Odyssey – Definitions – Order in Story– Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, of each of
the following words. Study the list of synonyms and antonyms given for each entry. In addition, be aware of how
the words are used in The Odyssey.
formidable (adj.) awe-inspiring in excellence; strikingly impressive
Synonyms – imposing; daunting; intimidating
Antonyms – unthreatening; harmless; feeble
“Now this was the reply Odysseus made… I am Laertes’ son, Odysseus. Men hold me formidable for guile
in peace and war” (9.126-128).
ravage (v.) destroy violently; ruin
Synonyms – annihilate; demolish; lay waste
Antonyms – build; repair; improve
“ ‘Strangers’ [Polyphemus] said, ‘Who are you? And Where from? What brings you here by seaways – a
Fair traffic? Or are you wandering rogues, who cast your lives like dice, and ravage other folk by sea?’ ”
(9.242-245).
profusion (n.) large supply; abundance
Synonyms – outpouring; prosperity; glut; excess
Antonyms – lack; need; scarcity
“I hewed again to make a stake with a pointed end. I held this in the fire’s heart and turned it, toughening it,
then hid it, well back in the cavern, under one of the dung piles in profusion there” (9.319-323)
sage (adj.) wise
Synonyms – cunning; smart; discerning
Antonyms – dull; slow; stupid
Out of the cave the mammoth Polyphemus roared in answer; ‘Nohbdy; Nohbdy’s tricked me. Nohbdy’s
ruined me!’ To this rough shout [the Cyclopes who lived in caves on windy peaks nearby] made a sage
reply: ‘Ah well, if nobody has played you foul…we are no use in pain given by the great Zeus’” (9.395;
9.402-407).
adversary (n.) enemy; opponent
Synonyms – antagonist; enemy; rival
Antonyms – ally; friend; supporter
“Far out, as far offshore as shouted words would carry, I sent a few back to the adversary; ‘O Cyclopes!
Would you feast on my companions? Puny, am I in a Caveman’s hands? How do you like the beating that
we gave you, you damned cannibal?’” (9.473-479).
stealth (n.) secret or sneaky action or behavior
Synonyms – covertness; furtiveness; slyness
Antonyms – honesty; openness; forthrightness
“Polites…said ‘Dear friends, no need for stealth : here’s a young weaver singing a pretty song to set the air
atingle on these lawns and paven courts. Goddess she is, or lady. Shall we greet her?’’ (10.555-560).
rancor(n.) bitter hate; ill will
Synonyms – venom; resentment; vengefulness
Antonyms – good will; friendship; kindness
The blind prophet Teiresias, prince of Thebes said “”…But anguish lies ahead, the god who thunders on the
land prepares it, not to be shaken from you track, implacable, in rancor for the son whose eye you blinded’”
(11.620-623).
abominably - (adv.) in an extremely unpleasant or disgusting manner; may also mean inadequate
Synonyms – crudely; rudely: or poorly; unsuccessful
Antonyms – calmly; quietly or adequate
“’…That is the den of Scylla, where she yaps abominably , a newborn whelp’s cry, though she is huge and
monstrous’” (12.679-681).
ardor (n.) passion; enthusiasm
Synonyms – eagerness; fervor; fervor
Antonyms – apathy; indifference; lethargy
“The lovely voices [of the Sirens] in ardor appealing over the water made me crave to listen, and I tried to
say ‘Untie me!’ to the crew, jerking by brows; but they bent steady to the oars” (12.752-755).
tumult (n.) commotion; uproar; confusion
Synonyms – turbulence; turmoil; maelstrom
Antonyms – calm; peace; tranquility
“But scarcely had that island [of the Sirens] faded in blue air when I saw smoke and white water, with sound
of waves in tumult - a sound the men heard, and it terrified them” (12.763-765).
Name: ______________________________ Block: _____ adversities (n.) great misfortunes; hardships
Synonyms – disasters, sufferings, catastrophes, curses
Antonyms – good fortune, happiness, blessings
Odysseus told the suitors “’I am home, for I am he, I bore adversities , but in the twentieth year I am ashore
in my own land” (21.1140-1142).
disdainful (adj.) scornful; contemptuous
Synonyms – despising; derisive; haughty
Antonyms – humble; respectful; praising
“The suitors were now watching [Odysseus in his beggar’s clothes preparing to string the bow], and some jested
among themselves …And one disdainful suitor added this: ‘May his fortune grow an inch for every inch he bends
[Odysseus’ bow]!” (21.1178-1179; 21.1183-1184).
adorn (v.) add beauty to; decorate
Synonyms –embellish; enhance; spruce up
Antonyms – disfigure; mar; deform
“The hour had come to cook their lordships’ mutton – supper by daylight. Other amusements later, with
song and harping that adorn a feast” (21.1213-1215).
glowered (v.) glared; stared angrily
Synonyms – (v.) scowl; look daggers
Antonyms – (v.) overlook; ignore
“Odysseus glowered under his black brows and said: ‘Not for the whole treasure of your fathers…would I
hold my hand. There will be killing till the score is paid” (21.1280-1284).
revelry (n.) merrymaking; festivity
Synonyms – carouse; celebration; party
Antonyms – sadness; sobriety, mourning
Odysseus “drew to his fist the cruel head of an arrow for Antinous just as the young man leaned to lift his
beautiful drinking cup…the wine was even at his lip, and did he dream of death? How could he? In that
revelry amid his throng of friend who would imagine a single foe – though a strong fore indeed- could dare
to bring death’s pain on him and darkness on his eyes (22.1227-1234).
restitution (n.) compensation; repayment
Synonyms – restoration; amends; remuneration
Antonyms – dissatisfaction; fee; taking
“As for ourselves, we’ll make restitution of wine and meat consumed, and add, each one, a tithe of twenty
oxen with gifts of bronze and gold to warm your heart” (22.1275-1278).
lavished (v.) gave generously
Synonyms – heap; deluge
Antonyms – hoard; limit
“[Athena] made him taller, and massive, too…think of gold infused on silver by a craftsman, whose fine art
Hephaestus taught him, or Athena; one who work moves to delight; just so [Athena] lavished beauty over
Odysseus head and shoulders” (23.1339-1346).
aloof (adj.) at a difference; unfriendly
Synonyms – detached, cold, hard-hearted
Antonyms – compassionate, kind, warm
Odysseus said to his wife Penelope “’Strange woman, the immortals of Olympus made you hard, harder than
any. Who else in the world would keep aloof as you do from her husband if he returned to her from years of
trouble, cast on his own land in the twentieth year?’” (23.1348-1350).
pliant (adj.) flexible; adaptable
Synonyms – malleable; elastic; yielding
Antonyms – rigid; stiff
“‘I planned [each bedpost], inlaid them all with silver, gold and ivory, and stretched a bed between them – a
pliant web of oxhide thongs dyed crimson’” (23.1382-1384).
tremulous (adj.) trembling; shaking
Synonyms – quivering; palpitating; quavering
Antonyms – calm; stable; unwavering
“Their secret! As she heard it told, her keens grew tremulous and weak, her heart failed her. With eyes
brimming tears she rand to him, throwing her arms around his neck, and kissed him…”(23.1388-1391).