10 Honors English/Kephart
Unit 1: Can progress be made without conflict?
Name: ________________________________________________________ Period: _________
Brave New World Chapter 10-18
Vocabulary Words
For word pronunciation go to: http://www.merriam-webster.com/
1. recapitulate (pg. 146)
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to review a series of facts; to sum up
synonyms: review, summarize, sum up, go over
sample sentence: Don’t bother to recapitulate the plot of the book; instead, tell me if you
liked it.
2. heinous (pg. 148)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): very wicked, offensive, hateful
synonyms: evil, odious, abominable, outrageous
antonyms: excellent, wonderful, splendid
sample sentence: A town so peaceful, quiet, and law-abiding was bound to be horrified
by so heinous a crime.
3. ignoble (pg. 170)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): mean, low, base
synonyms: inferior, unworthy, dishonorable, sordid
antonyms: admirable, praiseworthy, lofty, noble
sample sentence: Most people will agree that a noble purpose does not justify ignoble
means.
4. wheedle (pg. 172)
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end
synonyms: cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk
antonyms: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm
sample sentence: The spy used charm and flattery in order to wheedle the information
from the diplomat.
5. heretical (pg. 173)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): deviating from commonly accepted beliefs or practices
synonyms: dissentient, maverick, noncomformist, unconventional, unorthodox
antonyms: conforming, conventional, orthodox
sample sentence: The belief that women should be allowed to have careers outside the
home was once considered heretical.
6. collate (pg. 175)
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to compare critically in order to note differences, similarities , etc.; to
arrange in order for some specific purpose
synonyms: sort out, cross-check, rearrange
sample sentence: We decided to collate the recipes according to how complicated they
are.
7. subversive (pg. 177)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): intended or likely to undermine or overthrow a government or other
institution
synonyms: dissident, rebellious, revolutionary, insubordinate, mutinous
sample sentence: J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye was once considered a subversive
piece of literature.
8. odious (pg. 182)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
synonyms: abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, dreadful
antonyms: innocuous, inoffensive, agreeable, appealing, delightful
sample sentence: After the odious and unforgivable insult, Sarah ended the friendship.
9. sanctimonious (pg. 191)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): making a show of virtue or righteousness; hypocritically moralistic or
pious, self-righteous, canting, holier-than-thou
antonyms: heartfelt, sincere, humble
sample sentence: Cautionary tales that take on a sanctimonious tone often achieve the
opposite of the desired result.
10. abstemious (pg. 193)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): moderate, sparing (as in eating and drinking); characterized by abstinence
and self-discipline
synonyms: temperate, sober, moderate
antonyms: indulgent, immoderate, intemperate
sample sentence: She came from a long line of quiet, thrifty, and abstemious farming
folk.
11. impudent (pg. 194)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): displaying or marked by rude boldness
synonyms: audacious, bold, brash, cocky, sassy
antonyms: meek, mousy, sky, timid, demure
sample sentence: The guest made impudent inquiries about the cost of just about
everything we had in the house.
12. wanton (pg. 213)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in
polite society; having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
synonyms: bawdy, crude, indecent, atrocious, sadistic
antonyms: clean, decent, wholesome, benign, good-hearted
sample sentence: It was a wanton attack on unarmed civilians.
13. sacrilege (pg. 213)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things
synonyms: defilement, desecration, irreverence, impiety
antonyms: adoration, glorification, worship
sample sentence: Spitting on the temple floor would be a great sacrilege.
14. optimum (pg. 223)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): the amount or degree of something that is most favorable to some end
synonyms: best, ideal, perfect, prime, model
sample sentence: The substances were mixed in various proportions until an optimum
was reached.
15. orthodox (pg. 227)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules
synonyms: ceremonial, conventional, regular, routine, accepted
antonyms: unorthodox, freewheeling, informal, irregular, unconventional
sample sentence: Schoolteachers tended to favor poets who followed a very orthodox
style of poetry.
16. sedulous (pg. 228)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): persistent, showing industry and determination
synonyms: assiduous, tireless, indefatigable
antonyms: lackadaisical, listless, indolent, otiose
sample sentence: No one could say that he was lazy, for he was a careful, sedulous
copier of other people’s work.
17. approbation (pg. 229)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval
synonyms: commendation, sanction
antonyms: disapproval, condemnation, censure
sample sentence: My broad hint that I had paid for the lessons myself brought smiles of
approbation from all the judges at the piano recital.
18. superfluous (pg. 233)
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): being over what is needed
synonyms: excess, extra, redundant, surplus, gratuitous
antonyms: deficient, inadequate, insufficient, meager, sparse
sample sentence: He cleared the superfluous stuff off his desk to make more room.
19. heroism (pg. 237)
part of speech: noun
definition(s): strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger
synonyms: bravery, courageousness, heart, valor, virtue
antonyms: cowardice, spinelessness
sample sentence: I was inspired by the heroism of the firefighters who risked their lives
to save the people trapped in the burning building.
20. disconcert (pg. 250)
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to confuse; to disturb the composure of
synonyms: upset, rattle, ruffle, faze, perturb
antonyms: relax, calm, put at ease
sample sentence: They had hoped to disconcert him with an unexpected question, but he
was well prepared.