Building An Enriched Vocabulary Lesson 1 abdicate n

Building An Enriched Vocabulary Lesson 1

abdicate n Verb (performing an action) n To give up formally, as an office, duty, power or claim n Synonyms: resign, renounce, relinquish n 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.

abdicate

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

adjourn

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

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

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

avarice n Noun n An excessive desire to acquire and possess wealth n Synonyms: stinginess, greed n 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.

avarice

bleak n Adjective n Cold and gloomy; desolate; unpromising n Synonyms: barren, harsh, dismal, somber n Example: 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.

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

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

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