Vocabulary Level E

Vocabulary Level E Unit 6

accede DEF = (v.) to yield to; to assume an office or dignity SYN = consent, concur, comply, assent ANT = demur, balk at Sound-alike CONNECTION: To accept an office (like being governor) To accede an office After 3 months of Jeremy pestering me to go to Prom with him, I finally ACCEDED and said I would be his date.

brandish DEF = (v.) to wave or flourish in a menacing or vigorous fashion SYN = swing, shake When the Samurai BRANDISHED his sword at me in a threatening way, I almost fainted from fright!

comprise DEF = (v.) to include or contain; to be made up of SYN = compose, constitute, encompass ANT = exclude A cake is COMPRISED of: A recipe is a list of the ingredients that COMPRISE a food dish.

deft DEF = (adj.) skillful, nimble SYN = dexterous, adroit, proficient, clever, masterful ANT = clumsy, awkward, bungling, inept His DEFT hands allow him to juggle dangerous objects. She has DEFTfingers that create intricate patterns with thread. She has a DEFTmind that solves complex equations.

destitute DEF = (adj.) deprived of the necessities of life; lacking in SYN = wanting, devoid, impoverished, penniless ANT = rich, wealthy, luxurious WORD CONNECTION: DESperate = DEStitute In this picture a DESTITUTE man is living outside because he doesn’t have a home.

explicit DEF = (adj.) definite, clearly stated SYN = distinct, unambiguous, clear ANT = vague, implied WORD CONNECTION: explicitly explained A dictionary EXPLICITLY states the exact definition of many words.

extirpate DEF = (v.) to tear up by the roots; to destroy totally SYN = uproot, wipe out ANT = implant, nourish Sound-alike CONNECTION: If something is extirpated, it exits the ground. In order to remove unwanted plants, you must EXTIRPATE the entire plant.

inopportune DEF = (adj.) coming at a bad time; not appropriate SYN = inappropriate, inconvenient ANT = appropriate, convenient WORD CONNECTION: A missed opportunity is inopportune. The timing of this fish’s evolution is very INOPPORTUNE. 

ironic DEF = (adj.) suggesting an difference between what might be expected and what actually happens; given to irony, sarcastic SYN = satiric, wry ANT = straightforward We might expect a statue proclaiming “freedom” would be “free”, but IRONICALLY it is in a cage!

musty DEF = (adj.) stale, moldy; out-of-date SYN = hackneyed, antiquated ANT = fresh, up-to-date The MUSTY basement smelled like mold and mildew.

musty extirpate brandish • The little old lady ________ her umbrella at the mugger who was trying to steal her purse. • In order to ______ racism from the hearts and minds of all Americans, schools should teach diversity awareness classes. • Because I didn’t wipe out the cooler before I stored it away, it developed a gross ______ odor.

explicit accede comprise • Packages of cigarettes are required to have ____ warnings about how unhealthy cigarettes are. • My summer vacation was ______ of summer school, family vacation, and lots of hours baby-sitting my little sister. • Because the U.S. government will not negotiate with terrorists, the president can never ____ to terrorists’ demands.

ironic inopportune destitute deft • It was extremely _____ that I met Sally and Joe started dating only 2 weeks before they left for college. • Hurricane Katrina left many citizens of New Orleans _____ and in need of help. • The _____ fingers of the concert pianist flew over the piano keys with lightning-quick speed. • The ______ sighting of a mountain lion in the streets of downtown Chicago had people scared and interested at the same time.

officious DEF = (adj.) meddling; excessively forward in offering services or assuming authority SYN = meddlesome, prying ANT = reserved, timid WORD CONNECTION: overlyofficial = officious The OFFICIOUS group leader thought he could tell everyone what to do.

ominous DEF = (adj.) unfavorable, threatening, of bad OMEN SYN = portentous ANT = promising Dark clouds gathering on the horizon is an OMINOUS sign of a coming storm. The grim reaper is an OMINOUS sign of death.

pinnacle DEF = (n.) a high peak or point SYN = apex, summit ANT = low point Very few mountain climbers ever reach the PINNACLE of Mt. Everest because the climb is very difficult.

premeditated DEF = (adj., part.) considered beforehand, deliberately planned SYN = preplanned, rehearsed, calculated ANT = unplanned, spontaneous If a crime is premeditated, the criminal planned to do it. A premeditated murder will land you in jail.

rampant DEF = (adj.) growing without check, running wild SYN = widespread, unrestrained ANT = controlled, restrained This man’s fingernails have been growing RAMPANT. Someone buy him fingernail clippers!!

solace DEF = (n.) comfort, relief; (v.) to comfort, console SYN = (v.) soothe, cheer up ANT = (v.) aggravate, upset This mother is trying to solace her baby. A massage can provide solace if you’ve been stressed out.

stately DEF = (adj.) dignified, majestic SYN = grand, magnificent ANT = lowly, humble This European cathedral is STATELY. Here, the military is holding a STATELY funeral procession to honor the soldiers who’ve given their lives.

supple DEF = (adj.) bending easily; bending with agility; readily adaptable; servile SYN = flexible, limber ANT = rigid, unbending Rubber bands are made out of SUPPLE material. Gymnasts have SUPPLE bodies that have been made flexible from years of stretching and tumbling.

suppress DEF = (v.) to stop by force, put down SYN = subdue, crush, silence ANT = provoke, instigate WORD CONNECTION: SupPRESS = PRESS down In Tiananmen Square in 1989, the Chinese military SUPPRESSED people protesting against communism by killing and injuring thousands of the protesters.

venal DEF = (adj.) open to or marked by bribery or corruption SYN = dishonest, bribable ANT = honest, scrupulous Slipping money to the host at a restaurant is a VENAL way to get a table quickly. Many people think that mobsters are VENAL.

suppress venal rampant supple • Many politicians land in jail because of their _____ activities. • The _____ spread of the H1N1 flu last year caused panic in the medical field. • The _____limbs of the weeping willow tree bent and waved in the strong winds. • In communist countries where citizens do not have freedom of speech, the government ______ everyone whose ideas attack the state.

stately solace pinnacle • Winning the lead role in a Broadway musical is the ______ of success for many musical theater performers. • Most capitol buildings have a ____ design to show the seriousness of the decisions that are made within its walls. • Nothing provides ____ after a stressful day like a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

premeditated ominous officious • As I approached the German shepherd, I heard a low, ______ growl that warned me not to come any closer. • It can be hard to work with a(n) _____ colleague who is always sticking her nose into your business. • It was clear from the well-organized get-away that the bank robbery was _________.

Vocabulary Level E