Vocabulary Unit 15 Flashcards

Vocabulary Study Notes

• Beacon

  • A light or signal used for guidance and warning.
  • Commonly associated with lighthouses.
  • Synonyms include beam and flare.

• Berserk

  • Refers to being violently enraged or destructive.
  • Synonyms include mad and deranged; antonyms are sane and rational.

• Celestial

  • Pertains to the sky or heavens, often conveying a sense of bliss.
  • Synonyms include ethereal and stellar; antonyms are earthly and infernal.

• Chasten

  • Means to punish with the intent of fostering improvement.
  • Synonyms include discipline and temper; antonyms include praise and reward.

• Confiscate

  • Involves seizing something by authority and keeping it.
  • Synonyms include commandeer and expropriate; antonyms are return and restore.

• Data

  • Represents information including facts, figures, and statistics.

• Detract

  • Means to take away from or reduce value.
  • Synonyms include subtract from and lower; antonyms are increase and enhance.

• Encounter

  • Can be a meeting, especially unplanned, or a confrontation.
  • Synonyms are confrontation (noun) and happen upon (verb); antonyms include avoid and sidestep.

• Epic

  • Describes a long narrative covering heroic actions or significant events.
  • Synonyms include saga and chronicle.

• Pantomime

  • A form of story or play performed without words, using gestures.
  • Synonyms include charade and mime show.

• Pessimist

  • A person who anticipates the worst outcome; often viewed as a prophet of doom.
  • Synonym is killjoy; antonyms include optimist and Pollyanna.

• Precaution

  • Actions taken in advance to prevent potential issues.
  • Synonyms include foresight and safeguard; antonyms are recklessness and heedlessness.

• Prosecute

  • To bring someone to trial in a court of law.
  • Synonyms include put on trial and pursue; antonyms are defend and abandon.

• Puncture

  • Refers to a small hole made by a sharp object or the act of piercing.
  • Synonym (noun) is perforation.

• Retaliate

  • To seek revenge or strike back in response to an injury.
  • Synonyms include avenge and payback; antonyms are pardon and forgive.

• Sham

  • Indicates something fake or not genuine; can also mean to pretend.

• Uncouth

  • Describes someone unrefined and awkward.
  • Synonyms include boorish and graceless; antonyms are refined and graceful.

• Underscore

  • To emphasize or draw a line beneath; can also refer to the line itself.
  • Synonyms include underline and stress; antonyms are downplay and soft-pedal.

• Wholesome

  • Characterized by healthiness and moral soundness; beneficial.
  • Synonyms include nourishing; antonyms are harmful and unhealthy.

• Wistful

  • Reflects a sense of melancholy, yearning, or longing.
  • Antonyms include cheerful and contented.

Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Vocabulary Unit 15. Each card presents a word along with its definition, synonyms, and antonyms. Perfect for enhancing your vocabulary skills and understanding of language.