Vocab - Negative Connotations

Toby didn't get the job because of his __ appearance; his clothes were wrinkled, and his hair was a wild mess.

• defame

• malevolent

• disheveled

• deletrious

Answer explanation

Disheveled typically refers to one's appearance as untidy, dirty, etc.

The angry woman __ the sales clerk, calling her vile names and using racial slurs, because she was angry that the clothing wasn't on sale.

• reviled

• lewd

• insolence

• guile

Answer explanation

To revile literally means to verbally abuse. Calling someone names and using racial slurs is an example of verbal abuse.

The politician sued the newspaper because it __ his character by printing false rumors.

• prodigal

• defamed

• dreary

• despicable

Answer explanation

To knowingly print false information is libel, which is one of the ways to defame someone's character.

Jeffrey Dahmer's neighbor complained constantly about the __ smell coming from his apartment. Dahmer claimed the odor was from spoiled meat.

• odious

• flagrant

• diabolical

• dreary

Answer explanation

Rotten meat smells particularly foul or odious.

Serial killers are considered particularly __ because their crimes are so evil and disturbing.

• imperil

• prodigal

• disreputable

• diabolical

Answer explanation

Evil and diabolical are synonyms.

Teachers are not supposed to stand on chairs to hang posters because that action might __ our health and safety; falling from chairs can cause bruises, dislocations, and other serious conditions.

• defile

• imperil

• deleterious

• subvert

Answer explanation

Standing on something other than a ladder is dangerous; thus it fits "imperil."

My grandmother didn't like my clothes because the shorts were "too short" and the shirt was "too low cut": she accused me of dressing in a __ fashion that was not proper for a young lady.

• desecrate

• lewd

• prodigal

• diabolical

Answer explanation

Certain clothing is often seen as obscene or lewd when it doesn't conform to other people's standards.

Scar killed Mufasa and later tried to __ Simba's true authority as King of the Pridelands.

• desecrate

• imperil

• profane

• subvert

Answer explanation

By killing ad attempting to kill the current kings, Scar was overthrowing the rightful heir.

Don't __ the church by using __ language while in it. Behavior and speech in a church should represent the sanctity of the place, not show vulgarity.

• defile and discredit

• imperil and lewd

• defame and odious

• desecrate and profane

Answer explanation

A church is considered sacred by many, so disregarding that sacredness, or sanctity, would be violating its purity. Language that would commit that sin would be vulgar, like cuss words.

I think people who purposely prey on the elderly are __ because the predators know that they are physically weak and easy to harm.

• despicable

• insolence

• subvert

• dreary

Answer explanation

Picking on people who can't fight back is the worst of crimes -- the elderly and children are easy prey because they are the weakest of us.