Name _______________________
Language Arts
Date ______________
Period _____________
VOCABULARY WORDS
Potpourri—week 20/21
1. apprehensive (adjective)
(apprehension) (noun)
Definition – uneasy or fearful about something that might happen
Synonyms – nervous, uneasy, worried, anxious
Antonyms – calm, unafraid
Comparison context clue sentence – The apprehensive girl was afraid to go on the rollercoaster
just like the man who was afraid that something bad would happen if he went hang gliding.
Sample Context Clue Sentence:
2. predicament – (noun)
Definition –an unpleasantly difficult, perplexing, or dangerous
situation; quandary, dilemma, tight spot or mess
Synonyms– quandary, dilemma
Antonyms – solution
Comparison context clue sentence – It was a predicament when I had to choose to do tap or
ballet for the year; similarly it was a dilemma when I had to choose between the CDMS coffee house
and my last soccer game.
Sample Context Clue Sentence:
3. imposition (noun)
GREEK & LATIN ROOT: POS= TO PUT, PLACE
Definition: something that is a burden to someone else; to put your needs above someone else’s to
the point that it’s a burden for others.
Synonyms: burden, hassle, annoyance
Antonyms: relief, benefit, ease
Compare Context Clue Sentence: It was an imposition when my aunt stayed at my house for
three months, and I had to give up my bedroom and had sleep on a cot in my sister’s room; similarly
it was an big hassle when my dad broke his leg and my mom had to drive him to work in New York
City every day for three months.
Your own context clue sentence/example:
4.devastate – (verb) Definition – to wreck or demolish; to utterly ruin something
Synonym: spoil, ruin, destroy
Antonym: build, construct, improve
Compare Context Clue Sample Sentence – Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans; similarly
the fire demolished my home.
Your own context clue sentence/example:
5. impending (adj)
GREEK & LATIN ROOT: PEND = HANG, WEIGH, PAY
Definition: about to occur; to threaten to happen; to weigh down upon someone
Synonym: looming, approaching, threatening, imminent Antonym: distant, gone, remote
Definition Context Clue Sentence: The impending storm caused people to run to the super
market and buy bread and milk, in other words the approaching storm caused chaos.
Your own context clue sentence/example:
6.malicious (adjective)– displaying or showing spitefulness or cruel and hateful behavior
Synonym: cruel, wicked, mean, spiteful, hateful
Antonym: friendly, sympathetic, kind, thoughtful
Definition & Contrast Context Clue Sample sentence – Because Zoey was jealous of
Kelly, she spread malicious rumors about her that were untrue and wicked unlike Kathy
who was a kind and trustworthy friend.
Your own context clue sentence:
7. ominous – (adjective)– indicating in advance a threatening, menacing occurrence
Synonym: threatening, warning, menacing
Antonym: promising, lucky
Compare Context Clue Sample sentence – The ominous clouds made us pack up our
beach stuff and head towards our car, similar to how the music in a movie lets you know
when something terrible or menacing is about to happen.
Your own context clue sentence:
8.treacherous (adjective) – Not to be relied on; not dependable; marked by unforeseen
hazards; dangerous or deceptive
Synonym: hazardous, dangerous
Antonym: harmless, dependable, safe
Comparison Context Clue Sample sentence – After the many snow storms, salt, and
plowing, there were many treacherous pot holes that unsuspectingly gave cars flat tires;
similarly the friendship was dangerous because it was a roller coaster ride of ups and downs,
unforeseen fights and betrayals; they could not depend on each other.
Your own context clue sentence
9.chaotic (adjective)
Definition – completely confused or disordered
Synonyms: disorganized, hectic, frenzied, confused, muddled Antonym: organized, calm
Sample comparison context clue sentence – Bob’s locker was so chaotic he could not find the
binder he needed; similarly the outlet mall is frenzied and hectic at the holidays because so many
people are trying to buy gifts at discount prices.
Your own sentence/example:
10. benevolent – (adjective)
Definition – being someone who is prone to doing good for others
Synonym: generous, good-hearted
Antonym: heartless, cold-hearted
Sample definition context clue sentence – Tom is a benevolent, or generous and good-hearted
man who volunteers to help disabled children.
Your own sentence/example:
11.cantankerous – (adjective)
Definition – someone who is difficult to deal with due to their grumpy disposition
Synonym: grumpy, crotchety
Antonym: pleasant, cheerful
Sample definition context clue sentence – The kids in the neighborhood never played catch in
front of the cantankerous, or grumpy, neighbor’s house because he would always come out and yell
at them.
Your own sentence/example: