Unit 15
DEF = (adj.) causing irritation, harsh; grinding or wearing
down; (n.) a substance used to smooth or polish
SYN = (adj.) chafing, grating, rasping, erosive
ANT = (adj.) smooth, polished, satiny, oily
Sometimes an ITCHY
WOOL SWEATER
can be ABRASIVE
on your skin.
Sandpaper is an ABRASIVE
that is used to WEAR DOWN
wood and make it smooth.
DEF = (v.) to adapt to a new climate, environment, or
situation
SYN = accustom, learn the ropes
Word Connection:
When going to a new CLIMATE,
you must ACCLIMATE yourself to
the new temperatures.
Chameleons are able to
ACCLIMATE to different
environments by ADAPTING
their color to match their
background for camouflage.
DEF = (n.) irritation or humiliation caused by
disappointed or frustration; (v.) to cause such a feeling
SYN = (n.) mortification; (v.) mortify, abash
ANT = (n.) jubilation, triumph; (v.) delight
This sign could say,
“I’m so CHAGRINED”.
DEF = (adj.) self-satisfied; overly content
SYN = smug, pleased with oneself
Word Connection:
If you are comPLACEnt,
you‘re happy with your
PLACE in life.
This guy is COMPLACENT
because he is
PLEASED WITH HIMSELF.
DEF = (v.) to express agreement, approve
SYN = agree, assent, ratify, sanction
ANT = disagree, differ, part company
Spanish Connection:
In Spanish “con” = “with”
If you “concur”, you’re “with” someone.
Giving a “thumbs up” is body
language to show that you
CONCUR.
DEF = (n.) slander or libel
SYN = mudslinging, vilification
ANT = praise, salute, tribute
Word Connection:
DE-FAME = take away fame
People who use
DEFAMATION of
character are trying
to HURT someone’s
REPUTATION.
DEF = (v.) to make plain or clear, explain; to interpret
SYN = clarify, elucidate, untangle, spell out
ANT = confuse, bewilder, obscure, obfuscate
Word Connection:
EXPLicate = EXPLain
Dictionaries help
EXPLICATE the meaning of
difficult words.
This teacher is EXPLICATING
difficult information for her
students.
DEF = (n.) a noisy quarrel or brawl
SYN = row, altercation, brouhaha
ANT = agreement, accord, harmony, unanimity
In a FRACAS
there’s a lot of shouting
and hitting.
A FRACAS is a FIGHT.
DEF = (adj.) unnatural, distorted; bizarre
SYN = fantastic, outlandish, ugly, deformed
ANT = appealing, attractive, comely
Word Connection:
Think “GROSS”
This “Tiger Man” wanted to be a tiger
and had many operations
and tattoos to make himself
look this way.
His “tiger face” is definitely
UNNATURAL and DISTORTED. Some
people might think his new look is
GROTESQUE.
DEF = (n.) a wild uproar, din, or commotion
SYN = chaos, tumult, bedlam, three ring circus
ANT = order, calm, tranquility, peace, repose
Word Connection:
In movies DEMONS
are always causing
panDEMONium.
When people are trading stocks for
billions of dollars, there can be CHAOS
and PANDEMONIUM at the
New York Stock Exchange!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The “friendly” hockey game erupted into a(n) _____ when a
player “accidentally” got a stick to the face.
After receiving the news that she might have cancer, Sherry
immediately saw a second doctor to see if he _____ with the
first doctor’s opinion.
The jagged edges of the piece of wood were so ____ that
when I brushed my arm against it, I began to bleed.
At times the _____ in the preschool classroom made the
teachers feels like they were zookeepers!
Before the writing final I’m going to ask Mrs. Musick to ____
the directions. I want to make sure I get a good grade!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Johnny’s _____ attitude will leave him stuck in a low-paying
job because he’s too smug and lazy to try for something better.
To my _____, I realized I had given my entire presentation
with a large green piece of broccoli stuck between my teeth.
Sadly, social networking websites don’t offer just a place to
meet friends; they also provide opportunities for cruel people
to engage in the ______ of others.
When Tim returned from active duty in Iraq, he found it very
difficult to __________ to civilian life.
When police arrived at the murder scene, they found the
victim’s body arranged in a _____ position.
DEF = (adj.) disagreeably harsh-sounding; disorderly
SYN = boisterous, clamorous, strident
ANT = placid, tranquil, peaceful, serene, pastoral
Anybody (or any Muppet) banging
on drums would create a
RAUCOUS NOISE.
DEF = (adj.) open or responsive to ideas or suggestions
SYN = open-minded, tolerant, amenable
ANT = narrow-minded, intolerant, hidebound
Businesses that offer a
“Suggestions Box” are RECEPTIVE to
customers’ NEW IDEAS.
Word Connection:
To be RECEptive
is to RECEive
DEF = (v.) to give up or resign something
SYN = repudiate, disown, abdicate, abjure
ANT = secure, affirm, assent, aver
To TURN AWAY from
something or to QUIT
is to RENOUNCE.
DEF = (v.) to hold back; to put down or check by force
SYN = subdue, curb, stifle, constrain, bottle up
ANT = liberate, set loose, provoke, excite
Word Connection:
To rePRESS is to PRESS DOWN
If a person has
REPRESSED memories,
she has PUSHED them to
the BACK OF HER MIND.
It would be hard to
remember a REPRESSED
memory.
DEF = (adj.) not inclined to speak; reserved; reluctant
SYN = taciturn, close-mouthed, tight-lipped
ANT = talkative, garrulous, long-winded
Word Connection:
reticENT = silENT
A RETICENT person keeps his
MOUTH CLOSED.
DEF = (adj.) tasty, appetizing; pungent or salty, not
sweet; inoffensive, respectable
SYN = delectable, flavorful, aromatic, piquant
ANT = distasteful, unpalatable, malodorous, bland
Rhyme Connection:
Savor the Flavor
All of these foods are
SAVORY.
DEF = (adj.) sleepy, drowsy; inducing sleep
SYN = groggy, soporific
ANT = alert, lively, wide-awake, stimulating
SOMinex is a SLEEPING pill that helps
a person FALL ASLEEP.
DEF = (adj.) intense, forceful, powerful
SYN = emphatic, fierce, vigorous, impassioned
ANT = apathetic, lukewarm, subdued, muted
An EXCLAMATION POINT
shows that someone is saying
something VEHEMENTLY!!
When Serena Williams is on the
tennis court, she hits every ball
VEHEMENTLY.
DEF = (adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words;
glib, fluent
SYN = loquacious, garrulous, long-winded
ANT = uncommunicative, taciturn, terse
Word Connection:
A VOLUble person produces
A LARGE VOLUme of words.
DEF = (adj.) eager, earnest, devoted
SYN = ardent, fervent, devout, gung ho
ANT = reluctant, unwilling, averse, tepid
These ZEALOUS
Bears fans are so
DEVOTED to their
team that they
PAINTED THEIR
FACES and DYED
THEIR HAIR!!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Sitting in the concert hall listening to the soothing sound of
the string quartet, a ______ feeling came over me, and I
could hardly keep my eyes open.
After his terrible car accident, Tom met with a therapist to
help him deal with _____ memories of the event that were
causing nightmares.
The ______ Jonas Brothers fans came to the concert
carrying signs that read, “The Jonas Brothers Rock!!”
The ________ girls at the slumber party kept everyone in
the house awake all night.
Just looking at the ______ food on the table made my mouth
begin to water.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
From the ______ way my mother said, “Absolutely not!” I
knew there was no hope of changing her mind.
Mrs. Sanders has a ______ personality. If you ask her
about her grandkids, she’ll go on and on for hours.
After the news broke about the Senator’s affair, he
_______ his position in the U.S. Senate.
Although I am unhappy about some changes in my job, I
am ______ to speak up about it for fear that I might be
fired.
When I called customer service, I said a little prayer that
my call would be answered by a ______ person. I just
needed someone to listen to my problem!