1. Vocabulary Definitions: Unit One
Adage
Bonanza
Churlish
Citadel
Collaborate
Decree
Discordant
Evolve Excerpt
Grope
Hover
Jostle
Laggard Plaudits
Preclude
Revert
Rubble Servile
Vigil Wrangle

2. Wrangle
Definition:
To quarrel or argue in a
noisy, angry way; to
obtain by argument; to
herd; a noisy quarrel
Sentence:
The two wrestlers were
wrangling for at least
twenty minutes before
a winner was found.
Synonyms:
Squabble
Bicker
Antonyms:
Agree
Concur
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3. Vigil
Definition:
A watch, especially at
night; any period of
watchful attention
Sentence:
The guards at the tomb of
the unknown soldiers
always keep a constant
vigil of the tombs.
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
None
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4. Rubble
Definition:
Broken stone or bricks;
ruins
Sentence:
After 9/11 there was
rubble all over from the
fallen buildings.
Synonyms:
Wreckage
Debris
Antonyms:
None
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5. Servile
Definition:
Of or relating to a slave;
behaving like or suitable
for a slave or a servant,
menial; lacking spirit or
independence, abjectly
submissive
Sentence:
The butler at the mansion
was acting very servile
to everybody.
Synonyms:
Slavish
Groveling
Fawning
Antonyms:
Masterly
Overbearing
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6. Revert
Definition:
To return, go back
Sentence:
After getting out of jail the
robber reverted right
back to his old ways.
Synonyms:
Relapse
Regress
Antonyms:
Progress
Advance
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7. Preclude
Definition:
To make impossible,
prevent, shut out
Sentence:
The F on my report card
precluded me from
making it onto the
honors roll this year.
Synonyms:
Hinder
Check
Stop
Antonyms:
Help
Promote
Facilitate
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8. Plaudits
Definition:
Applause; enthusiastic
praise or approval
The soccer player received
plaudits from the crowd
when he scored a goal.
Synonyms:
Cheers
Acclaim Antonyms:
Boos
Disapproval
Ridicule
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9. Laggard
Definition:
A person who moves
slowly or falls behind;
falling behind; slow to
move, act, or respond
• Sentence:
We got tired of waiting for
the laggards that are
always way behind the
rest of us so we left
them.
Synonyms:
Slowpoke
Straggler
Sluggish
Antonyms:
Early bird
Swift
Speedy
Prompt
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10. Jostle
Definition:
To make or force one’s
way by pushing or
elbowing; to bump,
shove, brush against, to
compete for
Sentence:
The football player jostled
for the ball after the
fumble.
Synonyms:
Push
Antonyms:
None
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11. Hover
Definition:
To float or hang
suspended over; to
move back and forth
uncertainly over or
around
Sentence:
The helicopter hovered
over the ground above
an accident.
Synonyms:
Linger
Waver
Seesaw
Antonyms:
Soar
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12. Grope
Definition:
To feel about hesitantly
with the hands; to
search blindly and
uncertainly
Sentence:
In the dark, when the
power ran out I was
groping around for the
flashlight so I could see
again.
Synonyms:
Fumble for
Cast about for
Antonyms:
None
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13. Excerpt
Definition:
A passage taken from a
book, article etc.
To take such a passage; to
quote
Sentence:
I took an excerpt from a
book to use in my book
report.
Synonyms:
Portion
Section
Extract
Antonyms:
None
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14. Evolve
Definition:
To develop gradually; to
rise to a higher level
Sentence:
Many scientists think that
monkeys evolved into
humans over time.
Synonyms:
Unfold
Emerge
Antonyms:
Wither
Shrivel up
Atrophy
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15. Discordant
Definition:
Disagreeable in sound,
jarring; lacking in
harmony, conflicting
Sentence:
The singer sang all of her
notes perfectly except
for one discordant note.
Synonyms:
Grating
Shrill
Different
Divergent
Antonyms:
Harmonious
In agreement
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16. Decree
Definition:
Noun: An order having the
force of law
Verb: to issue such an
order; to command
firmly or forcefully
Sentence:
The king sent a royal
decree that nobody
shall be allowed outside
past dark.
Synonyms:
Proclamation
Edict
ProclaimAntonyms:
None
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17. Collaborate
Definition:
To work with, work
together
Sentence:
For our group project we
all had to collaborate
together in order to get
a good grade.
Synonyms:
Team up
Join forces Antonyms:
Work alone
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18. Citadel
Definition:
A fortress that overlooks
and protects a city; any
strong or commanding
place
Sentence:
When we were being
attacked we all ran to
the citadel for safety.
Synonyms:
Fort
Stronghold
Bulwark
Bastion
Antonyms:
None
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19. Churlish
Definition:
Lacking politeness or good
manners; lacking
sensitivity; difficult to
work or deal with; rude
Sentence:
My employee was acting
very churlish to the
customers, so I fired
him.
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Synonyms:
Surly
Ill- tempered
Antonyms:
Courteous
Civil
Well-mannered

20. Bonanza
• Definition:
A rich mass of ore in a
mine; something very
valuable, profitable, or
rewarding; a source of
wealth or prosperity; a
very large amount;
sudden profit or gain
Sentence:
I was digging in a mine
when I found a bonanza
of gold!
Synonyms:
windfall
Antonyms:
None
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21. Adage
Definition:
A proverb, wise saying
Sentence:
There are many adages
used every day to give
advice to people.
Synonyms:
Maxim
Saw
Aphorism
Antonyms:
There are none
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