Vocabulary Unit 2

1. Vocabulary Unit 2 Quiz next Wednesday

2. 1. adroit • Skillful, expert in the use of the hands or mind • Adjective • Synonyms: clever, deft, dexterous • Antonyms: clumsy, inept, all thumbs • Many rodeo performers are adroit at twirling a rope while on horseback.

3. 2. amicable • Peaceful, friendly • Adjective • Synonyms: congenial, neighborly, cordial • Antonyms: hostile, antagonistic • Sometimes mediation by a neutral individual can lead to an amicable settlement of dispute.

4. 3. averse • Having a deep-seated distaste; opposed, unwilling • Adjective • Synonyms: disinclined, loath • Antonyms: favorably disposed, eager, keen • You are not likely to become a marathon runner if you are averse to strenuous exercise.

5. 4. belligerent • Adjective: Given to fighting, warlike; combative, aggressive • Noun: one at war; one engaged in way • Synonyms: assertive, truculent, pugnacious • Antonyms: peaceful, conciliatory, placid • I did not expect such a belligerent answer to my request for directions. • After each belligerent signed the peace treaty, the war was declard officially over.

6. 5. benevolent • Kindly, charitable • Adjective • Synonyms: benign, well-meaning • Antonyms: malicious, spiteful, malevolent • The newcomers had nothing but benevolent feelings twoard all their neighbors.

7. 6. cursory • Hasty, not thorough • Adjective • Synonyms: quick, superficial, perfunctory • Antonyms: thorough, painstaking, careful • The mayor gave a final cursory glance at the text of her speech before mounting the podium.

8. 7. duplicity • Treachery, deceitfulness • Noun • Synonyms: fraud, double-dealing, chicanery • We found it difficult to believe that our good friend could be capable of such duplicity.

9. 8. extol • To praise extravagantly • Verb • Synonyms: glorify, applaud, acclaim, hail • Antonyms: criticize, belittle, disparage • Many inspiring stories and plays have been written that extol the heroic deeds of Joan of Arc.

10. 9. feasible • Possible, able to be done • Adjective • Synonyms: workable, practicable, viable • Antonyms: unworkable, impractical • Our city needs to develop a feasible plan of action for dealing with storms and other emergencies.

11. 10. grimace • Noun: a wry face, facial distortion • Verb: to make a wry face • Synonyms: pained expression, facial contortion • Antonyms: smile, grin, beam • The grimace of the refugee in the photograph reveals the pain of homelessness. • Most people grimace at the mere sound of the dentist’s drill.

12. 11. stolid not easily moved mentally or emotionally; dull, unresponsive adjective Synonyms: impassive, phlegmatic Antonyms: emotional, oversensitive, high-strung Stolid people can generally be expected to take most things in stride.

13. 12. tentative Experimental in nature, uncertain, hesitant Adjective Synonyms: provisional, inconclusive Antonyms: definite, conclusive, confirmed Negotiators have come up with a tentative agreement that will keep both sides at the bargaining table past the strike deadline.

14. 13. unkempt Not combed; untidy; not properly maintained; unpolished, rude Adjective Synonyms: sloppy, disheveled, disordered, rough Antonyms: well-groomed, tidy, neat, natty According to my parents, the latest fashions make me and my friends look unkempt.

15. 14. verbatim Word for word; exactly as written or spoken Adjective, adverb Synonyms: exact, precisely Antonyms: paraphrased Newspapers often publish the verbatim text of an important speech.

16. 15. warily Cautiously, with great care Adverb Synonyms: carefully, prudently, gingerly Antonyms: recklessly, heedlessly, incautiously The hikers made their way warily up the steep and rocky trail.