Week 6

Novel - new; original

She has suggested a novel approach to the problem.

 

Antonym: Familiar

A longtime familiar of the bar, she would most likely have been there on the night in question.

 

Philanthropy - love of mankind; donating to charity

The family's philanthropy made it possible to build the public library.

 

Antonym: Cheapest

I always buy the cheapest brand of cereal.

 

Tentative - experimental; temporary; uncertain

We have tentative plans for the weekend.

 

Antonym: Independent

The country recently became independent.

 

Deference - submission to another's will; respect; courtesy

Her relatives treat one another with deference.

 

Antonym: Defiance

Any defiance of the authoritarian regime would have dire consequences.

 

Vacillate - to be indecisive; to waver back and forth

She has vacillated on this issue.

 

Antonym: Dive (in)

You can't dive in this water without a wet suit.

 

Fervor - passion

The fervor surrounding her campaign continued right through election day.

 

Antonym: Impassive

Her face remained impassive throughout the trial.

 

Dispassionate - without passion; objective; neutral

Journalists aim to be dispassionate observers.

 

Antonym: Biased

She is too biased to write about the case objectively.

 

Pragmatic - practical; down-to-earth; based on experience rather than theory

His pragmatic view of public education comes from years of working in city schools.

 

Antonym: Idealistic

Idealistic pacifists who thought that tyranny could be toppled by rational argument and mutual understanding.

 

Rigorous - strict; harsh; severe

We subjected the data to a rigorous analysis.

 

Antonym: Clement

Hawaii is known for its delightfully clement climate.

 

Solemn - serious; grave

He spoke in a solemn and thoughtful manner.

 

Antonym: Flighty

An actress who specializes in playing silly, flighty women.