Vocabulary
Unit 3
Words 1 – 20
th
6 Grade
Thank you Mrs. Kind!
barrage
• (n.) a rapid, large-scale outpouring of
something
• Synonyms: bombardment, shelling,
volley, blast
The governor faced a
barrage of questions about
possible budget cuts.
bigot
• (n.) an intolerant,
prejudiced, or biased
person
• Synonyms: racist
When you speak in that
narrow-minded way, you
sound like a bigot.
designate
• (v.) to indicate, point out; to
appoint
• Synonyms: name, signify,
denote, nominate, choose
• (adj.) selected but not yet
installed
• Will you please tell me when
the coach will designate a
team leader?
diversity
• (n.) difference,
variety; a condition of
having many different
types of forms
• Synonym:
dissimilarity
Our science teacher
has a diversity of
interests, including an
appreciation of
Russian literature.
enigma
• (n.) someone or something
that is extremely puzzling;
that which could not be
understood or explained
• Synonyms: riddle, mystery,
puzzle, conundrum
Critics complained that the
plot twists in the new
mystery movie make it an
enigma.
gloat
• (v.) to look at or think about
with great intensity and
satisfaction; to take great
personal joy in
• Synonyms: relish, revel in,
• crow over
I will not try to gloat about
winning a scholarship to
music camp.
global
• (adj.) of, relating to, or
involving the whole world;
comprehensive
• Synonyms: worldwide,
universal, widespread
E-mail and Internet
have linked the entire
world into a global village.
illusion
• (n.) a false idea; something
that one seems to see or to
be aware of that really
does not exist
• Synonyms: delusion,
fantasy, deception
Artist M.C. Esher often
used optical illusions.
infuriate
• (v.) to make very angry,
enrage
• Synonyms: provoke,
incense, madden
It infuriates most parents
when their children refuse to
listen and treat them with
disrespect.
motivate
• (v.) to provoke with a reason
for doing; to push on to some
goal or course of action
• Synonyms: spur on,
encourage, prompt, goad
What is the best way to
motivate students to
undertake challenging work.
pacifist
• (n.) one who is against war or
the use of violence
• Synonyms: peacemaker, dove
• (adj.) opposing war or violence
Martin Luther King Jr. was a
famous pacifist who had a very
strong influence on the civil
rights movement.
queue
• (n.) a line of people waiting for
something (such as a bus or the
opening of a store)
• Synonyms: column, file, row, line
• (v.) to form such a line
The long queue at the
bus stop indicated that the
bus had not come for a while.
Eager fans queue up hours
before the box office opens,
hoping to get the best tickets.
restrict
• (v.) to keep within set
limits; to confine
• Synonyms: hold back,
limit
Doctors often advise
patients to restrict their
intake of fatty or salty
foods.
sage
•
•
•
•
(adj..) wise
Synonyms: sagacious
(n.) a very wise person
Synonyms: philosopher, Solomon
My aunt always gives me
sage advice when I am
struggling with a decision.
Let’s ask the sage for his
opinion on how to handle
this problem.
slake
• (v.) to satisfy, relieve, or bring
to an end
• Synonyms: quench, gratify,
sate, ease, assuage
Nothing can slake my
thirst better than a tall
glass of water.
terrain
• (n.) the landscape, especially
considered with regard to its
physical features or fitness
for some use; a field of
knowledge
• Synonyms: ground,
topography, territory
Mountain bikes are designed
to stand up to even the most
rugged terrain.
vocation
• (n.) any trade, profession, or
occupation; a sense of fitness or
special calling for one’s work
• Synonyms: career, pursuit
After many years of
searching, she found her
true vocation as a horse
trainer.
vow
• (n) a solemn or sacred
promise or pledge
• (v.) to declare or promise in
a solemn vow to avenge his
father’s murder.
• Synonyms: word of honor
A bride and groom vow to
love, honor, and respect
each other throughout their
marriage.
waylay
• (v.) to lie in wait for
and attack, ambush
• Synonyms: entrap,
ensnare
• Thugs often choose
to waylay travelers
as they make their
way back home.
wither
• (v.) to dry up, wilt, sag; to
cause someone to feel
ashamed, humiliated, or
very small
• Synonyms: shrivel, droop,
shame, abash
• Despite people’s best
efforts to remain young
looking, skin will eventually
wither with age.