Vocabulary

Unit 3Level F

abominate• (v.) to have an

intense dislike or hatred for

• Synonyms: loathe, abhor, despise, detest

• Antonyms: relish, savor, cherish, esteem

I abominate the actions of bullies!

acculturation

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

• Synonyms: adaptation

Thanks to our host family, our acculturation into Japanese society did not take as long as we expected.

adventitious• Synonyms: extrinsic,

incidental, fortuitous

• Antonyms: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital

• Redwood burls are large adventitious buds that form on the trunks of the trees.

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

ascribe

• (v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute

• Synonyms: impute, credit, attribute

• We ascribed the hole in our window to our next door neighbor.

circuitous• (adj.) roundabout, not

direct• Synonyms: indirect,

meandering, winding

• Antonyms: straight, direct, as the crow flies

• John decided to take the circuitous approach in getting to know the new girl in class.

commiserate

• (v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

• Synonyms: feel sorry for, empathize

• Antonyms: feel no sympathy for

The players commiserated with each other after the devastating loss.

enjoin

• (v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

• Synonyms: bid, charge, command, adjure

• Antonyms: allow, permit

• In the old days, teachers would enjoin their students to behave or face the paddle!

expedite

• (v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster

• Synonyms: accelerate, facilitate, speed up

• Antonyms: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct

• I was willing to pay extra in order to expedite delivery of my new dress.

expiate

• (v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert

• Synonyms: redeem, make amends for, atone, make reparation

The boys were willing to expiate their bad behavior by serving detention.

ferment

• (n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action

• Synonyms: (n.) commotion, turmoil, unrest

• Antonyms: (n.) peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

The entire country of Egypt seems to be caught up in the ferment of protest.

inadvertent

• (adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental

• Synonyms: accidental, unconsidered

• Antonyms: deliberate, intentional, premeditated

I took an inadvertent wrong turn and ended up on the other side of town.

nominal

• (adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

• Synonyms: titular, token trifling, inconsequential

• Antonyms: real, actual, exorbitant, excessive

Because we wanted to attract a large audience, we only charged a nominal fee for the school play.

noncommittal

• (adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no

• Synonyms: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest

• Antonyms: positive, definite, committed

Many top high school recruits like to remain noncommittal until signing day.

peculate• (v.) to steal something that

has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use

• Synonyms: embezzle, defraud, misappropriate

Those who are tempted to peculate from their companies soon find that crime does not pay.

proclivity

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

• Synonyms: natural bent, penchant, propensity

• Antonyms: inability or incapacity

Because of her proclivity toward animals, we were not surprised when she decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

sangfroid• (n.) composure or

coolness, especially in trying circumstances

• Synonyms: poise, self-assurance, equanimity

• Antonyms: excitability, hysteria, flappability

Good actors must possess an enormous amount of sangfroid in order to always appear in control.

seditious

• (adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

• Synonyms: mutinous, rebellious, subversive

• Antonyms: supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant

Dictators always try to silence seditious protesters.

tenuous

• (adj.) think, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

• Synonyms: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy

• Antonyms: strong, solid, substantial, valid

My knowledge of diagramming was tenuous until I asked for help.

vitriolic

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

• Synonyms: withering, acerbic, mordant

• Antonyms: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

Your vitriolic attitude will not help you to attract friends.

wheedle

• (v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

• Synonyms: cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk

• Antonyms: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm

• Don’t try to wheedle your teacher into changing your grade!