cumbersome

1. The cumbersome shape of the axe made it hard to swing.

2. The suitcases were so cumbersome he could not handle them and was unable to make his flight.

3. The secret was so cumbersome, she felt it must be shared with another.

Adjective: hard to handle or deal with

Synonym: awkward, clumsy

daunting

1. The sight of the Green Knight was daunting.

2. The difficulty of the task proved too daunting for me, I was unable to complete it.

3. The size of my opponent was so daunting, I didn’t think I could possibly win.

Adjective: discouraging, disheartening

Synonym: intimidating

demean

1. It was demeaning to be asked to clean the toilet.

2. Some jobs are just too demeaning for a king.

3. Emily felt it was demeaning to have to wear last year’s styles.

Verb: to lower in status or character

Synonym: to degrade

integrity

1. Nero’s lack of integrity was one factor in the fall of the Roman Empire.

2. Gawain was completely honest, his integrity was his greatest quality.

3. His followers never questioned Jesus’ integrity.

Noun: Being of sound moral principle.

Synonym: Honesty, sincerity

lanky

1. His lankiness made his body look disproportionate.

2. Although tall, the Green Knight was not lanky; he was very muscular and broad.

3. Lanky people frequently excel at basketball.

Adjective: Tall and lean

Synonym: gangly

revere

1. The nation reveres our president for his honesty.

2. Paul Revere was revered for his midnight ride.

1. The knights continued to revere their king; to them he could do no wrong.

Verb: To regard with deep respect

Synonym: Honor

sever1. I was forced to sever my relationship with Mr. Guthrie as we never seemed to

agree.

2. To sever the Green Knight’s head from his body required great force.

3. The guillotine was used to sever the head from the body.

Verb: To separate

Synonym: To break off

unperturbed

1. I was unperturbed by the student’s defiance.

2. The Green Knight seemed unperturbed about his fate; he calmly positioned himself and waited for the ax to fall.

3. To describe myself as unperturbed when the Packers lose is an understatement.

Adjective: Not agitated

Synonym: Not disturbed