CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE VOCABULARY 109
Vocabulary Lesson 17: Wanna Fight?
Today’s roots: bellum war pro- forward, forth
pugnare fight ire anger
❑ belligerent(adj) warlike; quarrelsome (bellumwar)
My brother is a belligerentguy; he picks his fair share of bar fights.
Synonyms:antagonistic, cantankerous, contentious Antonyms:passive, peaceful
❑ irascible(adj) easily angered (ireanger)
Adam’sirasciblenature landed him in anger management therapy; he overreacts to the smallest things.
Synonyms:choleric, splenetic, petulant Antonym:even-tempered
❑ volatile(adj) explosive; tending to evaporate quickly (volato fly)
The situation in the Middle East is a volatileone that must be handled with care.
Synonyms:unsettled, temperamental Antonym:stable
❑ rebuttal(n) refutation; opposing response to an argument (re-back)
After the opponent made his remarks, the debate team captain approached the podium to deliver her rebuttal.
Synonyms:repartee, rejoinder Antonym:agreement
❑ refute(v) to disprove; to rebut forcefully (refutareto drive back)
The judge found no evidence to refuteyour claim that the car is yours, so you get to keep it for now.
Synonyms:contradict, rebut Antonyms:support, endorse
❑ incite(v) to urge into action (citareto cause to move)
The rebels inciteda revolt in the small city by convincing the citizens that their mayor was a crook.
Synonyms:coax, cajole, instigate Antonym:dissuade
❑ pugnacious(adj) quarrelsome; warlike (pugnarefight)
Thepugnaciouspunk was happiest when his fists were pounding someone else’s chin.
Synonyms:truculent, belligerent Antonyms:pacific, passive
❑ bellicose(adj) warlike in manner (bellumwar)
Synonyms:pugnacious, belligerent
❑ harass(v) to bother; to annoy
Synonyms:irritate, torment
❑ assail(v) to attack or assault (ad-at+salireleap)
Synonym:berate
❑ tumultuous(adj) violently agitated
Synonyms:hectic, unruly
❑ instigate(v) to goad; to urge on
Synonyms:incite, foment, coax, cajole
❑ provocative(adj) tending to aggravate or stimulate (pro-forth+vocareto call)
Synonyms:goading, alluring
❑ propensity(n) a natural inclination; a tendency (pro- forth)