Honors English 10 Semester Study Guide

Coalesce

Come together to form one group or mass

Corroborate

To confirm or support with evidence

Curtail

To cut down or limit something

Decry

Publicly criticize or denounce

Derision

Mockery or ridicule

Gluttonous

Very greedy, especially with food

Languid

Slow, tired, or weak

Recluse

Someone who avoids others and lives alone

Repudiate

To reject or deny something

Vacillate

To be indecisive or change your mind often

Audacity

Extreme boldness or daring, often seen as rude

Congenial

Friendly, pleasant, or agreeable

Exacerbate

To make a situation worse

Facetious

Not serious; joking or playful

Galvanize

To shock or excite someone into action

Irascible

Easily angered; short-tempered

Mendacious

Lying; Dishonest

Pernicious

Very harmful or deadly

Punctilious

Extremely careful about manners and details. Very careful and exact

Solace

Comfort during a sad or difficult time

Aplomb

Self-confidence or calmness under pressure. Poise

Carte Blanche

Complete freedom or authority to act

Caustic

Critical, biting, or able to burn

Deride

To mock or make fun of

Extraneous

Not necessary; irrelevant

Indolent

Lazy or inactive

Myriad

A large number or variety

Pious

Very religious or devoted

Sagacious

Wise and showing good judgment

Vapid

Dull or uninteresting

Subordinate

Someone of lower rank or position

Naive

Lacking experience or wisdom

Reticent

Quiet or unwilling to speak

Deferment

A delay or postponement

Monotonous

Dull and repetitive; lacking variety

Amortize

To slowly pay off a debt

Platitude

An overused and unoriginal saying

Censure

To strongly criticize, especially officially

Permeate

To spread throughout something

Internment

Imprisonment, especially for political reasons

Antipathy

Strong dislike

Capitulate

To give in or surrender

Exorbitant

Too high or excessive, especially in cost

Exhort

Urge or strongly encourage

Incontrovertible

Undeniable or absolutely true

Lascivious

Sexually inappropriate or offensive

Mollify

To calm or soothe

Paradox

A statement that seems impossible but is actually true

Prudent

Wise and careful

Stigma

A mark of shame or disgrace