Building an Enriched Vocabulary Lesson 28

scapegoat

someone or something that is innocently made to bear the blame or punishment for the sins or misdeeds of others
syn: victim, butt, target, patsy

schism

a split or division within the ranks if an organization
syn: breach, break, cleft, rupture
ant: merger, fusion, union, amalgamation

scrutinize

to examine closely or critically
syn: peruse, study, inspect, pore over
ant: gloss over, skip over, scan

secular

not religious; pertaining to worldly (as opposed to spiritual) matters; pertaining to the state
syn: temporal, civil, mundane
ant: sacred, divine, spiritual, ecclesiastical

senile

showing the signs of old age, especially advanced mental or physical deterioration
syn: aged, decrepit, doddering, feeble minded
ant:youthful, adolescent, juvenile, infantile

solace

comfort or consolation in sorrow, distress, or misfortune
syn: succor, sympathy, commiseration, condolence
ant: vex, aggravate, badger, worry

sorid

filthy and mean
syn: foul, wretched, gross, sleazy
ant: splendid, opulent, luxurious, admirable

stamina

endurance; the moral or physical strength required to withstand hardships or overcome obstacles
syn: fortitude, perseverance, guts, grit
ant: weakness, infirmity, debility, frailty

stereotype

a conventional, usually oversimplified, conception or represented of something
sny: cliche, classify, generalize, about

stigmatize

to brand or characterize as blemished or disgraceful
syn: denounce, condemn, decry, discredit
ant: whitewash, compliment, extol

stipulate

to specify or demand as a condition for agreement; to guarantee or affirm
syn: require, contract, provide for

strategy

an overall plan of action designed to achieve a specific goal
syn: plan, blueprint, program, policy

strident

loud and harsh in sound
syn: grating, shrill, raucous, dissonant
ant: mellifluous, euphonious, melodious, dulcet

surveillance

close observation of a person or group considered suspicious; a continuous watch for the purpose of direction or control
syn: watch, monitoring, supervision, vigilance

syndrome

a group of traits, symptoms, or signs that collectively characterize a disease or social condition
syn: complex