Vocab Unit 8

Question 1

abate

Answer 1

(v.) to make less in amount, degree; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit
SYNONYMS: diminish, decrease, subside, let up
ANTONYMS: intensify, increase. magnify

Question 2

adulation

Answer 2

(n.) praise or flattery that is excessive
SYNONYMS: adoration, idolization
ANTONYMS: ridicule, odium

Question 3

anathema

Answer 3

(n.) an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation
SYNONYMS: malediction, imprecation, abomination
ANTONYMS: benediction, blessing

Question 4

astute

Answer 4

(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom
SYNONYMS: acute, sagacious
ANTONYMS: obtuse, doltish, dumb

Question 5

avarice

Answer 5

(n.) a greedy desire, particularly for wealth

SYNONYMS: cupidity, rapacity

Question 6

culpable

Answer 6

(adj.) deserving blame, worthy of condemnation
SYNONYMS: guilty, delinquent, peccant, blameworthy
ANTONYMS: blameless, innocent, laudable

Question 7

dilatory

Answer 7

(adj.) tending to delay or procrastinate; not prompt; intended to delay or postpone
SYNONYMS: stalling, slow, tardy, laggard
ANTONYMS: prompt, punctual, speedy

Question 8

egregious

Answer 8

(adj.) conspicuous, standing out from the mass
SYNONYMS: glaring, flagrant, blatant
ANTONYMS: unnoticeable, paltry, piddling

Question 9

equivocate

Answer 9

(v.) 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 one’s mouth, hedge
ANTONYMS: to speak one’s mind plainly

Question 10

evanescent

Answer 10

(adj.) vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy
SYNONYMS: ephemeral, transient, transitory
ANTONYMS: everlasting, immortal, imperishable

Question 11

irresolute

Answer 11

(adj.) unable to make up one’s mind, hesitating
SYNONYMS: indecisive, wavering
ANTONYMS: determined, decisive

Question 12

nebulous

Answer 12

(adj.) cloudlike, resembling a cloud; confused
SYNONYMS: hazy, fuzzy, opaque
ANTONYMS: definite, clear

Question 13

novice

Answer 13

(n.) one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience
SYNONYMS: neophyte, tyro, trainee, apprentice
ANTONYMS: veteran, past master, pro

Question 14

penury

Answer 14

(n.) extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency
SYNONYMS: destitution, indigence
ANTONYMS: unaffected, modest

Question 15

recapitulate

Answer 15

(v.) to review a series of facts; to sum up

SYNONYMS: review, summarize, go over

Question 16

resuscitate

Answer 16

(v.) to revive, bring back to consciousness or existence

SYNONYMS: revitalize, reanimate, restore

Question 17

supposition

Answer 17

(n.) something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence
SYNONYMS: assumption, presumption, hypothesis

Question 18

torpid

Answer 18

(adj.) inactive, sluggish, dull
SYNONYMS: lethargic, languid
ANTONYMS: energetic, vigorous

Question 19

pretentious

Answer 19

(adj.) done for show, striving to make a big impression
SYNONYMS: ostentatious, inflated
ANTONYMS: unaffected, modest

Question 20

slovenly

Answer 20

(adj.) untidy, dirty, careless
SYNONYMS: unkempt, slatternly, law
ANTONYMS: neat, meticulous