unit 9 vocab Flashcards
(40 cards)
abate
to make less an amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become, less; to nullify; to deduct, omit
adulation
praise or flattery that is excessive
anathema
an object of intense dislike; of course or strong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article)
astute
shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom
avarice
A greedy desire, particularly for wealth
culpable
deserving blame, worthy of condemnation
dilatory
tending to delay or procrastinate; not prompt; intended to delay or postpone
egregious
suspicious, standing out from the mass (used particularly in an unfavorable situation)
equivocate
to speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague or ambiguous
Evanescent
vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy
irresolute
unable to make up one’s mind, hesitating
nebulous
cloudlike, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color, not transparent; vague, confused, indistinct
novice
One who is just the beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience (also used adjectivally)
penury
Extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency
Pretentious
done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; ambitious
recapitulate
to review a series of facts; to sum up
resuscitate
to revive, bring back to consciousness or existence
slovenly
untidy, dirty, careless
supposition
something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence
torpid
inactive, sluggish, dull
abate syns and ants
syns: diminish, decrease, subside, let up
ants: intensify, increase, maginfy, wax
adulation syns and ants
syns: adoration, idolization, hero-worship
ants: ridicule, derision, odium
anathema syns and ants
syns: malediction, imprecation, abomination
ants: benediction, blessing
astute syns and ants
syns: acute, sagacious, judicious, wily
ants: obtuse, doltish, empty-headed, dumb
