Unit 9 vocab
abate To make less in amount, degree; to subside, become less Nullify; deduct, omit Diminish, decrease, subside, let up _____________________________ Intensify, increase, magnify, wax
adulation Praise or flattery that is excessive Adoration, idolization, hero- worship ______________________________ Ridicule, derision, odium
anathema An object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation Malediction, imprecation, abomination _______________________________ Benediction, blessing
astute Shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom Acute, sagacious, judicious, wily _____________________________ Obtuse, doltish, empty-headed, dumb
avarice A greedy desire, particularly for wealth Cupidity, rapacity, acquisitiveness
culpable Deserving blame; worthy of condemnation Guilty, delinquent, peccant, blameworthy ______________________________ Blameless, innocent, laudable, meritorious
dilatory Tending to delay or procrastinate; not prompt Intended to delay or postpone Stalling, slow, tardy, laggard ________________________________ Prompt, punctual, speedy, expeditious
egregious Conspicuous, standing out from the mass (usually a negative connotation) Glaring; flagrant; blatant _________________________ Unnoticeable, paltry, piddling
equivocate To speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation Deliberately vague or ambiguous Talk out of both sides of one’s mouth; palter, hedge ___________________________ To speak plainly
evanescent Vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy Ephemeral, transient, transitory ___________________________ Everlasting, immortal, imperishable