Vocabulary List for Short Story Unit List 1

Instigates

Definition : To goad or urge forward : Provoke

Synonyms : Provokes, Promotes

Antonyms : Inhibits, regulates

Depreciate

Definition : To lower the price or estimated value of

Synonyms : Reduce, devalue, depress, devaluate, cheapen, lower

Antonyms : Appreciate, enhance, upgrade, inflate, mark up, increase

Cascade

Definition : A steep usually small fall of water

Synonyms : Waterfall, fall(s)

Chaste

Definition : Clean, spotless

Synonyms : Pristine, immaculate

Antonyms : Filthy, unclean

Meretricious

Definition : Tastelessly showy and falsely atractive

Synonyms : Conspicuous, remarkable, brilliant, loud, noticeable, dramatic

Antonyms : Subtle, obscure, hidden, unimportant, dim. faint

Ravages

Definition : To wreak havoc on : affect destructively

Synonyms : Destroys, devastates

Antonyms : Restores, recovers

Discreet

Definition : Having or showing discernment or good judgement in conduct and especially in speech : Prudent

Synonyms : Intelligent, cautious

Antonyms : Indiscreet, careless

Palpable

Definition : Capable of being touched or felt : Tangible

Synonyms : Tangible, noticeable

Antonyms : Intangible, impalpable

Indolently

Definition : Averse to activity, effort, or movement : habitually lazy. Showing an inclination to laziness. Conducive to or encouraging laziness

Synonyms : Languidly, lazily, casually, listlessly, wearily, sluggishly

Antonyms : Resolutely, intently, determinedly, diligently, laboriously, hardly

Naive

Definition : Marked by unaffected simplicity : Artless, ingenuous

Synonyms : Innocent, inexperienced

Antonyms : Sophisticated, cynical

Scruples

Definition : An ethical consideration or principle that inhibits action

Synonyms : Doubts, qualms

Antonyms : Assurances, convictions

Grotesque

Definition : Fanciful, bizarre

Synonyms : Ugly, hideous

Antonyms : Beautiful, attractive

Futile

Definition : Serving no useful purpose : completely ineffective

Synonyms : Unsuccesful. useless

Antonyms : Succesful, effective

Imminent

Definition : Ready to take place : Happening soon

Synonyms : Impending, looming

Antonyms : Distant, eventual

Iridescent

Definition : Having or exhibiting iridescence

Synonyms : Opalescent, colorful, nacreous, pearlescent, multicolored, varicolored

Vortex

Definition : Something that resembles a whirlpool. A mass of fluid (such as a liquid) with a whirling or circular motion that tends to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle and to draw toward this cavity or vacuum bodies subject to its action

Synonyms : Gulf, whirlpool, maelstrom, swirl, eddy, tourbilon

Infallibility

Definition : Incapable of error : Unerring

Synonyms : Inerrancy, reliability, trustworthiness, solidity, dependability, credibilty

Antonyms : Unreliability, dodginess, shakiness, dubiousness, doubtfulness, questionableness

Entrails

Definition : Bowels, viscera

Synonyms : Viscera, innards, inside(s), gut, vitals, inwards

Precariously

Definition : Characterized by a lack of security or stability that threatens with danger

Synonyms : Dangerous, treacherous, risky, uncertain, hazardous, serious

Antonyms : Advantageous, good, beneficial, safe, innocuous, harmless

Evanesced

Definition : To dissipate like vapor

Synonyms : Disappeared, vanished, dissolved

Antonyms : Visible, apparent, observable