1. Vocabulary Unit 11
Level D

2. Brevity
The speech was notable more for its brevity than for its clarity.
(n.) Shortness
Synonyms: conciseness, terseness, pithiness
Antonyms: verbosity, long-windedness, prolixity

3. Comport
As the students left the building, the principal reminded them to comport themselves as emissaries of the school.
(v.) to conduct or bear oneself, behave; to be in agreement
Synonyms: deport oneself, agree, concur

4. Concise
As a rule of thumb, editors and readers appreciate writing that is concise and forceful.
(adj.) expressing much in a few words
Synonyms: brief, succinct, terse, pithy, to the point
Antonyms: wordy, verbose, long-winded, prolix

5. Demure
Despite their demure appearance, they are competitive speed skaters, who are always ready for a challenge on the ice.
(adj.) sober or serious in manner, modest
Synonyms: shy, diffident, sedate, seemly, decorous
Antonyms: bold, forward, assertive, immodest

6. Depreciation
The accountant calculated the depreciation of the computer over a period of five years.
(n.) a lessening in value; a belittling
Synonyms: cheapening, lowering, devaluation
Antonyms: increase, appreciation, enhancement

7. Deteriorate
In a junk yard vehicles deteriorate rapidly when left in the elements.
(v.) to lower in quality or value; to wear away
Synonyms: worsen, decline, degenerate, debase
Antonyms: improve, fix up, enhance

8. Divulge
On some occasions, scrupulous reporters cannot divulge their sources of information.
(v.) to tell, reveal; to make public
Synonyms: disclose, impart, spill the beans, “leak”
Antonyms: hide, conceal, cover up, secrete, keep under wraps

9. Enlightened
An enlightened society is ruled by knowledge and reason rather than superstition and prejudice.
(adj.) free from ignorance and false ideas; possessing sound understanding
Synonyms: knowing, informed, aware, cultivated
Antonyms: ignorant, unaware, untaught, benighted

10. Forestall
Sometimes it is possible to forestall a cold by eating fruit that contain Vitamin C.
(v.) to prevent by acting first
Synonynms: hinder, thwart, preclude, ward off
Antonyms: welcome, accept, allow, submit, abide by

11. Garble
If you’ve played “telephone,” you know how easy it is to garble a message.
(v.) to distort in such a way as to make unintelligible
Synonyms: jumble, scramble, confuse, misrepresent
Antonyms: clarify, elucidate, articulate

12. Proponent
Lucretia Coffin Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were among the first proponents of women’s suffrage in the United States.
(n.) one who puts forward a proposal; one who supports a cause or belief
Synonyms: supporter, advocate, exponent
Antonyms: opponent, critic, foe, adversary

13. Quaver My voice quavers whenever I try to reach the high notes.
(v.) to shake, tremble; to trill
Synonyms: quiver, vibrate, shiver, quake, palpitate

14. Recoil
When a cannon is fired it will recoil from the blast springing back and then will roll forward again.
(v.) to spring back, to shrink; (n.) the act of springing back
Synonyms: (v) flinch; (n) kickback
Antonyms: (v) advance, proceed, gain ground

15. recoup (v)
I plan to recoup my family’s lost fortune by working hard, earning extra money, and investing wisely.
to make up for, regain
S: recover, retrieve
A: lose, default, forfeit, kiss goodbye

16. Reek
The unmistakable reek of spoiled food greeted us as we entered the long-abandoned cabin.
(n.) an unpleasant smell; (v.) to give off unpleasant smells; to give a strong impression
Syn0nyms: (n) stench; (v) stink, smell
Antonyms: (n) perfume, fragrance, bouquet

17. Relentless
The novel Les Miserables recounts ex-convict Jean Valjean’s lifelong flight from a relentless police inspector.
(adj.) unyielding, harsh, without pity
Synonyms: stern, merciless, persistent, unremitting
Antonyms: merciful, accommodating, indulgent

18. Rivulet
While we could hear the running water, dense vegetation hid the rivulet from view.
(n.)a small stream
Synonyms: brook, creek, rill

19. Squander
I think that it is criminal to squander our natural resources.
(v.) to spend foolishly, waste
Synonyms: misspend, dissipate
Antonyms: save, economize, hoard, squirrel away

20. Staccato
We strained to listen, and we heard staccato hoof beats striking the pavement.
(adj.) detached or disconnected in sound or style
Synonyms: abrupt, disjointed
Antonyms: continuous, flowing, unbroken

21. Statute
Lawyers will often consult cases of law to examine how statues have been upheld by the courts.
(n.) a law
Synonyms: rule, ordinance, enactment