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A Primer on Uncommon Adjectives



Adjectives play a pivotal role in painting vivid pictures, evoking emotions, and adding depth to communication. While many adjectives are commonly used in everyday language, there exists a treasure trove of words that capture nuanced emotions and unique experiences. Here's a short list fo them that you might find useful in writing your compositions or answering comprehension cloze and open-ended questions!


 

1. Ambivalent: Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.


- Sarah felt ambivalent about accepting the job offer; she was excited about the opportunity but hesitant about relocating.


- Mark's ambivalent attitude towards the new policy reflected his uncertainty about its long-term effects.


2. Awestruck: Filled with a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.


- Standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, Emily was awestruck by the vastness and beauty of the landscape.


- The audience was awestruck by the magician's incredible illusions, unable to comprehend how they were performed.


3. Bewildered: Perplexed and confused; puzzled.


- Lost in the labyrinthine streets of the old town, Tom became increasingly bewildered as he tried to find his way back to the hotel.


- The complex instructions left the students bewildered, unsure of how to proceed with the experiment.


4. Bemused: Puzzle, confuse, or bewilder (someone).


- His sarcastic comment left her bemused, unsure if he was joking or serious.


- The professor's rambling lecture left the students bemused and struggling to follow the main points.


5. Bittersweet: Arousing pleasure tinged with sadness or pain.


- Saying goodbye to her childhood home was a bittersweet experience; she was excited for the new chapter but saddened by the memories left behind.


- Watching her children grow up filled Maria with bittersweet emotions; proud of their accomplishments yet nostalgic for their younger years.


 

6. Crestfallen: Sad and disappointed; having lost hope or confidence.


- After failing the exam, Sarah returned home crestfallen, dreading the disappointment on her parents' faces.


- The team was crestfallen after losing the championship game in the final minutes, despite their hard work and dedication.


7. Discombobulated: Confused and disconcerted.


- Waking up in a strange room, John felt discombobulated and struggled to remember how he got there.


- The sudden change in schedule left everyone feeling discombobulated, unsure of what tasks to prioritize.


8. Ecstatic: Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement.


- Winning the lottery made them ecstatic; they could hardly believe their luck.


- Hearing the news of her promotion, Susan was ecstatic and celebrated with her friends and family.


9. Enthralled: Capture the fascinated attention of.


- The gripping mystery novel enthralled her; she couldn't put it down until she reached the last page.


- The audience was enthralled by the mesmerizing performance of the ballet dancers, applauding enthusiastically at the end.


10. Euphoric: Characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness.


- Standing on the mountaintop, Jane felt euphoric as she took in the breathtaking view below.


- Winning the championship brought a sense of euphoria to the entire team; their hard work had finally paid off.


 

11. Flummoxed: Bewildered or perplexed; completely unable to understand or comprehend something.


- Trying to solve the complex math problem, Tim became increasingly flummoxed as he struggled to find the right approach.


- The unexpected twist in the plot left the audience flummoxed, unsure of what would happen next.


12. Intrigued: Arousing one's curiosity or interest; fascinating.


- The mysterious package on her doorstep intrigued Sarah, prompting her to investigate its contents.


- His unusual hobby of collecting vintage keys intrigued his friends, who were eager to learn more about his collection.


13. Jubilant: Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.


- The team was jubilant after winning the championship, cheering and celebrating their hard-earned victory.


- Hearing the news of her acceptance into her dream college, Emily's family was jubilant, proud of her achievements.


14. Melancholic: Feeling or expressing pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.


- Walking through the deserted park on a rainy day, Sarah couldn't shake off the melancholic feeling that enveloped her.


- The old photograph brought back memories of happier times, leaving him feeling wistful and melancholic.


15. Nonplussed: Surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react.


- When the interviewer asked an unexpected question, Sarah was momentarily nonplussed before gathering her thoughts and responding.


- His calm demeanor in the face of adversity left his opponents nonplussed, unable to rattle his composure.


 

16. Puzzled: Unable to understand; perplexed.


- Finding a handwritten note on her desk, Emily was puzzled, wondering who it could be from and what it meant.


- The cryptic riddle left him puzzled for hours, unable to solve some of the clues.


17. Serene: Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.


- Sitting by the lake at dawn, Sarah enjoyed the serene beauty of the surroundings, feeling at peace with herself and the world.


- Despite the chaos of the city streets, Maria remained serene, her inner calm unaffected by the hustle and bustle around her.


18. Transfixed: Cause (someone) to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment.


- The eerie glow of the full moon transfixed him, holding him spellbound as he gazed up at the night sky.


- The hypnotic dance performance left the audience transfixed, unable to look away from the stage.


19. Whimsical: Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way.


- The whimsical artwork in the gallery brought a smile to her face, its colorful and imaginative scenes sparking her imagination.


- His whimsical sense of humor always brightened up the office, making even the dullest tasks seem more enjoyable.


20. Wistful: Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing.


- Watching the sunset over the ocean, John felt wistful, wishing he could freeze this moment in time and stay here forever.


- Seeing the childhood toys in the attic filled Sarah with wistful memories of her younger days, longing for the carefree innocence of childhood.


 


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