English 2 Vocabulary
3rd quarter
list 1 cacaphony - devoid






cacophony
capable
capacity
debilitate
detrimental
devoid
Cacophony (N.)
DEFINITION: A harsh discordance of
sounds; a meaningless mixture of sounds.
Synonyms: discord, noise, clamor
Sentence: He could not hear over the
cacophony of instruments in the band
room.
Capable (Adj.)
DEFINITION: Having power and ability.
Related words: capability (noun); capably
(adv.)
Synonyms: efficient, accomplished,
adequate
Sentence: You are capable of doing
anything you put your mind to and are
willing to work to achieve.
Capacity (N.)
DEFINITION: Maximum amount that
can be contained; power of receiving
impressions, knowledge
Synonyms: expanse; ability, competency
Sentence: He had a large mental
capacity for remembering names and
birthdays.
Debilitate (V.)
DEFINITION: To make weak or feeble.
Related words: debilitating (gerund),
debilitation (noun)
Synonyms: exhaust, weaken
Sentence: Being without food and water
greatly debilitated the lost hikers.
Detrimental (adj.)
Definition: tending to cause harm
Synonym: harmful, injurious
Sentence: In basketball, it is
detrimental for a player to
shoot forty times a game
instead of passing to his
teammates.
Devoid (Adj.)
DEFINITION: Lacking in; free from.
Related words: void (noun); avoid (verb)
Synonyms: barren, destitute, empty
Sentence: Her personality is devoid of
wit and creativity, which is why she is
single.
Practice
1. You are capable of passing this class
if you _________ and __________.
2. The cacophony debilitated my ability
to _________________.
3. The plane has reached the maximum
capacity for weight. We need to
_____________.
Practice
1. The cacophony of ______________
made it difficult ________________.
2. The ___________ debilitated the
__________ because ____________.
3. The devoid _________ looked like a
________________.
list 2 diversity - equivalent
 diversity
 domain
 enforcement
 ephemeral
 equanimity
 equivalent
Diversity (N.)
DEFINITION: The state or quality of
being different.
Related: diverse (adj.)
Synonyms: variety, multiplicity
Sentence: Cultural diversity can be
identified by the variety of languages
spoken in a country.
Domain (N.)
DEFINITION: A particular environment
or walk of life.
Synonyms: specialty, arena, area, field
Sentence: The study of English is in my
domain; mathematics is not.
Enforcement (Noun)
DEFINITION: The act of ensuring
obedience.
Synonyms: administration, insistence,
carrying out
Sentence: A decline in the number of
police officers makes law enforcement
more difficult.
Ephemeral (Adj.)
DEFINITION: Lasting for a short time.
Synonyms: brief, temporary, transient
Sentence: A fly has an ephemeral life
span.
Equanimity (N.)
DEFINITION: Calmness of temperament.
Synonyms: composure, poise, serenity,
coolness
Sentence: It’s important to maintain your
equanimity during stressful situations.
Equivalent (adj)
DEFINITION: equal in value, measure,
force, effect, significance, etc.:
Related words: equivalence
Synonym: equal
Sentence: His silence is equivalent to an
admission of guilt.
Practice
 There is a lot of diversity at Sonora.
For example, ________________.
 You need to take classes in the
_______ of Math in order to be a Math
teacher.
 You dated for three days. Your
relationship was as __________ as
Taylor Swift’s.
Practice
 Presidents must maintain their
_______________ during
______________.
 Five liters is equivalent to ________
milliliters.
list 3 euphoric - fester
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




euphoric
expansion
explicit
exposure
extol
fester
Euphoric (adj)
DEFINITION: a feeling of happiness,
confidence, or well-being sometimes
exaggerated in pathological states
Related words: euphoria (noun)
Synonym: joy, ecstasy, bliss
Sentence: Watching the Clippers win gives
one a sense of euphoria.
Expansion (n)
DEFINITION: the act or process of
expanding
Related: expand (v.), expansive (adj.),
expanse (noun)
Synonym: growth
Sentence: The school expanded the
building as more students enrolled.
Explicit (adj)
DEFINITION: Fully and clearly expressed
or demonstrated; leaving nothing merely
implied; unequivocal:
Related: explicitly (adv.)
Synonym: clear, exact, specific, precise
Sentence: The teacher gave explicit
instructions for homework.
Exposure (Noun)
DEFINITION: uncovering; putting in view
or danger
Related words: expose
Synonyms: showing, risk, airing, display
Sentence: You should always limit your
exposure to the sun. Even a brief exposure
to radiation is very dangerous.
Extol (v)DEFINITION: to praise highly
Synonym: praise, commend, worship
Example sentence: The people would extol
their king as if he were a God.
Fester, v.
Definition: to putrefy or rot.
Synonyms: rot, worsen
Example sentence: The untreated
wound was left to fester.
Practice
 I feel euphoric when _________.
 It is important to extol ___________
when they _____________.
 Many parents attempt to limit their kid’s
exposure to _____________.
 The ______________ will fester if
_________.
Practice
 It would not have taken me five hours to
build the desk if I had been given
_____________ instructions.
 I expand my mind by __________.
list 4 fundamental - initiative






fundamental
futile
incentive
indefatigable
infatuation
initiative
Fundamental (adj)
Def: serving as, or being an essential part
of; basic
Related: fundamentally, fundamentalism,
fundamentalist
Synonym: basic, essential
Example sentence: Using formulas is a
fundamental part of solving math
problems.
Futile (Adj.)
DEFINITION: Producing no result or
effect.
Related words: futility
Synonyms: ineffectual, useless, pointless
Sentence: Convincing someone that he or
she is wrong is often futile.
Incentive (noun)
DEFINITION: something which
encourages a person to do something
Synonyms: motivation, drive, reward
Sentence: Tax incentives have been
very effective in encouraging people to
save and invest more of their income.
Bonus payments provide an incentive
to work harder.
Indefatigable (Adj.)
DEFINITION: Unable to be tired out.
Synonyms: tireless, unflagging, unrelenting,
undefeatable
Sentence: Her indefatigable spirit helped
her overcome the greatest challenges in
her life.
Infatuation (N.)
DEFINITION: A foolish, short-lived
passion.
Synonyms: crush, obsession
Sentence: Teenagers often confuse
infatuation with true love.
initiative (n)
Definition: an introductory act or step;
leading action
Related: initiate (verb)
Synonyms: plan, proposal, idea
Example: There is a ballot initiative this year
to end the death penalty in California.
Practice
 It is futile to ______________ because
_____________.
 The fundamentals of passing the
CAHSEE are _______________.
 My indefatigable spirit will help me
____________________.
 My incentive to do well in school is
_____________________.
Practice
 Too many teenagers are infatuated
with _____________.
 Linda Jong used her initiative when
she ___________.
list 5 interminable - linger





interminable
laboriously
languid
liberal
linger
Interminable (Adj.)
DEFINITION: Seemingly without end.
Related words: terminal (adj.)
Synonyms: endless, eternal, never-ending
Sentence: A long, boring speech or
sermon is often described as
interminable.
Laboriously (Adv.)
DEFINITION: In a hard-working
manner.
Related words: labor, laborious
Synonyms: arduously, strenuously,
diligently
Sentence: They worked laboriously to
get an A+ on their project.
Languid (adj)
Related: languidly (adverb)
Definition: lacking in vigor or vitality; slack
or slow
Synonym: slow, lethargic
Example: On a hot summer day, I feel
languid and just want to sit by my pool.
Liberal (adj)
Related: liberally (adv), liberalism (n)
Definition: favorable to progress or reform,
as in political or religious affairs
Synonym: open-minded
Antonym: conservative
Example: Democrats have liberal views on
abortion.
Linger (v)
 Definition: to remain or stay on in a place
longer than is usual or expected, as if
from reluctance to leave
Synonym: loiter, hang out
Example: We lingered awhile after the party.
Practice
 Ivan D. worked laboriously to
______________________.
 An interminable day for me is
when ____________________.
 Languid students often
__________________________.
Practice
 A liberal view on gay marriage would
be _____________________.
 The memories of _________________
linger on in my mind.
list 6 lucid - nemesis
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
lucid
marginal
monitoring
monotony
nemesis
Lucid (adj)
Related: lucidly (adv)
Def: clear, logical, easy to understand
synonym: coherent
Example: She was in so much pain she
was unable to speak in a lucid manner.
Marginal (adj)
Related: margin (n), marginalized (adj)
Defnition: close to a limit; not considered
important
Synonym: minor, insignificant
Example: Green party policies that were
once considered marginal are
becoming mainstream.
Monitoring (v)
Related: monitor (v)
Definition: to watch over somebody or
something, especially in order to ensure
that good order or proper conduct is
maintained
Synonym: watch
Example: The government monitors some
phone conversations.
Monotony (N.)
DEFINITION: The quality of wearisome
constancy, routine, and lack of variety.
Synonyms: tediousness, dullness,
repetitiveness
Sentence: Some struggle with the
monotony of their daily lives and enjoy
the change of pace the weekend brings.
Nemesis (n)
Definition: something that a person
cannot conquer, achieve, etc.
Synonym: arch enemy
Example: The performance test proved
to be my nemesis.
Practice
 I will overcome my nemesis by
_______________.
 I can accomplish anything when I have
__________ instructions.
 Teachers monitor us by
________________.
Practice
 I like losing by a _________ margin
because _________________.
 I _____________ the monotony of
weekly vocabulary because _________.
list 7 objective - saturate
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


objective
paradigm
procure
propagate
punitive
saturate
Objective (Adj)
Related: objectively (adv)
Definition: not influenced by personal
feelings, interpretations, or prejudice;
Synonym: fair, unbiased
Example: A judge has to be an objective
overseer.
Paradigm (Noun)
DEFINITION: a model of something, or a
very clear and typical example of
something.
Synonyms: model, way of thinking
Sentence: Some educators are hoping to
produce a change in the current cultural
paradigm.
Procure (verb)
DEFINITION: to get something, especially
after an effort
Synonyms: get, obtain, acquire
Sentence: She's managed somehow to
procure his telephone number.
Propagate (V.)
DEFINITION: To spread; to make widely
known.
Synonyms: distribute, disseminate,
publicize
Sentence: It is your responsibility to
propagate the information about the
party.
Punitive (Adjective)
DEFINITION: intended as a punishment
Synonyms: disciplinary, corrective
Sentence: Detention is meant to be
punitive, not fun.
Saturate (V.)
DEFINITION: To fill completely.
Synonyms: flood, overwhelm, soak
Sentence: Make sure you saturate the
sponge before washing the car.
Practice
 I cannot be objective about
_________________ because
______________.
 I am going to procure a date to prom
by__________.
 The best way to propagate
information is __________.
Practice
 Our judicial system should be more/less
punitive because ________.
 The teacher saturated me with
information by __________.
 The social paradigm in America
changed when _______.
list 8 savor - tranquility
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


savor
scope
seclusion
succumb
tranquility
Savor (n)
Definition: to enjoy something without
hurrying (especially the taste)
Synonyms: relish
Sentence : You must savor the flavors
of a great piece of food, no matter
what it is.
Scope (n)
Definition: range of view, perception,
grasp, or outlook
Scope (verb) = to look for (to scope out
the area)
Synonyms: range
Sentence: The scope of vision one has
looking out at sea ends at the
horizon. The ability to perform
surgery is beyond the scope of a
nurse.
Seclusion (N.)
DEFINITION: The quality of being
separated from others.
Synonyms: privacy, isolation, hiding
Sentence: The seclusion found in one’s
room can provide needed tranquility.
Succumb (v)
Definition: to give way to superior force
Synonyms: give in, surrender, yield
Sentence: He succumbed to the dark side
after the promise of cookies.
Tranquility (N.)
DEFINITION: A state of peace and quiet.
Synonyms: serenity, quietude, calmness
Sentence: After a hectic day, we all seek
tranquility.
Practice
 I find tranquility by _________.
 Japan succumbed to the US during
WWII after we _________.
Practice
 My favorite food to savor is _______.
 Ivan was secluded because
___________.
 A person in the military scopes out an
area by _________.
English 2 Vocabulary
4th quarter
list 9 advocate - custom
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


advocate*
allocation
apathetic
conflagration
contrast*
custom
advocate
Allocation (N.)
DEFINITION: An amount set aside for a
specific purpose.
Related words: allocate (verb)
Synonyms: allotment, allowance, rationing
Sentence: Every month, my parents have
an allocation of money they save for our
vacation.
Apathetic (Adj.)
DEFINITION: Having or showing little or
no feeling or emotion.
Related words: apathy (noun)
Synonyms: indifferent, uninterested, listless
Sentence: All who are in favor should voice
their opinions and stop being so apathetic.
Conflagration (N.)
DEFINITION: A large destructive fire.
Related words: none
Synonyms: inferno, blaze, wildfire
a
Sentence: Ten homes were destroyed in the
conflagration that was started by an
arsonist.
contrast
custom
 customary
list 10 flagrantly - incidence
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



Flagrantly
Fundamental
gambol
generated
incidence
 Flagrantly (adj)
Def: in flagrant manner( flagrant: shockingly
noticeable or evident; obvious)
Synonym: obviously (adv.)
-Example sentence: The candidates flagrantly
expressed their anger towards each other.
fundamental
adjective 1 2 3
fundamentalism, noun
Definition: forming the
base, from which everything
else develops; more important
than anything else
Image:
Synonyms: basic
Sentence:
It's one of the fundamental differences
between men and women.
 Gambol (v)
Def: to skip about, as in dancing or
playing; frolic.
Synonym: frolic
-Example sentence: A deer gamboled on
the field.
 Generated (adj)
Def: brought into existence; produced
Related: generate (verb), generation (noun)
Synonym: made
Example sentence: The graphics and animations
were computer generated.
Incidence (n)
Def: the rate or range of occurrence or influence
of something, especially of something unwanted
Related: incident, coincidence
Synonym: occurence
- Example sentence: The high incidence of heart
disease in men over 40 is frightening.
list 11 indiscretion - palpitate
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



Indiscretion
martyr
obtuse
oppression*
palpitate
Indiscretion (n)
 Def: The characteristic of not being sneaky
 Related: indiscreet, indiscreetly
 Synonym: carelessness
-Ex. Sentence: His indiscretion keeps him from
being a ninja.
Indisputable (Adj.)
DEFINITION: Impossible to doubt.
Synonyms: sure, certain, proven
Sentence: There is indisputable proof that
sophomores are too smart for their own
good!
Invigorating (Adj.)
DEFINITION: Giving strength and
vitality.
Synonyms: strengthen, vitalize
Sentence: An afternoon nap can be
invigorating after a hard day’s work.
Martyr (noun)
DEFINITION: a person who suffers very much or
is killed because of their political or religious beliefs, and
is often admired because of it
Synonyms: sufferer, victim
She fought against racism all her
life and died a martyr to the cause.
Sentence:
Obtuse (adj)
Def: not quick or alert in perception,
feeling, or intellect; not sensitive or
observant
Synonym: dull.
Sentence: Many people have stereotypes
that blonds are obtuse.
oppression
Palpitate (v)
Def: to flutter or tremble
 Synonym: beat
 Sentence: His heart palpitated wildly.
list 12 panache - poignant
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



panache
pernicious
perpetuate
plausible
poignant
Panache (n)
 Def: a grand or flamboyant manner
 Synonym: style
Sentence: Jackie O. Kennedy was known
for her panache.
Pernicious (adj)
 Def: causing grave harm
 Synonym: deadly
 The Black Plague is a pernicious
disease.
Perpetuate (V.)
DEFINITION: To cause to continue.
Synonyms: maintain, preserve, sustain, keep
going
Sentence: It is unfortunate that society
perpetuates stereotypes about minorities.
Plausible (adj)
 Def: seemingly valid or acceptable
Synonym: possible, feasible
Sentence: His theory of the Clippers
being better then the Lakers is
plausible.
Poignant (adj)
Def: profoundly moving; emotionally
touching
Synonym: touching
Sentence: The scene in the movie was so
poignant that people started to cry.
list 13 preceding - pursuing
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



preceding
predilection
prime
profusion
pursuing
Preceding (adj)
 Def: coming before
 Synonym: previous
Sentence: Refer back to the footnote on
the preceding page.
Predilection (n)
 Def: a tendency to think favorably
about something in particular
 Synonym: preference
 Sentence: KRod has a predilection for
the Clippers.
Prime (adj)
 Def: first in importance; fundamental
 Synonym: main, first
Sentence: The prime source of production
of honey is bees.
Profusion (n)
 Def: great quantity, more than is
needed
 Synonym: abundance;
Example: Profusion of food in Africa
would alleviate the starvation problems.
Pursuing (Adj./V.)
DEFINITION: Following in an effort to
capture.
Synonyms: following, chasing, going after
Sentence: The police are still pursuing the
criminal.
list 14 rational - stability





rational, rationally
reconcile, reconciliation*
repent, repentance*
sojourn
stability, stable
Rational (adj)
 Definition: of sound mind
 Synonym: logical, sensible
 Related words: rationally (adverb), ration
(verb), rationalize (verb),
 antonym: irrational (adj)
Monks are by far the most rational people.
reconcile
repent
Sojourn (n)
 Definition: A temporary stay
 Synonyms: journey
 Related: sojourner (noun)
 Sentence: They had to make an
unexpected sojourn in La Habra for the
night.
Stability (n)
 Definition: the state of being continuous
without change
 Synonyms: consistency
 Antonym: instability (noun)
 Related: stable (adj.), stabilize (verb)
 Sentence: In this recession financial
stability is hard to find.
list 15 subsidiary - taboo





subsidiary
surmise
sustain, -able, -ably
symbiotic
taboo*
Subsidiary (adj)
 Definition: serving to aid or supplement;
secondary in importance
 Synonyms: secondary
 Related: subside (verb), subsidy (noun),
subsidize (verb)
 Sentence -Vitamins are subsidiary to child’s
growth.
Surmise (v)
 Definition: to think or infer without
strong evidence
 Synonyms: infer
 Sentence: He surmised that his
girlfriend was cheating on him.
Sustainable (v)
 Def: to keep up or keep going
 The land must be sustainable for life
before people move in.
Symbiotic (n)
 Def: a similar relationship between
interdependent persons or groups
 When a fish and a sea anemone live
together, that is a symbiotic
relationship.
taboo
list 16 transportation - utility




transportation
trend
trepidation
utility
Transport (v)
 Def: to carry or cause to go from one
place to another
 They transported the prisoner form one
jail to another.
Trend (n)
 Def: general tendency or direction
 It is hard to keep up with all the trends
these days because they change so
much.
Trepidation (n)
 Def: a state of fear or anxiety
 It is hard to overcome trepidation.
Utility (n)
 Def: the quality of practical use;
usefulness
-This chemical has no utility as an
agricultural fertilizer .