1. Vocabulary Level F Unit 12

2. absolve (verb) to clear from blame, responsibility, or guilt SYN: acquit, exonerate, vindicate, excuse, pardon ANT: condemn, convict, incriminate, inculpate

3. caricature (noun) a representation (especially a drawing) in which the subject’s characteristic features are deliberately exaggerated; (verb) to present someone or something in a deliberately distorted way SYN: (noun) cartoon, burlesque, parody, lampoon

4. clangor (noun) a loud ringing sound; (verb) to make a loud ringing noise SYN: (noun) din, clamor, uproar ANT: (noun) silence, stillness, peace and quiet

5. contiguous (adjective) side by side, touching; near; adjacent in time SYN: adjoining, abutting, next door to ANT: detached, apart, distant, remote

6. cupidity (noun) an eager desire for something; greed SYN: avarice, rapacity, craving, lust ANT: generosity, contentment, satiation, gratification

7. deleterious (adjective) harmful, injurious SYN: detrimental, destructive, pernicious, damaging ANT: helpful, beneficial, harmless, innocuous

8. enhance (verb) to raise to a higher degree; to increase the value or desirability of SYN: improve, magnify, heighten, elevate ANT: diminish, reduce, lessen, degrade

9. enthrall (verb) to captivate, charm, hold spellbound; to enslave; to imprison SYN: fascinate, enchant, attract, bewitch ANT: bore to tears, repel, put someone off

10. extenuate (verb) to lessen the seriousness or magnitude of an offense by making partial excuses SYN: moderate, mitigate, diminish, downplay ANT: intensify, aggravate, worsen, exacerbate

11. implicit (adjective) implied or understood though unexpressed; without doubts or reservations, unquestioning; potentially contained in SYN: inferred, tacit, unspoken, unconditional ANT: explicit, expressed, stated, revealed

12. incisive (adjective) sharp, keen, penetrating (with a suggestion of decisiveness and effectiveness) SYN: acute, cutting, perceptive, trenchant

13. ostentatious (adjective) marked by conspicuous or display, showy SYN: flashy, overdone, affected, flamboyant ANT: modest, plain, simple, demure, retiring

14. paragon (noun) a model of excellence or perfection SYN: exemplar, ideal, paradigm, model, good example Be Prepared

15. paraphrase (verb) to restate in other words; (noun) a statement that presents a given idea in new language SYN: (verb) reword, rephrase; (noun) a rendition, version ANT: (verb) repeat, verbatim, duplicate, quote

16. politic (adjective) prudent, shrewdly conceived and developed; artful, expedient SYN: tactful, diplomatic, judicious, circumspect ANT: unwise, injudicious, imprudent, rash

17. prosaic (adjective) dull, lacking in distinction and originality; matter-of-fact, straightforward; characteristic of prose, not poetic SYN: commonplace, humdrum, literal, pedestrian ANT: remarkable, distinctive, poetic, inspired

18. redundant (adjective) extra, excess, more than is needed; wordy, repetitive; profuse, lush SYN: unnecessary, superfluous, verbose, prolix ANT: succinct, terse, laconic, scarce, inadequate

19. sanctimonious (adjective) making a show of virtue or righteousness; hypocritically moralistic or pious, self-righteous, canting, holier-than- thou ANT: heartfelt, sincere, humble

20. scintillating (adjective, participle) sparkling, twinkling, exceptionally brilliant (applied to mental or personal qualities) SYN: stimulating, lively, glittering, flashing ANT: dull, boring, insipid, flat, tame, vapid

21. winsome (adjective) charming, attractive, pleasing (often suggesting a childlike charm and innocence) SYN: winning, engaging, delightful, prepossessing ANT: unattractive, unappealing, repulsive