Vocab: Unit 5

• fallen into disrepair, usually by neglect
• syn: sleazy, dingy, seedy
• phrases: go to seed

• inclined to put things off, to postpone
• syn: laggard, shilly-shallying, temporizing

• hardworking, thorough and persistent
• syn: assiduous, sedulous, indefatigable
• ant: indolent, perfunctory, cursory

• dreadful or disastrous, bleak or cheerless; urgent
• syn: calamitous, somber
• ant: salutary, salubrious, beneficial, mild

• defeat or frustrate, perplex or embarrass
• syn: rout, drub, foil, nonplus, abash
• ant: reassure, lose to

• oral/written exchange of ideas, a discussion; discuss at length
• syn: treatise, dissertation, colloquy, expatiate, descant
• ant: synopsis, precis

• distinguish between at least two things (often by small differences); behave unfairly toward someone or a group because of a prejudice
• syn: discern, perspicacity, acumen, discernment, bigotry

• speak slightingly or to undervalue
• syn: decry, minimize, run down
• ant: extol, laud, eulogize

• difference or inequality
• syn: disproportion
• ant: parity
• phrase: gap

• deeply distressed or agitated
• syn: overwrought, perturbed, upset
• ant: impassive, calm

• make known or public
• syn: disclose, impart
• ant: hide
• phrase: leak, shocking exposé

• easy to manage, teach, train or discipline
• syn: tractable, amenable
• ant: headstrong, perverse, obdurate

• inactive, suspended in use, growth or development
• syn: latent, inert, quiescent, torpid
• ant: flourishing, vigorous

• violently forceful and swift, extreme
• syn: draconian, rigorous, thorough-going
• ant: ineffectual, halfhearted, mild

• deliberate deception in speech or conduct
• syn: guile, deceit, dissimulation, chicanery, sharp practice, double-dealing
• ant: probity, plain dealing
• phrases: artful dodge, Judas kiss, under false colors, two-faced

• choosing what seems best; one whose opinions are drawn from various sources
• syn: selective, synthesized
• ant: monolithic
• phrase: all of a piece

• worn out or exhausted, marked by weakness or self-indulgence
• syn: decadent, barren, sterile
• ant: dynamic, fertile, prolific

• capable of producing the desired effect
• syn: efficient, potent
• ant: unserviceable, useless

• shameless boldness
• syn: audacity, impertinence, temerity, gall, cheek, chutzpah, presumption
• ant: timidity, meekness, diffidence
• phrase: barefaced audacity

• draw out or call forth
• syn: prompt, educe

• select group of superior individuals; superior or select
• syn: A-one
• ant: proletariat, hoi polloi, rabble; proletarian

• wasted away or reduced by starvation/disease
• syn: gaunt, haggard, shriveled
• ant: corpulent, obese

• flow out of; to send forth
• syn: spring, emit, give off, proceed from
• ant: soak up, draw in, attract

• decorate or enhance
• syn: adorn, gussy up, garnish
• ant: mar, deface

• high in rank, distinguished; outstanding, conspicuous
• syn: illustrious, noteworthy
• ant: obscure, lowly, undistinguished

• sympathetic understanding of, or identification with, the feelings/attitudes of someone else
• syn: compassion
• ant: callousness, insensitivity 

• try and equal or surpass the excellence of
• syn: mirror, take after

• country or area lying completely with the boundaries of another country or area; separate group within a larger one
• syn: enclosure, precinct

• peculiar to a particular locality or group of people
• syn: indigenous, native
• ant: alien, extraneous, foreign

• intentionally obscure statement, a riddle; something that is puzzling
• syn: brainteaser, conundrum
• phrase: terra incognita, a sealed book

• lead on by arousing hope or desire
• syn: lure, coax, inveigle, seduce
• ant: repel, scare off
• phrase: bait the hook

• ask or petition earnestly
• syn: implore, beg, beseech, importune
• phrase: cap in hand

• have a mental image of something, especially when it does not actually exist; to conceive of
• syn: envision, imagine

• word or phrase used to describe/characterize someone or something; term of abuse or contempt
• syn: designation, appellation, moniker, obscenity
• phrases: hurl brickbats at, mudslinging

• calmness or evenness of temper
• syn: composure, placidity, sang-froid, nonchalance

• fair or just
• syn: evenhanded, impartial
• ant: lopsided, biased

• deeply learned, especially in a certain area
• syn: profound, scholarly
• ant: ignorant
• phrase: a savant, a maven, an ignoramus

• understood by or intended for only a select few; difficult to understand
• syn: occult, abtruse, recondite, arcane
• ant: exoteric, accesible

• in accordance with the accepted principles of right and wrong
• syn: virtuous, honorable
• ant: immoral, unscrupulous

relating to a small but distinct social group within a population

substitution of a relatively inoffensive term for one that would be too harsh, blunt or unpleasant

• increase the bitterness or severity of, to irritate
• syn: aggravate
• ant: lessen, temper, mitigate, mollify, allay, assuage, palliate

• elevate in power, position, character or the like
• syn: ennoble, uplift
• ant: debase, humble, abase

• worthy of imitation; serving as a model, illustration or warning
• syn: sterling, meritorious, laudable, paragon, epitome
• phrases: ne plus ultra, beau idéal

• state of urgency or situation demanding immediate attention, pressing needs caused by such a crisis
• syn: emergency; requirements
• phrases: a hot spot, in hot water