English 111 Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Level G, Unit 13 Hannah Burwell

abstruse (adj.) extremely difficult to understand Synonyms: esoteric, arcane, recondite, occult Antonyms: simple, straightforward

affront (n.) an open or intentional insult; a slight; (v.) to insult to one’s face; to face in defiance, confront Synonyms: (n.) offense; (v.) offend Antonym: (n., v.) compliment, praise

canard (n.) a false rumor, fabricated story Synonym: hoax

captious (adj.) excessively ready to find fault; given to petty criticism; intending to trap, confuse, or show-up Synonyms: faultfinding; nit-picking, carping Antonym: uncritical

cognizant (adj.) aware, knowledgeable, informed; having jurisdiction Synonyms: conscious, acquainted Antonyms: unaware, unconscious, oblivious

contrite (adj.) regretful for some misdeed or sin; plagued by a sense of guilt; thoroughly penitent Synonyms: remorseful, rueful Antonyms: unrepentant, unapologetic, impenitent

cynosure (n.) the center of attraction, attention, or interest; something that serves to guide or direct Synonym: focus

decorous (adj.) well behaved, dignified socially proper Synonyms: seemly, becoming, tasteful Antonyms: unseemly, unbecoming, improper, tasteless

deign (v.) to think it appropriate or suitable to one’s dignity to do something; to condescend Synonyms: deem, stoop

desiccated (adj.) thoroughly dried out; divested of spirit or vitality; arid and uninteresting Synonyms: dehydrated, shriveled, parched Antonyms: sodden, soggy, waterlogged, drenched

efficacy (n.) the power to produce a desired result Synonyms: effectiveness, potency, reliability Antonyms: ineffectiveness, impotence

engender (v.) to bring into existence, give rise to, produce; to come into existence, assume form Synonyms: beget, generate, cause, form Antonyms: stop, deter

ethereal (adj.) light, airy, delicate; highly refined; suggesting what is heavenly (rather than earthbound) Synonyms: heavenly, celestial, gossamer Antonyms: infernal, hellish, thick, heavy

facade (n.) the front or face of the building; a surfaced appearance (as opposed to what may lie behind) Synonyms: exterior, surface, mask, pretense Antonym: interior

ghoulish (adj.) revolting in an unnatural or morbid way; suggestive of someone who robs graves or otherwise preys on the dead Synonyms: fiendish, barbarous, monstrous

incongruous (adj.) not in keeping, unsuitable, incompatible Synonyms: discordant, jarring Antonyms: compatible, harmonious, consistent

machination (n.) a crafty, scheming, or underhanded action designed to accomplish some (usually evil) end Synonyms: plot, scheme, maneuver

mesmerize (v.) to hypnotize, entrance; to fascinate, enthrall, bewitch

opprobrium (n.) disgrace arising from shameful conduct; contempt, reproach Synonyms: infamy, dishonor, odium, shame Antonyms: acclaim, honor, glory, renown

putative (adj.) generally regarded as such; reputed, hypothesized, inferred Synonym: supposed, presumed Antonyms: known, corroborated, confirmed