Vocabulary 2

1- Adroit- (adj) skillful, expert in the use of the hands or mind Many rodeo performers are ________ at twirling a rope while on horseback.  Synonyms: clever, deft, dexterous, slick  Antonyms: clumsy, inept, all thumbs 

2- Amicable- (adj) peaceable, friendly Sometimes mediation by a neutral individual can lead to a _________ settlement of a dispute.  Synonyms: congenial, neighborly, cordial   Antonyms: hostile, antagonistic 

3- Averse- (adj) having a deep-seated distaste; opposed, unwilling You are not likely to become a marathon runner if you are ________ to strenuous exercise.  Synonyms: disinclined, loath   Antonyms: favorably disposed, eager, keen  

4- Belligerent- (adj) given to fighting, warlike; combative, aggressive; (n) one at/engaged in war  I did not expect such a __________ answer to my request for directions.  Synonyms: assertive, truculent, pugnacious   Antonyms: peaceful, conciliatory, placid 

5- Benevolent- (adj) kindly, charitable The newcomers had nothing but _________ feelings toward all their neighbors.  Synonyms: benign, well-meaning   Antonyms: malicious, spiteful, malevolent 

6- Cursory- (adj) hasty, not thorough The mayor gave a final _________ glance at the text of her speech before mounting the stage.  Synonyms: quick, superficial, perfunctory   Antonyms: thorough, painstaking, careful 

7- Duplicity- (n) treachery, deceitfulness We found it difficult to believe that our good friend could be capable of such __________.  Synonyms: fraud, double-dealing, chicanery  

8- Extol- (v) to praise extravagantly Many inspiring stories and plays have been written that ______ the heroic deeds of Joan of Arc.  Synonyms: glorify, applaud, acclaim, hail  Antonyms: criticize, belittle, disparage 

9- Feasible- (adj) possible, able to be done Our city needs to develop a ________ plan of action for dealing with storms and other emergencies.  Synonyms: workable, practicable, viable  Antonyms: unworkable, impractical 

10- Grimace- (n) a wry face, facial distortion; (v) to make a wry face The _________ of the refugee in the picture reveals the pain of homelessness.  Synonyms: pained expression, facial contortion  Antonyms: n-smile, grin v- beam 

11- Holocaust- (n) a large-scale destruction, especially by fire; a vast slaughter; a burnt offering Journalists at the time were eager to interview survivors of the Chicago ________. Synonyms: conflagration, devastation, annihilation Antonyms: deluge, inundation

12- Impervious- (adj) not affected or hurt by; admitting of no passage or entrance It is best to store flour in a container with a plastic cover that is ________ to moisture. Synonyms: impenetrable, resistant, proof against Antonyms: porous, permeable, vulnerable

13- Impetus- (n) a moving force, impulse, stimulus The coming of winter gave a new _________ to the appeals for food and clothing for needy families. Synonyms: impulse, incentive, spur Antonyms: curb, hindrance, impediment, constraint

14- Jeopardy- (n) danger Experienced mountaineers know that a single mistake can put an entire expedition in serious _______. Synonyms: risk, hazard, peril Antonyms: safety, security

15- Meticulous- (adj) extremely careful; particular about details If you have a full-time job outside the home, you may find it exceedingly difficult to be a _______ housekeeper. Synonyms: fastidious, painstaking, fussy Antonyms: careless, negligent, sloppy

16- Nostalgia- (n) a longing for something in the past; homesickness Looking at old scrapbooks and reading old letters can bring on a vague sense of _________ for days gone by and friends no longer near. Synonyms: reminiscence, longing

17- Quintessence- (n) the purest essence or form of something; the most typical example Risking one’s own life to save the lives of others is considered the __________ of selfless valor. Synonyms: paragon, exemplar

18- Retrogress- (v) to move backward; to return to an earlier condition In the novel, the survivors of a nuclear explosion ________ into a state of barbarism and anarchy. Synonyms: revert, degenerate, decline Antonyms: advance, evolve, progress

19- Scrutinize- (v) to examine closely Lawyers are paid to ______ legal papers and explain the fine print to their clients Synonyms: inspect, pore over Antonyms: skim, scan, glance at

20- Tepid- (adj) lukewarm; unenthusiastic, marked by an absence of interest A cup of ________ tea will not warm you up on a chilly morning. Synonyms: insipid, halfhearted, wishy-washy Antonyms: heated, excited, enthusiastic