English 111

Sadlier-Oxford VocabularyLevel G, Unit 13

Murphy

Abstruse (clue = obtuse wouldn’t get it) (adj.) extremely

difficult to understand

Synonyms: esoteric, arcane, recondite, occult

Antonyms: simple, straightforward

Affront (clue=confront) (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)

(n.) a false rumor, fabricated story

Synonym: hoax

Captious (clue=capt.) (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) (adj.) aware,

knowledgeable, informed; having jurisdiction

Synonyms: conscious, acquainted

Antonyms: unaware, unconscious, oblivious

Contrite (clue=ex-con) (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) (n.) the center of

attraction, attention, or interest; something that serves to guide or direct

Synonym: focus

Decorous (clue=well-decorated)

(adj.) well behaved, dignified socially proper

Synonyms: seemly, becoming, tasteful

Antonyms: unseemly, unbecoming, improper, tasteless

Deign (clue=reign supreme) (v.) to think it

appropriate or suitable to one’s dignity to do something; to condescend

Synonyms: deem, stoop

Desiccated (clue=desert)

(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)

(n.) the power to produce a desired result

Synonyms: effectiveness, potency, reliability

Antonyms: ineffectiveness, impotence

Engender (clue=two genders)

(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)

(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)

(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)

(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)

(adj.) not in keeping, unsuitable, incompatible

Synonyms: discordant, jarring

Antonyms: compatible, harmonious, consistent

Machination (clue=Machiavelli) (n.) a crafty,

scheming, or underhanded action designed to accomplish some (usually evil) end

Synonyms: plot, scheme, maneuver

Mesmerize (clue=hypnotize with eyes) (v.) to hypnotize,

entrance; to fascinate, enthrall, bewitch

Opprobrium (clue=probation)

(n.) disgrace arising from shameful conduct; contempt, reproach

Synonyms: infamy, dishonor, odium, shame

Antonyms: acclaim, honor, glory, renown

Putative (clue=reputed)

(adj.) generally regarded as such; reputed, hypothesized, inferred

Synonym: supposed, presumed

Antonyms: known, corroborated, confirmed