unit 3 Flashcards
abridge (verb)
to make shorter
Travel by air abridge the time needed to reach far-distant places.
SYNONYMS: shorten, condense, abbreviate
ANTONYMS: expand, enlarge, augment
altercation (noun)
an angry argument
A noisy altercation in the next apartment kept me awake for hours.
SYNONYMS: quarrel, dispute, squabble
ANTONYMS: agreement, accord
dissent (verb)
to disagree
Justices have an option to dissent from a ruling issued by a majority of the Supreme Court.
SYNONYMS: differ, dispute
ANTONYMS: agree, concur
dissent (noun)
disagreement
Some people give voice to their dissent on issues of public policy by writing letters to newspapers.
ANTONYM: unanimity
eminent (adjective)
famous, outstanding, distinguished; projecting
A group of eminent scientists met to discuss long-term changes in Earth’s climate.
SYNONYMS: illustrious, renowned
ANTONYMS: nameless, unsung, lowly, humble
fabricate (verb)
to make, manufacture; to make up, invent
Threads from the cocoons of caterpillars called silkworms are used to fabricate silk.
SYNONYMS: put together, devise, contrive, concoct
ANTONYMS: take apart, undo, destroy, demolish
irate (adjective)
angry
Long delays caused by bad weather are likely to make even the most unflappable traveler irate.
SYNONYMS: incensed, infuriated, livid
ANTONYMS: calm, composed, cool, unruffled
pauper (noun)
an extremely poor person
During the Great Depression, many people were reduced to leading the desperate lives of paupers.
SYNONYM: destitute person
ANTONYM: billionaire
semblance (noun)
a likeness; an outward appearance; an apparition
Despite a bad case of stage fright, I tried to maintain a semblance of calm as I sang my solo.
SYNONYMS: air, aura, facade
ANTONYMS: dissimilarity, contrast, total lack
terminate (verb)
to bring to an end
If you fail to perform your job satisfactorily, your boss may terminate your employment.
SYNONYMS: conclude, finish, discontinue
ANTONYMS: begin, commence
usurp (verb)
to seize and hold a position by force or without right
The general who led the coup usurped the office of the duly elected president.
SYNONYMS: seize illegally, supplant
adherent (noun)
a follower, supporter
The senator’s loyal adherent campaigned long and hard for her reflection.
SYNONYM: disciple
ANTONYMS: opponent, adversary, critic, detractor
adherent (adjective)
attached, sticking to
Before we could repaint the walls of our living room, we had to remove an adherent layer of wallpaper.
cherubic (adjective)
resembling an angel portrayed as a little child with a beautiful, round, or chubby face; sweet and innocent
How well those photographs of the month-old twins capture the cherubic expressions on their faces!
SYNONYM: beatific
ANTONYMS: impish, devilish, diabolic, fiendish
condone (verb)
to pardon or overlook
Our parents have always made it crystal clear to us that they do not condone rude behavior.
SYNONYMS: ignore, wink at, look the other way
ANTONYMS: censure, condemn, disapprove, deprecate
