The Great Gatsby Vocab

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1. Asunder (adv or adj

Back 1

torn into parts; apart from each other in position
Example: What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. (traditional marriage vow )
Synonym: piecemeal
Antonym: together

Front 2

2. Echolalia (n

Back 2

)- the often pathological repetition of what is said by other people as if echoing them
Example: While echolalia is a legitimate disease, there are some people who repeat others just to be annoying.

Front 3

3. Expostulate (v

Back 3

to reason earnestly with a person for the purpose of dissuading or remonstrating them
Example: Jenny’s father expostulated about the dangers of texting and driving.
Synonyms: protest, challenge
Antonyms: accept, defend, advocate

Front 4

4. Fractious (adj

Back 4

irritable and quarrelsome
Example: Because of Tom’s fractious nature, he started an argument with Gatsby in the hotel in New York.
Synonyms: bad tempered, cantankerous, peevish
Antonyms: contented, affable

Front 5

5. Ineffable (adj

Back 5

too great or extreme to be expressed in words
Example: The beauty of Yellowstone National Park is ineffable for many people.
Synonyms: inexpressible, unutterable

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6. Ingratiate (v

Back 6

to bring oneself into favor with another by flattering or trying to please them
Example: Miranda brought cookies to the meeting and complimented everyone’s outfits in order to try to ingratiate herself into the group.
Synonyms: win over, curry favor with

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7. Languid (adj

Back 7

displaying or having a disinclination for physical activity; slow and relaxed; weak from sickness or fatigue
Example: The kitten lounged languidly by the window, napping in the sunlight.
Synonyms: relaxed, restful, faint
Antonyms: energetic, vigorous

Front 8

8. Lethargic (adj

Back 8

sluggish and apathetic
Example: Timmy’s lethargic attitude made it difficult to get him to participate in family activities.
Synonyms: inactive, slow

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9. Meretricious (adj

Back 9

apparently attractive, but having in reality no value, substance or integrity; characteristic of a prostitute
Example: Many girls think their outfits are flattering, but some of them can give off a meretricious impression.
Synonyms: cheap, tawdry, trashy
Antonym: tasteful

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10. Nebulous (adj

Back 10

in the form or a cloud or haze; hazy; (of a concept or idea ) unclear, vague or ill-defined
Example: Calculus can be a nebulous concept to those who don’t have an aptitude for math.
Synonyms: misty, cloudy, vague, imprecise, ambiguous
Antonyms: clear, well-defined

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11. Pervade (v

Back 11

spread through and be perceived in every part of; present and apparent throughout
Example: The smell of someone’s tuna fish and onion sandwich pervaded the entire hallway
Synonyms: permeate, fill

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12. Precipitate (v

Back 12

cause an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable, to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely; cause to move suddenly and with force
(adj )- done, made, or acting suddenly or without careful consideration
Example: Constant bullying precipitated her dramatic act of retaliation.
Synonyms: provoke, instigate, hasty, rushed
Antonyms: hinder, slow

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13. Preempt (v

Back 13

to appropriate, seize, or take for oneself before others; to have precedence or predominance over; to gain possession of by prior right or opportunity; to take action in order to prevent something from happening
Example: Presidential speeches often preempt normal television programming.
Synonyms: forestall, prevent, commandeer, occupy
Antonyms: relinquish, surrender

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14. Redolent (adj

Back 14

strongly reminiscent of or suggestive of something; fragrant or sweet smelling
Example: The rest of the décor is redolent of 1970’s design.
Synonyms: evocative, suggestive, reminiscent

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15. Rotogravure (n

Back 15

a printing process where pictures are transferred from etched copper onto paper in a rotary press running at high speeds used for long print runs
Example: Newspapers used to use a rotogravure style because of the high volume of copies needed.

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16. Somnambulism (n

Back 16

sleepwalking
Example: Sometimes during somnambulism a person will eat an entire cake and have no idea they even did it; they just wake up to crumbs in bed.

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17. Supercilious (adj

Back 17

behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others
Example: The president of the club had quite the supercilious attitude even though she didn’t have any real power.
Synonyms: arrogant, haughty, conceited
Antonyms: humble, modest

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18. Vacuous (adj

Back 18

having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless
Example: Sean quickly grew tired of the vacuous topics of conversation at the party.
Synonyms: inane, insipid, vapid
Antonyms: aware, intelligent

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19. Vicarious (adj

Back 19

experiences in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person; acting or done for another
Example: Many parents live vicariously through their children and force them to play a sport the parent used to play in high school.
Synonyms: indirect, secondhand

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20. Vigil (n

Back 20

a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray; a stationary, peaceful demonstration in support of a particular cause, typically without speeches
Example: Mary kept a vigil until her children returned home safely from their night out.
Synonyms: