Hot SAT Words:Lessons

# 1-10

Lesson #7: The CANTANKEROUS Cluster

Words Relating to QUARRELING, FIGHTING, and BITTER Feelings

ANIMOSITYn. Hatred, ill will

ANIMOSITY So much ANIMOSITY grew between Mark and

Mike that they never were buddies again. Ursula’s ANIMOSITY toward Eddie hardened her

heart. Sonya’s sarcasm raised the level of ANIMOSITY

between Liz and her.

ANTAGONISMN. hatred or hostility

ANTAGONISMStan’s mocking and teasing

incited ANTAGONISM among his teammates.

He is tormented by the ANTIGONISM of his classmates, who ride him unmercifully.

BELLICOSEAdj. of a quarrelsome nature; eager

to fight; warlike; belligerent

BELLICOSEThe speech was full of BELLICOSE

threats, suggesting war was at hand.The BELLICOSE coach lost his job

after he told his players, “Kill them bums!”

BELLIGERENTAdj. Taking part in war or fighting; ready to fight

BELLIGERENT After two decades of war,

the BELLIGERENTS made peace.

When told to rewrite her essay, Gertie grew BELLIGERENT and yelled at her teacher.

Noah’s BELLIGERENCE started the fight.

CANTANKEROUS

Adj. Bad-tempered; quarrelsome

CANTANKEROUS Grandma and Grandpa are a

CANTANKEROUS old couple, always fighting and scolding.

When my dad gets up on the wrong side of the bed, he’s CANTANKEROUS all day long!

CAPTIOUSAdj. Made for the sake of quarreling, quibbling

CAPTIOUS My English teacher quibbles over every

word. She criticizes her students’ writing with CAPTIOUS comments.

Jon used to be laid-back, but since his divorce he’s become quite CAPTIOUS.

My supervisor does nothing but bicker with the staff. His CAPTIOUSNESS has caused several employees to quit.

CONTENTIOUSAdj. quarrelsome,belligerent

CONTENTIOUS You can’t talk to CONTENTIOUS Cal without

getting into an argument. I get along well with my sister, but my brother

and I are usually CONTENTIOUS. If you don’t stop being CONTENTIOUS, no one

will want to cooperate with you.

DISPUTATIOUSAdj. likely to dispute or argue

DISPUTATIOUS

Ken loves to argue just for the sake of arguing. With such a DISPUTATIOUS personality, he’s sure to become a trial lawyer!

ELOQUENTPOLEMICALAdj. Inclined to argue or debate;

controversial

POLEMICAL The speech was not a reasonable argument

against gun control; it was more of a POLEMIC.

24 hour talk TV pundits glory in POLEMICAL arguments. It pumps up their ratings.

PREDATORN. One who takes advantage of another, exploits or feeds on another; a strong adversary or rival

PREDATORHe’s a con man, a known

PREDATOR on unsuspecting old folds who trust him to profitably invest their life savings.

Watch out for PREDATORY schemers who’ll take your money and run!

PUGNACIOUS--combative--quick to fight--belligerent

PUGNACIOUSPUGNACIOUS Paul, as you might expect,

was involved in another schoolyard brawl.Walter and Willa are a PUGNACIOUS pair,

always squabbling and fighting.Beware of PUGNACIOUS salesmen who’ll

bully you into buying things you don’t need.