Vocabulary Unit 4 Mrs. Frazee

Elude

The prisoner tried to elude the guards, by hiding in the laundry truck.

Elude  Verb  To escape being noticed; to get away from Synonyms: evade, avoid Antonyms: attract

Denizen

Prairie dogs are denizens of the Great Plains, so it is unlikely that you would see one in Maine.

Denizen  Noun  An occupant; inhabitant Synonyms: resident Antonyms: emigrant; alien

Enticed

The styling and color of the gown enticed me, but I could not afford such an extravagant purchase.

Entice  Verb  To attract by offering reward Synonyms: lure, tempt Antonyms: discourage

Gratify

To gratify the pouting child, his mother handed him a lollipop.

Gratify  Verb  To please Synonyms: satisfy; indulge Antonyms: displease; disappoint

Laggard

Wear good shoes on the hike, or you’ll be a laggard and delay the entire group.

Laggard  Noun  A person who is going slow or falling behind Synonyms: straggler Antonyms: leader

Compensate

The manufacturer was ordered to compensate customers injured by the defective product.

Compensate  Verb  To make up for; to repay for services Synonyms: payback, reimburse, recompense Antonyms: stiff, fail to reward

Erratic

Students who have an erratic attendance record may find themselves disciplined by the principal.

Erratic  Adjective  Not regular or consistent; different from what is ordinarily expected; undependable Synonyms: irregular, inconsistent, unpredictable Antonyms: steady, consistent, dependable

Illegible

The effects of air pollution have rendered the inscriptions on many old gravestones illegible.

Illegible  Adjective  Difficult or impossible to read Synonyms: unreadable, indecipherable, scribbled Antonym: readable, decipherable, distinct, clear

Mediocre

The team’s number-one draft pick turned out to be rather mediocre player, not a star who could lead them to the championship.

Mediocre  Adjective  Average, ordinary, undistinguished Synonym: run-of-the-mill Antonym: exceptional, outstanding, distinguished

Unflinching

Everyone admires the unflinching courage with which fire fighters and other rescue workers carry out their dangerous jobs.

Unflinching  Adjective  Firm, showing no signs of fear, not drawing back Synonyms: resolute, steadfast, unwavering Antonym: irresolute, wavering

Enriched English

Fallow

The fallow mind needs to be stimulated with challenging ideas and projects.

Fallow  Adjective  In active, unproductive  (of land) plowed and left unseeded for a season or more; uncultivated.  not in use; inactive:  My creative energies have lain fallow this year. Synonyms: idle, barren Antonyms: productive, fertile

Blight

The junkyard was a blight on the otherwise appealing neighborhood.

Blight  Noun  Anything that destroys, prevents growth, or causes devaluation Synonyms: affliction; disease Antonyms: enhancement

Obsequy

The explorers held brief obsequies for their fallen leader before burying him on the side of the mountain.

Obsequy  Noun  A funeral rite or ceremony

Fealty

Peasants who did not show any fealty to the duke often disappeared.

Fealty  Noun  Obligated loyalty or faithfulness Synonyms: devotion; fidelity; allegiance Antonyms: disloyalty; treachery

Gambit

The general’s gambit sacrificed many soldiers, but ultimately won the battle.

Gambit  Noun  Maneuver or action used to gain an advantage Synonyms: strategy; ploy; maneuver Antonyms: blunder