Flocabulary Unit 6 Flashcards
authentic
(adj) genuine; real; true
While digging in our backyard, Wing and I found an authentic Native American arrowhead.
Synonyms: actual, valid Antonyms: fake, false, counterfeit
Other forms: Do you really question this painting’s authenticity (noun)?
bewilder
(verb) to puzzle completely; confuse
The high school basketball team, bewildered by the nontraditional style of their ape opponents, lost to
the “Chimp All-Stars” in overtime.
Synonyms: baffle, fluster Antonyms: clear up, explain
canny
(adj) smart and careful; watchful of one’s own interests
While General Motors was still building big trucks and SUVs, Honda made the canny decision to focus
on smaller cars that were better for the environment.
Synonyms: shrewd, prudent Antonyms: foolish
cater
(verb) 1. to try to satisfy the needs of; try to make things easy and pleasant 2. to supply food and service
1. The cereal company finally catered to popular demand and put its “Frosty the Ferret” cartoon character back on the box.
2. We had the big dinner catered, so we didn’t have to cook a thing.
Synonyms: 1. humor, indulge
climax
(noun) the highest or most intense moment in the course of something
Marley’s year reached its climax when she hit the game-winning home run and found out she got into college on the same day.
Synonyms: top, apex, pinnacle
confront
(verb) to stand up to; to face boldly
I confronted the bully after school and told him I wasn’t giving him any more quarters.
Synonyms: resist, oppose Antonyms: back down
debut
(noun) a first public appearance
A famous actor decided to wear shorts and a tank top to his movie’s debut.
Synonyms: beginning Antonyms: closing, finale
Other forms: The show debuted (verb) on Broadway last June.
fathom
(verb) to figure out; to understand; to get to the bottom of
I can’t fathom why you would want to buy those shoes when you already own a pair just like them.
Synonyms: discern Antonyms: misunderstand
Other forms: A fathom is also a unit of measurement for measuring the depth of the sea.
maternal
(adj) of or like a mother
Thanks to its maternal instincts, the wolf successfully raised the human child.
Synonyms: motherly, protective
narrative
(noun) a story; a detailed report
You’ll love reading the narrative of Frederick Douglass.
Synonyms: account
Other forms: I don’t like abstract poems; I prefer narrative (adj) poems.
nurture
(verb) to bring up, care for, train, or nourish
I tried to nurture the plant, but I must have done something wrong because it died.
Synonyms: raise, cultivate Antonyms: ignore, neglect
Other forms: Is it nature or nurture (noun) that’s made you so goofy?
orthodox
orthodox (adj) in agreement with established or generally accepted beliefs or ways of doing things, especially relating to religion
Rejecting her parents’ lifestyle as too orthodox, Julie decided to go live alone on a mountain.
Synonyms: conventional, customary
Antonyms: unconventional, unorthodox, heterodox
prowess
(noun) great skill or ability
Few fighters had the swagger, the prowess, and the charm that Muhammad Ali had.
Synonyms: expertise, mastery Antonyms: inability, weakness
snare
(verb) to trap, catch, or get
Using his trap, old Jim McGreevey snared two plump rabbits.
Synonyms: entrap Antonyms: liberate, let go
Other forms: The squirrel dodged the snare (noun) and ran home.
tinker
(verb) to interfere with; to mess with rashly or foolishly
Someone has been tampering with this lock; I can tell because the combination is off.
Synonyms: meddle, tinker
