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 acquaintances; 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: (v) protest, object to
ant: (v) 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 over-decorated 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, propserous
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