Vocabulary Workshop Level H: Unit 13

Mercurial

(adj) characterized by rapid and unpredictable changes of mood; fickle or inconstant Synonyms: erratic, flighty, capricious, volatile Antonyms: phlegmatic, sluggish, constant, steady

Chronic

(adj) continuing over a long period of time or recurring often Synonyms: recurrent, persistent, inveterate, habitual Antonyms: transitory, transient, sporadic

Chauvinist

(adj) extravagantly patriotic,; blindly devoted to a cause; (n) such a person Synonyms: (n) superpatriot, flag-waver, jingoist

Ineluctable

(adj) not able to be avoided, changed, or overcome Synonyms: unavoidable, inescapable, inevitable Antonyms:avoidable, escapable, reversible, revocable

Resplendent

(adj) shining or gleaming brilliantly; splendid or magnificent Synonyms: radiant, dazzling, glorious Antonyms: dull, drab, lusterless

Immaculate

(adj) spotless; without blemish or fault Synonyms: unsoiled, impeccable Antonyms: blemished, tarnished, stained, sullied

Sub Rosa

(adv) in secret; confidentially; privately; (adj) secretive Synonyms: (adv) secretly, covertly, stealthily, furtively Antonyms: (adv) overtly, openly

Imprecation

(n) a curse; the act of cursing Synonyms: execration, malediction Antonyms: blessing, benediction

Vestige

(n) a trace or visible evidence of something that once existed but now is lost or vanished Synonyms: artifact, relic, reamins

Bromide

(n) a trite or commonplace remark; a tiresome or boring person; a sedative Synonyms: cliché, platitude

Protocol

(n) customs and regulations dealing with official behavior and etiquette, as in a court or among diplomats; a type of international agreement; a memorandum, official account, or record Synonyms: code of conduct, minutes

Vainglory

(n) excessive pride in and boastfulness about one's own accomplishments or qualities; a vain show or display Synonyms: vanity, conceit, swagger, pretentiousness Antonyms: humility, modesty, diffidence

Factionalism

(n) party strife and intrigue Synonyms: infighting, dissension Antonyms: unanimity, harmony, agreement, consensus

Accolade

(n) praise or approval; a ceremonial embrace or greeting Synonyms: kudos, acclaim, cheers, plaudits Antonyms: boos, disapproval, censure, criticism

Acerbity

(n) sourness or bitterness of taste; harshness or severity of manner or expression Synonyms: acidity, astringency, mordancy, asperity Antonyms: blandness, mellowness, mildness

Volition

(n) the power to choose, will, or decide; the act of choosing, willing, or deciding Synonyms: free will, choice Antonyms: coercion, compulsion, duress

Attrition

(n) the process of wearing down by friction or gradual impairment Synonyms: abrasion, erosion, exhaustion, reduction Antonyms: augmentation, proliferation, enlargement

Stigmatize

(v) to brand or mark as in some way discreditable, disgraceful, or ignominious Synonyms: sully, taint, disgrace Antonyms: whitewash, laud, extol

Expound

(v) to explain in detail Synonyms: elucidate, explicate, delineate

Palliate

(v) to make less serious or severe by glossing over; to relieve without actually curing, mitigate Synonyms: alleviate, extenuate Antonyms: intensify, magnify, aggravate