve, enhance

abate

(v.) to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit Synonyms: diminish, decrease, subside, let up Antonyms: intensify, increase, magnify, wax

recapitulate

(v.) to review a series of facts; to sum up Synonyms: review, summarize, sum up, go over

resuscitate

(v.) to revive, bring back to consciousness or existence syn: revitalize, reanimate, restore, reactivate

pillage

(v.) to rob of goods by open force (as in war), plunder; (n.) the act of looting; booty SYNONYMS: (v.) ravage, sack, loot; (n.) booty

equivocate

(v.) to speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation, to be deliberately vague or ambiguous Synonyms: to speak out of both sides of one's mouth, palter, hedge Antonyms: to speak one's mind plainly

prate

(v.) to talk a great deal in a foolish or aimless fashion SYNONYMS: prattle, blab, palaver ANTONYM: come to the point

relegate

(verb) to place in a lower position; to banish; surrender, to assign, turn over s: transfer, consign, demote, exile a: promote, elevate, advance, recall

expurgate

(verb) to remove objectionable passages or words from a written text; to cleanse, clarify s: purge, censor, bowdlerize

egregious

(adj) conspicuous, standing out from the mass (used particularly in an unfavorable sense) Synonyms: glaring, flagrant, blatant Antonyms: unnoticeable, paltry, piddling