Vocabulary Word Flashcards
Ossify
- ) turn to bone
2. ) become fixed and rigid
Exorcism
getting rid of, eliminating (especially demons)
Exonerates
Acquits
Absolves
Removes blame
You are innocent
Nonplus
In a state of perplexity
Coerce
To compel by force, intimidation, or authority
Compliant
Yielding, submissive
Positive connotation
Mrs. Hayes prefers compliant students, those who’ll do everything they are told.
Fawning
Gaining the favor of another by actin overly kind or by using flattery
Negative connotation
As a fawning advisor to the Queen, Peters told Her Majesty only what she wanted to hear.
Obsequious
Adj.
Obeying or performing a service for someone in an overly attentive manner
Neutral connotation
Hoping for a big tip, the waiter oozed obsequiousness, constantly faltering me and calling me “sir.”
Servile
Adj
Slave-like; very humble and submissive
Negative connotation
Although players in Gregg Poppovich’s team may seem servile, they are much more lively off the court.
Slavish
Slave-like; overly humble; involving very hard work
Negative connotation
Nicole worked slavishly in the kitchen preparing dinner for 30 guests.
Submissive
Voluntarily obeying another; humble
Negative connotation
Lauren was attracted to submissive friends, people who’d do everything she asked of them.
Subordinate
Adjective
Inferior; lower in rank or status
Negative connotation
For the sake of good discipline, officers are forbidden to fraternize with their subordinate unit members.
Subservient
Obedient; obsequious
Negative connotation
In my grandmother’s day, a wife was expected to be subservient to her husband.
Sycophant
Noun
A self-server who tries to gain the favor of others through the use of flattery or by being over attentive
Negative connotation
Jason made a sycophantic speech full of praise and flattery for the chairman.
Toady
Noun
A flatterer; a sycophant
Negative Connotation
If Mary were less of a toady, she wouldn’t follow the teacher around so much.
