Vocabulary Unit 6R
1.Abashed(adj)embarrassed, ashamed, or nonplussed
SYN: ashamed
ANT: unashamed
I was thoroughly abashed by the foolish mistake that I made at the dinner party.
2.Aloof(adj)withdrawn, standing apart from others (usually as a matter of choice)
SYN: distant
ANT: involved
In almost every office or business, there are some people who keep decidedly aloof from their coworkers.
3.Anguish(n)great mental suffering, distress, or pain
(v)to be deeply tormented by pain or sorrow
SYN: (n) misery
ANT: (n) delight
Survivors of natural disaster often suffer great mental anguish long after their terrible ordeal.
4.Articulate(v)to pronounce distinctly; to express well in words; to fit together into a system
(adj)able to use language effectively; expressed clearly and forcefully
SYN: (v) enunciate
ANT: (adj) mumbled
A successful candidate can articulate ideas in a way that makes them acceptable to voters.
5.Bask(v)to be in, or expose oneself to, pleasant warmth; to take pleasure in
SYN: wallow
Because they are cold-blooded creatures, lizards and other reptiles must bask in the sun to regulate their
body temperature.
6.Defect(n)an imperfection, flaw, or blemish of some kind
(v)to desert a cause or organization; abandon allegiance
SYN: blemish
ANT: merit
There is no one who does not have at least one serious character defect.
7.Finesse(n)delicate skill; tact and cleverness
(v)to accomplish something by cleverness, good judgment, or skillful evasion
SYN: (n) delicacy
ANT: (n) clumsiness
To become a champion, a tennis player needs to combine power with finesse.
8.Flaunt(v)to wave or flutter showily; to display in a conceited, offensive way
SYN: show off
ANT: hide
Some people seem to need to flaunt their wealth and good fortune in life.
9.Forthright(adj)frank, direct, straightforward
SYN: candid
ANT: indirect
I appreciate the forthright way in which you express your opinions, even when they do not agree with my own.
10.Genial(adj)cordial, pleasantly cheerful or warm
SYN: friendly
ANT: unsociable
The genial host and hostess made each party guest feel especially welcome.
11.Instill(v)to add gradually; to introduce or cause to be taken in
SYN: implant
ANT: eradicate
How can parents best instill in their children a love for reading?
12.Ostracize(v)to exclude from a group, banish, send away
SYN: expel
ANT: fraternize with
Society ostracizes those who commit acts of treason.
13.Premonition(n)forewarning or foreboding of a future event
SYN: presentiment
I felt a vague premonition of danger as I entered the abandoned building.
14.Pseudonym(n)a pen name, name assumed by a writer
SYN: nom de plume
It is wise to use a pseudonym to protect your privacy when you chat on the Internet.
15.Purge(v)to wash away impurities, clean up
(n)the process of getting rid of something or someone decisively
SYN: (v): cleanse
ANT: (v) contaminate
A soaking rainstorm will usually purge the air of pollutants.
16.Rehabilitate(v)to make over in good form; to restore to good condition or to a former position
SYN: reclaim
Over the years our government agencies have spent a good deal of money trying to rehabilitate run-down
inner-city neighborhoods.
17.Repercussion(n)an effect or consequence of some action or event, result; an echo
SYN: consequences
The repercussions of the 1929 stock market crash were felt all over the world.
18.Resolute(adj)bold, determined; firm
SYN: steadfast
ANT: weak
Commencement-day speakers generally urge new graduates to be resolute in pursuit of their dreams.
19.Retentive(adj)able to hold, keep, or recall; retaining knowledge easily
SYN: absorbent
ANT: porous
A retentive memory is a great asset for any actor, especially one who performs on stage.
20.Scapegoat(n)a person or thing carrying the blame for others
(v)make somebody take blame
SYN: victim, whipping boy
In ancient times, a messenger who brought bad news was often made the scapegoat for it and killed.