TKAMB Vocab Unit 1

Question 1

Asinine

Answer 1

extremely or utterly foolish

Synonyms: absurd, foolish, idiotic

Example: Saying her dog ate her computer was an asinine excuse.

Question 2

Assuage

Answer 2

to ease, to mitigate, to make less painful or burdensome; to calm

Synonyms: lighten, soothe

Example: The medicine should assuage his pain.

Question 3

Auspicious

Answer 3

favorable, promising, advantageous

Example: Making an “A” on the first test was an auspicious way to begin the year.

Question 4

Benevolence

Answer 4

kindness, generosity, charity

Antonyms: antagonism, avarice, malevolence

Example: His benevolence was shown when he set up soup kitchens for the poor.

Question 5

Contentious

Answer 5

exhibiting a wearisome tendency to quarrels & disputes

Synonyms: belligerent, argumentative

Example: Maria is very contentious; she always starts arguments.

Question 6

Caricature

Answer 6

a portrayal where features are distorted, a parody

An exaggerated portrayal of a character; through comedy.

Example: The caricature of the presidential nominee was hysterical.

Question 7

Dictum

Answer 7

an authoritative statement, decree

Example: The dictum from the Pope allows this activity.

Question 8

Diminution

Answer 8

diminishment, reduction

Antonym: escalation

Example: The diminution of nuclear weapons is a goal of arms control.

Question 9

Domicile

Answer 9

home or residence, abode

Example: Because he works on both coasts, he has two domiciles.

Question 10

Fractious

Answer 10

unruly

Antonyms: Manageable, easy to handle

Example: The fractious students started a food fight.

Question 11

Guileless

Answer 11

without deceit; honest

Example: The voting public looks for a leader who is guileless; they want one who is full of integrity.

Question 12

Hone

Answer 12

to sharpen, to make more intense, more effective

Example: I am going to the golf course to hone my putting skills.

Question 13

Indigenous

Answer 13

native to a certain area

Synonyms: aboriginal, endemic, native

Example: Many times of cacti are indigenous to the southwest deserts of the United States.

Question 14

Ingenuity

Answer 14

cleverness, inventiveness, resourcefulness

Antonym: Lack of cleverness

Example: He showed much ingenuity in his unique way of solving the problem.

Question 15

Innate

Answer 15

existing from birth, inborn

Antonym: learned

Example: His innate athletic talents can not be taught.

Question 16

Malevolence

Answer 16

ill will or evil intentions

Synonyms: malice, malignity, spite, spleen

Example: The old man’s malevolence was clear when he removed his daughter from his will.

Question 17

Piety

Answer 17

devotion and reverence to God

Example: The man was noted for his piety and devotion to the church.

Question 18

Profane

Answer 18

showing contempt toward sacred things; common or not respectful

Antonym: Holy

Example: Profane language will not be tolerated on the tennis court.

Question 19

Quaint

Answer 19

unusual in character or appearance; old-fashioned

Synonyms: eccentric, peculiar, queer, unique

Example: When we go to New England, we like to stay in a quaint old inn that gives us the flavor of the area.

Question 20

Taciturn

Answer 20

quiet, not verbose

Synonym: reserved

Example: A shy person is usually taciturn.