1. Sordid – very bad or dirty
Synonyms: disreputable, nasty, shameful, sleazy, squalid, abject, avaricious
Antonyms: clean, decent
Usage: If people learn of the politician’s sordid past, they will not vote for him.
2. Primordial – in the beginning; in a basic way
Synonyms: prehistoric, primal, primeval, primitive, pristine
Antonyms: modern, latest
Usage: Man’s first language was primordial and consisted of only a few words.
3. Cupidity – excessive desire or greed
Synonyms: acquisitiveness, avarice, infatuation, covetousness, eagerness
Antonyms: apathy, dislike
Usage: John’s cupidity led him to try and rob the bank.
4. Fulcrum – the thing or individual upon which everything depends
Synonyms: blueprint, interpretation, code, symptom, guide, indicator,
Antonyms: exterior, outside
Usage: The fulcrum of the new project is the concrete foundation which must support the entire building.
5. Erratum – an error in text that is later corrected
Synonyms: error, mistake, typo
Antonyms: accuracy, correction
Usage: An erratum at the bottom of the article contains a correction for a spelling error.
6. Gallant – fearless and daring
Synonyms: bring about, inflict, unleash, wreck, execute
Antonyms: scarce, meager, scant
Usage: Unfortunately the fireman’s gallant effort to save the woman came too late.
7. Galore – in a huge amount
Synonyms: abounding, aplenty, in profusion, plentiful
Antonyms: calm, gentle, mild
Usage: Because there is food galore at the party, I know I will not go hungry.
8. Obdurate – stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action.
Synonyms: implacable, adamant, bullhead, callous, dogged
Antonyms: amenable, susceptible
Usage: Because Janice was obdurate, she did not shed a single tear while hearing the tragic story.
9. Pensive – expressing or revealing sad thoughtfulness
Synonyms: contemplative, dreamy, sober, thoughtful, wistful
Antonyms: negligent, uncaring
Usage: After losing his job, he became more pensive than ever.
10. Plucky – brave and determined
Synonyms: courageous, gutsy, heroic, spirited, spunky, valiant
Antonyms: cowardly, timid, afraid
Usage: His plucky attitude made him a great candidate for police officer training academy.