abominate
(v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for
Syn: loathe, abhor, despise, detest
Ant: relish, savour, cherish, esteem
acculturation
(n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend
Syn: adaptation
adventitious
(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital
Syn: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous
Ant: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital
ascribe
(v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute
Syn: impute, credit, attribute
circuitous
(adj.) roundabout, not direct
Syn: indirect, meandering, winding
Ant: straight, direct, as the crow flies
commiserate
(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress
Syn: feel sorry for, empathize
Ant: feel no sympathy for
enjoin
(v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit
Syn: bid, charge, command, adjure
Ant: allow, permit
expedite
(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster
Syn: accelerate, facilitate, speed up
Ant: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct
expiate
(v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert
Syn: redeem, make amends for, atone, make reparation
ferment
(n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action
Syn: (n.) commotion, turmoil, unrest
Ant: (n.) peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity
inadvertent
(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental
Syn: accidental, unconsidered
Ant: deliberate, intentional, premeditated
nominal
(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously
Syn: titular, token, trifling, inconsequential
Ant: real, actual, exorbitant, excessive
noncommittal
(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no
Syn: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest
Ant: positive, definite, committed
peculate
(v.) to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use
Syn: embezzle, defraud, misappropriate
proclivity
(n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behaviour)
Syn: natural bent, penchant, propensity
Ant: inability or incapacity
sangfroid
(n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances
Syn: poise, self-assurance, equanimity
Ant: excitability, hysteria, flappability
seditious
(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government
Syn: mutinous, rebellious, subversive
Ant: supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant
tenuous
(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported
Syn: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy
Ant: strong, solid, substantial, valid
vitriolic
(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like strong acid)
Syn: withering, acerbic, mordant
Ant: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary
wheedle
(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end
Syn: cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk
Ant: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm