Max Vocab

American schools grade 2-12

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K12 - 10th Grade

(434 words)
WordPOSDefinition
asperity
noun
Harshness or sharpness of tone, temper, or manner
bane
noun
A cause of great distress or annoyance
baneful
adj.
Causing harm or ruin
buffoon
noun
A person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
abstract
adj.
Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
doleful
adj.
Expressing sorrow or sadness
extrovert
noun
A person who is outgoing and enjoys being around others
extroverted
adj.
Outgoing and socially confident
garish
adj.
Excessively bright or showy
admonish
verb
To warn or reprimand someone firmly
hierarchy
noun
A system where people or things are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
imbue
verb
To fill or inspire with a feeling or quality
instigate
verb
To provoke or stir up
penchant
noun
A strong liking or preference for something
advocate
verb
To support or argue for a cause or policy
rambunctious
adj.
Uncontrollably energetic and noisy
repertoire
noun
A collection of skills or pieces a person can perform or use
rudiment
noun
Basic principle or element
undermine
verb
To weaken or damage something gradually
alternative
noun
A choice or option that is available instead of something else.
unremitting
adj.
Never relaxing or slackening; persistent
adjudicate
verb
To make an official decision about who is right in a dispute
adjudicator
noun
A person who makes a formal judgment or decision
centennial
adj.
Relating to a 100th anniversary
ambiguous
adj.
Having more than one possible meaning
countenance
noun
A person's face or facial expression
disgruntle
verb
To make dissatisfied or irritated
equilibrium
noun
A state of balance between opposing forces or actions
expedite
verb
To speed up a process or action
analogy
noun
A comparison between two things for the purpose of explanation or clarification
expeditious
adj.
Done with speed and efficiency
gird
verb
To encircle or bind with a belt or band
gratuitous
adj.
Unnecessary or unwarranted
illusory
adj.
Based on illusion; not real
anarchy
noun
A state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority
implacable
adj.
Unable to be calmed or pacified
luminary
noun
A person who inspires or influences others, especially in a particular field
manifesto
noun
A public declaration of intentions, motives, or views, especially of a political nature
mesmerize
verb
To capture someone's complete attention, often in a spellbinding way
assimilate
verb
To absorb or integrate into a wider society or culture
precedent
noun
An earlier event or action that serves as an example or guide
spurious
adj.
Not genuine or authentic
curtail
verb
To reduce or limit something
discriminate
verb
To treat a person or group unfairly based on differences
augment
verb
To make something larger or more substantial
discrimination
noun
Unjust treatment of different categories of people, especially on grounds of race, age, or sex
espionage
noun
The practice of spying or using spies to obtain information
inalienable
adj.
Not able to be taken away or transferred
incarcerate
verb
To confine in a prison
authentic
adj.
Genuine or real; not fake
incarceration
noun
The state of being confined in prison
indignity
noun
Treatment that causes one to feel shame or loss of dignity
indiscriminate
adj.
Lacking careful choice or planning
infamous
adj.
Well-known for a bad quality or deed
belligerent
adj.
Hostile and aggressive
infamy
noun
The state of being well known for a bad quality or deed
intercede
verb
To intervene on behalf of another
malign
verb
To speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner
perpetrate
verb
To carry out or commit a harmful, illegal, or immoral action
bolster
verb
To support or strengthen
perpetrator
noun
A person who carries out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act
rampant
adj.
Spreading unchecked and uncontrolled
rancor
noun
Bitter, long-lasting resentment
reparation
noun
Compensation given for a wrong or injury
bureaucratic
adj.
Related to the business of running an organization, or overly concerned with procedure and rules.
smattering
noun
A small amount or slight knowledge of something
accolade
noun
An award or expression of praise
adamant
adj.
Unyielding in attitude or opinion
adulate
verb
To excessively praise or admire someone
coalition
noun
A group formed for a common purpose
adulation
noun
Excessive admiration or praise
altercation
noun
A noisy argument or disagreement
annals
noun
A record of events, often yearly
assiduous
adj.
Showing great care and perseverance
cohesive
adj.
Sticking together or being united
chary
adj.
Cautious or wary
clique
noun
A small, exclusive group of people
decrepit
adj.
Worn out or ruined because of age or neglect.
endow
verb
To provide with a quality, ability, or asset
collaborate
verb
To work jointly on an activity or project.
endowment
noun
A financial donation given to an institution
ephemeral
adj.
Lasting for a very short time
ingratiate
verb
To gain favor by deliberate efforts
pantheon
noun
A temple dedicated to all gods
comply
verb
To act in accordance with a wish or command
perverse
adj.
Deliberately behaving in an unreasonable or unacceptable way
perversity
noun
Deliberate and stubborn resistance to guidance or discipline
tutelage
noun
Guidance or instruction provided by a mentor or teacher
acrimony
noun
Bitterness or ill feeling
concurrent
adj.
Happening or existing at the same time
acrimonious
adj.
Angry and bitter
affinity
noun
A natural liking or attraction to something or someone
ambivalent
adj.
Having mixed feelings
ambivalence
noun
The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone
connotation
noun
An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal meaning.
cessation
noun
The act of stopping something
emaciated
adj.
Abnormally thin or weak, usually due to illness or lack of food
enclave
noun
A distinct area or group enclosed or isolated within a larger one
engender
verb
To cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition
contingent
adj.
Dependent on something else
exacerbate
verb
To make a situation worse
illicit
adj.
Not allowed by law or rules
indigenous
adj.
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place
inexorable
adj.
Impossible to stop or prevent
criteria
noun
Standards or principles used to judge or decide something
infatuated
adj.
Having an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something.
infatuation
noun
An intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something.
insatiable
adj.
Impossible to satisfy
poignant
adj.
Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret
demeanor
noun
A person's outward behavior or manner
proselytize
verb
To try to convert someone to a different belief or opinion
ameliorate
verb
To make a bad situation better
baleful
adj.
Threatening harm or evil
berate
verb
To scold or criticize angrily
deplore
verb
To express strong disapproval of something
circumvent
verb
To find a way around an obstacle or problem
compunction
noun
A feeling of guilt or moral scruple
condone
verb
To accept or allow behavior that is considered wrong
diminutive
adj.
Extremely small in size
derogatory
adj.
Showing a critical or disrespectful attitude
euphemism
noun
A mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one considered too harsh or blunt.
expendable
adj.
Not necessary or worth keeping; able to be sacrificed
heresy
noun
Belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine
heretical
adj.
Holding an opinion that is at odds with what is generally accepted, especially in religion
disparity
noun
A great difference or inequality
infirmity
noun
Physical or mental weakness
infirm
adj.
Weak or frail, especially due to old age or illness
profane
adj.
Showing disrespect toward sacred things
recompense
verb
To give something to someone as a reward or as a payment for loss or suffering
disseminate
verb
To spread information widely
repast
noun
A meal or the food served at a meal
servitude
noun
The state of being under the control of someone else
castigate
verb
To criticize someone severely
colloquial
adj.
Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.
dissident
noun
A person who opposes official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state.
colloquialism
noun
Informal expression
epitaph
noun
An inscription on a tombstone in memory of the person buried there
exodus
noun
A mass departure of people
inter
verb
To place a dead body in a grave or tomb
distraught
adj.
Deeply upset and agitated
interment
noun
The act of burying a dead body
lacerate
verb
To tear or cut deeply
laceration
noun
A deep cut or tear in skin or flesh
largesse
noun
Generous giving of gifts or money
divert
verb
To change the direction or path of something
obituary
noun
A notice of a person's death, usually with a brief biography.
omnivorous
adj.
Eating both plants and animals.
permeate
verb
To spread throughout something
rendition
noun
A performance or interpretation, especially of a musical or dramatic work
docile
adj.
Easily taught, led, or controlled
resurgence
noun
A revival or increase after a period of little activity or decline.
stereotype
noun
A widely held but fixed and oversimplified idea of a particular type of person or thing
stipend
noun
A fixed regular sum paid as a salary or allowance
subservient
adj.
Excessively willing to obey others
dormant
adj.
In a state of rest or inactivity
adjacent
adj.
Next to or adjoining something else
beset
verb
To trouble or threaten persistently.
cede
verb
To give up control or possession of something, often unwillingly.
circuitous
adj.
Not direct or straightforward
egocentric
adj.
Focused on oneself and lacking consideration for others
desultory
adj.
Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
galvanize
verb
To stimulate or excite into action
implement
verb
To put into effect or action
inconsequential
adj.
Not important or significant
elusive
adj.
Difficult to find, catch, or achieve
magnitude
noun
The size or extent of something
materialize
verb
To become real or actual
muster
verb
To gather or bring together
prohibitive
adj.
Excessively high or difficult to afford
emulate
verb
To try to be like someone or something admired
reminisce
verb
To recall past experiences
reminiscence
noun
A memory or recollection of past events
reminiscent
adj.
Tending to remind one of something
vanguard
noun
The leading position in a movement or field.
equitable
adj.
Fair and impartial
visionary
adj.
Having or showing clear ideas about what should happen or be done in the future
cautionary
adj.
Serving as a warning
constrain
verb
To restrict or limit someone or something
constraint
noun
A limitation or restriction
estrange
verb
To cause someone to be no longer close or affectionate to someone else
flotilla
noun
A fleet of small ships
gossamer
noun
A fine, light, delicate material or substance
ignominious
adj.
Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame
incur
verb
To bring upon oneself
fabricate
verb
To construct or manufacture
liquidate
verb
To convert assets into cash
magnate
noun
A wealthy and influential person in business
misnomer
noun
An incorrect or inappropriate name for something.
onerous
adj.
Involving a great deal of effort and difficulty
facilitate
verb
To make an action or process easier
pandemonium
noun
Wild and noisy disorder or confusion
quixotic
adj.
Unrealistically idealistic
tenacious
adj.
Holding firmly to something
tenacity
noun
The quality of being determined and persistent
fraudulent
adj.
Involving deception, especially criminal deception
vestige
noun
A small remaining part of something that once existed
zephyr
noun
A gentle, mild breeze
attest
verb
To provide evidence or proof
axiom
noun
A statement or principle that is generally accepted as true
heinous
adj.
Extremely wicked or shockingly evil
axiomatic
adj.
Self-evident or universally accepted as true
churlish
adj.
Rude in a mean-spirited and surly way
concoct
verb
To prepare by mixing ingredients
concoction
noun
A mixture of various ingredients or elements.
imminent
adj.
About to happen soon
derivative
noun
A form that is based on another source
differentiate
verb
To recognize or express the difference between things
disparage
verb
To speak about someone or something in a way that shows strong disapproval
disparaging
adj.
Expressing the opinion that something is of little worth.
impetuous
adj.
Acting quickly and without thought or care
dissipate
verb
To scatter or disperse
esoteric
adj.
Intended for or understood by only a small group with specialized knowledge
olfactory
adj.
Related to the sense of smell
plethora
noun
An excessive amount
incongruous
adj.
Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects.
refurbish
verb
To renovate or redecorate something, especially a building
secrete
verb
To produce and release a substance, often in a biological context
vagary
noun
An unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or someone's behavior.
volatile
adj.
Likely to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.
inherent
adj.
Existing as a natural and essential part of something
agrarian
adj.
Related to farming or rural matters
burgeon
verb
To grow or develop rapidly
cataclysm
noun
A large-scale and violent event in the natural world.
cataclysmic
adj.
Causing great destruction or upheaval
lax
adj.
Not strict or severe; careless or negligent
culinary
adj.
Related to cooking or the kitchen
denigrate
verb
To criticize unfairly or belittle
gourmet
noun
A person with a refined taste for food and drink
grandiloquent
adj.
Using lofty, pompous language
meticulous
adj.
Showing great attention to detail
grandiloquence
noun
A pompous or extravagant manner of speaking
hybrid
noun
A combination of two different elements, often referring to plants or animals that result from crossbreeding.
manifold
adj.
Many and various
palatable
adj.
Having a pleasant taste
negligent
adj.
Failing to take proper care in doing something
panacea
noun
A solution for all problems or difficulties
plebeian
adj.
Relating to the common people; lacking refinement
scourge
noun
A cause of great suffering or a severe affliction
stalemate
noun
A situation where no progress can be made
nonchalant
adj.
Feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed
temperate
adj.
Moderate or mild, especially in climate
aftermath
noun
The consequences or results following an event, especially a disastrous one.
aphorism
noun
A brief saying that expresses a general truth or principle
catharsis
noun
The process of releasing strong emotions
oblivious
adj.
Not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one
cathartic
adj.
Providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions
cohort
noun
A group of people with a shared characteristic, often used in statistical studies.
culpable
adj.
Deserving blame
culpability
noun
Responsibility for a fault or wrong
obscure
adj.
Not clear or hard to understand
diabolical
adj.
Extremely evil or cruel
enormity
noun
The great or extreme scale, seriousness, or extent of something perceived as bad or morally wrong
gibe
verb
To make mocking or taunting remarks
innocuous
adj.
Not harmful or offensive
omnipotent
adj.
Having unlimited power
necessitate
verb
To make something necessary
odyssey
noun
A long, adventurous journey
partisan
noun
A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person
posterity
noun
Future generations or descendants
opportune
adj.
Occurring at a favorable or appropriate time
premeditated
adj.
Planned or thought out in advance.
scurrilous
adj.
Making or spreading scandalous claims with the intention of damaging someone's reputation
adjunct
noun
Something added or connected to a larger or more important thing
belie
verb
To give a false impression
oppose
verb
To disapprove or fight against
carnage
noun
Large-scale killing or destruction of life
dilemma
noun
A situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives
diverse
adj.
Showing a great deal of variety
diversity
noun
The state of having a range of different things or people
perfunctory
adj.
Done with minimal effort or reflection
eradicate
verb
To completely eliminate or destroy
flout
verb
To openly disregard a rule or law
foment
verb
To instigate or stir up trouble or rebellion
insurrection
noun
A violent uprising against an authority or government
precarious
adj.
Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse.
mandatory
adj.
Required by law or rules; compulsory
mitigate
verb
To make something less severe or serious
pretext
noun
A false reason given to hide the real reason
singular
adj.
Exceptionally good or great
precipitate
verb
To cause something to happen suddenly or sooner than expected
somnolent
adj.
Sleepy or drowsy
stalwart
adj.
Loyal and reliable
aberration
noun
Something that departs from what is normal or expected
antiquated
adj.
Outdated or old-fashioned
preclude
verb
To prevent something from happening or make it impossible
celestial
adj.
Related to the sky or outer space
certitude
noun
Absolute certainty or conviction
disburse
verb
To pay out money, especially from a fund
galaxy
noun
A vast system of stars, gas, and dust bound together by gravity
preposterous
adj.
Completely absurd or ridiculous
intractable
adj.
Difficult to manage or control
juncture
noun
A specific point in time, especially one made critical by a concurrence of circumstances.
juxtapose
verb
To place side by side for comparison or contrast
juxtaposition
noun
The act of placing things side by side for comparison or contrast
proficient
adj.
Skilled and experienced at doing something
maelstrom
noun
A powerful whirlpool
optimum
adj.
Most favorable or best condition
pillory
verb
To publicly criticize or ridicule
proliferate
verb
To increase rapidly in numbers or spread quickly
propensity
noun
An inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way
proliferation
noun
Rapid increase in numbers or spread
remiss
adj.
Negligent in the performance of one's duty
titanic
adj.
Extremely large or powerful
titan
noun
A person or thing of enormous size, strength, or influence
qualitative
adj.
Relating to the quality or characteristics of something rather than its quantity
abominate
verb
To feel intense dislike or hatred
abominable
adj.
Causing moral revulsion
abridge
verb
To shorten a text without losing the main idea
abridged
adj.
Shortened by having some parts removed
quantitative
adj.
Related to measuring or expressed as a quantity
animosity
noun
Strong hostility or opposition
auspicious
adj.
Favorable or promising success
beleaguer
verb
To cause constant or repeated trouble for
confidant
noun
A trusted person with whom one shares personal matters
recalcitrant
adj.
Stubbornly resisting authority or control
constituent
noun
A component part of something
iniquitous
adj.
Grossly unfair or morally wrong
inure
verb
To become accustomed to something, especially something unpleasant
inveigh
verb
To speak or write with great hostility
redeem
verb
To compensate for faults or bad aspects
predecessor
noun
A person who held a job or position before someone else.
sabotage
verb
To deliberately destroy or obstruct something, especially for political or military advantage.
sadistic
adj.
Deriving pleasure from inflicting pain or suffering on others
scathing
adj.
Severely critical or harsh
rejuvenate
verb
To make someone or something look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively
transpire
verb
To occur or happen
aura
noun
A distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround a person or thing
banal
adj.
Lacking originality or freshness
bemuse
verb
To confuse or puzzle someone
relegate
verb
To assign to a lower position or rank
cognizant
adj.
Being aware or having knowledge of something
cognizance
noun
Awareness or knowledge of something
conundrum
noun
A confusing or difficult problem or question.
evanescent
adj.
Quickly fading or disappearing
relinquish
verb
To voluntarily give up or let go of
factotum
noun
A person who does all sorts of work; a handyman or servant
grandiose
adj.
Impressive or magnificent in appearance or style, often to an excessive degree
induce
verb
To cause something to happen
intransigent
adj.
Unwilling to change one's views or to agree about something
repugnant
adj.
Causing a strong feeling of dislike or disgust
intransigence
noun
Unwillingness to change one's views or agree
laudatory
adj.
Expressing praise or commendation
panache
noun
Distinctive and stylish flair
picayune
adj.
Of little value or importance
resilient
adj.
Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
predilection
noun
A strong liking or preference for something
promontory
noun
A high point of land extending into a body of water
aggregate
verb
To collect or gather into a whole
allocate
verb
To distribute resources or duties for a particular purpose
retrospect
noun
Reviewing past events or situations
augur
verb
To predict a good or bad outcome
bastion
noun
A fortified place or stronghold
decorum
noun
Proper behavior and good taste
defunct
adj.
No longer existing or functioning
sanction
noun
A penalty for disobeying a rule or law
disarray
noun
A state of disorganization or untidiness
halcyon
adj.
Peaceful and happy
homily
noun
A religious talk or sermon, usually based on a passage from the Bible, given during a church service.
hyperbole
noun
Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally
spontaneous
adj.
Happening naturally without planning
importune
verb
To ask persistently and urgently
jurisdiction
noun
The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.
ruminate
verb
To think deeply or repeatedly about something
rumination
noun
Deep or considered thought about something
static
adj.
Unchanging or lacking movement
temerity
noun
Excessive confidence or boldness
winnow
verb
To remove chaff from grain by blowing air on it
acoustic
adj.
Related to sound or the sense of hearing
acoustics
noun
The qualities of a room that determine how sound is transmitted
stringent
adj.
Strict and precise
assemblage
noun
A collection or gathering of things or people
august
adj.
Inspiring admiration or respect
auspices
noun
Support or guidance
cavil
verb
To make petty or unnecessary objections.
subordinate
adj.
Lower in rank or position
curator
noun
A person in charge of a museum or art collection
extant
adj.
Still in existence; surviving
gamut
noun
The complete range or scope of something.
ineffable
adj.
Too great or extreme to be expressed in words
subsidize
verb
To support financially
mellifluous
adj.
Having a smooth, flowing sound
mien
noun
A person's appearance or manner indicating their mood or character
nonpareil
adj.
Having no equal; unrivaled.
patina
noun
A green or brown film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period.
tenuous
adj.
Very weak or slight
rapt
adj.
Completely fascinated or absorbed by what one is seeing or hearing
resuscitate
verb
To revive someone from unconsciousness or apparent death
amenable
adj.
Open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled.
ascribe
verb
To attribute something to a cause or source
travesty
noun
A distorted or grossly inferior imitation
charisma
noun
A compelling charm or appeal that can inspire devotion in others
charismatic
adj.
Having a compelling charm or appeal that can inspire devotion in others.
dearth
noun
A scarcity or lack of something
demoralize
verb
To cause someone to lose confidence or hope
tumult
noun
A loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people
ebullient
adj.
Cheerful and full of energy
ebullience
noun
The quality of being cheerful and full of energy
entrepreneur
noun
A person who starts and manages a business
entrepreneurial
adj.
Related to starting and running new businesses
unilateral
adj.
Performed by or affecting only one side or party
fatuous
adj.
Silly and pointless
harbinger
noun
A person or thing that signals or announces the approach of something.
homogeneous
adj.
Consisting of parts or elements that are all the same
homogeneity
noun
The quality of being uniform or similar
validate
verb
To confirm the accuracy or truthfulness of something
incumbent
noun
A person who currently holds a specific position or office
matriarchy
noun
A social system where women hold primary power
matriarchal
adj.
Relating to a social system where females hold primary power
neophyte
noun
A person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief
vindicate
verb
To clear from blame or suspicion
prerogative
noun
A right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class
sibling
noun
A brother or sister
accost
verb
To approach someone aggressively or confrontationally
avarice
noun
Extreme greed for wealth or material gain
zealot
noun
A person who is fanatically committed to a cause
bilk
verb
To cheat or defraud someone
consummate
adj.
Showing a high degree of skill and flair; complete or perfect
conversant
adj.
Familiar with or knowledgeable about something
credulous
adj.
Easily fooled or too ready to believe things
credulity
noun
Willingness to believe something without much evidence
euphoria
noun
A feeling of intense happiness or excitement
euphoric
adj.
Extremely happy or excited
fortuitous
adj.
Happening by chance, often in a positive way
hypothetical
adj.
Based on possible situations or ideas rather than actual facts.
hypothesis
noun
An idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proved
incoherent
adj.
Not clear or understandable
incoherence
noun
Lack of clarity or consistency
minuscule
adj.
Extremely small
pleasantry
noun
A polite remark or light conversation
procrastinate
verb
To delay or postpone action
procrastination
noun
The action of delaying or postponing tasks
qualm
noun
A feeling of uneasiness or doubt
stigma
noun
A mark of disgrace or infamy
stigmatize
verb
To mark someone or something as disgraceful or shameful