Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop Level E Semester 2 Vocab

Loll

(v.) to act in a lazy manner; to lounge; to recline, droop There is nothing I would rater do on a hot, humid summer afternoon than ______________________ in a hammock under a tree. Synonyms: loaf, loiter, sag, dangle

Conclusive

(adj.) serving to settle an issue; final When they weighed all of the evidence in the case, the members of the jury found the testimony of the expert witness to be _________________. Synonyms: decisive, convincing, definitive Antonyms: unsettled, provisional, indefinite

Somnolent

(adj.) sleepy, drowsy; inducing sleep By the end of an enormous Thanksgiving feast, most diners usually feel quite ___________________. Synonyms: groggy, soporific Antonyms: alert, lively, wide-awake, stimulating

Phlegmatic

(adj.) slow-moving, sluggish; unemotional Sloths are such _________________________ creatures that they have earned the reputation of being the slowest animals on Earth. Synonyms: lethargic, indolent, torpid, impassive Antonym: emotional, sensitive, thin-skinned, excitable

Infinitesimal

(adj.) so small as to be almost immeasurable; minute To a fussy housekeeper, even an ____________________ amount of dust on a tabletop is unacceptable. Synonyms: tiny, minuscule Antonyms: vast, immense, huge, infinite

Clairvoyant

(adj.) supernaturally perceptive; (n.) one who possesses extrasensory powers, seer Few people are taken in by the _____________________ pronouncements of fortune-tellers and mediums. The police sometimes use ____________________ to help them solve difficult missing-person cases. Synonyms: (adj.) insightful, discerning, uncanny; (n.) visionary Antonyms: (adj.) blind, unseeing, myopic, dense

Loquacious

(adj.) talkative, wordy; fond of talking My dinner companion was so ______________________ that our conversation quickly turned into a monologue. Synonyms: gossipy, voluble, garrulous, long-winded Antonyms: silent, reticent, closemouthed, terse, taciturn

Savory

(adj.) tasty, appetizing; pungent or salty, not sweet; inoffensive, respectable Some of the characters a reader meets in a detective story are none too __________________________. Synonyms: delectable, flavorful, aromatic, piquant Antonyms: distasteful, unpalatable, malodorous, bland

Placid

(adj.) calm, peaceful There was no wind to disturb the _____________________ surface of the lake. Synonyms: undisturbed, tranquil, quiet, serence Antonyms: story, agitated, turbulent, tempestuous

Droll

(adj.) amusingly odd The hero or heroine of a popular sitcom may be surrounded by a cast of _______________________ eccentrics. Synonyms: comical, humorous, whimsical, zany Antonyms: humorless, solemn, dour

Applicable

(adj.) capable of being applied; relevant, suitable The protection against being tried for the same crime twice is not _______________________ in some cases. Synonyms: appropriate, fit, apt, apposite Antonyms: inappropriate, unsuitable, irrelevant

Tangible

(adj.) capable of being touched; real, concrete After months of intensive negotiation, diplomats reported that they had made __________________ progress toward reaching a settlement of the bitter dispute. Synonyms; perceptible, actual, evident Antonyms: immaterial, imperceptible, insubstantial

Abrasive

(adj.) causing irritation, harsh; grinding or wearing down; (n.) a substance used to smooth or polish Within every family there are some relationships that tend to be _______________________. Pumice, a natural _____________________, is a highly porous type of glass that is produced by volcanic eruptions. Synonyms: (adj.) chafing, grating, rasping, erosive Antonyms: (adj.) smooth, polished, satiny, oily

Voluble

(adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent Reporters never give much credence to tips that they receive from ____________________ but unreliable informants, however persistent. Synonyms: loquacious, garrulous, long-winded, prolix Antonyms: uncommunicative, reticent, terse

Raucous

(adj.) disagreeably harsh-sounding; disorderly A ___________________ voice can be a liability for someone wishing to pursue a career in television journalism. Synonyms: boisterous, clamorous, strident Antonyms: placid, tranquil, peaceful, serene, pastoral

Zealous

(adj.) eager, earnest, devoted Most members of my family are ______________________ supporters of our local high school's basketball, baseball, and football teams. Synonyms: ardent, fervent, devout, dogged, gung ho Antonyms: reluctant, unwilling, averse, tepid

Callous

(adj.) emotionally hardened, unfeeling Protesters accused the mayor of __________________________ indifference to the plight of the homeless. Synonyms: insensitive, unsympathetic, thick-skinned Antonyms: sensitive, compassionate, tenderhearted

Stentorian

(adj.) extremely loud Some public speakers favor a _____________________ delivery and emphatic gestures to drive home their messages to their listeners. Synonyms: thundering, deafening, earsplitting Antonyms: hushed, inaudible, whispered, mute

Inveterate

(adj.) firmly established, long-standing; habitual It has been claimed that many writers and artists have an ______________________________ hostility to criticism Synonyms: persisting, chronic, dyed-in-the-wool Antonyms: sporadic, intermittent, occasional

Magnamimous

(adj.) generous in forgiving, above small meanness The general's victory was so decisive that he could afford to be ____________________ toward his former enemies. Synonyms: unselfish, charitable, noble, bighearted Antonyms; petty, selfish, unforgiving, spiteful

Innocuous

(adj.) harmless, inoffensive; insignificant Conversation at a dinner party may sometimes be confined to pleasant and __________________ generalities. Synonyms: feeble, impotent, unobjectionable, insipid Antonyms: harmful, dangerous, pernicious, toxic, virulent

Acrid

(adj.) harsh in taste or odor; sharp in manner or temper The __________________ stench of a fire lingers in the air long after the flames have been extinguished. Synonyms: irritating, stinging, bitter, caustic Antonyms: gentle, soothing, mild

Stark

(adj.) harsh, unrelieved, desolate; (adv.) utterly Many a young idealist has found it difficult to accept the _____________________ realities of life. By the end of his brief reign, the Roman emperor Caligula was clearly _________________________ raving mad. Synonyms: (adj.) sheer, downright, grim, bleak; (adj.) absolutely Antonyms: (adj.) bright, cheerful embellished, ornate

Exuberant

(adj.) high spirited, enthusiastic, unrestrained; excessive, abundant Unable to control their ____________________ spirits, the fans of the popular singer cheered their idol loudly. Synonyms: lively, ebullient, irrepressible, lavish Antonyms: depressed, despondent, sulky, restrained

Obnoxious

(adj.) highly offensive, arousing strong dislike The speeches Hitler delivered at the Nuremberg rallies were full of racial slurs and other _____________________ language. Synonyms: disagreeable, repugnant, hateful, odious Antonyms: agreeable, pleasing, engaging, personable

Quiescent

(adj.) inactive; at rest Although some volcanoes are believed to be truly extinct, many are merely ___________________. Synonyms: still, inert, motionless, tranquil Antonyms: active, thriving, bustling, volatile

Trenchant

(adj.) incisive, keen; forceful, effective; cutting, caustic, distinct, clear-cut Scholars considered the _________________ satires of Jonathon Swift to be the greatest works of their kind in the English language. Synonyms: penetrating, cutting, telling, acute Antonyms: dull, bland, insipid, vapid, imperceptive

Vehement

(adj.) intense, forceful, powerful The defendant's __________________ protestations of innocence failed to convince the jurors. Synonyms: emphatic, vigorous, impassioned Antonyms: apathetic, lukewarm, subdued, muted

Vivacious

(adj.) lively, sprightly, full of energy A _________________________ individual will certainly never lack for companions. Synonyms: spirited, animated, ebullient Antonyms: dull, spiritless, listless, indolent

August

(adj.) majestic, inspiring admiration and respect The ________________________ visages of four of America's great presidents are carved on the face of Mount Rushmore. Synonyms: stately, dignified, exalted, venerable Antonyms: humble, base, mean, lowly, abject

Endemic

(adj.) native or confined to a particular region or people; characteristic of or prevalent in a field Scientists have yet to identify many plant and animal species __________________ to the rain forests. Synonyms: indigenous, restricted to Antonyms: alien, foreign, extraneous

Indelible

(adj.) not able to be erased or removed; memorable The brutal crimes against humanity committed by the Nazis left an ______________________ stain on the history of the twentieth century. Synonyms: lasting, permanent Antonyms: erasable, impermanent, ephemeral

Dissonant

(adj.) not in harmony; disagreeing, at odds The clamor of ____________________________ voices could be heard clearly through the closed doors of the meeting room. Synonyms: grating, unmelodious, irreconcilable Antonyms: harmonious, agreeing, euphonious

Reticent

(adj.) not inclined to speak; reserved; reluctant She is understandably ____________________ about discussing her most deeply held beliefs with a group of total strangers. Synonyms: taciturn, closemouthed, tight-lipped Antonyms: talkative, garrulous, voluble, long-winded

Disreputable

(adj.) not respectable, not esteemed Supermarket tabloids frequently publish stories about the ___________________ behavior of celebrities. Synonyms: disgraceful, discreditable, shady Antonyms: honest, aboveboard, respectable, creditable

Implacable

(adj.) not to be satisfied or pacified; unyielding The peoples of the Arctic have shown that nature need not be an ___________________ foe. Synonyms: relentless, inexorable, unappeasable Antonyms: lenient, indulgent, permissive, flexible

Irrelevant

(adj.) not to the point, not applicable or pertinent When you take notes, it's best to record only the main ideas and eliminate all ____________________ details. Synonyms; inapplicable, immaterial, beside the point Antonyms: pertinent, material, apropos, germane

Nocternal

(adj.) of or occurring in the night; under cover of darkness Most ______________________ creatures have keen eyesight and acute hearing. Synonyms: nighttime Antonyms: daytime, diurnal

Superficial

(adj.) on or near the surface; concerned with or understanding only what is on the surfaces, shallow A ___________________ analysis of a complex problem is not likely to produce a viable or long-lasting solution. Synonyms: skin-deep, insubstantial, cursory, slapdash Antonyms: deep, profound, thorough, exhaustive

Receptive

(adj.) open and responsive to ideas or suggestions People will generally be _______________________ to criticism of their work if it is given in a constructive manner. Synonyms: open-minded, tolerant, amenable Antonyms: narrow-minded, intolerant, hidebound

Nondescript

(adj.) ordinary, not outstanding; not easily classified Fashion critics judged the designer's fall clothing line to be disappointingly _______________________. Synonyms: plain, unremarkable, unimpressive Antonyms: remarkable, vivid, prepossessing

Potent

(adj.) powerful; highly effective Music has been called the most ________________________ agent for inducing people to forget their differences and live in harmony. Synonyms: mighty, formidable, forceful Antonyms: weak, inept, feckless, powerless, ineffective

Sedate

(adj.) quiet, settled, sober; (v.) to administer a tranquilizer At concerts of classical music, audiences generally behave in a ______________________ and attentive manner. A doctor may decide to ____________________________ a patient who has suffered a severe emotional shock or physical injury. Synonyms: (adj.) unruffled, composed, cool and collected Antonyms: (adj.) loud, brash, flashy, flamboyant, garish, flighty

Mandatory

(adj.) required, obligatory A union contract may stipulate that members are to receive a ________________ annual cost-of-living increase. Synonyms; compulsory, requisite, imperative Antonyms: optional, voluntary, discretionary

Clandestine

(adj.) secret, concealed; underhanded During the early stages of the American Revolution, _________________________ colonial printing presses churned out quantities of anti-British propaganda. Synonyms: covert, furtive, surreptitious, stealthy Antonyms: open, overt, undisguised, aboveaboard

Complacent

(adj.) self-satisfied; overly content _______________________ individuals are, by definition, overly pleased with their lot in life. Synonyms: smug, unconcerned Antonyms: discontented

Grotesque

(adj.) unnatural, distorted; bizarre Gargoyles, the _____________________ beasts carved on many Gothic churches, are actually drainage spouts Synonyms: fantastic, outlandish, ugly, deformed Antonyms: appealing, attractive, comely

Tacit

(adj.) unspoken, silent; implied, inferred The neighbors had a _______________ understanding that they would help each other in an emergency. Synonyms: unexpressed, unvoiced, understood, implict Antonyms: explicit, express, specific

Bellicose

(adj.) warlike manner or temperament; quarrelsome Teddy Roosevelt's foreign policy was often driven by a rather ____________________________ brand of patriotism. Synonyms: aggressive, combative, belligerent Antonyms: amicable, peaceable, pacific

Exemplary

(adj.) worthy of imitation, commendable; serving as a model The Medal of Freedom is awarded to US civilian for ________________________ achievements in various fields. Synonyms: praiseworthy, meritorious, sterling, illustrative Antonyms: infamous, notorious, scandalous, disreputable

Indulgent

(adj.) yielding to the wishes or demands of others A heightened sense of compassion has induced the federal government to adopt a more ___________________ policy toward illegal aliens. Synonyms: permissive, tolerant, liberal Antonyms: sporadic, intermittent, occasional

Elated

(adj., part.) In high spirits, jubilant; extremely pleased __________________________ fans lined the city's streets to cheer the World Series champions. Synonyms: overjoyed, ecstatic, tickled pink Antonyms: depressed, crestfallen, despondent, blue

Platitude

(n.) a commonplace, stale, or trite remark The sentiments expressed in most greeting cards seldom rise above the level of timeworn ___________________. Synonyms: cliche, truism, bromide Antonyms: epigram, quip, witticism, bon mot

Pretext

(n.) a false reason, deceptive excuse I sought some ______________________ for excusing myself from the weekly staff meeting I did not want to attend. Synonyms: pretense, cover story, rationale, evasion

Ultimatum

(n.) a final proposal or statement of conditions As a strike deadline draws near, both labor and management can be expected to issue __________________. Synonym: final terms

Conflagration

(n.) a large destructive fire A large number of wooden structures quite literally added fuel to the _________________________ that swept through San Francisco in 1906. Synonyms: holocaust, wildfire Antonyms: deluge

Fracas

(n.) a noisy quarrel or brawl Do you think that the _________________ on some talk shows are spontaneous or staged? Synonyms: row, altercation, rhubarb, brouhaha Antonyms: agreement, accord, unanimity, harmony

Reparation

(n.) a payment made for a wrong or an injury Both Germany and Japan paid ___________________ to Britain, France, and the United States after WWII. Synonyms: compensation, damages, redress

Itinerary

(n.) a route of travel; a record of travel; a guidebook Tour companies regularly provide potential customers with detailed ______________________ of the trips they offer. Synonyms: schedule, program

Antipathy

(n.) a strong dislike, hostile feeling Sensible people normally view any form of bigotry with the most profound ______________. Synonyms: hostility, enmity, aversion, bad blood Antonyms: attraction, appeal, allure, sympathy

Pandemonium

(n.) a wild uproar, din, or commotion The whirl of activity on the floor of a stock exchange often looks and sounds like utter ________________________. Synonyms: chaos, bedlam, three-ring circus Antonyms; order, calm, tranquility, peace, repose

Facsimile

(n.) an exact copy A ____________________ of the US Constitution is displayed in many social studies classrooms. Synonyms: replica, duplication, clone Antonyms: variation, modification, permutation

Edict

(n.) an order issued by someone in authority Only in fairy tales can human unhappiness and misery be banished forever by royal __________________. Synonyms: command, decree, proclamation

Alacrity

(n.) cheerful readiness; brisk and eager action Neighbors responded with _______________________ to the woman's cries for help Synonyms: promptness, willingness, celerity Antonyms: reluctance, unwillingness, hesitancy

Duress

(n.) compulsion by threat; forcible confinement Political prisoners are sometimes subjected to a mild form of ________________________ called house arrest. Synonyms: intimidation, coercion Antonyms: persuasion, coaxing

Prowess

(n.) distinguished bravery; superior skill or ability The Greek hero Achilles won fame for his ___________________________ in the Trojan War. Synonyms: valor, courage, heroism, mastery, proficiency Antonyms: cowardice, incompetence, ineptitude

Patent

(n.) exclusive rights over an invention; copyright; (v.) to arrange or obtain such rights; (adj.) plain, open to view; copyrighted When the _________________________ on a drug expires, any manufacturer may produce it. By the time of his death in 1931, Thomas Alva Edison had ___________________ more inventions than any other American of his time During cross examination a skilled lawyer may catch a key hostile witness in a ___________________ falsehood. Synonyms: (n.) exclusive license; (adj.) evident Antonyms: (adj.) concealed, hidden, secret

Integrity

(n.) honesty, high moral standards; an unimpaired condition, completeness, soundness Scholars debated the ________________________ of the text of a newly discovered poem attributed to Shakespeare. Synonyms: rectitude, probity Antonyms: dishonesty, corruption, turpitude

Chagrin

(n.) irritation or humiliation caused by disappointment or frustration; (v.) to call such a feeling Much to my __________________, I placed a mere fourth in the 100-meter freestyle. The lukewarm reception accorded his first and only opera, Fidelio, deeply ________________________ the composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Synonyms: (n.) vexation, mortification; (v.) abash, mortify Antonyms: (n.) jubilation, exultation, triumph; (v.) exult, delight

Decorum

(n.) proper behavior, good taste; orderliness Legislative assemblies preserve ___________________ by operating under rules of parliamentary procedure. Synonyms: seemliness, good form, propriety Antonyms: impropriety, bad form, bad taste

Compunction

(n.) remorse, regret In some religious writings ________________________ is used as a synonym for contrition to express profound regret for one's sins. Synonyms: scruple, qualm, misgiving, contrition Antonyms: shamelessness, insouciance, nonchalance

Defamation

(n.) slander or libel Celebrities sometimes find that they have no choice but to sue tabloids for _______________________. Synonyms: vilification, calumny Antonyms: salute, tribute

Asset

(n.) something of value; a resource; an advantage By law, an annual report must include a detailed breakdown of a company's ___________________ and liabilities. Synonyms: property, holding, endowment Antonyms: drawback, handicap, liability

Compassion

(n.) sympathy for another's suffering; pity Without the ______________________ and generosity of donors and volunteers, many charitable organizations would have to shut their doors. Synonyms: concern, commiseration, empathy Antonyms: indifference, callousness, heartlessness

Antithesis

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

Alleviate

(n.) to relieve, make more bearable The doctors and nurses did everything they could to ________________________________ the patient's severe pain. Synonyms: lessen, allay, mitigate, assuage

Guile

(n.) treacherous cunning, deceit Folklore has it that a serpent's most outstanding trait is ________________, just as a fox's is craftiness. Synonyms: trickery, chicanery Antonyms: candor, artlessness, naivete, plain dealing

Acclimate

(v.) to adapt to a new climate, environment, or situation You may find it difficult to _____________________ a new school if you arrive in the middle of the year. Synonyms: accustom, learn the ropes

Placate

(v.) to appease, soothe, pacify Sponsors of the controversial bill modified some of its original provisions in order to __________________ the opposition. Synonyms: satisfy, mollify, allay, concilate Antonyms: vex, irk, provoke, exasperate, annoy

Stipulate

(v.) to arrange specifically; to require as a condition of agreement A financial institution may _______________________ that all its employees be fingerprinted. Synonyms: specify, contract, provide for

Beset

(v.) to attack from all sides; to surround, hem in; (adj. part.) harassed, troubled; studded (as with jewels) Every federal administration must grapple with the economic woes that _____________________ the nation. The crown worn by England's monarchs is a gorgeous object ___________________________ with fabulous precious stones. Synonyms: (v.) assail, harass, badger, pester, torment

Disparage

(v.) to belittle, speak slightingly of; to undervalue Don't you think voters are getting awfully tired of listening to politicians _____________________ their opponents' voting records? Synonyms: degrade, decry, run down, underrate Antonyms: praise, extol, laud, plug

Elucidate

(v.) to clarify, explain The precise meaning of a passage in Middlemarch is sometimes hard to _________________. Synonyms: interpret, expound, explicate Antonyms: obscure, becloud, muddy, obfuscate

Imbibe

(v.) to drink; to take in, absorb An inquisitive person can ______________________ knowledge from many sources. Synonyms: swallow, gulp, quaff, digest Antonyms: eject, emit, expel, discharge

Concur

(v.) to express agreement, approve It is indeed rare for eyewitness accounts of an accident to ______________________ in every detail. Synonyms: agree, assent, ratify, sanction Antonyms: disagree, differ, part company

Appall

(v.) to fill with dismay or horror The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 _______________________ the nation and the world. Synonyms: shock, stupefy, horrify Antonyms: please, cheer, gladden, elate, exhilarate

Renounce

(v.) to give up or resign something Throughout history, martyrs have willingly given up their lives rather than ____________________ their cause. Synonyms: repudiate, disown, abdicate Synonyms: retain, secure, affirm, assent, aver

Militate

(v.) to have effect or force on or against someone or something, fight against Health experts __________________________ strongly against a diet that is high in calories, fat, and salt. Synonyms: counter, oppose, work against

Repress

(v.) to hold back; to put down or check by force As history has repeatedly proved, even the most brutal tyrants cannot forever __________________ the human desire for freedom. Synonyms: subdue, curb, stifle, bottle up Antonyms: liberate, set loose, provoke, excite

Misconstrue

(v.) to interpret wrongly, mistake the meaning of Young children sometimes ___________________ their parents' motives. Synonyms: misjudge, misinterpret

Explicate

(v.) to make plain or clear, explain; to interpret The students listened attentively as the math teacher _________________________ the geometry theorem. Synonyms: elucidate, untangle, spell out Antonyms: confuse, bewilder, obscure, obfuscate

Ruminate

(v.) to meditate, think about at length In old age many people sadly _______________________ on mistakes made and opportunities missed. Synonyms: ponder, reflect, mull over, muse

Laud

(v.) to praise At the assembly the principal _________________________ both students and teachers for the schoolwide improvement in reading scores. Synonyms: hail, extol, glorify, exalt Antonyms: criticize, censure, belittle, disparage

Allude

(v.) to refer casually or indirectly In his speech, the candidate ___________________________ to his opponent's lack of military experience. Synonyms: suggest, insinuate, intimate

Abjufre

(v.) to renounce, repudiate under oath; to avoid, shun Toward the end of Shakespeare's last play, The Tempest, the magician Prospero __________________________ his powers over nature. Synonyms: forswear, retract, abstain from Antonyms: affirm, avow, aver, profess

Rescind

(v.) to repeal, cancel A sitting Congress sometimes ____________________ statutes passed by its predecessors. Synonyms; withdraw, retract, annul, abrogate Antonyms: affirm, endorse, uphold, ratify

Whet

(v.) to sharpen, put an edge on; to make keen or eager In most mystery novels, the first chapter is designed to ______________________ your curiosity to find out "who done it." Synonyms: hone, excite, stimulate Antonyms: blunt, deaden, stifle, dampen

Protrude

(v.) to stick out, thrust forth Dentists commonly use various kinds of braces to correct the alignment of teeth that ___________________ or are crooked. Synonym: project, bulge

Quell

(v.) to subdue, put down forcibly The English poet John Dryden believed that music has the power either to arouse or to ____________________ strong emotions. Synonyms: pacify, squelch, quash, crush Antonyms: incite, provoke, arouse, foment, stir up

Fathom

(v.) to understand, get to the bottom of; to determine the depth of; (n.) a measure of depth in water It is sometimes difficult to _____________________ the motives behind another person's actions. The great passenger liner Titanic still lies buried several thousand _______________ beneath the ocean's surface. Synonyms: (v.) grasp, figure out, plumb