1. Vocab Unit 3
9th Lit

2. Words of the day Abridge (verb) to make shorter
Adherent (noun) a follower, supporter; (adjective) attached, sticking to
The senator’s loyal __________ campaigned long and hard for her reelection.
Before we could repaint the walls of our living room, we had to remove an __________ layer of wallpaper.
Synonyms: disciple
Antonyms: opponent, adversary, critic, detractor
Abridge (verb) to make shorter
Travel by air __________ the time needed to reach far-distant places.
Synonyms: shorten, condense, abbreviate
Antonyms: expand, enlarge, augment

3. Words of the Day Altercation (noun) an angry argument
A noisy ________________ in the next apartment kept me awake for hours.
Synonyms: quarrel, dispute, squabble
Antonyms: agreement, accord
Cherubic (adj) resembling an angel portrayed as a little child with a beautiful, round, or chubby face; sweet and innocent
How well those photographs of the month-old twins capture the _________________ expressions on their faces.
Synonyms: beatific
Antonyms: Impish, devilish

4. Words of the day Condone (verb) to pardon or overlook
Our parents have always made it crystal clear to us that they do not ____________ rude behavior.
Synonyms: ignore, look the other way
Dissent (verb) to disagree; (noun) disagreement
Justices have an option to ____________ from a ruling issued by a majority of the Supreme Court.
Some people give voice to their ______________ on issues of public policy by writing letters to newspapers.
Synonyms: differ, dispute
Antonyms: agree, concur

5. Words of the day
Eminent (adj) famous, outstanding, distinguished; projecting
A group of __________ scientists met to discuss long-term changes in Earth’s climate.
Synonyms: illustrious, renowned
Antonyms: nameless, unsung, lowly, humble
Exorcise (v) to drive out by magic; to dispose of something troublesome, menacing
We must do all we can to ___________ the evils or hatred and prejudice from our society.
Synonyms: expel

6. Words of the day
Fabricate (v) to make, manufacture; to make up, invent
Threads from the cocoons of caterpillars called silkworms are used to ___________ silk.
Synonyms: put together, devise, contrive, concoct
Gluttony (n.) engaging in extreme eating or drinking; greedy overindulgence
In the Middle Ages, _____________ was considered one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Synonyms: overeating, ravenousness
Antonyms: abstemiousness

7. Words of the day
Marauder (n) a raider, plunderer Synonyms: looter, pirate
Edgar Allan Poe’s story “The Gold Bug” concerns treasure buried by the __________ Captain Kidd.
Synonyms: looter, pirate
Irate (adj.) angry
Long delays caused by bad weather are likely to make even the most unflappable traveler __________.
Synonyms: incensed, infuriated, livid
Antonyms: calm, composed, cool, unruffled

8. Pauper (n) an extremely poor person
Words of the day
Pauper (n) an extremely poor person
During the Great Depression, many people were reduced to leading the desperate lives of ____________.
Synonyms: destitute person
Antonyms: billionaire
Pilfer(v.) to steal in small quantities
An employee who _____________ from the petty cash box will get caught sooner or later.
Synonyms: rob, swipe, purloin

9. Words of the day Rift(n.) a split, break, or breach
Failure to repay a loan can be the cause of an angry ____________ between longtime friends.
Synonyms: crack, fissure, gap, cleft
Antonyms: reconciliation
Semblance (n.) a likeness; an outward appearance; an apparition
Despite a bad case of stage fright, I tried to maintain a _____________ of calm as I sang my solo.
Synonyms: aid, aura, façade
Antonyms: dissimilarity, contrast, total lack

10. Words of the day Surmount (verb) to overcome, rise above
Wilma Rudolph __________ childhood illness and physical disabilities to win three Olympic gold medals.
Synonyms: conquer, triumph over
Antonyms: be vanquished, be defeated, succumb to
Terminate (verb) to bring to an end
If you fail to perform your job satisfactorily, your boss may ____________ your employment.
Synonyms: conclude, finish, discontinue
Antonyms: begin, commence

11. Words of the day Trite (adjective) commonplace; overused, stale
When you write an essay or a story, be especially careful to avoid using _________ expressions.
Synonyms: corny, banal, hackneyed
Antonyms: original, innovative
Usurp(verb) to seize and hold a position by force or without right
The general who led the coup ___________ the office of the duly elected president.
Synonyms: seize illegally, supplant