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pros • per • i • ty n., economic well-being. The farmers enjoyed prosperity after a bountiful harvest.

per • ni • cious adj., destructive. The pernicious effects of water pollution could destroy the fish in the river.

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aus • pi • cious adj., favorable; indicative of future success. Because of the child’s auspicious birth date,
people predicted he would be famous one day.

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ruth • less adj., cruel; without mercy. The ruthless dog attacked the intruder. ruthlessly, adv.

op • press v., crush or burden by abuse of power. The king will oppress those who disagree with his ideas.

ag • gres • sor n., attacker. The ordinarily mild-mannered boy became an aggressor on the football field.

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det • ri • men • tal adj., damaging. The girl’s negative remarks were detrimental to school spirit.

op • pose v., be opposite or against something; to resist. I know my father will oppose this risky plan.

res • o • lute adj., firmly; decisively. She was resolute about leaving at noon no matter what. resolutely, adv.

sub • mis • sive adj., obedient; passive. The submissive young fox followed its mother to the den. submissively, adv.

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mu • ti • late v., break; ruin; destroy. I mutilated my book when I dropped it down three flights of stairs. mutilated, adj.

quiv • er v., tremble; shake. My cat will quiver in fear at the first sight of a dog.

chor • tle v., laugh; chuckle. The clown’s antics caused the boy to chortle with glee.

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in • dig • nant adj., angry about something perceived as unfair or mean. The indignant student replied firmly to the accusation. indignantly adv.

rev • el v., take immense pleasure. He reveled in the news that his science project had won the contest.