Unit 9 Flashcards
Adulation
Praise or flattery that is excessive
Synonyms: adoration, idolization, hero-worship
Antonyms: ridicule, derision, scorn, odium
Abate
to make less in amount, degree, etc. ; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit
Synonyms: diminish, decrease, subside, let up
Antonyms: intensify, increase, magnify, wax
Anathema
An object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation
Synonyms: malediction, imprecation, abomination
Antonyms: benediction, blessing
Astute
Shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom
Synonyms: acute, sagacious, judicious, wily
Antonyms: obtuse, doltish, empty-headed, dumb
Avarice
A greedy desire, particularly for wealth
Synonyms: cupidity, rapacity, acquisitiveness
Culpable
Deserving blame, worthy of condemnation
Synonyms: guilty, delinquent, peccant, blameworthy
Antonyms: blameless, innocent, laudable, meritorious
Dilatory
Tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt; intended to delay or postpone
Synonyms: stalling, low, tardy, laggard
Antonyms: prompt, punctual, speedy, expeditious
Egregious
Conspicuous, standing out from the mass (unfavorably)
Synonyms: glaring, flagrant, blatant
Antonyms: unnoticeable, paltry, piddling
Equivocate
To speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague or ambiguous
Synonyms: to talk out of both sides of ones mouth, palter, hedge
Antonyms: to speak ones mind plainly
Evanescent
Vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy
Synonyms: ephermal, transient, transitory
Antonyms: everlasting, immortal, imperishable
Irresolute
Unable to make up ones mind, hesitant
Synonyms: indecisive, vacillating, wavering
Antonyms: determined, decisive, unwavering
Nebulous
Cloud like, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color, not transparent; vague, confused, indistinct
Synonyms: hazy, fuzzy, cloudy, vague, murky, opaque, indeterminate
Antonyms: definite, distinct, clear, sharply focused
Novice
One who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience
Synonyms: neophyte, tyro, trainee, apprentice
Antonyms: veteran, past master, pro, expert
Penury
Extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency
Synonyms: destitution, want, indigence
Antonyms: affluence, abundance, luxury, opulence
Pretentious
Done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on ones skill or abilities, ambitious
Synonyms: inflated, ostentatious, affected
Antonyms: unassuming, unaffected, modest
Recapitulate
To review a series of facts; to sum up
Synonyms: summarize, sum up, go over
Resuscitate
To revive, bring back to consciousness or existence
Synonyms: revitalize, reanimate, restore, reactivate
Slovenly
Untidy, dirty, careless
Synonyms: unkempt, slatternly, slipshod, lax
Antonyms: neat, tidy, careful, meticulous
Supposition
Something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence
Synonyms: assumption, presumption, hypothesis
Torpid
Inactive, sluggish, dull
Synonyms: sluggish, lethargic, otiose, languid
Antonyms: energetic, dynamic, vigorous
