acquiesce
(verb) to accept without protest; to agree or submit
Management is not likely to __________ to union demands for raises because the company's profits have recently been on the decline.
Syn.: comply with, accede, consent, yield
Ant.: resist, protest
allure
(verb) to entice, tempt; to be attractive to; (noun) a strong attraction; the power to attract, charm
Dreams of stardom __________ many gifted young performers from all over the country to the bright lights of Broadway.
The __________ of get-rich-quick sc
askew
(adj., adv.) twisted to one side, crooked; disapprovingly
Some people cannot refrain from straightening lampshades that are a little __________.
All our plans for a picnic on the beach went suddenly __________ when it began to rain very heavily.
Syn.: awr
blithe
(adj.) cheerful, lighthearted; casual, unconcerned
It is difficult to deflate the __________ optimism of the young.
Syn.: carefree, nonchalant, indifferent
Ant.: glum, morose, despondent, depressed
contentious
(adj.) quarrelsome, inclined to argue
The members of the on-line discussion group were annoyed by the newcomer's __________ and rude remarks.
Syn.: argumentative, disputatious, combative
Ant.: agreeable, amiable, affable, pacific
covet
(verb) to desire something belonging to another
Those who __________ the good fortune of others are likely to be unhappy with their own lot in life.
Syn.: crave, yearn for, hunger for
Ant.: disdain, scorn, despise
crestfallen
(adj.) discouraged, dejected, downcast
Despite the loss of an important labor endorsement, the candidate appeared in no way __________.
Syn.: despondent, disconsolate
Ant.: elated, cheerful, self-satisfied, cocky
disheveled
(adj.) rumpled, mussed; hanging in disorder
Most people look a little bit __________ when they get up in the morning.
Syn.: untidy, disarranged, tousled, unkempt
Ant.: tidy, neat, orderly, well-groomed
exponent
(noun) one who advocates, speaks for, explains, or interprets; (math) the power to which a number, symbol, or expression is to be raised
President Theodore Roosevelt was one of the first __________ of conservation.
Syn.: defender, champion, interpreter
An
garrulous
(adj.) given to much talking, tediously chatty
If you are conversing with a __________ individual, you may find it hard to get a word in edgewise.
Syn.: talkative, loquacious, long-winded
Ant.: reticent, mum, taciturn, laconic, reserved
insuperable
(adj.) incapable of being overcome
To the composer Ludwig van Beethoven, increasing deafness was not an __________ handicap.
Syn.: invincible, insurmountable
Ant.: surmountable, conquerable
lamentable
(adj.) to be regretted or pitied
After a long, hard winter, city streets may be in a truly __________ state of disrepair.
Syn.: deplorable, regrettable, distressing
Ant.: praiseworthy, commendable, laudable
misnomer
(noun) an unsuitable or misleading name
The term World Series is a __________ because only North American teams participate in this annual event.
Syn.: misnaming, malapropism
profess
(verb) to affirm openly; to state belief in; to claim, pretend
My music teacher __________ herself satisfied with my technical progress so far this year.
Syn.: assert, declare, proclaim, purport
Ant.: disclaim, disavow, repudiate
respite
(noun) a period of relief or rest
A vacation provides a __________ from the worries and responsibilities of everyday life.
Syn.: interval, intermission, lull, breather
retribution
(noun) a repayment; a deserved punishment
In most ancient societies __________ was swiftly visited on those who broke their promises.
Syn.: recompense, requital, just deserts
sinuous
(adj.) winding, having many curves; lithe and flexible
The trunk of the tree was almost completely encased by __________ wisteria vines.
Syn.: twisting, convoluted, serpentine, supple
Ant.: direct, straight, unbending, stiff, rigid
sonorous
(adj.) full, deep, or rich in sound; impressive in style
The __________ tolling of church bells announced the passing of the monarch.
Syn.: resonant, resounding, grandiloquent
Ant.: tinny, reedy, harsh, grating
vanguard
(noun) the foremost part of an army; the leading position in any field
If a high-tech company is to survive in today's marketplace it must remain in the __________ of innovation.
Syn.: forefront, cutting edge, trailblazers
Ant.: rear guard, stragglers, la
wastrel
(noun) a wasteful person, spendthrift; a good-for-nothing
Many a novel has told the sorry tale of a charming but self-destructive __________.
Syn.: loafer, idler, squanderer, profligate
Ant.: skinflint, tightwad, miser