Unit 6

Question 1

abashed

Answer 1

(adj., part.) embarrassed, ashamed, or nonplussed

I was thoroughly abashed by the foolish mistake I made at the dinner party.

ANTONYMS: unembarrassed, unashamed

Question 2

aloof

Answer 2

(adj.) withdrawn, standing apart from others by choice

In almost every office or business, there are some people who keep decidedly aloof from their coworkers.

SYNONYMS: distant, cold
ANTONYMS: involved, sociable

Question 3

articulate

Answer 3

(v. ) to pronounce distinctly; to express well in words; to fit together into a system;
(adj. ) able to use language effectively; expressed clearly and forcefully

A successful candidate can articulate ideas in a way that makes them acceptable to voters.

To be successful as a professional lecturer, a person must, of necessity, be articulate.

SYNONYMS: (v.) expound; (adj.) eloquent
ANTONYMS: (adj.) tongue-tied, mumbled

Question 4

bask

Answer 4

(v.) to be in, or expose oneself to, pleasant warmth; to take pleasure in or derive enjoyment from

SYNONYMS: wallow, revel

Question 5

defect

Answer 5

(n. ) an imperfection, flaw, or blemish of some kind;

(v. ) to desert a cause or organization

Question 6

anguish

Answer 6

(n. ) great mental suffering, distress, or pain;
(v. ) to cause deep pain or sorrow

SYNONYMS: (n.) misery, woe, torment
ANTONYMS: (n.) joy, delight, peace of mind

Question 7

finesse

Answer 7

(n. ) delicate skill, tact and cleverness;
(v. ) to accomplish something by cleverness, good judgment, or skillful evasion

SYNONYMS: (n.) delicacy, subtlety
ANTONYMS: (n.) clumsiness, awkwardness

Question 8

flaunt

Answer 8

(v.) to wave or flutter showily; to display in a conceited, offensive way

SYNONYMS: show off, parade;
ANTONYMS: hide, downplay

Question 9

forthright

Answer 9

(adj.) frank, direct, straightforward

SYNONYMS: candid, blunt
ANTONYMS: indirect, evasive, deceitful, two-faced

Question 10

genial

Answer 10

(adj.) cordial, pleasantly cheerful or warm

SYNONYMS: friendly, amiable
ANTONYMS: cold, unfriendly, unsociable

Question 11

instill

Answer 11

(v.) to add gradually, to introduce or cause to be taken in

SYNONYMS: implant, infuse, inculcate
ANTONYMS: root out, eradicate, extirpate

Question 12

ostracize

Answer 12

(v.) to exclude from a group, banish, send away

SYNONYMS: cast out, expel, blackball
ANTONYMS: fraternize with, associate with

Question 13

premonition

Answer 13

(n.) forewarning or foreboding of a future event

SYNONYM: presentiment

Question 14

pseudonym

Answer 14

(n.) a pen name, name assumed by a writer

SYNONYM: nom de plume

Question 15

purge

Answer 15

(v. ) to wash away impurities, clean up;
(n. ) the process of getting rid of something or someone decisively

SYNONYMS: (v.) cleanse, purify
ANTONYMS: (v.) pollute, contaminate, defile

Question 16

rehabilitate

Answer 16

(v.) to make over in good form; to restore to good condition or to a former position

SYNONYMS: reclaim, rebuild, reform

Question 17

repercussion

Answer 17

(n.) an effect or consequence of some action or event, result; an echo or reverberation

ANTONYMS: cause, source

Question 18

resolute

Answer 18

(adj.) bold, determined; firm

SYNONYMS: steadfast, unflinching
ANTONYMS: weak, spineless

Question 19

scapegoat

Answer 19

(n.) a person or thing carrying the blame for others

SYNONYM: whipping boy

Question 20

retentive

Answer 20

(adj.) able to hold, keep, or recall; retaining knowledge easily

ANTONYMS: porous, forgetful