Section 1: honors English 11 vocab

intercede (v.) — to plead on behalf of someone else

The lawyer decided to ________ on behalf of the defendant.

intercede (v.) — to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement

My teacher had to ________ between the two students after their argument.

expostulate (v.) — to attempt to dissuade someone from a course or decision by earnest reasoning

I tried to ________ with my friend before she made a decision she would regret.

decadence (n.) — decline, decay, or deterioration

The abandoned buildings were evidence of the city's ________.

decadence (n.) — a condition or period of decline or decay

Historians described the final years of the empire as a period of ________.

decadence (n.) — excessive self-indulgence

The extravagant parties and constant spending were signs of the society's ________.

unctuous (adj.) — excessively smooth or smug

The ________ salesman complimented everyone in the room in an obvious attempt to make a sale.

unctuous (adj.) — trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety

His ________ apology sounded more like an attempt to impress the audience than genuine remorse.

unctuous (adj.) — fatty or oily

The ________ sauce left a greasy film on the plate.

unctuous (adj.) — pliable

The ________ material could be bent and shaped without breaking.

approbation (n.) — the expression of approval or favorable opinion; praise

The scientist received widespread ________ for her groundbreaking research.

approbation (n.) — official approval

The project could not begin without the ________ of the city council.

lurid (adj.) — causing shock, horror, or revulsion

The newspaper published a ________ description of the gruesome crime.

lurid (adj.) — sensational

The magazine was known for its ________ headlines designed to attract readers.

lurid (adj.) — pale or sallow in color

His face became a ________ yellow under the harsh fluorescent lights.

lurid (adj.) — terrible or passionate in intensity or lacking restraint

The novel portrayed the ________ passions of a family consumed by jealousy.

assuage (v.) — to make easier or milder; relieve

The medicine helped ________ her severe headache.

assuage (v.) — to quiet or calm

The teacher spoke gently to ________ the frightened child's fears.

assuage (v.) — to put an end to

The new policy was intended to ________ concerns about unfair treatment.

assuage (v.) — to appease, satisfy, or quench

He drank a glass of water to ________ his thirst.

meritorious (adj.) — worthy; deserving recognition or praise

The student received an award for her ________ academic achievements.

coalition (n.) — a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

Several environmental groups formed a ________ to oppose the proposed factory.

hackneyed (adj.) — used so often as to lack freshness or originality

The movie relied on ________ clichés about the hero saving the day.

transcend (v.) — to rise above or beyond; exceed

Her extraordinary performance seemed to ________ the expectations of the audience.

prerogative (n.) — a special right or privilege

Choosing the team's captain is the coach's ________.

prerogative (n.) — a special quality showing excellence

Creativity was once considered the ________ of a select group of artists.

jaded (adj.) — wearied or worn-out

After working twelve-hour shifts for months, the nurse felt completely ________.

jaded (adj.) — dulled by excessive indulgence

After years of luxury and travel, he had become ________ and was no longer impressed by expensive experiences.

petulant (adj.) — peevish; annoyed by trifles; easily irritated and upset

The ________ child began complaining because he had to wait five minutes.

innuendo (n.) — a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference, often derogatory

The politician made an ________ that his opponent was dishonest without directly accusing him.

hiatus (n.) — a gap or opening

There was a small ________ in the fence where the hikers could squeeze through.

hiatus (n.) — a break in the sense of having an element missing

The television show went on ________ for several months before returning.

provincial (n.) — a person with a narrow point of view

His ________ made him suspicious of customs that were unfamiliar to him.

provincial (n.) — a person from an outlying area

The city officials welcomed several ________ who had traveled from remote villages.

provincial (n.) — a soldier from a province or colony

The army recruited ________ soldiers from distant colonies.

umbrage (n.) — shade cast by trees; foliage

We rested beneath the cool ________ of the oak trees.

umbrage (n.) — giving shade

The large branches provided ________ for the garden below.

umbrage (n.) — an overshadowing influence or power

The smaller nation struggled under the ________ of its powerful neighbor.

umbrage (n.) — offense; resentment

She took ________ at his rude comment.

umbrage (n.) — a vague suspicion

His sudden change in behavior gave me ________ that something was wrong.

elicit (v.) — to draw forth or bring out from some source, such as another person

The teacher asked an open-ended question to ________ thoughtful responses from the class.

simulate (v.) — to make a pretense of; imitate

The training program allows pilots to ________ an emergency landing.

simulate (v.) — to show the outer signs of

The actor managed to ________ fear convincingly during the performance.

provincial (adj.) — pertaining to an outlying area; local

The ________ government announced new regulations affecting rural communities.

provincial (adj.) — narrow in mind or outlook; countrified, limited, or backward

His ________ attitude made him suspicious of unfamiliar customs and ideas.