Chuẩn bị kỹ vốn từ vựng trước khi bước vào phòng thi sẽ khiến các em tự tin hơn. Hôm nay, Cô sẽ chia sẽ 1000 từ vựng cực kì hữu ích kèm theo bộ từ đồng nghĩa – trái nghĩa cho IELTS Writing. Hy vọng đây sẽ giúp được các em phần nào trên con đường chinh phục IELTS.
ABANDON: To give up completely – abandoned the sinking ship. Synonyms: relinquish, forgo, forsake
ACADEMIC: Pertaining to school; theoretical academic interests; an academic discussion, with no practical implications.
Synonym: scholastic
ACCELERATE: – To quicken, speed tip – took an accelerated course in order to graduate early. Synonym: expedite (adj. expeditious)
Antonym: retard
ADVERSITY: Misfortune – calm in the face of adversity. Synonyms: affliction, mischance, reverses
AGGRESSIVE (noun: AGGRESSION. an unprovoked attack): self-assertive; attacking, offensive – annoyed people by his aggressive attitude;
Synonyms: bumptious, officious, obtrusive Antonyms: meek, humble, retiring, diffident
AMBIGUOUS: Uncertain, vague, capable of being inter- in more than one way – puzzled by the
ambiguous statement.
Synonyms: hazy, obscure, equivocal, dubious, nebulous Antonyms: explicit, unquestionable
ANONYMOUS: Of unknown authorship-an anonymous publication.
APPREHENSIVE (verb: APPREHEND): Fearful – Being unprepared, John is apprehensive of the examination.
ARTFUL: Sly; crafty – attained his mean objective by artful measures. Synonyms: cunning, wily, adroit, ingenious, guileful
Antonyms: guileless, ingenuous, artless
ATHEIST: One who denies that God exists – The atheist declared, “There is no God.” Synonyms: infidel, agnostic, sceptic
ATTRIBUTE (verb): Assign –attributed his success to bard work.
Synonym: ascribe
(noun): An inherent quality -Generosity was his outstanding attribute.
AUTHENTIC: Genuine -proved to be an authentic document. Synonyms: veritable, bona fide
Antonyms; apocryphal, counterfeit, spurious, bogus
BANTER: Good-natured teasing or ridicule-The two wits I exchanged banter, to the amusement of the audience.
Synonyms: raillery, chaff
BIASED: Prejudiced – misled by a biased point of view. Synonyms: bigoted, arbitrary, partial, partisan Antonyms: disinterested, equitable
BIZARRE: Queer; unusual in appearance- bizarre clothes, outlandish in the extreme. Synonyms: odd, fantastic, grotesque, eccentric
BOG: A swamp – sank into the spongy bog. Synonyms: morass, fen, quagmire, mire
CANDID (noun: CANDOR): Frank, outspoken; impartial a candid reply that could hardly be more forthright.
Synonyms: artless, ingenuous, unbiased Antonyms: guileful, evasive
CHRONIC: Continuing a long time; habitual-a. chronic complaint, persisting for years. Synonyms: persistent, unremitting, inveterate, incessant, constant
Antonyms: intermittent, sporadic, infrequent
CIVIL:
- Of or having to do with citizens or the state – We I civil duties as well as civil
liberties.
- Polite, courteous – answered in a civil
Synonyms: respectful, gracious
COALITION (verb: COALESCE): Alliance; merging of various units into one unit – three parties forming a coalition to rule the country.
Synonyms: amalgamation, consolidation, fusion
COLLUSION: Working together secretly for an evil purpose – acted in collusion to overthrow the government.
Synonyms: collaboration, conspiracy, conniving, machination
COMPATIBLE: Harmonious; able, to get along together parted company because they were not
compatible.
Synonyms: congruous, consistent
Antonyms: incongruous, discordant, incompatible
COMPENSATION: Payment for services – just compensation for his labor. Synonyms: stipend, remuneration, recompense, emolument
COMPLACENT: Self-satisfied – looked on his own performance with a complacent smile. Synonym: smug
CONDOLE (noun: CONDOLENCE): To express sympathy with another in sorrow, pain, or misfortune – condoled with each other in their grief.
Synonyms: commiserate, show compassion, solace
CONDONE: To forgive or overlook (an offense) – condoned the deed, in view of the offender’s age.
Synonyms: extenuate, palliate, mitigate, gloss
CONSENSUS. General agreement – The consensus of the committee was that no action should be taken.
Synonym: accord
COSMOPOLITAN (noun): One who is at home in all countries – A cosmopolitan can feel at ease anywhere in the world.
(adj.): Free from local prejudices – a world-wide traveller, cosmopolitan in tastes and attitudes. Synonyms: Catholic
Antonyms: parochial, provincial
CRASS: Coarse and stupid – displayed crass ignorance.
Synonym: gross
CREDIBLE: Worthy of belief – a credible story, true to life.
Antonym: incredible
CREDITABLE: Deserving or reflecting Credit or honour – applauded for his creditable
performance.
Synonyms: praiseworthy, meritorious, commendable Antonyms: discreditable, infamous, opprobrious, ignominious
CURT: Rudely abrupt -offended by the curt response. Synonyms: blunt, brusque, bluff
Antonyms: affable, civil
DELINQUENT (noun): An offender – found to be a delinquent by the court.
(adj.): Failing to fulfil an obligation – too many people who are delinquent in meeting their civic duties.
Synonym: derelict
DEMEANOR: Behaviour; bearing – carrying himself with a proud demeanour.
Synonyms: deportment, mien
DENOUNCE (noun: DENUNCIATION): To speak against – denounced by the press as a traitor. Synonyms: stigmatize, censure, reprehend, castigate
Antonyms: laud, eulogize
DEPRECIATE: To belittle or speak slightingly of – depreciated John’s acting ability.
Synonyms: disparage, derogate (adj. derogatory) Antonyms: enhance, magnify, extol, laud, eulogize
DEVIOUS:
- Winding; indirect – took a devious, rather than the direct way
Synonym: circuitous
- Straying from the right course – used devious means to attain his wicked Synonyms: crooked, erring
DEVOUT: Devoted to religious observances – devout in his regularity of attendance at worship. Synonyms: pious, religious
Antonym: impious
DILEMMA: A situation calling for a choice between two equally difficult alternatives; hence, a difficult or perplexing situation – faced with a dilemma defying solution.
Synonyms: predicament, quandary, plight
DISCRETE: Separate – two discrete issues, totally unrelated.
DISTRAUGHT: Mentally distressed; distracted – distraught by trials and tribulations. Synonym: harassed
DIVERSE: (verb: DIVERSIFY; noun: DIVISIBILITY): Varied; different – two diverse
characters; one candid, the other insincere. Synonym: multifarious
DIVULGE: To make public or reveal – refused to divulge his source of information. Synonyms: disclose, impart
DYNAMIC: Forceful – possessed dynamic energy, tireless and powerful. Synonym: energetic
Antonyms: static, inert, dormant, torpid, sluggish, quiescent
EDIFY: To instruct or uplift, particularly in morals or religion – a story that edifies the reader, as well as entertains him
EJACULATE: To exclaim or utter suddenly – ejaculated cry of horror.
ENGENDER: To cause, produce, or stir up-an act that engendered good will.
ERRATIC: Irresponsible, eccentric; lacking a fixed purpose erratic behaviour, reflecting his queer ideas.
EXCEPTIONABLE: Objectionable – exceptionable behaviour, universally criticized. Synonyms: questionable, reprehensible, censurable
Antonym: laudable
EXEMPLARY (noun: EXEMPLAR): Serving as a model; commendable – exemplary conduct approved by all.
Synonyms: illustrative, typical; praiseworthy, laudable
EXOTIC: Strange and foreign – an exotic costume imported from Asia.
EXPLOIT (verb): To use for one’s selfish purpose – refugees exploited by unscrupulous employers.
(noun): A brilliant deed – lauded for his exploits in science. Synonym: feat
EXTINCT: No longer existing or active – the extinct dinosaur, alive only in history. Synonym: defunct
Antonym: extant
FACADE: Front or face, especially of a building – a facade of marble.
FEASIBLE: Workable – a feasible plan, proved practical by – previous experience. Antonym: impracticable
FETISH.
- Something that is believed to have magical powers – savages worshipping the fetish in a ceremonial
Synonym: charm, talisman, amulet
- An object of unreasoning devotion and worship – Photography, begun as a hobby, became a
fetish.
FICTITIOUS: Unreal; made-up – used a fictitious name to avoid being recognized. Synonym: fabricated
FLAUNT: Display or wave boastfully – flaunted the excellent report before his delighted parents.
FLEETING: Passing swiftly -the fleeting hours of happiness Synonyms: transitory, fugitive
FLUCTUATE: To waver from one course to another; to vary irregularly – his mood fluctuating
with every hour.
Synonyms: oscillate, vacillate, undulate, sway
FRUSTRATE: To prevent (the attainment of an object); to defeat or render ineffectual – His scholastic progress was frustrated by a serious illness.
Synonyms: balk, thwart, foil, baffle, obstruct, discomfit Antonym: abet
GARNISH: To trim or decorate – dishes garnished attractively with greens. Synonyms: adorn, deck
GREGARIOUS: Habitually fond of associating in a company or herd – gregarious sheep; that
gregarious animal, man. Antonyms: lone, aloof
HAIL: To greet – The crowd hailed the returning hero. Synonyms: accost, salute
HOAX (noun): A trick or deception; a practical joke – played a hoax upon the credulous public.
Synonym: canard
(verb): To play a trick on; to deceive – He hoaxed the crowd completely with his disguise.
HYPOTHESIS: An assumption made for the sake of argument – worked from a fantastic
hypothesis.
Synonym: supposition
IDIOSYNCRASY: A. personal peculiarity – Wearing white was one of Whistler’s
idiosyncrasies.
Synonyms: eccentricity, foible, mannerism, crotchet, aberration, quirk, singularity
IMMACULATE: Spotless; pure – an immaculate reputation. Synonyms: undefiled, unsullied, unblemished, untarnished Antonyms: defiled, sullied, blemished
IMMUNE (verb: IMMUNIZE): Exempt from; protected from – immune from taxation. Synonym : unsusceptible
IMPECCABLE: Faultless – performed with impeccable skill. Synonyms: consummate, irreproachable, unerring, infallible Antonyms: culpable, fallible
IMPERVIOUS: Incapable of being penetrated – a mind impervious to new ideas. Synonyms: impermeable, impenetrable
Antonyms: permeable, pervasive
IMPLICIT:
- Implied but not clearly expressed – an implicit
- Unquestioning – implicit Synonyms: tacit, implied
Antonym: explicit
IMPORT (noun): Meaning; significance or importance – a matter of great import. Synonyms: purport, moment, consequence
INCISIVE: Cutting, penetrating – incisive criticism. Synonyms: sarcastic, mordant, trenchant, acute
INCREMENT: An increase – a salary increment.
Synonym: accrual
INDIGENOUS: Native – Rice is indigenous to China. Synonyms: innate, inborn
INFERENCE: A conclusion reached by reasoning from data or premises – an inference drawn from his remarks.
Synonyms: deduction, implication
INGENIOUS: Demonstrating originality, skill, or resourcefulness – an ingenious device. Synonyms: dextrous, inventive, adroit
Antonyms: maladroit, gauche
INHIBIT: To check or hinder – inhibited his friend from a foolhardy course. Synonyms: restrain, curb
Antonym: promote
INSTIGATE: To stir tip – instigated discontent among the soldiers. Synonyms: foment, incite
INTEGRITY: Honesty, moral soundness – a man of proved integrity. Synonyms: probity, uprightness, incorruptibility
JARGON: Confused, unintelligible, meaningless talk; special vocabulary used only by members of a group or trade – Variety, a newspaper written in theatrical jargon.
Synonyms: gibberish, argot, cant
JEOPARDY: Danger – His life was in jeopardy. Synonyms: hazard, peril
JUDICIOUS: Wise; using or exhibiting good judgment – a well-chosen plan, termed judicious by all.
Synonyms: discreet, politic, discerning
LATENT: Hidden; present but not fully developed – latent talent that time will reveal.
Synonyms: dormant, quiescent, covert, potential Antonyms: apparent, patent
LAVISH:
- Profuse or generous – lavish in
Synonyms: ample, superabundant
- Given to extravagance – a lavish Synonyms: prodigal, munificent, magnanimous. Antonyms: parsimonious, niggardly, frugal, penurious
LETHAL: Deadly – a lethal weapon. Synonyms: mortal, fatal
LONGEVITY: Prolonged duration of life – a country remarkable for the longevity of its inhabitants.
LOW: To bellow softly like cattle – the lowing herd in the meadow. Synonym: moo
LUCID: Clear; transparent; easily understood – a lucid explanation of a difficult text. Synonyms: pellucid, perspicuous, intelligible, limpid, luminous, translucent Antonyms: abstruse, obscure
LUDICROUS: Ridiculous; producing laughter – a ludicrous remark that set them all to roaring. Synonyms: mirthful, droll, comical, absurd
Antonyms: doleful, lugubrious, dismal
MALICIOUS (noun: MALICE): Bearing, or acting with, deliberate ill-will or spite – hurting with malicious intent.
Synonyms: rancorous, malignant, malevolent, virulent, vindictive Antonym: benign
MEDIOCRE: Average in quality – a mediocre performance, unworthy of his talents.
MONOLOGUE: A speech by one person – The actor gave his views in a dramatic monologue.
Synonym: soliloquy
Antonyms: colloquy (adj. colloquial): conversation between two or more persons; dialogue: conversation between two persons
MUNDANE: Of, or pertaining to, the world, as contrasted with the spirit – mundane affairs. Synonyms: earthly, terrestrial, secular, temporal
MURKY: Dark; cloudy – a murky cavern. Synonyms: dismal, tenebrous, fuliginous
Antonyms: resplendent, glowing, lustrous, luminous, fulgent, coruscating
MUTABLE: Given to frequent change in nature, mood, or form – mutable in mood as a spring wind.
Synonyms: vacillating, fickle, inconstant, fitful, mercurial, wavering, capricious Antonyms: constant, steady
MYRIAD: Innumerable – the myriad stars in the heavens.
NAUTICAL: Pertaining to ships or navigation – a nautical career. Synonyms: marine, naval, maritime
NOTORIOUS: Widely known (in a bad sense) – a notorious gambler.
NOVICE: A beginner – conducted himself in politics like a novice.
Synonyms: tyro, neophyte Antonym: virtuoso
OBLIVIOUS (noun: OBLIVION): Forgetful; absent-minded – walking oblivious of his surroundings.
Synonyms: unmindful, heedless, abstracted
OBSESSION: A persistent feeling, idea, activity, etc., which dominates a person; the state of being exclusively preoccupied by a fixed idea – Now that he has learned bowling, it has become his obsession.
Synonyms: mania, infatuation (a foolish passion), monomania
OBSOLETE: No longer in use – an obsolete word, not even included by most dictionaries. Synonyms: archaic, antiquated
OBTRUSIVE (verb: OBTRUDE): Thrusting oneself or itself into undue prominence – made himself obnoxiously obtrusive.
Synonyms: intrusive, aggressive
OSTRACIZE: To banish; to exclude from public favour or privileges – a former premier
ostracized by popular vote. Synonym: outlaw
PARADOX: A self -contradictory statement; something ‘that appears to be absurd and yet may be true -“Life is too important a matter to be taken seriously.” – a paradox by Oscar Wilde.
Synonym: anomaly
PARAPHRASE: To restate the meaning of a passage in other words – paraphrased the poem in a few lines of prose.
PARODY (noun): A humorous imitation of an author’s style and mannerisms – wrote a parody on Kipling’s “Gunga Din.”
Synonym: burlesque
(verb): To write a parody – parodied the popular authors of the (lay to his audience’s amusement. Synonym: Mimic
PERVERSE: Wilfully bent on doing the wrong thing – a perverse lad, always disobeying his parents.
Synonyms: headstrong, forward, refractory, wayward, fractious
PETRIFY: To paralyze with horror, fear, or surprise – petrified by the enemy bombardment. Synonyms: stupefy, stun, bewilder, amaze
PLAGIARISM. Adopting and reproducing, without acknowledgment, the writings or ideas of another and passing them off as one’s own – denied the charge of deliberate plagiarism.
PLATITUDE: A dull and commonplace remark – bored people by his pompous phrases and
platitudes.
Synonyms: bromide, truism, axiom
PRESTIGE: Esteem or influence accorded for recognized achievements or reputation – As Senator he enjoyed great prestige.
Synonym: distinction
PREDATORY:
- Inclined to plunder or rob; – predatory bands roaming the
- Preying on, others – predatory animals prowling Synonyms: predacious, looting, pillaging
PRELUDE: An introduction, forerunner, or preliminary step – a short prelude to the play. Synonyms: Preface, prologue. Preamble
Antonym: epilogue
PRESUMPTION:
- Something taken for granted – acted on a reasonable presumption.
- Going beyond proper bounds; impudent boldness – His question was downright presumption. Synonyms: effrontery, forwardness, arrogance
PROCRASTINATE: To postpone or put off to another time – missed his opportunity by
procrastinating too long. Synonyms: defer, delay
PROGNOSTICATE (noun: PROGNOSIS): To forecast – The Weather Bureau prognosticates
daily.
Synonyms: presage, portend, augur, forebode
PROVISIONAL: Temporary; for the time being – a provisional plan until a permanent decision is reached.
Synonym: tentative
PROXIMITY: Nearness-worked in close proximity to his home. Synonyms :propinquity, vicinity
Antonym: remoteness
QUASH: To crush; to render void – quashed a rebellion; quashed an indictment.
Synonyms: suppress, extinguish, quell; annul
RADICAL (noun): One who advocates extreme basic changes – The reform movement was led by a radical.
(adj.): Thorough, extreme – radical measures adopted to meet the emergency. Antonym:(noun and adj.) conservative
RAMIFICATION: A branching; sub-division – studied the subject in all its ramifications.
REFUTE: To prove incorrect or false-refuted his opponent’s argument. Synonyms: rebut, confute
Antonyms: substantiate, confirm, corroborate
REITERATE: Repeat (several times) – reiterated his story once more.
RENEGADE: One who forsakes political or party principles or his religious faith – a renegade
from his former allegiance.
Synonyms: turncoat, apostate, recreant, traitor
RESPITE:
- Temporary deferment or cessation of work or pain – a brief respite from
Synonym: surcease
- A temporary delay in the execution of -a sentence – granted the doom man a temporary respite. Synonym: reprieve
RESILIENT: Elastic; light-hearted; possessing power of recovery – a resilient Spirit, refusing to admit defeat.
Synonyms: flexible, pliable, supple, limber
RETRIBUTION: The reward or punishment exacted for an injury, wickedness, or other action – suffered just retribution for his folly.
Synonyms: requital, nemesis
RETRIEVE:
- To make good –retrieved a
- To recover –retrieved the suitcase left at the
- To restore – retrieved his lost
SATELLITE:
- An attentive or flattering follower – a prince surrounded by many satellites.
Synonyms: lackey, toady, disciple, adherent; adj., fawning, obsequious, partisan
- A country influenced or controlled by another – Freedom is conspicuously absent ,in the Soviet satellites.
- A body (natural or artificial) which revolves around a larger body, generally a planet – The moon is the only natural satellite of the earth, but in recent years it has been joined by many artificial satellites.
SORDID: Mean and base; filthy – Sordid motives breed selfish actions. Synonyms: degraded, vile, ignoble
SPORADIC: Occurring singly, at irregular intervals; scattered – sporadic cases of illness.
SPURN: To refuse or reject with contempt – an offer that was spurned instantly. Synonyms: repel, snub
STRINGENT: Strict; compelling, constraining stringent regulations; stringent requirements. Synonyms: exacting, rigid
Antonym: lax
TANGIBLE: Real; actual – tangible gains which may be seen. and counted. Synonyms: material, veritable, perceptible, substantial
TANTAMOUNT: Equivalent – an act that is tantamount to treason.
TAUNT (verb). To reproach with contempt – taunted him with the charge of failure to act promptly.
Synonyms: mock, twit, gibe, sneer, deride
(noun): An insulting, jeering, or bitter remark – hurled taunts at his foes.
TEEMING: In abundance, fertile, highly productive – the teeming tropics, rank with vegetation. Synonyms: swarming, fruitful, fecund, abounding
TRANQUIL: Calm; peaceful – a tranquil summer night. Synonyms: placid, serene
Antonyms: perturbed, ruffled, turbulent
TRIVIAL: Of little – importance – a trivial offense. Synonym: paltry
Antonyms: gross, momentous
VANQUISH: To subdue or conquer -an army vanquished with heavy losses.
VAUNT: To boast – proudly vaunted his strength. Synonyms: brag (noun: braggadocio, braggart), proclaim
VERSATILE: Able to do many things skilfully – versatile in all the arts.
WHIM (adj.: WHIMSICAL): A sudden notion or passing fancy -frequently acted on the whim of the moment.
Synonyms: caprice, vagary, crotchet
ZEALOUS (noun: ZEALOT: fanatic): Full of enthusiasm or eagerness -a zealous student, first in his class.
Antonym: perfunctory
Please note: All Verbs have an explanation that starts with “To”
ABANDON: To give up completely – abandoned the sinking ship. Synonyms: relinquish, forgo, forsake
ACADEMIC: Pertaining to school; theoretical academic interests; an academic discussion, with no practical implications.
Synonym: scholastic
ACCELERATE: – To quicken, speed tip – took an accelerated course in order to graduate early. Synonym: expedite (adj. expeditious)
Antonym: retard
ADVERSITY: Misfortune – calm in the face of adversity. Synonyms: affliction, mischance, reverses
AGGRESSIVE (noun: AGGRESSION. an unprovoked attack): self-assertive; attacking, offensive – annoyed people by his aggressive attitude;
Synonyms: bumptious, officious, obtrusive Antonyms: meek, humble, retiring, diffident
AMBIGUOUS: Uncertain, vague, capable of being inter- in more than one way – puzzled by the
ambiguous statement.
Synonyms: hazy, obscure, equivocal, dubious, nebulous Antonyms: explicit, unquestionable
ANONYMOUS: Of unknown authorship-an anonymous publication.
APPREHENSIVE (verb: APPREHEND): Fearful – Being unprepared, John is apprehensive of the examination.
ARTFUL: Sly; crafty – attained his mean objective by artful measures. Synonyms: cunning, wily, adroit, ingenious, guileful
Antonyms: guileless, ingenuous, artless
ATHEIST: One who denies that God exists – The atheist declared, “There is no God.” Synonyms: infidel, agnostic, sceptic
ATTRIBUTE (verb): Assign –attributed his success to bard work.
Synonym: ascribe
(noun): An inherent quality -Generosity was his outstanding attribute.
AUTHENTIC: Genuine -proved to be an authentic document. Synonyms: veritable, bona fide
Antonyms; apocryphal, counterfeit, spurious, bogus
BANTER: Good-natured teasing or ridicule-The two wits I exchanged banter, to the amusement of the audience.
Synonyms: raillery, chaff
BIASED: Prejudiced – misled by a biased point of view. Synonyms: bigoted, arbitrary, partial, partisan Antonyms: disinterested, equitable
BIZARRE: Queer; unusual in appearance- bizarre clothes, outlandish in the extreme. Synonyms: odd, fantastic, grotesque, eccentric
BOG: A swamp – sank into the spongy bog. Synonyms: morass, fen, quagmire, mire
CANDID (noun: CANDOR): Frank, outspoken; impartial a candid reply that could hardly be more forthright.
Synonyms: artless, ingenuous, unbiased Antonyms: guileful, evasive
CHRONIC: Continuing a long time; habitual-a. chronic complaint, persisting for years. Synonyms: persistent, unremitting, inveterate, incessant, constant
Antonyms: intermittent, sporadic, infrequent
CIVIL:
- Of or having to do with citizens or the state – We I civil duties as well as civil
liberties.
- Polite, courteous – answered in a civil
Synonyms: respectful, gracious
COALITION (verb: COALESCE): Alliance; merging of various units into one unit – three parties forming a coalition to rule the country.
Synonyms: amalgamation, consolidation, fusion
COLLUSION: Working together secretly for an evil purpose – acted in collusion to overthrow the government.
Synonyms: collaboration, conspiracy, conniving, machination
COMPATIBLE: Harmonious; able, to get along together parted company because they were not
compatible.
Synonyms: congruous, consistent
Antonyms: incongruous, discordant, incompatible
COMPENSATION: Payment for services – just compensation for his labor. Synonyms: stipend, remuneration, recompense, emolument
COMPLACENT: Self-satisfied – looked on his own performance with a complacent smile. Synonym: smug
CONDOLE (noun: CONDOLENCE): To express sympathy with another in sorrow, pain, or misfortune – condoled with each other in their grief.
Synonyms: commiserate, show compassion, solace
CONDONE: To forgive or overlook (an offense) – condoned the deed, in view of the offender’s age.
Synonyms: extenuate, palliate, mitigate, gloss
CONSENSUS. General agreement – The consensus of the committee was that no action should be taken.
Synonym: accord
COSMOPOLITAN (noun): One who is at home in all countries – A cosmopolitan can feel at ease anywhere in the world.
(adj.): Free from local prejudices – a world-wide traveller, cosmopolitan in tastes and attitudes. Synonyms: Catholic
Antonyms: parochial, provincial
CRASS: Coarse and stupid – displayed crass ignorance.
Synonym: gross
CREDIBLE: Worthy of belief – a credible story, true to life.
Antonym: incredible
CREDITABLE: Deserving or reflecting Credit or honour – applauded for his creditable
performance.
Synonyms: praiseworthy, meritorious, commendable Antonyms: discreditable, infamous, opprobrious, ignominious
CURT: Rudely abrupt -offended by the curt response. Synonyms: blunt, brusque, bluff
Antonyms: affable, civil
DELINQUENT (noun): An offender – found to be a delinquent by the court.
(adj.): Failing to fulfil an obligation – too many people who are delinquent in meeting their civic duties.
Synonym: derelict
DEMEANOR: Behaviour; bearing – carrying himself with a proud demeanour.
Synonyms: deportment, mien
DENOUNCE (noun: DENUNCIATION): To speak against – denounced by the press as a traitor. Synonyms: stigmatize, censure, reprehend, castigate
Antonyms: laud, eulogize
DEPRECIATE: To belittle or speak slightingly of – depreciated John’s acting ability.
Synonyms: disparage, derogate (adj. derogatory) Antonyms: enhance, magnify, extol, laud, eulogize
DEVIOUS:
- Winding; indirect – took a devious, rather than the direct way
Synonym: circuitous
- Straying from the right course – used devious means to attain his wicked Synonyms: crooked, erring
DEVOUT: Devoted to religious observances – devout in his regularity of attendance at worship. Synonyms: pious, religious
Antonym: impious
DILEMMA: A situation calling for a choice between two equally difficult alternatives; hence, a difficult or perplexing situation – faced with a dilemma defying solution.
Synonyms: predicament, quandary, plight
DISCRETE: Separate – two discrete issues, totally unrelated.
DISTRAUGHT: Mentally distressed; distracted – distraught by trials and tribulations. Synonym: harassed
DIVERSE: (verb: DIVERSIFY; noun: DIVISIBILITY): Varied; different – two diverse
characters; one candid, the other insincere. Synonym: multifarious
DIVULGE: To make public or reveal – refused to divulge his source of information. Synonyms: disclose, impart
DYNAMIC: Forceful – possessed dynamic energy, tireless and powerful. Synonym: energetic
Antonyms: static, inert, dormant, torpid, sluggish, quiescent
EDIFY: To instruct or uplift, particularly in morals or religion – a story that edifies the reader, as well as entertains him
EJACULATE: To exclaim or utter suddenly – ejaculated cry of horror.
ENGENDER: To cause, produce, or stir up-an act that engendered good will.
ERRATIC: Irresponsible, eccentric; lacking a fixed purpose erratic behaviour, reflecting his queer ideas.
EXCEPTIONABLE: Objectionable – exceptionable behaviour, universally criticized. Synonyms: questionable, reprehensible, censurable
Antonym: laudable
EXEMPLARY (noun: EXEMPLAR): Serving as a model; commendable – exemplary conduct approved by all.
Synonyms: illustrative, typical; praiseworthy, laudable
EXOTIC: Strange and foreign – an exotic costume imported from Asia.
EXPLOIT (verb): To use for one’s selfish purpose – refugees exploited by unscrupulous employers.
(noun): A brilliant deed – lauded for his exploits in science. Synonym: feat
EXTINCT: No longer existing or active – the extinct dinosaur, alive only in history. Synonym: defunct
Antonym: extant
FACADE: Front or face, especially of a building – a facade of marble.
FEASIBLE: Workable – a feasible plan, proved practical by – previous experience. Antonym: impracticable
FETISH.
- Something that is believed to have magical powers – savages worshipping the fetish in a ceremonial
Synonym: charm, talisman, amulet
- An object of unreasoning devotion and worship – Photography, begun as a hobby, became a
fetish.
FICTITIOUS: Unreal; made-up – used a fictitious name to avoid being recognized. Synonym: fabricated
FLAUNT: Display or wave boastfully – flaunted the excellent report before his delighted parents.
FLEETING: Passing swiftly -the fleeting hours of happiness Synonyms: transitory, fugitive
FLUCTUATE: To waver from one course to another; to vary irregularly – his mood fluctuating
with every hour.
Synonyms: oscillate, vacillate, undulate, sway
FRUSTRATE: To prevent (the attainment of an object); to defeat or render ineffectual – His scholastic progress was frustrated by a serious illness.
Synonyms: balk, thwart, foil, baffle, obstruct, discomfit Antonym: abet
GARNISH: To trim or decorate – dishes garnished attractively with greens. Synonyms: adorn, deck
GREGARIOUS: Habitually fond of associating in a company or herd – gregarious sheep; that
gregarious animal, man. Antonyms: lone, aloof
HAIL: To greet – The crowd hailed the returning hero. Synonyms: accost, salute
HOAX (noun): A trick or deception; a practical joke – played a hoax upon the credulous public.
Synonym: canard
(verb): To play a trick on; to deceive – He hoaxed the crowd completely with his disguise.
HYPOTHESIS: An assumption made for the sake of argument – worked from a fantastic
hypothesis.
Synonym: supposition
IDIOSYNCRASY: A. personal peculiarity – Wearing white was one of Whistler’s
idiosyncrasies.
Synonyms: eccentricity, foible, mannerism, crotchet, aberration, quirk, singularity
IMMACULATE: Spotless; pure – an immaculate reputation. Synonyms: undefiled, unsullied, unblemished, untarnished Antonyms: defiled, sullied, blemished
IMMUNE (verb: IMMUNIZE): Exempt from; protected from – immune from taxation. Synonym : unsusceptible
IMPECCABLE: Faultless – performed with impeccable skill. Synonyms: consummate, irreproachable, unerring, infallible Antonyms: culpable, fallible
IMPERVIOUS: Incapable of being penetrated – a mind impervious to new ideas. Synonyms: impermeable, impenetrable
Antonyms: permeable, pervasive
IMPLICIT:
- Implied but not clearly expressed – an implicit
- Unquestioning – implicit Synonyms: tacit, implied
Antonym: explicit
IMPORT (noun): Meaning; significance or importance – a matter of great import. Synonyms: purport, moment, consequence
INCISIVE: Cutting, penetrating – incisive criticism. Synonyms: sarcastic, mordant, trenchant, acute
INCREMENT: An increase – a salary increment.
Synonym: accrual
INDIGENOUS: Native – Rice is indigenous to China. Synonyms: innate, inborn
INFERENCE: A conclusion reached by reasoning from data or premises – an inference drawn from his remarks.
Synonyms: deduction, implication
INGENIOUS: Demonstrating originality, skill, or resourcefulness – an ingenious device. Synonyms: dextrous, inventive, adroit
Antonyms: maladroit, gauche
INHIBIT: To check or hinder – inhibited his friend from a foolhardy course. Synonyms: restrain, curb
Antonym: promote
INSTIGATE: To stir tip – instigated discontent among the soldiers. Synonyms: foment, incite
INTEGRITY: Honesty, moral soundness – a man of proved integrity. Synonyms: probity, uprightness, incorruptibility
JARGON: Confused, unintelligible, meaningless talk; special vocabulary used only by members of a group or trade – Variety, a newspaper written in theatrical jargon.
Synonyms: gibberish, argot, cant
JEOPARDY: Danger – His life was in jeopardy. Synonyms: hazard, peril
JUDICIOUS: Wise; using or exhibiting good judgment – a well-chosen plan, termed judicious by all.
Synonyms: discreet, politic, discerning
LATENT: Hidden; present but not fully developed – latent talent that time will reveal.
Synonyms: dormant, quiescent, covert, potential Antonyms: apparent, patent
LAVISH:
- Profuse or generous – lavish in
Synonyms: ample, superabundant
- Given to extravagance – a lavish Synonyms: prodigal, munificent, magnanimous. Antonyms: parsimonious, niggardly, frugal, penurious
LETHAL: Deadly – a lethal weapon. Synonyms: mortal, fatal
LONGEVITY: Prolonged duration of life – a country remarkable for the longevity of its inhabitants.
LOW: To bellow softly like cattle – the lowing herd in the meadow. Synonym: moo
LUCID: Clear; transparent; easily understood – a lucid explanation of a difficult text. Synonyms: pellucid, perspicuous, intelligible, limpid, luminous, translucent Antonyms: abstruse, obscure
LUDICROUS: Ridiculous; producing laughter – a ludicrous remark that set them all to roaring. Synonyms: mirthful, droll, comical, absurd
Antonyms: doleful, lugubrious, dismal
MALICIOUS (noun: MALICE): Bearing, or acting with, deliberate ill-will or spite – hurting with malicious intent.
Synonyms: rancorous, malignant, malevolent, virulent, vindictive Antonym: benign
MEDIOCRE: Average in quality – a mediocre performance, unworthy of his talents.
MONOLOGUE: A speech by one person – The actor gave his views in a dramatic monologue.
Synonym: soliloquy
Antonyms: colloquy (adj. colloquial): conversation between two or more persons; dialogue: conversation between two persons
MUNDANE: Of, or pertaining to, the world, as contrasted with the spirit – mundane affairs. Synonyms: earthly, terrestrial, secular, temporal
MURKY: Dark; cloudy – a murky cavern. Synonyms: dismal, tenebrous, fuliginous
Antonyms: resplendent, glowing, lustrous, luminous, fulgent, coruscating
MUTABLE: Given to frequent change in nature, mood, or form – mutable in mood as a spring wind.
Synonyms: vacillating, fickle, inconstant, fitful, mercurial, wavering, capricious Antonyms: constant, steady
MYRIAD: Innumerable – the myriad stars in the heavens.
NAUTICAL: Pertaining to ships or navigation – a nautical career. Synonyms: marine, naval, maritime
NOTORIOUS: Widely known (in a bad sense) – a notorious gambler.
NOVICE: A beginner – conducted himself in politics like a novice.
Synonyms: tyro, neophyte Antonym: virtuoso
OBLIVIOUS (noun: OBLIVION): Forgetful; absent-minded – walking oblivious of his surroundings.
Synonyms: unmindful, heedless, abstracted
OBSESSION: A persistent feeling, idea, activity, etc., which dominates a person; the state of being exclusively preoccupied by a fixed idea – Now that he has learned bowling, it has become his obsession.
Synonyms: mania, infatuation (a foolish passion), monomania
OBSOLETE: No longer in use – an obsolete word, not even included by most dictionaries. Synonyms: archaic, antiquated
OBTRUSIVE (verb: OBTRUDE): Thrusting oneself or itself into undue prominence – made himself obnoxiously obtrusive.
Synonyms: intrusive, aggressive
OSTRACIZE: To banish; to exclude from public favour or privileges – a former premier
ostracized by popular vote. Synonym: outlaw
PARADOX: A self -contradictory statement; something ‘that appears to be absurd and yet may be true -“Life is too important a matter to be taken seriously.” – a paradox by Oscar Wilde.
Synonym: anomaly
PARAPHRASE: To restate the meaning of a passage in other words – paraphrased the poem in a few lines of prose.
PARODY (noun): A humorous imitation of an author’s style and mannerisms – wrote a parody on Kipling’s “Gunga Din.”
Synonym: burlesque
(verb): To write a parody – parodied the popular authors of the (lay to his audience’s amusement. Synonym: Mimic
PERVERSE: Wilfully bent on doing the wrong thing – a perverse lad, always disobeying his parents.
Synonyms: headstrong, forward, refractory, wayward, fractious
PETRIFY: To paralyze with horror, fear, or surprise – petrified by the enemy bombardment. Synonyms: stupefy, stun, bewilder, amaze
PLAGIARISM. Adopting and reproducing, without acknowledgment, the writings or ideas of another and passing them off as one’s own – denied the charge of deliberate plagiarism.
PLATITUDE: A dull and commonplace remark – bored people by his pompous phrases and
platitudes.
Synonyms: bromide, truism, axiom
PRESTIGE: Esteem or influence accorded for recognized achievements or reputation – As Senator he enjoyed great prestige.
Synonym: distinction
PREDATORY:
- Inclined to plunder or rob; – predatory bands roaming the
- Preying on, others – predatory animals prowling Synonyms: predacious, looting, pillaging
PRELUDE: An introduction, forerunner, or preliminary step – a short prelude to the play. Synonyms: Preface, prologue. Preamble
Antonym: epilogue
PRESUMPTION:
- Something taken for granted – acted on a reasonable presumption.
- Going beyond proper bounds; impudent boldness – His question was downright presumption. Synonyms: effrontery, forwardness, arrogance
PROCRASTINATE: To postpone or put off to another time – missed his opportunity by
procrastinating too long. Synonyms: defer, delay
PROGNOSTICATE (noun: PROGNOSIS): To forecast – The Weather Bureau prognosticates
daily.
Synonyms: presage, portend, augur, forebode
PROVISIONAL: Temporary; for the time being – a provisional plan until a permanent decision is reached.
Synonym: tentative
PROXIMITY: Nearness-worked in close proximity to his home. Synonyms :propinquity, vicinity
Antonym: remoteness
QUASH: To crush; to render void – quashed a rebellion; quashed an indictment.
Synonyms: suppress, extinguish, quell; annul
RADICAL (noun): One who advocates extreme basic changes – The reform movement was led by a radical.
(adj.): Thorough, extreme – radical measures adopted to meet the emergency. Antonym:(noun and adj.) conservative
RAMIFICATION: A branching; sub-division – studied the subject in all its ramifications.
REFUTE: To prove incorrect or false-refuted his opponent’s argument. Synonyms: rebut, confute
Antonyms: substantiate, confirm, corroborate
REITERATE: Repeat (several times) – reiterated his story once more.
RENEGADE: One who forsakes political or party principles or his religious faith – a renegade
from his former allegiance.
Synonyms: turncoat, apostate, recreant, traitor
RESPITE:
- Temporary deferment or cessation of work or pain – a brief respite from
Synonym: surcease
- A temporary delay in the execution of -a sentence – granted the doom man a temporary respite. Synonym: reprieve
RESILIENT: Elastic; light-hearted; possessing power of recovery – a resilient Spirit, refusing to admit defeat.
Synonyms: flexible, pliable, supple, limber
RETRIBUTION: The reward or punishment exacted for an injury, wickedness, or other action – suffered just retribution for his folly.
Synonyms: requital, nemesis
RETRIEVE:
- To make good –retrieved a
- To recover –retrieved the suitcase left at the
- To restore – retrieved his lost
SATELLITE:
- An attentive or flattering follower – a prince surrounded by many satellites.
Synonyms: lackey, toady, disciple, adherent; adj., fawning, obsequious, partisan
- A country influenced or controlled by another – Freedom is conspicuously absent ,in the Soviet satellites.
- A body (natural or artificial) which revolves around a larger body, generally a planet – The moon is the only natural satellite of the earth, but in recent years it has been joined by many artificial satellites.
SORDID: Mean and base; filthy – Sordid motives breed selfish actions. Synonyms: degraded, vile, ignoble
SPORADIC: Occurring singly, at irregular intervals; scattered – sporadic cases of illness.
SPURN: To refuse or reject with contempt – an offer that was spurned instantly. Synonyms: repel, snub
STRINGENT: Strict; compelling, constraining stringent regulations; stringent requirements. Synonyms: exacting, rigid
Antonym: lax
TANGIBLE: Real; actual – tangible gains which may be seen. and counted. Synonyms: material, veritable, perceptible, substantial
TANTAMOUNT: Equivalent – an act that is tantamount to treason.
TAUNT (verb). To reproach with contempt – taunted him with the charge of failure to act promptly.
Synonyms: mock, twit, gibe, sneer, deride
(noun): An insulting, jeering, or bitter remark – hurled taunts at his foes.
TEEMING: In abundance, fertile, highly productive – the teeming tropics, rank with vegetation. Synonyms: swarming, fruitful, fecund, abounding
TRANQUIL: Calm; peaceful – a tranquil summer night. Synonyms: placid, serene
Antonyms: perturbed, ruffled, turbulent
TRIVIAL: Of little – importance – a trivial offense. Synonym: paltry
Antonyms: gross, momentous
VANQUISH: To subdue or conquer -an army vanquished with heavy losses.
VAUNT: To boast – proudly vaunted his strength. Synonyms: brag (noun: braggadocio, braggart), proclaim
VERSATILE: Able to do many things skilfully – versatile in all the arts.
WHIM (adj.: WHIMSICAL): A sudden notion or passing fancy -frequently acted on the whim of the moment.
Synonyms: caprice, vagary, crotchet
ZEALOUS (noun: ZEALOT: fanatic): Full of enthusiasm or eagerness -a zealous student, first in his class.
Antonym: perfunctory