Word of the Day: 8/18-8/22
dignity (noun)
DEFINITION
bearing, conduct, or speech that suggests seriousness, self-respect and self-control
SYNONYMS
class, self-respect, nobility
USAGE EXAMPLE
Jackie showed dignity despite her defeat at the Chess Championship.
respect (noun)
DEFINITION
an understanding that someone or something is important or serious and should be treated in an appropriate way
SYNONYMS
regard, esteem, appreciate, consider
USAGE EXAMPLE
While I disagree with your opinion, I do respect your values.
achievement (noun)
DEFINITION
a result gained by effort
SYNONYMS
accomplishment, result, success
USAGE EXAMPLE
The discovery of DNA was a major scientific achievement.
zany (adjective)
DEFINITION
very strange and silly
SYNONYMS
absurd, crazy, kooky, wacky
USAGE EXAMPLE
My brother has a zany plan to ride across America on an ostrich.
voracious (adjective)
DEFINITION
having a huge appetite
SYNONYMS
ravenous, insatiable, greedy
USAGE EXAMPLE
As a voracious reader, Elliott finished all of the books in the kids’ section of the Library over the summer.
Word of the Day: 8/25-8/29
tantalize (verb)
DEFINITION
to torment with the sight of something desired but out of reach
SYNONYMS
tease, torment, bait
USAGE EXAMPLE
Justina was tantalized by the possibility of earning a lot of money quickly.
forte (noun) /for –tay/
DEFINITION
a person’s strong point
SYNONYMS
strong suit, specialty, talent
USAGE EXAMPLE
Cleaning my room is not my forte.
plucky (adjective)
DEFINITION
having a lot of courage or determination
SYNONYMS
spirited, brave
USAGE EXAMPLE
The drowning girl was rescued by a plucky schoolboy.
sedentary (adjective)
DEFINITION
not doing much physical activity
SYNONYMS
couch potato-like
USAGE EXAMPLE
Being sedentary caused all of Kyle’s physical ailments.
gregarious (adjective)
DEFINITION
enjoying the company of other people
SYNONYMS
sociable, extroverted, outgoing
USAGE EXAMPLE
Chris is such a gregarious person that you will almost never see him alone.
Word of the Day: 9/2-9/5 (Labor Day)
fiasco (noun)
DEFINITION
a complete and ridiculous failure
SYNONYMS
catastrophe, flop, debacle
USAGE EXAMPLE
Letting kids eat lunch in classrooms was such a fiasco that Mr. Sullivan doesn’t want us to do it ever again.
foreboding (noun)
DEFINITION
a feeling that something bad is going to happen
SYNONYMS
ominousness, premonition
USAGE EXAMPLE
Kevin was filled with foreboding when he realized that his alarm hadn’t gone off this morning.
slope (noun)
DEFINITION
the slant of a line
USAGE EXAMPLE
The 45 degree slope of my driveway makes it scary in the winter.
augment (verb)
DEFINITION
to increase the size or amount
SYNONYMS
boost, amplify, accelerate
USAGE EXAMPLE
Neeti hoped to augment her ACT score by studying every day.
Word of the Day: 9/8-9/12
tenacious (adjective)
DEFINITION
very determined to do something or to continue
SYNONYMS
persistent, dogged, persevering
USAGE EXAMPLE
A tenacious trainer, Kelly adheres to her grueling running schedule no matter what.
pacifist (noun)
DEFINITION
a person strongly and actively opposed to conflict and especially war
SYNONYMS
disarmer, peace maker, conscientious objector
USAGE EXAMPLE
Gandhi was a pacifist and believed that India should become independent through non-violent actions.
fray (noun)
DEFINITION
a disorderly or protracted fight, struggle, or dispute
SYNONYMS
clash, dustup, fracas
USAGE EXAMPLE
Make sure that you don’t join the fray when two dogs fight. It can be dangerous!
incontrovertible (adjective)
DEFINITION
not able to be doubted or questioned
SYNONYMS
inarguable, unquestionable, certain
USAGE EXAMPLE
Her fashion sense is incontrovertible.
quench (verb)
DEFINITION
to relieve or satisfy
SYNONYMS
slake, cool, extinguish
USAGE EXAMPLE
Jacob quenched his thirst with a cold glass of lemonade.
Word of the Day: 9/15-9/19
AMICABLE (adjective) – \ˈa-mi-kə-bəl\
DEFINITION
demonstrating good will
SYNONYMS
peaceable; friendly
USAGE EXAMPLE
Thomas and Sam reached and amicable agreement about who got the next turn at the go kart.
bland (adjective)
DEFINITION
not interesting or exciting
SYNONYMS
dull, mild, insipid
USAGE EXAMPLE
Josiah thinks that pepperoni is too bland.
alternate (adjective)
DEFINITION
occurring in or forming a repeated series
SYNONYMS
every other
USAGE EXAMPLE
The light and dark woods alternate to form an elegant pattern around the window.
lackadaisical (adjective)
DEFINITION
feeling or showing a lack of interest or enthusiasm
SYNONYMS
languid, listless
USAGE EXAMPLE
His mom did not approve of his lackadaisical approach to chores.
conundrum (noun)
DEFINITION
a confusing or difficult problem
SYNONYMS
puzzle, enigma
USAGE EXAMPLE
Eli had quite a conundrum trying to decide between ice cream or candy for dinner.
Word of the Day: 9/22-9/26
bedlam (noun)
DEFINITION
a very noisy and confused state or scene
SYNONYMS
madhouse
USAGE EXAMPLE
Without a leader for the meeting, the Boy Scout group was in utter bedlam.
edification (noun)
DEFINITION
teaching that improves the mind or character
SYNONYMS
instruction, education, enlightenment
USAGE EXAMPLE
These books will both entertain and edify readers.
skullduggery (noun)
DEFINITION
devious or dishonest activity
SYNONYMS
trickery, jiggery-pokery, subterfuge
USAGE EXAMPLE
The spy was arrested once his skullduggery was revealed.
waffle (verb)
DEFINITION
to be unable to make a clear decision about what to do
SYNONYMS
vacillate, equivocate, flip-flop
USAGE EXAMPLE
Mara waffled for an hour about which dress to wear to prom.
Malodorous (adjective)
DEFINITION
having a bad odor
SYNONYMS
foul, funky, stinky
USAGE EXAMPLE
People that didn’t wear deodorant when we ran the mile became malodorous.
Word of the Day: 9/30-10/3
sage (adjective)
DEFINITION
wise through reflection and experience
SYNONYMS
insightful, discerning
USAGE EXAMPLE
The sage old teacher counseled his student to learn as much as he could about skunks before trying to catch one.
prudent (adjective) - /prew-dent/
DEFINITION
marked by wisdom
SYNONYMS
judicious, shrewd, intelligent
USAGE EXAMPLE
He always listened to her prudent advice, except for the time he bought a Lamborghini when she told him
Prius was the way to go.
influx (noun)
DEFINITION
the arrival or inward flow of a large amount of something
SYNONYMS
inrush, inflow
USAGE EXAMPLE
The city is preparing for a large influx of tourists this summer.
bucolic (adjective) /byoo-call-ick/
DEFINITION
of or relating to the country or country life
SYNONYMS
rustic, pastoral
USAGE EXAMPLE
Wildlife Prairie Park is outside of Peoria in a bucolic setting.
Word of the Day: 10/6-10/10
mediocre (adjective) /me-dee-o-kur/
DEFINITION
of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance
SYNONYMS
ordinary, so-so
USAGE EXAMPLE
Clifford is picky about who he dates and doesn’t want a mediocre girl.
ablution (noun) /a-blu-shun/
DEFINITION
the act of washing or bathing
USAGE EXAMPLE
If you forget your daily ablution, eventually your hair will look like Professor Snape’s.
deft (adjective)
DEFINITION
skillful and clever
SYNONYMS
expert, adroit
USAGE EXAMPLE
My grandma’s deft hands sewed up my torn sleeve like it never happened.
escapade (noun) /ess-ka-paid/
DEFINITION
an exciting, foolish, or dangerous experience or adventure
SYNONYMS
antic, caper
USAGE EXAMPLE
As a teenager, Indiana Jones embarked on a series of ill-advised escapades.
hearten (verb) /har-ten/
DEFINITION
to cause someone to feel more cheerful or hopeful
SYNONYMS
encourage, inspire
USAGE EXAMPLE
Worried about his grade, Vincent was heartened to see the 100% for his project grade.
Word of the Day: 10/13-10/17
disheveled (adjective) /dish-shev-uld/
DEFINITION
marked by disorder or disarray
SYNONYMS
chaotic, messy
USAGE EXAMPLE
Please don’t come to the dance looking disheveled.
abundant (adjective) /uh-bun-dent/
DEFINITION
existing or occurring in large amounts
SYNONYMS
plentiful, ample
USAGE EXAMPLE
I start the year with abundant pencils and paper, but then in November they are all gone.
auspicious (adjective) /aw-spi-shus/
DEFINITION
showing or suggesting that future success is likely
SYNONYMS
hopeful, encouraging
USAGE EXAMPLE
His acclaimed first novel was an auspicious beginning to his career.
polarize (verb) /po-ler-ize/
DEFINITION
to break up into opposing factions or groupings
SYNONYMS
unify, consolidate
USAGE EXAMPLE
The Civil War polarized the nation.
Word of the Day: 10/20-10/24
prattle (verb) /prat-tul/
DEFINITION
to talk for very long about something that is not important or interesting
SYNONYMS
babble
USAGE EXAMPLE
When he is nervous, Jim tends to prattle on about the weather.
boorish (adjective) /boo-rish/
DEFINITION
exhibiting crude or insensitive behavior
SYNONYMS
uncouth, loutish, rude
USAGE EXAMPLE
I will not tolerate boorish behavior, such as yelling for service in restaurants.
balk (verb) -- pronounce the “L”
DEFINITION
to stop quickly and refuse to continue going
SYNONYMS
thwart, block, foil
USAGE EXAMPLE
Owen balked at the idea of making a chess set out of his antique army men.
curb (verb)
DEFINITION
to control or limit something
SYNONYMS
check, constrain, inhibit
USAGE EXAMPLE
The mold on Dexter’s sandwich really curbed his appetite, once he noticed it.
bauble (noun) /bah-bul/
DEFINITION
an inexpensive piece of jewelry
SYNONYMS
trinket, knickknack, ornament
USAGE EXAMPLE
6-year-old girls are ususally obsessed with wear as many baubles as they can, and my little sister is no exception.
Word of the Day: 10/27-10/31
disconcert (verb) /dis-kuhn-sert/
DEFINITION
to throw into confusion
SYNONYMS
rattle, fluster, confound
USAGE EXAMPLE
Sid was disconcerted by the addition of a third player to his chess game.
buttress - (verb) pronounce like mattress, but with a butt 
DEFINITION
to support, hold up, strenghten
SYNONYMS
bolster, brace, shore up
USAGE EXAMPLE
The column buttresses the roof above the statue.
trepidation (adjective) /tre-pid-a-shun/
DEFINITION
a feeling of fear that causes you to hesitate because you think something bad or unpleasant is going to happen
SYNONYMS
dread, alarm, apprehension
USAGE EXAMPLE
Shaking with trepidation, I stepped into the old abandoned house.
Demise (noun) /de-mize/
DEFINITION
a cessation of existence or activity
SYNONYMS
expire, decease,
USAGE EXAMPLE
We have not had truly local news coverage since the town newspaper's demise three years ago.
ominous (adjective) /om-min-us/
DEFINITION
foreboding or foreshadowing evil
SYNONYMS
dire, menacing, threatening
USAGE EXAMPLE
Ominous rumblings from the volcano encouraged everyone to pack up and leave.
Word of the Day: 11/3-11/7
ambivalence (noun) /am-biv-a-lense/
DEFINITION
continual fluctuation between one thing and its opposite
SYNONYMS
uncertainty, going back and forth
USAGE EXAMPLE
We had some serious ambivalence about the horror movie. It was either really funny or really stupid.
accolade (noun) /ak-co-lade/
DEFINITION
an award or expression of praise
SYNONYMS
tribute, citation
USAGE EXAMPLE
For their exceptional bravery the firefighters received accolades from both local and national officials.
synchronized (verb) /sink-crow-nized/
DEFINITION
to make things happen at the same time and speed
SYNONYMS
coincide, concur
USAGE EXAMPLE
The dancer team practiced until they synchronized their movements.
onerous (adjective) /on-er-us/
DEFINITION
difficult and unpleasant to do or deal with
SYNONYMS
harsh, burdensome, tough
USAGE EXAMPLE
Mr Sullivan has the onerous task of cleaning up after the games and dances at our school.
Inundate (verb) /in-un-date/
DEFINITION
to cause (someone or something) to receive or take in a large amount of things at the same time
SYNONYMS
overwhelm, flood
USAGE EXAMPLE
The police were inundated with phone calls about the alien ships flying overhead.
Word of the Day: 11/10-11/14
quadrant (noun) /quad-rent/
DEFINITION
one part of something that is evenly divided into four parts
SYNONYMS
quarter, section
USAGE EXAMPLE
Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwest quadrant of Wyoming.
cursory (adjective) /curse-urry/
DEFINITION
done or made quickly
SYNONYMS
hasty, hurried, rushed
USAGE EXAMPLE
Even the most cursory look at Aaron’s homework shows problems.
Diurnal (adjective) /die-ur-null/
DEFINITION
active or happening mainly during the day
SYNONYMS
daily, daytime
USAGE EXAMPLE
Humans are diurnal, no matter what teenagers think.
Patriarch (noun) /pate-re-ark/
DEFINITION
a man who controls a group, family, or government
SYNONYMS
founding father, King, man of the house
USAGE EXAMPLE
Kristen’s grandfather is the patriarch of her family.
Word of the Day: 11/17-11/21
Hiatus (noun) /hi-ate-us/
DEFINITION
an interruption in time or continuity
SYNONYMS
break, discontinuity
USAGE EXAMPLE
After a 5 year hiatus, the final book in the trilogy came out in stores.
eloquent (adjective) /el-o-kwint/
DEFINITION
having the ability to use language clearly and effectively
SYNONYMS
articulate, well-spoken
USAGE EXAMPLE
Shawn was such an eloquent speaker that we all knew his election to Class President was certain.
proportion (noun) /pruh-por-shun/
DEFINITION
the relationship that exists between the size, number, or amount of two things
SYNONYMS
ratio, percentage
USAGE EXAMPLE
Babies heads are sized way out of proportion to their tiny bodies.
Perplex (verb) /pur-plex/
DEFINITION
to confuse very much
SYNONYMS
complicate
USAGE EXAMPLE
Her crazy behavior perplexed even her best friends.
Antediluvian (adjective) /ant-uh-duh-lew-vee-un/
DEFINITION
very old or old-fashioned, literally “before the flood”
SYNONYMS
ancient, aged, antique
USAGE EXAMPLE
My grandpa’s car is so old it might actually be antediluvian.
Word of the Day: 11/25-11/26
Altruism (noun) /all-true-is-um/
DEFINITION
behavior that shows a desire to help other people and a lack of selfishness
SYNONYMS
kindness
USAGE EXAMPLE
Clare’s altruism kept me from having to babysit during the party. Instead, she entertained my little sister while I met our
friends.
prodigious (adjective) /prah-di-jus/
DEFINITION
very impressive or large
SYNONYMS
amazing, staggering
USAGE EXAMPLE
I plan to eat a prodigious amount of turkey on Thursday.
Word of the Day: 12/01-12/05
dour (adjective) /dower/
DEFINITION
relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance.
SYNONYMS
harsh, forbidding, austere
USAGE EXAMPLE
The dour skies of winter came early this year.
symmetry (noun)
DEFINITION
being the same on opposite sides of a dividing line or around an axis
SYNONYMS
correspondence, similarity, uniformity
USAGE EXAMPLE
Starfish have radial symmetry, while humans only have bilateral symmetry.
dolt (noun) rhymes with bolt
DEFINITION
a foolish person
SYNONYMS
airhead, dunce
USAGE EXAMPLE
When she told me the answer to her riddle, I felt like a dolt for not getting it.
inverse (adjective)
DEFINITION
opposite in order, nature, or effect
SYNONYMS
opposite, reverse
USAGE EXAMPLE
Ann had blue pants and a white top, while I had the inverse—white pants and a blue top.
despot (noun) /des-pot/
DEFINITION
a ruler who has total power and who often uses that power in cruel and unfair ways
SYNONYMS
dictator, tyrant
USAGE EXAMPLE
He was a successful businessman, but many people regarded him as a petty despot.
Word of the Day: 12/08-12/12
copious (adective) /kope-e-yus/
DEFINITION
present in large amounts
SYNONYMS
plentiful, profuse
USAGE EXAMPLE
Teenagers tend to eat copious amounts of pizza and French fries.
ransack (verb)
DEFINITION
to search for something in a way that causes disorder or damage
SYNONYMS
rummage, comb, loot, plunder
USAGE EXAMPLE
Carter ransacked his room looking for his homework and library books.
Ruminate (verb) /roo- min-ate/
DEFINITION
to think carefully and deeply about something
SYNONYMS
contemplate, reflect, mull over, ponder
USAGE EXAMPLE
The class ruminated about how it would feel to be bored and scared at the same time after we read Anne Frank’s diary.
Confiscate (verb) /con-fuh-skate/
DEFINITION
to take something away to enforce rules or as punishment
SYNONYMS
seize, revoke, commandeer
USAGE EXAMPLE
The teacher confiscated all cell phones for the duration of the field trip.
Pristine (adjective) /priss-teen/
DEFINITION
in perfect condition, not changed by people
SYNONYMS
clean, mint, brand-new
USAGE EXAMPLE
Sydney’s locker is always pristine, while mine is really messy.
Word of the Day: 12/15-12/19
domain
DEFINITION
SYNONYMS
USAGE EXAMPLE
agog
DEFINITION
SYNONYMS
USAGE EXAMPLE
Interminable
DEFINITION
SYNONYMS
USAGE EXAMPLE
obnoxious
DEFINITION
SYNONYMS
USAGE EXAMPLE
flimsy
DEFINITION
SYNONYMS
USAGE EXAMPLE
tedious
DEFINITION
SYNONYMS
USAGE EXAMPLE
DEFINITION
SYNONYMS
USAGE EXAMPLE
Hygge (Danish)
Denmark’s mantra, hygge is the pleasant, genial, and intimate feeling associated with sitting around a fire
in the winter with close friends.
ostensible
estrange
xenophobic
proficient
simultaneous/
espouse
reproach
requisite
writhe
shunt
exonerate
garner
bandy
mogul
deter
Forthright
Profound
Opaque
Sublime
Armament
Circumvent
Atone/make amends
Devoid
travail
ancillary
Pecuniary
Gradient
malcontent
eminent
rhetoric
Replete
pliable
Ethereal
choleric
logistics
circumspect
adroit
defunct
succinct
palpable
accountable/responsible –day1
Paradigm
infraction
pedestrian
cavalier
mete/allot
embroil
ascribe
abide/endure
latent
diffident
egregious
muster
pertinent
incite
introspective
Maladroit/inept
Malaise
Strife
Appease
Boon
Brazen
Covert
Bootleg
Crux
Proximity
Accrue
Exemplar
Dire
Inure
Mitigate
Hamper
Doff
Svelte
Squalid
Capitulate
Validate
Pretext
Elucidate
constant
linear
Repentant/penitent
Cogent
Aplomb
Volatile
Unruly
Filch
Traverse
Quiescent
Brevity
Ratify
Voluble
Falter
Vernacular
Digress
Pragmatic
usurp
Vacillate
Coup
Malleable
Liability
Immutable
Abate
Curator
Aberration
Indiscriminate
Badger
Implore
Drudgery
Perceive
Laconic
Accost
Reticent
Gesticulate
Vigilant
Cajole
Rudimentary
Jostle
anathema
Incipient
Tremulous
Cessation
Stipulate
rash
Obstinate
Efficacy
spurious
mundane
berserk
fallacious
complex
gullible
quirky
barbarous
ambiguous
ludicrous
debonair
subsequent
languid
delirious
parsimonious
cynical
cloistered
insurgent
savory
finicky
shun
rhetorical
sluggish
nebulous
capricious
penitent
malicious
quaint
truculent
nuisance
tenuous
cryptic
slog
provoke
outcast
divergent
zealous
incident
gawky
fudgel- Pretending to work when you're not actually doing anything at all
snickersnee
kerfuffle
defenestration – the act of throwing something out of the window
Anencephalous - Absence of a brain.