Vocabulary List: General Vocabulary for High School
Overview
- Grade Level: 10th Grade
- Topic: General Vocabulary
- Number of Words: 50
Vocabulary Words
Abate
- Definition: To lessen in intensity or degree.
- Example: The storm finally started to abate, allowing us to go outside again.
- Pronunciation: uh-BAYT
- Synonyms: diminish, reduce, lessen
Benevolent
- Definition: Well-meaning and kindly.
- Example: The benevolent woman donated thousands of dollars to the charity.
- Pronunciation: buh-NEV-uh-luhnt
- Synonyms: kind, generous, charitable
Candid
- Definition: Truthful and straightforward; frank.
- Example: He gave a candid response to the question during the interview.
- Pronunciation: KAN-did
- Synonyms: honest, forthright, open
Debilitate
- Definition: To weaken someone’s physical or mental strength.
- Example: The disease can debilitate even the strongest athletes.
- Pronunciation: dih-BIL-i-teyt
- Synonyms: weaken, enfeeble, impair
Emulate
- Definition: To match or surpass, typically by imitation.
- Example: Students often try to emulate the achievements of their peers.
- Pronunciation: EM-yuh-layt
- Synonyms: imitate, copy, mirror
Facilitate
- Definition: To make an action or process easier.
- Example: The teacher's role is to facilitate the discussion among students.
- Pronunciation: fa-SIL-i-teyt
- Synonyms: assist, enable, aid
Gallant
- Definition: Bravely heroic; grand or impressive in appearance.
- Example: The gallant knight rode into battle without fear.
- Pronunciation: GAL-uhnt
- Synonyms: chivalrous, heroic, valiant
Hinder
- Definition: To create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in a delay or obstruction.
- Example: The heavy rainfall hindered our progress on the journey.
- Pronunciation: HIN-der
- Synonyms: impede, prevent, obstruct
Impassive
- Definition: Not feeling or showing emotion.
- Example: His impassive expression made it difficult to gauge his thoughts.
- Pronunciation: im-PAS-iv
- Synonyms: stoic, unemotional, impassive
Juxtapose
- Definition: To place or deal with close together for contrasting effect.
- Example: The exhibition juxtaposes modern art with classical sculptures.
- Pronunciation: juhk-stuh-POHZ
- Synonyms: compare, contrast, collate
Keen
- Definition: Having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm.
- Example: She had a keen interest in learning foreign languages.
- Pronunciation: keen
- Synonyms: eager, enthusiastic, sharp
Loquacious
- Definition: Tending to talk a great deal; talkative.
- Example: Her loquacious nature often led to lengthy conversations.
- Pronunciation: loh-KWAY-shuhs
- Synonyms: talkative, voluble, garrulous
Mundane
- Definition: Lacking interest or excitement; dull.
- Example: He found the mundane task of filing papers to be quite boring.
- Pronunciation: muhn-DAYN
- Synonyms: ordinary, dull, routine
Nostalgia
- Definition: A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.
- Example: She was filled with nostalgia while looking through old family photos.
- Pronunciation: nuh-STAL-juh
- Synonyms: homesickness, longing, wistfulness
Obscure
- Definition: Not discovered or known about; uncertain or unclear.
- Example: The meaning of the poem was obscure to most of the readers.
- Pronunciation: uhb-SKYOOR
- Synonyms: uncertain, ambiguous, unknown
Pragmatic
- Definition: Dealing with things sensibly and realistically based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.
- Example: His pragmatic approach to problem-solving made him an asset to the team.
- Pronunciation: prag-MAT-ik
- Synonyms: practical, realistic, sensible
Quaint
- Definition: Attractively unusual or old-fashioned.
- Example: The quaint village was a popular spot for tourists.
- Pronunciation: kwaynt
- Synonyms: charming, old-fashioned, picturesque
Resilient
- Definition: Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
- Example: Her resilient spirit helped her overcome many challenges.
- Pronunciation: ri-ZIL-yuhnt
- Synonyms: strong, tough, flexible
Scrutinize
- Definition: To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.
- Example: The detective will scrutinize every detail of the case.
- Pronunciation: SKROOT-in-ize
- Synonyms: examine, inspect, analyze
Tenacious
- Definition: Holding firmly to something; persistent.
- Example: Her tenacious attitude helped her achieve her goals.
- Pronunciation: tuh-NAY-shuhs
- Synonyms: persistent, determined, stubborn
Ubiquitous
- Definition: Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
- Example: Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.
- Pronunciation: yoo-BIK-wuh-tuhs
- Synonyms: omnipresent, everywhere, universal
Vicarious
- Definition: Experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person.
- Example: She felt a vicarious thrill reading about the athlete's victory.
- Pronunciation: vi-KAIR-ee-uhs
- Synonyms: secondhand, indirect, substitute
Wane
- Definition: To decrease in size or strength; to diminish.
- Example: The moon will wane in size over the next few weeks.
- Pronunciation: wayn
- Synonyms: diminish, decline, decrease
Zealous
- Definition: Having or showing passion and enthusiasm for something.
- Example: Her zealous support for the charity was evident.
- Pronunciation: ZEL-uhs
- Synonyms: enthusiastic, passionate, devoted
Adept
- Definition: Very skilled or proficient at something.
- Example: She is adept at playing the piano and often performs.
- Pronunciation: uh-DEPT
- Synonyms: skilled, proficient, expert
Belligerent
- Definition: Hostile and aggressive.
- Example: His belligerent attitude made discussions difficult.
- Pronunciation: buh-LIJ-er-uhnt
- Synonyms: aggressive, hostile, pugnacious
Concur
- Definition: To agree or have the same opinion.
- Example: I concur with your assessment of the situation.
- Pronunciation: kuhn-KUR
- Synonyms: agree, consent, collaborate
Deferential
- Definition: Showing respect or courteous regard for people's feelings.
- Example: She was deferential to her elders during the ceremony.
- Pronunciation: def-uh-REN-shuhl
- Synonyms: respectful, courteous, polite
Empathy
- Definition: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
- Example: He showed great empathy towards his friend in distress.
- Pronunciation: EM-puh-thee
- Synonyms: compassion, understanding, sympathy
Frivolous
- Definition: Not having any serious purpose or value; carefree and not serious.
- Example: The frivolous lawsuit was dismissed by the court.
- Pronunciation: FRIV-uh-luhs
- Synonyms: lighthearted, trivial, superficial
Gregarious
- Definition: Fond of company; sociable.
- Example: She is a gregarious person who enjoys being in large groups.
- Pronunciation: gruh-GAIR-ee-uhs
- Synonyms: sociable, social, outgoing
Haphazard
- Definition: Marked by lack of plan, order, or direction.
- Example: The project was completed in a haphazard manner that led to many errors.
- Pronunciation: hap-HAZ-erd
- Synonyms: random, disorganized, careless
Iconic
- Definition: Widely recognized and well-established; serving as a symbol.
- Example: The Eiffel Tower is an iconic landmark in Paris.
- Pronunciation: eye-KON-ik
- Synonyms: symbolic, representative, legendary
Judicious
- Definition: Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense.
- Example: He made a judicious decision to invest in the growing company.
- Pronunciation: joo-DISH-uhs
- Synonyms: wise, sensible, prudent
Kinetic
- Definition: Of, relating to, or resulting from motion.
- Example: The kinetic energy of the moving car was significant in the crash.
- Pronunciation: kuh-NET-ik
- Synonyms: dynamic, active, moving
Lucid
- Definition: Expressed clearly; easy to understand.
- Example: Her explanation of the topic was lucid and helpful.
- Pronunciation: LOO-sid
- Synonyms: clear, comprehensible, intelligible
Meticulous
- Definition: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
- Example: The artist was meticulous in crafting each detail of the painting.
- Pronunciation: muh-TIK-yuh-luhs
- Synonyms: careful, precise, detailed
Nurture
- Definition: To care for and encourage the growth or development of someone or something.
- Example: Parents are responsible for nurturing their children’s talents.
- Pronunciation: NUR-chur
- Synonyms: foster, cultivate, support
Oblivious
- Definition: Not aware of or concerned about what is happening around one.
- Example: He was oblivious to the noise outside while he studied.
- Pronunciation: uh-BLIV-ee-uhs
- Synonyms: unaware, ignorant, unmindful
Pertinent
- Definition: Relevant or applicable to a particular matter; appropriate.
- Example: The lawyer provided pertinent information during the trial.
- Pronunciation: PUR-tuh-nuhnt
- Synonyms: relevant, applicable, related
Quintessential
- Definition: Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
- Example: She is the quintessential student, always diligent and attentive.
- Pronunciation: kwin-tuh-SEN-shuhl
- Synonyms: typical, perfect, ideal
Rudimentary
- Definition: Involving or limited to basic principles; elementary.
- Example: His understanding of the subject was still rudimentary.
- Pronunciation: roo-duh-MEN-tuh-ree
- Synonyms: basic, fundamental, primary
Sanguine
- Definition: Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.
- Example: Despite the challenges, she remained sanguine about the future.
- Pronunciation: SAN-gwin
- Synonyms: optimistic, hopeful, positive
Tangible
- Definition: Perceptible by touch; real and not imaginary.
- Example: The impact of the project had tangible benefits for the community.
- Pronunciation: TAN-juh-buhl
- Synonyms: concrete, palpable, real
Uphold
- Definition: To maintain or support in the face of possible opposition.
- Example: The Supreme Court's job is to uphold the Constitution.
- Pronunciation: uh-POHLD
- Synonyms: support, maintain, sustain