The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Academic Vocabulary Chapters 1-11
1. imperceptible (adj.) Unable to be viewed or understood
Synonym: hidden
Antonym: conspicuous
Because he was extremely quiet, the ninja’s presence was imperceptible.
2. obsequious (adj.) Obedient; dutiful
Synonyms: flattering, submissive
Antonym: disobedient
The obsequious dog sat when his person gave the command.
3. premeditated (verb/adj.) To plan or consider beforehand (pre- before meditate- plan/consider)
Synonym: preplanned
Antonym: spontaneous
Since she planned the murder before carrying it out, she was convicted of premeditated murder.
4. usurp (verb- but used as a noun in the novel usurper) to take hold by force and without legal right
Synonym: dictator
Napoleon usurped control over France. The French people kicked the usurper out of power and
banished him to the island of Elba.
5. inertia (noun) lack of movement or activity especially when movement or activity is wanted or
needed
Synonyms: inactivity, inaction
Antonyms: movement, action
The tragic death of his friend led to inertia, and he stayed in bed for a week, overcome with emotions.
6. apathy (noun) apathetic adj. lack of interest or concern; lack of emotion or feeling
Synonym: indifference
Antonyms: passion, interest, concern
The student was apathetic about school, so she didn’t care that she was failing.
7. facile (adj.) too easy, not showing much effort; focused on the surface of something
Synonyms: effortless; superficial, shallow
Antonyms: difficult, confusing; complicated; profound
The Packers’ victory over Da Bears was facile; winning by 41 points, it was like they were playing against
a high school team instead of a team of professionals.
8. alacrity (noun) quick and cheerful readiness; willingness
Synonyms: eagerness, willingness, enthusiasm
Antonyms: unwillingness, slowness
Since she had liked him for some time, she accepted his invitation to dinner with alacrity.
9. zeal (noun) great enthusiasm (you’ll hear “overzealous” often to refer to someone who is a little too
enthusiastic) Synonyms: devotion, enthusiasm, passion
Antonyms: apathy, disinterest
Seeing spinach made Popeye remember his previous zeal towards healthy eating.
10. despondency (noun) depressed from loss of hope, confidence, or courage
Synonyms: despair, depression
Antonyms: zeal, happiness
After Lennie’s tragic death, George grew despondent.
11. lucidity (noun) to be in a state of clarity; to see things clearly
Synonyms: clarity, sanity, rationality
Antonyms: obscurity, ambiguity
The woman with Alzheimer’s had rare moments of lucidity in which she recognized her husband.
12. abdicated (verb) to give up, resign, or put aside voluntarily
Synonyms: resign, quit
Antonym: maintain
The former congressman, Anthony Weiner, abdicated his position in the US Congress in the midst of a
sexting scandal.
13. sublime (adj.) supreme or outstanding; inspiring awe
Synonyms: magnificent, gorgeous, majestic
Antonym: inferior
The view of the Grand Canyon was sublime and left everyone breathless.
14. implore (verb) to beg urgently
Synonyms: plead, solicit, beg
The English teacher implored his students to write and speak intelligently instead of using texting lingo.
15. prodigious (adj.) remarkably great
Synonyms: stupendous, extraordinary
Antonym: okay, lame, below average
When the mayor’s wife opened the door, Liesel saw her prodigious library packed with books.
16. coffer (noun) a place where valuables are kept (much like a safe)
Synonyms: treasury, strongbox, repository
Black Beard killed his crew so no one would know where his coffers were hidden.
17. bequeath (verb) to hand down by final will
Synonyms: to will, to bestow
Before he died, the billionaire cut Mr. Vrona out of his will, and he bequeathed his entire fortune to his
favorite nephew instead.
18. breviary (noun) a religious book that contains daily hymns, prayers, psalms, and lessons (generally in
the Roman Catholic church)
Every morning, she used her breviary to guide her prayers.
19. incredulity (noun) a state of disbelief incredulous (adj.) describing something that is not believable
Synonyms: disbelief, skepticism, doubt
Antonyms: belief, credence
She thought her boyfriend was faithful, but after smelling another woman’s perfume on his clothes, she
was filled with incredulity.
20. amorous (adj.) pertaining to love or love making
Synonyms: loving; lustful
Antonyms: hateful, unfriendly
The amorous newlyweds strolled down the streets of Paris hand in hand.