Vocab Units 7-15

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Forgo: (v). to do without, abstain from, give up SYN: refrain from, renounce ANT: indulge in, partake of
Inordinate: (adj). far too great, exceeding reasonable limits, excessive SYN: exorbitant, extravagant ANT: moderate, reasonable, equitable
Paroxysm: (n). a sudden outburst; a spasm, convulsion SYN: fit, seizure
Dilettante: (n). a dabbler in the arts; one who engages in an activity in an amateurish, trifling way (adj). superficial SYN: amateur, trifler ANT: professional
Engender: (v). to bring into existence, give rise to, produce; to come into existence, assume form SYN: beget, generate, cause, form ANT: stop, deter
Winnow: (v). to get rid of something unwanted, delete; to sift through to obtain what is desirable; to remove the chaff from the wheat by blowing air on it; to blow on, fan SYN: sift, strain, filter, sort
Restive: (adj). restless, hard to manage, balky SYN: uneasy, fidgety, recalcitrant ANT: severe, unruffled, docile
Nostrum: (n). an alleged cure-all; a remedy or scheme of questionable effectiveness SYN: panacea, elixir
Contrite: (adj). regretful for some misdeed or sin; plagued by a sense of guilt; thoroughly penitent SYN: remorseful, rueful ANT: unrepentant, unapologetic, impenitent
Countermand: (v). to cancel/reverse one order or command with another that is contrary to the first SYN: recall, revoke ANT: reaffirm, reassert
Cabal: (n). a small group working in secret SYN: clique, ring, gang, plot, conspiracy
Pillory: (n). a device for publicly punishing offenders; a means for exposing one to public contempt or ridicle; (v). to expose to public contempt/ridicule ANT: (v). praise, extol, laud, acclaim
Gainsay: (v). to deny, contradict, controvert; to dispute, oppose SYN: confirm, corroborate, support, admit
Allay: (v). to calm/pacify, set to rest; to lessen or relieve SYN: reduce, alleviate, moderate ANT: aggravate, exacerbate, intensify
Jettison: (v). to cast overboard, get rid of as unnecessary or burdensome SYN: cast off, discard, dump, junk, abandon ANT: conserve, retain, hold on to, keep
Innate: (adj). natural, inborn, inherent; built-in SYN: intrinsic, congenital ANT: learned, acquired, extrinsic, accidental
Collusion: (n). secret agreement/cooperation SYN: conspiracy, plot, connivance, cahoots
Saturate: (v). to soak thoroughly, fill to capacity; to satisfy fully SYN: permeate, drench, flood, imbue ANT: drain
Demur: (v). to object or take objection to (n). an objection SYN: (v). protest, object to ANT: (v). assent to, consent to, accept, agree to
Desiccated: (adj, part.) thoroughly dried out; divested of spirit/vitality; arid and uninteresting SYN: dehydrated, shriveled, parched ANT: sodden, soggy, waterlogged, drenched
Loath: (adj). unwilling, reluctant, disinclined SYN: averse, indisposed ANT: willing, eager, inclined
Portend: (v). to indicate beforehand that something is about to happen; to give advance warning of SYN: bode, foretell, foreshadow, suggest
Hapless: (adj). marked by a persistent absence of good luck SYN: unlucky, ill-starred, unfortunate ANT: lucky, charmed, fortunate
Behemoth: (n). a creature of enormous size, power, or appearance SYN: mammoth, whale, elephant, colossus ANT: dwarf, pygmy, midget
Embellish: (v). to decorate, adorn, touch up; to improve by adding details SYN: ornament, garnish ANT: strip, mar, disfigure
Mendacious: (adj). given to lying or deception; untrue SYN: untruthful, false ANT: truthful, veracious
Sporadic: (adj). occuring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order SYN: intermittent, spasmodic ANT: constant, steady, continuous, uninterrupted
Affront: (n). an open/intentional insult; a slight (v). to insult to one's face; to face in defiance, confront SYN: (n). offense (v). offend ANT: (n., v.) compliment, praise
Juggernaut: (n). a massive and inescapable force or object that crushes whatever is in its path
Perfunctory: (adj). done in a superficial or halfhearted manner; without interest or enthusiasm SYN: slapdash, cursory, shallow ANT: thorough, assiduous, diligent, meticulous
Foible: (n). a weak point, failing, minor flaw SYN: shortcoming, defect, quirk ANT: forte, virtue
Ambient: (adj). completely surrounding, encompassing
Epicurean: (adj). devoted to the pursuit of pleasure; fond of good food, comfort, and ease; with discriminating tastes (n). a person with discriminating tastes SYN: (adj). hedonistic, sybaritic, discriminating ANT: (adj). ascetic, self-denying, abstemious
Tantamount: (adj). equivalent, having the same meaning, value, or effect SYN: indistinguishable from
Felicitious: (adj). appropriate, apt, well chosen; marked by well-being or good fortune, happy SYN: fortunate, well-put ANT: inappropriate, inept, graceless, unhappy
Moribund: (adj). dying, on the way out SYN: obsolescent ANT: fluorishing, thriving
Peremptory: (adj). having the nature of a command that leaves no opportunity for debate, denial, or refusal; offensively self-assured, dictatorial; determined, resolute SYN: high-handed, unconditional ANT: irresolute, tentative, mild, unassuming
Fraught: (adj). full of or loaded with; accompanied by SYN: charged with ANT: lacking, devoid of, deficient in
Abstruse: (adj). extremely difficult to understand SYN: esoteric, recondite, occult; ANT: simple, straightforward
Visionary: (adj). not practical, lacking in realism; having the nature of a fantasy or dream; (n). one given to far-fetched ideas; a dreamer or seer characterized by vision or foresight SYN: (adj). utopian, idealistic, impractical ANT: (adj). realistic, practical
Paltry: (adj). trifling, insignificant; mean, despicable; inferior, trashy SYN: measly, meager, piddling, trivial ANT: gigantic, immense, colossal
Omnipresent: (adj). present in all places at all times SYN: ubiquitous, ever-present
Cacophonous: (adj). harsh-sounding, raucous, discordant, dissonant ANT: harmonious, melodious, mellifluous
Efficacy: (n). the power to produce a desired result SYN: effectiveness, potency, reliability ANT: ineffectiveness, impotence
Manifest: (adj). clear, evident to the eyes or mind; (v). to show plainly, exhibit, evince (n). a list of cargo and/or passengers SYN: (adj). apparent; (v). reveal, disclose ANT: (adj). unrevealed, hidden (v). hide, conceal
Espouse: (v). to take up and support; to become attached to, adopt; to marry SYN: embrace, wed ANT: repudiate, disavow, denounce
Slough: (v). to cast off, discard; to get rid of something objectionable or unnecessary; to plod through as if through mud; (n). a mire; a state of depression SYN: (v). shed, slog ANT: (v). take on, acquire, assume
Illusory: (adj). misleading, deceptive; lacking in or not based on reality SYN: specious, spurious, fanciful, imaginary ANT: actual, real, factual, objective
Subsist: (v). to have existence; to remain alive, manage to make a living or maintain life; to persist/continue SYN: last, survive, sustain
Discomfit: (v). to frustrate, thwart, or defeat; to confuse, perplex, or embarass SYN: nonplus, discomfort, foil
Cavil: (v). to find fault in a petty way, carp (n). a trivial objection or criticism SYN: (v). nitpick, quibble
Incongruous: (adj). not in keeping, unsuitable, incompatible SYN: discordant, jarring ANT: compatible, harmonious, consistent
Benign: (adj). gentle, kind; forgiving, understanding; having a favorable/beneficial effect; not malignant SYN: benevolent, salutary, salubrious, harmless ANT: malevolent, deleterious
Ephemeral: (adj). lasting only a short time, short-lived SYN: fleeting, transient, evanescent, transitory ANT: durable, long-lasting, permanent, perpetual
Languish: (v). to become weak, feeble, dull; to droop; to be depressed and dispirited; to suffer neglect SYN: flag, wilt, fade, pine
Irrefutable: (adj). impossible to disprove; beyond argument SYN: indisputable, incontrovertible, undeniable ANT: disputable, indefensible, untenable
Canard: (n). a false rumor, fabricated story SYN: hoax
Aperture: (n). an opening, gap, hole; orifice ANT: closure, blockage, occlusion
Irreparable: (adj). incapable of being repaired or rectified SYN: irremediable ANT: remediable, fixable, reversible
Obtuse: (adj). blunt, not coming to a point; slow or dull in understanding; measuring between 90° and 180°; not causing a sharp impression SYN: stupid, dumb, thick, mild, dull-witted ANT: acute, perceptive, quick-witted
Allege: (v). to assert without proof/confirmation SYN: claim, contend ANT: prove, deny
Pariah: (n). one who is rejected by a social group or organization
Seraphic: (adj). angelic, heavenly, celestial SYN: cherubic ANT: devilish, impish
Iaconic: (adj). concise, using few words SYN: terse, succinct, pithy, compact ANT: garrulous, prolix, loquacious, verbose
Acclamation: (n). a shout of welcome; an overwhelming verbal vote of approval SYN: ovation, cheering, plaudits ANT: booing, hissing, jeers, catcalls
Pertinacious: (adj). very persistent; holding firmly to a course of action or a set of beliefs; hard to get rid of, refusing to be putt off or denied SYN: stubborn, dogged, determined
Putative: (adj). generally regarded as such; reputed; hypothesized, inferred SYN: supposed, presumed ANT: known, corroborated, confirmed
Tyro: (n). a beginner, novice; one with little or no background or skill SYN: neophyte ANT: veteran, past master, expert
Dissidence: (n). a difference of opinion; discontent SYN: disagreement, dissent, disaffection ANT: agreement, harmony, concord
Inviolable: (adj). sacred, of such a character that it must not be broken, injured, or profaned SYN: sacrosanct, unassailable ANT: vulnerable, assailable
Saturnine: (adj). of a gloomy or surly disposition; cold or sluggish in mood SYN: sullen, morose ANT: lighthearted, cheerful, vivacious
Rebuff: (v). to snuff; to repel, drive away (n). a curt rejection, a check SYN: (v). spurn, repulse, reject (n). setback ANT: (v). accept, welcome
Imperturbable: (adj). not easily excited; emotionally steady SYN: unflappable, unexcitable, serene, unruffled ANT: excitable
Macabre: (adj). grisly, gruesome; horrible, distressing; having death as a subject SYN: grotesque, grim, ghoulish
Rectitude: (n). uprightness, righteousness; correctness SYN: probity, integrity ANT: iniquity, heinousness
Importune: (v). to trouble with demands; to beg for insistently SYN: implore, entreat, dun, tax
Impeccable: (adj). faultless, beyond criticism or blame SYN: flawless, spotless, immaculate ANT: grimy, soiled, spotted, sullied
Decimate: (v). to kill/destroy a large part of SYN: ravage, devastate
Flaccid: (adj). limp, not firm; lacking vigor or effectiveness SYN: soft, flabby ANT: hard, firm, solid
Chicanery: (n). trickery, deceptive practices or tactics, double-dealing ANT: fair dealing
Arrant: (adj). thoroughgoing, out-and-out; shameless, blatant SYN: egregious, unmitigated
Iniquity: (n). wickedness, in; a grossly immoral act SYN: evil, crime ANT: probity, rectitude, uprightness
Rudiments: (n. pl.) the parts of any subject or discipline that are learned first; the earliest stages of anything SYN: fundamentals, basics
Nascent: (adj). just beginning to exist or develop; having just come into existence SYN: budding, incipient, embryonic ANT: dying, moribund, senescent
Raiment: (n). clothing, garments SYN: apparel, attire
Pedantry: (n). a pretentious display of knowledge; overly rigid attention to rules and details SYN: nit-picking, hairsplitting, pettifoggery
Minutiae: (pl. n). small or trivial details, trifling matters SYN: trivia, trifles ANT: essentials
Mutable: (adj). open to or capable of change, fickle SYN: changeable, variable ANT: changeless, steadfast, constant
Plaintive: (adj). expressive of sorrow or woe, melancholy SYN: sad, doleful, lugubrious ANT: cheerful, blithe, joyous, merry
Pittance: (n). a woefully meager allowance, wage, or portion SYN: modicum, trifle ANT: fortune
Panegyric: (n). formal/elaborate praise; a tribute SYN: tribute, encomium, testimonial ANT: diatribe, tirade, philippic
Bestial: (adj). beastlike; beastly, brutal; subhuman in intelligence and sensibility SYN: animal, depraved, loathsome ANT: human, humane, clement, virtuous, upright
Ebullient: (adj). overflowing with enthusiasm and excitement; boiling, bubbling SYN: exhilarated, elated, exuberant ANT: gloomy, morose, sullen, apathetic, blasé
Rife: (adj). common, prevalent, widespread, happening often; full, abounding; plentiful, abundant, replete ANT: devoid of, lacking
Conciliate: (v). to overcome the distrust of, win over; to appease, pacify; to reconcile, make consistent SYN: placate, mollify, propitiate ANT: antagonize, alienate, estrange
Coterie: (n). a circle of acquaintances; a close-knit, often exclusive, group of people with a common interest SYN: clique, set
Asperity: (n). roughness, severity; bitterness or tartness SYN: rigor, harshness ANT: mildness, blandness, softness, lenience
Wizened: (adj, part.) dry, shrunken, and wrinkled (often as the result of aging) SYN: withered, shriveled ANT: bloated, distended
Redolent: (adj). fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to arous memories or create an aura SYN: evocative, reminiscent, aromatic ANT: unevocative, odorless
Promulgate: (v). to proclaim/issue officially; to make known far and wide SYN: announce ANT: withdraw, retract, aborgate, nullify
Nadir: (n). the lowest point SYN: rock bottom ANT: apex, pinnacle, zenith
Beatific: (adj). blissful; rendering or making blessed SYN: rapturous, ecstatic, transcendent ANT: disconsolate, dejected, doleful
Mandate: (n). an authoritative command, formal order, authorization (v). to issue such an order SYN: (n). directive ANT: (v). forbid, ban, outlaw
Consign: (v). to give over to another's care, charge, or control; to entrust, deliver; to set apart for a special use SYN: transfer, remit, convey
Improvident: (adj). not thrifty; failing to plan ahead SYN: prodigal, spendthrift, extravagant ANT: thrify, frugal, economical, cautious
Mesmerize: (v). to hypnotize, entrance; to fascinate, enthrall, bewitch
Misanthrope: (n). a person who hates/despises people SYN: people-hater
Impecunious: (adj). having little or no money SYN: penniless, impoverished, indigent ANT: affluent, wealthy, prosperous, rich
Febrile: (adj). feverish; pertaining to or marked by fever; frenetic ANT: leisurely, relaxed
Echelon: (n). one of a series of grades in an organization or field of activity; an organized military unit; a steplike formation or arrangement SYN: level, rank
Machination: (n). a crafty, scheming or underhanded action designed to accomplish some (usually evil) end SYN: plot, scheme, maneuver
Inexorable: (adj). inflexible, beyond influence; relentless, unyielding SYN: inescapable, ineluctable, obdurate ANT: avoidable, yielding, pilant
Askance: (adv). with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval SYN: distrustfully, suspiciously, skeptically
Luminous: (adj). emitting/reflecting light, glowing; illuminating SYN: radiant, bright, refulgent, lustrous ANT: dark, opaque, dim, murky
Ethereal: (adj). light, airy, delicate; highly refined; suggesting what is heavenly (rather than earthbound) SYN: heavenly, celestial, gossamer ANT: infernal, hellish, thick, heavy
Reconnoiter: (v). to engage in reconnaissance; to make a preliminary inspection SYN: scout
Raze: (v). to tear down, destroy completely; to cut or scrape off or out SYN: pull down, demolish, shave off ANT: build, construct, raise, erect
Euphemism: (n). a mild or inoffensive expression used in place of a harsh or unpleasant one; a substitute
Paucity: (n). an inadequate quantity, scarcity, dearth SYN: lack ANT: abundance, glut, plenitude, deluge
Recant: (v). to withdraw a statement or belief to which one has previously been committed, renounce, retract SYN: repudiate, disavow ANT: reaffirm, reassert
Oscillate: (v). to swing back and forth with a steady rhythm; to fluctuate/waver SYN: vibrate, vacillate
Requite: (v). to make suitable repayment, as for a kindness, service, or favor; to make retaliation, as for an injury or wrong; to reciprocate SYN: reimburse, recompense, avenge
Litany: (n). a prayer consisting of short appeals to God recited by the leader alternating with responses from the congregation; any repetitive chant; a long list SYN: rigmarole, catalog, megillah
Vacillate: (v). to swing indecisively from one idea or course of action to another; to waver weakly in mind/will SYN: seesaw, fluctuate, oscillate ANT: persevere
Cynosure: (n). the center of attraction, attention, or interest; something that serves to guide/direct SYN: focus
Delectable: (adj). delightful, highly enjoyable; deliciously flavored, savory; (n). an appealing or appetizing food or dish SYN: (adj). delicious, scrumptious ANT: (adj). repugnant, repulsive, distasteful
Blandishment: (n, often pl.) anything designed to flatter/coax; sweet talk, apple-polishing SYN: allurement, enticement, cajolery ANT: threat, intimidation
Opprobrium: (n). disgrace arising from shameful conduct; contempt, reproach SYN: infamy, dishonor, odium, shame ANT: acclaim, honor, glory, renown
Ghoulish: (adj). revolting in an unnatural or morbid way; suggestive of someone who robs graves or otherwise preys on the dead SYN: fiendish, barbarous, monstrous
Inure: (v). to toughen, harden; to render used to something by long subjection/exposure SYN: accustom, acclimate
Lackadaisical: (adj). lacking spirit/interest, halfhearted SYN: listless, indolent, indifferent, lax ANT: energetic, vigorous, wholehearted
Garish: (adj). glaring; tastelessly showy/overdecorated in a vulgar or offensive way SYN: gaudy, flashy, tawdry ANT: subdued, muted, understated, quiet
Gregarious: (adj). living together in a herd or group; sociable, seeking the company of others SYN: outgoing, extroverted ANT: aloof, introverted, reclusive
Detritus: (n). loose bits and pieces of material resulting from disintegration or wearing away; fragments that result from any destruction SYN: debris, wreckage, ruins, rubble
Progeny: (n). descendants, offspring, children, followers, disciples SYN: issue, posterity ANT: ancestors, forebears, antecedents
Interpolate: (v). to insert between other parts or things; to present as an addition or correction SYN: inject, interpose, introduce
Deign: (v). to think it appropriate or suitable to one's dignity to do something; to condescend SYN: deem, stoop
Moratorium: (n). a suspension of activity; an official waiting period; an authorized period of delay SYN: postponement, stoppage ANT: acceleration, escalation
Presage: (v). to foreshadow or point to a future event; to predict; (n). a warning/indication of the future SYN: (v). augur, portend, foretell
Attenuate: (v). to make thin/slender; to weaken/lessen in force, intensity, or value SYN: thin out, dilute, water down ANT: thicken, strengthen, bolster
Vituperative: (adj). harshly abusive, severely scolding SYN: abusive, scurrilous, insulting ANT: complimentary, laudatory, flattering
Sequester: (v). to set apart, separate for a special purpose; to take possession of and hold in custody SYN: seclude, segregate, isolate, closet
Chary: (adj). extremely cautious, hesitant, or slow (to); reserved, diffident SYN: wary, skittish ANT: heedless, reckless, incautious
Onerous: (adj). burdensome; involving hardships or difficulty SYN: oppressive, weighty ANT: light, easy, undemanding, untaxing
Shambles: (n). a slaughterhouse; a place of mass bloodshed; a state of complete disorder and confusion, mess
Imminent: (adj). about to happen, threatening SYN: impending, looming ANT: distant, remote, faraway
Fetish: (n). an object believed to have magical powers; an object of unreasoning devotion or reverence SYN: charm, talisman, obsession
Unremitting: (adj). not stopping, mainstained steadily, never letting up, relentless SYN: constant, incessant, unrelenting ANT: desultory, intermittent
Cognizant: (adj). aware, knowledgeable, informed; having jurisdiction SYN: conscious, acquainted ANT: unaware, unconscious, oblivious
Amenity: (n). that which is pleasant or agreeable; (pl). attractive features, customs, etc. ANT: unpleasantness, disagreeableness
Furtive: (adj). done slyly or stealthily, sneaky, secret, shifty; stolen SYN: clandestine, covert, surreptitious
Badinage: (n). light/playful conversation SYN: banter, persiflage, repartee ANT: sermon
Charlatan: (n). one who feigns knowledge/ability; a pretender, impostor, or quack SYN: fraud, mountebank
Exacerbate: (v). to make more violent, severe, bitter, or painful SYN: aggravate, intensify, worsen ANT: alleviate, mitigate, ameliorate
Aborgate: (v). to repeal, cancel, declare null and void SYN: annul, revoke ANT: reaffirm, renew, ratify
Peregrination: (n). the act of traveling; an excursion, especially on foot or to a foreign country SYN: journey, wandering, odyssey
Decorous: (adj). well behaved, dignified, socially proper SYN: seemly, becoming, tasteful ANT: unseemly, unbecoming, improper, tasteless
Penitent: (adj). regretful for one's sins/mistakes (n). one who is sorry for wrongdoing SYN: (adj). remorseful, regretful, rueful, sorry ANT: (adj). unrepentant, remorseless
Effrontery: (n). shameless boldness, impudence SYN: gall, chutzpah, nerve, impertinence, cheek ANT: shyness, diffidence, timidity
Picayune: (adj). of little value or importance, paltry, measly; concerned with trifling matters, small-minded SYN: inconsequential, piddling, trifling ANT: important, significant, huge, gigantic
Bucolic: (adj). characteristic of the countryside, rural; relating to shepherds and cowherds, pastoral SYN: rustic ANT: urban, metropolitan
Indigent: (adj). needy, impoverished SYN: penniless, poverty-stricken, destitute ANT: wealthy, affluent, prosperous
Refulgent: (adj). shining, radiant, resplendent SYN: luminous, splendid ANT: dim, dark, obscure, dingy, dull, murky
Eclectic: (adj). drawn from different sources; (n). one whose beliefs are drawn from various sources
Convival: (adj). festive, sociable, having fun together, genial SYN: fun-loving, jovial, merry ANT: dour, grim, sullen, unsociable
Increment: (n). an enlargement, increase, addition SYN: accretion, gain ANT: loss, reduction, decrease
Burnish: (v). to make smooth or glossy by rubbing, polish; (n). gloss, brightness, luster SYN: (v). shine, buff ANT: (v). tarnish, dull, abrade
Fatuous: (adj). stupid/foolish in a self-satisfied way SYN: silly, vapid, inane, doltish, vacuous ANT: sensible, intelligent, preceptive, bright
Aesthetic: (adj). pertaining to beauty; sensitive or responsive to beauty SYN: artistic
Captious: (adj). excessively ready to find fault; given to petty criticism; intended to trap, confuse, or show up SYN: faultfinding, nit-picking, carping ANT: uncritical
Facade: (n). the front or face of a building; a surface appearance (as opposed to what may lie behind) SYN: exterior, surface, mask, pretense ANT: interior
Defunct: (adj). no longer in existence or functioning, dead SYN: extinct, nonexistent ANT: alive, extant
Coup: (n). a highly successful stroke, masterstroke, tour de force, act, plan, or stratagem; a sudden takeover of power or leadership ANT: blunder, faux pas, gaffe
Deprecate: (v). to express mild disapproval; to belittle SYN: deplore, frown upon ANT: smile on, countenance, approve
Counterpart: (n). a person/thing closely resembling or corresponding to another; a complement SYN: match
Obeisance: (n). a deep bow or other body movement indicating respect or submission; deference, homage SYN: respect, honor ANT: disrespect, irreverence, disregard
Calumniate: (v). to slander; to accuse falsely and maliciously SYN: defame, libel ANT: flatter, whitewash, praise
Shibboleth: (n). a word, expression, or custom that distinguishes a particular group of persons from all others; a commonplace saying or truism SYN: catchphrase, password, slogan
Obsequious: (adj). marked by slavish attentiveness; excessively submissive, often for purely self-interested reasons SYN: fawning, servile, sycophantic, mealymouthed ANT: assertive, bumptious, overbearing, candid, frank, independent
Necromancer: (n). one who claims to reveal/influence the future through magic, especially communication with the dead; in general, a magician or wizard SYN: sorcerer, conjurer

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