ACT/SAT Vocabulary Unit 13

*Abet (v) to encourage, assist, aid, support (especially in something wrong or unworthy)(v) to encourage, assist, aid, support (especially in something wrong or unworthy) Ant: hamper, hinderAnt: hamper, hinder

*Aver (v) to affirm, declare confidently(v) to affirm, declare confidently Syn: assert, avouchSyn: assert, avouch Ant: deny, disavowAnt: deny, disavow

Blatant (adj) noisy in a course, offensive way; obvious or conspicuous, especially in an unfavorable sense(adj) noisy in a course, offensive way; obvious or conspicuous, especially in an unfavorable sense Syn: flagrant, egregiousSyn: flagrant, egregious Ant: inconsequential, pettyAnt: inconsequential, petty

Broach (v) to bring up or begin to talk about (a subject); to announce, introduce; to break the surface of the water; to run sideways to the wind and waves; to pierce (a keg or cask) in order to draw off liquid; (n) a spit for roasting; a tool for tapping casks(v) to bring up or begin to talk about (a subject); to announce, introduce; to break the surface of the water; to run sideways to the wind and waves; to pierce (a keg or cask) in order to draw off liquid; (n) a spit for roasting; a tool for tapping casks

*Buttress (v) to support, prop up, strengthen; (n) a supporting structure(v) to support, prop up, strengthen; (n) a supporting structure Syn: bolster, reinforceSyn: bolster, reinforce Ant; undermine, weakenAnt; undermine, weaken

Carousal (n) noisy revelry or merrymaking (often with suggestion of heavy drinking)(n) noisy revelry or merrymaking (often with suggestion of heavy drinking) Syn: bingeSyn: binge

Collate (v) to compare critically in order to note differences, similarities, etc.; to arrange in order for some specific purpose(v) to compare critically in order to note differences, similarities, etc.; to arrange in order for some specific purpose Syn: sort out, rearrangeSyn: sort out, rearrange

Connoisseur (n) an expert; one who is well qualified to pass critical judgments, especially in one of the fine arts(n) an expert; one who is well qualified to pass critical judgments, especially in one of the fine arts Syn: authority, savantSyn: authority, savant Ant: ignoramus, philistineAnt: ignoramus, philistine

*Disconsolate (adj) deeply unhappy or dejected; without hope, beyond consolation Syn: grief-stricken, comfortlessSyn: grief-stricken, comfortless Ant: cheerful, blitheAnt: cheerful, blithe

Encumber (v) to weigh down or burden (with difficulties, cares, debt, etc.); to fill up, block up, hinder(v) to weigh down or burden (with difficulties, cares, debt, etc.); to fill up, block up, hinder Syn: overload, saddleSyn: overload, saddle Ant: unburden, relieveAnt: unburden, relieve

*Foment (v) to promote trouble or rebellion; to apply warm liquids to, warm(v) to promote trouble or rebellion; to apply warm liquids to, warm Syn: instigate, inciteSyn: instigate, incite Ant: quell, suppressAnt: quell, suppress

Grisly (adj) frightful, horrible, ghastly(adj) frightful, horrible, ghastly Syn: gruesome, gorySyn: gruesome, gory Ant: pleasant, delightfulAnt: pleasant, delightful

*Herculean (adj) (capital H) relating to Hercules; (lowercase h) characterized by great strength; very hard to do in the sense of requiring unusual strength Syn: mighty, arduousSyn: mighty, arduous Ant: puny, weakAnt: puny, weak

Impassive (adj) showing no feeling or emotion; inanimate; motionless(adj) showing no feeling or emotion; inanimate; motionless Syn: emotionless, stoicSyn: emotionless, stoic Ant: passionate, excitableAnt: passionate, excitable

Inauspicious (adj) unfavorable, unlucky, suggesting bad luck for the future(adj) unfavorable, unlucky, suggesting bad luck for the future Syn: unpromising, untimelySyn: unpromising, untimely Ant: favorable, propitiousAnt: favorable, propitious

Incontrovertible (adj) unquestionable, beyond dispute Syn: uncontestable, indubitableSyn: uncontestable, indubitable Ant: debatable, dubiousAnt: debatable, dubious

Nonplussed (adj, part) puzzled, not knowing what to do, at a loss Syn: perplexed, baffledSyn: perplexed, baffled Ant: confident, assuredAnt: confident, assured

Opportune (adj) suitable or convenient for a particular purpose; occurring at an appropriate time Syn: timely, appropriateSyn: timely, appropriate Ant: untimely, inconvenientAnt: untimely, inconvenient

Prolific (adj) abundantly productive; abundant, profuse(adj) abundantly productive; abundant, profuse Syn: fruitful, proliferousSyn: fruitful, proliferous Ant: barren, unproductiveAnt: barren, unproductive

*Rejoinder (n) a reply to a reply, especially from the defendant in a legal suit Syn: response, retortSyn: response, retort