Unit 4 Vocab Flashcards
acquit
(v.) to declare not guilty, free from blame, discharge completely; to conduct or behave oneself
Now that we have proof of their innocence, we can ACQUIT them of all charges.
SYNONYMS: exonerate, dismiss
antonyms: convict, declare guilty
deem
(v.) to think, believe; to consider, have an opinion
Most people DEEM it a wise plan to set aside savings for the future.
SYNONYMS: judge, regard
devastate
(v.) to destroy, lay waste, leave in ruins
Failure or harsh criticism can DEVASTATE a person who has shaky self-esteem.
SYNONYMS: wreck, desolate
ANTONYMS: develop, improve
discredit
(v.) to throw doubt upon, cause to be distrusted; to damage in reputation;
(n.) a loss or lack of belief, confidence, or reputation
We have gathered a considerable amount of evidence to DISCREDIT her story.
Both parents and students felt strongly that the cheating scandal was a DISCREDIT to the school.
SYNONYMS: (v.) disparage
ANTONYMS: (v.) confirm, corroborate, bolster
elusive
(adj.) difficult to catch or hold; hard to explain or understand
According to legend, Zorro, the heroic Mexican character, was too ELUSIVE for local police to capture.
SYNONYMS: slippery, wily, fleeting, puzzling, baffling
generate
(v.) to bring into existence, to be the cause of
Solar power uses the energy of the sun to GENERATE electricity.
SYNONYMS: create, produce, beget, cause
ANTONYMS: end, terminate, extinguish, stifle
idolize
(v.) to worship as an idol, make an idol of; to love very much
Teens who IDOLIZE a movie star may repeatedly see the same movie featuring that actor or actress.
SYNONYMS: adore, revere
ANTONYMS: despise, scorn, disdain, detest
ingratitude
(n.) a lack of thankfulness
Hosts who make every effort to please their guests are apt to be hurt by INGRATITUDE.
SYNONYMS: thanklessness, ungratefulness
ANTONYMS: thankfulness, gratefulness, recognition
keepsake
(n.) something kept in memory of the giver; a souvenir
Before my grandmother died, she made me a special quilt as a KEEPSAKEof her love.
SYNONYMS: reminder, memento
mortal
(n.) a being that must eventually die;
(adj.) of or relating to such a being; causing death, fatal: possible, conceivable
In the mythology of many cultures, a heavenly god can come down to earth and act as a MORTAL.
The soldier was the only one in her Battalion to suffer a MORTAL injury.
SYNONYMS: (n.) human; (adj.) fleeting, extreme
ANTONYMS: (n.) a god; (adj.) undying, everlasting, eternal, diving
ovation
(n.) an enthusiastic public welcome, an outburst of applause
The audience gave the dancer a standing OVATION after his impressive performance.
SYNONYMS: cheers, bravos, hurrahs
ANTONYMS: boos, jeers
petty
(adj.) unimportant, trivial; narrow-minded; secondary in rank, minor
You say my complaint is PETTY, but to me it is an issue of great importance.
SYNONYMS: insignificant, piddling
ANTONYMS; important, major, significant, weighty
plight
(n.) a sorry condition or state;
(v.) to pledge, promise solemnly
The PLIGHT of the homeless upsets many concerned citizens.
Wedding guests watched the bride and groom PLIGHT their undying love.
repent
(v.) to feel sorry for what one has done or has failed to do
As people grow older and gain more maturity, some of them come to REPENT their youthful mistakes.
SYNONYMS: regret ANTONYMS: rejoice over
reverie
(n.) a daydream; the condition of being lost in thought
My boss interrupted my deep and pleasant REVERIE by reminding me about our deadline.
SYNONYMS: fantasy, meditation
