UNIT 11

LEVEL F

Adjective

Definition: deserving of blame or correction

Synonyms: blameworthy, discreditable, reprehensible

Antonyms: commendable, laudable, meritorious

Sentence: Even though he tried to deny any knowledge of the wrongdoing, we all knew that he was censurable and deserving of blame for the act.

CENSURABLE

Adjective or Noun

Definition: likely but not certain to happen, possible; dependent on uncertain events or conditions; happening by chance; (n.) a representative group forming part of a larger group

Synonyms: (adj.) conditional, dependent; (n.) a detachment

Antonyms: (adj.) independent of, unconnected with, certain

Sentence: The sale of the property was contingent on the approval of financing from the bank which the buyers thought was likely to happen.

CONTINGENT

Verb

Definition: to confirm, make more certain, bolster, substantiate, verify

Synonyms: authenticate, endorse, substantiate

Antonyms: (adj.) refute, contradict, undermine, discredit

Sentence: The witness corroborated the evidence confirming and substantiating the accused claims that he was nowhere near the scene of the crime at the time the robbery was committed.

CORROBORATE

VerbDefinition: to scatter or spread widely

Synonyms: disperse, publicize, broadcast, circulate

Antonyms: bring together, concentrate, muster, conceal, hide

Sentence: Social media is often used to disseminate information about celebrities and publicize their careers.

DISSEMINATE

Adjective

Definition: awkward, lacking in social graces, tactless, clumsy

Synonyms: inept, uncouth, maladroit

Antonyms: adroit, tactful, diplomatic

Sentence: Benjamin Franklin once said that “Guests, like fish, begin to smell in three days.” Tactless guests are gauche when they don’t heed Franklin’s advice and wear out their welcome by departing before they being to smell.

GAUCHE

Noun

Definition: an opinion different from accepted belief; the denial of an idea that is generally held sacred

Synonyms: unorthodox belief, heterodoxy

Antonyms: orthodox

Sentence: Joan of Arc was burned at the stake found guilty of the charges of heresy by the Church because of her unorthodox beliefs that she heard the voice of God speak to her.

HERESY

Adjective

Definition: capable of being touched or felt; easily see; heard, or recognized

Synonyms: obvious, manifest, tangible, touchable

Antonyms: intangible, insubstantial

Sentence: In the short story, “The Most Dangerous Game the word palpable is personified in the following quote: “Can't see it,” remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht.

PALPABLE

Adjective

Definition: having sympathetic insight or understanding, capable of keen appreciation

Synonyms: insightful, discerning

Antonyms: dense, obtuse

Sentence: Even in the dark of night, a cat’s eyesight is very perceptive. Through keen observation and insight a cat can navigate in the dark better than human beings.

PERCEPTIVE

Adjective

Definition: extremely harmful; deadly, fatal

Synonyms: injurious, baleful, noxious

Antonyms: harmless, innocuous

Sentence: In ancient times, the night air was once thought to have a pernicious effect on infants who were in poor health causing them extreme harm or even death.

PERNICIOUS

Verb

Definition: to make or become dry and withered; to char or scorch the surface of; to harden or make unfeeling; to parch, singe

Synonyms: burn

Sentence: In order to keep a steak juicy and tender on the inside a chef will sear the outside grilling it at a high temperature so the flames scorch and seal in the juices.

SEAR