1. Approbation (n.)
The expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval
Ex: The student was thrilled to receive the approbation from his driver’s education teacher; he could now earn his license!

2. To make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet
Assuage (v.)
To make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet
Ex: The teacher attempted to assuage the student’s concern about an upcoming test; she provided a detailed review sheet.

3. Coalition (n.)
A combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose
Ex: The students formed a coalition to create the best homecoming hallway.

4. Decadence (n.) *** Downfall, Decline, decay, or deterioration
Excessive self-indulgence
Ex: She knew her love of chocolate reflected her
decadence, for she ate two Godiva bars daily.

5. Elicit (v.) To draw forth, bring out from some source
Ex: Computer sites hope to elicit your happy emotions from viewing their web pages.

6. Expostulate (v.)
To attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning
Ex: The woman expostulated , “I do not deserve this speeding ticket.”

7. “Oki Doki!” Hackneyed (adj.)
Used so often as to lack freshness or originality
“Oki Doki!”
Ex: Students hate hackneyed phrases used by their teachers!

8. Hiatus (n.)
A gap, opening break (in the sense of having an element missing)
Ex: We sometimes hate the hiatus forced upon us from our television!

9. Innuendo (n.) A hint, indirect suggestion, or reference
Ex: Unfortunately, the story being passed around by the students was based on innuendo instead of fact.

10. Intercede (v.)
To plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement
Ex: We sometimes need to intercede between two hostile friends.

11. Jaded (adj.) Wearied, worn-out, dulled
Ex: My daily consumption of french fries made me feel jaded about my love for going to McDonalds since I eventually got tired of them.

12. Lurid (adj.) Causing shock, horror, or revulsion
Ex: The lurid scene caused everyone to take shelter; they were fearful that the wildfire would spread to their area.

13. Meritorious (adj.) Worthy, deserving recognition and praise
Ex:The meritorious action of the firefighter garnered respect from the children.

14. Petulant (adj.)
Peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset
Ex: She tried her best to ignore her brother’s petulant behavior; he loved yelling without a reason!

15. Prerogative (n.) A special right or privilege (song lyrics)
Ex: Bobby Brown gained instant fame from his hit song about his prerogative.

16. Provincial (adj./n) ***
Pertaining to an outlying area
A person from an outlying area
Ex: Belle sang a beautiful song about leaving her
provincial town; she wanted more culture and vibrancy!

17. Simulate (v.) To make a pretense of; imitate
Ex: Animals often simulate the behavior of humans.

18. Transcend (v.) To rise above or beyond, exceed
Ex: The valedictorian amazed her peers; she always transcended what was expected by her teachers.

19. Umbrage (n.) *** Shade cast by trees; foliage giving shade
Offense, resentment
Ex: We seek umbrage
from the hot, blistering sun.

20. Unctuous (Adj.)
Excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness