VOCAB UNIT 15

ABRASIVE

• adj.) causing irritation, harsh; grinding or wearing down; (n.) a substance used to smooth or polish Synonyms: chafing, grating, rasping, erosive Antonyms: smooth, polished, satin, oily, unctuous

ACCLIMATE

• (v.) to adapt to a new climate, environment, or situation Synonyms: accustom, learn the ropes

CHAGRIN

• n.) irritation or humiliation caused by disappointment or frustration (v.) to cause such a feeling Synonyms: vexation, mortification, abash, mortify Antonyms: jubilation, exultation, triumph, exult, delight

COMPLACEMENT

• (adj.) self-satisfied; overly content Synonyms: smug, pleased with oneself Antonyms: discontented, chagrined

CONCUR

• (v.) to express agreement, approve Synonyms: agree, assent, ratify, sanction Antonyms: disagree, differ, part company

DEFAMATION

• n.) slander or libel Synonyms: vilification, calumny, mudslinging Antonyms: salute tribute, testimonial, praise

EXPLICATE

• (v.) to make plain or clear, explain; to interpret Synonyms: clarify, elucidate, untangle, spell out Antonyms: confuse, bewilder, obscure, obfuscate

FRACAS

• (n.) a noisy quarrel or brawl Synonyms: row, altercation, rhubarb, brouhaha Antonyms: agreement, accord, unanimity, harmony

GROTESQUE

• (adj.) unnatural, distorted; bizarre Synonyms: fantastic, outlandish, ugly, deformed Antonyms: appealing, attractive, comely

PANDEMONIUM

• (n.) a wild uproar, din, or commotion Synonyms: chaos, tumult, bedlam, three-ring circus Antonyms: order, calm, tranquility, peace, repose

RAUCOUS

• (adj.) desagreeably harsh- sounding; disorderly Synonyms: boisterous, clamorous, strident Antonyms: placid, tranquil, peaceful, serene, partoral

RECEPTIVE

• adj.) open and responsive to ideas or suggestions Synonyms: open-minded, tolerant, amenable Antonyms: narrow-minded, intolerant, hidebound

RENOUNCE

• (v.) to give up or resign something Synonyms: repudiate, disown, abdicate, abjure Antonyms: retain, secure, affirm, assent, aver

REPRESS

• (v.) to hold back; to put down or check by force Synonyms: subdue, curb, stifle, constrain, bottle up Antonyms: liberate, set loose, provoke, excite

RETICENT

• (adj.) not inclined to speak; reserved reluctant Synonyms: taciturn, closemouthed, tight-lipped Antonyms: talkative, garrulous, voluble, long-winded

SAVORY

• (adj.) tasty, appetizing; pungent or salty, not sweet; inoffensive, respectable Synonyms: delectable, flavorful, aromatic, piquant Antonyms: distasteful, unpalatable, malodorous, bland

SOMNOLENT

• (adj.) sleepy, drowsy; inducing sleep Synonyms: groggy, soporific Antonyms: alert, lively, wide-awake, stimulating

VEHEMENT

• (adj.) intense, forceful, powerful Synonyms: emphatic, fierce, vigorous, impassioned Antonyms: apathetic, lukewarm, subdued, muted

VOLUBLE

• (adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent Synonyms: loquacious, garrulous, long-winded, prolix Antonyms: uncommunicative, reticent, taciturn, terse

ZEALOUS

• (adj.) eager, earnest, devoted Synonyms: ardent, fervent, devout, dogged, gung ho Antonyms: reluctant, unwilling, averse, tepit