Vocab Unit 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
SYNONYM: adaptation

Question 3

adventitious

Answer 3

(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause of character; accidental, not essential
SYNONYMS: extrinsic, incidental. fortuitous
ANTONYMS: essential, intrinsic, inherent, cogenital

Question 4

ascribe

Answer 4

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

SYNONYMS: impute, credit

Question 5

circuitous

Answer 5

(adj.) roundabout, not direct
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
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
SYNONYMS: bid, charge, adjure
ANTONYMS: allow, permit

Question 8

expedite

Answer 8

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster
SYNONYMS: accelerate, facilitate, speed up
ANTONYMS: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct

Question 9

expiate

Answer 9

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

SYNONYMS: redeem, make amends for, make reparation

Question 10

ferment

Answer 10

(n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence
SYNONYMS: commotion, turmoil, unrest
ANTONYMS: peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

Question 11

inadvertent

Answer 11

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental
SYNONYMS: accidental
ANTONYMS: intentional, deliberate

Question 12

nominal

Answer 12

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously
SYNONYMS: titular, inconsequential
ANTONYMS: actual, exorbitant

Question 13

noncommittal

Answer 13

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position
SYNONYMS: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe
ANTONYMS: positive, definite, committed

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
SYNONYMS: defraud, misappropriate

Question 15

proclivity

Answer 15

(n.) a natural habitual inclination or tendency
SYNONYMS: penchant, propensity
ANTONYMS: inability, incapacity

Question 16

sangfroid

Answer 16

(n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances
SYNONYMS: poise, self-assurance, equanimity
ANTONYMS: excitability, hysteria, flappability

Question 17

seditious

Answer 17

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government
SYNONYMS: mutinous, rebellious, subversive
ANTONYMS: supportive, faithful, allegiant

Question 18

tenuous

Answer 18

(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported
SYNONYMS: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy
ANTONYMS: strong, solid, substantial, valid

Question 19

vitriolic

Answer 19

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting
SYNONYMS: withering, acerbic, mordant
ANTONYMS: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

Question 20

wheedle

Answer 20

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end
SYNONYMS: inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk
ANTONYMS: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm