ACT Power PlusVocabulary

Lesson Six

antipathy – (n.) an intense dislikeSo great was her feeling of antipathy that she was afraid that it showed in her face.Synonyms

• aversion

Antonyms

• affinity

elucidate – (v.) to make clearTo elucidate his theory, he drew a large diagram on the board.Synonyms

• explain• clarify

Antonyms

• obscure

imminent – (adj.) likely to happen; threateningThough the danger was imminent, the crew seemed quite relaxed.Synonyms

• impending• approaching

Antonyms

• distant• delayed

banal – (adj.) common; ordinaryHis banal remarks quickly bored the entire class.Synonyms

• trivial• insipid

Antonyms

• original• fresh

obdurate – (adj.) stubborn; hardheartedThe young boy was obdurate in his refusal to make any trade.Synonyms

• inflexible• obstinate

Antonyms

• compliant• amenable

peruse – (v.) to read carefully; scrutinizeBob peruses the classified ads every day to try to find a part-time job.

bedlam – (n.) a noisy uproar; a scene of wild confusionThe concert hall was sheer bedlam until the rock star appeared.Synonyms

• mayhem• chaos

affluence – (n.) wealth; richnessPaul earned his fortune without relying on the affluence of his family.Synonyms

• fortune

scurrilous – (adj.) coarsely abusive; vulgarThe scurrilous patrons of the saloon were often seen shouting and fighting.Synonyms

• indecent

Antonyms

• respectable

parody – (n.) a work which imitates another in a ridiculous mannerJoan’s parody of the English teacher was funny to everyone but the English teacher.Synonyms

• caricature• burlesque• lampoon

sedulous – (adj.) hard working; diligentEveryone knew Jason would get ahead in the world because he was sedulous in all he undertook.Synonyms

• studious• assiduous

Antonyms

• lazy• lax

onerous – (adj.) burdensome; heavy; hard to endureThe doctor had the onerous job of informing the family of the child’s death.Synonyms

• crushing• distressing

amoral – (adj.) lacking a sense of right and wrongThe amoral henchmen obeyed all of the boss’s orders, no matter how despicable.Synonyms

• corrupt• evil

Antonyms

• innocent• virtuous

eschew – (v.) to keep away from; to avoid; to shunThe minister advised the congregation to eschew temptation.

Antonyms

• embrace• welcome

denouement – (n.) an outcome; resultThe novel would have been exciting if it were not for the boring denouement.Synonyms

• conclusion