1. Word Map Index
Literary Words:
Amorphous
Serene
Prodigious
Sublime
Clamor
Condescend
Profound
Manifest
Coerce
Dearth
Languor
Academic Word List:
Process
Analysis
Ironic
Generate

2. amorphous morph= form endomorph ectomorph mesomorph morphology
Synonyms or
near-synonyms
shapeless
formless
half-formed
blob-like
undefined
nebulous
vague
unstructured
Analysis:
a= not
asexual
asymmetrical
morph= form
endomorph
ectomorph
mesomorph
morphology
to morph into
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
amorphous
Forms: amorphously (adverb)
Unrelated sound-alike:
amor (love)
Example: Non-example:
Use: The ice cream, half melted,
formed an amorphous heap on
the floor. (adjective)

3. serene Synonyms or near-synonyms Antonyms or Calm near-antonyms
Tranquil
Unruffled
Mild
Mellow
Peaceful
Antonyms or
near-antonyms
Stormy
Tumultuous
Violent
Out-of-control
Forms: serenity (Noun)
serenely (Adverb)
History (Etymology):
from the Greek xeros: dry
serene
Use: The nurse’s serene eyes
and gentle manner created a surprisingly
soothing atmosphere in the
emergency room.
“My serenity is rippled
but not ruffled.”
“serene and celestial
atmosphere”
“vision of serenity and
purity”
“His roof is the overhanging sky which
reflects his serenity.”
From Walden
by Henry David Thoreau:
Example: Non-example:

4. prodigious Synonyms or near-synonyms Abundant Bountiful Overflowing
Extravagant
Lavish
Productive
Dazzling
Forms: prodigiousness
Antonyms or
near-antonyms
Meager
Paltry
Insufficient
Unimpressive
Close Relatives:
Prodigy: an exceptionally talented or
brilliant child
Produce, productive
prodigious
Use: We celebrate
Thanksgiving to give
thanks for the prodigious harvest of our homeland.
“…prodigious speed”
“…prodigious strength”
From Gulliver’s Travels
by Jonathan Swift:
From Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen:
“I like then prodigiously.”
Unrelated sound-alike:
prodigal (extravagant)
Example: Non-example:

5. sublime Antonyms or near-antonyms Mundane Ordinary Unremarkable
Uninspiring
Ridiculous
Synonyms or
near-synonyms
Heavenly
Transcendent
Majestic
Superb
Remarkable
Awesome
Awe-inspiring
Divine
Exalted
Grand
sublime
Use: When I entered the
Sistine Chapel, I was awed
its sublime beauty.
“…the sublime shape of the mountains”
“…the transcendent vision of sublime
beauty”
From Frankenstein
by Mary Wollenscraft Shelley:
Example: Non-example:

6. clamor Antonyms or near-antonyms Quiet Serenity Tranquility
Synonyms or
near-synonyms
Noise
Racket
Hubbub
Outcry
Fuss
clamor
Use: On Black Friday,
crowds line up hours before
the mall opens, clamoring for bargains.
Collocation:
When used as a verb:
clamor for
Forms: clamored, clamoring; clamorous
“ From the first, I was clamorous to learn.”
From Macbeth by William Shakespeare:
“We shall make our griefs and clamors roar
upon his death.”
From One Writer’s Beginnings
by Eudora Welty:
Example: Non-example:

7. acute Antonyms or near-antonyms Mild Blunt Subtle Synonyms or
near-synonyms
Sharp
Intense
Piercing
acute
Use:
Acute pain in a tooth may
mean that you need a root canal treatment.
Math connection:
acute angle (less than
90 degrees)
Forms: acuteness, acuity; acutely;
“ Her head ached acutely.”
From Animal Farm by George Orwell
“Every mouthful of food was an acute pleasure.”
From Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen:
Example: Non-example:

8. condescend Antonyms or near-antonyms Respect Defer to Level with
Synonyms or
near-synonyms
Talk “down” to
Deign
Scorn
Snub
Disrespect
Patronize
“have an attitude”
condescend
Use:
I resented the teacher
because whenever I asked
a question, rolled her eyes
and answered in a condescending way that
humiliated me.
Forms: condescension; condescended, condescending
“ She was forced to condescend to our
company.”
From To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
“Jem condescended to take me to school on
the first day.”
From Wuthering Heights
by Emily Bronte:
Example: Non-example:

9. profound Fundus: bottom (fundamental) Antonyms or near-antonyms
Shallow
Superficial
Frivolous
Forms: profoundly (adverb)
Synonyms or
near-synonyms
Deep
Bottomless
Meaningful
Unfathomable
Analysis:
Pro = forward (procedure, protect, produce)
Fundus: bottom
(fundamental)
profound
profound stillness
profound darkness
profound thinker
profound void
profound anguish
profound glance
From Heart of Darkness
by Joseph Conrad
Noun Associations: :
abyss
chasm
Adjective Associations:
philosophical
reflective
intense
awe-inspiring
Example: Non-example:
Use: Although the movie was
funny, it expressed profound ideas
about the meaningless of war.

10. manifest Manifest Destiny Antonyms or near-antonyms Covert Occult
Discrete
Clandestine
Imperceptible
subtle
Synonyms or
near-synonyms
Obvious
Apparent
Overt
Evident
Visible
Perceptible
Analysis:
Mani: hand (manufacture, manual
Forms: manifestation (noun)
manifesting, manifested (verbs)
manifest
Alternate use:
Manifest (noun): a list of
items being transported on
a truck; a passenger list on
an airplane
Slang: up front; out there
Slang opposite: on the down-low
Historical associations:
Manifest Destiny
Use: The signs of her illness
manifested as fatigue, paleness,
and unexplainable weight loss.

11. coerce Synonyms or near-synonyms force compel Degrees:
encourage, request, invite…persuade…urge…bully… demand… mandate…coerce
Slang:
strong-arm
muscle
arm-twist
Analysis:
co= with
erc/erg= work (ergonomic)
Forms: coersion (noun);
coersive (adjective)
coerce
Movie quote: “In the end,
he made him an offer he
couldn’t refuse: Either Johnny’s
signature or his brains would
be on the contract.” Godfather I
Situations: torture, rape, arrest, blackmail, extortion
Example: Non-example:
Common association: coerce a
Confession out of a suspect
Use: John Proctor would not be coerced into
signing his name to a false confession that he
had practiced witchcraft. (verb)

12. dearth Synonyms or near-synonyms scarcity paucity lack insufficiency
sparseness
shortfall
Antonyms:
plethora
glut
bumper crop
flood
overflow
excess
related adjectives:
sparse, meager, paltry
dearth
Collocation: dearth of
Situations: famine, poverty, emptiness, drought
Example: Non-example:
Use: Because of a dearth of jobs,
many Americans are unemployed
in 2010.

13. languor Synonyms or near-synonyms laziness lassitude lethargy
stillness
indolence
torpor
weariness
Antonyms or
near-antonyms
vigor
energy
get-up-and-go
zip
Forms: languid, languorous
Associations: :
an afternoon nap
sleeping till noon
slowness
languor
Example: Non-example :
Use: from Uncle Tom’s Cabin
by Harriet Beecher Stowe
She opened her eyes in
a state of dreamy, delicious
languor.

14. Use: How ironic that the day she expected to get engaged was the day that her boyfriend broke up with her!
Example:
A fireman’s house burns down
You say: “I never get sick,” and
then you get sick
You are happy. Then, you win
the lottery. Because of your
winnings, you are
unhappy.
You unwittingly marry a relative
(separated at birth)
What you think is the worst day
of your life, turns out to be the best
Breaking up on Valentine’s Day
Synonyms or
near-synonyms
Satire
Paradox
Incongruity
Coincidence
irony
Forms:
Irony
Ironic
ironical
Ironically
Kinds of:
Dramatic irony
Situational irony
Verbal irony
Antonyms:
Expected outcome
Normalcy
Ordinariness
Example Non-example
Song:
Alannis Morissette
“Isn’t it Ironic?”

15. process Synonyms or Antonyms or near-synonyms near-antonyms method
steps
course of action
development
manner
means
Antonyms or
near-antonyms
chaos
randomness
Forms: processes, processed, processing
procedure, proceed, procedural
procession, processional
process
Associations: :
how a bill becomes a law
digestion
building something
Collocation:
in the process of
steps in the process
Example: Non-example:
Use: It may take up to two weeks to process
your application because we use a
careful, detailed process of screening.

16. analysis Similar words: catalyst: agent of change synthesis: a new
Synonyms or
near-synonyms
breakdown
investigation
examination
Analysis: (Greek)
ana= up, against, back
lys= loosen
analysis
Antonyms or near-antonyms:
summary
overview
opinion
Similar words:
catalyst: agent of change
synthesis: a new
combination
Forms: analyze; analytical;
analytically
pl.: analyses
Example:
Non-Example:
Use: An analysis of the data
reveals that although several
key economic indicators show
overall improvement, unemployment
remains high, especially in states that
rely on manufacturing.

17. generate Relatives: genesis general generator genocide gene; genetic
Antonyms or near-antonyms:
die degenerate
extinguish
fade
Forms:
generation; generated;
generating; generational;
generative
Synonyms or
near-synonyms
create
begin
form
formulate
produce
propagate
procreate
reproduce
evolve
originate
engender
promote
generate
Etymology: (Latin
Gen: beginning; origin
Relatives:
genesis
general
generator
genocide
gene; genetic
genre
genuine
genius
Use: The first stage of the writing
process is brainstorming, in which
generate as many ideas as possible.
Example Non-Example: