1000 Từ vựng ghi điểm IELTS Writing

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.

       Từ vựng cho Ielts Writing

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:

  1. Of or having to do with citizens or the state – We I civil duties as well as civil

liberties.

  1. 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:

  1. Of or having to do with citizens or the state – We I civil duties as well as civil

liberties.

  1. 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