 GROUP 2 
DIGRESS: v. to wander off from the subject or topic spoken about
- We don’t have time to digress from the main issue right now.
- The digressions in Carl’s speech interested me more than the main topic.
- Mr. Helms habitually digresses from the point of the lesson.
Synonym: stray, deviate
Antonym: stay on course
INSOLENT: adj. boldly disrespectful in speech or behavior; rude
- When Ernie told the principal to “bug off,” his insolence earned him a
suspension from school.
- “No insolent remarks on the ball field,” warned the coach. “Teammates will
respect each other even if they strike out.”
- Before she met with that wild crowd, Meghan was quiet and demure. Now
she’s an insolent, foul-mouthed, roughneck.
Synonym: brazen, cocky
Antonym: polite, respectful
ODIOUS: adj. loathsome; evil; revolting in a disgusting way
- John has the odious habit of clipping his toenails in class.
- I can’t imagine a more odious crime than child abuse.
- The Weird Sisters from Macbeth were odious characters who tricked Macbeth
into killing in order to become King of Scotland.
Synonym: horrid, creep
Antonym: appealing, pleasant
EFFERVESCENT: adj. lively; full of uplifted spirit; vivacious
- Distressed over losing the car keys, Beth was less effervescent than usual.
- The root beer has lost its effervescence and tasted like bad cough syrup.
Synonym: bubbly, animated
Antonym: listless, flat
GUILE- n. crafty deceit; cunning
- Many clever figures from Greek mythology relied upon guile as an expedient.
- My aversion to the guile which Elton used exacerbated our shaky relationship.
- Iago’s guile and duplicity were successful in destroying Othello.
Synonym: treachery, deception
Antonym: honesty, candor
EPICUREAN: adj. having to do with relishing the pleasure of eating and drinking (n.
epicure)
- A McDonald’s hamburger and fries may taste good to some people, but it is
not my idea of an epicurean meal.
- As a die-hard epicure, Clyde eats at only the very best restaurants.
Synonym: connoisseur, gourmet
Antonym: austere
INCISIVE: adj. sharp; keen; penetrating
- Incisive criticism by the newspaper’s film reviewer led us to a renewed
appreciation of the movie.
- Following Huntley’s incisive analysis, the bond traders were immediately
motivated into a frenzy of selling.
Synonym: profound, bright
Antonym: dull, imperceptive
FERVENT: adj. filled with passionate emotion
- The minister asked her congregation to pray fervently for the safe return of the
lost child.
- He’s a fervent cat breeder; nothing is as important to him as raising cats.
- She’s a nut for crossword puzzles, but she hasn’t always been so fervent about
doing them.
Synonym: enthusiastic, zealous
Antonym: indifferent, apathetic
ESOTERIC: adj. understood by only a select few
- Dr. Thorpe’s scholarship was so esoteric that it attracted little attention.
- I avoid books with esoteric themes, but enjoy those which are realistic and
easy to comprehend.
Synonym: abstract, cryptic
Antonym: obvious, familiar
SYCOPHANT: n. a self-server who tries to gain the favor of others through the use of
flattery or by being over attentive
- The king couldn’t distinguish the honest advisors from the sycophants who
flattered him for personal gain.
- Myron couldn’t get a promotion on his merits, so he got one by being a
sycophant to his boss.
- Jason made a sycophantic speech full of praise and flattery for the chairman.
Synonym: adulator, suck up
Antonym: arrogant