Week 8 Synonym Study - Ray T's Interactive Class Hub

📚 How to Use This Page

Each vocabulary word is compared with its synonyms using quadrant charts. Click on the charts to see detailed explanations and example sentences. The charts show how each word differs in formality and context.

rupture

(verb)

break apart, burst, split, tear

Violent/Sudden

Gradual/Controlled

Internal Pressure

External Force

burst

Explode suddenly
Pressure release

tear

Rip forcefully
Pull apart

rupture

Break from strain
Medical/technical

split

Divide cleanly
Separate parts

Usage Examples:

Rupture - Break or burst suddenly:

"The pipe ruptured due to freezing temperatures."

Burst - Break open suddenly from pressure:

"The balloon burst with a loud pop."

Split - Divide into parts:

"The wood split along the grain."

Tear - Pull apart or rip:

"Be careful not to tear the paper."

scarce

(adjective)

limited, rare, deficient, insufficient

Absolute Lack

Relative Shortage

Quantity

Availability

deficient

Lacking necessary
Below standard

rare

Uncommon
Hard to find

insufficient

Not enough
Inadequate amount

scarce

In short supply
Hard to obtain

Usage Examples:

Scarce - In short supply:

"Water became scarce during the drought."

Limited - Restricted in amount:

"We have limited time to complete the project."

Rare - Not often found:

"This is a rare species of butterfly."

Insufficient - Not enough for needs:

"The evidence was insufficient to convict."

scold

(verb)

reprove, reproach, rebuke

Formal/Official

Informal/Personal

Gentle

Harsh

reprove

Formal criticism
Express disapproval

rebuke

Sharp criticism
Stern correction

reproach

Express disappointment
Gentle blame

scold

Angrily criticize
Verbal punishment

Usage Examples:

Scold - Criticize angrily:

"The mother scolded her child for lying."

Reprove - Express disapproval formally:

"The teacher reproved the student for cheating."

Reproach - Express disappointment:

"She reproached him for breaking his promise."

Rebuke - Criticize sharply:

"The manager rebuked the employee for negligence."

sensitive

(adjective)

responsive, impressionable, delicate, perceptive

Physical

Emotional

Reactive

Aware

delicate

Easily damaged
Fragile nature

responsive

Quick to react
Ready response

impressionable

Easily influenced
Open to impact

perceptive

Quick to notice
Insightful understanding

Usage Examples:

Sensitive - Easily affected or responsive:

"She's sensitive to criticism."

Responsive - Quick to respond:

"The controls are very responsive."

Impressionable - Easily influenced:

"Young children are very impressionable."

Delicate - Requiring careful handling:

"This is a delicate situation."

scale

(verb)

climb, mount, ascend

Difficult/Challenging

Easy/Gradual

Physical

Metaphorical

scale

Climb with effort
Technical climbing

mount

Get on top
Rise to position

climb

Go upward
Use hands and feet

ascend

Rise gradually
Move upward

Usage Examples:

Scale - Climb up or over:

"The climbers scaled the mountain face."

Climb - Go up using hands and feet:

"Children love to climb trees."

Mount - Get up on something:

"She mounted the horse gracefully."

Ascend - Go upward:

"The balloon ascended into the clouds."