Vocabulary Words World Literature Week 3

Urbane Cinderella felt very urbane at the party in her expensive ball gown.

Urbane Definition: adj.—refined in manner or style Synonym: suave, refined, cultured, sophisticated Antonym: unsophisticated, crude, primitive

Cogent Heidi’s cogent anecdote about hypocrisy helped several student’s understanding of The Scarlet Letter.

Cogent Definition: adj.—forceful, relevant, to the point Synonym: logical, coherent, convincing Antonym: unconvincing, ineffective, vain

Expunge My teacher promised to expunge the failing grade on my essay, if I submitted a new and improved version.

Expunge Definition: v.—to delete or blot out something unwanted Synonym: erase, delete, wipe out, destroy Antonym: uphold, maintain, sustain

Omniscient Most religions have an omniscient deity.

Omniscient Definition: adj.—knowing or seeming to know everything Synonym: all-knowing, all-seeing, wise Antonym: naïve, oblivious, clueless

Panacea Aspirin was considered to be a panacea when it was first developed.

Panacea Definition: n.—a supposed cure for all diseases or problems Synonym: cure-all, solution, remedy Antonym: aggravate, worsen, exacerbate

Diffident Suzy had a hard time making friends because she is so diffident.

Diffident Definition: v.—lacking self-confidence and rather shy, reserved or restrained in behavior Synonym: shy, timid, insecure Antonym: outgoing, extrovert, brash, aggressive

Pungent Blue cheese has a pungent aroma and flavor.

Pungent Definition: adj.—having a strong smell or a powerfully sharp or bitter taste Synonym: overpowering, strong, Antonym: bland, mild, weak

Temerity Despite the lifeguard’s warning, the surfer had the temerity to enter the water in the middle of a tropical storm.

Temerity Definition: v.— rashness or boldness Synonym: nerve, audacity, impudence Antonym: reserve, discretion

Truculent The terrorist’s truculent attack on September 1, 2001 shocked the world.

Truculent Definition: adj.—fierce and cruel, aggressive and deadly Synonym: defiant, hostile, surly, quarrelsome Antonym: polite, courteous

Unfeigned Mothers express an unfeigned love for their children.

Unfeigned Definition: v.—genuine, honest, not hypocritical, without pretense Synonym: sincere, real, authentic Antonym: corrupt, false, unfair