Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Level F Units 7-12
Sedentary
(adj.) Characterized by or calling for continued sitting; remaining in one place
Bovine
(adj.) Resembling a cow or an ox; sluggish, unresponsive Synonyms: stolid, dull, slow stupid Antonyms: alert, sharp, bright, keen, quick
Fortuitous
(adj.) accidental, occurring by happy chance Synonyms: unintentional, unplanned, random, lucky Antonyms: intentional, deliberate, premeditated
Stalwart
(adj.) strong and sturdy; brave; resolute; a brave person; a strong supporter; one who takes and uncompromising position Synonyms: sturdy, stout, intrepid, valiant; mainstay Antonyms: weak, infirm, irresolute, vacillating
Slovenly
(adj.) untidy, dirty, carless Synonyms: unkempt, slatternly, slipshod, lax Antonyms: neat, tidy, careful, meticulous
Gratuitous
(adj.) freely given, not called for by circumstances, unwarranted Synonyms: voluntary, unjustified, uncalled for Antonyms: justified, warranted
Foist
(verb) to impose by fraud, to pass off as worthy or genuine, to bring about by stealth, dishonestly or coercion Synonyms: pass off, palm off, fob off
Equivocate
(verb) to speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague or ambiguous Synonyms: to talk out of both sides of one's mouth, palter, hedge Antonyms: To speak one's mind plainly
Prate
(verb) to talk a great deal in a foolish or aimless fashion Synonyms: chatter, prattle, blab blabber, palaver Antonyms: come to point, not waste words
Efficacious
(adj.) effective, producing results Synonyms: effectual, efficient, potent, powerful Antonyms: ineffective, worthless, useless
Grandiose
(adj.) grand in an impressive or stately way; marked by pompous affectation or grandeur, absurdly exaggerated Synonyms: majestic, bombastic, highfalutin Antonyms: simple, modest, unaffected, humble
Perceptive
(adj.) having sympathetic insight or understanding, capable of keen appreciation Synonyms: insightful, discerning, observant Antonyms: dense, thick, obtuse, dim-witted
Inconsequential
(adj.) trifling, unimportant Synonyms: trivial, negligible, petty, paltry Antonyms: important, essential, crucial, vital
Gauche
(adj.) awkward, lacking in social graces, tactless, clumsy Synonyms: inept, uncouth, maladriot Antonyms: adroit, tactful, diplomatic, politic
Hypothetical
(adj.) based on an assumption or guess; used as a provisional or tentative idea to guide or direct investigation Synonyms: assumed, supposed, conjectural, conditional Antonyms: actual, real, tested, substantiated
Palpable
(adj.) capable of being touched or felt; easily seen, heard, or recognized Synonyms: tangible, plain, obvious,, manifest Antonyms: intangibile, insubstantial, incorporeal
Nebulous
(adj.) cloudlike, resembling a cloud; clouding in color, not transparent; vague, confused, indistinct Synonyms: hazy, fuzzy, cloudy vague, murky opaque, indeterminate Antonyms: definite, distinct clear, sharply focused
Crass
(adj.) coarse, unfeeling, stupid Synonyms: crude, vulgar, tasteless, oafish, obtuse Antonyms: refined, elegant, tasteful, polished, brilliant
Egregious
(adj.) conspicuous, standing out from the mass Synonyms: glaring, flagrant, blatant Antonyms: unnoticeable, paltry, piddling
Specious
(adj.) deceptive, apparently good or valid but lacking real merit Synonyms: deceptively plausible, sophistic, casuistic Antonyms: valid, sound, solid, genuine
Culpable
(adj.) deserving blame, worthy of condemnation Synonyms: guilty, delinquent, peccant Antonyms: blameless, innocent, laudable, meritorious
Censurable
(adj.) deserving of blame or correction Synonyms: blameworthy, discreditable, reprehensible Antonyms: commendable, laudable, meritorious
Pretentious
(adj.) done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on one's skill or abilities, ambitious Synonyms: inflated, ostentatious, affected Antonyms: unassuming, unaffected, modest
Recondite
(adj.) exceedingly ordinary knowledge and understanding Synonyms: esoteric, arcane, profound, abstruse Antonyms: simple, uncomplicated
Munificent
(adj.) extremely generous, lavish Synonyms: bounteous, liberal Antonyms: stingy, miserly, tightfisted, parsimonious
Pernicious
(adj.) extremely harmful, deadly, fatal Synonyms: injurious, deleterious, baleful, noxious Antonyms: harmless, innocuous, salutary, salubrious
Corpulent
(adj.) fat; having a large, bulky body Synonyms: overweight, heavy, obese, stout, portly Antonyms: slender, lean, spare, gaunt, emaciated
Covert
(adj.) hidden, disguised, purposefully kept secret; sheltered, secluded Synonyms: undercover, clandestine, sub-rosa Antonyms: open, overt, undisguised
Florid
(adj.) highly colored, reddish; excessively ornate, showy Synonyms: flushed, ruddy, flowery frilly, flamboyant Antonyms: pale, ashen, pallid, sallow, austere, stark
Intemperate
(adj.) immoderate, lacking in self-control; inclement Synonyms: excessive, extreme, unrestrained, inordinate Antonyms: moderate, restrained, cool and collected
Dispassionate
(adj.) impartial; calm, free from emotion Synonyms: unbiased, disinterested, cool, detached Antonyms: committed, engaged, partial, biased
Torpid
(adj.) inactive, sluggish, dull Synonyms: lethargic, otiose, languid Antonyms: energetic, dynamic, vigorous
squeamish
(adj.) inclined to nausea; easily shocked or upset; excessively fastidious or refined Synonyms: nauseated, queasy, delicate, oversensitive, priggish
Redoubtable
(adj.) inspiring fear or awe, illustrious, eminent Synonyms: formidable, fearsome, awesome, august Antonyms: laughable, risible, contemptible
Salient
(adj.) leaping, jumping, or springing forth; prominent, standing out, conspicuous; a projection or bulge, a land form that projects upward/outward Synonyms: striking, notable, protrusive, obvious Antonyms: inconspicuous, recessive
Contingent
(adj.) likely but not certain to happen, possible; dependent on uncertain events or conditions; happening by chance; a representative group forming part of a larger body Synonyms: conditional, dependent; a detachment Antonyms: independent, unconnected, certain
Ignoble
(adj.) mean, low, base Synonyms: inferior, unworthy, dishonorable, sordid Antonyms: admirable, praiseworthy, lofty, noble
Abstemious
(adj.) moderate, sparing; characterized by abstinence and self-discipline Synonyms: temperate, sober, moderate Antonyms: indulgent, immoderate, intemperate
Denizen
(noun) An inhabitant, resident Synonyms: dweller, habitue Antonyms: alien, outsider, stranger, foreigner
Supposition
(noun) Something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence Synonyms: assumption, presumption, hypothesis
Infraction
(noun) a breaking of a law or obligation Synonyms: violation, transgression, breach, offense
Annotation
(noun) a critical or explanatory note or comment, especially for a literary work
Reprobate
(noun) a depraved, vicious or unprincipled person, scoundrel; wicked, corrupt; to disapprove of, condemn Synonyms: immoral, corrupt Antonyms: saint, upright, virtuous, moral
Avarice
(noun) a greedy desire, particularly for wealth Synonyms: cupidity, rapacity, acquisitiveness
Bedlam
(noun) a state or scene of uproar and confusion Synonyms: commotion, pandemonium, chaos, anarchy
Invective
(noun) a strong denunciation or condemnation, abusive language; abusive, vituperative Synonyms: vituperation, abuse, diatribe, philippic Antonyms: tribute, panegyric, encomium
Restitution
(noun) act of restoring someone or something to the rightful owner or to a former state or position; making good on a loan or a damage Synonyms: compensation, reimbursement, redress, restoration
Gauntlet
(noun) an armored or protective glove; a challenge; two lines of men armed with weapons with which to beat a person forced to run between them; an ordeal Synonyms: dare, provocation, trial, punishment
Anathema
(noun) an object of intense dislike, a curse or strong denunciation Synonyms: malediction, imprecation, abomination Antonyms: benediction, blessing
Heresy
(noun) an opinion different from accepted belief; the denial of an idea that is generally held sacred Synonyms: unorthodox belief, heterodoxy Antonyms: orthodoxy
Equanimity
(noun) calmness, composure, refusal to panic Synonyms: tranquility, imperturbability Antonyms: excitability, flappability, agitation
Dissension
(noun) disagreement, sharp difference of opinion Synonyms: strife, discord, contention Antonyms: agreement, accord, harmony
Consternation
(noun) dismay, confusion Synonyms: shock, amazement, bewilderment Antonyms: calm, composure, aplomb
Penury
(noun) extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency Synonyms: destitution, want, indigence Antonyms: affluence, abundance, luxury, opulence
Perfidy
(noun) faithlessness, treachery Synonyms: betrayal, disloyalty, treason, duplicity Antonyms: faithfulness, loyalty, steadfastness
Odium
(noun) hatred, contempt; disgrace or infamy resulting from hateful conduct Synonyms: abhorrence, opprobrium, shame, ignominy Antonyms: esteem, admiration, approbation
Novice
(noun) one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience Synonyms: neophyte, tyro, trainee, apprentice Antonyms: veteran, past master, pro, expert
Adulation
(noun) praise or flattery that is excessive Synonyms: adoration, idolization, hero-worship Antonyms: ridicule, derision, scorn, odium
Gist
(noun) the essential part, main point, or essence Synonyms: substance, core, nucleus
Desecrate
(verb) To commit sacrilege upon, treat irreverently, to contaminate, pollute Synonyms: profane, defile, violate Antonyms: revere, honor, venerate, consecrate
Impugn
(verb) to call in to question; to attack as false Synonyms: challenge, deny, dispute, query, question Antonyms: confirm, prove, verify, validate
Dissipate
(verb) to cause to disappear; to scatter, dispel; to spend foolishly, squander; to be extravagant in pursuit of pleasure Synonyms: disperse, strew, diffuse, waste Antonyms: gather, collect, conserve, husband
Corroborate
(verb) to confirm, make more certain, bolster, substantiate, verify Antonyms: refute, contradict, undermine, discredit
Disconcert
(verb) to confuse; to disturb the composure of Synonyms: upset, rattle, ruffle, faze, perturb Antonyms: relax, calm, put at ease
Procrastinate
(verb) to delay, put off until later Synonyms: stall, temporize, dillydally
Disavow
(verb) to deny responsibility for or connection with Synonyms: disown, disclaim, retract, abjure Antonyms: acknowledge, admit, grant, certify
Reprove
(verb) to find fault with, scold, rebuke Synonyms: chide, chastise, upbraid, reproach Antonyms: praise, commend, laud, pat on back
Accure
(verb) to grow or accumulate over time; to happen as a natural result Synonyms: collect, accumulate, proceed from Antonyms: dwindle, decrease, diminish, lessen
Inculcate
(verb) to impress on the mind by repetition, teach persistently and earnestly Synonyms: instill, implant, infuse, ingrain, imbue Antonyms: efface, extirpate, root out
Debase
(verb) to lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade, adulterate; to cause to deteriorate Synonyms: cheapen, corrupt, demean, depreciate Antonyms: elevate, uplift, improve, enhance
Abate
(verb) to make less in amount, degree, ect; to subside, become less, to nullify, to deduct, omit Synonyms: diminish, decrease, subside, let up Antonyms: intensify, increase, magnify, wax
Mitigate
(verb) to make milder or softer, to moderate in force or intensity Synonyms: lessen, relieve, alleviate, diminish Antonyms: aggravate, intensify, irritate, exacerbate
Sear
(verb) to make or become dry and withered; to char or scorch the surface of; to harden or make unfeeling; to parch, dessicate, singe
Relegate
(verb) to place in a lower position; to assign, refer, turn over; to banish Synonyms: transfer, consign, demote, exile Antonyms: promote, elevate, advance, recall
Concoct
(verb) to prepare by combing ingredients, make up (as a dish), to devise, invent, fabricate Synonyms: create, fashion, rustle up
Expurgate
(verb) to remove objectionable passages or words from a written text; to cleanse, purify Synonyms: purge, center, bowlderize
Recapitulate
(verb) to review a series of facts, to sum up Synonyms: review, summarize, go over
Resuscitate
(verb) to revive, bring back to consciousness or existence Synonyms: revitalize, reanimate, restore, reactivate
Pillage
(verb) to rob of goods by open force (as in war), plunder; the act of looting; booty Synonyms: ravage, sack, loot
Satiate
(verb) to satisfy completely, to fill to excess; full satisfied Synonyms: gratify, cloy, surfeit, gorge Antonyms: starve, deprive entirely of
Disseminate
(verb) to scatter or spread widely Synonyms: disperse, publicize, broadcast, circulate Antonyms: bring together, concentrate, muster, conceal, hide
Dun
(verb/noun/adj) to demand insistently (usually in payment of debt); a creditor; dark, dull, drab, dingy Synonyms: hound, pester, harass, nag
Austere
(adj.) severe or stern in manner; without adornment or luxury, simple, plain; harsh or sour in flavor Synonyms: forbidding, rigorous, puritanical, ascetic, unadorned, subdued Antonyms: mild indulgent, luxurious, flamboyant
Motley
(adj.) showing great variety; composed of different elements or many colors; a jester's costume; a jester Synonyms: variegated, heterogeneous, diverse, a fool Antonyms: uniform, homogenous, monochromatic
Astute
(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing particular wisdom Synonyms: acute, sagacious, judicious, wily Antonyms: obtuse, doltish, empty-headed, dumb
Acrimonious
(adj.) stinging, bitter in temper or tone Synonyms: biting, caustic, rancorous, hostile, peevish Antonyms: gentle, warm, mild, friendly, cordial
Subservient
(adj.) subordinate in capacity or role; submissively obedient; serving to promote some end Synonyms: secondary, servile, obsequious, useful Antonyms: primary, principle, bossy, domineering
Dilatory
(adj.) tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt, intended to delay or postpone Synonyms: stalling, slow, tardy, laggard Antonyms: prompt, punctual, speedy, expeditious
Provocative
(adj.) tending to produce a strong feeling or response; arousing desire or appetite; irritating, annoying Synonyms: stimulating, arousing, vexing, galling Antonyms: dull, insipid, bland
Irresolute
(adj.) unable to make up one's mind, hesitating Synonyms: indecisive, vacillating, wavering Antonyms: determined, decisive, unwavering
Evanescent
(adj.) vanishing, soon passing away, light and airy Synonyms: ephemeral, transient, transitory Antonyms: everlasting, immortal, imperishable
Punctilious
(adj.) very careful and exact, attentive to fine points of etiquette or property Synonyms: precise, scrupulous, exacting, fussy, finicky Antonyms: careless, negligent, lax, perfunctory
Vulnerable
(adj.) open to attack; capable of being wounded or damaged; unprotected Synonyms: defenseless, exposed, unguarded Antonyms: invincible, protected, safe, secure
Susceptible
(adj.) open to; easily influenced; lacking in resistance Synonyms: vulnerable, receptive, impressionable Antonyms: resistant, immune
Imperious
(adj.) overbearing, arrogant; seeking to dominate; pressing; compelling Synonyms: domineering, magisterial, urgent, imperative Antonyms: fawning, obsequious, humble, unassuming
Cadaverous
(adj.) pale, gaunt, resembling a corpse Synonyms: corpselike, wasted, haggard, emaciated, ghastly Antonyms: robust, portly, rosy, the picture of health
Discursive
(adj.) passing aimlessly from one place or subject to another; rambling, roving nomadic Synonyms: disgressive, diffuse, wandering, episodic Antonyms: short and to the point, succinct
Debonair
(adj.) pleasant, courteous, lighthearted; smooth and polished in manner and appearance Synonyms: carefree, jaunty, gracious, suave, urbane Antonyms: distraught, agitated, boorish, churlish
Dowdy
(adj.) poorly dressed, shabby; lacking smartness and good taste Synonyms: frumpy, tacky, frowsy, drab Antonyms: elegant, stylish, chic, fashionable
Beneficent
(adj.) preforming acts of kindness or charity; conferring benefits, doing good Synonyms: humanitarian, magnanimous, charitable Antonyms: selfish, cruel, harmful, deleterious