English Vocabulary #5
Unctuous
(adj.) Excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable
Resilient
(adj.) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly
Salutary
(adj.) beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome
Scathing
(adj.) bitterly severe, withering; causing great harm
Lurid
(adj.) causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint
Nominal
(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously
Equitable
(adj.) fair and impartial, valid in equity as distinct from law.
Inscrutable
(adj.) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically
Querulous
(adj.) peevish, complaining, fretful
Provincial
(adj.) pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward; of a simple, plain design that originated in the countryside. (n.) a person with a narrow point of view; a person from an outlying area; a soldier from a province or colony
Adventitious
(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital
Amorphous
(adj.) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion
Jaded
(adj.) wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)
Interloper
(n.) a person who becomes involved in a place or situation where they are not wanted or are considered not to belong
Archetype
(n.) a very typical example of a certain person or thing
Aplomb
(n.) poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity
Aura
(n.) that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality
Extricate
(v.) to free from entanglements or difficulties; to remove with effort
Filch
(v.) to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in petty amounts
Surmise
(v.) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (n.) likely idea that lacks definite proof
Jaded
After being on an airplane for nearly twenty-four hours, Henry is a bit ______________ and never wants to travel again.
Aplomb
Because the negotiator handled the hostage situation with ______________ the kidnapper released everyone without harm.
Lurid
Because the testimony in the courtroom was ______________, the judge asked the defendant's small children to remain outside in the hallway.
Equitable
Both sides agreed to try to find an ______________ compromise that would please everyone.
Nominal
Despite his immense wealth, Frank is a selfish man who gives a ______________ amount to charities each year.
Provincial
Even though James had travelled all over the world, he still wore clothing which was quite ______________ and outdated.
Querulous
I don't mean to be ______________, but I do believe I should get my money's worth at all times.
Surmise
Since Bob and Mary are both book addicts, we jokingly ______________ the couple met in a library.
Aura
Synonyms: Ambience; Atmosphere Antonyms: n/a
Aplomb
Synonyms: Composure; Self-possession; Levelheadedness Antonyms: Confusion; Embarrassment; Abashment
Extricate
Synonyms: Disentangle; Extract Antonyms: Enmesh; Entangle
Adventitious
Synonyms: Extrinsic; Incidental; Fortuitous Antonyms: Essential; Intrinsic; Inherent; Congenital
Unctuous
Synonyms: Feigned; Hypocritical; Artificial Antonyms: Gruff; Blunt; Artless; Candid
Amorphous
Synonyms: Formless; Unstructured Antonyms: Definite; Well-defined; Clear-cut
Lurid
Synonyms: Gruesome; Gory; Grisly; Baleful; Ghastly Antonyms: Pleasant; Attractive; Appealing; Wholesome
Inscrutable
Synonyms: Impenetrable; Incomprehensible; Enigmatic Antonyms: Comprehensible; Intelligible; Penetrable
Nominal
Synonyms: Inconsequential Antonyms: Actual; Exorbitant
Surmise
Synonyms: Infer; Gather; Inference; Presumption Antonyms: n/a
Archetype
Synonyms: Model; Prototype; Epitome Antonyms: n/a
Provincial
Synonyms: Narrow-minded; Parochial; Insular; Naive Antonyms: Cosmopolitan
Querulous
Synonyms: Petulant; Irritable Antonyms: Uncomplaining; Stoical
Filch
Synonyms: Pilfer; Purloin; Swipe Antonyms: n/a
Equitable
Synonyms: Right; Reasonable; Evenhanded Antonyms: Unjust; Unfair; One-sided; Disproportionate
Salutary
Synonyms: Salubrious; Curative Antonyms: Detrimental; Deleterious
Jaded
Synonyms: Sated; Surfeited; Cloyed Antonyms: Unspoiled
Scathing
Synonyms: Searing; Harsh; Savage Antonyms: Bland; Mild
Resilient
Synonyms: Springy; Elastic Antonyms: Rigid; Stiff; Inflexible
Interloper
Synonyms: Trespasser; Meddler Antonyms: n/a
Scathing
The ______________ criticism did not inspire the student to improve his writing skills.
Aura
The angel's ______________ made me feel calm and hopeful.
Resilient
The community was highly spirited and ______________ despite a hurricane disaster.
Archetype
The film that won the best picture award should be considered the ______________ of all future movies.
Extricate
The little kitten did not know how to ______________ himself from the string of tape.
Filch
The pickpocket was able to ______________ three wallets while on the subway
Salutary
The vitamins have had a ______________ influence on John by giving him more energy.
Adventitious
The weird-looking plant is ______________ and not native to this country.
Unctuous
Turned off by the ______________ compliments, the woman turned down the man's offer of a drink.
Amorphous
Under the microscope, the unknown virus appeared to be ______________.
Interloper
We called the police on the ______________ we caught peeking through our bedroom window.
Inscrutable
When Larry wrote the letter, he was so tired the writing was nearly ______________.
