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copious (adj)
- DEFINITION: filled with abundance; plentiful
- SENTENCE: Pete Wentz wears copious amounts of eyeliner, known as guyliner.
- SYNONYMS: bountiful, ample, rich
- ANTONYMS: lacking, meager, scarce
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abstemious (adj)
- DEFINITION: filled with moderation; temperate in eating and drinking
- SENTENCE: The skunk's malodorous smell is a defensive weapon that repels predators and can be
- detected up to a mile away.
- SYNONYMS: temperate, frugal, moderate
- ANTONYMS: greedy, gluttonous, intemperate
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malodorous (adj)
- DEFINITION: filled with an unpleasant odor; foul smelling
- SENTENCE: The skunk's malodorous smell is a defensive weapon that repels predators and can be
- detected up to a mile away.
- SYNONYMS: noxious, rancid, putrid
- ANTONYMS: aromatic, fragrant, perfumed
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tedious (adj)
- DEFINITION: filled with boredom; very tiresome; dull and fatiguing
- SENTENCE: Direct Hits is designed to make studying vocabulary much LESS tedious!
- SYNONYMS: annoying, laborious, tiring
- ANTONYMS: entertaining, exciting, interesting
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entomology (n)
- DEFINITION: the scientific study of insects
- SENTENCE: My friend's mum is an entomologist; she studies bugs.
- SYNONYMS: n/a
- ANTONYMS: n/a
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foreshadow (v)
- DEFINITION: to suggest or indicate that something will happen in a story
- SENTENCE: The conclusion of "Batman Begins" foreshadows the Caped Crusader's coming battle with the Joker.
- SYNONYMS: foretell, predict
- ANTONYMS: unprophetic
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subplot (n)
- DEFINITION: a secondary plot in fiction or drama
- SENTENCE: "The Great Gatsby" includes a subplot based on the relationship between Nick Carraway
- and Jordan Baker.
- SYNONYMS: cabal, parenthesis
- ANTONYMS: n/a
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memoir (n)
- DEFINITION: an autobiography; personal journal
- SENTENCE: Many famous people have written memoirs about their lives.
- SYNONYMS: account, chronicle, reminiscence
- ANTONYMS: n/a
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anecdote (n)
- DEFINITION: a short account of an interesting or humorous incident
- SENTENCE: A raconteur is good at telling anecdotes (using multiple vocal words in one sentence = win)
- SYNONYMS: episode, narration, sketch
- ANTONYMS: n/a
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eulogy (n)
- DEFINITION: a laudatory (praising) speech or written tribute, especially praising someone who is dead
- SENTENCE: People often delve eulogies at funerals.
- SYNONYMS: paean, tribute, accolade
- ANTONYMS: criticism, denunciation, disapproval
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allusion (n)
- DEFINITION: an indirect or brief reference to a person, event, place, phrase, piece of art, or literary work that assumes a common knowledge with the reader/lister
- SENTENCE: The title of every "Gossip Girl" episode is an allusion to a famous movie or book.
- SYNONYMS: quotation, connotation, implication
- ANTONYMS: reality
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catalyst (n)
- DEFINITION: something that provokes or triggers change
- SENTENCE: Rosa Parks was a catalyst who helped provoke historical changes.
- SYNONYMS: motivation, stimulant, agitator
- ANTONYMS: block, hindrance
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caustic (adj)
- DEFINITION: describing something that hurts or burns (figuratively)
- SENTENCE: Simon Cowell always makes caustic remarks at the contestants on American Idol.
- SYNONYMS: abrasive, acerbic, astringent
- ANTONYMS: bland, kind, nice, sweet
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synthetic (adj)
- DEFINITION: produced artificially, especially in a laboratory or other man-made environment
- SENTENCE: Synthetic drugs are often more dangerous than naturally grown ones.
- SYNONYMS: manufactured, plastic
- ANTONYMS: genuine, real, natural
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precipitate (v)
- DEFINITION: To cause an event to happen
- SENTENCE: The discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba precipitated the Cuban Missile Crisis.
- SYNONYMS: accelerate, expedite, hasten, trigger
- ANTONYMS: halt, hinder, stop, cease
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relief (n)
- DEFINITION: elevation of a land surface
- SENTENCE: Relief maps of the USA show rises in the mountains in the east and west.
- SYNONYMS: n/a
- ANTONYMS: n/a
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currency (n)
- DEFINITION: general acceptance or use, prevalence
- SENTENCE: The coach's idea that coaches should treat their players with respect is gaining currency,
- but many coaches will rely on tirades to motivate their players.
- SYNONYMS: prevalence, circulation, exposure
- ANTONYMS: obsolete, passe
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negotiate (v)
- DEFINITION: to successfully travel through, around, or over an obstacle/terrain
- SENTENCE: Frodo negotiated a series of obstacles before reaching the Crack of Doom in Mordor.
- SYNONYMS: agree, haggle, mediate
- ANTONYMS: contend, disagree
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cavalier (adj)
- DEFINITION: describing an arrogant attitude/haughty disregard for others
- SENTENCE: Marie Antoinette's cavalier attitude inflamed great hatred in her people.
- SYNONYMS: condescending, curt, haughty
- ANTONYMS: humble, reticent
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sanction (n)
- DEFINITION: an official approval/disapproval for an action
- SENTENCE: College Board imposes strict sanctions on students who forget to turn off cell phones off
- during the SAT.
- SYNONYMS: approval, allowance, consent
- ANTONYMS: denial, disapproval, opposition
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compromise (v)
- DEFINITION: to reduce the quality or value of something; to jeopardize or place at risk
- SENTENCE: Don't ever compromise your dignity for money. That's just lame.
- SYNONYMS: accommodation, pact, accord, arrangement
- ANTONYMS: denial, disagreement, contest
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channel (v)
- DEFINITION: to direct or guide along a desired course
- SENTENCE: Tony channeled his creative energies into building a high-tech suit of armor.
- SYNONYMS: carry, convey, siphon, transmit
- ANTONYMS: hold, keep
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scathing (adj)
- DEFINITION: harshly critical
- SENTENCE: Simon Cowell often delivers scathing criticisms of others on American Idol.
- SYNONYMS: biting, caustic, harsh, scorching, searing
- ANTONYMS: calm, gentle, mild, nice, kind
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elan (n)
- DEFINITION: a vigorous spirit; a great enthusiasm
- SENTENCE: The Rough Riders were full of élan as they invaded Cuba.
- SYNONYMS: animation, flair, panache
- ANTONYMS: apathy, lethargy
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didactic (adj)
- DEFINITION: designed or intended to teach and instruct
- SENTENCE: The didactic lesson plan was designed to help the students learn better.
- SYNONYMS: edifying, enlightening
- ANTONYMS: uninstructive
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