adj. courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak toSynonyms:

genial, amicable, agreeable, cordialAntonyms: surly, cantankerous, dour, inhospitable

I was relieved to find that my new roommate was quite affable.

adj. shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organizationSynonyms: formless, unstructured, nebulous, inchoateAntonyms: definite, well-defined, clear-cutIn science class, I made an amorphous glob of

liquid that would turn into a solid if you applied pressure.

Everyone can remember watching the amorphous body of the amoeba under the microscope.

archetype (n) an original

model on which something was patterned or replicated; the ideal example

Synonyms: model, prototype, epitome

To many people, James Dean was the archetype for the “bad boy” we see in movies.

Achilles is the archetype of the epic hero.

n. illegal traffic, smuggled goods;adj. illegal, prohibited

Synonyms: illicit, bootleg, unlawfulAntonyms: legal, lawful, licit

Tom Buchanan accused Jay Gatsby of selling contraband through a chain of drug stores

adj. thin, light, delicate, insubstantialn. A very thin, light cloth

Synonyms: filmy, diaphanous, sheer, airy, feathery, gauzyAntonyms: thick, dense, solid, massive

Flowers and lace tend to be extremely gossamer.

IRREVOCABLE(adj.) incapable of being changed or called back

Synonyms: irreversible, unrecallable, unalterable

Antonyms: reversible, changeable

In most cases, getting a tattoo is irrevocable, so be sure to think it through before getting one.The official’s call was irrevocable.

PROPENSITY(n.) a natural inclination or predilection toward

Synonyms: natural bent, proclivity, penchant

Antonyms: natural incapacity or inability

My brother, who has a propensity for aimlessly driving around, refused to stop and ask for directions.

Resilient(Adj.) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly

Synonyms: springy, elastic,

buoyant, bouncy

Antonyms: rigid, stiff, inflexible,

unyielding.After the biking accident, resilient Emily was able to compete in the race after just two weeks of recovery.

Reverberate

(V.) to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly

The choirs’ singing reverberated off of the walls of the enormous church.

Synonyms: rumble, thunder,

boom, echo

Sleazy(Adj.) thin or flimsy in texture; cheap;

shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean, or

disreputable.Synonyms:

inferior, cheesy, tawdry,

tattyAntonym

s: superior,

first-rate,

quality, sturdy

The sleazy news

reporter was so desperate that he took

a random picture and

started making up a story without

the facts.

amnesty (n.) a general

pardon for an offense against a government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution.

The mission of Amnesty International is to prevent abuses of human rights.

A judge can give a criminal amnesty if he feels he deserves it.

autonomy (n.) self-

government, political control

Synonyms: home rule

Antonyms: dependence, subjection, colonial status

Even after the thirteen colonies gained autonomy from England, many Americans clung to English traditions.

caveat (n.) a warning or

caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior

Synonyms: admonition, word to the wise

Many advertisements for new drugs end with numerous caveats at the end.

A caveat to reading only Sparknotes, is you may not know all the answers on the test.

equitable (adj.) fair, just,

embodying principles of justice

Synonyms: right, reasonable, evenhanded

Antonyms: unjust, unfair, one-sided, disproportionate

A judge is expected to pronounce equitable solutions for all.

extricate (v.) to free from

entanglements or difficulties; to remove with effort

Synonyms: disentangle, extract, disengage

Antonyms: enmesh, entangle, involve

Houdini was known for his ability to extricate himself from all kinds of entanglements.

flout (v.) to mock, treat

with contempt Synonyms: scoff at,

sneer at, snicker at, scorn

Antonyms: obey, honor, revere, uphold

A player who flouts his opponent will end up with a penalty.

scathing (adj.) bitterly

severe, withering; causing great harm

Synonyms: searing, harsh, ferocious, savage

Antonyms: bland, mild

Actors must learn to live with sometimes scathing reviews.

transient (adj.) lasting only

a short time, fleeting; (n.) one who stays only a short time

Synonyms: (adj.) impermanent, ephemeral, evanescent

Antonyms: (adj.) permanent, imperishable, immortal

Because athletic prowess is transient, the coach always stresses the importance of a college degree.

Our vacation at the beach felt transient; I tried to savor every moment.

unwieldy (adj.) not easily

carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity

Synonyms: cumbersome, bulky, clumsy, impractical

Antonyms: manageable, easy to handle

We were amazed that she was able to maneuver the unwieldy backpack.

vapid (adj.) dull,

uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force

Synonyms: insipid, lifeless, colorless

Antonyms: zesty, spicy, savory, colorful, lively

The vapid look on the face of the students told us that they were in need of a break.