Unit 1

Word

Definition

Synonyms

Antonyms

Approbation

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

Commendation, sanction

Disapproval, condemnation, censure

Assuage

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

Mitigate, alleviate, slake, allay

Intensify, aggravate, exacerbate

Coalition

A combination, union, or merger for some specific purposes

Alliance, league, federation, combine

Splinter group

Decadence

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

Degeneration, corruption

Rise, growth, development, maturation

Elicit

To draw forth, bring out from some source

Call forth, evoke, extract, educe

Repress, squash, squelch, stifle

Expostulate

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

Protest, remonstrate, complain

Hackneyed

Used so often as to lack freshness or originality

Banal, trite, commonplace, corny

New, fresh, novel, original

Hiatus

A gap, opening, break

Pause, lacuna

Continuity, continuation

Innuendo

A hint, indirect suggestion, or reference

Insinuation, intimation

Direct statement

Intercede

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

Intervene, mediate

Jaded

Wearied, worn out, dulled

Sated, surfeited, cloyed

Unspoiled, uncloyed

Lurid

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

Gruesome, gory, grisly, baleful, ghastly

Pleasant, attractive, appealing, wholesome

Meritorious

Worthy, deserving recognition and praise

Praiseworthy, laudable, commendable

Blameworthy, reprehensible, discreditable

Petulant

Peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset

Irritable, testy, waspish

Even-tempered, placid, serene, amiable

Prerogative

Special right or privilege, a special quality showing excellence

Perquisite, perk

Provincial

Local, a person with a narrow point of view

Narrow-minded, parochial, insular, na�ve

Cosmopolitan, catholic, broad-minded

Simulate

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

Feign, pretend, affect

Transcend

To rise above or beyond, exceed

Surpass, outstrip

Umbrage

Shade cast by trees; foliage giving shade; an overshadowing influence or power; a vague suspicion

Irritation, pique, annoyance

Pleasure, delight, satisfaction

Unctuous

Excessively smooth or smug

Mealymouthed, servile, fawning, greasy

Gruff, blunt

Unit 2

Word

Definition

Synonyms

Antonyms

Ameliorate

To improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

Amend, better

Worsen, aggravate, exacerbate

Aplomb

Poise, assurance, great self-confidence, perpendicularity

Composure, self-possession, level-headedness

Confusion, embarrassment, abashment

Bombastic

Pompous or overblown in language

Inflated, highfalutin, high-flown, pretentious

Unadorned, simple, plain austere

Callow

Without experience; immature, lacking sophistication; lacking feathers

Green, raw, unfledged, inexperienced

Mature, grown-up, polished, sophisticated

Drivel

Saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth, follish thinking

Balderdash, hogwash, slaver

Epitome

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

Abstract, digest, model, archetype

Exhort

To urge strongly

Entreat, implore, adjure

Discourage, advise against

Ex officio

By virtue of holding a certain office

Infringe

To violate, trespass, go beyond recognizable bounds

Encroach, impinge, intrude, poach

Stay in bounds

Ingratiate

To make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others

Cozy up to

Alienate, humiliate oneself, mortify oneself

Interloper

One who moves in where he or she is not wanted

Trespasser, meddler, buttinsky

Intrinsic

Belonging to someone or something by its very nature; inherent

Immanent, organic

Extrinsic, external, outward

Inveigh

To make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval

Rail, harangue, fulminate, remonstrate

Acclaim, glorify, extol

Lassitude

Weariness of body or mind, lack of energy

Fatigue, lethargy, torpor, languor

Energy, vitality, animation, liveliness

Millennium

A period of 1000 years/great joy

Chiliad, golden age, prosperity, peace

Doomsday, day of judgement

Occult

Mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret

Esoteric, abstruse, arcane

Mundane,, common, public, exoteric

Permeate

To spread through, penetrate

Precipitate

To fall as moisture; characterized by excessive haste

Provoke, produce, reckless, impetuous

Wary, cautious, circumspect

Stringent

Strict, severe, sharp or bitter in taste

Stern, rigorous, tough, urgent, imperative

Lenient, mild, lax, permissive

Surmise

Likely idea that lacks definite proof

Infer, father, inference, presumption

Unit 3

Word

Definition

Synonym

Antonyms

Abominate

To have an intense dislike or hatred for

Loathe, abhor, despise, detest

Relish, savor, cherish, esteem

Acculturation

The modification of the social patterns, traits or structures of one group by contact with those of another

Adaptation

Adventitious

Resulting from chance; accidental

Extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous

Essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital

Ascribe

To assign or reger to

Impute, credit, attribute

Circuitous

Roundabout, not direct

Indirect, meandering, winding

Straight, direct

Commiserate

To sympathize with, share a feeling of distress

Empathize

Feel no sympathy for

Enjoin

To direct or order

Bid, charge, command

Allow, permit

Expedite

To make easy, cause to progress faster

Accelerate, facilitate, speed up

Hinder, hamper, impede

Expiat

To make amends

Redeem, atone

Ferment

A state of great excitement; to produce alcohol

Commotion, turmoil, unrest

Peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

Inadvertent

Unintentional

Accidental, unconsidered

Deliberate, intentional, premeditated

Nominal

Existing in name only; too small to be considered or taken seriously

Titular, token, trifling, inconsequential

Real, actual, exorbitant, excessive

Noncommittal

Not decisive or definite

Cagey, uninformative

Positive, definite, committed

Peculate

To steal something improperly

Embezzle, defraud, misappropriate

Proclivity

Natural or habitual inclination

Natural bent, penchant, propensity

Inability or incapacity

Sangfroid

Composure or coolness

Poise, equanimity

Excitability, hysteria

Seditious

Resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established

Mutinous, rebellious, subversive

Supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant

Tenuous

Thin, slender; lacking clarity or sharpness, poorly supported

Flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy

Strong, solid, substantial, valid

Vitriolic

Bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting

Withering, acerbic, mordant

Bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

Wheedle

To use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired

Cajole, inveigle, sweet-talk

Coerce, browbeat, intimidate

Unit 4

Word

Definition

Synonyms

Antonyms

Affable

Courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to

Genial, amicable, agreeable, cordial

Surly, cantankerous, dour, inhospitable

Aggrandize

To increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to make appear greater

Augment, amplify, enhance, exalt

Reduce, decrease, diminish

Amorphous

Shapeless

Formless, inchoate, nebulous

Definite, well-defined, clear cut

Aura

A distinctive air or personal quality

Ambiance, atmosphere

Contraband

Illegal traffic

Illicit, unlawful

Legal, lawful, licit

Erudite

Scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic

Well-read

Ignorant, uneducated, illiterate

Gossamer

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

Filmy, diaphanous, sheer, airy

Thick, dense, solid, massive

Infer

To find out by reasoning; to hint, suggest, imply

Gather, deduce, presume, guess, speculate

Inscrutable

Incapable of being understood

Impenetrable, incomprehensible, enigmatic

Comprehensible, intelligible, penetrable

Insular

Relating to an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience

Narrow-minded, parochial, provincial

Catholic, cosmopolitan, liberal

Irrevocable

Incapable of being changed or called back

Irreversible, unrecallable, unalterable

Reversible, changeable

Propensity

Natural inclination or predilection toward

Proclivity, penchant

Natural incapacity or inability

Querulous

Peevish, complaining, fretful

Petulant, touchy, cranky, irritable

Uncomplaining, stoical, serene, placid

Remonstrate

To argue or plead with someone against something

Reason against, expostulate

Repudiate

To disown, reject, or deny the validity of

Disavow, abjure, renounce

Avow, affirm, aver, avouch

Resilient

Able to return to an original shape; able to recover quickly

Springy, elastic, bouncy

Rigid, stiff, inflexible, unyielding

Reverberate

To re-echo

Rumble, thunder, boom, echo

Scurrilous

Coarsely abusive, vulgar, or low

Obscene, filthy, abusive

Decorous, seemly, tasteful

Sedulous

Persistent, showing determination

Assiduous, tireless, indefatiguable

Lackadaisical, listless, indolent, otiose

Sleazy

Thin or flimsy in texture; shoddy or inferior in quality

Inferior, cheesy, tawdry, tatty

Superior, quality, sturdy

Unit 5

Word

Definition

Synonyms

Antonyms

Amnesty

A general pardon for an offense against a government

Autonomy

Self-government, political control

Home rule

Dependence, subjection, colonial status

Axiomatic

Self-evident, expressing a universally accepted principle

Taken for granted

Questionable, dubious, controversial

Blazon

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

Broadcast, trumpet

Hide, conceal, cover up, bury

Caveat

A warning

Admonition

Equitable

Fair

Right, reasonable

Unjust, unfair, disproportionate

Extricate

To free from entanglements

Disentangle, extract

Enmesh, entangle, involve

Filch

To steal

Pilfer, purloin, swipe

Flout

To mock, treat with contempt

Scoff at, scorn

Obey, honor, revere, uphold

Fractious

Unruly, quarrelsome

Refractory, peevish

Docile, tractable, cooperative

Precept

Rule of conduct or action

Principle, maxim

Salutary

Beneficial, helpful

Salubrious, curative

Detrimental, deleterious, pernicious

Scathing

Bitterly severe, causing great harm

Harsh, ferocious

Bland, mild

Scourge

To whip, punish severely

Flog, beat, bane, plague

Boon, blessing

Sepulchral

Extremely gloomy or dismal

Doleful, lugubrious, mortuary

Soporific

Tending to cause sleep

Narcotic, anesthetic

Stimulating

Straitlaced

Extremely strict

Overly strict

Lax, loose, permissive

Transient

Fleeting, one who stays a short time

Impermanent, ephemeral, evanescent

Permanent, immortal

Unwieldy

Not easily carried, handled, or managed because of complexity

Cumbersome, bulky, clumsy, impractical

Manageable, easy to handle

Vapid

Dull uninteresting, tiresome

Insipid, lifeless, colorless

Zesty, spicy, savory, colorful, lively

Unit 6

Word

Definition

Synonyms

Antonyms

Anomalous

Abnormal, irregular

Exceptional, atypical, unusual, aberrant

Normal, regular, customary, typical, ordinary

Aspersion

Damaging or derogatory statement

Innuendo, calumny, denigration

Endorsement, testimonial, praise

Bizarre

Extremely strange, unusual, atypical

Grotesque, fantastic, outlandish

Normal, typical, ordinary, expected

Brusque

Abrupt, blunt

Curt, tactless, ungracious, gruff

Gracious, tactful, courteous

Cajole

To coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive

Wheedle, inveigle,

Coerce, force, strong arm

Castigate

Punish; criticize

Chastise, rebuke, censure, upbraid

Reward, honor, praise, laud

Contrive

To plan with ingenuity; invent

Think up, devise, concoct, fabricate

Demagogue

A leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power

Rabbi-rouse, firebrand

Disabuse

To free from deception

Undeceive, enlighten

Deceive, delude

Ennui

Boredom

Languor, listlessness

Enthusiasm, excitement, liveliness

Fetter

To chain; a chain

Bond, restraint, bind, hamper

Free, liberate, emancipate

Heinous

Very wicked, offensive, hateful

Evil, odious, abominable

Excellent, wonderful, splendid

Immutable

Not subject to change, constant

Unalterable, fixed, invariable

Changeable, inconstant, fickle

Insurgent

One who rebels

Revolutionary, rebellious, mutiny

Loyalist, faithful

Megalomania

A delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent

Humility, modesty, self-abasement

Sinecure

Position requiring little or no work

Surreptitious

Stealthy, secret, made or accomplished by fraud

Furtive, covert, clandestine

Open, frank, overt

Transgress

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

Overstep, exceed, trespass

Obey

Transmute

To change from one nature to another

Transform, convert, translate

Maintain unchanged, preserve

Vicarious

Performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another

Surrogate, substitute, imagined

Real, actual

Unit 7

Word

Definition

Synonyms

Antonyms

Austere

Severe or stern in manner, simple; harsh or sour in flavor

Forbidding, rigorous, ascetic, unadorned

Mild, indulgent, luxurious, flamboyant

Beneficent

Performing acts of kindness or charity

Humanitarian, magnanimous, charitable

Selfish, cruel, harmful, deleterious

Cadaverous

Pale, gaunt, resembling a corpse

Wasted, haggard, emaciated, ghastly

Robust, portly, rosy

Concoct

To prepare by combining ingredients, make up; devise,

Create, fashion, rustle up

Crass

Coarse, unfeeling

Crude, vulgar, oafish

Refined, elegant, polished

Debase

To lower in character, quality, or value

Cheapen, corrupt, demean, depreciate

Elevate, uplift, improve, enhance

Desecrate

To contaminate, pollute

Profane, defile, violate

Revere, honor, venerate

Disconcert

To confuse, to disturb the composure of

Upset, rattle, ruffle, faze, perturb

Relax, calm, put at ease

Grandiose

Grand in an impressive or stately way; absurdly exaggerated

Majestic, bombastic, highfalutin

Simple, modest, unaffected, humble

Inconsequential

Trifling, unimportant

Trivial, negligible, petty, paltry

Important, essential, crucial, vital

Infraction

Breaking of a law or obligation

Violation, transgression, breach, offense

Mitigate

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

Lessen, relieve, alleviate, diminish

Aggravate, intensify, irritate, exacerbate

Pillage

To rob of goods by open force

Ravage, sack, loot; booty

Prate

To talk a great deal in a foolish or aimless manner

Chatter, prattle, blab, palaver

Come to the point

Punctilious

Very careful and exact

Precise, scrupulous, exacting, fussy, finicky

Careless, negligent, lax, perfunctory

Redoubtable

Inspiring fear or awe, illustrious, eminent

Formidable, fearsome, awesome, august

Laughable, risible, contemptible

Reprove

To find fault with, scold, rebuke

Chide, chastise, upbraid, reproach

Praise, commend

Restitution

The act of restoring someone or something to the rightful owner

Compensation, reimbursement, redress, restoration

Stalwart

Strong and sturdy; a brave strong person

Sturdy, stout, intrepid, valiant; mainstay

Weak, infirm, irresolute, vacillating

Vulnerable

Open to attack; capable of being wounded or damaged

Defenseless exposed, unguarded

Invincible, protected, safe, secure