BURNETT/ 9 HONORS ENGLISH
VOCABULARY LIST 8
1. Adamant
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): unshakable or insistent, especially in maintaining a position or opinion,
unyielding
synonyms: implacable, obstinate, inflexible
antonyms: acquiescent, amenable, compliant
sample sentence: We've tried to talk him into coming with us, but he's adamant about
staying here.
2. Brevity
part of speech: noun
definition(s): shortness or conciseness of expression; shortness of duration
synonyms: briefness, conciseness
antonyms: lengthiness
sample sentence: The best quality a graduation speech can have is brevity.
3. Corroborate
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to support with evidence or authority; make more certain; to support or help
prove by providing information or evidence
synonyms: authenticate, confirm, substantiate
antonyms: disprove, rebut, refute
sample sentences: My personal experience does not corroborate your faith in the
essential goodness of people.
The witnesses corroborated the policeman's testimony.
other part of speech forms: noun- corroboration
adjective- corroborative
4. Demur
1. part of speech: verb
1. definition(s): to take exception; to object
1. synonyms: object, expostulate, remonstrate
1. sample sentences: Don't hesitate to demur to the idea if you have any qualms.
She suggested that he would win easily, but he demurred, saying he
expected the election to be close
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part of speech: noun
definition(s): An act of disagreeing about something
synonyms: challenge, objection, complaint
sample sentence: We accepted his offer to pay for our dinners without demur.
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5. Duress
part of speech: noun
definition(s): compulsion by threat; forcible confinement
synonyms: intimidation, coercion
antonyms: persuasion, coaxing, sweet talk, cajolery
sample sentence: Political prisoners are sometimes subjected to a mild form of duress
called house arrest.
6. Exhilarate
part of speech: verb
definition: to enliven, cheer, give spirit or liveliness to
synonyms: stimulate, excite, gladden
antonyms: discourage, dispirit, dishearten, inhibit
sample sentence: The first landing on the moon, in the summer of 1969, exhilarated the
nation.
other part of speech forms: adjective- exhilarative
7. Exploit
1. part of speech: verb
1. definition(s): 1. to make productive use of, utilize
2. to make use of meanly or unfairly for one's own advantage
1. synonyms: abuse, capitalize, impose
1. sample sentences: He has never fully exploited his talents.
She said the tragedy had been exploited by the media.
2. part of speech: noun
2. definition(s): a brave or daring act or deed
2. synonyms: feat, deed, stunt
2. sample sentence: Once famed as an actor, John Wilkes Booth is now remembered for
a single exploit, his assassination of Lincoln.
8. Furtive
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): 1. done by stealth, in a sneaky or sly manner; surreptitious
2. obtained underhandedly, stolen
synonyms: sneaky, shady, stealthy
antonyms: overt, open, public
sample sentence: He cast a furtive glance in our direction.
9. Impassive
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): giving no sign of feeling or emotion; unsusceptible to or destitute of
emotion,
synonyms: apathetic, phlegmatic, emotionless
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antonyms: demonstrative, passionate, vehement
sample sentence: Her face remained impassive throughout the trial.
10. Lament
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to mourn aloud, wail; to express sorrow, mourning, or regret for
synonyms: bemoan, grieve, mourn
antonyms: delight, exult, rejoice
sample sentence: She lamented over the loss of her best friend.
part of speech: noun
definition(s): 1. crying out in grief, wailing
2. dirge, elegy
3. complaint
synonyms: groan, lamentation, keen
antonyms: exultation, rejoicing
sample sentences: The poem is a lament for a lost love.
The history teacher tried to explain the national lament that was heard
when President Kennedy was assassinated.
11. Muse
1. part of speech: verb
1. definition(s): to think about in a dreamy way, ponder
1. synonyms: meditate, contemplate, daydream
1. sample sentence: Philosophers have always mused on the meaning of life
2. part of speech: noun
2. definition: a source of inspiration; a guiding genius
2. sample sentence: The struggling artist wished for a muse to end his lack of
inspiration.
12. Notorious
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): generally known and talked of; widely and unfavorably known
synonyms: discreditable, ignominious, infamous
antonyms: reputable, honorable, respectable
sample sentence: The coach is notorious for his violent outbursts.
13. Prospect
1. part of speech: noun
1. definition(s): 1. looking forward to something, anticipation; something that is waited
for or expected, possibility
2. a wide view
3. a possible buyer or customer; a likely candidate
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1. synonyms: command, outlook, perspective
1. antonym: noncandidate
1. sample sentences: She is excited by the prospect of going to Europe for the summer.
There was no prospect that the two parties would reach an
agreement anytime soon.
The young baseball player is considered a top prospect
2. part of speech: verb
2. definition(s): to explore for
2. synonyms: hunt, probe, search
2. sample sentence: Soon all manner of people had arrived in the valley to prospect it
for gold.
14. Purloin
part of speech: verb
definition(s): steal; to take wrongfully and often by a breach of trust
synonyms: appropriate, pilfer, thieve
sample sentence: The studio stepped up security, fearing that someone might attempt to
purloin a copy of the script for the show's season finale.
15. Recluse
part of speech: noun
definition(s): a person who leads a secluded or solitary life
synonyms: hermit, anchorite
sample sentence: My neighbor is a recluse—I only see him about once a year.
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): marked by withdrawal from society, solitary
sample sentence: For years, brown recluse spiders have been blamed for bites on humans
and pets.
16. Sordid
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): very dirty, filthy; vile; meanly greedy, covetous
synonyms: befouled, sullied, bedraggled
antonyms: clean, immaculate, spotless
sample sentences: He shared the sordid details of his past.
He managed to rise above the sordid streets upon which he grew up.
17. Stout
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): 1. strong of character, brave, bold
2. physically strong, sturdy, vigorous; forceful
3. bulky in body, overweight
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synonyms: hard, strong, vigorous
antonyms: delicate, tender, weak
sample sentence: His lawyer put up a stout defense in court.
18. Subordinate
part of speech: noun
definition(s): someone who has less power or authority than someone else
sample sentence: She leaves the day-to-day running of the firm to her subordinates.
part of speech: adjective
definition(s): in a position of less power or authority; less important than
synonyms: inferior, junior, minor
antonyms: superior, senior, major
sample sentence: The priests are subordinate to the bishops.
In some cultures, the welfare of the individual is subordinate to the
welfare of the group.
part of speech: verb
definition(s): to think of or treat as less important than someone or something else
synonyms: dominate, pacify, subjugate
sample sentence: It is one of the lessons of history that more powerful civilizations often
subordinate weaker ones.
19. Trammel
part of speech: verb
definition(s): 1. to limit or restrict unfairly; to prevent or impede the free play of,
confine;
2. to catch or hold in or as if in a net, enmesh
synonyms: enfetter, shackle, chain, hamper
antonyms: unbind, unfetter
sample sentences: They will gather to protest laws that trammel our rights as citizens.
Years after his death, she was still trammeled by inconsolable grief for
her deceased husband.
20. Turmoil
part of speech: noun
definition(s): a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion
synonyms: disquiet, ferment, unrest
antonyms: calm, peace, tranquility
sample sentence: The country has been in a period of political turmoil for the past 10
years.
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