Vocab Set 10-15

Endow

To provide; to supply

Confound

To cause surprise or confusion

Assert

To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully

Undermine

To gradually weaken or damage

Paradox

A statement or situation that seems contradictory but may be true

Apt

Appropriate or suitable

Competent

Having the necessary ability or skill

Severity

The quality of being harsh, serious, or extreme

Dismay

A feeling of shock or unhappiness

Usurp

To take power or control without the right to do so

Nostalgic

Feeling happy and sad when remembering the past

Ornate

Highly decorated; complex in design

Hierarchy

A system of ranked levels or authority

Irrational

Not logical or reasonable

Bluster

Loud or threatening talk with little effect

Subordinate

Lower in rank or importance

Malicious

Intending to cause harm

Amend

To revise or make changes

Conform

To follow rules or expectations

Tout

To advertise or praise, often excessively

Permeate

To spread throughout

Incantation

Words spoken as a magic spell

Impervious

Not affected or harmed

Actuate

To cause a device to operate; to motivate action

Versatility

Ability to adapt to many roles or activities

Proclaim

To announce officially or publicly

Obeisance

Deep respect

Modest

Humble, not showy; not large in size or amount

Adorn

To decorate

Solitude

The state of being alone

Deplete

To use up a supply or resource

Solemn

Serious, formal, or deeply sincere

Proponent

A person who supports an idea or cause

Keen

Sharp; highly developed (especially senses)

Engulf

To surround and cover completely

Diverge

To go in different directions; become different

Squalid

Extremely dirty, poor, and unpleasant

Hypothetical

Imagined or suggested, not necessarily real

Pressing

Urgent; requiring immediate attention

Solicitation

A request for money, help, or information

Meddle

To interfere in matters that are not one's concern

Coarse

Rough in texture; rude or offensive

Reproach

To criticize or express disapproval

Immerse

To put completely under liquid; to deeply involve

Clout

Power or influence

Exacerbate

To make something worse

Dubious

Doubtful; uncertain

Plausible

Reasonable; able to be believed

Notion

A belief or idea

Impartial

Fair and unbiased

Swath

A long strip or area of something

Dabble

To try an activity in a casual or uncommitted way

Earnest

Sincere and serious

Vitality

Life, energy, and strength

Mimic

To imitate or copy

Agitate

To make someone nervous or upset; to campaign publicly for something

Practical

Effective in real situations; based on experience

Ominous

Suggesting something unpleasant may happen

Dominion

Control or power over people or land; territory ruled by a leader

Pretense

A false display or claim meant to deceive

Egocentric

Self-centered; focused mainly on oneself

Exploit

To use unfairly for personal gain

Comprise

To consist of; to be made up of

Plight

A difficult, dangerous, or unfortunate situation

Exemplify

To be a clear example of something

Momentous

Extremely important or significant

Reverberate

To echo or continue to be heard

Paternal

Fatherly; protective or guiding

Lament

To express sadness or regret

Mediation

A process to resolve conflict through discussion

Miser

A person who hates spending money

Supple

Flexible; able to bend easily

Oblivious

Unaware of surroundings

Sullen

Gloomy, silent, and unhappy

Imperative

Extremely important or urgent

Reminisce

To talk about the past with pleasure

Tranquil

Calm, quiet, and peaceful

Cleave

To cut or split into parts

Reluctance

Unwillingness to do something

Misgiving

A feeling of doubt or unease

Sparse

Small in number; scattered

Progenitor

Founder or originator

Absurd

Completely unreasonable or ridiculous

Premise

An assumption or idea on which something is based

Scrutinize

To examine carefully

Supplemental

Added to complete or enhance

Poignant

Causing sadness or deep emotion

Obscure

Not well known; difficult to understand

Ancestral

Inherited from ancestors

Gregarious

Sociable; enjoying company

Exert

To apply effort or power

Vigorous

Strong, energetic, healthy

Entreat

To beg or ask earnestly

Desolation

A state of emptiness or ruin

Notorious

Famous for something bad

Induce

To persuade or cause something

Pompous

Arrogantly self-important

Disparage

To criticize disrespectfully

Intact

Complete; not damaged

Verdict

A judgment or decision