All the Noise at Once: Chapters 16–20

by DeAndra Davis
Aiden finally makes the football team like his beloved older brother Brandon, but when Brandon is unjustly arrested, Aiden is desperate to clear his brother's name.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1-5, Chapters 6-10, Chapters 11-15, Chapters 16-20, Chapters 21-26
15 words 20 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. opulent
    rich and superior in quality
    We cross the street and continue down the main sidewalk, farther into the development. As we do, the entrances become a bit less opulent but still beautiful.
  2. absolve
    excuse or free from blame
    “Being on the spectrum doesn’t absolve him of guilt. And you using it as an excuse is a disservice to him.”
  3. lackey
    a servile or submissive follower
    He takes a few steps toward us and his lackeys follow.
  4. exhilaration
    the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
    I am energized, my entire body vibrating with leftover exhilaration.
  5. rehash
    discuss again; go back over
    I would rather not rehash the conversation with Brandon.
  6. striation
    a band or bands of contrasting color
    I stare at the countertop, seeking striations in the stone.
  7. tangent
    a message that departs from the main subject
    “What does that conversation have to do with what I am asking?” I ask, a bit frustrated by the tangent.
  8. reconcile
    bring into consonance or accord
    I am trying to reconcile all I am hearing with all that I already know.
  9. furtive
    secret and sly
    She hesitates but takes a step back and nods, then settles onto the couch next to him, pretending to watch TV but casting furtive glances at the stairs every few seconds.
  10. disability
    a condition that prevents one from performing some task
    “Listen,” I say. “Life Skills is not just for people with disabilities—” “I know, but—”
  11. dither
    be undecided or uncertain
    His face seems to dither between so many emotions.
  12. brusque
    rudely abrupt or blunt in speech or manner
    “My three traits are that I’m too brusque, I spend most of my time taking pictures, and I still struggle with eye contact. What are yours?”
  13. cohesive
    combining well to form a unified whole
    They dance in harmony, cohesive parts of one whole.
  14. crestfallen
    brought low in spirit
    I look over and she is crestfallen.
  15. aptitude
    inherent ability
    “You do not have anything else to offer. I came to you for information; you do not have it. I do not have the time, the patience, the aptitude, or the composure—none of it. I am tired. It has been a weird day. I just want to go back inside and go to sleep.”
Created on Mon Feb 02 09:25:41 EST 2026 (updated Fri Feb 20 19:30:08 EST 2026)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.