ingenuity (n.) – cleverness, originality, talent (adj.) – ingenious (Do not confuse with ingenuous=innocent, naïve, sincere)) The creator of Snuggie had a lot of ingenuity and made a lot of money. Synonyms: Skill creativity Antonyms: Boring plain, simple, old (adj)

innate (adj.) – existing in a person since birth; part of the character of something Examples: People have the innate capacity to learn any language in the world. The boy’s innate talent for playing soccer made him a superstar. . Antonyms: unnatural acquired, learned Synonyms: natural, native, intrinsic

Innocuous (= harm) (adj.) – causing or intending little or no harm He didn’t try to offend you. He just made an innocuous remark. The little dog is innocuous. He wouldn’t bite anyone. Antonyms: Offensive, detrimental Synonyms: Harmless, safe, innocent

appreciate, praise (vb.) lampoon (n.) = sharp satire (v.) = ridicule Examples: The “Saturday Night Live” show lampooned Sarah Palin. “Family Guy” lampoons American culture, society, and television. Antonyms: appreciate, praise (vb.) Synonyms: Satire, parody (n.)

Levity (n.) – lightness, frivolity, lacking seriousness, being silly or giddy His friends never take him seriously because of his levity. Synonyms: cheerfulness, buoyancy giddiness, frivolity, silliness Antonyms: Seriousness, solemnity

lurid Examples: (adj.) – melodramatic, shocking lurid flames lurid sunset lurid crimes Holocaust stories were full of lurid images. Antonyms: Bland, boring Synonyms: Vivid, shocking