Vocabulary Workshop Unit #5

Level F

Amnesty

• Definition: (n.) a general pardon for an offense against a government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution

Autonomy• Definition: (n.) self-government; political control

• Synonym: home rule

• Antonyms: dependence, subjection, colonial status

Axiomatic• Definition: (adj.) self-evidence, expressing a universally accepted

principle or rule

• Synonym: taken for granted

• Antonyms: questionable, dubious, controversial

Blazon• Definition: (v.) to adorn or embellish; to display

conspicuously; to publish or proclaim widely

• Synonym: broadcast, trumpet

• Antonyms: hide, conceal, cover up, bury

Caveat• Definition: (n.) a warning or caution to prevent

misunderstanding or discourage behavior

• Synonym: admonition, word to the wise

Equitable• Definition: (adj.) fair, just, embodying principles of

justice

• Synonym: right, reasonable, evenhanded

• Antonyms: unjust, unfair, one-sided, disproportionate

Extricate• Definition: (v.) to free from entanglements or

difficulties; to remove with effort

• Synonym: disentangle, extract, disengage

• Antonyms: enmesh, entangle, involve

Filch

• Definition: (v.) to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in petty amounts

• Synonym: pilfer, purloin, swipe

Flout

• Definition: (v.) to mock, treat with contempt

• Synonym: scoff at, sneer at, snicker at, scorn

• Antonyms: obey, honor, revere, uphold

Fractious

• Definition: (adj.) tending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable

• Synonym: refractory, recalcitrant, peevish

• Antonyms: docile, tractable, cooperative

Precept

• Definition: (n.) rule of conduct or action

• Synonym: principle, maxim

Salutary• Definition: (adj.) beneficial, helpful; healthful,

wholesome

• Synonym: salubrious, curative

• Antonyms: detrimental, deleterious, pernicious

Scathing

• Definition: (adj.) bitterly severe, withering; causing great harm

• Synonym: searing, harsh, ferocious, savage

• Antonyms: bland, mild

Scourge• Definition: (v.) to whip, punish severely; (n.) a cause of

affliction or suffering; a source of severe punishment or criticism

• Synonym: (v.) flog, beat; (n.) bane, plague, pestilence

• Antonyms: (n.) godsend, boon, blessing

Sepulchral

• Definition: (adj.) funereal, typical of the tomb; extremely gloomy or dismal

• Synonym: doleful, lugubrious, mortuary

Soporific

• Definition: (adj.) tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness or lethargy; (n.) something that induces sleep

• Synonym: (n.) narcotic, anesthetic

• Antonyms: (adj.) stimulating; (n.) stimulant, stimulus

Straitlaced

• Definition: (adj.) extremely strict in regard to moral standards and conduct; prudish, puritanical

• Synonym: highly conventional, overly strict, stuffy

• Antonyms: lax, loose, indulgent, permissive, dissolute

Transient

• Definition: (adj.) lasting only a short time, fleeting; (n.) one who stays only a short time

• Synonym: (adj.) impermanent, ephemeral, evanescent

• Antonyms: (adj.) permanent, imperishable, immortal

Unwieldy

• Definition: (adj.) not easily carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity

• Synonym: cumbersome, bulky, clumsy, impractical

• Antonyms: manageable, easy to handle

Vapid

• Definition: (adj.) dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force

• Synonym: insipid, lifeless, colorless

• Antonyms: zesty, spicy, savory, colorful, lively