Atone

Atone At one time or another, everyone has done something he needs to atone for.

v. – to make up for Syn: expiate, made amends for

bondage Slaves were held in bondage and escaped in the Underground Railroad.

N -- slavery Syn – captivity; dependence Ant – freedom, liberty

credible Kelsey had a credible explanation as to why her grade on the Algebra test was so low.

Adj – believable Syn – plausible, acceptable, likely Ant – unbelievable, improbable

defray The school helped to defray the cost of the yearbook when the staff didn’t have enough money.

V – to pay for Syn – settle; foot the bill

diligent Diligent students study really hard for their tests.

Adj – hardworking, not lazy Syn – assiduous Ant -- lazy

doleful One look at the child’s doleful face showed he had just found out there was no Santa Claus.

Adj – sad, dreary • Syn – sorrowful, mournful • Ant – cheerful, buoyant

ghastly The man died b/c of the ghastly wound he received when he fell on the knife four times.

Adj – frightful, horrible; deathly, pale Syn – dreadful, appalling, grisly Ant – pleasant, agreeable, delightful

Hamper Poor grades will hamper you in getting into a good college.

V– to hold back Syn – hinder, obstruct Ant – ease, smooth the way

hew Even in a crisis, we must hew this nation’s principles of liberty, equality, and justice.

V = to shape or cut down w/ an ax; to hold to Syn – chop, hack, conform

impoverished There are many impoverished people living in the streets in India.

Adj. – poor, poverty Syn – poverty-stricken; destitute Ant – rich, wealthy

incessant The incessant talking in the classroom got the students in a lot of trouble with the teacher.

Adj – never stopping Syn – ceaseless, constant Ant – occasional, sporadic

Intricate Our teacher took us thru the intricate solution to the equation step by step.

Adj – complicated, hard to understand Syn – complex Ant – simple, uncomplicated

Lucid The ability to speak in a lucid and persuasive fashion is a great asset to a politician.

Adj – easy to understand, clear Syn – limpid, intelligible Ant – murky, muddy

posthumous Many artists and writers have been ignored during their lifetimes only to achieve posthumous fame.

Adj – occurring or published after death Syn – postmortem Ant -- prenatal

prim How is it that such a prim and tidy person and such a messy one can be such good friends?

Adj – overly neat, precise, proper or formal; prudish Syn – fussy, squeamish Ant – dowdy, frumpy

Sardonic Great satirists save their most sardonic wit for the greedy, the corrupt, and the hypocritical.

Adj – grimly or scornfully mocking, bitterly sarcastic Syn – caustic, mordant, wry Ant – bland, mild, good-natured

Superfluous Neat and well-organized people know how to eliminate all superfluous clutter.

Adj – exceeding what is sufficient or required, excess Ant – surplus, supererogatory Ant – necessary, vital, essential

supplant Computers rapidly supplant typewriters in the workplace, just as photocopiers replaced carbon paper.

V – to take the place of, supersede Syn – replace, displace, oust

taunt It is not at all unusual for brothers and sisters to tease and taunt each other.

V – to jeer at, mockn – an insulting or mocking remark Syn – ridicule, deride Ant – cheer, applaud, acclaim

tenacious Athletes must be tenacious in the pursuit of excellence if they hope to become Olympic champions.

Adj – holding fast; holding together firmly; persistent Syn – stubborn, obstinate Ant – yielding, weak, gentle, slack