Lesson 6: Happiness and Unhappiness

Amicable (adjective)

Friendly in tone: an amicable discussion

Related Words: Amicability (noun) and Amicably (adverb)

Example: The carefree memebers of thee soccer team are an amicable group

Anguish (noun) (verb)

Great physical or mental pain; torment; torture

To suffer greatly

Related Word: Anguished (adjective)

Example: Paul suffered anguish when his grandfather died

Blithe (adjective)

Cheerful; carefree; lighthearted

Related Word: Blithely (adverb)

Example: That blithe fellow can’t keep from smiling as he walks down the street

Defiant (adjective)

Openly or boldly resisting authority

Related Words: Defiance (noun) and Defiantly (adverb) and Defy (verb)

Example: The defiant workers refused to return to the factory until they received fairer treatment

Desolate (adjective) (verb)

a. lonely and sad; wretched; forlorn. b. Having little or no vegetation; barren. c. Having few or no inhabitants; deserted

To make desolate

Related Word: Desolation (noun)

Example: The earthquake left many people homeless and desolate

Despondent (adjective)

In low spirits; depressed; dejected

Related Words: Despondency (noun) and Despondently (adverb)

Example: The artist Vincent van Gogh became despondent when people rejected his paintings

Disgruntled (adjective)

Discontented or cross

Example: The disgruntled worker quit when a person who did less work than he did got promoted

Disillusion (verb)

To free or deprive of an idea or belief that proves false or in error; disenchant

Related Word: Disillusionment (noun)

Example: If you expect the people you admire to be perfect, you will soon become disillusion

Distress (noun) (verb)

Anxiety, discomfort, or suffering; worry

To cause suffering or discomfort

Related Word: Distressingly (adverb)

Example: Our cat’s sudden disappearance caused our family much distress

Exuberant (adjective)

Lively and joyous; enthusiastic; high-spirited

Related Words: Exuberance (noun) and Exuberantly (adverb)

Example: Exuberant at seeing his mother after 10 years, Dean grabbed her and lifted her into the air