Unit 3

Question 1

abominate

Answer 1

(v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for

I ___ cruelty yet do not always notice when I have said something inadvertently cruel.

Synonyms: loathe, abhor, despise, detest
Antonyms: relish, savor, esteem

Question 2

acculturation

Answer 2

(n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend

Every immigrant group newly arrived in another country goes through a slow process of ___.

Synonym: adaption

Question 3

adventitious

Answer 3

(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital

It was no ___ meeting that led to their writing songs together, for in fact they were cousins.

Synonyms: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous
Antonyms: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congential

Question 4

ascribe

Answer 4

(v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute

You may ___ these holes to gophers or elves, but I blame the dog from next door.

Synonyms: impute, credit

Question 5

circuitous

Answer 5

(adj.) roundabout, not direct

I followed a ___ path through the woods, not because I feared pursuit, but because I was lost.

Synonyms: indirect, meandering, winding
Antonyms: straight, direct, as the crow flies

Question 6

commiserate

Answer 6

(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

The family ___ with her after the loss of her old and faithful dog.

Synonyms: feel sorry for, empathize
Antonym: feel no sympathy for

Question 7

enjoin

Answer 7

(v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

I ___ them to stop spending so much money or to face the consequences.

Synonyms: bid, charge, adjure
Antonyms: allow, permit

Question 8

expedite

Answer 8

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster

The pleasant background music did not ___ my work but instead distracted me.

Question 9

expiate

Answer 9

(v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert

They seemed more than willing to ___ their guilt by whatever means necessary.

Synonyms: redeem, make amends for, make reparation

Question 10

ferment

Answer 10

(n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in or work into such a state to produce alcohol by chemical action

Caught in the ___ of revolution, the young men enlisted with the local militias.

Synonyms: (n.) commotion, turmoil, unrest
Antonyms: peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

Question 11

inadvertent

Answer 11

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental

The poor fellow was stronger than he realized, and the damage he did was ___.

Synonyms: accidental
Antonyms: deliberate, intentional

Question 12

nominal

Answer 12

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

The new health clinic for lower-income residents charges only ___ fees.

Synonyms: titular, inconsequential
Antonyms: actual, exorbitant

Question 13

noncommittal

Answer 13

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position

We questioned her quietly,carefully, and at length, but her answers remained ___.

Synonyms: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest
Antonyms: positive, definite, committed

Question 14

peculate

Answer 14

(v.) to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use

Investigators discovered that the clerk came up with a scheme to ___ from the company.

Synonyms: defraud, misappropriate

Question 15

proclivity

Answer 15

(n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)
Synonyms: penchant, propensity

Curious, patient, and fond of long walks outdoors, she soon displayed a ___ for nature study.

Antonyms: inability, incapacity

Question 16

sangfroid

Answer 16

(n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

Even when they forget their lines, experienced actors can usually perform with ___.

Synonyms: mutinous, rebellious, subversive
Antonyms: supportive, faithful, allegiant

Question 17

seditious

Answer 17

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

Dictators usually begin their reigns by searching out and silencing ___.

Synonyms: mutinous, rebellious, subversive
Antonyms: supportive, faithful, allegiant

Question 18

tenuous

Answer 18

(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance;

My grasp of trigonometry was ___ until I attended the remedial study sessions.

Synonyms: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy
Antonyms: strong, solid, substantial, valid

Question 19

vitriolic

Answer 19

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

Though hurt by his ___ language, I had to admit that some of his points were valid.

Synonyms: withering, acerbic, mordant
Antonyms: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

Question 20

wheedle

Answer 20

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

The spy used charm and flattery in order to ___ the information from the diplomat.

Synonyms: inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk
Antonyms: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm