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11 Honors Vocab Midterm Review

Terms in this set (165)

camaraderie
Def: rapport & goodwill
Syn: friendship; amity
Ant: enmity; hostility
frangible
Def: fragile; easy to break
Syn: delicate; breakable
Ant: sturdy; strong
litany
Def: any long, repetitive, or dull recital
moratorium
Def: a suspension of activity; an authorized delay
Syn: postponement; cessation
Ant: rush; continuation
zealous
Def: fervent; fanatical
Syn: passionate; enthusiastic
Ayn: uninterested; indifferent
desiccate
Def: to dry out; to remove moisture
Syn: dehydrate
Ant: moisten; dampen
wrenching
Def: causing mental or physical pain
Syn: distressing; agonizing
Ant: pleasant; comforting
replete
Def: full; abundant
Syn: abounding; rife
Ant: lacking; empty
interminable
Def: tiresome & long; seemingly endless
Syn: tedious
Ant: fleeting; limited
arable
Def: suitable for cultivation of land
Syn: fecund; fertile
Ant: barren; infertile
lugubrious
Def: mournful; gloomy
Syn: somber; depressing
Ant: joyful
truncate
Def: to shorten
Syn: abridge; abbreviate
Ant: lengthen; increase
ubiquitous
Def: occuring/seeming to occur everywhere; omnipresent
Syn: universal
Ant: nonexistent
vernacular
Def: everyday language
equanimity
Def: composure; calmness
Syn: sangfroid; poise
Ant: anxiety; agitation
metamorphosis
Def: a transformation or dramatic change
Syn: mutation
Ant: stasis
donnybrook
Def: a fight; an uproar
Syn: brawl; quarrel; altercation
Ant: agreement
nonchalant
Def: unconcerned; indifferent
Syn: detached; relaxed
Ant: excited; concerned; alarmed
vestige
Def: a trace/evidence of something that once existed
Syn: remnant; hint
interlocutor
Def: someone who participates in a conversation
procrustean
Def: strictly disregarding indiv. differences/circumstances
Syn: ruthless; undiscriminating
Ant: sympathetic; compassionate
stygian
Def: dark & forbidding
Syn: shadowy
Ant: bright; illuminated
sophistry
Def: a deliberately deceptive/misleading argument
Syn: chicanery; ruse
Ant: truth
carte blanche
Def: boundless authority; unlimited power (James Bond anyone?)
Syn: license; sanction; free rein
Ant: restriction
incantation
Def: a chant; a recited magical spell
Syn: invocation
cosmopolitan
Def: worldly; sophisticated
Syn: cultured
Ant: provincial
rife
Def: abundant; prevalent
Syn: overflowing; rampant
Ant: lacking; limited
nomenclature
Def: technical names/ naming system in an art or science
Syn: terminology
brigand
Def: a robber or bandit
Syn: highwayman; outlaw
contemptuous
Def: haughty; scornful
Syn: arrogant; derisive
Ant: humble; polite
scapegoat
Def: one who bears the blame for others
Syn: patsy; sucker
peremptory
Def: not allowing refusal or delay; imperative
Syn: authoritative; unconditional
Ant: roundabout; passive; equivocal
atelier
Def: an artists's or designer's workshop
axiom
Def: a univeral truth; an established rule
Syn: fundamental; theorem
Ant: absurdity
dulcet
Def: melodious; pleasing to the ear
Syn: harmonic; melodic
Ant: cacophonous; dissonant
usurp
Def: to take over; to seize power
Syn: commandeer; seize; co-opt
Ant: abdicate; relinquish
patronizing
Def: treating w/condescension; acting superior
Syn: lofty; arrogant
Ant: humble; friendly
iniquity
Def: an evil or wicked act
Syn: abomination; injustice; sin
archaic
Def: no longer current or applicable; antiquated
Syn: obsolete; outmoded
Ant: current; modern
vacillate
Def: to waver; to sway indecisively
Syn: fluctuate; swing; waffle
Ant: decide
perspicacious
Def: keen; mentally sharp
Syn: shrewd; keen; clever
Ant: dull; stupid
abstemious
Def: using or consuming sparingly
Syn: frugal; moderate
Ant: gluttonous; greedy
talisman
Def: a magic charm/superstitous object for protection/luck
expurgate
Def: to remove vulgar or objectionable material
Syn: censor; bowdlerize; sanitize
pellucid
Def: transparent; clear
Syn: limpid
Ant: obscure; opaque
efficacious
Def: effective; producing the desired outcome
Syn: productive; useful
Ant: ineffective
catharsis
Def: a release of emotional tension
Syn: purgation
inundate
Def: to overwhelm; to fill beyond capacity
Syn: flood; overwhelm
revere
Def: to regard w/ respect, awe, or adoration
Syn: venerate; respect, honor
Ant: revile
internecine
Def: mutually destructive
Ant: constructive; beneficial
risible
Def: relating to laughter; laughable
Syn: comical; jocular; jocund
Ant: grave; solemn
sybaritic
Def: marked by luxury or pleasure
Syn: luxurious; ostentatious; grandiose
Ant: modest; simple; plain
crepuscular
Def: pertaining to twilight (NOT the movie!)
kudos
Def: acclaim or praise
Syn: honors; distinction
Ant: disapproval; rejection
estrange
Def: to alienate
Syn: disaffect; antagonize
Ant: unite; endear
intrinsic
Def: of or relating to a thing's basic nature; inherent
Syn: basic; elemental; inborn
Ant: extrinsic
maxim
Def: an established principle; a truth or rule of conduct
Syn: axiom; apothegm; proverb
putrid
Def: rotten & foul smelling
Syn: fetid; rancid; malodorous
Ant: aromatic; fragrant
servile
Def: submissive; slavish
Syn: subservient; ignoble
Ant: haughty; domineering
apocryphal
Def: of questionable authenticity, but widely believed
Syn: dubious; equivocal; spurious
Ant: genuine; authentic
consternation
Def: alarming dismay or concern
Syn: bewilderment; shock; trepidation
Ant: composure; tranquility
anomaly
Def: deviation from the norm; an odd/peculiar occurence
Syn: eccentricity; irregularity; oddity
vitriolic
Def: harsh in tone; bitterly critical
Syn: caustic; offensive; scathing
Ant: flattering; genial
preamble
Def: a preliminary statement; an introduction
Syn: prologue; preface; opening
Ant: epilogue; finale
coterie
Def: small group of people who share interests & meet frequently
Syn: circle; clique; society
expiate
Def: to make amends for
Syn: atone; correct; rectify
compendium
Def: a list or collection of items
Syn: compilation; index; anthology
comprise
Def: to include or consist of; contain
Syn: constitute; encompass; incorporate
Ant: exclude; lack
eidetic
Def: pertaining to extraordinarily detailed & vivid recall
Syn: vivid
Ant: vague
innocuous
Def: harmless
Syn: inoffensive; innocent
Ant: injurious
foist
Def: to pass off as genuine or valuable
Syn: fob
plethora
Def: an overabundance; excess
Syn: surplus
Ant: deficiency; shortage; paucity
flippancy
Def: disrespect
Syn: irreverence; rudeness; impertinence
Ant: respect; reverence
incongruous
Def: incompatible; unsuitable for the situation
Syn: discordant; improper
Ant: compatible; fitting
disconcert
Def: to frustrate; confuse
Syn: agitate; fluster; perplex
Ant: enlighten; comfort; encourage
sectarian
Def: narrowly confined to a particular group
Syn: insular; dogmatic
Ant: tolerant
peregrination
Def: travel by walking
Syn: trekking; exploration
accoutrement
Def: an accessory item of dress or equipment
Syn: device; gear
contrive
Def: to plan cleverly; to devise
Syn: concoct; design; engineer
hubris
Def: overbearing pride; arrogance
Syn: conceit; smugness; pompousness
Ant: humility; modesty
platitude
Def: an obvious remark; a cliche
Syn: banality; maxim; truism
venerate
Def: to respect or revere
Syn: glorify; treasure
Ant: abhor; despise
scullion
Def: a servant for menial tasks
Syn: peon; toiler
Ant: patrician; aristocrat
quotidian
Def: everyday; commonplace
Syn: ordinary; routine
Ant: rare; uncommon
prognosticate
Def: to predict
Syn: forecast; foreshadow
antediluvian
Def: extremely old; antiquated
Syn: ancient; archaic
Ant: modern; new
stringent
Def: restrictive; imposing demanding standards
Syn: severe; rigid; inflexible
Ant: lenient; flexible
haughty
Def: condescendingly proud; arrogant
Syn: conceited; snobbish; supercilious
Ant: humble; modest
sanctimonious
Def: showing false piety or righteousness
Syn: hypocritical; specious
Ant: humble; modest
imbroglio
Def: a difficult & embarassing situation
Syn: predicament
Ant: peace; serenity
gibberish
Def: nonsense; unintelligible speech
Syn: babble; chatter; prattle
inimical
Def: unfriendly; hostile; injurious
Syn: mean; malicious; harmful
Ant: encouraging; flattering
nexus
Def: a link, tie, or bond
Syn: connection; correlation
Ant: disruption; gap
coeval
Def: of the same time period
Syn: contemporaneous
dilatory
Def: tending to delay or procrastinate
Syn: dallying; laggard; unhurried
Ant: diligent; prompt
convoluted
Def: complicated; intricate
Syn: involved; jumbled
Ant: simple; obvious
entreat
Def: to earnestly request or petition
Syn: importune; implore
Ant: demand
anecdote
Def: a short account of an incident
Syn: narrative
incumbent
Def: obligatory; necessary
Syn: required; essential
Ant: voluntary; unnecessary
churlish
Def: boorish or vulgar
Syn: uncouth; rude; surly
Ant: courteous; polished; civil
promulgate
Def: to announce; to make known
Syn: declare; exhibit
staid
Def: showing dignity & often straight-laced propriety
Syn: composed; serious; solemn
Ant: agitated; excited; nervous
livid
Def: extremely angry
Syn: enraged; furious; fuming
Ant: contented; pleased
lurid
Def: shocking; explicit
Syn: sensational; extreme
Ant: dull; boring; mediocre
cogent
Def: convincing; reasonable
Syn: compelling; pertinent; influential
Ant: ineffective; weak
pander
Def: to exploit weaknesses of others; to cater to the vices of others
Syn: cajole; indulge
otiose
Def: useless; futile
Syn: unimportant; worthless
Ant: productive; necessary
puerile
Def: childish; juvenile
Syn: immature; infantile
Ant: mature
aleatory
Def: dependent on luck or chance
asperity
Def: roughness or harshness; severity
Syn: acerbity; irascibility
Ant: mildness; kindness
renunciation
Def: rejection; refusal to acknowledge
Syn: denial; refusal
Ant: admittance; concession
unimpeachable
Def: unquestionable; beyond doubt
Syn: trustworthy; infallible
Ant: questionable; flawed
inveigh
Def: to disapprove angrily; to protest
Syn: berate; condemn; remonstrate
Ant: commend; laud; praise
lionize
Def: to assign great social importance; to treat as a celebrity
Syn: acclaim; exalt; honor
Ant: ignore; overlook
allay
Def: to relieve; to alleviate
Syn: calm; ease; pacify
Ant: excite; intensify; agitate
vitiate
Def: to corrupt morally; to contaminate
Syn: defile; devalue; spoil
Ant: purify; clarify; cleanse
recalcitrant
Def: stubbornly resistant; showing opposition
Syn: defiant; insubordinate; unwilling
Ant: agreeable; obedient
exegesis
Def: an explanation of a text; a critical interpretation
Syn: analysis; exposition; commentary
ameliorate
Def: to make better; to improve
Syn: enhance; upgrade
Ant: weaken; damage; corrupt
profligate
Def: wasteful & immoral
Syn: licentious; decadent
Ant: virtuous; principled
provocative
Def: tending to excite or stimulate
Syn: provoking; exciting
Ant: dull; boring
bumpkin
Def: an unsophisticated; awkard person
Syn: yokel; hayseed; rube
Ant: intellectual
toady
Def: a person who flatters for personal gain
Syn: sycophant; flatterer
culpable
Def: deserving blame or condemnation; guilty
Syn: blameworthy; liable
Ant: innocent; harmless
hortatory
Def: encouraging; inciting
Syn: exhorting
Ant: discouraging; dampening
penultimate
Def: next to last
orotund
Def: full & rich in sound (in speech)
Syn: resonant; resounding
Ant: quiet; reserved
blithe
Def: carefree & lighthearted
Syn: cheerful; radiant
Ant: burdened; worried; troubled
soporific
Def: tending to induce sleep
Syn: somniferous; monotonous
Ant: dramatic; exciting; stimulating
pervasive
Def: permeating; spreading throughout
Syn: seeping; persistent
Ant: contained; restricted; limited
benign
Def: beneficial; favorable
Syn: benevolent; harmless
Ant: harmful; malevolent
frenetic
Def: wildly excited
Syn: frenzied; frantic
Ant: calm; composed
recrimination
Def: a counteraccusation
Syn: countercharge
indecorous
Def: lacking good taste: improper
Syn: inappropriate; vulgar
Ant: decent
corroborate
Def: to strengthen by adding evidence
Syn: confirm; substantiate; validate
Ant: contradict
majordomo
Def: a chief butler or assistant
untenable
Def: impossible to defend or justify
Syn: groundless; unsupported; indefensible
Ant: sound; irrefutable
perambulate
Def: to walk about; to stroll
Syn: saunter; wander
veneer
Def: a thin, attractive layer that conceals something
Syn: disguise; gloss; facade
timorous
Def: timid
Syn: bashful; sheepish; reticent
Ant: bold; confident; courageous
luminous
Def: emitting light
Syn: glowing; radiant
Ant: dim; dark
circuitous
Def: indirect; roundabout
Syn: roundabout; meandering
Ant: direct; straight
perquisite
Def: a tip or payment in addition to regular wages
Syn: fringe benefit; perk; benefit
probity
Def: inegrity; respectability
Syn: rectitude; decency; trustworthiness
Ant: wickedness; impiety
polemical
Def: relating to controversy or argument
Syn: controversial; contentious
Ant: indisputable; agreeable
tacit
Def: indicated but not expressed; implied silently
Syn: hinted; suggested; unspoken
Ant: explicit; frank
largesse
Def: generosity
Syn: magnanimity; munificence
Ant: stinginess
indolent
Def: lazy
Syn: torpid; idle; lethargic
Ant: industrious; busy; productive
circumlocution
Def: unnecessarily wordy or evasive language
Syn: discursiveness, indirectness; evasion
Ant: conciseness; brevity
depredate
Def: to plunder & pillage
Syn: pilfer; ransack; ravage
Ant: enhance
canard
Def: a deliberately misleading story
Syn: lie; pretense; sham
Ant: fact; truth; reality
wont
Def: likely
Syn: accustomed
etymology
Def: the history of a word; the study of word origins
cortege
Def: a group of attendants; a retinue
Syn: entourage; followers; posse
solecism
Def: a deviation or error in speech, manners, or deeds
Syn: mistake; faux pas; blunder
demotic
Def: relating to ordinary people
Syn: colloquial; common
Ant: formal; elevated
simian
Def: related to or resembling an ape or monkey
impresario
Def: an entertainment producer or manager
Syn: organizer; proprietor
requisite
Def: required; necessary
Syn: imperative; needed; important
Ant: incidental; nonessential
bulwark
Def: a defensive wall or embankment
Syn: fortification; barrier
malaise
Def: vague bodily or emotional discomfort or uneasiness
Syn: illness; distress; discontent
Ant: comfort; relief; peace
disingenuous
Def: insincere; calculating
Syn: duplicitous; cunning; shifty
Ant: honest; sincere; candid
crescendo
Def: a gradual increase in intensity, force, or volume
Syn: increase; buildup
Ant: decrease; waning; diminuendo
intransigent
Def: uncomromising; refusing to moderate
Syn: determined; immovable; obdurate
Ant: flexible; yielding
dogged
Def: unrelenting; persistent
Syn: driven; steadfast; unwavering
Ant: hesitating; vacillating
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