Northern Highlands Regional High School
English 9
Vocabulary List 2
1. accelerate
Definition: To increase in speed.
Some doctors believe that smoking accelerates the pulse.
Related Forms: acceleration, accelerator
Synonyms: expedite, hasten, dispatch, advance
Antonyms: retard, slacken, hinder, obstruct
2. agitate
Definition: To stir forcefully or keep in motion; to disturb or excite (a
person’s mind or emotions); to stir up political, civil, or industrial unrest.
The bad news left the old man agitated and completely incapable of
dealing with the situation.
Related Forms: agitation, agitator
Synonyms: provoke, ruffle, shake, arouse, foment
Antonyms: soothe, pacify, placate, assuage, mollify
3. clarify
Definition: to make clear or understandable
Illustrations can often clarify a subject better than words.
Related Forms: clarification, clarity
Synonyms: enlighten, elucidate
Antonyms: obscure, muddle, obfuscate
4. digress
Definition: To turn aside; to get off the main subject in talking or writing.
In order to make classes more interesting, Mr. Kotter sometimes
digresses from the topic of the day by telling a humorous story.
Related Forms: digression, digressive
Synonyms: deviate, swerve, veer, stray
5. evoke
Definition: To call forth; to bring out
Freddie’s prolonged illness evoked considerable concern among his
classmates.
Related Forms: evocative, evocation
Synonyms: elicit, summon, suggest
Antonyms: suppress, repress, quell
6. fortitude
Definition: Courage or spiritual strength in the face of danger or difficulties.
The captain met the danger of the sudden attack by superior forces
with commendable fortitude.
Synonyms: courage, endurance, resolution, stoicism, bravery
Antonyms: weakness, trepidation, timidity, cowardice
7. jeer
Definition: To speak or shout derisively at someone; to abuse vocally
It is not polite to jeer at the mistakes our friends make.
Synonyms: ridicule, deride, taunt, gibe, mock, scoff, rail, sneer
Antonyms: applaud, compliment
8. nautical
Definition: Pertaining to sailors, ships, and sailing.
The old sailor spun a fascinating yarn that he had heard in his
nautical life all over the world.
Related Forms: aeronautics
Synonyms: marine, naval, oceanic, maritime
9. rant
Definition: To use noisy or violently extravagant language; violent or
extravagant speech or writing.
My mom was ranting and raving like a mad lunatic because I was
watching “Spongebob Squarepants” instead of doing my homework.
Synonyms: bluster, rave, rail; diatribe, tirade
10. vain
Definitions: Having no real value or chance of success; Having or showing
an excessively high regard for one’s self, looks possessions, ability; conceited.
She made some vain promises that she had no intention of fulfilling.
“You’re so vain, I bet you think this song is about you, don’t you,
don’t you?”
Synonyms: empty, futile, fruitless; conceited, proud, egotistical
Antonyms: effective; modest, humble, unobtrusive, reserved