monotonous [muh- not -n-uhs] ( adj .)

1. monotonous[muh-not-n-uhs](adj.) • The teacher’s lecture seemed very monotonous today, and Beatrice fell asleep during class.

2. monotonous[muh-not-n-uhs] (adj.) • boring, repetitious, lacking variety • The teacher’s lecture seemed very monotonous today, and Beatrice fell asleep during class.

3. vanquish [vang-kwish] (v.) • The fierce gladiator vanquished the weaker opponent.

4. vanquish [vang-kwish] (v.) • to defeat or conquer • The fierce gladiator vanquished the weaker opponent.

5. vulnerable [vuhl-ner-uh-buhl](adj.) • The wounded zebra was vulnerable to attack by the lion.

6. vulnerable [vuhl-ner-uh-buhl](adj.) • weak and open to attack • The wounded zebra was vulnerable to attack by the lion.

7. sympathetic [sim-puh-thet-ik] (adj.) • The businesswoman was sympathetic to the homeless man and gave him a dollar.

8. sympathetic [sim-puh-thet-ik] (adj.) • sharing feelings, relating to others through emotion • The businesswoman was sympathetic to the homeless man and gave him a dollar.

9. vivid [viv-id] (adj.) • The painter used such vivid colors that the painting seemed to jump out at you.

10. vivid [viv-id] (adj.) • having brilliant color; lifelike and descriptive • The painter used such vivid colors that the painting seemed to jump out at you.

11. treacherous [trech-er-uhs] (adj.) • Driving along the steep curvy road was a real treacherous experience.

12. treacherous [trech-er-uhs] (adj.) • dangerous or hazardous • Driving along the steep curvy road was a real treacherous experience.

13. belligerent [buh-lij-er-uhnt] (adj.) • The belligerent coach disagreed with the referee’s call and threw a chair.

14. belligerent [buh-lij-er-uhnt] (adj.) • angry, aggressive, or combative • The belligerent coach disagreed with the referee’s call and threw a chair.

15. fluctuate [fluhk-choo-eyt] (v.) • The prices of many products fluctuate based on supply and demand.

16. fluctuate [fluhk-choo-eyt] (v.) • to shift back and forth; to change constantly • The prices of many products fluctuate based on supply and demand.

17. melancholy [mel-uhn-kol-ee] (n.) • The girl was melancholy after breaking up with her boyfriend.

18. melancholy [mel-uhn-kol-ee] (n.) • a gloomy or sad state of mind • The girl was melancholy after breaking up with her boyfriend.

19. vivacious [vi-vey-shuhs] (adj.) • The vivacious cheerleaders encouraged the fans to cheer on the team.

20. vivacious [vi-vey-shuhs] (adj.) • lively or spirited • The vivacious cheerleaders encouraged the fans to cheer on the team.

21. murmur [mur-mer] (n., v.) • The campers enjoyed falling asleep to the murmur of the stream. • The student in the back row murmured something underneath her breath.

22. murmur [mur-mer] (n., v.) • a low, continuous sound; to mumble • The campers enjoyed falling asleep to the murmur of the stream. • The student in the back row murmured something underneath her breath.

23. predicament [pri-dik-uh-muhnt ] (n.) • Paul was in a real predicament because he was late for curfew and wrecked his dad’s car.

24. predicament [pri-dik-uh-muhnt ] (n.) • a difficult and troublesome situation • Paul was in a real predicament because he was late for curfew and wrecked his dad’s car.

25. idealistic[ahy-dee-uh-lis-tik] (adj.) • The idealistic young man wanted to end world poverty and environmental problems.

26. idealistic[ahy-dee-uh-lis-tik] (adj.) • believing in the power to positively change the world • The idealistic young man wanted to end world poverty and environmental problems.

27. frugal[froo-guhl] (adj.) • The frugal young man stopped buying his daily sodas and soon saved up for a car.

28. frugal[froo-guhl] (adj.) • saving, not wasteful, not generous • The frugal young man stopped buying his daily sodas and soon saved up for a car.

29. concise[kuhn-sahys] (adj.) • The speaker was very concise and got his point across in just a few moments.

30. concise[kuhn-sahys] (adj.) • clearly expressing much in just a few words • The speaker was very concise and got his point across in just a few moments.

31. plethora [pleth-er-uh] (n.) • There was a plethora of choices at lunch, and I just couldn’t decide what to have.

32. plethora [pleth-er-uh] (n.) • having a great variety or amount • There was a plethora of choices at lunch, and I just couldn’t decide what to have.

33. inquisitive [in-kwiz-i-tiv] (adj.) • The inquisitive cats just had to see what was going on outside.

34. inquisitive [in-kwiz-i-tiv] (adj.) • eager for knowledge, curious • The inquisitive cats just had to see what was going on outside.

35. scheme [skeem] (n.) • The robbers’ scheme was to steal cars and then sell them to the mob.

36. scheme [skeem] (n.) • a plan of action; or, a shady plan • The robbers’ scheme was to steal cars and then sell them to the mob.

37. lament [luh-ment] (v., n.) • The boy lamented not asking the girl out sooner before the rival asked her out.

38. lament [luh-ment] (v., n.) • to feel regret for something lost • The boy lamented not asking the girl out sooner before the rival asked her out.

39. meticulous [muh-tik-yuh-luhs] (adj.) • The meticulous watchmaker used very small tools to assemble the watch.

40. meticulous [muh-tik-yuh-luhs] (adj.) • extremely careful about precise details • The meticulous watchmaker used very small tools to assemble the watch.

41. premonition [preem-uh-nish-uhn] (n.) • Superstitious people believe if a black cat crosses your path it’s a premonition of bad things to come.

42. premonition [preem-uh-nish-uhn] (n.) • a warning about the future • Superstitious people believe if a black cat crosses your path it’s a premonition of bad things to come.

43. admonish [ad-mon-ish] (v.) • Cassandra’s parents admonished her to improve her grades or they will take away her cell phone.

44. admonish [ad-mon-ish] (v.) • to warn or advise • Cassandra’s parents admonished her to improve her grades or they will take away her cell phone.

45. identity [ahy-den-ti-tee] (n.) • Even with the move to a new school, she kept true to her identity and believed in herself.

46. identity [ahy-den-ti-tee] (n.) • one’s distinct personality or sense of self • Even with the move to a new school, she kept true to her identity and believed in herself.

47. valid [val-id] (adj.) • The student made a valid argument by supporting it with facts and good reasons.

48. valid [val-id] (adj.) • supported by facts; true • The student made a valid argument by supporting it with facts and good reasons.

49. hinder [hin-der] (v.) • His sprained ankle hindered him from practicing with the team this spring.

50. hinder [hin-der] (v.) • to hold someone back, make hard to do • His sprained ankle hindered him from practicing with the team this spring.