UNIT 11
LEVEL F
Adjective
Definition: deserving of blame or
correction
Synonyms: blameworthy,
discreditable, reprehensible
Antonyms: commendable,
laudable, meritorious
Sentence: Even though he tried to
deny any knowledge of the
wrongdoing, we all knew that he
was censurable and deserving of
blame for the act.
CENSURABLE
Adjective or Noun
Definition: likely but not certain to
happen, possible; dependent on
uncertain events or conditions; happening
by chance; (n.) a representative group
forming part of a larger group
Synonyms: (adj.) conditional, dependent;
(n.) a detachment
Antonyms: (adj.) independent of,
unconnected with, certain
Sentence: The sale of the property was
contingent on the approval of financing
from the bank which the buyers thought
was likely to happen.
CONTINGENT
Verb
Definition: to confirm, make more
certain, bolster, substantiate, verify
Synonyms: authenticate, endorse,
substantiate
Antonyms: (adj.) refute, contradict,
undermine, discredit
Sentence: The witness
corroborated the evidence
confirming and substantiating the
accused claims that he was
nowhere near the scene of the
crime at the time the robbery was
committed.
CORROBORATE
Verb
Definition: to scatter or
spread widely
Synonyms: disperse,
publicize, broadcast,
circulate
Antonyms: bring together,
concentrate, muster,
conceal, hide
Sentence: Social media is
often used to disseminate
information about celebrities
and publicize their careers.
DISSEMINATE
Adjective
Definition: awkward, lacking in social
graces, tactless, clumsy
Synonyms: inept, uncouth, maladroit
Antonyms: adroit, tactful, diplomatic
Sentence: Benjamin Franklin once
said that “Guests, like fish, begin to
smell in three days.” Tactless guests
are gauche when they don’t heed
Franklin’s advice and wear out their
welcome by departing before they
being to smell.
GAUCHE
Noun
Definition: an opinion different
from accepted belief; the denial of
an idea that is generally held
sacred
Synonyms: unorthodox belief,
heterodoxy
Antonyms: orthodox
Sentence: Joan of Arc was burned
at the stake found guilty of the
charges of heresy by the Church
because of her unorthodox beliefs
that she heard the voice of God
speak to her.
HERESY
Adjective
Definition: capable of being touched
or felt; easily see; heard, or
recognized
Synonyms: obvious, manifest,
tangible, touchable
Antonyms: intangible, insubstantial
Sentence: In the short story, “The
Most Dangerous Game the word
palpable is personified in the
following quote: “Can't see it,”
remarked Rainsford, trying to peer
through the dank tropical night that
was palpable as it pressed its thick
warm blackness in upon the yacht.
PALPABLE
Adjective
Definition: having sympathetic
insight or understanding,
capable of keen appreciation
Synonyms: insightful, discerning
Antonyms: dense, obtuse
Sentence: Even in the dark of
night, a cat’s eyesight is very
perceptive. Through keen
observation and insight a cat
can navigate in the dark better
than human beings.
PERCEPTIVE
Adjective
Definition: extremely harmful;
deadly, fatal
Synonyms: injurious, baleful,
noxious
Antonyms: harmless,
innocuous
Sentence: In ancient times,
the night air was once thought
to have a pernicious effect on
infants who were in poor
health causing them extreme
harm or even death.
PERNICIOUS
Verb
Definition: to make or become
dry and withered; to char or
scorch the surface of; to harden
or make unfeeling; to parch,
singe
Synonyms: burn
Sentence: In order to keep a
steak juicy and tender on the
inside a chef will sear the
outside grilling it at a high
temperature so the flames
scorch and seal in the juices.
SEAR