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