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20 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Accost (verb) “We never know where we go when we are going, We jest and shut the door; Fate - following behind us -bolts it, And we accost no more” Emily Dickinson |
Definition: to approach and speak to first; to confront in a challenging way Synonym: confront, cross, dare Antonym: aid, help, ignore |
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Animadversion (noun) I did not wish to carry with me the animadversion of anybody. (The Seven Cardinal Sins: Envy and Indolence Eugne Sue) |
Definition: a comment indicating strong criticism or disapproval Synonym: accusation, blame, criticism Antonym: approval, compliment, praise |
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Avid (adjective) “My sister is an avid golfer; she golfs every weekend.” |
Definition : desirous of something to the point of greed Synonym: ardent, devoted, eager Antonym: apathetic, cold, disinterested |
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Brackish (adjective) A brackish breeze blew off the Black Sea, mixing with rotting garbage, human sweat, cheap cleaning products, and undefined fumes. (Great Weekend Reads The Daily Beast) |
Definition: having a salty taste and unpleasant to drink Synonym: briny, saline, salted Antonym: fresh, appealing, refreshing |
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Celerity (noun) He moved with a celerity that amazed me, when I remembered how exasperatingly slow he could be, fooling with kites. (Tales of Fishes Zane Grey) |
Definition : swiftness , rapidity of motion or action Synonym: haste, dispatch, fleetness Antonym: delay, rest, slowness |
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Devious (adjective) “Their accountant used devious methods to cheat them out of a lot of money.” |
Definition: straying or wandering from a straight or direct course Synonym: dishonest, crafty, deceitful Antonym: frank, honest, naive |
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Gambit (noun) This gambit means Aereo is avoiding paying anything to broadcasters or the middlemen it is replacing. (What the Aereo Decision Means for You Kyle Chayka) |
Definition: in chess, an opening move that involves risk or sacrifice of minor piece in order to gain a later advantage Synonym: artifice, design, device Antonym: frankness, honesty, trustworthy |
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Halcyon (noun) “The halcyon was plucking fish out of the sea.” Or “...halcyon days of youth.” |
Definition: a legendary bird identified with the kingfisher Synonym: balmy, quiet, still Antonym: loud, noisy, obnoxious |
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Histrionic (adjective) Silver Linings Playbook allowed her to explode, playing a woman unhinged, histrionic, and emotionally volatile.How Jennifer Lawrence Took Over Hollywood. (It’s Not Just Because of Her Charm.) Kevin Fallon |
Definition: pertaining to actors and their techniques Synonym: melodramatic, overacting, theatrical Antonym: understating, keeping it cool, low-key |
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Incendiary (noun) |
Definition: a person who deliberately sets fire to buildings or other property, as an arsonist Synonym: inflammatory, dangerous, provocative Antonym: loyal, peacemaking, calm |
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Maelstrom (noun) Within this maelstrom of mendacity lies an urgent film that dares to convey the black experience in America: Dear White People. (‘Dear White People’: How An Ex-Publicist’s Twitter Became One of the Year’s Most Important Films Marlow Stern) |
Definition: a whirlpool of great size and violence Synonym: chaos, turbulence, turmoil Antonym: calm, harmony, order |
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Myopic (adjective) But trying to impose such order by chasing away informal commerce and culture is myopic. (Great Cities are Born Filthy Will Doig) |
Definition: nearsighted; lacking a broad, realistic view of a situation Synonym: nearsighted, shortsighted, astigmatic Antonym: far-sighted |
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Overt (adjective) “Two politicians who hated each other shook hands as an overt act of showing they are now friendly.” |
Definition: open, not hidden, expressed or revealed in a way that is easily recognized Synonym: apparent, undisguised, obvious Antonym: obscure, uncertain, unclear |
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Pejorative (adjective) “The pejorative comment deepened the dislike between the two families.” |
Definition: tending to make worse Synonym: negative, belittling, degrading Antonym: complementary, positive, praising |
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Propriety (noun) “The children observed the propriety of the church service and behaved themselves.” |
Definition: the state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals. Synonym: correctness, morality, suitability Antonym: discord, incompatibility, unsuitable |
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Sacrilege (noun) Any sort of violence during the holy month is seen as sacrilege. (A Ramadan of Discontent Babak Dehghanpisheh) |
Definition: improper or disrespectful treatment of something held sacred Synonym: blasphemy, crime, curse Antonym: kindness, praise, respect |
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Summarily (adverb) “I was dismissed summarily from my job after I was caught stealing money.” |
Definition: without delay or formality; briefly Synonym: immediately, readily, speedily Antonym: slowly, sluggish, delay |
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Suppliant (adjective) “The suppliant person entered the church seeking forgiveness.” |
Definition: asking humbly and earnestly Synonym: beggar, asker, seeker Antonym: giver, provider, benefactor |
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Talisman (noun) The “it” bag was born–a talisman of stylishness and a signifier of insider savvy. (The Language of Margaret Thatcher’s Handbags Robin Givhan) |
Definition: an object that serves as a charm or is believed to confer magical powers Synonym: charm, fetish Antonym: hex, curse |
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Undulate (verb) “The ground undulates from an earthquake.” |
Definition:to move in waves or with a wavelike motion Synonym: wobble, ripple, surge Antonym: smooth, flat, level |