Vocabulary Unit 4
Mrs. Frazee
Elude
The prisoner tried to elude the
guards, by hiding in the laundry
truck.
Elude
Verb
To escape being noticed; to get away from
Synonyms: evade, avoid
Antonyms: attract
Denizen
Prairie dogs are denizens of the
Great Plains, so it is unlikely that
you would see one in Maine.
Denizen
Noun
An occupant; inhabitant
Synonyms: resident
Antonyms: emigrant; alien
Enticed
The styling and color of the gown
enticed me, but I could not afford such
an extravagant purchase.
Entice
Verb
To attract by offering reward
Synonyms: lure, tempt
Antonyms: discourage
Gratify
To gratify the pouting child, his
mother handed him a lollipop.
Gratify
Verb
To please
Synonyms: satisfy; indulge
Antonyms: displease;
disappoint
Laggard
Wear good shoes on the hike, or you’ll
be a laggard and delay the entire
group.
Laggard
Noun
A person who is going
slow or falling behind
Synonyms: straggler
Antonyms: leader
Compensate
Compensate
The manufacturer was ordered to compensate customers
injured by the defective product.
Compensate
 Verb
 To make up for; to repay for services
Synonyms: payback, reimburse, recompense
Antonyms: stiff, fail to reward
Erratic
Erratic
Students who have an erratic attendance record may find
themselves disciplined by the principal.
Erratic
 Adjective
 Not regular or consistent; different from
what is ordinarily expected; undependable
Synonyms: irregular, inconsistent,
unpredictable
Antonyms: steady, consistent,
dependable
Illegible
Illegible
The effects of air pollution have rendered the
inscriptions on many old gravestones illegible.
Illegible
 Adjective
 Difficult or impossible to read
Synonyms: unreadable,
indecipherable, scribbled
Antonym: readable, decipherable,
distinct, clear
Mediocre
Mediocre
The team’s number-one draft pick turned out to be rather
mediocre player, not a star who could lead them to the
championship.
Mediocre
 Adjective
 Average, ordinary,
undistinguished
Synonym: run-of-the-mill
Antonym: exceptional,
outstanding,
distinguished
Unflinching
Unflinching
Everyone admires the unflinching courage with which fire
fighters and other rescue workers carry out their dangerous
jobs.
Unflinching
 Adjective
 Firm, showing no signs of fear, not drawing back
Synonyms: resolute, steadfast, unwavering
Antonym: irresolute, wavering
Enriched English
Fallow
The fallow mind needs to be
stimulated with challenging ideas
and projects.
Fallow
 Adjective
 In active, unproductive
 (of land) plowed and left unseeded for a
season or more; uncultivated.
 not in use; inactive:
 My creative energies have lain fallow this
year.
Synonyms: idle, barren
Antonyms: productive, fertile
Blight
The junkyard was a blight on the
otherwise appealing neighborhood.
Blight
Noun
Anything that destroys, prevents growth, or
causes devaluation
Synonyms: affliction; disease
Antonyms: enhancement
Obsequy
The explorers held brief
obsequies for their fallen leader
before burying him on the side of
the mountain.
Obsequy
Noun
A funeral rite or ceremony
Fealty
Peasants who did not show any
fealty to the duke often
disappeared.
Fealty
Noun
Obligated loyalty or
faithfulness
Synonyms: devotion; fidelity;
allegiance
Antonyms: disloyalty;
treachery
Gambit
The general’s gambit sacrificed
many soldiers, but ultimately won
the battle.
Gambit
Noun
Maneuver or action used to gain
an advantage
Synonyms: strategy; ploy;
maneuver
Antonyms: blunder