noun
Word List #2
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. 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.
3. interloper
[in-ter-loh-per]
one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder
multiple parts of speech
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.
4. lassitude
[las-i-tood]
weariness of body or mind, lack of energy
5. drivel
[driv-uhl]
(n.) foolish, aimless talk or thinking
(v.) to utter nonsense or childish babble
SYNONYMS: fatigue, lethargy
ANTONYMS: energy, animation
On some days, I am overcome by lassitude at the thought of so many more years of schooling.
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.
6. surmise
[ser-mahyz]
(n.) likely certain
(v.) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence
verb
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.
7. ameliorate
[uh-meel-yuh-reyt]
to improve, make better
8. curtail
[ker-teyl]
to cut short; bring to a halt or end sooner than expected; to reduce
SYNONYMS: amend, better
ANTONYMS: worsen, aggravate
A hot meal can ameliorate the discomforts of even the coldest day.
SYNONYMS: limit, diminish
ANTONYMS: extend, develop
It is time yet again to curtail the flow of unwanted nonsense that somehow reaches me via email.
9. 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.
10. infringe
[in-frinj]
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?
11. ingratiate
[in-grey-shee-eyt]
Word List #2
to gain favor or approval for (yourself) by doing or saying things that people like
SYNONYMS: cozy up to, people pleaser
ANTONYMS: offend, repel
It is not a good idea to ingratiate oneself by saying overly sweet comments.
12. harangue
[huh-rang]
to speak to someone in a forceful or angry way
adjective
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.
13. bombastic
[bom-bas-tik]
pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of
ideas
SYNONYMS: highfalutin, pretentious
ANTONYMS: unadorned, plain
He delivered a bombastic speech that did not even address our problems.
14. callow
[kal-oh]
inexperienced; immature, lacking sophistication and poise
15. intrinsic
[in-trin-zik]
belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential
SYNONYMS: unfledged, juvenile
ANTONYMS: mature, classy
They entered the army as callow recruits and left as seasoned veterans.
SYNONYMS: innate, inherent
ANTONYMS: external, outward
It had been my father’s favorite book when he was my age, but for me it held little intrinsic
interest.
16. meritorious
[mer-i-tohr-ee-uhs]
worthy, deserving recognition and praise
17. petulant
[pech-uh-luhnt]
annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset
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.
SYNONYMS: resentful, waspish
ANTONYMS: amiable, placid
An overworked parent may be unlikely to indulge the complaints of a petulant child.
18. precocious
[pri-koh-shuhs]
exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age
SYNONYMS: cocky, bright
ANTONYMS: stupid, unintelligent
A precocious musician, he was giving concerts when he was seven.
19. querulous
[kwer-uh-luhs]
complaining in an annoyed way; habitually whining
20. stringent
[strin-juhnt]
strict, severe
SYNONYMS: bearish, fussy
ANTONYMS: cheerful, easy-going
Their car trips were frequently spoiled by a couple of querulous passengers in the back.
SYNONYMS: stern, tough
ANTONYMS: lenient, mild
Some argue that more stringent laws against speeding will make our streets safer.