Name ________________________

English 9 Vocabulary, Mrs. Hunter

List 1 Vocabulary

1. licentious adj. morally unrestrained

Synonym: immoral; lewd Antonym (opposite): chaste, pure

2. numismatist n. a coin collector

3. paucity n. a scarcity, lack

Synonym: insufficiency Antonym: abundance

4. fatalistic adj. believing that all events in life are inevitable and determined by fate

5. obtrude v. to force oneself into a situation uninvited

Synonym: impose; intrude Antonym: extricate

6. pensive adj. dreamily thoughtful

Synonym: reflective; meditative Antonym: silly; frivolous

7. lackadaisical adj. uninterested, listless

Synonym: spiritless; apathetic; languid Antonym: enthusiastic; inspired

8. alienate v. to turn away feelings or affections

Synonym: estrange Antonym: endear; unite

9. elated adj. in high spirits; exultantly proud and joyful

Synonym: overjoyed Antonym: depressed

10. epigram n. a witty saying expressing a single thought or observation

Synonym: aphorism; bon mot; quip

List 2 Vocabulary

1. amalgate v. to combine

Synonym: unite; blend; merge; consolidate Antonym: splinter; disunite

2. demented adj. mentally ill; insane

Synonym: deranged; insane Antonym: sane

3. hone v. to sharpen

Synonym: intensify Antonym: dull

4. beleaguer v. to besiege by encircling (as with am army); to harass

Synonym: surround; annoy Antonym: evade

5. gorge v. to eat or swallow greedily

6. antiquated adj. no longer used or useful; very old

Synonym: obsolete; out-of-date; archaic Antonym: modern

7. opiate n. a narcotic used to cause sleep or bring relief from pain

Antonym: stimulant

8. caricature n. an exaggerated portrayed of one’s features

Synonym: mockery; cartoon

9. dally v. to waste time; to dawdle

Synonym: dawdle; loiter Antonym: hasten; hurry

10. felonious adj. pertaining to or constituting a major crime

List 3 Vocabulary

1. edifice n. a large, elaborate structure; an imposing building

Synonym: fortress Antonym: hovel

2. ambidextrous adj. equally skillful with either hand

3. belated adj. delayed

Synonym: tardy; late Antonym: timely

4. animate v. to give life or motion to

Synonym: enliven; encourage; excited Antonym: quell

5. knead v. to work dough or clay into a uniform mixture

Synonym: squeeze; rub; press

6. chauvinist n. one having a fanatical devotion to a country, gender or religion, with contempt for other countries, the opposite sex, or other beliefs

7. egalitarian adj. promoting equal rights for all people

Antonym: elitist

8. berserk adj. in a state of violent or destructive rage

Synonym: frenzied Antonym: placid; complacent

9. ostentatious adj. marked by a conspicuous, showy or pretentious display

Synonym: grandiose Antonym: unobtrusive; bland

10. delude v. to mislead; to fool

Synonym: deceive Antonym: enlighten

List 4 Vocabulary

1. elude v. to escape notice; to get away from

Synonym: avoid; evade; lose Antonym: attract

2. fallow adj. inactive; unproductive

Synonym: idle; barren Antonym: fertile; productive

3. blight n. anything that destroys, prevents growth, or causes devaluation

Synonym: affliction; disease Antonym: enhancement

4. obsequy n. a funeral rite or ceremony

5. denizen n. an occupant; inhabitant

Synonym: resident Antonym: emigrant; alien

6. fealty n. obligated loyalty or faithfulness

Synonym: devotion; fidelity; allegiance Antonym: disloyalty; treachery

7. entice v. to attract by offering reward or pleasure

Synonym: tempt; lure Antonym: discourage

8. gratify v. to please

Synonym: satisfy; indulge Antonym: displease; disappoint

9. laggard n. a slow person; especially one who falls behind

Synonym: straggler; dawdler Antonym: leader

10. gambit n. maneuver or action used to gain an advantage

Synonym: strategy; ploy; maneuver Antonym: blunder

List 5 Vocabulary

1. jaded adj. worn out; dulled, as from overindulgence

Synonym: exhausted; wearied Antonym: fresh

2. gist n. the main point

Synonym: idea; essence

3. advocate v. to recommend; to speak in favor of

Synonym: promote; encourage Antonym: oppose; contest

4. efface v. to obliterate; to wipe out

Synonym: erase Antonym: enshrine

5. charisma n. personal appeal or attraction; magnetism

Synonym: charm

6. ogre n. a brute; a large monster; a frightful giant

7. mesmerize v. to hypnotize

Synonym: captivate; entrance Antonym: bore

8. entity n. anything having existence, either physical or mystical

9. bandy v. to exchange words; to discuss casually

Synonym: banter

10. dastardly adj. cowardly and treacherous

Synonym: dishonorable; shameful Antonym: righteous

List 6 Vocabulary

1. nepotism n. favoritism shown to family or friends in those in power, especially in business or hiring practices

Synonym: favoritism

2. begrudge v. to resent another’s success; to envy

Synonym: resent Antonym: forgive

3. mandarin n. an influential person; a member of an elite group

4. glutinous adj. gluey; sticky

5. enmity n. a deep-seated hostility, often mutual

Synonym: hatred; antagonism Antonym: friendship

6. declaim v. to speak in a dramatic, pompous, or blustering manner

Synonym: trumpet Antonym: whisper

7. imbue v. to inspire or influence; to saturate

Synonym: instill; pervade

8. gaff n. a pole with a large hook on one end

9. quaff v. to drink in large quantities; to gulp

Synonym: guzzle; swig Antonym: sip

10. bibliophile n. a lover of books

List 7 Vocabulary

1. gird v. to prepare for an event or an action

Synonym: brace

2. daunt v. to make afraid; to discourage

Synonym: intimidate; dishearten Antonym: encourage

3. flux n. a state of continual change or movement

Synonym: fluctuation; instability Antonym: stability; solidarity

4. hovel n. a dirty, wretched living place

Synonym: shanty; shack Antonym: palace; mansion

5. cadaverous adj. of or like a corpse; pale, gaunt, thin

Synonym: ghastly Antonym: robust; healthy

6. gothic adj. of the middle ages; of or relating to a mysterious, grotesque and desolate style of fiction ex. Frankenstein

7. penury n. extreme poverty

Synonym: destitution Antonym: wealth; opulence

8. egress n. an exit; a means of going out

Synonym: passage Antonym: ingress; entrance

9. felicity n. happiness; bliss

Synonym: euphoria; delight Antonym: unhappiness; discontent

10. despot n. a dictator with absolute power

Synonym: tyrant

List 8 Vocabulary

1. beget v. to produce; to make happen

Synonym: generate Antonym: prevent

2. educe v. to draw or bring out

Synonym: elicit Antonym: suppress

3. glean v. to collect bit by bit; to gather with patient labor

Synonym: garner Antonym: disperse

4. chafe v. to wear or irritate, often through rubbing or friction

5. effrontery n. shameless boldness

Synonym: impudence; nerve; audacity Antonym: timidity

6. imbibe v. to drink (especially alcohol)

7. feign v. to pretend

Synonym: simulate; fake

8. desist v. to stop; discontinue

Synonym: cease; end Antonym: begin; start

9. allude v. to hint at, to refer to indirectly

Synonym: suggest; imply Antonym: expose

10. elite n. the choice members or best of a group

Synonym: leaders Antonym: common; multitude

List 9 Vocabulary

1. bilk v. to cheat or swindle; to thwart

2. homily n. a sermon

Synonym: lecture; speech

3. demise n. death; a ceasing to exist

Synonym: termination; conclusion

4. emit v. to send out; to give forth, as in sound or light

Synonym: produce; discharge; release

5. decadence n. moral deterioration

Synonym: decay; corruption; debauchery Antonym: decency

6. aghast adj. feeling great dismay or horror

Synonym: terrified; horrified; shocked

7. granary n. a storehouse for grain

8. choleric adj. easily angered

Synonym: irascible; cantankerous Antonym: apathetic; impassive

9. impede v. to hinder, obstruct

Synonym: delay; retard Antonym: aid; encourage

10. qualm n. a feeling of uneasiness

Synonym: misgiving Antonym: ease

11. lampoon n. a written satire used to ridicule or attack someone

Synonym: parody; caricature

12. narcissistic adj. conceited; having excessive self-love or admiration

Synonym: vain; egotistic Antonym: humble, modest

13. eradicate v. to wipe out; to destroy

Synonym: eliminate Antonym: add; create

14. fabricate v. to concoct; to make up a story in order to deceive

Synonym: forge; fake

15. ghastly adj. horrible; frightful

Synonym: dreadful; hideous Antonym: lovely; attractive

List 10 Vocabulary

1. fallible adj. capable of error

Synonym: imperfect Antonym: infallible; flawless

2. blatant adj. obvious; too conspicuous

Synonym: unconcealed; deliberate Antonym: secretive; cautious

3. dawdle v. to waste time

Synonym: tarry; loiter Antonym: hasten; expedite

4. affiliate n. an associate, partner

Synonym: member; colleague

5. fawn v. to act slavishly submissive

Synonym: grovel Antonym: ignore; disregard; neglect

6. calumny n. a false and malicious accusation

Synonym: slander; slur Antonym: compliment

7. berate v. to scold or rebuke severely and at length

Synonym: admonish; reprimand Antonym: praise

8. minion n. a fawning, servile follower

Synonym: lackey Antonym: leader

9. desolate adj. lonely; forlorn; uninhabited; barren

Synonym: deserted; bleak Antonym: populous; cheerful

10. bane n. the cause of ruin, harm, distress, or death

Synonym: blight; curse Antonym: aid; assistance

11. pacify v. to calm down

Synonym: appease; placate Antonym: provoke; agitate

12. garble v. to mix-up or distort

Synonym: jumble; corrupt

13. prevaricate v. to lie

Synonym: hedge

14. filch v. to steal

Synonym: pilfer; pinch

15. neophyte n. a beginner

Synonym: novice; amateur Antonym: expert; veteran

List 11 Vocabulary


1. flagrant adj. glaringly bad; outrageous

Synonym: offensive; shameless; brazen

2. patrician n. an aristocrat

Synonym: noble Antonym: commoner

3. emissary n. one sent on a special mission to represent others

Synonym: ambassador; agent

4. kindred adj. having similar origin, nature or character

Synonym: homogenous Antonym: disparate

5. fracas n. a loud quarrel or fight

Synonym: brawl

6. lacerate v. to tear (flesh) jaggedly

Synonym: slash; gash; rip Antonym: suture

7. futile adj. useless; pointless

Synonym: ineffectual; fruitless Antonym: effective; useful

8. immaculate adj. spotless; perfect

Synonym: clean; pure Antonym: dirty; spoiled; spotted

9. gait n. a manner of walking

Synonym: walk

10. carp v. to complain or find fault in a petty or nagging way

Synonym: grumble; nag; nitpick Antonym: praise; laud

11. query v. to ask; inquire

Synonym: question; interrogate

12. queue n. a line of people or vehicles

13. nefarious adj. very wicked; notorious

Synonym: villainous; despicable Antonym: reputable; honest

14. genesis n. beginning; origin

Synonym: start; birth Antonym: conclusion; finish

15. façade n. a deceptive outward appearance; a misrepresentation

Synonym: pretense; charade

List 12 Vocabulary

1. deluge n. a flood; an overwhelming rush

Synonym: inundation; surge Antonym: drought; dearth

2. catholic adj. universal; wide-ranging

Synonym: broad Antonym: provincial; limited; parochial

3. eerie adj. weird; mysterious; strange and frightening

Synonym: creepy; sinister Antonym: common; ordinary

4. martial adj. warlike; military

5. anthropomorphic adj. attributing human characteristics or qualities to objects, animals or gods

6. beneficiary n. one who receives benefits

Synonym: recipient; heir

7. careen v. to swerve or lurch from side to side while in motion

Synonym: tilt

8. aplomb n. self-confidence

Synonym: assurance; poise Antonym: awkwardness

9. guile n. slyness and cunning in dealing with others

Synonym: craftiness; astuteness Antonym: honesty

10. modicum n. a small amount

Synonym: bit Antonym: abundance

11. fester v. to grow embittered over time; to rot

12. languish v. to become weak or feeble; to lose strength

Synonym: wither; fade Antonym: thrive

13. pall n. something that covers or conceals

Synonym: shroud

14. havoc n. great destruction; chaos

Synonym: mayhem; disorder Antonym: order

15. rancid adj. having a bad taste or smell; spoiled

Synonym: rotten; repulsive Antonym: fresh

List 13 Vocabulary

1. holocaust n. a great or complete destruction of life

2. embroil v. to draw into a conflict or fight

Synonym: entangle

3. anachronism n. something or someone existing out of its proper time

4. denigrate v. to attack the reputation of; to speak ill of

Synonym: defame; belittle Antonym: praise; promote

5. humane adj. kind; compassionate

Synonym: kindly; benevolent; considerate Antonym: inhumane; cruel

6. effusive adj. emotionally excessive; overly demonstrative

Synonym: gushing Antonym: reserved; restrained

7. defunct adj. no longer in existence

Synonym: invalid; extinct

8. lackey n. a slavish follower

Synonym: minion

9. envisage v. to form a mental picture

Synonym: imagine; visualize

10. lament v. to mourn

Synonym: grieve Antonym: rejoice

11. gape v. to stare with an open mouth

12. impertinent adj. rude and disrespectful

Synonym: insolent; impolite Antonym: polite; courteous

13. haughty adj. arrogant; proud

Synonym: arrogant Antonym: humble; shy

14. nemesis n. someone or something a person cannot conquer or achieve; a hated enemy

Synonym: rival; adversary Antonym: collaborator; friend

15. lethal adj. deadly; fatal

Synonym: mortal Antonym: harmless

List 14 Vocabulary

1.catalyst n. a person, thing or agent that speeds up or stimulates a result, reaction or change

Synonym: mechanism; vehicle; means

2. jargon n. vocabulary distinctive to a particular group of people

Synonym: terminology; lingo

3. judicious adj. showing sound judgment

Synonym: sensible; wise; careful Antonym: foolish; impractical; prejudicial

4. foible n. a minor weakness in character

Synonym: fault; shortcoming

5. benediction n. the act of blessing

Antonym: curse; malediction

6. frivolous adj. trivial; silly

Synonym: inconsequential; vain Antonym: vital; important

7. alacrity n. liveliness; willingness; eagerness

Synonym: enthusiasm; readiness; zeal Antonym: slowness; reluctance

8. deify v. to make a god of; to look upon or worship as a god

Synonym: idolize; worship Antonym: abhor; detest

9. carnage n. bloody and extensive slaughter

Synonym: bloodshed; slaughter

10. impel v. push into motion

Synonym: urge; force; propel; drive Antonym: restrain

11. epitaph n. an inscription on a tombstone; a bridge comment about a deceased person

12. harp v. to persist in talking continuously (on or about something)

Synonym: ramble; complain

13. lateral adj. of or relating to the side

Synonym: sideways

14. pallid adj. pale; faint in color

Synonym: colorless Antonym: hearty; robust

15. impetuous adj. acting suddenly without thought

Synonym: impulsive; rash Antonym: planned; careful

List 15 Vocabulary

1. adjunct adj. connected or attached to in a dependent, subordinate or auxiliary manner, but not part of

2. macabre adj. horrible, grim

Synonym: ghastly; sinister Antonym: beautiful; lovely

3. farcical adj. absurd; ridiculously clumsy

Synonym: ludicrous; funny Antonym: somber; serious

4. debonair adj. carefree and self-confident in manner; elegant and gracious

Synonym: charming; refined; suave Antonym: gauche; awkward

5. penchant n. a strong liking

Synonym: fondness; inclination; taste Antonym: dislike; abhorrence

6. deplete v. to use up gradually

Synonym: empty; exhaust Antonym: replenish

7. chicanery n. the use of tricks or clever talk to deceive or evade

Synonym: trickery; subterfuge Antonym: honesty

8. feisty adj. aggressive; lively, energetic

Synonym: spirited; frisky Antonym: lethargic

9. mitigate v. to make less severe; to become milder

Synonym: diminish; alleviate Antonym: aggravate; exacerbate

10. gull v. to cheat; to fool or hoax

Synonym: dupe; scam; trick

11. nadir n. lowest point

Synonym: bottom Antonym: peak; zenith

12. equivocal adj. ambiguous; intentionally vague

Synonym: uncertain; cryptic Antonym: certain; definite

13. genealogy n. family history

Synonym: lineage

14. impervious adj. incapable of being affected

Synonym: resistant; invulnerable Antonym: vulnerable

15. filial adj. or, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter

List 16 Vocabulary

1. daub v. to paint coarsely or unskillfully

2. admonish v. to warn; to caution in counsel

Synonym: advise; notify; warn

3. obeisance n. a bow or similar gesture expressing deep respect

4. cache n. a concealed store of goods or valuables

Synonym: hoard; reserve

5. affliction n. anything causing great suffering

Synonym: difficulty; pain; burden Antonym: relief; aid

6. mendicant n. a beggar

7. aphorism n. a concise statement of a truth or principle

Synonym: adage; maxim; saying

8. oscillate v. to swing or move back and forth like a pendulum

Synonym: vacillate; fluctuate; alternate

9. delete v. to take out; to remove

Synonym: erase; cancel Antonym: include; add

10. oust v. to drive out; expel; deprive

Synonym: eject

11. impermeable adj. not permitting passage (especially of fluids)

Synonym: impenetrable; impervious Antonym: permeable

12. paean n. a fervent expression, or song, of joy or praise

Synonym: acclaim; tribute

13. imperturbable adj. not easily excited, even under pressure

Synonym: collected; unflustered

14. lax adj. careless or negligent

Synonym: slack; neglectful Antonym: careful; meticulous

15. palpable adj. obvious; capable of being touched or felt

Synonym: evident; conspicuous Antonym: obscure; unclear

List 17 Vocabulary

1. pariah n. a social outcast

Synonym: exile; outsider Antonym: insider

2. fluent adj. able to express oneself easily and clearly

Synonym: well-versed Antonym: inept

3. cavort v. to leap about in a sprightly manner; romp