Unit 5 Flashcards
amnesty
(n.) a general pardon for an offense against a government in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution
Many political prisoners were freed under the ___ granted by the new regime.
Synonym: reprieve
autonomy
(n.) self-government, political control
After the colonies gained ___ from England, many Americans still clung to English traditions.
Synonym: home rule
Antonyms: dependence, subjection
axiomatic
(adj.) self-evident, expressing a universally accepted principle
One should not accept the idea that the camera never lies as an ___ truth.
Synonym: taken for granted
Antonyms: questionable, dubious
blazon
(v.) to adorn or embellish; to display conspicuously; to publish or proclaim widely
Then will ___ the results of the election across the internet and every television set in the land.
Synonyms: broadcast, trumpet
Antonyms: hide, conceal, bury
caveat
(n.) a warning or caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior
The well-known Latin phrase “ ___ emptor” means. “Let the buyer beware.”
Synonyms: admonition, word to the wise
equitable
(adj.) fair, just, embodying principles of justice
He did more work, so a sixty-forty split of the profits seemed an ___ arrangement.
Synonyms: right, reasonable, evenhanded
Antonyms: unjust, unfair, one-sided, disproportionate
extricate
(v.) to free from entanglements or difficulties; to remove with effort
The ring must have slid off my finger as I was trying to ___ the fish from the net.
Synonyms: disentangle, extract
Antonyms: enmesh, entangle
filch
(v.) to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in petty amounts
If you ___ pennies from the cash drawer, you will be tempted to steal larger amounts one day.
Synonyms: pilfer, purloin, swipe
flout
(v.) to mock, treat with contempt
She chose to ignore my advice, not because she wanted to ___ my beliefs, but because she had strong opinions of her own.
Synonyms: sneer at, snicker at, scorn
Antonyms: obey, honor
fractious
(adj.) tending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable
It seems as if even the smoothest-running organizations contain one or two ___ elements.
Synonyms: refractory, recalcitrant, peevish
Antonyms: docile, tractable, cooperative
precept
(n.) a rule of conduct or action
Many philosophies follow the ___ that it is important to treat others as you would like to be treated.
Synonyms: principle, maxim
salutary
(adj.) beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome
The cute new puppy had a ___ effect on her health.
Synonyms: salubrious, curative
Antonyms: detrimental, deleterious
scathing
(adj.) bitterly severe, withering, causing great harm
Sometimes a reasoned discussion does more to change people's minds than a \_\_\_ attack.
synonyms: searing, harsh, savage
antonyms: bland, mild
scourge
(v.) to whip, punish severely; (n.) a cause of affliction or suffering; a source of severe punishment or criticism
Jonathan Swift used wit to ___ the British government for its cruel treatment of Ireland.
Synonyms: (v.) flog, beat; (n.) bane, plague, pestilence
Antonyms: (n.) godsend, boon, blessing
sepulchral
(adj.) funereal, typical of the tomb; extremely gloomy or dismal
In a severe and ___ tone of voice, my sister announced that we were out of cookies.
synonyms: lugubrious, mortuary
