When we grow too complacent with ourselves, along come writers who, wasplike, sting us with reminders of the many problems we face, from rehabilitating former prisoners on parole to feeding the world’s hungry population. Those authors do not see civilization rising almost vertically to greater and greater heights. Though a multitude of problems beset America, they nominate the large urban centers as potentially the most dangerous and requiring the most immediate attention. They see the cities as the morgues of dead hopes and lost ideals.
We are preoccupied with trifles like the upholstery in our homes or personal matters like pensions and benefits, but now we are called upon to contribute to our community on every vital level, moral, political, and economic. We are not being urged to give up our beloved possessions, but our civilization can be saved only if we overcome the epidemic of indifference. We must begin to live with a new openness to others and a determination to become the best we can be.
- Complacent: Puas diri, merasa cukup, sombong
- Wasp: Tawon, serangga yang menyengat, serangga
- wasplike: seperti tawon
- Rehabilitate: Merehabilitasi, memulihkan, memperbaiki
- Parole: Parole, pembebasan bersyarat, izin keluar
- Multitude: Banyak, kerumunan, orang banyak
- Nominate: Menominasikan, mencalonkan, menunjuk
- Vertical: Vertikal, tegak lurus, garis vertikal
- Potential: Potensial, kemampuan, potensi
- Morgue: Morgue, ruang mayat, tempat penyimpanan jenazah
- Preoccupied: sibuk, teralih perhatian
- Trifle: remeh, hal yang tidak penting
- Upholstery: taplak meja, bahan yang digunakan untuk melapisi sofa atau kursi
- Pension: pensiun, uang pensiun
- Vital: penting, sangat diperlukan
- Urge: dorongan, keinginan kuat
- To give up: menyerah, berhenti
- Overcome: mengatasi, mengalahkan
- Epidemic: epidemi, wabah penyakit yang menyebar dengan cepat
- Indifference: ketidakpedulian, sikap acuh tak acuh
- Openness: keterbukaan, sifat terbuka dan jujur
- Determination: tekad, keberanian, keteguhan hati
- Complacent
- Wasp
- wasplike
- Rehabilitate
- Parole
- Multitude
- Nominate
- Vertical
- Potential
- Morgue
- Preoccupied
- Trifle
- Upholstery
- Pension
- Vital
- Urge
- To give up
- Overcome
- Epidemic
- Indifference
- Openness
- Determination
You got it! Here are explanations and examples for those words, focusing on their meanings and nuances:
Complacent
Complacent means satisfied with how things are and not wanting to change or improve. It can imply a lack of ambition or drive.
- The company became complacent after years of success, losing its edge in the market.
- He was complacent about his health, ignoring warning signs and neglecting regular checkups.
- Complacency can lead to stagnation and decline.
Wasp
A wasp is a flying insect with a narrow waist and a stinger. It can be a symbol of aggression or a reminder of stings.
- He swatted at the wasp buzzing around his head.
- A wasp nest was discovered in the attic, causing concern for the residents.
- Wasps are known for their aggressive behavior when defending their nests.
Wasplike
Wasplike describes something that is similar to a wasp, often in terms of being aggressive, sharp, or stinging.
- He had a wasplike sting in his tongue, delivering sharp criticisms.
- The wasplike buzzing of the airplane engines grew louder as the plane prepared to take off.
- She had a wasplike look about her, always ready to pounce on any perceived threat.
Rehabilitate
To rehabilitate means to restore someone or something to a former state of health, ability, or usefulness. It often refers to helping people overcome addiction or disability.
- The prisoner was released from prison and sent to a rehabilitation center.
- After the accident, the athlete underwent extensive rehabilitation to regain full mobility.
- The government launched a program to rehabilitate the city’s infrastructure.
Parole
Parole is the conditional release of a prisoner before the completion of their sentence. It often involves supervision and conditions.
- The inmate was granted parole after serving a portion of his sentence.
- She was released on parole after being convicted of theft.
- Parole can be revoked if the individual violates the terms of their release.
Multitude
A multitude is a large number or quantity of people or things.
- A multitude of people gathered for the concert.
- The museum displayed a multitude of artifacts from ancient civilizations.
- There was a multitude of reasons for the company’s success.
Nominate
To nominate means to formally propose someone for a position, office, or award.
- She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
- He was nominated to serve as the ambassador to France.
- The committee nominated three candidates for the open position.
Vertical
Vertical means upright, perpendicular to the horizon, or extending straight up and down.
- The building had a vertical design, with few horizontal elements.
- She climbed the vertical rock face with ease.
- The vertical lines of the building made it seem tall and imposing.
Potential
Potential means the ability to develop or grow, the possibility of something happening or developing in the future.
- He had the potential to become a great musician.
- The company’s new product had the potential to revolutionize the market.
- She was a student with enormous potential.
Morgue
A morgue is a place where the bodies of the dead are kept before burial or cremation.
- The detective visited the morgue to examine the body.
- The morgue was a somber and silent place.
- The bodies in the morgue were laid out on cold metal tables.
Preoccupied
Preoccupied means absorbed in thought or distracted by something else. It can imply a lack of attention or focus.
- He was preoccupied with his work and didn’t notice the time.
- She was preoccupied with her own thoughts and didn’t listen to the conversation.
- Preoccupation can lead to forgetfulness or inattentiveness.
Trifle
A trifle is a small, insignificant thing.
- She was upset over a trifle, making a mountain out of a molehill.
- He dismissed her concerns as a trifle, failing to see their importance.
- It was a trifle matter, not worth getting worked up over.
Upholstery
Upholstery is the material used to cover furniture, such as fabric, leather, or vinyl.
- The sofa had luxurious velvet upholstery.
- She reupholstered the chairs in a bright floral pattern.
- The upholstery on the antique chair was worn and faded.
Pension
A pension is a regular payment made to someone after retirement or disability, typically from a former employer or the government.
- He retired from the military and received a pension.
- She was eligible for a pension after working for the company for 20 years.
- Pensions are a form of retirement income.
Vital
Vital means essential or necessary for something to survive or function properly.
- Oxygen is vital for human life.
- It is vital to stay hydrated during exercise.
- Regular exercise is vital for maintaining good health.
Urge
An urge is a strong desire or impulse to do something.
- He had an urge to eat something sweet.
- She had an urge to scream and let out all her frustration.
- The urge to sleep overcame her as she drove home.
To give up
To give up means to stop trying or to surrender.
- He gave up on his dream of becoming a musician.
- She refused to give up on her search for the missing child.
- Giving up can be a sign of defeat or resignation.
Overcome
To overcome means to defeat or conquer something, such as a problem or challenge.
- He overcame his fear of public speaking.
- She overcame her addiction to drugs.
- Overcoming challenges can be a source of personal growth and strength.
Epidemic
An epidemic is the widespread occurrence of a disease in a community at a particular time.
- The flu epidemic caused widespread illness.
- The city experienced an epidemic of homelessness.
- Epidemics can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or other factors.
Indifference
Indifference means a lack of interest, concern, or enthusiasm.
- He treated her proposal with indifference, showing no interest.
- She felt indifference towards his attempts to apologize.
- Indifference can be a sign of apathy or lack of empathy.
Openness
Openness means willingness to consider new ideas, experiences, and perspectives. It suggests a lack of prejudice or close-mindedness.
- He was known for his openness to new ideas.
- She approached the problem with an open mind.
- Openness is a valuable trait in communication and problem-solving.
Determination
Determination means firmness of purpose, resolve, and the will to succeed.
- He showed determination in his pursuit of his goals.
- She had the determination to overcome any obstacle.
- Determination is a key ingredient for success.
Words in Use
The Wasp’s Sting

John had always been a complacent man. He was content with his life, his job, and his family. He never thought that anything bad could happen to him. He was like a wasp, wasplike in his attitude, ready to sting anyone who dared to challenge him.
But one day, his life took a turn for the worse. He was arrested for drunk driving and sentenced to rehab. He was given the chance for parole if he completed the program successfully.
The rehab center was a tall vertical building in the middle of the city, surrounded by a multitude of people going about their daily lives. John felt like a trifle, a small and insignificant part of the world around him.
But he was determined to make the most of his time there. He was nominated to be the head of the center’s upholstery department, where he discovered a potential for creativity he never knew he had. He spent his days designing and creating beautiful pieces of furniture, and his nights studying for his GED.
One day, he was called to the morgue to identify the body of a man who had died of a drug overdose. The sight of the lifeless body made him realize how precious life was, and how lucky he was to be alive. He became less preoccupied with himself and more open to the world around him.
He completed his rehab program and was granted parole. He started a new life, one where he was more vital and engaged with the world. He started volunteering at a local shelter, helping others overcome their addictions.
But then, an epidemic hit the city. A new drug was spreading like wildfire, and people were dying left and right. John felt a sense of urgency, an urge to do something to help.
He rallied the community to take action, to fight against the indifference that had allowed the epidemic to spread. He spoke out with openness and determination, urging people to come together to find a solution.
And they did. Together, they were able to overcome the epidemic, to save countless lives. John had found a new purpose in life, one that was far more meaningful than anything he had ever done before. He had been stung by the wasp of complacency, but he had emerged from it stronger and more determined than ever.