Unit 4 Vocabulary

Question 1

aggrandize

Answer 1

(v. ) to increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear greater
synonyms: augment, amplify, enhance, exalt
antonyms: reduce, decrease, diminish

Question 2

amorphous

Answer 2

(adj. ) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity or cohesion
synonyms: formless, unstructured, nebulous, inchoate
antonyms: definite, well-defined, clear-cut

Question 3

aura

Answer 3

(n. ) that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality
synonyms: ambience, atmosphere

Question 4

contraband

Answer 4

(n. ) illegal traffic, smuggled goods; (adj.) illegal, prohibited
synonyms: (adj.) illicit, bootleg, unlawful
antonyms: (adj.) legal, lawful, licit

Question 5

affable

Answer 5

(adj. ) courteous and peasant, sociable, easy to speak to
synonyms: genial, amicable, agreeable, cordial
antonyms: surly, cantankerous, dour, inhospitable

Question 6

erudite

Answer 6

(adj. ) scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic
synonyms: profoundly educated, well-red
antonyms: ignorant, uneducated, illiterate

Question 7

gossamer

Answer 7

(adj. ) thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; (n.) a very thin, light, cloth
synonyms: (adj.) filmy, diaphanous, sheer, airy, feathery, gauzy
antonyms: (adj.) thick, dense, solid, massive

Question 8

infer

Answer 8

(v. ) to find out by reasoning; to arrive at a conclusion on the basis of thought; to hint, suggest, imply
synonyms: gather, deduce, presume, guess, speculate

Question 9

inscrutable

Answer 9

(adj. ) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically
synonyms: impenetrable, incomprehensible, enigmatic
antonyms: comprehensible, intelligible, penetrate

Question 10

insular

Answer 10

(adj.) relating to, characteristic of, or situated on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience

Question 11

irrevocable

Answer 11

(adj. ) incapable or being changed or called back
synonyms: irreversible, unrecallable, unalterable
antonyms: reversible, changeable

Question 12

propensity

Answer 12

(n. ) a natural inclination or predilection toward
synonyms: natural bent, proclivity, penchant
antonyms: natural incapacity or inability

Question 13

querulous

Answer 13

(adj. ) peevish, complaining fretful
synonyms: petulant, touchy, cranky, irritable
antonyms: uncomplaining, stoical, serene, placid

Question 14

remonstrate

Answer 14

(v. ) to argue or plead with someone against something, protest against, object to
synonyms: reason against, expostulate

Question 15

repudiate

Answer 15

(v. ) to disown, reject, or deny the validity of
synonyms: disavow, adjure, renounce
antonyms: avow, affirm, aver, avouch

Question 16

resilient

Answer 16

(adj. ) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly
synonyms: springy, elastic, buoyant, bouncy
antonyms: rigid, stiff, inflexible, unyielding

Question 17

reverberate

Answer 17

(v. ) to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly
synonyms: rumble, thunder, boom, echo

Question 18

scurrilous

Answer 18

(adj. ) coarsely abusive, vulgar or low (especially in language), foul-mouthed
synonyms: obscene, filthy, abusive, vituperative
antonyms: decorous, seemly, tasteful, dignified

Question 19

sedulous

Answer 19

(adj. ) persistent, showing industry and determination
synonyms: assiduous, tireless, indefatigable
antonyms: lackadaisical, listless, indolent, otiose

Question 20

sleazy

Answer 20

(adj. ) thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean, or disreputable
synonyms: inferior, cheesy, tawdry, tatty
antonyms: superior, first-rate, quality, sturdy