1. 2 nd quarter – 2015/2016 thefreedictionary.com merriam-webster.com thesaurus.com

2. 1. negate Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms nullify disprove invalidate prove confirm corroborate (verb) to make ineffective or invalid; to deny the existence or truth of negates/negated/negating noun – negator

3.  The fact that she lied about her work experience negated her contract.

4. 2. potent Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms powerful compelling efficacious ineffective weak (adjective) having or wielding force, authority, or influence; chemically or medicinally effective adverb – potently noun – potentness

5.  The serial killer used a potent concoction to disable her victims.

6. 3. rigorous Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms precise rigid uncompromising careless lenient soft (adjective) very strict and demanding; scrupulously accurate; difficult to endure because of extreme conditions adverb – rigorously noun – rigorousness

7.  Cornell and Brown are two Ivy League schools known for their rigorous curricula.

8. 4. spurious Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms bogus specious fake genuine authentic valid (adjective) lacking authenticity or validity in essence of origin; not trustworthy; dubious or fallacious adverb – spuriously noun – spuriousness

9.  On display was a spurious Picasso painting that wouldn’t have fooled an art expert for a second!

10. 5. therapeutic Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms curative salutary restorative harmful injurious untherapeutic (adjective) providing or assisting in a cure; of or relating to the treatment of an illness adverb – therapeutically noun – therapy

11.  For many cancer patients, the therapeutic benefits of radiation surpass the negative side effects.

12. 6. altercation Synonyms ~Antonyms Definition Other Forms quarrel dispute bickering peace agreement harmony (noun) a noisy or angry argument NA

13.  Judging from all of the slamming and banging, I’d say there is some kind of altercation going on next door.

14. 7. circumspect Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms prudent vigilant discriminating careless thoughtless unscrupulous (adjective) careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences adverb – circumspectly noun – circumspection

15.  She has a reputation for being quiet and circumspect in investigating charges of child abuse.

16. 8. deference Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms honor regard complaisance dishonor disregard disrespect (noun) a way of behaving that shows respect for someone or something NA

17.  In deference to her parents’ wishes, Jolene agreed to choose a college close to home.

18. 9. guile Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms trickery cunning deceit forthrightness sincerity truthfulness (noun) the use of clever and usually dishonest methods to achieve something adjective – guileful adverb – guilefully noun – guilefulness

19.  Jerry is a shady salesman who usually relies on a combination of quick thinking and guile.

20. 10. impassive Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms emotionless reticent stoic agitated emotional excited (adjective) not showing emotion adverb – impassively noun – impassivity/impassiveness

21.  Her face remained impassive throughout the trial.

22. 11. malevolent Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms malicious sinister vengeful benevolent kind harmless (adjective) having or showing a desire to cause harm to another adverb – malevolently noun – malevolence

23.  The novel grossly oversimplified the struggle between relentlessly malevolent villains on one side and faultless saints on the other.

24. 12. placate Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms soothe mollify appease incite irritate provoke (verb) to cause someone to feel less angry about something placates/placated/placating adverb – placatingly noun – placater/placation adjective – placative/placatory

25.  The administration placated protesters by agreeing to consider their demands.

26. 13. pugnacious Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms cantankerous hot-tempered irascible easygoing laidback (adjective) having a quarrelsome or combative nature adverb – pugnaciously noun – pugnacity/pugnaciousness

27.  Bargaining was difficult because there were several pugnacious members who refused to make any concessions.

28. 14. tirade Synonyms ~Antonyms Definition Other Forms diatribe harangue ranting compliment praise (noun) a long and angry speech NA

29.  Johnathon’s tirade about the failures of the government was thought-provoking.

30. 15. volatile Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms explosive erratic fickle constant stable steady (adjective) tending to violence; likely to change in a sudden or extreme way noun – volatility/volatileness

31.  The stock markets can be very volatile.

32. 16. capricious Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms erratic temperamental unpredictable constant predictable unchanging (adjective) changing (esp. mood or behavior) often and quickly; not logical or reasonable; unable to predict adverb – capriciously noun – caprice/capriciousness

33.  The court ruled that the punishment was arbitrary and capricious, thus negating the findings of the lower court.

34. 17. catharsis Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms purging cleansing release NA (noun) a purifying or figurative cleansing of the emotions; a release of emotional tension adjective – cathartic adverb – cathartically

35.  Acting is a means of catharsis for her.

36. 18. discrepancy Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms disparity inconsistency variation accord likeness similarity (noun) a difference, esp. between things that should be the same NA

37.  Discrepancies in the firm’s financial statements led to an investigation.

38. 19. ephemeral Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms fleeting short-lived transitory enduring lasting perpetual (adjective) lasting a very short time adverb – ephemerally noun – ephemerality/ephemeralness

39.  The autumnal blaze of colors is so treasured, all the more so because it is so ephemeral.

40. 20. induce Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms cause motivate promote discourage dissuade prevent (verb) to lead or move via influence or persuasion; to bring about or stimulate the occurrence of induces/induced/inducing

41.  The advertisement is meant to induce people to eat more fruit.

42. 21. phenomenon Synonyms ~Antonyms Definition Other Forms rare occurrence wonder anomaly usualness normality regularity (noun) an interesting fact or event that is difficult to explain; impressive or popular because of an unusual ability or quality plural – phenomena

43.  Movies like The Shawshank Redemption, Footloose, and Pulp Fiction are cultural phenomena (in my humble opinion).

44. 22. rectify Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms amend remedy make right corrupt worsen (verb) to set right; correct rectifies/rectified/rectifying adjective – rectifiable noun – rectification

45.  The hotel management promised to rectify the problem within the hour.

46. 23. resolution ~Synonyms ~Antonyms Definition Other Forms determination conclusion verdict draw deadlock stalemate (noun) the answer or solution to a problem, conflict, etc.; the ability of a device to show an image clearly NA

47.  Her resolution to become a vegetarian is based on what she recently learned about modern farming practices.

48. 24. retract Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms disavow recant renege acknowledge admit reaffirm (verb) to take back; to draw back or in retracts/retracted/retracting adjective – retractable noun - retractability

49.  They retracted the job offer after viewing her posts on social media.

50. 25. serene Synonyms Antonyms Definition Other Forms peaceful calm tranquil agitated annoyed turbulent (adjective) calm and peaceful; content or composed adverb – serenely noun – sereneness

51.  Though the serene waters were beautiful, they were probably not the best for sailing.