Building and Enriched Vocabulary

Lesson 19

Lesson 19 Vocabulary

Haughty Immunity Implacable

Heinous Immutable Implicit

Ignominy Impasse Impugn

Illicit Impediment Incarcerate

Immaculate Impervious Incense

Haughty

Adjective

Definition: Scornfully superior and aloof.I know I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but that’s no reason for a haughty salesclerk to treat me as if I had just crawled

out of the woodwork.

Synonyms: disdainful, snooty, condescending, arrogant

Antonyms: modest, unassuming, meek

Heinous

Adjective

Definition: Grossly wicked or vileWe found it hard to believe that our mild-mannered neighbor had

actually committed the heinous crime of which he was accused.

Synonyms: diabolic, loathsome, despicable, atrocious

Antonyms: commendable, meritorious, admirable

Ignominy

Noun

Definition: Dishonor or disgrace usually resulting from some sort of shameful conduct.

He was indeed a changed young man after he had suffered the ignominy of expulsion from West Point for conduct unbecoming an

officer and a gentleman.

Synonyms: humiliation, degradation, disrepute

Antonyms: acclaim, honor, glory

Illicit

Adjective

Definition: Unlawful, illegalEach year, part of the American tax dollar goes toward stemming the

flood of illicit narcotics pouring into the country.

Synonyms: unauthorized, forbidden, under-the-table, unsanctioned

Antonyms: legal, lawful, authorized, allowable

Immaculate

Adjective

Definition: Entirely free of stain, blemish, fault, or error; spotless.

Despite the heat and dirt of a summer day in the city, my mother managed to keep her clothing absolutely immaculate.

Synonyms: unsoiled, untarnished, flawless, impeccable

Antonyms: stained, spotted, blemished, tarnished

Immunity

Noun

Definition: Exemption from something, especially a disease.

Many people are fortunate enough to possess a natural immunity to certain diseases.

Synonyms: exclusion, protection, amnesty, insusceptibility

Immutable

Adjective

Definition: Not subject to change or modification.

Despite a series of unforeseen setbacks and failures, her faith in her own abilities remained immutable.

Synonyms: unchangeable, changeless, constant, fixed

Antonyms: erratic, variable, alterable, changeable

Impasse

Noun

Definition: A deadlock or dead end.“Since we have reached an impasse in these negotiations,” the union

official asked the representative of management, “why don’t we adjourn for the night?”

Synonyms: stalemate, standstill, dilemma

Impediment

Noun

Definition: A hindrance or obstruction.Lack of computer literacy is a serious impediment to

finding a good job in today’s world.

Synonyms: obstacle, handicap, barrier

Antonyms: aid, help, assistance

Impervious

Adjective

Definition: Incapable of being penetrated or affected.

You may know someone who is absolutely impervious to criticism.

Synonyms: impenetrable, unresponsive, unreceptive, closed to

Antonyms: open to, susceptible, amenable, receptive

Implacable

Adjective

Definition: Incapable of being pacified or appeased; inflexible

An implacable foe of slavery, William Lloyd Garrison took an uncompromising stand in favor of its abolition as early as 1831.

Synonyms: unrelenting, unforgiving, unbending, remorseless

Antonyms: compassionate, understanding, forbearing, merciful

Implicit

Adjective

Definition: (a) Understood, impliedIn almost any contract, there are implicit duties and obligations which

must be fulfilled even though they are not expressed in so many words.

(b) Absolute, unquestioningHe is the type of officer who expects implicit obedience from the

troops under his command. When he gives an order, he assumes that it will be carried out.

Synonyms: inferred, unspoken, unconditional, complete

Antonyms: explicit, specific, express

Impugn

Verb

Definition: To call into question; to cast doubt on.

“Before you impugn the man’s motives for doing what he did,” I said, “you’d better make certain that you can back up your suspicions with hard evidence.”

Synonyms: question, challenge, dispute, deny, query

Antonyms: vindicate, exonerate, justify, rationalize, vouch for

Incarcerate

Verb

Definition: To put in jail or otherwise confine.

In a democratic society such as ours, people may freely express their opinions without fear of being incarcerated for doing so.

Synonyms: jail, imprison, intern, constrain

Antonyms: liberate, set free, release

Incense

Verb

Definition: To make violently angry.“You rarely give me cause to become angry,” Dad said, “but this time

your behavior has truly incensed me.”

Synonyms: enrage, infuriate, enflame, provoke, incite

Antonyms: soothe, calm, pacify, appease