Vocabulary Workshop Level E, Unit 9, Vocabulary Workshop Level E, Unit 15, Vocabulary Workshop Level E, Unit 14, Vocabulary Workshop Level E, Unit 13, Vocabulary Workshop Level E, Unit 12, Vocabulary Workshop Level E, Unit 11, Vocabulary Workshop Lev...

magnanimous

(adjective) generous in forgiving, above small meanness syn: unselfish, charitable, noble, bighearted ant: petty, selfish, unforgiving, spiteful The general's victory was so decisive that he could afford to be *magnanimous* toward his former enemies.

vivacious

(adjective) lively, sprightly, full of energy syn: spirited, animated, ebullient ant: dull, spiritless, listless, indolent, languid A *vivacious* individual will certainly never lack for companions.

edict

(noun) an order issued by someone in authority syn: command, decree, proclamation Only in fairy tales can human unhappiness and misery be banished forever by royal *edict*.

rancor

(noun) bitter resentment or ill-will synonyms: animosity, enmity, bitterness antonyms: goodwill, harmony, rapport, amity

compunction

(noun) remorse, regret Synonyms: scruple, qualm, misgiving, contrition Antonyms: shamelessness, insouciance, nonchalance

antithesis

(noun) the direct opposite, a sharp contrast syn: contrary, antipode Discriminatory practices may be said to constitute the very *antithesis* of our nation's democratic ideals.

acclimate

(v.) to adapt a new climate, environment, or situation syn: accustom, learn the ropes

chagrin

n.) irritation or humiliation caused by disappointment or frustration; (v.) to cause such a feeling syn: (n.) vexation, mortification; (v.) abash, mortify ant: (n.) jubilation, exultation, triumph; (v.) exult, delight

zealous

(adj.) eager, earnest, devoted syn: ardent, fervent, devout, dogged, gung ho ant: reluctant, unwilling, averse, tepid

somnolent

(adj.) sleepy, drowsy; inducing sleep syn: groggy, soporific ant: alert, lively, wide-awake, stimulating

infinitesimal

(adj.) so small as to be almost immeasurable; minute Syn: tiny, minuscule, microscopic, unnoticeable Ant: vast, immense, huge, infinite

savory

(adj.) tasty, appetizing; pungent or salty, not sweet; inoffensive, respectable syn: delectable, flavorful, aromatic, piquant ant: distasteful, unpalatable, malodorous, bland

emaciated

(adj., part.) unnaturally thin synonyms: withered, shriveled antonyms: plump, fat, obese, corpulent

droll

(adjective) amusingly odd syn: comical, humorous, whimsical, zany ant: humorless, solemn, dour The hero or heroine of a popular sitcom may be surrounded by a cast of *droll* eccentrics.

applicable

(adj.) capable of being applied; relevant, suitable Syn: appropriate, fit, apt, apposite Ant: inappropriate, unsuitable, irrelevant

copious

(adj) abundant; plentiful; wordy, verbose synonyms: ample, profuse, bountiful antonyms: inadequate, meager, scanty, concise

palatable

(adj) agreeable to the taste or one's sensibilities; suitable for consumption synonyms: edible, appetizing, attractive antonyms: inedible, distasteful, disagreeable

spontaneous

(adj) arising naturally; not planned or engineered in advance synonyms: unpremeditated, unplanned, impromptu antonyms: premeditated, planned, contrived

limpid

(adj) clear, transparent; readily understood synonyms: lucid, intelligible antonyms: murky, opaque

poignant

(adj) deeply affecting, touching; keen or sharp in taste or smell synonyms: heartrending, melancholy antonyms: unaffecting, bland, vapid, insipid, funny

sophomoric

(adj) immature and overconfident; conceited synonyms: pretentious, superficial, fatuous antonyms: mature, judicious, knowledgeable

gnarled

(adj) knotted, twisted, lumpy synonyms: knotty, misshapen, contorted antonyms: smooth, unblemished, straight

assiduous

(adj) persistent, attentive, diligent synonyms: industrious, unremitting, sedulous antonyms: lazy, lackadaisical, shiftless

brash

(adj) prone to act in a hasty manner; impudent synonyms: rash, impetuous, brazen antonyms: prudent, wary, circumspect

capricious

(adj) subject to whims or passing fancies synonyms: impulsive, fickle, unpredictable, mercurial antonyms: constant, steady, unwavering

ardent

(adj) very enthusiastic, impassioned synonyms: intense, fervent, avid antonyms: indifferent, stolid, phlegmatic, apathetic

omnipotent

(adj.) almighty, having unlimited power or authority synonym: all-powerful antonyms: powerless, impotent, weak

tangible

(adj.) capable of being touched; real, concrete. Synonyms: perceptible, actual, evident. Antonyms: immaterial, imperceptible, insubstantial.

voluble

(adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent syn: loquacious, garrulous, long-winded, prolix ant: uncommunicative, reticent, terse

raucous

(adj.) disagreeably harsh-sounding; disorderly syn: boisterous, clamorous, strident ant: placid, tranquil, peaceful, serene, pastoral

callous

(adj.) emotionally hardened, unfeeling Synonyms: insensitive, unsympathetic, thick-skinned Antonyms: sensitive, compassionate, tenderhearted

stentorian

(adj.) extremely loud Syn: thundering, booming, deafening, earsplitting Ant: hushed, inaudible, whispered, mute

inveterate

(adj.) firmly established, long-standing; habitual. Synonyms: persisting, chronic, dyed-in-the-wool. Antonyms: sporadic, intermittent, occasional.

innocuous

(adj.) harmless, inoffensive; insignificant Syn: feeble, impotent, unobjectionable, insipid Ant: harmful, dangerous, pernicious, toxic, virulent

acrid

(adj.) harsh in taste or odor; sharp in manner or temper Synonyms: irritating, stinging, bitter, caustic Antonyms: gentle, soothing, mild

exuberant

(adj.) high-spirited, enthusiastic, unrestrained; excessive, abundant Syn: lively, ebullient, irrepressible, lavish Ant: depressed, despondent, sulky, restrained

quiescent

(adj.) inactive; at rest. Synonyms: still, inert, motionless, tranquil. Antonyms: active, thriving, bustling, volatile.

trenchant

(adj.) incisive, keen; forceful, effective; cutting, caustic; distinct, clear-cut. Synonyms: penetrating, cutting, telling, acute. Antonyms: dull, bland, insipid, vapid, imperceptive.

vehement

(adj.) intense, forceful, powerful syn: emphatic, vigorous, impassioned ant: apathetic, lukewarm, subdued, muted

august

(adj.) majestic, inspiring admiration and respect Synonyms: stately, dignified, exalted, venerable Antonyms: humble, base, mean, lowly, abject

indelible

(adj.) not able to be erased or removed; memorable Synonyms: lasting, permanent Antonyms: erasable, impermanent, ephemeral

reticent

(adj.) not inclined to speak; reserved; reluctant syn: taciturn, closemouthed, tight-lipped ant: talkative, garrulous, voluble, long-winded

implacable

(adj.) not to be satisfied or pacified; unyielding Syn: relentless, inexorable, unappeasable Ant: lenient, indulgent, permissive, flexible

irrelevant

(adj.) not to the point, not applicable or pertinent. Synonyms: inapplicable, immaterial, beside the point. Antonyms: pertinent, material, apropos, germane.

nocturnal

(adj.) of or occurring in the night; under cover of darkness. Synonym: nighttime. Antonyms: daytime, diurnal.

receptive

(adj.) open and responsive to ideas or suggestions syn: open-minded, tolerant, amenable ant: narrow-minded, intolerant, hidebound

sedate

(adj.) quiet, settled, sober; (v.) to administer a tranquilizer Syn: (adj.) unruffled, composed, cool and collected Ant: (adj.) loud, brash, flashy, flamboyant, garish, flighty

clandestine

(adj.) secret, concealed; underhanded Synonyms: covert, furtive, surreptitious, stealthy Antonyms: open, overt, undisguised, aboveboard

complacent

(adj.) self-satisfied; overly content syn: smug, unconcerned ant: discontented

grotesque

(adj.) unnatural, distorted; bizarre syn: fantastic, outlandish, ugly, deformed ant: appealing, attractive, comely

tacit

(adj.) unspoken, silent; implied, inferred. Synonyms: unexpressed, unvoiced, understood, implicit. Antonyms: explicit, express, specific.

indulgent

(adj.) yielding to the wishes or demands of others Synonyms: permissive, tolerant, liberal Antonyms: strict, severe, hard-nosed

elated

(adj., part.) in high spirits, jubilant; extremely pleased Synonyms: overjoyed, ecstatic, tickled pink Antonyms: depressed, crestfallen, despondent, blue

dissonant

(adjective) not in harmony; disagreeing, at odds syn: grating, strident, unmelodious, irreconcilable ant: harmonious, agreeing, euphonious The clamor of *dissonant* voices could be heard clearly through the closed doors of the meeting room.

nondescript

(adjective) ordinary, not outstanding; not easily classified syn: plain, unremarkable, unimpressive ant: distinctive, remarkable, vivid, prepossessing Fashion critics judged the designer's clothing like to be disappointingly *nondescript*.

mandatory

(adjective) required, obligatory syn: compulsory, requisite, imperative ant: optional, voluntary, discretionary A union contrast may stipulate that members are t0 receive a *mandatory* annual cost-of-living increase.

phlegmatic

(adjective) slow-moving, sluggish; unemotional syn: lethargic, indolent, torpid, stolid, impassive ant: emotional, sensitive, thin-skinned, excitable Sloths are such *phlegmatic* creature that they have earned the reputation of being the slowest animals on Earth.

loquacious

(adjective) talkative, wordy; fond of talking syn: gossipy, voluble, garrulous, long-winded ant: silent, reticent, closemouthed, terse, taciturn My dinner companion was so *loquacious* that our conversation quickly turned into a monologue.

bellicose

(adjective) warlike in manner or temperament; quarrelsome syn: aggressive, combative, belligerent ant: amicable, peaceable, conciliatory, pacific Teddy Roosevelt's foreign policy was often driver by a rather *bellicose* brand of patriotism.

ultimatum

(n.) a final proposal or statement of conditions Syn: final terms

antipathy

(n.) a strong dislike, hostile feeling Syn: hostility, enmity, aversion, bad blood Ant: attraction, appeal, allure, sympathy

pandemonium

(n.) a wild uproar, din, or commotion syn: chaos, bedlam, three-ring circus ant: order, calm, tranquility, peace, repose

facsimile

(n.) an exact copy Syn: replica, duplicate, reproduction, clone Ant: variation, modification, permutation

duress

(n.) compulsion by threat; forcible confinement Syn: intimidation, coercion Ant: persuasion, coaxing, sweet talk, cajolery

prowess

(n.) distinguished bravery; superior skill or ability Syn: valor, courage, heroism, mastery, proficiency Ant: cowardice, incompetence, ineptitude

patent

(n.) exclusive rights over an invention; copyright; (v.) to arrange or obtain such rights; (adj.) plain, open to view; copyrighted Syn: (n.) exclusive, license; (adj.) evident Ant: (adj.) concealed, hidden, secret, clandestine

fracas

(n.) noisy quarrel or brawl syn: row, altercation, rhubarb, brouhaha ant: agreement, accord, unanimity, harmony

decorum

(n.) proper behavior, good taste; orderliness Syn: seemliness, good form, propriety Ant: impropriety, bad form, bad taste

defamation

(n.) slander or libel syn: vilification, calumny ant: salute, tribute

asset

(n.) something of value; a resource; an advantage Syn: property, possession, holding, endowment Ant: drawback, handicap, liability

compassion

(n.) sympathy for another's suffering; pity Syn: concern, commiseration, empathy Ant: indifference, callousness, heartlessness

alacrity

(noun) a cheerful readiness; brisk and eager action syn: promptness, willingness, dispatch, celerity ant: reluctance, unwillingness, hesitancy Neighbors responded with *alacrity* to the woman's cry for help.

platitude

(noun) a commonplace, stale, or trite remark. Synonyms: cliche, truism, bromide. Antonyms: epigram, quip, witticism, bon mot.

inkling

(noun) a hint; a vague notion synonyms: clue, intimation, suggestion

conflagration

(noun) a large destructive fire Synonyms: holocaust, wildfire Antonym: deluge

indemnity

(noun) a payment for damage or loss synonym: compensation, reparation

stipulate

(v.) to arrange specifically; to require as a condition of agreement Syn:specify, contract, provide for

beset

(v.) to attack from all sides; to surround, hem in; (adj., part.) harassed, troubled; studded (as with jewels) Syn: (v.) assail, harass, badger, pester, torment

imbibe

(v.) to drink; to take in, absorb Syn: swallow, gulp, quaff, assimilate, digest Ant: eject, emit, expel, discharge

concur

(v.) to express agreement, approve syn: agree, assent, ratify, sanction ant: disagree, differ, part company

renounce

(v.) to give up or resign something syn: repudiate, disown, abdicate ant: retain, secure, affirm, assent, aver

militate

(v.) to have effect or force on or against someone or something, fight against Syn: counter, oppose, work against

repress

(v.) to hold back; to put down or check by force syn: subdue, curb, stifle, bottle up ant: liberate, set loose, provoke, excite

explicate

(v.) to make plain or clear, explain; to interpret syn: elucidate, untangle, spell out ant: confuse, bewilder, obscure, obfuscate

loll

(verb) to act in a lazy manner; to lounge; to recline, droop syn: loaf, loiter, sag, dangle There is nothing I would rather do on a hot, humid summer afternoon than *loll* in a hammock under a tree.

disparage

(verb) to belitte, speak slightingly of; to undervalue syn: degrade, decry, run down, underrate ant: praise, extol, laud, plug Don't you think voters are getting awfully tired of listening to politicians *disparage* their opponents' voting records?

elucidate

(verb) to clarify, explain syn: interpret, expound, explicate ant: obscure, becloud, muddy, obfuscate The precise meaning of a passage in Middlemarch is sometimes hard to *elucidate*.

appall

(verb) to fill with dismay or horror syn: shock, stun, stupefy, horrify ant: please, cheer, gladden, elate, exhilarate The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 *appalled* the nation and the world.

chastise

(verb) to inflict physical punishment as a means of correction; to scold severely S: discipline, censure A: commend, reward

ruminate

(verb) to meditate, think about at length. Synonyms: ponder, reflect, mull over, muse.

laud

(verb) to praise syn: hail, extol, glorify, exalt ant: criticize, censure, belittle, disparage At the assemble the principal *lauded* both students and teachers for the schoolwide improvement in reading scores.

exult

(verb) to rejoice greatly synonyms: revel, glory antonyms: mope, sulk, regret, rue, lament

alleviate

(verb) to relieve, make more bearable syn: lesson, lighten, allay, mitigate, assuage The doctors and nurses did everything they could to *alleviate* the patient's severe pain.

abjure

(verb) to renounce, repudiate under oath; to avoid, shun Synonyms: forswear, retract, abstain from Antonyms: affirm, avow, aver, profess

rescind

(verb) to repeal, cancel syn: withdraw, revoke, retract, annul, abrogate ant: affirm, endorse, uphold, ratify A sitting Congress sometimes *rescinds* statutes passed by its predecessors.

allocate

(verb) to set apart or designate for a special purpose; to distribute synonyms: assign, allot, distribute

whet

(verb) to sharpen, put an edge on; to make keen or eager syn: hone, excite, stimulate ant: dull, blunt, deaden, stifle, dampen In most mystery novels, the first character is designed to *whet* your curiosity to find out "who done it."

quell

(verb) to subdue, put down forcibly. Synonyms: pacify, squelch, quash, crush. Antonyms: incite, provoke, arouse, foment, stir up.

deviate

(verb) to turn aside; to stray from a norm; (noun) one who departs from a norm; (adj.) differing from a norm, heterodox, unconventional synonyms: (verb) diverge, veer, swerve antonyms: (verb) conform to, abide by; (adj.) orthodox

abrasive

adj.) causing irritation, harsh; grinding or wearing down; (n.) a substance used to smooth or polish syn: (adj.) chafing, grating, rasping, erosive ant: (adj.) smooth, polished, satiny, oily