list 12 Flashcards
(10 cards)
- Impotent
lacking power or ability
This word carries a negative connotation. While sometimes used to characterize men’s physiological drawbacks, someone who is impotent also lacks strength, metaphorically or physically. Someone who is impotent might feel helpless or powerless over themselves or others. Simply add the prefix im- to the front of potent, which means “powerful,” and you get its opposite — “powerless.”
piggy in lord of the flies
- Fatalistic
characteristic of the belief that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable
Someone who is fatalistic believes outcomes are determined in advance and can’t be changed. If you think there’s no way you can pass your math exam and studying won’t change anything, then you’re fatalistic. Being fatalistic isn’t generally a positive, so the connotation is negative. You would characterize someone as fatalistic if they always expect the worse out of situations.
Piggy in Lord of the Flies when he’s convinced the boys will not get rescued from the island
- Reticent
not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily; withdrawn or introverted
You know how Mercutio put himself in harm’s way because he is loud and brash? Yeah, he’s not reticent. Reticent can refer to someone who is restrained and proper, but it can also refer to someone who doesn’t want to draw attention to herself or who prefers seclusion to other people. Since it’s not necessarily a bad thing to be more reserved than others, this word holds a neutral connotation.
Simon from Lord of the Flies
- Ignominious
deserving or causing public disgrace or shame; embarrassing
Although ignominious can modify other words, it is very often attached to “defeat,” so the connotation is negative. It derives from the word ignominy, which means public shame or defeat. Losing a football game stinks, but losing a game where, at the end, you are lying face down in a puddle of mud and the fans are burning effigies of you in the streets? That is an ignominious defeat.
Okonkwo when he accidentally kills his clansman and is cast out of his village
- Doting
extremely and uncritically fond of someone; adoring
If someone you know adores you beyond all reason, only seeing your good points and completely disregarding your faults, they’re doting. Your doting uncle might offer to fly you to Disney World for spring break, and your doting older sister might wake up early to make your favorite breakfast when you visit her. It’s important to remember, however, that while this word is mostly positive, someone who is doting may overlook negative things about you to shower you with affection that you don’t necessarily deserve.
Ms. Boudreaux’s constant demands that you fawn over Baby Will and her insistence that he’s absolutely perfect in every way.
- Venerable
accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
This is a highly positive word. To be venerable is to be admired and respected because of your status or age. You become venerable by achieving great things or just by living long enough. The adjective venerable means “admired” and “respected” — it should describe how you feel about old folks and bosses
Professor Dumbledore
- Paradoxical
seemingly absurd or self-contradictory;
Paradoxical is an adjective that describes a paradox, something with two meanings that don’t make sense together. Its Greek roots translate to “contrary opinion,” and when two different opinions collide in one statement or action, that’s paradoxical. Think complex characters: People who are described as paradoxical have seemingly contradictory – but true – personality traits.
Marlin from Finding Nemo when he is terrified to explore but has to travel to find Nemo
- Morbid
characterized by an abnormal or unhealthy interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects
If the first section of the newspaper you read is the obituaries, you could be considered morbid. This word is considered a negative one because it’s used to describe anyone who spends too much time thinking about subjects like death or disease. Morbid can also be used to describe other nouns besides people. If you hang tombstones on your walls, your taste in art could also be described as morbid.
Victor Frankenstein’s obsession with exhuming corpses to create new life
- Indefatigable
persisting tirelessly; unwearied or unwavering
Someone who is indefatigable can go on and on and on without tiring. You might want to quit training for a marathon after mile 4, but your indefatigable friend seems like they can go on forever. Indefatigable people can also be super garrulous – why won’t they stop talking?!
Christina Yang (and, really, most of the surgeons) from Grey’s Anatomy
- Tawdry
showy, but cheap and of poor quality; tasteless
This word has a pretty negative connotation. Tawdry people often have a hint of desperation and immorality — like those involved in tawdry extramarital affairs. With tawdry decorations and jewelry, quality has been exchanged for lots of flash and shine. Fun synonyms of this word are gaudy, flashy, and tacky.
Julie Cooper from The OC
