Lesson 7
Sophomore Vocabulary

1. deluge  noun  a flood; a great downpour; an overwhelming rush of anything
   The new amusement park had a deluge of visitors on opening day.
   syn: downpour, inundation       
   
   
2. demented  adj. mentally ill; insane
   After observing his demented behavior for a few minutes, we decided to call the doctor.
   syn: deranged, insane         
   
   
3. demise  noun  death; a ceasing to exist
   Upon her Uncle Ian's demise, Mary was to receive his property.
   syn: termination, conclusion
   
   
4. denigrate  verb  to ruin the reputation of; speak ill of
   His opponent's slanderous remarks could not denigrate the fine work done by Senator Owens.
   syn: to blacken, demafe          ant: praise, promote
   
   
5. denizen  noun  an occupant; inhabitant
   Mac the Knife was a longtime denizen of the underworld.
   syn: inhabitant, resident
   
   
6. deplete verb  to use up gradually
   After we had depleted our meager food supply, we decided it was time to come out of hiding.
   syn: to empty, exhaust the supply                ant: replenish
   
   
7. desecrate verb to damage a holy place; to treat with irreverence
   The small church had been desecrated by vandals
   syn: profane                ant: consecrate
   
   
8. desist verb to stop; forbear
   After many long hours, the rescue crew was told to desist in its futile efforts to recover the wreckage.
   syn: cease, abstain           ant: begin, start
   
   
9. desolate adj. lonely; forlorn; uninhabited; barren
   The small raft washed ashore on a desolate island many miles from the mainland.
   syn: dismal, wretched            ant: populous, crowded
   
   
10. despot noun a dictator; with absolute power
    Stalin was a cruel despot who was responsible for the deaths of a huge number of people.
    syn: autocrat, tyrant