Essentials Vocabulary - Week 21 grovel:
[GRUHV-uh I] Verb
Meaning
To humble oneself or act in an abject manner, as in great fear or utter servility. To lie or crawl with the face downward, especially in humility, fear, etc. ●
Usage ●
He was so ashamed that he had to grovel and ask for favours from strangers. Do not grovel if it is not your fault or your responsibility.
Synonyms
abase, demean, beseech, fawn
Antonyms
ignore
grudging:
[GRUHJ-ing] Adjective
Meaning Usage
Displaying or reflecting reluctance or unwillingness. ● ●
Smith's grudging acceptance of his loss is very obvious. The student offered a grudging apology to the teacher.
Synonyms
resentful, complain, covet
Antonyms
allow, approve, content
guile: Meaning Usage
[gahyl] Noun Insidious cunning in attaining a goal; crafty or artful deception. ● ●
Most politicians take advantage of their guile to convince people. Your guile will not work with your teacher anymore.
Synonyms
slyness, cleverness, trickery, cunning
Antonyms
frankness, honesty, honour
hackneye d: Meaning
[hak-need] Adjective
Made commonplace or trite. ●
Usage ●
He used the same excuse all the time and eventually it became hackneyed. Some movies have hackneyed plots but people still watch them.
Synonyms
cliched, tired, banal, corny, stale, trite
Antonyms
fresh, new, original
hallowed: Meaning
Usage
[HAL-ohd] Adjective Regarded as holy or sacred. ● ●
The locals consider the forest as hallowed grounds. The church is taking care of hallowed objects for their cultural and historical value.
Synonyms
holy, revered, sacred
Antonyms
irreligious, unholy, unsacred
hesitant:
(hez-i-tuh nt] Adjective
Meaning
Undecided, doubtful, or disinclined.
Usage
● ●
Donna is hesitant to present her findings to the academic panel. I'm hesitant to tell him that he made a mistake because he's my boss.
Synonyms
uncertain, waiting, afraid, averse, doubtful
Antonyms
believing, bold, brace, certain, confident
hoist: Meaning
Usage
[hoist] Verb/Noun To raise or lift, especially by some mechanical appliance. (v.) An apparatus for hoisting, as a block and tackle, a derrick, or a crane. (n.) ● ●
I really don't know how to hoist this couch to the second floor. (v.) I think the hoist holding the flag is broken. (n.)
Synonyms
lift, erect, heave, pick up
Antonyms
abandon, decrease, depress
horrific:
[haw-RIF-ik] Adjective
Meaning
Causing horror or fear. ●
Usage ●
There was a horrific accident across town which caused heavy traffic. Performing in front of the crowd is not so horrific after all.
Synonyms
horrible, abominable, appalling, awful, cruel
Antonyms
attractive, beautiful, delightful, gentle
humble:
[HUHM-buh I] Adjective/Verb
Meaning
Not proud or arrogant. (adj.) To lower in condition, importance, or dignity. (v.)
Usage
He is known to be a humble fellow with a big heart. (adj.) After such actions, he humbled himself to regain trust from people. (v.)
Synonyms
meek, unassuming, courteous, gentle, modest
Antonyms
bold, brave, complex, complicated, discourteous
humid:
[HYOO-mid] Adjective
Meaning
containing a high amount of water or water vapour. ●
The weather is very humid when it's cloudy and the temperature is high. It's usually humid in tropical areas during summer.
Usage ● Synonyms
damp, dank, moist, muggy, oppressive
Antonyms
cold, cool, dehydrated
impending: Meaning
Usage
[im-PEN-ding) Adjective About to happen. Imminently threatening or menacing. ● ●
I feel like there's an impending danger in this trip. There is an impending storm from the south as evident from the dark clouds.
Synonyms
forthcoming, approaching, brewing, imminent, looming
Antonyms
gone, past
impenetrable: Meaning
[im-PEN-i-truh-buh I] Adjective That which cannot be penetrated, pierced, entered, etc. Inaccessible to ideas, influences, etc. ●
Usage ●
The castle is practically impenetrable thanks to the walls and the cavalry. His confidence is impenetrable even during difficult times.
Synonyms
dense, bulletproof, impassable, impervious
Antonyms
open, penetrable