Quiz next Wednesday
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The more explicit your directions are, the
easier it will be for all of us to find our way to
the campsite.
(adj.) definite, clearly stated
SYNONYMS: distinct, forthright,
unambiguous, clear
ANTONYMS: vague, ambiguous, implied,
implicit
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We must do everything we can to extirpate
racism from American society.
(v.) to tear up by the roots; to destroy totally
SYNONYMS: uproot, eradicate, wipe out,
excise
ANTONYMS: implant, sow, foster, nourish
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Why do my relatives always seem to turn up
at the most inopportune time imaginable?
(adj.) coming at a bad time; not appropriate
SYNONYMS: ill-timed, inconvenient,
inappropriate, unsuitable
ANTONYMS: timely, convenient, felicitous,
opportune
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The short stories of O. Henry are famous for
their ironic endings.
(adj.) suggesting an incongruity between
what might be expected and what actually
happens; given to irony, sarcastic
SYNONYMS: incongruous, satiric, sardonic,
wry
ANTONYMS: straightfoward, unequivocal
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Houses that have been closed up for a very
long time often have an unpleasantly musty
smell about them.
(adj.) stale, moldy; out-of-date
SYNONYMS: hackneyed, antiquated
ANTONYMS: fresh, sweet-smelling, up-todate, band new
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The manager of the store warned the entire
sales force not to be too officious when
helping customers.
(adj.) meddling; excessively forward in
offering services or assuming authority
SYNONYMS: meddlesome, prying,
impertinent, obtrusive
ANTONYMS: reserved, diffident, timid, aloof
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The ominous sound of distant thunder
warned us of the storm’s approach.
(adj.) unfavorable, threatening, of bad omen
SYNONYMS: unpropitious, inauspicious,
portentous
ANTONYMS: propitious, auspicious,
promising
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Some pop musicians reach the pinnacle of
their careers comparatively early in life.
(n.) a high peak or point
SYNONYMS: apex, acme, summit, apogee
ANTONYMS: nadir, perigee, low point
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Some crimes are spontaneous acts of
passion; others are quite premeditated.
(adj., part.) considered beforehand,
deliberately planned
SYNONYMS: preplanned, rehearsed,
calculated, prearranged
ANTONYMS: unplanned, spontaneous,
improntu
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All kinds of odd rumors run rampant during a
political campaign.
(adj.) growing without check, running wild
SYNONYMS: widespread, unrestrained,
extravagant, prevalent
ANTONYMS: controlled, restrained
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Man world leaders seek solace from the cares
of state in pages of great literature.
(n.) comfort, relief; (v.) to comfort, console
SYNONYMS: soothe, reassure, cheer up
ANTONYMS: vex, aggravate, upset
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The stately procession slowly wound its way
from the palace to the cathedral.
(adj.) dignified, majestic
SYNONYMS: grand, magnificent, imposing
ANTONYMS: lowly, humble, servile, abject
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Have you ever read Robert Frost’s famous
poem about swinging on the supple branches
of a birch tree?
(adj.) bending easily; bending with agility;
readily adaptable; servile
SYNONYMS: flexible, limber, pliable, pliant
ANTONYMS: stiff, rigid, unbending,
hidebound
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Totalitarian governments usually take strong
measures to suppress free speech.
(v.) to stop by force, put down
SYNONYMS: subdue, crush, stifle, squelch,
quash, silence
ANTONYMS: provoke, spur, arouse, incite,
instigate
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The presence of even one venal official may
jeopardize the integrity of an entire
organization.
(adj.) open to or marked by bribery or
corruption
SYNONYMS: dishonest, bribable, corruptible,
mercenary
ANTONYMS: honest, incorruptible, scrupulous