Ameliorate• (v.) to improve,

make better, or correct a flaw or shortcoming

• Synonyms: amend, better

• Antonyms: worsen, aggravate, exacerbate

Even though I did not enjoy reading the harsh, yet candid remarks on my paper, I know my teacher wants to help me ameliorate my writing.

F

Aplomb

• (n.) poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularly

• Synonyms: composure, self-possession, levelheadedness

• Antonyms: confusion, embarrassment, abashment

The royal family of Dublin always handles situations with great aplomb.

Bombastic

• (adj.) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas

• Synonyms: inflated, high-flown, pretentious

• Antonyms: unadorned, simple, plain

In his attempt to impress his teacher, Jeb wrote a bombastic essay.

eloquent

vivaciousostentatious

Callow

• (adj.) without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers

• Synonyms: inexperienced, unfledged, raw

• Antonyms: mature, grown-up, polished

The callow boys pulled a prank on their neighbor by throwing toilet paper into their trees.

Drivel

• (n.) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense; (v.) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly

• Synonyms: (n.) balderdash, hogwash, tommyrot; (v.) slaver

The St. Bernard driveled as he sat outside waiting for me to throw the ball.

(n.)a summary, condensed account; an

instance that represents a larger reality.

synonyms: abstract, digest, model, archetype

EPITOME

Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible, a movie that presents the epitome of stringent Puritan life.

(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly.

synonyms: entreat, implore, adjure

antonyms: discourage, advise against, deprecate.

EXHORT

My teacher exhorted me to do my homework because my

grade in class was low.

(adj. & adv.) by virtue of holding a certain office.

Mrs. McNeil is the ex officio disciplinarian when it comes to the final decision on school rules.

EX OFFICIO

(v.) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized

bounds

synonyms: encroach, impinge, intrude, poach

antonyms: stay in boundsIf you continue to

transcend your boundaries and infringe onto private property, you might get in

serious trouble.

INFRINGE

(v.) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by

others.

synonyms: cozy up to, curry favor with

antonyms: alienate, humiliate oneself, mortify

oneself

Ingratiating himself with Clinton, Obama displays

his aplomb attitude during the 2008 presidential race.

INGRATIATE

Interloper

• (n.) one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder

• Synonyms: trespasser, meddler, buttinsky

The interlopers’ plan was to rob the bank after they figured out how to bypass the security system.

Intrinsic

• (adj.) Belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part

• Synonyms: immanent, organic

• Antonyms: extrinsic, external, outward

Although I could probably sell my grandmother’s ring for about $6,000, I refuse to do so, because it has a priceless intrinsic value.

Inveigh

• (v.) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval

• Synonyms: rail, harangue, remonstrate

• Antonyms: acclaim, glorify, extol

The coach inveighed against the ref’s last minute call which allowed the opponent score two free throws and cost the team the game.

Lassitude

(n.) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy

Synonyms: fatigue, lethargy, languor Antonyms: energy, animation, liveliness

Overcome with a great sense of lassitude, Jeremy began to snore and drivel on his desk!

Millennium

(n.) a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy

Synonyms: golden age, peace, prosperity

Antonyms: doomsday, day of judgment

When the millennium of 2000 was approaching, people were afraid their computers were going to die.

(adj.) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; (v.) to hide, conceal; eclipse; (n.) matters involving the supernatural

synonyms: supernatural, esoteric, abstruse, arcane

antonyms: mundane, common, public, exoteric

The Puritans considered dancing in the woods as occult behavior.

OCCULT

(v.) to spread through, penetrate, soak through

Smoke rising and filling the room with a stench,, the smell of the burnedpopcorn permeated the room!

PERMEATE

(v.) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct form to; (adj.) characterized by excessive haste; (n.) moisture; the product of an action or process.

synonyms: provoke, produce; (adj.) reckless, impetuous

antonyms: (adj.) wary, cautious, circumspect

PRECIPITATE

The child prodigy’s performance was so amazing, it precipitated the first standing ovation of the night!

Stringent(adj.) strict, severe; rigorously or urging binding or compelling; sharp or bitter taste.

synonyms: stern, rigorous, tough, urgent, imperative

antonyms: lenient, mild, lax, permissive.

Stringent eyes staring, Hester Prynne stood with great aplomb as she served the punishment for her crime.

Surmise(v.) to think or believe

without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (n.) likely idea that

lacks definite proof

synonyms: (v.) infer, gather: (n.) inference,

presumption

Many people surmise that life on other planets truly does exist. I am not one of those people.