The Declaration of Independence — Vocabulary
Thomas Jefferson et al.
of the United States
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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assentconsent or agreement
The patient gave her assent to the surgery, even though she was nervous about it.more
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He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.3 more
Show general definition to express agreement -- especially with a statement or proposal to do something
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abolishabolish → abolishing:eliminating (doing away with)
She is in favor of abolishing the death penalty.more
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...mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.3 more
Show general definition eliminate (end, or do away with)
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usurpusurp → usurping:taking without authority
The lawsuit claims that the Federal Government is usurping rights reserved by the Constitution for state governments.more
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The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations...2 more
usurp → usurpations:the act of seizing or taking control without authority
Show general definition seize or take control without authority
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legislatureelected body that makes laws
The state legislature passed a law to increase the minimum wage, but the governor vetoed it while claiming it would reduce the number of entry-level jobs for young people.more
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He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.3 more
legislature → legislatures:elected government representatives
Show general definition a group made up of government representatives (usually elected) that has the power to create laws
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renderrender → rendered:made
Her verbal attack rendered me speechless.more
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...to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.1 more
make (cause to become)
Show general definition for render (as in: rendered her unconscious) to make or cause to become
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endeavorendeavor → endeavored:tried or attempted
I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.more
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...and has endeavoured to bring...1 more
endeavor → endeavoured:tried or attempted
Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use endeavored.
Show general definition to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
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tyrannya form of government where some people control others in a harsh, unfair manner
The U.S. constitution was designed with checks and balances and limited government to protect Americans from tyranny.more
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The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.†1 more
harsh and unjust rule
Show general definition harsh and unjust rule
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candidhonest and direct
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.more
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To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
honest
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inhabitantinhabitant → inhabitants:people (who live in a particular place)
What will traffic be like if the city has twice as many inhabitants?more
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For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:1 more
Show general definition a person who lives in a particular place
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mocknot real
Law students compete in a pretend court in a mock trial competition.more
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For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
Show general definition for mock (as in: a mock trial) not real
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appropriateappropriate → appropriated:took without asking
The invading army appropriated the home to use as a local headquarters.more
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...raising the conditions of new appropriations of Lands.
appropriate → appropriations:takings
Show general definition for appropriate (as in: appropriate from their culture) to take without asking -- often without right
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domesticrelating to a home country
The airline offers both domestic and international flights.more
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He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us,
Show general definition for domestic (as in: the domestic market) relating to a home country

or (much more rarely,): relating to a geographic area that is smaller than a country
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prudentsensible and careful
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more
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Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;
prudent → prudence:good sense and caution
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accommodateaccommodate → accommodates:adjusts for (different needs)
She accommodates different learning styles.more
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He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
accommodate → accommodation:benefit (help to)
Show general definition for accommodate (as in: moved to accommodate her) adjust something to provide for a need; or help
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obstructobstruct → obstructed:blocked (passage)
A fallen tree obstructed the road, forcing drivers to find another way around.more
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He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by...1 more
obstruct → obstructed:blocked or hindered
Show general definition to block, slow down, or interfere with movement, progress, or action
The exact meaning of obstruct can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "obstruct the path" -- block passage through
  • "obstruct justice" -- hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
  • "obstruct her view" -- get in the way so as to hide from sight
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constrainedrestricted
The standard of living is ultimately constrained by worker productivity.more
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—Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.†1 more
constrained → constrains:restricts
Show general definition restricted or inhibited
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desolatedesolate → desolated:destroyed and emptied it of living things
Fires desolated the region.more
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...works of death, desolation and tyranny,
desolate → desolation:destruction
Show general definition for desolate (as in: desolated the region) destroyed; or emptied of people; or emptied of most plants and animals
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redressfix, compensate, or make up for
Action must be taken to redress the wrongs of the past.more
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In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms:
correction (to have the problem fixed)
Show general definition for redress (as in: redress the problem) fix a problem; or make up for a wrong
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dissolutionformal ending or termination
After years of growing apart, they finally agreed that the dissolution of their marriage was the healthiest choice for both of them.more
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He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.†
dissolution → dissolutions:the act or process of breaking something up or bringing it to an end
Show general definition the act or process of breaking something up or bringing it to an end—for example, ending a relationship or meeting, or a substance breaking apart as it mixes into a liquid
Show editor's word notes In everyday and legal use, dissolution can mean ending a relationship, meeting, or legal body, such as the dissolution of a marriage or a company.
In chemistry, it refers to a substance breaking apart and spreading evenly through a liquid (for example, salt in water), or a compound separating into its parts by chemical action.
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impelimpel → impelled:drove
The desire to make a difference in the world impelled her to pursue a career in medicine.more
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When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
drive
Show general definition to make someone feel they must do something