WORDS TO CAPTURE TONE (WEEK 2)

dubious

(adj) /ˈduːbiəs/ fraught with uncertainty or doubt

• Some of the claims are …, though startling if true

• I was rather … about the whole idea.

foreboding

(n) /fɔːrˈbəʊdɪŋ/ a feeling of evil to come (điềm báo gỡ, linh tính xấu, 1 dự cảm chẳng lành)

• She had a sense of … that the news would be bad.

malicious

(Adj)  /məˈlɪʃəs/ having the nature of threatening evil (ý đồ xấu, hiểm độc hoặc muốn làm hại người khác)

= malevolent = spiteful

• … gossip/lies/rumours

• He took … pleasure in telling me what she had said.

callous

(Adj) /ˈkæləs/ not caring about other people’s feelings, pain or problems

= cruel = unfeeling

• a … killer/attitude/act

• a … disregard for the feelings of others

dismay

(n) /dɪsˈmeɪ/ a worried, sad feeling after you have received an unpleasant surprise (sự mất tinh thần, sự bàng hoàng, sự kinh sợ hoặc sự thất vọng tràn trề)

• She could not hide her … at the result.

• I read of her resignation with some ….

superior

(Adj) of high quality or performance

• Liverpool were clearly the … team.

inferior

(adj) not good or not as good as somebody/something else

• Modern music is often considered … to that of the past.

patronizing

(Adj) /ˈpeɪtrənaɪzɪŋ/ showing that you think you are better or more intelligent than somebody else (trịnh thượng, kẻ cả, ban ơn.)

= superior

• I was only trying to explain; I didn't want to sound ….

candor

(n) /ˈkændər/​ the quality of saying what you think openly and honestly

= frankness

• ‘I don't trust him,’ he said in a rare moment of ….

averse

(Adj) /əˈvɜːrs/ not liking something or wanting to do something; opposed to doing something

• He was … to any change.

puerile

(adj) /ˈpjʊrəl/ silly; suitable for a child rather than an adult

= childish

• Such … charges remind me rather of the tricks of children than actions of men

conciliatory

(adj) /kənˈsɪliətɔːri/ having the intention or effect of making angry people calm (hòa giải, nhượng bộ, mang tính làm lành.)

• a … approach/attitude/gesture/move

• In theory a more … leader might offer some hope for compromise and peace.

jovial

(Adj)  /ˈdʒəʊviəl/ very cheerful and friendly

• They were in a .. mood.

• "We're not pushing a hardcore agenda. The events tend to be very friendly and …, but safety is our No. 1 concern."

witty

(Adj) hóm hỉnh, lanh lợi, sắc sảo.

• He was much in demand as a … public speaker.

• Somebody made a … remark about needing a forklift truck.

derisive

(adj) /dɪˈraɪsɪv/ ​unkind and showing that you think somebody/something is silly (chế nhạo, giễu cợt, nhạo báng.)

• She gave a short, … laugh.

• His voice was savagely ….

morose

(Adi) /məˈrəʊs/ unhappy, in a bad mood and not talking very much

= gloomy

• She just sat there looking ….

• She seems a bit … today.

bellicose

(adj) /ˈbelɪkəʊs/ having or showing a desire to argue or fight (hiếu chiến, hung hăng, thích động binh đao)

= aggressive = warlike

• Lewis is a magnetic and intimidating Henry VIII, accomplishing more with a harsh whisper than he does with a … tantrum

sardonic

(Adj) /sɑːrˈdɑːnɪk/ showing that you think that you are better than other people and do not take them seriously (châm biếm cay độc, mỉa mai chua chát.)
= mocking

• He looked at her with … amusement.

• Her voice had a …, mocking tone that frightened Connie.

dire

(adj) fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless (thảm khốc, khốc liệt, tàn khốc hoặc vô cùng cấp bách.)

• The library’s executive team testified before Congress in the spring about the …. need for more storage space for its ­ever-increasing collections.