Martin High School -- Vocabulary Template

altercation noun a heated argument
As a result of the mounting tension, an altercation between the police and the residents broke out.
syn: controversy, quarrel, contention ant: amity, harmony, agreement
ambivalent adj. being uncertain; unable to decide between two opposing points of view
He felt ambivalent about his job; although he hated the pressure, he loved the challenge.
syn: indecisive ant: opinionated, decisive

amicable adj. friendly; peaceable
After years of arguing, the two sides put down their weapons and came to an amicable agreement.
syn: agreeable; amiable ant: quarrelsome

anathema noun a greatly disliked, hated person or thing; a curse or a person cursed
Because they saw him as a traitor, his presence in town was an anathema to the townspeople.
syn: abomination; abhorrence ant: blessing
apathy noun lack of interest
Because of the apathy of its citizens, the town went from bad to worse.
syn: lethargy; unconcern; indifference ant: interest; zeal; fervor

appease verb to make calm or quiet; to give into the demands of
The small snack before dinner did nothing to appease his appetite.
syn: pacify, placate, allay ant: enrage, aggravate, defy
arduous adj. difficult; requiring much effort; strenuous
Refinishing the old bookcase proved to be an arduous task, though the finished product was well worth it.
syn: strenuous, laborious ant: facile, easy, simple
audacity noun insolence; rude boldness
The student's audacity in talking back to the teacher earned him detention.
syn: exact, fastidious ant: careless, imprecise, sloppy
augment verb to enlarge; to increase in amount or intensity
I had to take a second job to augment my income.
syn: expand, enhance, increase ant: abate, shrivel, reduce
austere adj. stern, severe, plain
The sober, old judge was as austere in his manner as he was in his lifestyle and dress.
syn: abstemious, rigorous, ascetic ant: luxurious, affable, indulgent