Unit 15. DEF = (adj.) causing irritation, harsh; grinding or wearing down; (n.) a substance used to smooth or polish SYN = (adj.) chafing, grating, rasping,

Unit 15

DEF = (adj.) causing irritation, harsh; grinding or wearing down; (n.) a substance used to smooth or polish

SYN = (adj.) chafing, grating, rasping, erosiveANT = (adj.) smooth, polished, satiny, oily

Sandpaper is an ABRASIVE that is used to WEAR DOWN wood

and make it smooth.

Sometimes an ITCHY WOOL

SWEATER can be ABRASIVE on

your skin.

DEF = (v.) to adapt to a new climate, environment, or situation

SYN = accustom, learn the ropes

Word Connection:When going to a new CLIMATE,you must ACCLIMATE yourself tothe new temperatures.

Chameleons are able to ACCLIMATE to different

environments by ADAPTING their color to match their

background for camouflage.

DEF = (n.) irritation or humiliation caused by disappointed or frustration; (v.) to cause such a feeling

SYN = (n.) mortification; (v.) mortify, abashANT = (n.) jubilation, triumph; (v.) delight

This sign could say, “I’m so CHAGRINED”.

DEF = (adj.) self-satisfied; overly contentSYN = smug, pleased with oneself

Word Connection:If you are comPLACEnt, you‘re happy with your PLACE in life.

This guy is COMPLACENT because he is

PLEASED WITH HIMSELF.

DEF = (v.) to express agreement, approveSYN = agree, assent, ratify, sanctionANT = disagree, differ, part company

Spanish Connection:In Spanish “con” = “with”If you “concur”, you’re “with” someone.

Giving a “thumbs up” is body language to show that you CONCUR.

DEF = (n.) slander or libelSYN = mudslinging, vilificationANT = praise, salute, tribute

Word Connection:DE-FAME = take away fame

People who use DEFAMATION of character are trying to HURT

someone’s REPUTATION.

DEF = (v.) to make plain or clear, explain; to interpret

SYN = clarify, elucidate, untangle, spell outANT = confuse, bewilder, obscure, obfuscate

Word Connection:EXPLicate = EXPLain

Dictionaries help EXPLICATE the meaning

of difficult words.

This teacher is EXPLICATING difficult

information for her students.

DEF = (n.) a noisy quarrel or brawlSYN = row, altercation, brouhahaANT = agreement, accord, harmony,

unanimity In a FRACAS there’s a lot of

shouting and hitting.

A FRACAS is a FIGHT.

DEF = (adj.) unnatural, distorted; bizarreSYN = fantastic, outlandish, ugly, deformedANT = appealing, attractive, comely

Word Connection:Think “GROSS”

This “Tiger Man” wanted to be a tiger and had many operations

and tattoos to make himself look this way.

His “tiger face” is definitely UNNATURAL and DISTORTED. Some people might think his new

look is GROTESQUE.

DEF = (n.) a wild uproar, din, or commotionSYN = chaos, tumult, bedlam, three ring

circusANT = order, calm, tranquility, peace,

repose

Word Connection:In movies DEMONS are always causing panDEMONium.

When people are trading stocks for billions of dollars, there can be

CHAOS and PANDEMONIUM at the

New York Stock Exchange!

1. The “friendly” hockey game erupted into a(n) _____ when a player “accidentally” got a stick to the face.

2. After receiving the news that she might have cancer, Sherry immediately saw a second doctor to see if he _____ with the first doctor’s opinion.

3. The jagged edges of the piece of wood were so ____ that when I brushed my arm against it, I began to bleed.

4. At times the _____ in the preschool classroom made the teachers feels like they were zookeepers!

5. Before the writing final I’m going to ask Mrs. Musick to ____ the directions. I want to make sure I get a good grade!

1. Johnny’s _____ attitude will leave him stuck in a low-paying job because he’s too smug and lazy to try for something better.

2. To my _____, I realized I had given my entire presentation with a large green piece of broccoli stuck between my teeth.

3. Sadly, social networking websites don’t offer just a place to meet friends; they also provide opportunities for cruel people to engage in the ______ of others.

4. When Tim returned from active duty in Iraq, he found it very difficult to __________ to civilian life.

5. When police arrived at the murder scene, they found the victim’s body arranged in a _____ position.

DEF = (adj.) disagreeably harsh-sounding; disorderly

SYN = boisterous, clamorous, stridentANT = placid, tranquil, peaceful, serene, pastoral

Anybody (or any Muppet) banging on drums would

create a RAUCOUS NOISE.

DEF = (adj.) open or responsive to ideas or suggestions

SYN = open-minded, tolerant, amenableANT = narrow-minded, intolerant, hidebound

Word Connection:To be RECEptive is to RECEive

Businesses that offer a “Suggestions Box” are RECEPTIVE to

customers’ NEW IDEAS.

DEF = (v.) to give up or resign somethingSYN = repudiate, disown, abdicate, abjureANT = secure, affirm, assent, aver

To TURN AWAY from something or

to QUIT is to RENOUNCE.

DEF = (v.) to hold back; to put down or check by force

SYN = subdue, curb, stifle, constrain, bottle upANT = liberate, set loose, provoke, excite

Word Connection:To rePRESS is to PRESS DOWN

If a person has REPRESSED memories, she has PUSHED them to the BACK OF HER

MIND. It would be hard to remember a

REPRESSED memory.

DEF = (adj.) not inclined to speak; reserved; reluctant

SYN = taciturn, close-mouthed, tight-lippedANT = talkative, garrulous, long-winded

Word Connection:reticENT = silENT

A RETICENT person keeps his MOUTH CLOSED.

DEF = (adj.) tasty, appetizing; pungent or salty, not sweet; inoffensive, respectable

SYN = delectable, flavorful, aromatic, piquant

ANT = distasteful, unpalatable, malodorous, bland

Rhyme Connection:Savor the Flavor

All of these foods are SAVORY.

DEF = (adj.) sleepy, drowsy; inducing sleepSYN = groggy, soporificANT = alert, lively, wide-awake, stimulating

SOMinex is a SLEEPING pill that helps a person FALL ASLEEP.

DEF = (adj.) intense, forceful, powerfulSYN = emphatic, fierce, vigorous,

impassionedANT = apathetic, lukewarm, subdued, mutedAn EXCLAMATION POINT

shows that someone is saying something VEHEMENTLY!!

When Serena Williams is on the tennis court, she hits

every ball VEHEMENTLY.

DEF = (adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent

SYN = loquacious, garrulous, long-windedANT = uncommunicative, taciturn, terse

Word Connection:A VOLUble person producesA LARGE VOLUme of words.

DEF = (adj.) eager, earnest, devotedSYN = ardent, fervent, devout, gung hoANT = reluctant, unwilling, averse, tepid

These ZEALOUS Bears fans are so DEVOTED to their

team that they PAINTED THEIR FACES and DYED

THEIR HAIR!!

1. Sitting in the concert hall listening to the soothing sound of the string quartet, a ______ feeling came over me, and I could hardly keep my eyes open.

2. After his terrible car accident, Tom met with a therapist to help him deal with _____ memories of the event that were causing nightmares.

3. The ______ Jonas Brothers fans came to the concert carrying signs that read, “The Jonas Brothers Rock!!”

4. The ________ girls at the slumber party kept everyone in the house awake all night.

5. Just looking at the ______ food on the table made my mouth begin to water.

1. From the ______ way my mother said, “Absolutely not!” I knew there was no hope of changing her mind.

2. Mrs. Sanders has a ______ personality. If you ask her about her grandkids, she’ll go on and on for hours.

3. After the news broke about the Senator’s affair, he _______ his position in the U.S. Senate.

4. Although I am unhappy about some changes in my job, I am ______ to speak up about it for fear that I might be fired.

5. When I called customer service, I said a little prayer that my call would be answered by a ______ person. I just needed someone to listen to my problem!