GRE | Uncategorized | AssignGuru

opprobrious

(adj.) damning; extremely critical; disgraceful
(syn.) abusive, scurrilous, offensive
(n.) opprobrium = obloquy

alibi

1. (law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
2. excuse

aloft

upward; high up in the air

amalgamate

(v.) to bring or combine together or with something else
(syn.) mingle, mix, unify
(adj.) amalgamated
(syn.) coalesced, consolidated, fused, united

amenable

(adj.) willing to follow advice or authority, tractable, submissive; responsive; liable to be held responsible
(syn.) conformable, compliant, tractable, susceptible

menace

(n.) something that is a source of danger; a threat or the act of threatening
(syn.) threat
(v.) pose a threat to; present a danger to
(syn.) endanger, imperil, peril, jeopardize

analgesic

(n.) something that reduces pain

ancillary

(adj.) subordinate or supplementary
(ant.) heart

anemic

(adj.) lacking in color, spirit, or vitality.

animus

(n.) a feeling of ill-will that arouses hostility

antic

(adj.) ludicrously odd
(n.) a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
(v.) act as or like a clown

aphorism

(n.) a short pithy instructive saying

apocalyptic

(adj.) predicting or presaging universal destruction, devastation or ultimate doom

apocryphal

(adj.) of questionable authenticity; false

apoplectic

(adj. n.) Extremely angry or furious

apprehension

(n.)
a. fearful expectation
b. the cognitive condition of someone who understands
c. the act of apprehending a criminal
(syn.) trepidation
(v.) apprehend
(adj.) apprehensive

appraise

(v.) to assess the worth or value of

apprise

(v.) to give notice to; to inform

approbation

(n.) the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval
(adj.) approbatory
(ant.) disapprobation

apropos

(adj.) fitting the occasion; suitable or appropriate

appropriate

(v.) take possession of by force, as after an invasion
(syn.) borrow
(adj.) suitable for a particular person, place, condition, etc.
(n.) appropriation

apt

(adj.) suitable, pertinent; tending, likely; quick to learn, smart
(syn.) apposite, pertinent, apropos

ardor

(n.) a strong feeling of energy or eagerness; a strong feeling of love

arrest

(v.)
a. to stop;
b. attract and hold someone's attention;
c. seize, capture

iota

(n.) a very small part or quantity

abase

(v.) cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of

abet

(v.) to encourage, assist, aid, support (especially in something wrong or unworthy)

abeyant

(adj.) temporarily inactive, stopped or suspended

abiding

(adj.) lasting for a long time; unceasing
(syn.) enduring, imperishable, lasting, permanent

abject

(adj.)
a. of the most miserable or contemptible kind
b. showing utter resignation or hopelessness
c. showing humiliation or submissiveness

abnegate

(v.) deny, renounce ,or surrender

surrogate

(n.) someone who takes the place of another person
(syn.) alternate, replacement
(n.) a person appointed to represent or act on behalf of others
(syn.) deputy

arrogate

(v.) seize and take control without authority and possibly with force
(syn.) assume, seize, takeover, usurp
(ant.) forfeit, forgo, give up, waive

abrogate

(v.) to abolish, usually by authority

abolish

(v.)
a. to officially end or stop (something, such as a law)
b. to complete do away with (something)

abstain

(v) hold back, refrain (especially from something bad or unhealthy); decline to vote

abstemious

(adj.) moderate, sparing (as in eating and drinking); characterized by abstinence and self-discipline
(syn.) continent, temperate, self-abnegating, self-denying, ascetic
(ant.) voracious, indulgent

abstinent

(adj.) self-restraining; not indulging an appetite
(syn.) ascetic, sober, temperate, teetotal
(ant.) dissolute, squander, hedonistic, licentious, dissipate, libertine, rakish, reprobate,

abstentious

(adj.) self-restraining; not indulging an appetite
(syn.) sober, temperate
(ant.) voracious

continent

(n.) one of the large landmasses of the earth
(adj.) restrained, especially abstaining from sexual intercourse
(syn.) sober, temperate, abstemious, abstinent, abstentious

accede

(v.) to agree to a request or demand; to assume an office or dignity
(syn.) assent, acquiescent

acclimate

(v.) to adapt to a new climate, environment, or situation

accost

(v.) to approach and speak to first; to confront in a challenging or aggressive way

accrete

(v.) to grow or increase gradually, as by addition

acrid

(adj.) sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor; harsh or corrosive in tone

acrimonious

(adj.) stinging, bitter in temper or tone
(syn.) acerbic, mordant
(n.) acrimony

pungent

(adj.) causing a sharp sensation; stinging, biting

acute

1. (adj.) sharp, severe
2. (adj.) having keen insight
(syn.) severe

acumen

(n.) keen insight

acuity

(n.) a quick and penetrating intelligence

adjourn

(v.) to stop proceedings temporarily, to break from a meeting or gathering; move to another place

adhere

(v.) to stick to, remain attached; to be devoted or loyal as a follower or supporter

adjunct

(n.) 1. something attached to another in a subordinate position
2. a person who is an assistant or subordinate to another
(syn.) associate

admonish

(v.) to caution or advise against something; to scold mildly; to remind of a duty

adumbrate

(v.) describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of;
to sketch out in a vague way

adventitious

(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital

advert

(v.) give heed to
(n.) a public promotion of some product or service
(adj.) advertent

affinity

(n.) a natural attraction or feeling of kinship; an inherent similarity

affluent

(adj.) rich, wealthy

alacrity

(n.) a quick and cheerful readiness to do something

ascendant

(adj.) rising
(adj.) dominant, important or influent
(n.) position or state of being dominant or in control

aseptic

(adj.) Free from germs
(adj.) lacking vitality, emotion

asperity

(n.) harshness of manner or of temper
(syn.) rude, sharpness
(ant.) bluntness, dullness
(n.) rigor, severity

aspersion

(n.) a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming
(syn.) slur
(v.) asperse ~ besmirch, caluminate, defame, denigrate, slander, smear, smirch, sully

aspirant

(n.) a person who goes after high goal

assess

(v.) charge (a person or a property) with a payment, such as tax of fine
(v.) evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of

astute

(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom
(syn.) sharp, shrewd, smart

attenuate

(v.) to make thin or slender; to weaken or lessen in force, intensity, or value
(n.) attenuation

aversion

(n.) a particular dislike for something

awash

(adj.) covered with, or thoroughly penetrated by water

awning

(n.) piece of material attached to a caravan or building which provides shelter from the rain or sun

bait

(v.) to persecute or exasperate with unjust, malicious, or persistent attack

bale

(adj.) deadly or sinister
(adj.) threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
(n.) woe, sorrow

bane

(n.) the source or cause of fatal injury, death, destruction, or ruin; death or ruin itself; poison

baleful

deadly; having a malign influence; ominous
(adj.) harmful, threatening or deadly

balk

(v.) to stop, block abruptly
(v.) to stop short and refuse to go on; to refuse abruptly; to prevent from happening;

balky

(adj.) stubbornly refusing to act
(adj.) stopping short and refusing to go on

decry

(v.) to condemn, express strong disapproval; to officially depreciate

belittle

(v.) 1.cause to seem less serious; play down
2. lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of
3. express a negative opinion of

denigrate

(v.) to belittle, diminish the opinion of
(adj.) denigrating
(syn.) defame, calumniate, slander, libel

denounce

(v.) to condemn openly; to accuse formally
(syn.) fulminate, rail,

deprecate

(v.) 1. to express strong disapproval;
(syn.) deplore
2. to belittle
(syn.) depreciate
(adj.) deprecatory

depreciate

(v.)
1. lose in value
2. lower the value of something
3. belittle
(syn.) deprecate

derogate

(v.) cause to seem less serious; play down

disapprove

(v.)
1. deem wrong or inappropriate
2. consider bad or wrong

dismiss

(v.)
1. put away from consideration; reject
2. terminate the employment of
(syn.) discount, disregard, ignore, push aside, brush aside
(n.) dismissal

disparage

(v) to belittle, say uncomplimentary things; to put down; express a negative opinion of
(syn.) slight, belittle
(ant.) blandish, flatter

slight

(v.) pay no attention, disrespect
(syn.) cold-shoulder, dismiss, disregard, ignore, brush aside

blandish

(v.) praise somewhat dishonestly
(syn.) flatter
(ant.) belittle, dismiss, disparage

declaim

(v.) recite in elocution
(syn.) recite
(v.) speak against in an impassioned manner
(syn.) inveigh

declamation

(n.) a speech or presentation spoken in a formal or theatrical style

proclaim

(v.) declare formally; state or announce
(syn.) exclaim, promulgate
(v.) praise, glorify, or honor
(syn.) exalt, extol, laud

exclaim

(v.) utter loud
(syn.) cry out
(v.) state or announce
(syn.) proclaim, promulgate, declare, trumpet

trumpet

(v.) proclaim on, or as if on, a trumpet
(syn.) exclaim, proclaim, promulgate

reclaim

(v.) bring, lead, or force to abandon a wrong or evil course of life, conduct, and adopt a right one
(syn.) rectify, reform, regenerate
(v.) overcome the wildness of; make docile and tractable
(syn.) domesticate, tame,
(v.) claim back
(syn.) repossess
(v.

acclaim

(n.) high praise

applaud

(v.) To show approval, especially by clapping hands

exalt

(v.) 1. praise, glorify, or honor
2. raise in rank, character, or status
(syn.) extol, glorify, laud, proclaim
(n.) exaltation = encomium

exult

(v.) feel extreme happiness or elation

extol

(v.) to praise highly
(syn.) exalt, glorify, laud, proclaim

laud

(v.) to praise

magnify

(v.) 1. make large
2. increase in size, volume or significance

assail

(v.) to violently attack; to criticize; (v.) to cause trouble to
(adj.) assailable

assault

(v.) = assail
1. attack someone physically or emotionally
2. attach in speech or writing

impugn

(v.) to call into question; to attack as false

anthropogenic

(adj.) 1.changes in nature made by people
2. of or relating to the study of the origins and development of human beings

speculative

(adj.)
1. not based on fact or investigation
2. showing curiosity
3. not financially safe or secure

befuddle

(v.) to confuse; to perplex
(n.) befuddlement
(syn.) confound, discombobulate

discombobulate

(v.) 1. cause to be confused emotionally
2. be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
(syn.) bemuse, bewilder

flabbergast

(v.) - astound, stupefy

jettison

(v.) to cast overboard, get rid of as unnecessary or burdensome

ostensible

(adj.) appearing as such but not necessarily so
(syn.) apparent, seeming, superficial
(adj.) represented or appearing as such
(syn.) pretended, counterfeit, imitative

dissemble

(v.) to disguise or conceal, deliberately give a false impression
(syn.) feign, sham, affect, simulate

disassemble

(v.) take apart into its constituent pieces
(syn.) dismantle

dismantle

(v.) take off or remove
(syn.) disassemble, strip

feign

(v.) make believe with the intent to deceive
(syn.) affect, dissemble, pretend, sham, assume, simulate

sham

(n.) something that is a counterfeit
(syn.) fake, postiche, fraud, imposter, pretender
(v.) make believe with the intent to deceive
(syn.) affect, dissemble, feign, pretend

impending

(v.) close in time; about to occur
(syn. ) impendent, imminent

couch

(v.) to phrase in a particular way

free-for-all

a disorganized or unrestricted situation or event in which everyone may take part, especially a fight, discussion, or trading market

preposterous

(adj.) ridiculous, senseless

absurd

(adj.) ridiculous; unreasonable

cockeyed

(adj.) 1. turned or twisted toward one side
2. incongruous; inviting ridicule
3. very drunk; intoxicate

derisory

(adj.) incongruous; inviting ridicule

risible

(adj.) arousing or provoking laughter
(syn.) amusing, ridiculous, ludicrous

ludicrous

(adj.) incongruous; inviting ridicule; broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
(syn.) absurd, cockeyed, derisory, idiotic, nonsensical, preposterous, ridiculous, farcical, humorous, risible

palter

(v.) to act insincerely or deceitful

ersatz

(adj.) artificial, synthetic; being an inferior substitute or imitation

bogus

(adj.) fraudulent; having a misleading appearance

dummy

(adj.) having the appearance of being real but lacking capacity to function

impostor

(n.) a swindler, deceiver; one who uses a false name or character in order to cheat

redolent

(adj.) 1. having a strong smell: full of a fragrance or odor
2. causing thoughts or memories of something
(syn.) evocative, reminiscent, resonant

ambrosial

(adj.) something extremely pleasing to taste or smell

aromatic

(adj.) having a strong pleasant odor

fragrant

(adj.) pleasant-smelling

savory

(adj.) 1. pleasing to the sense of taste
2. morally wholesome or acceptable

fetid

(adj.) having a foul odor

foul

(adj.) offensively malodorous

obscene

(adj.) offensive to accepted standards of decency or modesty
(syn.) abhorrent, detestable, repugnant, repulsive, offensive, indecent, salacious, raunchy, lewd

raunchy

(syn.) earthy and sexually eplicit
(n.) raunch
the quality of lacking taste and refinement

lewd

(adj.) suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
(syn.) obscene, raunchy, salacious, dirty

noisome

(adj.) unpleasant, offensive, especially to the sense of smell
(syn.) loathsome, vile, fetid, foul, malodorous, stinky

rancid

(adj.) having a terrible taste or smell

effluvia

(n.) 1. an offensive exhalation
2. a by-product especially in the form of waste

brackish

(adj.) having a salty taste and unpleasant to drink

didactic

(adj.) Intended to teach or instruct
(syn.) homiletic, preachy, moralistic, sententious
(n.) didacticism

moralistic

(adj.) characterized by or expressing a narrow and conventional moral attitude.
(syn.) didactic, homiletic, moral

sweep away

1. eliminate completely and without a trace
2. overwhelm emotionally

sententious

(adj.) self-righteous, characterized by moralizing; given to use of maxims or adages;
(adj.) saying much in few words
(syn.) pithy, concise, compendious, succinct, terse, laconic, capsule

homiletic

(adj.) of or relating to, or resembling a homily
(syn.) didactic, sermonic

homily

(n.) a sermon stressing moral principles; a tedious moralizing lecture or discourse
(adj.) homiletic

sermon

(n.) 1. a religious discourse delivered in public usually by a clergyman as a part of a worship service
2. a speech on conduct or duty
(syn.) homily

discourse

(n.) (v.) 1. the use of words to exchange thoughts and ideas
2. a long talk or piece of writing about a subject
(syn.) (n.) chat, colloquy, converse: (v.) declaim, descant

far cry

completely different from

edify

(v.) to instruct or benefit, (v.) particularly in relation to intellectual or spiritual matters
(syn.) enlighten

inform

(v.) to give character or essence to

inculcate

(v.) teach and impress by frequent repetition or admonitions

champion

(v.) (n.) to fight or speak publicly in support of
(syn.) defend

uphold

(v) 1. to give support to; to stand up for; stick up for
2. keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last

patronize

(v.) 1. to give one's business to regularly as a customer;
2. to support, provide financial help;
3. to treat someone as an inferior while making a show of being kind or gracious

plump for

(v.) be behind; approve of

espouse

(v.) to take up and support; to become attached to, adopt; to marry
(syn.) champion

urbane

(adj.) refined in manner or style

debonair

(adj.) pleasant, courteous, lighthearted; smooth and polished in manner and appearance
(syn.) suave, refined, jaunty

genteel

(adj.) marked by refinement in taste and manners

cultivated

(adj.) 1. marked by refinement in taste and manners
2. no longer in the natural state; developed by human care and for human use

courteous

(adj.) 1. characterized by courtesy and gracious good manners
2. exhibiting courtesy and politeness

well-bred

(adj.) of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined

boorish

(adj.) ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance

churlish

(adj.) 1. having a bad disposition; surly
2. rude and boorish

lout

(n.) an awkward stupid person
loutish = boorish
an awkward stupid person (-)

uncouth

(adj.) lacking refinement or cultivation or taste

vulgar

(adj.) lacking refinement or cultivation or taste

upbeat

(adj.) positive and cheerful

comity

(n.) courtesy, civility, politeness, respectful and considerate behavior; friendly social atmosphere

compatibility

(n.) 1. capability of existing or performing in harmonious or congenial combination
2. a feeling of sympathetic understanding

concord

(n.) harmonious agreement

civility

(n.) politeness; courteousness; the act of showing regard for others

dissension

(n.) disagreement, sharp difference of opinion
(syn.) discord, confrontation, disagreement, dissonance
(ant.) accord, agreement

proprietary

(adj.) characteristic of an owner of property; constituting property

congenial

(adj.) getting on well with others; agreeable, pleasant
(syn.) compatible, sociable, friendly, sympathetic
(n.) congeniality

vivacity

(n.) The quality or state of being vivacious; high spirited, lively, animation

vim

(n.) a healthy capacity for vigorous activity

languor

(n.) inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy
(syn.) lethargy, phlegm, sluggishness, lassitude, listlessness

debilitation

(n.) serious weakening and loss of energy

enfeeble

(v.) make weak

lassitude

(n.) a feeling of lack of interest or energy
(syn.) languor, listlessness, lethargy, slackness, sluggishness

listlessness

n. lack in spirit or energy

stupor

(n.) a stunned condition; near-unconsciousness;

torpor

(n.) 1. a state of motor and mental inactivity with a partial suspension of sensibility
2. inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energy
(v.) torpify
(adj.) torpid
(syn.) listlessness, torpidity

lethargy

(n.) inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy

ordain

(v.) 1. to officially make someone a minister, priest
2. to officially establish an order

prescribe

(v.) to lay down a rule; issue commands or orders for
(syn.) mandate, dictate, order
(n.) prescription

mandate

(n.) an authoritative command, formal order, authorization;
(v.) to issue such an order
(syn.) dictate, order, prescribe
(adj.) mandatory

clamor

(v.) utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
(n.) loud and persistent outcry from many people

blare

(v.) (n.) make a loud noise; make a strident sound

bluster

(v.) 1. blow hard; be gusty, as of wind
2. act in an arrogant, overly self-assured, or conceited manner

cacophony

(n) 1. a loud harsh or strident noise
2. loud confusing disagreeable sounds
(adj.) cacophonous = jarring

clangor

(n.) a loud ringing sound; (v.) to make a loud ringing noise

howl

(v.) cry loudly; make a loud noise

racket

(v.)(n.) a loud and disturbing noise

rattle

(n.) a rapid series of short loud sounds

tumult

(n.) a state of commotion and noise and confusion

vociferate

(v.) utter in a very loud voice

din

(n.) a loud harsh or strident noise

fungible

(n.) (adj.) freely exchangeable for or replaceable by another
(syn.) exchangeable

connoisseur

(n.) an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts

blast

(n.) (v.)
1. a sudden very loud noise
2. a strong current of air
3. intense adverse criticism

conceit

(n.) 1. the trait of being unduly vain
feelings of excessive pride
2. an artistic device or effect
(syn.) vanity

rite

(n.) 1. an established ceremony prescribed by a religion
2. any customary observance or practice
(syn.) ritual

promulgate

(v.) to proclaim, announce or issue officially
2. put a law into effect by formal declaration
(syn.) proclaim, exclaim, trumpet

garb

(n.) clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion

salacious

(adj.) 1. suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
(syn.) obscene
2. characterized by lust

elude

(v.) 1. escape, either physically or mentally; avoid fulfilling, answering or performing
2. be incomprehensible to; escape understanding by
(syn.) 1. dodge, duck, eschew, evade, shirk, shun 2. baffle, befog, befuddle, bewilder, confound, discombobulate, m

expound

(v.) add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way
(syn.) dilate, elaborate, enlarge, explicate, elucidate

construe

(v.) make sense of
(syn.) explicate, elucidate, expound, interpret
(ant.) misconstrue, garble

abstruse

(adj.) difficult to comprehend
(syn.) occult, profound, recondite, arcane, esoteric, hermetic

occult

(n.) supernatural forces and events and beings collectively
(adj.) beyond ordinary understanding
(v.) hide from view
(syn.) esoteric, cryptic, conceal, disguise, elliptical, murky, nebulous, inscrutable, opaque, impenetrable
(adj.) hidden and difficult to

hermetic

(adj.) completely sealed; completely airtight; relating to or characterized by occultism or abstruseness
(syn.) abstruse, arcane, esoteric, recondite, occult

nebulous

(adj.) indistinct, vague
(syn.) ambiguous, arcane, equivocal, hazy, muddy, murky, obscure, occult, vague

esoteric

(adj.) difficult for one to understand; not known or meant to be known by the general populace
(syn.) recondite, arcane, abstruse, hermetic, convoluted

arcane

(adj.) difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
(syn.) esoteric, hermetic, impenetrable, murky, nebulous, obscure, occult, opaque, recondite, elliptical, abstruse, cryptic, enigmatic, inscrutable, uncanny

uncanny

(adj.) surpassing the ordinary or normal
(syn.) runic, preternatural, extraordinary
(adj.) suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
(syn.) supernatural, unearthly, weird

runic

(adj.) relating to or consisting of runes
(n.) rune - any character from an ancient Germanic alphabet
(syn.) uncanny

elliptical

(adj.) 1. of or relating to deliberate obscurity
2. extreme economy of expression
(syn.) arcane, ambiguous, cryptic, enigmatic, equivocal, inscrutable, murky, nebulous, occult, opaque, vague, concise, curt

curt

(adj.) 1. brief and to the point; effectively cut short
(syn.) laconic, elliptical, pithy, sententious, succinct, terse, compendious, aphoristic, concise
(adj.) 2. marked by rude or peremptory shortness
(syn.) brusque, discourteous

curtail

(v.) terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent

laconic

(adj.) brief and to the point; effective cut short
(syn.) apothegmatic, capsule, compendious, curt, pithy, succinct, terse, telegraphic, concise
(ant.) circuitous, circumlocutory, diffuse, prolix, rambling, windy

minute

(adj.) 1. infinitely or immeasurably small 2. characterized by painstaking care and detailed examination
(syn.) 1. frivolous, incidental, negligible, nugatory, trifling, trivial 2. circumstantial, elaborate
(ant.) 1. consequential, critical, crucial, mome

scrutiny

(n.) the act of examining something closely

succinct

(adj.) characterized by clear, precise expression in few words
(syn.) concise, curt, laconic, pithy, compendious, apothegmatic
(ant.) diffuse, prolix, circuitous, circumlocutory

apothegm

(n.) a short pithy instructive saying
(syn.) aphorism, maxim
(adj.) apothegmatic

compendious

(adj.) briefly giving the gist of something
(syn.) concise, laconic, succinct, compact, summary
(n.) compendium

aphoristic

(adj.) terse and witty and like a maxim
(syn.) apothegmatic, concise, curt

capsule

(n.)(v.)(adj.) 1. a small container 2. a shortened version of a written work
(syn.) laconic, pithy,

terse

(adj.) brief and to the point; effectively concise
(syn.) concise, curt, pithy, succinct, compendious, laconic, compact
(ant.) diffuse, prolix, circuitous, circumlocutory, rambling

pithy

(adj.) concise and full of meaning
(syn.) terse
(ant.) verbose, windy, circuitous

windy

(adj.) using or containing too many words
(syn.) tedious, verbose, prolix

circumlocutory

(adj.) roundabout and unnecessarily wordy
(syn.) circuitous, diffuse
(ant.)
(n.) circumlocution

abrupt

(adj.) 1. exceedingly sudden and unexpected 2. surprisingly and unceremoniously brusque in manner 3. extremely steep
(syn.) 2. bluff, blunt, curt 3. precipitous, steep

precipitous

(adj.) 1. very steep 2. acting or done with excessive or careless speed
(syn.) abrupt, precipitate, sheer, steep, arduous, cursory, headlong, overhasty, rash, rushed

precipitate

(adj.) acting or done with excessive or careless speed
(syn.) cursory, precipitous, rash, hasty, rushed, headlong, impetuous
(ant.) deliberate, leisurely
(v.) to cause to happen, especially suddenly or prematurely
(syn.) accelerate, escalate, expedite, ha

fetter

(n.) a shackle for the ankles or feet
(v.) restrain with fetters
(syn.) circumscription, constraint, curb, stricture, manacle, trammel, hamper, impede, obstruct
(ant.) enfranchise, facilitate

clog

(n.) something that makes movement or progress difficult
(v.) 1. to create difficulty for the work or activity of
2. to prevent passage through by filling with something
(syn.) balk, bar, deterrent, fetter, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, ob

trammel

(n.) 1. a fishing net 2. a restraint that confines or restricts freedom
(v.) catch in or as if in a trap; place limits on

curb

(n.) the act of restraining power or action or limiting access
(v.) lessen the intensity; temper; hold in restraint, hold or keep within limit
(syn.) check, encumber, fetter, hinder, impede, inhibit, interfere, obstruct, shackle, trammel

encumber

(v.) 1. hold back 2. to place a weight or burden on
(syn.) clog, impede, hamper, hinder, obstruct, retard, stymie
(ant.) promote, further, facilitate, laden, lumber, saddle

hinder

(v.) be an obstacle to; prevent the progress or accomplishment of
(syn.) scotch, thwart, shackle, stonewall, stunt, stymie, hobble, clog, encumber, forestall, hamper, impede, interdict, obstruct
(ant.) nourish, abet, facilitate, incubate, intemperate, pre

intemperate

(syn.) rampant, inclement
(ant.) equable, genial

rampant

(adj.) 1. unrestrained and violent 2. having a lush and unchecked growth
(syn.) 1. abandoned, intemperate, runaway, unbounded, unbridled, unchecked, unhampered, unhindered 2. lush, luxuriant, prosperous, weed

lush

(adj.) 1. growing vigorously especially with luxuriant foliage
(syn.) booming, flourishing, lively, luxuriant, thriving, verdant, vivacious, rampant, exuberant
(ant.) blighted, faded, sere, withered
(adj.) 2. producing abundantly
(syn.) fecund, halcyon, l

boom

(n.) (v.) a deep prolonged loud noise
(v.) grow vigorously (n.) a state of economic prosperity
(adj.) booming
(syn.) lush, palmy, proliferate, prosperous, wax, bulge, burgeon, halcyon

palmy

(adj.) very lively and profitable
(syn.) booming, flourishing, prospering, prosperous, thriving, roaring, halcyon, lush
(ant.) failed, depressed

halcyon

(adj.) 1. free from storms or physical disturbance
(syn.) placid, hushed, serene, tranquil
(ant.) restless, tempestuous, agitated, inclement, turbulent
(adj.) marked by peace and prosperity
(syn.) palmy, prosperous, booming, flourishing, lush, prospering,

hush

(v.) become quiet or still
(adj.) hushed
(syn.) quell, repose, serene, placid, halcyon
(ant.) bustle

quell

(v.) 1. suppress or crush completely 2. overcome or allay
(syn.) 1. quash, repress, squash, squelch, subdue, suppress, clamp down, crack down on 2. dumb, extinguish, hush, mute, settle, pacify
(ant.) foment, instigate, rouse, incite

incite

(v.) to provoke or urge on
(syn.) spur, squelch, incentive, foment, goad, provoke, abet, instigate, pick, raise, stir
(ant.) quell, repress, stifle

instigate

(v.) provoke or stir up
(syn.) incite, abet, arouse, excite, foment, goad, inflame, provoke, stir, incense
(ant.) assuage, allay, mitigate, mollify, pacify, soothe

rouse

(v.) 1. to stir up
(syn.) motivate, nettle, pique, provoke, arouse, agitate, excite, stimulate
(ant.) mediate, propitiate, quell, allay, alleviate, assuage, ease, mitigate, mollify, palliate, relieve, soothe
(v.) 2. to cause to stop sleeping
(syn.) arouse

lull

(n.) a momentary halt in an activity
(syn.) break, breath, interruption, recess
(v.) make clam or still
(syn.) salve, soothe, lullaby, allay, balm, becalm, compose, settle, tranquilize
(ant.) arouse, clamor, faze, gall, galvanize, agitate, discompose, dis

lullaby

(n.) a song to quiet children or lull them to sleep
(v.) free from distress or disturbance
(syn.) allay, balm, compose, lull, salve, soothe, tranquilize, still

discompose

(v.) 1. to disturb the composure or calm of
(syn.) perturb, agitate, discomfort, weird out, bother, disconcert, upset
(ant.) lull, lullaby, pacify, salve, sedate, settle, serene, soothe, placid, compose, conciliate, tranquilize
(v.) 2. to undo the proper

disconcert

(v.) to disturb the composure of
(syn.) discompose, abash, discomfit, discountenance, mortify, rattle
(ant.) calm, tranquilize, compose, settle, soothe

disarray

(n.) untidiness; a mental state characterized
by a lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior
(syn.) chaos, havoc, mess, muddle, muss, shambles, jumble, welter
(v.) bring disorder to
(syn.) discompose, roil, rumple, dishevel, disrupt, hash, jumble, mu

disrupt

(v.) make a break in; throw into disorder; interfere in someone else's activity
(syn.) disarray, roil, rumple, sabotage
(ant.) attune

sabotage

(n.) treacherous action to defeat or hinder a cause or an endeavor; deliberate subversion
(syn.) damage, impairment, subversion, undermining
(v.) destroy property or hinder normal operations
(syn.) disrupt, foil, frustrate, obstruct, undermine
(ant.) patr

plump

(adj.) well-rounded and full in form; fat
(syn.) chubby, fleshy, gross, obese, rotund, round
(ant.) svelte, lean, slender, thin, angular
(v.) to give full support or praise
(syn.) champion, advocate, back, endorse, patronize
(ant.) baffle, foil, frustrate

hash

(v.) 1. make a mess or muddle of 2. chop up
(syn.) agitate, disarray, 2. mince

dishevel

(v.) disarrange or rumple
(syn.) disarray
(n.) dishevelment
(syn.) chaos, havoc
(adj.) disheveled
(syn.) sloppy, disordered, cluttered
(ant.) shipshape, smart, smug

shipshape

(adj.) marked by meticulous order and neatness
(syn.) smug, taut, antiseptic, kempt, prim, well-groomed
(ant.) unkempt, disheveled, messy, slovenly

slovenly

(adj.) negligent of neatness especially in dress and person; habitually dirty and unkempt
(syn.) squalid, unkempt, frowsy, slipshod, sloppy, dowdy, blowsy, untidy
(ant.) smart, smug, dapper, natty, spruce, trim

frowsy

(adj.) 1. negligent of neatness especially in dress and person; habitually dirty and unkempt
(syn.) slovenly, unkempt, untidy
(ant.) dapper, neat, spruce
2. having an unpleasant smell
(syn.) fetid, noisome, stinky, smelly
(ant.) ambrosial, aromatic, fragr

slipshod

(adj.) marked by great carelessness
(ant.) painstaking, punctilious, fastidious, meticulous, accurate, exact, precise
(syn.) slack, botchy, sloppy, slovenly, untidy

smart

(adj.) being strikingly neat and trim in style or appearance
(syn.) dapper, natty, neat, sharp, snappy, spruce, trim
(ant.) sloppy, slovenly, disheveled, frowsy, unkempt
(v.) to suffer acutely, as from mental distress, wounded feelings, or remorse
(syn.)

dapper

(syn.) being strikingly neat in appearance.
(syn.) smart, smug
(ant.) sloppy, slovenly, frowsy

snappy

(adj.) quick and energetic
(syn.) alter, brisk, lively, rattling, energetic

smug

(adj.) marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
(syn.) self-satisfied, content

advocate

(n.) a person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea
(syn.) exponent, proponent, advocator
(v.) speak, plead, or argue in favor of
(syn.) champion

advocacy

(n.) active support of an idea or cause etc.

baffle

(v.) be a mystery or bewildering to; hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
(syn.) bewilder, dumbfound, flummox, gravel, mystify, nonplus, perplex, puzzle, stupefy, vex
(v.) hinder or prevent of
(syn.) foil, thwart,

foil

(v.) hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
(syn.) baffle, thwart

jumble

(v.) to mix things together indiscriminately
(syn.) confound, confuse, mix up, scramble, mingle
(n.) a collection of different things mixed together

welter

(n.) a confused multitude of things
(syn.) clutter, jumble, muddle, hodgepodge, amalgam

muddle

(v.) mix up or confuse
(syn.) puddle, addle

havoc

(n.) violent and needless disturbance
(syn.) mayhem

agitate

(v.) cause to be agitated, excited, or rouse
(adj.) agitated - physically disturbed; troubled emotionally and usually deeply
(n.) agitation

perturb

(v.) disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed
(syn.) disquiet, distract

mortify

(v.) cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
(syn.) abase, chagrin, humble, humiliate
(v.) hold within limits and control
(syn.) crucify, subdue

vex

(v.) cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
(syn.) annoy, bother, chafe, gravel, irritate, nettle, worry
(v.) be a mystery or bewildering to
(syn.) amaze, baffle, bewilder, dumbfound, flummox, gravel, mystify, nonplus, perplex, puzzl

faze

(v.) disturb the composure of
(syn.) enervate, unnerve, unsettle

pique

(v.) cause to feel resentment or indignation

foment

(v.) try to stir up public opinion
(syn.) agitate, stir up

nettle

(v.) cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
(syn.) annoy, bother, chafe, devil, gravel, irritate, vex

goad

(v.) stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
(syn.) prick, spur
(v.) provoke as by constant criticism
(syn.) needle

ignite

(v.) cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
(syn.) light
(v.) arouse or excite feelings and passions
(syn.) inflame, stir up, fire up

incendiary

(adj.) 1. capable of catching fire spontaneously or causing fires or burning readily
2. arousing to action or rebellion
(syn.) combustible, inflammatory, incitive, seditious, provocative
(v.) incense

incentive

(n.) a positive motivational influence
(syn.) inducement, motivator
(ant.) deterrence

riddle

(n.) a difficult problem (v.) set a difficult problem
(v.) pierce with many holes

balm

(n.) semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation

compose

(v.) to make somebody become calm
(n.) composure

conciliate

(v.) cause be more favorably inclined;
come to terms
make one thing compatible with another
(adj.) conciliatory

salvage

(v.)(n.) save from ruin, destruction, or harm
(syn.) relieve, rescue, salve

squelch

(v.) suppress or crush completely
(syn.) quell, quench, subdue, suppress

quench

(v.) satisfy
(syn.) allay, assuage, slake
(v.) put out, as of fires, flames, or lights
(v.) reduce the degree of
(v.) suppress or crush completely
(syn.) quell, squelch

propitiate

(v.) make peace with
(syn.) appease, conciliate, make up, patch up, reconcile, conciliate, placate, mollify, assuage

stifle

(v.) impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
(v.) to curb, repress, or prevent the development of something
(syn.) suffocate, smother, suppress, dampen, shackle

subdue

(v.) put down by force or intimidation
(v.) hold within limits and control
(syn.) quash, reduce, repress, subjugate, inhibit, suppress, conquer, crucify, mortify

tempestuous

(adj.) characterized by violent emotions or behavior
(syn.) stormy, angry, furious

clement

(adj.) showing mercy or leniency

turbulent

(adj.) characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
(syn.) disruptive, tumultuous, riotous

placid

(adj.) free from disturbance by heavy waves
(syn.) quiet, smooth, still, tranquil, clam, unruffled
(adj.) not easily irritated
(syn.) equable, even-tempered, good-natured

tranquil

(adj.) (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy weaves
(syn.) placid, quiet, smooth, still, unruffled
(adj.) not agitated; without losing self-possession
(syn.) calm, serene, composed

burgeon

(v.) grow and flourish

wax

...

bulge

(v.) swell or protrude outwards

prosperous

(adj.) marked by peace and prosperity
(syn.) halcyon
(adj.) very lively and profitable
(syn.) booming, flourishing, palmy, prospering, roaring, thriving
(n.) prosperity

verdant

(adj.) characterized by abundance of verdure
(syn.) abundant

luxuriant

(adj.) produced or growing in extreme abundance
(syn.) exuberant, lush, profuse, riotous, abundant

equable

(adj.) 1. not varying 2. not easily irritated
(syn.) even-tempered, placid

thwart

(v.) hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
(syn.) baffle, foil

stymie

(v.) hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
(syn.) blockade, embarrass, hinder, obstruct

impede

(v.) be a hindrance or obstacle to
(syn.) hinder, occlude, obstruct

precipitation

(n.) something precipitated as a deposit on the earth of hail, mist, rain, sleet, or snow
(syn.) deposit, sediment
(n.) excited and often showy or disorderly speed
(syn.) haste, hastiness, precipitousness, rush

headlong

(adj.) excessively quick, without deliberation
(syn.) careen, rash, cursory, hasty, precipitate, precipitous
(ant.) deliberate

hasty

(adj.) excessively quick, done with very great haste and without deliberation.
(syn.) headlong, precipitate, precipitous, rash, cursory, fleet
(ant.) sluggish, dilatory
(n.) (v.) haste

escalate

(v.) to increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope
(syn.) aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, pump up, build up
(ant.) wane, diminish

impel

(v.) urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
(syn.) force, urge, precipitate

dilatory

(adj.) wasting time
(syn.) remiss, laggard

rash

...

blunt

(adj.) characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
(n.) bluntness
(v.) make dull or blunt

ceremonious

(adj.) characterized by pomp and ceremony and stately display
(syn.) pompous
(adj.) rigidly formal or bound by convention
(syn.) conventional

brusque

(adj.) marked by rude or peremptory shortness

downright

(adj.) complete and without restriction or qualification
(adv.) thoroughgoing

elucidate

(v.) make clear and comprehensible
(syn.) crystalize, construe, explicate, expound, clarify
(ant.) obfuscate, obscure, garble, confuse
(n.) elucidation

explicate

(v.) elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses; make plain and comprehensible
(syn.) clarify, construe, demystify, elucidate, expound, illuminate, illustrate
(ant.) obscure
(n.) explication

shirk

(v.) avoid (one's assigned duties)
(syn.) fiddle, goldbrick, shrink from, neglect

eschew

(v.) avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
(syn.) shun

pertinacity

(n.) persistent determination

glib

(adj.) 1. artfully persuasive in speaking or writing often to the point of insincere or deceitful
2. having only superficial plausibility
(syn.) nonchalant, oily
(ant.) taciturn, reticent, awkward, cursory, abstruse, profound

nonchalant

(adj.) marked by blithe unconcern
(syn.) casual, insouciant, indifferent, imperturbable, apathetic, disinterested, perfunctory

coherent

(adj.) holding or sticking together; making a logical whole; comprehensible, meaningful
(syn.) consistent, logical, seamless, rational, lucid
(syn.) tenacious, adhesive

collegial

(adj.) characterized by or having authority vested equally among colleagues

meticulous

(adj.) 1. marked by precise accordance with details
2. marked by extreme care in treatment of details
(syn.) punctilious, precise, fastidious, painstaking

punctilious

(adj.) marked by precise accordance with details
(syn.) meticulous, precise,

fastidious

(adj.) giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
(syn.) exacting, meticulous

painstaking

(adj.) characterized by extreme care and great effort
(syn.) conscientious, scrupulous, careful, fastidious, meticulous

scrupulous

(adj.) characterized by extreme care and great effort
(syn.) painstaking, careful

scruple

(n.) uneasiness about the fitness of an action
(syn.) misgiving, qualm
(v.) hesitate on moral grounds
(syn.) hesitate, pause

attend

(v.) take charge of or deal with

conjecture

(v.) to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
(syn.) speculate
(adj.) conjectural

rote

(n.) memorization by repetition

pan

(v.) express a totally negative opinion of

reprehensible

(adj.) bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
(syn.) condemnable, criminal, deplorable, vicious
(v.) reprehend - express strong disapproval of

reprimand

(n.) an act or expression of criticism and censure
(v.) rebuke formally
(v.) censure severely or angrilyd

rebuke

(v.) censure severely or angrily
(syn.) berate, chide, lambaste, remonstrate, reprimand, reproof, scold, vituperate, objurgate
(n.) an act or expression of criticism and censure
(syn.) reprehension, reprimand, reproof

censure

(n.) harsh criticism or disapproval
(v.) rebuke formally

condemn

(v.) 1. express strong disapproval of
2. demonstrate the guilt of (someone)
(n.) condemnation

eulogize

(v.) extol; praise highly

rave

(v.) (n.) 1. talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
2. praise enthusiastically

ravenous

(adj.) extremely hungry
(adj.) devouring or craving food in great quantities
(syn.) rapacious, voracious, gluttonous, wolfish

devour

(v.) 1. eat immediately and greedily
= raven, scoff, gobble, gorge, ingest
2. destroy completely
= deplete, exhaust

peck

(n.) (often followed by 'of') a large number or amount or extent
(v.) eat like a bird

overrule

(v.) rule against

sustain

(v.) supply with necessities and support

formulate

(v.) put into words or an expression
= articulate

articulate

(v.) To pronounce distinctly; to express well in words; to fit together into a system; (adj.) able to use language effectively; expressed clearly and forcefully

sporadic

(adj.) occurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
(syn.) fitful, spasmodic, intermittent, occasional, irregular

contagious

(adj.) easily diffused or spread as from one person to another

contentious

(adj.) quarrelsome, inclined to argue
(syn.) controversial, polemical
(n.) contention
(syn.) controversy, polemic, tilt, argument
(v.) contend

erudite

(adj) scholarly, knowledgeable; possessing a deep, often systematic, knowledge
(n.) erudition

effusive

(adj.) 1. uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
2. extravagantly demonstrative

gush

(v.) 1. to flow out very quickly and in large amounts 2. praise enthusiastically
(n.) a sudden rapid flow

lyrical

(adj.) expressing deep emotion
(syn.) emotional

contingent

(adj.) 1. determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
2. uncertain because of uncontrollable circumstances
3. possible but not certain to occur
(n.) contingency

circumstantial

(adj.)
3. marked by careful attention to detail
(syn.) minute, detailed
1. belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances
2. pertinent but no essential
(n.) circumstantiality

sever

(v.) to separate, divide into part

flummox

(v.) to confuse or perplex

garble

(v.) make false by alteration; as of a message or story

countermand

(v.) to cancel or reverse one order or command with another that is contrary to the first

atonement

(n.) compensation for a wrong. the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing

contract

(v.) be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness; become infected with a disease

cursory

(adj.) brief to the point of being superficial
(syn.) perfunctory, casual
(adv.) cursorily

perfunctory

(adj.) Done in a superficial or halfhearted manner; without interest or enthusiasm
(syn.) routine, cursory, casual, careless

decisive

(adj.) conclusive; beyond doubt; showing determination
(syn.) unmistakable, unquestionable

wrest

(v.) obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically

contest

(n.) a struggle between rivals
(v.) to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation

conviction

(n.) an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
(n.) a final judgement of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed

resentment

(n.) a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
(syn.) rancor, gall

gall

(n.) 1. the trait of being rude and impertinent
2. a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
(v.) irritate or vex
(syn.) resentment, aggravate, exasperate, grate, inflame, provoke, pique, roil, animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, hostility, ra

grate

(v.) 1. reduce to small shreds or pulverize by rubbing against a rough or sharp perforated surface
(v.) make resentful or angry
(syn.) fret, rankle

inflame

(v.) arouse or excite feelings and passions
(syn.) fire up, ignite, stir up

antipathy

(n.) a feeling of intense dislike
(syn.) aversion, distaste

apathy

(n.) an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
(adj.) apathetic

rancor

(n.) a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
(syn.) bitterness, gall, resentment

placate

(v.) cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
(syn.) appease, assuage, conciliate, gentle, mollify, pacify

pacify

(v.) cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
(syn.) appease, assuage, conciliate, gentle, mollify, placate

temerity

(n.) fearless daring
(syn.) audaciousness, audacity

amity

(n.) a state of friendship and cordiality; a cordial disposition

presumptuous

(adj.) excessively forward
(syn.) assuming, forward, assumptive

assumptive

(adj.) excessively forward
(syn.) assuming, presumptuous, forward

audacity

(n.) aggressive boldness or unmitigated effrontery; fearless daring
(adj.) audacious
(syn.) daring, venturous, dauntless, intrepid, bold, brave, hardy

dismissal

(n.) 1. the termination of someone's employment
2. the sending away of someone; permission to go
3. a judgement disposing of the matter without a trial

dispose

(v.) 1. give, sell, throw, or cast away
2. place or put in a particular order; make fit or prepared
(ant.) disarray, upset, mess up, muss up
3. to give a tendency to
(syn.) incline, prone, predisposed

peculiarity

(n.) an odd or unusual characteristic; a distinguish trait

derive

(v.) 1. come from
2. reason by deduction

extrapolate

(v) conjecture about an unknown by projecting information about something known; predict by projecting past experience
(n.) extrapolation

eclipse

(v.) be greater in significance than
(syn.) dominate, overshadow

supplant

(v.) take the place or move into the position of
(syn.) replace, supersede, displace

supersede

(v) take the position or move into the position of
(syn.) replace, supervene, supplant

corroborate

(v.) give evidence for; support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm
(adj.) corroborative
(syn.) validate, affirm, confirm, underpin, substantiate, support, sustain
(ant.) contract, negate

impertinence

(n.) 1. being rude, insolent, or inappropriately playful
2. an impudent statement

pertinent

(adj.) being of striking appropriateness 2. having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand
(syn.) apposite, apropos, apt, relevant

pertinacious

(adj.) stubbornly persistent

squander

(v.) to spend foolishly, wastefully, or extravagantly
(syn.) disband

squalid

(adj.) 1. foul and run-down and repulsive
2. morally degraded

run-down

(adj.) 1. worn and broken down by hard use

sordid

(adj.) 1. foul and run-down and repulsive
(syn.) flyblown, squalid, soiled
2. morally degraded
(syn.) seamy, disreputable, corrupt
3. unethical or dishonest
4. meanly avaricious and mercenary

flyblown

(adj.) foul and run-down and repulsive
spoiled and covered with eggs and larvae of flies

avaricious

(adj.) immoderately desirous of acquiring

mercenary

(adj.) profit oriented; marked by materialism
(n.) soldier of fortune

eclectic

(adj.) 1. selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
2. made up of parts from various sources

suspense

(n.) 1. an uncertain cognitive state
2. excited anticipation of an approaching climax
3. apprehension about what is going to happen

ambivalent

(adj.) uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow
(n.) ambivalence

preoccupied

(adj.) 1. having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
2. deeply absorbed in thought

justification

(n.) 1. the act of defending or explaining or making excuses for by reasoning;
2. something that shows an action to be reasonable
3. a statement in explanation of some action or belief

acquisitive

(adj.) eager to acquire and possess things especially material possessions or ideas

acquisition

(n.) something acquired; the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something

antagonistic

(adj.) arousing animosity or hostility
(syn.) adversarial, inimical
(n.) antagonism
(v.) antagonize

animosity

(n.) a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility

hostility

(n.) a state of deep seated ill-will
(syn.) antagonism, enmity, ill will

inimical

(adj.) not friendly

adversarial

(adj.) involving people arguing with or opposing each other
(syn.) antagonistic

negate

(v.) to nullify, deny, bring to nothing
(syn.) neutralize, nullify
(v.) deny the truth of
(syn.) contradict, contravene

melodramatic

(adj.) overly dramatic, unnecessarily or excessively emotional
(syn.) histrionic, theatrical

mawkish

(adj.) effusively or insincerely emotional; emotional in a silly and embarrassing way

histrionic

(adj.) characteristic of acting or a stage performance; often affected
(syn.) melodramatic, theatrical

theatrical

(adj.) suited to or characteristic of the stage or theater
(syn.) histrionic, melodramatic

bathetic

(adj.) effusively or insincerely emotional

pathetic

(adj.) deserving or inciting pity; inspiring mixed contempt and pity;

austere

(adj.) 1. severely simple
2. practicing great self-denial
3. of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
(syn.) ascetic
(n.) austerity

ostentatious

(adj.) marked by conspicuous or pretentious display, showy
(syn.) pretentious, flaunt, flamboyant, showy, splashy
(ant.) unostentatious = modest

at bay

(adj.) cornered and forced to fight
(syn.) cornered, trapped, treed

buoyant

(adj.) 1.tending to float on a liquid or rise in air
2. characterized by liveliness and lightheartedness
(v.) buoy - help something to be more successful

insouciance

(n.) the cheerful feeling you have when nothing is troubling you
(syn.) carefreeness, lightheartedness

stoicism

(n.) indifference to pleasure or pain
(adj.) stoic - seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain
(syn.) impassive, unemotional

tantalize

(v.) harass with persistent criticism or carping
(v.) to tease, torment by teasing
(syn.) bait, taunt, tease

trenchant

(adj.) 1. having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect
2. full of force and vigor
3. clearly or sharply defined to the mind
(syn.) keen, sharp, incisive, clear-cut, distinct, profound
(ant.) blunt, dull, obtuse, va

obtuse

(adj.) lacking in insight or discernment
(syn.) vacuous, fatuous, oafish, purblind, undiscerning
(adj.) slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
(syn.) dense, dim, dull, dumb, slow
(ant.) trenchant, insightful, apt, nimble, solemn, earnest

solemn

(adj.) dignified and somber in manner
(n.) solemnity
(syn.) earnest, graveness, gravity, staidness, sobriety
(ant.) facetious, flippancy, frivolity, frivolousness, levity, lightheartedness

sober

(adj.) 1. not affected by alcohol; 2. complete lacking in playfulness; dignified and somber 3. given to or marked by restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
(n.) soberness
(syn.) understate, earnest, levelheaded, rational, abstinent, continent, s

somber

(adj.) grave or even gloomy in character
(syn.) grave, melancholy, depressing
(adj.) lacking brightness or color; dull
(syn.) drab, sober

grave

(adj.) solemn and serious in manner
(adj.) important and having serious consequence, and therefore requiring careful consideration
(adj.) looking very serious and worried
(syn.) grievous, solemn, sedate, sober

staid

(adj.) characterized by dignity and propriety; serious, something to the point of dullness
(syn.) sedate, decorous

sedate

(adj.) characterized by dignity and propriety
(syn.) staid, decorous
(adj.) dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
(syn.) grave, sober, solemn

sybaritic

(adj.) displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
(syn.) luxurious, voluptuary, indulgent

voluptuary

(adj.) displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
(syn.) luxurious, sybaritic, indulgent, voluptuous

indulgent

(adj.) characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone
(syn.) decadent, effete, sybaritic, voluptuary, hedonistic
(ant.) abstemious, austere, stern, disciplinary, monkish, severe, spartan
(adj.) tolerant or lenient
(syn.) lenient, soft, per

licentious

(adj.) lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
(syn.) unchaste

hedonistic

(adj.) devoted to pleasure
(syn.) indulgent

levity

(n.) a manner lacking seriousness
(syn.) flippancy, jocosity
(ant.) gravity, solemnity

witty

(adj.) combing clever conception and facetious expression
(syn.) waggish, facetious
(ant.) fatuous

fiend

(n.) an evil supernatural being; a cruel wicked and inhuman person
(syn.) ogre
(adj.) fiendish
(syn.) vicious, barbarous, fanatic, miscreant
(ant.) cherubic

miscreant

(n.) one who behaves criminally or viciously
(syn.) brute, culprit, devil, felon, fiend, offender, rascal, reprobate, villain

rascal

(n.) one who is playfully mischievous
(n.) a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
(syn.) imp, monkey, rapscallion, knave

coltish

...

rapscallion

(n.) a mean, evil, or unprincipled person
(syn.) brute, devil, evildoer, fiend, knave, miscreant, rascal, reprobate, rogue, savage, scamp, varlet, wretch
(ant.) saint, chevalier

puckish

(adj.) naughty or annoying playful
(syn.) mischievous, impish, prankish, waggish, devilish, rascally
(ant.) sober, grave, staid

mischievous

(adj.) 1. naughtily or annoying playful 2. deliberately causing harm or damage
(syn.) deleterious, errant, annoy, devious, impish, misbehaving, naughty, playful, wicked, adverse, baleful, baneful, detrimental, evil, hurtful, injurious, nocuous, noxious, p

puerile

(adj.) displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity; of or characteristic of a child
(syn.) adolescent, green, immature, unfledged, jejune, juvenile
(ant.) adult, experienced, grown-up, mature, ripe, sagacious

cherubic

(ant.) devilish, diabolic

pestilent

(adj.) likely to spread and cause an epidemic disease
(syn.) epidemic
(adj.) exceedingly harmful
(syn.) baneful, deadly, pernicious, noxious

pernicious

(adj.) exceedingly harmful
(syn.) baneful, deadly, pestilent, noxious
(adj.) working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
(syn.) insidious, subtle, harmful

nocuous

(adj.) likely to cause injury or damage
(ant.) innocuous

noxious

(adj.) injurious to physical or mental health
(syn.) harmful, baneful, deadly, pernicious, pestilent

impish

(adj.) naughty or annoying playful
(syn.) mischievous, puckish, misbehaving

deleterious

(adj.) harmful for living things
(syn.) hurtful, injurious, harmful, detrimental

waggish

(adj.) mischievous and playful; witty or joking
(syn.) facetious, puckish

facetious

(adj.) joking or jesting often inappropriately
(n.) facetiousness
(syn.) levity, humorous, jocose, jocular, waggish, witty
(ant.) sober, earnest, solemn, sincere, lugubrious

factious

(adj.) dissenting (especially dissenting with the major opinion)
(syn.) dissentious, divisive, discordant, schism

fatuous

(adj.) devoid of intelligence
(syn.) obtuse
(ant.) sagacious, sapient, judicious, prudent
(adj.) complacently or inanely foolish
(syn.) preposterous, vacuous, daft

lunatic

(n.) (adj.) insane (person)
(syn.) morbid

morbid

(adj.) affected with or induced by disease
(syn.) diseased, pathological, lunatic, psychotic
(ant.) hale, salubrious, wholesome

pathological

(adj.) being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or abnormal
(syn.) abnormal, aberrant, anomalous, morbid

judicious

(adj.) marked by the exercise of good judgement or common sense in practical matters
(syn.) prudent

daft

(adj.) showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgement
(syn.) bedlam, demented, deranged, lunatic, psychotic, unsound, unbalanced, fatuous, featherheaded, preposterous
(ant.) judicious, prudent, sagacious, sapient

salubrious

(adj.) promoting health; healthful
(syn.) wholesome, healthy

prudent

(adj.) careful and sensible; marked by sound judgement
(syn.) provident, circumspect, discreet, judicious

sapient

(adj.) acutely insightful and wise
(syn.) sagacious, perspicacious

sagacious

(adj.) acutely insightful and wise
(syn.) sapient, perspicacious

perspicacious

(adj.) 1. mentally acute or penetratingly discerning 2. acutely insightful and wise
(syn.) sagacious, sapient

oafish

(adj.) ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance
(syn.) boorish, loutish, unrefined
(n.) oaf

nimble

(adj.) moving quickly and lightly; mentally quick
(syn.) agile, intelligent, adroit, dexterous

vacuous

(adj.) 1. devoid of matter 2. devoid of intelligence
(syn.) obtuse, fatuous, inane, moronic, airhead
(ant.) omniscient
(n.) vacuity

airhead

(n.) a flighty scatterbrained simpleton
(syn.) oaf, simpleton

simpleton

(n.) a person lacking intelligence or common sense

simplistic

(adj.) characterized by extreme and often misleading simplicity

oaf

(n.) an awkward stupid person
(syn.) airhead, dolt, dullard, imbecile
(ant.) sage, wit, genius, prodigy

imbecile

(n.) a person of subnormal intelligence
(syn.) moron, retard, idiot
(adj.) having a mental age of three to seven years

inane

(adj.) devoid of intelligence
(syn.) fatuous, vacuous, mindless
(n.) inanity

omniscient

(adj.) infinitely wise

incisive

(adj.) having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
(syn.) acute, discriminating, keen, penetrative,
piercing, perceptive, sharp

reel

(v.) walk as if unable to control one's movement
(n.) a winder around which thread or tape or film or other flexible materials can be wound

deterrent

(adj.) tending to deter
(n.) something immaterial that interfere with or delay action or progress

lament

(n.) 1. a cry of sorrow and grief 2. an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, resentment
(syn.) dirge, elegy, requiem, carp, complaint, fuss, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, moan, murmur
(v.) 1. regret strongly
2. express grief verbally
(syn.) bemoan, depl

lachrymose

(adj.) showing sorrow
(syn.) doleful, lamentable, lugubrious, melancholy, mournful, tearful, teary, weepy, woeful
(ant.) jocund, jovial

lugubrious

(adj.) excessive, mournful
(syn.) lachrymose, lamentable, deploring, doleful, dolorous, melancholy, morose, plaintive, rueful, saturnine, sullen, woeful

mournful

(v.) mourn: feel sadness
(adj.) feeling or expressing sorrow or grief
(syn.) aching, agonized, anguished, doleful, dolorous, grievous, lamentable, lugubrious, melancholy, woeful
(ant.) jocund, jovial, jubilant

dole

(n.) a share of money or food or clothing that has been charitably given

gloomy

(adj.) filled with melancholy and despondency
(syn.) depressed, dispirited, downcast, downhearted, grim, dejected, disconsolate, dreary, lugubrious
(adj.) depressingly dark

despondency

(n.) feeling downcast and disheartened and hopeless
(syn.) despondence, disconsolateness

disconsolate

(adj.) sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled
(syn.) dingy, dismal, dreary, gloomy

console

(v.) give moral or emotional strength to
(syn.) comfort, solace, soothe
(n.) consolation

solace

(n.) the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
(syn.) consolation

dreary

(adj.) causing dejection
(syn.) dingy, disconsolate, dismal, drab, gloomy, grim

embody

(v.) 1. represent in bodily form
2. represent, as of a character on stage
3. represent or express something abstract in tangible form

encyclopedic

(adj.) broad in scope or content
(syn.) exhaustive

slavish

(adj.) blindly imitative

ramble

(v.) 1. move about aimlessly or without any destination
2. continue talking or writing in a desultory manner

desultory

(adj.) marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
(syn.) digressive, excursive, meandering, rambling, wandering

digressive

(adj.) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects
(syn.) discursive, excursive, rambling
(v.) digress

excursive

(adj.) passing from one topic to another
(syn.) discursive, digressive, rambling, indirect

excursion

(n.)
1. a journey taken for pleasure
2. wandering from the main path of a journey

meander

(n.) a bend or curve, an in a stream or river
(n.) an aimless amble on a winding course
(v.) move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

assiduous

(adj.) care and persistent effort
(syn.) sedulous, diligent

sinuous

(adj.) curved or curving in and out

serpentine

(adj.) resembling a serpent in form; winding or turning one way and another

winding

(adj.) marked by repeated turns and bends
(syn.) tortuous, twisting, voluminous, crooked

tortuous

(adj.) 1. marked by repeated turns and bends
2. highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious
(syn.) intricate, convoluted

devious

(adj.) 1. deviating from a straight course
(syn.) circuitous, roundabout, indirect
2. indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way
3. characterized by insincerity or deceit; evasive
(syn.) shifty, evasive, insincerity, deceptive, oblique

circuitous

(adj.) deviating from a straight course

voluminous

(adj.) 1. large in volume or bulk
2. marked by repeated turns and bends
(syn.) copious, abundant, tortuous

roundabout

(adj.) 1. deviating from a straight course
2. marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct

crook

(v.) bend or cause to bend
(n.) a long staff with one end being hook shaped

byzantine

(adj.) highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious

convoluted

(adj.) highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious
(syn.) tortuous, intricate

overbearing

(adj.) having arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
(syn.) disdainful, haughty, imperious, supercilious, swaggering
(adj.) expecting unquestioning obedience
(syn.) authoritarian, dictatorial, domineering

oblique

(adj.) 1. slanting or inclined in direction or course or position
2. indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way
(syn.) devious

evasive

(adj.) 1. avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger
2. deliberately vague or ambiguous
(syn.) equivocal
(v.) evade

shifty

(adj.) characterized by insincerity or deceit; evasive

wry

(adj.) 1. bent to one side
2. humorously sarcastic or mocking
(syn.) ironic, humorous

wily

(adj.) marked by skill in deception
(syn.) crafty, cunning, dodgy, sly, knavish

sly

(adj.) marked by skill in deception
(syn.) crafty, cunning, dodgy, wily

knavish

(adj.) marked by skill in deception
(syn.) crafty, cunning, dodgy, wily

backhanded

(adj.) roundabout or ambiguous

amount to

to add up to; to be equivalent to

exasperate

(v.) make furious; annoy or irritate
(syn.) incense, infuriate, aggravate, exacerbate
(n.) exasperation = irascibility
asperity: rude

irascible

(adj.) quickly aroused to anger
(syn.) choleric
(n.) irascibility = exasperation

cordial

(adj.) politely warm and friendly
(syn.) affable, amiable, genial, friendly, sincere

exculpate

(v.) to free from guilt or blame
(syn.) acquit, assoil, discharge, exonerate, vindicate
(ant.) convict
(n.) exculpation

culprit

(n.) someone who perpetrates wrongdoings
(adj.) culpable
(n.) culpability

culpable

(adj.) deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious

perpetrate

(v.) perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
(syn.) commit, pull

vindictive

(adj.) disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
(syn.) revengeful
(adj.) showing malicious ill will and a desire to hurt; motivated by spite
(syn.) spiteful, malicious, despiteful

vindicate

(v.) 1. show to be right by providing justification or proof
(syn.) justify
2. clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting proof
3. maintain, uphold, or defend

proscribe

(v.) command against
(syn.) forbid, prohibit, outlaw

interdict

(v.) command against
(syn.) proscribe, prohibit, forbid, veto, hinder, intercept, impede, obstruct, bar, check
(ant.) authorize, expedite

intercept

(v.) seize on its way
(n.) the point at which a line intersects a coordinate axis

veto

(n.) a vote that blocks decision
(v.) command against
(syn.) disallow, forbid, prohibit, proscribe

ratify

(v.) approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation

sanction

(v.)(n.) 1. official permission or approval
(syn.) authorization, authority, countenance, endorsement, warrant
2. impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on

sanctuary

(n.) 1. a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept
2. a shelter from danger or hardship
(syn.) asylum, cover, harbor, haven, port, refuge, shelter

embargo

(n.) a government order imposing a trade barrier
(v.) 1. prevent commerce
2. ban the publication

ministration

(n.) assistance in time of difficulty
(syn.) relief, succor

succor

(n.) assistance in time of difficulty
(v.) help in a difficult situation
(syn.) ministration, relief

convict

(v.) find or declare guilty
(n.) a person serving a sentence in a jail or prison

tantamount

(adj.) being essentially equal to something
(syn.) equivalent

acquit

(v.) 1. pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
2. behave in a certain manner
(syn.) exonerate, vindicate, exculpate, assoil
(ant.) convict

discharge

(v.) (n.) 1.remove the charge from
2. free from obligations or duties

forswear

(v.) formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
(syn.) abjure, recant, retract

repudiate

(v.) refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
(syn.) decline, deny, renounce

renege

(v.) 1. fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
(syn.) abnegate, forswear, recant, renounce, repeal, retract, withdraw

retract

(v.) formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
(syn.) abjure, forswear, recant

renounce

(v.) to give up or resign something
(syn.) forswear, relinquish

repeal

(v.) cancel officially
(syn.) annul, countermand, overturn, rescind, revoke, vacate

recant

(v.) formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
(syn.) abjure, renounce, repudiate, retract, resile, forswear, disavow

resile

(v.) formally reject or disavow a formally held belief, usually under pressure
(syn.) abjure, forswear, recant, retract, repudiate, renounce

abjure

(v.) formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
(syn.) forswear, recant, retract

rescind

(v.) cancel officially
(syn.) annul, countermand, overturn, repeal, revoke, vacate

overturn

(v.) rule against; cancel officially; cause the downfall of
(syn.)bring down, subvert, overthrow

subvert

(v.) destroy completely; cause the downfall of;
(syn.) overturn, bring down, undercut, undermine, destroy, ruin, counteract, countermine, sabotage,

revoke

(v.) cancel officially
(syn.) annul, countermand, overturn, repeal, rescind, vacate, renege

annul

(v.) cancel officially
(syn.) countermand, overturn, repeal, rescind, revoke, vacate, invalidate

vacate

(v.) 1. leave behind empty
2. give up
3. cancel officially
(syn.) renounce, resign, annul, countermand, repeal, recant, revoke

fusty

(adj.) 1. stale and unclean smelling
2. old-fashioned and out of date
(syn.) musty, fetid, noisome, malodorous, antiquated, archaic, bygone, moldy, obsolete, outmoded, obsolescent

musty

(adj.) 1. stale and unclean smelling
2. old-fashioned and out of date
(syn.) fusty, fetid, noisome, malodorous, antiquated, archaic, bygone, moldy

archaic

(adj.) so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
(syn.) antediluvian, antiquated

antiquated

(adj.) so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
(syn.) archaic, antediluvian
(n.) antique

antediluvian

(adj.) so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
(syn.) fusty, archaic, antiquated

moldy

(adj.) covered with or smelling of mold

bygone

(adj.) (n.) well in the past; past events

reminisce

(v.) recall the past

recapitulate

(v.) summarize briefly
(syn.) recap

affirm

(v.) declare solemnly and formally as true
(syn.) assert, aver, avow, corroborate, sustain, substantiate

substantiate

(v.) establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
(syn.) affirm, confirm, corroborate, support, sustain

attest

(v.) authenticate; affirm to be true, genuine, or correct
(syn.) manifest

manifest

(adj.) clearly revealed
(v.) reveal its presence or make an appearance;
2. provide evidence for; stand as proof
(syn.) obvious, apparent, evident, patent, plain, attest, reveal, evidence, demonstrate

settlement

(n.) something settled or resolved; the outcome of decision making
(n.) the act of colonizing; the establishment of colonies
(syn.) resolution, bargain

obfuscate

(v.) make obscure or unclear
(syn.) obscure
(ant.) clarify, elucidate

obscure

(v.)(adj.) not clearly understood or expressed
(syn.) arcane, esoteric

arable

(adj.) capable of being farmed productively
(syn.) cultivable

obtrusive

(adj.) 1. sticking out; 2. undesirably noticeable
(syn.) conspicuous, protrusive

conspicuous

(adj.) 1. obvious to the eye or mind 2. without any attempt at concealment
(syn.) prominent, obtrusive, blatant, blazing

blatant

(adj.) 1. without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious 2. conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
(syn.) boisterous, clamant, clamorous, vociferous, conspicuous, patent,
(ant.) reticent, taciturn, subtle

taciturn

(adj.) habitually reversed and uncommunicative
(syn.) reserved, reticent, laconic
(ant.) blatant, expansive, garrulous, glib, loquacious, prolix, voluble

reticent

(adj.) temperamentally disinclined to talk
(syn.) taciturn
(adj.) cool and formal in manner
(syn.) restrained, reserved, undemonstrative

loquacious

(adj.) full of trivial conversation
(syn.) chatty, gabby, garrulous, talkative, voluble

voluble

(adj.) marked by a ready flow of speech
(syn.) communicative, prolix, chatty, garrulous, loquacious, talkative
(ant.) taciturn

prolix

(adj.) tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length
(syn.) diffuse, long-winded, verbose, tedious, wordy, voluble
(ant.) concise

verbose

(adj.) using or containing too many words
(syn.) long-winded, prolix, tedious, wordy, voluble

garrulous

(adj.) full of trivial conversation
(syn.) chatty, loquacious, voluble, expansive

clamorous

(adj.) conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
(syn.) blatant, clamant, strident, vociferous

vociferous

(adj.) conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
(syn.) blatant, clamant, clamorous, strident

boisterous

(adj.) 1. full of rough and exuberant animal spirit 2. noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline 3. violently agitated and turbulent

clamant

(adj.) conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
(syn.) blatant, clamorous, strident, vociferous

apathetic

(adj.) showing little or no emotion or animation
(syn.) spiritless
(adj.) marked by a lack of interest
(syn.) indifferent

chivalry

(n.) courtesy towards women

cavalier

(adj.) given to haughty disregard of others
(syn.) snobby

haughty

(adj.) having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
(syn.) disdainful, imperious, overbearing, supercilious, swaggering

imperious

(adj.) having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
(syn.) disdainful, overbearing, supercilious, swaggering, haughty

supercilious

(adj.) having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy; expressive of contempt
(syn.) disdainful, overbearing, haughty, imperious

so much as

(adv.) even

crop up

(v.) appear suddenly or unexpectedly
(syn.) pop, pop up

ideology

(n.) an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group or nation

alienation

(n.) the action of causing to become unfriendly; separation resulting from hostility; the feeling of being alienated from other people
(syn.) estrangement, disaffection

estrange

(v.) arouse hostility or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness
(syn.) alien, alienate, disaffect

reconcile

(v.) bring into consonance or accord; to restore to friendship or harmony; make one thing compatible with another;
(syn.) harmonize, accommodate, conciliate, settle, make up
(ant.) estrange

accommodate

(v.) 1. make one thing compatible with another
2. be agreeable or acceptable to
3. provide housing for; have room for
4. provide with something desired or need

lodge

(n.) a small rustic house used as a temporary shelter
(v.) stay temporarily; provide housing for

attune

(v.) adjust or accustom to; bring into harmony with
(syn.) adjust

disgruntle

(v.) put into a bad mood or into bad humor
(syn.) dissatisfy

disaffect

(v.) arouse hostility or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness
(syn.) alienate, estrange

commensurate

(adj.) corresponding in size, degree, or extent
(syn.) tantamount

disparate

(adj.) fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind; including markedly dissimilar elements
(syn.) heterogeneous
(ant.) accord, concensus
(n.) disparities = variances

disparity

(n.) inequality or difference in some respect
(syn.) variance

preponderant

(adj.) having superior weight, force, amount, importance, or influence
preponderance (n.) exceeding in heaviness; superiority in power or influence; a superiority in numbers or amount
(syn.) dominant, paramount, prevalent, overruling
(ant.) subsidiary

prevalent

(adj.) most frequent or common
(syn.) dominant, prevailing, preponderant

paramount

(adj.) having superior power and influence
(syn.) overriding, predominant,

prevail

(adj.) 1. be larger in number, power, status or importance
2. prove superior
3. use persuasion successfully

heterogeneous

(adj.) consisting of elements that are not the same kind or nature; originating outside the body
(syn.) dissimilar, disparate
(ant.) autogenic
(n.) heterogeneity = diversity

sanguine

(adj.) confidently optimistic and cheerful
(adj.) inclined to a healthy reddish color
(syn.) florid, rubicund, ruddy, healthy

compare to

Similarity between the things compared

hegemony

(n.) the dominance or leadership of on social group or nation over others

historicism

(n.) the theory that each period of history has its own unique beliefs and values and can only be understood in its historical context

vituperate

(v.) censure severely or angrily
(syn.) upbraid, abuse, assail, belabor, castigate, excoriate, lambaste, reprimand, scold, rail, revile,
(ant.) tout, admire, commend, laud, praise
(adj.) vituperative
(n.) vituperation

adulation

(n.) servile flattery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise
(v.) adulate
(syn.) worship, blandishment, canonize
(ant.) obloquy, opprobrium

canonize

(v.) declare a person to be a saint; treat as a sacred person

servile

(adj.) submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior
(syn.) fawning, sycophantic, toadyish, obsequious, slavish, submissive, menial

fawn

(v.) try to gain flavor by cringing or flattering; show submissive or fear
(syn.) toady, servile, slavish

menial

(n.) a domestic servant
(syn.) retainer, servant
(adj.) showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissive; used of unskilled work
(syn.) humble, lowly, unskilled

subservient

(adj.) compliant and obedient to authority; abjectly submissive; characteristic of a slave or servant
(syn.) subordinate, slavish, submissive, servile

toady

(n.)(v.) try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
toadyish (adj.)
(syn.) fawn

grovel

(v.) show submission or fear
(syn.) cringe, fawn

truckle

(v.) try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
(syn.) fawn

sycophantic

(adj.) attempting to win favor by flattery
(syn.) fawning, toadyish, servile, obsequious, insincere, adulating

obsequious

(adj.) attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
(syn.) fawning, sycophantic, toadyish, insincere

cringe

(v.) 1. draw back, as with fear or pain
2. show submission or fear
(syn.) flinch, recoil, wince, quail, fawn

blandishment

(n.) flattery intended to persuade
(syn.) cajolery, coax, flattery, adulation
(v.) blandish

cajole

(v.) influence by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
(syn.) blandish, blarney, palaver, wheedle, coax

wheedle

(v.) influence by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
(syn.) cajole, coax, palaver

palaver

(n.)(v.) 1. loud and confused and empty talk
2. flattery intended to persuade
(syn.) cajole, coax, inveigle,

coax

(v.) influence by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
(syn.) cajole, inveigle, wheedle, palaver

inveigle

(v.) influence by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
(syn.) coax, cajole, wheedle, palaver, allure, bait, decoy, entice, seduce, tempt

decoy

(v.)(n.) lure or entrap with or as if with a decoy
(syn.) seduce, allure, bait, entice, inveigle

entice

(v.) provoke someone to do something through promises or persuasion
(syn.) lure, tempt

obloquy

(n.) 1. abusively detractive language or utterance
2. the state of having lost the esteem of others
(syn.) calumny
(ant.) adulation, ignominy, infamy, odium, opprobrium, reproach

calumny

(n.) an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
(syn.) aspersion, defamation, denigration, slander, obloquy
(v.) calumniate
(adj.) calumniatory, calumnious

slander

(n.) words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
(v.) charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack good name and reputation of someone
(syn.) calumny, defamation, obloquy, aspersion, denigration, besmirch, smear, sully, traduce, libel, s

flinch

(v.) draw back, as with fear or pain
(syn.) cringe, quail, recoil, wince

defamation

(n.) an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
(syn.) aspersion, calumny, denigration, slander, obloquy

recoil

(v.) draw back, as with fear or pain
(syn.) cringe, flinch, quail, shrink, wince
(v.) spring back; spring away from an impact
(syn.) rebound, reverberate, backlash

wince

(v.) draw back, as with fear or pain
(syn.) cringe, flinch, recoil, quail

quail

(v.) draw back, as with fear or pain
(syn.) cringe, flinch, recoil, shrink, wince

rail

(v.) criticize severely
(syn.) fulminate, denounce
(v.) complain bitterly
(syn.) inveigh

inveigh

(v.) complain bitterly

fulminate

(v.) criticize severely
(syn.) rail, denounce

invective

(n.) abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
(syn.) vitriol, vituperation

venomous

(adj.) 1. extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom 2. marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful
(syn.) virulent, toxic, deadly, poisonous, vicious, malicious

scathing

(adj.) marked by harshly abusive criticism
(syn.) vituperative, critical
(v.) scathe

scald

(v.) 1. subjected to harsh criticism 2. burn with a hot liquid or steam
(syn.) blister, whip

tart

(adj.) harsh

virulent

(adj.) extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
(syn.) deadly, venomous, toxic
(adj.) harsh or corrosive in tone
(syn.) acerbic, acid, acrid, caustic, vitriolic
(n.) virulence
1. extreme harmfulness
2. extreme hostility

vitriolic

(adj.) harsh or corrosive in tone
(n.) vitriol
(syn.) acerbic, acrid, mordant, scalding, scathing, tart, vituperative

demur

(v.) to voice opposition
(syn.) challenge
(ant.) accede

demure

(adj.) affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
(syn.) coy, modest

unparalleled

(adj.) radically distinctive and without equal
(syn.) unique, incomparable, unequaled

resourceful

(adj.) having inner resources; adroit or imaginative
(syn.) adroit, competent

quixotic

(adj.) not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic
(syn.) impractical, idealistic, romantic, utopian, visionary

impartial

(adj.) free from undue bias or preconceived opinions
(syn.) unprejudiced, color-blind
(n.) impartiality

evenhanded

(adj.) without partiality
(syn.) equitable, just

wont

(n.) an established custom
(syn.) habit
(adj.) wonted

abash

(v.) cause to be embarrassed; cause to feel self-conscious
(syn.) embarass

transitory

(adj.) lasting a very short time
(syn.) ephemeral, fugacious, transient, impermanent, temporary

transient

(adj.) lasting a very short time
(syn.) ephemeral, fugacious, transitory

fleeting

(adj.) lasting for a markedly brief time
(syn.) fugitive, momentaneous, momentary

ephemeral

(adj.) (n.) (anything) lasting a very short time
(syn.) fugitive, transient, transitory, impermanent

fugacious

(adj.) lasting for a markedly brief time
(syn.) fugitive, ephemeral, transient, transitory

fugitive

(n.) someone who is sought by law officers; someone trying to elude justice
(adj.) lasting for a markedly brief time
(syn.) fleeting, momentary

wistful

(adj.) showing pensive sadness; full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy
(syn.) pensive, melancholy, sad

reminiscent

(adj.) serving to bring to mind
(syn.) evocative, resonant, redolent
(v.) reminisce

nostalgic

(adj.) unhappy about being away and longing for familiar things or persons
(ant.) oblivion

pensive

(adj.) deeply or seriously thoughtful
(syn.) wistful, pondering, reflective, ruminative, cogitative, meditative, melancholy, musing, ruminant

melancholy

(adj.) characterized by or causing or expressing sadness; grave or even gloomy in character
(n.) a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed; a feeling of sadness
(syn.) somber

meditate

(v.) reflect deeply on a subject;
(syn.) contemplate, cogitate, mull, ponder, reflect, ruminate, speculate
(adj.) meditative

contemplate

(v.) reflect deeply on a subject
(syn.) meditate, ponder

cogitate

(v.) consider carefully and deeply; reflect upon

ponder

(v.) reflect deeply on a subject
(syn.) contemplate, excogitate, meditate, mull, reflect, ruminate, speculate

ruminate

(v.) reflect deeply on a subject
(syn.) cogitate, contemplate, meditate, ponder
(n.) rumination

ruminative

(adj.) deeply or serious thoughtful

yearn

(v.) desire strongly or persistently
(syn.) crave, hanker, pine
(ant.) spurn

pine

(v.) have a desire for something or someone who is not present
(syn.) yearn, languish

hanker

(v.) desire strongly or persistently
(syn.) long, yearn

crave

(v.) have a craving, appetite, or great desire for

languish

(v.) 1. become feeble 2. have a desire for something or someone who is not present
(syn.) pine, yearn
(adj.) languid = dreamy, lackadaisical, lethargic

tinge

(v.) color lightly
(n.) a slight but appreciable amount

plastic

(adj.) capable of being molded; capable of being influenced or formed

valedictory

(n.) a farewell oration
(adj.) relating to an expression of farewell

whimsical

(adj.) 1. determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
(syn.) capricious, impulsive, fickle, mercurial, volatile
(ant.) resolute
(adj.) 2. indulging in or influenced by fancy
(syn.) fanciful, notional, creative, originative

volatile

(adj.) liable to lead to sudden change or violence; marked by erratic changeableness; tending to vary often or widely
(syn.) fickle, inconstant, changeful, versatile, capricious, erratic, mercurial
(adj.) evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pre

mercurial

(adj.) liable to sudden unpredictable change
(syn.) erratic, fickle, quicksilver

fickle

(adj.) likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
(syn.) capricious, mercurial, volatile

capricious

(adj.) determined by change or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason; changeable
(syn.) impulsive, whimsical, arbitrary, fickle, versatile, volatile
(n.) caprice

versatile

(adj.) 1. having great diversity or variety
(syn.) various, varied
(adj.) competent in many areas and able to turn with ease from one thing to another
(syn.) skilled
(adj.) changeable or inconstant
(syn.) variable

oblivion

(n.) the state of being disregarded or forgotten

proliferate

(v.) grow rapidly; cause to grow or increase rapidly
(syn.) manifold, balloon, boom, build up, escalate, expand, mushroom, snowball
(ant.) diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

manifold

(v.) make multiple copies; combine or increase by multiplication
(adj.) many and varied; having many features or forms

bemuse

(v.) cause to be confused emotionally
(syn.) bewilder, discombobulate, confound

bewilder

(v.) cause to be confused emotionally
(syn.) amaze, baffle, flummox, perplex, stupefy, bemuse, confound

coincide

(v.) 1. happen simultaneously 2. be the same
(syn.) concur, match

peccadillo

(n.) a petty misdeed
(syn.) glitch, lapse, misdemeanor
(ant.) felony

pretext

(n.) something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

fictitious

(adj.) not real and existing only in the imagination
(syn.) chimerical, fabricated, fabulous, fictional

fabulous

(adj.) 1. extremely pleasing 2. barely credible
(syn.) mythical, unreal, chimerical

chimerical

(adj.) being or relating to or like a chimera; produced by a wildly fanciful imagination

fabricate

(v.) 1. put together out of artificial or natural components or parts 2. make up something artificial or untrue

reparation

(n.) compensation for a wrong
(syn.) amends, compensation, expiation

exuberant

(adj.) 1. joyously unrestrained 2. produced or growing in extreme abundance
(n.) exuberance: joyful enthusiasm
(syn.) ebullient, effervescent, buoyant, bouncy, vivacious, lavish, lush, luxuriant, opulent, prodigal, profuse, riotous, ample
(ant.) austere,

delineate

(adj.) represented accurately or precisely
(v.) show the form or outline of
(syn.) delimit, depict

depict

(v.) give a description of something by showing in a picture

ebullient

(adj.) zestfully enthusiastic; joyously unrestrained
(syn.) exuberant, high-spirited

modulate

(v.) fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
(syn.) alter, regulate, adjust,

camaraderie

(n.) a spirit of friendly good-fellowship
(syn.) comradeship
(ant.) enmity, solitude

comrade

(n.) a friend who is frequently in the company of another
(syn.) intimate

solidarity

(n.) a union of interests or purpose or sympathies among members of a group

dispassionate

(adj.) unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
(syn.) impartial, cold-eyed

blithe

(adj.) of a happy lighthearted character of disposition; having or showing freedom from worries or troubles
(syn.) bright, buoyant, jocular, jocund, jovial

jocular

(adj.) characterized by joking, playful
(syn.) blithe, festive, gleeful, jocund, mirthful
(ant.) lachrymose, saturnine, dour, dreary, morose, serious

jocund

(adj.) sprightly and lighthearted in disposition, character, or quality
(syn.) blithesome, festive, gleeful, jocular, mirthful, sunny, jolly
(ant.) lachrymose, saturnine, dour, dreary, morose, serious

jocose

(adj.) characterized by jokes and good humor
(syn.) facetious, jocund

jovial

(adj.) full of or showing high-spirited merriment
(syn.) jocular, jocund, blithesome, festive, gleeful, mirthful, jolly, jubilant, gay
(ant.) lachrymose, saturnine, dour, dreary, morose

jubilant

...

festive

(adj.) offering fun and gaiety
(syn.) festal, gay, merry, joyous

gay

(adj.) offering fun
(syn.) festal, festive, merry, joyous

evocative

(adj.) serving to bring to mind
(syn.) redolent, remindful, reminiscent, resonant, aware, mindful

resonant

(adj.) characterized by resonance - a deep and rich sound
(syn.) reverberating
(adj.) serving to bring to mind
(syn.) evocative, redolent, mindful, reminiscent
(v.) resonate

reverberate

(v.) ring or echo with sound
(syn.) echo, resound, ring

saturnine

(adj.) gloomy and morose; looking serious and sad
(syn.) dour, morose, sullen

dour

(adj.) severe or gloomy, and unfriendly and unresponsive toward others
(syn.) sullen, saturnine, morose
(adj.) grimly and stubbornly determined

morose

(adj.) having a withdrawn gloomy personality
(adj.) feeling unhappy, in a bad mood
(syn.) dour, saturnine, sullen

foster

(v.) promote the growth of; help develop, help grow
(syn.) further, cultivate, spur, nurture

prose

(n.) ordinary writing as distinguished from verse

prosaic

(adj.) being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events
(adj.) not challenging; dull and lacking excitement
(syn.) commonplace, routine, workaday, humdrum, pedestrian, unglamorous, prosy

astound

(v.) affect with wonder
(syn.) amaze, astonish, startle, dumbfound, stun, stupefy

stun

(v.) make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a blow
(syn.) stupefy

dissident

(n.) a person who dissents from some established policy
(adj.) characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards
(syn.) dissenting, heterodox, unorthodox, maverick, heretical

hamper

(v.) prevent the progress or free movement of
(syn.) impede, halter, retard

benighted

(adj.) 1. overtaken by night or darkness 2. lacking enlightenment or knowledge or culture
(syn.) ignorant, dark
(ant.) erudite

paradigmatic

(adj.) of or relating to a typical example

paradigm

(n.) a standard or typical example
(syn.) epitome, prototype, model

elitist

(adj.) supporting or based on a system in which a small group of people have a lot of advantages and keep the most power and influence
(n.) people believes in elitism
(ant.) egalitarian

grandstand

(v.) to play or act so as to impress onlookers
(n.) grandstander = poseur

monstrous

(adj.) distorted and unnatural in shape or size, abnormal and hideous
(syn.) gargantuan, grotesque, hideous, vile, lurid

gargantuan

(adj.) of great mass; huge and bulky
(syn.) giant, jumbo, elephantine

grotesque

(adj.) distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
(syn.) monstrous, ugly, lurid, appalling, atrocious, ghastly,

lurid

(adj.) 1. glaring vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism 2. horrible in fierceness or savagery 3. ghastly pale
(syn.) appalling, atrocious, dreadful, frightful, ghastly, gruesome, hideous, horrid, horrific, macabre, monstrous

prodigious

(adj.) 1. impressively great in size, force, or extent 2. causing wonder or astonishment
(syn.) colossal, elephantine, enormous, gigantic, titanic, tremendous, astounding, staggering, stunning, stupendous

prodigal

(adj.) (n.) recklessly spendthrift
(syn.) extravagant, profligate, squandering, fritterer
(ant.) frugal, parsimonious,
(n.) prodigality

extravagant

(adj.) 1. recklessly wasteful 2. unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
(syn.) prodigal, profligate, spendthrift, excessive, exuberant, squandering, exorbitant
(ant.) frugal, thrifty, economical, conserving, skimping, scrimping

conscionable

(adj.) acceptable to your conscience
(syn.) scrupulous, conscientious
(ant.) extravagant, exorbitant

conscientious

(adj.) 1. characterized by extreme care and great effort 2. guided by or in accordance with conscience
(syn.) meticulous, painstaking, scrupulous, conscionable, diligent ,ethical, moral, upright, virtuous
(ant.) remiss, slack, lax, sordid, wicked
(n.) con

wicked

(adj.) morally very bad
(syn.) immoral, nefarious, sinful, vicious, villainous
(ant.) ethical, righteous, sublime, upright, virtuous

vile

(adj.) 1. unpleasant to look at 2. morally despicable or abhorrent
(syn.) grotesque, hideous, homely, monstrous, contemptible, despicable, detestable, execrable, paltry, ignominious
(ant.) aesthetic, comely, ravishing, seemly, venerable, virtuous

execrable

(adj.) unequivocally detestable; of very poor quality or condition; deserving a curse
(syn.) mangy, mean, sordid, vile, coarse, despicable
(ant.) dandy

mangy

(adj.) mean, contemptible; dirty, disgusting
(syn.) contemptible, debased, despicable, detestable, execrable, mean, sordid, squalid
(ant.) lofty, noble, upright, venerable, virtuous

dandy

(adj.) very good (n.) a man concerned with his dress and appearance
(syn.) gallant, awesome, fabulous, superb, sensational, splendid
(ant.) atrocious, awful, execrable, lousy, pathetic, wretched

splendid

(adj.) very good; of the highest quality; having great beauty and splendor
(syn.) grandiose, imperial, imposing, lucid, lustrous, magnificent, refulgent, effulgent, resplendent, sumptuous, august, fabulous, luminous, dandy

august

(adj.) having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner 2. large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception
(syn.) distinguished, imposing, portly, solemn, staid, stately, baronial, epic, venerable, revered, grandiose, imperial, magn

venerable

(adj.) profoundly honored; impressive by reason of age
(syn.) immemorial,
(ant.) despicable, mangy, sordid, vile

immemorial

(adj.) dating or surviving from the distant past
(syn.) antediluvian, antique, venerable
(ant.) contemporary, modern

revere

(v.) to offer honor or respect to (someone) as a divine power
(syn.) hallow, adore, deify, esteem, glorify, regard, venerate, worship
(ant.) flout, gibe, jape, mockery, profane, blaspheme, desecrate, violate
(adj.) reverent (n.) reverence

hallow

(v.) to respect or honor greatly
(syn.) revere, consecrate, sanctify, worship
(ant.) desecrate, deconsecrate, desacralize

desecrate

(v.) violate the sacred character of a place or language
(syn.) defile, profane, violate
(ant.) sanctify, revere, hallow

sanctify

(v.) to make holy
(syn.) hallow, revere, consecrate
(ant.) desecrate, profane
(n.) sanctification

consecrate

(v.) 1. give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause 2. render holy by means of religious rites
(syn.) sanctify, revere, hallow
(ant.) desecrate, profane

deify

(v.) exalt to the position of God
(syn.) venerate, worship, canonize, lionize, revere, dignify
(ant.) stigmatize, humiliate, abase, debase, humble
(n.) deification
(adj.) deified

dignify

(v.) confer dignity or honor upon; raise the status of
(syn.) canonize, lionize, exalt

debase

(v.) to reduce to a lower standing
(syn.) abase, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, deteriorate, profane, subvert, vitiate
(ant.) aggrandize, canonize, deify, elevate, exalt, ennoble

fortify

(v.) to give physical strength; to prepare oneself mentally or emotionally
(syn.) undergird, consolidate, energize, harden, invigorate, reinforce, strengthen, toughen
(ant.) prostrate, sap, undermine, adulterate, debilitate, dilute, enervate, enfeeble, vi

recondition

(v.) bring into an improved condition
(syn.) renovate
(ant.) vitiate

enervate

(v.) weaken mentally or morally; to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
(syn.) sap, dampen, debilitate, dehydrate, desiccate, emaciate, enfeeble, fatigue, petrify, flag
(ant.) undergird, brace, energize, invigorate, vitalize, vivify

petrify

(v.) to cause to become stiff
(syn.) enervate, dampen, deaden, devitalize, lobotomize, ossify
(ant.) brace, energize, invigorate, stimulate, vitalize, vivify

deaden

(v.) make less lively, intense, or vigorous
(syn.) petrify, dampen, blunt, dehydrate, desiccate, enervate
(ant.) refreshing, invigorate

desiccate

(v.) 1. to preserve food by drying 2. to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
(syn.) scorch, dehydrate, parch, sear, dampen, deaden, devitalize, enervate
(ant.) soak, sodden, sop, steep, dampen, hydrate, drench, energize, stimulate, vitalize

ossify

(v.) to become hardened or conventional and opposed to change
(ant.) make pliant, transcend conventions, amenable to change

dilute

(v.) lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture; corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding foreign or inferior substance
(syn.) rarefy, alloy, weaken
(ant.) absolute, concentrate, condense, densify, thicken, fortify, strengthen

vitiate

(v.) to reduce the value or impair the quality of; to debase in moral or aesthetic status
(syn.) mar, taint, tarnish, blemish, cripple, deface, deteriorate, flaw, harm, impair, undermine, deprave, pervert, prostitute, subvert
(ant.) fortify, mend, patch,

perverse

(adj.) deviating from what is considered moral or right or proper or good
(syn.) depraved, perverted, reprobate, corrupt
(adj.) resistant to guidance or discipline
(syn.) contrary, obstinate, wayward, disobedient, wrongheaded

pervert

(v.) corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
(n.) a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior
(syn.) vitiate, distort, libertine, misrepresent, profane, profligate, slant, subvert, debase, debauch

misrepresent

(v.) to give an incorrect or misleading representation of
(syn.) belie, distort, garble, misconstrue, color, falsify, pervert
(ant.) clarify, illuminate, illustrate

slant

(v.) incline or bend from a vertical position
(syn.) tilt, list, lean,
(n.) a way of looking at or thinking about something
(syn.) angle, outlook, perspective, standpoint, viewpoint, bias
(v.) to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the

libertine

(adj.) unrestrained by convention or morality
(n.) a dissolute person
(syn.) decadent, dissolute, backslider, debaucher, deviate, pervert, profligate
(ant.) ascetic

dissolute

(adj.) unrestrained by convention or morality
(syn.) libertine, debauched, degenerate, degraded, dissipated, profligate, riotous, pervert, decadent, rakish, reprobate
(ant.) abstinent, abstemious, temperate, ascetic, stoic, spartan, self-denying

dissolve

(v.) 1.to cause to pass into solution; to reduce to liquid form
(syn.) liquefy, melt
(ant.) coagulate, solidify, freeze
(v.) 2. to break into component parts
(syn.) disintegrate, disband, break up
(ant.) consolidate, unify
(v.) 3. to cease to be visible;

disband

(v.) cause to break up or cease to function; stop cohering as a unit
(syn.) squander, dissipate, dissolve
(ant.) convene, ally, coalesce, concentrate

convene

(v.) meet formally; bring together
(syn.) assemble, summon, conglomerate, congregate, converge, rendezvous
(ant.) disband, dispel, disperse, dissipate, dissolve, squander
(n.) convention

disperse

(v.) move away from each other; distribute loosely; cause to separate
(syn.) diffuse, dissipate, squander
(ant.) convene, aggregate

dispel

(v.) to cause to separate and go in different directions; force to go away
(syn.) dissipate, squander, scatter
(ant.) convene

rendezvous

(n.) a meeting planned at a certain time and place
(v.) meet at a rendezvous
(syn.) convene, purlieu

purlieu

(n.) an outer adjacent area of any place; a place for spending time or for socializing
(syn.) haunt, rendezvous, resort, stamping ground, stomping ground

aggregate

(v.) (n.) to collect or gather into a mass or whole
(syn.) coalesce
(ant.) disperse

congregate

(v.) come together, usually for a purpose
(syn.) convene, assemble, gather
(ant.) dissipate, squander

conglomerate

(v.) collect or gather
(adj.) composed of heterogeneous elements gathered into a mass
(syn.) convene, accumulate

coalesce

(v.) to unite into a whole
(syn.) solder, splice, aggregate, fuse, associate
(ant.) polarize, rend, rift, rive, rupture, bifurcate, dissever, sunder, disband

coagulate

(v.) change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
(syn.) clot, congeal, jelly
(ant.) melt, liquefy, fluidity, dissolve, thin
(n.) coagulant

congeal

(v.) to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by cold
(syn.) coagulate, solidify, indurate, clot
(ant.) melt, liquefy
(n.) congealment

indurate

(v.) 1. to become physically firm or solid
2. to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain or exposure
(adj.) having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feeling
(syn.) congeal, concrete, solidify, fortify, inure, season, affectless, callous, ob

inure

(v.) cause to accept or become hardened to; habituate
(syn.) harden, indurate, habituate, accustom, fortify, season

season

(v.) make fit
(syn.) qualify, indurate

seasonable

(adj.) done or happening at the appropriate or proper time
(syn.) timely, opportune
(ant.) tardy

opportune

(adj.) suitable or at a time that is suitable or advantageous especially for a particular purpose
(syn.) advantageous, seasonable, timely, well-timed

opportunistic

(adj.) taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit
(syn.) timeserving, expedient
(n.) opportunism = self-interest

tardy

(adj.) after the expected or usual time
(syn.) delayed, late, unpunctual

veteran

(n.) a person who has served in the armed forces
(adj.) rendered competent through trial and experience
(syn.) seasoned, experienced

virtuosity

(n.) technical skill or fluency or style exhibited by a virtuoso
(n.) virtuoso - someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
(syn.) adept, champion, genius, maven, sensation
(adj.) virtuoso - having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
(syn.) consumma

versed

(adj.) thoroughly acquainted through study or experience
(ant.) unseasoned

obdurate

(adj.) stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
(syn.) obstinate, unrepentant, unregenerate

charitable

(adj.) showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
(syn.) benevolent, sympathetic
(n.) charity

rift

(n.) a narrow fissure in rock
(syn.) cleft, crack, crevice, fissure, scissure
(n.) a personal or social separation
(syn.) breach, rupture, severance
(v.) rive

rupture

(n.) the state of being torn or burst open
(n.) a personal or social separation
(syn.) breach, rift, severance
(v.) separate or cause to separate abruptly
(syn.) tear

sunder

...

depravity

(n.) moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles
(syn.) corruption, degeneracy, putrefaction, turpitude

turpitude

(adj.) extreme immorality or wickedness
(syn.) depravity

rakish

(adj.) behaving and dressing in a way that is confident and slightly unusual, but attractive
(syn.) fashionable

dissipate

(v.) cause to separate and go in different directions
(syn.) dispel, disperse, scatter
(v.) spend frivolously and unwisely
(syn.) squander
(n.) dissipation

frivolous

(adj.) not serious in content or attitude or behavior
(syn.) superficial, flippant, trivial
(v.) frivol

riotous

(adj.) characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
(syn.) disruptive, tumultuous, turbulent, unquiet
(n.) (v.) riot
(adj.) produced or growing in extreme abundance
(syn.) exuberant, lush, luxuriant, profuse, abundant

ascetic

(n.) someone who practices self-denial as a spiritual discipline
(syn.) abstainer, puritan
(adj.) practicing great self-denial
(syn.) austere, Spartan, abstemious
(n.) asceticsim

deviate

(v.) turn aside, turn away from
(syn.) divert
(adj.) deviating ~ misleading

impair

(v.) make worse or less effective
(syn.) mar, spoil, vitiate, mutilate, compromise
(n.) impairment

undermine

(v.) destroy property or hinder normal operations
(syn.) counteract, countermine, sabotage, subvert, weaken

undercut

(v.) to undermine something or detract from its force
(v.) to charge less for something than somebody else

deface

(v.) mar or spoil the appearance of
(syn.) blemish, disfigure

tarnish

(v.) make dirty or spotty; also used metaphorically
(syn.) defile, stain, sully, taint

blemish

(n.) a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something
(v.) mar or spoil the appearance of
(syn.) deface, disfigure, defect

taint

(n.) a stain or spot; a mark of corruption or dishonor
(v.) to stain or contaminate
(syn.) corrupt, contaminate, sully, vitiate, impair, infect

sully

(v.) make dirty or spotty; also used metaphorically
(syn.) defile, stain, taint, tarnish, corrupt,
(v.) charges falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
(syn.) asperse, besmirch, calumniate, defame, denigrate, sland

deteriorate

(v.) grow worse
(syn.) degenerate, devolve, drop, decay
(ant.) convalesce, recuperate, recover
(n.) deterioration

demoralize

(v.) lower someone's spirits; make downhearted
(syn.) cast down, deject, depress, dismay, dispirit, get down

deprave

(v.) corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
(syn.) corrupt, debase, debauch, demoralize, pervert, profane, subvert, vitiate

deprive

(v.) take away
(syn.) impoverish

impoverish

(v.) 1. make poor 2. take away
(syn.) deprive
(ant.) enrich
(adj.) impoverished ~ destitute

stigmatize

(v.) to treat a particular type of behavior as wrong or embarrassing and to try to make people who behave in this way feel ashamed
(v.) to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
(syn.) denounce

debauch

(v.) corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
(syn.) corrupt, debase, demoralize, deprave, pervert, profane, subvert, vitiate

demean

(v.) reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
(syn.) degrade, put down

profane

(adj.) grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
(syn.) blasphemous, sacrilegious, irreverent
(v.) corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
(syn.) corrupt, debase, debauch, subvert, vitiate, deprave, demoralize, pervert, desecrate, viola

blasphemous

(adj.) grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
(syn.) profane, sacrilegious, irreverent
(n.) blaspheme

sacred

(adj.) worthy of religious veneration
(syn.) hallowed, consecrated, sanctified

sacrilegious

(adj.) grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
(syn.) blasphemous, irreverent, profane

mockery

(n.) showing your contempt by derision
(syn.) jeer, scoff, derision, parody

gibe

(v.) laugh at with contempt and derision
(syn.) barrack, scoff, jeer, flout

scoff

(v.) laugh at with contempt and derision
(syn.) barrack, flout, gibe, jeer
(n.) showing your contempt by derision
(syn.) jeer, mockery

flout

(v.) treat or laugh at with contemptuous disregard and derision
(syn.) scoff, gibe, jeer, barrack

monumental

...

regal

(adj.) belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
(syn.) imperial, majestic, royal, noble, purple

baronial

...

majestic

(adj.) having or displaying great dignity or nobility
(syn.) gallant, lofty, proud, impressive
(adj.) belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
(syn.) regal, imperial, noble, purple, royal

stately

...

portly

(adj.) euphemisms for fat
(syn.) stout

grandiose

(adj.) impressive because of unnecessary largeness or grandeur
(n.) grandiosity

luminous

(adj.) softly bright or radiant
(syn.) bright

lucid

(adj.) transparent clear; easily understandable
(syn.) limpid, pellucid, perspicuous, clear, transparent
(adj.) having a clear mind
(syn.) sane
(n.) lucidity = clarity

resplendent

(adj.) having great beauty and splendor
(syn.) glorious, splendid, beautiful

sumptuous

(adj.) rich and superior in quality
(syn.) grand, gilded, deluxe, luxurious, opulent

refulgent

(adj.) radiating or as if radiating light
(syn.) beaming, effulgent, radiant, bright

effulgent

(adj.) radiating or as if radiating light
(syn.) beaming, radiant, refulgent, bright

imposing

(adj.) impressive in appearance
(syn.) impressive, noble, stately

lustrous

(adj.) with soft shine or gloss

imperial

(adj.) belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
(syn.) regal, royal, majestic, purple, noble

imperceptible

(adj.) impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses
(syn.) unperceivable, inaudible, impalpable

gallant

...

sensational

(adj.) causing intense interest, curiosity, or emotion
(syn.) arresting, stunning, impressive, lurid

wretch

...

superb

...

atrocious

(adj.) shockingly brutal or cruel
(syn.) flagitious, grievous, monstrous, evil
(adj.) exceptionally bad or displeasing, or horror
(syn.) abominable, awful, dreadful, frightful, horrible, ugly

coarse

(adj.) of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
(syn.) harsh
(n.) coarseness

paltry

(adj.) 1. contemptibly small in amount
2. not worth considering
(syn.) measly, meager, stingy, scrimpy, negligible, trifling, worthless

aesthetic

...

ravish

...

homely

(adj.) lacking in physical beauty or proportion; plain or less than pleasing in appearance
(syn.) plain, unattractive

comely

(adj.) 1. according with custom and propriety 2. very pleasing to the eye

despicable

(adj.) morally reprehensible

villainous

...

vicious

...

virtuous

...

prostrate

...

probity

(n.) complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
(syn.) integrity

rectitude

(n.) righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
(syn.) uprightness

lax

(adj.) lacking in rigor or strictness
(syn.) slack, negligent

remiss

(adj.) careless or negligent about doing something that is expected
(syn.) delinquent, derelict, neglectful, negligent

delinquent

(adj.) failing in what duty requires
(syn.) derelict, remiss, neglectful, negligent

slack

(adj.) not tense or taut
(adj.) lax, loose

lavish

(adj.) 1. very generous 2. characterized by extravagance and profusion
(syn.) munificent, lush

exorbitant

(adj.) greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
(syn.) extortionate, outrageous, steep, unconscionable, usurious, immoderate

usurious

(adj.) of the character of usury
(syn.) exorbitant, unconscionable, unconscientient, outrageous, steep, extortionate, immoderate

scrimp

(v.) subsist on a meager allowance
(syn.) skimp, stint

skimp

(v.) 1. supply sparingly and with restricted quantities 2. work hastily or carelessly; deal with inadequately and superficially

scant

(adj>) less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
(v.) supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
(syn.) skimp

profligate

(adj.) recklessly wasteful
(syn.) extravagant, prodigal, spendthrift, wasteful
(adj.) unrestrained by convention or morality
(syn.) debauched, degenerated, degraded, dissipated, dissolute, libertine, riotous
(n.) a recklessly extravagant consumer
(syn.) p

parsimonious

(adj.) excessively unwilling to spend
(syn.) penurious, stingy, ungenerous

thrift

...

frugal

(adj.) avoiding waste
(syn.) economical, scotch, sparing, stinting, thrifty
(n.) frugality

precarious

(adj.) not secure; beset with difficulties; dependent on uncertain premises
(syn.) delicate, fragile, sensitive, touchy, unstable, ambiguous, doubtful, dubious, equivocal, uncertain, unfounded, parlous, perilous, dangerous, unsafe, shaky
(ant.) firm, stab

parlous

(adj.) fraught with danger
(syn.) perilous, precarious, dangerous, unsafe

windfall

(n.) a sudden happening that brings good fortune

feat

(n.) a notable achievement
(syn.) feat

teeming

(adj.) abundantly filled with especially living things
(syn.) abundant

imminent

(adj.) close in time; about to occur
(syn.) impendent

eminent

(adj.) standing above others in quality or position
(syn.) high, superior, distinguished

immanent

(adj.) existing with or inherent in something

prominent

(adj.) conspicuous in position or importance
(syn.) conspicuous, outstanding, salient, spectacular, striking

salient

(adj.) having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
(syn.) outstanding, prominent, spectacular, striking, conspicuous

kindred

(n.) group of people related by blood or marriage
(adj.) 1. related by blood or marriage; 2. similar in quality or character
(syn.) affiliated

cerebration

(n.) the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
(syn.) thought, intellection

tepid

(adj.) moderately warm
(syn.) lukewarm
(adj.) feeling or showing little interest or enthusiasm
(syn.) half-hearted, unenthusiastic

tangent

(adj.) only slightly relevant, going off topic

jar

(v.) affect in a disagreeable way
(adj.) jarring

riveting

(adj.) capable of arousing and holding the attention
(syn.) mesmeric, prepossessing, absorbing, arresting, engaging, engrossing, enthralling, fascinating, immersing, intriguing, involving
(ant.) jejune, monochromatic, monotonous, pedestrian, ponderous, in

traumatic

(adj.) psychologically painful
(syn.) painful

engross

(v.) devote (oneself) fully to
(syn.) absorb, immerse, plunge, engage, occupy

savor

(n.) the way that something tastes or smells
(v.) taste appreciatively; derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
(syn.) bask, enjoy, relish

insipid

(adj.) 1. lacking interest or significance or impact 2. lacking taste or flavor
(syn.) jejune, bland, vapid

vapid

(adj.) lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
(syn.) unexciting, unstimulating
(adj.) lacking taste or flavor or tang
(syn.) bland, insipid, flat

monotonous

(adj.) sounded or spoken in a tone unvarying in pitch
(syn.) flat
(adj.) tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
(syn.) humdrum, dull

jejune

(adj.) lacking interest or significance or impact
(syn.) insipid, vapid
(adj.) displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
(syn.) adolescent, juvenile, puerile, immature

ponderous

(adj.) having great mass and weight and unwieldiness
(syn.) heavy, lumbering
(adj.) labored and dull

pedestrian

(adj.) lacking wit or imagination
(syn.) earthbound, prosaic, prosy

reciprocity

(n.) mutual exchange of commercial or other privileges
(adj.) reciprocal
(v.) reciprocate
(syn.) interplay

aberrant

(adj.) markedly different from an accepted norm
(syn.) deviant, deviate, abnormal

errant

(adj.) straying from the right course or from accepted standards

erratic

(adj.) liable to sudden unpredictable change
(syn.) fickle, mercurial, quicksilver, changeable, capricious, volatile, versatile
(adv.) erratically

abeyance

(n.) a temporary suspension or cessation; (n.) a temporary suppression
(syn.) suspension

conductive

(adj.) having the quality or power of conducting heat or electricity or sound; tending to cause or bring about

decimate

(v.) kill one in every ten; kill in large numbers
(n.) decimation
(syn.) annihilate, eliminate, eradicate, extinguish, carry off

abhorrent

(adj.) offensive to the mind
(syn.) detestable, obscene, repugnant, repulsive, offensive
(v.) abhor

quintessential

(adj.) representing the perfect example of a class or quality

bereft

(adj.) sorrowful through loss or deprivation
(v.) bereave
(syn.) reft

abreast

(adj.) alongside each other, facing in the same direction

abrasive

(adj.) causing abrasion; harsh, sharply disagreeable; rigorous

conjure

(v.) summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
(syn.) arouse

adjure

(v.) command solemnly
(syn.) entreat, conjure, beseech, supplicate

absorbing

(adj.) capable of arousing and holding the attention

naysayer

(n.) someone with an aggressively negative attitude

deplore

(v.) 1. express strong disapproval of 2. regret strongly

absolve

(v.) grant remission of a sin to; excuse or free from blame
(syn.) exonerate, exculpate, reprieve, vindicate, acquit
(ant.) incriminate, inculpate, indict, requite, retaliate, revenge

indict

(v.) to accuse of wrongdoing
(syn.) charge, criminate, impeach
(ant.) absolve, acquit, exonerate, exculpate, reprieve, vindicate

requite

...

to be sure

1. used when admitting or agreeing that something is true, even though it may not agree with most of what you are saying
(syn.) albeit, although, though, even if, even though, despite, in spite of, while, whatever, regardless

abysmal

(adj.) so deep as to be unmeasurable
2. very great; limitless

accentuate

(v.) to stress, single out as important
(syn.) accent, emphasize, punctuate, stress

accolade

(n.) high praise, special distinction

accord

(n.) concurrence of opinion; sympathetic compatibility; harmony of people's opinions or actions or characters
(v.)1. be harmonious or consistent with
2. allow to have

accountability

(n.) responsibility to someone or for some activity

accrue

(v.) grow by addition

accusatory

(adj.) containing or expressing accusation
(syn.) accusative

acerbic

(adj.) harsh or corrosive in tone
(syn.) mordant, astringent, acid, acrid, caustic, virulent, vitriolic

mordant

(adj.) harshly ironic or sinister
(syn.) acerbic, sarcastic, caustic, corrosive, erosive, vitriolic, destructive

acknowledged

(adj.) recognized or made known or admitted
(syn.) recognized

acolyte

(n.) someone who assists a priest or minister in a liturgical service
(syn.) votary, disciple, adherent, partisan

acquaintance

(n.) a person with whom you are acquainted
(v.) acquaint : cause to come to know

acquiescence

(a.) agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
(syn.) accession

accession

(n.) agreeing with or consenting to
(n.) the act of attaining or gaining access to a new office or position
(syn.) acquiescence

consent

(v.) give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to
(n.) permission to do something

conscious

(adj.) knowing and perceiving; having awareness of surroundings and sensations and thoughts

activism

(n.) a policy of taking direct and militant action to achieve a political or social goal
(ant.) reactionary, conservative

adamant

(adj.) impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason

adaptability

(n.) the ability to change to fit changed circumstances
(syn.) flexibility

adduce

(v.) advance evidence for

adherence

(n.) 1. the property of sticking together
2. faithful support for a cause or political party or religion

adolescent

(n.) teenager

adroit

(adj.) quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
(syn.) dexterous, nimble, skillful

adulteration

(n.) the act of adulterating; being mixed with extraneous material; the product of adulterating

adventurous

(adj.) willing to undertake or seeking out new and daring enterprises

adversity

(n.) a state of misfortune or affliction

adversary

(n.) someone who offers oppositions

aesthetical

(adj.) concerning or characterizing by an appreciation of beauty or good taste

philistine

(n.) a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
(adj.) smug and ignorant and indifferent or hostile to artistic and cultural values
(syn.) anti-intellectual, lowbrow

impervious

(adj.) not affected or hurt by; admitting of no passage or entrance
(syn.) impermeable

affable

(adj.) diffusing warmth and friendliness
(syn.) cordial, amiable, genial

affiliation

(n.) the act of becoming formally connected or joined; a social or business relationship
(adj.) affiliated (syn.) kindred

anomalous

(adj.) deviating from the general or common order or type
(syn.) abnormal, unnatural
(n.) anomaly

affordability

(n.) the ability to be able to pay for

aggrandize

(v.) add details to

aggravate

(v.) make worse
(syn.) exacerbate

aghast

(adj.) struck with fear, dead, or consternation

allusive

(adj.) characterized by indirect references
(v.) allude
(n.) allusion - passing reference or indirect mention

collude

(v.) act in unison or agreement and in secret towards a deceitful or illegal purpose
(syn.) conspire

delude

(v.) be false to; be dishonest with
(syn.) deceive, lead on

cosmopolitan

(adj.) of worldwide scope
(ant.) insulation

insular

(adj.) narrowly restricted in outlook scope
(syn.) provincial, parochial
(adj.) suggestive of the isolated life of an island
(syn.) private
(n.) insularity / insulation

provincial

(adj.) less sophisticated, narrow-minded
(syn.) insular, parochial
(ant.) cosmopolitan
(n.) provincialism

parochial

(adj.) narrowly restricted in outlook or scope
(syn.) insular, provincial
(adj.) relating to or supported by or located in a parish
(n.) parochialism

secular

(n.) someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
(syn.) layman, layperson
(adj.) characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world
(syn.) temporal, worldly, earthly, mundane,

altruism

(n.) the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
(syn.) beneficence
(ant.) egoism
(adj.) altruistic

amalgam

(n.) a combination or blend of diverse things
(syn.) combination
(v.) amalgamate

ambiguous

(adj.) having more than one possible meaning
(syn.) equivocal

parallel

(n.)(adj.)(v.) something having the property of being analogous to something else
(syn.) match

ameliorate

(v.) to make better

amiable

(adj.) diffusing warmth and friendliness
(syn.) affable, cordial, genial

amorphous

(adj.) having no definite form or distinct shape

amuse

(v.) 1. occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
2. make (somebody) laugh

analogous

(adj.) similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar
(n.) analogy

anathema

(n.) a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication

ancestry

(n.) the former generations of somebody's family

anecdote

(n.) short account of an incident

annexation

(n.) 1. incorporation by joining or uniting
2. the formal act of acquiring something (especially territory) by conquest or occupation

annihilate

(v.) kill in large numbers
(syn.) decimate, eliminate, eradicate, extinguish, wipe out, carry off, destroy

annotate

(v.) add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments

anoint

(v.) choose by or as if by divine intervention

anonymous

(adj.) having no known name or identity or known source

anthropomorphism