9th Grade Vocabulary

abhor

feel hatred or disgust toward

ambiguous

having more than one possible meaning

appalled

horrified, shocked

besiege

to overwhelm; to surround and attack

comprehensive

covering or including everything

conviction

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof

demeanor

the way a person behaves toward other people

diligent

hardworking, industrious, not lazy

elude

escape, either physically or mentally

exacerbate

to make worse

fortitude

strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity

implication

the act of suggesting or hinting

insidious

proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects

nonchalant

cool and confident, unconcerned

oblivion

the state of being disregarded or forgotten

proficient

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

rectify

to make right, correct

retort

to respond critically or sarcastically

speculative

not based on fact or investigation

sporadic

occurring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order

alleviate

to relieve, make more bearable

annihilate

to destroy completely

archaic

very old or old-fashioned

blatant

without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious

concur

be in agreement

cordial

warm and friendly

defunct

no longer existing or functioning

diplomatic

of or concerning the profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations

emulate

to imitate with the intent of equaling or surpassing the model

exemplify

to serve as a good example

heterogeneous

composed of unlike parts; different; diverse

homogeneous

of the same kind; alike

irksome

irritating; annoying

multifarious

having great variety; numerous and diverse

omnipotent

almighty, having unlimited power or authority

prerequisite

something required beforehand

redemption

the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil

reverberate

ring or echo with sound

surpass

be or do something to a greater degree

undermine

weaken or impair, especially gradually

aesthetic

concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty

altercation

an angry argument

aspire

have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal

callous

emotionally hardened, unfeeling

concurrent

occurring or operating at the same time

covert

secret or hidden

defile

to make unclean, impure

disconcerting

causing an emotional disturbance

ensue

take place or happen afterward or as a result

fallibility

the quality or likelihood of making errors

incredulous

not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving

indigenous

originating where it is found

irrevocable

incapable of being changed or called back

notorious

widely and unfavorably known

omniscient

knowing everything; having unlimited awareness or understanding

persecute

cause to suffer

refute

to prove incorrect

rotund

excessively large

stratagem

trick designed to deceive an enemy

vexation

the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried

afflict

to cause pain or suffering

anomaly

abnormality

avid

marked by active interest and enthusiasm

cognizant

having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization

consolation

comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment

credible

capable of being believed

denounce

to speak out against; to condemn

discordant

lacking harmony or agreement

enumerate

to count, list, or itemize

forlorn

sad and lonely

immaculate

completely neat and clean

jocular

characterized by jokes and good humor

jubilance

a feeling of extreme joy

nefarious

extremely wicked

politic

marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness

proponent

one who puts forward a proposal; one who supports a cause or belief

relinquish

turn away from; give up

sage

having wisdom that comes with experience

tremulous

quivering as from weakness or fear

vindictive

having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge

abyss

an extremely deep hole

antagonism

an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility

befuddled

unable to think clearly

compensate

to make up for; to repay for services

conspire

to plan together secretly to do something wrong or illegal

creed

any system of principles or beliefs

derogatory

showing a critical or disrespectful attitude

disparity

inequality or difference in some respect

equitable

fair, just, embodying principles of justice

harrowing

extremely distressing; terrifying

impediment

a physical defect; a hindrance, obstacle

industrious

characterized by hard work and perseverance

infamous

known widely and usually unfavorably

malign

speak unfavorably about

perturb

to trouble, make uneasy; to disturb greatly; to throw into confusion

reciprocal

given, felt, or done in return

repentant

feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds

salutation

an acknowledgment or expression of good will

surreal

beyond what is real or believable; bizarre

vitality

the state of being strong and active; energy