simplistic (adjective) Variants: simplistically (adverb) Definition: oversimplified; avoiding or ignoring complexities Synonym: unsophisticated, naive Antonym: sophisticated, complicated His simplistic plan for economic improvement failed to account for foreign investment and the GNP.

incredulous (adjective) Variants: incredulously (adverb); incredulousness (noun); incredulity (noun) Definition: unwilling or unable to believe; showing disbelief Synonym: skeptical Antonym: credulous, gullible The politician’s lavish promises provoked incredulous responses rather than the admiration he sought.

ascetic (adjective) Variants: ascetically (adverb) Definition: Reflecting self-denial (as in religious discipline); choosing minimal comforts Synonyms: austere, Spartan Antonym: self-indulgent, hedonistic Her modest room reflected the ascetic values she advocated.

vicarious (adjective) vicariously (adverb), vicariousness (noun) Definition: Experienced through someone else rather than first hand; endured as substitute for someone else; delegated synonym: second-hand [experience] antonym: actual [experience] Because she loved her son, she found vicarious pleasure in his tremendous successes.

allocation (noun) Variants: allocate (verb), allocatable (adjective); allocator (noun) Definition: the act of setting aside for a special purpose; designation Synonym: allotment, apportionment Antonym: abandonment Sentence: The mayor insisted the park district include an allocation of land in order to build a playground. The mayor insisted the parked district allocate land for a playground.

admonish (transitive verb) Variants: admonishment (noun) Definition: To caution, criticize, or counsel gently against Synonym: chastise, reproach, rebuke Antonym: approve, commend, praise The anti-tobacco lobbyist admonished the President for his inability to quit smoking.