lucid (adj.)	clear and easy to understand · Synonym: clear · e.g. Her lucid explanation finally made fractions make sense to me.
stifle (verb.)	hold back or stop from happening · Synonym: hold back · e.g. Mia stifled a giggle during the silent assembly.
strategy (noun.)	a careful plan for reaching a goal · Synonym: plan · e.g. Our team's strategy was to tire out the other side early.
emphatic (adj.)	said with force to show importance · Synonym: forceful · e.g. Dad gave an emphatic no when I asked for a pet snake.
coherent (adj.)	logical and clearly connected · Synonym: logical · e.g. Lia's essay was coherent, with each idea leading to the next.
subdue (verb.)	bring under control; overcome · Synonym: control · e.g. Firefighters worked all night to subdue the forest fire.
surplus (noun.)	an amount more than what is needed · Synonym: excess · e.g. The farm sold its surplus of apples at the market.
complacent (adj.)	too satisfied with oneself to keep trying hard · Synonym: smug · e.g. After two easy wins, the team grew complacent and lost.
succumb (verb.)	give in to a force or pressure · Synonym: give in · e.g. Eventually Noah succumbed to temptation and ate the last cookie.
apathetic (adj.)	showing no interest or concern · Synonym: uninterested · e.g. The apathetic audience barely clapped after the show ended.
abrasive (adj.)	harsh and rough in manner or texture · Synonym: harsh · e.g. Her abrasive comments made the new teammates uncomfortable.
turmoil (noun.)	a state of great confusion or disorder · Synonym: chaos · e.g. The kitchen was in turmoil before the big family dinner.
thwart (verb.)	stop someone from doing what they planned · Synonym: prevent · e.g. A tall fence thwarted the raccoons' attempts to reach the trash.
agitated (adj.)	nervous, upset, and unable to stay calm · Synonym: upset · e.g. The agitated cat paced back and forth during the storm.
animated (adj.)	full of life and excitement · Synonym: lively · e.g. The children had an animated discussion about their favorite dinosaurs.
undermine (verb.)	weaken gradually or secretly · Synonym: weaken · e.g. Constant teasing can undermine a child's confidence.
virtue (noun.)	a good quality in a person's character · Synonym: goodness · e.g. Patience is a virtue when you are waiting for bread to rise.
articulate (adj.)	able to express ideas clearly in words · Synonym: well-spoken · e.g. The articulate student explained the plan to the school board.
attentive (adj.)	carefully listening, watching, and noticing · Synonym: alert · e.g. The attentive waiter refilled our water glasses before we asked.
wane (verb.)	gradually become smaller or weaker · Synonym: fade · e.g. Interest in the new video game waned after a few weeks.
wrath (noun.)	extreme anger · Synonym: rage · e.g. The students feared the coach's wrath after losing the new uniforms.
awkward (adj.)	uncomfortable or clumsy · Synonym: clumsy · e.g. There was an awkward silence after his joke fell flat.
wield (verb.)	hold and use a tool or power with skill · Synonym: handle · e.g. The chef wielded her knife with amazing speed.
belligerent (adj.)	eager to fight or argue · Synonym: hostile · e.g. The belligerent goose chased everyone away from the pond.
bizarre (adj.)	very strange or unusual · Synonym: strange · e.g. Fans wore bizarre costumes to the comic book convention.
precedent (noun.)	an earlier example that guides later decisions · Synonym: example · e.g. Her early success set a precedent for other girls in the club.
withstand (verb.)	hold up against force and survive undamaged · Synonym: resist · e.g. The cabin was built to withstand heavy winter snow.
brash (adj.)	overly bold and self-confident, often rude · Synonym: cocky · e.g. The brash rookie bragged that he would beat the champion easily.
brusque (adj.)	short and rude in speech or manner · Synonym: abrupt · e.g. The busy clerk gave a brusque reply and turned away.
proponent (noun.)	a person who supports an idea · Synonym: supporter · e.g. Ms. Lee is a strong proponent of outdoor learning.
advocate (verb.)	publicly support or speak in favor of · Synonym: support · e.g. Students advocated for more vegetarian options at lunch.
chronic (adj.)	lasting a long time or returning often · Synonym: long-lasting · e.g. Her chronic allergies flared up every single spring.
contagious (adj.)	able to spread from person to person · Synonym: catching · e.g. Her laughter was so contagious that soon everyone was giggling.
accelerate (verb.)	speed up · Synonym: speed up · e.g. The runner accelerated as she approached the finish line.
quandary (noun.)	a state of not knowing what to do · Synonym: dilemma · e.g. Choosing between two great summer camps left Maya in a quandary.
copious (adj.)	large in amount; plentiful · Synonym: plentiful · e.g. Sam took copious notes during the history lecture.
covert (adj.)	secret or hidden · Synonym: secret · e.g. The kids planned a covert operation to throw a surprise party.
aggravate (verb.)	make a problem or injury worse · Synonym: worsen · e.g. Scratching will only aggravate the mosquito bite.
credulous (adj.)	too ready to believe things · Synonym: gullible · e.g. The credulous boy believed his brother's story about a dragon in the basement.
threshold (noun.)	a doorway; the point where something begins · Synonym: edge · e.g. The puppy paused at the threshold before entering the new house.
amend (verb.)	change something to improve or correct it · Synonym: revise · e.g. The class voted to amend the rules for recess games.
cynical (adj.)	believing people act only out of selfishness · Synonym: distrustful · e.g. The cynical reporter assumed every charity was secretly a scam.
decrepit (adj.)	old and in very poor condition · Synonym: worn-out · e.g. The decrepit barn leaned dangerously to one side.
nemesis (noun.)	a long-time opponent who is hard to beat · Synonym: rival · e.g. The spelling champion finally faced her nemesis in the last round.
spurn (verb.)	reject with scorn · Synonym: reject · e.g. The cat spurned the cheap food and waited for tuna.
demure (adj.)	quiet, shy, and modest · Synonym: shy · e.g. The demure girl smiled politely but rarely spoke in class.
deplorable (adj.)	very bad and deserving strong disapproval · Synonym: shameful · e.g. The shelter rescued dogs from deplorable living conditions.
rectify (verb.)	fix a mistake; set something right · Synonym: fix · e.g. The bank quickly rectified the error on my account.
notion (noun.)	an idea or belief · Synonym: idea · e.g. Ella had a notion that the old house was haunted.
devoted (adj.)	very loving and loyal · Synonym: loyal · e.g. The devoted fan attended every home game for twenty years.
discreet (adj.)	careful not to draw attention or reveal secrets · Synonym: tactful · e.g. Please be discreet and don't tell anyone about the surprise party.
reiterate (verb.)	say again, often for emphasis · Synonym: repeat · e.g. The coach reiterated that practice starts at seven sharp.
distraught (adj.)	extremely upset and worried · Synonym: frantic · e.g. The distraught boy searched everywhere for his lost puppy.
pinnacle (noun.)	the highest point · Synonym: peak · e.g. Winning Olympic gold was the pinnacle of her career.
speculate (verb.)	guess without having all the facts · Synonym: guess · e.g. Fans speculated about who would win the cooking contest.
drastic (adj.)	extreme and having a strong effect · Synonym: extreme · e.g. The drought forced drastic water limits across the state.
elite (adj.)	among the best of a group · Synonym: top · e.g. Only elite gymnasts are invited to the national training camp.
posterity (noun.)	all future generations of people · Synonym: descendants · e.g. The town buried a time capsule for posterity to open.
obliterate (verb.)	destroy completely · Synonym: destroy · e.g. The snowstorm obliterated every footprint on the trail.
empathetic (adj.)	able to understand and share others' feelings · Synonym: understanding · e.g. The empathetic counselor listened patiently to each worried student.
ethical (adj.)	morally right and fair · Synonym: moral · e.g. Returning the lost wallet was the ethical thing to do.
inflict (verb.)	cause something harmful or unpleasant · Synonym: cause · e.g. The hailstorm inflicted serious damage on the farmer's crops.
sentiment (noun.)	a feeling or opinion · Synonym: feeling · e.g. Her card expressed a sentiment of deep gratitude.
evident (adj.)	plain to see; obvious · Synonym: obvious · e.g. Her joy was evident from her huge smile.
excessive (adj.)	more than is reasonable or needed · Synonym: unreasonable · e.g. Excessive screen time can make it hard to fall asleep.
intervene (verb.)	step in to change or stop something · Synonym: step in · e.g. The teacher intervened before the argument got worse.
upheaval (noun.)	a sudden, major change or disturbance · Synonym: disruption · e.g. Moving to a new country caused a huge upheaval in their lives.
explicit (adj.)	stated clearly and in detail · Synonym: specific · e.g. The recipe gave explicit instructions for every step.
impose (verb.)	force a rule or burden on others · Synonym: force · e.g. The library imposed a fine for every late book.
fallible (adj.)	capable of making mistakes · Synonym: imperfect · e.g. Even the best referees are fallible and sometimes miss a call.
fatal (adj.)	causing death or disaster · Synonym: deadly · e.g. Some wild mushrooms contain poison that can be fatal if eaten.
stature (noun.)	importance or reputation earned by achievement · Synonym: standing · e.g. Her stature as a scientist grew after the discovery.
impair (verb.)	weaken or damage · Synonym: harm · e.g. Loud music can impair your hearing over time.
feral (adj.)	wild, especially after once being tame · Synonym: wild · e.g. A colony of feral cats lives behind the grocery store.
fictitious (adj.)	made up; not real · Synonym: imaginary · e.g. The author set her story in a fictitious town called Willow Bend.
improvise (verb.)	make or do something without planning · Synonym: invent · e.g. When the power went out, we improvised a lamp from a flashlight.
jargon (noun.)	special words used by a particular group · Synonym: lingo · e.g. The doctor's medical jargon confused her patient.
fluent (adj.)	able to speak or write easily and smoothly · Synonym: smooth · e.g. After a year in Spain, Elena became fluent in Spanish.
forlorn (adj.)	sad and lonely · Synonym: lonely · e.g. A forlorn puppy sat alone in the rain.
slander (verb.)	say false things that damage someone's reputation · Synonym: smear · e.g. He slandered his neighbor by spreading lies about him.
hierarchy (noun.)	a system ranking people or things by level · Synonym: ranking · e.g. In a wolf pack, the hierarchy decides who eats first.
furtive (adj.)	secretive; trying not to be noticed · Synonym: sneaky · e.g. He cast a furtive glance at the cookie jar.
tarnish (verb.)	dull the shine of; damage a reputation · Synonym: stain · e.g. Salt water tarnished the silver bracelet.
genial (adj.)	friendly and cheerful · Synonym: friendly · e.g. The genial bus driver greeted every student by name.
gaudy (adj.)	too bright or showy, in poor taste · Synonym: flashy · e.g. He wore a gaudy gold jacket covered in sequins.
milestone (noun.)	an important event or stage in progress · Synonym: landmark · e.g. Learning to walk is a big milestone for a baby.
trespass (verb.)	enter someone's property without permission · Synonym: intrude · e.g. A sign warned hikers not to trespass on the private farm.
grotesque (adj.)	ugly or distorted in a strange way · Synonym: hideous · e.g. Grotesque stone gargoyles stared down from the cathedral roof.
grueling (adj.)	extremely tiring and demanding · Synonym: exhausting · e.g. The grueling marathon left runners collapsing at the finish.
affliction (noun.)	something that causes pain or suffering · Synonym: suffering · e.g. Seasonal allergies were an affliction he faced every spring.
unearth (verb.)	dig up or discover something hidden · Synonym: uncover · e.g. Archaeologists unearthed a Roman coin in the farmer's field.
hapless (adj.)	unlucky · Synonym: unlucky · e.g. The hapless tourist lost his luggage twice in one week.
haphazard (adj.)	lacking order or plan; random · Synonym: random · e.g. Books were stacked in a haphazard pile on the floor.
meddle (verb.)	interfere in other people's business · Synonym: interfere · e.g. Please don't meddle in your sister's argument with her friend.
chronicle (noun.)	a record of events in time order · Synonym: record · e.g. Her diary is a chronicle of her year in Japan.
hefty (adj.)	large and heavy · Synonym: heavy · e.g. Dad lifted the hefty suitcase onto the airport scale.
humane (adj.)	kind and gentle, avoiding cruelty · Synonym: kind · e.g. The shelter uses humane traps that do not hurt the animals.
revoke (verb.)	officially cancel or take back · Synonym: cancel · e.g. The library revoked his card after a year of unpaid fines.
hypothetical (adj.)	imagined or supposed, not actually real · Synonym: supposed · e.g. The teacher posed a hypothetical question about living on Mars.
dexterity (noun.)	skill in using the hands · Synonym: skill · e.g. Knitting tiny doll sweaters requires great dexterity.
abhor (verb.)	hate strongly · Synonym: hate · e.g. My cat abhors baths and hides when she hears running water.
illustrious (adj.)	famous and admired for great achievements · Synonym: celebrated · e.g. The illustrious scientist won two Nobel Prizes.
immune (adj.)	protected from a disease or effect · Synonym: resistant · e.g. After having chickenpox, she was immune to the disease.
enigma (noun.)	a mystery; something hard to understand · Synonym: mystery · e.g. How the ancient stones were moved remains an enigma.
appall (verb.)	shock and disgust greatly · Synonym: shock · e.g. The litter on the beach appalled the visiting students.
infamous (adj.)	well known for something bad · Synonym: notorious · e.g. The infamous pirate Blackbeard frightened sailors along the coast.
innate (adj.)	present from birth; natural · Synonym: natural · e.g. Spiders have an innate ability to spin webs.
augment (verb.)	make larger by adding to · Synonym: increase · e.g. The museum augmented its collection with ten new fossils.
epidemic (noun.)	a fast spread of disease among many people · Synonym: outbreak · e.g. The flu epidemic closed several schools in February.
insatiable (adj.)	impossible to satisfy · Synonym: never satisfied · e.g. Mateo has an insatiable curiosity about outer space.
intricate (adj.)	having many small, complicated parts · Synonym: complex · e.g. The quilt had an intricate pattern of tiny stars.
censor (verb.)	remove parts considered unacceptable · Synonym: edit · e.g. The TV station censored the rude words in the movie.
invincible (adj.)	too strong to be defeated · Synonym: unbeatable · e.g. After twenty straight wins, the team seemed invincible.
frenzy (noun.)	a state of wild excitement · Synonym: madness · e.g. Shoppers rushed the store in a frenzy on the sale's first day.
defer (verb.)	put off until later · Synonym: delay · e.g. The club deferred its vote until all members could attend.
irrelevant (adj.)	not connected to the topic · Synonym: unrelated · e.g. His comment about pizza was irrelevant to our science discussion.
irritable (adj.)	easily annoyed · Synonym: grumpy · e.g. Without his morning coffee, Dad stays irritable until noon.
guile (noun.)	clever trickery used to get what you want · Synonym: trickery · e.g. The fox used guile to sneak past the farm dog.
deviate (verb.)	turn away from the usual course or plan · Synonym: stray · e.g. The pilot deviated from the flight path to avoid a storm.
jaded (adj.)	bored or unexcited from too much experience · Synonym: weary · e.g. After visiting fifty castles, the jaded tourist barely looked up.
judicious (adj.)	showing good judgment and sense · Synonym: wise · e.g. Saving half her birthday money was a judicious decision.
discourage (verb.)	make someone less eager or confident to try · Synonym: put off · e.g. The rain did not discourage fans from attending the game.
homage (noun.)	public honor or respect shown to someone · Synonym: tribute · e.g. The mural pays homage to the town's first teachers.
lackluster (adj.)	dull, with no energy or sparkle · Synonym: dull · e.g. The team gave a lackluster performance and lost by twenty points.
languid (adj.)	slow, relaxed, and lacking energy · Synonym: lazy · e.g. The cat stretched in a languid way across the sunny windowsill.
enlighten (verb.)	give someone knowledge or understanding · Synonym: inform · e.g. The museum guide enlightened us about ancient Egyptian writing.
impasse (noun.)	a situation where no progress is possible · Synonym: standstill · e.g. Talks between the two clubs reached an impasse.
lax (adj.)	not strict or careful enough · Synonym: loose · e.g. Security at the old museum was surprisingly lax.
enrage (verb.)	make extremely angry · Synonym: anger · e.g. The unfair call enraged the home crowd.
malleable (adj.)	easily shaped or changed · Synonym: bendable · e.g. Gold is so malleable that it can be hammered into thin sheets.
methodical (adj.)	careful and orderly, following a plan · Synonym: orderly · e.g. The methodical detective checked every clue twice.
malady (noun.)	a disease or illness · Synonym: illness · e.g. Scurvy was a common malady among sailors long ago.
exhilarate (verb.)	make very happy and excited · Synonym: thrill · e.g. The roller coaster's huge drop exhilarated every rider.
minuscule (adj.)	extremely small · Synonym: tiny · e.g. The ant carried a minuscule crumb back to its nest.
momentous (adj.)	very important, with big effects · Synonym: important · e.g. The first moon landing was a momentous event in history.
exploit (verb.)	to take full or unfair advantage of · Synonym: use · e.g. The team exploited the other side's weak defense to score.
mirth (noun.)	amusement shown through laughter · Synonym: laughter · e.g. The clown's silly tricks filled the room with mirth.
monotonous (adj.)	dull because it never changes · Synonym: dull · e.g. The speaker's monotonous voice put half the audience to sleep.
morose (adj.)	gloomy and sullen · Synonym: gloomy · e.g. After losing the final game, Kenji sat morose and silent.
flounder (verb.)	to struggle clumsily or in confusion · Synonym: struggle · e.g. Without her notes, the speaker began to flounder halfway through.
oasis (noun.)	a green spot with water in a desert · Synonym: refuge · e.g. The camels rested at an oasis shaded by palm trees.
mutual (adj.)	shared equally by two or more people · Synonym: shared · e.g. The two rivals had a mutual respect for each other.
gloat (verb.)	to brag about your success or others' failure · Synonym: brag · e.g. Good winners do not gloat after beating their opponents.
nostalgic (adj.)	longing fondly for the past · Synonym: sentimental · e.g. Old photos make Grandma nostalgic for her childhood on the farm.
noxious (adj.)	harmful or poisonous, especially to breathe · Synonym: harmful · e.g. The factory released noxious fumes into the air.
onslaught (noun.)	a fierce, overwhelming rush or attack · Synonym: assault · e.g. The singer faced an onslaught of questions from reporters.
interrogate (verb.)	to question someone closely and thoroughly · Synonym: question · e.g. The detective interrogated the witness for an hour.
outlandish (adj.)	very strange or bizarre · Synonym: strange · e.g. He wore an outlandish hat shaped like a giant fish.
outspoken (adj.)	openly and boldly stating opinions · Synonym: frank · e.g. Rosa is outspoken and always shares her honest opinion.
outcast (noun.)	a person rejected by a group · Synonym: outsider · e.g. In the story, the ugly duckling felt like an outcast.
perish (verb.)	to die or be destroyed · Synonym: die · e.g. Many plants perish during a long, hard frost.
overbearing (adj.)	bossy and controlling · Synonym: bossy · e.g. The overbearing coach decided every detail for the players.
paltry (adj.)	pitifully small or meager · Synonym: small · e.g. He earned a paltry two dollars for an hour of hard work.
procure (verb.)	to get something, often with effort · Synonym: obtain · e.g. The museum procured a rare dinosaur egg for its exhibit.
petition (noun.)	a formal written request signed by many · Synonym: request · e.g. Over two hundred students signed the petition for longer recess.
peevish (adj.)	easily annoyed and whiny · Synonym: cranky · e.g. The tired toddler became peevish and whined at everything.
pessimistic (adj.)	expecting the worst to happen · Synonym: negative · e.g. Ben was pessimistic about his chances of making the team.
propel (verb.)	to push or drive forward · Synonym: push · e.g. Strong winds propelled the sailboat across the bay.
pious (adj.)	deeply religious · Synonym: religious · e.g. The pious monk prayed five times each day.
predecessor (noun.)	someone who held a position before another · Synonym: forerunner · e.g. The new principal kept many rules from her predecessor.
ratify (verb.)	to formally approve or confirm · Synonym: approve · e.g. The club members voted to ratify the new rules.
plaintive (adj.)	sounding sad and mournful · Synonym: mournful · e.g. We heard the plaintive cry of a lost kitten.
plentiful (adj.)	existing in large amounts · Synonym: abundant · e.g. Apples are plentiful in the orchards every fall.
premise (noun.)	the basic idea a story or argument rests on · Synonym: basis · e.g. The movie's premise is that toys come alive at night.
recuperate (verb.)	to recover after illness or exhaustion · Synonym: recover · e.g. After her knee surgery, the runner needed weeks to recuperate.
precocious (adj.)	showing adult abilities very early in life · Synonym: gifted · e.g. The precocious four-year-old could already read chapter books.
predominant (adj.)	strongest or most common · Synonym: main · e.g. Blue is the predominant color in the painting.
rejuvenate (verb.)	to make fresh or lively again · Synonym: refresh · e.g. A week at the beach rejuvenated my tired parents.
qualm (noun.)	an uneasy feeling of doubt or guilt · Synonym: doubt · e.g. She had no qualm about speaking in front of the whole school.
preliminary (adj.)	coming before the main event · Synonym: initial · e.g. The preliminary round decided who would reach the finals.
prevalent (adj.)	widespread; very common · Synonym: common · e.g. Colds are especially prevalent in winter.
renounce (verb.)	to formally give up a claim or belief · Synonym: give up · e.g. The prince renounced his right to the throne.
prim (adj.)	stiffly proper and neat · Synonym: proper · e.g. The prim librarian frowned at every noisy giggle.
rebuttal (noun.)	an argument answering and opposing another · Synonym: reply · e.g. In her rebuttal, Maya pointed out flaws in her opponent's claims.
resent (verb.)	to feel bitter about unfair treatment · Synonym: dislike · e.g. Leo resented being blamed for his sister's mess.
prolific (adj.)	producing a great amount of work · Synonym: productive · e.g. The prolific author wrote over a hundred books.
rambunctious (adj.)	wild, noisy, and full of energy · Synonym: rowdy · e.g. The rambunctious puppies tumbled over each other in the yard.
reprieve (noun.)	a short break from something unpleasant · Synonym: relief · e.g. A snow day gave us a reprieve from the big test.
retract (verb.)	to take back or pull back · Synonym: withdraw · e.g. A cat can retract its claws when it is calm.
rampant (adj.)	spreading wildly and out of control · Synonym: unchecked · e.g. Weeds grew rampant in the abandoned garden.
raucous (adj.)	loud and harsh-sounding · Synonym: noisy · e.g. Raucous crows woke us at dawn.
saunter (verb.)	to walk in a slow, relaxed way · Synonym: stroll · e.g. We sauntered along the boardwalk eating ice cream.
reproach (noun.)	a look or word showing disapproval · Synonym: blame · e.g. Her mother's look of reproach made Tia apologize at once.
rebellious (adj.)	resisting authority or rules · Synonym: defiant · e.g. The rebellious teenager refused to follow the curfew.
receptive (adj.)	open and willing to accept new ideas · Synonym: open · e.g. The coach was receptive to the players' suggestions.
sever (verb.)	to cut off or break apart completely · Synonym: cut · e.g. The storm severed the power lines to our street.
revelry (noun.)	lively, noisy celebration · Synonym: celebration · e.g. The revelry after the championship lasted until midnight.
reclusive (adj.)	avoiding other people; living alone · Synonym: solitary · e.g. The reclusive author rarely left her mountain cabin.
shirk (verb.)	to avoid a duty or task · Synonym: dodge · e.g. Leah never shirks her chores, even on weekends.
redundant (adj.)	unnecessary because it repeats something · Synonym: repetitive · e.g. Saying "free gift" is redundant because gifts are already free.
regal (adj.)	fit for a king or queen · Synonym: royal · e.g. The lion walked with a regal air across the plain.
rift (noun.)	a break in a friendship; a split · Synonym: split · e.g. An argument created a rift between the two friends.
simulate (verb.)	to imitate how something looks or works · Synonym: imitate · e.g. The ride simulates the feeling of flying through space.
relevant (adj.)	closely connected to the topic · Synonym: related · e.g. Please include only relevant facts in your report.
reputable (adj.)	well thought of and trusted · Synonym: respected · e.g. Always get your news from a reputable source.
smother (verb.)	to cover something so it gets no air · Synonym: suffocate · e.g. Grandma smothered the pan fire with a heavy lid.
sabotage (noun.)	deliberate damage done to ruin plans · Synonym: destruction · e.g. Investigators said the broken bridge model was an act of sabotage.
repulsive (adj.)	causing strong disgust · Synonym: disgusting · e.g. The rotten eggs gave off a repulsive smell.
restless (adj.)	unable to stay still or relax · Synonym: fidgety · e.g. The restless students kept glancing at the clock.
solicit (verb.)	to ask for something, such as money or help · Synonym: request · e.g. The animal shelter solicited donations of blankets and food.
scapegoat (noun.)	someone unfairly blamed for others' mistakes · Synonym: fall guy · e.g. The new player became the scapegoat for the team's loss.
rotund (adj.)	round and plump · Synonym: plump · e.g. The rotund pumpkin won first prize at the county fair.
suppress (verb.)	to hold back or keep from showing · Synonym: restrain · e.g. Kara suppressed a giggle during the quiet assembly.
rudimentary (adj.)	basic; at the simplest early stage · Synonym: basic · e.g. I have only a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish.
rugged (adj.)	rough and uneven; tough · Synonym: rough · e.g. The jeep bounced over the rugged mountain trail.
spectacle (noun.)	an impressive or unusual sight · Synonym: sight · e.g. The fireworks display was a spectacle no one would forget.
sustain (verb.)	to keep something going over time · Synonym: maintain · e.g. It is hard to sustain a fast pace for a whole marathon.
scant (adj.)	barely enough; very little · Synonym: meager · e.g. The desert receives scant rainfall each year.
scornful (adj.)	showing that you look down on something · Synonym: mocking · e.g. She gave a scornful laugh at his silly excuse.
stamina (noun.)	the energy to keep going a long time · Synonym: endurance · e.g. Swimming laps builds stamina for long races.
taunt (verb.)	to tease someone in a mean way · Synonym: mock · e.g. The older kids taunted him about his old sneakers.
secluded (adj.)	hidden away from other people · Synonym: isolated · e.g. We found a secluded beach with no one else around.
shrill (adj.)	high-pitched and piercing · Synonym: piercing · e.g. The shrill whistle made everyone cover their ears.
unveil (verb.)	to reveal or show for the first time · Synonym: reveal · e.g. The mayor unveiled the new statue in the park.
stigma (noun.)	a mark of shame or disgrace · Synonym: shame · e.g. There should be no stigma attached to asking for help.
simultaneous (adj.)	happening at the same time · Synonym: concurrent · e.g. The twins gave simultaneous answers to the riddle.
sleek (adj.)	smooth, shiny, and streamlined · Synonym: smooth · e.g. The sleek otter slid easily through the water.
uphold (verb.)	to support and keep a rule or tradition · Synonym: support · e.g. Judges must uphold the law fairly.
spirited (adj.)	full of energy and enthusiasm · Synonym: lively · e.g. The class had a spirited debate about school uniforms.
tirade (noun.)	a long, angry speech · Synonym: rant · e.g. The coach launched into a tirade about sloppy passing.
vindicate (verb.)	to prove someone right or innocent · Synonym: clear · e.g. The video replay vindicated the player who was wrongly penalized.
strenuous (adj.)	needing great effort or energy · Synonym: exhausting · e.g. Climbing the steep hill was a strenuous workout.
stringent (adj.)	very strict and exact · Synonym: strict · e.g. The lab has stringent rules about wearing goggles.
tribute (noun.)	something done or given to show respect · Synonym: honor · e.g. The concert was a tribute to the town's firefighters.
whimper (verb.)	to make soft, weak crying sounds · Synonym: whine · e.g. The puppy whimpered when it was left alone.
submissive (adj.)	too ready to obey others · Synonym: obedient · e.g. The submissive dog rolled over when the bigger dog approached.
sumptuous (adj.)	rich, splendid, and costly-looking · Synonym: luxurious · e.g. The hotel served a sumptuous breakfast buffet.
writhe (verb.)	to twist and squirm · Synonym: squirm · e.g. The worm writhed on the wet sidewalk.
unrest (noun.)	a state of anger and disturbance · Synonym: turmoil · e.g. The sudden schedule change caused unrest among the campers.
supple (adj.)	bending easily; flexible · Synonym: flexible · e.g. Gymnasts stretch daily to keep their muscles supple.
surly (adj.)	rude and bad-tempered · Synonym: rude · e.g. The surly clerk barely looked up from his phone.
admonish (verb.)	to warn or scold firmly · Synonym: warn · e.g. The librarian admonished us for talking too loudly.
susceptible (adj.)	easily affected or harmed · Synonym: prone · e.g. Young children are susceptible to colds.
vagabond (noun.)	a person who wanders with no home · Synonym: wanderer · e.g. The vagabond traveled from town to town with only a backpack.
allot (verb.)	to give out shares for a purpose · Synonym: assign · e.g. The teacher allotted ten minutes for each presentation.
tangible (adj.)	able to be touched; real · Synonym: concrete · e.g. The trophy was a tangible reward for months of practice.
tardy (adj.)	arriving after the expected time · Synonym: late · e.g. Students who are tardy must sign in at the office.
vendetta (noun.)	a long, bitter feud · Synonym: feud · e.g. The two families carried on a vendetta for generations.
amass (verb.)	to gather a large amount over time · Synonym: collect · e.g. Over the years, he amassed a huge collection of stamps.
temperate (adj.)	mild in climate; not extreme · Synonym: mild · e.g. San Diego has a temperate climate all year.
terse (adj.)	using very few words, often rudely · Synonym: curt · e.g. Her terse reply was simply, "No."
appraise (verb.)	to judge the value or quality of · Synonym: evaluate · e.g. An expert appraised the old painting at five thousand dollars.
ambush (noun.)	a surprise attack from a hidden spot · Synonym: trap · e.g. The lion hid in the tall grass, waiting in ambush.
toxic (adj.)	poisonous · Synonym: poisonous · e.g. Some mushrooms are toxic and should never be eaten.
trite (adj.)	used so often it seems dull · Synonym: overused · e.g. The story ended with the trite line, "It was all a dream."
beseech (verb.)	to beg someone urgently · Synonym: beg · e.g. The children beseeched their parents to let them keep the stray kitten.
apparition (noun.)	a ghostly figure · Synonym: ghost · e.g. The campers claimed they saw an apparition near the lake.
unkempt (adj.)	messy and not cared for · Synonym: messy · e.g. His unkempt hair stuck out in every direction.
careen (verb.)	to rush along while swerving out of control · Synonym: swerve · e.g. The sled careened down the icy hill.
unscathed (adj.)	not hurt or harmed at all · Synonym: unharmed · e.g. The cat fell from the tree but walked away unscathed.
utmost (adj.)	greatest; highest possible · Synonym: greatest · e.g. Handle the glass beakers with the utmost care.
artifact (noun.)	an object made by people long ago · Synonym: relic · e.g. Archaeologists found an ancient artifact buried in the sand.
chide (verb.)	to scold mildly · Synonym: scold · e.g. Mom chided me for leaving my shoes on the stairs.
valid (adj.)	based on good reasons; acceptable · Synonym: sound · e.g. A doctor's note is a valid excuse for missing school.
vehement (adj.)	showing strong, forceful feeling · Synonym: forceful · e.g. She gave a vehement no when asked to quit the team.
clamber (verb.)	to climb awkwardly using hands and feet · Synonym: scramble · e.g. The kids clambered over the rocks at low tide.
blight (noun.)	a disease that destroys plants · Synonym: disease · e.g. A potato blight destroyed crops across Ireland.
venomous (adj.)	able to inject poison by biting or stinging · Synonym: poisonous · e.g. The venomous spider's bite can be very painful.
vocal (adj.)	expressing opinions loudly and freely · Synonym: outspoken · e.g. Parents were vocal about wanting a crosswalk near the school.
coerce (verb.)	to force someone by using threats · Synonym: force · e.g. You cannot coerce someone into being your friend.
bravado (noun.)	showy, fake boldness · Synonym: swagger · e.g. His bravado vanished when he saw the giant roller coaster.
voluntary (adj.)	done by choice, not required · Synonym: optional · e.g. Attending the weekend review session is voluntary.
collaborate (verb.)	to work together · Synonym: cooperate · e.g. The two classes collaborated on a giant mural.
wily (adj.)	clever in a tricky way · Synonym: sly · e.g. The wily fox tricked the crow into dropping its cheese.
wry (adj.)	dryly funny, with gentle mockery · Synonym: dry · e.g. Dad gave a wry smile when the "waterproof" tent leaked.
brawl (noun.)	a rough, noisy fight · Synonym: fight · e.g. The hockey game was stopped after a brawl broke out.
compensate (verb.)	to pay back or make up for · Synonym: repay · e.g. The store compensated us for the broken television.
zany (adj.)	wildly silly and funny · Synonym: silly · e.g. The zany cartoon made my little brother laugh nonstop.
contrite (adj.)	feeling sorry for doing wrong · Synonym: sorry · e.g. The contrite boy apologized for breaking the window.
calamity (noun.)	a terrible disaster · Synonym: disaster · e.g. The flood was a calamity for the whole valley.
conform (verb.)	to follow a group's rules or customs · Synonym: comply · e.g. Students must conform to the dress code.
exemplary (adj.)	so good it is a model for others · Synonym: ideal · e.g. Her exemplary behavior earned her the citizenship award.
pliable (adj.)	easily bent or shaped · Synonym: bendable · e.g. Warm clay is pliable and easy to shape.
congregate (verb.)	to gather together in a crowd · Synonym: gather · e.g. Students congregate in the courtyard before school.
chasm (noun.)	a deep crack in the earth · Synonym: gorge · e.g. A rope bridge stretched across the deep chasm.
rancid (adj.)	smelling or tasting spoiled · Synonym: spoiled · e.g. The butter had gone rancid and smelled awful.
lethal (adj.)	able to cause death · Synonym: deadly · e.g. Some mushrooms contain a lethal poison.
consolidate (verb.)	to combine into one stronger whole · Synonym: combine · e.g. The district consolidated two small schools into one.
devout (adj.)	deeply religious or loyal · Synonym: faithful · e.g. Her devout grandmother attended services every morning.
culprit (noun.)	the one responsible for a problem · Synonym: offender · e.g. The culprit who ate the cookies left crumbs everywhere.
contaminate (verb.)	to make impure by adding something harmful · Synonym: pollute · e.g. Chemicals from the factory contaminated the river.
flagrant (adj.)	shockingly obvious, usually of wrongdoing · Synonym: blatant · e.g. Shoving the goalie was a flagrant foul.
flamboyant (adj.)	showy, bold, and colorful · Synonym: showy · e.g. The singer wore a flamboyant suit covered in sequins.
decree (noun.)	an official order from a ruler · Synonym: order · e.g. The king issued a decree declaring a holiday.
convene (verb.)	to come together for a formal meeting · Synonym: assemble · e.g. The council will convene next Tuesday.
impertinent (adj.)	rude and disrespectful · Synonym: disrespectful · e.g. It was impertinent of him to roll his eyes at the coach.
savory (adj.)	salty or spicy rather than sweet · Synonym: tasty · e.g. The savory soup was full of herbs and garlic.
corrode (verb.)	to wear away slowly by chemical action · Synonym: rust · e.g. Salt water corroded the metal railing.
deluge (noun.)	a huge flood or overwhelming amount · Synonym: flood · e.g. After the announcement, a deluge of emails arrived.
inert (adj.)	not moving or not chemically active · Synonym: inactive · e.g. The lizard lay inert on the warm rock.
dauntless (adj.)	fearless and determined · Synonym: fearless · e.g. The dauntless climber kept going despite the storm.
curtail (verb.)	to cut short or reduce · Synonym: reduce · e.g. Rain curtailed our afternoon at the beach.
endearing (adj.)	causing affection; lovable · Synonym: lovable · e.g. The puppy's clumsy hops were endearing.
demeanor (noun.)	the way a person looks and behaves · Synonym: manner · e.g. Her calm demeanor helped the nervous students relax.
decipher (verb.)	to figure out something hard to read · Synonym: decode · e.g. We could barely decipher the doctor's messy handwriting.
compatible (adj.)	able to work or exist well together · Synonym: suited · e.g. This charger is not compatible with my phone.
eligible (adj.)	allowed or qualified to do something · Synonym: qualified · e.g. Students with a B average are eligible for the honor roll.
disarray (noun.)	a messy, disorganized state · Synonym: mess · e.g. After the party, the living room was in disarray.
deduce (verb.)	to figure out by reasoning · Synonym: conclude · e.g. From the muddy paw prints, Ana deduced that the dog had been outside.
audible (adj.)	loud enough to be heard · Synonym: detectable · e.g. The whisper was barely audible from the back row.
