English Vocab: Unit 14 Flashcards
alleviate
(v.)
TO relieve, make more bearable
S: lessen, allay, mitigate, assuage
antithesis
(n.)
the direct opposite, a sharp contrast
S: contrary, antipode
appall
(v.)
TO fill with dismay or horror
S: shock, stupefy, horrify
A: please, cheer, gladden, elate, exhilarate
bellicose
(adj.)
warlike in manner or temperament
quarrelsome
S: aggressive, combative, belligerent
A: amicable, peaceable, pacific
disparage
(v.)
TO belittle, speak slightingly of
TO undervalue
S: degrade, decry, run down, underrate
A: praise, extol, laud, plug
dissonant
(adj.)
not in harmony
disagreeing, at odds
S: grating, unmelodious, irreconcilable
A: harmonious, agreeing, euphonious
droll
(adj.)
amusingly odd
S: comical, humorous, whimsical, zany
A: humorless, solemn, dour
edict
(n.)
an order issued by someone in authority
S: command, decree, proclamation
elucidate
(v.)
TO clarify, explain
S: interpret, expound, explicate
A: obscure, becloud, muddy, obfuscate
laud
(v.)
TO praise
S: hail, extol, glorify, exalt
A: criticize, censure, belittle, disparage
loll
(v.)
TO act in a crazy manner
TO lounge
TO recline, droop
S: loaf, loiter, sag, dangle
loquacious
(adj.)
talkative, wordy
fond of talking
S: gossipy, voluble, garrulous, long-winded
A: silent, reticent, close mouthed, terse, taciturn
magnanimous
(adj.)
generous in forgiving
above small meanness
S: unselfish, charitable, noble, bighearted
A: petty, selfish, unforgiving, spiteful
mandatory
(adj.)
required, obligatory
S: compulsory, requisite, imperative
A: optional, voluntary, discretionary
nondescript
(adj.)
ordinary, not outstanding
not easily classified
S: plain, unremarkable, unimpressive
A: remarkable, vivid, prepossessing
