Level E Unit 13 Vocabulary Words

1. Antipathy (n.) strong dislike; hostile feeling Sensible people normally view any form of bigotry with the most profound ANTIPATHY. Synonyms: hostility enmity, aversion, bad blood Antonyms: attraction, appeal, allure, sympathy

2. Applicable (adj.) capable of being applied; relevant, suitable. The protection against being tried for the same crime twice is not APPLICABLE in some cases. Synonyms: appropriate, fit, apt, apposite Antonyms: inappropriate, unsuitable, irrelevant

3. Asset (an.) something of value; a resource; an advantage By law, an annual report must include a detailed breakdown of a company’s ASSETS and liabilities. Synonyms: property, possession, holding, endowment Antonyms: drawback, handicap, liability

4. Beset (v.) to attack from all sides; to surround, hem in, (adj., part.) harassed, troubled; studded (as with jewels) Every federal administration must grapple with the economic woes that BESET the nation. The crown worn by England’s monarchs are BESET with fabulous precious stones. Synonyms: assail, harass, badger, pester, torment

5. Compassion (n.) sympathy for another’s suffering; pity Without the COMPASSION and generosity of donors and volunteers, many charities would shut their doors. Synonym: concern, commiseration, empathy Antonyms: indifference, callousness, heartlessness

6. Decorum (n.) proper behavior, good taste; orderliness Legislative assemblies preserve DECORUM by operating under the rules of parliamentary procedure. Synonyms: Seemliness, good form, propriety Antonyms: impropriety, bad form, bad taste

7. Duress (n.) compulsion by threat; forcible confinement Political prisoners are sometimes subjected to a mild form of DURESS called house arrest. Synonyms: intimidation, coercion Antonyms: persuasion, coaxing, sweet talk, cajolery

8. Exuberant (adj.) high-spirited, enthusiastic, unrestrained; excessive, abundant Unable to control their EXUBERANT spirits, the fans of the popular singer cheered their idol loudly. Synonyms: lively, ebullient, irrepressible, lavish Antonyms: depressed, despondent, sulky, restrained

9. Facsimile (n.) an exact copy A FACSIMILE of the U.S. Constitution is displayed in many classrooms. Synonyms: replica, duplicate, reproduction, clone Antonyms: variation, modification, permutation

10. Imbibe (v.) to drink; to take in, absorb An inquisitive person can IMBIBE knowledge from many sources. Synonyms: swallow, gulp, quaff, assimilate, digest Antonyms: eject, emit, expel, discharge

11. Implacable (adj.) not to be satisfied or pacified; unyielding The peoples of the Arctic have shown that nature need not be an IMPACABLE foe. Synonyms: relentless, inexorable, unappeasable Antonyms: lenient, indulgent, permissive, flexible

12. Infinitesimal (adj.) so small as to be almost immeasurable; minute To a fussy housekeeper, even an INFINITESIMAL amount of dust on a table is unacceptable. Synonyms: tiny, miniscule, microscopic, unnoticeable Antonyms: vast, immense, huge, infinite

13. Innocuous (adj.) harmless, inoffensive, insignificant Conversation at a dinner party may sometimes be confined to pleasant and INNOCUOUS generalities. Synonyms: feeble, impotent, unobjectionable, insipid Antonyms: harmful, dangerous, pernicious, toxic, virulent

14. Militate (v.) to have effect or force on or against someone or something; fight against Health concerns MILITATE strongly against the habitual use of tobacco. Synonyms: counter, oppose, work against

15. Patent (n.) an exclusive right over an invention; copyright (v.) to arrange or obtain such rights (adj.) plain, open to view, copyrighted When the PATENT on a drug expires, any manufacturer may produce it. By the time of his death in 1931, Thomas Edison had PATENTED many inventions. During cross-examination a skilled lawyer may catch a key hostile witness in a PATENT falsehood. Synonyms: exclusive license, evident Antonyms: concealed, hidden, secret, clandestine

16. Prowess (n.) distinguished bravery; superior skill or ability The Greek hero Achilles won fame for his PROWESS in the Trojan War. Synonyms: valor, courage, heroism, mastery, proficiency Antonyms: cowardice, incompetence, ineptitude

17. Sedate (adj.) quiet, settled, sober (v.) to administer a tranquilizer At concerts of classical music, audiences generally behave in a SEDATE manner. A doctor may decide to SEDATE a patient who has suffered emotional shock or physical injury. Synonyms: unruffled, composed, cool and collected Antonyms: loud, brash, flashy, flamboyant, garish, flighty

18. Stentorian (adj.) extremely loud Some public speakers favor a STENTORIAN delivery and emphatic gestures to drive home their message to their listeners. Synonyms: thundering, booming, deafening, earsplitting Antonyms: hushed, inaudible, whispered, mute

19. Stipulate (v.) to arrange specifically; to requires as a condition of agreement A financial institution my STIPULATE that all its employees be fingerprinted. Synonyms: specify, contract, provide for

20. Ultimatum (n.) a final proposal or statement of conditions As a strike deadline draws near, both labor and management can be expected to issue ULTIMATUMS. Synonyms: final terms