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20 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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adj. thoroughly skilled;
n. an expert syn: adj. masterful, accomplished, proficient ant: adj. clumsy, unskilled, maladroit; n. novice |
adept
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Not only is the soloist an accomplished singer, but he is also adept at playing the saxaphone. (adj.)
An adept at chess, she hopes to compete in tournaments against top-rated players. (n) |
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v. to have ambitious hopes or plans, strive toward a higher goal, desire earnestly; to ascend
syn: seek, yearn, aim for, soar |
aspire
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An early fascination with ants led the young naturalist to aspire to a career as an entomologist.
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bare, dreary, dismal
syn: grim, cheerless, gloomy, desolate, barren ant: rosy, cheerful, sunny, promising, encouraging |
bleak
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Urban renewal can turn a run-down city with bleak economic prospects into a flourishing metropolis.
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to blame; scold
syn: upbraid, reprimand, rebuke, chastise ant: approve, praise, compliment, pat on the back |
chide
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The teacher chided the student for truancy and tradiness.
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adj. worthy of scorn, contemptible
syn: low, vile, cheap, sordid, detestable ant: praiseworthy, commendable, meritorious |
despicable
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Whatever the provocation, there is no justification for such despicable behavior.
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small, smaller than most others of the same type.
syn: undersized, miniature, tiny, compact ant: oversized, gigantic, huge, enormous |
diminutive
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The diminutive lapdog was so small that it actually fit in its owner's purse.
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to free from slavery; to release or liberate
syn: set loose, unchain, unshackle, unfetter ant: enslave, snare, chain, shackle |
emancipate
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Scientific knowledge can emancipate humanity from blind superstition.
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incorrect, containing mistakes
syn: mistaken, fallacious, all wrong ant: accurate, correct, exact, unerring |
erroneous
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An erroneous first impression is not easily corrected.
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v. to make use of develop; to make improper use of for personal profit;
n. a feat, deed syn: utilize, turn to advantage, misuse |
exploit
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A good debater knows how to exploit weaknesses in an opponent's argument.
The exploitation of Robin Hood and his Merry Men are so well known that they have become a part of Western culture. |
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adj. made or delivered on the spur of the moment
syn: spontaneous, impromptu, off-the-cuff ant: planned, rehearsed, prepared |
extemporaneous
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The stand-up comedian's outrageous act included about twenty minutes of completely extemporaneous banter.
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v. to make imperfect, damage, harm
syn: injure, mar, disable, cripple, enervate ant: improve, strengthen, promote, advance |
impair
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I am fortunate that the scratch on my eye will not permanently impair my vision.
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not able to be defeated, unbeatable
syn: unconquerable, indomitable, insuperable ant: vulnerable, conquerable, surmountable |
invincible
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Napoleon I, emperor of France, was invincible until he launched a disastrous invasion of Russia.
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drooping; without energy, sluggish
syn: lazy, sluggish, listless, slack, lethargic ant: lively energetic, vigorous, enlivening |
languid
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A big lunch makes me feel languid for the rest of the day.
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n. mud; wet, swampy ground; a tough situation;
v. to get stuck syn: n. marsh, swamp, bog, slough |
mire
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The once verdant expanse of the soccer field has become a rectangle of muck and mire.
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forward; undesirably prominent; thrust out
syn: brash, impudent, conspicuous, protruding ant: meek, reserved, deferential, recessed |
obtrusive
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I don't blame you for being put off by his obtrusive attempt to dominate the conversation.
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an introduction to a speech of a piece of writing
syn: opening, preface, prologue, preliminary ant: conclusion, ending, closing, epilogue |
preamble
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The preamble to the Constitution describes the purpose of our national government.
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to cause to become; to perform; to deliver officially; to process, extract
syn: present, furnish, submit, make, effect |
render
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The freelance writer presented the managing editor with a bill for services rendered.
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rough, irregular; severe, stern; strong; stormy
syn: rocky, craggy, blunt, harsh, hardy, tough ant: smooth, flat, soft, mild, tender, delicate |
rugged
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Settlers had a rough time crossing the rugged Appalachian Mountains.
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untidy in dress, personal habits, etc.; careless, sloppy
syn: messy, untidy, slovenly, slapdash, cursory ant: tidy, neat, orderly, careful, painstaking |
slipshod
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The commission attributed the unfortunate collapse of the apartment building to its slipshod construction.
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inclined to doubt; slow to accept something as true
syn: dubious, suspicious, incredulous ant: believing, credulous, gullible, ingenuous |
skeptical
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I am skeptical of promises made by politicians when they are running for office.
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