ACT Power Plus
Vocabulary
Lesson Five
fop (noun) – an excessively fashion-conscious
man
When he came in wearing a bow tie, a diamond
pinky ring, and carrying a pearl-handled cane, we
knew he was a fop.
Synonyms
• dandy
imprecation (noun) – a curse
Jennifer was so angry she pronounced an
imprecation on him, his family, and all his friends.
Synonyms
• condemnation
• anathema
Antonyms
• blessing
non sequitur (noun) – something that does
not logically follow
“That he would not be a good mayor because he
can’t control his family is a non sequitur,” said
John.
Synonyms
• fallacy
• misconception
sanguine (adj.) – cheerful; optimistic
Sally’s sanguine personality made everyone in her
company pleased to be with her.
bowdlerize (verb) – to remove offensive
passages of a play, novel, etc.
If the editors bowdlerize much more of the book,
there won’t be anything left to read.
Synonyms
• censor
impair (verb) – to weaken; to cause to
become worse
Mother used to say that reading in poor light
could impair your vision.
Synonyms
Antonyms
• damage
• deteriorate
• enhance
panegyric (noun) – an expression of praise
The ancient Greeks gave panegyrics and crowns of
ivy in tribute to their heroes.
Synonyms
• tribute
• extolment
Antonyms
• denunciation
quandary (noun) – a puzzling situation; a
dilemma
John was in a quandary deciding what his major
should be.
Synonyms
• predicament
ebullient- (adj.) – enthusiastic
The ebullient crowd cheered as the royal family
appeared.
Synonyms
• exuberant
• lively
Antonyms
• dejected
• dispirited
deference (noun) – respect; consideration
In deference to the young widow, we move quietly
aside and allowed her to leave first.
carnal (adj.) – relating to physical appetite,
especially sexual
After receiving complaints, the town council
decided to remove the carnal statue from the park
area.
Synonyms
Antonyms
• erotic
• chaste
• modest
nebulous (adj.) – hazy; vague; uncertain
He had a nebulous feeling of fear all day, but he
didn’t understand why until the thunder started.
Synonyms
Antonyms
• cloudy
• indistinct
• obscure
• distinct
• precise
rakish (adj.) – dashingly stylish and confident
Wanting to look rakish for his job interview,
Jeremy shined his shoes and pressed razor-edge
creases into his shirt and slacks.
Synonyms
• dapper
• jaunty
Antonyms
• slovenly
• disheveled
elegy (noun) – a sad or mournful poem
The reading of the elegy brought tears during the
funeral.
Synonyms
• dirge
• lament
pedantic (adj.) – tending to show off one’s
learning
After one year of college, Tom lost all of his friends
because of his pedantic behavior.
Synonyms
• bookish