Modern Fiction
Vocabulary List #2
21) despicable: adjectivedes·pi·ca·ble[des-pi-kuh-buhl, di-spik-uh-]
-deserving to be despised; morally reprehensible
Many people were insulted by the despicable remarks made by the speaker.
Synonyms: hateful, contemptibleAntonyms: honorable, laudable, likable
22) disparage: verbdis·par·age / Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[di-spar-ij]
-to speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way
The senator did not mean to disparage anyone specifically with his critical remarks about the administration.
Synonyms: criticize, defame, degradeAntonyms: commend, compliment, flatter
23) elusive:adjectivee·lu·sive[i-loo-siv]
-cleverly or skillfully evasive
The search goes on for bin Laden, believed to be hiding in the mountains of Pakistan near the Afghanistan border, but he remains elusive.
Synonyms: deceitful, misleading, shiftyAntonyms: tangible
24) gullible:adjectivegul·li·ble[guhl-uh-buhl]
-easily deceived or cheated
The gullible little girl believed every story she heard.
Synonyms: believing, trustingAntonyms: suspicious, untrusting
25) incipient:adjectivein·cip·i·ent[in-sip-ee-uhnt]
-beginning to exist or appear
The dictator cracked down on all incipient political opposition.
Synonyms: beginning, developingAntonyms: full-blown
26) insatiable:adjectivein·sa·tia·ble[in-sey-shuh-buhl, -shee-uh-]
-incapable of being satisfied or appeased
The television marketplace has an insatiable appetite for celebrity news.
Synonyms: demanding, yearning
27) loquacious: adjectivelo·qua·cious[loh-kwey-shuhs]
-talking too much
The normally loquacious Sharpton was unusually curt and cut off further questioning by saying he was behind schedule.
Synonyms: garrulous, talkativeAntonyms: reticent, taciturn
28) mitigate:verbmit·i·gate[mit-i-geyt]
-to lessen in force or intensity
"It would be really nice if we could figure out ways to mitigate the damage done by neurological brain disorders that result in mental retardation. ... It would be great if we could help adults and youngsters who require a lot of help just to get through the day," Jung said.
Synonyms: alleviate, appease, pacifyAntonyms: increase, intensify
29) paramount: adjectivepar·a·mount[par-uh-mount]
-chief in importance or impact; above others in rank or authority
Some consider immigration to be the paramount issue in the next presidential election.
Synonyms: predominant, premier, supreme
30) resilient:adjectivere·sil·ient[ri-zil-yuhnt, -zil-ee-uhnt]
-springing back, rebounding
"The lives that were lost on September 11th have meaning. They live on as a testament to a country that is courageous, that is determined, to a people that are resilient despite great loss, and to a cause that continues until that mission is accomplished and beyond."
Synonyms: elastic, pliableAntonyms: inflexible, rigid
31) acrimonious: ac·ri·mo·ni·ous[ak-ruh-moh-nee-uhs]
Adjective -bitter and sharp in language or tone
Subways and buses ground to a halt early Tuesday morning following days of acrimonious labor talks about pay raises, pension and health benefits for new hires.
Synonyms: cutting, rancorous, spiteful Antonyms: civil, kind, sweet
32) approbation:ap·pro·ba·tion / Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ap-ruh-bey-shuhn]
Noun -an expression of warm approval; praise
The fallen movie star had a great need for public approbation.
Synonyms: admiration, endorsement, recognition Antonyms: condemnation, criticism
33) desolate:des·o·late / Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[des-uh-lit]
Adjective -devoid of inhabitants, deserted,
Once the floodwaters receded, only desolate streets remained.
Synonyms: abandoned, lonesome, unoccupied Antonyms: crowded, mobbed, populated
34) disdain:dis·dain / Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[dis-deyn, di-steyn]
Noun -a feeling of contempt for anything regarded as unworthy
The businessman felt disdain for the bum who sat next to him on the subway.
Synonyms: dislike, hatredAntonyms: respect, reverence
35) misnomer:mis·no·mer[mis-noh-mer]
Noun -an error in naming a person or thing
“Occasional smoking" is a misnomer. You either smoke or you don't.
36) moratorium:mor·a·to·ri·um[mawr-uh-tawr-ee-uhm, -tohr-, mor-]
Noun-a suspension of activity; an authorized period of delay or waiting
He was also among four death row inmates whose executions were postponed in February, when Gov. Phil Bredesen placed a 90-day moratorium on the death penalty. Synonyms: adjournment, reprieve
37) paltry:pal·try[pawl-tree]
Adjective - ridiculously or insultingly small; utterly worthless; mean or contemptible
"The damages paid to the grieving widow were paltry, considering the emotional and economic hardships she endured after her husband’s murder.”
Synonyms: minor, inconsiderable, slight, insignificant
Antonyms: important, major
38) perfidious:per·fid·i·ous[per-fid-ee-uhs]
Adjective -deliberately faithless; treacherous
In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the attacks "perfidious murders" that fill the country with "disgust and horror."
Synonyms: betraying, misleading, untrustworthy
39) renegade:ren·e·gade[ren-i-geyd]
Noun -one who rejects a religion, cause, allegiance, or group for another; a deserter
The renegade was finally captured after five years on the lam.
Synonyms: insurgent, traitorAntonyms: follower
40) superfluous:su·per·flu·ous[soo-pur-floo-uhs]
Adjective -being more than is required; unnecessary or needless
"There's an awful lot of superfluous news, the pervert of the day and someone that shot seven people at a fraternity party," Turner told a crowd gathered at a downtown hotel. "Who needs it all?"
Synonyms: redundant, unneededAntonyms: essential, necessary
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