VOCABULARY UNIT 2

(n. pl.) ridiculous and unpredictable behavior or actions ANTICS (n. pl.) ridiculous and unpredictable behavior or actions

The ANTICS of the chimpanzees amused the crowds at the zoo. Synonyms pranks, shenanigans Antonyms

(adj., part.) declared openly and without shame, acknowledged AVOWED (adj., part.) declared openly and without shame, acknowledged

Synonyms admitted, sworn The governor was an AVOWED supporter of the plan to aid public libraries throughout the state. Synonyms admitted, sworn Antonyms unacknowledged, undisclosed

BANTER (v.) to exchange playful remarks, tease (n.) talk that is playful and teasing

Synonyms joking, raillery There is nothing my friends and I enjoy more than to BANTER good-naturedly for hours. Synonyms joking, raillery Antonyms serious talk

(adj.) giving freely, generous; plentiful, given abundantly BOUNTIFUL (adj.) giving freely, generous; plentiful, given abundantly

Synonyms liberal, abundant, copious On Thanksgiving Day, people all over America celebrate the BOUNTIFUL gifts of nature. Synonyms liberal, abundant, copious Antonyms scarce, scanty, in short supply

(adj., part.) overcrowded, filled or occupied to excess CONGESTED (adj., part.) overcrowded, filled or occupied to excess

Synonyms jammed, packed, choked The doctor grew very concerned when the patient’s lungs became CONGESTED with fluid. Synonyms jammed, packed, choked Antonyms uncluttered, unimpeded

DETRIMENT (n.) harm or loss; injury, damage; a disadvantage; a cause of harm, injury, loss or damage

Synonyms hindrance, liability The home team survived a six-game losing streak with almost no DETRIMENT to its standing in the league. Synonyms hindrance, liability Antonyms advantage, help, plus

(n) Consumer goods used repeatedly over a series of years DURABLE (adj.) sturdy, not easily worn out or destroyed; lasting for a long time (n) Consumer goods used repeatedly over a series of years

Denim is a very DURABLE type of fabric. Synonyms long-lasting, enduring Antonyms fragile, perishable, fleeting, ephemeral

ENTERPRISING (adj.) energetic, willing and able to start something new; showing boldness and imagination

Synonyms vigorous, ambitious, aggressive, audacious An ENTERPRISING young person may turn a hobby into a way of earning money to pay for college. Synonyms vigorous, ambitious, aggressive, audacious Antonyms lazy, indolent, timid, diffident

(adj.) economical, avoiding waste and luxury; scanty, poor, meager FRUGAL (adj.) economical, avoiding waste and luxury; scanty, poor, meager

At home, we usually prepare FRUGAL but nourishing and delicious meals. Antonyms wasteful, improvident, lavish, extravagant Synonyms thrifty, skimpy

(adj., adv.) with extreme care or caution GINGERLY (adj., adv.) with extreme care or caution

Synonyms cautiously, warily, circumspectly Difficult and demanding customers should be handled in a GINGERLY and courteous manner. Antonyms firmly, confident, aggressively Synonyms cautiously, warily, circumspectly

GLUT (v.) to provide more than is needed or wanted; to feed or fill to the point of overstuffing (n.) an oversupply

Synonyms flood, inundate surplus, plethora Hollywood studios GLUT theaters with big-budget action movies during the summer season. Antonyms shortage, scarcity, dearth, paucity Synonyms flood, inundate surplus, plethora

INCOGNITO (adj., adv.) in a disguised state; under an assumed name or identity (n.) the state of being disguised; a person in disguise

In a way, makeup artists are practitioners of the fine art of INCOGNITO. Antonyms undisguised Synonyms

(v.) to make valueless, take away all force or effect INVALIDATE (v.) to make valueless, take away all force or effect

Lawyers will try to INVALIDATE the contract. Antonyms support, confirm, back up, legalize Synonyms cancel, annul, disapprove, discredit

LEGENDARY (adj.) described in well-known stories; existing in old stories rather than in real life

Synonyms mythical, fabulous, famous, celebrated Ajax was one of the LEGENDARY Greek heroes who fought before the walls of Troy. Antonyms Synonyms mythical, fabulous, famous, celebrated

(v.) to cripple, disable, injure, mar, mutilate, disfigure MAIM (v.) to cripple, disable, injure, mar, mutilate, disfigure

Each year, falls MAIM thousands of people, some of them for life. Antonyms Synonyms

MINIMIZE (v.) to make as small as possible, make the least of, to make smaller than before

Synonyms belittle, downplay, underrate Whenever you are in a car, you should wear your seatbelt to MINIMIZE the risk of injury in an accident. Antonyms magnify, enlarge, exaggerate Synonyms belittle, downplay, underrate

(adj.) slanting or sloping; not straightforward or direct OBLIQUE (adj.) slanting or sloping; not straightforward or direct

The boxer’s OBLIQUE blow left his opponent unscathed. Antonyms direct, straight to the point Synonyms diagonal, indirect

(v.) to change direction or course suddenly, turn aside, shift, swerve VEER (v.) to change direction or course suddenly, turn aside, shift, swerve

The huge storm finally VEERED out to sea, leaving much destruction in its wake. Antonyms Synonyms

(v.) to regard with reverence, look up to with great respect VENERATE (v.) to regard with reverence, look up to with great respect

Synonyms worship, revere, idolize In a number of religions, it is customary for people to VENERATE saints and martyrs to the faith. Antonyms despise, detest, ridicule, deride Synonyms worship, revere, idolize

WANTON (adj.) reckless; heartless, unjustifiable, loose in morals; (n.) a spoiled, pampered person; one with low morals

Synonyms rash, malicious, spiteful, unprovoked The gas chambers at Auschwitz are a grim testimony to the WANTON cruelty of the Nazis. Antonyms justified, morally strict, responsible Synonyms rash, malicious, spiteful, unprovoked