Childrens Illustrated Thesaurus

240

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

unusual

Baobabs are unusual trees with

thick trunks and few leaves.

Use a sharp knife to cut into

the lemon.

My jacket was useless in the rain

because it wasn’t waterproof.

unusual

adjective not occurring very

often » Baobabs are unusual

trees with thick trunks and

few leaves.

curious, exceptional,

extraordinary, rare,

uncommon,

unconventional,

atypical, unwonted

antonym: common

unwell

adjective ill or sick

» Noah felt unwell and

had to go home early.

ailing, crook (Australia and

New Zealand; informal), ill,

poorly (Britain; informal),

queasy, sick, indisposed,

under the weather

antonym: well

unwilling

adjective not wanting to do

something » Amelia was

unwilling to get too involved

in school politics.

averse, grudging, loath,

reluctant

antonym: willing

unwise

adjective foolish or not sensible

» It’s very unwise to go out in

the sunshine without wearing

sunscreen.

daft, foolish, idiotic,

irresponsible, rash,

senseless, silly, stupid,

imprudent, injudicious

antonym: wise

upkeep

noun the process and cost

of maintaining something

» The school is raising money

for the upkeep of the grounds.

keep, maintenance,

overheads, preservation,

running

upset^1

adjective feeling unhappy

about something » Chloe

was very upset when she

heard the bad news.

agitated, distressed,

frantic, hurt, troubled,

unhappy

upset^2

verb to make someone worried

or unhappy » The news

about the missing dog upset

me terribly.

agitate, bother, distress,

disturb, grieve, ruffle,

discompose, faze, perturb

upset^3

verb to turn something over

accidentally » Aiden upset

the coffee cup.

capsize, knock over,

overturn, spill

urge^1

noun a strong wish to do

something » Evelyn stifled

the urge to laugh at her

friend’s singing.

compulsion, desire, drive,

impulse, longing, wish

urge^2

verb to try hard to persuade

someone » Suhel left early,

despite being urged to stay.

beg, beseech, implore,

plead, press, entreat,

exhort, solicit

urgent

adjective needing to be dealt

with quickly » The rescued

sailors had an urgent need

for food and water.

compelling, immediate,

imperative, pressing

use^1

verb to perform a task with

something » Use a sharp knife

to cut into the lemon.

apply, employ, operate,

utilize, avail oneself of, ply

use^2

noun the act of using

something » There is rarely

any need for the use of force.

application, employment,

operation, usage

Chloe was very upset when

she heard the bad news.

Aiden upset the coffee cup.

useful

adjective something that helps

or makes things easier » This

booklet contains a great deal

of useful information.

beneficial, effective,

helpful, practical,

valuable, worthwhile

antonym: useless

useless

adjective not suitable or useful

» My jacket was useless

in the rain because it

wasn’t waterproof.

futile, impractical,

unproductive, unsuitable,

worthless,

disadvantageous,

ineffectual, unavailing

antonym: useful

usual

adjective done or happening

most often » You’ll find Enzo

sitting at his usual table, he’s

always there.

accustomed, common,

customary, habitual,

normal, regular, standard

utter

adjective complete or total

» The teacher walked into

the classroom to find a scene

of utter chaos, with children

running riot.

absolute, complete,

consummate, out-and-out,

outright, perfect, pure,

sheer, thorough, total,

unconditional, unmitigated,

unqualified

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