Chapter 1 – Learning New
Words from the Context
Part 1 – Contexts with
Contrasting Words
Group 2
English 9
1. Adjourn
Close a meeting; suspend the business of a
meeting; disband; recess
When we visited Washington, D.C., Congress
was not in session; it had adjourned for the
Thanksgiving weekend.
2. astute
Shrewd; wise; sagacious
Crafty, cunning; sly; wily
Marie was the only one to solve the riddle; she
is a very astute thinker.
An astute Greek tricked the Trojans into
opening the gates of Troy.
3. Censure
Act of blaming; expression of disapproval;
hostile criticisms; rebuke; reprimand
Ali was about to reach for the third slice of
cake but was stopped by a look of censure in
Mother’s eyes.
4. Demolish
Tear down; destroy; raze; smash; wreck
It took several days for the wrecking crew to
demolish the old building.
• Alternate Form:
 demolition
5. Discharge
Unload
Dismiss; fire
After discharging its cargo, the ship will go
into dry dock for repairs.
One employee was discharged.
6. Dissent
Differ in opinion; disagree; object
There was nearly complete agreement on al’s
proposal. Enid and Alice were the only ones
who dissented.
• Alternate Form:
 dissension
7. Equitable
Fair to all concerned; just; impartial;
objective; unbiased
The only equitable way for the three to share
the $600 profit is for each to receive $200.
• Alternate Form:
 Inequitable – unfair or unjust
8. Exonerate
Free from blame; clear from accusation;
acquit; absolve
The other driver exonerated Isabel of any
responsibility for the accident.
9. Extemporaneous
Composed or spoken without preparation;
offhand; impromptu; improvised.
It was obvious that the speaker’s talk was
memorized, though she tried to make it seem
extemporaneous.
10. Extricate
Free from difficulties; disentangle;
disencumber; release
If you let your assignments pile up, you may
get into a situation from which you will not be
able to extricate yourself.
VOC 2B
English 9
11. Forfeit
Lose or have to give up as a penalty for
some error, neglect, or fault; sacrifice
One customer gave a $150 deposit on an order
of slipcovers. When they were delivered, she
decided she didn’t want them. Of course, she
forfeited her deposit.
12. Illegible
Not able to be read; very hard to read; not
legible; undecipherable
It is fortunate that Miguel uses a computer to do
his reports because his handwriting is illegible.
13. Inadvertently
Not done on purpose; unintentionally;
thoughtlessly; accidentally; carelessly
I finally found my glasses on the the
windowsill. I must have left them there
inadvertently.
14. Inappropriate
Not fitting; unsuitable; unbecoming; not
appropriate; improper
Since I was the one who nominated Bruce, it
would be inappropriate for me to vote for
another candidate.
15. Lucrative
Moneymaking; profitable; advantageous;
remunerative
This year’s school dance was not so lucrative;
we made only $150 compared to $375 last year.
16. Permanent
Lasting; enduring; intended to last; stable
Write to me at my temporary address, the
Gateway Hotel. As soon as I find an apartment,
I shall notify you of my permanent address.
17. Prohibit
Forbid; ban; enjoin; interdict
The library’s regulations prohibit the
borrowing of reference books.
18. Punctual
On time; prompt; timely
Be punctual. If you are late, we shall have to
depart without you.
19. Rebuke
Express disapproval of; criticize sharply;
censure severely; reprimand; reprove
Our coach rebuked the two players who were
late for practice, but he praised the rest of the
team for their punctuality.
20. Transient
Not lasting; passing soon; fleeting, shortlived; momentary
It rained all day upstate, but down here we had
only a transient shower; it was over in
minutes.