approbation
noun
the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise, official approval
synonym: commendation, sanction
antonym: disapproval, condemnation, censure
My broad hint that I had paid for the lessons myself brought smiles of APPROBATION from all the jud
assuage
verb
to make easier or milder, relieve, to quiet, calm, to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench
Her eyes told me that more than a few well-chosen words would be needed to ASSUAGE her hurt feelings
synonym: mitigate, alleviate, slake, allay
antonyms: in
coalition
noun
a combination, union or merger for some specific purpose
synonym: alliance, league, federation, combine
antonym: splinter group
The various community organizations formed a COALITION to lobby against parking laws.
decadence
noun
decline, decay, or deterioration, a condition or period of decline or decay, excessive self-indulgence
Some characterized her love of chocolate as DECADENCE because she ate at least two candy bars a day
synonyms: degeneration, corruption
antonyms: ri
elicit
verb
to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)
synonym: call forth, evoke, extract, educe
antonyms: repress, quash, squelch, stifle
expostulate
verb
to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning
synonym: protest, remonstrate, complain
hackneyed
adj.
used so often as to lack freshness or originality
The Great Gatsby tells a universal story without being marred by HACKNEYED prose.
synonym: banal, trite, commonplace, corny
antonym: new, fresh, novel, original
hiatus
noun
a gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing)
I was awakened not by a sudden sound but by a HIATUS in the din of traffic.
synonym: pause, lacuna
antonym: continuity, continuation
innuendo
noun
a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)
Those lacking the facts or afraid of reprisals often tarnish an enemy's reputation by use of INNUENDO.
synonym: insinuation, intimation
antonym: direct statement
intercede
verb
to plead on behalf of someone else, to serve as a 3rd party or go-between in disagreement.
She will INTERCEDE in the dispute between to 2 children, and soon they will be playing happily again.
synonym: intervene, mediate
jaded
adjective
wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)
The wilted handclasp and the fast-melting smile mark the JADED refugee from too many parties.
synonym: sated, surfeited, cloyed
antonym: unspoiled, uncloyed
lurid
adjective
causing shock, horror, or revulsion, sensational, pale or sallow in color, terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint
Bright, sensational, and often LURID some old-time movie posters make today's newspaper ads look tame.
synonyms:
meritorious
adjective
worthy, deserving recognition, and praise
Many years of MERITORIOUS service could not dissuade him from feeling that he had not chosen work that he liked.
synonym: praiseworthy laudable, commendable
antonym: blameworthy, reprehensible, discredit
petulant
adj
peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset
An overworked parent may be unlikely to indulge the complaints of a PETULANT child
synonyms: irritable, testy, waspish
antonyms: even-tempered, placid, serene, amiable
prerogative
noun
a special right or privilege, a special quality showing excellence
She seemed to feel that a snooze at her desk was not an annoying habit but the PREROGATIVE of a veteran employee.
synonym: perquisite, perk
provincial
adj--pertaining to an outlying area, local, narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward, of a simple, plain design that originated in the countryside
noun--a person with a narrow point of view, a person from an outlyi
simulate
verb
to make a pretense of, imitate, to show the outer signs of
Some skilled actors can SIMULATE emotions they might never have felt in life
synonyms: feign, pretend, affect
transcend
verb
to rise above or beyond, exceed
A great work of art may be said to TRANSCEND time, and it is remembered for decades, or even centuries.
synonyms: surpass, outstrip
umbrage
noun
shade cast by trees, foliage giving shade, an overshadowing influence or power, offense, resentment, a vague suspicion
She hesitated to offer her opinion, fearing that they would take UMBRAGE at her criticism
synonym: irritation, pique, annoyance
ant
unctuous
adj
excessively smooth or smug, trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety, fatty, oily, pliable
Her constant inquiring about the health of my family at first seemed friendly, later merely UNCTUOUS.
synonyms: mealymouthed, s