adulterateto make impure by adding

lesser substances; to corrupt

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: The authorities were concerned that the drugs might have

been adulterated intentionally.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word;

include a gerund.

animosityharsh feelings, enmity, resentment,

hatred

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: I have a lot of animosity for him, since he attempted

to steal my girlfriend.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include an

infinitive.

apocryphalof doubtful origin or authenticity,

not genuine

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: The jury saw through the apocryphal tears of

the witness.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and

include a past participle.

avarice•greed for wealth

•Write the part of speech, one synonym,and one antonym.

•Sample Sentence: Avarice and gluttony are two vices that can destroy lives.

•Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include the word animosity in your sentence, too!

coalesceto merge, to fuse, to join, or to unite

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: If the party can coalesce diverse groups into a unified force, it might win the election.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include a simile.

collaborateto work together

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: Sometimes singers who have never worked together will collaborate

to make a new album.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include a metaphor.

crypticmysterious, secret

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: I did not understand his cryptic message.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include some vivid imagery to

create a mysterious mood.

desultory

random, aimless, jumping from one thing to another

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: The man’s desultory attempts at finding employment wasted his time.

Activity: Write an original complex sentence (1 independent clause + 1 dependent clause) using the word.

dissipationwasteful spending,

squandering; decadent use of resources

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one

antonym.

Sample Sentence: Even though he earned a million

dollars, I expect quick dissipation of his fortune.

Activity: Write an original compound (2 independent

clauses) sentence using the word.

edifyinginstructing and improving spiritually or morally

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: Visiting the cathedral was an edifying experience.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include the word cryptic in your sentence, too.

equivocateto attempt to lie, to mislead, or to

hide the truth

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: Tell the truth and do not attempt to equivocate.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include some

vivid imagery.

espousingadopting or embracing a cause, marrying, giving one’s loyalty

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: The politician seems to be espousing the issue of decreased

taxation in order to gain support.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include a

metaphor.

hedonist

one who seeks pleasure as the sole aim in life

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: The world is full of hedonists who seek nothing but their own

pleasures.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include a present participle.

indefatigable

tireless, incapable of being fatigued

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: The indefatigable army moved ahead steadily over the

many days without rest.

Activity: What root word gives you a clue to the meaning of the word

indefatigable?

interminable

having or seeming to have no end, wearisomely protracted

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: Although the reading assignment was only ten pages, it seemed interminable to the bored

student.

Activity: What root word gives you a clue to the meaning of interminable?

naïve

unsophisticated, inexperienced

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: Many naïve young women go to Hollywood believing they will become movie stars.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include a metaphor.

parodyhumorous or ridiculous imitation

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: Many skits on Saturday Night Live are parodies of current events.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include vivid imagery.

peripheralon the edge, not important

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: Let’s discuss the main topic now and leave the peripheral issues for later.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include the word desultory in your sentence, too.

portentA sign or forewarning

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: The stock market crash was a portent of the coming of a

depression.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include a gerund.

prodigiousextraordinary in bulk, quantity, or degree; great in size,

enormous

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentences:• His prodigious appetite allowed him to eat the entire turkey.•Albert Einstein’s prodigious intellect completely changed the world’s understanding of physics and quantum theory.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include an infinitive.

profaneshowing contempt toward sacred

things

Write the part(s) of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentences: •Extremists profaned the holy temple

by painting graffiti on its doors.• Profane language will not be

tolerated on the tennis court.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include a

present participle.

respite(pronunciation: RES-pit)

a rest, a delay, a period of relief

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: I enjoy a quiet lunch that serves as a respite from my tense job of being an air

traffic controller

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include a metaphor.

sordiddisgusting, filthy, foul

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: The sordid details of the brutal axe murder sickened the jurors.

Activity: Write an original sentence using the word, and include a past participle.

surfeited

fed or supplied to excess

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: I was surfeited after having eaten so much food at the banquet.

Activity: Write a compound sentence using the word.

not significant; frivolous

Write the part of speech, one synonym, and one antonym.

Sample Sentence: Some think that watching MTV is a trifling experience.

Activity: Write an original compound-complex sentence using the word, and include a metaphor.

TRIFLING