Mrs. Dickman English/Vocabulary Unit 4

1. Indispensable (adj.)

  • Definition: Absolutely necessary; not to be neglected.

  • Synonyms: Essential, vital Antonyms: Nonessential

  • Sample Sentence: Oxygen is a gas that is indispensable to life processes.

2. Lubricate (v)

  • Definition: To apply oil or grease; to make something smooth, slippery, or easier to use.

  • Synonyms: Oil, grease Antonyms: None listed (X)

  • Sample Sentence: The workers had to lubricate the equipment regularly so that production would not suffer.

3. Mutual (adj.)

  • Definition: Shared, felt, or shown equally by two or more parties.

  • Synonyms: Shared, reciprocal Antonyms: One-sided

  • Sample Sentence: During the course of the summer, the adoring couple formed a mutual admiration for each other.

4. Pelt (v)

  • Definition: To throw a stream of things; to strike successively; to hurry.

  • Synonyms: Bombard Antonyms: None listed (X)

  • Sample Sentence: The children resisted the urge to pelt the cars with snowballs.

5. Plague (n or v)

  • Definition:

    • As a noun: An easily spread disease causing a large number of deaths; a widespread evil.

    • As a verb: To annoy or bother.

  • Synonyms: Antonyms:

    • Noun: Epidemic Noun: Boon, blessing

    • Verb: Pester

  • Sample Sentence: Mosquitoes will plague the campers if they forget to wear insect repellent on the hike.

6. Poised (adj.)

  • Definition: Balanced, suspended; calm, controlled; ready for action.

  • Synonyms: Collected, self-confident Antonyms: Nervous, tense

  • Sample Sentence: The captain and other members of the crew were poised for takeoff.

7. Regime (n)

  • Definition: A government in power; a form or system of rule or management; a period of rule.

  • Synonyms: Administration, rule Antonyms: None listed (X)

  • Sample Sentence: The present regime in that country came to power through democratic elections.

8. Reputable (adj.)

  • Definition: Well thought of; having a good reputation.

  • Synonyms: Reliable, respectable, trustworthy Antonyms: Shady, unsavory, questionable

  • Sample Sentence: I made sure to use a reputable dealership to fix my car.

9. Transparent (adj.)

  • Definition: Allowing light to pass through; easily recognized or understood; easily seen through or detected.

  • Synonyms: Clear, obvious Antonyms: Smoky, unclear

  • Sample Sentence: The students could see the other class through the transparent glass door.

10. Unscathed (adj.)

  • Definition: Wholly unharmed; not injured.

  • Synonyms: Unhurt, sound, intact Antonyms: Injured, damaged

  • Sample Sentence: Remarkably, the captain and the entire crew emerged from the wreck unscathed.