Level E Unit 10 Vocabulary Words 1 Acquiesce

Level E Unit 10 Vocabulary Words

1. Acquiesce • (v. ) to accept without protest; to agree or submit Management is not likely to ACQUIESCE to union demands for raises because the company’s profits have been on the decline. Synonyms: comply with, accede, consent, yield Antonyms: resist, protest

2. Allure • (v. ) to entice, tempt; to be attractive to; (n. ) a strong attraction; the power to attract, charm Dreams of stardom ALLURE many gifted young performers from all over the country to the bright lights of Broadway. The ALLURE of get-rich-quick schemes may lead people down the road to financial ruin. Synonyms: beguile, tantalize, temptation, enticement Antonyms: repel, turn off, repellent

3. Askew • (adj. , adv. ) twisted to one side, crooked; disapprovingly Some people cannot refrain from straightening lampshades that are a little ASKEW. All our plans for a picnic on the beach went suddenly ASKEW when it began to rain. Synonyms: awry, lopsided, cockeyed Antonyms: straight, symmetrical

4. Blithe • (adj. ) cheerful, lighthearted; casual, unconcerned It is difficult to deflate the BLITHE optimism of the young. Synonyms: carefree, nonchalant, indifferent Antonyms: glum, morose, despondent, depressed

5. Contentious • (adj. ) quarrelsome, inclined to argue The members of the on-line discussion group were annoyed by the newcomer’s CONTENTIOUS and rude remarks. Synonym: argumentative, disputations, combative Antonyms: agreeable, amiable, affable, pacific

6. Covet • (v. ) to desire something belonging to another Those who COVET the good fortune of others are likely to be unhappy with their own lot in life. Synonyms: crave, yearn for, hunger for Antonyms: disdain, scorn, despise

7. Crestfallen • (adj. ) discouraged, dejected, downcast Despite the loss of an important labor endorsement, the candidate appeared in no way CRESTFALLEN. Synonyms: despondent, disconsolate Antonyms: elated, cheerful, self-satisfied, cocky

8. Disheveled • (adj. ) rumpled, mussed; hanging in disorder Most people look a little bit DISHEVELED when they get up in the morning. Synonyms: untidy, disarranged, tousled, unkempt Antonyms: tidy, neat, orderly, well-groomed

9. Exponent • (n. ) one who advocates, speaks for, explains or interprets • (in math) the power to which a number, symbol, or expression is to be raised. President Theodore Roosevelt was one of the first EXPONENTS of conservation. The small raised numbers in a math problem are EXPONENTS. Synonyms: defender, champion, interpreter Antonyms: critic, adversary, faultfinder, detractor

10. Garrulous • (adj. ) given to much talking, tediously chatty If you are conversing with a GARRULOUS individual, you may find it hard to get a word in edgewise. Synonyms: talkative, loquacious, long-winded Antonyms: reticent, mum, taciturn, laconic, reserved

11. Insuperable • (adj. ) incapable of being overcome To the composer Beethoven, increasing deafness was not an INSUPERABLE handicap. Synonyms: invincible, insurmountable Antonyms: surmountable, conquerable

12. Lamentable • (adj. ) to be regretted or pitied After a long, hard winter, city streets may be in a truly LAMENTABLE state of disrepair. Synonyms: deplorable, regrettable, distressing Antonyms: praiseworthy, commendable, laudable

13. Misnomer • (n. ) an unsuitable or misleading name The term World Series is a MISNOMER because only North American teams participate in the event. Synonyms: misnaming, malapropism

14. Profess • (v. ) to affirm openly; to state beliefs in; to claim, pretend My music teacher PROFESSED herself satisfied with my progress so far. Synonyms: assert, declare, proclaim, purport Antonyms: disclaim, disavow, repudiate

15. Respite • (n. ) a period of relief or rest A vacation provides a RESPITE from the worries and responsibilities of everyday life. Synonyms: interval, intermission, lull, breather

16. Retribution • (n. ) repayment; a deserved punishment In most ancient societies RETRIBUTION was swiftly visited on those who broke promises. Synonyms: recompense, requital, just desserts

17. Sinuous • (adj. ) winding, having many curves; lithe and flexible The trunk of the tree was almost completely encased by SINUOUS vines. Synonyms: twisting, convoluted, serpentine, supple Antonyms: direct, straight, unbending, stiff, rigid

18. Sonorous • (adj. ) full, deep, or rich in sound; impressive in style The SONOROUS tolling of church bells announced the passing of the monarch. Synonyms: resonant, resounding, grandiloquent Antonyms: tinny, reedy, harsh, grating

19. Vanguard • (n. ) the foremost part of an army; the leading position in any field If a high-tech company is to survive in today’s marketplace, it must remain in the VANGUARD of innovation. Synonyms: forefront, cutting edge, trailblazers Antonyms: rear guard, stragglers, laggards

20. Wastrel • (n. ) a wasteful person, spendthrift, a good-fornothing Many a novel has told the sorry tale of a charming but self-destructive WASTREL. Synonyms: loafer, idler, squanderer, profligate Antonyms: skinflint, tightwad, miser