Essentials Vocabulary - Week 3
apathetic Meaning
[ap-uh-THET-ik] Adjective Having or showing little or no emotion. Not interested or concerned. ●
Usage ●
His apathetic behaviour did not go over well with his manager, and he was fired. The boy showed an apathetic attitude towards his homework.
Synonyms
callous, indifferent, laid-back, passive, stoic, uninterested
Antonyms
caring, compassionate, concerned, feeling, interested.
apex Meaning
Usage
[ap-eks] Noun The tip, point or vertex. At the point of climax or peak. ● ●
His time as president of the company is the apex of his career. They reached the apex of the mountain around noon and set up camp.
Synonyms
apogee, climax, culmination, pinnacle, peak
Antonyms
base, bottom
appalling
[uh-PAW-ling] Adjective
Meaning
Causing dismay or horror. ●
Usage ●
He was dismissed for his appalling actions and inexcusable behaviour. The appalling crime was reported all over the world.
Synonyms
alarming, ghastly, astounding, awful, dire, disheartened, shocking
Antonyms
calming, comforting, delightful, good
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apparent Meaning
[uh-PAR-uh nt] Adjective Capable of being perceived or understood. Seemingly real or true, but not necessarily so. ●
Usage
●
It was apparent by the look on his face that he was the winner of the national lottery. The results from his examination are pretty apparent and show that he is in good health.
Synonyms
evident, plain, obvious, seemingly, superficial
Antonyms
unclear, obscure, genuine
appreciable [uh-PREE-uh-buh l] Adjective Meaning
Sufficient to be readily perceived or estimated. ●
Usage
●
There is an appreciable difference in doing just enough and going the extra mile. She has to work harder because of her appreciable learning issues.
Synonyms
definite, detectable, discernable, marked, noticeable, considerable, substantial, sizeable,
Antonyms
ambiguous, imperceptible, indistinct
apprehensive [ap-ri-HEN-siv] Adjective Meaning
Uneasy or fearful about something that might happen. ●
Usage
●
The captain was apprehensive for the safety of the firefighters during the fire. After a lot of practice, she was less apprehensive of her ability to ride a bike.
Synonyms
afraid, concerned, doubtful, jittery, jumpy
Antonyms
calm, certain, clear, collected, composed
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arbitrary
[AHR-bi-trer-ee] Adjective
Meaning
Subject, to individual will or judgement without restriction. Based on a random choice or personal whim rather than any reason or system. ●
Usage ●
Arbitrary behaviour is not healthy among friends and can create tension. It was an arbitrary decision to pardon him for his offences.
Synonyms
capricious, discretionary, erratic, frivolous, inconsistent
Antonyms
consistent, definite, dependable, logical
aromatic
[ar-uh-MAT-ik] Adjective/Noun
Meaning
Having a distinctive and pleasant smell. (adjective) A plant, drug or medicine yielding a fragrant smell (Noun) ●
Usage ●
The garden is quite aromatic during spring and summer. (adjective) Her aromatics help her relax when she is doing yoga. (noun)
Synonyms
fragrant, perfumed, pungent, savoury, scented
Antonyms
bland, dull, flavourless
arrogant
[AR-uh-guh- nt] Adjective
Meaning
Making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights. Characterised by or proceeding from the sense of superiority, self-importance, or entitlement. ●
Usage
●
Drew’s arrogant behaviour is the result of her being ridiculously rich. His arrogant claims were found to be false during the investigation.
Synonyms
bossy, cocky, haughty, pompous, pretentious, smug, conceited, proud
Antonyms
humble, modest, shy, timid
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articulate Meaning
Usage
[ahr-TIK-yuh-lit] Adjective/Verb Expressed clearly in distinct syllables. (adjective) To utter clearly and distinctly. (verb) ● ●
His articulate speech won many hearts and minds (adj.) The teacher carefully articulated the project instruction. (v)
Synonyms
coherent, eloquent, expressive, fluent, well-spoken.
Antonyms
inarticulate, hesitate, unintelligible
artillery
[ahr-TIL-uh-ree] noun
Meaning
Mounted projectile-firing guns or missile launchers. The troops or the branch of an army concerned with the use and service of such weapons.
Usage
● ●
The army’s advanced artillery won them the war. The attacking artillery is quite intimidating to the enemies.
Synonyms
battery, cannon, gunnery
Antonyms
none
ascendant Meaning
Usage
[uh-SEN-duh nt] adjective Moving upwards or rising in power or influence. ● ●
The ascendant political party is winning all elections. The King desperately looked for warts to defeat the ascendant enemy.
Synonyms
predominant, rising, dominant, superior
Antonyms
humble, inferior
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