Soap operas CPE

fanatics

people who show extreme and often unreasonable enthusiasm for something (often religion, sports, or fandom) (negative)
SYN: extremists, obsessives, zealots
OPP: moderates, realists

• The show attracts ~ who memorize every line.

• Political ~ often reject compromise.

• He was one of those fitness ~ who never miss a workout.

ironics /aɪˈrɑnɪks/

people who speak or behave in an ironic, mocking, or sarcastic way (neutral/slightly negative)
SYN: cynics, jokers, satirists
OPP: earnest people, sincere individuals

• ~ online tend to mock everything sincerely emotional.

• The party was full of ~ pretending to enjoy pop hits.

• ~ can seem detached or hard to relate to.

non-committed

not showing strong support, interest, or involvement in something (neutral)
SYN: indifferent, undecided, neutral
OPP: dedicated, invested, passionate

• She gave a ~ answer to the proposal.

• The audience remained ~ throughout the debate.

• He stayed ~ during the group project.

dismissives

people who show little interest or regard for others' ideas or efforts (negative)
SYN: naysayers, critics, skeptics
OPP: supporters, listeners

• The ~ in the meeting brushed off every new idea.

• She grew frustrated with the ~ in her circle.

• Online ~ mocked the campaign before it launched.

far-fetched

unlikely and hard to believe; improbable (negative)
SYN: implausible, unrealistic
OPP: believable, realistic

• The plot was just too ~ to enjoy.

• His theory about aliens was a bit ~.

• It sounds ~, but it might actually be true.

corny

overly sentimental, outdated, or trying too hard to be funny or romantic (negative/informal)
SYN: cheesy, clichéd, lame
OPP: fresh, genuine, clever

• The joke was so ~, no one laughed.

• I know it’s ~, but I love happy endings.

• The ad was ~ and tried too hard.

atrocious /əˈtroʊʃəs/

extremely bad or unpleasant (strong negative)
SYN: terrible, horrible, dreadful
OPP: excellent, outstanding

• The acting was ~ — completely unwatchable.

• That’s an ~ excuse for missing class.

• His behavior at dinner was ~.

hackneyed /ˈhæknid/

overused and unoriginal; lacking freshness (negative/formal)
SYN: clichéd, tired, stale
OPP: original, creative, unique

• The story was full of ~ phrases and tropes.

• A ~ script can ruin a good cast.

• That metaphor is ~ and predictable.

unconvincing

not believable or persuasive (negative)
SYN: weak, doubtful, implausible
OPP: credible, persuasive

• The villain’s motive was totally ~.

• She gave an ~ apology.

• His argument felt rushed and ~

cliffhanger

ending in suspense or unresolved tension, making the audience want more (neutral/positive)
SYN: suspenseful, unresolved
OPP: conclusive, final

• It was a ~ episode that left fans desperate.

• The book ends on a ~ note.

• That ~ season finale was brutal.

compulsive (viewing)

so interesting that it’s hard to stop watching (positive)
SYN: binge-worthy, gripping, addictive
OPP: boring, forgettable

• That series is pure ~ — I watched it in a day.

• Her storytelling is ~ and intense.

• The mystery plot makes it ~.

mundane

dull, routine, or lacking excitement (neutral/negative)
SYN: ordinary, boring, routine
OPP: exciting, extraordinary

• The tasks were ~ but necessary.

• He escaped his ~ job by writing at night.

• Life felt too ~ to stay in the suburbs.

topical

related to current events or issues; relevant to the present moment (neutral/formal)
SYN: relevant, current, timely
OPP: outdated, irrelevant

• The film is ~ and sparks debate.

• It’s a ~ issue during the elections.

• Her blog covers ~ subjects like AI ethics.

burning issue

a very urgent or important matter (neutral/strong)
SYN: pressing issue, hot topic
OPP: minor issue, non-issue

• Climate change remains a ~.

• The debate focused on several ~s.

• Education reform is a ~ right now.

eccentric /ɪkˈsɛntrɪk/

unconventional and slightly strange, often in an interesting or endearing way (neutral/positive)
SYN: quirky, odd, unconventional
OPP: conventional, ordinary

• The ~ inventor lived alone with 10 cats.

• Her style is bold and ~.

• I love ~ characters in fiction.

contrived /kənˈtraɪvd/

deliberately created and artificial; not natural or spontaneous (negative)
SYN: forced, fake, staged
OPP: organic, believable

• The ending felt ~ and overly convenient.

• His reaction seemed ~, not genuine.

• That twist was so ~ it ruined the plot.