Unit 6 Grade 8 Vocabulary

whimpered POS: verb Definition – to cry with low, plaintive, broken sounds S – When the toddler was lost, he whimpered until he found his mother. Synonyms: cry, moan, weep, blubber, fuss

nemesis POS: noun Definition – an opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome. S – The football team had a great nemesis, and they would be played this Friday at the homecoming game. Synonyms: bane, adversary, curse, affliction, plague, rival

torment POS: verb Definition – to worry or annoy excessively S – The lady asked the boy not to torment her with many questions, but she was bothered anyway by him. Synonyms: bother, irritate, nag, pester

odious POS: adj. Definition – hateful, horrible S – The bully was odious to others in the class, and he made the other children cry. Synonyms: revolting, vile, awful, intolerable

maliciously POS: adv. Definition – full of, characterized by, or showing malice; malevolent; spiteful S – The group maliciously ransacked the store, but they were caught running to get away. Synonyms: ruthlessly, brutally, cruelly

lobbed POS: verb Definition – to fire (a missile) in a high path so that it drops onto a target. S – Johnny lobbed the spit-ball at me, and he missed only to hit me with the next two. Synonyms: toss, flip, hurl, launch, pitch

wrath POS: noun Definition – vengeance or punishment as the consequence of anger. S – My brother felt my mother’s wrath, and he decided not to tell another lie about staying out too late. Synonyms: extreme anger, fury, displeasure, exasperation

martinet POS: noun Definition – a strict disciplinarian, especially a military one S – General Mack was the meanest martinet to the new recruits, but he seemed to have a soft spot for the cooks. He liked to try new foods. Synonyms: authoritarian, enforcer, stickler

fidgeting POS: verb Definition – to move about restlessly, nervously, or impatiently S – The girl always seemed to get nervous at the doctor’s office, so she would sit on her hands to keep herself from fidgeting. Synonyms: fret, squirm, twitch

sagacious POS: ADJ. Definition – wise, shroud S - The sagacious student always got A’s on the test, for he always studied and was so intelligent. Synonyms: smart, judicious

ambled POS: verb Definition – to go at a slow, easy pace; stroll S – Josie ambled around town window shopping with Mimi, but she found to most appropriate prom dress and had to buy it. Synonyms: walk casually, loiter, mosey, sashay, toddle, wander

portal POS: noun Definition – a door, gate, or entrance S - The portal to the secret garden was bolted shut, yet it could be opened by the children with their beautiful imaginations. Synonyms: doorway, entrance, gate, opening

comely POS: adj. Definition – pleasing in appearance; attractive; fair S – The comely stained glass window was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever seen, yet it belonged to no one but the church it was made for. Synonyms: beautiful, good-looking, gorgeous, attractive, fine, becoming, pleasing, handsome, stunning

demurely POS: adv. Definition – characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved. S – The young man dressed and walked demurely, but he tripped and fell in a mud puddle ruining his dapper clothes. Synonyms: modestly, humbly

pulchritudinous POS: adj. Definition – physically beautiful; comely S – The bride was extremely pulchritudinous on her wedding day, and her beauty made the groom and family members cry. Synonyms: delightful, graceful, grand, handsome, lovely, magnificent, sublime, classy, dapper, dazzling, gorgeous