Beowulf Vocab #1

Rancorous

Antonyms: Forgiving Merciful Lenient sympathetic

Synonyms: Vengeful Unforgiving pitiless

Examples: Rivalries, grudges Capulets & Montagues Hatfields & McCoys Some divorces or major

sports contracts can be

Definition: merciless and resentful feelings toward something you hate

Rancorous sentences

Republicans and Democrats in Washington often have rancorous relations.

I could tell their relationship was rancorous because…

Fiend

Antonyms: Angel Heavenly being Cherub guardian

Synonyms: Brute Beast Monster Evil wrongdoer

Examples: Grendel & his mother T-Rex Jaws the shark Dracula

Definition: Devil, troublemaker,

evil

Fiend Sentences

Though many scholars considered Grendel a fiend, Gardner thought of him as a victim of loneliness.

The fiend ordered…

Antagonist

Antonyms: Friend Ally Comrade supporter

Synonyms: Rival Adversary Enemy foe

Examples: Lex Luthor (Superman) Joker (Batman) Wil Wheaton (Sheldon

Cooper) President Snow

(Katniss)

Definition: opponent, person on the other side of a confict

Antagonist sentences

Luke Skywalker discovered that his greatest antagonist was also his father.

One of my antagonists in life is…

Dauntless

Antonyms: Timid Fearful Nervous apprehensive

Synonyms: Determined Confident Intrepid bold

Examples: Beowulf Chuck Norris Superman The brave risk-taking

tribe in the Divergent books

Definition: fearless

Dauntless Sentences

The dauntless Nik Wallenda crossed the Grand Canyon on a tightrope without a harness.

Another dauntless act would be…

Reparation

Antonyms:

Synonyms: Amends Reimbursement compensation

Examples: Paying for something you

damaged or stole Wergild: “Blood money”—if

you killed someone, you paid their family

Germany after WWI had to pay $$$ in reparation for starting the war

Definition: Compensation for

war or crimes done against a person

Reparation Sentences

The US government paid millions in reparations to those imprisoned in Japanese internment camps.

You may have to pay reparations if…

Purge

Antonyms: Add Augment Include recruit

Synonyms: Flush out Cleanse Eradicate remove

Examples: Throwing up Genocides try to purge

an ethnic group Eradicate toxic weeds

from a field Purge your body of toxins

Definition: To get rid of

something, especially something undesirable

Purge Sentences

If you purge your computers of excess files, it will run better.

One thing I would like to purge from my life is…

Writhing

Antonyms: Remain still Motionless Unmoving At rest

Synonyms: Wiggle Struggle Thrash wriggle

Examples: Worms in a bucket Little kids who don’t

want held Cats that don’t want

held Rolling in pain

Definition: To twist and squirm

Writhing Sentences

The snakes in the zoo display twisted and writhed around each other.

I might writhe in pain if …

Loathsome

Antonyms: Delightful Pleasant Charming lovely

Synonyms: Disgusting Despicable Repugnant detestable

Examples: Stagnant water Slimy monsters Jack the Ripper The Grinch

Definition: Repulsive, hateful

Loathsome Sentences

The boss’s loathsome treatment of his employees landed him in a lawsuit.

An food that I find loathsome is…

Antonyms: Extroverted Outgoing Friendly sociable

Synonyms: Isolated Solitary Withdrawn secluded

Examples: Unibomber JD Salinger (Catcher in the

Rye) Old man in Monster House Old woman in Hansel and

Gretel

Definition: living apart from

others

Reclusive

Reclusive Sentences

The reclusive man ordered the book salesman to go away.

The best place to live a reclusive lifestyle would be…

Solace

Antonyms: Aggravation Anxiety Strain trauma

Synonyms: Comfort Support Consolation relief

Examples: Sympathy cards Taking a walk in

nature Hugs, embraces music

Definition: Relief from emotional

distress

Solace Sentences

When my sister is upset, she finds solace in nature.

When I’m upset, I find solace in…