question

anomalous

answer

adj. abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual

question

aspersion

answer

n. a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming

question

bizarre

answer

adj. extremely strange, unusual atypical

question

brusque

answer

adj. abrupt, blunt, with no formalities

question

cajole

answer

v. to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false premises

question

castigate

answer

v. to punish severely; to criticize severely

question

contrive

answer

v. to plan with ingenuity, invent; to bring about as the result of a scheme or plan

question

demagogue

answer

n. a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power

question

disabuse

answer

v. to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking

question

ennui

answer

n. weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom

question

fetter

answer

n. a chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural); anything that confines or restrains; v. to chain or shackle; to render helpless or impotent

question

heinous

answer

adj. very wicked, offensive, hateful

question

immutable

answer

adj. not subject to change, constant

question

insurgent

answer

n. one who rebels or rises against authority; adj. rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority; surging or rushing in or on

question

megalomania

answer

n. a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc. far in excess of reality

question

sinecure

answer

n. a position requiring little or no work; an easy job

question

surreptitious

answer

adj. stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud

question

transgress

answer

v. to go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law

question

transmute

answer

v. to change from one nature, substance, or form to another

question

vicarious

answer

adj. performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another

question

approbation

answer

the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval

question

assuage

answer

the make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench

question

coalition

answer

a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

question

decadence

answer

decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay; excessive self-indulgence

question

elicit

answer

to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)

question

expostulate

answer

to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning

question

hackneyed

answer

used so often as to lack freshness or originality

question

hiatus

answer

a gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing)

question

innuendo

answer

a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)

question

intercede

answer

to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement

question

jaded

answer

wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being staiated by excessive indulgence)

question

lurid

answer

causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint

question

meritorious

answer

worthy, deserving recognition and praise

question

prerogative

answer

a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence

question

provincial

answer

pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward; of a simple, plain design that originated in the countryside; a person with a narrow point of view; a person from an outlying area; a soldier from a province or colony

question

simulate

answer

to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of

question

transcend

answer

to rise above or beyond, exceed

question

umbrage

answer

shade cast by trees; foliage giving shade; an overshadowing influence or power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion

question

unctuous

answer

excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable

question

petulant

answer

peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset

question

ameliorate

answer

to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

question

aplomb

answer

poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity

question

bombastic

answer

pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas

question

callow

answer

without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers

question

drivel

answer

saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense; to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly

question

epitome

answer

a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality

question

exhort

answer

to urge strongly, advise earnestly

question

ex officio

answer

by virtue of holding a certain office

question

infringe

answer

to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds

question

ingratiate

answer

to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense)

question

interloper

answer

one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder

question

intrinsic

answer

belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part

question

inveigh

answer

to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval

question

lassitude

answer

weariness of body or mind, lack of energy

question

millennium

answer

a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy

question

occult

answer

mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; to hide, conceal; eclipse; matters involving the supernatural

question

permeate

answer

to spread through, penetrate, soak through

question

precipitate

answer

to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distance form to; characterized by excessive haste; moisture; the product of an action or process

question

stringent

answer

strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste

question

surmise

answer

to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; likely idea that lacks definite proof

question

abominate

answer

to have an intense dislike or hatred for

question

abominate

answer

synonyms: loathe, abhor, despise, detest antonyms: relish, savor, cherish, esteem

question

acculturation

answer

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

question

acculturation

answer

synonym: adaptation

question

adventitious

answer

resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital

question

adventitious

answer

synonyms: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous antonyms: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital

question

ascribe

answer

to assign or refer to (as a cause or source) attribute

question

ascribe

answer

synonyms: impute, credit, attribute

question

circuitous

answer

roundabout, not direct

question

circuitous

answer

synonyms: indirect, meandering, winding antonyms: straight, direct, as the crow flies

question

commiserate

answer

to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

question

commiserate

answer

s: feel sorry for, empathize a: feel no sympathy for

question

enjoin

answer

to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

question

enjoin

answer

s: bid, charge, command, adjure a: allow, permit

question

expedite

answer

to make easy, cause to progress faster

question

expedite

answer

s: accelerate, facilitate, speed up a: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct

question

expiate

answer

to make amends, make up for; to avert

question

expiate

answer

s: redeem, make amends for, atone, make reparation

question

ferment

answer

a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action

question

ferment

answer

s: commotion, turmoil, unrest a: peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

question

inadvertent

answer

resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental

question

inadvertent

answer

s: accidental, unconsidered a: deliberate, intentional, premeditated

question

nominal

answer

existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

question

nominal

answer

s: titular, token, trifling, inconsequential a: real, actual, exorbitant, excessive

question

noncommittal

answer

not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no

question

noncommittal

answer

s: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest a: positive, definite, committed

question

peculate

answer

to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use

question

peculate

answer

s: embezzle, defraud, misappropriate

question

proclivity

answer

a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)

question

proclivity

answer

s: natural bent, penchant, propensity a: inability or incapacity

question

sangfroid

answer

composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

question

sangfroid

answer

s: poise, self-assurance, equanimity a: excitability, hysteria, flappability

question

seditious

answer

resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

question

seditious

answer

s: mutinous, rebellious, subversive a: supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant

question

tenuous

answer

thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

question

tenuous

answer

s: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy a: strong, solid, substantial, valid

question

vitriolic

answer

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

question

vitriolic

answer

s: withering, acerbic, mordant a: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

question

wheedle

answer

to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

question

wheedle

answer

s: cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk a: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm

question

affable

answer

courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to

question

aggrandize

answer

to increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear greater

question

amorphous

answer

shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type of character; without organization, unity, or cohesion

question

aura

answer

that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality

question

contraband

answer

illegal traffic, smuggled goods; illegal, prohibited

question

erudite

answer

scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic

question

gossamer

answer

thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; a very thin, light cloth

question

infer

answer

to find out by reasoning; to arrive at a conclusion on the basis of thought; to hint, suggest, imply

question

inscrutable

answer

incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically

question

insular

answer

relating to, characteristic of, or situated on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience

question

irrevocable

answer

incapable of being changed or called back

question

propensity

answer

a natural inclination or predilection toward

question

querulous

answer

peevish, complaining, fretful

question

remonstrate

answer

to argue or plead with someone against something, protest against, object to

question

repudiate

answer

to disown, reject, or deny the validity of

question

resilient

answer

able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly

question

reverberate

answer

to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly

question

scurrilous

answer

coarsely abusive, vulgar or low (especially in language), foul-mouthed

question

sedulous

answer

persistent, showing industry and determination

question

sleazy

answer

thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean, or disreputable

question

affable

answer

s: genial, amicable, agreeable, cordial a: surly, cantankerous, dour, inhospitable

question

aggrandize

answer

s: augment, amplify, enhance, exalt a: reduce, decrease, diminish

question

amorphous

answer

s: formless, unstructured, nebulous, inchoate a: definite, well-defined, clear cut

question

aura

answer

s: ambience, atmosphere

question

contraband

answer

s: illicit, bootleg, unlawful a: legal, lawful, licit

question

erudite

answer

s: profoundly educated, well-read a: ignorant, uneducated, illiterate

question

gossamer

answer

s: filmy, diaphanous, sheer, airy, feathery, gauzy a: thick, dense, solid, massive

question

infer

answer

s: gather, deduce, presume, guess, speculate

question

inscrutable

answer

s: impenetrable, incomprehensible, enigmatic a: comprehensible, intelligible, penetrable

question

insular

answer

s: narrow-minded, parochial, provincial a: catholic, cosmopolitan, liberal

question

irrevocable

answer

s: irreversible, unrecallable, unalterable a: reversible, changeable

question

propensity

answer

s: natural bent, proclivity, penchant

question

querulous

answer

s: petulant, touchy, cranky, irritable a: uncomplaining, stoical, serene, placid

question

remonstrate

answer

s: reason against, expostulate

question

repudiate

answer

s: disavow, abjure, renounce a: avow, affirm, aver, avouch

question

resilient

answer

s: springy, elastic, buoyant, bouncy a: rigid, stiff, inflexible, unyielding

question

reverberate

answer

s: rumble, thunder, boom, echo

question

scurrilous

answer

s: obscene, filthy, abusive, vituperative a: decorous, seemly, tasteful, dignified

question

sedulous

answer

s: assiduous, tireless, indefatigable a: lackadaisical, listless, indolent, otiose

question

sleazy

answer

s: inferior, cheesy, tawdry, tatty a: superior, first-rate, quality, sturdy

question

amnesty

answer

a general pardon for an offense against a government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution

question

autonomy

answer

self-government, political control

question

axiomatic

answer

self-evident, expressing a universally accepted principle or rule

question

blazon

answer

to adorn or embellish; to display conspicuously; to publish or proclaim widely

question

caveat

answer

a warning or caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior

question

equitable

answer

fair, just, embodying principles of justice

question

extricate

answer

to free from entanglements or difficulties; to remove with effort

question

filch

answer

to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in petty amounts

question

flout

answer

to mock, treat with contempt

question

fractious

answer

tending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable

question

precept

answer

a rule of conduct or action

question

salutary

answer

beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome

question

scathing

answer

bitterly severe, withering; causing great harm

question

scourge

answer

to whip, punish severely; a cause of affliction or suffering; a source of severe punishment or criticism

question

sepulchral

answer

funereal, typical of the tomb; extremely gloomy or dismal

question

soporific

answer

tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness or lethargy; something that induces sleep

question

straitlaced

answer

extremely strict in regard to moral standards and conduct; prudish, puritanical

question

transient

answer

lasting only a short time, fleeting; one who stays only a short time

question

unwieldy

answer

not easily carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity

question

vapid

answer

dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force

question

austere

answer

severe or stern in manner; without adornment or luxury, simple, plain; harsh or sour in flavor

question

austere

answer

s: forbidding, rigorous, puritanical, ascetic, unadorned, subdued

question

beneficent

answer

performing acts of kindness or charity; conferring benefits, doing good

question

beneficent

answer

s: humanitarian, magnanimous, charitable

question

cadaverous

answer

pale, gaunt, resembling a corpse

question

cadaverous

answer

s: corpselike, wasted, haggard, emaciated, ghastly

question

concoct

answer

to prepare by combining ingredients, make up (as a dish); to devise, invent, fabricate

question

concoct

answer

s: create, fashion, rustle up

question

crass

answer

coarse, unfeeling; stupid

question

crass

answer

s: crude, vulgar, tasteless, oafish, obtuse

question

debase

answer

to lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade, adulterate; to cause to deteriorate

question

debase

answer

s: cheapen, corrupt, demean, depreciate

question

desecrate

answer

to commit sacrilege upon, treat irreverently; to contaminate, pollute

question

desecrate

answer

s: profane, defile, violate

question

disconcert

answer

to confuse; to disturb the composure of

question

disconcert

answer

s: upset, rattle, ruffle, faze, perturb

question

grandiose

answer

grand in an impressive or stately way; marked by pompous affectation or grandeur, absurdly exaggerated

question

grandiose

answer

s: majestic, bombastic, highfalutin

question

inconsequential

answer

trifling, unimportant

question

inconsequential

answer

s: trivial, negligible, petty, paltry

question

infraction

answer

a breaking of a law or obligation

question

infraction

answer

s: violation, transgression, breach, offense

question

mitigate

answer

to make milder or softer, to to moderate in force or intensity

question

mitigate

answer

s: lessen, relieve, alleviate, diminish

question

pillage

answer

to rob of goods by open force (as in war), plunder; the act of looting; booty

question

pillage

answer

s: ravage, sack, loot; booty

question

prate

answer

to talk a great deal in a foolish or aimless fashion

question

prate

answer

s: chatter, prattle, blab, blabber, palaver

question

punctilious

answer

very careful and exact, attentive to fine points of etiquette or propriety

question

punctilious

answer

s: precise, scrupulous, exacting, fussy, finicky

question

redoubtable

answer

inspiring fear or awe; illustrious, eminent

question

redoubtable

answer

s: formidable, fearsome, awesome, august

question

reprove

answer

to find fault with, cold, rebuke

question

reprove

answer

s: chide, chastise, upbraid, reproach

question

restitution

answer

the act of restoring someone or something to the rightful owner or to a former state or position; making good on a loss or damage

question

restitution

answer

s: compensation, reimbursement, redress, restoration

question

stalwart

answer

strong and sturdy; brave; resolute; a brave, strong person; a strong supporter; one who takes an uncompromising position

question

stalwart

answer

s: sturdy, stout, intrepid, valiant; mainstay

question

vulnerable

answer

open to attack; capable of being wounded or damaged; unprotected

question

vulnerable

answer

s: defenseless, exposed, unguarded

Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Level F Units 1-7 – Flashcards

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