Martinez TSI READING Vocabulary #1

Cynical

• Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.

• Having a positive outlook on life and trusting others.

• Believing in the goodness of human nature and the sincerity of others.

• Being indifferent to the feelings and motivations of others.

Defiant

• Showing resistance or disobedience.

• Being overly compliant and agreeable.

• Exhibiting extreme enthusiasm and support.

• Demonstrating a lack of interest or concern.

Synonym for Cynical

• Skeptical

• Optimistic

• Trusting

• Naive

Ambivalent

• Having clear and definite feelings about something or someone.

• Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

• Being indifferent or apathetic towards something or someone.

• Having a strong preference for one option over another.

Ecstatic

• Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement.

• A state of deep sadness or despair.

• A feeling of intense anger or frustration.

• A sense of calm and tranquility.

Disdainful

• Showing admiration and respect.

• Showing contempt or lack of respect.

• Expressing indifference or neutrality.

• Demonstrating kindness and compassion.

Contemptuous

• Feeling or expressing deep hatred or disapproval.

• Showing extreme kindness and affection.

• Demonstrating a lack of interest or concern.

• Exhibiting a sense of joy and happiness.

Baffled

• Confused or perplexed; unable to understand.

• Excited and enthusiastic; full of energy.

• Calm and collected; in control of emotions.

• Happy and joyful; feeling pleasure.

Condescend

• To show feelings of superiority; to talk down to someone.

• To elevate someone to a higher status.

• To express agreement with someone.

• To ignore someone's opinion.

See the glass half full

• A phrase used to describe an optimistic viewpoint.

• A saying that indicates a pessimistic outlook.

• A metaphor for being indecisive.

• A common expression about drinking water.