Animal Farm Vocab

Oppression (N)

cruel or unfair treatment of people, often by those in power

Totalitarianism (N)

a system of government where the state has total control over citizens’ lives

Utopia (N)

an imagined perfect society where everything is ideal

Benevolent (ADJ)

kind and generous; wanting to do good

Cynical (ADJ)

believing people are motivated only by self-interest; distrustful of others’ motives

Laborious (ADJ)

requiring a lot of effort and hard work

Tyranny (N)

cruel and oppressive rule by a dictator or government

Sordid (ADJ)

dirty, immoral, or unpleasant

Intermediary (N)

a person who acts as a go-between for others

Malignity (N)

a desire to harm others; evil intent

Capitulated (V)

surrendered or gave up resistance

Categorically (ADV)

in a clear and definite way; without exception

Retribution (N)

punishment given as revenge for a wrong

Vivacious (ADJ)

lively, energetic, and full of lifeImpending

Machinations (N)

sneaky or dishonest plans or schemes

Censured (V)

criticized strongly or officially

Conciliatory (ADJ)

intended to make peace or reduce conflict

Superannuated (ADJ)

outdated or too old to be useful

Incumbent (ADJ)

necessary or required as a duty (often followed by “on” or “upon”)

Bon mot (N)

a clever or witty remark

Cryptic (ADJ)

mysterious or hard to understand

Propulsion (N)

the act of driving or pushing forward

Pretext (N)

a false reason given to hide the real purpose

impending

about to happen; imminent