1. antithesis
(an TI thuh sis):
a direct opposite, a
contrast
Synonym: different
Antonym: duplicate; same
Sentence: Lord Valdemort is the
antithesis of Harry Potter.
Activity: Write a sentence
using antithesis.
2. Ascend
(uh SEND):
to move upward, to rise from a
lower station
Antonym: to descend;
to go down
Sentence: After hours of
studying, the student ascended to
the top 10% of the sophomore
class.
Activity:Write 3 synonyms
for ascend.
3.Austere
(aw STEER):
strict, stern;
unadorned,
ascetic
Synonym:severe
Activity:
► Write 2 antonyms for
austere
► Write 1 sentence
properly using the word
austere.
4. autonomous
(aw TON uh muhs):
independent, selfcontained
Antonym:
dependent
Activity:
Sentence: The
Use antithesis,
autonomous college
student paid for his
ascend, and
autonomous in a books for class through
sentence together. hard work instead of with
money from his parents.
5. Banal
(BANE ul,) :
common, ordinary,
lacking freshness,
hackneyed
Synonyms: inane, insipid, jejune, vapid
Antonyms: fresh, unique, extraordinary
Sentence: The banal house was given last place in
the neighborhood’s Halloween decorating contest.
Activity: Use the word banal in
a sentence to explain
something you think is
common/ordinary.
6. Benign (buh NINE): not
causing harm, of gentle
disposition, beneficial
Synonym: innocent; safe
Antonym: malignant, harmful
Sentence: Children have a benign nature
when they are born.
Activity: Create your own sentence
using benign and autonomous.
7. Capricious
(kuh PRISH us): changing
suddenly, fickle
Synonyms: inconstant, unstable
Antonym: stable
Sentence: Her capricious
moods are difficult to
anticipate.
Activity: Write 3 sentences
explaining how someone you
know is capricious.
8. Dawdle (DOD ul) :
to waste time, to spend
time idly, to move in a
lackadaisical manner
Sentence: Ryne and Jonathan
dawdle in the hall while Ms. Beal
wants them in class not wasting
time.
Activity: find 2
antonyms and 2
synonyms
9. Defamation
(def uh MAY shun): act of
harming or ruining another's
reputation
Antonym: adulation
Sentence: The
defamation of his character
was witnessed by many as
the vengeful boy yelled his
angry rumors.
Activity: find 2 synonyms and write
a sentence using
defamation and
capricious.
10. Esoteric
(es uh TER ik): understood
only
by a
small
group or
a
select few
Sentence: The business men
were having an esoteric
discussion about the Stock market
that I did not understand.
Activity: Find 3 synonyms and 3
antonyms for esoteric.
11. Exacerbate
(ig ZAS ur bate):
to aggravate, to irritate, to vex
Synonym:
bitter
Antonyms:
to ameliorate;
to soothe
Sentence:
The teacher was
soexacerbated
by the student’s
lack of effort in
their work she
broke her pencil!
Activity: Write a sentence
using exacerbate.
12. extol (ik STOLE): to
praise, to glorify
Sentence: The
teacher would
always extol the
students who did
their best.
Activity: Write 1
synonym and 1
antonym for extol.
13. Fastidious (fa STID
ee us): reflecting a meticulous
or demanding attitude, critical
to an extreme
Synonym: finicky
Antonym: not picky
Sentence: He considered her
fastidious
because she was offended by
insignificant
mistakes or errors.
Activity: Write a sentence suing the
word fastidious accurately.
14. furtive (FUR tiv):
secret in an underhanded
way, stealthy
Synonym: covert, stealthy,
underhanded
Antonym: bold
Activity:
Use furtive and fastidious in a
complete sentence.
***Bonus***
Can you make it a metaphor or
simile?
15. gregarious
(greh
GAR ee us):
sociable and
outgoing
Synonym: extroverted
Antonym: shy; reserved; introverted
Sentence: He became much more
gregarious after he developed an
interest in football.
Activity: Explain, in detail, the
most gregarious you have ever
been. Your answer must be 8-10
sentences and in paragraph format.
16. Hypocrite
(HIP uh
krit): one who is insincere or deceitful
Antonym:
sincere person
Sentence: Saying one thing
and then doing the other is the
mark of a hypocrite.
Activity: list 2 synonyms
for hypocrite
17. Innate
NATE):
(eh
existing from birth,
inborn
Synonym: natural, built-in
Antonym: learned
Sentence: Wolverine’s inability to
die is an innate quality that he holds.
Activity: Write 3 sentences describing
an innate ability/quality that you have.
18. lethargic (luh THAR
jik): sluggish, languid
Synonym:
stuporous, torpid
Antonym: energetic
Sentence: The kitty
was lethargic
after being petted.
Activity: Use lethargic
and hypocrite in a
sentence.
19. Melancholy (MEL un
kol ee): depression of spirits
Synonym: sadness
Antonym: happiness
Sentence: The emo kid was had
a melancholy personality.
Activity: Write a sentence using melancholy
and austere.
20. Opaque (oh PAKE):
not allowing the passage
of light, not transparent;
hard to understand
Sentence: The opaque
tights
hid the girl’s scars.
Activity: Write a
sentence using
melancholy and
opaque together.
21. Prolific
(pro LIF ik)
Definition: abundantly fruitful,
marked by great productivity
Synonym: fertile
Antonym: barren; unfruitful
Sentence: His prolific career
resulted in an abundant supply
of money.
Activity: Write your own sentence using this word.
22.Reprove
(reh PROOV)
Definition: to scold or to rebuke for a
misdeed usually with kindly intent
Synonym: admonish, rebuke, reproach
Antonym: to approve; to applaud
Sentence: The Doctor reproved the
patient for not taking better care of
himself.
Activity: Think of a time when you have
been reproved by a friend. How did
you respond? How do people normally
respond to constructive criticism?
23. symmetry
(SIM eh tree)
Definition: balanced
proportions
Antonym: lack of balance
Sentence: The symmetry of the gardens
of Versailles creates a beautiful and
balanced atmosphere.
Activity: Write a synonym for this word.
24. Tranquil
(TRANG kwul)
Definition: peaceful, calm
Synonym: placid, serene
Antonym: Agitated
Activity: Write your own
sentence for this word.
25. Venerate
(VEN uh rate)
Definition: to honor,
to revere
Synonym: adore, worship
Sentence: The King was venerated
by his subjects, as they always
bowed in praise of him.
Activity: Write an Antonym for this
word.