Unit 4 Vocabulary

“The Buffoons” - A painting by Marianne Aulie

Alliance(noun)

Definition:

A joining together for some common purpose.

Synonyms: pact, league, coalition

Antonyms: rift, split

An alliance of cool cats, playing cool music.

Bewilder(verb)

Definition:To puzzle or confuse

completely.

Synonyms: baffle, perplex

Antonyms: enlighten, teach

Bewildering: Can you find “the hidden tiger” in this illusion?

Buffoon(noun)

Definitions:

(1) A clown;

(2) A jester;

(3) A coarse, stupid person.

Synonyms: fool, goofball

Noun Form: buffoonery

Controversial(adjective)

Definition:Describing anything that

arouses argument, dispute, or disagreement.

Synonyms: arguable, debatable

Noun Form: controversy

These are some very controversial topics to avoid during polite conversation.

Dishearten(verb)

Definition:

To discourage.

Synonyms: dismay, demoralize, dispirit

Antonyms: encourage, hearten

Adjective Form: disheartening

What happened to dishearten these athletes?

Fruitless(adjective)

Definitions:

1. Describing something notproducing the desired results;

2. Unsuccessful

Synonyms: useless, unproductive

Antonyms: productive, effective, successful

Adjective Form: fruitlessly The Titanic had a fruitless journey resulting in disaster.

Hostile(adjective)

Definitions:(1) Unfriendly; (2) Unfavorable;(3) Warlike, aggressive.

Antonyms: friendly, peaceful

Noun Form: hostility

This man has an extremely hostile countenance.

Inflict(verb)

Definitions:

(1) To give or cause something unpleasant;

(2) To impose.

Synonyms: suffer, undergo

Noun Form: infliction

Both inflict suffering!

Malignant(adjective)

Definition:

Deadly, harmful, evil, spiteful.

Synonyms: lethal, wicked

Antonyms: benign, beneficial

Noun Form: malignancy

malignant anger

malignant skin cancer

Malignant

This word is usually used when discussing cancer:

A malignant tumor (a malignancy) is cancerous and is sometimes deadly.

A benign tumor is non-cancerous and usually easily treatable.

Bart is well-known for his malignant personality on The Simpsons.

Mortify(verb)

Definitions:

(1) To hurt someone’s feelings in a humiliating way;

(2) To discipline one’s self by denial or self-inflicted punishment;

(3) archaic: describing a body part afflicted with gangrene.

Synonyms: embarrass, humiliate

Noun Form: mortification

This is one way to mortify a teenager!

Scurry(verb)

Definition:

To run quickly, scamper, hurry.

Synonyms: rush, dash, scramble

Antonyms: trudge, plod, creep, shamble

Both children and squirrels are known for their ability to scurry!

Spirited(adjective)

Definitions:

(1) Full of life and energy;

(2) Brave, courageous

Synonyms: animated, lively,

excited

Antonyms: lifeless, dull, lackluster

spiritless

Both cheerleaders and soldiers areknown for their spirited natures.

Void(noun, verb)

Definitions:

(1) Noun: Completely empty;(2) Noun: An unfilled space;(3) Noun: An emotional emptiness;(4) Verb: To cancel or nullify.

Synonyms: vacancy, emptiness

Outer space has vast voids.

One must void checks to be certain they are not improperly cashed.

There’s been a void in my heart ever since my beloved grandmother passed away.

Wayward(adjective)

Definition:

Disobedient, willful, unpredictable

Antonyms: docile, well-behaved

Noun Form: waywardness

Only a wayward student would worry about a teacher who could read lips!

Wince(verb, noun)

Definitions:

1. Verb: To draw back suddenly, as if in pain or fear

2. Noun: The act of drawing back in this way

Synonyms: flinch, shudder

Is Ms. Hart’s humor making

this person wince?

Hillary Clinton, a former First Lady and

presidential candidate, winces.

Jokes That Make Me Wince:Knock-Knocks