Building An Enriched Vocabulary Lesson 1

abdicate Verb (performing an action) Verb (performing an action) To give up formally, as an office, duty, power or claim To give up formally, as an office, duty, power or claim Synonyms: resign, renounce, relinquish Synonyms: resign, renounce, relinquish Example: Example: Since the responsibilities of being class president became too much, Sasha will abdicate her position next month and the vice president will take over. Since the responsibilities of being class president became too much, Sasha will abdicate her position next month and the vice president will take over.

abdicate

adjourn Verb Verb To close formally; to put off until another time To close formally; to put off until another time Synonyms: conclude, terminate, defer, postpone Synonyms: conclude, terminate, defer, postpone Example: Example: Please adjourn class by signaling the bell over the intercom. Please adjourn class by signaling the bell over the intercom.

adjourn

alienate Verb Verb To cause hostility or indifference; to exclude To cause hostility or indifference; to exclude Synonyms: estrange, exclude Synonyms: estrange, exclude Example: Example: She did not intend to alienate Sam by forgetting to invite him to the party. She did not intend to alienate Sam by forgetting to invite him to the party.

anomaly Noun (person, place, thing or idea) Noun (person, place, thing or idea) A deviation from what is normal or expected A deviation from what is normal or expected Synonyms: abnormality, freak, irregularity, misfit Synonyms: abnormality, freak, irregularity, misfit Example: Example: There was an anomaly in Jake’s schedule because it was missing a first block class. There was an anomaly in Jake’s schedule because it was missing a first block class.

astute Adjective (describes a noun) Adjective (describes a noun) Keen in mind and judgment; practical; cunning Keen in mind and judgment; practical; cunning Synonyms: perceptive, sharp, clever Synonyms: perceptive, sharp, clever Example: Example: Since she was an astute child, Jane learned sophisticated vocabulary at an early age from listening to her parents’ conversations. Since she was an astute child, Jane learned sophisticated vocabulary at an early age from listening to her parents’ conversations.

avarice Noun Noun An excessive desire to acquire and possess wealth An excessive desire to acquire and possess wealth Synonyms: stinginess, greed Synonyms: stinginess, greed Example: Example: Scrooge’s avarice left his employees struggling for money when he did not want to part with his money to give them a raise. Scrooge’s avarice left his employees struggling for money when he did not want to part with his money to give them a raise.

avarice

bleak Adjective Adjective Cold and gloomy; desolate; unpromising Cold and gloomy; desolate; unpromising Synonyms: barren, harsh, dismal, somber Synonyms: barren, harsh, dismal, somber Example: Example: 1. Much of the coast of northern Alaska is bleak and uninviting. 1. Much of the coast of northern Alaska is bleak and uninviting. 2. The chances of going to the beach today are bleak due to threats of rain. 2. The chances of going to the beach today are bleak due to threats of rain.

bungle Verb Verb To mismanage or make a mess of To mismanage or make a mess of Synonyms: botch, mangle, spoil Synonyms: botch, mangle, spoil Example: Example: Since the chef’s assistant was not paying attention, he added salt instead of sugar and bungled the recipe. Since the chef’s assistant was not paying attention, he added salt instead of sugar and bungled the recipe.

caustic Adjective Adjective Able to dissolve from chemical action; sharp and biting Able to dissolve from chemical action; sharp and biting Synonyms: corrosive, stinging, pungent, venomous Synonyms: corrosive, stinging, pungent, venomous Example: Example: The caustic substance must be handled very carefully in the lab because it will leave a serious burn on your skin if spilled. The caustic substance must be handled very carefully in the lab because it will leave a serious burn on your skin if spilled.

coerce Verb Verb To force someone to do something against his or her will using pressure, threats or intimidation To force someone to do something against his or her will using pressure, threats or intimidation Synonym: pressure, force Synonym: pressure, force Example: Example: When the bank was robbed, the burglar coerced the teller to hand over all the money by threatening to use a weapon. When the bank was robbed, the burglar coerced the teller to hand over all the money by threatening to use a weapon.