Vocabulary Workshop
Level F: Unit One
approbation (noun)
the expression of approval or favorable opinion
praise official approval
Synonyms
• commendation
• sanction
assuage (verb)
to make easier or milder relieve to quiet; to calm to put an end to appease
Synonyms mitigate alleviate slake allay
In To Kill a Mockingbird,
Atticus assuages Scout’s
anxieties about school.
Aleve is a pain medication designed to assuage headaches.
coalition (noun)
[a prefix meaning “with” or “together”]
a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose
Synonyms alliance league federation combine (noun)
*decadence (noun)
[root word = decay] decline, decay, or
deterioration
excessive self-indulgence
Synonyms degeneration corruption
*has two very different definitions
elicit (verb)
to draw forth to bring out from some
source (such as another person)
Synonyms call forth evoke extract educe
During a séance, people try to elicit spirits from “beyond.”
A lawyer tries to elicit information from a witness.
expostulate (verb)
to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning
Synonyms protest remonstrate complain
hackneyed (adjective)
used so often as to lack freshness or originality
Synonyms banal trite commonplace corny
hiatus (noun)
a gap, opening, or break (in the sense of having an element missing)
Synonymspauselacuna
A half-time presentation is a
hiatus during the football
game.
innuendo (noun)
a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)
Synonymsinsinuationintimation
intercede (verb)
[a prefix meaning “among” or “between”]
to plead on behalf of someone else
to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement
Synonyms intervene mediate
It is a referee’s job to intercede during a fight.
jaded (adjective)
wearied, worn out, dull (in the sense of being excessive and indulgent)
To become worn out or cynically insensitive due to experience or age
Synonyms sated surfeited cloyed
Due to an excessive lifestyle, many child stars become jaded at a young
age.
lurid (adjective)
causing shock, horror, or revulsion
vivid and graphic sensational
Synonyms gruesome gory grisly baleful ghastly
The lurid tales of Edgar Allan Poe were considered shocking and horrifying to people during the 19th century.
meritorious (adjective)
worthy deserving
recognition and praise
Synonyms praiseworthy laudablecommendable (similar
to approbation—commendation)
Soldiers wounded in action are meritorious; thus they are awarded with the Purple Heart
medal.
petulant (adjective)
peevish annoyed by trifles
(trivial matters) easily irritated and
upsetSynonyms irritable testy waspish
prerogative (noun)
a special right or privilege
a special quality showing excellence
Synonyms perquisite perk
Whereas in England, the prince has the prerogative to become king one day, in America, any citizen over 18 has the prerogative to vote for president.
provincial(adjective) pertaining to an outlying area; local narrow in mind or outlook countrified in the sense of being
limited and backward of a simple, plain design that
originated in the countryside(noun)• a person with a narrow point of
view• a person from an outlying area• a soldier from a province or
colony
simulate (verb)
to make a pretense of
imitate to show the outer
signs ofSynonyms feign pretend affect
“Insects protect themselves by simulating the appearance of twigs and other objects in their
environment.”
transcend (verb)
[a prefix meaning
“across,” “beyond, “change”]
to rise above or
beyond
Synonyms exceed surpass outstrip
“The magnificence of the scene far transcended my
ability to describe it in words.”
Nelson Mandela, a symbol of freedom and
equality, transcends most people’s concepts
of integrity and altruism.
umbrage (noun)
offense; resentment a vague suspicion shade cast by trees foliage giving shade
Synonyms irritation pique annoyance
Many people took umbrage
with this magazine cover
depicting the Obamas.
unctuous (adjective)
excessively smooth or smug
trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety
Synonyms fawning servile