vocab

adapt

• verb: to adjust or change to suit conditions
• synonym: regulate, alter
• antonym: remain unchanged
• As anyone who moves to a new home or starts a new job can tell you, it takes time to adapt to new surroundings.
• Animals adapt to changing environments.

attest

• verb: to bear witness, affirm to be true or genuine
• synonym: witness, verify
• antonym: deny, disprove
• I can attest to the truth of her story because I, too, saw what happened.
• The witness needs to attest the victims story.

dovetail

• verb: to fit together exactly; to connect so as to form a whole
• synonym: mesh, harmonize
• antonym: clash
• We may be able dovetail our activities with theirs if we all plan ahead.
• You have to dovetail the hair in order to braid.

enormity

• noun: the quality of exceeding all moral bounds; an exceedingly evil act; huge size
• synonym: atrocity
• antonym: mildness
• The enormity of the disaster shocked and saddened the nation.
• The enormity of Dr. D's plan was astonishing.

falter

• verb: to hesitate, stumble, lose courage
• synonym: waver
• antonym: persevere
• The newscasters voice faltered as he announced to the nation that the president was dead.
• The soccer player continued to falter every time he had the ball.

Slide 6

• PHASE 2

foreboding

• noun: a warning or feeling that something bad will happen
• synonym: misgiving
• As the hurricane neared, residents of towns along the coasts were filled with foreboding.
• The ghost gave us a foreboding message.

forlorn

• adjective: totally abandoned and helpless; sad and lonely; wretched or pitiful
• synonym: pathetic
• antonym: chipper
• When my best friend moved to another state halfway across the country, i felt extremely forlorn.
• The orphaned sheep was very forlorn.

haughty

• adjective: chillingly proud and scornful
• synonym: disdainful
• antonym: humble
• The haughty tone of voice in which you refused my invitation offended me deeply.
• When you yelled at me your voice was very haughty.

impediment

• noun: a physical defect; obstacle
• synonym: obstacle
• antonym: help, advantage
• You must not let impediment in your path keep you from pursuing your dreams.
• The bad grade was quite an impediment when i was trying to try out for the team.

imperative

• adjective: necessary, urgent
• synonym: essential, mandatory
• antonym: optional
• If a tick bites you, it is imperative that you see a doctor as soon as possible.
• the test was imperative if or passing.

Slide 12

• PHASE 3

loiter

• verb: to linger in an aimless way, dawdle
• antonym: hurry along
• Some students always loiter in the school yard long after classes are done.
• people who loiter are usually not liked.

malinger

• verb: to pretend illness to avoid duty or work
• synonym: goof off
• If you malinger to often, no one will believe you when you really do fall ill.
• Lazy people tend to malinger.

pithy

• adjective: short but full of meaning and point
• synonym: short and sweet
• antonym: wordy
• A good editorial should be pithy.
• Her speech was pithy.

plunder

• verb: to rob by force, especially during wartime
• synonym: sack
• In the Old West, rustlers plundered ranches and farms for cattle and horses.
• the point of capture the flag is to plunder the opponents flag.

simper

• verb: to smile or speak in a silly forced away
• synonym: giggle
• Strangers may find it easier to simper about trivial matters than to have a serious conversation.
• I had to simper when i was called up to get the award.

Slide 18

• PHASE 4

steadfast

• adjective: not moving or changing
• synonym:loyal unwavering
• antonym: inconstant
• I urge you to be steadfast in your efforts to achieve your goals in life.
• Good friends are steadfast.

vaunted

• adjective: much boasted about in vain or swaggering way
• synonym:trumpeted
• antonym: downplayed
• The rookies vaunted strength was no match for the veterans skill and experience.
• my wisdom was vaunted.

villify

• verb: to abuse or belittle unjustly
• synonym: defame
• antonym: glorify
• Voters have become thoroughly disgusted with candidates who villify their rivals reputations.
• Bullies villify their victims.

waif

• noun: a person without a home or friend
• synonym: stray
• The spunky waif who triumphs over many hardships is a popular character in film or fiction.
• The dog was obviously a waif.

wry

• adjective: twisted, turned to one side
• synonym: ironic
• antonym: humorless
• Charles Addams was famous for wry cartoons chronicling the adventures of a family.