IS 292 Shades of Meaning

Georgia S.
Learn these 12 words and try to figure out which words in the list have similar meanings but different connotations.
12 words 30 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. slender
    being of delicate build
    Slender, agile and an impressive dancer, Mr. Frost gave a riveting performance. New York Times (Jun 12, 2012)
  2. reserved
    marked by self-restraint and reticence
    But Watson, who moved on to the Nets, was quiet, reserved, behind the scenes.
  3. sullen
    showing a brooding ill humor
    Suspicion, disappointment, and rage showed plainly in his coarse, sullen face. Chapman, Allen
  4. frugal
    avoiding waste
    “My most creative solution to my economic situation was planning a frugal lifestyle 30 years ago,” he wrote. Slate (Nov 10, 2011)
  5. scrawny
    inferior in size or quality
    The ad depicted a scrawny guy being bullied on the beach. New York Times (Apr 20, 2012)
  6. withdrawn
    detached and seeking isolation from other people
    As the talks dragged on, Henry Cao became increasingly withdrawn, saying he was no longer interested in the money and wanted only to return home.
  7. obsessive
    characterized by an unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation
    He has an obsessive interest in his girlfriend’s work schedule. New York Times (Jan 27, 2012)
  8. depressed
    filled with melancholy and despondency
    My oldest brother was deeply depressed for two years afterward and was really never the same in some fundamental way. Seattle Times (Sep 20, 2012)
  9. smug
    marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
    Given a chance to be publicly contrite, he came across as smug and condescending. Seattle Times (Nov 30, 2011)
  10. stingy
    unwilling to spend
    Broadway productions are notoriously stingy about hiring decent-sized orchestras. New York Times (May 3, 2011)
  11. fervent
    characterized by intense emotion
    Yet fans have remained fervent followers whose devotion is beyond measure.
  12. confident
    having or marked by assurance
    Romney's confident, rigorous debating revived his flagging campaign and could help him cut into Obama's slim but steady lead in opinion polls.
Created on Mon Oct 08 11:04:34 EDT 2012 (updated Mon Oct 08 11:34:46 EDT 2012)

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