Unit 12 Flashcards
Caricature
A representation (especially a drawing) in which the subject’s characteristic features are deliberately exaggerated; to present someone or something in a deliberately distorted way
Synonyms: cartoon, burlesque, parody, lampoon
Clangor
A loud ringing sound; to make a loud ringing noise
Synonyms: din, clamor, uproar
Antonyms: silence, stillness, peace and quiet
Contiguous
Side by side, touching; near; adjacent in time
Synonyms: adjoining, abutting, next door to
Antonyms: detached, apart, distant, remote
Cupidity
An eager desire for something; greed
Synonyms: avarice, rapacity, craving, lust
Antonyms: generosity, contentment, satiation, gratification
Deleterious
Harmful, injurious
Synonyms: detrimental, destructive, pernicious, damaging
Antonyms: helpful, beneficial, harmless, innocuous
Enhance
To raise to a higher degree; to increase the value or desirability
Synonyms: improve, magnify, heighten, elevate
Antonyms: diminish, reduce, lessen, degrade
Enthrall
To captivate, charm, hold spellbound; to enslave; to imprison
Synonyms: fascinate, enchant, attract, bewitch
Antonyms: bore to tears, repel, put someone
Extenuate
To lessen the seriousness or magnitude of an offense by making partial excuses
Synonyms: moderate, mitigate, diminish, downplay
Antonyms: intensify, aggravate, worsen, exacerbate
Implicit
Implied or understood though unexpressed; without doubts or reservations, unquestioning; potentially contained in
Synonyms: inferred, tacit, unspoken, unconditional
Antonyms: explicit, expressed, stated, revealed
Incisive
Sharp, keen, penetrating (with a suggestion of decisiveness and effectiveness)
Synonyms: acute, cutting, perceptive, trenchant
Ostentatious
Marked by conspicuous or pretentious display, showy
Synonyms: flashy, overdone, affected, flamboyant
Antonyms: modest, plain, simple, demure, retiring
Paragon
A model of excellence or perfection
Synonyms: exemplar, ideal, paradigm, model, good example
Paraphrase
To restate in other words; a statement that presents a given idea in new language
Synonyms: reword, rephrase, a rendition, version
Antonyms: respect verbatim, duplicate, quote
Politic
Prudent, shrewdly conceived and developed; artful, expedient
Synonyms: tactful, diplomatic, judicious, circumspect
Antonyms: unwise, injudicious, imprudent, rash
Prosaic
Dull, lacking in distinction and originality; matter of fact, straightforward; characteristic of prose, not poetic
Synonyms: commonplace, humdrum, literal, pedestrian
Antonyms: remarkable, distinctive, poetic, inspired
Redundant
Extra, excess, more than is needed; wordy, repetitive; profuse, lush
Synonyms: unnecessary, superfluous, verbose, prolix
Antonyms: succinct, terse, laconic, scarce, inadequate
Sanctimonious
Making a show of virtue or righteousness, hypocritically moralistic or pious, self-righteous, canting
Antonyms: heartfelt, sincere, humble
Scintillating
Sparkling, twinkling, exceptionally brilliant (applied to mental or personal qualities)
Synonyms: stimulating, lively, glittering, flashing
Antonyms: dull, boring, insipid, flat, tame, vapid
Winsome
Charming, attractive, pleasing (often suggesting a childlike charm and innocence
Synonyms: winning, engaging, delightful, prepossessing
Antonyms: unattractive, unappealing, repulsive
Absolve
To clear from blame, responsibility, or guilt
Synonyms: acquit, exonerate, vindicate, excuse, pardon
Antonyms: condemn, convict, incriminate, inculcate
