allay
(v.) to calm or pacify, set to rest; to lessen or relieve (syn.) reduce, alleviate, moderate (ant.) aggravate, exacerbate, intensify
bestial
(adj.) beastlike; beastly, brutal; subhuman in intelligence and sensibility (syn.) animal, depraved, loathsome (ant.) human, humane, clement, virtuous, upright
convivial
(adj.) festive, sociable, having fun together, genial (syn.) fun-loving, jovial, merry (ant.) dour, grim, sullen, unsociable
coterie
(n.) a circle of acquaintance; a close-knit, often exclusive, group of people with a common interest (syn.) clique, set
counterpart
(n.) a person or thing closely resembling or corresponding to another; a complement (syn.) match
demur
(v.) to object or take exception to; (n.) an objection (syn.) protest, object to (ant.) assent to, consent to, accept, agree to
effrontery
(n.) shameless boldness, impudence (syn.) gall, chutzpah, nerve, impertinence, cheek (ant.) shyness, diffidence, timidity
embellish
(v.) to decorate, adorn, touch up; to improve by adding details (syn.) ornament, garnish (ant.) strip, mar, disfigure
ephemeral
(adj.) lasting only a short time, short-lived (syn.) fleeting, transient, evanescent, transitory (ant.) durable, long-lasting, permanent, perpetual
felicitous
(adj.) appropriate, apt, well chosen; marked by well-being or good fortune, happy (syn.) fortunate, well-put (ant.) inappropriate, inept, graceless, unhappy
furtive
(adj.) done slyly or stealthily, sneaky, secret, shifty; stolen (syn.) clandestine, covert, surreptitious (ant.) forthright, aboveboard, open
garish
(adj.) glaring; tastelessly showy or overdecorated in a vulgar or offensive way (syn.) gaudy, flashy, tawdry (ant.) subdued, muted, understated, quiet
illusory
(adj.) misleading, deceptive; lacking in or not based on reality (syn.) specious, spurious, fanciful, imaginary (ant.) actual, real, factual, objective
indigent
(adj.) needy, impoverished (syn.) penniless, poverty-stricken, destitute (ant.) wealthy, affluent, prosperous
inordinate
(adj.) far too great, exceeding reasonable limits, excessive (syn.) exorbitant, extravagant (ant.) moderate, reasonable, equitable
jettison
(v.) to cast overboard, get rid of as unnecessary or burdensome (syn.) cast off, discard, dump, junk, abandon (ant.) conserve, retain, hold on to, keep
misanthrope
(n.) a person who hates or despises people (syn.) people-hater
pertinacious
(adj.) very persistent; holding firmly to a course of action or a set of beliefs; hard to get rid of, refusing to be put off or denied (syn.) stubborn, dogged, determined
picayune
(adj.) of little value or importance, paltry, measly; concerned with trifling matters, small-minded (syn.) inconsequential, piddling, trifling (ant.) important, significant, huge, gigantic
raiment
(n.) clothing, garments (syn.) apparel, attire