Vocab for high school students 7

recoil (v)

draw back because wince; flinch of fear; shrink

Marie recoiled at the thought of singing in the amateur show, but she went through with it because she had promised to participate.

reflection (n.)

thought, especially careful thought

When a question is complicated, don’t give the first answer that comes to mind. Take time for reflection.

relinquish (v.)

give up; abandon; let go; release; surrender

When an elderly man entered the crowded bus, one of the students relinquished her seat to him.

capsize (v.)

overturn; upset

When Sam’s canoe capsized, I swam over to help him turn it-right side up.

contend (v.)

compete; vie; take part in a contest; fight; struggle

Every spring some baseball writers try to predict which two teams will contend in the next World Series.

decease (n.]

death

Shortly after President Kennedy’s decease, Vice President Johnson was sworn in as the new Chief Executive.

din (n.)

loud noise; uproar

I couldn’t hear what you were saying because the jet plane that was passing made such a din.

distinguish (v.)

tell apart; differentiate

The twins are so alike that it is hard to distinguish one from the other.

divulge (v.)

make known; reveal; disclose

Yesterday our teacher read us a composition without divulging the name of the writer.