Building an Enriched Building an Enriched VocabularyVocabulary

Lesson 5Lesson 5

Absolve – verbAbsolve – verb

• To clear of guilt or blame.To clear of guilt or blame.

• Synonyms – acquit, exonerate, Synonyms – acquit, exonerate, vindicatevindicate

• The evidence the attorney presented The evidence the attorney presented absolved his client of taking part in absolved his client of taking part in the crime and proved his innocence.the crime and proved his innocence.

Affable - adjectiveAffable - adjective• Courteous and agreeable in manner; Courteous and agreeable in manner;

easy to talk to or approach.easy to talk to or approach.

• Synonyms – sociable, amiable, friendlySynonyms – sociable, amiable, friendly

• My next-door neighbor is one of the My next-door neighbor is one of the most affable people I know, always most affable people I know, always pleasant and helpful to everyone.pleasant and helpful to everyone.

Ambivalent - adjectiveAmbivalent - adjective• Wavering or uncertain because of an inability Wavering or uncertain because of an inability

to make a choice between two contradictory to make a choice between two contradictory feelings or viewpoints in regard to a person, feelings or viewpoints in regard to a person, a thing, or a course of action.a thing, or a course of action.

• Synonyms – contradictory, opposing, Synonyms – contradictory, opposing, conflictingconflicting

• My parents have ambivalent feelings about My parents have ambivalent feelings about the college I have chosen, feeling that their the college I have chosen, feeling that their choice would suit me better.choice would suit me better.

AmbivalentAmbivalent

Arbitrary - adjectiveArbitrary - adjective• Subject to or determined by one’s Subject to or determined by one’s

judgment; random.judgment; random.• Arrived at by an exercise of the will, Arrived at by an exercise of the will,

personal preference, or by whim.personal preference, or by whim.• Given to willful decisions or demands.Given to willful decisions or demands.• Synonyms – judgmental, irrational, Synonyms – judgmental, irrational,

prejudicedprejudiced• The captain of the team had problems with The captain of the team had problems with

his players because he was so arbitrary and his players because he was so arbitrary and overbearing that they would not cooperate overbearing that they would not cooperate with him.with him.

ArbitraryArbitrary

ArbitraryArbitrary

Atrophy – noun and verbAtrophy – noun and verb• (noun) A failure to develop normally.(noun) A failure to develop normally.• Synonyms – deterioration, degeneration, Synonyms – deterioration, degeneration,

decaydecay• The atrophy of the muscles in her right arm, The atrophy of the muscles in her right arm,

causing it to look thinner than the left arm, is causing it to look thinner than the left arm, is the result of wearing a cast for a long time.the result of wearing a cast for a long time.

• (verb) To waste away.(verb) To waste away.• Synonyms – decay, deteriorate, shrivelSynonyms – decay, deteriorate, shrivel• The pitcher’s talent began to atrophy because The pitcher’s talent began to atrophy because

of injuries and age.of injuries and age.

AtrophyAtrophy

Banal - adjectiveBanal - adjective• Made stale by constant use or repetition.Made stale by constant use or repetition.

• Synonyms – trite, commonplace, Synonyms – trite, commonplace, stereotypedstereotyped

• Instead of the speech being filled with Instead of the speech being filled with humor and excitement, it was banal and humor and excitement, it was banal and flat.flat.

BanalBanal

Bombastic - adjectiveBombastic - adjective• Pompous or inflated in language.Pompous or inflated in language.

• Synonyms – grandiose, extravagantSynonyms – grandiose, extravagant

• The candidate for governor lost the The candidate for governor lost the election after delivering a bombastic election after delivering a bombastic campaign speech causing voters to feel he campaign speech causing voters to feel he was out of touch with common citizens.was out of touch with common citizens.

BombasticBombastic

Callous - adjectiveCallous - adjective• Unfeeling or insensitive.Unfeeling or insensitive.

• Synonyms – indifferent, unsympathetic, Synonyms – indifferent, unsympathetic, hard-heartedhard-hearted

• The sight of people suffering after the The sight of people suffering after the earthquake brought tears to the eyes earthquake brought tears to the eyes of even the most callous observers.of even the most callous observers.

Charlatan - NounCharlatan - Noun• Anyone who claims to have skills or Anyone who claims to have skills or

knowledge that he or she does not possess. knowledge that he or she does not possess.

• Synonyms – imposter, quack, fraudSynonyms – imposter, quack, fraud

• The doctor who was promoting a miracle The doctor who was promoting a miracle diet that did not work was proven to be a diet that did not work was proven to be a charlatan.charlatan.

CharlatanCharlatan

Compatible - adjectiveCompatible - adjective• Capable of use with some other brand or Capable of use with some other brand or

model.model.• Capable of living or getting along together.Capable of living or getting along together.• Synonyms – agreeable, harmonious, Synonyms – agreeable, harmonious,

consistentconsistent• Be careful that the software you are Be careful that the software you are

installing is compatible with the operating installing is compatible with the operating system on your computer, or it will not system on your computer, or it will not work.work.