Lesson 8 aleatory allay ameliorate asperity exegesis inveigh lionize otiose pander profligate puerile recalcitrant renunciation unimpeachable vitiate

pander To exploit weakness of others; to cater to the vices of others Syn: cajole; indulge

otiose Useless; futile Syn: unimportant; worthless Ant: productive; necessary

puerile Childish; juvenile Syn: immature; infantile Ant: mature

aleatory Dependent on luck or chance Because of the uncertain weather forecast, the success of our company picnic is purely aleatory

asperity Roughness or harshness; severity Syn: acerbity; irascibility Ant: mildness; kindness

renunciation Rejection; refusal to acknowledge Syn: denial; refusal Ant: admittance; concession

unimpeachable Unquestionable; beyond doubt Syn: trustworthy; infallible Ant: questionable; flawed

inveigh To disapprove angrily; to protest Syn: berate; condemn; remonstrate Ant: commend; laud; praise

lionize To assign great social importance to; to treat as a celebrity Syn: acclaim; exalt; honor Ant: ignore; overlook

allay To relieve; to alleviate Syn: calm; ease; pacify Ant: excite; intensify; agitate

vitiate To corrupt morally; to contaminate Syn: defile; devalue; spoil Ant: purify; clarify; cleanse

recalcitrant Stubbornly resistant; showing opposition Syn: defiant; insubordinate; unwilling Ant: agreeable; obedient

exegesis An explanation of a text; a critical interpretation Syn: analysis; exposition; commentary

ameliorate To make better; to improve Syn: enhance; upgrade Ant: weaken; damage; corrupt

profligate wasteful and immoral Syn: licentious; decadent Ant: virtuous; principled