English Honors Vocabulary

Civic discourse

Having respectful and thoughtful conversations about important issues that affect a community or society; includes listening and working together to solve problems

Deplorable

Terrible and upsetting’ something that should not happen

Economic injustice

When some people don’t have the same chances to earn money, get jobs, or afford basic needs like food, housing, or health care because of unfair systems or rules

Egregious

Terrible or shocking in a way that stands out

Extrajudicial

A punishment that occurs outside of or without the authorization of the judicial system

Factory

A large building where people use machines to make things, often working long hours

Inhumane

Very cruel or unkind; not treating people with care or respect

Monopolistic practices

When a large company controls the market and uses its power to force smaller companies out of business

Social injustice

When people are treated unfairly or unequally just because of who they are, such as their race, gender, or where they live

Squalor

A very dirty and messy place, usually because of poverty or neglect

Tenement

A small, overcrowded apartment building where many poor families live, often in unsafe conditions

Unsanitary

Not clean or safe; can easily spread germs or make people sick

Imperiled

In danger or at risk of being hurt, harmed, or lost

Wharves

A flat area next to the water where ships and bats can stop to load or unload things, like boxes or supplies

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections

Suffragist

A person who advocates for the extension of voting rights, especially for women

Abolition

The act of ending something, most commonly used in reference to the ending of slavery

Abolitionist

A person who advocated for an end to slavery, especially before the Civil War in the US

Ratify

To formally approve or confirm a law, agreement, or constitutional amendment

Ratification

The official approval of a law or agreement, often by a vote

Contentious

Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial

Compelled

Forced or driven to take action, often by moral or legal pressure

Subordinate

Lower in rank or position; under the authority of another

Conviction

A firmly held belief or opinion, especially based on moral or ethical principles

Bigotry

Intolerance toward those who are different or hold different opinions, especially in matters of race, religion, or gender

Prominent

Important or well-known; standing out so as to be easily noticed

Appease

To pacify or placate someone by giving in to their demands

Committed

To be sent by authorities to a place to live

Degenerate

A person whose behavior or condition is considered to have declined from a previous or expected state of mental or moral health

Barbaric

Savage, not civilized; describing treatment or conditions that are cruel, inhumane, or lacking compassion in mental health settings

Asylum

A historical term for an institution providing care for individuals with mental illness

Usher

To lead or guide into a new phase

Institution

A facility or organization providing long-term care for individuals with mental illness

Condemn

To sentence someone to a particular punishment

Rebuke

To criticize or reprimand someone for inappropriate behavior or decisions in a care setting; express sharp disapproval of

Solicit

To request support, funding, or participation in something

Assimilation

The act of making something similar or alike

Atrocities

Extremely wicked or cruel acts

Coercive

Having power to control someone

Colonization

The act of colonizing or state of being a colony (group of people)

Dehumanizing

Take away human qualities

Derogatory

A show of extreme disrespect for another person

Nomadic

Living a life with wondering or movement across land

Oppression

The act of pressing down against someone

Preservation

The act of guarding or saving something

Ratification

The act of making something official

Restitution

The act of setting up again or restoring something

Suppression

The act of pressing or holding something down

Condescending

Showing a superior attitude toward others

Demeaning

Damaging the character, status, or reputation of something

Mythologizing

To create myths or stories about something

Canvas

A strong woven fabric used for making paintings and other items

Manifested

Easily understood by the mind

Habeas corpus

Legal procedure that requires the government to provide a public reason for detaining people in prison

Monopolies

Businesses that have full control over the supply of a product in a market

Impunity

Ability to act with freedom from punishment or loss

Incitements

Acts that provoke or urge another person or group to take some form of action

Ingenuity

The ability to think in new or inventive ways

Abridgements

Actions related to shortening something or reducing in size and scope

Prerogative

An exclusive or special right or privilege reserved for a specific individual or group

Colorable

Something intended to look true in order to deceive or trick

Usurp

To seize or take the place of by force or without permission

Plausible

Something that seems to be possible or true often in a deceptive way

Semblance

Outward appearance or likeness

Premise

An belief or basis for an argument