Vocabulary – Level F, Unit 2 Students: The white PowerPoint slides are used in the synonym section!

To improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming Ameliorate (Verb) To improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming Synonyms: Amend, Better Example: I ameliorated my vocabulary grade when I completed the quiz corrections.

Aplomb (Noun) Poise, assurance, great self-confidence; Perpendicularity Synonyms: Composure, Self-possession Example: His aplomb allowed him to do well in the interview.

Bombastic (Adjective) Pompous or overblown in language; Full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas Synonyms: Inflated, Highfalutin Example: The student used big words in his description, and the students hated his bombastic language (since he wasn’t as smart as he tried to seem).

Callow (Adjective) Without experience; Immature, not fully developed; Lacking sophistication and pose; Without feathers Synonyms: Inexperienced, Raw Example: The callow freshmen experienced a metamorphosis by the time summer arrived.

Drivel (Noun/Verb) (noun) Saliva or mucus flowing from mouth or nose; Foolish, aimless talk or thinking; Nonsense (verb) To let saliva flow from mouth; To utter nonsense or childish twaddle; To waste or fritter away foolishly Synonyms: Balderdash, Tommyrot Example: The teacher’s drivel bothered the students; they understood the concept based on the first example.

Epitome (Noun) A summary, condensed account; An instance that represents a larger reality Synonyms: Abstract, Digest Example: The lion represents the epitome of HHS. _______________________________________________

Exhort (Verb) To urge strongly, advise earnestly Synonyms: Adjure, Entreat Ex: Koosha exhorted, “Everyone must attend the Powder Puff game!”

Ex Officio (Adjective/Adverb) By virtue of holding a certain office Ex: Mr. Adam is the ex officio head of all school clubs; this is his right as the school’s principal.

Infringe (verb) To violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds Synonyms: Intrude, Encroach Ex: The juniors infringed on the college student’s party.

Ingratiate (verb) To make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense) (NEGATIVE CONNOTATION) Synonyms: Cozy up to, Curry flavor with Example: The presidential candidates ingratiated themselves to the citizens of America.

Interloper (noun) One who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder Synonyms: Trespasser, Meddler Ex: My family wanted to assist our cousin; they allowed the interloper to live with us for two months.

Intrinsic (adjective) Belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part Synonyms: Immanent, Organic Ex: I decided to go volunteer next week; this intrinsic motivation impressed my friends and family.

Inveigh (verb) To make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval Synonyms: Harangue, Remonstrate Example: The parents inveighed the student because of the poor interim grade.

Lassitude (noun) Weariness of body or mind, lack of energy Synonyms: Fatigue, Torpor Ex: My lassitude prevented me from writing my essay for English class; I wanted to sleep next to my cat.

Millennium (noun) A period of one thousand years; a period of great joy Synonyms: Golden Age, Chiliad Ex: I celebrated the millennium by drinking apple cider.

Occult (adjective/verb/noun) (adjective) Secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; mysterious, magical, uncanny (verb) to hide, cover up; to eclipse (noun) matters involving the supernatural Synonyms: Esoteric, Abstruse Example: The townspeople believed the occult powers of the Puritan girls allowed them to talk to the devil.

Permeate (verb) To spread through, penetrate, soak through Synonym: Pervade, flood, saturate Example: The artist permeated his artwork with a variety of colors.

Precipitate (verb/adjective/noun) (verb) To fall as moisture; to bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct form to (adjective) characterized by excessive haste; (noun) moisture; the product of an action or process Synonyms: Provoke, Produce Example: The rain precipitated their decision to host wedding indoors.

Stringent (adjective) Strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste Synonyms: Stern, Tough Example: Her parent’s stringent rules prevented her from having a party over the weekend.

Surmise (verb/noun) (verb) To think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (noun) likely idea that lacks definite proof Synonyms: Infer, Gather Ex: I surmise that Heritage will win the basketball game based on their hours of practice!