Lesson 2

IMPOTENT

Without the gun, he felt impotent.

Syn: ineffective; helpless
Ant: potent, powerful

MAELSTROM

His emotions were like a maelstrom, and he couldn't decide what course to follow.

EMENDATION

The last edition of the book contains many emendations.

Syn: improvement; amendment

BAUBLE

Darius had to find some kind of bauble to give Alyssa for Christmas.

Syn: trinket

DIAPHANOUS

The diaphanous gown was beautiful, but Gloria wasn't sure she had the nerve to wear it.

Syn: transparent; gossamer
Ant: opaque

LABYRINTH

The mice were made to run through a labyrinth in order to reach their food.

GLOAT

The track team gloated over their latest victory.

Syn: revel; crow

IMPEDIMENT

The supervisor wouldn't be an impediment to her advancement.

Syn: obstacle; hindrance
Ant: aid

BESTIAL

He took a bestial delight in tormenting the captive slaves.

Syn: brutish; vile; cruel
Ant: humane; kind

EFFETE

Although worn down by age and a life of hard work, the man is far from effete.

Syn: exhausted; spent and sterile
Ant: vital; vigorous

SHARD

The doctor pulled a shard of glass from the girl's arm.

BLAND

His bland manner had a calming effect on the children.

Syn: smooth; agreeable
Ant: exciting;thrilling

NIHILISM

Nihilism rejects established laws and order, but it offers nothing in their place.

Impale

Untitled Slide

• The natives used sharp sticks to impale fish in the tide pools
• syn: skewer, puncture

Extenuate

Untitled Slide

• The jury believes that the thief's situation extenuates the crime of stealing food.
• syn: excuse, deodorize
• ant: expand