Vocabulary Workshop Level G Unit 4 (Definition, Synonym, antonym)

mordant

(adj) biting or caustic in though, manner, or style; sharply or bitterly harsh Syn: acrimonious, acidulous, sardonic, scathing Ant: bland mild, gentle, soothing

consummate

(adj) complete or perfect in the highest degree; (v) to bring to a state of completion or perfection Syn: masterful; clinch, conclude Ant: launch, initiate, begin, kick off

pecuniary

(adj) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money Syn: monetary, financial

pusillanimous

(adj) contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited Syn: craven, lily-livered Ant: stouthearted, courageous

frenetic

(adj) frenzied, highly agitated Syn: frantic, overwrought Ant: calm controlled, relaxed, leisurely

jocular

(adj) humorous, jesting, jolly, joking Syn: waggish, facetious, droll, witty Ant: solemn, grave, earnest, grim

recumbent

(adj) in a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of one sleeping or resting Syn: prone, prostrate, supine, inactive Ant: erect, energetic, dynamic

incumbent

(adj) obligatory, required; (n) one who holds a specific office at the time spoken of Syn: mandatory, necessary Ant: optional, unnecessary

ludicrous

(adj) ridiculous, laughable, absurd Syn: risible, preposterous Ant: heartrending, poignant, pathetic

bastion

(n) a fortified place, stronghold Syn: citadel, rampart, bulwark, parapet

nettle

(n) a prickly or stinging plant; (v) to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger; to vex or irritate severely Syn: peeve, annoy, incense, gall, irk Ant: please, delight, soothe, pacify

stratagem

(n) a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end Syn: ruse, trick, ploy, subterfuge

concord

(n) a state of agreement, harmony, unanimity; a treaty, pact, covenant syn: discord, strife, disagreement

grouse

(n) a type of game bird; a complaint; (v) to grumble Syn: gripe, kvetch, bellyache

disarray

(n) disorder, confusion; (v) to throw into disorder Syn: disorganization; mess up, dishevel Ant: organization, order, tidiness

flotsam

(n) floating debris; homeless, impoverished people Syn: floating wreckage

atrophy

(n) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure; (v) to waste away Syn: degeneration, deterioration; wither Ant: growth, mature

exigency

(n) urgency, pressure; urgent demand, pressing need; an emergency Syn: requirement, crisis

glean

(v) to gather bit by bit; to gather small quantities of grain left in a field by the reapers Syn: collect, cull, pick up

incarcerate

(v) to imprison, confine, jail Syn: intern, immune Ant: liberate, free