GRE Vocaulary

encaustic

[especially in painting and ceramics] using pigments mixed with hot wax that are burned in as an inlay

bromide

2. a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate. "feel-good bromides create the illusion of problem solving"

troglodyte

[especially in prehistoric times] a person who lived in a cave Origin late 15th century: via Latin from Greek trōglodutēs, alteration of the name of an Ethiopian people, influenced by trōglē 'hole.'

requiem

[especially in the Roman Catholic Church] a Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead OriginMiddle English: from Latin [first word of the Mass], accusative of requies 'rest.

ersatz

[of a product] made or used as a synonyms: artificial, substitute, imitation, synthetic, fake, false, faux, mock, simulated; pseudo, sham, bogus, spurious, counterfeit; manufactured, man-made; informalphony, wannabe "ersatz coffee"

symposium

a conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject Origin late 16th century [denoting a drinking party]: via Latin from Greek sumposion, from sumpotēs 'fellow drinker,' from sun- 'together' + potēs 'drinker.'

nexus

a connection or series of connections linking two or more things Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, 'a binding together,' from nex- 'bound,' from the verb nectere .

behemoth

a huge or monstrous creature. something enormous, especially a big and powerful organization. "shoppers are now more loyal to their local stores than to faceless behemoths"

diadem

a jeweled crown or headband worn as a symbol of sovereignty. synonyms: crown, coronet, tiara, circlet, chaplet; literarycoronal "the queen's jeweled diadem"

threnody

a lament Origin mid 17th century: from Greek thrēnōidia, from thrēnos 'wailing' + ōidē 'song.'

condign

[of punishment or retribution] appropriate to the crime or wrongdoing; fitting and deserved Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'worthy, appropriate']: from Old French condigne, from Latin condignus, from con- 'altogether' + dignus 'worthy.'

igneous

[of rock] having solidified from lava or magma Originmid 17th century: from Latin igneus [from ignis 'fire'] + -ous

accrue

[of sums of mone synonyms: result from, arise from, follow from, ensue from; be caused by, attend ";financial benefits will accrue from restructuring";

sloven

a person who is habitually messy or careless Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'person with base manners']: perhaps from Flemish sloef 'dirty' or Dutch slof 'careless, negligent.'

orotund

[of the voice or phrasing] full, round, and imposing synonyms: deep, sonorous, strong, powerful, full, rich, resonant, loud, booming ";an orotund singing voice"; Origin late 18th century: from Latin ore rotundo 'with rounded mouth.'

humor

Origin Middle English [as humour ]: via Old French from Latin humor 'moisture,' from humere [see humid]. The original sense was 'bodily fluid' [surviving in aqueous humor and vitreous humor, fluids in the eyeball]; it was used specifically for any of the cardinal humors [sense 3 of the noun], when

nice

Origin Middle English [in the sense 'stupid']: from Old French, from Latin nescius 'ignorant,' from nescire 'not know.' Other early senses included 'coy, reserved,' giving rise to 'fastidious, scrupulous': this led both to the sense 'fine, subtle' [regarded by some as the "correct" sense], and to

auspice

a divine or prophetic token

dotard

an old person, especially one who has become weak or senile

choleric

bad-tempered or irritable. synonyms: bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, angry, grumpy, grouchy, crotchety, testy, cranky, crusty, cantankerous, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, peevish, cross, fractious, crabbed, crabby, waspish, prickly, peppery, touchy, short-tempered; snappish, short-fused, ornery "a choleric, self-important little man"

cantankerous

bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative. "a crusty, cantankerous old man"

obtrude

become noticeable in an unwelcome or intrusive way Origin mid 16th century: from Latin obtrudere, from ob- 'toward' + trudere 'to push.'

sublunary

belonging to this world as contrasted with a better or more spiritual one Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'terrestrial']: from modern Latin sublunaris

appurtenant

belonging; pertinent. "secondary buildings that are appurtenant to the main building"

kinship

blood relationship synonyms: family ties, blood ties, common ancestry, consanguinity ";the value of kinship in society";

malapert

boldly disrespectful to a person of higher standing Origin Middle English: from mal- 'improperly' + archaic apert 'insolent.'

doughty

brave and persistent. "his doughty spirit kept him going" synonyms: fearless, dauntless, determined, resolute, indomitable, intrepid, plucky, spirited, bold, valiant, brave, stouthearted, courageous; informalgutsy, gutty, spunky, feisty, ballsy "the doughty Sir Lancelot"

pavonine

of or like a peacock Origin mid 17th century: from Latin pavoninus, from pavo, pavon- 'peacock.'

praxis

practice, as distinguished from theory Origin late 16th century: via medieval Latin from Greek, literally 'doing,' from prattein 'do.'

manumit

release from slavery; set free Origin late Middle English: from Latin manumittere, literally 'send forth from the hand,' from manus 'hand' + mittere 'send.'

exacting

synonyms: demanding, stringent, testing, challengin

extant

(especially of a document) still in existence; surviving. "the original manuscript is no longer extant" synonyms: still existing, in existence, existent, surviving, remaining, undestroyed "extant manuscripts"

callow

(especially of a young person) inexperienced and immature. "earnest and callow undergraduates" synonyms: immature, inexperienced, juvenile, adolescent, naive, green, raw, untried, unworldly, unsophisticated; informalwet behind the ears "she toyed with the emotions of Laughton when he was a callow and insecure young man"

convoluted

(especially of an argument, story, or sentence) extremely complex and difficult to follow. "its convoluted narrative encompasses all manner of digressions" synonyms: complicated, complex, involved, elaborate, serpentine, labyrinthine, tortuous, tangled, Byzantine; Rube Goldberg; confused, confusing, bewildering, baffling "his convoluted answers did nothing to help his credibility" 2. technical intricately folded, twisted, or coiled. "walnuts come in hard and convoluted shells"

corpulent

(especially of an argument, story, or sentence) extremely complex and difficult to follow. "its convoluted narrative encompasses all manner of digressions" synonyms: complicated, complex, involved, elaborate, serpentine, labyrinthine, tortuous, tangled, Byzantine; Rube Goldberg; confused, confusing, bewildering, baffling "his convoluted answers did nothing to help his credibility" 2. technical intricately folded, twisted, or coiled. "walnuts come in hard and convoluted shells"

diaphanous

(especially of fabric) light, delicate, and translucent. "a diaphanous dress of pale gold" synonyms: sheer, fine, delicate, light, thin, insubstantial, floaty, flimsy, filmy, silken, chiffony, gossamer, gossamer-thin, gauzy; translucent, transparent, see-through "a diaphanous dress"

dulcet

(especially of sound) sweet and soothing (often used ironically). "record the dulcet tones of your family and friends" synonyms: sweet, soothing, mellow, honeyed, mellifluous, euphonious, pleasant, agreeable; melodious, melodic, lilting, lyrical, silvery, golden "the dulcet sounds of the zither"

coy

(especially with reference to a woman) making a pretense of shyness or modesty that is intended to be alluring. "she treated him to a coy smile of invitation" synonyms: arch, simpering, coquettish, flirtatious, kittenish; demure, shy, modest, bashful, reticent, diffident, self-effacing, shrinking, timid "her coy demeanor is just an act"

askance

a person who practices severe self-discipline and abstention. synonyms: abstainer, puritan, recluse, hermit, anchorite, solitary; fakir, Sufi, dervish, sadhu; archaiceremite "a desert ascetic".

interlocutor

a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation Origin early 16th century: modern Latin, from Latin interlocut- 'interrupted [by speech],' from the verb interloqui, from inter- 'between' + loqui 'speak.'

epicure

a person who takes particular pleasure in fine f synonyms: gourmet, gastronome, gourmand, connoisseur; informalfoodie ";she sipped at the water as an epicure would savor a good wine"; Origin late Middle English [denoting a disciple of Epicurus]: via medieval Latin from Greek Epikouros 'Epicurus.'

raconteur

a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way synonyms: storyteller, teller of tales, spinner of yarns, narrator; rareanecdotist, anecdotalist ";an interviewer with his favorite raconteur, Studs Terkel"; Origin early 19th century: French, from raconter 'relate, recount.'

deportment

a person's behavior or manners. "there are team rules governing deportment on and off the field" synonyms: behavior, conduct, performance; manners, practices, actions "unprofessional deportment"

camarilla

a small group of people, especially a group of advisers to a ruler or politician, with a shared, typically nefarious, purpose. "a military camarilla that has lost any sense of political reality"

plaint

an accusation; a charge Origin Middle English: from Old French plainte, feminine past participle of plaindre 'complain,' or from Old French plaint, from Latin planctus 'beating of the breast.'

tortuous

full of twists and tu synonyms: twisting, twisty, twisting and turning, winding, windy, zigzag, sinuous, snaky, serpentine, meandering, circuitous ";a tortuous route"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin tortuosus, from tortus 'twisting, a twist,' from Latin torquere 'to twist.'

vouchsafe

give or grant [something] to [someone] in a gracious or condescending manner Origin Middle English: originally as the phrase vouch something safe on someone, i.e., 'warrant the secure conferment of [something on someone].'

perspire

give out sweat through the pores of the skin as the result of heat, physical exertion synonyms:sweat, be dripping/pouring with sweat, glow ";it's natural to perspire under these hot lights" Originmid 17th century: from French perspirer, from Latin perspirare, from per- 'through' + spirare 'breathe.

Unstinting

given or giving without restrai synonyms: ungrudging, unsparing, free, ready, benevolent, big-hearted, kind-hearted, kind, unselfish; lavish, liberal, generous, magnanimous, openhanded, freely given, munificent, beneficent, bountiful; profuse, abundant, ample, gushing; literaryplenteous, bounteous

mendicant

given to begging Origin late Middle English: from Latin mendicant- 'begging,' from the verb mendicare, from mendicus 'beggar,' from mendum 'fault.'

gibe

an insulting or mocking remark; a taunt synonyms: snide remark, cutting remark, taunt, sneer, jeer, insult, barb; informaldig, put-down ";vicious gibes"; Origin mid 16th century [as a verb]: perhaps from Old French giber 'handle roughly' [in modern dialect 'kick']; compare with jib2.

capricious

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior. "a capricious and often brutal administration" synonyms: fickle, inconstant, changeable, variable, mercurial, volatile, unpredictable, temperamental; whimsical, fanciful, flighty, quirky, faddish "the capricious workings of fate"

fey

giving an impression of vague unworldliness. "his mother was a strange, fey woman"

propitious

giving or synonyms: favorable, auspicious, promising, providential, advantageous, optimistic, bright, rosy, heaven-sent, hopeful; opportune, timely ";the timing for such a meeting seemed propitious"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French propicieus or Latin propitius 'favorable, gracious.'

raillery

good-humored teasing synonyms: teasing, mockery, chaff, ragging; banter, badinage; informalleg-pulling, joshing, ribbing, kidding ";affectionate raillery"; Origin mid 17th century: from French raillerie, from railler 'to rail' [see rail2].

imposing

grand and impressive in appearance synonyms: impressive, striking, arresting, eye-catching, impactful, dramatic, spectacular, stunning, awesome, awe-inspiring, formidable, splendid, grand, grandiose, majestic, stately, august ";an imposing mansion";

viridescent

greenish or becoming green Origin mid 19th century: from late Latin viridescent- 'becoming green,' from the verb viridescere, from Latin viridis 'green.'

antic

grotesque or bizarre

accrete

grow by accumulation or coalescence "ice that had accreted grotesquely into stalactites" form (a composite whole or a collection of things) by gradual accumulation. "the collection of art he had accreted was to be sold"

hirsute

hairy synonyms:hairy, shaggy, bushy, hair-covered; woolly, furry, fleecy, fuzzy; bearded, unshaven, bristly ";they described him as unusually large and hirsute" Originearly 17th century: from Latin hirsutus

fortuitous

happening by accident or chance rather than design. "the similarity between the paintings may not be simply fortuitous" synonyms: chance, adventitious, unexpected, unanticipated, unpredictable, unforeseen, unlooked-for, serendipitous, casual, incidental, coincidental, random, accidental, inadvertent, unintentional, unintended, unplanned, unpremeditated "a fortuitous resemblance"

forfend

avert, keep away, or prevent [something evil or unpleasant]

awry

away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course; amiss synonyms: amiss, wrong; informalup "something was awry"

dither

be indecisive. "he was dithering about the election date" synonyms: hesitate, falter, waver, vacillate, change one's mind, be of two minds, be indecisive, be undecided; informalshilly-shally, dilly-dally "stop dithering and make a decision"

recrudesce

break out again; recur Origin late 19th century: back-formation from recrudescence 'recurrence,' from Latin recrudescere 'become raw again,' from re- 'again' + crudus 'raw.'

suspire

breathe Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'yearn after']: from Latin suspirare, from sub- 'from below' + spirare 'breathe.

regurgitate

bring [swallowed food] up again to the mouth synonyms: disgorge, bring up ";a ruminant continually regurgitates food"; Origin late 16th century: from medieval Latin regurgitat-, from the verb regurgitare, from Latin re- 'again, back' + gurges, gurgit- 'whirlpool.'

cauterize

burn the skin or flesh of [a wound] with a heated instrument or caustic substance, typically to stop bleeding or prevent the wound from becoming infected

astringent

causing the contraction of body tissues, typically of the skin. "an astringent skin lotion" synonyms: constricting, constrictive, contracting; styptic "the lotion has an astringent effect on pores" sharp or severe in manner or style. "her astringent words had their effect" synonyms: severe, sharp, stern, harsh, acerbic, acidulous, caustic, mordant, trenchant; scathing, spiteful, cutting, incisive, waspish "her astringent words"

leery

cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions synonyms: wary, cautious, careful, guarded, chary, suspicious, distrustful; worried, anxious, apprehensive, hesitant, uncertain ";be leery of these slick salesmen"; Origin late 17th century: from obsolete leer 'looking askance,' from leer + -y1.

excoriate

censure or criticize severely synonyms: abrade, rub away, rub raw, scrape, scratch, chafe; strip away, skin "the skin had been excoriated"

sangfroid

composure or coolne synonyms: composure, equanimity, self-possession, equilibrium, aplomb, poise, self-assurance, self-control, nerve, calm, presence of mind; informalcool, unflappability ";he recovered his usual sangfroid"; Origin mid 18th century: from French sang-froid, literally 'cold blood.'

dissemble

conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs. "an honest, sincere person with no need to dissemble" synonyms: dissimulate, pretend, feign, act, masquerade, sham, fake, bluff, posture, hide one's feelings, put on a false front "she's being honest and has no need to dissemble" disguise or conceal (a feeling or intention). "she smiled, dissembling her true emotion"

vitriol

cruel and bitter criticism Origin late Middle English [denoting the sulfate of various metals]: from Old French, or from medieval Latin vitriolum, from Latin vitrum 'glass.'

immanent

existing or operating within; inherent Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin immanent- 'remaining within,' from in- 'in' + manere 'remain.'

rector

[in the Episcopal Church] a member of the clergy who has charge of a parish Origin late Middle English: from Latin rector 'ruler,' from rect- 'ruled,' from the verb regere .

redoubtable

[o synonyms: formidable, awe-inspiring, fearsome, daunting; impressive, commanding, indomitable, invincible, doughty, mighty ";a redoubtable army commander"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French redoutable, from redouter 'to fear,' from re- [expressing intensive force] + douter 'to doubt.'

precocious

[of synonyms: advanced for one's age, forward, mature, gifted, talented, clever, intelligent, quick; informalsmart ";some of the boys were extremely precocious"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin praecox, praecoc- [from praecoquere 'ripen fully,' from prae 'before' + coquere 'to cook'] + -ious.

supine

[of a synonyms: flat on one's back, face upward, facing upward, flat, horizontal, recumbent, stretched out ";she lay supine on the sand"; Origin late Middle English: the adjective from Latin supinus 'bent backward' [related to super 'above']; the noun from late Latin supinum, neuter of supinus .

incendiary

[of a device or attack] designed to cause fires synonyms: combustible, flammable, inflammable ";an incendiary bomb"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin incendiarius, from incendium 'conflagration,' from incendere 'set fire to.'

coagulate

[of a fluid, especially blood] change to a solid or semisolid state synonyms: congeal, clot, thicken, jell; solidify, harden, set, dry "a drug that helps the blood to coagulate"

seething

[of a liquid] bubble up as a result of be synonyms: boil, bubble, simmer, foam, froth, fizz, effervesce ";the brew seethed"; teem, swarm, boil, swirl, churn, surge ";the water was seething with fish"; Origin Old English sēothan 'make or keep boiling,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zieden .

turbid

[of a liquid] cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter synonyms: murky, opaque, cloudy, unclear, muddy, thick, milky, roily ";turbid waters"; Origin late Middle English [in the figurative sense]: from Latin turbidus, from turba 'a crowd, a disturbance.'

malleable

[of a metal or other material] able to be hammered or pressed perma synonyms: pliable, ductile, plastic, pliant, soft, workable ";a malleable substance"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'able to be hammered']: via Old French from medieval Latin malleabilis, from Latin malleus 'a hammer.'

flagitious

[of a person or their actions] criminal; villainous Origin late Middle English: from Latin flagitiosus, from flagitium 'importunity, shameful crime,' from flagitare 'demand earnestly.'

mercenary

[of a person or their behavio synonyms: money-oriented, grasping, greedy, acquisitive, avaricious, covetous, bribable, venal, materialistic; informalmoney-grubbing ";mercenary self-interest"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Latin mercenarius 'hireling,' from merces, merced- 'reward.'

pettish

[of a person or their behavior] childishly bad-tempered and petulant

lissome

[of a person or their body] thin, supple, and graceful Origin late 18th century: contraction, from lithe + -some1.

scurvy

a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds, Origin late Middle English [as an adjective meaning 'scurfy']: from scurf + -y1. The noun use [mid 16th century] is by association with French scorbut [see scorbutic].

precinct

a district of a city or town a synonyms: division ";the friendliest cop of the 20th precinct"; Origin late Middle English [denoting an administrative district]: from medieval Latin praecinctum, neuter past participle [used as a noun] of praecingere 'encircle,' from prae 'before' + cingere 'gird.'

Fay

a fairy

disquiet

a feeling of anxiety or worry synonyms: unease, uneasiness, worry, anxiety, anxiousness, concern, disquietude; perturbation, consternation, upset, malaise, angst; agitation, restlessness, fretfulness; informaljitteriness ";grave public disquiet";

payola

the practice of bribing someone to use their influence or position to promote a particular product or interest Origin 1930s: from pay1 + -ola as in Victrola, the name of a make of gramophone.

salubrious

health-giving; healthy synonyms: healthy, health-giving, healthful, beneficial, wholesome; archaicsalutary ";I found the climate salubrious"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin salubris [from salus 'health'] + -ous.

balk

hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking. "any gardener will at first balk at enclosing the garden" synonyms: be unwilling to (be), draw the line at, be reluctant to (be), hesitate over; eschew, resist, refuse to (be), take exception to; draw back from, flinch from, shrink from, recoil from, demur from, hate to (be) "I balk at paying that much"

bombastic

high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated. "bombastic rhetoric" synonyms: pompous, blustering, turgid, verbose, orotund, high-flown, high-sounding, overwrought, pretentious, ostentatious, grandiloquent; informalhighfalutin, puffed up; rarefustian "his bombastic speeches could send thousands into the streets"

collide

hit with synonyms: crash into, hit, strike, impact, run into, bump into, meet head-on, cannon into, plow into, barrel into "the trains collided with each other"

exalt

hold [someone or something] in very synonyms: extol, praise, acclaim, esteem; pay homage to, revere, venerate, worship, lionize, idolize, look up to; informalput on a pedestal, laud "they exalted their hero"

deference

humble submission and respect. "he addressed her with the deference due to age" synonyms: respect, respectfulness, dutifulness; submissiveness, submission, obedience, surrender, accession, capitulation, acquiescence, complaisance, obeisance "his writings show excessive deference to the wealthy"

esurient

hungry or greedy

cant

hypocritical and sanctimonious talk, typically of a moral, religious, or political nature. "the liberal case against all censorship is often cant" synonyms: hypocrisy, sanctimoniousness, sanctimony, pietism "political cant" - denoting a phrase or catchword temporarily current or in fashion. "they are misrepresented as, in the cant word of our day, uncaring"

augment

make (something) greater by adding to it; increase. "he augmented his summer income by painting houses" synonyms: increase, add to, supplement, build up, enlarge, expand, extend, raise, multiply, swell, grow; magnify, amplify, escalate; improve, boost; informalup, jack up, hike up, bump up "moonlighting helps augment her income"

palliate

make [a disease synonyms: alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe, take the edge off, assuage, moderate, temper, diminish, decrease, blunt, deaden ";the treatment works by palliating symptoms"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin palliat- 'cloaked,' from the verb palliare, from pallium 'cloak.'

placate

make [someone] less angry or hostile synonyms:pacify, calm, appease, mollify, soothe, win over, conciliate, propitiate, make peace with, humor ";John did his best to placate her" Originlate 17th century: from Latin placat- 'appeased,' from the verb placare

fructify

make [something] fruitful or productive Origin Middle English: from Old French fructifier, from Latin fructificare, from fructus 'fruit.'

tergiversate

make conflicting or evasive statements; equivocate Origin mid 17th century: from Latin tergiversat- 'with one's back turned,' from the verb tergiversari, from tergum 'back' + vertere 'to turn.'

recriminate

make counteraccusations Origin early 17th century: from medieval Latin recriminat- 'accused in return,' from the verb recriminari, from re- [expressing opposition] + criminare 'accuse' [from crimen 'crime'].

constrict

make narrower synonyms: narrow, make narrower, tighten, compress, contract, squeeze, strangle, strangulate; archaicstraiten "fat constricts the blood vessels"

cavil

make petty or unnecessary objections. "they caviled at the cost"

incise

mark or decorate [an object or surface] with a cut or a series of cuts Origin mid 16th century: from French inciser, from Latin incis- 'cut into, engraved,' from the verb incidere, from in- 'into' + caedere 'to cut.'

flippant

not showing a serious or respectful attitude. "a flippant remark" synonyms: frivolous, facetious, tongue-in-cheek; disrespectful, irreverent, cheeky, impudent, impertinent; informalflip, waggish

kudos

praise and honor received f synonyms: praise, glory, honor, status, standing, distinction, fame, celebrity; admiration, respect, esteem, acclaim, prestige, cachet, credit, full marks, props ";kudos to you for a lifetime of quiet courage and unwavering generosity"; Origin late 18th century: Greek.

extol

praise enthusiastically. "he extolled the virtues of the Russian peoples" synonyms: praise enthusiastically, go into raptures about/over, wax lyrical about, sing the praises of, praise to the skies, acclaim, exalt, eulogize, adulate, rhapsodize over, rave about, enthuse about/over, overpraise; informalgo wild about, go on about, ballyhoo; formallaud; archaicpanegyrize "nutritionists extol the virtues of fiber"

expound

present and explain (a theory or idea) systematically and in detail. "he was expounding a powerful argument" synonyms: present, put forward, set forth, propose, propound; explain, give an explanation of, detail, spell out, describe "he expounded his theories"

exigent

pressing; demanding. "the exigent demands of the music took a toll on her voice"

stymie

prevent or hinder the progress of Origin mid 19th century [originally a golfing term, denoting a situation on the green where a ball obstructs the shot of another player]: of unknown origin.

resonate

produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound Origin late 19th century: from Latin resonat- 'resounded,' from the verb resonare [see resound].

bathetic

producing an unintentional effect of anticlimax

patrimony

property inherited from one's father or male ancestor synonyms: heritage, inheritance, birthright; legacy, bequest, endowment ";our cultural patrimony is in jeopardy"; Origin Middle English: from Old French patrimoine, from Latin patrimonium, from pater, patr- 'father.'

refute

prove [a statement or theory] to be wrong or false; disprove synonyms: disprove, prove wrong, prove false, debunk, discredit, invalidate; informalpoke holes in; formalconfute ";attempts to refute Einstein's theory"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin refutare 'repel, rebut.'

prevail

prove more powe synonyms:win, win out/through, triumph, be victorious, carry the day, come out on top, succeed, prove superior, conquer, overcome; rule, reign ";common sense will prevail" Originlate Middle English: from Latin praevalere 'have greater power,' from prae 'before' + valere 'have power.

defray

provide money to pay (a cost or expense). "the proceeds from the raffle help to defray the expenses of the evening" synonyms: pay (for), cover, meet, square, settle, clear, discharge "the reserve funds are not enough to defray the additional costs"

attest

provide or serve as clear evidence of. "his status is attested by his recent promotion" declare that something exists or is the case. "I can attest to his tremendous energy" be a witness to; certify formally. "the witnesses must attest and sign the will in the testator's presence" synonyms: certify, corroborate, confirm, verify, substantiate, authenticate, evidence, demonstrate, show, prove; endorse, support, affirm, bear out, give credence to, vouch for; formalevince "I can attest to her fitness as a mother"

edifying

providing moral or intellectual instruction. "edifying literature" synonyms: educate, instruct, teach, school,

auxiliary

providing supplementary or additio synonyms: additional, supplementary, supplemental, extra, spare, reserve, backup, emergency, fallback, other ";an auxiliary power source"; ancillary, assistant, support ";auxiliary staff"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin auxiliarius, from auxilium 'help.'

goad

provoke or annoy [someone] so as to stimulate some act synonyms: provoke, spur, prod, egg on, hound, badger, incite, rouse, stir, move, stimulate, motivate, prompt, induce, encourage, urge, inspire; impel, pressure, dragoon ";we were goaded into action"; Origin Old English gād, of Germanic origin

decry

publicly denounce. "they decried human rights abuses" synonyms: denounce, condemn, criticize, censure, attack, rail against, run down, pillory, lambaste, vilify, revile; disparage, deprecate, cast aspersions on; informalslam, blast, knock "she decried the double standards"

slake

quench or satisfy [one's thirst] synonyms: quench, satisfy, sate, satiate, relieve, assuage ";we longed for a mountain spring to slake our thirst"; Origin Old English slacian 'become less eager,' also 'slacken,' from the adjective slæc 'slack'; compare with Dutch slaken 'diminish, relax.'

redress

r synonyms:rectify, correct, right, put to rights, compensate for, amend, remedy, make good, resolve, settle ";we redressed the problem";even up, regulate, equalize ";we aim to redress the balance" OriginMiddle English: the verb from Old French redresser ; the noun via Anglo-Norman French redresse

stimulate

ra synonyms: restorative, tonic, invigorating, bracing, energizing, reviving, refreshing, revitalizing, revivifying, exhilarating; analeptic ";a stimulating effect on the circulation"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'sting, afflict']: from Latin stimulat- 'urged, goaded,' from the verb sti

recherché

rare, exotic, or obscure synonyms: obscure, rare, esoteric, abstruse, arcane, recondite, exotic, strange, unusual, unfamiliar, out of the ordinary ";most of the titles are recherché"; Origin French, literally 'carefully sought out,' past participle of rechercher .

objurgate

rebuke severely; scold Origin early 17th century: from Latin objurgat- 'chided, rebuked,' from the verb objurgare, based on jurgium 'strife.'

convalesce

recover one's health and strength over a period of time after a synonyms: recuperate, get better, recover, get well, get back on one's feet "he went abroad to convalesce"

grate

reduce [something, especially food] to small shreds by rubbing it on a grater synonyms: shred, pulverize, mince, grind, granulate, crush, crumble ";she grated the cheese"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French grater, of Germanic origin; related to German kratzen 'to scratch.'

attenuate

reduce the force, effect, or value of. "her intolerance was attenuated by a rather unexpected liberalism" synonyms: weakened, reduced, lessened, decreased, diminished, impaired "the patient's muscle activity was much attenuated"

earthy

resembling or suggestive of earth or soil synonyms: soil-like, dirtlike ";an earthy smell";

reciprocate

respond to [a gesture or action] by making a correspondi synonyms: do the same [in return], respond in kind, return the favor ";I was happy to reciprocate"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin reciprocat- 'moved backwards and forwards' from the verb reciprocare, from reciprocus [see reciprocal].

encumber

restrict or burden (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult. "she was encumbered by her heavy skirts" synonyms: hamper, hinder, obstruct, impede, cramp, inhibit, restrict, limit, constrain, restrain, bog down, retard, slow (down); inconvenience, disadvantage, handicap "her movements were encumbered by her heavy skirts"

evince

reveal the presence of (a quality or feeling). "his letters evince the excitement he felt at undertaking this journey" be evidence of; indicate. "man's inhumanity to man as evinced in the use of torture" synonyms: reveal, show, make plain, manifest, indicate, display, exhibit, demonstrate, evidence, attest to; convey, communicate, proclaim, bespeak; informalooze "his letters evince the excitement he felt"

insurgent

rising in active revolt synonyms:rebellious, rebel, revolutionary, mutinous, insurrectionist; renegade, seditious, subversive ";insurgent forces" Originmid 18th century [as a noun]: via French from Latin insurgent- 'arising,' from the verb insurgere, from in- 'into, toward' + surgere 'to rise.

convolve

roll or coil together; entwine

extirpate

root out and destroy completely. "the use of every legal measure to extirpate this horrible evil from the land" synonyms: weed out, destroy, eradicate, stamp out, root out, wipe out, eliminate, suppress, crush, put down, put an end to, get rid of "the use of every legal measure to extirpate this horrible evil from the land"

churlish

rude in a mean-spirited and surly way synonyms: rude, ill-mannered, ill-bred, discourteous, impolite, unmannerly, uncivil, unchivalrous; inconsiderate, uncharitable, surly, sullen "it seemed churlish to refuse her invitation"

curt

rudely brief. "his reply was curt" synonyms: terse, brusque, abrupt, clipped, blunt, short, monosyllabic, summary; snappish, snappy, sharp, tart; gruff, offhand, unceremonious, ungracious, rude, impolite, discourteous, uncivil "after a curt response to Mary's accusation, he grabbed his coat and headed for the door"

sated

satisfy [a desire or an appetite] to the full Origin early 17th century: probably an alteration of dialect sade, from Old English sadian 'become sated or weary' [related to sad]. The change in the final consonant was due to association with satiate.

undergird

secure or fasten from the underside, especially by a rope or chain passed underneath

indemnity

security or protection against a loss or synonyms: insurance, assurance, protection, security, indemnification, surety, guarantee, warranty, safeguard ";indemnity against loss"; Origin late Middle English: from French indemnite, from late Latin indemnitas, from indemnis 'unhurt, free from loss.'

cull

select from a large quantity; obtain from a variety of sources synonyms: select, choose, pick, take, obtain, glean ";anecdotes culled from Greek history"; Origin Middle English: from Old French coillier, based on Latin colligere [see collect1].

brash

self-assertive in a rude, noisy, synonyms: self-assertive, pushy, cocksure, cocky, self-confident, arrogant, bold, audacious, brazen, bumptious, overweening, puffed up; More forward, impudent, insolent, rude ";a brash man"; Origin early 19th century [originally dialect]; perhaps a form of rash1.

evanescent

soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing. "a shimmering evanescent bubble" synonyms: vanishing, fading, evaporating, melting away, disappearing; ephemeral, fleeting, short-lived, short-term, transitory, transient, fugitive, temporary "operating on an evanescent budget"

plaintive

sounding sad and m synonyms: mournful, sad, wistful, doleful, pathetic, pitiful, piteous, melancholy, sorrowful, unhappy, wretched, woeful, forlorn, woebegone; literarydolorous ";a plaintive cry"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French plaintif, -ive, from plainte 'lamentation' [see plaint].

expatiate

speak or write at length or in detail. "she expatiated on working-class novelists" synonyms: speak/write at length, go into detail, expound, dwell, dilate, expand, enlarge, elaborate; formalperorate "he expatiated on the topic of volunteerism"

prodigal

spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant synonyms: wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, profligate, improvident, imprudent ";prodigal habits die hard"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin prodigalis, from Latin prodigus 'lavish.'

vitiate

spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of Origin mid 16th century: from Latin vitiat- 'impaired,' from the verb vitiare, from vitium [see vice1].

claim

state or assert that something is the case, typical synonyms: assert, declare, profess, maintain, state, hold, affirm, avow; argue, contend, allege; formalaver "Davies claimed that she was lying"

aver

state or assert to be the case. "he averred that he was innocent of the allegations"

conciliate

stop [someone] fr synonyms: appease, placate, pacify, mollify, assuage, soothe, humor, reconcile, win over, make peace with "he tried to conciliate the peasantry"

stanch

stop or restrict [a flow of blood] from a wound Origin Middle English: from Old French estanchier, from the base of staunch1.

occlude

stop, close up, or obstruct [an opening, orifice, or passage] synonyms: block [up], stop [up], obstruct, clog [up], close, shut, plug [up], choke ";a blood clot has occluded the coronary artery"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin occludere 'shut up.'

divagate

stray; digress Origin late 16th century: from Latin divagat- 'wandered around,' from the verb divagari, from di- 'widely' + vagari 'wander.'

exhort

strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something. "the media have been exhorting people to turn out for the demonstration" synonyms: urge, encourage, call on, enjoin, charge, press; bid, appeal to, entreat, implore, beg; formaladjure; literarybeseech "the president exhorted state legislatures to beef up educational standards"

redolent

strongly reminiscent or suggest synonyms: evocative, suggestive, reminiscent ";their pubs bear names redolent of the monarchy"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'fragrant']: from Old French, or from Latin redolent- 'giving out a strong smell,' from re[d]- 'back, again' + olere 'to smell.'

contingent

subject to chance. "the contingent nature of the job" synonyms: chance, accidental, fortuitous, possible, unforeseeable, unpredictable, random, haphazard "contingent events" 2. occurring or existing only if (certain other circumstances) are the case; dependent on. "resolution of the conflict was contingent on the signing of a ceasefire agreement" synonyms: dependent on, conditional on, subject to, determined by, hinging on, resting on "the merger is contingent on government approval" noun 1. a group of people united by some common feature, forming part of a larger group. "a contingent of Japanese businessmen attending a conference" synonyms: group, party, body, band, company, cohort, deputation, delegation; informalbunch, gang "a contingent of Japanese businessmen"

attain

succeed in achieving (something that one desires and has worked for). "clarify your objectives and ways of attaining them" synonyms: achieve, accomplish, reach, obtain, gain, procure, secure, get, hook, net, win, earn, acquire; realize, fulfill; informalclinch, bag, snag, wrap up "attempts to attain a promotion" reach (a specified age, size, or amount). "dolphins can attain remarkable speeds in water"

allude

suggest or call atten synonyms: refer to, touch on, suggest, hint at, imply, mention [in passing], make an allusion to; formaladvert to ";the prosecutor alluded to Dixon's past"; Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'hint at, suggest']: from Latin alludere, from ad- 'toward' + ludere 'to play.'

meet

suitable; fit; proper Origin Middle English [in the sense 'made to fit']: shortening of Old English gemǣte, of Germanic origin; related to mete1.

defile

sully, mar, or spoil. "the land was defiled by a previous owner" synonyms: spoil, sully, mar, impair, debase, degrade; poison, taint, tarnish; destroy, ruin "her capacity for love had been defiled"

lavish

sumptuously rich synonyms: sumptuous, luxurious, costly, expensive, opulent, grand, splendid, rich, fancy, posh; informalfancy-schmancy ";lavish parties"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting profusion]: from Old French lavasse 'deluge of rain,' from laver 'to wash,' from Latin lavare .

acolyte

synonyms: assistant, helper, attendant, aide, minion, underling, lackey, henchman; follower, disciple, supporter, votary; informalsidekick, groupie, hanger-on "The mayor dined with a few of his acolytes."

medley

synonyms: assortment, miscellany, mixture, mélange, variety, mixed bag, grab bag, mix, coll Origin Middle English [denoting hand-to-hand combat, also cloth made of variegated wool]: from Old French medlee, variant of meslee 'melee,' based on medieval Latin misculare 'to mix'; compare with meddle.

connect

synonyms: attach, join, fasten, fix, affix, couple, link, secure, hitch; stick, adhere, fuse, pin, screw, bolt, clamp, clip, hook [up]; add

gauche

synonyms: awkward, gawky, inelegant, graceless, ungraceful, ungainly, maladroit, klutzy, inept; lacking in social grace[s], unsophisticated, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, raw, inexperienced, unworldly ";Rose was embarrassed by her gauche r Origin mid 18th century: French, literally 'left.'

splenetic

synonyms: bad-tempered, ill-tempered, angry, cross, peevish, petulant, pettish, irritable, irascible, choleric, dyspeptic, testy, tetchy, snappish, waspish, Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting a person with a diseased spleen]: from late Latin spleneticus, from Greek splēn [see spleen].

crotchety

synonyms: bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, grumpy, grouchy, cantankerous, short-tempered, tetchy, testy, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, ill-humored, ill-natured, cross-grained, peevish, cross, fractious, pettish, waspish, crabbed, crabby, crusty, Origin early 19th century: from of crotchet + -y1.

repartee

synonyms: banter, badinage, bantering, raillery, witticism[s], ripostes, sallies, quips, joking, jesting; formalpersiflage ";an evening of wit and re Origin mid 17th century: from French repartie 'replied promptly,' feminine past participle of repartir, from re- 'again' + partir 'divide, depart.'

concern

synonyms: be about, deal with, have to do with, cover; discuss, go into, examine, study, review, analyze; relate to

prevaricate

synonyms: be evasive, beat around the bush, hedge, fence, shilly-shally, dod Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'go astray, transgress']: from Latin praevaricat- 'walked crookedly, deviated,' from the verb praevaricari, from prae 'before' + varicari 'straddle' [from varus 'bent, knock-kneed'].

ablution

the act of washing oneself [often used Origin late Middle English: from Latin ablutio[n-], from abluere, from ab- 'away' + luere 'wash.' The original use was as a term in chemistry and alchemy meaning 'purification by using liquids,' hence 'purification of the body by washing' [mid 16th century]. "the women performed their ablutions"

egress

the action of going out of or leaving a place. "direct means of access and egress for passengers" synonyms: departure, exit, withdrawal, retreat, exodus; escape "a means of egress"

valediction

the action of saying farewell synonyms: farewell, goodbye, adieu, leave-taking; parting words ";he departed without a valediction"; Origin mid 17th century: based on Latin vale 'goodbye' + dicere 'to say,' on the pattern of benediction .

declamation

the action or art of de synonyms: speech, address, lecture, sermon, homily, discourse, oration, recitation, disquisition, monologue ";he delivered a passionate declamation"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'a set speech']: from Latin declamatio[n-], from the verb declamare [see declaim].

gustation

the action or faculty of tasting Origin late 16th century: from Latin gustatio[n-], from gustare 'to taste,' from gustus 'taste.'

prosody

the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry Origin late 15th century: from Latin prosodia 'accent of a syllable,' from Greek prosōidia 'song sung to music, tone of a syllable,' from pros 'toward' + ōidē 'song.'

banter

the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks synonyms: repartee, witty conversation, raillery, wordplay, cut and thrust, kidding, ribbing, badinage, joshing "a brief exchange of banter"

rambunctious

uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous synonyms: boisterous, rowdy, obstreperous, wild, turbulent, unruly, disorderly ";rambunctious preschoolers"; Origin mid 19th century: of unknown origin.

raffish

unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive manner synonyms: rakish, unconventional, Bohemian; devil-may-care, casual, careless; louche, disreputable, dissolute, decadent ";donning a raffish cap"; Origin early 19th century: from riffraff + -ish1.

intuit

understand or work out by instinct Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'instruct, teach']: from Latin intuit- 'contemplated,' from the verb intueri, from in- 'upon' + tueri 'to look.'

infelicitous

unfortunate; inappropriate

plenary

unqualified; absolute synonyms: unconditional, unlimited, unrestricted, unqualified, absolute, sweeping, comprehensive; plenipotentiary ";the council has plenary powers in this matter"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin plenarius 'complete,' from plenus 'full.'

equivocate

use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself. ""Not that we are aware of," she equivocated" synonyms: prevaricate, be evasive, be noncommittal, be vague, be ambiguous, dodge the question, beat around the bush, hedge; vacillate, shilly-shally, waver; temporize, hesitate, stall, hem and haw; informalpussyfoot around, sit on the fence; raretergiversate

juvenilia

works produced by an author or artist while still young Origin early 17th century: from Latin, neuter plural of juvenilis [see juvenile].

malfeasance

wrongdoing, especially by a public official Origin late 17th century: from Anglo-Norman French malfaisance, from mal- 'evil' + Old French faisance 'activity.' Compare with misfeasance.

paladin

any of the twelve peers of Charlemagne's court, of whom the count palatine was the chief Origin late 16th century: from French paladin, from Italian paladino, from Latin palatinus '[officer] of the palace' [see palatine1].

mollify

appease the anger or anxiety of [someone] synonyms:appease, placate, pacify, conciliate, soothe, calm [down] ";they tried to mollify the protesters" Originlate Middle English [also in the sense 'make soft or supple']: from French mollifier or Latin mollificare, from mollis 'soft.

annex

append or add as an extra or subordinate part, especially to a synonyms:take over, take possession of, appropriate, seize, conquer, occupy "Charlemagne annexed northern Italy"

chimera

(in Greek mythology) a fire-breathing female monster with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail. 2. a thing that is hoped or wished for but in fact is illusory or impossible to achieve. "the economic sovereignty you claim to defend is a chimera" synonyms: illusion, fantasy, delusion, dream, daydream, pipe dream, figment of the/one's imagination, castle in the air, mirage "is this great love of hers merely a chimera?"

caucus

(in some US states) a meeting at which local members of a political party register their preference among candidates running for office or select delegates to attend a convention. "Hawaii holds its nominating caucuses next Tuesday"; a conference of members of a legislative body who belong to a particular party or faction. "Mr. Kerry attended the morning caucus in the Old Senate Chamber where his fellow Democrats selected the new minority leadership" synonyms: meeting, assembly, gathering, congress, conference, convention, rally, convocation "caucuses will be held in eleven states"

blinkered

(of a horse) wearing blinders. having or showing a limited outlook. "a small-minded, blinkered approach" synonyms: narrow-minded, inward-looking, parochial, provincial, insular, small-minded, close-minded, shortsighted; hidebound, illiberal, inflexible, entrenched, prejudiced "blinkered politicians must be challenged by the voters"

creditable

(of a performance, effort, or action) deserving public acknowledgment and praise but not necessarily outstanding or successful. "a very creditable 2-4 defeat" synonyms: commendable, praiseworthy, laudable, admirable, honorable, estimable, meritorious, worthy, deserving, respectable "her forty years of creditable stage work"

effete

(of a person) affected, overrefined, and ineffectual. "effete trendies from art college" synonyms: affected, pretentious, precious, mannered, overrefined; ineffectual; informalla-di-da "effete trendies" no longer capable of effective action. "the authority of an effete aristocracy began to dwindle" synonyms: weak, enfeebled, enervated, worn out, exhausted, finished, drained, spent, powerless, ineffectual "the fabric of society is effete"

demure

(of a woman or her behavior) reserved, modest, and shy. "a demure little wife who sits at home minding the house" synonyms: modest, unassuming, meek, mild, reserved, retiring, quiet, shy, bashful, diffident, reticent, timid, shrinking, coy; decorous, decent, seemly, ladylike, respectable, proper, virtuous, pure, innocent, chaste; sober, sedate, staid, prim, goody-goody, strait-laced "a demure Victorian miss" (of clothing) lending a modest appearance.

cogent

(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing. synonyms: convincing, compelling, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, weighty, impactful, effective; valid, sound, plausible, telling; impressive, persuasive, eloquent, credible, influential; conclusive, authoritative; logical, reasoned, rational, reasonable, lucid, coherent, clear "a cogent argument"

convivial

(of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable. (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial. synonyms: friendly, genial, affable, amiable, congenial, agreeable, good-humored, cordial, warm, sociable, outgoing, gregarious, companionable, clubby, hail-fellow-well-met, cheerful, jolly, jovial, lively; enjoyable, festive "our convivial host"

augur

(of an event or circumstance) portend a good or bad outcome. "the end of the Cold War seemed to augur well" synonyms: bode, portend, herald, be a sign of, warn of, forewarn of, foreshadow, be an omen of, presage, indicate, signify, signal, promise, threaten, spell, denote; predict, prophesy; literarybetoken, foretoken, forebode "the war heightened anxiety and augured higher taxes"

blatant

(of bad behavior) done openly and unashamedly. "blatant lies" synonyms: flagrant, glaring, obvious, undisguised, unconcealed, open; More completely lacking in subtlety; very obvious. "forcing herself to resist his blatant charm"

coruscate

(of light) flash or sparkle. "the light was coruscating from the walls"

flagrant

(of something considered wrong or immoral) conspicuously or obviously offensive. "his flagrant bad taste" synonyms: blatant, glaring, obvious, overt, conspicuous, barefaced, shameless, brazen, undisguised, unconcealed; outrageous, scandalous, shocking, disgraceful, dreadful, terrible, gross "it was a flagrant distortion of the facts"

comely

(typically of a woman) pleasant to look at; attractive. agreeable; suitable.

fractious

(typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome. "they fight and squabble like fractious children" synonyms: grumpy, bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, crotchety, grouchy, cantankerous, short-tempered, tetchy, testy, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, ill-humored, peevish, cross, waspish, crabby, crusty, prickly, touchy; informalsnappish, cranky, ornery "fractious children" (of a group or organization) difficult to control; unruly. "the fractious coalition of Social Democrats" synonyms: wayward, unruly, uncontrollable, unmanageable, out of hand, obstreperous, difficult, headstrong, recalcitrant, intractable; disobedient, insubordinate, disruptive, disorderly, undisciplined; contrary, willful; formalrefractory; archaiccontumacious "the fractious opposition party"

decoy

1. a bird or mammal, or an imitation of one, used by hunters to attract other birds or mammals. "a decoy duck" 2. a pond from which narrow netted channels lead, into which wild ducks may be enticed for capture. verb 1. lure or entice (a person or animal) away from an intended course, typically into a trap. "they would try to decoy the enemy toward the hidden group" synonyms: lure, entice, allure, tempt; entrap, snare, trap "he was decoyed to the mainland"

credence

1. belief in or acceptance of something as true. "psychoanalysis finds little credence among laymen" synonyms: belief, faith, trust, confidence, reliance "the government placed little credence in the scheme" 2. a small side table, shelf, or niche in a church for holding the elements of the Eucharist before they are consecrated. "a credence table"

evoke

1. bring or recall to the conscious mind. "the sight of American asters evokes pleasant memories of childhood" synonyms: bring to mind, put one in mind of, conjure up, summon (up), invoke, elicit, induce, kindle, stimulate, stir up, awaken, arouse, call forth; recall, echo, capture "the music evoked some forgotten memories" 2. invoke (a spirit or deity). synonyms: bring to mind, put one in mind of, conjure up, summon (up), invoke, elicit, induce, kindle, stimulate, stir up, awaken, arouse, call forth; recall, echo, capture "the music evoked some forgotten memories"

discursive

1. digressing from subject to subject. "students often write dull, secondhand, discursive prose" synonyms: rambling, digressive, meandering, wandering, maundering, diffuse, long, lengthy, wordy, verbose, long-winded, prolix; circuitous, roundabout, circumlocutory; informalwaffly "dull, discursive prose" 2. relating to discourse or modes of discourse. "the attempt to transform utterances from one discursive context to another"

dispensation

1. exemption from a rule or usual requirement. "although she was too young, she was given special dispensation to play two matches" synonyms: exemption, immunity, exception, exoneration, reprieve, remission "a dispensation from the Pope" 2. a system of order, government, or organization of a nation, community, etc., especially as existing at a particular time. "scholarship is conveyed to a wider audience than under the old dispensation" synonyms: system, order, arrangement, organization "the new constitutional dispensation"

dilate

1. make or become wider, larger, or more open. "her eyes dilated with horror" synonyms: enlarge, widen, expand, distend "her nostrils dilated" 2. speak or write at length on (a subject). synonyms: expatiate, expound, enlarge, elaborate, speak/write at length "Diane dilated on the joys of her married life"

forlorn

1. pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely. "forlorn figures at bus stops" synonyms: unhappy, sad, miserable, sorrowful, dejected, despondent, disconsolate, wretched, abject, down, downcast, dispirited, downhearted, crestfallen, depressed, melancholy, gloomy, glum, mournful, despairing, doleful, woebegone; informalblue, down in/at the mouth, down in the dumps; rarelachrymose "he sounded forlorn" desolate, deserted, abandoned, forsaken, forgotten, neglected "a forlorn garden" 2. (of an aim or endeavor) unlikely to succeed or be fulfilled; hopeless. "a forlorn attempt to escape" synonyms: hopeless, vain, with no chance of success; useless, futile, pointless, purposeless, unavailing, nugatory; archaicbootless "a forlorn attempt"

colloquy

a conversation Origin late Middle English: from Latin colloquium 'conversation.'

doxy

a lover or mistress

nimbus

a luminous cloud or a halo surrounding a supernatural being or a saint Origin early 17th century: from Latin, literally 'cloud, aureole.'

caitiff

a contemptible or cowardly person. "a caitiff knight"

essay

synonyms: artic

congregate

synonyms: assemble, gather, collect, come together, convene, rally, rendezvous, muster, meet, cluster, group

fustian

Origin Middle English: from Old French fustaigne, from medieval Latin fustaneum, from [pannus] fustaneus 'cloth from Fostat,' a suburb of Cairo; sense 2 perhaps from the fact that fustian was sometimes used to cover pillows and cushions, implying that the language was "padded"; compare with bombas

harbinger

Origin Middle English: from Old French herbergere, from herbergier 'provide lodging for,' from herberge 'lodging,' from Old Saxon heriberga 'shelter for an army, lodging' [from heri 'army' + a Germanic base meaning 'fortified place'], related to harbor. The term originally denoted a person who pro

precipitate

Origin early 16th century: from Latin praecipitat- 'thrown headlong,' from the verb praecipitare, from praeceps, praecip[it]- 'headlong,' from prae 'before' + caput 'head.' The original sense of the verb was 'hurl down, send violently'; hence 'cause to move rapidly,' which gave rise to sense 1 [ea

quibble

Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'play on words, pun']: diminutive of obsolete quib 'a petty objection,' probably from Latin quibus, dative and ablative plural of qui, quae, quod 'who, what, which,' frequently used in legal documents and so associated with subtle distinctions or verbal nice

genteel

Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'fashionable, stylish']: from French gentil 'well-born.' From the 17th century to the 19th century the word was used in such senses as 'of good social position,' 'having the manners of a well-born person,' 'well-bred.' The ironic or derogatory implication dat

collateral

Origin late Middle English [as an adjective]: from medieval Latin collateralis, from col- 'together with' + lateralis [from latus, later- 'side']. Sense 1 of the noun [originally US] is from the phrase collateral security, denoting something pledged in addition to the main obligation of a contract

rubric

Origin late Middle English rubrish [originally referring to a heading, section of text, etc., written in red for distinctiveness], from Old French rubriche, from Latin rubrica [terra ] 'red [earth or ocher as writing material],' from the base of rubeus 'red'; the later spelling is influenced by th

fulminate

Origin late Middle English: from Latin fulminat- 'struck by lightning,' from fulmen, fulmin- 'lightning.' The earliest sense [derived from medieval Latin fulminare ] was 'denounce formally,' later 'issue formal censures' [originally said of the pope]. A sense 'emit thunder and lightning,' based on

recumbent

[e synonyms: lying, flat, horizontal, stretched out, sprawled [out], reclining, prone, prostrate, supine; lying down ";he stepped over Sadie's recumbent body"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin recumbent- 'reclining,' from the verb recumbere, from re- 'back' + a verb related to cubare 'to lie.'

salutary

[es synonyms: beneficial, advantageous, good, profitable, productive, helpful, useful, valuable, worthwhile; timely ";a salutary lesson on the fragility of nature"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun in the sense 'remedy']: from French salutaire or Latin salutaris, from salus, salut- 'health.'

subtle

[especially of a change or distinction] so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or synonyms: fine, fine-drawn, nice, hair-splitting ";subtle distinctions"; Origin Middle English [also in the sense 'not easily understood']: from Old French sotil, from Latin subtilis 'fine, delicate.'

contumacious

[especially of a defendant's behavior] stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority

mephitic

[especially of a gas or vapor] foul-smelling; noxious Origin early 17th century: from late Latin mephiticus, from mephitis 'noxious exhalation.'

tepid

[especially of a liquid] only slightly warm; lukewarm synonyms: lukewarm, warmish, slightly warm; at room temperature ";tepid water"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin tepidus, from tepere 'be warm.'

tumid

[especially of a part of the body] swollen Origin mid 16th century: from Latin tumidus, from tumere 'to swell.'

lithe

[especially of a person's body] thin, su synonyms: agile, graceful, supple, limber, lithesome, loose-limbed, nimble, deft, flexible, lissome, slender, slim, willowy ";lithe dancers"; Origin Old English līthe 'gentle, meek,' also 'mellow,' of Germanic origin; related to German lind 'soft, gentle.'

untenable

[especially of a position or view] not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection synonyms:indefensible, insupportable, unsustainable, unjustified, unjustifiable, flimsy, weak, shaky ";these untenable explanations are not helping your case"

nascent

[especially of a process or organization] ju synonyms: just beginning, budding, developing, growing, embryonic, incipient, young, fledgling, evolving, emergent, dawning, burgeoning ";the nascent economic recovery"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin nascent- 'being born,' from the verb nasci .

facile

[especially of a theory or argument] appearing nea synonyms: simplistic, superficial, oversimplified; shallow, glib, jejune, naive; dime-store "a facile explanation"

feral

[especially of an animal] in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication synonyms: wild, untamed, untamable, undomesticated, untrained "feral dogs"

exonerate

[especially of an official body] absolve [someone] from synonyms:absolve, clear, acquit, find innocent, discharge; formalexculpate "the inquiry exonerated them"

sprightly

[especially of an old person] lively; full of synonyms:spry, lively, agile, nimble, energetic, active, full of energy, vigorous, spirited, animated, vivacious, frisky; informalfull of vim and vigor ";sprightly Irish folk dancers" Originlate 16th century: from spright [rare variant of sprite] + -ly1

commodious

[especially of furniture or a synonyms: roomy, capacious, spacious, ample, generous, sizable, large, big, extensive ";a commodious armchair"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beneficial, useful']: from French commodieux or medieval Latin commodiosus, based on Latin commodus 'convenient.'

mordant

[especially of humor] ha synonyms: caustic, trenchant, biting, cutting, acerbic, sardonic, sarcastic, scathing, acid, sharp, keen; critical, bitter, virulent, vitriolic ";a mordant sense of humor"; Origin late 15th century: from French, present participle of mordre 'to bite,' from Latin mordere .

rubicund

[especially of someone's face] having a ruddy complexion; high-colored Originlate Middle English [in the general sense 'red']: from Latin rubicundus, from rubere 'be red.

sere

[especially of vegetation] dry or withered Origin Old English sēar : see sear.

perdition

[in Chris synonyms:damnation, eternal punishment; hell, hellfire, doom ";I hope that lawyer goes to perdition!" Originlate Middle English: from Old French perdiciun, from ecclesiastical Latin perditio[n-], from Latin perdere 'destroy,' from per- 'completely, to destruction' + the base of dare 'put.

ephebe

[in ancient Greece] a young man of 18-20 years undergoing military training

pontifex

[in ancient Rome] a member of the principal college of priests Origin Latin, from pons, pont- 'bridge' + -fex from facere 'make.'

haruspex

[in ancient Rome] a religious official who interpreted omens by inspecting the entrails of sacrificial animals Origin Latin, from an unrecorded element meaning 'entrails' [related to Sanskrit hirā 'artery'] + -spex [from specere 'look at'].

leviathan

[in biblical use] a sea monster, identified in different passages with the whale and the crocodile [e.g., Job 41, Ps. 74:14], and with the Devil [after Isa. 27:1] Originvia late Latin from Hebrew liwyāṯān

gambit

[in ch synonyms: stratagem, scheme, plan, tactic, maneuver, move, course/line of action, device; machination, ruse, trick, ploy, wangle ";the most ambitious financial gambit in history"; Origin mid 17th century: originally gambett, from Italian gambetto, literally 'tripping up,' from gamba 'leg.'

naiad

[in classical mythology] a water nymph said to inhabit a river, spring, or waterfall Origin via Latin from Greek Naias, Naiad-, from naein 'to flow.' Use as a term in entomology and botany dates from the early 20th century.

machicolation

[in medieval fortifications] an opening between the supporting corbels of a projecting parapet or the vault of a gate, through which stones or burning objects could be dropped on attackers

concubine

[in polygamous societies] a woman who lives with a man but synonyms:mistress, courtesan, kept woman; lover, paramour; archaicdoxy; historicalhetaera "she was the reluctant concubine of Prince Percival"

sonorous

[of a person's voice or other sound] imposingly deep and full synonyms: resonant, rich, full, round, booming, deep, clear, mellow, orotund, fruity, strong, resounding, reverberant ";a sonorous voice"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin sonorus [from sonor 'sound'] + -ous.

stentorian

[of a person's voice] loud and powerful synonyms: loud, thundering, thunderous, ear-splitting, deafening; powerful, strong, carrying; booming, resonant; strident ";his stentorian voice resonated throughout the theater";

languid

[of a person, manner, or gest synonyms: relaxed, unhurried, languorous, slow; listless, lethargic, sluggish, lazy, idle, indolent, apathetic; informallaid-back ";a languid wave of the hand"; Origin late 16th century [sense 2]: from French languide or Latin languidus, from languere [see languish].

moribund

[of a person] at the point of death synonyms: dying, expiring, terminal, on one's deathbed, near death, at death's door, not long for this world ";the patient was moribund"; Origin early 18th century: from Latin moribundus, from mori 'to die.'

stolid

[of a person] calm, dependabl synonyms: impassive, phlegmatic, unemotional, cool, calm, placid, unexcitable; dependable; unimaginative, dull ";her stolid facade is somewhat unnerving"; Origin late 16th century: from obsolete French stolide or Latin stolidus [perhaps related to stultus 'foolish'].

gregarious

[of a person] fond of company; sociab synonyms: sociable, company-loving, convivial, companionable, outgoing, friendly, affable, amiable, genial, warm, comradely; informalchummy ";he was fun-loving and gregarious"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin gregarius [from grex, greg- 'a flock'] + -ous.

percipient

[of a person] having a good understanding of things; perceptive Originmid 17th century: from Latin percipient- 'seizing, understanding,' from the verb percipere

simpatico

[of a person] likable and easy to get along with OriginItalian and Spanish, 'sympathetic.

nonplussed

[of a person] surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react Origin late 16th century: from Latin non plus 'not more.' The noun originally meant 'a state in which no more can be said or done.'

captious

[of a person] tending to find fault or raise petty objections

prolific

[of a plant, animal, or person] producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring synonyms: productive, creative, inventive, fertile ";a prolific composer"; Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin prolificus, from Latin proles 'offspring' [see proliferous].

proliferous

[of a plant] producing buds or side shoots from a flower or other terminal part Origin mid 17th century: from Latin proles 'offspring' + -ferous.

superannuated

[of a position or synonyms: old, old-fashioned, antiquated, out of date, outmoded, broken-down, obsolete, disused, defunct ";superannuated computing equipment"; Origin mid 17th century: back-formation from superannuated, from medieval Latin superannuatus, from Latin super- 'over' + annus 'year.'

clangor

a continuous loud banging or ringing sound Origin late 16th century: from Latin clangor, from clangere 'resound.'

latent

[of a quality or state] existing but not synonyms: dormant, untapped, unused, undiscovered, hidden, concealed, underlying, invisible, unseen, undeveloped, unrealized, unfulfilled, potential ";his latent skills"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin latent- 'being hidden,' from the verb latere .

meander

[of a river or road] follow a winding course synonyms: zigzag, wind, twist, turn, curve, curl, bend, snake ";the river meandered gently"; Origin late 16th century [as a noun]: from Latin maeander, from Greek Maiandros, the name of a river [see Menderes].

hermetic

[of a seal or synonyms: airtight, tight, sealed, zip-locked, vacuum-packed; watertight, waterproof ";the documents are stored in a hermetic box"; Origin mid 17th century [sense 2]: from modern Latin hermeticus, from Hermes, identified with Thoth, regarded as the founder of alchemy and astrology.

founder

[of a ship] fill with water and sink synonyms: sink, go to the bottom, go down, be lost at sea "the ship foundered"

list

[of a ship] lean to one side, typically because of a leak or unbalanced cargo synonyms: lean, lean over, tilt, tip, heel, heel over, keel over, careen, cant, pitch, incline, slant, slope, bank ";the boat listed to one side"; Origin early 17th century: of unknown origin.

plangent

[of a sound] loud, reverberating, and often melancholy synonyms: melancholy, mournful, plaintive; sonorous, resonant, loud ";a plangent moan from somewhere not too distant"; Origin early 19th century: from Latin plangent- 'lamenting,' from the verb plangere .

pervious

[of a substance] allowing water to pass through; permeable Origin early 17th century: from Latin pervius 'having a passage through' [based on via 'way'] + -ous.

volatile

[of a substance] easily evaporate synonyms: evaporative, vaporous; explosive, inflammable; unstable, labile ";a volatile organic compound"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'creature that flies,' also, as a collective, 'birds']: from Old French volatil or Latin volatilis, from volare 'to fly.'

bootless

[of a task or undertaking] ineffectual; useless Origin Old English bōtlēas 'not able to be compensated for by payment' [see boot2, -less].

sisyphean

[of a task] such that it can never be completed Origin late 16th century: from Latin Sisypheius [based on Greek Sisuphos : see Sisyphus] + -an.

mellifluous

[of a voice or words] sweet or synonyms: sweet-sounding, dulcet, honeyed, mellow, soft, liquid, silvery, soothing, rich, smooth, euphonious, harmonious, tuneful, musical ";mellifluous dinner music"; Origin late 15th century: from late Latin mellifluus [from mel 'honey' + fluere 'to flow'] + -ous.

seminal

[of a w synonyms: influential, formative, groundbreaking, pioneering, original, innovative; major, important ";her paper is a seminal work on the subject"; Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French seminal or Latin seminalis, from semen 'seed.' Sense 1 dates from the mid 17th century.

perspicuous

[of an account or representation] clearly expressed and easily understood; lucid Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'transparent']: from Latin perspicuus 'transparent, clear' [from the verb perspicere 'look at closely'] + -ous.

invidious

[of an action or situation] likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others synonyms: unpleasant, awkward, difficult; undesirable, unenviable; odious, hateful, detestable ";that put her in an invidious position"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin invidiosus, from invidia [see envy].

retreat

[of an army] withdraw fr synonyms: withdraw, retire, draw back, pull back/out, fall back, give way, give ground, beat a retreat, beat a hasty retreat ";the army retreated"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French retret [noun], retraiter [verb], from Latin retrahere 'pull back' [see retract].

expendable

[of an object] designed to be used only once synonyms: dispensable, replaceable, nonessential, inessential, unnecessary, noncore, unneeded, not required, superfluous, disposable "an accountant decided Mathers was expendable"; disposable, throwaway, single-use "an expendable satellite launcher"

verdant

[of countryside] green with grass or other rich vegetation synonyms: green, leafy, grassy; lush, rich; literaryverdurous ";the verdant spring mosses"; Origin late 16th century: perhaps from Old French verdeant, present participle of verdoier 'be green,' based on Latin viridis 'green.'

toothsome

[of food] temptingly tasty synonyms: tasty, delicious, luscious, mouthwatering, delectable, succulent; tempting, appetizing, inviting; informalscrumptious, yummy, nummy, finger-licking, melt-in-your-mouth, lip-smacking ";a toothsome lemon tart";

fungible

[of goods contracted for without an individual specimen being specified] able to replace or be replaced by another identical item; mutually interchangeable Origin late 17th century: from medieval Latin fungibilis, from fungi 'perform, enjoy,' with the same sense as fungi vice 'serve in place of.'

pithy

[of language or style] concise and forcefully expressive synonyms:succinct, terse, concise, compact, short [and sweet], brief, condensed, to the point, epigrammatic, crisp, thumbnail; significant, meaningful, expressive, telling; formalcompendious ";pithy comments"

heady

[of liquor] potent; intoxicating synonyms: potent, intoxicating, strong; alcoholic, vinous; formalspirituous ";heady wine";

putrid

[of organic matter] decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smel synonyms: decomposing, decaying, rotting, rotten, bad, off, putrefied, putrescent, rancid, moldy; foul, fetid, rank ";putrid meat"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin putridus, from putrere 'to rot,' from puter, putr- 'rotten.'

compatible

[of two things] able to exist or occur together without conflict synonyms: well suited, suited, well matched, like-minded, in tune, in harmony; reconcilable "they were never compatible"

homily

a synonyms: sermon, lecture, discourse, address, lesson, talk, speech, oration ";a guest preacher delivered today's homily"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin homilia, from Greek, 'discourse, conversation' [in ecclesiastical use, 'sermon'], from homilos 'crowd.'

ramification

a synonyms: consequence, result, aftermath, outcome, effect, upshot; development, implication; product, by-product ";the incident backfired on her and has had ramifications beyond anything she could have imagined"; Origin mid 17th century: from French, from ramifier 'form branches' [see ramify].

excerpt

a synonyms: extract, part, section, piece, portion, snippet, clip, bit, sample; reading, citation, quotation, quote, line, passage "an excerpt from the poem"

surrealism

a 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images Originearly 20th century: from French surréalisme [see sur-1, realism]

powwow

a North American Indian ceremony involving feasting, singing, and dancing Origin early 17th century: from Narragansett powáw 'magician' [literally 'he dreams'].

curmudgeon

a bad-tempered or surly person

tyro

a beginner or novice synonyms: novice, beginner, learner, neophyte, newcomer, initiate, fledgling; apprentice, trainee, probationer, tenderfoot; informalrookie, newbie, greenhorn ";in 1925, he was a Capitol Hill tyro"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin tiro, medieval Latin tyro 'recruit.'

demiurge

a being responsible for the creation of the universe, in particular Origin early 17th century [denoting a magistrate in certain ancient Greek states]: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek dēmiourgos 'craftsman,' from dēmios 'public' [from dēmos 'people'] + -ergos 'working.'

breviary

a book containing the service for each day, to be recited by those in orders in the Roman

pugilist

a boxer, especially a professional one synonyms:boxer, fighter, prizefighter; informalbruiser, pug ";in his neighborhood, guys pretty much had two career choices: drug dealer or pugilist" Originmid 18th century: from Latin pugil 'boxer' + -ist

synopsis

a brief summary or general survey of so synonyms: summary, summarization, précis, abstract, outline, digest, rundown, roundup, abridgment ";the synopsis was so intriguing that I just had to buy the book"; Origin early 17th century: via late Latin from Greek, from sun- 'together' + opsis 'seeing.'

verdigris

a bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate OriginMiddle English: from Old French verte-gres, earlier vert de Grece 'green of Greece.

frieze

a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling Origin mid 16th century: from French frise, from medieval Latin frisium, variant of frigium, from Latin Phrygium [opus ] '[work] of Phrygia.'

smorgasbord

a buffet offering a variety of hot and cold meats, salads, hors d'oeuvres, etc OriginSwedish, from smörgås '[slice of] bread and butter' [from smör 'butter' + gås 'goose, lump of butter'] + bord 'table.

fetter

a chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the synonyms: shackles, manacles, handcuffs, irons, leg irons, chains, restraints; informalcuffs, bracelets; historicalbilboes "bound by fetters of iron"

lummox

a clumsy, stupid person Origin early 19th century: of unknown origin.

compendium

a coll synonyms: collection, compilation, anthology, treasury, digest; summary, synopsis, précis, outline "a compendium of Civil War narratives"

menagerie

a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition Origin late 17th century: from French ménagerie, from ménage [see ménage].

exposition

a comprehensive description an synonyms: explanation, description, elucidation, explication, interpretation; account, commentary, appraisal, assessment, discussion, exegesis ";a lucid exposition"

ramification

a conseq synonyms:consequence, result, aftermath, outcome, effect, upshot; development, implication; product, by-product ";the incident backfired on her and has had ramifications beyond anything she could have imagined" Originmid 17th century: from French, from ramifier 'form branches' [see ramify]

ossuary

a container or room into which the bones of dead people are placed Origin mid 17th century: from late Latin ossuarium, formed irregularly from Latin os, oss- 'bone.'

recidivist

a convicted criminal who reoffends, especially repeatedly Origin late 19th century: from French récidiviste, from récidiver 'fall back,' based on Latin recidivus 'falling back,' from the verb recidere, from re- 'back' + cadere 'to fall.'

cadaver

a corpse synonyms: corpse, body, dead body, remains, carcass; informalstiff; archaiccorse ";each student is assigned a cadaver"

manicure

a cosmetic treatment of the hands involving cutting, shaping, and often painting of the nails, removal of the cuticles, and softening of the skin Origin late 19th century: from French, from Latin manus 'hand' + cura 'care.'

hetaera

a courtesan or mistress, especially one in ancient Greece akin to the modern geisha Originfrom Greek hetaira, feminine of hetairos 'companion.

cloister

a covered walk in a convent, monastery, college, or cathedral, typically with a wall on one side and a colonnade open to a quadrangle on the other. synonyms: walkway, covered walk, arcade, loggia, gallery "the convent's shadowed cloisters" 2. seclude or shut up in or as if in a convent or monastery. "the monastery was where the Brothers would cloister themselves to meditate

rift

a crack, split, or break in something synonyms:crack, fault, flaw, split, break, breach, fissure, fracture, cleft, crevice, cavity, opening ";a deep rift in the ice" OriginMiddle English: of Scandinavian origin; compare with Norwegian and Danish rift 'cleft, chink.

climacteric

a critical period or event Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'constituting a critical period in life']: from French climactérique or via Latin from Greek klimaktērikos, from klimaktēr 'critical period,' from klimax 'ladder, climax.'

compunction

a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad. "spend the money without compunction" synonyms: scruples, misgivings, qualms, worries, unease, uneasiness, doubts, reluctance, reservations; guilt, regret, contrition, self-reproach "she had no compunction about deceiving them"

dudgeon

a feeling of offense or deep resentment. "the manager walked out in high dudgeon" synonyms: indignantly, resentfully, angrily, furiously; in a temper, in anger, with displeasure; informalin a huff, seeing red "the sponsors from Cleveland stormed out in high dudgeon"

succubus

a female demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men Origin late Middle English: from medieval Latin succubus 'prostitute,' from succubare, from sub- 'under' + cubare 'to lie.'

palisade

a fence of wooden stakes or iron railings fixed in the ground, forming an enclosure o synonyms:fence, paling, barricade, stockade ";sentries were posted along the palisade" Originearly 17th century: from French palissade, from Provençal palissada, from palissa 'paling,' based on Latin palus 'stake.

fealty

a feudal tenant's or vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord. "they owed fealty to the Earl rather than the King" formal acknowledgment of this. "a property for which she did fealty"

phantasm

a figment of the imagination; an illus Origin Middle English [in the sense 'deceptive appearance']: from Old French fantasme, via Latin from Greek phantasma, from phantazein 'make visible,' from phainein 'to show.' The change from f- to ph- in the 16th century was influenced by the Latin spelling.

metaphor

a figure o synonyms: figure of speech, image, trope, analogy, comparison, symbol, word painting/picture ";the profusion of metaphors in her everyday speech has gotten pretty tiresome"; Origin late 15th century: from French métaphore, via Latin from Greek metaphora, from metapherein 'to transfer.'

gossamer

a fine, filmy substance consistin synonyms: cobwebs; silk, gauze, chiffon ";her dress swirled like gossamer"; Origin Middle English: apparently from goose + summer1, perhaps from the time of year around St. Martin's summer, i.e., early November, when geese were eaten [gossamer being common then].

raft

a flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beam, rafter']: from Old Norse raptr 'rafter.' The verb dates from the late 17th century

raft

a flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beam, rafter']: from Old Norse raptr 'rafter.' The verb dates from the late 17th century.

blandishment

a flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something. "the blandishments of the travel brochure" synonyms: flattery, cajolery, coaxing, wheedling, persuasion, palaver, honeyed words, smooth talk, blarney; informalsweet talk, soft soap, buttering up, smarm "the blandishments of advertisers"

tendon

a flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone Originlate Middle English: from French or medieval Latin tendo[n-], translating Greek tenōn 'sinew,' from teinein 'to stretch.

sap

a foolish and gullible person Origin early 19th century: abbreviation of dialect sapskull 'person with a head like sapwood,' from sap1 [in the sense 'sapwood'] + skull.

diatribe

a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something. "a diatribe against the Roman Catholic Church" synonyms: tirade, harangue, onslaught, attack, polemic, denunciation, broadside, fulmination, condemnation, censure, criticism; informalblast; literaryphilippic "the ongoing debate about the desirability of single-gender education"

dictum

a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source. "the First Amendment dictum that "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech"" synonyms: pronouncement, proclamation, direction, injunction, dictate, command, commandment, order, decree, edict, mandate, diktat "he received the dictum with evident reluctance" a short statement that expresses a general truth or principle. "the old dictum "might makes right."" synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom, proverb, adage, aphorism, saw, precept, epigram, motto, truism, commonplace, platitude; expression, phrase, tag "the old dictum "might is right""

petition

a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to authority with respect to a parti synonyms:appeal, round robin ";more than 1,000 people signed the petition" OriginMiddle English: from Latin petitio[n-], from petit- 'aimed at, sought, laid claim to,' from the verb petere

brevet

a former type of military commission conferred especially for outstanding service by which an officer was promoted to a higher rank without the corresponding pay. "a brevet lieutenant"

dinosaur

a fossil reptile of the Mesozoic era, often reaching an enormous size

phantom

a ghost synonyms: ghost, apparition, spirit, specter, wraith; informalspook; literaryphantasm, shade ";a phantom who haunts lonely roads"; Origin Middle English [also in the sense 'illusion, delusion']: from Old French fantosme, based on Greek phantasma [see phantasm].

specter

a ghost synonyms:ghost, phantom, apparition, spirit, wraith, shadow, presence; informalspook; literaryphantasm, shade ";the specters in the crypt" Originearly 17th century: from French spectre or Latin spectrum [see spectrum]

clamour

a loud and confu synonyms: din, racket, rumpus, loud noise, uproar, tumult, shouting, yelling, screaming, roaring; commotion, brouhaha, hue and cry, hubbub, hullabaloo, hoopla "her voice rose above the clamor"

wraith

a ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially one seen shortly be synonyms: ghost, specter, spirit, phantom, apparition, manifestation; informalspook; literaryshade, phantasm ";from a gray and billowy fog the wraith did appear"; Origin early 16th century [originally Scots]: of unknown origin.

cincture

a girdle or belt

crescendo

a gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music

solecism

a grammatical mistake in speech or writing synonyms: [grammatical] mistake, error, blunder; informalhowler, blooper ";a poem marred by solecisms"; Origin mid 16th century: from French solécisme, or via Latin from Greek soloikismos, from soloikos 'speaking incorrectly.'

disparity

a great difference synonyms: discrepancy, inconsistency, imbalance; variance, variation, divergence, gap, gulf; difference, dissimilarity, contrast ";a disparity between their stories"; Origin mid 16th century: from French disparité, from late Latin disparitas, based on Latin paritas 'parity.'

claque

a group of people hired to applaud [or heckle] a performer or public speaker Origin mid 19th century: French, from claquer 'to clap.' The practice of paying members of an audience for their support originated at the Paris opera.

cacophony

a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds synonyms:din, racket, noise, clamor, discord, dissonance, discordance, uproar "despite the cacophony, Rita slept on"

termagant

a harsh-tempered or overbearing woman Origin Middle English [sense 2]: via Old French from Italian Trivigante, taken to be from Latin tri- 'three' + vagant- 'wandering,' and to refer to the moon "wandering" between heaven, earth, and hell under the three names Selene, Artemis, and Persephone.

miasma

a highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor synonyms:stink, reek, stench, fetor, smell, fume, odor, whiff; gas, cloud, smog, vapor ";the miasma from the stagnant swamp made us choke and gag" Originmid 17th century: from Greek, literally 'defilement,' from miainein 'pollute.

avocation

a hobby or minor occupation

vassal

a holder of land by feudal tenur synonyms: serf, dependent, servant, slave, subject, bondsman, thrall, villein; historicalvavasour, helot ";he was born an English vassal"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin vassallus 'retainer,' of Celtic origin; compare with vavasour.

dirge

a lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite. synonyms: elegy, lament, burial hymn, threnody, requiem, funeral march; keen "a lone bagpiper played the woeful dirge" a mournful song, piece of music, or poem. "singers chanted dirges"

raft

a large amount of something Origin mid 19th century: alteration of dialect raff 'abundance' [perhaps of Scandinavian origin], by association with raft1 in the sense 'floating mass.'

convocation

a large formal assembly of people synonyms:assembly, gathering, meeting, conference, convention, congress, council, symposium, colloquium, conclave, synod "a convocation of church leaders"

bevy

a large group of people or things of a particular ki synonyms: group, crowd, herd, flock, horde, army, galaxy, assemblage, throng, company, gathering, band, body, pack, covey; knot, cluster; informalbunch, gaggle, posse ";a bevy of Vegas headliners"; Origin late Middle English: of unknown origin.

caldron

a large metal pot with a lid and handle, used for cooking over an open fire. synonyms: pot, kettle "a black cast-iron cauldron" a situation characterized by instability and strong emotions. "a cauldron of repressed anger"

rent

a large tear in a piece of fabric synonyms: rip, tear, split, hole, slash, slit ";the rent in his pants"; gorge, chasm, fault, rift, fissure, crevasse ";a vast rent in the mountains"; Origin mid 16th century: from obsolete rent 'pull to pieces, lacerate,' variant of rend.

portmanteau

a large trunk or suitcase, typically made of stiff leather and opening into two equal parts Originmid 16th century: from French portemanteau, from porter 'carry' + manteau 'mantle.

billow

a large undulating mass of something, typically cloud, smoke, or steam. synonyms: cloud, mass "billows of smoke" (of fabric) fill with air and swell outward. "her dress billowed out around her" synonyms: puff up/out, balloon (out), swell, fill (out), belly out "her dress billowed around her"

portfolio

a large, thin, flat case for loose sheets of paper such as drawings or maps synonyms: briefcase, case, valise, bag, attaché [case] ";he kept the papers in his portfolio"; Origin early 18th century: from Italian portafogli, from portare 'carry' + foglio 'sheet of paper' [from Latin folium ].

cataclysm

a large-scale and violent event in the natural world. a sudden violent upheaval, especially in a political or social context. "the cataclysm of the First World War" synonyms: disaster, catastrophe, calamity, tragedy, devastation, holocaust, ruin, ruination, upheaval, convulsion, apocalypse, act of God "their homeland was destroyed by a great cataclysm"

rigmarole

a lengthy and comp synonyms:fuss, bother, trouble, palaver, ado, pother, song and dance, performance, to-do, pantomime, hassle, folderol ";the rigmarole of dressing up" Originmid 18th century: apparently an alteration of ragman roll, originally denoting a legal document recording a list of offenses

dyke

a lesbian synonyms: embankment, levee; ditch, trench, gutter "the dikes were destroyed in the flood"

fawn

a light yellowish-brown color. synonyms: be obsequious to, be sycophantic to, curry favor with, flatter, play up to, crawl to, ingratiate oneself with, dance attendance on; informalsuck up to, be all over, brown-nose, toady "they were fawning over the president"

farrow

a litter of pigs

capriccio

a lively piece of music, typically one that is short and free in form. a painting or other work of art representing a fantasy or a mixture of real and imaginary features.

screed

a long speech or piece of writing, typically one regarded as tedious Origin Middle English: probably a variant of the noun shred. The early sense was 'fragment cut from a main piece,' then 'torn strip, tatter,' whence [via the notion of a long roll or list] sense 1 of the noun.

jeremiad

a long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes Origin late 18th century: from French jérémiade, from Jérémie 'Jeremiah,' from ecclesiastical Latin Jeremias, with reference to the Lamentations of Jeremiah in the Old Testament.

bolster

a long, thick pillow that is placed under other pillows for support. synonyms: strengthen, reinforce, boost, fortify, renew; support, sustain, buoy up, prop up, shore up, maintain, aid, help; augment, increase "an occasional word of thanks would really bolster the staff's morale"; support or strengthen; prop up. "the fall in interest rates is starting to bolster confidence" synonyms: strengthen, reinforce, boost, fortify, renew; support, sustain, buoy up, prop up, shore up, maintain, aid, help; augment, increase "an occasional word of thanks would really bolster the staff's morale"

corps

a main subdivision of an armed force in the field, consisting of two or more divisions synonyms: unit, division, detachment, section, company, contingent, squad, squadron, regiment, battalion, brigade, platoon ";an army corps"

incubus

a male demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women Origin Middle English: late Latin form of Latin incubo 'nightmare,' from incubare 'lie on' [see incubate].

lothario

a man who behaves selfishly and irresponsibly in his sexual relationships with women Originfrom a character in Rowe's Fair Penitent [1703]

palimpsest

a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain Origin mid 17th century: via Latin from Greek palimpsēstos, from palin 'again' + psēstos 'rubbed smooth.'

stigma

a mark of dis synonyms: shame, disgrace, dishonor, ignominy, opprobrium, humiliation, [bad] reputation ";the stigma of bankruptcy"; Origin late 16th century [denoting a mark made by pricking or branding]: via Latin from Greek stigma 'a mark made by a pointed instrument, a dot'; related to stick1.

repast

a meal synonyms: meal, feast, banquet; informalspread, feed, bite, bite to eat; formalcollation, refection ";a sumptuous repast"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French, based on late Latin repascere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + pascere 'to feed.'

diathermy

a medical and surgical technique involving the production of heat in a part of the body by high-frequency electric currents, to stimulate the circulation, relieve pain, destroy unhealthy tissue, or cause bleeding vessels to clot.

nostrum

a medicine, especial synonyms: medicine, patent medicine, potion, elixir, panacea, cure-all, wonder drug, quack remedy; informalmagic bullet ";they have to prove their nostrums work"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin, used in the sense '[something] of our own making,' neuter of noster 'our.'

grouse

a medium to large g synonyms: grumble, complain, protest, whine, bleat, carp, cavil, make a fuss; informalmoan, bellyache, gripe, beef, bitch, grouch, sound off, kvetch ";she groused about the food"; Origin early 16th century: perhaps related to medieval Latin gruta or to Old French grue 'crane.'

myrmidon

a member of a warlike Thessalian people led by Achilles at the siege of Troy Origin late Middle English: from Latin Myrmidones [plural], from Greek Murmidones .

curate

a member of the clergy engaged as assistant to a vicar, rector, or parish priest

legate

a member of the clergy, especially a cardinal, representing the pope Origin late Old English, from Old French legat, from Latin legatus, past participle of legare 'depute, delegate, bequeath.'

manacle

a metal band, chain, or shackle for fa synonyms:handcuffs, shackles, chains, irons, fetters, restraints, bonds; informalcuffs, bracelets ";he claimed there were no manacles that could hold him" OriginMiddle English: from Old French manicle 'handcuff,' from Latin manicula, diminutive of manus 'hand.

euphemism

a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. ""downsizing" as a euphemism for cuts" synonyms: polite term, indirect term, circumlocution, substitute, alternative, understatement, genteelism "'influential person' is the local euphemism for underworld don"

junta

a military or polit synonyms:faction, cabal, clique, camarilla, party, set, ring, gang, league, confederacy ";the press is censored and controlled by the military junta" Originearly 17th century [sense 2]: from Spanish and Portuguese, from Latin juncta, feminine past participle of jungere 'to join.

foible

a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character. "they have to tolerate each other's little foibles" synonyms: weakness, failing, shortcoming, flaw, imperfection, blemish, fault, defect, limitation; quirk, kink, idiosyncrasy, eccentricity, peculiarity "we tolerate each other's foibles"

fallacy

a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument. "the notion that the camera never lies is a fallacy" synonyms: misconception, misbelief, delusion, mistaken impression, error, misapprehension, misinterpretation, misconstruction, mistake; untruth, inconsistency, myth "the fallacy that the sun moves round the earth"

strait

a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water synonyms: channel, sound, inlet, stretch of water ";a strait about six miles wide"; Origin Middle English: shortening of Old French estreit 'tight, narrow,' from Latin strictus 'drawn tight' [see strict].

broadside

a nearly simultaneous firing of all the guns from one side of a warship synonyms: salvo, volley, cannonade, barrage, blast, fusillade "the gunners fired broadsides"

fracas

a noisy disturbance or quarrel. synonyms: disturbance, brawl, melee, rumpus, skirmish, struggle, scuffle, scrum, clash, fisticuffs, altercation; informalscrap, dust-up, set-to, donnybrook; vulgar slangshitstorm "the fracas in the alley drew the attention of a passing patrol car"

sophist

a paid teacher of philosophy and rhetoric in ancient Greece, associated in popular thought with moral skepticism and specious reasoning Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek sophistēs, from sophizesthai 'devise, become wise,' from sophos 'wise.'

fresco

a painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colors penetrate the plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colors penetrate the plaster and become fixed as it dries

chartreuse

a pale green or yellow liqueur made from brandy and aromatic herbs Origin named after La Grande Chartreuse, the Carthusian monastery near Grenoble, France, where the liqueur [sense 1] was first made; sense 2 is an extended use.

colporteur

a peddler of books, newspapers, and similar literature. someone employed by a religious society to distribute Bibles and other religious tracts

vigil

a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray Origin Middle English [sense 2]: via Old French from Latin vigilia, from vigil 'awake.'

epoch

a period of time in history or a person's life, typically one marked by notable events or particular characteristics. "the Victorian epoch" synonyms: era, age, period, time, span, stage; eon "England's Tudor epoch"

soothsayer

a pers synonyms: seer, oracle, augur, prophet/prophetess, sage, prognosticator, diviner, fortune teller, crystal gazer, clairvoyant, psychic; literarysibyl; rareharuspex ";the most respected of the king's soothsayers"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'person who speaks the truth']: see sooth.

fanatic

a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, especially for an extreme religious or political cause. synonyms: zealot, extremist, militant, dogmatist, devotee, adherent; sectarian, bigot, partisan, radical, diehard; informalmaniac "a religious fanatic"

suppliant

a person making a humble plea to someone in power or authority synonyms: petitioner, supplicant, pleader, beggar, applicant ";they were not mere suppliants"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from French, 'beseeching,' present participle of supplier, from Latin supplicare [see supplicate].

parvenu

a person of obscure origin who has gained wealth, influence, or celebrit synonyms: upstart, social climber, arriviste ";make way for our newest little hotshot parvenu"; Origin early 19th century: from French, literally 'arrived,' past participle of parvenir, from Latin pervenire 'come to, reach.'

precursor

a person or thing that come synonyms: forerunner, predecessor, forefather, father, antecedent, ancestor, forebear ";a three-stringed precursor of the guitar"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin praecursor, from praecurs- 'preceded,' from praecurrere, from prae 'beforehand' + currere 'to run.'

enigma

a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to und synonyms: mystery, puzzle, riddle, conundrum, paradox, problem, quandary; a closed book; informalposer "how it works is an enigma to me"

cynosure

a person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration. "the Queen was the cynosure of all eyes"

georgic

a poem or book dealing with agriculture or rural topics Origin early 16th century: via Latin from Greek geōrgikos, from geōrgos 'farmer.'

proponent

a person who advocates a theory, propo synonyms: advocate, champion, supporter, backer, promoter, protagonist, campaigner, booster, cheerleader ";a proponent of the youth basketball program"; OriginY late 16th century: from Latin proponent- 'putting forth,' from the verb proponere [see propound].

proponent

a person who advocates a theory, propos synonyms: advocate, champion, supporter, backer, promoter, protagonist, campaigner, booster, cheerleader ";a proponent of the youth basketball program"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin proponent- 'putting forth,' from the verb proponere [see propound].

cynic

a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honorable or unselfish reasons. "some cynics thought that the controversy was all a publicity stunt" synonyms:skeptic, doubter, doubting

stoic

a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining Origin late Middle English: via Latin from Greek stōïkos, from stoa [with reference to Zeno's teaching in the Stoa Poikilē or Painted Porch, at Athens].

clairvoyant

a person who claims to have a supernatural ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact. synonyms: psychic, fortune teller, crystal gazer; medium, spiritualist; telepath, mind-reader "a woman claiming to be a clairvoyant gave a description of the kidnappers"

kvetch

a person who complains a great deal Origin 1960s: from Yiddish kvetsh [noun], kvetshn [verb], from Middle High German quetschen, literally 'cru

Fabulist

a person who composes or relates fables Origin late 16th century: from French fabuliste, from Latin fabula [see fable].

dilettante

a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge. "a dilettante approach to science" synonyms: dabbler, amateur, nonprofessional, nonspecialist, layman, layperson "there is no room for the dilettante in this business"

misanthrope

a person who dislikes humankind synonyms: hater of mankind, hater, cynic; recluse, hermit; hikikomori; informalgrouch, grump ";he was going to join a group of misanthropes but he disliked all the members"; Origin mid 16th century: from Greek misanthrōpos, from misein 'to hate' + anthrōpos 'man.'

proselyte

a person who has convert synonyms:convert, new believer, catechumen ";proselytes are not spiritually mature enough to be counseling others in church matters" Originlate Middle English: via late Latin from Greek prosēluthos 'stranger, convert,' from prosēluth-, past stem of proserkhesthai 'approach.

predecessor

a person who held a job or office before the current holder synonyms:forerunner, precursor, antecedent ";the senator's predecessor" Originlate Middle English: from late Latin praedecessor, from Latin prae 'beforehand' + decessor 'retiring officer' [from decedere 'depart']

protege

a person who is guid synonyms: student, pupil, trainee, apprentice; disciple, follower; discovery, find, ward ";his protégé was a young pianist from Belgium"; Origin late 18th century: French, literally 'protected,' past participle of protéger, from Latin protegere 'cover in front' [see protect].

bigot

a person who is intolerant toward those holding differ synonyms: chauvinist, partisan, sectarian; racist, sexist, homophobe, dogmatist, jingoist ";he comes off as a naïve, close-minded bigot"; Origin late 16th century [denoting a superstitious religious hypocrite]: from French, of unknown origin.

bigot

a person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions. "don't let a few small-minded bigots destroy the good image of the city" synonyms: chauvinist, partisan, sectarian; racist, sexist, homophobe, dogmatist, jingoist "he comes off as a naïve, close-minded bigot"

wag

a person who makes facetious jokes Origin mid 16th century [denoting a young man or mischievous boy, also used as a term of endearment to an infant]: probably from obsolete waghalter 'person likely to be hanged' [see wag1, halter].

bursar

a person who manages the financial affairs of a college or university

countenance

a person's face or facial expression. "his impenetrable eyes and inscrutable countenance give little away" synonyms: face, features, physiognomy, profile; (facial) expression, look, appearance, aspect, mien; informalmug, puss; literaryvisage, lineaments "his strikingly handsome countenance" 2. support. "she was giving her specific countenance to the occasion"verb 1. admit as acceptable or possible. "he was reluctant to countenance the use of force" synonyms: tolerate, permit, allow, agree to, consent to, give one's blessing to, go along with, hold with, put up with, endure, stomach, swallow, stand for; formalbrook "he would not countenance the use of force"

visage

a person's face, with reference to the form or proportions of the features synonyms: face, countenance, look, [facial] features, [facial] expression ";a visage marked by years of depression"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin visus 'sight,' from videre 'to see.'

milieu

a person's socia synonyms: environment, sphere, background, backdrop, setting, context, atmosphere; location, conditions, surroundings, environs; informalstomping grounds, stamping grounds, turf ";the political milieu in New England"; Origin mid 19th century: French, from mi 'mid' + lieu 'place.'

plenipotentiary

a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independen synonyms: diplomat, dignitary, ambassador, minister, emissary, chargé d'affaires, envoy ";a plenipotentiary in Paris"; Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin plenipotentiarius, from plenus 'full' + potentia 'power.'

libertine

a person, especially a man, who behaves w synonyms:philanderer, playboy, rake, roué, Don Juan, Lothario, Casanova, Romeo; lecher, seducer, womanizer, adulterer, debauchee, profligate, wanton; informalskirt-chaser, tomcat, horndog, ladykiller, lech, wolf; formalfornicator ";an unrepentant libertine"

sinew

a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament OriginOld English sin[e]we 'tendon,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeen and German Sehne

epigram

a pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way. synonyms: witticism, quip, jest, pun, bon mot; saying, maxim, adage, aphorism, apophthegm; informalone-liner, wisecrack, (old) chestnut "a collection of humorous epigrams from old gravestones"

elegy

a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead synonyms: lament, requiem, threnody, dirge; literaryplaint; keen "an elegy for his father"

sinecure

a position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit synonyms: easy job, cushy job, soft option; informalpicnic, cinch, easy money, free ride, gravy train ";mowing the Ortons' lawn is a sinecure"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin sine cura 'without care.'

peregrine

a powerful falcon found on most continents, breeding chiefly on mountains and coastal cliffs and much used for falconry Origin late Middle English: from Latin peregrinus 'foreign,' from peregre 'abroad,' from per- 'through' + ager 'field.'

maelstrom

a powerful whirlpool in the sea o synonyms:whirlpool, vortex, eddy, swirl; literaryCharybdis ";a maelstrom in the sea" Originlate 17th century: from early modern Dutch [denoting a mythical whirlpool supposed to exist in the Arctic Ocean, west of Norway], from maalen 'grind, whirl' + stroom 'stream.

dogma

a principle or set of princi synonyms: teaching, belief, tenet, principle, precept, maxim, article of faith, canon; creed, credo, set of beliefs, doctrine, ideology "a dogma of the Sikh religion"

penitentiary

a prison for people convicted of serious crimes Originlate Middle English [as a term in ecclesiastical law]: from medieval Latin paenitentiarius, from Latin paenitentia 'repentance.' Sense 1 dates from the early 19th century

tryst

a private, romantic rendezvous between lovers Origin late Middle English [originally Scots]: variant of obsolete trist 'an appointed place in hunting,' from French triste or medieval Latin trista .

panegyric

a public spe synonyms: eulogy, speech of praise, paean, accolade, tribute ";the panegyric she delivered in Syd's memory brought tears to our eyes"; Origin early 17th century: from French panégyrique, via Latin from Greek panēgurikos 'of public assembly,' from pan 'all' + aguris 'agora, assembly.'

rebus

a puzzle in which words are represented by combinations of pictures and individual letters; for instance, apex might be represented by a picture of an ape followed by a letter X Originearly 17th century: from French rébus, from Latin rebus, ablative plural of res 'thing.

crotchet

a quarter note Origin Middle English [in the sense 'hook']: from Old French crochet, diminutive of croc 'hook,' from Old Norse krókr .

riposte

a quick clever reply to an insult or criticism synonyms: retort, counter, rejoinder, sally, return, answer, reply, response; informalcomeback ";an indignant riposte"; Origin early 18th century: from French risposte [noun], risposter [verb], from Italian risposta 'response.'

rebuttal

a refutation or contradiction synonyms:refutation, denial, countering, invalidation, negation, contradiction ";now that you've heard the accusations, have you a rebuttal?"

sacrament

a religious ceremony or act of the Christian Church that is regarded as an outward and visi Origin Middle English: from Old French sacrement, from Latin sacramentum 'solemn oath' [from sacrare 'to hallow,' from sacer 'sacred'], used in Christian Latin as a translation of Greek mustērion 'mystery.'

anchorite

a religious recluse Origin late Middle English: from medieval Latin anchorita [ecclesiastical Latin anchoreta ], from ecclesiastical Greek anakhōrētēs, from anakhōrein 'retire,' from ana- 'back' + khōra, khōr- 'a place.'

platitude

a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting o synonyms: cliché, truism, commonplace, banality, old chestnut, bromide, inanity, banal/trite/hackneyed/stock phrase ";boring us with his platitudes"; Origin early 19th century: from French

reprise

a repeated passage in music Origin early 18th century: French, literally 'taken up again,' feminine past participle of reprendre [see reprieve].

capstan

a revolving cylinder with a vertical axis used for winding a rope or cable, powered by a motor or pushed around by levers

camarilla

a small group of people, especially a group of advisers to a ruler or politician, with a shared, typically nefarious, purpose Origin mid 19th century: from Spanish, diminutive of camara 'chamber.'

strut

a rod or bar forming part of a framework and designed to resist compression synonyms: swagger, swank, parade, stride, sweep, sashay ";he strutted around his vast office"; Origin Old English strūtian 'protrude stiffly,' of Germanic origin. Current senses date from the late 16th century.

guy

a rope or line fixed to the ground to secure a tent or other structure Origin late Middle English: probably of Low German origin; related to Dutch gei 'brail' and German Geitaue 'brails.'

dearth

a scarcity or synonyms: lack, scarcity, shortage, shortfall, want, deficiency, insufficiency, inadequacy, paucity, sparseness, scantiness, rareness; absence ";a dearth of trained specialists"; Origin Middle English derthe [originally in the sense 'shortage and dearness of food'] [see dear, -th2].

bedlam

a scene of uproar and confusion. "there was bedlam in the courtroom" synonyms: uproar, pandemonium, commotion, mayhem, confusion, disorder, chaos, anarchy, lawlessness; furor, upheaval, hubbub, hoopla, turmoil, riot, ruckus, rumpus, tumult, hullabaloo "there was bedlam in the stadium"

bursary

a scholarship to attend a college or university

cabal

a secret political clique or faction synonyms: clique, faction, coterie, cell, sect, junta, camarilla; lobby [group], pressure group ";a cabal of dissidents"; Origin late 16th century [denoting the cabbala]: from French cabale, from medieval Latin cabala [see Kabbalah].

vertigo

a sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height, or c synonyms: dizziness, giddiness, lightheadedness, loss of balance ";the steep narrow stairs give me vertigo"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin, 'whirling,' from vertere 'to turn.'

opus

a separate composition or set of compositions by a particular composer, usually ordered by date of publication synonyms: composition, work, work of art, oeuvre, piece, creation ";her latest opus is a critical success"; Origin early 18th century: from Latin, literally 'work.'

litany

a series of petitions for use in church services or processions, usu synonyms: prayer, invocation, supplication, devotion; archaicorison ";she was reciting the litany"; Origin Middle English: from Old French letanie, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek litaneia 'prayer,' from litē 'supplication.'

fusillade

a series of shots fired or missiles throw synonyms: salvo, volley, barrage, bombardment, cannonade, battery, burst, blast, hail, shower, rain, stream; historicalbroadside ";a fusillade of missiles"; Origin early 19th century: from French, from fusiller 'to shoot,' from fusil [see fusil1] + -ade1.

lackey

a servant, especially a synonyms: servant, flunky, footman, manservant, valet, steward, butler, attendant, houseboy, domestic; archaicscullion ";lackeys helped them from their carriage"; Origin early 16th century: from French laquais, perhaps from Catalan alacay, from Arabic al-ḵā'id 'the chief.'

deluge

a severe flood synonyms:flood, torrent, spate "homes were swept away by the deluge"

skiff

a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat with sharp bow and square stern Origin late 15th century: from French esquif, from Italian schifo, of Germanic origin; related to ship1.

nocturne

a short composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano Origin mid 19th century: French, from Latin nocturnus 'of the night.'

respite

a short period of rest or synonyms: rest, break, breathing space, interval, intermission, interlude, recess, lull, pause, time out; relief, relaxation, repose; informalbreather, letup ";a brief respite"; Origin Middle English: from Old French respit, from Latin respectus 'refuge, consideration.'

salvo

a simultaneous discharge of artillery or other guns in a battle Originlate 16th century [earlier as salve ]: from French salve, Italian salva 'salutation.

flocculant

a substance that promotes the clumping of particles, especially one used in treating waste water

phylactery

a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law Origin late Middle English: via late Latin from Greek phulaktērion 'amulet,' from phulassein 'to guard.'

sepulcher

a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, i synonyms: tomb, vault, burial chamber, mausoleum, crypt, undercroft, catacomb; grave ";an old family sepulcher on the grounds of the estate"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin sepulcrum 'burial place,' from sepelire 'bury.'

sepulcher

a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in whic synonyms:tomb, vault, burial chamber, mausoleum, crypt, undercroft, catacomb; grave ";an old family sepulcher on the grounds of the estate" OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin sepulcrum 'burial place,' from sepelire 'bury.

brook

a small stream. synonyms: stream, creek, streamlet, rivulet, rill, brooklet, runnel; bourn, burn, beck "a babbling brook"

faction

a small, organized, dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics. "the left-wing faction of the party" synonyms: clique, coterie, caucus, cabal, bloc, camp, group, grouping, sector, section, wing, arm, branch, set; ginger group, pressure group "a faction of the party" a state of conflict within an organization; dissension. synonyms: infighting, dissension, dissent, dispute, discord, strife, conflict, friction, argument, disagreement, controversy, quarreling, wrangling, bickering, squabbling, disharmony, disunity, schism "the council was split by faction"

peccadilloes

a small, relatively unimportant offense or sin synonyms: misdemeanor, petty offense, indiscretion, lapse, misdeed ";I'm sure we can overlook a few peccadilloes"; Origin late 16th century: from Spanish pecadillo, diminutive of pecado 'sin,' from Latin peccare 'to sin.'

quagmire

a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot synonyms: swamp, morass, bog, marsh, muskeg, mire, slough; archaicquag ";the field became a quagmire"; Origin late 16th century: from quag + mire.

poultice

a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth Origin late Middle English: from Latin pultes [plural], from puls, pult- 'porridge, pap.'

encomium

a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or someth synonyms: eulogy, panegyric, paean, accolade, tribute, testimonial; praise, acclaim, acclamation, homage "the poet's encomium to the king"

eulogy

a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, typically someone who has just died. "his good friend delivered a brief eulogy" synonyms: accolade, panegyric, paean, tribute, compliment, commendation; praise, acclaim; plaudits, bouquets; formalencomium "a graveside eulogy"

desuetude

a state of disuse. "the docks fell into desuetude"

lassitude

a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy synonyms: lethargy, listlessness, weariness, languor, sluggishness, tiredness, fatigue, torpor, lifelessness, apathy ";prolonged periods of lassitude"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from Latin lassitudo, from lassus 'tired.'

repose

a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility synonyms: rest, relaxation, inactivity; sleep, slumber ";a face in repose"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French repos [noun], reposer [verb], from late Latin repausare, from re- [expressing intensive force] + pausare 'to pause.'

credo

a statement of the bel synonyms:statement of belief[s], article of faith, doctrine, creed, axiom, dogma, tenet, canon; theory, thesis, premise, conviction, position; ideology, code of belief "he announced his credo in his first editorial"

truism

a statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting synonyms:platitude, commonplace, cliché, stock phrase, banality, [old] chestnut, [old] saw, axiom, bromide ";"look before you leap" is a truism that Sharon has rarely heeded"

colossus

a statue that is much bigger than life size. a person or thing of enormous size, importance, or ability. "the Russian Empire was the colossus of European politics"

mainstay

a stay that extends from the maintop to the foot of the foremast of a sailing synonyms: central component, central figure, centerpiece, prop, linchpin, cornerstone, pillar, bulwark, buttress, chief support, backbone, anchor, foundation, base, staple ";agriculture is the mainstay of their economy";

distaff

a stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound for spinning

gauntlet

a stout glove with a long loose wrist Originlate Middle English: from Old French gantelet, diminutive of gant 'glove,' of Germanic origin

martinet

a strict disciplinarian, especially in the armed forces Origin late 17th century [denoting the drill system invented by Martinet]: named after Jean Martinet, 17th-century French drillmaster.

vocation

a strong feeling of synonyms:calling, life's work, mission, purpose, function; profession, occupation, career, job, employment, trade, craft, business, line, line of work, métier ";forestry is my vocation" Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin vocatio[n-], from vocare 'to call.

partisan

a strong supporter of a party, synonyms: supporter, follower, adherent, devotee, champion; fanatic, fan, enthusiast, stalwart, zealot, booster ";conservative partisans"; Origin mid 16th century: from French, via Italian dialect from Italian partigiano, from parte 'part' [from Latin pars, part- ].

fetor

a strong, foul smell. "the fetor of decay"

toxophilite

a student or lover of archery Origin late 18th century: from Toxophilus [a name invented by Ascham, used as the title of his treatise on archery [1545], from Greek toxon 'bow' + -philos 'loving'] + -ite1.

truant

a student who synonyms: absentee, runaway ";the truants were sent to Mr. Maurer's office"; Origin Middle English [denoting a person begging through choice rather than necessity]: from Old French, probably ultimately of Celtic origin; compare with Welsh truan, Scottish Gaelic truaghan 'wretched.'

imbecile

a stupid person Origin mid 16th century [as an adjective in the sense 'physically weak']: via French from Latin imbecillus, literally 'without a supporting staff,' from in- [expressing negation] + baculum 'stick, staff.' The current sense dates from the early 19th century.

nuance

a subtle difference in synonyms: fine distinction, subtle difference; shade, shading, gradation, variation, degree; subtlety, nicety, overtone ";the nuances of light are very effective"; Origin late 18th century: from French, 'shade, subtlety,' from nuer 'to shade,' based on Latin nubes 'cloud.'

Frisson

a sudden strong feeling of excitement or fear; a thrill Origin late 18th century: French, literally 'a shiver or thrill.'

cavalier

a supporter of King Charles I in the English Civil War synonyms:horseman, equestrian; Morecavalryman, trooper, knight "foot soldiers and cavaliers"

sojourn

a temporary stay synonyms: stay, visit, stop, stopover; vacation ";a sojourn in France"; Origin Middle English: from Old French sojourner, based on Latin sub- 'under' + late Latin diurnum 'day.'

entropy

a thermodynamic quantity representing the unavailabili synonyms: deterioration, degeneration, crumbling, decline, degradation, decomposition, breaking down, collapse; disorder, chaos ";life is a struggle against entropy"; Origin mid 19th century: from en-2 'inside' + Greek tropē 'transformation.'

example

a thing characteristi synonyms:specimen, sample, exemplar, exemplification, instance, case, illustration, case in point

scintilla

a tiny trace synonyms: particle, iota, jot, whit, atom, speck, bit, trace, ounce, shred, crumb, fragment, grain, drop, spot, modicum, hint, touch, suggestion, whisper, suspicion; informalsmidgen, tad ";you haven't got a scintilla of evidence to back that up"; Origin late 17th century: from Latin.

vestige

a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists synonyms: remnant, fragment, relic, echo, indication, sign, trace, residue, mark, legacy, reminder; remains ";the last vestiges of colonialism"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from Latin vestigium 'footprint.'

asset

a useful or valuable thing, person, or quality. "quick reflexes were his chief asset" synonyms: benefit, advantage, blessing, good point, strong point, selling point, strength, forte, virtue, recommendation, attraction, resource, boon, merit, bonus, plus, pro "he sees his age as an asset" property owned by a person or company, regarded as having value and available to meet debts, commitments, or legacies. "growth in net assets" synonyms: property, resources, estate, holdings, possessions, effects, goods, valuables, belongings, chattels "the seizure of all their assets" military equipment, such as planes, ships, communications and radar installations, employed or targeted in military operations.

tempest

a violent windy storm synonyms:storm, gale, hurricane; tornado, whirlwind, cyclone, typhoon ";the skies opened and a tempest erupted" OriginMiddle English: from Old French tempeste, from Latin tempestas 'season, weather, storm,' from tempus 'time, season.

theophany

a visible manifestation to humankind of God or a god Origin Old English, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek theophaneia, from theos 'god' + phainein 'to show.'

enfilade

a volley of gunfire directed along a line from end to end Origin early 18th century [denoting the position of a military post commanding the length of a line]: from French, from enfiler 'thread on a string, pierce from end to end,' from en- 'in, on' + fil 'thread.'

omnibus

a volume containing several novels or other items previously published separately Originearly 19th century: via French from Latin, literally 'for all,' dative plural of omnis

integer

a whole number; a number that is not a fraction Origin early 16th century [as an adjective meaning 'entire, whole']: from Latin, 'intact, whole,' from in- [expressing negation] + the root of tangere 'to touch.' Compare with entire, also with integral, integrate, and integrity.

circumvolution

a winding movement, especially of one thing around another

sibyl

a woman in ancient times supposed to utter the oracles and prophecies of a god Origin from Old French Sibile or medieval Latin Sibilla, via Latin from Greek Sibulla .

coquette

a woman who flirts

doyenne

a woman who is the most respected or prominent person in a particular field. "she's the doyenne of daytime TV"

pillory

a wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, in which an offender was i synonyms: stocks ";offenders were put in the pillory"; Origin Middle English: from Old French pilori, probably from Provençal espilori [associated by some with a Catalan word meaning 'peephole,' of uncertain origin].

subpoena

a writ ordering a person to attend a court Originlate Middle English [as a noun]: from Latin sub poena 'under penalty' [the first words of the writ]. Use as a verb dates from the mid 17th century

tort

a wrongful act or an infringement of a right [other than under contract] leading to civil legal liability Origin Middle English [in the general sense 'wrong, injury']: from Old French, from medieval Latin tortum 'wrong, injustice,' neuter past participle of Latin torquere 'to twist.'

scion

a young shoot or twig of a plant, especially one cut for grafting or rooting synonyms: cutting, graft, slip; shoot, offshoot, twig ";a scion of the tree"; Origin Middle English: from Old French ciun 'shoot, twig,' of unknown origin.

effable

able to be described in words

palpable

able to be touched or felt synonyms: tangible, touchable, noticeable, detectable ";a palpable bump"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin palpabilis, from Latin palpare 'feel, touch gently.'

caustic

able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action. "a caustic cleaner" synonyms: corrosive, corroding, abrasive, mordant, acid "a caustic cleaner" 2. sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way. "the players were making caustic comments about the refereeing" synonyms: sarcastic, cutting, biting, mordant, sharp, bitter, scathing, derisive, sardonic, ironic, scornful, trenchant, acerbic, abrasive, vitriolic, acidulous "a caustic comment"

continent

able to control movements of the bowels and bladder Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'characterized by self-restraint']: from Latin continent- 'holding together, restraining oneself,' from continere [see contain].

heteroclite

abnormal or irregular Origin late 15th century: via late Latin from Greek heteroklitos, from heteros 'other' + -klitos 'inflected' [from klinein 'to lean, inflect'].

temperance

abstinence from alcoholic drink synonyms: teetotalism, abstinence, abstention, sobriety, self-restraint; prohibition ";a strict advocate of temperance"; Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French temperaunce, from Latin temperantia 'moderation,' from temperare 'restrain.'

condone

accept and allow [behavi synonyms: disregard, accept, allow, let pass, turn a blind eye to, overlook, forget; forgive, pardon, excuse, let go ";we cannot condone such dreadful behavior"; Origin mid 19th century: from Latin condonare 'refrain from punishing,' from con- 'altogether' + donare 'give.

condone

accept and allow [behavior th synonyms:disregard, accept, allow, let pass, turn a blind eye to, overlook, forget; forgive, pardon, excuse, let go ";we cannot condone such dreadful behavior"

inculpate

accuse or blame Originlate 18th century: from late Latin inculpat- 'made culpable,' from the verb inculpare, from in- 'upon, toward' + culpare 'to blame' [from culpa 'fault']

reproach

address [someone] in such a way as synonyms: disgrace, discredit, source of shame, blemish, stain, blot; literarysmirch ";this party is a reproach to Canadian politics"; Origin Middle English: from Old French reprochier [verb], from a base meaning 'bring back close,' based on Latin prope 'near.'

eccentric

adjective 1. (of a person or their behavior) unconventional and slightly strange. "my favorite aunt is very eccentric" synonyms: unconventional, uncommon, abnormal, irregular, aberrant, anomalous, odd, queer, strange, peculiar, weird, bizarre, outlandish, freakish, extraordinary; idiosyncratic, quirky, nonconformist, outré; informalway out, offbeat, freaky, oddball, wacky, kooky "eccentric behavior" 2. technical (of a thing) not placed centrally or not having its axis or other part placed centrally. noun 1. a person of unconventional and slightly strange views or behavior. "he enjoys a colorful reputation as an engaging eccentric" synonyms: oddity, odd fellow, character, individualist, individual, free spirit; misfit; informaloddball, odd duck, weirdo, freak, nut, head case, crank, wacko, kook, screwball, crackpot "he was something of an eccentric" 2. a disc or wheel mounted eccentrically on a revolving shaft in order to transform rotation into backward-and-forward motion, e.g., a cam in an internal combustion engine.

derelict

adjective 1. in a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect. "the cities were derelict and dying" synonyms: damned, doomed, lost, condemned to hell; censured, faulted, convicted; literaryaccursed "a condemned construction site" dilapidated, ramshackle, run-down, tumbledown, in ruins, falling apart; rickety, creaky, deteriorating, crumbling, disintegrating, decaying; neglected, untended, gone to rack and ruin "a derelict building" disused, abandoned, deserted, discarded, rejected, neglected, untended "a derelict airfield" noun 1. a person without a home, job, or property. "derelicts who could fit all their possessions in a paper bag" synonyms: tramp, vagrant, vagabond, down and out, homeless person, drifter; beggar, mendicant; outcast; informalbag lady, hobo, bum "the derelicts who survive on the streets"

concede

admit that something is true or valid after first denying or res synonyms: admit, acknowledge, accept, allow, grant, recognize, own, confess; agree "I had to concede that I'd overreacted"

ultramontane

advocating supreme papal authority in matters of faith and discipline Originlate 16th century [denoting a representative of the Roman Catholic Church north of the Alps]: from medieval Latin ultramontanus, from Latin ultra 'beyond' + mons, mont- 'mountain.

avouch

affirm or assert

rapacious

aggressively gree synonyms: grasping, greedy, avaricious, acquisitive, covetous; mercenary, materialistic; insatiable, predatory; informalmoney-grubbing, grabby ";poor Tom has fallen for a rapacious gold digger"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin rapax, rapac- [from rapere 'to snatch'] + -ious.

covenanted

agree, especially by lease, deed, or other legal contract. "the landlord covenants to repair the property" synonyms: undertake, contract, guarantee, pledge, promise, agree, engage, warrant, commit oneself, bind oneself "the landlord covenants to repair the property"

concord

agreement or harmony between people or gro synonyms: agreement, harmony, accord, consensus, concurrence, unity "council meetings rarely ended in concord"

ecstasy

an synonyms: rapture, bliss, elation, euphoria, transports, rhapsodies; joy, jubilation, exultation ";the ecstasy of loving him"; Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French extasie, via late Latin from Greek ekstasis 'standing outside oneself,' based on ek- 'out' + histanai 'to place.'

plenitude

an abundance synonyms: abundance, lot, wealth, profusion, cornucopia, superabundance; informalload, slew, heap, buttload, ton ";Lord, we are so thankful for this plenitude"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from late Latin plenitudo, from plenus 'full.'

colloquium

an academic conference or seminar Origin late 16th century [denoting a conversation or dialogue]: from Latin, from colloqui 'to converse,' from col- 'together' + loqui 'to talk.'

fascist

an advocate or follower of fascism synonyms: authoritarian, totalitarian, autocrat, extreme right-winger, rightist; Nazi, blackshirt; nationalist, xenophobe, racist, anti-Semite, jingoist; neofascist, neo-Nazi ";he was branded a fascist";

serf

an agricultural laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord's estate Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'slave']: from Old French, from Latin servus 'slave.'

monocoque

an aircraft or vehicle structure in which the chassis is integral with the body Origin early 20th century: from French, from mono- 'single' + coque 'shell.'

assignation

an appointment to meet synonyms: rendezvous, date, appointment, meeting; literarytryst ";their secret assignation"; Origin late Middle English [in the senses 'command, appointment to office, or allotment of revenue']: via Old French from Latin assignatio[n-], from the verb assignare [see assign].

morass

an area of mu synonyms: quagmire, swamp, bog, marsh, muskeg, mire, marshland, wetland, slough, moor ";the muddy morass"; Origin late 15th century: from Dutch moeras, alteration [by assimilation to moer 'moor'] of Middle Dutch marasch, from Old French marais 'marsh,' from medieval Latin mariscus .

chicane

an artificial narrowing or turn on a road or auto-racing course

synod

an assembly of the clergy and sometimes also the laity in a diocese or other division of a particular church Originlate Middle English: via late Latin from Greek sunodos 'meeting,' from sun- 'together' + hodos 'way.

aspersion

an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something. "I don't think anyone is casting aspersions on you" synonyms: vilify, disparage, denigrate, defame, run down, impugn, belittle, criticize, condemn, decry, denounce, pillory; malign, slander, libel, discredit; informalpull apart, throw mud at, knock, badmouth, dis "in saying this, I do not mean to cast aspersions on the Senator"

sprite

an elf or fairy synonyms:fairy, elf, pixie, imp, brownie, puck, peri, leprechaun; nymph, sylph, naiad ";by light of moon the woodland sprites do dance and play" OriginMiddle English: alteration of sprit, a contraction of spirit

facsimile

an exact copy, especially of written or printed material. synonyms: copy, reproduction, duplicate, photocopy, replica, likeness, print, reprint, printout, offprint, fax; trademarkXerox; datedcarbon copy, photostat, mimeograph "a facsimile of the manuscript"

surfeit

an excessive amount synonyms: excess, surplus, abundance, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, glut, avalanche, deluge; overdose; informalbellyful, gutful, buttload ";a surfeit of apples"; Origin Middle English: from Old French surfeit, based on Latin super- 'above, in excess' + facere 'do.'

glut

an excessively abundant supply of something synonyms: surplus, excess, surfeit, superfluity, overabundance, superabundance, oversupply, plethora ";a glut of cars"; Origin Middle English: probably via Old French from Latin gluttire 'to swallow'; related to glutton.

maven

an expert or connoisseur Origin 1960s: Yiddish

conflagration

an ext synonyms: fire, blaze, flames, inferno, firestorm ";the conflagration spread rapidly through the wooden buildings"; Origin late 15th century [denoting consumption by fire]: from Latin conflagratio[n-], from the verb conflagrare, from con- [expressing intensive force] + flagrare 'to blaze.'

conurbation

an extended urban area, typically consisting of several towns merging with the suburbs of one or more cities

conflagration

an extensive fire synonyms: fire, blaze, flames, inferno, firestorm "the conflagration spread rapidly through the wooden buildings"

simulacrum

an image or representation of someone or something Origin late 16th century: from Latin, from simulare [see simulate]

monster

an imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frightening synonyms:giant, mammoth, colossus, leviathan, titan; informaljumbo ";he's a monster of a man" Originlate Middle English: from Old French monstre, from Latin monstrum 'portent or monster,' from monere 'warn.

sylph

an imaginary spirit of the air Origin mid 17th century: from modern Latin sylphes, sylphi and the German plural Sylphen, perhaps based on Latin sylvestris 'of the woods' + nympha 'nymph.'

parody

an imitation of synonyms: satire, burlesque, lampoon, pastiche, caricature, imitation, mockery; informalspoof, takeoff, send-up ";a parody of the Gothic novel"; Origin late 16th century: via late Latin from Greek parōidia 'burlesque poem,' from para- 'beside' [expressing alteration] + ōidē 'ode.'

pettifogger

an inferior legal practitioner, especially one who deals with petty cases or employs dubious practices Origin mid 16th century: from petty + obsolete fogger 'underhanded dealer,' probably from Fugger, the name of a family of merchants in Augsburg, Germany, in the 15th and 16th centuries.

bruise

an injur synonyms: contusion, lesion, mark, black-and-blue mark, discoloration, blackening; injury; swelling, lump, bump, welt; ecchymosis ";a bruise across her forehead"; Origin Old English brȳsan 'crush, injure or damage with a blow,' reinforced in Middle English by Old French bruisier 'break.'

ingenue

an innocent or unsophisticated young woman OriginFrench, feminine of ingénu 'ingenuous,' from Latin ingenuus [see ingenuous]

quidnunc

an inquisitive and gossipy person Origin early 18th century: from Latin quid nunc? 'what now?'

interstice

an intervening space, especially a very small one Origin late Middle English: from Latin interstitium, from intersistere 'stand between,' from inter- 'between' + sistere 'to stand.'

presentiment

an intuitive feeling about the future, especially one of foreboding synonyms:premonition, foreboding, intuition, [funny] feeling, hunch, feeling in one's bones, sixth sense; archaicpresage ";a presentiment of disaster" Originearly 18th century: from obsolete French présentiment

expletive

an oath or swear word. synonyms: swear word, obscenity, profanity, oath, curse, four-letter word, dirty word; informalcuss word, cuss; formalimprecation; bad language, foul language, strong language, swearing "she let out an expletive and slammed the phone down"

herald

an official messenger bringing news synonyms: harbinger, sign, indicator, indication, signal, prelude, portent, omen; forerunner, precursor; literaryforetoken ";the first herald of spring"; Origin Middle English: from Old French herault [noun], herauder [verb], of Germanic origin.

edict

an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority. synonyms: decree, order, command, commandment, mandate, proclamation, pronouncement, dictate, fiat, promulgation; law, statute, act, bill, ruling, injunction; formalordinance "rules established by government edict"

mutiny

an open rebellion against the proper authorities, especially synonyms:insurrection, rebellion, revolt, riot, uprising, insurgence, insubordination ";there was a mutiny over wages" Originmid 16th century: from obsolete mutine 'rebellion,' from French mutin 'mutineer,' based on Latin movere 'to move.

orifice

an opening, as of a pipe or tube, or one in the body, such as a nostril or the anus synonyms: opening, hole, aperture, slot, slit, cleft ";the orifice must be kept free from debris"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from late Latin orificium, from os, or- 'mouth' + facere 'make.'

conjecture

an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information. "conjectures about the newcomer were many and varied" synonyms: speculation, guesswork, surmise, fancy, presumption, assumption, theory, postulation, supposition; inference, (an) extrapolation; an estimate; informala guesstimate, a shot in the dark, a ballpark figure "the information is merely conjecture"

primordium

an organ, structure, or tissue in the earliest stage of development Originlate 19th century: from Latin, neuter of primordius 'original,' from primus 'first' + ordiri 'begin.

epaulet

an ornamental shoulder piece on an item of clothing, typically on the coat or jacket of a military uniform Origin late 18th century: from French épaulette, diminutive of épaule 'shoulder,' from Latin spatula in the late Latin sense 'shoulder blade.'

canard

an unfounded rumor or story Origin mid 19th century: from French, literally 'duck,' also 'hoax,' from Old French caner 'to quack.'

boor

an unrefined, ill-mannered person. "at last the big obnoxious boor had been dealt a stunning blow for his uncouth and belligerent manner" synonyms: lout, oaf, ruffian, thug, yahoo, barbarian, Neanderthal, brute, beast, lubber; informalclod, roughneck, troglodyte, knuckle-dragger, pig, peasant "a civilized affair guaranteed to separate the boors from the gentlemen"

explicate

analyze and develop (an idea or principle) in detail. "attempting to explicate the relationship between crime and economic forces" synonyms: explain, make explicit, clarify, make plain/clear, spell out, untangle; interpret, translate, elucidate, expound, illuminate, throw light on "I'm not sure anyone could fully explicate the works of Joyce"

aleatoric

another term for aleatory Origin 1960s: from Latin aleatorius, from aleator 'dice player,' from alea 'die,' + -ic.

meliorate

another term for ameliorate Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin meliorat- 'improved,' from the verb meliorare, based on melior 'better.'

perquisite

another term for perk2 Origin late Middle English: from medieval Latin perquisitum 'acquisition,' from Latin perquirere 'search diligently for,' from per- 'thoroughly' + quaerere 'seek.'

prize

another term for pry2 Origin late 17th century: from dialect prise 'lever,' from Old French prise 'grasp, taking hold.' Compare with pry2.

satiate

another term for sate1 synonyms:fill, satisfy, sate; slake, quench; gorge, stuff, surfeit, glut, cloy, sicken, nauseate ";here, this stew should satiate you" Originlate Middle English: from Latin satiatus, past participle of satiare, from satis 'enough.

saxicoline

another term for saxatile Origin late 19th century: from modern Latin saxicolus [from saxum 'rock' + colere 'inhabit'] + -ine1.

approbation

approval or praise. "the opera met with high approbation" synonyms: approval, acceptance, endorsement, appreciation, respect, admiration, commendation, praise, congratulations, acclaim, esteem, applause; consent; rarelaudation "at age 45, he was still seeking his parents' approbation"

belabor

argue or elaborate (a subject) in excessive detail. "critics thought they belabored the obvious" synonyms: overelaborate, labor, dwell on, harp on about, hammer away at; overdo, overplay, overdramatize, make too much of, place too much emphasis on; informalbeat to death, drag out, make a big thing of, blow out of proportion "don't belabor the point"; attack or assault (someone) physically or verbally. "Tyndale seized every opportunity to belabor the Roman Church"

codify

arrange [laws or rules] into a systematic code synonyms: systematize, systemize, organize, arrange, order, structure; tabulate, catalog, list, sort, index, classify, categorize, file, log ";the bill codified these standards for the first time";

factitious

artificially created or developed. "a largely factitious national identity" synonyms: bogus, fake, specious, false, counterfeit, fraudulent, spurious, sham, mock, feigned, affected, pretended, contrived, engineered, inauthentic, ersatz; informalphony, pseudo, pretend "the papers are shamelessly printing these factitious accounts"

cadge

ask for or obtain (something to which one is not strictly entitled). "he eats whenever he can cadge a meal"

succor

assistance a synonyms: aid, help, a helping hand, assistance; comfort, ease, relief, support, TLC ";they are providing succor in times of need"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin succursus, from Latin succurrere 'run to the help of,' from sub- 'from below' + currere 'run.'

charnel

associated with death. "I gagged on the charnel stench of the place"

expiate

atone for (guilt or sin). "their sins must be expiated by sacrifice" synonyms: atone for, make amends for, make up for, do penance for, pay for, redress, redeem, offset, make good "the desire to expiate his sins"

transcend

be or go beyond the range or limits of [something abstract, typically a conceptual field or divisio synonyms:go beyond, rise above, cut across ";an issue that transcended party politics" OriginMiddle English: from Old French transcendre or Latin transcendere, from trans- 'across' + scandere 'climb.

implore

beg someo synonyms: plead with, beg, entreat, beseech, appeal to, ask, request, call on; exhort, urge, enjoin, press, push, petition, bid, importune; supplicate ";his mother implored him to continue studying"; Origin early 16th century: from French implorer or Latin implorare 'invoke with tears.'

burgeon

begin to grow or increa synonyms: flourish, thrive, prosper, improve, develop; expand, escalate, swell, grow, boom, mushroom, snowball, rocket ";the toy industry is burgeoning"; Origin Middle English: from Old French bourgeonner 'put out buds,' from borjon 'bud,' based on late Latin burra 'wool.'

decorum

behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety. "you exhibit remarkable modesty and decorum" synonyms: propriety, seemliness, decency, good taste, correctness; politeness, courtesy, good manners; dignity, respectability, modesty, demureness "he had acted with decorum"

remit

cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting [a debt or pu synonyms: cancel, set aside, suspend, revoke; formalabrogate ";the fines were remitted"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin remittere 'send back, restore,' from re- 'back' + mittere 'send.' The noun dates from the early 20th century.

corrigible

capable of being corrected, rectified, or reformed Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'liable to or deserving punishment']: via French from medieval Latin corrigibilis, from Latin corrigere 'to correct.'

Cosset

care for and protect in an overindulgent way. "all her life she'd been cosseted by her family" synonyms: pamper, indulge, overindulge, mollycoddle, coddle, baby, pet, mother, nanny, nursemaid, pander to, spoil; wait on someone hand and foot "it was hurtful to them to see their father cosseting his stepchildren"

discreet

careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, especially in order to avoid causing offense or to gain an advantage. "we made some discreet inquiries" synonyms: careful, circumspect, cautious, wary, chary, guarded; tactful, diplomatic, prudent, judicious, strategic, politic, delicate, sensitive, kid-glove "discreet inquiries" intentionally unobtrusive. "a discreet cough" synonyms: unobtrusive, inconspicuous, subtle, low-key, understated, subdued, muted, soft, restrained "discreet lighting"

descry

catch sight of "she descried two figures"

enervate

cause (someone) to feel drained of energy or vitality; weaken. synonyms: exhaust, tire, fatigue, weary, wear out, devitalize, drain, sap, weaken, enfeeble, debilitate, incapacitate, prostrate; informalknock out, do in, shatter "the hot weather enervated her"

engender

cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition). "the issue engendered continuing controversy" synonyms: cause, be the cause of, give rise to, bring about, occasion, lead to, result in, produce, create, generate, arouse, rouse, inspire, provoke, prompt, kindle, trigger, spark, stir up, whip up, induce, incite, instigate, foment; literarybeget, enkindle "his works engendered considerable controversy" archaic (of a father) beget (offspring). synonyms: father, sire, bring into the world, spawn, breed; literarybeget "he engendered six children"

deleterious

causing harm or damage synonyms: harmful, damaging, detrimental, injurious; adverse, disadvantageous, unfavorable, unfortunate, undesirable, bad ";the deleterious effects of smoking"; Origin mid 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek dēlētērios 'noxious' + -ous.

solicitous

characterized by or showing interest o synonyms: concerned, caring, considerate, attentive, mindful, thoughtful, interested; anxious, worried; compassionate, humane ";she was always solicitous about the welfare of her students"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin sollicitus [see solicit] + -ous.

ascetic

characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons. "an ascetic life of prayer, fasting, and manual labor" synonyms: austere, self-denying, abstinent, abstemious, self-disciplined, self-abnegating; simple, puritanical, monastic; reclusive, eremitic, hermitic; celibate, chaste "an ascetic life"; a person who practices severe self-discipline and abstention. synonyms: abstainer, puritan, recluse, hermit, anchorite, solitary; fakir, Sufi, dervish, sadhu; archaiceremite "a desert ascetic"

ostentatious

characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; des synonyms: showy, pretentious, conspicuous, flamboyant, gaudy, brash, vulgar, loud, extravagant, fancy, ornate, overelaborate; informalflash, flashy, splashy, fancy-pants, over the top, glitzy, ritzy, superfly ";an ostentatious display of wealth";

brummagem

cheap, showy, or counterfeit. "a vile Brummagem substitute for the genuine article"

ebullient

cheerful and full of energy. "she sounded ebullient and happy" synonyms: exuberant, buoyant, cheerful, joyful, cheery, merry, jolly, sunny, jaunty, lighthearted, elated; animated, sparkling, vivacious, irrepressible; informalbubbly, bouncy, peppy, upbeat, chirpy, smiley, full of beans; datedgay "in an ebullient mood"

puerile

childishly silly and trivi synonyms: childish, immature, infantile, juvenile, babyish; silly, inane, fatuous, jejune, asinine, foolish, petty ";you're too old for these puerile outbursts"; Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'like a boy']: from French puéril or Latin puerilis, from puer 'boy.'

arrant

complete, utter. "what arrant nonsense!" synonyms: utter, complete, total, absolute, downright, outright, thorough, out-and-out, sheer, pure, unmitigated, unqualified; blatant, flagrant "what arrant nonsense!"

adduce

cite as evidence synonyms:cite, quote, name, mention, instance, point out, refer to; put forward, present, offer, advance, propose, proffer "evidence adduced to support their argument"

habiliment

clothing Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'outfit, attire']: from Old French habillement, from habiller 'fit out,' from Latin habilis [see able].

raiment

clothing Originlate Middle English: shortening of obsolete arrayment 'dress, outfit.

collate

collect synonyms: collect, gather, accumulate, assemble; combine, aggregate, put together; arrange, organize "the system is used to collate information".

conflate

combine (two or more texts, ideas, etc.) into one. "the urban crisis conflates a number of different economic and social issues" synonyms: mix, blend, fuse, unite, integrate "the plot gets weighed down when the writers conflate too many issues into one episode"

redivivus

come back to life; reborn Origin late 16th century: from Latin, from re[d]- 'again' + vivus 'living.'

doggerel

comic verse composed in irregular rhythm. verse or words that are badly written or expressed. "the last stanza deteriorates into doggerel"

analogous

comparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes clearer the nature of synonyms: comparable, parallel, similar, like, akin, corresponding, related, kindred, equivalent "their lab results were analogous"

comport

conduct oneself; behave synonyms: behave, conduct oneself, act, acquit oneself; archaicdeport oneself "try to comport yourself with a little dignity"

corroborate

confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding). "the witness had corroborated the boy's account of the attack" synonyms: confirm, verify, endorse, ratify, authenticate, validate, certify; support, back up, uphold, bear out, bear witness to, attest to, testify to, vouch for, give credence to, substantiate, sustain "the witness can corroborate Brueller's story"

modish

conforming to or following what is synonyms: fashionable, stylish, chic, modern, contemporary, all the rage, in vogue, voguish, up-to-the-minute, à la mode, du jour; informaltrendy, cool, with it, in, now, hip, styling/stylin', happening, phat, funky, kicky, tony, fly ";modish outfits for spring";

sylvan

consisting of or associated with woods; wooded Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting an inhabitant of the woods]: from French sylvain or Latin Silvanus 'woodland deity,' from silva 'a wood.'

costive

constipated Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin constipatus 'pressed together' [see constipated].

compendious

containing or presenting the essential facts of something in a comprehensive but concise way. "a compendious study" synonyms: succinct, pithy, short and to the point, concise, compact, condensed, compressed, abridged, summarized, synoptic, capsule; informalsnappy "a compendious essay on Italian music"

craven

contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly. "a craven abdication of his moral duty" synonyms: cowardly, lily-livered, faint-hearted, chicken-hearted, spineless, timid, timorous, fearful, pusillanimous, weak, feeble; informalyellow, chicken, weak-kneed, gutless, yellow-bellied, wimpish; contemptible, abject, ignominious "a craven surrender"

derision

contemptuous ridicule or mockery. "my stories were greeted with derision and disbelief" synonyms: mockery, ridicule, jeers, sneers, taunts; disdain, disparagement, denigration, disrespect, insults; scorn, contempt; lampooning, satire "Quincy's memoirs incited the derision of his siblings"

commensurate

corresponding in size or degree; in proportion. "salary will be commensurate with experience" synonyms: equivalent, equal, corresponding, correspondent, comparable, proportionate, proportional "they had privileges but commensurate duties" appropriate to, in keeping with, in line with, consistent with, corresponding to, according to, relative to; dependent on, based on "a salary commensurate with your qualifications"

malversation

corrupt behavior in a position of trust, especially in public office Origin mid 16th century: from French, from malverser, from Latin male 'badly' + versari 'behave.'

fortitude

courage in synonyms: courage, bravery, endurance, resilience, mettle, moral fiber, strength of mind, strength of character, strong-mindedness, backbone, spirit, grit, true grit, doughtiness, steadfastness; informalguts Origin Middle English: via French from Latin fortitudo, from fortis 'strong.'

gild

cover thinly with gold synonyms: gold-plate; cover with gold, paint gold ";she gilded the picture frame"; Origin Old English gyldan, of Germanic origin; related to gold.

expansive

covering a wide area in terms of space or scope; extensive or wide-ranging synonyms:extensive, sweeping, rolling "expansive grassland";wide-ranging, extensive, broad, wide, comprehensive, thorough, full-scale "expansive coverage"

recreant

cowardly Origin Middle English: from Old French, literally 'surrendering,' present participle of recroire, from medieval Latin [se] recredere 'surrender [oneself],' from re- [expressing reversal] + credere 'entrust.'

contrive

create or bring about (an object or a situation) by deliberate use of skill and artifice. "his opponents contrived a crisis" synonyms: bring about, engineer, manufacture, orchestrate, stage-manage, create, devise, concoct, construct, plan, fabricate, plot, hatch; informalwangle, set up "his opponents contrived a cabinet crisis" manage to do something foolish or create an undesirable situation. "the poor guy in some way contrived to hang himself" synonyms: bring about, engineer, manufacture, orchestrate, stage-manage, create, devise, concoct, construct, plan, fabricate, plot, hatch; informalwangle, set up "his opponents contrived a cabinet crisis"

exegesis

critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture synonyms: interpretation, explanation, exposition, explication ";the exegesis of ancient texts"; Origin early 17th century: from Greek exēgēsis, from exēgeisthai 'interpret,' from ex- 'out of' + hēgeisthai 'to guide, lead.'

denigrate

criticize unfairly; disparage. "there is a tendency to denigrate the poor" synonyms: disparage, belittle, deprecate, decry, cast aspersions on, criticize, attack; speak ill of, give someone a bad name, defame, slander, libel; run down, abuse, insult, revile, malign, vilify, slur; informalbadmouth, dis, pull to pieces, talk smack "it amused him to denigrate his guests"

droll

curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement. "his unique brand of droll self-mockery" synonyms: funny, humorous, amusing, comic, comical, mirthful, hilarious; clownish, farcical, zany, quirky; jocular, lighthearted, whimsical, facetious, witty, clever, wry, tongue-in-cheek; informalwaggish, wacky, side-splitting, rib-tickling "a droll remark that started everyone laughing"

pollard

cut off the top and branches of [a tree] to encourage new growth at the top Origin early 17th century: from the verb poll + -ard.

mince

cut up or grind [food, especially meat] into very small pieces, typically in a machine with revolving blades synonyms:grind, chop up, cut up, dice, hash, chop fine ";mince the meat and onions" Originlate Middle English: from Old French mincier, based on Latin minutia 'smallness.

hack

cut with rough or heavy blows synonyms: cut, chop, hew, lop, saw; slash ";Stuart hacked the padlock off"; Origin Old English haccian 'cut in pieces'; related to Dutch hakken and German hacken .

obeisance

d synonyms: respect, homage, worship, adoration, reverence, veneration, honor, submission, deference ";he made a very formal, elaborate gesture of obeisance"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'obedience']: from Old French obeissance, from obeissant 'obeying,' present participle of obeir .

somber

dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy synonyms: dark, drab, dull, dingy; restrained, subdued, sober, funereal ";somber clothes"; Origin mid 18th century: from French, based on Latin sub 'under' + umbra 'shade.'

quietus

death or something that causes death, regarded as a release from life Origin late Middle English: abbreviation of medieval Latin quietus est 'he is quit' [see quit1], originally used as a form of receipt or discharge on payment of a debt.

duplicity

deceitfulness; double-dealing. synonyms: deceitfulness, deceit, deception, double-dealing, underhandedness, dishonesty, fraud, fraudulence, sharp practice, chicanery, trickery, subterfuge, skulduggery, treachery; informalcrookedness, shadiness, dirty tricks, shenanigans, monkey business; literaryperfidy "he got caught up in the duplicity of his crooked partners"

humbug

deceptive or false talk or behavior Origin mid 18th century [in the senses 'hoax, trick' and 'deceiver']: of unknown origin.

tardy

delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time; late synonyms: late, behind schedule, running late; behind, overdue, belated, delayed; slow, dilatory ";Professor Wainwright is tardy again"; Origin mid 16th century: from French tardif, -ive, from Latin tardus 'slow.'

eschew

deliberately avoid using; abstain from. "he appealed to the crowd to eschew violence" synonyms: abstain from, refrain from, give up, forgo, shun, renounce, steer clear of, have nothing to do with, fight shy of; relinquish, reject, disavow, abandon, spurn, wash one's hands of, drop; informalkick, pack in; formalforswear, abjure

salvation

deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be br synonyms: redemption, deliverance, reclamation ";salvation by way of repentance"; Origin Middle English: from Old French salvacion, from ecclesiastical Latin salvation- [from salvare 'to save'], translating Greek sōtēria .

bellicose

demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight. "a group of bellicose patriots" synonyms: belligerent, aggressive, hostile, warlike, warmongering, hawkish, antagonistic, pugnacious, truculent, confrontational, contentious, militant, combative; informalspoiling for a fight, scrappy "I cannot endorse the bellicose nature of your organization"

venial

denoting a sin that is n synonyms: forgivable, pardonable, excusable, allowable, permissible; slight, minor, unimportant, insignificant, trivial, trifling; de minimis ";the venial indiscretions of my youth"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from late Latin venialis, from venia 'forgiveness.'

mordacious

denoting or using biting sarcasm or invective Origin mid 17th century: from Latin mordax, mordac- 'biting' + -ious.

gainsay

deny or contradict [a fact or statement] synonyms: deny, dispute, disagree with, argue with, dissent from, contradict, repudiate, challenge, oppose, contest, counter, controvert, rebut ";it was difficult to gainsay his claim"; Origin Middle English: from obsolete gain- 'against' + say.

aleatory

depending on the throw of a dice or on chance; random Origin late 17th century: from Latin aleatorius [see aleatoric].

limn

depict or describe in painting or words synonyms: describe, portray, depict, illustrate ";his earlier works limned violence"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'illuminate a manuscript']: alteration of obsolete lumine 'illuminate,' via Old French luminer from Latin luminare 'make light.'

turpitude

depravity; wickedness Origin late 15th century: from French, or from Latin turpitudo, from turpis 'disgraceful, base.'

dismal

depressing; dreary. "the dismal weather made the late afternoon seem like evening" synonyms: dingy, dim, dark, gloomy, dreary, drab, dull, bleak, cheerless, depressing, uninviting, unwelcoming "a dismal hall" (of a person or a mood) gloomy. "his dismal mood was not dispelled by finding the house empty" synonyms: gloomy, glum, melancholy, morose, doleful, woebegone, forlorn, dejected, depressed, dispirited, downcast, despondent, disconsolate, miserable, sad, unhappy, sorrowful, desolate, wretched; informalblue, down in the dumps, down in/at the mouth; literarydolorous "a dismal look"

divest

deprive [someone] of pow synonyms: deprive of, strip of, dispossess of, rob of, cheat out of, trick out of ";he intends to divest you of your power"; Origin early 17th century: alteration of devest, from Old French desvestir, from des- [expressing removal] + Latin vestire [from vestis 'garment'].

eclectic

deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. "her musical tastes are eclectic" synonyms: wide-ranging, broad-based, extensive, comprehensive, encyclopedic; varied, diverse, catholic, all-embracing, multifaceted, multifarious, heterogeneous, miscellaneous, assorted "an eclectic mix of party music"

delineate

describe or portray (something) precisely. "the law should delineate and prohibit behavior that is socially abhorrent" synonyms: describe, set forth/out, present, outline, sketch, depict, represent; map out, define, specify, identify "the aims of the study as delineated by the boss" indicate the exact position of (a border or boundary). synonyms: outline, trace, block in, mark (out/off), delimit "a section delineated in red pen"

despicable

deserving hatred and contempt. "a despicable crime" synonyms: contemptible, loathsome, hateful, detestable, reprehensible, abhorrent, abominable, awful, heinous; odious, vile, low, mean, abject, shameful, ignominious, shabby, ignoble, disreputable, discreditable, unworthy; informaldirty, rotten, lowdown, lousy; beastly; archaicscurvy "despicable crimes"

allay

diminish or put at rest [fear, suspicion, or worry] synonyms: reduce, diminish, decrease, lessen, assuage, alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe, soften, calm, take the edge off "nothing would allay his fears"

slapdash

done too hurriedly and carelessly synonyms: careless, slipshod, hurried, haphazard, unsystematic, untidy, messy, hit-or-miss, negligent, neglectful, lax; informalsloppy, slaphappy, shambolic ";they did a slapdash job on the driveway";

aspire

direct one's hopes or ambitions toward achieving something. "we never thought that we might aspire to those heights" synonyms: desire, hope for, dream of, long for, yearn for, set one's heart on, wish for, want, be desirous of; aim for, seek, pursue, set one's sights on "Jen aspires to a career in veterinary medicine"

lucubrate

discourse learnedly in writing Origin early 17th century: from Latin lucubrat- '[having] worked by lamplight,' from the verb lucubrare .

detest

dislike intensely. "of all birds the carrion crow is the most detested by gamekeepers" synonyms: abhor, hate, loathe, despise, shrink from, be unable to bear, find intolerable, dislike, disdain, have an aversion to; formalabominate "the only vegetable I truly detest is turnip"

syncopate

displace the beats or accents in [music or a rhythm] so that strong beats become weak and vice versa Origin early 17th century: from late Latin syncopat- 'affected with syncope,' from the verb syncopare 'to swoon' [see syncope].

impugn

dispute the truth, validity, or hone synonyms: call into question, challenge, question, dispute, query, take issue with ";are you impugning my judgment?"; Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'assault, attack physically']: from Latin impugnare 'assail,' from in- 'toward' + pugnare 'fight

louche

disreputable or sordid in a rakish or appealing way Origin early 19th century: from French, literally 'squinting.'

disaffected

dissatisfied with the people in authority and no longer willing to support them. "a military plot by disaffected elements in the army" synonyms: dissatisfied, disgruntled, discontented, malcontent, frustrated, alienated; disloyal, rebellious, mutinous, seditious, dissident, up in arms; hostile, antagonistic, unfriendly "a plot by disaffected soldiers"

distrait

distracted or absentminded. "he seemed oddly distrait" synonyms: distracted, preoccupied, absorbed, abstracted, distant, faraway; absentminded, vague, inattentive, in a brown study, woolgathering, with one's head in the clouds, in a world of one's own; informalmiles away, not with it, spaced out "he was unusually distrait during breakfast"

chagrin

distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated. "Jeff, much to his chagrin, wasn't invited" synonyms: annoyance, irritation, vexation, exasperation, displeasure, dissatisfaction, discontent; anger, rage, fury, wrath, indignation, resentment; embarrassment, mortification, humiliation, shame "Sean showed up at the party, to everyone's chagrin"

obtund

dull the sensitivity of; blunt; deaden Origin late Middle English: from Latin obtundere, from ob- 'against' + tundere 'to beat.'

postprandial

during or relating to the period after dinner or lunch Origin early 19th century: from post- 'after' + Latin prandium 'a meal' + -al.

peculate

embezzle or steal [money, especially public funds] Origin mid 18th century: from Latin peculat- 'embezzled,' from the verb peculari [related to peculium 'property'].

gird

encircle [a person or part of the synonyms: surround, enclose, encircle, circle, encompass, border, bound, edge, skirt, fringe; close in, confine ";the island was girded by rocks"; Origin Old English gyrdan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch gorden and German gürten, also to girdle and girth.

confabulate

engage in conversation; talk

ardor

enthusiasm or passion. "they felt the stirrings of revolutionary ardor" synonyms: passion, fervor, zeal, vehemence, intensity, verve, fire, emotion; enthusiasm, eagerness, avidity, gusto, keenness, dedication "approaching the project with ardor"

expunge

erase or remove completely (something unwanted or unpleasant). "I've kind of expunged that period from my CV" synonyms: erase, remove, delete, rub out, wipe out, efface; cross out, strike out, blot out, destroy, obliterate, scratch, eradicate, eliminate, deep-six "a moment that cannot be expunged from his memory"

errant

erring or straying from the proper course or standards. "he could never forgive his daughter's errant ways" synonyms: offending, guilty, culpable, misbehaving, delinquent, lawbreaking; troublesome, unruly, wayward, disobedient

ensconce

establish or settle (someone) in a comfortable, safe, or secret place. "Agnes ensconced herself in their bedroom" synonyms: settle, install, plant, position, seat, sit; establish, nestle; hide away, tuck away; informalpark, plonk

temerity

excessive confidence or boldness synonyms:audacity, nerve, effrontery, impudence, impertinence, cheek, gall, presumption; daring; informalface, front, neck, chutzpah ";I doubt they'll have the temerity to print these accusations" Originlate Middle English: from Latin temeritas, from temere 'rashly.

hubris

excessive pride or self-confidence synonyms: arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, hauteur, pride, self-importance, egotism, pomposity, superciliousness, superiority; informalbig-headedness, cockiness ";the hubris among economists was shaken"; Origin Greek.

primordial

existing at or from the beginning of time; primeval synonyms:ancient, earliest, first, prehistoric, antediluvian, primeval ";the primordial oceans" Originlate Middle English: from late Latin primordialis 'first of all,' from primordius 'original' [see primordium]

ulterior

existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intention synonyms: underlying, undisclosed, undivulged, concealed, hidden, covert, secret, personal, private, selfish ";his ulterior objectives were disguised by feigned concern"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, literally 'further, more distant.'

vicarious

experienced in synonyms: indirect, secondhand, secondary, derivative, derived, surrogate, substitute; empathetic, empathic ";I had the vicarious thrill of knowing my wife was to be named the next university president"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin vicarius 'substitute' [see vicar] + -ous.

deride

express contempt for; ridicule. "critics derided the proposals as clumsy attempts to find a solution" synonyms: ridicule, mock, scoff at, jibe at, make fun of, poke fun at, laugh at, hold up to ridicule, pillory; disdain, disparage, denigrate, dismiss, slight; sneer at, scorn, insult; informalknock, pooh-pooh "the kid I used to deride in junior high is now my boss"

expostulate

express strong disapproval or disagreement. "I expostulated with him in vain" synonyms: remonstrate with, disagree with, argue with, take issue with, protest against, reason against, express disagreement with, raise objections to, rail against "Jim expostulated with the teacher's opinion to no avail"

minatory

expressing or conveying a threat Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin minatorius, from minat- 'threatened,' from the verb minari .

tendentious

expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one Origin early 20th century: suggested by German tendenziös .

glean

extract [information] from various sourc synonyms: obtain, get, take, draw, derive, extract, cull, garner, gather; learn, find out ";what were you able to glean from questioning the witness?"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French glener, from late Latin glennare, probably of Celtic origin.

mulct

extract money from [someone] by fine or taxation Origin late 15th century: from Latin mulctare, multare, from mulcta 'a fine.'

ethereal

extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this worl synonyms: delicate, exquisite, dainty, elegant, graceful; fragile, airy, fine, subtle; unearthly ";melodic phrases of ethereal beauty"; Origin early 16th century: via Latin from Greek aitherios [from aithēr 'ether'] + -al.

diminutive

extremely or unusually small. "a diminutive figure dressed in black" synonyms: tiny, small, little, petite, elfin, minute, miniature, mini, minuscule, compact, pocket, toy, midget, undersized, short; informalteeny, weeny, teeny-weeny, teensy-weensy, itty-bitty, itsy-bitsy, baby, pint-sized, knee-high to a grasshopper, little-bitty; wee "a diminutive breed of parrot"

waffle

fail to make up one's mind synonyms: waver, vacillate, equivocate, sit on the fence ";faced with this commitment, she waffled"; Origin late 17th century [originally in the sense 'yap, yelp']: frequentative of dialect waff 'yelp,' of imitative origin.

equitable

fair and impartial. "an equitable balance of power" synonyms: fair, just, impartial, even-handed, unbiased, unprejudiced, egalitarian; disinterested, objective, neutral, nonpartisan, open-minded; informalfair and square

fidelity

faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing synonyms:loyalty, allegiance, obedience; historicalhomage, fealty "fidelity to your king"

plummet

fall or drop straight down at high sp synonyms: plunge, nosedive, dive, drop, fall, descend, hurtle ";the plane plummeted to the ground"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Old French plommet 'small sounding lead,' diminutive of plomb 'lead.' The current verb sense dates from the 1930s.

conversant

familiar with or knowledgeable about something. "many ladies are conversant with the merits of drill-eyed needles" synonyms: familiar with, acquainted with, au fait with, au courant with, at home with, well versed in, well informed about, knowledgeable about, informed about, abreast of, up-to-date on; informalup to speed on, in the loop about; formalcognizant of "the students are conversant with a wide range of math skills"

notorious

famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed synonyms: infamous, scandalous; well known, famous, famed, legendary ";a notorious gunman of the Old West"; Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'generally known']: from medieval Latin notorius [from Latin notus 'known'] + -ous.

execrate

feel or express great loathing for. "they were execrated as dangerous and corrupt"

quail

feel or show fear or apprehension synonyms: cower, cringe, flinch, shrink, recoil, shy [away], pull back; shiver, tremble, shake, quake, blench ";the sound of gunfire made us quail"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'waste away, come to nothing']: of unknown origin.

contrite

feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt. "a broken and a contrite heart" synonyms: remorseful, repentant, penitent, regretful, sorry, apologetic, rueful, sheepish, hangdog, ashamed, chastened, shamefaced, conscience-stricken, guilt-ridden "Joey was so contrite we had to conceal our amusement"

harried

feeling strained as a result of having demands persi synonyms: attack, assail, assault; charge, rush, strike, set upon; bombard, shell, strafe ";they harried the retreating enemy"; Origin Old English herian, hergian, of Germanic origin, probably influenced by Old French harier, in the same sense.

ascertain

find (something) out for certain; make sure of. "an attempt to ascertain the cause of the accident" synonyms: find out, discover, get to know, work out, make out, fathom, learn, deduce, divine, discern, see, understand, comprehend; establish, determine, verify, confirm; figure out "first let's ascertain when it was that you last saw Vince"

circumvent

find a way around [an obstacle] synonyms: avoid, get around, get past, evade, bypass, sidestep, dodge; informalduck ";the checkpoints were easy to circumvent"

edible

fit to be eaten [often used to contrast with unpalatable or synonyms: safe to eat, fit for human consumption, wholesome, good to eat; consumable, digestible, palatable; formalcomestible ";these berries may not be edible"; Origin late 16th century: from late Latin edibilis, from Latin edere 'eat.'

secure

fixed or fastened so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost synonyms: fastened, fixed, secured, done up; closed, shut, locked ";check to ensure that all bolts are secure"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'feeling no apprehension']: from Latin securus, from se- 'without' +

consequential

following as a result or effe synonyms: resulting, resultant, ensuing, consequent; following, subsequent; attendant, accompanying, concomitant; collateral, associated, related "a fire and the consequential smoke damage"

sustenance

food and drink regar synonyms: nourishment, food, nutriment, nutrition, provisions, provender, rations; informalgrub, chow; formalcomestibles; literaryviands; datedvictuals ";the creature needs sustenance"; Origin Middle English: from Old French soustenance, from the verb soustenir [see sustain].

victuals

food or provisions, ty Origin Middle English: from Old French vitaille, from late Latin victualia, neuter plural of Latin victualis, from victus 'food'; related to vivere 'to live.' The pronunciation still represents the early spelling vittel ; later spelling has been influenced by the Latin form.

proscribe

forbid, especially by law synonyms: forbid, prohibit, ban, bar, interdict, make illegal, embargo, outlaw, disallow, veto; enjoin ";gambling was proscribed"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'to outlaw']: from Latin proscribere, from pro- 'in front of' + scribere 'write.'

compel

force or oblige (someone) to do something. "a sense of duty compelled Harry to answer her questions" synonyms: force, pressure, press, push, urge; dragoon, browbeat, bully, intimidate, strong-arm; oblige, require, make; informallean on, put the screws on "he compelled them to leave their land" exact, extort, demand, insist on, force, necessitate "they can compel compliance" bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure. "they may compel a witness's attendance at court by issue of a summons"

ramify

form branches or offshoots; spread or branch out Origin late Middle English: from Old French ramifier, from medieval Latin ramificare, from Latin ramus 'branch.'

ratiocinate

form judgments by a process of logic; reason Origin mid 17th century: from Latin ratiocinat- 'deliberated, calculated,' from the verb ratiocinari, from ratio [see ratio].

monolithic

formed of a single large block of stone synonyms: massive, huge, vast, colossal, gigantic, immense, giant, enormous; featureless, characterless ";a monolithic building";

exempt

free from an obligation or liability imposed on others synonyms:free from, not liable to, not subject to, exempted from, excepted from, excused of/from, absolved of "they are exempt from all charges"

intractable

hard to control or deal with synonyms: unmanageable, uncontrollable, difficult, awkward, troublesome, demanding, burdensome ";intractable problems"; Origin late 15th century: from Latin intractabilis, from in- 'not' + tractabilis [see tractable].

asperity

harshness of tone or manner. "he pointed this out with some asperity" synonyms: harshness, sharpness, abrasiveness, roughness, severity, acerbity, astringency, tartness, sarcasm "he replied with some asperity in his tone" harsh qualities or conditions. plural noun: asperities "the asperities of a harsh and divided society" a rough edge on a surface. plural noun: asperities "the asperities of the metal surfaces"

cursory

hasty and therefore not thorough or deta synonyms:perfunctory, desultory, casual, superficial, token; sketchy, half-done, incomplete; hasty, quick, hurried, rapid, brief, passing, fleeting "a cursory inspection"

solvent

havi synonyms: financially sound, debt-free, in the black, in credit, creditworthy, solid, secure, profit-making; unleveraged ";after years in debt, he finally knew what it meant to be solvent"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin solvent- 'loosening, unfastening, paying,' from the verb solvere .

substantive

having a firm basis in reality and therefore important, meaningful, or considerable Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'having an independent existence']: from Old French substantif, -ive or late Latin substantivus, from substantia 'essence' [see substance].

piquant

having a pleasantly sha synonyms: spicy, tangy, peppery, hot; tasty, flavorful, appetizing, savory; pungent, sharp, tart, zesty, strong, salty ";a piquant sauce"; Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'severe, bitter']: from French, literally 'stinging, pricking,' present participle of piquer .

florid

having a red or flushed complexion synonyms: ruddy, red, red-faced, rosy, rosy-cheeked, pink; flushed, blushing, high-colored; archaicsanguine "a florid complexion"

sapid

having a strong, pleasant taste Origin early 17th century: from Latin sapidus, from sapere 'to taste.'

noisome

having an extremely offensive smell Origin late Middle English: from obsolete noy [shortened form of annoy] + -some1.

puissant

having great power or influence Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin posse 'be able.'

degenerate

having lost the physical, synonyms: debased, degraded, corrupt, impure; formalvitiated ";a degenerate form of classicism"; Origin late 15th century: from Latin degeneratus 'no longer of its kind,' from the verb degenerare, from degener 'debased,' from de- 'away from' + genus, gener- 'race, kind.'

sinuous

having many curves and turns synonyms: winding, windy, serpentine, curving, twisting, meandering, snaking, zigzag, curling, coiling ";a sinuous river"; Origin late 16th century: from French sinueux or Latin sinuosus, from sinus 'a bend.'

flocculent

having or resembling tufts of wool Origin early 19th century: from Latin floccus 'tuft of wool' + -ulent.

xenophobic

having or sh synonyms: ultranationalistic, ultranationalist, nationalistic, nationalist, isolationist, jingoistic; parochial, insular; ethnocentric, ethnocentrist, racist, racialist; prejudiced, bigoted, intolerant ";unemployment and lack of exposure to foreigners has fueled xenophobic sentiment";

uxorious

having or showing an excessive or submissive fondness for one's wife Origin late 16th century: from Latin uxoriosus, from uxor 'wife.'

erudite

having or showing great knowledge or learning. synonyms: learned, scholarly, educated, knowledgeable, well read, well informed, intellectual; intelligent, clever, academic, literary; bookish, highbrow, sophisticated, cerebral; informalbrainy; datedlettered "our erudite cousin, Norma"

canny

having or showing shrewdness and good judgment, especially in money or business matters. "canny shoppers came early for a bargain" synonyms: shrewd, astute, smart, sharp, sharp-witted, discerning, penetrating, discriminating, perceptive, perspicacious, wise, worldly-wise, sagacious; cunning, crafty, wily, as sharp as a tack, savvy; datedlong-headed "canny investors"; pleasant; nice. "she's a canny lass"

credulous

having or showing too great a readiness to believe things. synonyms: gullible, naive, too trusting, easily taken in, impressionable, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary, unquestioning; innocent, ingenuous, inexperienced, unsophisticated, unworldly, wide-eyed; informalborn yesterday, wet behind the ears "he sold 'miracle' cures to desperate and credulous clients"

emollient

having the quality of softening or soothing the skin synonyms: moisturizing, soothing, softening "a rich emollient shampoo"

coterminous

having the same boundaries or extent in space, time, or meaning. "the southern frontier was coterminous with the French Congo colony"

callipygian

having well-shaped buttocks

quiescent

in a state or period of inactivity synonyms:inactive, inert, idle, dormant, at rest, inoperative, deactivated, quiet; still, motionless, immobile, passive ";the volcano is in a quiescent state" Originmid 17th century: from Latin quiescent- 'being still,' from the verb quiescere, from quies 'quiet.

congruent

in agreement or harmony "institutional and departmental objectives are largely congruent"

congruous

in agreement or harmony "this explanation is congruous with earlier observations"

delirious

in an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication and characterized by restlessness, illusio synonyms: incoherent, raving, babbling, irrational; feverish, frenzied; deranged, demented, unhinged, mad, insane, out of one's mind ";she was delirious but had lucid intervals";

canonic

in canon form *Another word for canonical: according to or ordered by canon law. "the canonical rites of the Roman Church"

verbatim

in exactly the same word synonyms: word for word, letter for letter, line for line, to the letter, literally, exactly, precisely, accurately, closely, faithfully ";I memorized his monologue verbatim"; Origin late 15th century: from medieval Latin, from Latin verbum 'word.' Compare with literatim.

bated

in great suspense; very anxiously or excitedly Origin late 16th century: from the past participle of obsolete bate 'restrain,' from abate.

urban

in, relating to, or characteristic of a city or town synonyms:town, city, municipal, civic, metropolitan, built-up, inner-city, downtown, suburban; urbanized, citified, townie ";crime rates are significantly higher in urban areas" Originearly 17th century: from Latin urbanus, from urbs, urb- 'city.

subsume

include or absorb [something] in something else Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'subjoin, add']: from medieval Latin subsumere, from sub- 'from below' + sumere 'take.' The current sense dates from the early 19th century.

discrete

individually separate and distinct. "speech sounds are produced as a continuous sound signal rather than discrete units" synonyms: separate, distinct, individual, detached, unattached, disconnected, discontinuous, disjunct, disjoined "discrete units of sound"

twitterpated

infatuated or obsessed Origin 1940s: from twitter + -pated 'having a head or mind of a specified kind' [from pate]; popularized by the 1942 film Bambi .

contuse

injure (a part of the body) without breaking the skin, forming a bruise. "the whole region beneath the rib cage was contused"

contumely

insolent or insulting language or treatment Origin late Middle English: from Old French contumelie, from Latin contumelia, perhaps from con- 'with' + tumere 'to swell.'

foment

instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action). "they accused him of fomenting political unrest" synonyms: instigate, incite, provoke, agitate, excite, stir up, whip up, encourage, urge, fan the flames of

enjoin

instruct or urge (someone) to do something. "the code enjoined members to trade fairly" synonyms: urge, encourage, admonish, press; instruct, direct, require, order, command, tell, call on, demand, charge; formaladjure; literarybid "I enjoin you to admit your mistake"

esoteric

intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest. "esoteric philosophical debates" synonyms: abstruse, obscure, arcane, recherché, rarefied, recondite, abstract; enigmatic, inscrutable, cryptic, Delphic; complex, complicated, incomprehensible, opaque, impenetrable, mysterious "in attendance were more than 50 antiques dealers brimming with esoteric knowledge"

didactic

intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive. "a didactic novel that set out to expose social injustice" synonyms: instructive, instructional, educational, educative, informative, informational, edifying, improving, preceptive, pedagogic, moralistic "the reforming, didactic function of art" in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to treat someone in a patronizing way. "slow-paced, didactic lecturing"

fervid

intensely enthusiastic or passionate, especially to an excessive degree. "a letter of fervid thanks" synonyms: fervent, ardent, passionate, impassioned, intense, vehement, wholehearted, heartfelt, sincere, earnest; literaryperfervid "fervid protestations of love"

finesse

intricate and refined delicacy synonyms: skill, skillfulness, expertise, subtlety, flair, panache, elan, polish, artistry, virtuosity, mastery "masterly finesse"

embroiled

involve [someone] deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation synonyms: involve, entangle, ensnare, enmesh, catch up, mix up, bog down, mire "I don't want to get embroiled in your crazy schemes"

exasperated

irritate intensely; infuriate. "this futile process exasperates prison officials" synonyms: infuriate, incense, anger, annoy, irritate, madden, enrage, antagonize, provoke, irk, vex, get on someone's nerves, ruffle someone's feathers, rub the wrong way; informalaggravate, rile, bug, needle, get someone's back up, get someone's goat, tee off, tick off "her bratty children exasperate their teachers".

inchoate

just begu synonyms: rudimentary, undeveloped, unformed, immature, incipient, embryonic; beginning, fledgling, developing ";their government should not interfere in the inchoate market forces"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin inchoatus, past participle of inchoare, variant of incohare 'begin.'

certain

known for sure; established beyond doubt. "it's certain that more changes are in the offing" synonyms: unquestionable, sure, definite, beyond question, not in doubt, indubitable, undeniable, irrefutable, indisputable; obvious, evident, recognized, confirmed, accepted, acknowledged, undisputed, undoubted, unquestioned "it is certain that more changes are in the offing"

desultory

lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm. "a few people were left, dancing in a desultory fashion" synonyms: casual, cursory, superficial, token, perfunctory, half-hearted, lukewarm; random, aimless, erratic, unmethodical, unsystematic, chaotic, inconsistent, irregular, intermittent, sporadic, fitful "the desultory interest you have in your child's welfare is appalling"

insipid

lacking flavor synonyms: tasteless, flavorless, bland, weak, wishy-washy; unappetizing, unpalatable ";insipid coffee"; Origin early 17th century: from French insipide or late Latin insipidus, from in- 'not' + sapidus [see sapid].

feckless

lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible. "a feckless mama's boy" synonyms: useless, worthless, incompetent, inept, good-for-nothing, ne'er-do-well; lazy, idle, slothful, indolent, irresponsible, shiftless; informalno-good, no-account "the feckless bum hasn't gotten off our sofa for ten days"

artillery

large-caliber synonyms: ordnance, [big] guns, cannon[s]; battery ";the relentless sound of artillery"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French artillerie, from artiller, alteration of atillier 'equip, arm,' probably a variant of atirier, from a- [from Latin ad 'to, at'] + tire 'rank, order.'

penultimate

last but one in a series of things; second to the last synonyms: next-to-last, second-to-last, second-last ";the penultimate movie on my top-ten list is an animated feature"; Origin late 17th century: from Latin paenultimus, from paene 'almost' + ultimus 'last,' on the pattern of ultimate .

ephemeral

lasting for a very short time synonyms: transitory, transient, fleeting, passing, short-lived, momentary, brief, short; temporary, impermanent, short-term; fly-by-night "last year's ephemeral fashions"

chortle

laugh in a breathy, gleeful way; chuckle synonyms:chuckle, laugh, giggle, titter, tee-hee, snigger "they were chortling behind their hands, as if we didn't notice"

beleaguer

lay siege to. "he is leading a relief force to the aid of the beleaguered city" synonyms: besieged, under siege, blockaded, surrounded, encircled, beset, hemmed in, under attack "the beleaguered garrison" beset with difficulties. "the board is supporting the beleaguered director amid calls for his resignation" synonyms: hard-pressed, troubled, in difficulties, under pressure, under stress, with one's back to the wall, in a tight corner, in a tight spot, up against it; beset, assailed "a beleaguered government"

hegemony

leadership or dominance, especiall synonyms: leadership, dominance, dominion, supremacy, authority, mastery, control, power, sway, rule, sovereignty ";the Prussian hegemony of the nineteenth century"; Origin mid 16th century: from Greek hēgemonia, from hēgemōn 'leader,' from hēgeisthai 'to lead.'

digress

leave the main subject temporarily in speech or writing. "I have digressed a little from my original plan" synonyms: deviate, go off on a tangent, get off the subject, get sidetracked, lose the thread, turn aside/away, depart, drift, stray, wander "I have digressed from the original plan"

mutable

liable to change synonyms: changeable, variable, varying, fluctuating, shifting, inconsistent, unpredictable, inconstant, fickle, uneven, unstable, protean; literaryfluctuant ";the mutable nature of fashion"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin mutabilis, from mutare 'to change.'

persiflage

light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter Origin mid 18th century: from French persifler 'to banter,' based on siffler 'to whistle.'

strident

loud and harsh; grating synonyms: harsh, raucous, rough, grating, rasping, jarring, loud, shrill, screeching, piercing, ear-piercing ";a strident voice interrupted the consultation"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin strident- 'creaking,' from the verb stridere .

verdure

lush green vegetation Origin late Middle English: via French from Old French verd 'green,' from Latin viridis .

prostrate

lyin synonyms: prone, lying flat, lying down, stretched out, spread-eagled, sprawling, horizontal, recumbent; rareprocumbent ";the prostrate figure on the ground"; Origin Middle English: from Latin prostratus 'thrown down,' past participle of prosternere, from pro- 'before' + sternere 'lay flat.'

stupefy

m synonyms:stun, daze, knock unconscious, knock out, lay out ";the blow had stupefied her";drug, sedate, tranquilize, intoxicate, inebriate; informaldope ";they were stupefied from the wine" Originlate Middle English: from French stupéfier, from Latin stupefacere, from stupere 'be struck senseless.

dilute

make (a liquid) thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent to it. "bleach can be diluted with cold water" synonyms: make weaker, weaken, water down; thin out, thin; doctor, adulterate; informalcut "strong bleach can be diluted with water"

assuage

make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense. "the letter assuaged the fears of most members" synonyms: relieve, ease, alleviate, soothe, mitigate, allay, palliate, abate, suppress, subdue; moderate, lessen, diminish, reduce "a pain that could never be assuaged" satisfy (an appetite or desire). "an opportunity occurred to assuage her desire for knowledge" synonyms: satisfy, gratify, appease, fulfill, indulge, relieve, slake, sate, satiate, quench, check "her hunger was quickly assuaged"

extenuating

make (guilt or an offense) seem less serious or more forgivable. "there were extenuating circumstances that caused me to say the things I did" synonyms: excuse, mitigate, palliate, make allowances for, make excuses for, defend, vindicate, justify; diminish, lessen, moderate, qualify, play down "I've no wish to extenuate his transgressions"

flustered

make (someone) agitated or confused. "you need to be able to work under pressure and not get flustered" synonyms: unsettle, make nervous, unnerve, agitate, ruffle, upset, bother, put on edge, disquiet, disturb, worry, perturb, disconcert, confuse, throw off balance, confound; informalrattle, faze, put into a flap, throw into a tizzy, discombobulate "she was flustered by his presence"

discomfit

make (someone) feel uneasy or embarrassed. "he was not noticeably discomfited by her tone" synonyms: embarrass, abash, disconcert, discompose, discomfort, take aback, unsettle, unnerve, put someone off their game, ruffle, confuse, fluster, agitate, disorient, upset, disturb, perturb, distress; chagrin, mortify; informalfaze, rattle, discombobulate "her kiss on the cheek discomfited him even more"

debilitate

make (someone) weak and infirm. "a weakness that debilitates him despite his overwhelming physical might" hinder, delay, or weaken. "hard drugs destroy families and debilitate communities" synonyms: weaken, enfeeble, enervate, devitalize, sap, drain, exhaust, weary, fatigue, prostrate; undermine, impair, indispose, incapacitate, cripple, disable, paralyze, immobilize; informalknock out, do in "can't you see how these drugs have debilitated you?"

plumb

measure [the depth of a body of water] synonyms: explore, probe, delve into, search, examine, investigate, fathom, penetrate, understand ";an attempt to plumb her psyche"; Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'sounding lead']: via Old French from Latin plumbum 'lead.'

atrabilious

melancholy or ill-tempered Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'affected by black bile,' one of the four supposed cardinal humors of the body, believed to cause melancholy]: from Latin atra bilis 'black bile,' translation of Greek melankholia 'melancholy,' + -ious.

equanimity

mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation. "she accepted both the good and the bad with equanimity" synonyms: composure, calm, level-headedness, self-possession, coolheadedness, presence of mind; serenity, tranquility, phlegm, imperturbability, equilibrium; poise, assurance, self-confidence, aplomb, sangfroid, nerve; informalcool

caliginous

misty, dim; obscure, dark

diffident

modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence. "a diffident youth" synonyms: shy, bashful, modest, self-effacing, unassuming, meek, unconfident, unassertive, timid, timorous, humble, shrinking, reticent, hesitant, insecure, self-doubting, doubtful, uncertain, unsure, self-conscious; informalmousy "underneath his diffident exterior was a passionate temperament"

depraved

morally corrupt; wicked. "a depraved indifference to human life" synonyms: corrupt, perverted, deviant, degenerate, debased, immoral, unprincipled; debauched, dissolute, licentious, lecherous, prurient, indecent, sordid; wicked, sinful, vile, iniquitous, nefarious; informalwarped, twisted, sick "the character does come across as a depraved alcoholic"

nacre

mother-of-pearl Origin late 16th century: French, from late Latin nacchara, nacara, perhaps from Arabic.

gyrate

move or cause to move in a circle or spiral, esp synonyms: rotate, revolve, wheel, turn around, whirl, circle, pirouette, twirl, swirl, spin, swivel ";the disk gyrates atop an aluminum pole"; Origin early 19th century: from Latin gyrat- 'revolved,' from the verb gyrare, from Greek guros 'a ring.'

undulate

move with a smooth wavelike motion synonyms: rise and fall, surge, swell, heave, ripple, billow, flow, roll; wind, wobble, oscillate, fluctuate ";she watched the waves undulating from her stateroom window"; Origin mid 17th century: from late Latin undulatus, from Latin unda 'a wave.'

thew

muscular strength Origin Old English thēaw 'usage, custom,' [plural] '[personal] manner of behaving,' of unknown origin. The sense 'good bodily proportions, muscular development' arose in Middle English.

jejune

naive, simplistic, and superficial Origin early 17th century: from Latin jejunus 'fasting, barren.' The original sense was 'without food,' hence 'not intellectually nourishing.'

concomitant

naturally accompanying or associated. "she loved travel, with all its concomitant worries" synonyms: attendant, accompanying, associated, related, connected; resultant, consequent "the rise of urbanism brought a concomitant risk of crime"

unremitting

never relaxing or slackening; inces synonyms: relentless, incessant, unrelenting, continual, constant, continuous, unabating, uninterrupted, unbroken, unrelieved, sustained, unshakable, unceasing, ceaseless, endless, unending, persistent, perpetual, interminable; merciless ";the unremitting rain";

defunct

no longer existing or functioning. "a now defunct technology that only people over a certain age remember" synonyms: disused, unused, inoperative, nonfunctioning, unusable, obsolete; no longer existing, discontinued; extinct "the original contract is defunct"

opaque

not able to be synonyms: nontransparent, cloudy, filmy, blurred, smeared, smeary, misty, hazy; dirty, muddy, muddied, grimy ";opaque glass"; Origin late Middle English opake, from Latin opacus 'darkened.' The current spelling [rare before the 19th century] has been influenced by the French form.

impervious

not allowing fluid to pass through synonyms: impermeable, impenetrable, impregnable, waterproof, watertight, water-resistant, repellent; [hermetically] sealed, zip-locked ";an impervious rain jacket"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin impervius [from in- 'not' + pervius 'pervious'] + -ous.

disingenuous

not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does. synonyms: insincere, dishonest, untruthful, false, deceitful, duplicitous, lying, mendacious; hypocritical "that innocent, teary-eyed look is just part of a disingenuous act"

untrammeled

not deprived of freedom of action or expression; not restricted or hampered

skeptical

not easily convinced; having doubts or synonyms: dubious, doubtful, taking something with a pinch of salt, doubting; cynical, distrustful, mistrustful, suspicious, disbelieving, unconvinced, incredulous, scoffing; pessimistic, defeatist ";she was wisely skeptical about his get-rich-quick scheme";

anodyne

not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive, often deliberately so "anodyne New Age music"

redundant

not or no synonyms:unnecessary, not required, inessential, unessential, needless, unneeded, uncalled for; surplus, superfluous ";the system is hobbled by redundant paperwork" Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'abundant']: from Latin redundant- 'surging up,' from the verb redundare [see redound]

maladaptive

not providing adequate or appropriate adjustment to the environment or situation

ford

noun 1. a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across. synonyms: crossing place, crossing; shallow place "a ford across the river" verb 1. (of a person or vehicle) cross (a river or stream) at a shallow place. synonyms: cross, traverse; wade across, walk across, drive across, travel across, make it across, make one's way across "we tried to ford the river"

finagle

obtain (something) by devious or dishonest means. "Ted attended all the football games he could finagle tickets for"

nugatory

of no value or importance synonyms:worthless, unimportant, inconsequential, valueless, trifling, trivial, insignificant, meaningless ";a nugatory observation" Originearly 17th century: from Latin nugatorius, from nugari 'to trifle,' from nugae 'jests.

antediluvian

of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood synonyms:out of date, outdated, outmoded, old-fashioned, antiquated, behind the times "her antediluvian attitudes"

bourgeois

of or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes. "a rich, bored, bourgeois family" synonyms: middle-class, propertied; conventional, conservative, conformist; provincial, suburban, small-town; informalwhite-bread "a bourgeois family"; a bourgeois person. "a self-confessed and proud bourgeois" synonyms: member of the middle class, property owner "a proud bourgeois"

filial

of or due from a son or daughter synonyms:dutiful, devoted, compliant, respectful, affectionate, loving "a display of filial affection"

dyspeptic

of or having indigesti synonyms: bad-tempered, short-tempered, irritable, snappish, testy, tetchy, touchy, crabby, crotchety, grouchy, cantankerous, peevish, cross, disagreeable, waspish, prickly; informalon a short fuse, cranky, ornery ";he never became the dyspeptic old man his father had been";

byzantine

of or relating to Byzantium, the Byzantine Empire, or the Eastern Orthodox Church Originlate 16th century [denoting a bezant, a Byzantine coin]: from Latin Byzantinus, from Byzantium

vulpine

of or relating to a fox or foxes Originearly 17th century: from Latin vulpinus, from vulpes 'fox.

picaresque

of or relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero Origin early 19th century: from French, from Spanish picaresco . See picaro.

avuncular

of or relating to an uncle Origin mid 19th century: from Latin avunculus 'maternal uncle,' diminutive of avus 'grandfather.'

sartorial

of or relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress Origin early 19th century: from Latin sartor 'tailor' [from sarcire 'to patch'] + -ial.

stygian

of or relating to the Styx River

delphic

of or relating to the ancient Greek oracle at Delphi

rustic

of or relating to the countryside; rural synonyms: rural, country, countryside, countrified, pastoral, bucolic; More agricultural, agrarian; literarysylvan, georgic ";a rustic setting"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'rural']: from Latin rusticus, from rus 'the country.'

primeval

of or resembling the earliest ages in the history of the world synonyms:ancient, earliest, first, prehistoric, antediluvian, primordial; pristine, original, virgin ";primeval forest" Originmid 17th century: from Latin primaevus [from primus 'first' + aevum 'age'] + -al

sidereal

of or with respect to the distant stars [i.e., the constellations or fixed stars, not the sun or planets] Origin mid 17th century: from Latin sidereus [from sidus, sider- 'star'] + -al.

fell

of terrible evil or ferocity; deadly synonyms: murderous, savage, violent, vicious, fierce, ferocious, barbarous, barbaric, monstrous, cruel, ruthless; archaicsanguinary "a fell intent"

parietal

of, relating to, attached to, or denoting the wall of the body or of a body cavity or hollow structure Origin late Middle English: from late Latin parietalis, from Latin paries, pariet- 'wall.'

voluptuous

of, relating to, o synonyms: hedonistic, sybaritic, epicurean, pleasure-loving, self-indulgent; decadent, intemperate, immoderate, dissolute, sensual, licentious ";she was voluptuous by nature"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French voluptueux or Latin voluptuosus, from voluptas 'pleasure.'

edacious

of, relating to, or given to eating

crepuscular

of, resembling, or relating to twilight

lubricious

offensively displaying or intended to arouse sexual desire Origin late 16th century: from Latin lubricus 'slippery' + -ious.

countervail

offset the effect of (something) by countering it with something of equal force. "the dominance of the party was mediated by a number of countervailing factors"

flout

openly disregard (a rule, law or convention). "these same companies still flout basic ethical practices" synonyms: defy, refuse to obey, disobey, break, violate, fail to comply with, fail to observe, contravene, infringe, breach, commit a breach of, transgress against; ignore, disregard "countless retailers flout the law by selling cigarettes to children"

buck

oppose or resist (something that seems oppressive or inevitable). "the shares bucked the market trend" synonyms: resist, oppose, defy, fight, kick against "it takes guts to buck the system"

sanguine

optimistic or synonyms: optimistic, bullish, hopeful, buoyant, positive, confident, cheerful, cheery; informalupbeat ";he is sanguine about the advance of technology"; Origin Middle English: from Old French sanguin[e ] 'blood-red,' from Latin sanguineus 'of blood,' from sanguis, sanguin- 'blood.'

inundate

overwhelm [someone synonyms: overwhelm, overrun, overload, bog down, swamp, besiege, snow under, bombard, glut ";we have been inundated with complaints"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin inundat- 'flooded,' from the verb inundare, from in- 'into, upon' + undare 'to flow' [from unda 'a wave'].

animadvert

pass criticism or censure on; speak out against pass criticism or censure on; speak out against. "we shall be obliged to animadvert most severely upon you in our report"

evanesce

pass out of sight, memory, or existence

disburse

pay out synonyms: pay out, spend, expend, dole out, dish out, hand out, part with, donate, give; informalfork out/over, shell out, lay out, ante up, pony up "the proceeds were disbursed weekly"

cognoscenti

people who are considered to be especially well informed about a particular subject Origin late 18th century: from Italian conoscenti, literally 'people who know.' The g was added under the influence of Latin cognoscent- 'getting to know,' from the verb cognoscere [Italian conoscere ].

discern

perceive or recognize (something). "I can discern no difference between the two policies" distinguish (someone or something) with difficulty by sight or with the other senses. "she could faintly discern the shape of a skull" synonyms: perceive, make out, pick out, detect, recognize, notice, observe, see, spot; identify, determine, distinguish; literarydescry, espy "they could discern a slender figure, probably a woman, slowly approaching"

picayune

petty; worthless Origin early 19th century: from French picaillon, denoting a Piedmontese copper coin, also used to mean 'cash,' from Provençal picaioun, of unknown ultimate origin.

jouissance

physical or intellectual pleasure, delight, or ecstasy Origin French, from jouir 'enjoy.'

filched

pilfer or steal [somethi synonyms: steal, take, take for oneself, help oneself to, loot, pilfer, abscond with, carry off, shoplift; informalrun off with, walk off with, rob, swipe, snatch, nab, rip off, lift ";someone filched two pies from the bake sale"; Origin Middle English: of unknown origin.

persnickety

placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy Origin early 19th century [originally Scots]: of unknown origin.

schadenfreude

pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune Origin German Schadenfreude, from Schaden 'harm' + Freude 'joy.'

pliant

pliable Origin Middle English: from Old French, literally 'bending,' present participle of plier .

burnish

polish (something, especially metal) by rubbing. "highly burnished armor" synonyms: polish, shine, buff, rub, gloss "marks can be removed by burnishing the metal"

ribald

referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way Origin Middle English [as a noun denoting a lowly retainer or a licentious or irreverent person]: from Old French ribauld, from riber 'indulge in licentious pleasures,' from a Germanic base meaning 'prostitute.'

vilipend

regard as worthless or of little value; despise

disparage

regard or represent as being of little worth. "he never missed an opportunity to disparage his competitors" synonyms: belittle, denigrate, deprecate, trivialize, make light of, undervalue, underrate, play down; ridicule, deride, mock, scorn, scoff at, sneer at; run down, defame, discredit, speak badly of, cast aspersions on, impugn, vilify, traduce, criticize, slur; informalpick holes in, knock, slam, pan, badmouth, dis, pooh-pooh; formalcalumniate, derogate "they disparage Lawrence and his achievements"

profane

relating or devoted synonyms: secular, lay, nonreligious, temporal; formallaic ";subjects both sacred and profane"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'heathen']: from Old French prophane, from Latin profanus 'outside the temple, not sacred,' from pro- [from pro 'before'] + fanum 'temple.'

cabalistic

relating to or associated with mystical interpretation or esoteric doctrine Origin earlly 17th century: variant of Kabbalistic: see Kabbalah.

egalitarian

relating to or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities. "a fairer, more egalitarian society"

consanguineous

relating to or denoting people descended from the same ancestor "consanguineous marriages"

felicific

relating to or promoting increased happiness. "the institution of a rule against murder is in general felicific"

sacerdotal

relating to priests or the priesthood; priestly Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin sacerdotalis, from sacerdos, sacerdot- 'priest.'

calorific

relating to the amount of energy contained in food or fuel. "she knew the calorific contents of every morsel" (of food or drink) containing many calories and so likely to be fattening. "there is fruit salad for those who can resist the more calorific concoctions"

delphic

relating to the ancient Greek oracle at Delphi. (typically of a pronouncement) deliberately obscure or ambiguous.

mimetic

relating to, constituting, or habitually practicing mimesis Origin mid 17th century: from Greek mimētikos 'imitation,' from mimeisthai 'to imitate.'

dour

relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance. "a hard, dour, humorless fanatic" synonyms: stern, unsmiling, unfriendly, severe, forbidding, gruff, surly, grim, sullen, solemn, austere, stony "they were barely acknowledged by the dour receptionist"

loath

reluctant; unwilling synonyms: reluctant, unwilling, disinclined, ill-disposed; averse, opposed, resistant ";they were loath to take risks"; Origin Old English lāth 'hostile, spiteful,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch leed, German Leid 'sorrow.'

desiccate

remove the moisture from [something, especially food], typically in order to preserve it synonyms: dried, dry, dehydrated, powdered "desiccated coconut"

impute

repres synonyms: attribute to, ascribe to, assign to, credit to; connect with, associate with ";the worst of these mistakes have been unfairly imputed to him"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French imputer, from Latin imputare 'enter in the account,' from in- 'in, toward' + putare 'reckon.'

reprehend

reprimand Origin Middle English: from Latin reprehendere 'seize, check, rebuke,' from re- [expressing intensive force] + prehendere 'seize.'

castigate

reprimand (someone) severely. "he was castigated for not setting a good example" synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, censure, upbraid, reprove, reproach, scold, berate, take to task, lambaste, give someone a piece of one's mind; informalrake/haul over the coals, tell off, give someone an earful, give someone a tongue-lashing, give someone a roasting, rap someone on the knuckles, slap someone's wrist, dress down, bawl out, give someone hell, blow up at, lay into, blast, zing, have a go at, give someone what for, chew out, ream out; rarereprehend "Leopold castigated his son for leaving the archbishop's service"

brash

self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way. "he could be brash, cocky, and arrogant" synonyms: self-assertive, pushy, cocksure, cocky, self-confident, arrogant, bold, audacious, brazen, bumptious, overweening, puffed up; forward, impudent, insolent, rude "a brash man" strong, energetic, or irreverent. "I like brash, vibrant flavors" (of a place or thing) having an ostentatious or tasteless appearance. "the cafe was a brash new building" synonyms: self-assertive, pushy, cocksure, cocky, self-confident, arrogant, bold, audacious, brazen, bumptious, overweening, puffed up; forward, impudent, insolent, rude "a brash man"

tutelary

serving as a protector, guardian, or patron Origin early 17th century: from Latin tutelarius, from tutela 'keeping' [see tutelage].

prefatory

serving as an introduction; introductory synonyms: introductory, preliminary, opening, initial, preparatory, initiatory, precursory ";prefatory text";

otiose

serving no practical purpose or result Origin late 18th century: from Latin otiosus, from otium 'leisure.'

chutzpah

shameless audacity; impudence synonyms: audacity, cheek, guts, nerve, boldness, temerity "it took a lot of chutzpah for her to walk in on Owen's bachelor party"

contiguous

sharing a common border; touching. "the 48 contiguous states" synonyms: adjacent, neighboring, adjoining, bordering, next-door; abutting, connecting, touching, in contact, proximate "the contiguous Gulf states"

refulgent

shining brightly Origin late 15th century: from Latin refulgent- 'shining out,' from the verb refulgere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + fulgere 'to shine.'

effulgent

shining brightly; radiant

ordinal

short for ordinal number Origin Middle English [sense 2 of the noun]: the noun from medieval Latin ordinale [neuter]; the adjective from late Latin ordinalis 'relating to order in a series,' from Latin ordo, ordin- [see order].

exculpate

show or declare that (someone) is not guilty of wrongdoing. "the article exculpated the mayor"

exult

show or feel elation or jubilation, especially as the result of a success. "exulting in her escape, Annie closed the door behind her" synonyms: rejoice, be joyful, be happy, be delighted, be elated, be ecstatic, be overjoyed, be jubilant, be rapturous, be in raptures, be thrilled, jump for joy, be on cloud nine, be in seventh heaven; celebrate, cheer; informalbe over the moon, be on top of the world; literaryjoy; archaicjubilate "her opponents exulted when she left"

blithe

showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper. "a blithe disregard for the rules of the road" synonyms: casual, indifferent, unconcerned, unworried, untroubled, uncaring, careless, heedless, thoughtless; nonchalant, blasé "a blithe disregard for the rules"; happy or joyous. "a blithe seaside comedy" synonyms: happy, cheerful, jolly, merry, joyful, joyous, blissful, ecstatic, euphoric, elated; datedgay "his blithe, smiling face"

audacious

showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks. "a series of audacious takeovers" synonyms: bold, daring, fearless, intrepid, brave, courageous, valiant, heroic, plucky; daredevil, devil-may-care, reckless, madcap; venturesome, mettlesome; informalgutsy, gutty, spunky, ballsy, skookum; literarytemerarious "his audacious exploits"; showing an impudent lack of respect. "an audacious remark" synonyms: impudent, impertinent, insolent, presumptuous, cheeky, irreverent, discourteous, disrespectful, insubordinate, ill-mannered, unmannerly, rude, brazen, shameless, pert, defiant, cocky, bold (as brass); informalfresh, lippy, mouthy, saucy, sassy, nervy, ballsy; archaiccontumelious "an audacious remark"

overweening

showing excessive confidence or pride synonyms: overconfident, conceited, cocksure, cocky, smug, haughty, supercilious, lofty, patronizing, arrogant, proud, vain, self-important, imperious, overbearing; informalhigh and mighty, uppish

assiduous

showing great care and perseverance. "she was assiduous in pointing out every feature" synonyms: diligent, careful, meticulous, thorough, sedulous, attentive, conscientious, punctilious, painstaking, rigorous, particular; persevering "she was assiduous in pointing out every feature"

timorous

showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'feeling fear']: from Old French temoreus, from medieval Latin timorosus, from Latin timor 'fear,' from timere 'to fear.'

opalescent

showing varying colors as an opal does synonyms: iridescent, prismatic, rainbowlike, kaleidoscopic, multicolored, many-hued, lustrous, shimmering, glittering, sparkling, variegated, scintillating, shot, moiré, opaline, milky, pearly, nacreous ";opalescent sequins";

fatuous

silly and pointless. "a fatuous comment" synonyms: silly, foolish, stupid, inane, idiotic, vacuous, asinine; pointless, senseless, ridiculous, ludicrous, absurd; informaldumb, daft "the irritation of fatuous questions"

intramural

situated or done within the walls of a building Originmid 19th century: from intra- 'within' + Latin murus 'wall' + -al

legerdemain

skillful use of one's hands when performing conjuring tricks synonyms: sleight of hand, conjuring, magic, wizardry; formalprestidigitation; rarethaumaturgy ";stage magicians practicing legerdemain"; Origin late Middle English: from French léger de main 'dexterous,' literally 'light of hand.'

dilatory

slow to act. "he had been dilatory in appointing a solicitor" synonyms: slow, tardy, unhurried, sluggish, sluggardly, snaillike, lazy "he had been dilatory in appointing an executor" intended to cause delay. "they resorted to dilatory procedural tactics, forcing a postponement of peace talks" synonyms: delaying, stalling, temporizing, procrastinating, time-wasting, filibustering "dilatory procedural tactics"

fetid

smelling extremely unpleasant. "the fetid water of the marsh" synonyms: stinking, smelly, foul-smelling, malodorous, reeking, pungent, acrid, high, rank, foul, noxious, humming; informalfunky; literarynoisome, miasmic, miasmal; informalminging, pongy "a fetid pile of garbage"

fusty

smelling stale, damp, or stuffy synonyms: stale, musty, dusty; stuffy, airless, unventilated; damp, mildewed, mildewy ";the room smelt fusty"; Origin late 15th century: from Old French fuste 'smelling of the cask,' from fust 'cask, tree trunk,' from Latin fustis 'cudgel.'

simper

smile or gesture in an affectedly coquettish, coy, or ing synonyms: smile affectedly, smile coquettishly, look coy, smirk, giggle, titter ";she sat there simpering, knowing she would have the last laugh"; Origin mid 16th century: of unknown origin; compare with German zimpfer 'elegant, delicate.'

steep

soak [food or tea] in water or other liquid so as to extract its flavor or to soften it synonyms: marinade, marinate, soak, souse, macerate; pickle ";the ham is then steeped in brine"; Origin Middle English: of Germanic origin; related to stoup.

pith

soft or spongy tissue in plants or animals, in particular synonyms: essence, main point, fundamentals, heart, substance, nub, core, quintessence, crux, gist, meat, kernel, marrow, burden; informalnitty-gritty ";the pith of the argument"; Origin Old English pitha .

dross

something regarded as worthless; rubbish. "there are bargains if you have the patience to sift through the dross" synonyms: rubbish, junk; debris, chaff, detritus, flotsam and jetsam, garbage, trash, dreck "trying to find something decent among the discount-house dross"

desideratum

something that is needed or wanted. "integrity was a desideratum" synonyms: requirement, prerequisite, need, indispensable thing, sine qua non, essential, requisite, necessary "integrity was a desideratum"

specious

superficially plausible, but actually wrong synonyms: misleading, deceptive, false, fallacious, unsound, spurious, casuistic, sophistic ";specious reasoning"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beautiful']: from Latin speciosus 'fair,' from species [see species].

assume

suppose to be the case, without proof. "you're afraid of what people are going to assume about me" synonyms: presume, suppose, take it (as given), take for granted, take as read, conjecture, surmise, conclude, deduce, infer, reckon, reason, think, fancy, believe, understand, gather, figure "I assumed he wanted me to keep the book"

distend

swell or cause to swell by pressure from inside synonyms: swollen, bloated, dilated, engorged, enlarged, inflated, expanded, extended, bulging, protuberant "a distended abdomen"

celerity

swiftness of movement

turgid

swollen and distended or congested synonyms: swollen, distended, tumescent, engorged, bloated, tumid ";the tissues become turgid"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin turgidus, from turgere 'to swell.'

sycophant

sy Origin mid 16th century [denoting an informer]: from French sycophante, or via Latin from Greek sukophantēs 'informer,' from sukon 'fig' + phainein 'to show'; the association with informing against the illegal exportation of figs from ancient Athens [recorded by Plutarch] is not substantiated.

graft

syno Origin late Middle English graff, from Old French grafe, via Latin from Greek graphion 'stylus, writing implement' [with reference to the tapered tip of the scion], from graphein 'write.' The final -t is typical of phonetic confusion between -f and -ft at the end of words; compare with tuft.

interdict

syno OriginMiddle English entredite [in the ecclesiastical sense], from Old French entredit, from Latin interdictum, past participle of interdicere 'interpose, forbid by decree,' from inter- 'between' + dicere 'say.' The spelling change in the 16th century was due to association with the Latin form

serendipity

synonyms: [happy] chance, [happy] accident, fluke; luck, good luck, go Origin 1754: coined by Horace Walpole, suggested by The Three Princes of Serendip, the title of a fairy tale in which the heroes "were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of."

interminable

synonyms: [seemingly] endless, never-ending, unending, nonstop, everlasting, ceaseless, unceasing, incessant, constant, continual, uninterrupted, sustained; monotonous, tedi Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin interminabilis, from in- 'not' + terminare [see terminate].

perennial

synonyms: abiding, enduring, lasting, everlasting, perpetual, eternal, continuing, unending, unceasing, never-ending, endless, undying, ceaseless, persis Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'remaining leafy throughout the year, evergreen']: from Latin perennis 'lasting the year through' + -ial.

daft

synonyms: absurd, preposterous, ridiculous, ludicrous, farcical, laughable; idiotic, stupid, foolish, silly, inane, fatuous, harebrained, cockamamie, half-baked, crazy, cockeyed ";a daft i Origin Old English gedæfte 'mild, meek,' of Germanic origin; related to Gothic gadaban 'become or be fitting

ludicrous

synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, farcical, laughable, risible, preposterous, foolish, mad, insane, idiotic, stupid, inane, silly, asinine, nonsensical; informalc Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'sportive, intended as a jest']: from Latin ludicrus [probably from ludicrum 'stage play'] + -ous.

preposterous

synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, foolish, stupid, ludicrous, farcical, laughable, comical, risible, nonsensical, senseless, insane; outrageous, monstrous; informalcrazy ";at the Origin mid 16th century: from Latin praeposterus 'reversed, absurd' [from prae 'before' + posterus 'coming after'] + -ous.

invective

synonyms: abuse, insults, e Origin late Middle English [originally as an adjective meaning 'reviling, abusive']: from Old French invectif, -ive, from late Latin invectivus 'attacking,' from invehere [see inveigh]. The noun is from late Latin invectiva [oratio ] 'abusive or censorious [language].'

trappings

synonyms: accessories, accoutrements, appurtenances, trimmings, frills, accompaniments, extras, ornamentation, adornment, decoration; regalia, panoply, paraphernalia, apparatus, finery, equipment, gear, effects, things, bits and pieces ";she is sur Origin late Middle English: derivative of trap2.

vindicate

synonyms: acquit, clear, absolve, exonerate; discharge, liberate, free; informallet off, let off the hook; formalexculpate ";he was Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'deliver, rescue']: from Latin vindicat- 'claimed, avenged,' from the verb vindicare, from vindex, vindic- 'claimant, avenger.'

council

synonyms: advisory body, board, committee, brain trust, commission, assembly, panel; synod, convocation

exacerbate

synonyms: aggravate, worsen, inflame, compound; intens

mitigate

synonyms: alleviate, reduce, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, take the edge off, allay, ease, assuage, palliate, relieve, tone down ";the worst symptoms have been mitiga Origin late Middle English: from Latin mitigat- 'softened, alleviated,' from the verb mitigare, from mitis 'mild.'

intimate

synonyms: announce, state, proclaim, declare, make known, make public, publicize, disclose, reveal, divulge, set forth ";he intimated to the com Origin early 16th century [earlier [late Middle English] as intimation ]: from late Latin intimat- 'made known,' from the verb intimare [see intimate1].

vex

synonyms: annoy, irritate, anger, infuriate, exasperate, irk, gall, pique, put out, antagonize, nettle, get on someone's nerves, ruffle someone's feathers, rattle someone's cage, make someone's hackles rise, ru Origin late Middle English: from Old French vexer, from Latin vexare 'shake, disturb.'

execrable

synonyms: appalling, atrocious, lamentable, egregious, awful, dreadful, terrible; disgusting, deplorable, disgraceful, frightful, reprehens Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'expressing or involving a curse']: via Old French from Latin execrabilis, from exsecrari 'to curse' [see execrate].

ostensible

synonyms: apparent, outward, superficial, professed, supposed, alleged, purported ";the ostensible star is Lana Origin mid 18th century: from French, from medieval Latin ostensibilis from Latin ostens- 'stretched out to view,' from the verb ostendere, from ob- 'in view of' + tendere 'to stretch.'

mien

synonyms: appearance, look, expression, countenance, aura, demeanor, attitude, air, manner, bearing; formalcomportment ";a scowling mien that did nothing to boost o Origin early 16th century: probably from French mine 'expression,' influenced by obsolete demean 'bearing, demeanor' [from demean2].

importune

synonyms: beg, beseech, entreat, implore, plead with, appeal to, call on, lobby; harass, pester, press, badger, bother, nag, harry; informalhassle, Origin mid 16th century: from French importuner or medieval Latin importunari, from Latin importunus 'inconvenient, unseasonable' [see importunate].

neophyte

synonyms: beginner, learner, novice, newcomer; initiate, tyro, fledgling; trainee, apprentice, Origin late Middle English: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek neophutos, literally 'newly planted' but first used in the sense 'new convert' by St. Paul [1 Tim. 3:6], from neos 'new' + phuton 'plant.'

detract

synonyms: belittle, take away from, diminish, reduce, lessen, minimize, play down, trivialize, decry, depreciate, devalue, deprecate ";my reservations should not detract f Origin late Middle English: from Latin detract- 'drawn away,' from the verb detrahere, from de- 'away from' + trahere 'draw.'

rancor

synonyms: bitterness, spite, hate, hatred, resentment, malice, ill will, malevolence, animosity, antipathy, enmity, hostility, acrimony, venom, vitriol Origin Middle English: via Old French from late Latin rancor 'rankness,' [in the Vulgate 'bitter grudge'], related to Latin rancidus 'stinking.'

vaunt

synonyms: boast about, brag about, make much of, crow about, pa Origin late Middle English: the noun a shortening of obsolete avaunt 'boasting, a boast'; the verb [originally in the sense 'use boastful language'] from Old French vanter, from late Latin vantare, based on Latin vanus 'vain, empty.'

spurious

synonyms: bogus, fake, false, counterfeit, forged, fraudulent, sham, artificial, imitation, simulated, feigned, deceptive, misleading, specious; informalphony, pretend ";an attempt to be excused due Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'born out of wedlock']: from Latin spurius 'false' + -ous.

ennui

synonyms: boredom, tedium, listlessness, lethargy, lassitude, languor, weariness, enervation; malaise, dissatisfaction, melancholy, depression, world-weariness, Weltschmerz ";an ennui bred of l Origin mid 18th century: French, from Latin mihi in odio est 'it is hateful to me.' Compare with annoy.

presumptuous

synonyms: brazen, overconfident, arrogant, bold, audacious, forward, familiar, impertinent, insolent, impudent, cocky; cheeky, rud Origin Middle English: from Old French presumptueux, from late Latin praesumptuosus, variant of praesumptiosus 'full of boldness,' from praesumptio [see presumption].

laconic

synonyms: brief, concise, terse, succinct, short, pithy ";his laconic comment"; taciturn, uncommunicative, reticent, quiet, reserved, s Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'Laconian']: via Latin from Greek Lakōnikos, from Lakōn 'Laconia, Sparta,' the Spartans being known for their terse speech.

peremptory

synonyms: brusque, imperious, high-handed, brisk, abrupt, summary, commanding, Origin late Middle English [as a legal term]: via Anglo-Norman French from Latin peremptorius 'deadly, decisive,' from perempt- 'destroyed, cut off,' from the verb perimere, from per- 'completely' + emere 'take, buy.'

hector

synonyms: bully, intimidate, browbeat, harass, t Origin late Middle English: from the Greek name Hector. Originally denoting a hero, the sense later became 'braggart or bully' [applied in the late 17th century to a member of a gang of youths in London, England], hence 'talk to in a bullying way.'

onerous

synonyms: burdensome, arduous, strenuous, difficult, hard, severe, heavy, back-breaking, oppressive, weighty, uphill, challenging, formidable, laborious, Herculean, exhausting, tiring, taxing, dem Origin late Middle English: from Old French onereus, from Latin onerosus, from onus, oner- 'burden.'

nonchalant

synonyms: calm, composed, unconcerned, cool, 'calm, cool, and collected', cool as a cucumber; indifferent, blasé, dispassionate, apathetic, casual, insouciant; informallaid-back ";she acts nonchalant Origin mid 18th century: from French, literally 'not being concerned,' from the verb nonchaloir .

phlegmatic

synonyms: calm, cool, composed, 'calm, cool, and collected', controlled, serene, tranquil, placid, impassive, imperturbabl Origin Middle English [in the sense 'relating to the humor phlegm']: from Old French fleumatique, via Latin from Greek phlegmatikos, from phlegma 'inflammation' [see phlegm].

meticulous

synonyms: careful, conscientious, diligent, scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, accurate; thoroug Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'fearful or timid']: from Latin meticulosus, from metus 'fear.' The word came to mean 'overcareful about detail,' hence the current sense [early 19th century].

scrupulous

synonyms: careful, meticulous, painstaking, thorough, assiduous, sedulous, attentive, conscientious, punctilious, searching, close, minute, rigorous, partic Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'troubled with doubts']: from French scrupuleux or Latin scrupulosus, from scrupulus [see scruple].

rankle

synonyms: cause resentment to, annoy, upset, anger, irritate, offend, affront, displease, provoke, irk, vex, pique, nettle, gall Origin Middle English: from Old French rancler, from rancle, draoncle 'festering sore,' from an alteration of medieval Latin dracunculus, diminutive of draco 'serpent.'

gingerly

synonyms: cautiously, carefully, with care, warily, charily, circumspectly, delicately; heedfully, watchfully, vigilantly, att Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'daintily, mincingly']: perhaps from Old French gensor 'delicate,' comparative of gent 'graceful,' from Latin genitus 'well-born.'

vicissitudes

synonyms: change, alteration, shift, reversal, twist, turn, downturn, variation; inconstancy, instability, uncertainty, chanciness, unpredictability, Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'alternation']: from French, or from Latin vicissitudo, from vicissim 'by turns,' from vic- 'turn, change.'

indict

synonyms: charge with, accuse of, arraign for, take to court for, put on trial for, bring to trial for, prosecute for; cite for, impe Origin Middle English endite, indite, from Anglo-Norman French enditer, based on Latin indicere 'proclaim, appoint,' from in- 'toward' + dicere 'pronounce, utter.'

parsimony

synonyms: cheapness, miserliness, meanness, parsimoniousness, niggardliness, close-fistedness, closeness, penny-pinching; informalstinginess, minginess, tightness, tightfistedness, cheeseparing; formalpenuri Origin late Middle English: from Latin parsimonia, parcimonia, from parcere 'be sparing.'

periphrastic

synonyms: circumlocutory, circuitous, roundabout, indirect, tautological, pleonastic, prolix, verbose, wordy, long-winded, rambling, wandering, tortuous, diffuse ";the periphrastic nature of leg Origin early 19th century: from Greek periphrastikos, from periphrazein 'declare in a roundabout way.'

preen

synonyms: clean, tidy, groom, smooth, arrange; arch Origin late Middle English: apparently a variant of obsolete prune [based on Latin ungere 'anoint'], in the same sense, associated with Scots and northern English dialect preen 'pierce, pin' [because of the "pricking" action of the bird's beak].

precipice

synonyms: cliff face, cliff, steep cliff, rock face, sheer drop, height, crag, bluff, escarpment, scarp; literarysteep ";it's amazing h Origin late 16th century [denoting a headlong fall]: from French précipice or Latin praecipitium 'abrupt descent,' from praeceps, praecip[it]- 'steep, headlong.'

wheedle

synonyms: coax, cajole, inveigle, induce, entice, charm, tempt, beguile, blandish, flatter, persuade, influence, win someone over, bring someone around, convince, prevail on, get around; informalsweet-talk Origin mid 17th century: perhaps from German wedeln 'cringe, fawn,' from Wedel 'tail, fan.'

drab

synonyms: colorless, gray, dull, washed out, muted, lackluster; dingy, dreary, dismal, cheerless, gloomy, somber ";a drab interior"; uninteresting, dull, boring, tedious, monotonous, dry, Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting undyed cloth]: probably from Old French drap 'cloth' [see drape].

synthesis

synonyms: combination, union, amalgam, blend, mixture, compound, fusion, composite, alloy; unification, amalgamation, marrying ";the synthesis of their diverse styles makes for a wonderful new sound in cou Origin early 17th century: via Latin from Greek sunthesis, from suntithenai 'place together

carping

synonyms: complain, cavil, grumble, grouse, whine, bleat, nag; informalgripe, grouch, beef, bellyache, moan, bitch, whinge, kvetch - difficult to please; critical. "she has silenced the carping critics with a successful debut tour"

docile

synonyms: compliant, obedient, pliant, dutiful, submissive, deferential, unassertive, cooperative, amenable, accommodating, biddable, malleable ";his docile children do everything he asks o Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'apt or willing to learn']: from Latin docilis, from docere 'teach.'

imbroglio

synonyms: complicated situation, complication, problem, difficulty, predicament, trouble, confusion, quandary, entanglement, muddle, mess, quagmire, morass, sticky situation; informalbind, jam, pickle, fix, corner, Origin mid 18th century: Italian, from imbrogliare 'confuse'; related to embroil.

conform

synonyms: comply with, abide by, obey, observe, follow, keep to, stick to, adhere to, uphold, heed, accept, go along with

conform

synonyms: comply with, abide by, obey, observe, follow, keep to, stick to, adhere to, uphold, heed, accept, go along with, fall i Origin Middle English [in the sense 'make [something] like another thing']: from Old French conformer, from Latin conformare, from con- 'together' + formare 'to form.'

succinct

synonyms: concise, short [and sweet], brief, compact, condensed, crisp, laconic, terse, to the point, pithy, epigrammatic, synoptic, gn Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'encircled']: from Latin succinctus 'tucked up,' past participle of succingere, from sub- 'from below' + cingere 'gird.'

subjugate

synonyms: conquer, vanquish, defeat, crush, quash, bring someone to their knees, enslave, subdue, suppress ";the Normans had subjugated most of Ireland's Gaelic population Origin late Middle English: from late Latin subjugat- 'brought under a yoke,' from the verb subjugare, based on jugum 'yoke.'

diligence

synonyms: conscientiousness, assiduousness, assiduity, hard work, application, concentration, effort, care, industriousness, rigor, meticulousness, tho Origin Middle English [in the sense 'close attention, caution']: via Old French from Latin diligentia, from diligent- 'assiduous' [see diligent].

connive

synonyms: conspire, collude, collaborate, intrigue, be hand in glove, plot, scheme; informalbe in cahoots ";at least two of the director Origin early 17th century: from French conniver or Latin connivere 'shut the eyes [to],' from con- 'together' + an unrecorded word related to nictare 'to wink.'

disdain

synonyms: contempt, scorn, scornfulness, contemptuousness, derision, disrespect; disparagement, condescension, s Origin Middle English: from Old French desdeign [noun], desdeignier [verb], based on Latin dedignari, from de- [expressing reversal] + dignari 'consider worthy' [from dignus 'worthy'].

redound

synonyms: contribute to, be conducive to, result in, lead to, effect; formalconduce to ";such sanctions would not redound to their benefit i Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'surge up, overflow']: from Old French redonder, from Latin redundare 'surge,' from re[d]- 'again' + unda 'a wave.'

contend

synonyms: cope with, face, grapple with, deal with, take on, pit oneself against "the pilot had to contend with torrential rain"

profuse

synonyms: copious, prolific, abundant, liberal, unstinting, fulsome, effusive, extravagant, lavish, gushing; informalover the top, Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'extravagant']: from Latin profusus 'lavish, spread out,' past participle of profundere, from pro- 'forth' + fundere 'pour.'

emend

synonyms: correct, rectify, repair, fix; improve, enhance, polish, refine, amend; edit, rewrite, revise, copyedit, redraft, recast, rephrase, reword, rework, alter, change, m Origin late Middle English: from Latin emendare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of' + menda 'a fault.' Compare with amend.

venal

synonyms: corrupt, corruptible, bribable, open to bribery; dishonest, dishonorable, untrustworthy, unscrupulous, unprincipled; mercenary, greedy; Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'available for purchase,' referring to merchandise or a favor]: from Latin venalis, from venum 'thing for sale.'

clique

synonyms: coterie, set, circle, ring, in-crowd, group; club, society, fraternity, sorority; cabal, caucus; informalgang ";almost no one from her clique showed up at the reunion"; Origin early 18th century: from French, from Old French cliquer 'make a noise'; the modern sense is related to claque.

miscreant

synonyms: criminal, culprit, wrongdoer, malefactor, offender, villain, lawbreaker, evildoer, del Origin Middle English [as an adjective in the sense 'disbelieving']: from Old French mescreant, present participle of mescreire 'disbelieve,' from mes- 'mis-' + creire 'believe' [from Latin credere ].

iconoclast

synonyms: critic, skeptic; heretic, unbeliever, dissident, dissenter, infidel; rebel, renegade, mutineer ";in terms of the money culture in Washington, she is an Origin mid 17th century [sense 2]: via medieval Latin from ecclesiastical Greek eikonoklastēs, from eikōn 'likeness' + klan 'to break.'

revile

synonyms: criticize, censure, condemn, attack, inveigh against, rail against, castigate, lambaste, denounce; slander, libel, malign, vilify, abuse; informalknock, slam, pan, crucify, roast, tear into, badmouth, dis, pummel; form Origin Middle English: from Old French reviler, based on vil 'vile.'

lambaste

synonyms: criticize, chastise, censure, take to task, harangue, rail at, rant at, fulminate against; upbraid, scold, reprimand, rebuke, castigate, chide, reprove, admonis Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'beat, thrash']: from lam1 + baste3. The current sense dates from the late 19th century.

guile

synonyms: cunning, craftiness, craft, artfulness, art, artifice, wiliness, slyness, deviousness; wiles, ploys, schemes, stratagems, maneuvers, tricks, subterfuges, ruses; deception, deceit, duplicity, underhandedn Origin Middle English: from Old French, probably from Old Norse; compare with wile.

perfunctory

synonyms: cursory, desultory, quick, brief, hasty, hurried, rapid, fleeting, token, casual, superficial, careless, halfhearted, sketchy, mechanical, automatic Origin late 16th century: from late Latin perfunctorius 'careless,' from Latin perfunct- 'done with, discharged,' from the verb perfungi .

quotidian

synonyms: daily, everyday, day-to-day, diurnal ";the quotidian routine"; ordinary, average, run-of-the-mill, everyday, standard, typical, middle-of-the-road, common, conventional, mainstream, u Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin quotidianus, earlier cotidianus, from cotidie 'daily.'

reverie

synonyms: daydream, daydreaming, trance, musing; inattention, inattentiveness, woolgathering, preoccupation, absorption, abstraction, lack Origin early 17th century: from obsolete French resverie, from Old French reverie 'rejoicing, revelry,' from rever 'be delirious,' of unknown ultimate origin.

wane

synonyms: decline, diminish, decrease, dwindle, shrink, tail off, ebb, fade [away], lessen, peter out, fall off, recede, slump, flag, weaken, give way, wither, crumble, evaporate, disintegrate, die out; literar Origin Old English wanian 'lessen,' of Germanic origin; related to Latin vanus 'vain.'

propriety

synonyms: decorum, respectability, decency, correctness, protocol, appropriateness, suitability, good manners, courtesy, politeness, rectitude, morality, ci Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'peculiarity, essential quality']: from Old French propriete, from Latin proprietas [see property].

libel

synonyms: defamation, defamation of character, character assassination, calumny, misrepresentation, scandalmongering; aspersions, denigration, vilificati Origin Middle English [in the general sense 'a document, a written statement']: via Old French from Latin libellus, diminutive of liber 'book.'

traduce

synonyms: defame, slander, speak ill of, misrepresent, malign, vilify, denigrate, disparage, slur, impugn, smear, besmir Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'transport, transmit']: from Latin traducere 'lead in front of others, expose to ridicule,' from trans- 'over, across' + ducere 'to lead.'

renege

synonyms: default on, fail to honor, go back on, break, back out of, withdraw from, retreat from, welsh on, backtrack on; br Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'desert [especially a faith or a person]']: from medieval Latin renegare, from Latin re- [expressing intensive force] + negare 'deny.'

eloquent

synonyms: fluent, articulate, expressive, silver-tongued; persuasive, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, well expressed, effective, lucid, vivid, graphic; smooth-tongued, glib "

tenable

synonyms: defensible, justifiable, supportable, sustainable, arguable, able to hold water, reasonable, sensible, rational, sound, viable, plausible, credible, believable, conceivable ";O'Leary's confession has certai Origin late 16th century: from French, from tenir 'to hold,' from Latin tenere .

truculent

synonyms: defiant, aggressive, antagonistic, combative, belligerent, pugnacious, confrontational, ready for a fight, obstreperous, argumentative, quarrelsome, uncooperative; bad-tempered, ornery, short-tempered, cross, sn Origin mid 16th century: from Latin truculentus, from trux, truc- 'fierce.'

debase

synonyms: degrade, devalue, demean, cheapen, prostitute, discredit, drag down, tarnish, blacken, blemish; disgrace, dishonor, Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'humiliate, belittle']: from de- 'down' + the obsolete verb base [compare with abase], expressing the notion 'bring down completely.'

procrastinate

synonyms: delay, put off doing something, postpone action, defer action, be dilatory, use delaying tactics, st Origin late 16th century: from Latin procrastinat- 'deferred until tomorrow,' from the verb procrastinare, from pro- 'forward' + crastinus 'belonging to tomorrow' [from cras 'tomorrow'].

retard

synonyms: delay, slow down, slow up, hold back, hold up, set back, postpone, put back, detain, decelerate; hinder, hamper, obstruct, inhibit, impede, check, restrain, restrict, trammel; literary Origin late 15th century: from French retarder, from Latin retardare, from re- 'back' + tardus 'slow.'

wanton

synonyms: deliberate, willful, malicious, spiteful, wicked, cruel; gratuitous, unprovoked, motiveless, arbitrary, groundless, unjustifiable, needless, unnec Origin Middle English wantowen 'rebellious, lacking discipline,' from wan- 'badly' + Old English togen 'trained' [related to team and tow1].

delectable

synonyms: delicious, mouthwatering, appetizing, flavorful, toothsome, palatable; succulent, luscious, tasty; informalscrumptious, delish, yummy, finger-licking, lip-smacking, melt-in-your- Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin delectabilis, from delectare 'to charm' [see delight].

degrade

synonyms: demean, debase, cheapen, devalue; shame, humiliate, humble, mortify, abase, dishonor; dehumanize, brutalize ";prisons should not degrade Origin late Middle English: from Old French degrader, from ecclesiastical Latin degradare, from de- 'down, away from' + Latin gradus 'step or grade.'

rebut

synonyms: deny, contradict, controvert, repudiate, counter, attempt to Origin Middle English [in the senses 'rebuke' and 'repulse']: from Anglo-Norman French rebuter, from Old French re- [expressing opposition] + boter 'to butt.' Sense 1 [originally a legal use] dates from the early 19th century.

deprecate

synonyms: deplore, abhor, disapprove of, frown on, take a dim view of, take exception to, detest, despise; crit Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'pray against']: from Latin deprecat- 'prayed against [as being evil],' from the verb deprecari, from de- [expressing reversal] + precari 'pray.'

sacrilege

synonyms: desecration, profanity, blasphemy, impiety, irreligion, unholiness, irreverence, disrespect, profanation ";any form of gamb Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin sacrilegium, from sacrilegus 'stealer of sacred things,' from sacer, sacr- 'sacred' + legere 'take possession of.'

subvert

synonyms: destabilize, unsettle, overthrow, overturn; bring down, topple, depose, oust; disrupt, wreak havoc on, sabotage, ruin, undermine, weaken, damage ";a plot to subvert the Origin late Middle English: from Old French subvertir or Latin subvertere, from sub- 'from below' + vertere 'to turn.'

pertinacious

synonyms: determined, tenacious, persistent, persevering, purposeful, resolute, dogged, indefatigable, insistent, single-minded, unrelenting, relentless, tireless, unshakable; stubborn, obstinate, inflexible, unbendi Origin early 17th century: from Latin pertinax, pertinac- 'holding fast' + -ous.

havoc

synonyms: devastation, destruction, Origin late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French havok, alteration of Old French havot, of unknown origin. The word was originally used in the phrase cry havoc [Old French crier havot ] 'to give an army the order havoc,' which was the signal for plundering.

tirade

synonyms: diatribe, harangue, rant, onslaught, attack, polemic, denunciation, broadside, fulmination, condemnation, censure, invective, criticism, tongue-lashing; blast; lecture; Origin early 19th century: from French, literally 'long speech,' from Italian tirata 'volley,' from tirare 'to pull.'

polemic

synonyms: diatribe, invective, rant, tirade, broadside, attack, harangue, condemnation, criticism, stricture, admonition, rebuke; abuse; informalblast; formalcastigation; literaryphilippic ";a polemic against in Origin mid 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek polemikos, from polemos 'war.'

sedulous

synonyms: diligent, careful, meticulous, thorough, assiduous, attentive, industrious, conscientious, ultracareful, punctilious, scrupulous, painstaking, minute, rigorous, particular ";he picked the thorn from his leg with sedulous care Origin mid 16th century: from Latin sedulus 'zealous' + -ous.

squalid

synonyms: dirty, filthy, grubby, grimy, mucky, slummy, foul, vile, poor, sorry, wretched, miserable, mean, seedy, shabby, sordid, insalubrious; neglected, uncared-for, broken-down, run-down, down-at-heel, down-at-t Origin late 16th century: from Latin squalidus, from squalere 'be rough or dirty.'

catastrophe

synonyms: disaster, calamity, cataclysm, holocaust, havoc, ruin, ruination, tragedy; adversity, blight, Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'denouement']: from Latin catastropha, from Greek katastrophē 'overturning, sudden turn,' from kata- 'down' + strophē 'turning' [from strephein 'to turn'].

perspicacious

synonyms: discerning, shrewd, perceptive, astute, penetrating, observant, percipient, sharp-witted, sharp, smart, alert, clear-sighted, farsighted, acute, clever, canny, intelligent, insightful, wise, sage, se Origin early 17th century: from Latin perspicax, perspicac- 'seeing clearly' + -acious.

divulge

synonyms: disclose, reveal, tell, communicate, pass on, publish, broadcast, proclaim; expose, uncover, make public, give away, let slip; inform

odium

synonyms: disgust, abhorrence, repugnance, revulsion, loathing, detestation, hatred, hate, obloquy, dislike, distaste, disfavor, antipathy, animosity, animus, enmity, hostility, contempt; disgrace, shame, opprobrium, Origin early 17th century: from Latin, 'hatred,' from the verb stem od- 'hate.'

fumigate

synonyms: disinfect, purify, sterilize, sanitize, decontaminate, cleanse, clean out ";the prisoners' quarters Origin mid 16th century [earlier [late Middle English] as fumigation, in the sense 'the action of perfuming']: from Latin fumigat- 'fumigated,' from the verb fumigare, from fumus 'smoke.'

consternation

synonyms: dismay, perturbation, distress, disquiet, discomposure; surprise, amazement, astonishment; alarm, panic, fear, fright, shock ";much to his colleagues' consternat Origin early 17th century: from Latin consternatio[n-], from the verb consternare 'lay prostrate, terrify' [see consternate].

affliction

synonyms: disorder, disease, malady, complaint, ailment, illness, indisposition, handic Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'infliction of pain or humiliation,' specifically 'religious self-mortification']: via Old French from Latin afflictio[n-], from the verb affligere [see afflict].

vilify

synonyms: disparage, denigrate, defame, run down, revile, abuse, speak ill of, criticize, condemn, denounce; malign, slander, libel, slur; informaltear apart/into, l Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'lower in value']: from late Latin vilificare, from Latin vilis 'of low value' [see vile].

pejorative

synonyms: disparaging, derogatory, denigratory, deprecatory, defamatory, slanderous, libelous, abusive, insulting, slighting; informalbitchy ";his remarks were considered too pe Origin late 19th century: from French péjoratif, -ive, from late Latin pejorare 'make worse,' from Latin pejor 'worse.'

incline

synonyms: disposed, of a mind, willing, ready, prepared; predisposed ";if you Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'bend [the head, the body, or oneself] toward something'; formerly also as encline ]: from Old French encliner, from Latin inclinare, from in- 'toward' + clinare 'to bend.'

dissipated

synonyms: dissolute, debauched, decadent, intemperate, profligate, self-indulgent, wild, depraved; licentious, promiscuous; drunken

Fretful

synonyms: distressed, upset, miserable, unsettled, uneasy, ill at ease, uncomfortable, edgy, agitated, worked up, tense, stressed, restive, fidgety, antsy; querulous, irritable, cross, fractious, peevish, petulant, out of sorts, bad-tempered, irascible, grumpy, crotchety, captious, testy, tetchy,

vacillate

synonyms: dither, waver, be indecisive, be undecided, be ambivalent, hesitate, be of two minds, blow hot and cold, keep changing one's mind, be conflicted; fluctuate, oscillate, hem Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'sway unsteadily']: from Latin vacillat- 'swayed,' from the verb vacillare .

pedant

synonyms: dogmatist, purist, literalist, formalist, doctrinaire, perfectionist; quibbler, hair-splitter, casuist, sophist; informalnitpicker ";pedants insist tha Origin late 16th century: from French pédant, from Italian pedante, perhaps from the first element of Latin paedagogus [see pedagogue].

relegate

synonyms: downgrade, lower, lower in rank/status, put down, move down; demote, degrade ";cooperatives may be relegated to a secondary r Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'send into exile']: from Latin relegat- 'sent away, referred,' from the verb relegare, from re- 'again' + legare 'send.'

haggard

synonyms: drawn, tired, exhausted, drained, careworn, unwell, unhealthy, spent, washed out, run-down; gaunt, pinched, peaked, hollow-cheeked, hollow-eyed, thin, emaciated, wasted, Origin mid 16th century [used in falconry]: from French hagard ; perhaps related to hedge; later influenced by hag1.

imbibe

synonyms: drink, consume, quaff, guzzle, gulp [down]; informalknock back, down, swill, chug ";they'd imbibed too much whiskey"; drink [ Origin late Middle English [in the senses 'absorb or cause to absorb moisture' and 'take into solution']: from Latin imbibere, from in- 'in' + bibere 'to drink.'

quaff

synonyms: drink, swallow, gulp [down], guzzle, slurp, down, empty; imbibe, partake of, consume; informalkill, swig, swill, slug, knock back, toss off, chug, chugalug, scarf [down] ";they quaffed a few beers before heading hom Origin early 16th century: probably imitative of the sound of drinking.

agog

synonyms: eager, excited, impatient, keen, anxious, avid, in suspense, on tenterhooks, on the edge of one's seat, on pins and needles, waiting with bated breath ";tell us what happened—we're all agog!"; Origin mid 16th century: from Old French en gogues, from en 'in' + the plural of gogue 'fun.'

retrench

synonyms: economize, cut back, make cutbacks, make savings, make economies, reduce expenditure, be economical, be frugal, tighten Origin late 16th century [in the now formal usage]: from obsolete French retrencher, variant of retrancher, from re- [expressing reversal] + trancher 'to cut, slice.'

edifying

synonyms: educate, instruct, teach, school, Origin Middle English: from Old French edifier, from Latin aedificare 'build,' from aedis 'dwelling' + facere 'make' [compare with edifice]. The word originally meant 'construct a building,' also 'strengthen,' hence to "build up" morally or spiritually.

uncanny

synonyms: eerie, unnatural, unearthly, preternatural, supernatural, otherworldly, ghostly, mysterious, strange, unsettling, abnormal, weird, bizarre, surreal, eldritch; informalc Origin late 16th century [originally Scots in the sense 'relating to the occult, malicious']: from un-1 'not' + canny.

intrude

synonyms: encroach on, impinge on, interfere in, trespass on/upon, infringe on, obtrude on/into, invade, violate, disturb, disrupt, interrupt; me Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'usurp an office or right'; originally as entrude ]: from Latin intrudere, from in- 'into' + trudere 'to thrust.'

cryptic

synonyms: enigmatic, mysterious, confusing, mystifying, perplexing, puzzling, obscure, abstruse, arcane, oracular, Delphic, ambiguous, elliptical, oblique; Origin early 17th century: from late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos 'hidden.' Sense 2 dates from the late 19th century.

prodigious

synonyms: enormous, huge, colossal, immense, vast, great, massive, gigantic, mammoth, tremendous, inordinate, monumental; amazing, astonishing, astounding, staggering, stunning, r Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'portentous']: from Latin prodigiosus, from prodigium 'portent' [see prodigy].

zest

synonyms: enthusiasm, gusto, relish, appetite, eagerness, keenness, avidity, zeal, fervor, ardor, passion; verve, vigor, liveliness, sparkle, fire, animation, vitality, dynamism, energy, brio, pep, spirit, exub Origin late 15th century: from French zeste 'orange or lemon peel,' of unknown origin.

inveigle

synonyms: entice, tempt, lure, seduce, beguile; wheedle, cajole, coax, persuade; informalsweet-talk, soft- Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'beguile, deceive'; formerly also as enveigle ]: from Anglo-Norman French envegler, alteration of Old French aveugler 'to blind,' from aveugle 'blind.'

efface

synonyms: erase, eradicate, expunge, blot out, rub out, wipe out, remove, eliminate; delete, cancel, obliterate ";the chalk drawings were eff Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'pardon or be absolved from [an offense]']: from French effacer, from e- [from Latin ex- 'away from'] + face 'face.'

sap

synonyms: erode, wear away/down, deplete, reduce, l Origin Old English sæp, probably of Germanic origin. The verb [dating from the mid 18th century] is often interpreted as a figurative use of the notion "drain the sap from," but is derived originally from the verb sap2, in the sense 'undermine.'

elude

synonyms: evade, avoid, get away from, dodge, escape from, run from, run away from; lose, shake off, give the slip to, slip away from, throw off the scent; i Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'delude, baffle']: from Latin eludere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out, away from' + ludere 'to play.'

placid

synonyms: even-tempered, calm, tranquil, equable, unexcitable, serene, mild, 'calm, cool, and collected', composed, self-possessed, poised, easygoing, levelheaded, steady, unruffled, unperturbed, phlegm Origin early 17th century: from French placide, from Latin placidus, from placere 'to please.'

sublime

synonyms: exalted, elevated, noble, lofty, awe-inspiring, majestic, magnificent, glorious, superb, wonderful, marvelous, spl Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'dignified, aloof']: from Latin sublimis, from sub- 'up to' + a second element perhaps related to limen 'threshold,' limus 'oblique.'

plethora

synonyms: excess, overabundance, superabundance, surplus, glut, superfluity, surfeit, profusion; too many, too much, enough and to spare; informalmore —— than one can shake a stick at ";a Origin mid 16th century [in the medical sense]: via late Latin from Greek plēthōrē, from plēthein 'be full.'

fulsome

synonyms: excessive, extravagant, overdone, immoderate, inordinate, over-appreciative, flattering, adulatory, fawning, unctuous, ingratiating, cloying, saccharine; enthusiastic, effusive, rapturous, glowing, gushing, profuse, g Origin Middle English [in the sense 'abundant']: from full1 + -some1.

inordinate

synonyms: excessive, undue, unreasonable, unjustifiable, unwarrantable, disproportionate, unwarranted, unnecessary, needless, uncalled for, gratuitous, exorbitan Origin late Middle English: from Latin inordinatus, from in- 'not' + ordinatus 'arranged, set in order' [past participle of ordinare ].

deplete

synonyms: exhaust, use up, consume, expend, drain, empty, milk; reduce, decrease, diminish; slim down Origin early 19th century [earlier [mid. 17th century] as depletion ]: from Latin deplet- 'emptied out,' from the verb deplere, from de- [expressing reversal] + plere 'fill' [from plenus 'full'].

zealot

synonyms: fanatic, enthusiast, extremist, radical, young Turk, diehard, true believer, activist, militant; bigot, dogmatist, sec Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'member of an ancient Jewish sect']: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek zēlōtēs, from zēloun 'be jealous,' from zēlos [see zeal].

providence

synonyms: fate, destiny, nemesis, kismet, God's will, divine intervention, predestination, predetermination, the stars; one's lot [in life]; archaicone's portion ";a life mapped Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin providentia, from providere 'foresee, attend to' [see provide].

intrepid

synonyms: fearless, unafraid, undaunted, unflinching, unshrinking, bold, daring, gallant, audacious, adventurous, heroic, dynamic, spirited, indomitable; brave, courageous, valiant, valorous, Origin late 17th century: from French intrépide or Latin intrepidus, from in- 'not' + trepidus 'alarmed.'

decrepit

synonyms: feeble, infirm, weak, weakly, frail; disabled, incapacitated, crippled, doddering, tottering; old, elderly, aged, ancient, senile; informalpast it, over the hill, n Origin late Middle English: from Latin decrepitus, from de- 'down' + crepitus, past participle of crepare 'rattle, creak.'

replete

synonyms: filled, full, well stocked, well supplied, crammed, packed, jammed, teeming, overflowing, bursting; informaljam-packed, chockablock, c Origin late Middle English: from Old French replet[e ] or Latin repletus 'filled up,' past participle of replere, from re- 'back, again' + plere 'fill.'

vile

synonyms: foul, nasty, unpleasant, bad, disagreeable, horrid, horrible, dreadful, abominable, atrocious, offensive, obnoxious, odious, unsavory, repulsive, disgusting, distasteful, loathsome, hateful, nauseating, sickening; dis Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin vilis 'cheap, base.'

suffrage

synonyms: franchise, right to vote, the vote, enfranchisement, bal Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'intercessory prayers,' also 'assistance']: from Latin suffragium, reinforced by French suffrage . The modern sense of 'right to vote' was originally US [dating from the late 18th century].

amiable

synonyms: friendly, affable, amicable, cordial; war Origin late Middle English [originally in the senses 'kind' and 'lovely, lovable']: via Old French from late Latin amicabilis 'amicable.' The current sense, influenced by modern French aimable 'trying to please,' dates from the mid 18th century.

genial

synonyms: friendly, affable, cordial, amiable, w Origin mid 16th century: from Latin genialis 'nuptial, productive,' from genius [see genius]. The Latin sense was adopted into English; hence the senses 'mild and conducive to growth' [mid 17th century], later 'cheerful, kindly' [mid 18th century].

Futile

synonyms: fruitless, vain, pointless, useless, ineffectual, ineffective, inefficacious, to no effect, of no use, in vain, to no avail, unavailing; unsuccessful, failed, thwarted; unproductive, barren, unp Origin mid 16th century: from Latin futilis 'leaky, futile,' apparently from fundere 'pour.'

inveigh

synonyms: fulminate against, declaim against, protest [against], rail against/at, rage at, remonstrate agai Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'carry in, introduce'; formerly also as enveigh ]: from Latin invehere 'carry in,' invehi 'be carried into, assail,' from in- 'into' + vehere 'carry.'

cardinal

synonyms: fundamental, basic, main, chief, primary, crucial, pivotal, prime, principal, paramount, preemi Origin Old English, from Latin cardinalis, from cardo, cardin- 'hinge.' Sense 1 of the noun has arisen through the notion of the important function of such priests as "pivots" of church life.

obsequies

synonyms: funeral rites, funeral service, funeral, burial, interment, entombment, Origin late Middle English: plural of obsolete obsequy, from Anglo-Norman French obsequie, from the medieval Latin plural obsequiae [from Latin exsequiae 'funeral rites,' influenced by obsequium 'dutiful service'].

palaver

synonyms: fuss, commotion, trouble, rigmarole, folderol; informalsong and dance, performance, to-do, carrying-on, hoo-ha, hullabaloo, b Origin mid 18th century [in the sense 'a talk between tribespeople and traders']: from Portuguese palavra 'word,' from Latin parabola 'comparison' [see parable].

largess

synonyms: generosity, liberality, munificence, bounty, bountifulness, beneficence, altruism, charity, philanthropy, magnanimity, benevolence, charitableness, openhandedness, kindness, big-heartedness; formalbenefaction ";Bob too Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin largus 'copious.'

virtuoso

synonyms: genius, expert, master, past master, maestro, artist, prodigy, marvel, adept, professional, doyen, veteran; star, champion; informalhotshot, wizard, magician, pro, ace ";the Origin early 17th century: from Italian, literally 'learned, skillful,' from late Latin virtuosus [see virtuous].

obtain

synonyms: get, acquire, come by, secure, procure, come into the possession of, pick up, be given; gain, earn, achieve, attain; informalget hold of, get/lay one's hands on, get one's mitts on, land, net ";the Origin late Middle English: from Old French obtenir, from Latin obtinere 'obtain, gain.'

saturnine

synonyms: gloomy, somber, melancholy, moody, lugubrious, dour, glum, morose, un Origin late Middle English [as a term in astrology]: from Old French saturnin, from medieval Latin Saturninus 'of Saturn' [identified with lead by the alchemists and associated with slowness and gloom by astrologers].

viscous

synonyms: glutinous, gelatinous, thick, viscid, mucous, mucoid, mucilaginous, gummy, gluey, adhesive, tacky, adherent, treacly, syrupy; technicalviscoelastic; informalgooey, gloppy " Origin late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French viscous or late Latin viscosus, from Latin viscum 'birdlime.'

needling

synonyms: goad, provoke, bait, taunt, pester, harass, prick, prod, sting, tease; irritate, annoy, anger, vex, irk, nettle, pique Origin Old English nǣdl, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch naald and German Nadel, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin nere 'to spin' and Greek nēma 'thread.'

ornery

synonyms: grouchy, grumpy, cranky, crotchety, cantankerous, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dyspeptic, irascible, waspish; truculent, cussed, stubborn ";they finally realized that his illness was what had made him s Origin early 19th century: variant of ordinary, representing a dialect pronunciation.

kowtow

synonyms: grovel to, be obsequious to, be servile to, be sycophantic to, fawn over/on, cringe to, bow and scrape to, toady to, truckle to, abase oneself before, humble oneself to; curry favor with, dance attendance on, i Origin early 19th century: from Chinese kētóu, from kē 'knock' + tóu 'head.'

increase

synonyms: grow, get bigger, get larger, enlarge, expand, swell; rise, climb, escalate, soar, surge, rocket, shoot up, spiral; intensify, strengthen, extend, he Origin Middle English [formerly also as encrease ]: from Old French encreistre, from Latin increscere, from in- 'into' + crescere 'grow.'

macabre

synonyms: gruesome, grisly, grim, gory, morbid, ghastly, unearthly, grotesque, hideous, Origin late 19th century: from French macabre, from Danse Macabre 'dance of death,' from Old French, perhaps from Macabé 'a Maccabee,' with reference to a miracle play depicting the slaughter of the Maccabees.

stultify

synonyms: hamper, impede, thwart, frustrate, foil, suppress, smother ";social welfare was stultified by international trade regulations"; bore, make bored, dull, numb, benumb, stupefy ";he stultifies her with too Origin mid 18th century: from late Latin stultificare, from Latin stultus 'foolish.'

halcyon

synonyms: happy, golden, idyllic, carefree, blissful, joyful, joyous, contented; flourishing, thriving, prosperous, successful; se Origin late Middle English [in the mythological sense]: via Latin from Greek alkuōn 'kingfisher' [also halkuōn, by association with hals 'sea' and kuōn 'conceiving'].

inure

synonyms: harden, toughen, season, temper, condition; accustom, habituate, familiarize, acclimatize, adjust, adapt, desensitize ";t Origin late Middle English inure, enure, from an Anglo-Norman French phrase meaning 'in use or practice,' from en 'in' + Old French euvre 'work' [from Latin opera ].

pernicious

synonyms: harmful, damaging, destructive, injurious, hurtful, detrimental, deleterious, dangerous, adverse, inimical, unhealthy, unfavorable, bad, evil, baleful, wicked, malign, ma Origin late Middle English: from Latin perniciosus 'destructive,' from pernicies 'ruin,' based on nex, nec- 'death.'

inimical

synonyms: harmful, injurious, detrimental, deleterious, prejudicial, damaging, hurtful, destructive, ruinous, pernicious; antagonistic, contrary, antipathetic, unfavorable, adverse, opposed; hostile, unkind, u Origin early 16th century: from late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus [see enemy].

innocuous

synonyms: harmless, safe, nontoxic, innocent; edible, eatable ";an innocuous fungus"; inoffensive, unobjectionable, unexceptionable, harmless, mild, tame, anodyne, soft-focus ";an innocuous comment"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin innocuus, from in- 'not' + nocuus 'injurious' [see nocuous].

virago

synonyms: harridan, shrew, dragon, termagant, vixen; fishwife, witch, hellcat, she-devil, tartar, m Origin Old English [used only as the name given by Adam to Eve, following the Vulgate], from Latin, 'heroic woman, female warrior,' from vir 'man.' The current sense dates from late Middle English.

sybarite

synonyms: hedonist, sensualist, voluptuary, libertine, pleasure-seeker, epicure, bon vivant, bon viveur ";an exclusive resort that ca Origin mid 16th century [originally denoting an inhabitant of Sybaris, an ancient Greek city in southern Italy, noted for luxury]: via Latin from Greek Subaritēs .

impede

synonyms: hinder, obstruct, hamper, hold back/up, delay, interfere with, disrupt, retard, slow [down], hobble, cripple; block, check, stop, scupper, scuttle, thwart, frustrate, ba Origin late 16th century: from Latin impedire 'shackle the feet of,' based on pes, ped- 'foot.' Compare with impeach.

appall

synonyms: horrify, shock, dismay, distress, outrage, scandalize; disgust, repel, rev Origin Middle English: from Old French apalir 'grow pale,' from a- [from Latin ad 'to, at'] + palir 'to pale.' The original sense was 'grow pale,' later 'make pale,' hence 'dismay, horrify' [late Middle English].

belligerent

synonyms: hostile, aggressive, threatening, antagonistic, warlike, warmongering, hawkish, pugnacious, bellicose, truculent, confrontational, contentious, militant, combative; informalspoi Origin late 16th century: from Latin belligerant- 'waging war,' from the verb belligerare, from bellum 'war.'

gargantuan

synonyms: huge, enormous, vast, gigantic, very big, giant, massive, colossal, mammoth, immense, mighty, monumental, mountainous, titanic, towering, tremendous, elephantine, ki Origin late 16th century: from Gargantua, the name of a voracious giant in Rabelais' book of the same name [1534], + -an.

titanic

synonyms: huge, great, enormous, gigantic, massive, colossal, monumental, mammoth, immense, tremendous, mighty, stupendous, prodigious, gargantuan, Herculean; informalhumongous, ginormous, Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'relating to the sun']: from Greek titanikos, from Titan [see Titan].

abase

synonyms: humble, humiliate, belittle, demean, lower, degrade, debase, cheapen, discredit, bring Origin late Middle English: from Old French abaissier, from a- [from Latin ad 'to, at'] + baissier 'to lower,' based on late Latin bassus 'short of stature.' The spelling has been influenced by base2.

mundane

synonyms: humdrum, dull, boring, tedious, monotonous, tiresome, wearisome, unexciting, uninteresting, uninvolving, uneventful, unvarying, u Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French mondain, from late Latin mundanus, from Latin mundus 'world.' Sense 1 dates from the late 19th century.

idolatry

synonyms: idolization, fetishization, fetishism, idol worship, adulation, adoration, reverence, veneration, glorification, lionization, hero-worshiping ";the prophets rail Origin Middle English: from Old French idolatrie, based on Greek eidōlolatreia, from eidōlon [see idol] + -latreia 'worship.'

malady

synonyms: illness, sickness, disease, infection, ailment, disorder, complaint, indisposition, affliction, infirmity, syndrome; informalbug, virus ";every time we visi Origin Middle English: from Old French maladie, from malade 'sick,' based on Latin male 'ill' + habitus 'having [as a condition].'

emulate

synonyms: imitate, copy, mirror, echo, follow, model oneself on; match, equal, parallel, be on a par with, be in the same league as, come close to; compete with, contend with, rival

imminent

synonyms: impending, close [at hand], near, [fast] approaching, coming, forthcoming, on the way, in the offing, in the pipeline, on the horizon, in the Origin late Middle English: from Latin imminent- 'overhanging, impending,' from the verb imminere, from in- 'upon, toward' + minere 'to project.'

insolent

synonyms: impertinent, impudent, cheeky, ill-mannered, bad-mannered, unmann Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'extravagant, going beyond acceptable limits']: from Latin insolent- 'immoderate, unaccustomed, arrogant,' from in- 'not' + solent- 'being accustomed' [from the verb solere ].

impudent

synonyms: impertinent, insolent, cheeky, cocky, brazen, bold, audacious; presumptuous, forward, disrespectful, insubordinate, bumptious, b Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'immodest, indelicate']: from Latin impudent-, from in- 'not' + pudent- 'ashamed, modest' [from pudere 'be ashamed'].

entreat

synonyms: implore, beg, plead with, pray, ask, request; bid, enjoin, appeal to, call on, petition, solicit Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'treat, act toward [someone]'; formerly also as intreat ]: from Old French entraitier, based on traitier 'to treat,' from Latin tractare 'to handle.'

insinuate

synonyms: imply, suggest, hint, intimate, indicate, let it be known, give someo Origin early 16th century [used in legal contexts in the sense 'enter [a document] in the official register']: from Latin insinuat- 'introduced tortuously,' from the verb insinuare, from in- 'in' + sinuare 'to curve.'

incarcerate

synonyms: imprison, put in prison, send to prison, jail, lock up, put under lock and key, put away, intern, confine, detain, hold, immure, put in chains, hold Origin mid 16th century: from medieval Latin incarcerat- 'imprisoned,' from the verb incarcerare, from in- 'into' + Latin carcer 'prison.'

trenchant

synonyms: incisive, penetrating, sharp, keen, insightful, acute, focused, shrewd, razor-sharp, piercing; vigorous, forceful, strong, potent, telling, emphatic, forthright; mordant, Origin Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French, literally 'cutting,' present participle of trenchier [see trench].

proclivity

synonyms: inclination, tendency, leaning, disposition, proneness, propensity, bent, bias, penchant, predisposition; predilection, partiality, liking, preference, taste, fondnes Origin late 16th century: from Latin proclivitas, from proclivis 'inclined,' from pro- 'forward, down' + clivus 'slope.'

transcendent

synonyms: incomparable, matchless, peerless, unrivaled, inimitable, beyond compare/comparison, unparalleled, unequaled, without equal, second to none, unsurpassed, unsurpassable, nonp Origin late Middle English: from Latin transcendent- 'climbing over,' from the verb transcendere [see transcend].

nonpareil

synonyms: incomparable, matchless, unrivaled, unparalleled, unequaled, peerless, beyond compare, second to none, unsurpassed, unbeatable, inimitable; unique, Origin late Middle English: from French, from non- 'not' + pareil 'equal' [from popular Latin pariculus, diminutive of Latin par 'equal'].

augment

synonyms: increase, add to, supplement, build up, enlarge, expand, extend, raise, multiply, swell, grow; magnify, amplify, escalate; improve, boost; informalup, Origin late Middle English: from Old French augmenter [verb], augment [noun], or late Latin augmentare, from Latin augere 'to increase.'

incontrovertible

synonyms: indisputable, incontestable, undeniable, irrefutable, unassailable, beyond dispute, unquestionable, beyond question, indubitable, beyond doubt, unarguable, undebatable; certain, sure, definite, definitive, proven, decisive, conclusive, demonstrable, emphatic, categorical, airtight, water

maverick

synonyms: individualist, nonconformist, free spirit, unorthodox person, original, eccentric; rebel, dissenter, dissident, enfant terrible; informalcowboy, loose canno Origin mid 19th century: from the name of Samuel A. Maverick [1803-70], a Texas engineer and rancher who did not brand his cattle.

gumption

synonyms: initiative, resourcefulness, enterprise, ingenuity, imagination; astuteness, shrewdness, acumen, sense, common sense, wit, mother wit, practicality; spirit, backbone, pluck, mettle, nerve, courage, wherewithal; informalget Origin early 18th century [originally Scots]: of unknown origin.

naive

synonyms: innocent, unsophisticated, artless, ingenuous, inexperienced, guileless, unworldly, trusting; gullible, credulous, immature, callow, raw, green, wide-eyed; informalwet behind the ears, bo Origin mid 17th century: from French naïve, feminine of naïf, from Latin nativus 'native, natural.'

interpolate

synonyms: insert, interpose, interject, enter, add, incorporate, inset, put, introduce ";language models can be interpolated online Origin early 17th century: from Latin interpolat- 'refurbished, altered,' from the verb interpolare, from inter- 'between' + -polare [related to polire 'to polish'].

vapid

synonyms: insipid, uninspired, colorless, uninteresting, feeble, flat, dull, boring, tedious, tired, unexciting, uninspiring, unimaginative, uninvolving, lifeless, tame, vacuous, bland, Origin mid 17th century [used originally in description of drinks as 'lacking in flavor']: from Latin vapidus .

savant

synonyms: intellectual, scholar, sage, philosopher, thinker, wise/learned person; guru, master, pundit, pandit ";how out of place she was, a world-hungry young savant in a family of du Origin early 18th century: French, literally 'knowing [person],' present participle [used as a noun] of savoir .

lucid

synonyms: intelligible, comprehensible, understandable, cogent, coherent, articulate; clear, transparent; plain, simple, vivid, sharp, straightforwar Origin late 16th century [sense 2]: from Latin lucidus [perhaps via French lucide or Italian lucido ], from lucere 'shine,' from lux, luc- 'light.'

inherent

synonyms: intrinsic, innate, immanent, built-in, indwelling, inborn, ingrained, deep-rooted; essential, fundamental, basic, structural, organic; natural, instinctive Origin late 16th century: from Latin inhaerent- 'sticking to,' from the verb inhaerere, from in- 'in, toward' + haerere 'to stick.'

preface

synonyms: introduction, foreword, preamble, prologue, prelude; front matter; informalprelims, intro, le Origin late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin praefatia, alteration of Latin praefatio[n-] 'words spoken beforehand,' from the verb praefari, from prae 'before' + fari 'speak.'

interloper

synonyms: intruder, encroacher, trespasser, invader, infiltrator; uninvited guest; outsider, st Origin late 16th century [denoting an unauthorized trader trespassing on the rights of a trade monopoly]: from inter- 'amid' + -loper as in archaic landloper 'vagabond' [from Middle Dutch landlooper ].

peevish

synonyms: irritable, fractious, fretful, cross, petulant, querulous, pettish, crabby, crotchety, cantankerous, curmudgeonly, sullen, grumpy, bad-tempered, short-tempered, touchy, testy, tetchy, snappish, ira Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'foolish, insane, spiteful']: of unknown origin.

irascible

synonyms: irritable, quick-tempered, short-tempered, hot-tempered, testy, touchy, tetchy, edgy, crabby, petulant, waspish, dyspeptic, snappish; cross, surly, crusty, grouchy, grum Origin late Middle English: via French from late Latin irascibilis, from Latin irasci 'grow angry,' from ira 'anger.'

pique

synonyms: irritation, annoyance, resentment, anger, displeasure, indignation, petulance, ill humor, vexation, exasperation, disgruntlement, discontent; offense, umbrage ";a fit of pique" Origin mid 16th century [denoting animosity between two or more people]: from French piquer 'prick, irritate.'

galvanize

synonyms: jolt, shock, startle, impel, stir, spur, prod, urge, motivate, stimulate, electrify, excite, rouse, arouse, awaken; invigorate, fire, animate, vitalize, energize, exhilarate Origin early 19th century [in the sense 'stimulate by electricity']: from French galvaniser [see Galvani, Luigi].

perpetuate

synonyms: keep alive, keep going, preserve, conserve, sustain, maintain, continue, extend, carry on, keep up, prolong; immortalize, commemorate, mem Origin early 16th century: from Latin perpetuat- 'made permanent,' from the verb perpetuare, from perpetuus 'continuing throughout' [see perpetual].

sumptuous

synonyms: lavish, luxurious, opulent, magnificent, resplendent, gorgeous, splendid, grand, lavishly appointed, palatial, rich; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'made or produced at great cost']: from Old French somptueux, from Latin sumptuosus, from sumptus 'expenditure' [see sumptuary].

lackadaisical

synonyms: lethargic, apathetic, listless, sluggish, spiritless, passionless; careless, lazy, lax, unenthusiastic, halfhearted, lukewarm, indifferent, unconcern Origin mid 18th century [also in the sense 'feebly sentimental']: from the archaic interjection lackaday, lackadaisy [see alack] + -ical.

torpid

synonyms: lethargic, sluggish, inert, inactive, slow, lifeless; languid, listless, lazy, idle, indolent, slothful, supine, passive, apathetic, phlegmatic, somnolent, sleepy, weary, tired ";torpid tourists travele Origin late Middle English: from Latin torpidus, from torpere 'be numb or sluggish.'

torpor

synonyms: lethargy, sluggishness, inertia, inactivity, lifelessness, listlessness, languor, lassitude, laziness, idleness, indolence, sloth, acedia, passivity, somnolence, weariness, sleepiness ";the feeling of torpor lin Origin late Middle English: from Latin, from torpere 'be numb or sluggish.'

predilection

synonyms: liking, fondness, preference, partiality, taste, penchant, weakness, soft spot, fancy, inclination, leaning, bias, propensity Origin mid 18th century: from French prédilection, from Latin praedilect- 'preferred,' from the verb praediligere, from prae 'in advance' + diligere 'to select.'

penchant

synonyms: liking, fondness, preference, taste, relish, appetite, partiality, soft spot, love, passion, desire, fancy, whim, weakness, inclination, bent, bias, proclivity, predilection, predisposi Origin late 17th century: from French, 'leaning, inclining,' present participle of the verb pencher .

forfeit

synonyms: lose, be deprived of, surren Origin Middle English [originally denoting a crime or transgression, hence a fine or penalty for this]: from Old French forfet, forfait, past participle of forfaire 'transgress,' from for- 'out' [from Latin foris 'outside'] + faire 'do' [from Latin facere ].

lumber

synonyms: lurch, stumble, trundle, shamble, shuffle, waddle; trudge, clump, stump, plod, tramp, tromp; informalgalumph ";elephants lumbered past"; clumsy, awkward, heavy-footed, slow, blundering, bumbling, inept, maladroit, u Origin late Middle English lomere, perhaps symbolic of clumsy movement.

opulent

synonyms: luxurious, sumptuous, palatial, lavish, lavishly appointed, rich, splendid, magnificent, grand, grandiose, fancy; informalplush, classy, ritzy, posh, swanky, swank "; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'wealthy, affluent']: from Latin opulent- 'wealthy, splendid,' from opes 'wealth.'

mendacious

synonyms: lying, untruthful, dishonest, deceitful, false, dissembling, insincere, disingenuous, hypocritical, fraudulent, double-dealing, two-faced, Janus-faced, two-timing, duplicitous, perjured; u Origin early 17th century: from Latin mendax, mendac- 'lying' [related to mendum 'fault'] + -ious.

declaim

synonyms: make a speech, give an address, give a lecture, deliver a sermon; speak, hold forth, orate, preach, lecture, sermonize, moralize; informalsound off, spout, speec Origin late Middle English: from French déclamer or Latin declamare, from de- [expressing thoroughness] + clamare 'to shout.'

malevolent

synonyms: malicious, hostile, evil-minded, baleful, evil-intentioned, venomous, evil, malign, malignant, rancorous, vicious, vindictive, vengeful; literarymalefic, malefic Origin early 16th century: from Latin malevolent- 'wishing evil,' from male 'ill' + volent- 'wishing' [from the verb velle ].

tractable

synonyms: malleable, manageable, amenable, pliable, governable, yielding, complaisant, compliant, game, persuadable, accommodating, docile, biddable, obliging, obedient, submissive, meek ";our preschool t Origin early 16th century: from Latin tractabilis, from tractare 'to handle' [see tractate].

hoi polloi

synonyms: masses, common people, populace, public, multitude, rank and file, lower order[s], plebeians, proletariat; mob; derogatoryrabble, riffraff, [great] unwashed, [common] herd, proles, plebs; humoroussheeple; historicalthird estate ";in da Origin mid 17th century: Greek, literally 'the many

histrionic

synonyms: melodramatic, theatrical, dramatic, exaggerated, stagy, actorly, showy, affected, artificial, overacted, overdone; informalhammy, ham, campy ";a Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'dramatically exaggerated, hypocritical']: from late Latin histrionicus, from Latin histrio[n-] 'actor.'

mirth

synonyms: merriment, high spirits, cheerfulness, cheeriness, hilarity, glee, laughter, gaiety, buoyancy, blitheness, euphoria, exhilaration, lightheartedness, joviality, joy, joyfulness, joyousness ";we could not hold back our mirth Origin Old English myrgth, of Germanic origin; related to merry.

punctilious

synonyms: meticulous, conscientious, diligent, scrupulous, careful, painstaking, rigorous, perfectionist, methodical, particular, strict; fussy, fastidious, finicky, pedantic; informalnitpick Origin mid 17th century: from French pointilleux, from pointille, from Italian puntiglio [see punctilio].

embezzle

synonyms: misappropriate, steal, thieve, pi Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'steal']: from Anglo-Norman French embesiler, from besiler in the same sense [compare with Old French besillier 'maltreat, ravage'], of unknown ultimate origin. The current sense dates from the late 16th century.

qualm

synonyms: misgivings, doubts, reservations, second thoughts, worries, concerns, anxiety; hesitation, hesitance, hesitancy, demur, reluctance, disinclination, appr Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'momentary sick feeling']: perhaps related to Old English cw[e]alm 'pain,' of Germanic origin.

sardonic

synonyms: mocking, satirical, sarcastic, ironical, ironic; cynical, scornful, contemptuous, derisive, d Origin mid 17th century: from French sardonique, earlier sardonien, via Latin from Greek sardonios 'of Sardinia,' alteration of sardanios, used by Homer to describe bitter or scornful laughter.

paradigm

synonyms: model, pattern, example, exemplar, template, standard, prototype, archetype ";why should your sets of values be the paradigm for the rest of Origin late 15th century: via late Latin from Greek paradeigma, from paradeiknunai 'show side by side,' from para- 'beside' + deiknunai 'to show.'

sententious

synonyms: moralistic, moralizing, sanctimonious, self-righteous, pietistic, pious, priggish, judgmental; pompous, pontific Origin late Middle English: from Latin sententiosus, from sententia 'opinion' [see sentence]. The original sense was 'full of meaning or wisdom,' later becoming depreciatory.

lugubrious

synonyms: mournful, gloomy, sad, unhappy, doleful, glum, melancholy, woeful, miserable, woebegone, forlorn, somber, solemn, serious, sorrowful, morose, dour, cheerless, joyless, dismal; funereal, sepulchral; informaldown Origin early 17th century: from Latin lugubris [from lugere 'mourn'] + -ous.

variegated

synonyms: multicolored, multicolor, many-colored, many-hued, polychromatic, varicolored, colorful, prismatic, rainbow, kaleidoscopic; mottled, striated, marbled, streaked, speckled Origin mid 17th century: from Latin variegat- 'made varied' [from the verb variegare, from varius 'diverse'] + -ed2.

ingenuous

synonyms: naive, innocent, Origin late 16th century: from Latin ingenuus, literally 'native, inborn,' from in- 'into' + an element related to gignere 'beget.' The original sense was 'noble, generous,' giving rise to 'honorably straightforward, frank,' hence 'innocently frank' [late 17th century].

insular

synonyms: narrow-minded, small-minded, inward-looking, parochial, provincial, small-town, shortsighted, hidebound, blinkered; set in one's ways, inflexible, rigid, entrenched; illiberal, int Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting an islander]: from late Latin insularis, from insula 'island.'

incumbent

synonyms: necessary for one to, essential that, required that, imperative that; compulsory for one to, binding on one to, mandat Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Anglo-Latin incumbens, incumbent-, from Latin incumbere 'lie or lean on,' from in- 'upon' + a verb related to cubare 'lie.'

remiss

synonyms: negligent, neglectful, irresponsible, careless, thoughtless, heedless, lax, slack, slipshod, lack Origin late Middle English: from Latin remissus 'slackened,' past participle of remittere . The early senses were 'weakened in color or consistency' and [in describing sound] 'faint, soft.'

peripatetic

synonyms: nomadic, itinerant, traveling, wandering, roving, roaming, migrant, migratory, unsettled ";I could never Origin late Middle English [denoting an Aristotelian philosopher]: from Old French peripatetique, via Latin from Greek peripatētikos 'walking up and down,' from the verb peripatein .

tender

synonyms: offer, proffer, present, put forward, propose, sug Origin mid 16th century [as a legal term meaning 'formally offer a plea or evidence, or money to discharge a debt,' also as a noun denoting such an offer]: from Old French tendre, from Latin tendere 'to stretch, hold forth' [see tend1].

insouciance

synonyms: nonchalance, unconcern, indifference, heedlessness, calm, equanimity, composure, ease, airiness; informalcool ";through his own profligacy and insouciance in raising Origin late 18th century: French, from insouciant, from in- 'not' + souciant 'worrying' [present participle of soucier ].

ecumenical

synonyms: nondenominational, universal, catholic, latitudinarian, all-embracing, all-inclusive ";the local churches are sponsoring an ecumen Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'belonging to the universal Church']: via late Latin from Greek oikoumenikos, from oikoumenē 'the [inhabited] earth.'

protest

synonyms: objection, complaint, exception, disapproval, challenge, dissent, demurral, remonstr Origin late Middle English [as a verb in the sense 'make a solemn declaration']: from Old French protester, from Latin protestari, from pro- 'forth, publicly' + testari 'assert' [from testis 'witness'].

recondite

synonyms: obscure, abstruse, arcane, esoteric, recherché, profound, difficult, complex, complicated, involved; incomprehensible, unfathomable, impene Origin mid 17th century: from Latin reconditus 'hidden, put away,' past participle of recondere, from re- 'back' + condere 'put together, secrete.'

refractory

synonyms: obstinate, stubborn, mulish, pigheaded, obdurate, headstrong, self-willed, wayward, willful, perverse, contrary, recalcitrant, obstreperous, disobedient, difficult; infor Origin early 17th century: alteration of obsolete refractary, from Latin refractarius 'stubborn' [see also refract].

elicit

synonyms: obtain, draw out, extract, bring out, evoke, call forth, bring forth, induce, prompt, generate, engender, trigger, provoke

manifest

synonyms: obvious, clear, plain, apparent, evident, patent, palpable, distinct, definite, blatant, overt, glaring, barefaced, explicit, transparent, conspicuous, undisguised, unmistakable, noticeable, perceptible, visible, recogni Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin manifestus .

sporadic

synonyms: occasional, infrequent, irregular, periodic, scattered, patchy, isolated, odd; intermittent, spasmodic, fitful, desultory, erratic, unpredictable; nonconse Origin late 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek sporadikos, from sporas, sporad- 'scattered'; related to speirein 'to sow.'

heinous

synonyms: odious, wicked, evil, atrocious, monstrous, abominable, detestable, contemptible, reprehensible, despicable, egregious, horrific, terrible, awful, abhorrent, loathsome, hideous, unspeakable, ex Origin late Middle English: from Old French haineus, from hair 'to hate,' of Germanic origin.

portent

synonyms: omen, sign, signal, token, forewarning, warning, danger sign, foreshadowing, prediction, forecast, prophecy, harbinger, augury, auspice, presage; writing on the wall, indication, hint; Origin late 16th century: from Latin portentum 'omen, token,' from the verb portendere [see portend].

ubiquitous

synonyms: omnipresent, ever-present, everywhere, all over the place, pervasive, universal, worldwide, global; rife, prevalent, far-reaching, inescapable ";after WWII, television became Origin mid 19th century: from modern Latin ubiquitas [from Latin ubique 'everywhere,' from ubi 'where'] + -ous.

iridescent

synonyms: opalescent, nacreous; shimmering, luminous, glittering, sparkling, dazzling, shining, gleaming, glowing, lustrous, scintillating; kaleidoscopic, rainbow-colored, multicolored; literaryglistering, coruscating, effulgen Origin late 18th century: from Latin iris, irid- 'rainbow' + -escent.

providential

synonyms: opportune, advantageous, favorable, auspicious, propitious, heaven-sent, welcome, golden, lucky, happy, fortunate, felicitous, timely, well timed, seasonable, convenient, expedient ";we won with the aid of a provid Origin mid 17th century: from providence, on the pattern of evidential .

travail

synonyms: ordeal, trial, tribulation, trial and tribulation, trouble, hardship, privation, stress; drudgery, toil, slog, effort, exertion, labor, work, endeavor, s Origin Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin trepalium 'instrument of torture,' from Latin tres 'three' + palus 'stake.'

prosaic

synonyms: ordinary, everyday, commonplace, conventional, straightforward, routine, r Origin late 16th century [as a noun denoting a prose writer]: from late Latin prosaicus, from Latin prosa 'straightforward [discourse]' [see prose]. Current senses of the adjective date from the mid 18th century.

obsolete

synonyms: outdated, out of date, outmoded, old-fashioned, démodé, passé, out of fashion; no longer in use, disused, fallen into disuse, behind the times, superannuated, outworn Origin late 16th century: from Latin obsoletus 'grown old, worn out,' past participle of obsolescere 'fall into disuse.'

connotation

synonyms: overtone, undertone, undercurrent, implication, hidden meaning, nuance, hint, echo, vibrations, association, intimation, suggestion, suspicion, insinuation ";there was a connota Origin mid 16th century: from medieval Latin connotatio[n-], from connotare 'mark in addition' [see connote].

vehement

synonyms: passionate, forceful, ardent, Origin late Middle English [describing pain or temperature, in the sense 'intense, high in degree']: from French véhément or Latin vehement- 'impetuous, violent,' perhaps from an unrecorded adjective meaning 'deprived of mind,' influenced by vehere 'carry.'

hiatus

synonyms: pause, break, gap, lacuna, interval, intermission, interlude, interruption, suspension, lull, respite, time out, time off, recess; informalbreather, letup ";the sp Origin mid 16th century [originally denoting a physical gap or opening]: from Latin, literally 'gaping,' from hiare 'gape.'

salary

synonyms: pay, wages, earnings, payment, remuneration, fee[s], stipend, income; informaltake-home; formalemolument ";an annual raise in his s Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French salarie, from Latin salarium, originally denoting a Roman soldier's allowance to buy salt, from sal 'salt.'

climax

synonyms: peak, pinnacle, height, high[est] point, top; acme, zenith; culmination, crowning point, crown, crest; highlight, high spot, high-water mar

idiosyncrasy

synonyms: peculiarity, oddity, eccentricity, mannerism, trait, singularity, quirk, tic, whim, vagary, caprice Origin early 17th century [originally in the sense 'physical constitution peculiar to an individual']: from Greek idiosunkrasia, from idios 'own, private' + sun 'with' + krasis 'mixture.'

incisive

synonyms: penetrating, acute, sharp, sharp-witted, razor-sharp, keen, astute, trenchant, shrewd, piercing, cutting, perceptive, insightful, percipient, per Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'cutting, penetrating']: from medieval Latin incisivus, from Latin incidere 'cut into' [see incise].

impecunious

synonyms: penniless, poor, impoverished, indigent, insolvent, hard up, poverty-stricken, needy, destitute; in straitened circumstances, unable to make ends meet; i Origin late 16th century: from in-1 'not' + obsolete pecunious 'having money, wealthy' [from Latin pecuniosus, from pecunia 'money'].

imperious

synonyms: peremptory, high-handed, commanding, imperial, overbearing, overweening, domineering, authoritarian, dictatorial, autocratic, authoritativ Origin mid 16th century: from Latin imperiosus, from imperium 'command, authority, empire'; related to imperare 'to command.' Compare with imperial.

quintessence

synonyms: perfect example, exemplar, prototype, stereotype, picture, epitome, embodiment, ideal, apotheosis; best, pick, prime, acme, crème de la crème ";it's the quintessence of Origin late Middle English [as a term in philosophy]: via French from medieval Latin quinta essentia 'fifth essence.'

pervade

synonyms: permeate, spread through, fill, suffuse, be diffused through, imbue, penetrate, filter through, percolate through, infuse, perfuse, flow through; charge, steep, saturate, Origin mid 17th century [also in the sense 'traverse']: from Latin pervadere, from per- 'throughout' + vadere 'go.'

epitome

synonyms: personification, embodiment, incarnation, paragon; essence, quintessence, archetype, paradigm; exemplar, model, soul, example; height ";the sanatorium there is Origin early 16th century: via Latin from Greek epitomē, from epitemnein 'abridge,' from epi 'in addition' + temnein 'to cut.'

permeate

synonyms: pervade, spread through, fill, filter through, diffuse through, imbue, penetrate, pass through, percolate through, perfuse, charge, suffuse, steep, impregnate, Origin mid 17th century: from Latin permeat- 'passed through,' from the verb permeare, from per- 'through' + meare 'pass, go.'

querulous

synonyms: petulant, peevish, pettish, complaining, fractious, fretful, irritable, testy, tetchy, cross, snappish, crabby, crotchety, cantankerous, miserable, moody, grumpy, bad-tempered, sullen, sulk Origin late 15th century: from late Latin querulosus, from Latin querulus, from queri 'complain.'

quaint

synonyms: picturesque, charming, swe Origin Middle English: from Old French cointe, from Latin cognitus 'ascertained,' past participle of cognoscere . The original sense was 'wise, clever,' also 'ingenious, cunningly devised,' hence 'out of the ordinary' and the current sense [late 18th century].

tautology

synonyms: pleonasm, repetition, reiteration, redundancy, superfluity, duplication ";avoid such tautology as ";let's all work together, everyone, as a team"; Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek, from tautologos 'repeating what has been said,' from tauto- 'same' + -logos [see -logy].

aplomb

synonyms: poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, calmness, composure, collectedness, levelheadedness, sangfroid, equilibrium, equanimity; informalunflappability ";the judge Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'perpendicularity, steadiness']: from French, from à plomb 'according to a plummet.'

noxious

synonyms: poisonous, toxic, deadly, harmful, dangerous, pernicious, damaging, destructive; unpleasant, nasty, disgusting, awful, dreadful, horrible, terrible; vile, revolting, foul, nauseating, appalling, offensive; malodorous Origin late 15th century: from Latin noxius [from noxa 'harm'] + -ous.

virulent

synonyms: poisonous, toxic, venomous, noxious, deadly, lethal, fatal, dangerous, harmful, injurious, pernicious, damaging, destructive; literarydeathly ";virulent herbicide Origin late Middle English [originally describing a poisoned wound]: from Latin virulentus, from virus 'poison' [see virus].

grandiloquent

synonyms: pompous, bombastic, magniloquent, pretentious, ostentatious, high-flown, orotund, florid, flowery; overwro Origin late 16th century: from Latin grandiloquus, literally 'grand-speaking,' from grandis 'grand' + loqui 'speak.' The ending was altered in English by association with eloquent.

indigent

synonyms: poor, impecunious, destitute, penniless, impoverished, insolvent, poverty-stricken; needy, in need, hard up, disadvanta Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin indigent- 'lacking,' from the verb indigere, from indi- [strengthened form of in- 'into'] + egere 'to need.'

salacious

synonyms: pornographic, obscene, indecent, crude, lewd, vulgar, dirty, filthy; erotic, titillating, arousing, suggestive, sexy, risqué, ribald, smutty, bawdy; X-rated; informalporn, porno, blue, XXX; euphemisticadul Origin mid 17th century: from Latin salax, salac- [from salire 'to leap'] + -ious

compete

synonyms: take part, participate, play, be a competitor, be involved; enter ";they competed in a tennis tournament"; contend with, vie with, battle

presage

synonyms: portend, augur, foreshadow, foretell, prophesy, be an omen of, herald, be a sign of, be the harbinger of, warn of, be a presage of, signal Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: via French from Latin praesagium, from praesagire 'forebode,' from prae 'before' + sagire 'perceive keenly.'

defer

synonyms: postpone, put off, delay, hold over, hold off [on], put back; shelve, suspend

feasible

synonyms: practicable, practical, workable, achievable, attainable, realizable, viable, realistic, sensible, reasonable, within reason; suitable, possible, expedient; informaldoable ";a Origin late Middle English: from Old French faisible, from fais-, stem of faire 'do, make,' from Latin facere .

pragmatic

synonyms: practical, matter-of-fact, sensible, down-to-earth, commo Origin late 16th century [in the senses 'busy, interfering, conceited']: via Latin from Greek pragmatikos 'relating to fact,' from pragma 'deed' [from the stem of prattein 'do']. The current sense dates from the mid 19th century.

obviate

synonyms: preclude, prevent, remove, get rid of, do away with, get around, rule out, eliminate, make/render unnecessary ";our latest agreement obviates any further discussion of the mat Origin late 16th century: from late Latin obviat- 'prevented,' from the verb obviare, based on Latin via 'way.'

forestall

synonyms: preempt, get in before; anticipate, second-guess; nip in the bu Origin Old English foresteall 'an ambush' [see fore- and stall]. As a verb the earliest sense [Middle English] was 'intercept and buy up [goods] before they reach the market, so as to raise the price' [formerly an offense].

absurd

synonyms: preposterous, ridiculous, ludicrous, farcical, laughable, risible, idiotic, stupid, foolish, silly, inane, imbecilic, insane, harebrained, cockamamie; unreasonable, irrational Origin mid 16th century: from Latin absurdus 'out of tune,' hence 'irrational'; related to surdus 'deaf, dull.'

officiate

synonyms: preside over, be in charge of, take charge of, direct, head [up]; oversee, superintend, supervise, conduct, run; referee, umpire, judge, adjudicate; emcee ";he officiated the gam Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin officiare 'perform divine service,' from officium [see office].

malinger

synonyms: pretend to be ill, feign [an] illness, fake [an] illness; shirk; informalgoof off ";he was put on repor Origin early 19th century: back-formation from malingerer, apparently from French malingre, perhaps formed as mal- 'wrongly, improperly' + haingre 'weak,' probably of Germanic origin.

precept

synonyms: principle, rule, tenet, canon, doctrine, command, order, decree, dictate, dictum, injunction, commandment; mitzvah; formalprescript ";the precept Origin late Middle English: from Latin praeceptum, neuter past participle of praecipere 'warn, instruct,' from prae 'before' + capere 'take.'

lucrative

synonyms: profitable, profit-making, gainful, remunerative, moneymaking, paying, high-income, well paid, bankable; rewarding, worthwhile; thriving, flourishing, successful, bo Origin late Middle English: from Latin lucrativus, from lucrat- 'gained,' from the verb lucrari, from lucrum [see lucre].

protract

synonyms: prolong, lengthen, extend, draw out, drag out, spin out, stretch out, string out, elongate; carry on, continue, keep up, perpetuate ";the opposition will try to prot Origin mid 16th century: from Latin protract- 'prolonged,' from the verb protrahere, from pro- 'out' + trahere 'to draw.'

prescient

synonyms: prophetic, predictive, visionary; psychic, clairvoyant; farsighted, prognostic, divinatory; insightful, intuitive, perceptive, percipient ";the outcome was Origin early 17th century: from Latin praescient- 'knowing beforehand,' from the verb praescire, from prae 'before' + scire 'know.'

rail

synonyms: protest [against], fulminate against, inveigh against, rage against, speak out against, make a stand against; expostulate about, criticize, denounce, con Origin late Middle English: from French railler, from Provençal ralhar 'to jest,' based on an alteration of Latin rugire 'to bellow.'

remonstrate

synonyms: protest, complain, expostulate; argue with, take issue with ";"I'm not a child!" he remonstrated" Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'make plain']: from medieval Latin remonstrat- 'demonstrated,' from the verb remonstrare, from re- [expressing intensive force] + monstrare 'to show.'

livid

synonyms: purplish, bluish, dark, discolored, purple, grayish-blue; bruised; angry, black and blue ";a Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'of a bluish leaden color']: from French livide or Latin lividus, from livere 'be bluish.' The sense 'furiously angry' dates from the early 20th century.

perplex

synonyms: puzzle, baffle, mystify, bemuse, bewilder, confound, confuse, disconcert, dumbfound, throw, Origin late 15th century [as the adjective perplexed ]: from the obsolete adjective perplex 'bewildered,' from Latin perplexus 'entangled,' based on plexus 'interwoven,' from the verb plectere .

scruple

synonyms: qualms, compunction, pangs/twinges of conscience, hesitation, reservations, second thoughts, doubt[s], misgivings, uneasiness, reluctance ";he had no sc Origin late Middle English: from French scrupule or Latin scrupulus, from scrupus, literally 'rough pebble,' [figuratively] 'anxiety.'

peruse

synonyms: read, study, scrutinize, inspect, examine, wade through, look through; More browse through, leaf through, scan, run one's eye over, g Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'use up, wear out']: perhaps from per- 'thoroughly' + use, but compare with Anglo-Norman French peruser 'examine.'

peruse

synonyms: read, study, scrutinize, inspect, examine, wade through, look through; browse through, leaf through, scan, run one's eye over, glance Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'use up, wear out']: perhaps from per- 'thoroughly' + use, but compare with Anglo-Norman French peruser 'examine.'

insurrection

synonyms: rebellion, revolt, uprising, mutiny, revolution, insurgence, riot, sedition, subversion; civil disorder, unrest, anarchy; coup [d'état] ";the suspects all escaped after a prison insurre Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin insurrectio[n-], from insurgere 'rise up.'

replenish

synonyms: refill, top up, fill up, recharge, freshen ";she replenished their glass Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'supply abundantly']: from Old French repleniss-, lengthened stem of replenir, from re- 'again' [also expressing intensive force] + plenir 'fill' [from Latin plenus 'full'].

repudiate

synonyms: reject, renounce, abandon, give up, turn one's back on, disown, cast off, lay aside; formalforswear, abjure; literaryforsake ";he repudiated Origin late Middle English [originally an adjective in the sense 'divorced']: from Latin repudiatus 'divorced, cast off,' from repudium 'divorce.'

inexorable

synonyms: relentless, unstoppable, inescapable, inevitable, unavoidable, irrevocable, unalterable; persistent, continuous, nonstop, steady, interminable, incessant, unceasing, u Origin mid 16th century: from French, or from Latin inexorabilis, from in- 'not' + exorabilis [from exorare 'entreat'].

germane

synonyms: relevant, pertinent, applicable, apposite, material; apropos, appropriate, apt, fitting, suitable; connected, related, akin Origin early 17th century: variant of german, with which it was synonymous from Middle English. The current sense has arisen from a usage in Shakespeare's Hamlet .

nostalgia

synonyms: reminiscence, remembrance, recollection; wistfulness, regret, sentimentality; homesickness ";a nostalgia for traditiona Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'acute homesickness']: modern Latin [translating German Heimweh 'homesickness'], from Greek nostos 'return home' + algos 'pain.'

recant

synonyms: renounce, disavow, deny, repudiate, renege on; formalforswear, abjure ";he was forced to recant his political beliefs"; change one's mind, be apostate; raretergiversate ";he r Origin mid 16th century: from Latin recantare 'revoke,' from re- [expressing reversal] + cantare 'sing, chant.'

penitent

synonyms: repentant, contrite, remorseful, sorry, apologetic, regretful, conscience-stricken, rueful, ashamed, shamefaced, abject, in sackcloth and ashes ";she stood there looking like a penitent Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitent- 'repenting,' from the verb paenitere .

supplant

synonyms: replace, supersede, displace, take over from, substitute for, override ";paved highways supplanted the network of dirt roads"; oust, usurp, overthrow, remove, topple Origin Middle English: from Old French supplanter or Latin supplantare 'trip up,' from sub- 'from below' + planta 'sole.'

delegate

synonyms: representative, envoy, emissary, commissioner, agent, deputy, commissary; spokesperson, spokesman, spokeswoman; ambassador, plenipotentiary ";union delegat Origin late Middle English: from Latin delegatus 'sent on a commission,' from the verb delegare, from de- 'down' + legare 'depute.'

upbraid

synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, reprove, reproach, scold, berate, take to task, lambaste, give someon Origin late Old English upbrēdan 'allege [something] as a basis for censure,' based on braid in the obsolete sense 'brandish.' The current sense dates from Middle English.

reprove

synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, reproach, scold, admonish, chastise, chide, upbraid, berate, take to task, rake/haul over the coals, criticize, censure Origin Middle English [also in the senses 'reject' and 'censure']: from Old French reprover, from late Latin reprobare 'disapprove' [see reprobate].

reticent

synonyms: reserved, withdrawn, introverted, inhibited, diffident, shy; uncommunicative, unforthcoming, unresponsive, tight-lipped, buttoned-up, qui Origin mid 19th century: from Latin reticent- 'remaining silent,' from the verb reticere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + tacere 'be silent.'

immune

synonyms: resistant to, not subject to, not liab Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'free from [a liability]']: from Latin immunis 'exempt from public service or charge,' from in- 'not' + munis 'ready for service.' Senses relating to physiological resistance date from the late 19th century.

revere

synonyms: respect, admire, honor, think highly of, esteem, hold in high esteem, hold in high regard, look up to, put on a pedestal, lionize, reverence ";she is revered as a na Origin mid 17th century: from French révérer or Latin revereri, from re- [expressing intensive force] + vereri 'to fear.'

trammeled

synonyms: restrict, restrain, constrain, hamper, confine, hinder, handicap, obstruct, impede, hold back, tie down, hamstring, sh Origin late Middle English [sense 2 of the noun]: from Old French tramail, from a medieval Latin variant of trimaculum, perhaps from Latin tri- 'three' + macula 'mesh.'

rescind

synonyms: revoke, repeal, cancel, reverse, overturn, overrule, annul, nullify, void, invalidate, quash, abolish; vacate; formalabrogate ";the court can rescind a bankruptcy order"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin rescindere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + scindere 'to divide, split.'

repugnance

synonyms: revulsion, disgust, abhorrence, repulsion, loathing, hatred, detestation, aversion, distaste, antipath Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'opposition']: from Old French repugnance or Latin repugnantia, from repugnare 'oppose,' from re- [expressing opposition] + pugnare 'to fight.'

bawdy

synonyms: ribald, indecent, risqué, racy, rude, spicy, sexy, suggestive, titillating, naughty, improper, indelicate, indecorous, off-color, earthy, barnyard, broad, locker-room, Rabelaisian; pornographic, obscene, vulgar, crude, coarse, lewd, dirty, filthy, smutty, unseemly, salacious, prurient, l

risque

synonyms: ribald, rude, bawdy, Rabelaisian, racy, earthy, indecent, suggestive, improper, naughty, locker-room; vulgar, dirty, smutty, crude, coarse, obscene, lewd, X-rated; informalblue, raunchy; off-color ";risqué stories"; Origin mid 19th century: French, past participle of risquer 'to risk.'

ascendant

synonyms: rising [in power], on the rise, on the way up, up-and-coming, flourishing, prospering, burgeoning ";his onetime political supporters have become the ascendant electoral Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin ascendent- 'climbing up,' from the verb ascendere [see ascend].

reprobate

synonyms: rogue, rascal, scoundrel, miscreant, good-for-nothing, villain, wretch, rake, degenerate, libertine, debauchee; informal,cad; archaicb Origin late Middle English [as a verb]: from Latin reprobat- 'disapproved,' from the verb reprobare, from re- [expressing reversal] + probare 'approve.'

ferret

synonyms: rummage, feel around, grope around, forage around, fish around/about, poke around/about; search through, hunt through, rifle through "she ferreted"

bucolic

synonyms: rustic, rural, pastoral, country, countryside; literaryArcadian, sylvan, georgic ";their farm had been used as the bucolic setting for two major motion pictur Origin early 16th century [denoting a pastoral poem]: via Latin from Greek boukolikos, from boukolos 'herdsman,' from bous 'ox.'

sacrosanct

synonyms: sacred, hallowed, respected, inviolable, inviolate, unimpeachable, invulnerable, untouchable, inalienable; protected, defended, secure, safe ";the separation of churc Origin late 15th century: from Latin sacrosanctus, from sacro 'by a sacred rite' [ablative of sacrum ] + sanctus 'holy.'

melancholy

synonyms: sadness, sorrow, unhappiness, woe, desolation, melancholia, dejection, depression, desponden Origin Middle English: from Old French melancolie, via late Latin from Greek melankholia, from melas, melan- 'black' + kholē 'bile,' an excess of which was formerly believed to cause depression.

repeat

synonyms: say again, restate, reiterate, go/run through again, recapitulate; informalrecap ";she repeated her story"; recite, quote, parrot, regurgitate ";children can repeat large chunks of Origin late Middle English: from Old French repeter, from Latin repetere, from re- 'back' + petere 'seek.'

vituperate

synonyms: scold, revile, upbraid, criticize; blame, abuse, insult, vilifiy, denounce, denigrate, disparage; formalcastigate ";he began vituperating the ";social Origin mid 16th century: from Latin vituperat- 'censured, disparaged,' from the verb vituperare, from vitium 'fault' + parare 'prepare.'

searing

synonyms: scorching, blistering, sweltering, blazing [hot], burning, fiery, torrid; informalboiling [hot], baking [hot], sizzling, roasting ";the searing heat"; intense, excruciating, agonizing, sharp, stabbing, shooting, st Origin Old English sēar [adjective], sēarian [verb], of Germanic origin.

rogue

synonyms: scoundrel, villain, miscreant, reprobate, rascal, good-for-nothin Origin mid 16th century [denoting an idle vagrant]: probably from Latin rogare 'beg, ask,' and related to obsolete slang roger 'vagrant beggar' [many such cant terms were introduced toward the middle of the 16th century].

staid

synonyms: sedate, respectable, quiet, serious, serious-minded, steady, conventional, traditional, unadventurous, unenterprising, set in one's ways, sober, proper, decorous, formal, stuffy, stiff, priggish; informalstarchy, buttoned-down, Origin mid 16th century: archaic past participle of stay1.

abstemious

synonyms: self-denying, temperate, abstinent, moderate, self-disciplined, restrained, self-restrained, sober, austere, ascetic, puritanical, spartan, hair-shirt ";the monks here ha Origin early 17th century: from Latin abstemius [from ab- 'from' + a word related to temetum 'strong drink'] + -ous.

bumptious

synonyms: self-important, conceited, arrogant, self-assertive, pushy, pompous, overbearing, cocky, swaggering; proud, haughty, overweening, egotistical; informalsnooty, uppity ";our bumptious cousin thinks she's God's Origin early 19th century: humorously from bump, on the pattern of fractious .

hedonism

synonyms: self-indulgence, pleasure-seeking, self-gratification, lotus-eating, sybaritism; intemperance, immoderation, extravagance, luxury, high living ";they feel that television promotes hedonism among all its viewers, especially ch Origin mid 19th century: from Greek hēdonē 'pleasure' + -ism.

maudlin

synonyms: sentimental, oversentimental, emotional, overemotional, t Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting Mary Magdalen]: from Old French Madeleine, from ecclesiastical Latin Magdalena [see magdalene]. The sense of the adjective derives from allusion to pictures of Mary Magdalen weeping.

mawkish

synonyms: sentimental, oversentimental, maudlin, cloying, sickly, saccharine, sugary, oversweet, syrupy, nauseating; informalmushy, slushy, sloppy, schmaltzy, wee Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'inclined to sickness']: from obsolete mawk 'maggot,' from Old Norse mathkr, of Germanic origin.

obsequious

synonyms: servile, ingratiating, sycophantic, fawning, unctuous, oily, oleaginous, groveling, cringing, subservient, submissive, slavish; inf Origin late 15th century [not depreciatory in sense in early use]: from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequium 'compliance,' from obsequi 'follow, comply with.'

instigate

synonyms: set in motion, get underway, get off the ground, start, commence, begin, initiate, launch, institute, set up, inaugurate, establ Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'urge on']: from Latin instigat- 'urged, incited,' from the verb instigare, from in- 'toward' + stigare 'prick, incite.'

austere

synonyms: severe, stern, strict, harsh, steely, flinty, dour, grim, cold, frosty, unemotional, unfriendly; formal, stiff, reserved, aloof, forbidding; grave, solemn, serious, unsmiling, unsympathetic, unforgi Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin austerus, from Greek austēros 'severe.'

luminous

synonyms: shining, bright, brilliant, radiant, dazzling, glowing, gleaming, scintillating, lustrous; luminescent, phosphorescent, fluorescent, incandescent ";the luminous face of the alarm clock"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French lumineux or Latin luminosus, from lumen, lumin- 'light.'

trauma

synonyms: shock, upheaval, distress, stress, strain, pain, anguish, suffering, upset, agony, misery, sorrow, grief, heartache, heartbreak, torture; ordeal, trial, tribulation, trouble, worry, anxiety; nightmare, hell, hellishness; war-weari Origin late 17th century: from Greek, literally 'wound.'

harridan

synonyms: shrew, termagant, virago, harpy, vixen, nag, hag, crone, dragon, ogress; fishwife, hellcat, she-devil, gorgon; martinet, tartar; informalold bag, old bat, battle-ax, witch; archaicscold ";Steve tried Origin late 17th century [originally slang]: perhaps from French haridelle 'old horse.'

diffident

synonyms: shy, bashful, modest, self-effacing, unassuming, meek, unconfident, un Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'lacking confidence or trust in someone or something']: from Latin diffident- 'failing in trust,' from the verb diffidere, from dis- [expressing reversal] + fidere 'to trust.'

adroit

synonyms: skillful, adept, dexterous, deft, nimble, able, capable, skilled, expert, masterly, masterful, master, practiced, handy, polished, slick, proficient, accomplished, gifted, talented; quick-witted, quick-th Origin mid 17th century: from French, from à droit 'according to right, properly.'

sordid

synonyms: sleazy, dirty, seedy, seamy, unsavory, tawdry, cheap, debased, degenerate, dishonorable, disreputa Origin late Middle English [as a medical term in the sense 'purulent']: from French sordide or Latin sordidus, from sordere 'be dirty.' The current senses date from the early 17th century.

glib

synonyms: slick, pat, fast-talking, smooth-talking; disingenuous, insincere, facile, shallow, superficial, flippant; smooth, silver- Origin late 16th century [also in the sense 'smooth, unimpeded']: ultimately of Germanic origin; related to Dutch glibberig 'slippery' and German glibberig 'slimy.'

lethargy

synonyms: sluggishness, inertia, inactivity, inaction, slowness, torpor, torpidity, lifelessness, listlessness, languor, laziness, idlen Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin lethargia, from Greek lēthargia, from lēthargos 'forgetful,' from the base of lanthanesthai 'forget.'

modicum

synonyms: small amount, particle, speck, fragment, scrap, crumb, grain, morsel, shred, dash, drop, pinch, soupçon, jot, iota, whit, atom, smattering, scintilla, hint, suggestion, tinge; informalsmidgen, tad Origin late 15th century: from Latin, neuter of modicus 'moderate,' from modus 'measure.'

natty

synonyms: smart, stylish, fashionable, dapper, debonair, dashing, spruced up, well dressed, chic, elegant, trim; informalsnazzy, trendy, snappy, nifty, sassy, spiffy, fly, kicky, styling/stylin', sharp ";he's looking pretty da Origin late 18th century [originally slang]: perhaps related to neat1.

sodden

synonyms: soaking, soaked [through], wet [through], saturated, drenched, sopping wet, wringing wet ";his clothes were sodden"; waterlogged, soggy, saturated, boggy, swampy, miry, marshy; heavy, so Origin Middle English [in the sense 'boiled, cooked by boiling']: archaic past participle of seethe.

extravagant

synonyms: spendthrift, profligate, improvident, wasteful, prodigal, lavish ";an extravagant li Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'unusual, abnormal, unsuitable']: from medieval Latin extravagant- 'diverging greatly,' from the verb extravagari, from Latin extra- 'outside' + vagari 'wander.'

mettle

synonyms: spirit, fortitude, strength of character, moral fiber, steel, determination, resolve, resolution, backbone, grit, true grit, courage, courageousness, bravery, valor, fearlessness, daring; informalguts, Origin mid 16th century: specialized spelling [used for figurative senses] of metal.

mar

synonyms: spoil, impair, disfigure, detract from, blemish, scar; mutilate, deface, deform ";an ugly scar marred his features"; spoil, ruin, impair, damage, wreck; harm, hurt, blight, taint, Origin Old English merran 'hinder, damage,' of Germanic origin; probably related to Dutch marren 'loiter.'

patron

synonyms: sponsor, backer, financier, benefactor, benefactress, contributor, subscriber, donor; philanthropist, promoter, friend, supporter; informalangel ";a patron of the ar Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin patronus 'protector of clients, defender,' from pater, patr- 'father.'

disseminate

synonyms: spread, circulate, distribute, disperse, promulgate, propagate, publicize, communicate, pass on, put about, make known

stalwart

synonyms: staunch, loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable, reliable, steady, constant, trusty, solid, hard-working, steadfast, redoubtable, unwavering ";a stalwart Origin late Middle English: Scots variant of obsolete stalworth, from Old English stǣl 'place' + weorth 'worth.'

pilfer

synonyms: steal, thieve, take, snatch, purloin, loot; informalswipe, rob, nab, rip off, lift, "liberate", "borrow", filch, sna Origin late Middle English [as a noun in the sense 'action of pilfering, something pilfered']: from Old French pelfrer 'to pillage,' of unknown origin. Compare with pelf.

insidious

synonyms: stealthy, subtle, surreptitious, cunning, crafty, treacherous, artful, sly, wily, shifty, underhanded, indirect; informalsneaky "; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin insidiosus 'cunning,' from insidiae 'an ambush or trick,' from insidere 'lie in wait for,' from in- 'on' + sedere 'sit.'

swagger

synonyms: strut, parade, stride; walk confidently; informalsashay ";we swaggered into the arena"; boast, brag, bluster, crow, gloat; strut, posture, blow one's own horn, lord it; informalshow off, swank ";try to swagger less Origin early 16th century: apparently a frequentative of the verb swag.

obdurate

synonyms: stubborn, obstinate, intransigent, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, pigheaded, bullhea Origin late Middle English [originally in the sense 'hardened in sin, impenitent']: from Latin obduratus, past participle of obdurare, from ob- 'in opposition' + durare 'harden' [from durus 'hard'].

obtuse

synonyms: stupid, slow-witted, slow, dull-witted, unintelligent, ignorant, simpleminded, witless; insensitive, imperceptive, uncomprehending; informaldim, dimwitted, de Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'blunt']: from Latin obtusus, past participle of obtundere 'beat against' [see obtund].

urbane

synonyms: suave, sophisticated, debonair, worldly, cultivated, cultured, civilized, cosmopolitan; smooth, polished, refined, self-possessed; courteous, polite, well mannered, mannerly, civil, charming Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'urban']: from French urbain or Latin urbanus [see urban].

debonair

synonyms: suave, urbane, sophisticated, cultured, self-possessed, self-assured, confident, charming, gracious, courteous, gallant, chivalrous, gentlemanly, refined, polishe Origin Middle English [in the sense 'meek or courteous']: from Old French debonaire, from de bon aire 'of good disposition.'

tribulation

synonyms: suffering, distress, trouble, misery, wretchedness, unhappiness, sadness, heartach Origin Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin tribulatio[n-], from Latin tribulare 'press, oppress,' from tribulum 'threshing board [constructed of sharp points],' based on terere 'rub.'

morose

synonyms: sullen, sulky, gloomy, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dour, surly, sour, glum, moody, ill-humored, melancholy, melancholic, brooding, broody, doleful, miserable, depressed, dejected, despondent, downcast, unhap Origin mid 16th century: from Latin morosus 'peevish,' from mos, mor- 'manner.'

superfluous

synonyms: surplus [to requirements], nonessential, redundant, unneeded, excess, extra, [to] spare, remaining, unused, left over, in excess, waste ";superfluous material"; unnecessary, unneeded, redundant, un Origin late Middle English: from Latin superfluus, from super- 'over' + fluere 'to flow.'

reconnoiter

synonyms: survey, make a reconnaissance of, explore; investigate, examine, scrutinize, inspect, observe, take a look at; patrol; informalcheck out, scope out, recon ";two of our best Origin early 18th century: from obsolete French reconnoître, from Latin recognoscere 'know again' [see recognize].

unctuous

synonyms: sycophantic, ingratiating, obsequious, fawning, servile, groveling, subservient, cringing, humble, hypocritical, insincere, gushing, effusive; glib, s Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'greasy']: from medieval Latin unctuosus, from Latin unctus 'anointing,' from unguere 'anoint.'

umbrage

synonyms: take offense, take exception, be aggrieved, be affronted, be annoyed, be angry, be indig Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French, from Latin umbra 'shadow.' An early sense was 'shadowy outline,' giving rise to 'ground for suspicion,' whence the current notion of 'offense.'

voluble

synonyms: talkative, loquacious, garrulous, verbose, wordy, Origin late 16th century: from French, or from Latin volubilis, from volvere 'to roll.' Earlier use in late Middle English included the senses 'rotating around an axis' and 'having a tendency to change,' also meanings of the Latin word.

garrulous

synonyms: talkative, loquacious, voluble, verbose, chatty, chattering, gossipy; effusive, expansive, forthcoming, conversational, communicative; informalmouthy, gabby, gassy, windy, having the gift of [the Origin early 17th century: from Latin garrulus [from garrire 'to chatter, prattle'] + -ous.

pedagogue

synonyms: teacher, schoolteacher, schoolmaster, schoolmistress, master, mistress, tutor; lecturer, academic, don, professor, instructor, educa Origin late Middle English: via Latin from Greek paidagōgos, denoting a slave who accompanied a child to school [from pais, paid- 'boy' + agōgos 'guide'].

dire

synonyms: terrible, dreadful, appalling, frightful, awful, atrocious, grim, alarming; grave, serious, disastrous, calamitous, ruinous, hopeless, irretrievable, wretched, desperate, parlous; formalgrievous ";the dire economic situatio Origin mid 16th century: from Latin dirus 'fearful, threatening

occult

synonyms: the supernatural, the paranormal, supernaturalism, magic, black magic, witch Origin late 15th century [as a verb]: from Latin occultare 'secrete,' frequentative of occulere 'conceal,' based on celare 'to hide'; the adjective and noun from occult- 'covered over,' from the verb occulere .

proliterait

synonyms: the workers, working-class people, wage earners, the working classes, the common people, the lower classes, the masses, the rank and file, the third estate, the plebeians; the lumpen, the lumpenp Origin mid 19th century: from French prolétariat, from Latin proletarius [see proletarian].

frugal

synonyms: thrifty, economical, careful, cautious, prudent, provident, unwasteful, sparing, scrimping; abstemious, abstinent, austere, self-denying, ascetic, monkish, spartan; parsimonious, mi Origin mid 16th century: from Latin frugalis, from frugi 'economical, thrifty,' from frux, frug- 'fruit.'

pusillanimous

synonyms: timid, timorous, cowardly, fearful, faint-hearted, lily-livered, spineless, craven, shrinking; informalchicken, gutless, wimpy, wimpi Origin late Middle English: from ecclesiastical Latin pusillanimis [translating Greek olugopsukhos ], from pusillus 'very small' + animus 'mind,' + -ous.

fraction

synonyms: tiny part, fragment, snippet, snatch, smattering, selection ";only a fraction of the collection"; tiny amount, little, bit, touch, soupçon, trifle, mite

harangue

synonyms: tirade, diatribe, lecture, polemic, rant, fulmination, broadside, attack, onslaught; crit Origin late Middle English: from Old French arenge, from medieval Latin harenga, perhaps of Germanic origin. The spelling was later altered to conform with French harangue [noun], haranguer [verb].

flag

synonyms: tire, grow tired/weary, weaken, grow weak, wilt, droop, fade, run out of steam "they were flagging toward the finish" fade, decline, wane, ebb, diminish, decrease, lessen

indefatigable

synonyms: tireless, untiring, unflagging, unwearied; determined, tenacious, dogged, single-minded, assiduous, industrious, hard-working, unswerving, unfaltering, u Origin early 17th century: from French, or from Latin indefatigabilis, from in- 'not' + de- 'away, completely' + fatigare 'wear out.'

knell

synonyms: toll, tolling, dong, resounding, reverberation; death knell; archaictocsin ";the knell of Origin Old English cnyll [noun], cnyllan [verb]; related to Dutch knal [noun], knallen [verb] 'bang, pop, crack.' The current spelling [dating from the 16th century] is perhaps influenced by bell1.

poignant

synonyms: touching, moving, sad, affecting, pitiful, piteous, pathetic, sorrowful, mournful, wretched, miserable, distressing, heart-rending, tearjerking, plaintive, tra Origin late Middle English: from Old French, literally 'pricking,' present participle of poindre, from Latin pungere 'to prick.

taint

synonyms: trace, touch, suggestion, hint, tinge; stain, blot, blemish, stigma, black mark, discredit, dishonor, di Origin Middle English [as a verb in the sense 'convict, prove guilty']: partly from Old French teint 'tinged,' based on Latin tingere 'to dye, tinge'; partly a shortening of attaint.

transient

synonyms: transitory, temporary, short-lived, short-term, ephemeral, impermanent, brief, short, momentary, fleeting, passing, here today and gone tomorrow; literaryevanescent, Origin late 16th century: from Latin transient- 'going across,' from the verb transire, from trans- 'across' + ire 'go.'

itinerant

synonyms: traveling, peripatetic, wandering, roving, roaming, touring, saddlebag, nomadic, gypsy, migrant, vagrant Origin late 16th century [used to describe a judge traveling on a circuit]: from late Latin itinerant- 'traveling,' from the verb itinerari, from Latin iter, itiner- 'journey, road.'

perfidy

synonyms: treachery, duplicity, deceit, deceitfulness, disloyalty, infidelity, faithlessness, unfaithfulness, betrayal, treason, double-dealing, untrustworthiness, Origin late 16th century: via French from Latin perfidia, from perfidus 'treacherous,' based on per- 'to ill effect' + fides 'faith.'

subterfuge

synonyms: trickery, intrigue, deviousness, deceit, deception, dishonesty, cheating, duplicity, guile, cunning, craftiness, chicanery, pretense Origin late 16th century: from French, or from late Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugere 'escape secretly,' from subter- 'beneath' + fugere 'flee.'

malcontent

synonyms: troublemaker, mischief-maker, agitator, dissident, rebel, rabble-rouser; discontent, complainer, grumbler, moaner, whiner; informalgrouch, grump, bellyacher, kvetch, squeaky wheel ";a group of malcontents" Origin late 16th century: from French, from mal 'badly, ill' + content 'pleased.'

veracity

synonyms: truthfulness, truth, accuracy, correctness, faithfulness, fidelity; reputability, honesty, sincerity, trustworthiness, reliability, dependability, scrupulousness, ethi Origin early 17th century: from French véracité or medieval Latin veracitas, from verax 'speaking truly' [see veracious

ramshackle

synonyms: tumbledown, dilapidated, derelict, decrepit, neglected, run-down, gone to rack and ruin, beat-up, crumbling, decaying; ri Origin early 19th century [originally dialect in the sense 'irregular, disorderly']: alteration of earlier ramshackled, altered form of obsolete ransackled 'ransacke

implacable

synonyms: unappeasable, unforgiving, unsparing; inexorable, intransigent, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, relentless, ruthless, remorseless, merciless, heartless, pitil Origin late Middle English: from Latin implacabilis, from in- 'not' + placabilis [see placable].

precarious

synonyms: uncertain, insecure, unpredictable, risky, parlous, hazardous, dangerous, unsafe; unsettled, unstable, unsteady, shaky; informaldicey, chancy, iffy ";those steps look a bit precariou Origin mid 17th century: from Latin precarius 'obtained by entreaty' [from prex, prec- 'prayer'] + -ous.

uncouth

synonyms: uncivilized, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, unpolished, unsophisticated, bush-league, common, plebeian, low, rough, rough-hewn, coarse, loutish, boorish, oafish, troglodyte; ch Origin Old English uncūth 'unknown,' from un-1 'not' + cūth [past participle of cunnan 'know, be able'].

obscure

synonyms: unclear, uncertain, unknown, in doubt, doubtful, dubious, mysterious, hazy, vague, indeterminate, concealed, hidden ";the truth is that many aspects of a war's out Origin late Middle English: from Old French obscur, from Latin obscurus 'dark,' from an Indo-European root meaning 'cover.'

intransigent

synonyms: uncompromising, inflexible, unbending, unyielding, diehard, unshakab Origin late 19th century: from French intransigeant, from Spanish los intransigentes [a name adopted by the extreme republicans in the Cortes, 1873-74]; based on Latin in- 'not' + transigere 'come to an understanding.'

indifferent

synonyms: unconcerned, uninterested, uncaring, casual, nonchalant, offhand, uninvolved, une Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'having no partiality for or against']: via Old French from Latin indifferent- 'not making any difference,' from in- 'not' + different- 'differing' [see different].

recalcitrant

synonyms: uncooperative, intractable, obstreperous, truculent, insubordinate, defiant, rebellious, willful, wayward, headstrong, self-willed, contrary, perverse Origin mid 19th century: from Latin recalcitrant- 'kicking out with the heels,' from the verb recalcitrare, based on calx, calc- 'heel.'

minion

synonyms: underling, henchman, flunky, lackey, hanger-on, follower, servant, hireling, vassal, stooge, toady, sycophant; informalyes-man, trained seal, bootlicker, brown-noser, suck-up ";if working for you means being your minion, I'm not t Origin late 15th century: from French mignon, mignonne .

malaise

synonyms: unhappiness, uneasiness, unease, discomfort, melancholy, depression, despondency, dejection, angst, ennui; lassitude, listlessness, languor, weariness; indisposition, ailment, infirmity, i Origin mid 18th century: from French, from Old French mal 'bad' [from Latin malus ] + aise 'ease.'

homogenous

synonyms: uniform, identical, unvaried, consistent, indistinguishable, homologous, homogenized; alike, similar, the same, much the same, all of a piece, melting-pot ";should the members of a society become so homogeneo Origin late 19th century: from homo- 'same' + Greek genos 'race, kind' + -ous.

inadvertent

synonyms: unintentional, unintended, accidental, unpremeditated, unplanned, innocent, uncalculated, unconscious, unthinking, unwittin Origin mid 17th century: from in-1 'not' + Latin advertent- 'turning the mind to' [from the verb advertere ]. The noun inadvertence dates from late Middle English.

catholic

synonyms: universal, diverse, diversified, wide, broad, broad-based, eclectic, liberal, latitudinarian; compr Origin late Middle English [sense 2 of the adjective]: from Old French catholique or late Latin catholicus, from Greek katholikos 'universal,' from kata 'with respect to' + holos 'whole.'

heterodox

synonyms: unorthodox, nonconformist, dissenting, dissident, rebellious, renegade; heretical, blasphemous, recusant, apostate, skeptical; f Origin early 17th century [originally as a noun denoting an unorthodox opinion]: via late Latin from Greek heterodoxos, from heteros 'other' + doxa 'opinion.'

obnoxious

synonyms: unpleasant, disagreeable, nasty, distasteful, offensive, o Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'vulnerable [to harm]']: from Latin obnoxiosus, from obnoxius 'exposed to harm,' from ob- 'toward' + noxa 'harm.' The current sense, influenced by noxious, dates from the late 17th century.

restive

synonyms: unruly, diso Origin late 16th century: from Old French restif, -ive, from Latin restare 'remain.' The original sense, 'inclined to remain still, inert,' has undergone a reversal; the association with the refractory movements of a horse gave rise to the current sense 'fidgety, restless.'

obstreperous

synonyms: unruly, unmanageable, disorderly, undisciplined, uncontrollable, rowdy, disruptive, truculent, difficult, refractory, rebelliou Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'clamorous, vociferous']: from Latin obstreperus [from obstrepere, from ob- 'against' + strepere 'make a noise'] + -ous.

taciturn

synonyms: untalkative, uncommunicative, reticent, unforthcoming, quiet, secretive, tight-lipped, buttoned-up, close-mouthed; silent, mute, dumb, inarticulate; reserved, withdrawn ";our taciturn daughter has suddenly become Origin late 18th century: from Latin taciturnus, from tacitus [see tacit].

opprobrium

synonyms: vilification, abuse, vituperation, condemnation, criticism, censure, denunciation, defamation, denigration, castigation, disparagement, obloquy, derogation, slander, Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, literally 'infamy,' from opprobrum, from ob- 'against' + probrum 'disgraceful act.'

obloquy

synonyms: vilification, opprobrium, vituperation, condemnation, denunciation, abuse, criticism, censure, defamation, denigration, calumny, insults; informalflak; formalca Origin late Middle English: from late Latin obloquium 'contradiction,' from Latin obloqui, from ob- 'against' + loqui 'speak.'

mercurial

synonyms: volatile, capricious, temperamental, excitable, fickle, changeable, unpredictable, variable, p Origin late Middle English [sense 3 of the adjective]: from Latin mercurialis 'relating to the god Mercury,' from Mercurius 'Mercury.' Sense 1 of the adjective dates from the mid 17th century.

profligate

synonyms: wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, improvident, prodigal ";profligate local authorities"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'overthrown, routed']: from Latin profligatus 'dissolute,' past participle of profligare 'overthrow, ruin,' from pro- 'forward, down' + fligere 'strike down.'

outlandish

synonyms: weird, queer, far out, quirky, zany, eccentric, idiosyncratic, unconventional, unorthodox, funny, bizarre, unusual, singular, extraordinary, strange, unfamiliar, peculiar, odd, curious; More informaloffbeat, off t Origin Old English ūtlendisc 'not native,' from ūtland 'foreign country.'

iniquity

synonyms: wickedness, sinfulness, immorality, impropriety; vice, evil, sin; villainy, criminality; odiousness, atrocity, egregiousness; outrage, monstrosity, obscenity, repr Origin Middle English: from Old French iniquite, from Latin iniquitas, from iniquus, from in- 'not' + aequus 'equal, just.'

prudent

synonyms: wise, well judged, sensible, politic, judicious, sagacious, sage, shrewd, advisable, well advised ";it is prudent to obtain consent"; cautious, care Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin prudent-, contraction of provident- 'foreseeing, attending to' [see provident].

verbose

synonyms: wordy, loquacious, garrulous, talkative, voluble; long-winded, flatulent, lengthy, prolix, tautological, pleonastic, periphrastic, circumlocutory, circuitous, wandering, discursive, digressive, rambling; informalmouthy, Origin late 17th century: from Latin verbosus, from verbum 'word.'

cosmopolitan

synonyms: worldly, worldly-wise, well travelled, experienced, unprovincial, cultivated, cultured, sophisticated, suave, urbane, glamorous, fashionable, stylish; informaljet-setting, cool, hip, styling/stylin' ";a cosmopolitan audience"; Origin mid 17th century [as a noun]: from cosmopolite + -an.

perturb

synonyms: worry, upset, unsettle, disturb, concern, trouble, disquiet; disconcert, discomfit, unnerve, alarm, bother, distress, dismay, gnaw at, agitate, fluster, ruffle, dis Origin late Middle English: from Old French pertourber, from Latin perturbare, from per- 'completely' + turbare 'disturb.'

sallow

synonyms: yellowish, jaundiced, pallid, wan, pale, anemic, bloodless, pasty; unhealthy, sickly, washed out; informallike death warmed over; icteric ";a disturbingly sallow complex Origin Old English salo 'dusky,' of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse sǫlr 'yellow,' from a base meaning 'dirty.'

myriad

synonyms:a multitude, a large/great number, a large/great quantity, scores, quantities, a mass, a host, droves, a horde; informallots, loads, masses, stacks, scads, tons, hundreds, thousand Originmid 16th century [sense 2 of the noun]: via late Latin from Greek murias, muriad-, from murioi '10,000.

subside

synonyms:abate, let up, quiet down, calm, slacken [off], ease [up], relent, die down, recede, lessen, soften, diminish, decline, dwindle, weaken, fade, wane, ebb ";wait until the storm subsi Originlate 17th century: from Latin subsidere, from sub- 'below' + sidere 'settle' [related to sedere 'sit']

pedigree

synonyms:ancestry, descent, lineage, line [of descent], genealogy, family tree, extraction, derivation, origin[s], heritage, parentage, bloodline, dual heritage, background, Originlate Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French pé de grue 'crane's foot,' a mark used to denote succession in pedigrees

savor

taste [good food or drink] and enjoy it completely synonyms: relish, enjoy [to the full], appreciate, delight in, revel in, luxuriate in, bask in ";she wanted to savor every moment"; Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin sapor, from sapere 'to taste.'

provoke

synonyms:arouse, produce, evoke, cause, give rise to, occasion, call forth, elicit, induce, excite, spark off, touch off, kindle, generat Originlate Middle English [also in the sense 'invoke, summon']: from Old French provoquer, from Latin provocare 'challenge,' from pro- 'forth' + vocare 'to call.

presume

synonyms:assume, suppose, dare say, imagine, take it, expect, believe, think, surmise, guess, judge, conjecture, speculate, postulate, presu Originlate Middle English: from Old French presumer, from Latin praesumere 'anticipate' [in late Latin 'take for granted'], from prae 'before' + sumere 'take.

terse

synonyms:brief, short, to the point, concise, succinct, crisp, pith Originearly 17th century: from Latin tersus 'wiped, polished,' from the verb tergere . The original sense was 'polished, trim, spruce,' [relating to language] 'polished, polite,' hence 'concise and to the point' [late 18th century]

suave

synonyms:charming, sophisticated, debonair, urbane, polished, refined, poised, self-possessed, dignified, civilized, gentlemanly, gall Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'gracious, agreeable']: from Old French, or from Latin suavis 'agreeable.' The current sense dates from the mid 19th century

protagonist

synonyms:chief/central/principal/main/leading character, chief/central/principal/main/leading participant, chief/central/principal/main/leading figure, chief/central/principal/main/leading playe Originlate 17th century: from Greek prōtagōnistēs, from prōtos 'first in importance' + agōnistēs 'actor.

pugnacious

synonyms:combative, aggressive, antagonistic, belligerent, bellicose, warlike, quarrelsome, argumentative, contentious, disputatious, hostile, threatening, truculent; fiery, hot-tempered ";this Originmid 17th century: from Latin pugnax, pugnac- [from pugnare 'to fight,' from pugnus 'fist'] + -ious

consummate

synonyms:complete, conclude, finish, accomplish, achieve; ex

embellish

synonyms:decorate, adorn, ornament; beautify, enhance, grace; trim, garnish, gild; deck, bedeck, festoon, emblazon; informaltart up, pimp; literary bejewel, bedizen

scathing

synonyms:devastating, extremely critical, blistering, searing, withering, scorching, fierce, ferocious, savage, severe, stinging, biting, cutting, mordant, trenchant, virulent, caustic, vit OriginMiddle English: from Old Norse skathi [noun], skatha [verb]; related to Dutch and German schaden [verb]

incredulous

synonyms:disbelieving, skeptical, unbelieving, distrustful, mistrustful, suspicious, doubtful, dubious, unconvinced; cynical ";we were incredulous when the congressman was Originlate 16th century: from Latin incredulus [from in- 'not' + credulus 'believing, trusting,' from credere 'believe'] + -ous

negotiate

synonyms:discuss terms, talk, consult, parley, confer, debate; compromise; mediate, intercede, arbitrate, moderate, conciliate; barga Originearly 17th century: from Latin negotiat- 'done in the course of business,' from the verb negotiari, from negotium 'business,' from neg- 'not' + otium 'leisure.

eradicate

synonyms:eliminate, get rid of, remove, obliterate; exterminate, destroy, annihilate, kill, wipe out; abolish

perpetual

synonyms:everlasting, never-ending, eternal, permanent, unending, endless, without end, lasting, long-lasting, constant, abiding, enduring, perennial, tim OriginMiddle English: from Old French perpetuel, from Latin perpetualis, from perpetuus 'continuing throughout,' from perpes, perpet- 'continuou

ostracize

synonyms:exclude, shun, spurn, cold-shoulder, reject, shut out, avoid, ignore, snub, cut dead, keep at arm's length, leave out in the cold; blackba Originmid 17th century: from Greek ostrakizein, from ostrakon 'shell or potsherd' [on which names were written, in voting to banish unpopular citizens]

physiognomy

synonyms:face, features, countenance, expression, look, mien; informalmug, puss; literaryvisage, lineaments ";his Originlate Middle English: from Old French phisonomie, via medieval Latin from Greek phusiognōmonia 'judging of a man's nature [by his features],' based on gnōmōn 'a judge, interpreter.

facetious

synonyms:flippant, flip, glib, frivolous, tongue-in-cheek, ironic, sardonic, joking, jokey, jocular, playful, sportive, teasing, mischievous; witty, Originlate 16th century [in the general sense 'witty, amusing']: from French facétieux, from facétie, from Latin facetia 'jest,' from facetus 'witty.

munificent

synonyms:generous, bountiful, openhanded, magnanimous, philanthropic, princely, handsome, lavish, liberal, charitable, big-hearted, beneficent; literarybounteous ";a munif Originlate 16th century: from Latin munificent-, stem of munificentior, comparative of munificus 'bountiful,' from munus 'gift.

vivid

synonyms:graphic, evocative, realistic, lifelike, faithful, authentic, clear, detailed, lucid, eloquent, striking, arresting, impressive, colorful, rich, picturesque, dramatic, lively, stimulating, interesting, fascinating, scintilla Originmid 17th century: from Latin vividus, from vivere 'to live.

transpire

synonyms:happen, occur, take Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'emit as vapor through the surface']: from French transpirer or medieval Latin transpirare, from Latin trans- 'through' + spirare 'breathe.' The sense 'be revealed' [mid 18th century] is a figurative use comparable with 'leak out.

pristine

synonyms:immaculate, perfect, in mint condition, as new, unspoiled, spotless, flawless, impeccable, clean, fresh, new, virgin Originmid 16th century [in the sense 'original, former, primitive and undeveloped']: from Latin pristinus 'former.' The senses 'unspoiled' and 'spotless' date from the 1920s

impunity

synonyms:immunity, indemnity, exemption [from punishment], freedom from liability, nonliability, license; amnesty, dispensation, reprieve, pardon, exoneration; stay of execut Originmid 16th century: from Latin impunitas, from impunis 'unpunished,' from in- 'not' + poena 'penalty' or punire 'punish.

impetuous

synonyms:impulsive, rash, hasty, overhasty, reckless, heedless, careless, foolhardy, bullheaded, headstrong, incautious, imprudent, injudicious, ill-considered, unthought-out; spontan Originlate Middle English: from Old French impetueux, from late Latin impetuosus, from impetere 'to assail, attack.

voracious

synonyms:insatiable, unquenchable, unappeasable, prodigious, uncontrollable, compulsive, gluttonous, greedy, rapacious; enthusiastic, eager, keen, avid, desirous, hungry, ravenous; informalpiggish; rareesurient ";her vo Originmid 17th century: from Latin vorax, vorac- [from vorare 'devour'] + -ious

innuendo

synonyms:insinuation, s Originmid 16th century [as an adverb in the sense 'that is to say, to wit,' used in legal documents to introduce an explanation]: Latin, 'by nodding at, by pointing to,' ablative gerund of innuere, from in- 'toward' + nuere 'to nod.' The noun dates from the late 17th century

risible

synonyms:laughable, ridiculous, absurd, comical, comic, amusing, funny, hilarious, humorous, droll, farcical, silly, ludicrous, hysterical; informalrib-tickling, Originmid 16th century [in the sense 'inclined to laughter']: from late Latin risibilis, from Latin ris- 'laughed,' from the verb ridere

indolent

synonyms:lazy, idle, slothful, loafing, do-nothing, sluggardly, shiftless, lackadaisical, languid, inactive, underactive, inert, sluggish, lethargic, to Originmid 17th century: from late Latin indolent-, from in- 'not' + dolere 'suffer or give pain.' The sense 'idle' arose in the early 18th century

lascivious

synonyms:lecherous, lewd, lustful, licentious, libidinous, salacious, lubricious, prurient, dirty, smutty, naughty, indecent, ribald; informalblue; formalconcupiscent ";his las Originlate Middle English: from late Latin lasciviosus, from Latin lascivia 'lustfulness,' from lascivus 'lustful, wanton.

prolix

synonyms:long-winded, verbose, wordy, pleonastic, discursive, rambling, long-drawn-out, overlong, lengthy, protracted, interminable; informalwindy, waffly ";his p Originlate Middle English: from Old French prolixe or Latin prolixus 'poured forth, extended,' from pro- 'outward' + liquere 'be liquid.

complicate

synonyms:make [more] difficult, make complicated, mix up, confuse, muddle; informalmess up, screw up, snarl up

promulgate

synonyms:make known, make public, publicize, spread, communicate, propagate, disseminate, broadcast, promote, preach; lit Originmid 16th century: from Latin promulgat- 'exposed to public view,' from the verb promulgare, from pro- 'out, publicly' + mulgere 'cause to come forth' [literally 'to milk']

intercede

synonyms:mediate, intermediate, arbitrate, conciliate, negotiate, moderate; intervene, interpose, step in, act; plead, petition, advocate ";a third party was called in to intercede" Originlate 16th century: from French intercéder or Latin intercedere 'intervene,' from inter- 'between' + cedere 'go.

rococo

synonyms:ornate, fancy, elaborate, extravagant, baroque; Morefussy, busy, ostentatious, showy; flowery, florid, flamboyant, high-flown, magniloquent, orotund, bombastic, overwrought, overblown, inflated, turgid; informalhighfaluti Originmid 19th century: from French, humorous alteration of rocaille

petulant

synonyms:peevish, bad-tempered, querulous, pettish, fretful, cross, irritable, sulky, snappish, Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'immodest']: from French pétulant, from Latin petulant- 'impudent' [related to petere 'aim at, seek']. The current sense [mid 18th century] is influenced by pettish

destitute

synonyms:penniless, poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken, impecunious, without a cent/penny [to one's name]; needy

travesty

synonyms:perversion of, distortion of, corruption of, misrepresentation of, poor imi Originmid 17th century [as an adjective in the sense 'dressed to appear ridiculous']: from French travesti 'disguised,' past participle of travestir, from Italian travestire, from trans- 'across' + vestire 'clothe.

penurious

synonyms:poor, poor as a church mouse, poverty-stricken, destitute, necessitous, impecunious, impoverished, indigent, needy, in need/want, badly off, in reduced/straitened circumstances, hard u Originlate 16th century: from medieval Latin penuriosus, from Latin penuria 'need, scarcity' [see penury]

portend

synonyms:presage, augur, foreshadow, foretell, prophesy; be a sign, warn, be an omen, indicate, herald, signal, bode, promise, threaten, signify, spell, denote; literarybetoken, foretoken, forebode ";the sig Originlate Middle English: from Latin portendere, based on pro- 'forth' + tendere 'stretch.

persuade

synonyms:prevail on, coax, convince, get, induce, win over, bring around, coerce, influence, sway, inveigle, entice, tempt, lure, cajole, wheedle; procure; informalsweet-talk, twist someone's arm; Originlate 15th century: from Latin persuadere, from per- 'through, to completion' + suadere 'advise.

preclude

synonyms:prevent, make it impossible for, rule out, stop, prohibit, debar, bar, hinder, impede, inhibit, exclude ";his difficulties preclude him from leading a normal l Originlate 15th century [in the sense 'bar [a route or passage]']: from Latin praecludere, from prae 'before' + claudere 'to shut.

reprimand

synonyms:rebuke, reproof, admonishment, admonition, reproach, scolding, upbraiding, finger-wagging, censure; informalrap over the knuckl Originmid 17th century: from French réprimande, via Spanish from Latin reprimenda 'things to be held in check,' neuter plural gerundive of reprimere [see repress]

penitent

synonyms:repentant, contrite, remorseful, sorry, apologetic, regretful, conscience-stricken, rueful, ashamed, shamefaced, abject, in sackcloth and ashes ";she stood there looking like a penitent child OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitent- 'repenting,' from the verb paenitere

supersede

synonyms:replace, take the place of, take over from, succeed; supplant, displace, oust Originlate 15th century [in the sense 'postpone, defer']: from Old French superseder, from Latin supersedere 'be superior to,' from super- 'above' + sedere 'sit.' The current sense dates from the mid 17th century

consecrate

synonyms:sanctify, bless, make holy, make sacred; dedicate to God, devote, reserve, set apart; anoint, ordain; make or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose. "the present Holy Trinity church was consecrated in 1845"

impale

synonyms:stick, skewer, spear, spike, transfix, harpoon; pierce, stab, run through; literarytranspierce ";her knife impaled the counter like a Originmid 16th century [in the sense 'enclose with stakes or pales']: from French empaler or medieval Latin impalare, from Latin in- 'in' + palus 'a stake.

vagrant

synonyms:street person, homeless person, tramp, hobo, drifter, down-and-out, derelict, beggar; itinerant, wanderer, nomad, traveler, vagabond, transient; informalbag lady, bum; literarywayfarer "; Originlate Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French vagarant 'wandering around,' from the verb vagrer

pungent

synonyms:strong, powerful, pervasive, penetrating; sharp, acid, sour, biting, bitter, tart, vinegary, tangy; highly flavored, aromatic, spicy, piquant, peppery, hot ";a punge Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'very painful or distressing']: from Latin pungent- 'pricking,' from the verb pungere

obstinate

synonyms:stubborn, unyielding, inflexible, unbending, intransigent, intractable, obdurate, mulish, bullheaded, stubborn as a mule, pigheaded, self-willed, strong-willed, headstrong, willful, contrary, perverse, reca OriginMiddle English: from Latin obstinatus, past participle of obstinare 'persist.

morose

synonyms:sullen, sulky, gloomy, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dour, surly, sour, glum, moody, ill-humored, melancholy, melancholic, brooding, broody, doleful, miserable, depressed, dejected, despondent, downcast, unhappy, l Originmid 16th century: from Latin morosus 'peevish,' from mos, mor- 'manner.

propensity

synonyms:tendency, inclination, predisposition, proneness, proclivity, readiness, liability, disposition, leaning, weakness ";his propen Originlate 16th century: from archaic propense [from Latin propensus 'inclined,' past participle of propendere, from pro- 'forward, down' + pendere 'hang'] + -ity

larceny

synonyms:theft, stealing, robbery, pilfering, thieving; burglary, housebreaking, breaking and entering; informalfilching, swiping, pinching; formalpecul Originlate 15th century: from Old French larcin, from Latin latrocinium, from latro[n-] 'robber,' earlier 'mercenary soldier,' from Greek latreus

radical

synonyms:thoroughgoing, thorough, complete, total, comprehensive, exhaustive, sweeping, far-reaching, wide-ranging, extensive, across the board, profound, major, s Originlate Middle English [in the senses 'forming the root' and 'inherent']: from late Latin radicalis, from Latin radix, radic- 'root.

secede

synonyms:withdraw from, break away from, break with, separate [oneself] from, leave, split with, split off from, disaffiliate from, resign from, pull out of; informalquit ";the southern states seceded from the Union, prec Originearly 18th century: from Latin secedere, from se- 'apart' + cedere 'go.

meretricious

synonyms:worthless, valueless, cheap, tawdry, trashy, Brummagem, tasteless, kitsch, kitschy; false, artificial, fake, imitation; informaltacky, chintzy ";the meretriciou Originearly 17th century: from Latin meretricius [adjective from meretrix, meretric- 'prostitute,' from mereri 'be hired'] + -ous

provenance

t synonyms: origin, source, place of origin; birthplace, fount, roots, pedigree, derivation, root, etymology; formalradix ";the provenance of the paintings"; Origin late 18th century: from French, from the verb provenir 'come or stem from,' from Latin provenire, from pro- 'forth' + venire 'come.'

arrogate

take or claim (something) without justification. "they arrogate to themselves the ability to divine the nation's true interests" synonyms: assume, take, claim, appropriate, seize, expropriate, wrest, usurp, commandeer "the board arrogated to itself the task of determining what medical facilities will be provided"

prattle

talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way Origin mid 16th century: from Middle Low German pratelen, from praten [see prate].

bloviate

talk at length, especially in an inflated or empty way Origin mid 19th century: perhaps from blow1.

bluster

talk in a loud, aggressive, or indignant way with little effect synonyms: rant, rave, thunder, bellow, sound off; be overbearing; informalthrow one's weight around/about ";he started blustering about the general election"; Origin late Middle English: ultimately imitative.

maunder

talk in a rambling manner synonyms: ramble, prattle, blather, rattle, chatter, jabber, babble; informalyak, yatter ";he maundered on about his problems"; Origin early 17th century: perhaps from obsolete maunder 'to beg.'

rave

talk wildly or incoherent synonyms: talk wildly, babble, jabber, talk incoherently ";he was raving about the fires of hell"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'show signs of madness']: probably from Old Northern French raver ; related obscurely to [Middle] Low German reven 'be senseless, rave.'

loquacious

te synonyms: talkative, voluble, communicative, expansive, garrulous, unreserved, chatty, gossipy, gossiping; informalhaving the gift of [the] gab, gabby, gassy, motormouthed, talky, windy ";a loquacious little boy"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin loquax, loquac- [from loqui 'talk'] + -ious.

deracinate

tear [something] up by the roots

lacerate

tear or make deep cuts in [flesh or skin] synonyms:cut [open], gash, slash, tear, rip, rend, shred; score, scratch, scrape, graze; wound, injure, hurt ";the nail has lacerated his left arm" Originlate Middle English: from Latin lacerat- 'mangled,' from the verb lacerare, from lacer 'mangled, torn.

protean

tendin synonyms:ever-changing, variable, changeable, mutable, kaleidoscopic, inconstant, inconsistent, unstable, shifting, unsettled, fluctuating, fluid, wavering, vacillating, mercurial, volatile; technicallabile ";the protean nature of mental disorders" Originlate 16th century: from Proteus + -an

soporific

tending to induce drowsiness or sleep synonyms: sleep-inducing, sedative, somnolent, calmative, tranquilizing, narcotic, opiate; drowsy, sleepy, somniferous; hypnotic ";soporific drugs"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin sopor 'sleep' + -ific.

tenacious

tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely synonyms:firm, tight, fast, clinging; strong, forceful, powerful, unshakable, immovable, iron ";his tenacious grip" Originearly 17th century: from Latin tenax, tenac- [from tenere 'to hold'] + -ious

probity

the synonyms: integrity, honesty, uprightness, decency, morality, rectitude, goodness, virtue, right-mindedness, trustworthiness, truthfulness, honor ";the committee feels that he has demonstrated little probity in this matter"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin probitas, from probus 'good.'

pedestal

the synonyms: plinth, base, support, mounting, stand, foundation, pillar, column, pier; socle ";a bust on a pedestal"; Origin mid 16th century: from French piédestal, from Italian piedestallo, from piè 'foot' [from Latin pes, ped-, which later influenced the spelling] + di 'of' + stallo 'stall.'

catalysis

the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst

attrition

the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure. "the council is trying to wear down the opposition by attrition" synonyms: wearing down, wearing away, weakening, debilitation, enfeebling, sapping, attenuation; gradual loss "the battle would result in further attrition of their already lame naval force"

syncretism

the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cu Origin early 17th century: from modern Latin syncretismus, from Greek sunkrētismos, from sunkrētizein 'unite against a third party,' from sun- 'together' + krēs 'Cretan' [originally with reference to ancient Cretan communities].

rhetoric

the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the us synonyms: oratory, eloquence, command of language, way with words ";a form of rhetoric"; Origin Middle English: from Old French rethorique, via Latin from Greek rhētorikē [tekhnē ] '[art] of rhetoric,' from rhētōr 'rhetor.'

remission

the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty synonyms: cancellation, setting aside, suspension, revocation; formalabrogation ";the remission of all fees"; Origin Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin remissio[n-], from remittere 'send back, restore' [see remit].

etiology

the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition. "a disease of unknown etiology"

metabolism

the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life Origin late 19th century: from Greek metabolē 'change' [from metaballein 'to change'] + -ism.

dissolution

the closing down synonyms: cessation, conclusion, end, ending, termination, winding up/down, discontinuation, suspension, disbanding; prorogation, recess "the dissolution of the legislative session"

harmony

the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progr synonyms: euphony, polyphony; tunefulness, melodiousness, mellifluousness ";musical harmony"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin harmonia 'joining, concord,' from Greek, from harmos 'joint

contagion

the communication of disease from one person to another by close contact. "the rooms held no risk of contagion"synonyms: disease, infection, illness, plague, blight; informalbug, virus; archaicpestilence

peroration

the concluding part of a speech, typically intended to inspire enthusiasm in the audience Origin late Middle English: from Latin peroratio[n-], from perorare 'speak at length' [see perorate].

fate

the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power. "fate decided his course for him" synonyms: destiny, providence, the stars, chance, luck, serendipity, fortune, kismet, karma "what has fate in store for me?"

patois

the dialect of the synonyms:vernacular, [local] dialect, regional language; jargon, argot, cant; informal[local] lingo ";he recognized the patois of New Orleans in her speech" Originmid 17th century: French, literally 'rough speech,' perhaps from Old French patoier 'treat roughly,' from patte 'paw.

mores

the essential or characteristic customs and conv synonyms:customs, conventions, ways, way of life, traditions, practices, habits; lifeways; formalpraxis ";the mores of the day would have prevented her from voicing political opinions" Originlate 19th century: from Latin, plural of mos, mor- 'custom.

teleology

the explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve rather than by postulated causes Origin mid 18th century [denoting the branch of philosophy that deals with ends or final causes]: from modern Latin teleologia, from Greek telos 'end' + -logia [see -logy].

denouement

the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the p synonyms: finale, final scene, epilogue, coda, end, ending, finish, close; culmination, climax, conclusion, resolution, solution ";the film's denouement"; Origin mid 18th century: French dénouement, from dénouer 'unknot.'

rudiment

the first principles of a subject synonyms:basics, fundamentals, essentials, first principles, foundation; informalnuts and bolts, ABCs ";the rudiments of sign language" Originmid 16th century: from French, or from Latin rudimentum, from rudis 'unwrought,' on the pattern of elementum 'element.

impetus

the force or energy with wh synonyms:momentum, propulsion, impulsion, motive force, driving force, drive, thrust; energy, force, power, push, strength ";the flywheel lost all its impetus" Originmid 17th century: from Latin, 'assault, force,' from impetere 'assail,' from in- 'toward' + petere 'seek.

cession

the formal giving up of rights, property, or territory, especially by a state. "the cession of twenty important towns"

usury

the illegal action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest OriginMiddle English: from Anglo-Norman French usurie, or from medieval Latin usuria, from Latin usura, from usus 'a use' [see use]

argot

the jargon or slang of a particular group or class. "teenage argot" synonyms: jargon, slang, idiom, cant, parlance, vernacular, patois; dialect, speech, language; informallingo "the argot of the theater"

fratricide

the killing of one's brother or sister

prognosis

the likely course of a disease or ailment synonyms:forecast, prediction, prognostication, prophecy, divination, augury ";it is difficult to make an accurate prognosis" Originmid 17th century: via late Latin from Greek prognōsis, from pro- 'before' + gignōskein 'know.

nadir

the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organizatio synonyms: lowest point, lowest level, all-time low, bottom, rock-bottom; informalpits ";the nadir of his career"; Origin late Middle English [in the astronomical sense]: via French from Arabic naẓīr [as-samt ] 'opposite [to the zenith].'

calumny

the making of false and defamatory statements in order to damage someone's reputation; slander. synonyms: slander, defamation (of character), character assassination, libel; More a false and slanderous statement.

epiphany

the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi [Matthew 2:1-12]

doyen

the most respected or prominent person in a particular field. "the doyen of Canadian poetry"

abscission

the natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically dead leaves and ripe fruit

iota

the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet [ Ι, ι ], transliterated as 'i. synonyms: bit, speck, mite, scrap, shred, ounce, scintilla, atom, jot, grain, whit, trace; informalsmidgen, smidge, tad; archaicscruple ";nothing she said made an iota of difference";

proboscis

the nose of a mammal, especially when it is long and mobile, such as the trunk of an elephant or the snout of a tapir Originearly 17th century: via Latin from Greek proboskis 'means of obtaining food,' from pro 'before' + boskein '[cause to] feed.

sortilege

the practice of foretelling the future from a card or other item drawn at random from a collection Origin late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin sortilegium 'sorcery,' from Latin sortilegus 'sorcerer,' from sors, sort- 'lot, chance' + legere 'choose.'

paucity

the presence of something only in small or synonyms: scarcity, sparseness, sparsity, dearth, shortage, poverty, insufficiency, deficiency, lack, want ";the police cannot act with such a paucity of evidence"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French paucite or Latin paucitas, from paucus 'few.'

catharsis

the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions. synonyms: emotional release, relief, release, venting; purging, purgation, purification, cleansing; abreaction "the hope was that hypnosis would bring about a catharsis"

preemption

the purchase of goods or shares by one person or party before the opportunity is offered to others Originearly 17th century: from medieval Latin praeemptio[n-], from the verb praeemere, from prae 'in advance' + emere 'buy.

candor

the quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness. "a man of refreshing candor" synonyms:frankness, openness, honesty, candidness, truthfulness, sincerity, forthrightness, directness, plain-spokenness, bluntness, straightforwardness, outspokenness; informaltelling it like it is "I'm not sure he appreciated my candor"

asseveration

the solemn or emphatic declaration or statement of something. "I fear that you offer only unsupported asseveration"

propinquity

the state of being close to someone or something; proximity Origin late Middle English: from Old French propinquité, from Latin propinquitas, from propinquus 'near,' from prope 'near to.'

hebetude

the state of being dull or lethargic Origin early 17th century: from late Latin hebetudo, from hebes, hebet- 'blunt.'

detriment

the state of being harmed or damaged. "he is engrossed in his work to the detriment of his married life" a cause of harm or damage. plural noun: detriments "such tests are a detriment to good education" synonyms: harm, damage, injury, hurt, impairment, loss, disadvantage, disservice, mischief "local merchants fear the detriment to business that one of these superstores could bring about"

sobriety

the state of being sober synonyms: soberness, clearheadedness; abstinence, teetotalism, nonindulgence, abstemiousness, temperance ";she noted his sobriety"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French sobriete or Latin sobrietas, from sobrius [see sober].

tedium

the state of being tedious synonyms: monotony, boredom, ennui, uniformity, routine, dreariness, dryness, banality, vapidity, insipidity ";she loathed the tedium of housework"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin taedium, from taedere 'be weary of.'

assay

the testing of a metal or ore to determine its ingredients and quality. "submission of plate for assay" synonyms: evaluation, assessment, appraisal, analysis, examination, test/tests, testing, inspection, scrutiny "this brand of herbal supplement will undergo independent assay"

pediment

the triangular upper part of the front of a building in classical style, typically surmounting a portico of columns Origin late 16th century [as periment ]: perhaps an alteration of pyramid.

satire

the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's synonyms: mockery, ridicule, derision, scorn, caricature; irony, sarcasm ";he has become the subject of satire"; Origin early 16th century: from French, or from Latin satira, later form of satura 'poetic medley.'

pleonasm

the use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning [e.g., see with one's eyes ], either as a fault of style or for emphasis Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein 'be superfluous.'

solipsism

the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist Origin late 19th century: from Latin solus 'alone' + ipse 'self' + -ism.

cerebration

the working of the brain; thinking

hagiolatry

the worship of saints

hagiography

the writing of the lives of saints

cogitate

think deeply about something; meditate or reflect. "he stroked his beard and retired to cogitate" synonyms: think about/on/over, contemplate, consider, mull over, meditate on, muse on/over, ponder, reflect on, deliberate on/over, ruminate on/over; dwell on, brood on, chew over; informalput on one's thinking cap for "I may have to cogitate on that one for a bit"

baleful

threatening harm; menacing. "Bill shot a baleful glance in her direction" synonyms: menacing, threatening, unfriendly, hostile, antagonistic, evil, evil-intentioned, vindictive, wicked, nasty, bitter, acrimonious, malevolent, malicious, malignant, malign, sinister; harmful, injurious, dangerous, destructive, noxious, pernicious, deadly, venomous, poisonous, vitriolic; literarymalefic, maleficent "she saw her rival's reddened, baleful face"; having a harmful or destructive effect. "drug money has had a baleful impact on the country"

extrude

thrust or force out synonyms: force out, thrust out, express, eject, expel, release, emit "machines extrude the plastics that become jars and bottles"

devolve

transfer or delegate (power) to a lower level, especially from central government to local or regional administration. "measures to devolve power to the provinces" synonyms: delegate, depute, pass (down/on), download, hand down/over/on, transfer, transmit, assign, consign, convey, entrust, turn over, give, cede, surrender, relinquish, deliver; bestow, grant "the move would devolve responsibility to local units"

pellucid

translucently clear synonyms:translucent, transparent, clear, crystal clear, crystalline, glassy, limpid, unclouded, gin-clear ";the pellucid waters" Originearly 17th century: from Latin pellucidus, from perlucere 'shine through.

peregrinate

travel or wander around from place to place Origin late 16th century: from Latin peregrinat- 'traveled abroad,' from the verb peregrinari, from peregrinus 'foreign, traveling.'

facetious

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant. synonyms: flippant, flip, glib, frivolous, tongue-in-cheek, ironic, sardonic, joking, jokey, jocular, playful, sportive, teasing, mischievous; witty, amusing, funny, droll, comic, comical, lighthearted, jocose "unfortunately, they took my facetious remarks seriously"

cozen

trick or deceive. "do not think to cozen your contemporaries" obtain by deception. "he was able to cozen a profit"'

folderol

trivial or nonsensical fuss. "all the folderol of the athletic contests and the cheerleaders"

contort

twist or bend out of its normal shape synonyms:twist, bend out of shape, distort, misshape, warp, buckle, deform "her face was contorted with grief"

tacit

u synonyms: implicit, understood, implied, hinted, suggested; unspoken, unstated, unsaid, unexpressed, unvoiced; taken for granted, taken as read, inferred ";tacit promises"; Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'wordless, noiseless']: from Latin tacitus, past participle of tacere 'be silent.'

ineluctable

unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable Origin early 17th century: from Latin ineluctabilis, from in- 'not' + eluctari 'struggle out.'

rebarbative

unattractive and objectionable Origin late 19th century: from French rébarbatif, -ive, from Old French se rebarber 'face each other "beard to beard" aggressively,' from barbe 'beard.'

disport

verb 1. enjoy oneself unrestrainedly; frolic. "a painting of lords and ladies disporting themselves by a lake" noun 1. diversion from work or serious matters; recreation or amusement. "the King and all his Court were met for solace and disport"

demur

verb 1. raise doubts or objections or show reluctance. "normally she would have accepted the challenge, but she demurred" synonyms: object, take exception, take issue, protest, cavil, dissent; voice reservations, be unwilling, be reluctant, balk, think twice; drag one's heels, refuse; informalboggle, kick up a fuss "Steve demurred when the suggestion was made" noun 1. the action or process of objecting to or hesitating over something. "they accepted this ruling without demur" synonyms: objection, protest, protestation, complaint, dispute, dissent, opposition, resistance; reservation, hesitation, reluctance, disinclination; doubts, qualms, misgivings, second thoughts; a murmur, a word "they accepted without demur"

countermand

verb 1. revoke (an order). "an order to arrest the strike leaders had been countermanded" synonyms: revoke, rescind, reverse, undo, repeal, retract, withdraw, quash, overturn, overrule, cancel, annul, invalidate, nullify, negate; disaffirm, discharge, vacate; formalabrogate "orders were being issued and then countermanded" noun 1. an order revoking a previous one. "I forthwith mounted, and went off, lest I should receive a countermand"

fastidious

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail. "he chooses his words with fastidious care" synonyms: scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, meticulous; perfectionist, fussy, finicky, overparticular; critical, overcritical, hypercritical, hard to please, exacting, demanding; informalpersnickety, nitpicking, choosy, picky, anal "he was fastidious about personal hygiene"

archaic

very old or old-fashioned. "prisons are run on archaic methods" synonyms: obsolete, out of date, old-fashioned, outmoded, behind the times, bygone, anachronistic, antiquated, superannuated, antediluvian, old world, old-fangled; ancient, old, extinct, defunct; prehistoric; literaryof yore "archaic conventions"

exiguous

very small synonyms: meager, inadequate, insufficient, small, scanty, paltry, negligible, modest, deficient, miserly, niggardly, beggarly; informalmeasly, stingy, piddling "Bob Cratchit's exiguous wages"

lurid

very vivid in co synonyms: bright, brilliant, vivid, glaring, shocking, fluorescent, flaming, dazzling, intense; gaudy, loud, showy, bold, garish, tacky ";lurid colors"; Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'pale and dismal in color']: from Latin luridus ; related to luror 'wan or yellow color.'

tenuous

very weak or slight synonyms: slight, insubstantial, meager, flimsy, weak, doubtful, dubious, questionable, suspect; vague, nebulous, hazy ";a tenuous connection"; Origin late 16th century: formed irregularly from Latin tenuis 'thin' + -ous.

penance

voluntary self-punishment i synonyms:atonement, expiation, self-punishment, self-mortification, self-abasement, amends; punishment, penalty ";true penance requires honest self-examination" OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitentia 'repentance,' from the verb paenitere 'be sorry.

propitiate

w synonyms: appease, placate, mollify, pacify, make peace with, conciliate, make amends to, soothe, calm ";my attempts to propitiate you are useless"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin propitiat- 'made favorable,' from the verb propitiare, from propitius 'favorable, gracious' [see propitious].

sidle

walk in a furtive, unobtrusive, or timid manner, especially sideways or obliq synonyms: creep, sneak, slink, slip, slide, steal, edge, inch, move furtively ";the sheriff sidled up to the window on the north side of the cabin"; Origin late 17th century: back-formation from sideling [see sidelong].

traipse

walk or move wearily or reluctantly synonyms: trudge, trek, tramp, tromp, trail, plod, drag oneself, slog, schlep ";I haven't the time to go traipsing around art galleries"; Origin late 16th century [as a verb]: of unknown origin. The noun [sense 2] is first recorded in the late 17th century.

trudge

walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh synonyms: plod, tramp, tromp, drag oneself, walk heavily, walk slowly, plow, slog, toil, trek; informaltraipse, galumph ";they trudged through two miles of wet snow"; Origin mid 16th century [as a verb]: of unknown origin.

dawdle

waste time; be slow synonyms: linger, dally, take one's time, be slow, waste time, idle; delay, procrastinate, stall, dilly-dally, lollygag; archaictarry "they dawdled over breakfast"

Felicitous

well chosen or suited to the circumstances synonyms: apt, well chosen, fitting, suitable, appropriate, apposite, pertinent, germane, relevant ;his nickname was particularly felicitous"

sapient

wise, or attempting to appear wise Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin sapient- 'being wise,' from the verb sapere .

staccato

with each sound or note sharply detached or separated from the others Origin Italian, literally 'detached.'

akimbo

with hands on the hips and elbows turned outward Origin late Middle English: from in kenebowe in Middle English, probably from Old Norse.

destitute

without the basic necessities of life. "the charity cares for destitute children" synonyms: penniless, poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken, impecunious, without a cent/penny (to one's name); needy, in straitened circumstances, distressed, badly off; informalhard up, broke, flat broke, strapped (for cash), without a red cent, dirt poor "she was left destitute" not having. "towns destitute of commerce" synonyms: devoid of, bereft of, deprived of, in need of; lacking, without, deficient in, wanting "we were destitute of clothing"

coveted

yearn to possess synonyms:desire, yearn for, crave, have one's heart set on, want, wish for, long for, hanker after/for, hunger after/for, thirst for "even with all they have, they covet the wealth of others"

amenable

(of a person) open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled. "parents who have had easy babies and amenable children" synonyms: cooperative, acquiescent, compliant, accommodating, obliging, biddable, manageable, controllable, governable, persuadable, tractable, responsive, pliant, malleable, complaisant, easily handled; rarepersuasible; (of a thing) capable of being acted upon in a particular way; susceptible to. "the patients had cardiac failure not amenable to medical treatment" synonyms: susceptible, receptive, responsive; archaicsusceptive "many cancers are amenable to treatment"

arbitrate

(of an independent person or body) reach an authoritative judgment or settlement. "the board has the power to arbitrate in disputes" synonyms: adjudicate, judge, referee, umpire; mediate, conciliate, intervene, intercede; settle, decide, resolve, pass judgment "a third and disinterested party was brought in to arbitrate"

apocryphal

[of a story or statement] of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being t synonyms:fictitious, made-up, untrue, fabricated, false, spurious; unverified, unauthenticated, unsubstantiated; bogus "the possibly apocryphal account of the meeting between Diogenes and Alexander the Great"

ailurophile

a cat lover

antipathy

a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion. "his fundamental antipathy to capitalism" synonyms: hostility, antagonism, animosity, aversion, animus, enmity, dislike, distaste, hatred, hate, abhorrence, loathing "I never encountered racial antipathy until I went to college"

amanuensis

a literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts "composed her autobiography with the help of an amanuensis"

appetence

a longing or desire. a natural tendency or affinity.

amalgam

a mixture or blend "a curious amalgam of the traditional and the modern"

appellation

a name or tit synonyms: name, title, designation, tag, sobriquet, byname, nickname, cognomen; informalmoniker, handle; formaldenomination "the Eternal City is an appellation for Rome"

appetite

a natural desire to satisfy a bodily need, espe synonyms: hunger, ravenousness, hungriness; taste, palate "a walk sharpens the appetite"

antithesis

a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else. "love is the antithesis of selfishness" synonyms: (complete) opposite, converse, contrary, reverse, inverse, obverse, other side of the coin; informalflip side "friends of the actress say she is quite the antithesis of her giddy and frivolous character" a contrast or opposition between two things. "the antithesis between occult and rational mentalities" synonyms: (complete) opposite, converse, contrary, reverse, inverse, obverse, other side of the coin; informalflip side "friends of the actress say she is quite the antithesis of her giddy and frivolous character" a figure of speech in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed by parallelism of words that are the opposites of, or strongly contrasted with, each other, such as "hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins". "his sermons were full of startling antitheses"

apothecary

a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs

apostate

a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle. synonyms: dissenter, defector, deserter, traitor, backslider, turncoat; More

ancestor

a person, typically one more remote than synonyms:forebear, forefather, predecessor, antecedent, progenitor, primogenitor "he could trace his ancestors back to colonial Boston"

aphorism

a pithy observation synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom, adage, epigram, dictum, gnome, proverb, saw, tag; rareapophthegm "she was a fount of Orwellian aphorisms"

arabesque

a posture in which the body is supported on one leg, with the other leg extended horizontally backward.;an ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines, originally found in Arabic or Moorish decoration. "arabesque scrolls"

apothegm

a short, pithy, and instructive saying or formulation; "The great poet Mutanebbi has given us an apothegm of great power on this very subject."

anachronism

a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned Origin mid 17th century: from Greek anakhronismos, from ana- 'backward' + khronos 'time.'

antecedent

a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another synonyms: precursor, forerunner, predecessor ;the guitar's antecedent"

aggregate

a whole formed by combining several [typically disparate] elements synonyms: total, sum total, sum, grand total "he won with an aggregate of 325"

approbate

approve formally; sanction. "a letter approbating the affair"

apposite

apt in the circumstances or in relation to something. "an apposite quotation" synonyms: appropriate, suitable, fitting, apt, befitting; relevant, pertinent, appurtenant, to the point, applicable, germane, material, congruous, felicitous; formalad rem "an apposite caption accompanies each photo"

aesthetic

concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty. "the pictures give great aesthetic pleasure" a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement. "the Cubist aesthetic"

arch

deliberately or affectedly playful and teasing synonyms: mischievous, teasing, knowing, playful, roguish, impish, cheeky, tongue-in-cheek; informalsaucy "an arch grin"

ardent

enthusiastic or passionate. "an ardent baseball fan" synonyms: passionate, fervent, zealous, fervid, wholehearted, vehement, intense, fierce, fiery; enthusiastic, keen, eager, avid, committed, dedicated; literaryperfervid "an ardent soccer fan"

aggrandize

increase the power, status, or wealth of "exploited the situation to aggrandize himself"; to make greater "aggrandize an estate"

arduous

involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring. "an arduous journey" synonyms: onerous, taxing, difficult, hard, heavy, laborious, burdensome, strenuous, vigorous, back-breaking; demanding, tough, challenging, formidable; exhausting, tiring, punishing, grueling; uphill, steep; informalkilling; toilsome "an arduous journey"

aboveboard

legitimate, honest, and open synonyms: legitimate, lawful, legal, licit, honest, fair, open, frank, straight, overt, candid, forthright, unconcealed, trustworthy, unequivocal; informallegit, kosher, by the book, street legal, fair and square, square, on the level, on the up and up, upfront; "certain transactions were not totally aboveboard"

antebellum

occurring or existing before a particular war, especially the American Civil War "the conventions of the antebellum South"

abhor

regard with disgust and hatred synonyms: detest, hate, loathe, despise, execrate, regard with disgust, shrink from, recoil from, shudder at; formalabominate ";I abhor the taste of liver"

adumbrate

report or represent in outline "James Madison adumbrated the necessity that the Senate be somewhat insulated from public passions" indicate faintly. "the walls were not more than adumbrated by the meager light" foreshadow or symbolize. "what qualities in Christ are adumbrated by the vine?"

aplomb

self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation. "Diana passed the test with aplomb" synonyms: poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, calmness, composure, collectedness, levelheadedness, sangfroid, equilibrium, equanimity; informalunflappability "the judges were especially impressed by her aplomb"

appropriate

suitable or proper in the circumstances. "a measure appropriate to a wartime economy" synonyms: suitable, proper, fitting, apt, right; relevant, pertinent, apposite; convenient, opportune; seemly, befitting; formalad rem; archaicmeet "this isn't the appropriate time"

anomalous

synonyms: abnormal, atypical, irregular, aberrant, exceptional, freak, freakish, odd, bizarre, peculiar, unusual, out of the ordinary; deviant, mutant; formalheteroclite "it's an anomalous birth"

ancillary

synonyms: additional, auxiliary, supporting, helping, extra, supplementary, supplemental, accessory, attendant; subsidiary, secondary; adjuvant; rareadminicular "the Administrative Procedures Act and ancillary documents"

accede

synonyms: agree to, consent to, accept, assent to, acquiesce in, comply with, go along with, concur with, surrender to, yield to, give in to, give way to, def "the authorities did not accede to the strikers' demands" "he acceded to the post of director in September"

anathema

synonyms: an abomination, an outrage, an abhorrence, a disgrace, an evil, a bane; a person or thing detested or loathed: That subject is anathema to him.

aggravate

synonyms: annoy, irritate, exasperate, bother, put out, nettle, provoke, antagonize, get on someone's nerves, ruffle [someone's feathers], try someone's patience;

antagonize

synonyms: arouse hostility in, alienate; anger, annoy, provoke, vex, irritate; rub the wrong way; informalaggravate, rile, needle; "he antagonized many colleagues during the budget wars"

acumen

synonyms: astuteness, shrewdness, acuity, sharpness, sharp-wittedness, cleverness, smartness, brains; judgment, understanding, awareness, sense, common sense, canniness, discernment, wisdom, wit, sagacity; the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain. "business acumen"

allure

synonyms: attraction, lure, draw, pull, appeal, allurement, enticement, temptation, charm, seduction, fascination "people for whom gold holds no allure"

arbor

synonyms: bower, pergola; alcove, grotto; an axle or spindle on which something revolves. a device holding a tool in a lathe.

abyss

synonyms: chasm, gorge, ravine, canyon, fissure, rift, crevasse, hole, gulf, pit, cavity, void, bottomless pit ";a recurring nightmare in which he falls in "a rope led down into the dark abyss"

amalgamate

synonyms: combine, merge, unite, fuse, blend, meld; join [together], join forces, band [together], link [up], team up, go into partnership; "he amalgamated his company with another"

accurate

synonyms: correct, precise, exact, right, error-free, perfect; factual, fact-based, literal, faithful, true, truthful, true to life, authentic, realistic; informalon the "accurate information about the illness is essential"

aberrant

synonyms: deviant, deviating, divergent, abnormal, atypical, anomalous, irregular; nonconformist, rogue; strange, odd, peculiar, uncommon, freakish, quirky; twisted,

affliction

synonyms: disorder, disease, malady, complaint, ailment, illness, indisposition a state of pain, distress, or grief; misery: "They sympathized with us in our affliction"

alacrity

synonyms: eagerness, willingness, readiness; enthusiasm, ardor, avidity, fervor, keenness; promptness, haste, swiftness, dispatch, speed "we want to move with alacrity, and put a stop to improper conduct while it's still going"

abash

synonyms: embarrassed, ashamed, shamefaced, remorseful, conscience-stricken, mortified, humiliated, humbled, chagrined, crestfallen, sheepish

ambiguous

synonyms: equivocal, ambivalent, open to debate/argument, arguable, debatable; obscure, unclear, imprecise, vague "the question is rather ambiguous"

ambivalent

synonyms: equivocal, uncertain, unsure, doubtful, indecisive, inconclusive, irresolute, of two minds, undecided, torn, in a quandary, on the fence, hesitating, wavering, vacillating, equivocating having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. "some loved her, some hated her, few were ambivalent about her"

absolve

synonyms: exonerate, discharge, acquit, vindicate; release, relieve, liberate, free, deliver, clear, exempt, let off; formalexculpate ";this fact does not absolve you from responsibility"

ameliorate

synonyms: improve, make better, better, make improvements to, enhance, help, benefit, boost, amend; relieve, ease, mitigate, patch up "the reform did much to ameliorate living standards"

addle

synonyms: muddled, confused, muzzy, fuddled, befuddled, dazed, disoriented, disorientated, fuzzy; informal woozy; make unable to think clearly; confuse. "being in love must have addled your brain"

abstruse

synonyms: obscure, arcane, esoteric, little known, recherché, rarefied, recondite, difficult, hard, puzzling, perplexing, cryptic, enigmatic, Delphic, complex, "an abstruse philosophical inquiry"

accomplice

synonyms: partner in crime, associate, accessory, abettor, confe

alleviate

synonyms: reduce, ease, relieve, take the edge off, deaden, dull, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, mitigate

abstain

synonyms: refrain from, desist from, hold back from, forbear; give up, renounce, avoid, shun, eschew, forgo, go without, do without; refuse, decline; informalcut out; formalabjure ; "forty-one voted with the opposition, and some sixty more abstained"

abjure

synonyms: renounce, relinquish, reject, forgo, disavow, abandon, deny, repudiate, give up, wash one's hands of; eschew, abstain from, refrain from; informalkick, pack in; disaffirm; literaryforsake; formalforswear; "his refusal to abjure the Catholic faith"

abrogate

synonyms: repeal, revoke, rescind, repudiate, overturn, annul; disallow, cancel, invalidate, nullify, void, negate, dissolve, countermand, declare null and void, disc "a proposal to abrogate temporarily the right to strike" "we believe the board is abrogating its responsibilities to its shareholders" (evade)

abdicate

synonyms: resign, retire, stand down, step down, bow out, renounce the throne; archaicdemit ";the king abdicated in 1936"; resign from, relinquish, renounce, give up, surren

abscond

synonyms: run away, escape, bolt, flee, make off, take flight, take off, decamp; make a break for it, take to one's heels, make a quick getaway, "The cashier absconded with the money."

adage

synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom, proverb, aphorism, saw, dictum, byword, precept, motto, truism, platitude, cliché, apophthegm, commonplace ";I should have remembered the old adage"

acerbic

synonyms: sharp, sarcastic, sardonic, mordant, trenchant, cutting, razor-edged, biting, piercing, stinging, searing, scathing, caustic, bitter, acrimonious, astringent, abrasive, harsh, wounding, hurtful, unkind, cruel, virulent, v "his acerbic wit"

abate

synonyms: subside, die down/away/out, lessen, ease [off], let up, decrease, diminish, moderate, d

abscess

synonyms: ulcer, ulceration, cyst, boil, blister, sore, pustule, carbuncle, pimple, wen, whitlow, canker; inflamm

adventitious

synonyms: unplanned, unpremeditated, accidental, chance, fortuitous, serendipitous, coincidental, casual, random "he felt that the conversation was not entirely adventitious"

agitate

synonyms: upset, perturb, fluster, ruffle, disconcert, unnerve, disquiet, disturb, distress, unsettle, unhinge; informalrattle, faze, discombobulate

abysmal

synonyms: very bad, dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, atrocious, disgraceful, deplorable, shameful, hopeless, lamentable; informalrotten, appalling, crummy, pathetic, pitiful, woeful, useless, lousy, dir "the quality of her work is abysmal"

abound

synonyms:be plentiful, be abundant, be numerous, proliferate, superabound, be thick on the ground; informalgrow on trees; "rumors of a further scandal abound" "this land abounds with wildlife"

advocate

synonyms:champion, upholder, supporter, backer, promoter, proponent, exponent, spokesman, spokeswoman, spokesperson, campaigner; "he was an untiring advocate of economic reform"

affable

synonyms:friendly, amiable, genial, congenial, cordial, warm, pleasant, nice, likable, personable, charming, agreeable, sympathetic, simpatico, good-humored, good-natured, jolly, kind; friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to. "an affable and agreeable companion"

abeyance

synonyms:in suspension, in a state of suspension, in a state of dormancy, in a state of uncertainty, in remission; pending, suspended, deferred "matters were held in abeyance pending further inquiries"

alloy

synonyms:mixture, mix, amalgam, fusion, meld, blend, compound, combination, composite, union; technicaladmixture "modern pewter is an alloy of tin"

agile

synonyms:nimble, lithe, supple, limber, acrobatic, fleet-footed, light-footed, light on one's feet; literaryfleet, lightsome "she was as agile as a monkey" alert, sharp, acute, shrewd, astute, perceptive, quick-witted

aegis

synonyms:protection, backing, support, patronage, sponsorship, charge, care, guidance, control, guardianship, trusteeship, agency, safeguarding, shelter, umbrella, aid; the protection, backing, or support of a particular person or organization. "negotiations were conducted under the aegis of the UN"

apply

synonyms:put in an application for, put in for, try [out] for, bid for, appeal for, petition for, sue for, register for, audition for; request, seek, solicit [for], claim, as

action

the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim synonyms:measures, steps, activity, movement, work, operation "the need for local community action"

ambrosia

the food of the gods something very pleasing to taste or smell. "the tea was ambrosia after the slop I'd been drinking"

apotheosis

the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax "his appearance as Hamlet was the apotheosis of his career"

apogee

the highest point in the development of something; the climax or culmination. "the White House is considered the apogee of American achievement"

accretion

the process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of synonyms: accumulation, formation, collecting, cumulation, buildup, accrual; growth, increase ";the accretion of sediments";

arcane

understood by few; mysterious or secret. "modern math and its arcane notation" synonyms: mysterious, secret; enigmatic, esoteric, cryptic, obscure, abstruse, recondite, recherché, impenetrable, opaque "processes as old and arcane as the language of the law"