lit vocab unit 6 Flashcards
syn- exceptional, unusual, aberrant
ant- normal, regular, customary, typical, ordinary
anomalous
anomalous
(adj.) abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual
aspersion
(n.) a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming
syn- innuendo, calumny
ant- endorsement, praise
aspersion
bizarre
(adj.) extremely strange, unusual, atypical
syn- grotesque, fantastic, outlandish
ant- normal, typical, ordinary, expected
bizarre
brusque
(adj.) abrupt, blunt, with no formalities
syn- tactless, ungracious
ant- tactful diplomatic
brusque
cajole
(v.) to coax, persuade though flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises
syn- wheedle, inveigle
ant- coerce, force
cajole
castigate
(v.) to punish severely; to criticize severely
syn- chastise, censure
ant- honor, praise, laud
castigate
contrive
(v.) to plan with ingenuity; to bring about through a plan
syn- think up, concoct, fabricate
contrive
demagogue
(n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
syn- rabble-rouser, firebrand
demagogue
disabuse
(v.) to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking
syn- undeceive, enlighten
ant- deceive, delude, pull wool over one’s eyes
disabuse
ennui
(n.) weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom
syn- languor, world-weariness, listlessness
ant- enthusiasm, liveliness, excitement, intensity
ennui
fetter
(n. ) a chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural); anything that confines or restrains
(v. ) to chain or shackle; to render helpless or impotent
syn- (n.) bond, restraint; (v.) bind, hamper
ant- (v.) free, liberate, emancipate
fetter
heinous
(adj.) very wicked, offensive, hateful
syn- evil, odious, outrageous
ant- excellent, wonderful, splendid
heinous
immutable
(adj.) not subject to change, constant
syn- unchangeable, unalterable, fixed, invariable
ant- changeable, inconstant, variable, fickle
immutable
insurgent
(n. ) one who rebels or rises against authority
(adj. ) rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority; surging or rushing in or on
syn- (adj.) revolutionary, rebellious, mutinious
ant- (adj.) loyalist, loyal, faithful
insurgent
megalomania
(n.) a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality
syn- delusions of grandeur
ant- modesty, self-abasement
megalomania
sinecure
(n.) a position requiring little or no work; an easy job
syn- “no-show” job, cushy job, “plum”
sinecure
surreptitious
(adj.) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud
syn- furtive, covert, clandestine, concealed
ant- open, frank, aboveboard, overt
surreptitious
transgress
(v.) to go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law
syn- overstep, trespass
ant- obey, toe the line
transgress
transmute
(v.) to change from one nature, substance, or form to another
syn- transform, convert
ant- preserve, maintain
transmute
vicarious
(adj.) performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another
syn- surrogate, secondhand
ant- actual, firsthand
vicarious
