noun
Geiger-Fields Midterm Word List
1. aplomb
[uh-pluhm]
poise, great self-confidence
SYNONYMS: composure, levelheadedness
ANTONYMS: confusion, embarrassment
Considering the family’s tense mood, you handled the situation with aplomb.
2. aura
[or-uh]
that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality
SYNONYMS: ambience, atmosphere
What people thought was her aura of mystery was actually a mask for her shyness.
3. epitome
[ih-pit-uh-mee]
an instance that represents a larger reality; a perfect or ideal example
SYNONYMS: essence, embodiment
ANTONYMS: imperfect, flawed
Admitting when you have been fairly defeated is the epitome of sportsmanship.
4. interloper
[in-ter-loh-per]
one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder
SYNONYMS: trespasser, buttinsky
ANTONYMS: guest, tenant
The crowd was so eager to see the band perform that they resented the opening singer as an
interloper.
5. lassitude
[las-i-tood]
weariness of body or mind, lack of energy
6. propensity
[pruh-pen-si-tee]
an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way
SYNONYMS: fatigue, lethargy
ANTONYMS: energy, animation
On some days, I am overcome by lassitude at the thought of so many more years of schooling.
multiple parts of speech
SYNONYMS: proclivity, penchant
ANTONYMS: inability
Queen Elizabeth I showed a strong propensity for putting off decisions in hopes that they would
resolve themselves.
7. contraband
[kon-truh-band]
(n.) illegal traffic, smuggled goods
(adj.) illegal, prohibited
SYNONYMS: (adj.) bootleg, unlawful
ANTONYMS: (adj.) legal, allowed
(n.) Three jeweled combs from the 17th century were among the contraband seized by the
police.
8. drivel
[driv-uhl]
(n.) foolish, aimless talk or thinking
(v.) to utter nonsense or childish babble
SYNONYMS: (n.) nonsense, rubbish
ANTONYMS: (n.) truth, sense
(n.) To me, my dream made perfect sense, but when I told it to my friend, it sounded like drivel.
9. surmise
[ser-mahyz]
(n.) likely certain
(v.) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence
SYNONYMS: (v.) guess, inference
ANTONYMS: (n.) definite, (v.) skeptical
(v.) I cannot be sure, but I surmise that she will not accept my apology, no matter what I say.
Geiger-Fields Midterm Word List
10. curtail
[ker-teyl]
to cut short; bring to a halt or end sooner than expected; to reduce
SYNONYMS: limit, diminish
ANTONYMS: extend, develop
It is time yet again to curtail the flow of unwanted nonsense that somehow reaches me via email.
11. exhort
[ig-zawrt]
to urge strongly, advise earnestly
SYNONYMS: encourage, implore
ANTONYMS: discourage, advise against
With dramatic gestures, our fans vigorously exhort the team to play harder.
12. harangue
[huh-rang]
13. infringe
[in-frinj]
14. ingratiate
[in-grey-shee-eyt]
to speak to someone in a forceful or angry way
SYNONYMS: spouting, chewing out
ANTONYMS: acclaim, glorify
Many customers at Best Buy harangue the Geek Squad when they can’t quickly fix their
computer issues.
to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds
SYNONYMS: encroach, intrude
ANTONYMS: stay in bounds, comply
If you continue to infringe on my responsibilities, will you also take the blame for any of my
mistakes?
to gain favor or approval for (yourself) by doing or saying things that people like
adjective
SYNONYMS: cozy up to, people pleaser
ANTONYMS: offend, repel
It is not a good idea to ingratiate oneself by saying overly sweet comments.
15. transcend
[tran-send]
to rise above or beyond, exceed
16. adamant
[ad-uh-muhnt]
firm in purpose, opinion or attitude
17. affable
[af-uh-buhl]
courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to
18. bombastic
[bom-bas-tik]
pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of
ideas
SYNONYMS: surpass, outshine
ANTONYMS: fail, inferior
A great work of art may be said to transcend time, and it is remembered for decades, or even
centuries.
SYNONYMS: unrelenting, resolute
ANTONYMS: flexible, yielding
The government was adamant in its refusal to negotiate with terrorists.
SYNONYMS: amicable, cordial
ANTONYMS: surly, inhospitable
We spent a pleasant afternoon with our affable neighbors.
SYNONYMS: highfalutin, pretentious
ANTONYMS: unadorned, plain
He delivered a bombastic speech that did not even address our problems.
19. callow
[kal-oh]
inexperienced; immature, lacking sophistication and poise
SYNONYMS: unfledged, juvenile
ANTONYMS: mature, classy
They entered the army as callow recruits and left as seasoned veterans.
Geiger-Fields Midterm Word List
20. erudite
[er-yoo-dahyt]
scholarly, learned, bookish
SYNONYMS: profoundly educated, well-read
ANTONYMS: ignorant, illiterate
For my paper, I would like to find an erudite history of the subject written in a clear and
unbiased manner.
21. irrevocable
[ih-rev-uh-kuh-buhl]
incapable of being changed or called back
SYNONYMS: unalterable, permanent
ANTONYMS: reversible, changeable
We tend to think of court verdicts as irrevocable, but they are often overturned by higher
courts.
22. meritorious
[mer-i-tohr-ee-uhs]
worthy, deserving recognition and praise
SYNONYMS: praiseworthy, commendable
ANTONYMS: blameworthy, reprehensible
Many years of meritorious service could not dissuade him from feeling that he had not chosen
work that he liked.
23. jaded
[jey-did]
wearied, worn-out, dulled
24. lurid
[loo r-id]
causing shock, horror, or revulsion
25. sedulous
[sej-uh-luhs]
persistent, showing industry and determination
SYNONYMS: bored, blasé
ANTONYMS: activated
The wilted handclasp and the fast-melting smile mark the jaded refugee from too many parties.
SYNONYMS: gruesome, gory
ANTONYMS: pleasant, attractive
Bright, sensational, and often lurid, some old-time movie posters make today’s newspaper ads
look tame.
SYNONYMS: diligent, steadfast
ANTONYMS: slacking, inactive
No one could say that he was lazy, for he was a careful, sedulous copier of other people’s word.