Vocab List 3

Question 1

abominate

Answer 1

(v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for

SYNONYMS: loathe, abhor, despise, detest; ANTONYMS: relish, savor, esteem

Question 2

acculturation

Answer 2

(n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend

Every immigrant group newly arrived in another country goes through a slow process of acculturation.

Question 3

adventitious

Answer 3

(adj.) resulting from chance, unplanned, incidental (neutral or positive connotation)

SYNONYMS: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous; ANTONYMS: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital

Question 4

ascribe

Answer 4

(v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute

You may ascribe these holes to gophers or elves, but I blame the dog from next door. SYNONYMS: impute, credit

Question 5

circuitous

Answer 5

(adj.) roundabout, not direct

I followed a circuitous path through the woods, not because I feared pursuit, but because I was less concerned. SYNONYMS: indirect, meandering, winding; ANTONYMS: straight, direct, as the crow flies.

Question 6

commiserate

Answer 6

(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

The family commiserated with her after the loss of her old and faithful dog. SYNONYMS: feel sorry for, empathize; ANTONYM: feel no sympathy for.

Question 7

enjoin

Answer 7

(v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

Example: They enjoined them to stop spending so much money or to face the consequences.

Question 8

expedite

Answer 8

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster

Example: The pleasant background music did not expedite my work but instead distracted me.

Question 9

expiate

Answer 9

(v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert

Example: They seemed more than willing to expiate their guilt by whatever means necessary.

Question 10

ferment

Answer 10

(n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence, and cause trouble or disorder

Example: Caught in the ferment of revolution, the young men enlisted with the local militias.

Question 11

inadvertent

Answer 11

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention (typically negative connotation)

Example: The poor fellow was stronger than he realized, and the damage he did was inadvertent.

Question 12

nominal

Answer 12

(adj.) existing in name only, too small to be considered or taken seriously

Example: The new health clinic for lower-income residents charges nominal fees.

Question 13

noncommittal

Answer 13

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position

Example: We questioned her quietly, carefully, and at length, but her answers remained noncommittal.

Question 14

peculate

Answer 14

(v.) to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use

Investigators discovered that the clerk came up with a scheme to peculate from the company.

Question 15

proclivity

Answer 15

(n.) a natural inclination or tendency, especially of human character or behavior

Curious, patient, and fond of long walks outdoors, she soon displayed a proclivity for nature study.

Question 16

sangfroid

Answer 16

(n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

Even when they forget their lines, experienced actors can usually perform with sangfroid.

Question 17

seditious

Answer 17

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

Dictators usually begin their reigns by searching out and silencing seditious opinion.

Question 18

tenuous

Answer 18

(adj.) weak or slight

I always had a tenuous grass of more advanced math. Another example is the connection between carbon emissions and global warming is not tenuous.

Question 19

vitriolic

Answer 19

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

Though hurt by his vitriolic language, I had to admit that some of his points were valid.

Question 20

wheedle

Answer 20

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

The spy used charm and flattery in order to wheedle the information from the diplomat.