Building An Enriched Vocabulary Lesson 6

abstain Verb To refrain completely and voluntarily. Synonyms: forgo, avoid, shun Example: If you want to lose weight, you will have to abstain from eating the rich desserts you love.

affectation Noun A false behavior Synonyms: pretense, mannerism Example: Beneath her affectation of elegance and refinement, I could easily recognize the crude and awkward girl I had known years before.

amnesty Noun An official pardon Synonyms: forgiveness, immunity Example: A new government will often grant amnesty to people formerly convicted of political offenses.

arbitrate Verb To act as an impartial judge; to settle Synonyms: mediate Example: Because he was fair-minded, he was chosen to arbitrate the dispute.

attrition Noun A gradual decrease Synonyms: erosion, reduction Example: The sales department is overstaffed, but the normal rate of attrition should solve that problem quickly.

Belligerent Adjective Warlike or hostile Synonyms: contentious, hostile, quarrelsome Example: We cannot hope to arrive at a fair settlement when your attitude is so belligerent.

Boorish Adjective Rude or unrefined Synonyms: vulgar, crude, unmannerly Example: The obnoxious and boorish behavior of the guests ruined the party.

Calumny Noun A false statement deliberately made up to injure a person. Synonyms: Lie, falsehood, slander Example: The calumnies used by both candidates made it impossible to believe or respect either.

Chronic Adjective Continuing over a long period of time or recurring often. Synonyms: Continual, constant Example: His inability to arrive anywhere on time has become a chronic problem.

Complacent Adjective Overly self-satisfied; smug. Synonym: self-contented Example: We must never become complacent about our fight against terrorism.