Unit 11 Flashcards
abstemious
(adj.) moderate, sparing (as in eating and drinking); characterized by abstinence and self-discipline
She came from a long line of quiet thrifty, and ___ farming folk.
Synonyms: temperate, sober, moderate
Antonyms: indulgent, immoderate, intemperate
censurable
(adj.) deserving of blame or correction
Because he was unaware of what he had done, we decided that his behavior was not ___.
Synonyms: blameworthy, discreditable, reprehensible
Antonyms: commendable, laudable, meritorious
contingent
(adj.) likely but not certain to happen, possible; dependent on uncertain events or conditions; happening by chance; (n.) a representative group forming part of a larger body
___ on our parents’ approval, we plan to take a trip through Alaska next summer.
Synonyms: (adj.) conditional, dependent; (n.) a detachment
Antonyms: (adj.) independent of, unconnected with, certain
corroborate
(v.) to confirm, make more certain, bolster, substantiate, verify
He could tell the court where I was and for how long, but he needed a witness to ___ his statements.
Antonyms: (adj.) refute, contradict, undermine, discredit
denizen
(n.) an inhabitant, resident; one who frequents a place
A lover of marine life, she knew the names of all the scally ___ of our lake.
Synonyms: dweller, habitue
Antonyms: alien, outsider, foreigner
discursive
(adj.) passing aimlessly from one place or subject to another, rambling, roving, nomadic
Within the ___ account of his life, there was a fairly complete history of the whole village.
Synonyms: diffuse, wandering, episodic
Antonyms: short and to the point, succinct
disseminate
(v.) to scatter or spread widely
Synonyms: disperse, publicize, broadcast, circulate
I decided that it was a bad idea to use my position in order to ___ my personal views.
Antonyms: bring together, concentrate, muster, conceal, hide
dowdy
(adj.) poorly dressed, shabby, lacking smartness and good taste
The actor wore ___ clothing and sunglasses so that no one would recognize him.
Synonyms: frumpy, frowsy
Antonyms: chic, elegant, fashionable
florid
(adj.) highly colored, reddish; excessively ornate, showy
The ___ style of architecture in the old part of town was a welcome change from the grim, newer blocks we had seen.
Synonyms: flushed, ruddy, frilly, flamboyant
Antonyms: pale, ashen, pallid, sallow, austere, stark
foist
(v.) to impose by fraud; to pass off as worthy or genuine; to bring about by stealth, dishonesty, or coercion
During the nineteenth century the unscrupulous Jay Gould ___ thousands of worthless railroad shares on an unsuspecting public.
Synonyms: pass off, palm off, fob off
gauche
(adj.) awkward, lacking in social graces, tactless, clumsy
Though he was sincere when he thanked his guest for having stayed an extra week, his comment was considered ___.
Synonyms: inept, uncouth, maladroit
Antonyms: adroit, tactful, diplomatic, politic
heresy
(n.) an opinion different from accepted belief; the denial of an idea that is generally held sacred
Saving money to accumulate interest seems to be a form of ___ in these days of instant credit.
Synonyms: unorthodox belief, heterodoxy
Antonyms: orthodoxy
inculcate
(v.) to impress on the mind by repetition, teach persistently and earnestly
It is important to ___ a healthy respect for authority into army recruits.
Synonyms: instill, implant, infuse, ingrain, imbue
Antonyms: efface, extirpate, root out
palpable
(adj.) capable of being touched or felt; easily seen, heard, or recognized
The energy and excitement in the stands was almost ___ during the football game.
Synonyms: obvious, manifest
Antonyms: intangible, insubstantial
perceptive
(adj.) having sympathetic insight or understanding, capable of keen appreciation
His ___ eye took in the roomful of noisy children and settled on the one child who was ill at ease.
Synonyms: insightful, discerning
Antonyms: dense, obtuse
