Vocabulary Unit 13 - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Vocabulary Unit 13Slide2

Adapt

Definition:

(verb) to adjust or change to suit conditions

Sample sentence: As anyone who moves to a new home or starts a new job can tell you, ittakes time to adapt to new surroundings.SYNONYMS: regulate, alter, acclimateANTONYMS: remain unchangedSlide3

Attest

Definition:

(v.) to bear witness, affirm to be true or genuine

Sample sentence: I can attest to the truth of her story, because I, too, saw whathappened.SYNONYMS: witness, verify, confirm, corroborateANTONYMS: deny, disprove, refute, rebut Slide4

Dovetail

Definition:

(v.) to fit together exactly; to connect so as to form

a whole(n.) a carpentry figure resembling a dove’s tail

Sample sentences:

We may be able to

dovetail

activities with theirs, if we all plan ahead.

We examined the fine

dovetails the carpenter used to make the cabinet.SYNONYMS: mesh, jive, harmonizeANTONYMS: clash, be at oddsSlide5

Enormity

Definition:

(n.) the quality of exceeding all moral bounds; an

exceedingly evil act; huge size, immense

Sample sentence:

The

enormity

of the disaster shocked and saddened the nation.

SYNONYM: atrociousness, heinous,

vastnessANTONYM: mildness, harmless, innocuousSlide6

Falter

Definition:

(v.) to hesitate, stumble, lose courage, to speak hesitatingly; to lose drive, weaken, decline

Sample sentence: The newscaster’s voice faltered as he announced to the nation thatthe president was dead.SYNONYMS: waverANTONYMS: persevereSlide7

Foreboding

Definition:

(n.) a warning or feeling that something bad will

happen (adj.) marked by fear, ominousSample sentence: As the hurricane neared, residents of towns along the coast were filled with foreboding.SYNONYMS: misgiving, premonitionSlide8

Forlorn

Definition:

(adj.) totally abandoned and helpless; sad and

lonely; wretched or pitiful; hopeless

Sample sentence:

When my best friend moved to another state

halfway across the country, I felt extremely

forlorn

.

SYNONYMS: woebegone, forsaken, bereft, patheticANTONYMS: jaunty, buoyant, blithe, chipperSlide9

Haughty

Definition:

(

adj) chillingly proud and scornful

Sample sentence:

The

haughty

tone of your voice

when you refused my invitation

offended me deeply.SYNONYMS: disdainful, superciliousANTONYMS: meek, humble, unassuming,

modestSlide10

Impediment

Definition:

(n.) a physical defect; a hindrance, obstacle

Sample sentence: You must not let impediments in your path keep you from pursuing your dreams.SYNONYMS: obstruction, stumbling blockANTONYMS: help, advantage, asset, plusSlide11

Imperative

Definition:

(adj.) necessary, urgent

(n.) a form of verb expressing a command; something that is required

Sample sentence:

If a tick bites you, it is

imperative

that you see a doctor.

Writing a thank-you note after receiving a gift

is a social imperative.SYNONYMS: essential, indispensible, mandatory

ANTONYMS: nonessential, unnecessarySlide12

Loiter

Definition:

(v.) to linger in an aimless way, hang around, dawdle, tarry

Sample sentence: Some students always loiter in the hallway, instead of getting to class on time.ANTONYM: hurry alongSlide13

Malinger

Definition:

(v.) to pretend illness to avoid duty or work

Sample sentence: If you malinger too often, no one will believe you when you really are sick. SYNONYMS: goof off, shirkSlide14

Pithy

Definition:

(adj.) short but full of meaning and to the point

Sample sentence: A good editorial should be

pithy

.

SYNONYMS: terse, short and sweet, meaty

ANTONYMS: wordy, verbose, foolishSlide15

Plunder

Definition:

(v.) to rob by force, especially during wartime; to

seize wrongfully; (n.) property stolen by force

Sample sentences:

In the Old West, rustlers

plundered

ranches and farms

for cattle and horses.

Thieves often use a third party called a fence to sell jewelry and other plunder

.

SYNONYMS: pillage, loot, sack; (n.) spoils, pelfSlide16

Simper

Definition

:

(v.) to smile or speak in a silly, forced/faked way;(n.) a silly, fake smile

Sample sentences:

Strangers may find it easier to

simper

about trivial matters

than to have a serious conversation.

The camera caught me with a simper on my face.

SYNONYMS: snicker, smirkSlide17

Steadfast

Definition

:

(adj.) firmly fixed; constant, not moving or changing

Sample

sentence

:

I urge you to be

steadfast

in your efforts to achieve your goals in life.SYNONYMS: loyal, faithful, unwavering

ANTONYMS

: inconstant, fickle, unreliable,

vacillatingSlide18

Vaunted

Definition

:

(adj.) much boasted about in a vain or swaggering way

Sample

sentence

:

The rookie’s

vaunted

strength was no match for the veteran’s skill and experience.SYNONYMS: trumpeted, heraldedANTONYMS: downplayed, soft-pedaled,

de-emphasizedSlide19

Vilify

Definition:

(v.) to abuse or belittle unjustly or maliciously

Sample sentence: Voters have become thoroughly disgusted withcandidates who vilify their rival’s reputations.SYNONYMS: malign, defame, denigrate, traduceANTONYMS: glorify, extol, lionizeSlide20

Waif

Definition

:

(n.) a person (usually a child) without a home or friend; a stray person or animal; something that

comes along by chance

Sample

sentence

:

The spunky

waif who triumphs over many hardships is a popular character in film and fiction.

SYNONYMS: stray, ragamuffin, street urchinSlide21

Wry

Definition:

(adj.) twisted, turned to one side, cleverly and

often grimly humorousSample sentence: Charles Addams was famous for wry cartoons chronicling the adventuresof a ghoulish family.SYNONYMS: dryly amusing, ironic,

ANTONYMS: humorless, solemn