Sadlier Oxford Level H Unit 15
Didactic
(adj.) intended to instruct, especially morally; inclined to moralize too much Synonyms: educational, instructional, moralistic
Disingenuous
(adj.) lacking in sincerity or candor Synonyms: artful, sly, two-faced, insincere
Unconscionable
(adj.) not guided or restrained by conscience, prudence, or reason; unscrupulous; immoderate Synonyms: unjustifiable, indefensible, unforgivable
Contumacious
(adj.) obstinately or willfully disobedient; openly rebellious Synonyms: impudent, unruly, defiant, refractory
Ascetic
(adj.) practicing strict self-denial for the sake of personal or spiritual discipline; (n.) one who leads a life of self-discipline, especially to express religious devotion Synonyms: (adj.) austere, spartan; (n.) celibate
Faux pas
(n.) a slip in manners or conduct; a social blunder Synonyms: indiscretion, gaffe
Bauble
(n.) a small, showy ornament of little value or use Synonyms: trifle, gewgaw, knickknack, bagatelle
Jeremaid
(n.) an elaborate or prolonged lamentation; any tale of woe
Curmudgeon
(n.) an irascible, churlish person Synonyms: grouch, crank, sorehead, churl
Hauteur
(n.) haughtiness of bearing or attitude Synonyms: conceit, superciliousness, snobbishness
Fustian
(n.) inflated or pretentious language in speech or writing; a cloth made of cotton and flax Synonyms: rant, claptrap, bombast, grandiloquence
Opportunist
(n.) one who makes a practice of taking advantage of circumstances to further his or her own self-interest, regardless of principles or ultimate consequences Synonyms: self-seeker, exploiter
Complement
(n.) something the completes a whole; the quantity or number needed to make up a whole; the full number or allowance; (v.) to complete Synonyms: (n.) balance; (v.) round out
Apotheosis
(n.) the elevation of a person to a divine rank or status; the glorification of a person as an ideal; a glorified ideal Synonyms: deification
Exculpate
(v.) to clear of guilt or blame Synonyms: absolve, exonerate, acquit
Fulminate
(v.) to denounce or condemn vehemently; to explode, detonate Synonyms: rail, inveigh
Beguile
(v.) to mislead or deceive; to cheat; to divert; to cause to vanish unnoticed Synonyms: delude, dupe, lure, while away
Adumbrate
(v.) to outline or sketch broadly; to foreshadow or prefigure; to disclose partially Synonyms: indicate
Burgeon
(v.) to put forth new buds, leaves, or greenery; to develop rapidly or suddenly Synonyms: sprout, blossom, bloom, flourish
Inhibit
(v.) to restrain or hold back; to hinder or arrest; to prohibit Synonyms: repress, check, suppress