Semester 1 Vocabulary

List 4

English 9

List 4

  1. Cynical (adj.) – Bitterly distrustful or pessimistic

·  You could say my aunt is cynical since she doesn’t trust anyone and never has anything positive to say.

  1. Antagonize (v.) – To make hostile or unfriendly

·  She began to antagonize the other players with her arrogance.

3.  Melancholy (adj.) – Sad; gloomy

·  It was a melancholy song that made her cry.

4.  Accost (v.) - To approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with a demand or request

·  I watched the woman accost the Starbucks employee because her drink was incorrect and took forever to make.

5.  Peril (n.) - Great risk; danger

·  The stranded mountain climbers were in great peril until the rescue helicopter flew in.

6.  Tirade (n.) - A long, vehement speech; a prolonged outburst of bitter, outspoken denunciation

·  When I forgot to vacuum the living room, my mom delivered a tirade about responsibility.

7.  Austere (adj.) - Severe in manner or appearance; uncompromising; strict

·  The austere principal rarely smiled, and always carried a thick stack of detention forms.