1. Ambush – lying in wait in concealed position
Synonyms: ambuscade, camouflage, concealment, deception, hiding, lurking
Antonyms: frankness, honesty
Usage: I called the police because I was sure that a man was lying in ambush behind my car.
2. Swoop – descend quickly.
Synonyms: dive, plummet, pounce, fall, plunge, rush, slide
Antonyms: rise, ascend
Usage: The owl can swoop down on a mouse in total darkness.
3. Inexplicable – unable to be explained or accounted for.
Synonyms: unexplainable, incomprehensible, unfathomable, impenetrable
Antonyms: comprehensible, explainable, fathomable, intelligible
Usage: For some inexplicable reason her mind went completely blank
4. Ruckus – a commotion or disturbance
Synonyms: brawl, fracas, fuss, hubbub, quarrel, stink, upheaval, uproar
Antonyms: harmony, peace
Usage: The effects of the ruckus from the angry citizens left many people arrested for disturbing the peace.
5. Afoul – to come into conflict with
Synonyms: erroneously, faultily, improperly, inappropriately, mistakenly
Antonyms: right
Usage: Pretty sure killing people on a sovereign nation’s soil might fall afoul of that nation’s laws.
6. Proffer – hold out or put forward (something) to someone for acceptance.
Synonyms: propound, extend, propose, proposition, submit, volunteer
Antonyms: conceal, fight, hold, refrain
Usage: Since I am hungry, I am happy to accept your proffer of a meal.
7. Confiscate – take or seize (someone’s property) with authority.
Synonyms: appropriate, expropriate, impound, annex, arrogate, assume
Antonyms: give, offer
Usage: The government confiscated his property early in the war
8. Fete – honour or entertain (someone) lavishly.
Synonyms: banquet, carnival, festival, fiesta, pageant
Usage: She was an instant celebrity, feted by the media
9. Disposition – the way that someone normally thinks and behaves.
Synonyms: habit, inclination, mood, personality, propensity, temper, tendency
Antonyms: disinclination, dislike, hatred
Usage: Whenever my uncle was feeling ill, his friendly disposition disappeared.
10. Retort – a quick reply to a question or remark
Synonyms: quip, rejoinder, repartee, antiphon, counter, reprisal
Antonyms: questions, request
Usage: She tried to think of a retort, but couldn’t.