“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”
Vocabulary
Rakishly (adv.) with a trim, casual look; dashingly; confident in a casual way
James Bond rakishly walked into the room as if he belonged and was not a spy on a secret mission.
The old sea captain rakishly took the helm after his first mate commented on the rough waters ahead.
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word rakishly. 1
Hurtling (adj.) moving swiftly and with great force
The baseball come hurtling into home plate from the infield and hit the runner.
· Which of the following are antonyms and which are synonyms of hurtling?
racing, crashing, plunging, creeping, slinking
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word hurtling. 2
Distraught (adj.) extremely troubled; confused; distracted
At the funeral of the young child, many mourners were distraught with grief.
Alex was so distraught about his failed test that he did not notice that homework had been assigned.
· Which of the following is NOT a synonym of distraught?
troubled worried relieved flustered agitated
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word distraught. 3
Haggard (adj.) having a worn look, as from sleeplessness
It was hard for Sara not to look haggard on Monday morning after a long weekend of studying for her finals.
· Write 2 antonyms of haggard.
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word haggard. 4
Insolent (adj.) boldly disrespectful
After making a rude comment to his mother, Brad was punished for his insolent behavior.
· Which of the following are NOT synonyms of insolent?
polite audacious respectful impertinent
courteous rude cheeky
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word insolent. 5
Insinuatingly (adv.) suggesting indirectly; implying something
The lawyer insinuatingly accused the defendant of being a careless driver by bringing up his past speeding tickets.
· Is the word slyly a synonym or antonym of insinuatingly?
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word insinuatingly or the any of the following forms of the word.
Insinuate (v.)
Insinuation (n.) 6
Cur (n) mean, contemptible person; mean, ugly dog
Mike was called a cur after making a nasty comment to a reporter about the scandal.
Many people think that pit bulls are curs because they sometimes attack small children.
· Which of the following words could be used to describe someone who is a cur?
Disgraceful despicable distasteful decent dignified
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word cur. 7
Cannonading (n.) continuous firing of artillery
After the cannonading was finished, the soldiers looked around to see what damage was done to the fort.
· Read the following sentence and then decide if the word barrage is a synonym or antonym of cannonading.
The barrage of bullets scared the civilians and they all ran to their homes.
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word cannonading. 8
Derisive (adj.) showing contempt (disdain or disapproval) or ridicule
The young man’s derisive comments to the teacher caused him to be sent to the office.
· When is it wise to not make derisive comments?
· Which of the following is a synonym for derisive?
admiring respectful condescending appreciative
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word derisive. 9
Inscrutable (adj.) baffling, mysterious; not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood
After pleading guilty to the crime, the police noticed the young girl had an inscrutable calm about her as she left the courthouse.
Many people feel that Mrs. Bort’s handwriting is inscrutable because it is not easily understood.
· If something is described as sphinx-like and enigmatic could you also describe it as inscrutable? Explain.
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word inscrutable. 10