adage
(n.) a proverb, wise saying ??, ??
syn: maxim, aphorism
bonanza
(n.) a rich mass of ore in a mine; something very valuable, profitable, or rewarding; a source of wealth or prosperity; a very large amount; sudden profit or gain ???, ?? ???? ?
syn: windfall
churlish
(adj.) lacking politeness or good manners; lacking sensitivity; difficult to work with or deal with; rude ??, ???
syn: surly, ill-tempered
ant: courteous, civil, well-mannered
citadel
(n.) a fortress that overlooks and protects a city; any strong or commanding place ??[??]
syn: fort, stronghold, bulwark, bastion
collaborate
(v.) to work with, work together ????, ???? ????
syn: team up, join forces
ant: work alone
decree
(n.) an order having the force of law; (v.) to issue such an order; to command firmly or forcefully ??, ??; ???[????]
syn: (n.) proclamation, edict
ant: (v.) proclaim
discordant
(adj.) disagreeable in sound, jarring; lacking in harmony, conflicting ??[??]? ??? ???
syn: grating, shrill, different, divergent, conflicting
ant: harmonious, in agreement
evolve
(v.) to develop gradually; to rise to a higher level (?????) ??[??]??[???]
syn: unfold, emerge
ant: wither, atrophy
excerpt
(n.) a passage taken from a book, article, etc.; (v.) to take such a passage; to quote (??????? ??) ??[??] (??)
syn: (n.) portion, section, extract
grope
(v.) to feel about hesitantly with the hands; to search blindly and uncertainly (???) ???
syn: fumble for, cast about for
hover
(v.) to float or hang suspended over; to move back and forth uncertainly over or around (???) ???
syn: linger, waver, seesaw
ant: soar
jostle
(v.) to make or force one's way by pushing or elbowing; to bump, shove, brush against; to compete for (?? ??? ????) ??? ???[???]
syn: push
laggard
(n.) a person who moves slowly or falls behind; (adj.) falling behind; slow to move, act, or respond ???[???]
syn: (n.) slowpoke, straggler; (adj.) sluggish
ant: (n.) early bird; (adj.) swift, speedy, prompt
plaudits
(n. pl.) applause; enthusiastic praise or approval ??, ??
syn: cheers, acclaim
ant: boos, disapproval, ridicule
preclude
(v.) to make impossible, prevent, shut out (~? ??? ~??) ??? ??, (~? ~?? ??) ????? ??
syn: hinder, check, stop
ant: help, promote, facilitate
revert
(v.) to return, go back (?? ??�??�????) ?????
syn: relapse, regress
ant: progress, advance
rubble
(n.) broken stone or bricks; ruins (???? ???) ????[??]
syn: wreckage
servile
(adj.) of or relating to a slave; behaving like or suitable for a slave or a servant, menial; lacking spirit or independence, abjectly submissive ?????
syn: slavish, groveling
ant: masterly, overbearing
vigil
(n.) a watch, especially at night; any period of watchful attention ??) ??; (??) ??[?? ?]
wrangle
(v.) to quarrel or argue in a noisy, angry way; to obtain by argument; to herd; (n.) a noisy quarrel ??[??]; ??? ???, ???
syn: (v.) squabble, bicker
ant: (v.) agree, concur
antics
(n. pl.) ridiculous and unpredictable behavior or actions ????? ??
syn: pranks, shenanigans
avowed
(adj., part.) declared openly and without shame, acknowledged ???, ???
syn: admitted, sworn
ant: unacknowledged, undisclosed
banter
(v.) to exchange playful remarks, tease; (n.) talk that is playful and teasing ?? ?? ??
syn: (n.) raillery, chitchat
ant: (n.) serious talk
bountiful
(adj.) giving freely, generous; plentiful, given abundantly ??, ???
syn: liberal, abundant, copious
ant: scarce, scanty, in short supply
congested
(adj. part.) overcrowded, filled or occupied to excess ???, ???
syn: jammed, choked, packed
ant: uncluttered, unimpeded
detriment
(n.) harm or loss; injury, damage; a disadvantage; a cause of harm, injury, loss, or damage ??(? ???? ?)
syn: hindrance, liability
ant: advantage, help, plus
durable
(adj.) sturdy, not easily worn out or destroyed; lasting for a long time; (n. pl.) consumer goods used repeatedly over a series of years ???? ??, ????
syn: (adj.) long lasting, enduring
ant: (adj.) fragile, perishable, fleeting, ephemeral
enterprising
(adj.) energetic, willing and able to start something new; showing boldness and imagination ???[???]? ??
syn: vigorous, aggressive, audacious
ant: lazy, indolent, timid, diffident
frugal
(adj.) economical, avoiding waste and luxury; scanty, poor, meager ????; ???, ???
syn: thrifty, skimpy
ant: wasteful, indulgent, lavish
gingerly
(adj., adv.) with extreme care or caution ????
syn: (adv.) cautiously, warily, circumspectly
ant: (adv.) firmly, confidently, aggressively
glut
(v.) to provide more than is needed or wanted; to feed or fill to the point of overstuffing; (n.) an oversupply
syn: (v.) flood, inundate; (n.) surplus, plethora ?? ??(??)
ant: (n.) shortage, scarcity, dearth, paucity
incognito
(adj., adv.) in a disguised state, under an assumed name or identity; (n.) the state of being disguised; a person in disguise ?? ??? ???, ??[??]??
syn: (adj.) undisguised
invalidate
(v.) to make valueless, take away all force or effect ???? ????; ?????
syn: cancel, annul, disapprove, discredit
ant: support, confirm, back up, legalize
legendary
(adj.) described in well-known stories; existing in old stories (legends) rather than in real life ????, ?? ???
syn: mythical, fabulous, famous
maim
(v.) to cripple, disable, injure, mar, disfigure, mutilate ??? ???
minimize
(v.) to make as small as possible, make the least of; to make smaller than before ?????; ????
syn: belittle, downplay
ant: magnify, enlarge, exaggerate
oblique
(adj.) slanting or sloping; not straightforward or direct (???) ???[????/????]
syn: diagonal, indirect
ant: direct, straight to the point
veer
(v.) to change direction or course suddenly, turn aside, shift, swerve ??? ? ??[???]
venerate
(v.) to regard with reverence, look up to with great respect ??[??]??
syn: worship, revere, idolize
ant: despise, detest, ridicule, deride
wanton
(adj.) reckless; heartless, unjustifiable; loose in morals; (n.) a spoiled, pampered person; one with low morals (??? ?? ??) ????[????]
syn: (adj.) rash,malicious, spiteful, unprovoked
ant: (adj.) justified, morally strict, responsible
allot
(v.) to assign or distribute in shares or portions ??[??]??
syn: apportion, parcel out, allocate
amass
(v.) to bring together, collect, gather, especially for oneself; to come together, assemble ???, ????
syn: pile up, garner
ant: scatter, dissipate, squander, waste
audacious
(adj.) bold, adventurous, recklessly daring ???
syn: enterprising, brave
ant: timid, cowardly
comply
(v.) to yield to a request or command ???[????]
syn: consent, acquiesce
ant: reject, refuse, decline
devoid
(adj.) not having or using, lacking ~? ?? ??
syn: wanting, bereft
ant: full, abounding
elite
(n.) the choice part of a group of people or things; (adj.) superior ??? (??)
syn: (n.) cream of the crop, upper crust
ant: (n.) rank and file, dregs of society
grapple
(n.) an iron hook used to grab and hold; (v.) to come to grips with, wrestle or fight with ??? ???, ?? ?? ???
syn: (v.) tackle, confront, struggle with
incapacitate
(v.) to deprive of strength or ability; to make legally ineligible (?? ??) ???? ??? ?? ??? ???
syn: debilitate, paralyze, cripple
ant: rehabilitate, renew
instigate
(v.) to urge on; to stir up, start, incite ????, ????
syn: stop, quell, squelch, quash
longevity
(n.) long life, long duration, length of life ??; ?? ???
ant: shortness, transience
myriad
(adj.) in very great numbers; (n.) a very great number ???, ??? ??
syn: (adj.) innumerable, countless
ant: (adj.) few, scant, sparse
perspective
(n.) a point of view or general standpoint from which different things are viewed, physically or mentally; the appearance to the eye of various objects at a given time, place, or distance ??, ??
syn: viewpoint, sense of proportion
perturb
(v.) to trouble, make uneasy; to disturb greatly; to throw into confusion (?????) ???? ??
syn: upset, agitate, anger
ant: delight, gladden, please
prodigious
(adj.) immense; extraordinary in bulk, size, or degree ???[???]
syn: gigantic, tremendous, astounding
ant: puny, miniscule, insignificant
relevant
(adj.) connected with or related to the matter at hand ?? ??, ???
syn: pertinent, germane, applicable
ant: unconnected, extraneous
skittish
(adj.) extremely nervous and easily frightened; shy or timid; extremely cautious; unstable ?? ?? ??, ? ???
syn: jumpy, restive, capricious, fickle
ant: bold, daring, reckless, cool, unflappable
tether
(n.) a rope or chain used to fasten something to a fixed object the outer limit of strength or resources; (v.) to fasten with a rope or chain ??; ??; (??? ?? ?? ??? ???) ??
syn: (v.) tie up, chain up, leash
ant: (v.) untie, let loose
unison
(n.) a sounding together; agreement or accord ??, ??(harmony), ??
syn: harmony, concord, assent
vie
(v.) to compete; to strive for victory or superiority (?? ?? ???? ??) ???[????]
syn: contend, rival
willful
(adj.) stubbornly self-willed; done on purpose, deliberate ? ?????, ?? ? , ?????; ????, ???
syn: headstrong, obstinate, premeditated
ant: docile, obedient, tractable
annul
(v.) to reduce to nothing; to make ineffective or inoperative; to declare legally invalid or void (????) ????[???? ??]
syn: cancel, abolish, invalidate, nullify
ant: validate, authorize, ratify
blase
(adj.) indifferent, bored as a result of having enjoyed many pleasures; apathetic (?? ?? ? ?? ????) ????
ant: enthusiastic, passionate, fervent
bolster
(v.) to support, give a boost to; (n.) a long pillow or cushion; a supporting post ????, ??[??]??
syn: (v.) reinforce, buttress, validate
ant: (v.) undermine, weaken, impair
deplore
(v.) to feel or express regret or disapproval (?? ?????) ????
syn: lament, bemoan, bewail
ant: approve, commend, extol
frivolous
(adj.) of little importance, not worthy of serious attention; not meant seriously ???, ?? ??; ???
syn: silly, foolish, inane, petty
ant: serious, important, significant
muster
(v.) to bring together for service or battle; to gather or summon, to amount to, comprise, include; (n.) a list of military personnel; a gathering, accumulation (?? ?? ???) ???; (?? ?? ???) ??[????]
syn: (v.) mobilize, marshal (n.) roster, inventory
ant:
nonentity
(n.) a person or thing of no importance ? ?? ??[?????] ??
syn: nobody
ant: celebrity
obsess
(v.) to trouble, haunt or fill the mind ????, ... ??? ??[...? ????] ??
syn: preoccupy
ornate
(adj.) elaborately decorated; showily splendid ???? ???
syn: fancy, flashy, flamboyant
ant: plain, stark,
oust
(v.) to remove, drive out of a position or place ????[????/????]
syn: expel, eject
ant: admit, welcome
peruse
(v.) to read thoroughly and carefully ??[??]??
syn: study, pore over, scrutinize
porous
(adj.) full of tiny holes; able to be penetrated by air or water (??? ??) ???[???]?
syn: leaky, permeable
ant: airtight, impermeable
promontory
(n.) a high point of land extending into water ?(?), ?(?)
syn: cliff, outcrop, jetty
prone
(adj.) lying face down: inclined, likely (?? ?? ??) ??[???] ??
syn: prostrate, liable
ant: standing upright, unlikely
qualm
(n.) a pang of conscience, uneasiness, misgiving, or doubt; a feeling of faintness or nausea ???, ????
syn: regret, second thought, scruple
recourse
(n.) a person or thing turned to for help or advice; the act of seeking help or protection (?? ???? ??? ?? ??) ??
syn: redress, remedy
residue
(n.) a remainder, that which remains when a part has been used up or removed ??[??]?
syn: remnant, remains, leavings
solicitous
(adj.) showing concern or care; fearful or anxious about someone or something ??? ????
syn: concerned
ant: unconcerned, indifferent, apathetic
staid
(adj.) serious and dignified; quiet or subdued in character or conduct ????, ???
syn: sedate, sober, prim
ant: gaudy, jaunty, unconventional
sustain
(v.) to support, nourish, keep up; to suffer, undergo, to bear up under, withstand; to affirm the validity of (??? ?? ????) ????[????/????] ??
syn: foster, uphold
addendum
(n.) a thing that is added; an appendix or addition to a book or written document (?? ??) ??
syn: attachment, rider, extension
aghast
(adj.) filled with amazement, disgust, fear, or terror ???, ?? ??
syn: shocked, horrified, stupefied
ant: delighted, overjoyed, unmoved
ample
(adj.) more than enough, large, spacious ???
syn: sufficient, adequate, considerable
ant: insufficient, inadequate
apparition
(n.) a ghost or ghostly figure; an unexpected or unusual appearance ??
syn: phantom, specter
assert
(v.) to declare or state as truth, maintain or defend, put forward forcefully ????
syn: affirm, vow
cower
(v.) to crouch or shrink away in fear or shame (?? ??) ?? ???[????]
syn: wince, flinch
ant: stand up to
disdain
(v.) to look upon with scorn; to refuse scornfully; (n.) a feeling of contempt
syn: (v.) spurn, reject ?????, ????; ????, ??
ant: (v.) revere, venerate, esteem, respect
epitaph
(n.) a brief statement written on a tomb or gravestone ???
syn: tombstone inscription
ethical
(adj.) having to do with morals, values, right and wrong; in accordance with standards of right conduct; requiring a prescription for purchase ????, ??? ???
syn: upright, virtuous, honorable
ant: immoral, unscrupulous, dishonest
facetious
(adj.) humorous, not meant seriously
syn: comical, witty, tongue-in-cheek ???, ???
ant: serious, humorous
inaudible
(adj.) not able to be heard ??? ??
syn: faint, indistinct
ant: audible, perceptible
indiscriminate
(adj.) without restraint or control; unselective ????[?????](?? ????? ?? ????
syn: haphazard, random, uncritical
ant: selective, discriminating, judicious
intrigue
(n.) crafty dealings, underhanded plotting; (v.) to form and carry out plots; to puzzle or excite the curiosity ?? ??[???](? ??????)
syn: (n.) scheme, plot, conspiracy
ant: (n.) fair play
jurisdiction
(n.) an area of authority or control; the right to administer justice ???; ???
syn: purview, supervision
plausible
(adj.) appearing true, reasonable, or fair ??? ? ??, ??? ??, ????
syn: believable, probable
ant: improbable, unbelievable, unlikely
plebeian
(adj.) common, vulgar, belonging to the lower class; (n.) a common person, member of the lower class ??[??]?
syn: (adj.) lowborn, proletarian, coarse, unrefined
ant: (adj.) aristocratic, refined, cultivated
prodigal
(adj.) wastefully extravagant; lavishly or generously abundant; (n.) one who is wasteful and self-indulgent ????
syn: (adj.) improvident; (n.) spendthrift, wastrel
ant: (adj.) frugal, economical, stingy, miserly
proximity
(n.) nearness, closeness ???[??]
syn: distance, remoteness
pulverize
(v.) to grind or pound to a powder or dust; to destroy or overcome (as though by smashing into fragments ??? ???, ????; ??? ????
syn: compress, demolish
volatile
(adj.) highly changeable, fickle; tending to become violent or explosive; changing readily from the liquid to the gaseous state ?????; (????? ??? ??) ???
syn: unstable, erratic
ant: stable, steady, static, inert, dormant
abashed
(adj. part.) embarrassed, ashamed, or nonplussed ???, ????
syn: unembarrassed, unashamed
aloof
(adj.) withdrawn, standing apart from others by choice ???
syn: distant, cold,
ant: involved, sociable
anguish
(n.) great mental suffering, distress, pain; (v.) to cause deep pain or sorrow (???) ???, ??
syn: (n.) misery, woe, torment
ant: (n.) joy, delight, peace of mind
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 (??????) ??? ????[????]
syn: (v.) expound; (adj.) eloquent
ant: (adj.) tongue-tied, mumbled
bask
(v.) to be in, or expose oneself to, pleasant warmth; to take pleasure in or derive enjoyment from (?? ??? ?? ??) ???
syn: wallow, revel
defect
(n.) an imperfection, flaw, or blemish of some kind; (v.) to desert a cause or organization ??; (????? ??) ???[???]
finesse
(n.) delicate skill; tact and cleverness; (v.) to accomplish something by cleverness, good judgment or skillful evasion ??[??]; ???? ????
syn: (n.) delicacy, subtlety
ant: (n.) clumsiness, awkwardness
flaunt
(v.) to wave or flutter showily; to display in a conceited, offensive way ????
syn: show off, parade
ant: hide, downplay
forthright
(adj.) frank, direct, straightforward ?? ???
syn: candid, blunt
ant: indirect, evasive, deceitful, two-faced
genial
(adj.) cordial, pleasantly cheerful or warm ???, ???
syn: friendly, amiable
ant: cold, unfriendly, unsociable
instill
(v.) to add gradually; to introduce or cause to be taken in ???? ??, ??? ?????
syn: implant, infuse, inculcate
ant: root out, eradicate, extirpate
ostracize
(v.) to exclude from a group, banish, send away (???) ????[????]
syn: cast out, expel, blackball
ant: fraternize with, associate with
premonition
(n.) forewarning or foreboding of a future event (?? ???) ??
syn: presentiment
pseudonym
(n.) a pen name, name assumed by a writer (?? ???) ??
syn: nom de plume
purge
(v.) to wash away impurities, clean up; (n.) the process of getting rid of something or someone decisively ??[??]??
syn: (v.) cleanse, purify
ant: (v.) pollute, contaminate, defile
rehabilitate
(v.) to make over in good form; to restore to good condition or to a former position ??[??] ??? ??; (?? ????) ?? ??? ??; ??[??]? ?????
syn: reclaim, rebuild, reform
repercussion
(n.) an effect or consequence or some action or event, result; an echo or reverberation (?? ??? ???, ?? ?? ??, ????) ??
ant: cause, source
resolute
(adj.) bold, determined; firm ???, ???
syn: steadfast, unflinching
ant: weak, spineless
retentive
(adj.) able to hold, keep, or recall; retaining knowledge easily (???? ???) ? ?? ??
ant: porous, forgetful
scapegoat
(n.) a person or thing carrying the blame for others ???
syn: whipping boy
acme
(n.) the highest point ??, ??
syn: summit, top, peak, pinnacle
ant: low point, bottom, nadir
attribute
(n.) a quality or characteristic belonging to or associated with someone or something; (v.) to assign to, credit with; to regard as caused by or resulting from ??, ??; (~? ...?) ???[????] ??
syn: (n.) trait; (v.) ascribe
belittle
(v.) to make something appear smaller than it is; to refer to in a way that suggests lack of importance or value ??? ???
syn: minimize, underrate, disparage
ant: exaggerate, magnify, overestimate
convey
(v.) to transport; to transmit; to communicate, make known; to transfer ownership or title to (????? ??) ????[???]; ?? ???, ??[??]??
syn: carry, send, impart
doctrine
(n.) a belief, principle, or teaching; a system or such beliefs or principles; a formulation of such beliefs or principles ??; ??; ??; ??
excise
(v.) to remove by cutting; (n.) an indirect tax on the manufacture, sale, or distribution of a commodity or service ????, ?? ??; ???, ???
(v.) cut out, expunge
(v.) put in, interpolate
exotic
(adj.) foreign; charmingly unfamiliar or strikingly unusual (?? ?? ??? ??) ???; ????
syn: strange, alien, picturesque, colorful
ant: native, indigenous, familiar, commonplace
haggard
(adj.) thin, pale, and careworn as a result of worry or suffering; wild-looking ???
syn: drawn, gaunt, wasted
ant: healthy, glowing, hale and hearty
jaunty
(adj.) lively, easy, and carefree in manner; smart or trim in appearance ?????, ???
syn: unconcerned, lighthearted
ant: downcast, dejected, glum
juncture
(n.) a joining together; the point at which two things are joined; any important point in time
syn: union, seam, joint, turning point
menial
(adj.) lowly, humble, lacking importance or dignity; (n.) a person who does the humble and unpleasant tasks (??) ???, ??
syn: (n.) underling, scullion, servant
ant: (adj.) lofty, elevated; (n.) boss, master
parry
(v.) to ward off, fend off, evade, avoid; (n.) a defensive movement in fencing and other sports (???? ???) ???[??]
predatory
(adj.) preying on, plundering, or piratical ????; ?? ?? ??, ?? ???? ??? ??
syn: looting, pillaging, ravenous, rapacious
ravage
(v.) to destroy, lay waste, ruin; (n.) ruinous damage, destruction ??[??]?? ???, ??[??]??
syn: (v.) wreck, devastate
ant: (v.) spare
stance
(n.) a way of holding the body; an attitude or position on an issue (?? ?? ?? ????) ??[??]
syn: posture, bearing
tawdry
(adj.) showy and flashy but lacking in good taste (??? ?? ??) ?????[??]
syn: loud, gaudy, tacky, vulgar
ant: refined, tasteful, subdued, muted
turncoat
(n.) a person who switches to an opposing side or party ???
syn: quisling, deserter, renegade
ant: loyalist, diehard
unassuming
(adj.) not putting on airs, unpretentious; modest ?? ??? ??
ant: conceited, pretentious, self-important
wallow
(v.) to roll about in a lazy; clumsy, or helpless way; to overindulge in; to have in abundance; (n.) a wet, muddy, or dusty area used by animals as a sort of bath; a state of moral or physical collapse ???; (??? ?? ??) ??[??] ??
syn: (v.) delight in, bask
waver
(v.) to move to and fro, become unsteady; to show lack of firmness or decision ???, ????, (?????) ????[???]; ??[??]? ? ??, ????
syn: hesitate
ant: stand firm, be resolute
abut
(v.) to join at one end or be next to; to support, prop up ...? ????
syn: border on, bolster
attire
(n.) clothes, apparel, garb; (v.) to dress, adorn, or bedeck ??, ??
syn: (n.) clothing
avail
(v.) to be of use or benefit to; to make use of; to take advantage of ; to profit or benefit; (n.) use, benefit, or value ??? ??, ??? ??
crony
(n.) a very close friend, chum, buddy (?? ??? ?? ???) ??
ant: adversary, rival
cryptic
(adj.) puzzling, mystifying, or enigmatic ???? ??, ????
ant: crystal clear, unambiguous
divergent
(adj.) going in different directions; different from each other; departing from convention, deviant ????; ????; (?? ???) ???
syn: not in agreement, differing, unorthodox, unconventional
ant: merging, intersecting, converging, orthodox, conventional
enmity
(n.) hatred, ill-will ??, ??, ???
syn: hostility, animosity
ant: friendship, amity
fervent
(adj.) very earnest, emotional, passionate, extremely hot ???, ???
syn: enthusiastic, burning, blazing, scorching
ant: blase, apathetic, restrained, emotionless
gaunt
(adj.) thin and bony, starved looking; bare and barren ???, ?? ??
syn: lean, lanky, all skin and bones
infiltrate
(v.) to pass through or gain entrance to gradually or stealthily ??[??]??[???]
syn: slip into, creep into, penetrate
nullify
(v.) to make of no value or consequence, cancel, wipe out (????? ??) ?????
syn: invalidate, annul
ant: confirm, endorse ratify, sanction
perceptible
(adj.) capable of being grasped by the senses of the mind (????? ??) ??[??]? ? ??
syn: noticeable, discernible, observable
ant: invisible, unnoticeable, indiscernible
plummet
(v.) to plunge straight down; (n.) a weight fastened to a line ??????, ????
syn: (v.) take a nosedive
ant: (v.) soar, skyrocket
proclaim
(v.) to declare publicly or officially ??[??]??
syn: announce, promulgate
ant: conceal, cover up
proxy
(n.) an agent, substitute; a written permission allowing one person to act in another's place ??[??](?); ???
syn: deputy
rankle
(v.) to cause anger, irritation, or bitterness (with the suggestion that the pain grows worse with time) ??? ????[??? ???]
syn: irritate, vex, nettle, irk
ant: please, gratify
scavenger
(n.) a person who collects or removes usable items from waste materials; an animal that feeds on refuse of dead bodies ??? ??? ??? ??[??]
syn: rummager
stint
(v.) to limit, be sparing or frugal; (n.) a limit or restriction; a fixed share of work or duty; a period of activity ???, ???? ??; (?? ?? ???0 ????
syn: (v.) restrict, scrimp, economize
ant: (v.) splurge, squander, lavish
stoical
(adj.) self-controlled, not showing feeling in response to pleasure or pain ???, ???; ???
syn: unresponsive, impassive
ant: excitable, emotional, hotheaded
unflagging
(adj.) tireless, continuing with vigor ??? ??, ?? ? ???
syn: steady, undiminished, unremitting
ant: diminishing, drooping, sagging
apt
(adj.) suitable, fitting, likely; quick to learn ???
syn: appropriate, fit, liable
ant: inappropriate, slow
awry
(adj., adv.) in a turned or twisted position or direction; wrong, out of the right or hoped for course (?? ??) ???[??? ?]
syn: (adj.) crooked, askew, amiss
ant: (adj.) straight, symmetrical
bludgeon
(n.) a short club used as a weapon; (v.) to strike with a heavy club; to use force or strong arguments to gain some point ??? ?? ?(?? ??); ????
syn: (n.) cudgel; (v.) clobber, clout
capitulate
(v.) to end resistance, give up, throw in the towel (???? ???? ??) ????
syn: hold out, persist
chafe
(v.) to warm by rubbing; to wear sore by rubbing; to feel annoyance or dissatisfaction, annoy, irk; to strain or press against; (n.) a sore or injury caused by rubbing (???) ???[???] ??; ???? ??, ????
defile
(v., trans.) to make unclean or dirty, destroy the purity of; (v., intrans) to march in a single line or in columns; (n.) a narrow passage, gorge, canyon (????? ??? ??) ????
dire
(adj.) dreadful, causing fear or suffering; warning of trouble to come; demanding immediate action to avoid disaster ??? ???, ???, ???
syn: disastrous, ominous, sinister, urgent
ant: favorable, auspicious, beneficial
disarming
(adj.) charming, tending to soften unfriendliness or suspicion (?????) ???? ?? ?????, ??[?/???]? ??????
syn: endearing, winning
ant: alarming, troubling, disquieting
disgruntled
(adj., part) in bad humor, discontented, annoyed ????? ??, ???
syn: displeased, grumpy, surly
ant: pleased, satisfied, content
encroach
(v.) to advance beyond the usual or proper limits, trespass (?? ???????? ??) ????
syn: intrude, infringe
endow
(v.) to furnish, equip, provide with funds or some other desirable thing or quality (?? ?? ??? ?? ??) ????
syn: grant, bestow, present, bequeath
ant: take away, deprive
fend
(v.) to ward off, resist; to get along, manage ?????, ???, ???? ??? ??
syn: stave off, cope
impunity
(n.) freedom from punishment ??? ?? ??
syn: exemption from penalty, immunity
mien
(n.) air, manner; appearance; expression (??? ????) ??[??]
syn: look, bearing
penal
(adj.) having to do with punishment ???, ???
syn: disciplinary
pertinent
(adj.) related to the matter at hand, to the point (??? ???) ???[?? ??
syn: germane, apropos
ant: unrelated, irrelevant, immaterial
predominant
(adj.) the greatest in strength or power; most common ????, ???
syn: chief, major, paramount, prevalent
ant: secondary, minor, subsidiary, rare
prodigy
(n.) something wonderful or marvelous; an unusual feat; a child or young person with extraordinary ability or talent ??
syn: marvel, wonder, genius
ant: dumbbell, dunce, dullard
recluse
(n.) a person who leads a life shut up or withdrawn from the world ???
syn: hermit
renown
(n.) fame, glory ??
syn: reputation, celebrity, prestige
ant: obscurity, infamy, notoriety
accord
(n.) agreement, harmony; (v.) to agree, be in harmony or bring into harmony; to grant, bestow on (????? ?? ????) ??;
(????? ??) ????; ????
syn: (n.) mutual understanding
ant: (n.) disagreement, conflict, friction
barter
(n.) an exchange in trade; (v.) to exchange goods ????(??), ??? ??(??)
syn: trade, swap
ant: sell, buy, purchase
curt
(adj.) short, rudely brief ?????
syn: rude, brusque, terse, summary
ant: civil, courteous, lengthy, detailed
devise
(v.) to think out, plan, figure out, invent, create ??[??]??
syn: contrive, work out, design
dexterous
(adj.) skillful in the use of hands or body; clever ???? ???, ?? ??
syn: agile, handy, deft
ant: clumsy, awkward, ungainly
engross
(v.) to occupy the complete attention of , absorb fully ???? ???
syn: immerse, preoccupy
ant: bore, stultify, put to sleep
entail
(v.) to put a burden on, impose, involve; to restrict ownership of property by limiting inheritance; (n.) such a restriction ????
syn: (v.) necessitate
ant: (v.) exclude, rule out, preclude
ferret
(n.) a kind of weasel; (v.) to search or hunt out; to torment, badger ???; ??, ???
syn: (v.) track down, sniff out
habituate
(v.) to become used to; to cause to become used to
???? (to); ??? ??
syn: inure, get used to
ant: deprogram, brainwash
impending
(adj., part) about to happen, hanging over in a menacing way ? ??, ???
syn: imminent, upcoming
ant: distant, remote
personable
(adj.) pleasing in appearance or personality, attractive (???? ??? ???) ????
syn: agreeable, likeable
ant: unpleasant, disagreeable
rue
(v.) to regret, be sorry for; (n.) a feeling of regret ????
syn: (v.) repent
ant: (v.) cherish
scoff
(v.) to make fun of; to show contempt for ???, ????
syn: ridicule, laugh at
ant: take seriously, admire, revere
transition
(n.) a change from one state or condition to another ??(??), ??(??)
syn: conversion, switch, passage
trepidation
(n.) fear, fright, trembling ???[??]
syn: dread, anxiety, apprehension
ant: confidence, self-assurance, poise
upbraid
(v.) to blame, scold, find fault with ????, ??? ????
syn: bawl out, reprimand
ant: praise, pat on the back
veritable
(adj.) actual, true, real (??? ??? ??) ???
ant: false, specious
vex
(v.) to annoy, anger, exasperate; to confuse, baffle ????[????]??
syn: irritate, irk, puzzle, distress
ant: please, delight, soothe, mollify
vitality
(n.) strength, energy; the capacity to live and develop; the power to endure or survive ??
syn: verve, stamina
ant: lifelessness, torpor, lethargy
whimsical
(adj.) subject to odd ideas, notions, or fancies; playful; unpredictable ???, ???
syn: odd, peculiar, quaint, fanciful
ant: serious, sober, matter-of-fact, realistic
appease
(v.) to make calm, soothe; to relieve, satisfy; to yield to ???; ??? ????, ?? ??? ??
syn: pacify, mollify, propitiate
ant: enrage, provoke, irritate
belated
(adj.) late, tardy ???
syn: behind schedule
ant: early, ahead of time
calamitous
(adj.) causing great misfortune ??? ????
syn: disastrous, catastrophic, ruinous, fatal
ant: fortunate, beneficial, salutary
cite
(v.) to quote; to mention; to summon to appear in court; to commend, recommend ??[?? ??]
syn: refer to, enumerate, subpoena
ant: ignore, disregard
conventional
(adj.) in line with accepted ideas or standards; trite ??[??]??; ?? ???[????]
syn: ordinary, commonplace, orthodox
ant: outlandish, bizarre, unorthodox
decoy
(v.) to lure into a trap; (n.) a person or thing used to lure into a trap ??(??); ??? ?[??/??]; ????
syn: (v.) entice, entrap; (n.) attraction, bait
delve
(v.) to dig; to search deeply and thoroughly into (??? ???? ?? ??) ???
syn: probe, investigate
ensue
(v.) to follow in order, come immediately after, and as a result (?? ?????) ????
syn: result
ant: precede, come before
gallantry
(n.) heroic courage; respect and courtesy; an act or statement marked by a high level of courtesy (?? ?????) ??
syn: bravery, chivalry, daring
ant: cowardice, boorishness
impart
(v.) to make known, tell; to give, pass something on (????? ??) ???; (??? ???) ??
syn: transmit, bestow, grant
ant: withhold, keep back, conceal
judicious
(adj.) using or showing good judgment, wise, sensible ???, ??? ??
syn: thoughtful, prudent, shrewd, astute
ant: foolish, thoughtless, ill-considered
mediate
(v.) to bring about an agreement between persons or groups, act as a go-between; (adj.) occupying a middle position; indirect, acting through an intermediary (???? ?? ??) ??[??]??, ??? ??; ??? ??, ???? ??
syn: (v.) arbitrate, umpire, referee
milieu
(n.) the setting, surroundings, environment (???) ??
outlandish
(adj.) strange, freakish, weird, foreign-looking; out-of-the-way, geographically remote; exceeding reasonable limits ???, ???
syn: bizarre, odd, unorthodox, unconventional
ant: conventional, orthodox, staid, sober
overbearing
(adj.) domineering, haughty, bullying; overpowering, predominant ????, ?? ???? ??
syn: high-handed, overriding
ant: meek, unassuming, self-effacing
pert
(adj.) high-spirited; lively; bold, saucy; jaunty ???; ????
syn: vivacious, impudent, fresh
ant: sullen, gloomy, peevish
quirk
(n.) a peculiar way of acting; a sudden twist or turn ?? ?; ??; ??? ?[??]
syn: peculiarity, oddity, eccentricity
regale
(v.) to feast, entertain agreeably ???? ????; ?? ??? ??
syn: divert
shiftless
(adj.) lazy, lacking in ambition and energy; inefficient ?? ??? ??[?? ??? ??]
syn: careless, sloppy
ant: hardworking, ambitious
taint
(n.) a stain or spot; a mark or corruption or dishonor; (v.) to stain or contaminate ??, ??; (?? ??) ????, ?????, ??[??]? ???
syn: (n.) blot; (v.) soil, tarnished, pollute
ant: (v.) decontaminate, cleanse
abdicate
(v.) to resign, formally give up an office or a duty; to disown, discard ???? ????, ????
syn: relinquish, renounce
ant: retain
bestow
(v.) to give a as a gift; to provide with lodgings ??[??]??
syn: confer, lodge, put up
ant: receive, take, take back, take away
capacious
(adj.) able to hold much, roomy ???, ???
syn: spacious, commodious
ant: cramped, confined, restricted, narrow
caustic
(adj.) able to burn or eat away by chemical action; biting, sarcastic ???, ????; ???, ???
syn: burning, corrosive, sharp
ant: bland, mild, sugary, saccharine
crusade
(n.) a strong movement to advance a cause or idea; (v.) to campaign, work vigorously (??? ?? ?? ??? ?? ????? ???) ??(? ???)
syn: campaign, organized movement
deface
(v.) to injure or destroy the surface or appearance of; to damage the value, influence, or effect of; to face down, outshine ??? ????
syn: mar, disfigure
ant: repair, restore, renovate, recondition
embargo
(n.) an order forbidding the trade in or movement of commercial goods; any restraint or hindrance; (v.) to forbid to enter or leave port; to forbid trade with ??(??) ??, ?? ???; ?? ????
syn: (n.) stoppage, boycott
fallacy
(n.) a false notion or belief; an error in thinking (?? ???? ??? ??) ?? ??
syn: misconception,
ant: sound reasoning, logic
levity
(n.) a lack of seriousness or earnestness, especially about things that should be treated with respect; buoyancy, lightness in weight ??, ??
syn: giddiness, flippancy, frivolity, fickleness
mendicant
(n.) beggar: (adj.) depending on begging for a living ???; ????
syn: (n.) panhandler
ant: (n.) millionaire, philanthropist
nauseate
(v.) to make sick to the stomach; to fill with disgust ???/???? ??
syn: sicken, disgust
ant: delight, tickle pink
negate
(v.) to nullify, deny, bring to nothing ?????, ??? ?? ???
syn: invalidate, annul
ant: aver, corroborate, buttress
pivotal
(adj.) vitally important, essential ??(?)? ??
syn: crucial, critical, decisive, seminal
ant: unimportant, insignificant
recipient
(n.) one who receives; (adj.) receiving; able or willing to receive (?? ??) ?? ??, ??[??]?
syn: (n.) receiver, beneficiary
ant:(n.) donor, benefactor, contributor
ruse
(n.) an action designed to confuse or mislead, a trick ??, ??
syn: stratagem, subterfuge, dodge
teem
(v.) to become filled to overflowing; to be present in large quantities ????, ????, ????
syn: abound, swarm, overflow
ant: lack, be wanting
tenet
(n.) an opinion, belief, or principle held to be true ??(??), ??(??)
syn: doctrine, precept
tractable
(adj.) easily managed, easy to deal with; easily wrought, malleable ??? ??
syn: submissive, docile, yielding, amenable
ant: unruly, obstreperous, refractory
ungainly
(adj.) clumsy, awkward; unwieldy (????) ???[????]
syn: graceless
ant: nimble, agile, supple, graceful
voracious
(adj.) having a huge appetite, greedy, ravenous; excessively eager ?????; (??? ??????) ??? ???
syn: gluttonous, insatiable, avid
ant: indifferent, apathetic
adapt
(v.) to adjust or change to suit conditions (??? ??????) ???[????]
syn: regulate, alter, acclimate
ant: remain unchanged
attest
(v.) to bear witness, affirm to be true or genuine ??[??]??
syn: witness, verify, confirm, corroborate
ant: deny, disprove, refute, rebut
dovetail
(v.) to fit together exactly; to connect so as to form a whole; (n.) a carpentry figure resembling a dove's tail ? ????
syn: (v.) mesh, jive, harmonize
ant: (v.) clash, be at odds
enormity
(n.) the quality of exceeding all moral bounds; an exceedingly evil act; huge size, immensity ???[???]; ???; ????? ?? ??
syn: heinousness, atrocity, vastness
ant: mildness, harmlessness, innocuousness
falter
(v.) to hesitate, stumble, lose courage; to speak hesitatingly; to lose drive, weaken, decline ??????, ????
syn: waver
ant: persevere, plug away at
foreboding
(n.) a warning or feeling that something bad will happen; (adj.) marked by fear, ominous (???) ??
syn: (n.) presentiment, premonition
forlorn
(adj.) totally abandoned and helpless; sad and lonely; wretched or pitiful; almost hopeless (???) ??? ???
syn: woebegone, forsaken, bereft, pathetic
ant: jaunty, buoyant, blithe, chipper
haughty
(adj.) chillingly proud and scornful ???, ???
syn: disdainful, supercilious
ant: meek, humble, unassuming, modest
impediment
(n.) a physical defect; a hindrance, obstacle (??? ??? ??) ??(?)
syn: obstruction, stumbling block
ant: help, advantage, asset, plus
imperative
(adj.) necessary, urgent; (n.) a form of a very expressing a command; that which is necessary or required ??? ?? ??, ???
syn: (adj.) essential, indispensable
ant: (adj.) nonessential, unnecessary, optional
loiter
(v.) to linger in an aimless way, hang around, dawdle ?????
ant: hurry along
malinger
(v.) to pretend illness to avoid duty or work, lie down on the job ??? ???
syn: goof off, shirk
pithy
(adj.) short but full of meaning ???? ????
syn: terse, short and sweet, meaty, telling
ant: wordy, verbose, long-winded, foolish, inane
plunder
(v.) to rob by force, especially during wartime; to seize wrongfully; (n.) property stolen by force ??[??]??
syn: (v.) pillage, loot, sack; (n.) spoils, pelf
simper
(v.) to smile or speak in a silly, forced way; (n.) a silly, forced smile ????[????] ??
syn: snicker, titter, giggle
steadfast
(adj.) firmly fixed; constant, not moving or changing (??????) ????
syn: loyal, faithful
ant: inconstant, fickle, unreliable, vacillating
vaunted
(adj.) much boasted about in vain or swaggering way (?? ??? ???) ???[????]
syn: trumpeted, heralded
ant: downplayed, soft-pedaled, de-emphasized
vilify
(v.) to abuse or belittle unjustly or maliciously ??[??]??
syn: malign, defame, denigrate, traduce
ant: glorify, extol, lionize
waif
(n.) a person (usually a child) without a home or friend; a stray person or animal; something that comes along by chance, a stray bit (?? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?) ?? ?? ??[??]
syn: stray, urchin
wry
(adj.) twisted, turned to one side; cleverly or grimly humorous
(???? ????) ???, ????
syn: dryly amusing, droll
ant: humorless, solemn, straight
amplify
(v.) to make stronger, larger, greater, louder, or the like
syn: increase, augment, fill out, supplement ?????; ? ??? ??/????
ant: lessen, diminish, abbreviate, shorten
armistice
(n.) a temporary peace, halt in fighting ??(??)
syn: cease-fire
arrogant
(adj.) haughty, too convinced of one's own importance ???, ???
syn: high-handed, overbearing, presumptuous
ant: meek, humble, modest, unassuming
bland
(adj.) gentle, soothing, mild; lacking interest or taste ? ??, ????; (??) ????? ??, ??? ?? ?? ??
syn: dull, insipid
ant: harsh, irritating, pungent, spicy, piquant
disclaim
(v.) to deny interest in or connection with; to give up all claim to (??? ?? ???? ??? ???) ???, (?? ??) ????
syn: disavow, repudiate
ant: admit, avow, confess
epoch
(n.) a distinct period of time, age (??? ??????? ???) ??
estrange
(v.) to drift apart or become unfriendly; to cause such a separation; to remove or keep at a distance ??? ???? ??, ????
syn: part company, alienate
ant: bring together, reunite, reconcile
gratify
(v.) to please, satisfy; to indulge or humor ???[????] ??
syn: delight
ant: disappoint, dissatisfy, frustrate, thwart
infinite
(adj.) exceedingly great, inexhaustible, without limit, endless; (n., preceded by the) an incalculable number, the concept of infinity; (cap. I) a name for God ???[????]
syn: (adj.) unlimited, boundless
ant: (adj.) limited, restricted, measurable
irascible
(adj.) easily made angry, hot-tempered ?? ? ??
syn: irritable, quarrelsome, cantankerous
ant: even-tempered
kindred
(n.) a person's relatives; a family relationship; (adj.) related by blood; like, similar ????
syn: (n.) kin, relations
ant: (adj.) unlike, dissimilar, contrasting
naive
(adj.) innocent, unsophisticated, showing lack of worldly knowledge and experience ??? ??, (??? ???) ???
syn: green, wet behind the ears
ant: sophisticated, knowing, urbane, suave, blase
niche
(n.) a decorative recess in a wall; a suitable place or position for a person or thing ?? ??[? ??] ??[??/? ?]; ??
syn: nook, alcove
obliterate
(v.) to blot out completely, destroy utterly (???) ???[???]
syn: wipe out, erase, efface
ant: foster, promote, create
ramshackle
(adj.) appearing ready to collapse, loose and shaky
syn: rickety, unsteady, run-down, dilapidated ????? ???[????] ??; ? ??? ??, ?? ? ? ? ??
ant: well built, well maintained, shipshape, trim
ransack
(v.) to search or examine thoroughly; to rob, plunder (??? ??? ?? ?? ???? ???) ???[?????]
syn: rummage, scour
ant: spot check
rote
(n.) unthinking routine or repetition, a fixed or mechanical way of doing something; (adj.) based on a mechanical routine (???? ??? ??) ??
solvent
(adj.) able to meet one's financial obligations; having the power to dissolve other substances; (n.) a liquid used to dissolve other substances; something that solves, explains, eliminates, or softens ???/??? ??? ??; ??, ??
syn: financially sound, in the
tedious
(adj.) long and tiresome ???, ????
syn: boring, monotonous
ant: stimulating, interesting, short and sweet
vendor
(n.) a person who sells something (???) ???[???]
syn: peddler, hawker, dealer
ant: buyer, purchaser, customer
abyss
(n.) a deep or bottomless pit ??, ?? ??
syn: chasm, gorge
ant: summit, promontory, pinnacle
befall
(v.) to happen, occur; to happen to ? ?? ?? ???
syn: come to pass
crucial
(adj.) of supreme importance, decisive, critical ???, ????
syn: pivotal, vital
ant: insignificant, inconsequential
dregs
(n. pl.) the last remaining part; the part of least worth ??? ??? ??) ??[???]
syn: grounds, less, residue, leftovers
ant: elite, cream of the crop
embody
(v.) to give form to; to incorporate, include; to personify (??????) ??[??]??
syn: encompass
exasperate
(v.) to irritate, annoy, or anger ?? ???[????] ??
syn: vex, try one's patience
ant: soothe, mollify, please, delight
fiasco
(n.) the complete collapse or failure of a project ??
syn: disaster, flop, bomb
ant: complete success, triumph, hit
garnish
(v.) to adorn or decorate, especially food; (n.) an ornament or decoration, especially for food ????, ???
syn: (v.) embellish, gussy up
heritage
(n.) an inheritance; a birthright ??
syn: legacy, descent, pedigree
inert
(adj.) lifeless, unable to move or act; slow, inactive ??? ??; ????
syn: sluggish, lethargic
ant: vigorous, energetic, volatile
mercenary
(adj.) acting or working for self-gain; (n.) a hired soldier, a soldier of fortune ?? ??, ?? ???? ??; ??
syn: (adj.) grasping, avaricious
ant: (adj.) unselfish, disinterested, altruistic
negligent
(adj.) marked by carelessness or indifference; failing to do what should be done ???[???/????]
syn: careless, neglectful, remiss, derelict
ant: careful, attentive, conscientious
oblivion
(n.) forgetfulness, disregard; a state of being forgotten; an amnesty, general pardon ??[??]?? ??? ??; ??
syn: obscurity, nothingness
ant: fame, renown, celebrity
opus
(n.) an impressive piece of work, especially a musical composition or other work of art (?? ???? ??? ???) ??
syn: composition, piece, oeuvre
pallid
(adj.) pale, lacking color; weak and lifeless (?? ???) ???[???]
syn: colorless, bloodless, dull
ant: ruddy, sanguine, racy, colorful
parable
(n.) a short narrative designed to teach a moral lesson ??
rational
(adj.) based on reasoning; able to make use of reason; sensible or reasonable ????
syn: logical
ant: mad, insane, illogical, absurd
reciprocal
(adj.) shared; involving give-and-take between two persons or things; working in both directions; (n.) (math) a number that, when multiplied by another number, gives ????
syn: (adj.) mutual
ant: (adj.) one-sided,
stricture
(n.) a limitation or restriction; a criticism; (medicine) a narrowing of a passage in the body (?? ?? ??? ??) ?? ??[??]
syn: restraint
ant: compliment, accolade, swelling
veneer
(n.) a thin outer layer; a surface appearance or decoration; (v.) to cover with a thin layer ????; ???, ??
syn: (n.) facing, overlay, facade, pretense
ant: (n.) nucleus, inner core