avatar
(n.) an embodiment often in person; an electronic image that represents and is manipulated by a computer user
syn: embodiment, virtual identity
beatitude
(n.) a state of perfect happiness or blessedness; a blessing
syn: bliss, rapture
ant: misery despair
bete noire
(n.) someone or something that one especially dislikes, dreads, or avoids
syn: pet peeve, bugbear, nemesis
ant: pet, idol
bode
(v.) to be an omen of; to indicate by signs
syn: presage, augur, foreshadow
dank
(adj.) unpleasantly damp or wet
syn: clammy, moist, soggy
ant: dry, arid, parched, desiccated
ecumenical
(adj.)worldwide or universal in influence or application
syn: general, comprehensive
ant: parochial, regional, insular
fervid
(adj.) burning with enthusiasm or zeal; extremely heated
syn: ardent, fervent, earnest
ant: apathetic, indifferent, cool, blase
fetid
(adj.) having an unpleasant or offensive odor
syn: smelly, putrid, noisome, foul, malodorous
ant: fragrant, aromatic, perfumed, sweet
gargantuan
(adj.) of immense size, volume, or capacity; enormous, prodigious
syn: huge, colossal, mammoth, gigantic
ant: tiny, minuscule, infinitesimal, dwarfish
heyday
(n.) the period of greatest power, vigor, success, or influence; the prime years
syn: golden age
ant: formative years, twilight years, decline
incubus
(n.) a demon or evil spirit supposed to haunt human beings in their bedrooms at night; anything that oppresses or weighs upon one, like a nightmare
syn: hobgoblin, millstone
infrastructure
(n.) a basic foundation or framework; a system of public works; the resources and facilities required for an activity; permanent military installations
syn: base, basis, underpinning
ant: superstructure
inveigle
(v.) to entice, lure, or snare by flattery or artful inducements; to obtainor acquire by artifice
syn: induce, beguile, cajole, wheedle
ant:
kudos
(n.) the acclaim, prestige, or renown that comes as a result of some action or achievement
syn: glory, praise, accolades
ant: boos, disapproval, condemnation
lagniappe
(n.) an extra or unexpected gift of gratuity
syn: bonus
prolix
(adj.) long-winded and wordy; tending to speak or write in such a way
syn: garrulous
ant: laconic, succinct, pithy
protege
(n.) someone whose welfare, training, or career is under the patronage of an influential person; someone under the jurisdiction of a foreign country or government
syn: ward, charge, disciple, trainee
ant: sponsor, mentor, benefactor
sycophant
(n.) someone who attempts to win favors or advance him- or herself by flattery or servile behavior; a slanderer, defamer
syn: yes-man, flunky bootlicker
tautology
(n.) needless repetition of an idea by using different but equivalent words; a redundancy
syn: pleonasm
truckle
(v.) to yield or submit tamely or submissively
syn: kowtow, stoop, grovel
ant: resist, defy, stand up to