Vocabulary Level E
Unit 1
Words 1 - 10
adulterate
DEF = to corrupt, make worse by the addition of
something of lesser value
The pollution from
SYN = contaminate, pollute, sully
the factory
ADULTERATED
ANT = purify, purge, expurgate
the air.
Related words?
“Adultery” – to corrupt or pollute a MARRIAGE
ambidextrous
DEF = able to use both hands equally well; very
skillful; deceitful, hypocritical
SYN = versatile, facile
ANT = clumsy, all thumbs, maladroit
Connection?
“BI” = 2
A BIcycle has 2 wheels.
An amBIdextrous pitcher can throw
with 2 hands.
augment
DEF = to make larger, increase
SYN = enlarge, supplement, amplify
ANT = decrease, diminish
Many Hollywood starlets get
injections of collagen to
AUGMENT their lips.
bereft
DEF = deprived of, made unhappy through a loss
SYN = bereaved
ANT = replete, well provided
Rhyme Connection =
“I was bereft because he left.”
deploy
DEF = to position or arrange; to utilize; to form up
SYN = station, organize
Connection?
TROOPS!
Deploy the troops!
In this picture the
troops have been
DEPLOYED into a
specific
ARRANGEMENT.
dour
DEF = stern, unyielding, gloomy, ill-humored
SYN = harsh, bleak, forbidding, saturnine
ANT = cheery, inviting, genial
Rhyme Connection:
The dour person had a
sour expression on his face.
fortitude
DEF = courage in facing difficulties
SYN = resolve, steadfastness, mettle
ANT = fearfulness, timidity,
faintheartedness
Root Word Connection =
A FORT is a stronghold where
brave soldiers live.
gape
DEF = to stare with an open mouth; to open the
mouth wide, to open wide
SYN = gawk, ogle
Traffic Connection =
“Gaper’s Delay” – when people
staring at a traffic accident cause
even WORSE traffic delays!
gibe
DEF = (v.) to utter taunting words;
(n.) an expression of scorn
SYN = ridicule, mock, deride, jeer
ANT = compliment, praise
You’re a
dweeb!!
Which is Which? Noun or Verb?
When the bully gibed the small boy, it was clear that
the gibes were really hurting the boy’s feelings.
guise
DEF = an external appearance, cover, mask
SYN = costume, semblance, pretense
Word Connection =
Disguise = Dis-GUISE
A disguise changes your appearance!
In the movie Home Alone, the
thieves inspected homes they
wanted to rob under the GUISE
of police officers.
adulterate
bereft
deploy
gape
SYNONYMS:
1. deprived of the companionship of a beloved pet
2. stared into the huge jaws of a crocodile
3. station the remaining guards at the north exit
4. polluted the water with toxic chemicals
ambidextrous
fortitude
guise
Completing the Sentence:
1. The ____________ of the refugees allowed them
to survive life-threatening situations and still have
hope for the future.
2. The thief worked his way into the computer
system of the bank under the ________ of being a
computer-system technician.
3. Being _________ was one of the main reasons
Jerry was so adept at juggling.
augment
dour
gibe
ANTONYMS:
1. in order to diminish the amount of troops
overseas
2. in response to the bully’s compliment
3. the cheery expression on the greeter’s face
Vocabulary Level E
Unit 1
Words 11- 20
insidious
DEF = (adj.) intended to deceive or entrap;
sly, treacherous
SYN = cunning, underhanded, perfidious
ANT = frank, ingenuous, aboveboard
This mousetrap is INTENDED to
INSIDIOUSLY ENTRAP mice and kill them.
Word Connection:
“The sneaky bank robbery
was an INSIDIOUS
INSIDE JOB.”
intimation
DEF = (n.) a hint, INdirect suggestion
SYN = clue, INdication, INkling
When John winked at me,
he gave me an INTIMATION
that he was trying to fool
his parents.
opulent
DEF = (adj.) wealthy, luxurious; ample,
grandiose
SYN = rich, lavish, plentiful, abundant
ANT = poverty-stricken, wretched, destitute
Word Connection:
OPALS are OPULENT
pliable
DEF = (adj.) easily bent, flexible; easily
influenced
SYN = supple, adaptable, resilient
ANT = rigid, inflexible, recalcitrant
You can use PLIers to help
you BEND things like this
copper wire
reiterate
DEF = (v.) to say again, repeat
SYN = restate, rehash, recapitulate
Parrots often
REITERATE
what people
say around
them.
stolid
DEF = (adj.) not easily moved mentally or
emotionally; dull, unresponsive
SYN = impassive, phlegmatic
ANT = emotional, oversensitive, high-strung
Word Connection:
STOLID = SOLID (not easily moved)
tentative
DEF = (adj.) experimental in nature; uncertain,
hesitant
SYN = provisional, inconclusive
ANT = definite, conclusive, confirmed
Word Connection:
“A TenTaTive person will
only stick a Toe in the water
so she can TesT it.”
unkempt
DEF = (adj.) not combed; untidy; not properly
maintained; unpolished; rude
SYN = sloppy, disheveled, disordered, rough
ANT = well-groomed, tidy, neat, natty
Word Connection:
“The UNKEMPT office
needed to be more
frequently KEPT UP.”
verbatim
DEF = (adj., adv.) word for word; exactly as
written or spoken
SYN = (adj.) exact; (adv.) precisely
ANT = (adj.) paraphrased
The teacher
could tell that
the students
cheated because
Sally copied
George’s paper
VERBATIM.
warily
DEF = (adv.) cautiously, with great care
SYN = carefully, prudently, gingerly
ANT = recklessly, heedlessly, incautiously
Word Connection:
“Walk down the mountain
WARILY so you can be
AWARE of any danger!”
intimation unkempt
warily
opulent
SYNONYMS:
1. We attended the lavish holiday banquet.
2. They were a group of tired and untidy travelers.
3. The seasoned performer gave no indication of
being nervous.
4. Be sure to proceed carefully into unknown
waters.
pliable
tentative
verbatim
Completing the Sentences:
1. The check forger practiced the millionaire’s
handwriting for long hours to be sure he could
reproduce the $1,000,000 check ______________.
2. Warming up and stretching before a game makes
muscles more _________ and helps athletes avoid
injury.
3. Although both companies were still a bit
uncertain, they were able to reach a
_______________ agreement for a merger
between the two groups.
stolid
reiterate
insidious
Antonyms:
• The Queen’s guards at Windsor Palace are
so overly emotional that they never even
blink.
• The police officer knew that the mobster’s
business operations were all aboveboard.
• Refusing to repeat herself, the teacher stood
not speaking in front of the class.