1. ambidextrous – able to use both
hands equally well
Being ambidextrous helps some
athletes experience more success.
2. gibe – ridicule, mock, jeer
The governor received gibes from the
press during the live interview.
3. bereft – bereaved; made unhappy
because of loss
The Harris family bereaved the
unfortunate loss of their grandmother.
4. intimation – inkling, clue, hint, indication
The teacher intimated to her students to
read the notes on Google Docs.
5. dour – bleak, gloomy
At times this weekend, the weather was
quite dour.
6. fortitude – steadfastness, resolve
Even though Nikki had four projects to
complete this weekend, her mental fortitude
helped her stay focus and finish all of them.
7. gape – gawk, ogle; to open the mouth
The family gaped at the cupcakes until
they were allowed to indulge.
8. reiterate – restate, repeat
The doctor reiterated the instructions
for taking the medication.
9. guise – costume, mask
Cynthia wore the guise of a chef, but
could not cook at all.
10. insidious – cunning, intended to deceive,
treacherous
The insidious doctor was sued by five
patients for malpractice.
11. adulterate – contaminate, sully, corrupt
The restaurant needed to close early
because the wait staff adulterated some of
the food.
12. tentative – uncertain, inconclusive
During the snow storm, the city gave its
citizen a tentative trash pick-up schedule.
13. verbatim – word for word
The court transcriber typed the
testimony verbatim.
14. opulent – rich, abundant, lavish
The resort the family booked for their
vacation looked opulent online.
15. stolid – impassive, unresponsive
The student appeared stolid when the
the teacher handed back the report.
16. augment – enlarge, amplify, increase
A huge donation from Bill Gates
augmented the food supply at the
shelter.
17. unkempt – sloppy, disheveled
After running away from his family, the
poor dog came back unkempt.
18. deploy – station, organize, arrange
Security guards were deployed around
the arena during the game.
19. warily – carefully, cautiously
Steve’s parents warily permitted him to
attend the party.
20. pliable – resilient, flexible; easily
influenced
The contractor needed pliable materials
when they renovated the house.
Vocabulary Unit 1: Synonyms
1. ambidextrous - versatile
2. gibe - taunt
3. bereft - grieving
4. intimation - suggestion
5. dour - bleak
6. fortitude - tenacity
7. gape - yawn
8. reiterate - restate
9. guise - facade
10. insidious - deceptive
Vocabulary Unit 1: Synonyms
• 11. adulterate - impure
• 12. tentative - indefinite
• 13. verbatim - exact
• 14. opulent - palatial
• 15. stolid - aloof
• 16. augment - enhance
• 17. unkempt - disarray
• 18. deploy - position
• 19. warily – leery
• 20. pliable – malleable