Anthem Vocabulary

Abyss ~ uh BISS Bottomless hole, a vast expanse or depth The man had fallen into the abyss of depravity.

Advocacy ~ AD vuh cuh see Support of an idea or cause The nominee’s advocacy of higher taxes may have cost him the election. Antonym: opposition

Approbation ~ ap row BAY shun Official approval, praise, commendation We initiated the attack with the approbation of the general. Antonym: disapproval

Atone ~ uh TONE To make amends He atoned for his theft by repaying the victim. Antonym: to offend

Baseness ~ BASE ness The quality of lacking higher values We were shocked at the criminal’s baseness. Synonyms: vileness, servility, unworthiness

Defile ~ deh FILE To make dirty, to desecrate, to pollute The gang defiled the school with obscene graffiti. Synonyms: contaminate, taint

Depravity ~ deh PRAV eh tee Moral corruption, a wicked or perverse act The depravity of his behavior shocked everyone. Synonyms: corruption, debauchery, perversion

Discern ~ deh SURN To differentiate between two or more things Because of the frog, I was barely able to discern the landing strip. Antonym: To ignore, to be oblivious

Ecstasy ~ EK stuh see Extreme happiness The music was so beautiful that it put the crowd into a state of ecstasy. Synonyms: rapture, transport Antonym: wretchedness

Fluid ~ FLOO id Smooth and effortless Most good golfers have a very fluid swing. Antonym: jerky

Furrow ~ FUR ow To make wrinkles or grooves The man’s furrowed brow showed his deep concern. Antonym: To make plain

Heedless ~ HEED les Disregarding, thoughtless He walked on, heedless of the signs warning about the mine field. Antonyms: aware, concerned, attentive

Illustrious ~ eh LUS tree us Notably outstanding, famous I was impressed by the illustrious personage at the ball. Synonyms: celebrated, distinguished Antonym: infamous

Infamous ~ IN fuh mus Having a reputation of the worst kind, vicious, notoriously bad The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was an infamous act. Synonym: disreputable Antonym: illustrious

Lassitude ~ LAS eh tood Feeling of weariness; fatigue The hot weather in some parts of Mexico probably created the lassitude that led to the siesta. Synonyms: Languor, stupor Antonym: Restlessness

Perishable ~ PER eh shuh bul