2. Accelerate To increase in speed. Synonyms: hasten, expedite, quicken Antonyms: slacken, slow, delay You need to accelerate your pace if you want to finish the race.

3. To stir forcefully or keep in motion to disturb or excite to stir up political, civil, or industrial unrest. Synonyms: provoke, shake, arouse Antonyms: soothe, pacify, placate

4. Clarif y to make clear or understandable Illustrations can often clarify a subject better than words. Synonyms: explain, elucidate, illuminate Antonyms: confuse, muddle, obfuscate

5. To turn aside; to get off the main subject in talking or writing. Synonyms: deviate, stray, ramble Antonyms: focus, conform In order to make classes more interesting, Mr. Kotter will sometimes digress from the topic by telling a humorous story.

6. To call forth; to bring out Synonyms: elicit, summon, suggest Antonyms: suppress, repress, quell Freddie’s prolonged illness evoked considerable concern among his classmates.

7. Fortitude Courage or strength in the face of danger or difficulties Synonyms: endurance, resolution, resilience Antonyms: weakness, timidity, cowardice Mary showed great fortitude in caring for her dying mother.

8. Jeer To speak or shout derisively at someone; to abuse vocally Synonyms: ridicule, deride, taunt, mock Antonyms: applaud, compliment It is not polite to jeer at the mistakes our friends make.

9. Nautical Pertaining to sailors, ships, and sailing. Synonyms: marine, naval, maritime The old sailor told fascinating stories from his nautical life.

10. To use noisy or violent language; (n) violent or extravagant speech or writing. Synonyms: bluster, rave, rail; outburst, tirade Antonyms: cajole, charm My mom went on a rant because I was playing video games instead of doing my homework.

11. Having no real value or chance of success; having or showing an excessively high regard for one’s self, looks possessions, ability; conceited. Synonyms: empty, futile, fruitless; proud, egotistical Antonyms: effective, successful; modest, humble She made some vain promises that she had no intention of fulfilling. “You’re so vain; I bet you think this song is about you, don’t you?”