vocab 5

altruistic

(adj) unselfish, concerned with the welfare of others Most people support __________ programs to help the less fortunate of this world. Syn.: selfless Ant.: selfish, self-centered

assent

(verb) to express agreement; (noun) agreement Workers hope that the threat of a long strike will force management to _________ to their demands. Syn.: (verb) concur, consent, accede Ant.: (verb) disagree, differ, dissent

benefactor

(noun) one who does good to others Without the help of many __________, most charities would be unable to carry out their work. Syn.: patron, humanitarian Ant.: misanthrope, malefactor

chivalrous

(adj) marked by honor, courtesy, and courage; knightly In today's busy world, where people are often heedless of others, a _________ act is admired by all. Syn.: gallant, civil, valiant Ant.: crude, uncouth, churlish, loutish

clemency

(noun) mercy, humaneness; mildness, moderateness Many judges are willing to show __________ to first offenders who express regret for their wrongdoing. Syn.: leniency, forbearance, gentleness Ant.: harshness, severity, cruelty, inflexibility

dearth

(noun) a lack, scarcity, inadequate supply; a famine An employer may complain of a __________ of qualified applicants for available jobs. Syn.: insufficiency, want, paucity Ant.: surplus, oversupply, glut, abundance

diffident

(adj.) shy, lacking self-confidence; modest, reserved Many a __________ suitor has lost his beloved to a bold rival. Syn.: timid, bashful, unassertive, withdrawn Ant.: bold, brash, audacious, self-confident, jaunty

discrepancy

(noun) a difference; a lack of agreement __________ in the testimony of witnesses to a crime can have a decisive impact on the outcome of a trial. Syn.: disagreement, divergence, inconsistency Ant.: agreement, convergence, consistency

embark

(verb) to go aboard; to make a start; to invest Columbus spent years raising money before he was able to _________ on his perilous ocean voyage in search of a passage to the Far East. Syn.: commence, launch, begin, board

facile

(adj.) easily done or attained; superficial; ready, fluent; easily shown but not sincerely felt Writing is a __________ process for some authors but a laborious task for others. Syn.: effortless, assured, poised, specious Ant.: labored, awkward, halting

indomitable

(adj.) unconquerable, refusing to yield All who hear of the remarkable deeds of Harriet Tubman admire her __________ courage in the face of grave danger. Syn.: unbeatable, invincible, unyielding Ant.: surrendering, submissive, yielding

infallible

(adj.) free from error; absolutely dependable Some critics seem convinced that their expert knowledge makes them __________ judges of the quality of an artist's work. Syn.: unerring, certain Ant.: imperfect

plod

(verb) to walk heavily or slowly; to work slowly After the blizzard, we had to __________ through deep snowdrifts to reach the nearest stores. Syn.: lumber, trudge Ant.: scamper, skip, prance

pungent

(adj.) causing a sharp sensation; stinging, biting The kitchen of the French restaurant was filled with the __________ aroma of onion soup. Syn.: sharp, spicy, piquant, caustic, racy Ant.: bland, unappetizing, colorless, insipid

remiss

(adj.) neglectful in performance of one's duty, careless When I am __________ in doing my daily chores, I have to spend a big part of the weekend catching up. Syn.: negligent, lax, slack Ant.: scrupulous, dutiful, punctilious

repose

(verb) to rest; lie; place; (noun) relaxation, peace of mind, calmness The mortal remains of thousands who fell in America's wars __________ in Arlington National Cemetery. After spending all day with others, you may wish for a period of __________ before dinner. Syn.: (verb) sleep; (noun) tranquillity, respite Ant.: (noun) exertion, wakefulness, tumult, bustle, ado

temerity

(noun) rashness, boldness Few of his subordinates had the __________ to answer the general back. Syn.: recklessness, foolhardiness, effrontery Ant.: timidity, fearfulness, diffidence, humility

truculent

(adj.) fierce and cruel; aggressive; deadly, destructive; scathingly harsh People with __________ dispositions can make life miserable for those who have to work with them. Syn.: brutal, savage, belligerent, vitriolic Ant.: gentle, mild, meek, unthreatening

unfeigned

(adj.) sincere, real, without pretense The novelist won high praise for her ability to portray the __________ emotions of children. Syn.: genuine, heartfelt Ant.: insincere, simulated, phony

virulent

(adj.) extremely poisonous; full of malice; spiteful The First Amendment protects the right of free speech for everyone, even those with __________ views that are repugnant to most people. Syn.: venomous, noxious, baneful, hateful Ant.: innocuous, harmless, benign