scapegoat
someone or something that is innocently made to bear the blame or punishment for the sins or misdeeds of others
syn: victim, butt, target, patsy
schism
a split or division within the ranks if an organization
syn: breach, break, cleft, rupture
ant: merger, fusion, union, amalgamation
scrutinize
to examine closely or critically
syn: peruse, study, inspect, pore over
ant: gloss over, skip over, scan
secular
not religious; pertaining to worldly (as opposed to spiritual) matters; pertaining to the state
syn: temporal, civil, mundane
ant: sacred, divine, spiritual, ecclesiastical
senile
showing the signs of old age, especially advanced mental or physical deterioration
syn: aged, decrepit, doddering, feeble minded
ant:youthful, adolescent, juvenile, infantile
solace
comfort or consolation in sorrow, distress, or misfortune
syn: succor, sympathy, commiseration, condolence
ant: vex, aggravate, badger, worry
sorid
filthy and mean
syn: foul, wretched, gross, sleazy
ant: splendid, opulent, luxurious, admirable
stamina
endurance; the moral or physical strength required to withstand hardships or overcome obstacles
syn: fortitude, perseverance, guts, grit
ant: weakness, infirmity, debility, frailty
stereotype
a conventional, usually oversimplified, conception or represented of something
sny: cliche, classify, generalize, about
stigmatize
to brand or characterize as blemished or disgraceful
syn: denounce, condemn, decry, discredit
ant: whitewash, compliment, extol
stipulate
to specify or demand as a condition for agreement; to guarantee or affirm
syn: require, contract, provide for
strategy
an overall plan of action designed to achieve a specific goal
syn: plan, blueprint, program, policy
strident
loud and harsh in sound
syn: grating, shrill, raucous, dissonant
ant: mellifluous, euphonious, melodious, dulcet
surveillance
close observation of a person or group considered suspicious; a continuous watch for the purpose of direction or control
syn: watch, monitoring, supervision, vigilance
syndrome
a group of traits, symptoms, or signs that collectively characterize a disease or social condition
syn: complex