english 12 vocab lists 1-10

thanks mrs. daut

pensive

engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought

gallant

(of a person or their behavior) brave; heroic

furtively

in a way that attempts to avoid notice or attention; secretively

diligently

in a way that shows care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties

respite

a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant

lurid

adververy vivid in color, especially so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect

adversary

one’s opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute

burgeoning

beginning to grow or increase rapidly; flourishing

nullified

make legally null and void; invalidate

parry

ward off (a weapon or attack) with a countermove

copious

abundant in supply or quality

deftly

in a way that is neatly skillful and quick in movement

gullible

easily persuaded to believe something

mollify

appease the anger or anxiety of (someone)

parch

make or become dry through intense heat

pernicious

having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

poignant

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret

solicitous

characterized by showing interest or concern

steadfast

resolutely or dutifully firm or unwavering

writhe

make continual twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body

adhere

stick fast to (a surface or substance)

condolence

an expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of death

equinox

the time when the sun crosses the celestial equator

nocturnal

done, occurring, or active at night

agnostic

a person who does not have a definite belief about whether God exists or not

doleful

expressing sorrow; mournful

inherent

existing in something as permanent, essential, or characteristic attitude

prognosis

the likely course of a disease or ailment

coherent

(of an argument, theory, or policy) logical and consistent

dolorous

feeling or expressing great sorrow or distress

abstemious

not self-indulgent, especially when eating and drinking

muse

a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist

dissemble

conceal one’s true motives, feelings, or beliefs

listless

(of a person or their manner) lacking energy or enthusiasm

sequester

isolate or hide away

raze

completely destroy (a building, town, or other site)

acrimonious

(typically of a speech or a debate) angry and bitter

immutable

unchanging over time or unable to be changed

negate

nullify; make ineffective

garrulous

excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters

adamant

refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind

cajole

persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery

complacent

showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievement

despondent

in low spirits from loss of hope or courage

emulate

match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation

hamper

hinder or impede the movement or progress of

pertinent

relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite

reciprocate

respond to (a gesture or action) by making a corresponding one

scintillating

sparkling or shining brightly

supplant

supercede and replace

demagogue

a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument

endemic

(of a disease) regularly occurring within an area or community

obdurate

stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.

penance

voluntary self-punishment inflicted as an outward expression of repentance for having done wrong.

demographic

the qualities (such as age, sex, and income) of a specific group of people

endurance

the ability to withstand hardship or adversity, especially over a prolonged period of time

pandemic

a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease over a whole country or the world at a particular time

penitent

feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant.

epidemic

a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time

duress

threats, violence, constraints, or other action brought to bear on someone to do something against their will or better judgment.

lavish

sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious

methodical

done according to a systematic or established form of procedure

mundane

lacking interest or excitement; dull

notoriety

the state of being famous or well known for some bad quality or deed

paltry

something that is trashy, inferior, or of little value

reproach

address (someone) in such a way to express disapproval or disappointment

smirk

smile in an irritatingly, smug, or conceited way

torpor

a state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy

unkempt

(especially of a person) having an untidy or disheveled appearance

venture

a risky or daring journey or undertaking

saunter

walk in a relaxed, slow manner without effort

muse

to consider something thoughtfully or to think deeply about something

egregious

outstandingly bad; shocking

gregarious

(of a person) fond of company; sociable

stoic

a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining

tawdry

showy but cheap and poor of quality

kindle

to arouse an interest or passion in something; to catch fire

hypocrisy

the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform

panacea

a solution or remedy for all difficulties

temerity

excessive confidence or boldness

avarice

Extreme greed for wealth or material gain

blighted

have a severely detrimental effect on

constraint

a limitation or restriction

depravity

moral corruption; wickedness

fecund

producing or capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth; fertile

megalomania

obsession with the exercise of power; especially in the domination of others

obstreperous

noisy and difficult to control

predominance

the state or condition of being greater in number or amount

quandary

a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation

surfeited

cause (someone) to desire no more of something as a result of having consumed or done it to excess

amoral

lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of something

anitpathy

a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion

derisive

expressing contempt or ridicule

derogatory

showing a critical or disrespectful attitude

disconsolate

without consolation or comfort; unhappy

illusory

a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clera view

irrelevant

not related or pertinent to the matter at hand; not important or connected to what is being discussed

malcontent

a person who is dissatisfied and rebellious

nonentity

a person or thing with no special or interesting qualities; an unimportant person or thing

oblivious

not aware of or not concerned about what is happening