Vocabulary Unit 4Mrs. Frazee

Elude

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

Elude VerbTo 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

NounAn 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

VerbTo attract by offering reward

Synonyms: lure, tempt

Antonyms: discourage

Gratify

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

Gratify VerbTo 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 NounA person who is going slow or falling behind

Synonyms: straggler

Antonyms: leader

Compensate

CompensateThe 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

ErraticStudents 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

IllegibleThe 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

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

AdjectiveAverage, ordinary,

undistinguished

Synonym: run-of-the-mill

Antonym: exceptional, outstanding, distinguished

Unflinching

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 NounAnything 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 NounA funeral rite or ceremony

Fealty

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

Fealty

NounObligated loyalty or faithfulness

Synonyms: devotion; fidelity; allegiance

Antonyms: disloyalty; treachery

Gambit

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

Gambit

NounManeuver or action used to gain an advantage

Synonyms: strategy; ploy; maneuver

Antonyms: blunder