16.
EVOKE
16. EVOKE
to summon or call forth
v. <ih-VOHK>
Seeing Amy again evoked such painful memories that John
began to weep.
17. DIMINISH
17. DIMINISH
to lessen or make smaller
v. <di-MIN-ish>
My happiness about winning the class election was diminished
when I realized how much more work I'd have to do now.
Synonyms: abate (299)
Word Alert: Something diminutive is very small.
18. CONTEMPT
n. <kuhn-TEMPT>
18. CONTEMPT
a lack of respect and intense dislike
John felt nothing but contempt for Scott since he stole Amy
away from him.
Bad Blood
contempt (18), disdain (19), scorn (61), antagonistic (136),
animosity (357), abhor (403),rancor(410), acrimony (467)
Word Alert: Someone contemptuous is full of contempt.
Something contemptible is worthy of contempt.
19. DISDAIN
19. DISDAIN
intense dislike
n. <dis-DAYN>
Because of his disdain for Scott, John refuses to speak to him
anymore.
Bad Blood
contempt (18), disdain (19), scorn (61), antagonistic (136),
animosity (357), abhor (403), rancor (410), acrimony (467)
Word Alert: Disdain can also be a verb meaning to dislike intensely.
20. PRAGMATIC
adj. <prag-MAT-ik>
20. PRAGMATIC
practical
Holding weekly meetings in Bermuda might be fun, but it would
not be a pragmatic strategy, Scott.
21. REVERE
21. REVERE
to respect, honor or admire
v. <ri-VEER>
Bob is revered by the countless students he has helped get into
college.
Synonyms: esteem (232)
Word Alert: Reverence is the act of revering.
Word Alert: If the prefix, ir- means not, what would irreverence mean?
22. PROVOCATIVE
adj. <pruh-VAWK-uh-tiv>
22. PROVOCATIVE
tending to stir to anger or action
This artist makes provocative nude paintings that often shock
and offend the public.
Word Alert: To provoke is to be provocative.
23. INDULGE
23. INDULGE
to please or satisfy
v. <in-DUHU>
I know I'm on a diet, but I can't help but indulge myself with this
chocolate cake.
Word Alert: Indulgent means tending to indulge.
24. RHETORIC
n. <REH-tuh-ric>
24. RHETORIC
one's use of language (especially effective
language)
Caroline's speech was very convincing; her persuasive rhetoric
made up for her lack of concrete evidence.
Word Alert: Rhetorical means having to do with rhetoric.
A rhetorician is a person skilled in rhetoric.
Word Alert: A rhetorical question is a question that you don't actually
want answered; you only asked it for rhetorical effect.
25. SCRUTINIZE
v. <SKROOT-in-ize>
25. SCRUTINIZE
to examine carefully
After scrutinizing the data for three weeks, 1 have finally come
to a conclusion.
Word Alert: Scrutiny is the act of examining. Something inscrutable
cannot be examined or understood.
26.
FOSTER
v.
26. FOSTER
to promote the development of
<FAW-ster>
Good reading skills will foster good writing skills.
Synonyms: nurture (376)
27.
PLAUSIBLE
27. PLAUSIBLE
believable
adj. <PLAW-zuh-buhl>
It's technically possible that the dog did in fact cat your
homework, but it is not very plausible.
Word Alert: If the prefix, /;//- means not, what would implausible mean?
28.
INACCESSIBLE
adj. <in-uhk-SES-uh-buhl>
28. INACCESSIBLE
not easily approached, entered, or obtained
The fortress is inaccessible; no one can get in or out.
29.
UNDERSCORE
v.
29. UNDERSCORE
to emphasize
<UN-der-skohr>
John tends to yell at his students when he wants to underscore
something important.
30. A W E
n. (rhymes with "saw")
30. AWE
a mixed emotion of respect, wonder, and dread
Seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time filled Allen with awe.
Word Alert: Something that causes awe is awesome.