7th Grade AP VOC

(n) closeness.

The proximity of our house to the school allows children to walk to class.

Syn: nearness. Ant: remoteness

(n) the object of a chase; a hunted animal.

After running down the wounded deer, the wild dogs feasted on their quarry.

• Syn: prey; prize.
• Ant: hunter.

(n) a boat race or series of boat races.

The annual regatta brought thousands of spectators to the small coastal town.

(adj) immorally foul; vulgar.

The police uncovered a sordid scheme to blackmail the senator.

• Syn: shameful; disgusting.
• Ant: pleasing; honorable.

• (n) an oversimplified image or opinion; one who embodies such
• (v) to assign and oversimplified image or opinion to a group, usually discriminatory.

• She incorrectly stereotyped the Swiss as comprised of only bankers, watchmakers, and cheese makers.
• Syn: (n) generalization; label; paradigm; archetype (v) label; pigeonhole; categorize.

(v) to stimulate or excite.

The smell of bread baking always whets my appetite.

• Syn: rouse; encourage; trigger.
• Ant: stifle; bore

(adj) based on preference, convenience, or chance rather than law, reason, or fact.

An appellate court overturned the judge’s arbitrary ruling.

Syn: random; irrational. Ant: legitimate; reasoned.

(adj) obvious; easy to see; attracting attention.

The conspicuous man wore only a cowboy hat and boots and played guitar as he walked down the sidewalk.

• Syn: noticeable; showy.
• Ant: disguised; discrete; ordinary.

(v) to dislike intensely; to hate.

Pam detests traffic, so she waits to leave work until rush hour is over.

• Syn: abhor; loathe.
• Ant: adore; love.

(n) skill in physical action; mental quickness.

The police underestimated the dexterity of the criminal who used a ballpoint pen to pick the locks on his shackles.

• Syn: proficiency; cunning.
• Ant: clumsiness; incompetence.

(n) the least desirable part (often used in plural form: dregs).

Stray cats fought over the tasty dregs behind the seafood market.

Syn: lees; waste

(v) to thrive or prosper.

Not all trees flourish in bright, sunny conditions.

• Syn: succeed; grow.
• Ant: flounder; deteriorate

• (n) a fight or brawl
• (v) to wear away by friction.

The players involved in the fray were ejected from the game. The sharp rocks slowly frayed to mountain climber’s ropes.

• Syn: (n) brawl; scuffle (v) unravel; tatter.
• Ant: (n) peace

(adj) lacking logical connection; unclear; rambling.

We all mumble incoherent phrases in our sleep.

• Syn: confused; disjointed.
• Ant: articulate; rational.

(v) to make invalid; to repeal.

The antidote nullified the effects of the deadly poison.

• Syn: annul; reverse.
• Ant: validate; confirm.

(adj) of little or no importance; petty.

With adequate time, even a paltry investment now can turn into a fortune.

• Syn: insignificant; trivial.
• Ant: substantial; major.

(adj) brief and to the point.

You will have only three minutes to interview the governor, so keep your questions concise.

• Syn: short; succinct.
• Ant: wordy; lengthy.

(adj) refusing to give up; remaining for a long time.

Anne’s persistent complaining finally convinced the city to fix the pothole in front of her house.

• Syn: unrelenting; continual.
• Ant: temporary; short.

(n) something foretold; a prophecy.

The fan made a prediction that his team would win the game by eleven points.

(adj) threatening; ominous; evil.

The stone gargoyles on the building look sinister, but they are meant to frighten away evil spirits.

• Syn: menacing; frightening.
• Ant: harmless; good.