English 111
Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary
Level G, Unit 13
Murphy
Abstruse (clue = obtuse wouldn’t get it)
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(adj.) extremely
difficult to
understand
Synonyms:
esoteric, arcane,
recondite, occult
Antonyms:
simple,
straightforward
Affront (clue=confront)
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(n.) an open or
intentional insult; a
slight; (v.) to insult to
one’s face; to face in
defiance, confront
Synonyms: (n.)
offense; (v.) offend
Antonym: (n., v.)
compliment, praise
Canard (sing like a canary)
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(n.) a false rumor,
fabricated story
Synonym: hoax
Captious (clue=capt.)
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(adj.) excessively ready
to find fault; given to petty
criticism; intending to
trap, confuse, or show-up
Synonyms: faultfinding;
nit-picking, carping
Antonym: uncritical
Cognizant (clue = recognize)
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(adj.) aware,
knowledgeable, informed;
having jurisdiction
Synonyms: conscious,
acquainted
Antonyms: unaware,
unconscious, oblivious
Contrite (clue=ex-con)
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(adj.) regretful for
some misdeed or sin;
plagued by a sense of
guilt; thoroughly
penitent
Synonyms:
remorseful, rueful
Antonyms:
unrepentant,
unapologetic,
impenitent
Cynosure (clue=nose)
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(n.) the center of
attraction, attention,
or interest;
something that
serves to guide or
direct
Synonym: focus
Decorous (clue=well-decorated)
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(adj.) well behaved,
dignified socially
proper
Synonyms: seemly,
becoming, tasteful
Antonyms: unseemly,
unbecoming,
improper, tasteless
Deign (clue=reign supreme)
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(v.) to think it
appropriate or
suitable to one’s
dignity to do
something; to
condescend
Synonyms: deem,
stoop
Desiccated (clue=desert)
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(adj.) thoroughly dried
out; divested of spirit or
vitality; arid and
uninteresting
Synonyms: dehydrated,
shriveled, parched
Antonyms: sodden,
soggy, waterlogged,
drenched
Efficacy (clue=efficient, effective)
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(n.) the power to
produce a desired
result
Synonyms:
effectiveness,
potency, reliability
Antonyms:
ineffectiveness,
impotence
Engender (clue=two genders)
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(v.) to bring into
existence, give rise
to, produce; to come
into existence,
assume form
Synonyms: beget,
generate, cause, form
Antonyms: stop, deter
Ethereal (clue=almost not real)
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(adj.) light, airy, delicate;
highly refined; suggesting
what is heavenly (rather
than earthbound)
Synonyms: heavenly,
celestial, gossamer
Antonyms: infernal,
hellish, thick, heavy
Façade (clue=face)
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(n.) the front or face
of the building; a
surfaced
appearance (as
opposed to what
may lie behind)
Synonyms: exterior,
surface, mask,
pretense
Antonym: interior
Ghoulish (clue-ghoul)
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(adj.) revolting in an
unnatural or morbid
way; suggestive of
someone who robs
graves or otherwise
preys on the dead
Synonyms: fiendish,
barbarous, monstrous
Incongruous (clue=congress)
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(adj.) not in keeping,
unsuitable,
incompatible
Synonyms:
discordant, jarring
Antonyms:
compatible,
harmonious,
consistent
Machination (clue=Machiavelli)
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(n.) a crafty,
scheming, or
underhanded action
designed to
accomplish some
(usually evil) end
Synonyms: plot,
scheme, maneuver
Mesmerize (clue=hypnotize with
eyes)
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(v.) to hypnotize,
entrance; to fascinate,
enthrall, bewitch
Opprobrium (clue=probation)
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(n.) disgrace arising from
shameful conduct;
contempt, reproach
Synonyms: infamy,
dishonor, odium, shame
Antonyms: acclaim,
honor, glory, renown
Putative (clue=reputed)
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(adj.) generally regarded
as such; reputed,
hypothesized, inferred
Synonym: supposed,
presumed
Antonyms: known,
corroborated, confirmed