Vocabulary Level E
Unit 12
abjure
“I denounce these proceedings.
I quit this court!”
The Crucible
Confederate soldiers abjure allegiance
to the South and vow to support the Union.
Abjure
• (v.) to renounce, repudiate under oath; to
avoid; shun
• Synonyms – forswear, retract, recant,
abstain from
• Antonyms – affirm, avow, profess
august
Caesar Augustus
Alps
The coronation of
Queen Elizabeth II
August
• (adj.) majestic, inspiring admiration and
respect
• Synonyms – stately, dignified, exalted,
venerable
• Antonyms – humble, base, mean, lowly
abject
callous
Literally tough skinned
Hit and run
Callous
• (adj.) emotionally hardened, unfeeling
• Synonyms – insensitive, unsympathetic,
thick-skinned
• Antonyms – sensitive, compassionate,
tenderhearted
elated
Elated
• (adj.) in high spirits, jubilant; extremely
pleased
• Synonyms – overjoyed, ecstatic, tickled
pink
• Antonyms – depressed, crestfallen,
despondent, blue
inveterate
Senator Ted Kennedy
Long-standing Massachusetts senator
Inveterate
• (adj.) firmly established, long-standing;
habitual
• Synonyms – persistent, chronic, dyed-inthe-wool
• Antonyms – sporadic, intermittent,
occasional
irrelevant
Are you happily married?
Were you popular in high school?
Are your parents divorced?
Are you close with your siblings?
Job interview
Irrelevant
• (adj.) not to the point, not applicable or
pertinent
• Synonyms – inapplicable, immaterial,
beside the point
• Antonyms – pertinent, material, apropos
quiescent
Quiescent
• (adj.) inactive; at rest
• Synonyms – still, inert, motionless,
dormant, tranquil
• Antonyms – active, thriving, lively, bustling,
volatile
ruminate
Ruminate
• (v.) to meditate, think about at length; to
chew the cud
• Synonyms – ponder, reflect, mull over,
muse
trenchant
Trenchant arguments for not smoking or drinking and driving.
Cancerous lung
Burned in a drunk driving accident
Trenchant
• (adj.) incisive, keen; forceful, effective;
cutting, caustic; distinct, clear-cut
• Synonyms – penetrating cutting, telling
acute
• Antonyms – dull, bland, insipid, vapid,
imperceptive
acrid
clandestine
Secret love
platitude
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If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Whatever!!!
Get a life.
Pack a wallop
Who died and left you boss?
Too big for his britches
I have a bone to pick with you.
compunction
conflagration
indelible
Vivid memory
Permanent marker
Indelible
• (adj.) not able to be erased or removed;
memorable
• Synonyms – lasting, permanent,
unforgettable
• Antonyms – erasable, impermanent
indulgent
Self indulgent
Indulge
bulge
Indulgent parents
nocturnal
quell
tacit
tangible