Approbation
(n.) The expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval.
Synonyms: Commendation, Sanction
Antonyms: Disapproval, Condemnation, Censure
Assuage
(v.) To make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench.
Synonyms: Mitigate, Alleviate, Slake, Allay
Antonyms: Intensify, Aggravate, Exacerbate
Coalition
(n.) A combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose.
Synonyms: Alliance, League, Federation, Combine
Antonyms: Splinter Group
Decadence
(n.) Decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay; excessive self-indulgence.
Synonyms: Degeneration, Corruption
Antonyms: Rise, Growth, Development, Maturation
Elicit
(v.) To draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person).
Synonyms: Call Forth, Evoke, Extract, Educe
Antonyms: Repress, Quash, Squelch, Stifle
Expostulate
(v.) To attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning.
Synonyms: Protest, Remonstrate, Complain
Hackneyed
(adj.) Used so often as to lack freshness or originality.
Synonyms: Banal, Trite, Commonplace, Corny
Antonyms: New, Fresh, Novel, Original
Hiatus
(n.) A gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing).
Synonyms: Pause, Lacuna
Antonyms: Continuity, Continuation
Innuendo
(n.) A hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense).
Synonyms: Insinuation, Intimation
Antonyms: Direct Statement
Intercede
(v.) To plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third part or go-between in a disagreement.
Synonyms: Intervene, Mediate
Jaded
(adj.) Wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)
Synonyms: Sated, Surfeited, Cloyed
Antonyms: Unspoiled, Uncloyed
Lurid
(adj.) Causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint.
Synonyms: Gruesome, Gory, Grisly, Baleful, Ghastly
Antonyms: Pleasant, Attractive, Appealing, Wholesome
Meritorious
(adj.) Worthy, deserving recognition and praise.
Synonyms: Praiseworthy, Laudable, Commendable
Antonyms: Blameworthy, Reprehensible, Discreditable
Petulant
(adj.) Peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset.
Synonyms: Irritable, Testy, Waspish
Antonyms: Even-Tempered, Placid, Serene, Amiable
Prerogative
(n.) A special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence.
Synonyms: 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.
(n.) A person with a narrow point of view; a person from an outl
Simulate
(v.) To make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of.
Synonyms: Feign, Pretend, Affect
Transcend
(v.) To rise above or beyond, exceed.
Synonyms: Surpass, Outstrip
Umbrage
(n.) Shade cast by trees; foliage giving shade; an overshadowing influence or power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion.
Synonyms: Irritation, Pique, Annoyance
Antonyms: Pleasure, Delight, Satisfaction
Unctuous
(adj.) Excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable.
Synonyms: Mealymouthed, Servile, Fawning, Greasy
Antonyms: Gruff, Blunt