Unit 10

Question 1

accrue

Answer 1

(v.) to grow or accumulate over time; to happen as a natural result

We allowed the interest to ___ on the account until it turned into a small fortune.

Synonyms: collect, accumulate, proceed from
Antonyms: dwindle, decrease, diminish, lessen

Question 2

annotation

Answer 2

(n.) a critical or explanatory note or comment, especially for a literary work

Laurence Sterne’s novel Tristram Shandy has almost as many ___ as lines of text.

Question 3

bedlam

Answer 3

(n.) a state or scene of uproar and confusion

Is this the same band that caused mob scenes and virtual ___ on its first tour?

Synonyms: commotion, pandemonium, chaos, anarchy
Antonyms: peace and quiet, order, tranquility

Question 4

covert

Answer 4

(adj.) hidden, disguised, purposefully kept secret; sheltered, secluded; (n.) a sheltered place, a hiding place

Napoleon was an expert at making ___ preparations to attack unsuspecting opponents.

Synonyms: (adj.) undercover, clandestine, sub-rosa
Antonyms: (adj.) open, overt, undisguised

Question 5

debonair

Answer 5

(adj.) pleasant, courteous, lighthearted; smooth and polished in manner and appearance

Quite a few ___ young men asked my cousin to dance.

Synonyms: carefree, jaunty, gracious, urbane
Antonyms: distraught, agitated, boorish, churlish

Question 6

dun

Answer 6

(v.) to demand insistently, especially in payment of a debt; (n.) a creditor; (adj.) dark, dull, drab, dingy

Many of Charles Dicken’s characters are ___ by creditors because of their large debts.

Synonyms: (v.) hound, harass, nag

Question 7

efficacious

Answer 7

(adj.) effective, producing results

Not the most charming of senators, he nevertheless wielded the most ___ knowledge of statecraft.

Synonyms: effectual, efficient, potent, powerful
Antonyms: ineffective, worthless, useless

Question 8

equanimity

Answer 8

(n.) calmness, composure, refusal to panic

Injustice always sent him into a rage, but he could endure misfortune with ___.

Synonyms: tranquility, imperturbability
Antonyms: excitability, flappability, agitation

Question 9

fortuitous

Answer 9

(adj.) accidental, occurring by a happy chance

Due to a ___ drop in oil prices, the shipping company showed healthy profits for the year.

Synonyms: unintentional, unplanned, random, lucky
Antonyms: intentional, deliberate, premeditated

Question 10

gist

Answer 10

(n.) the essential part, main point, or essence

Would the talented fellow who keeps the back row in stitches please repeat the ___ of what I said?

Synonyms: substance, core, nucleus

Question 11

gratuitous

Answer 11

(adj.) freely given; not called for by circumstances, unwarranted

Though she had hoped to leave the lecture early, several members of the audience asked ___.

Synonyms: voluntary, unjustified
Antonyms: justified, warranted

Question 12

imperious

Answer 12

(adj.) overbearing, arrogant, seeking to dominate; pressing, compelling

The Wizard of OZ’s ___ manner masked the reality that he was a fussy little man behind a curtain.

Synonyms: domineering, magisterial, urgent, imperative
Antonyms: fawning, obsequious, humble, unassuming

Question 13

invective

Answer 13

(n.) a strong denunciation or condemnation; abusive language; (adj.) abusive, vituperative

He let loose his usual hail of ___, a furious shower that left the air a bit clearer.

As ___ speeches go, this one displayed originality, vigor, and, there, some wit.

Synonyms: (n.) vituperation, abuse, philippic
Antonyms: tribute, panegyric,encomium

Question 14

motley

Answer 14

(adj.) showing great variety; composed of different elements or many colors; (n.) a jester’s costume; a jester

Tall and short, thick and thin, old and young, we share the family name but are a ___” is to say what only a king’s jester would dare to say.

Synonyms: (adj.) variegated, heterogeneous, diverse; (n.) fool
Antonyms: homogeneous, monochromatic

Question 15

munificent

Answer 15

(adj.) extremely generous, lavish

Nothing the volunteers said could save the program until our anonymous friend donated a ___ sum.

Synonyms: bounteous, liberal
Antonyms: miserly, parsimonious

Question 16

procrastinate

Answer 16

(v.) to delay, put off until later

We all want to ___ when a task is no fun, but some people make delaying a way of life.

Synonyms: stall, temporize, dilly dally

Question 17

provocative

Answer 17

(adj.) tending to produce a strong feeling or response; arousing desire or appetite;
irritating, annoying

The ideas presented in the firm were so ___ that I thought about them for days.

Synonyms: stimulating, arousing, vexing, galling
Antonyms: dull, insipid, bland, unstimulating

Question 18

recondite

Answer 18

(adj.) exceeding ordinary knowledge and understanding

The theories of relativity can seem ___ even for people who are well versed in the sciences.

Synonyms: arcane, abstruse,
Antonyms: simple, uncomplicated

Question 19

reprobate

Answer 19

(n.) a depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person, scoundrel; (adj.) corrupt or unprincipled; (v.) to disapprove of, condemn

___ are usually more charming, funny, or thrilling in fiction than they are in life.

Synonyms: (n.) scoundrel, blackguard; (adj.) immoral, corrupt
Antonyms: (n.) saint; (adj.) upright, virtuous, moral

Question 20

sedentary

Answer 20

(adj.) characterized by or calling for continued sitting; remaining in one place

She exchanged her ___ job for a position as a swimming instructor.

Synonyms: static, stationary
Antonyms: active, peripatetic