List 2



Northern Highlands Regional High School

English 9

Vocabulary List 2

1. accelerate

Definition: To increase in speed.

Some doctors believe that smoking accelerates the pulse.

Related Forms: acceleration, accelerator

Synonyms: expedite, hasten, dispatch, advance

Antonyms: retard, slacken, hinder, obstruct

2. agitate

Definition: To stir forcefully or keep in motion; to disturb or excite (a person’s mind or emotions); to stir up political, civil, or industrial unrest.

The bad news left the old man agitated and completely incapable of dealing with the situation.

Related Forms: agitation, agitator

Synonyms: provoke, ruffle, shake, arouse, foment

Antonyms: soothe, pacify, placate, assuage, mollify

3. clarify

Definition: to make clear or understandable

Illustrations can often clarify a subject better than words.

Related Forms: clarification, clarity

Synonyms: enlighten, elucidate

Antonyms: obscure, muddle, obfuscate

4. digress

Definition: To turn aside; to get off the main subject in talking or writing.

In order to make classes more interesting, Mr. Kotter sometimes digresses from the topic of the day by telling a humorous story.

Related Forms: digression, digressive

Synonyms: deviate, swerve, veer, stray

5. evoke

Definition: To call forth; to bring out

Freddie’s prolonged illness evoked considerable concern among his classmates.

Related Forms: evocative, evocation

Synonyms: elicit, summon, suggest

Antonyms: suppress, repress, quell

6. fortitude

Definition: Courage or spiritual strength in the face of danger or difficulties.

The captain met the danger of the sudden attack by superior forces with commendable fortitude.

Synonyms: courage, endurance, resolution, stoicism, bravery

Antonyms: weakness, trepidation, timidity, cowardice

7. jeer

Definition: To speak or shout derisively at someone; to abuse vocally

It is not polite to jeer at the mistakes our friends make.

Synonyms: ridicule, deride, taunt, gibe, mock, scoff, rail, sneer

Antonyms: applaud, compliment

8. nautical

Definition: Pertaining to sailors, ships, and sailing.

The old sailor spun a fascinating yarn that he had heard in his nautical life all over the world.

Related Forms: aeronautics

Synonyms: marine, naval, oceanic, maritime

9. rant

Definition: To use noisy or violently extravagant language; violent or extravagant speech or writing.

My mom was ranting and raving like a mad lunatic because I was watching “Spongebob Squarepants” instead of doing my homework.

Synonyms: bluster, rave, rail; diatribe, tirade

10. vain

Definitions: Having no real value or chance of success; Having or showing an excessively high regard for one’s self, looks possessions, ability; conceited.

She made some vain promises that she had no intention of fulfilling.

“You’re so vain, I bet you think this song is about you, don’t you, don’t you?”

Synonyms: empty, futile, fruitless; conceited, proud, egotistical

Antonyms: effective; modest, humble, unobtrusive, reserved

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