Sadler Vocabulary Workshop Choosing the Right Word
Extolling
(Extolling, Retrogressing) other people's achievements is fine, but it is no substitute for doing something remarkable of your own.
amicably
After shouting at each other rather angrily, the participants in the roundtable discussion calmed down and parted (imperviously, amicably).
amicable
After the dictator walked out of the peace talks, the visiting diplomat tried to carry on (amicable, belligerent) negotiations between the two nations.
nostalgia
Because I was not even born when The Beatles were at the height of their popularity, their albums do not fill me with (impetus, nostalgia).
cursory
Because her statement showed ignorance of the key facts, we knew that she had completed only a (benevolent, cursory) review of our report.
jeopardize
Carelessness in even minor details may (extol, jeopardize) the success of a major theatrical production.
cursory
Do you think you are being fair in passing judgment on my poem after such a(n) (cursory, adroit) reading?
impervious
His parents tried to encourage an interest in literature, music, and art, but he seemed (nostalgic, impervious) to such influences.
tepid
How many people actually enjoy drinking (impervious, tepid) milk before bedtime even though it is highly recommended to ease digestion?
meticulous
I knew you would be (feasible, meticulous) in caring for my plants, but I did not expect you to water them with a medicine dropper!
duplicity
In the Sherlock Holmes stories, we read of the evil Professor Moriarty, whose (duplicity, quintessence) was almost a match for Holmes's genius.
scrutinized
It made me very uncomfortable to see the suspicion with which the wary customs officer (scrutinized, grimaced) my passport.
grimace
It was rude of you to (scrutinize, grimace) so obviously when the speaker mispronounced words and made grammatical errors.
nostalgic
Many people become (nostalgic, averse) when they watch black-and-white movies and old serial reruns on television.
impetus
News of famine in various parts of the world has given added (nostalgia, impetus) to the drive to increase food production.
benevolently
On the morning of the picnic, the sky was gray and overcast, but suddenly the sun came out and smiled on us (benevolently, adroitly).
belligerent
Providing a powerful defense force for our nation does not mean that we are taking a(n) (belligerent, amicable) attitude toward any other nation.
feasible
Some civil engineers believe that someday it may be (feasible, cursory) to derive a large a part of our energy directly from the sun.
adroit
The lawyer's (adroit, feasible) questioning slowly but surely revealed the weaknesses in his opponent's case.
feasibility
The mayor says that the (duplicity, feasibility) of renovating the municipal buildings is certain now that a federal grant and donations will fund the project.
holocaust
The nightmare that continues to haunt all thoughtful people is a nuclear (benevolence, holocaust) in which our civilization might be destroyed.
averse
Those who are (amicable, averse) to seafood may enjoy the many other menu options.
quintessence
Though it may appear rather ordinary to the casual reader, Lincoln's Gettysburg address is to me the (duplicity, quintessence) of eloquence.
retrogressed
Though the peace talks began with an exchange of lofty sentiments, they soon (extolled, retrogressed) into petty squabbling and backbiting.
