English 12 vocab

Accost

Approach and address (someone) boldly or aggressively.

Amnesty

An official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses.

Asylum Seeker

Someone who is seeking international protection from dangers in their home country, but whose claim for refugee status hasn't been determined legally.

Blasphemy

The act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; profane talk.

Brandish

Wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.

Cajole

Persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.

Carouse

Drink plentiful amounts of alcohol and enjoy oneself with others in a noisy, lively way.

Circumvent

To find a way around an obstacle.

Clandestine

Kept secret or done secretively.

Contraband

Illegal or prohibited traffic of goods.

Covet

Yearn to possess or have (something).

Cower

Crouch down in fear.

DACA

A U.S. immigration policy that allows some individuals with unlawful presence in the United States after being brought to the country as children to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become eligible for a work permit in the U.S.

Dehumanize

To deprive of human qualities, personality, or spirit.

Despondent

In low spirits from loss of hope or courage.

Destitute

Lacking something needed or desired; Lacking possessions and resources.

Devolve

Degenerate or be split into.

Dogged

Having or showing tenacity and grim persistence.

Edict

An official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority.

Extort

The practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.

Extremism

The holding of extreme political or religious views; fanaticism.

Fickle

Changing frequently, especially loyalties, interests, or affection.

Futile

Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.

Humanitarian

Concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare.

Immeasurable

Too large, extensive, or extreme to measure.

Immigrant

Someone who makes a conscious decision to leave their home and move to a foreign country with the intention of settling there.

Infidel

An unbeliever with respect to a particular religion.

La Migra/ICE

The offices dealing with immigration issues.

Migrant

Someone who is moving from place to place (within their country or across borders), usually for economic reasons such as seasonal work.

Penchant

A strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.

Peril

Serious or immediate danger.

Pilgrimage

A journey.

Pseudonym

A fictitious name, especially one used by an author.

Ramshackle

Appearing ready to collapse.

Raucous

Making or constituting a disturbingly harsh and loud noise.

Refugee

Someone who has been forced to flee their home because of war, violence, or persecution, often without warning.

Reprieve

A cancellation or postponement of punishment.

Reproach

To address someone in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment.

Scarcity

The state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage.

Transpire

Occur; happen.

Traverse

Travel across or through.

Tutelage

Protection of or authority over someone or something; guardianship.

Undocumented

Anyone residing in any given country without legal documentation. It includes people who entered the U.S. without inspection and proper permission from the government, and those who entered with a legal visa that is no longer valid.

Visa

An official document that allows the bearer to legally enter a foreign country; an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country.

Xenophobia

Fear, dislike, prejudice, and hatred of strangers, foreigners, or people from a different country.