Slimeantics #1

CLOUD

Close, for fewer points: FOG, MIST, HAZE, CUMULUS, STORM

In a sentence:

• A gray cloud drifted over the sun and the playground suddenly turned dim.
• We lay on the grass and watched a puffy cloud change into the shape of a rabbit.

MEADOW

Also accepted: LEA, GRASSLAND

Close, for fewer points: PADDOCK, GREEN, GLADE

• FIELD: These do not specifically require the grassy, flower-filled setting in the clue.
• PASTURE: These do not specifically require the grassy, flower-filled setting in the clue.
• PRAIRIE: These do not specifically require the grassy, flower-filled setting in the clue.

In a sentence:

• Butterflies danced over the sunny meadow, where daisies and buttercups bloomed.
• The cows wandered across the meadow and munched the long grass.

FRUGAL

Also accepted: THRIFTY, ECONOMICAL, SPARING

Close, for fewer points: TIGHT, MISERLY, PENNY, PRUDENT

• CHEAP: These can imply poor quality or unwillingness to give, rather than careful spending.
• STINGY: These can imply poor quality or unwillingness to give, rather than careful spending.

In a sentence:

• Dad is frugal, so he clips coupons and never wastes a penny.
• Being frugal, she saved her allowance instead of buying candy every week.

RELUCTANT

Also accepted: UNWILLING, HESITANT, LOATH, AVERSE, LOTH, DISINCLINED, GRUDGING, UNENTHUSIASTIC, RESISTANT

Close, for fewer points: WARY, SHY, CAUTIOUS, LUKEWARM, HALFHEARTED

In a sentence:

• The reluctant boy stood at the edge of the pool, slow to jump in.
• I was reluctant to leave the party, so I lingered by the door.

PERNICIOUS

Also accepted: INJURIOUS, DETRIMENTAL, MALIGN, NOXIOUS, RUINOUS, BANEFUL, TOXIC, MALICIOUS

Close, for fewer points: DANGEROUS, EVIL, WICKED, LETHAL, FATAL, CORROSIVE, POISONOUS, DELETERIOUS, MALIGNANT

• HARMFUL: These do not necessarily imply the gradual or unobtrusive harm described here.
• DAMAGING: These do not necessarily imply the gradual or unobtrusive harm described here.
• DESTRUCTIVE: These do not necessarily imply the gradual or unobtrusive harm described here.
• DEADLY: These do not necessarily imply the gradual or unobtrusive harm described here.
• INSIDIOUS: Insidious emphasizes subtle or deceptive development without always specifying harm.

In a sentence:

• Rust is a pernicious problem for the bridge because it slowly eats away at the metal unnoticed.
• A pernicious weed spread quietly through the garden, harming the roses without anyone noticing.

PERSPICACIOUS

Also accepted: PERCEPTIVE, INSIGHTFUL, SHREWD, SHARP, KEEN, DISCERNING, ACUTE, PENETRATING, CLEVER, WISE, CANNY, PERCIPIENT, OBSERVANT, SENSITIVE

Close, for fewer points: SMART, INTELLIGENT, BRIGHT, SAVVY, KNOWING, SAGACIOUS, INCISIVE, ASTUTE

In a sentence:

• The perspicacious detective noticed the tiny muddy footprint that everyone else had missed.
• She was so perspicacious that she understood the puzzle at a glance while others stayed confused.

SUSURRUS

Also accepted: RUSTLE, RUSTLING

Close, for fewer points: WHISPER, MURMUR

In a sentence:

• A gentle susurrus of leaves whispered in the evening breeze.
• In the quiet library there was only a soft susurrus of turning pages.