Central High School College Prep English Vocabulary
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abdicate
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Definition: To give up formally, as an office, duty, power, or claim. Synonyms: resign, renounce, relinquish
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abet
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Definition: To encourage or assist, especially in wrongdoing. Synonyms: egg on, promote, help, aid.
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abhor
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Definition: To hate intensely Synonyms: loathe, despise, detest
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abject
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Definition: Wretched, miserable. Synonyms: disheartening, hopeless, helpless
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absolve
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Definition: To clear of guilt or blame Synonyms: acquit, exonerate, vindicate
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abstain
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Definition: To refrain completed and voluntarily. Synonyms: forgo, avoid, shun
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academic
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Definition: Pertaining to a college or institute of learning Synonyms: scholastic
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accede
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Definition: To yield to; to agree to Synonyms: agree, consent, comply
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acclimate
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Definition: To get used to (usually and environment or situation) Synonyms: adjust, adapt
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addiction
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Definition: A habit-forming practice or pursuit. Synonyms:
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adjourn
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Definition: close at the end of a session Synonyms: conclude, terminate
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adverse
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Definition: (adj) unfavorable, negative; working against, hostile Synonyms: unfavorable, unfriendly, antagonistic
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advocate
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Definition: (verb) speak, plead, or argue in favor of; (noun) a person who pleads in the interest of a cause or individual. Synonyms: (verb) support, uphold, recommend.(noun) proponent, backer
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aesthetic
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Definition: concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste Synonyms:
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affable
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Definition: courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to Synonyms: sociable, friendly
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affectation
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Definition: a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display Synonyms: pose, mannerism
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affluent
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Definition: prosperous, wealthy Synonyms: well-to-do, opulent
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agenda
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Definition: a list of matters to be taken up (as at a meeting) Synonyms: schedule, docket
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aggregate
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Definition: a sum total of many heterogenous things taken together Synonyms: mass, assemblage, consolidate.
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agile
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Definition: moving quickly and lightly Synonyms: nimble, limber, brisk
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alienate
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Definition: arouse hostility or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness Synonyms: estrange, antagonize
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allege
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Definition: To assert without proof or confirmation Synonyms: claim, contend, declare, affirm
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allude
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Definition: to refer to casually or indirectly Synonyms: hint at, suggest, insinuate
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ambience
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Definition:, environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature Synonyms: surroundings, setting
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ambivalent
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Definition:, uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow Synonyms: contradictory, conflicting, vacillating
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amnesty
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Definition: a general pardon for an offense against a government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution Synonyms: forgiveness, immunity
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anachronism
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Definition: something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred Synonyms: inconsistency, contradiction
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anarchy
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Definition: a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government) Synonyms: disorder, chaos, lawlessness
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anathema
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Definition: a cursed, detested person Synonyms: malediction, abomination
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anecdote
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Definition: short account of an incident (especially a biographical one) Synonyms: tale, story, episode
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anomaly
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Definition: deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule Synonyms: abnormality, oddity
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apathy
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Definition: a lack of feeling, emotion, or interest Synonyms: indifference, unconcern, aloofness.
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appall
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Definition: (v.) to fill with dismay or horror Synonyms: horrify, shock, astound
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apprehend
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Definition: take into custody Synonyms: seize, capture, nab
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arbitrary
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Definition: (adj.) unreasonable; based on one's wishes or whims without regard for reason or fairness Synonyms: judgmental, discretionary
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arbitrate
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Definition: act between parties with a view to reconciling differences Synonyms: adjudicate, mediate
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array
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Definition: to line up; to dress up Synonyms: align, assemble, draw up
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articulate
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Definition: (v.) to pronounce distinctly; to express well in words; to fit together into a system; (adj.) able to use language effectively; expressed clearly and forcefully Synonyms: (verbs) enunciate, clarify. (adjectives) fluent, eloquent
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askew
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Definition: twisted to one side, crooked; disapprovingly Synonyms: crooked, cockeyed, uneven
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assimilate
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Definition: to absorb fully or make one's own; to adopt as one's own; to adapt fully Synonyms: integrate, homogenize, fuse, merge
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astute
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Definition: Shrewd; keen in judgement, cunning Synonyms: shrewd, perceptive, sharp, sagacious, judicious
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asylum
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Definition: a hospital for mentally incompetent or unbalanced person Synonyms: sanctuary, refuge, haven
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atone
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Definition: to make up for or repent. Synonyms: redeem, reparation
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atrocity
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Definition: the quality of being shockingly cruel and inhumane Synonyms: outrage, barbaric, sadistic, grisly
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atrophy
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Definition: any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use) Synonyms: deterioration, decay, shrivel
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attrition
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Definition: rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition Synonyms: erosion, reduction
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augment
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Definition: to make larger, increase Synonyms: increase, enlarge, expand
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augur
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Definition: someone who can forecast the future by spotting various signs or indications of what is to come Synonyms: soothsayer, prophet, seer
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austere
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Definition: severe or stern in manner; without adornment or luxury, simple, plain; harsh or sour in flavor Synonyms: stern , strict, straitlaced
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authentic
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Definition: genuine, trustworthy Synonyms: real, true
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avarice
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Definition: extreme greed for material wealth Synonyms: acquisitiveness
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avid
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Definition: marked by active interest and enthusiasm Synonyms: zealous, ardent, passionate
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badger
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Definition: annoy persistently Synonyms: harass, torment, pester
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baffle
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Definition: To puzzle completely. Synonyms: perplex, mystify, bewilder
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banal
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Definition: dull or stale because of overuse; trite Synonyms: commonplace, trite
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belligerent
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Definition: given to fighting, warlike, combative, aggressive; one at war, one engaged in war Synonyms: combative, militant
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benign
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Definition: kind and gentle, wholesome or favorable Synonyms: benevolent, beneficial
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bicker
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Definition: a quarrel about petty points Synonyms: squabble, haggle, dicker
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bizarre
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Definition: (adj.) extremely strange, unusual, atypical Synonyms: grotesque, outlandish, freakish
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bland
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Definition: Mild; tasteless; dull Synonyms: calming, soothing, boring
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bleak
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Definition:(adj) desolate, Windswept, bare,cold, and gloomy Synonyms: barren, harsh, forbidden
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blight
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Definition: (noun,verb) To check or destroy the growth of. Synonyms: plague,wither, shrivel
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blithe
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Definition:(adj) Marry and carefree Synonyms: jolly, light minded
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boisterous
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Definition: (adj) Noisy, rowdy Synonyms: Loud, disorderly, and distuptive
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bombastic
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Definition: (adj) Pompous or inflated in language Synonyms: High sounding, swollen, and bloated
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boorish
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Definition: (adj) Rude or undefined Synonyms: Vulgar, rude, lout
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boycott
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Definition: (verb) To refuse to buy, use, or deal with as a way to protest or force acceptance of some form of behavior Synonyms: Embargo, Ostracize, black list, ban
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brash
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Definition: (adj) overly bold, hasty and thoughtless Synonyms: Reckless, Impetuous, Saucy
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bravado
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Definition: (noun) A boastful or swaggering show of false bravery/courage in general Synonyms: Swagger, cockiness, bluff
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brusque
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Definition: (adj) Overly short or abrupt Synonyms: Blunt, Gruff, sharp, to the point
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bungle
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Definition: (verb) To miss-mange or to make a mess of. Synonyms: Butcher, mangle, mar
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bureaucracy
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Definition: (noun) A complecated system of administrative agencies and officials; the officials themselves Synonyms: Government
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buttress
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Definition: (noun, verb) A support or reinforcement. Synonyms: Brace, pillar, strengthen
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cajole
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Definition: (verb) To persuade or obtain by flattery or deciet Synonyms: Induce, coax, and flatter
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callous
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Definition: (adj) Unfeeling or insensitive. Synonyms: Indifferent, unresponsive, hard noised
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calumny
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Definition: (noun) A false statement deliberly made up to injure a person Synonyms: Slander, lie
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candid
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Definition: (adj) Fair and impartial; Informal or unopposed Synonyms: Disinterested, objective, unbiased
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cantankerous
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Definition: (adj) Foul tempered and quarrelsome Synonyms: Irritable, Crabby, Grouchy, Cranky, Mr. Groom
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captious
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Definition: (adj) Quick to find petty faults or raise trifling objections; Overly demanding or fussy Synonyms: Niggling, Hypercritical, nitpicking, petty fogging, hair splitting
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catholic
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Definition: (adj) Broad or widely inclusive; general or universally world wide. Synonyms: Wide, Liberal, Global, Comprehensive.
