GRE Vocabulary

arresting

attracting or capable of attracting attention or interest; striking making or having made an arrest

arid

being without moisture; extremely dry; parched: arid land barren or unproductive because of lack of moisture lacking interest or imaginativeness; sterile; jejune

aptitudes

capability; ability; innate or acquired capacity for something; talent readiness or quickness in learning; intelligence the state or quality of being apt; special fitness

antiquated

continued from, resembling, or adhering to the past; old-fashioned no longer used; obsolete or obsolescent

adulatory

excessive devotion to someone; servile flattery

adroit

expert or nimble in the use of the hands or body cleverly skillful, resourceful, or ingenious

artless

free from deceit, cunning, or craftiness; ingenuous not artificial; natural; simple; uncontrived lacking art, knowledge, or skill

amity

friendship; peaceful harmony mutual understanding and peaceful relationship, especially between nations; peace; accord

affluent

having an abundance of wealth, property, or other material goods; prosperous; rich abounding in anything; abundant

apathetic

having or showing little or no emotion not interested or concerned; indifferent or unresponsive

amiable

having or showing pleasant, good-natured personal qualities; affable friendly; sociable

annotated

supplied with or containing explanatory notes, textual comments, etc.

abolition

the act of abolishing the state of being abolished; annulment; abrogation

amended

to alter, modify, rephrase, or add to or subtract from (a motion, bill, constitution, etc.) by formal procedure to change for the better; improve

antedated

to be of older date than; precede in time to assign to an earlier date to cause to return to an earlier time

appease

to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment; pacify; soothe to satisfy, allay, or relieve; assuage

agglomerated

to collect or gather into a cluster or mass gathered together into a cluster or mass

accrue

to happen or result as a natural growth, addition, etc. to be added as a matter of periodic gain or advantage, as interest on money

ape (v.)

to imitate; mimic

amortized

to liquidate or extinguish (a mortgage, debt, or other obligation), especially by periodic payments to the creditor or to a sinking fund

ameliorate

to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve

amalgamate

to mix or merge so as to make a combination; blend; unite; combine

aggrieve

to oppress or wring grievously; injure by injustice to afflict with pain, anxiety, etc.

anticipate

to realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee to expect; look forward to; be sure of

abated

to reduce in amount, degree, intensity, etc.; lessen; diminish

abasement

to reduce or lower, as in rank, office, reputation, or estimation; humble; degrade archaic: to lower; put or bring down

abhor

to regard with extreme repugnance or aversion; detest utterly; loathe; abominate

abjured

to renounce, repudiate, or retract, especially with formal solemnity; recant to renounce or give up under oath; forswear

appropriate (v.)

to set apart, authorize, or legislate for some specific purpose or use to take to or for oneself; take possession of

affirm

to state or assert positively; maintain as true to confirm or ratify to assert solemnly

shaman

(especially among certain tribal peoples) a person who acts as intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, using magic to cure illness, foretell the future, control spiritual forces, etc.

ode

a lyric poem typically of elaborate or irregular metrical form and expressive of exalted or enthusiastic emotion (originally) a poem intended to be sung

pander

a person who furnishes clients for a prostitute or supplies person for illicit sexual intercourse; procurer; pimp a person who caters to or profits from the weaknesses or vices of others

proponent

a person who puts forward a proposition or proposal a person who argues in favor of something; an advocate a person who supports a cause or doctrine; adherent a person who propounds a legal instrument, such as a will for probate

zealots

a person who shows zeal an excessively zealous person; fanatic

helmsmanship

a person who steers a ship

interlocutors

a person who takes part in a conversation or dialogue the man in the middle of the line of performers in a minstrel troupe, who acts as the announcer and banters with the end man a person who questions; interrogator

dilettante

a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, especially in a desultory or superficial way; dabbler a lover of an art or science, especially of a fine art

realist

a person who tends to view or represent things as they really are an artist or a writer whose work is characterized by realism

impasse

a position or situation from which there is no escape; deadlock a road or way that has no outlet; cul-de-sac

cabal

a small group of secret plotters, as against a government or person in authority the plots and schemes of such a group; intrigue

ascent

an act of ascending; upward movement; a rising movement movement upward from a lower to a higher state, degree, grade, or status; advancement

presentation

an act of presenting the state of being presented a social introduction, as of a person at court an exhibition or performance, as of a play or film offering, delivering, or bestowing, as of a gift

intentions

an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result the end or object intended; purpose

dispensations

an act or instance of dispensing; distribution something that is distributed or given out a certain order, system, or arrangement; administration or management

evasions

an act or instance of escaping, avoiding, or shirking something the avoiding of an argument, accusation, question, or the like, as by a subterfuge

timorous

full of fear; fearful subject to fear; timid characterized by or indicating fear

sanguinary

full of or characterized by bloodshed; bloody ready or eager to shed blood; bloodthirsty composed of or marked with blood

vigorous

full of or characterized by vigor strong; active; robust energetic; forceful powerful in action or effect growing well, as a plant

rancorous

full of or showing rancor bitter, rankling resentment or ill will; hatred; malice

tortuous

full of twists, turns, or bends; twisting, winding, or crooked not direct or straightforward, as in procedure or speech; intricate; circuitous deceitful indirect or morally crooked, as proceedings, methods, or policy; devious

blissful

full of, abounding in, enjoying, or conferring bliss

malicious

full of, characterized by, or showing malice; intentionally harmful; spiteful

presumptuous

full of, characterized by, or showing presumption or readiness to presume in conduct or thought, as by saying or doing something without right or permission unwarrantedly or impertinently bold; forward

explicit

fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated; leaving nothing merely implied; unequivocal clearly developed or formulated definite and unreserved in expression; outspoken

explicitly

fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated; leaving nothing merely implied; unequivocal clearly developed or formulated definite and unreserved in expression; outspoken

guise

general external appearance; aspect; semblance assumed appearance or mere semblance style of dress

gilt

gilded gold in color; golden

reciprocal

given or felt by each toward the other; mutual given, performed, felt, etc., in return corresponding; matching; complementary; equivalent

asylum

an institution for the maintenance and care of the mentally ill, orphans, or other persons requiring specialized assistance an inviolable refuge, as formerly for criminals and debtors; sanctuary

meddlesome

given to meddling; interfering; intrusive to involve oneself in a matter without right or invitation; interfere officiously and unwantedly

whimsical

given to whimsy or fanciful notions; capricious of the nature of or proceeding from whimsy, as thoughts or actions erratic; unpredictable

radiative

giving off radiation the process in which energy is emitted as particles or waves the complete process in which energy is emitted by one body, transmitted through an intervening medium or space, and absorbed by another body

somber

gloomily dark; shadowy; dimly lighted dark and dull, as color, or as things in respect to color gloomy, depressing, or dismal extremely serious; grave

morose

gloomily or sullenly ill-humored, as a person or mood characterized by or expressing gloom

verdant

green with vegetation; covered with growing plants or grass of the color green inexperienced; unsophisticated

macabre

gruesome and horrifying; ghastly; horrible of, pertaining to, dealing with, or representing death, especially its grimmer or uglier aspect

sloth

habitual disinclination to exertion; indolence; laziness

veracity

habitual observance of truth in speech or statement; truthfulness conformity to truth or fact; accuracy correctness or accuracy, as of the senses or of a scientific instrument something veracious; a truth

hirsute

hairy; shaggy of, relating to, or characteristic of hair

fortuitous

happening or produced by chance; accidental lucky; fortunate

toil

hard and continuous work; exhausting labor or effort a laborious task

sanctioned

authoritative permission or approval, as for an action something that serves to support an action, condition, etc. something that gives binding force, as to an oath, rule of conduct, etc.

uncouth

awkward, clumsy, or unmannerly strange and ungraceful in appearance or form unusual or strange

maladjusted

badly or unsatisfactorily adjusted, especially in relationship to one's social circumstances, environment, etc.

pert

boldly forward in speech or behavior; impertinent; saucy jaunty and stylish; chic; natty lively; sprightly; in good health

insolent

boldly rude or disrespectful; contemptuously impertinent; insulting an insolent person

blatant

brazenly obvious; flagrant offensively noisy or loud; clamorous tastelessly conspicuous

pithy

brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse; forcible

stouter

bulky in figure; heavily built; corpulent; thickset; fat bold, brace, or dauntless firm; stubborn; resolute

onerous

burdensome, oppressive, or troublesome; causing hardship having or involving obligations or responsibilities, especially legal ones, that outweigh the advantages

cumbersome

burdensome; troublesome unwieldy; clumsy

deplorable

causing or being a subject for grief or regret; lamentable causing or being a subject for censure, reproach, or disapproval; wretched; very bad

dire

causing or involving great fear or suffering; dreadful; terrible indicating trouble, disaster, misfortune, or the like urgent; desperate

abhorrent

causing repugnance; detestable; loathsome

chary

cautious or careful; wary shy; timid fastidious; choosy

renowned

celebrated; famous

obloquies

censure, blame, or abusive language aimed at a person or thing, especially by numerous persons or by the general public discredit, disgrace, or bad repute resulting from public blame, abuse, or denunciation

mercurial

changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic animated; lively; spirited; quick-witted pertaining to, containing, or caused by the metal mercury

paternal

characteristic of or befitting a father; fatherly of or relating to a father related on the father's side derived or inherited from a father

voluble

characterized by a ready and continuous flow of words; fluent; glib; talkative

avaricious

characterized by avarice; greedy; covetous

sardonic

characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering

ingenious

characterized by cleverness or originality of invention or construction cleverly inventive or resourceful

equitable

characterized by equity or fairness; just and right; fair; reasonable

opulent

characterized by exhibiting opulence wealthy, rich, or affluent richly supplied; abundant or plentiful

erudite

characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly

vulgar

characterized by ignorance of or lack of good breeding or taste indecent; obscene; lewd crude; coarse; unrefined

profane

characterized by irreverence or contempt for God or sacred principles or things; irreligious not devoted to holy or religious purposes; unconsecrated; secular unholy; heathen; pagan

insightful

characterized by or displaying insight; perceptive an instance of apprehending the true nature of a thing, especially through intuitive understanding penetrating mental vision or discernment; faculty of seeing into inner character or underlying truth

ostentatious

characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others (of actions, manner, qualities, exhibited, etc.) intended to attract notice

fanciful

characterized by or showing fancy; capricious or whimsical in appearance suggested by fancy; imaginary; unreal led by fancy rather than by reason and experience; whimsical

amicable

characterized by or showing goodwill; friendly; peaceable

amicably

characterized by or showing goodwill; friendly; peaceable

byzantine

complex or intricate characterize by elaborate scheming an intrigue, especially for the gaining of political power or favor

homogeneous

composed of parts or elements that are all of the same kind; not heterogeneous of the same kind or nature; essentially alike

fantastical

conceived or appearing as if conceived by an unrestrained imagination; odd and remarkable; bizarre; grotesque fanciful or capricious, as persons or their ideas or actions imaginary or groundless in not being based on reality; foolish or irrational

vociferous

crying out noisily; clamorous characterized by or uttered with vociferation noisy outcry; clamor

cultivation

culture; refinement

derivative

derived not original; secondary something that has been derived

longtime

existing, occurring, or continuing for a long period of time; longstanding

lavishness

expended, bestowed, or occurring in profusion using or giving in great amounts; prodigal to expend or give in great amounts or without limit

gregarious

fond of the company of others; sociable living in flocks or herds, as animals pertaining to a flock or crowd

convivial

friendly; agreeable fond of feasting, drinking, and merry company; jovial of or befitting a feast; festive

anomalies

a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form an anomalous person or thing; one that is abnormal or does not fit in an odd, peculiar, or strange condition, situation, quality, etc.

anomaly

a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form an anomalous person or thing; one that is abnormal or does not fit in an odd, peculiar, or strange condition, situation, quality, etc.

scandal

a disgraceful or discreditable action, circumstance, etc. an offense caused by fault or misdeed damage to reputation; public disgrace defamatory talk; malicious gossip

partition

a division into or distribution in portions or shares a separation, as of two or more things something that separates or divides

drafted

a drawing, sketch, or design a first or preliminary form of any writing, subject to revision, copying, etc. act of drawing; delineating

calumnies

a false an malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something

joviality

the state or quality of being jovial; merriment; jollity endowed with or characterized by a hearty, joyous humor or a spirit of good-fellowship

laxity

the state or quality of being lax; looseness not strict or severe; careless or negligent loose or slack; not tense, rigid, or firm

mindfulness

the state or quality of being mindful or aware of something

nonchalance

the state or quality of being nonchalant; cool indifference or lack of concern; casualness

taciturnity

the state or quality of being reserved or reticent in conversation

parlay

to bet or gamble (an original amount and its winnings) on a subsequent race, contenst, etc. to use (one's money, talent, or other assets) to achieve a desired objective, as spectacular wealth or success

flummox

to bewilder; confound; confuse

politicized

to bring a political character or flavor to; make politic to engage in or discuss politics

decamped

to depart from a camp; to pack up equipment and leave a camping ground to depart quickly, secretly, or unceremoniously

emblazoned

to depict, as on an escutcheon in heraldry to decorate with brilliant colors to proclaim; celebrate or extol

unnerve

to deprive of courage, strength, determination, or confidence; upset

enervate

to deprive of force or strength; destroy the vigor of; weaken

dissuaded

to deter by the advice or persuasion; persuade not to do something

demarcate

to determine or mark off the boundaries or limits of to separate distinctly

eminence

high station, rank, or repute a high place or part; a hill or elevation; height

tony

high-toned; stylish

incumbent

holding an indicated position, role, office, etc., currently obligatory

tenaciously

holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold highly retentive pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough

kudos

honor; glory; acclaim

implicit

implied, rather than expressly stated unquestioning or unreserved; absolute potentially contained

moribund

in a dying state; near death on the verge of extinction or termination not progressing or advancing; stagnant

seriously

in a serious manner to an alarmingly grave extent with genuine, earnest intent; sincerely

taciturn

inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner

stridency

making or having a harsh sound; grating; creaking having a shrill, irritating quality or character

ignominious

marked by or attended with ignominy; discreditable; humiliating disgrace; dishonor; public contempt shameful or dishonorable quality or conduct or an instance of this

syncopated

marked by syncopation cut short; abbreviated

archaically

marked by the characteristics of an earlier period; antiquated

duplicitous

marked or characterized by duplicity deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter; double-dealing an act or instance of such deceitfulness

national

of, relating to, or maintained by a nation as an organized whole or independent political unit owned, preserved, or maintained by the federal government

semblance

outward aspect or appearance an assumed or unreal appearance; show the slightest appearance or trace a likeness, image, or copy

ostensibly

outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended apparent, evident, or conspicuous

plethora

overabundance; excess

minutiae

precise details; small or trifling matters

unpropitious

presenting favorable conditions; favorable indicative of favor; auspicious favorably inclined; disposed to bestow favors or forgive

wry

produced by a distortion or lopsidedness of the facial features abnormally bent or turned to one side; twisted; crooked devious in course or purpose; misdirected contrary; perverse

prolific

producing offspring, young, fruit, etc., abundantly; highly fruitful producing in large quantities or with great frequency; highly productive profusely productive or fruitful

fecund

producing or capable of producing offspring, fruit, vegetation, etc., in abundance; prolific; fruitful very productive or creative intellectually

virulence

quality of being virulent venomous hostility

quantum

quantity or amount a particular amount a share or portion a large quantity; bulk

protean

readily assuming different forms or characters; extremely variable changeable in shape or form, as an amoeba (of an actor or actress) versatile; able to play many kinds of roles

manifest

readily perceived by the eye or the understanding; evident; obvious; apparent; plain to make clear or evident to the eye or the understanding; show plainly to prove; put beyond doubt or question to record in a ship's manifest

enigmatic

resembling an enigma or a puzzling occurrence, situation, statement, person, etc.; perplexing; mysterious

intrepid

resolutely fearless; dauntless

piety

reverence for God or devout fulfillment of religious obligations the quality or state of being pious dutiful respect or regard for parents, homeland, etc. a pious act, remark, belief, or the like

mutiny

revolt or rebellion against constituted authority, especially by sailors against their officers rebellion against any authority

exacting

rigid or severe in demands or requirements requiring close application or attention given to or characterized by exaction; extortionate

draconian

rigorous; unusually severe or cruel

boisterous

rough and noisy; noisily jolly or rowdy; clamorous; unrestrained rough and stormy

curt

rudely brief in speech or abrupt in manner brief; concise; terse; laconic short; shortened

scanty

scant in amount, quantity, etc.; barely sufficient meager; not adequate lacking amplitude in extent or compass

eclectic

selecting or choosing from various sources made up of what is selected from different sources not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine, etc., but selecting and using what are considered the best elements of all systems

menacing

something that threatens to cause evil, harm, injury, etc.; a threat a person whose actions, attitude, or ideas are considered dangerous or harmful an extremely annoying person

acerbic

sour or astringent in taste harsh or severe, as of temper or expression

grandiloquent

speaking or expressed in a lofty style, often to the point of being pompous or bombastic

bogged down

stick; become stuck

peculiarly

strange; queer; odd uncommon; unusual distinctive in nature or character from others

formalism

strict adherence to, or observance of, prescribed or traditional forms, as in music, poetry, and art

fidelity

strict observance of promises, duties, etc. loyalty conjugal faithfulness adherence to fact or detail accuracy; exactness

flamboyant

strikingly bold or brilliant; showy conspicuously dashing and colorful florid; ornate; elaborately styled

robust

strong and healthy; hardy; vigorous strongly or stoutly built suited to or requiring bodily strength or endurance rough, rude, or boisterous rich and full-bodied

aghast

struck with overwhelming shock or amazement; filled with sudden fright or horror

smitten

struck, as with a hard blow grievously or disastrously stricken or afflicted very much in love

discretionary

subject or left to one's own discretion for any use or purpose one chooses; not earmarked for a particular purpose

capricious

subject to, led by, or indicative of a sudden, odd notion or unpredictable change; erratic

posterity

succeeding or future generations collectively all descendants of one person

anemic

suffering from anemia lacking power, vigor, vitality, or colorfulness; listless; weak

spartan

suggestive of the ancient Spartans; sternly disciplined and rigorously simple, frugal, or austere brave; undaunted

imputation

the act of imputing an attribution, as of fault or crime; accusation to attribute or ascribe to attribute or ascribe (something discreditable), as to a person

instigation

the act of instigating; incitement an incentive to cause by incitement; foment to urge, provoke, or incite to some action or course

omissions

the act of omitting the state of being omitted something left out, not done, or neglected

iteration

the act of repeating; a repetition a different form or version of something

salutation

the act of saluting something uttered, written, or done by way of saluting

breach

the act or a result of breaking; break or rupture an infraction or violation, as of law, trust, faith, or promise a gap made in wall, fortification, line of soldiers, etc; rift; fissure

motivation

the act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to act in a certain way the state or condition of being motivated or having a strong reason to act or accomplish something something that motivates; inducement; incentive

deviation

the act or deviating departure from a standard or norm

culmination

the act or fact of culminating that in which anything culminates; the culminating position or stage; highest point; acme

assimilation

the act or process of assimilating, or of absorbing information, experiences, etc. the state or condition of being assimilated, or of being absorbed into something the process of adapting or adjusting to the culture of a group or nation, or the state of being so adapted

comprehension

the act or process of comprehending the state of being comprehended perception or understanding capacity of the mind to perceive and understand; power to grasp ideas; ability to know

investiture

the act or process of investing the formal bestowal, confirmation, or presentation of rank, office, or possessory or prescriptive right, usually involving the giving of insignia or an official title the state of being invested, as with a garment, quality, or office

litigation

the act or process of litigating a lawsuit to make the subject of a lawsuit; contest at law

reminiscences

the act or process of recalling past experienced, events, etc. a mental impression retained and revived something that recalls or suggests something else

dissolution

the act or process of resolving or dissolving into parts or elements the resulting state the undoing or breaking of a bond, tie, union, partnership, etc. the breaking up of an assembly or organization; dismissal; dispersal

gunning

the act, practice, or art of shooting with guns; gunnery the hunting of game with guns

nose

the part of the face or facial region in humans and certain animals that contains the nostrils and the organs of smell and functions as the usual passageway for air in respiration: in humans it is a prominence in the center of the face formed of bone and cartilage, serving also to modify or modulate the voice the part as the organ of smell the sense of smell

aesthetics (n.)

the philosophical theory or set of principles governing the idea of beauty at a given time and place

opportunism

the policy or practice, as in politics, business, or one's personal affairs, of adapting actions, decisions, etc., to expediency or effectiveness regardless of the sacrifice of ethical principles action or judgment in accordance with this policy

resilience

the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy

buoyancy

the power to float or to rise in a fluid; relative lightness the power of supporting a body so that it floats; upward pressure exerted by the fluid in which a body is immersed lightness or resilience of spirit; cheerfulness

dissent

to differ in sentiment or opinion, especially from the majority; withhold assent; disagree to disagree with the methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government; take an opposing view

condoned

to disregard or overlook (something illegal, objectionable, or the like) to give tacit approval to to pardon or forgive (an offense); excuse

apportioned

to distribute or allocate proportionally; divide and assign according to some rule of proportional distribution

perturbing

to disturb or disquiet greatly in mind; agitate to throw into great disorder; derange

balkanized

to divide (a country, territory, etc.) into small, quarrelsome, ineffectual states to divide (groups, areas, etc.) into contending and usually ineffectual factions

bifurcated

to divide or fork into two branches divided into two branches

tat

to do, or make by, tatting the act or process of making a kind of knotted lace of cotton or linen thread with a shuttle

circumscribing

to draw a line around; encircle to enclose within bounds; limit or confine, especially narrowly to mark off; define; delimit

redresses

to dress again an outer garment for women and girls, consisting of bodice and skirt in one piece clothing; apparel; garb

repulsed

to drive back; repel to repel with denial, discourtesy, or the like; refuse or reject to cause feelings of repulsion in

erode

to eat into or away; destroy by slow consumption or disintegration to form (a gully, butte, or the like) by erosion

enshrine

to enclose in or as in a shrine to cherish as sacred

enshrinement

to enclose in or as in a shrine to cherish as sacred

expatiation

to enlarge in discourse or writing; be copious in description or discussion

inveigle

to entice, lure, or ensnare by flattery or artful talk or inducements to acquire, win, or obtain by beguiling talk or methods

pitch (v.)

to erect or set up (a tent, camp, or the like) to put, set, or plant in a fixed or definite place or position to throw, fling, hurl, or toss

scrutinized

to examine in detail with careful or critical attention to conduct a scrutiny

titillation

to excite or arouse agreeably to tickle; excite a tingling or itching sensation in, as by touching or stroking lightly

ostracize

to exclude, by general consent, from society, friendship, conversation, privileges, etc. to banish (a person) from his or her native country; expatriate

undermined

to injure to destroy by insidious activity or imperceptible stages, sometimes tending toward a sudden dramatic effect to attack by indirect, secret, or underhand means; attempt to subvert by stealth

moralizing

to reflect on or express opinions about something in terms of right and wrong, especially in a self-righteous or tiresome way

esteemed

to regard highly or favorably; regard with respect or admiration to consider as of certain value or of a certain type; regard

venerate

to regard or treat with reverence; revere

manumit

to release from slavery or servitude

palliate

to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate to try to mitigate or conceal the gravity of (an offense) by excuses, apologies, etc.; extenuate

tarry

to remain or stay, as in a place; sojourn to delay or be tardy in acting, starting, coming, etc., linger or loiter to wait

deposed

to remove from office or position, especially high office to testify or affirm under oath, especially in a written statement

obliterated

to remove or destroy all traces of; do away with; destroy completely to blot out or render undecipherable (writing, marks, etc.); efface

extirpated

to remove or destroy totally; do away with; exterminate to pull up by or as if by the roots; root up

eradication

to remove or destroy utterly; extirpate to erase by rubbing or by means of chemical solvent to pull up by the roots

eliminate

to remove or get rid of, especially as being in some way undesirable to omit, especially as being unimportant or irrelevant; leave out to remove from further consideration or competition, especially by defeating in a contest

stem (v.)

to remove the stem from to arise or originate

nonplussed

to render utterly perplexed; puzzle completely a state of utter perplexity

supersede

to replace in power, authority, effectiveness, acceptance, use, etc., as by another person or thing to set aside or cause to be set aside as void, useless, or obsolete, usually in favor of something mentioned; make obsolete

retort

to reply to, usually in a sharp or retaliatory way; reply to kind to to return (an accusation, epithet, etc.) upon the person uttering it to answer (an argument or the like) by another to the contrary

pathologize

to represent (something) as a disease

revivification

to restore to life; give new life to; revive; reanimate

impede

to retard in movement or progress by means of obstacles or hindrances; obstruct; hinder

recapitulated

to review by a brief summary, as at the end of a speech or discussion; summarize to sum up statements or matters "recap"

plunder

to rob of goods or valuables by open force, as in war, hostile raids, brigandage, etc. to rob, despoil, or fleece to take wrongfully, as pillage, robbery, or fraud

wax (v.)

to rub, smear, stiffen, polish, etc., with wax to fill the crevices of (ornamental marble) with colored material

immolate

to sacrifice to kill as a sacrificial victim, as by fire; offer in sacrifice to destory by fire

interspersed

to scatter here and there or place at intervals among other things to diversify with something placed or scattered at intervals

disseminate

to scatter or spread widely, as though sowing seed; promulgate extensively; broadcast; disperse

soliciting

to seek for (something) by entreaty, earnest or respectful request, formal application, etc. to entreat or petition (someone or some agency) to seek to influence or incite to action, especially unlawful or wrong action

dispatch

to send off or away with speed, as a messenger, telegram, body of troops, etc. to dismiss (a person), as after an audience

upend

to set on end, as a barrel or ship to affect drastically or radically, as tastes, opinions, reputations, or systems to defeat in competition, as in boxing or business

brandishes

to shake or wave, as a weapon; flourish

whet

to sharpen (a knife, tool, etc.) by grinding or friction to make keen or eager; stimulate the act of whetting

jibes

to shift from one side to the other when running before the wind, as fore-and-aft sail or its boom to alter course so that a fore-and-aft sail shifts in this manner

abridge

to shorten by omissions while retaining the basic contents to reduce or lessen in duration, scope, authority, etc.; diminish, curtail to deprive; cut off

evinced

to show clearly; make evident or manifest; prove to reveal the possession of (a quality, trait, etc.)

belie

to show to be false; contradict to misrepresent to act unworthily according to the standards of (a tradition, one's ancestry, one's faith, etc.) to lie about; slander

mollifies

to soften in feeling or temper, as a person; pacify; appease to mitigate or reduce; soften

besmirch

to soil; tarnish; discolor to detract from the honor or luster of

tout

to solicit business, employment, votes, or the like, importunately to solicit support for importunately to describe or advertise boastfully; publicize or promote; praise extravagantly

touted

to solicit business, employment, votes, or the like, importunately to solicit support for importunately to describe or advertise boastfully; publicize or promote; praise extravagantly

denigrate

to speak damagingly of; criticize in a derogatory manner; sully; defame to treat or represent as lacking in value or importance; belittle; disparage

malign

to speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of; slander; defame evil in effect; pernicious; baleful; injurious having or showing an evil disposition; malevolent; malicious

disparage

to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle to bring reproach or discredit upon; lower the estimation of

botched

to spoil by poor work; bungle to do or say in a bungling manner to mend or patch in a clumsy manner

metastasize

to spread injuriously to transform, especially into a dangerous form

asserts

to state with assurance, confidence, or force; state strongly or positively; affirm; aver to maintain or defend (claims, rights, etc.) to state as having existence; affirm; postulate

galvanize

to stimulate by or as if by a galvanic current to startle into sudden activity; stimulate

incite

to stir, encourage, or urge on; stimulate or prompt to action

stanch

to stop the flow of (a liquid, especially blood) to stop the flow of blood or other liquid from (a wound, leak, etc.)

insinuated

to suggest or hint slyly to instill or infuse subtly or artfully, as into the mind to bring or introduce into a position or relation by indirect or artful methods

seething

to surge or foam as if boiling to be in a state of agitation or excitement

supplants

to take the place of (another), as through force, scheming, strategy, or the like to replace (one thing) by something else

razed

to tear down; demolish; level to the group to shave or scrape off

delineate

to trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline; represent pictorially to portray in words; describe or outline with precision

lionize

to treat (a person) as a celebrity

flouted

to treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff at; mock to show disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff, mock, or gibe a disdainful, scornful, or contemptuous remark or act; insult; gibe

emulate

to try to equal or excel; imitate with effort to equal or surpass to rival with some degree of success

estrangement

to turn away in feeling or affection; make unfriendly or hostile; alienate the affections of to remove to or keep at a distance to divert from the original use or possessor

demonized

to turn into a demon or make demonlike to subject to the influence of demons

distort

to twist awry or out of shape; make crooked or deformed to give a false, perverted, or disproportionate meaning to; misrepresent

equivocate

to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead; prevaricate or hedge

transgressor

to violate a law, command, moral code, etc., offend; sin to pass over or go beyond (a limit, boundary, etc.) to go beyond the limits imposed by (a law, command, etc.); violate; infringe

plodding

to walk heavily or move laboriously; trudge to proceed in a tediously slow manner to work with constant and monotonous perseverance; drudge

hobble

to walk lamely; limp to proceed irregularly and haltingly

effacement

to wipe out; do away with; expunge to rub out, erase, or obliterate (outlines, traces, inscriptions, etc.) to make (oneself) inconspicuous; withdraw (oneself) modestly or shyly

recanted

to withdraw or disavow (a statement, opinion, etc.), especially formally; retract to withdraw or disavow a statement, opinion, etc., especially formally

tacit

understood without being openly expressed; implied silent; saying nothing unvoiced or unspoken

effusive

unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve pouring out; overflowing

hapless

unlucky; luckless; unfortunate

dicey

unpredictable; risky; uncertain

precocious

unusually advanced or mature in development, especially mental development prematurely developed, as the mind, faculties, etc. of or relating to premature development

loath (v.)

unwilling; reluctant; disinclined; averse

inexorably

unyielding; unalterable not to be persuaded, moved, or affected by prayers or entreaties

importunate

urgent or persistent in solicitation, sometimes annoyingly so pertinacious, as solicitations or demands troublesome; annoying

incendiary

used or adapted for setting property on fire of or relating to arouse strife, sedition, etc.; inflammatory tending to inflame the senses

laconic

using few words; expressing much in few words; concise

articulate

uttered clearly in distinct syllables capable of speech; not speechless using language easily and fluently; having facility with words

profligate

utterly and shamelessly immoral or dissipated; thoroughly dissolute recklessly prodigal or extravagant a profligate person

evanescent

vanishing; fading away; fleeting tending to become imperceptible; scarcely perceptible

variegated

varied in appearance or color; marked with patches or spots of different colors varied; diversified; diverse

synergetic

working together; cooperative

exemplary

worthy of imitation; commendable serving as a warning serving as an illustration or specimen; illustrative; typical

wracked

wreck or wreckage damage or destruction a trace of something destroyed

accolades

any award, honor, or laudatory notice

maladies

any disorder or disease of the body, especially one that is chronic or deep-seated any undesirable or disordered condition

hadron

any elementary particle that is subject to the strong interaction

buttress

any external prop or support built to steady a structure by opposing its outward thrusts, especially a projecting support built into or against the outside of a masonry wall any prop or support

buttressed

any external prop or support built to steady a structure by opposing its outward thrusts, especially a projecting support built into or against the outside of a masonry wall any prop or support

earmark

any identifying or distinguishing mark or characteristic a mark of identification made on the ear of an animal or ownership

gambits

any maneuver by which one seeks to gain an advantage to remark made to open or redirect a conversation

phased in

any of the major appearances or aspects in which a thing of varying modes or conditions manifests itself to the eye or mind a stage in a process of change or development a side, aspect, or point of view

gadfly

any of various flies, as a stable fly or warble fly, that bite or annoy domestic animals a person who persistently annoys or provokes others with criticism, schemes, ideas, demands, request, etc.

tenets

any opinion, principle, doctrine, dogma, etc., especially one held as true by members of a profession, group, or movement

legume

any plant of the legume family, especially those used for feed, food, or as a soil-improving crop the pod or seed vessel of such a plant any table vegetable of the legume family

paean

any song of praise, joy, or triumph

hierarchy

any system of persons or things ranked one above another government by ecclesiastical rulers the power or dominion of hierarch

nettled

any various allied or similar plants to irritate, annoy, or provoke to sting as a nettle does

conglomerates

anything composed of heterogeneous materials or elements a corporation consisting of a number of subsidiary companies or divisions in a variety of unrelated industries, usually as a result of merger or acquisition

contraband

anything prohibited by law from being imported or exported goods imported or exported illegally illegal or prohibited trade; smuggling

curbed

anything that restrains or controls; a restraint; check an enclosing framework or border

seemingly

apparent; appearing, whether truly or falsely, to be as specified appearance, especially outward or deceptive appearance

specious

apparently good or right though lacking real merit; superficially pleasing or plausible pleasing to the eye but deceptive

enraptured

to move to rapture; delight beyond measure

procure

to obtain or get by care, effort, or the use of special means to bring about, especially by unscrupulous and indirect means to obtain (a person) for the purpose of prostitution

preordained

to ordain beforehand; foreordain to invest with ministerial or sacerdotal functions; confer holy orders upon

daunting

to overcome with fear; intimidate to lessen the courage of; dishearten

flabbergast

to overcome with surprise and bewilderment; astound

subverted

to overthrow (something established or existing) to cause the downfall, ruin, or destruction of to undermine the principles of; corrupt

confound

to perplex or amaze, especially by a sudden disturbance or suprise; bewilder; confuse to throw into confusion or disorder to treat or regard erroneously as identical; mix or associate by mistake

cajole

to persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax

inter

to place (a dead body) in a grave or tomb; bury

flag (v.)

to place a flag or flags over or on; decorate with flags to signal or warn (a person, automobile, etc.) with or as if with a flag to communicate (information) by or as if by a flag

marginalize

to place in a position of marginal importance, influence, or power

canonization

to place in the canon of saints to glorify to make canonical; place to include within a canon, especially of scriptural works to consider or treat as a sacrosanct or holy

posit

to place, put, or set to lay down or assume as a fact or principle; postulate something that is posited; an assumption; postulate

posited

to place, put, or set to lay down or assume as a fact or principle; postulate something that is posited; an assumption; postulate

eulogized

to praise highly to speak or write a eulogy about

laud

to praise; extol a song or hymn of praise

cultivate

to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor and attention to produce by culture the develop or improve by education or training; train; refine

override

to prevail or have dominance over; have final authority or say over; overrule to disregard, set aside, or nullify; countermand to take precedence over; preempt or supersede

foster

to promote the growth or development of; further; encourage to bring up, raise, or rear, as a foster child to care for or cherish

scotch (v.)

to put a definite end to; crush; stamp out; foil to cut, gash, or score to injure so as to make harmless to block or prop with a wedge or chock

propound

to put forward or offer for consideration, acceptance, or adoption; set forth; propose

jeopardize

to put in jeopardy; hazard; risk; imperil hazard or risk of or exposure to loss, harm, death, or injury peril or danger

imperil

to put in peril or danger; endanger

redacted

to put into suitable literary form; revise; edit to draw up or frame (a statement, proclamation, etc.) to hire or remove (confidential parts of a text) before publication or distribution, or to examine (a text) for this purpose

defer

to put off (action, consideration, etc.) to a future time to exempt temporarily from induction into military service to put off action; delay

cite

to quote (a passage, book, author, etc.), especially as an authority to mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example to summon officially or authoritatively to appear in court

citing

to quote (a passage, book, author, etc.), especially as an authority to mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example to summon officially or authoritatively to appear in court

resurrected

to raise from the dead; bring to life again to bring back into use, practice, etc. to rise from the dead

culminate

to reach the highest point, summit, or highest development to end or arrive at a final stage to rise to or form an apex; terminate

gainsay

to deny, dispute, or contradict to speak or act against; oppose

hamstring

(in humans and other primates) any of the tendons that bound the ham of the knee

rhetoric

(in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech the study of the effective use of language the ability to use language effectively

heads (v.)

(of a coin) with the top, or obverse, facing up

effeminate

(of a man or boy) having traits, tastes, habits, etc., traditionally considered feminine, as softness or delicacy characterized by excessive softness, delicacy, self-indulgence, etc.

philandering

(of a man) to make love with a woman one cannot or will not marry; carry on flirtations

elitist

(of a person or class of persons) considered superior by others or by themselves, as in intellect, talent, power, wealth, or position in society catering to or associated with an elitist class, its ideologies, or its institutions

obscure

(of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain not clear to the understanding; hard to perceive (of language, style, a speaker, etc.) not expressing the meaning clearly or plainly indistinct to the sight or any other sense; not readily seen, heard, etc.; faint

tremulous

(of persons, the body, etc.) characterized by trembling, as from fear, nervousness, or weakness timid; timorous; fearful (of things) vibratory, shaking, or quivering (of writing) done with a trembling hand

bombastic

(of speech, writing, etc.) high-sounding; high flown; inflated; pretentious

polemical

a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc. a person who argues in opposition to another; controversialist

clamor

a loud uproar, as from a crowd of people a vehement expression of desire or dissatisfaction

appellations

a name, title, or designation the act of naming

austerity

austere quality; severity of manner, life, etc.; sternness

pernicious

causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injurious; hurtful deadly; fatal

outright

complete or total downright or unqualified without further payments due, restrictions, or qualifications

concomitant

existing or occurring with something else, often in a lesser way; accompanying; concurrent

ingenuous

free from reserve, restraint, or dissimulation; candid; sincere artless; innocent; naive

preternatural

out of the ordinary course of nature; exceptional or abnormal outside of nature; supernatural

railed

a bar of wood or metal fixed horizontally for any of various purposes, as for a support, barrier, fence, or railing a fence; railing on of two fences marking the inside and outside boundaries of a racetrack

diatribes

a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism

charade

a blatant pretense or deception, especially something so full of pretense as to be a travesty

hector

a blustering, domineering person; a bully

debased

to reduce in quality or value; adulterate to lower in rank, dignity, or significance

language

a body of words and the system for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or of the same cultural tradition communication by voice in the distinctively human manner, using arbitrary sounds in conventional ways with conventional meanings; speech

panned (v.)

a broad, shallow container of metal, usually having sides flaring outward toward the top, used in various forms for frying, baking, washing, etc. any similar receptacle or part, as the scales of a balance the amount a pan holds or can hold; panful

covey

a brood or small flock of partridges or similar birds a group, set, or company

house

a building in which people live; residence for human beings a household a family, including ancestors and descendants

luminary

a celestial body, as the sun or moon a body, object, etc., that gives light a person who has attained eminence in his or her field or is an inspiration to others

fettered

a chain or shackle placed on the feet anything that confines or restrains

happenstance

a chance happening or event

vicissitude

a change or variation occurring in the course of something interchange or alternation, as of states or things

chronicling

a chronological record of events; a history to record in or as in a chronicle

polemic

a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc. a person who argues in opposition to another; controversialist

quips

a clever or witty remark or comment a sharp, sarcastic remark; a cutting jest a quibble an odd or fantastic action or thing

whitewash

a composition, as of lime and water or of whiting, size, and water, used for whitening walls, woodwork, etc. anything, as deceptive words or actions, used to cover up or gloss over faults, errors, or wrongdoings, or absolve a wrongdoer from blame

counterfactual

a conditional statement the first clause of which expresses something contrary to fact

mishmash

a confused mess; hodgepodge; jumble

fallacy

a deceptive, misleading, or false notion, belief, etc. a misleading or unsound argument deceptive, misleading, or false nature; erroneousness

rout

a defeat attended with disorderly flight; dispersal of a defeated force in complete disorder any overwhelming defeat a tumultuous or disorderly crowd of persons the rabble or mob

progeny

a descendant or offspring, as a child, plant, or animal such descendants or offspring collectively something that originates or results from something else; outcome; issue

chagrin

a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation

novel

a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action and scenes

similes

a figure or speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in "she is like a rose" an instance of such a figure of speech or a use of word exemplifying it

forfeit

a fine; penalty an act of forfeiting; forfeiture something to which the right is lost, as for commission of a crime or misdeed, neglect of duty, or violation of a contract an article deposited in a game because of a mistake and redeemable by a fine or penalty

dame

a form of address to any woman of rank or authority a matronly woman of advanced age; matron

monological

a form of dramatic entertainment, comedic solo, or the like by a single speaker a prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker, especially one dominating or monopolizing a conversation any composition, as a poem, in which a single person speaks alone

croquet

a game played by knocking wooden balls through metal wickets with mallets the act of driving away an opponent's ball by striking one's own when the two are in contact

debacle

a general breakup or dispersion; sudden downfall or rout a complete collapse or failure

spooked

a ghost; specter to haunt; inhabit or appear in or to as a ghost or specter to frighten; scare

tribute

a gift, testimonial, compliment, or the like, given as due or in acknowledgment of gratitude or esteem a stated sum or other valuable consideration paid by one sovereign or state to another in acknowledgment of subjugation or as the price of peace, security, protection, or the like

melancholy

a gloomy state of mind, especially when habitual or prolonged; depression sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness affected with, characterized by, or showing melancholy; mournful; depressed

fascism

a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcible suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism

factions

a group or clique within a larger group, party, government, organization, or the like party strife and intrigue; distension

hodgepodge

a heterogeneous mixture; jumble

coup

a highly successful, unexpected stroke, act, or move; a clever action or accomplishment

cavalier

a horseman, especially a mounted solider; knight one having the spirit or bearing of a knight; a courtly gentleman; gallant a man escorting a woman or acting as her partner in dancing

parodied

a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing the genre of literary composition represented by such imitations a burlesque imitation of a musical composition

hinging

a jointed device or flexible piece on which a door, gate, shutter, lid, or other attached part turns, swings, or moves a natural anatomical joint at which motion occurs around a transverse axis, as that of the knee or a bivalve shell that on which something is based or depends; pivotal consideration or factor

despots

a king or other ruler with absolute, unlimited power; autocrat any tyrant or oppressor

galleys

a kitchen or an area with kitchen facilities in a ship, plane, or camper

pundits

a learned person, expert, or authority a person who makes comments or judgments, especially in an authoritative manner; critic or commentator

farce

a light, humorous play in which the plot depends upon a skillfully exploited situation rather than upon the development of character humor of the type displayed in such works foolish show; mockery; a ridiculous sham

bolster

a long, often cylindrical, cushion or pillow for a bed, sofa, etc. anything resembling this in form or in use as a support

distinction

a marking off or distinguishing as different the recognizing or noting of differences; discrimination a discrimination made between things as different; special regard or favoritism

gauntlet

a medieval glove, as of mail or plate, worn by a knight in armor to protect the land a glove with an extended cuff for the wrist the cuff itself

counterpoint

a melody composed to be combined with another melody any element that is juxtaposed and contrasted with another

peasant

a member of a class of persons, as in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, who are small farmers or farm laborers of low social mark a coarse, unsophisticated, boorish, uneducated person of little financial means

commando

a member of a military assault unit or team trained to operate quickly and aggressively in especially urgent, threatening situations, as against terrorists holding hostages

foibles

a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect the weaker part of a sword blade, between the middle and the point

misnomers

a misapplied or inappropriate name or designation an error in naming a person or thing

medley

a mixture, especially of heterogeneous elements; hodgepodge; jumble a piece of music combining tunes or passages from various sources

melange

a mixture; medley

paragon

a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence someone of exceptional merit

exemplars

a model or pattern to be copied or imitated a typical example or instance an original or archetype

modicum

a moderate or small amount

morbidities

a morbid state or quality the proportion of sickness or of a specific disease in a geographical locality

coda

a more or less independent passage, at the end of a composition, introduced to bring it to a satisfactory close a concluding section or part, especially one of a conventional form and serving as a summation of preceding themes, motifs, etc., as in a work of literature or drama anything that serves as a concluding part

leitmotifs

a motif or theme associated throughout a music drama with a particular person, situation, or idea

compatriots

a native or inhabitant of one's own country; fellow countryman or countrywoman of the same country

affinity

a natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc. a person, thing, idea, etc., for which such a natural liking or attraction is felt

sobriquets

a nickname

solecisms

a nonstandard or ungrammatical usage a breach of good manners or etiquette any error, impropriety, or inconsistency

epoch

a particular period of time marked by distinctive features; events, etc. the beginning of a distinctive period in the history of anything a point of time distinguished by a particular event or state of affairs; a memorable date

temper (v.)

a particular state of mind or feelings habit of mind, especially with respect to irritability or patience, outbursts of anger, or the like; disposition heat of mind or passion, shown in outbursts of anger, resentment, etc.

millennia

a period of 1000 years a period of general righteousness and happiness, especially in the indefinite future

polymath

a person of great learning in several fields of study; polyhistor

patrician

a person of noble or high rank; aristocrat a person of very good background, education, and refinement

peer

a person of the same legal status a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status something of equal worth or quality

peers

a person of the same legal status a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status something of equal worth or quality

anathema

a person or thing detested or loathed a person or thing accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction

boosterish

a person or thing that boosts, especially an energetic and enthusiastic supporter

bane

a person or thing that ruins or spoils a deadly person (often used in combination, as in the names of poisonous plants) death; destruction; ruin

artisans

a person skilled in an applied art; a craftsperson a person or company that makes a high-quality or distinctive product in small quantities, usually by hand or usual traditional methods

fiduciary

a person to whom property or power is entrusted for the benefit of another of, based on, or in the nature of trust and confidence, as in public affairs depending on public confidence for value or currency, as fiat money

fascist

a person who believes in or sympathizes with fascism a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcible suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism

pacifist

a person who believes in pacifism or is opposed to war or to violence of any kind

ascetic

a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial or self-mortification or religious reasons a person who leads an austerely simple life, especially one who abstains from the normal pleasures of life or denies himself or herself material satisfaction

priggish

a person who displays or demands of others pointlessly precise conformity, fussiness about trivialities, or exaggerated propriety, especially in a self-righteous or irritating manner

harbingers

a person who goes ahead and makes known the approach of another; herald anything that foreshadows a future event; omen; sign a person sent in advance of troops, a royal train, etc. to provide or secure lodgings and other accommodations

pedestrian

a person who goes or travels on foot; walker going or performed on foot; walking of or relating to walking lacking in vitality, imagination, distinction, etc.; commonplace; prosaic or dull

autodidact

a person who has learned a subject without the benefit of a teacher or formal education; a self-taught person

patrons

a person who is a customer, client, or paying guest, especially a regular one, of a store, hotel, or the like a person who supports with money, gifts, efforts, or endorsement an artist, writer, museum, cause, charity, institution, special event, or the like

mongers

a person who is involved with something in a petty or contemptible way (usually use in combination) to sell; hawk

novice

a person who is new to the circumstances, work, etc., in which he or she is placed; beginner; tyro

narcissists

a person who is overly self-involved, and often vain and selfish

stoic

a person who maintains or affects the mental attitude advocated by Stoics impassive; characterized by calm, austere fortitude befitting the Stoics

steward

a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others a person who has charge of the household of another, buying or obtaining food, directing the servants, etc. an employee who has charge of the table, wine, servants, etc., in a club, restaurant, or the like

overseer

a person who oversees; supervisor; manager

forte

a person's strong suit, or most highly developed characteristic, talent, or skill; something that one excels in the stronger part of a sword blade, between the middle and the hilt

prodigies

a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability a marvelous example something wonderful or marvelous; a wander

infirmity

a physical weakness or ailment quality or state of being infirm; lack of strength a moral weakness or failing

stratagem

a plan, scheme, or trick for surprising or deceiving an enemy any artifice, ruse, or trick devised or used to attain a goal or to gain an advantage over an adversary or competitor

personable

a pleasing personal appearance; handsome or comely; attractive having an agreeable or pleasing personality; affable; amiable; sociable

ephemera

a plural of ephemeron anything short-lived or ephemeral

supplicated

a pray humbly; make humble and earnest entreaty or petition to pray humbly to; entreat or petition humbly to seek or ask for by humble entreaty

guru

a preceptor giving personal religious instruction an intellectual or spiritual guide or leader any person who counsels or advises; mentor

prologue

a preliminary discourse; a preface or introductory part of discourse, poem, or novel an introductory speech, often in verse, calling attention to the theme of a play the actor or actress who delivers this

presage

a presentiment or foreboding something that portends or foreshadows a future event; an omen, prognostic, or warning indication prophetic significance; augury foresight; prescience

boondoggle

a product of simple manual skill, as a plaited leather cord for the neck or a knife sheath, made typically by a camper or scout a work of little or no value done merely to keep or look busy

sages (n.)

a profoundly wise person; a person famed for wisdom someone venerated for the possession of wisdom, judgment, and experience wise, judicious, or prudent

hemorrhaging

a profuse discharge of blood, as from a ruptured blood vessel; bleeding the loss of assets, especially in large amounts any widespread or uncontrolled loss or diffusion

tirade

a prolonged outburst of bitter, outspoken denunciation a long, vehement speech a passage dealing with a single theme or idea, as in poetry

theses

a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections a subject for a composition or essay a dissertation on a particular subject in which one has done original research, as one presented by a candidate for a diploma or degree

pantheon

a public building containing tombs or memorials of the illustrious dead of a nation the place of the heroes or idols of any group, individual, movement, party, etc., or the heroes or idols themselves a temple dedicated to all the gods

riddled

a question or statement so framed as to exercise one's ingenuity in answering it or discovering its meaning; conundrum a puzzling question, problem, or matter a puzzling thing or person

contest

a race, conflict, or other competition between rivals, as for a prize struggle for victory or superiority strife in argument; dispute; controversy

aurora

a radiant emission from the upper atmosphere that occurs sporadically over the middle and high latitudes of both hemispheres in the form of luminous bands, streamers, or the like, caused by the bombardment of the atmosphere with charged solar particles that are being guided along the earth's magnetic lines of force

panacea

a remedy for all disease or ills; cure-all an answer or solution for all problems or difficulties

conundrums

a riddle, the answer to which involves a pun or play on words anything that puzzles

tethered

a rope, chain, or the hike, by which an animal is fastened to a fixed object so as to limit its range of movement the utmost length to which one can go in action; the utmost extent or limit of ability or resources

heralded

a royal or official messenger, especially one representing a monarch in an ambassadorial capacity during wartime a person or thing that precedes or comes before; forerunner; harbinger a person or thing that proclaims or announces

bedlam

a scene or state of wild uproar and confusion

egoist

a self-centered or selfish person an arrogantly conceited person; egoist an adherent of the metaphysical principle of the ego, or self; solipsist

truisms

a self-evident, obvious truth

sycophant

a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite

lackey

a servile follower; toady a footman or liveried manservant

manacled

a shackle for the hand; handcuff restraints; checks to handcuff; fetter to hamper; restrain

anecdote

a short account of a particular incident or event, especially of an interesting or amusing nature a short, obscure historical or biographical account

parables

a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lessons a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like

salvo

a simultaneous or successive discharge of artillery, bombs, etc. a round of fire given as a salute a round of cheers or applause

stymie

a situation or problem presenting such difficulties as to discourage or defeat any attempt to deal with or resolve it to hinder, block, or thwart

inkling

a slight suggestion or indication; hint; intimation a vague idea or notion; slight understanding

simulacrum

a slight, unreal, or superficial likeness or semblance an effigy, image, or representation

mote

a small particle or speck, especially of dust

rapier

a small sword, especially of the 18th century, having a narrow blade and used for thrusting a longer, heavier sword, especially of the 16th and 17th centuries, having a double-edged blade and used for slashing and thrusting

hamlet

a small village

brook

a small, natural stream of fresh water

gaffe

a social blunder;faux pas

dystopian

a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding

poultices

a soft, moist mass of cloth, bread, meal, herb, etc., applied hot as a medicament to the body to apply a poultice to

sentries

a soldier stationed at a place to stand guard and prevent the passage of unauthorized persons, watch for fires, etc., especially a sentinel stationed at a pass, gate, opening in a defense work, or the like a member of a guard or watch

equilibrium

a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces equal balance between any powers, influences, etc.; equality of effect mental or emotional balance; equanimity

paradox

a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth a self-contradictory and false proposition any person, thing, or situation exhibiting an apparently contradictory nature

cornerstone

a stone uniting two masonry walls at an intersection a stone representing the nominal starting place in the construction of a monumental building, usually carved with the date and laid with appropriate ceremonies

diameter

a straight line passing through the center of a circle or sphere and meeting the circumference or surface at each end a straight line passing from side to side of any figure or body, through its center

exploits

a striking or notable deed; feat; spirited or heroic act

aversion

a strong feeling of dislike, opposition, repugnance, or antipathy to cause or object of dislike; person or thing that causes antipathy

penchant

a strong inclination, taste, or liking for something

honeycombed

a structure of rows of hexagonal wax cells, formed by bees in their hive for the storage of honey, pollen, and their eggs a piece of this containing honey and chewed as a sweet anything whose appearance suggests such a structure, especially in containing many small units or holes

bridge

a structure spanning and providing passage over a river, chasm, road, or the like a connecting, transitional, or intermediate route or phase between two adjacent elements, activities, conditions, or the like

contention

a struggling together in opposition; strife a striving in rivalry; competition; contest strife in debate; dispute; controversy

cubist

a style of painting and sculpture developed in the early 20th century, characterized chiefly by an emphasis on formal structure, the reduction of natural forms to their geometrical equivalents, and the organization of the planes of a represented object independently of representational requirements

sophistry

a subtle, tricky, superficially plausible, but generally fallacious method of reasoning a false argument; sophism

populist

a supporter or adherent of populism

predilection

a tendency to think favorably of something in particular; partiality; preference

aphorism

a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation

touchstone

a test or criterion for the qualities of a thing a black siliceous stone formerly used to test the purity of gold and silver by the color of the streak produced on it by rubbing it with either metal

communism

a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or the state

palettes

a thin and usually oval or oblong board or tablet with a thumb hole at one end, used by painters for holding and mixing colors any other flat surface used by a painter for this purpose

statue

a three-dimensional work of art, as a representational or abstract form, carved in stone or wood, molded in a plastic material, cast in bronze, or the like

repertory

a type of theatrical presentation in which a company presents several works regularly or in alternate sequence in one season a theatrical company that presents productions in this manner

parameter

a variable entering into the mathematical form of any distribution such that the possible values of the variable correspond to different distributions

myriad

a very great or indefinitely great number of persons or things ten thousand of an indefinitely great number; innumerable having innumerable phases, aspects, variations, etc.

peccadilloes

a very minor or slight sin or offense; a trifling fault

iota

a very small quantity; jot; whit the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet the vowel sound represented by this letter

fulmination

a violent denunciation or censure violent explosion

specter

a visible incorporeal spirit, especially one of a terrifying nature; ghost; phantom; apparition some object or source of terror or dread

honed

a whetstone of fine, compact texture for sharpening razors and other cutting tools a precision tool with a mechanically rotated abrasive tip, for enlarging holes to precise dimensions

bon-mots

a witty remark or comment; clever saying; witticism

witticisms

a witty remark or sentence

doyenne

a woman who is the senior member, as in age or rank, of a group, class, profession, etc.

pillory

a wooden framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used to expose an offender to public derision to set in the pillory to expose to public derision, ridicule, or abuse

solvent

able to pay all just debts having the power of dissolving; causing solution a substance that dissolves another to form a solution

teeming (adj.)

abounding or swarming with something, as with people prolific or fertile

brusque

abrupt in manner; blunt; rough

musings

absorbed in thought; meditative contemplation; reflection

palatable

acceptable or agreeable to the palate or taste; savory acceptable or agreeable to the mind or feelings

rash

acting or tending to act too hastily or without due consideration characterized by or showing too great haste or lack of consideration

auxiliary

additional; supplementary; reserve used as a substitute or reserve in case of need giving support; serving as an aid; helpful

inimical

adverse in tendency or effect; unfavorable; harmful unfriendly; hostile

denial

an assertion that something said, believed, alleged, etc., is false refusal to believe a doctrine, theory, or the like disbelief in the existence or reality of a thing

jaundiced

affected with or colored by or as if by jaundice affected with or exhibiting prejudice, as from envy or resentment a state of feeling in which views are prejudiced or judgment is distorted, as by envy or resentment

congenial

agreeable, suitable, or pleasing in nature or character suited or adapted in spirit, feeling, temper, etc.; compatible

euphony

agreeableness of sound; pleasing effect to the ear, especially a pleasant sounding or harmonious combination or succession of words

congruent

agreeing; accordant; congruous

equivocal

allowing the possibility of several different meanings, as a word or phrase, especially with intent to deceive or misguide; susceptible of double interpretation; deliberately ambiguous

omnipotent

almighty or infinite in power, as God having very great or unlimited authority or power an omnipotent being

piddling

amounting to very little; trifling; negligible

lapses

an accidental or temporary decline or deviation from an expected or accepted condition or state; a temporary falling or slipping from a previous standard a slip or error, often of a trivial sort; failure an interval or passage of time; elapsed period a moral fall, as from rectitude or virtue

subversion

an act or instance of subverting the state of being subverted; destruction something that subverts or overthrows

dispersal

an act, sate, or instance of dispersing or of being dispersed

partisan

an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially a person who shows a biased, emotional allegiance of, relating to, or characteristic of partisans; partial to a specific party, person, etc.

partisanship

an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially a person who shows a biased, emotional allegiance of, relating to, or characteristic of partisans; partial to a specific party, person, etc.

revisionist

an advocate of revision, especially of some political or religious doctrine a reviser any advocate of doctrines, theories, or practices that depart from established authority or doctrine

socialist

an advocate or supporter of socialism a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole

mead

an alcoholic liquor made by fermenting honey and water any of various nonalcoholic beverages

rejoinder

an answer to a reply; response

serendipity

an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident good fortune; luck

incensed

an aromatic gum or other substance producing a sweet odor when burned, used in religious ceremonies, to enhance a mood, etc. the perfume or smoke rising from such a substance when burned

subterfuge

an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule, escape a consequence, hid something, etc.

sentiments

an attitude toward something; regard; opinion a mental feeling; emotion refined or tender emotion; manifestation of the higher or more refined feelings

pidgins

an auxiliary language that has come into existence through the attempts by the speakers of two different languages to communicate and that is primarily a simplified form of one of the languages, with a reduced vocabulary and grammatical structure and considerable variation in pronunciation

plaudits

an enthusiastic expression of approval a demonstration or round of applause, as for some approved or admired performance

paradigms

an example serving as a model; pattern a framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community

conceit

an excessively favorable opinion of one's own ability, importance, wit, etc. something that is conceived in the mind; a thought; idea imagination; fancy

maxim

an expression of a general truth or principle, especially an aphoristic or sententious one a principle or rule of conduct

complaints

an expression of discontent, regret, pain, censure, resentment, or grief; lament; faultfinding a cause of discontent, pain, grief, lamentation, etc. a cause of bodily pain or ailment; malady

idioms

an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituents elements, as the kick the bucket or hang one's head, or from the general grammatical rules of a language, as the table round for the round table, and that is not a constituent of a larger expression of like characteristics a language, dialect, or style of speaking peculiar to a people a construction or expression of one language whose parts correspond to elements in another language but whose total structure or meaning is not matched in the same way in the second language

insights

an instance of apprehending the true nature of a thing, especially through intuitive understanding penetrating mental vision or discernment; faculty of seeing into inner character or underlying truth

utopia

an ideal place or state any visionary system of political or social perfection

hindrance

an impeding, stopping, preventing, or the like the state of being hindered a person or thing that hinders

dearth

an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack scarcity and dearness of food; famine

eons

an indefinitely long period of time; age the largest division of geologic time, comprising two or more eras

innuendos

an indirect intimation about a person or things, especially of disparaging or a derogatory nature

fledgling

an inexperienced person young, new, or inexperienced

solicitousness

anxious or concerned anxiously desirous eager careful or particular

excise

an internal tax or duty on certain commodities, as liquor or tobacco, levied on their manufacture, sale, or consumption within the country a tax levied for a license to carry on certain employments, pursue certain sports, etc.

interlude

an intervening episode, period, space, etc. a short dramatic piece, especially of a light or farcical character, formerly introduced between the parts or acts of miracle and morality plays or given as part of other entertainments any intermediate performance or entertainment, as between the acts of a play

parcel

an object, article, container, or quantity of something wrapped or packed up; small package; bundle a quantity or unit of something, as of a commodity for sale; lot a group, collection, or assemblage of persons or things a distinct, continuous portion or tract of land a part, portion, or fragment

sinecure

an office or position requiring little or no work, especially one yielding profitable returns an ecclesiastical benefice without cure of souls

audit

an official examination and verification of accounts and records, especially of financial accounts a report or statement reflecting an audit; a final statement of account the inspection or examination of a building or other facility to evaluate or improve its appropriateness, safety, efficiency, or the like

inquisitions

an official investigation, especially one of a political or religious nature, characterized by lack of regard for individual rights, prejudice on the part of the examiners, and recklessly cruel punishments any harsh, difficult, or prolonged questioning the act of inquiring; inquiry; research an investigation, or process of inquiry

hallmark

an official mark or stamp indicating a standard of purity, used in marking gold and silver articles assayed by the Goldsmiths' Company of London; plate mark any mark or special indication of genuineness, good quality, etc.

hysteria

an uncontrollable outburst of emotion or fear, often characterized by irrationality, laughter, weeping, etc.

stanchion

an upright bar, beam, post, or support, as in a window, stall, ship, etc. to furnish with stanchions to secure by or to a stanchion or stanchions

irate

angry; enraged arising from or characterized by anger

scintillating

animated; vivacious; effervescent witty; brilliantly clever

solicitous

anxious or concerned anxiously desirous eager careful or particular

approbation

approval; commendation official approval or sanction

labile

apt or likely to change

skittish

apt to start or shy restlessly or excessively lively fickle; uncertain shy; coy

lubricious

arousing or expressive of sexual desire; lustful; lecherous

iconoclastic

attacking or ignoring cherished beliefs and long-held traditions, etc., as being based on error, superstition, or lack of creativity breaking or destroying images, especially those set up for religious veneration

fruition

attainment of anything desired; realization; accomplishment enjoyment, as of something attained or realized

incipient

beginning to exist or appear; in an initial stage

nascent

beginning to exist or develop

superficial

being at, on, or near the surface of or relating to the surface external or outward concerned with or comprehending only hwat is on the surface or obvious shallow; not profound or thorough

superfluous

being more than is sufficient or required; excessive unnecessary or needless

sole

being the only one; only being the only one of the kind; unique; unsurpassed; matchless belonging or pertaining to one individual or group to the exclusion of all others; exclusive

veritable

being truly or very much so

credence

belief as to the truth of something something giving a claim to belief or confidence

provincial

belonging or peculiar to some particular province; local of or relating to the provinces having or showing the manners, viewpoints, etc., considered characteristic of unsophisticated inhabitants of a province; rustic; narrow or illiberal; parochial

genteel

belonging or suited to polite society well-bred or refined; polite; elegant; stylish affectedly or pretentiously polite, delicate, etc.

pliant

bending readily; flexible; supple; adaptable easily influenced; yielding to others; compliant

lithe

bending readily; pliant; limber; supple; flexible

defeasible

capable of being annulled or terminated

credible

capable of being believed; believable worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy

malleable

capable of being extended or shaped by hammering or by pressure from rollers adaptable or tractable

passable

capable of being passed through, beyond, or over; fit to be traversed, penetrated, crossed, etc., as a road, forest, or stream adequate; acceptable capable of being circulated legally or having a valid currency, as a coin

tangible

capable of being touched; discernible by the touch; material or substantial real or actual, rather than imaginary or visionary definite; not vague or elusive

caustic

capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue severely critical or sarcastic

hardy

capable of enduring fatigue, hardship, exposure, etc.; sturdy; strong (of plants) able to withstand the cold of winter in the open air bold or daring; courageous

efficacious

capable of having the desired result or effect; effective as a means, measure, remedy, etc.

viable

capable of living vivid; real; stimulating, as to the intellect, imagination, or senses

sensibilities

capacity for sensation or feeling; responsiveness or susceptibility to sensory stimuli mental susceptibility or responsiveness; quickness and acuteness of apprehension or feeling keen consciousness or appreciation

canny

careful; cautious; prudent astute; shrewd; knowing; sagacious skilled; expert

deliberate

carefully weighted or considered; studied; intentional characterized by deliberation or cautious consideration; careful or slow in deciding leisurely and steady in movement or action; slow and even; unhurried

contrite

caused by or showing sincere remorse filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; pentinent

disquieting

causing anxiety or uneasiness; disturbing

loathsome

causing feelings of loathing; disgusting; revolting; repulsive

horrific

causing horror

parsimoniousness

characterized by or showing parsimony; frugal or stingy extreme or excessive economy or frugality; stinginess; niggardliness

obsequious

characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning servilely compliant or deferential obedient; dutiful

redundant

characterized by verbosity or unnecessary repetition in expressing ideas; prolix being in excess; exceeding what is usual or natural having some unusual or extra part or feature characterized by superabundance or superfluity

clandestine

characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, especially for purposes of subversion or deception; private or surreptitious

mimetic

characterized by, exhibiting, or of the nature of imitation or mimicry mimic or make-believe

sanguine

cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident reddish; ruddy

preposterous

completely contrary to nature, reason, or common sense, absurd; senseless; utterly foolish

germane

closely or significantly related; relevant; pertinent

serendipitous

come upon or found by accident; fortuitous of, relating to, or suggesting serendipity good; beneficial; favorable

solace

comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or trouble; alleviation of distress or discomfort something that gives comfort, consolation, or relief

spontaneous

coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency; without effort or premeditation; natural and unconstrained; unplanned given to acting upon sudden impulses arising from internal forces or causes; independent of external agencies; self-acting growing naturally or without cultivation, as plants and fruits; indigenous

venerability

commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity; worthy of veneration or reverence, as because of high office or noble character hallowed by religious, historic, or other lofty associations impressive or interesting because of age, antique appearance, etc.

venerable

commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity; worthy of veneration or reverence, as because of high office or noble character hallowed by religious, historic, or other lofty associations impressive or interesting because of age, antique appearance, etc.

mundane

common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative of or relating to this world or earth as contrasted with heaven; worldly; earthly of or relating to the world, universe, or earth

putative

commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed

discourse

communication of thought by words; talk; conversation a formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing, as a dissertation, treatise, sermon, etc.

propriety

conformity to established standards of goods or proper behavior or manners appropriateness to the purpose or circumstances; suitability rightness or justness

simpatico

congenial or like-minded; likable

allegorical

consisting of or pertaining to allegory; of the nature of of containing allegory; figurative

diligence

constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind

assiduous

constant; unremitting constant in application or effort; working diligently at a task; persevering; industrious; attentive

concrete

constituting an actual ting or instance; real pertaining to or concerned with realities or actual instances rather than abstractions; particular (opposed to general)

fallacious

containing a fallacy; logically unsound deceptive; misleading disappointing; delusive

laudatory

containing or expressing praise

honorific

conveying honor, as a title or a grammatical form used in speaking to or about a superior, elder, etc. a class of forms used to show respect, especially in direct address a title or term of respect

cogent

convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation; telling to the point; relevant; pertinent

sangfroid

coolness of mind; calmness; composure

quotidian

daily usual or customary; everyday ordinary; commonplace

risque

daring close to indelicacy or impropriety; off-color

duplicity

deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter; double-dealing an act or instance of such deceitfulness

slanderous

defamation; calumny a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report

desiccated

dehydrated or powdered

aberrant

departing from the right, normal, or usual course deviating from the ordinary, usual, or normal type; exceptional; abnormal

empirical

derived from or guided by experience or experiment depending upon experience or observation alone, without using scientific method or theory, especially as in medicine provable or verifiable by experience or experiment

culpable

deserving blame or censure; blameworthy

contemptible

deserving of or held in contempt; despicable

laudable

deserving praise; praiseworthy; commendable

ergonomic

designed to minimize discomfort

baneful

destructive; pernicious deadly; poisonous

anomalous

deviating from or inconsistent with the common order, form, or rule,; irregular; abnormal not fitting into a common or familiar type, classification, or pattern; unusual

banal

devoid of freshness or originality; hackneyed; trite

deft

dexterous; nimble; skillful; clever

deftly

dexterous; nimble; skillful; clever

deftness

dexterous; nimble; skillful; clever

heterogeneous

different in kind; unlike; incongruous composed of parts of different kinds; having widely dissimilar elements or constituents

sedulous

diligent in application or attention; persevering; assiduous persistently or carefully maintained

frank

direct and unreserved in speech; straightforward; sincere without inhibition or subterfuge; direct; undisguised

retrospective

directed to the past; contemplative of past situations, events, etc. looking or directed backward retroactive, as a statue

vindictiveness

disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit

disconcertingly

disturbing to one's composure or self-possession; upsetting, discomfiting confusing, usually in the face of something totally unexpected; perplexing

divergent

diverging; differing; deviating pertaining to or causing divergence to move, lie, or extend in different directions from a common point; branch off

beneficent

doing good or causing good to be done; conferring benefits; kindly in action or purpose

imperious

domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing urgent; imperative

tantamount to

equivalent, as in value, force, effect, or signification

extemporaneous

done, spoken, performed, etc., without special advance preparation; impromptu previously planned by delivered with the help of few or no notes speaking or performing with little or no advance preparation

bloodthirsty

eager to shed blood; murderous enjoying or encouraging bloodshed or violence, especially as a spectator or clamorous partisan

entreaty

earnest request or petition; supplication

dust

earth or other matter in fine, dry particles a cloud of finely powdered earth or other matter in the air any finely powdered substance, as sawdust

tractable

easily managed or controlle; docile; yielding easily worked, shaped, or otherwise handled; malleable

irascible

easily provoked to anger; very irritable characterized or produced by anger

lucid

easily understood; completely intelligible or comprehensible characterized by clear perception or understanding; rational or sane shining or bright clear; pellucid; transparent

comestible

edible; eatable

volatile

evaporating rapidly; passing off readily in the form of vapor tending or threatening to break out into open violence; explosive changeable; mercurial; flighty

exorbitant

exceeding the bounds of custom, propriety, or reason, especially in amount or extent; highly excessive

debauchery

excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; intemperance

fastidious

excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please requiring or characterized by excessive care or delicacy; painstaking

prudish

excessively proper or modest in speech, conduct, dress, etc. characteristic of a prude

garrulous

excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout manner, especially about trivial matters wordy or diffuse

exhaustive

exhausting a subject, topic, etc., comprehensive; thorough tending to exhaust or drain, as resources or strength

motley

exhibiting great diversity of elements being of different colors combined wearing a parti-colored garment

inherently

existing in someone or something as a permanent and inseparable element, quality, or attribute; inhering

ubiquitous

existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresent

savvy

experienced, knowledgeable, and well-informed; shrewd (often used in combination) practical understanding; shrewdness or intelligence; common sense

peril

exposure to injuring, loss, or destruction; grave risk; jeopardy; danger something that causes or may cause injury, loss, or destruction

couched in

express in a particular way; utter

prolix

extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy (of a person) given to speaking or writing at great or tedious length

lofty

extending high in the air; of imposing height; towering exalted in rank, dignity, or character; eminent elevated in style, tone, or sentiment, as writings or speech arrogantly or condescendingly superior in manner; haughty

egregious

extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagrant

singular

extraordinary; remarkable; exceptional unusual or strange; odd; different being the only one of its kind; distinctive; unique separate; individual

quixotic

extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable impulsive and often rashly unpredictable

baroque

extravagantly ornate, florid, and convoluted in character or style

parsimony

extreme or excessive economy or frugality; stinginess; niggardliness

punctilious

extremely attentive to punctilios; strict or exact in observance of the formalities or amenities of conduct or actions

epicurean

fond of or adapted to luxury or indulgence in sensual pleasures; having luxurious tastes or habits, especially in eating and drinking

munificent

extremely liberal in giving; very generous characterized by great generosity

excruciating

extremely painful; causing intense suffering; unbearably distressing; torturing exceedingly elaborate or intense; extreme

vitality

exuberant physical strength or mental vigor capacity for survival or for the continuation of a meaningful or purposeful existence power to live or grow

delinquent

failing i or neglectful of a duty or obligation; guilty of a misdeed or offense (of an account, tax, debt, etc.) past due; overdue

conversance

familiar by use or study having regular or frequent conversation; intimately associating; acquainted

impeccable

faultless; flawless; irreproachable not liable to sin; incapable of sin

salubrious

favorable to or promoting health; healthful

xenophobia

fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures, or stranger fear or dislike of the customs, dress, etc., of people who are culturally different from oneself

indignant

feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base

reverent

feeling, exhibiting, or characterized by reverence; deeply respectful

zeal

fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence; ardor

fealty

fidelity; faithfulness

truculent

fierce; cruel; savagely brutal brutally harsh; vitriolic; scathing aggressively hostile; belligerent

vainglorious

filled with or given to vainglory characterized by, showing, or proceeding from vainglory

keen

finely sharpened, as an edge; so shaped as to cut or pierce substances readily sharp, piercing, or biting characterized by strength and distinctness of perception; extremely sensitive or responsive

primal

first; original; primeval of first importance; fundamental

mores

folkways of central importance accepted without question and embodying the fundamental moral views of a group

fatuous

foolish or inane, especially in an unconscious, complacent manner; silly unreal; illusory

momentum

force or speed of movement; impetus, as of a physical object or course of events

erstwhile

former; of times past

complementary

forming a complement; completing complementing each other

divisive

forming or expressing division or distribution creating dissension or discord

squalid

foul and repulsive, as from lack of care or cleanliness; neglected and filthy wretched; miserable; degraded; sordid

hale

free from disease or infirmity; robust; vigorous

guileless

free from guile; sincere; honest; straightforward; frank

cosmopolitan

free from local, provincial, or national ideas, prejudices, or attachments; at home all over the world of or characteristic of cosmoplite

equable

free from many changes or variations; uniform uniform in operation or effect, as laws

dry

free from moisture or excess moisture; not moist; not wet having or characterized by little or no rain characterized by absence, deficiency, or failure or natural or ordinary moisture

abstruse

hard to understand; recondite; esoteric obsolete. secret; hidden

noxious

harmful or injurious to health or physical well-being morally harmful; corrupting; pernicious

raucous

harsh; strident; grating rowdy; disorderly

asperity

harshness or sharpness of tone, temper, or manner; severity; acrimony hardship; difficulty; rigor roughness of surface; unevenness

benign

having a kindly disposition; gracious showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness favorable; propitious

averse

having a strong feeling of opposition, antipathy, repugnance, etc.; opposed

fetid

having an offensive odor; stinking

quaint

having an old-fashioned attractiveness or charm; oddly picturesque strange, peculiar, or unusual in an interesting, pleasing, or amusing way skillfully or cleverly made

grizzled

having gray or partly gray hair gray or partly gray

hegemonic

having hegemony, or dominance leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others, as in a confederation leadership; predominance

perspicacious

having keen mental perception and understanding; discerning

selfless

having little or no concern for oneself, especially with regard to fame, position, money, etc.; unselfish

impecunious

having little or no money; penniless; poor

baseless

having no base; without foundation; groundless

clairvoyant

having or claiming to have the power of seeing objects or actions beyond the range of natural vision of, by, or pertaining to clairvoyance

eloquent

having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech characterized by forceful and appropriate expression movingly expressive

tendentious

having or showing a definite tendency, bias, or purpose a natural or prevailing disposition to move, proceed, or act in some direction or toward some point, end, or result

sagacious

having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practice sense; shrewd

fervent

having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.; ardent

listlessly

having or showing little or no interest in anything; languid; spiritless; indifferent

naive

having or showing unaffected simplicity of nature or absence of artificiality; unsophisticated; ingenuous having or showing a lack of experience, judgment, or information; credulous

prescient

having prescience, or knowledge of things or events before they exist or happen; having foresight

urbane

having the polish and suavity regarded as characteristic of sophisticated social life in major cities reflecting elegance, sophistication, etc., especially in expression

qualified

having the qualities, accomplishments, etc., that fit a person for some function, office, or the like having the qualities, accomplishments, etc., required by law or custom for getting, having, or exercising a right, holding an office, or the like modified, limited, or restricted in some way

consanguineous

having the same ancestry or descent; related by blood

prurient

having, inclined to have, or characterized by lascivious or lustful thoughts, desires, etc. causing lasciviousness or lust having a restless desire or longing

nebulous

hazy, vague, indistinct, or confused cloudy or cloudlike of or resembling a nebula or nebulae in deep space; nebular

modishness

in the current fashion; stylish

torpid

inactive or sluggish slow; dull; apathetic; lethargic dormant, as a hibernating or estivating animal

insurmountable

incapable of being surmounted, passed over, or overcome; insuperable

insensibly

incapable of feeling or perceiving; deprived of sensation; unconscious, as a person after a violent blow without or not subject to a particular feeling or sensation unaware; unconscious; unappreciative

futile

incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful trifling; frivolous; unimportant

trenchant

incisive or keen, as language or a person; caustic; cutting vigorous; effective; energetic clearly or sharply defined; clear-cut; distinct

martial

inclined or disposed to war; warlike of, suitable for, or associated with war or the armed forces characteristic of or befitting a warrior

bellicose

inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile; belligerent; pugnacious

lascivious

inclined or lustfulness; wanton; lewd arousing sexual desire indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness

infinitesimal

indefinitely or exceedingly small; minute immeasurably small; less than an assignable quantity of, relating to, or involving infinitesimals

dissolute

indifferent to moral restraints; given to immoral or improper conduct; licentious; dissipated

feckless

ineffective; incompetent; futile having no sense of responsibility; indifferent; lazy

dissonance

inharmonious or harsh sound; discord; cacophony disagreement or incongruity

deleterious

injurious to health harmful; injurious

scarcity

insufficiency or shortness of supply; dearth rarity; infrequency

probity

integrity and uprightness; honesty

didactic

intended for instruction; instructive inclined to teach or lecture others too much teaching or intending to teach a moral lesson

insidious

intended to entrap or beguile stealthily treacherous or deceitful operating or proceeding in an inconspicuous or seemingly harmless way but actually with grave effect

besotted

intoxicated; drunk infatuated or obsessed

collusive

involving collusion; fraudulently contrived by agreement

mystics

involving or characterized by esoteric, otherworldly, or symbolic practices or content, as certain religious ceremonies and art; spiritually significant; ethereal of the nature of or pertaining to mysteries known only to the initiated of occult character, power, or significance of obscure or mysterious character or significance

perilous

involving or full of grave risk or peril; hazardous; dangerous

blithe

joyous, merry, or happy in disposition; glad; cheerful without thought or regard; carefree; heedless

mirthful

joyous; cheerful; jolly; merry providing mirth; amusing

discreet

judicious in one's conduct or speech, especially with regard to respecting privacy or maintaining silence about something of a delicate nature; prudent; circumspect showing prudence and circumspection; decorous modestly unobtrusive; unostentatious

acumen

keen insight; shrewdness

poignant

keenly distressing to the feelings keen or strong in mental appeal affecting or moving the emotions pungent to the smell

moderate (v.)

kept or keeping within reasonable or proper limits; not extreme, excessive, or intense of medium quantity, extent, or amount mediocre or fair calm or mild, as of the weather

erudition

knowledge acquired by study, research, etc.; learning; scholarship

vacillating

not resolute; wavering; indecisive; hesitating oscillating; swaying; fluctuating

indifference

lack of interest or concern unimportance; little or no concern the quality or condition of being indifferent mediocre quality; mediocrity

lackluster

lacking brilliance or radiance; dull lacking liveliness, vitality, spirit, or enthusiasm a lack of brilliance or vitality

diffident

lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.

amorphous

lacking definite form; having no specific shape; formless of no particular kind or character; indeterminate; having no pattern or structure; unorganized

affectless

lacking feeling or emotion; indifferent to the suffering of others

maladroitness

lacking in adroitness; unskillful; awkward; bungling; tactless

desultory

lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random

disingenuous

lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity; falsely or hypocritically ingenuous; insincere

languid

lacking in vigor or vitality; slack or slow lacking in spirit or interest; listless; indifferent drooping or flagging from weakness or fatigue; faint

effete

lacking in wholesome vigor; degenerate; decadent exhausted of vigor or energy; worn out unable to produce; sterile

vapid

lacking or having lost life, sharpness, or flavor; insipid; flat without liveliness or spirit; dull or tedious

gauche

lacking social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness; awkward; crude; tactless

deficient

lacking some element or characteristic; defective insufficient; inadequate a person who is deficient, especially one who is mentally defective

copious

large in quantity or number; abundant; plentiful having or yielding an abundant supply exhibiting abundance or fullness, as of thoughts or words

ephemeral

lasting a very shot time; short-lived; transitory lasting but one day

perennially

lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring (of plants) having a life cycle lasting more that two years lasting or continuing throughout the entire year, as a stream perpetual; everlasting; continuing; recurrent

hegemony

leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others, as in a confederation leadership; predominance

pale

light-colored or lacking in color lacking the usual intensity of color due to fear, illness, stress, etc. of a low degree of chroma, saturation, or purity; approaching white or gray

fickle

likely to change, especially due to caprice, irresolution, or instability, casually changeable

relished

liking or enjoyment of the taste of something pleasurable appreciation of anything; liking

belletristic

literature regarded as a fine art, especially as having a purely aesthetic function light and elegant literature, especially that which is excessively refined, characterized by aestheticism, and minor in subject, substance, or scope

lissome

lithesome or lithe, especially of body; supple; flexible agile, nimble, or active

vivacious

lively; animated; spirited

detriment

loss, damage, disadvantage, or injury a cause of loss or damage

hermetic

made airtight by fusion or sealing not affected by outward influence or power; isolated of, relating to, or characteristic of occult science, especially alchemy

hackneyed

made commonplace or trite; stale; banal

callous

made hard; hardened insensitive; indifferent; unsympathetic having a callus; indurated, as parts of the skin exposed to friction

unscrupulous

not scrupulous; unrestrained by scruples; conscienceless; unprincipled

duplicitously

marked or characterized by duplicity deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter; double-dealing an act or instance of such deceitfulness

munitions

materials used in war, especially weapons and ammunition material or equipment for carrying on any undertaking

equanimity

mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain; calmness; equilibrium

mercantilist

mercantile practices or spirit; commercialism mercantile system

puckish

mischievous; impish

temperate

moderate or self-restrained; not extreme in opinion, statement, etc. moderate as regards indulgence of appetite or passion, especially in the use of alcoholic liquors not excessive in degree, as things, qualities, etc.

tepid

moderately warm; lukewarm characterized by a lack of force or enthusiasm

definitive

most reliable or complete, as of a text, author, criticism, study, or the like having its fixed and final form; providing a solution or final answer; satisfying all criteria

retrograde

moving backward; having a backward motion or direction; retiring or retreating inverse or reversed, as order

facile

moving, acting, working, proceeding, etc., with ease, sometimes with superficiality easily done, performed, use, etc. easy or unconstrained, as manners or persons

illiberal

narrow-minded; bigoted

proclivity

natural or habitual inclination or tendency; propensity; predisposition

terseness

neatly or effectively concise; brief and pithy, as language abruptly concise; curt; brusque

unseemly

not seemly; not in keeping with established standards or taste or proper form; unbecoming or indecorous in appearance, speech, conduct, etc. inappropriate for time or place

unabashed

not ashamed, disconcerted, or apologetic; boldly certain of one's position

irrefutable

not capable of being refuted or disproved

unkempt

not combed uncared-for or neglected; disheveled; messy unpolished; rough; crude

unbridled

not controlled or restrained not fitted with a bridle

incorrigible

not corrigible; bad beyond correction or reform impervious to constraints or punishment; willful; unruly; uncontrollable firmly fixed; not easily changed not easily swayed or influenced

indecipherable

not decipherable; illegible not understandable; incomprehensible

indeterminable

not determinable; incapable of being ascertained incapable of being decided or settled

indeterminate

not determinate; not precisely fixed in extent; indefinite; uncertain not clear; vague not established not settled or decided

indisputably

not disputable or deniable; unconstestable unquestionably real, valid, or the like

phlegmatic

not easily excited to action or display of emotion; apathetic; sluggish self-possessed, calm, or composed

stolid

not easily stirred or moved mentally; unemotional; impassive

unflappable

not easily upset or confused, especially in a crisis; imperturbable

ineffectual

not effectual; without satisfactory or decisive effect unavailing; futile powerless; impotent

stagnant

not flowing or running, as water, air, etc. stale or foul from standing, as a pool of water characterized by lack of development, advancement, or progressive movement inactive, sluggish, or dull

dull

not sharp; blunt causing boredom; tedious; uninteresting not lively or spirited; listless

incongruous

out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming not harmonious in character; inconsonant; lacking harmony of parts inconsistent

spurious

not genuine, authentic, or true; not from the claimed, pretended, or proper source; counterfeit of illegitimate birth; bastard

bogus

not genuine; counterfeit; spurious; sham

unconscionable

not guided by conscience; unscrupulous not in accordance with waht is just or reasonable excessive; extortionate

innocuous

not harmful or injurious; harmless not likely to irritate or offend; inoffensive; an innocuous remark not interesting, stimulating, or significant; pallid; insipid

asymmetrical

not identical on both sides of a central line; unsymmetrical; lacking symmetry

heterodox

not in accordance with established or accepted doctrines or opinions, especially in theology; unorthodox holding unorthodox doctrines or opinions

amorality

not involving questions of right or wrong; without moral quality; neither moral or immoral having no moral standards, restraints, or principles; unaware of or indifferent to questions of right or wrong

transient

not lasting, enduring, or permanent; transitory lasting only a short time; existing briefly; temporary staying only a short time a person or thing that is transient, especially a temporary guest, boarder, laborer, or the like

illicit

not legally permitted or authorized; unlicensed; unlawful disapproved of or not permitted for moral or ethical reasons

facetious

not meant to be taken seriously or literally amusing; humorous lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous

immoderate

not moderate; exceeding just or reasonable limits; excessive; extreme

immutable

not mutable; unchangeable; changeless

impartial

not partial or biased; fair; just

impartiality

not partial or biased; fair; just

impenetrable

not penetrable; that cannot be penetrated, pierced, entered, etc. inaccessible to ideas, influences, etc. incapable of being understood; inscrutable; unfathomable

impervious

not permitting penetration or passage; impenetrable incapable of being injured or impaired incapable of being influenced, persuaded, or affected

impious

not pious or religious; lacking reverence for God, religious practices, etc., irreligious; ungodly

devoid

not possessing, untouched by, void, or destitute to deplete or strip of some quality or substance

impotent

not potent; lacking power or ability utterly unable (to do something) without force or effectiveness lacking bodily strength or physically helpless

improvident

not provident; lacking foresight; incautious; unwary neglecting to provide for future needs

unqualified

not qualified; not fit; lacking requisite qualifications not modified, limited, or restricted in any way; without reservations absolute; complete; out-and-out

obtuse

not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect; not sensitive or observant; dull not sharp, acute, or pointed; blunt in form indistinctly felt or perceived, as pain or sound

irredeemable

not redeemable; incapable of being bought back or paid irremediable; irreparable; hopeless beyond redemption; irreclaimable

insolvent

not solvent; unable to satisfy creditors or discharge liabilities, either because liabilities exceed assets or because of inability to pay debts as they mature pertaining to bankrupt persons or bankruptcy

lax

not strict or severe; careless or negligent loose or slack; not tense, rigid, or firm not rigidly exact or precise; vague open, loose, or not retentive, as diarrheal bowels

implacability

not to be appeased, mollified, or pacified; inexorable

dauntless

not to be daunted or intimidated; fearless; intrepid; bold

unwieldy

not wieldy; wielded with difficulty; not readily handled or managed in use or action, as from size, shape, or weight; awkward; ungainly

idle

not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing not spent or filled with activity not in use or operation; not kept busy habitually doing nothing or avoiding work; lazy of no real worth, importance, or significance

inchoate

not yet completed or fully developed; rudimentary just begun; incipient not organized; lacking order

postmodern

noting or pertaining to architecture of the late 20th century, appearing in the 1960s, that consciously uses complex forms, fantasy, and allusions to historic styles, in contrast to the austere forms and emphasis on utility of standard modern architecture extremely modern; cutting-edge

officious

objectionably aggressive in offering one's unrequested and unwanted services, help, or advice; meddlesome marked by or proceeding from such forwardness

impediments

obstruction; hindrance; obstacle any physical defect that impedes normal or easy speech; a speech disorder

surreptitious

obtained, done, made, etc., by stealth; secret or unauthorized; clandestine acting in a stealthy way obtained by subreption; subreptitious

hyperboles

obvious and intentional exaggeration an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as "to wait an eternity"

contrived

obviously planned or forced; artificial; strained

grotesque

odd or unnatural in shape, appearance, or character; fantastically ugly or absurd; bizarre fantastic in the shaping and combination of forms, as in decorative work combining incongruous human and animal figures with scrolls, foliage, etc.

rife with

of common or frequent occurrence; prevalent; in widespread existence, activity, or use current in speech or report abundant, plentiful, or numerous

apocryphal

of doubtful authorship or authenticity false; spurious

ponderous

of great weight; heavy; massive awkward or unwieldy dull and labored

inconsequential

of little or no importance; insignificant; trivial inconsequent; illogical irrelevant

important

of much or great significance or consequence mattering much entitled to more than ordinary consideration or notice prominent or large of considerable influence or authority, as a person or position

immaterial

of no essential consequence; unimportant not pertinent; irrelevant not material; incorporeal; spiritual

nugatory

of no real value; trifling; worthless of no force or effect; ineffective; futile; vain not valid

tyrannical

of or characteristic of a tyrant unjustly cruel, harsh, or severe; arbitrary or oppressive; despotic

solipsistic

of or characterized by solipsism, or the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's feelings, desires, etc., egoistic self-absorption

boorish

of or like a boor; unmannered; crude; insensitive

apocalyptic

of or like an apocalypse; affording a revelation or prophecy predicting or presaging imminent disaster and total or universal destruction

neanderthals

of or relating to Neanderthal man primitive, unenlightened, or reactionary; culturally or intellectually backward

pedantic

ostentatious in one's learning overly concerned with minute details or formalism, especially in teaching

totalitarian

of or relating to a centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion ans that exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life exercising control over the freedom, will, or thought of others; authoritarian; autocratic

puerile

of or relating to a child or to childhood childishly foolish; immature or trivial

polarized

of or relating to a medium that exhibits polarization

monolithic

of or relating to a monolith made of only one stone consisting of one piece; solid or unbroken

paradigmatic

of or relating to a paradigm an example serving as a model; pattern a framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community

pragmatic

of or relating to a practical point of view or practical considerations of or relating to pragmatics treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions, and results of or relating to the affairs of state or community

prophetic

of or relating to a prophet of the nature of or containing prophecy having the function or powers of a prophet, as a person predictive; presageful or portentous; ominous

sophomoric

of or relating to a sophomore or sophomores suggestive of or resembling the traditional sophomore; intellectually pretentious, overconfident, conceited, etc., but immature

histrionic

of or relating to actors or acting deliberately affected or self-consciously emotional; overly dramatic, in behavior of speech

exegetic

of or relating to exegesis; explanatory; interpretative critical explanation or interpretation of a text or portion of a text, especially of the Bible

hermeneutic

of or relating to hermeneutics; interpretative; explanatory the science of interpretation, especially of the Scriptures the branch of theology that deals with the principles of Biblical exegesis

ideological

of or relating to ideology speculative; visionary the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group such a body of doctrine, myth, etc., with reference to some political and social plan, as that of fascism, along with the devices for putting it into operation

logistical

of or relating to logistics the planning, implementation, and coordination of details of a business or other operations

sectarian

of or relating to sectaries or sects narrowly confined or devoted to a particular sect narrowly confined or limited in interest, purpose, scope, etc.

bucolic

of or relating to sheperds; pastoral of, relating to, or suggesting an idyllic rural life

semiotic

of or relating to signs of or relating to semiotics

sartorial

of or relating to tailors or their trade of or relating to clothing or style of manner of dress

cerebral

of or relating to the cerebrum or the brain betraying or characterized by the use of the intellect rather than intuition or instinct

earthy

of the nature of or consisting of earth or soil realistic; practical coarse or unrefined direct; robust; unaffected

figurative

of the nature of or involving a figure of speech, especially a metaphor; metaphorical and not literal metaphorically so called abounding in or fond of figures of speech

vitreous

of the nature of or resembling glass, as in transparency, brittleness, hardness, glossiness, etc. of or relating to glass obtained from or containing glass

saccharine

of the nature of or resembling that of sugar containing or yielding sugar very sweet to the taste; sugary cloyingly agreeable or ingratiating

sweeping

of wide range or scope moving or passing about over a wide area moving, driving, or passing steadily and forcibly on

hierarchical

of, belonging to, or characteristic of a hierarchy any system of persons or things ranked one above another government by ecclesiastical rulers the power or dominion of hierarch

charismatic

of, having, or characteristic of charisma

conjectural

of, of the nature of, or involving conjecture; problematical given to making conjectures

satiric

of, pertaining to, containing, or characterized by satire indulging in or given to satire the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriving vice, folly, etc. a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule

reactionary

of, pertaining to, marked by, or favoring reaction, especially extreme conservatism or rightism in politics; opposing political or social change

demagogic

of, relating to, or characteristic of a demagogue a person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people a leader of the people

proverbially

of, relating to, or characteristic of a proverb expressed in a proverb or proverbs of the nature of or resembling a proverb having been made the subject of a proverb

impudent

of, relating to, or characterized by impertinence or effrontery unmannerly intrusion or presumption; insolence

orthodox

of, relating to, or conforming to the approved form of any doctrine, philosophy, ideology, etc. of, relating to, or conforming to beliefs, attitudes, or modes of conduct that are generally approved customary or conventional, as means or method; established

parochial

of, relating to, or financially supported by one or more church parishes of or relating to parochial schools or the education they provide very limited or narrow in scope or outlook; provincial

vestigial

of, relating to, or of the nature of a vestige a mark, trace, or visible evidence of something that is no longer present or in existence a surviving evidence or remainder of some condition, practice, etc.

dialectical

of, relating to, or of the nature of logical argumentation the art or practice of logical discussion as employed in investigating the truth of theory or opinion

seditious

of, relating to, or of the nature of sedition given to or guilty of sedition incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government any action, especially in speech or writing, promoting such discontent or rebellion

labyrinthine

of, relating to, or resembling a labyrinth complicated; tortuous

providential

of, relating to, or resulting from divine providence opportune, fortunate, or lucky

blandishments

often, blandishments. something, as an act or speech, that tends to flatter, coax, entice, etc.

moot

open to discussion or debate; debatable; doubtful of little or no practical value, meaning, or relevance; purely academic

overt

open to view or knowledge; not concealed or secret

contrary

opposite in nature or character; diametrically or mutually opposed opposite in direction or position

orthodoxy

orthodox belief or practice orthodox character

ebullient

overflowing with fervor, enthusiasm, or excitement; high-spirited

pallid

pale; faint or deficient in color; wan lacking in vitality or interest

profound

penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding originating in or penetrating to the depths of one's being being or going far beneath what is superficial, external, or obvious of deep meaning; of great and broadly inclusive significance

parlous

perilous; dangerous to a large extent; greatly

doggedly

persistent in effort; stubbornly tenacious

literati

persons of scholarly or literary attainments; intellectuals

pertinent

pertaining or relating directly and significantly to the matter at hand; relevant to have reference or relation; relate to belong or be connected as a part, adjunct, possession, or attribute

concessionary

pertaining to concession; of the nature of a concession a concessionaire

kinetic

pertaining to motion caused by motion characterized by movement

utilitarian

pertaining to or consisting in utility having regard to utility or usefulness rather than beauty, ornamentation, etc. of, relating to, or adhering to the doctrine of utilitarianism

synoptic

pertaining to or constituting a synopsis; affording or taking a general view of the principal parts of a subject

anachronistic

pertaining to or containing an anachronism

tangential

pertaining to or of the nature of a tangent; being or moving in the direction of a tangent merely touching; slightly connected divergent or digressive, as from a subject under consideration tending to digress or to reply to questions obliquely

literary

pertaining to or of the nature of books and writings, especially those classed as literature pertaining to authorship versed in or acquainted with literature; well-read

farcical

pertaining to or of the nature of farce resembling farce; ludicrous; absurd a light, humorous play in which the plot depends upon a skillfully exploited situation rather than upon the development of character humor of the type displayed in such works foolish show; mockery; a ridiculous sham

idiosyncratic

pertaining to the nature of idiosyncrasy, or something peculiar to an individual

torturous

pertaining to, involving, or causing torture or suffering

ironically

pertaining to, of the nature of, exhibiting, or characterized by irony or mockery using or prone to irony

emblematic

pertaining to, of the nature of, or serving as an emblem; symbolic

pulchritude

physical beauty; comeliness

piecemeal

piece by piece; one piece at a time; gradually into pieces or fragments

coltish

playful; frolicsome of, relating to, or resembling a colt not trained or disciplined; unruly; wild

dulcet

pleasant to the ear; melodious pleasant or agreeable to the eye or the feelings; soothing

placid

pleasantly calm or peaceful; unruffled; tranquil; serenely quiet or undisturbed

quanta

plural of quantum quantity or amount a particular amount a share or portion a large quantity; bulk

ominously

portending evil or harm; foreboding; threatening; inauspicious indicating the nature or a future event, for good or evil; having the significance of an omen; being a portent

strapping

powerfully built; robust large; whopping

regressive

regressing or tending to regress; retrogressive to move backward; go back to revert to an earlier or less advanced state or form

agrarian

relating to land, land tenure, or the division of landed property pertaining to the advancement of agricultural groups

dogmatic

relating to or of the nature of a dogma or dogmas or any strong set of principles concerning faith, morals, etc., as those laid down by a church; doctrinal asserting opinions in a doctrinaire or arrogant manner; opinionated

unilateral

relating to, occurring on, or involving one side only undertaken or done by or on behalf of one side, party, or faction only; not mutual having only one side or surface; without a reverse side or inside

celebrated

renowned; well-known

restitution

reparation made by giving an equivalent or compensation for loss, damage, or injury caused; indemnification the restoration of property or rights previously taken away, conveyed, or surrendered restoration to the former or original state or position

iterative

repeating; making repetition; repetitious

repentant

repenting; penitent; experiencing repentance characterized by or showing repentance to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be pentinent

bipartisan

representing, characterized by, or including members from two parties or factions

purported

reputed or claimed; alleged

requisite

required or necessary for a particular purpose, position, etc.; indispensable something requisite; a necessary quality, thing, etc.

ersatz

serving as a substitute; synthetic; artificial an artificial substance or article used to replace something natural or genuine; a substitue

declarative

serving to declare, make known, or explain

heuristic

serving to indicate or point out; stimulating interest as a means of furthering investigation encouraging a person to learn, discover, understand, or solve problems on his or her own, as by experimenting evaluating possible answers or solutions, or by trial and error

restorative

serving to restore; pertaining to restoration capable of renewing health or strength to bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition, as a building, statue, or painting

dementia

severe impairment or loss of intellectual capacity and personality integration, due to the loss of or damage to neurons in the brain

licentious

sexually unrestrained; lascivious; libertine; lewd unrestrained by law or general morality; lawless; immoral going beyond customary or proper bounds or limits; disregarding rules

mordant

sharply caustic or sarcastic, as wit or a speaker; biting burning; corrosive having the property of fixing colors, as in dyeing

acrimony

sharpness, harshness, or bitterness of nature, speech, disposition, etc.

flagrancy

shockingly noticeable or evident; obvious; glaring notorious; scandalous

politic

shrewd or prudent in practical matters; tactful; diplomatic contrived in a shrewd and practical way; expedient

magnitude

size; extent; dimensions great importance or consequence greatness of size or amount moral greatness

cunning

skill employed in a shrewd or sly manner, as in deceiving; craftiness; guile adeptness in performance; dexterity

torpor

sluggish inactivity or inertia lethargic indifference; apathy a state of suspended physical power and activities dormancy, as of a hibernating animal

paucity

smallness of quantity; scarcity; scantiness smallness of insufficiency of number; fewness

supplement

something added to complete a thing, supply a deficiency, or reinforce or extend a whole a part added to a book, document, etc., to supply additional or later information, correct errors, or the like a part, usually of special character, issued as an additional feature of a newspaper or other periodical

contrivance

something contrived; a device, especially a mechanical one the act or manner of contriving; the faculty or power of contriving a plan or scheme; expedient

nemesis

something that a person cannot conquer, achieve, etc. an opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome an agent or act of retribution or punishment

catalyst

something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected a person or thing that precipitates an event or change

complement

something that completes or makes perfect the quantity or amount that completes anything either of two parts or things needed to complete the whole; counterpart

encumbrances

something that encumbers; something burdensome, useless, or superfluous; burden; hindrance a dependent person, especially a child

effect (v.)

something that is produced by an agency or cause; result; consequence power to produce results; efficacy; force; validity; influence the state of being operative or functional; operation or execution; accomplishment or fulfillment

winsome

sweetly or innocently charming; winning; engaging

mellifluous

sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding flowing with honey; sweetened with or as if with honey

wag

to move from side to side, forward and backward, or up and down, especially rapidly and repeatedly

consecration

the act of consecrating; dedication to service and worship of a deity ordination to a sacred office, especially to the episcopate

deification

the act of deifying the sate of being deified the result of deifying

deprivation

the act of depriving the fact of being deprived dispossession; loss

dissipation

the act of dissipating the state of being dissipated; dispersion; disintegration a wasting by misuse mental distraction; amusement; diversion

distension

the act of distending or the state of being distended to expand by stretching, as something hollow or elatic to spread in all directions; expand; swell

alienation

the act of alienating, or of causing someone to become indifferent or hostile the state of being alienated, withdrawn, or isolated from the objective world, as through indifference or disaffection

appropriation

the act of appropriating anything appropriated for a special purpose, especially money

ascension

the act of ascending; ascent

excoriation

the act of excoriating to denounce or berate severely; flay verbally to strip off or remove the skin from

painstaking

taking or characterized by taking pains or trouble; expending or showing diligent care and effort; careful careful and diligent effort

meticulous

taking or showing extreme care about minute details; precise; thorough finicky; fussy

meticulousness

taking or showing extreme care about minute details; precise; thorough finicky; fussy

maudlin

tearfully or weakly emotional; foolishly sentimental foolishly or mawkishly sentimental because of drunkenness

mendacious

telling lies, especially habitually; dishonest; lying; untruthful false or untrue

evasive

tending or seeking to evade; characterized by evasion elusive or evanescent

innovative

tending to innovate, or introduce something new or different; characterized by innovation

pacific

tending to make or preserve peace; conciliatory not warlike; peaceable; mild at peace; peaceful calm; tranquil

demeaning

that demeans; debasing; degrading

redoubtable

that is to be feared; formidable commanding or evoking respect, reverence, or the like

disinclination

the absence of inclination; reluctance; unwillingness

disaffection

the absence or alienation of affection or goodwill; estrangement; disloyalty

iconoclasm

the action or spirit of iconoclasts a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc., being based on error or superstition a breaker or destroyer of images, especially those set up for religious veneration

avant garde

the advance group in any field, especially in the visual, literary, or musical arts, whose works are characterized chiefly by unorthodox and experimental methods of or relating to the experimental treatment of artistic, musical, or literary material

slipstream

the air-stream pushed back by a revolving aircraft propeller the air-stream generating reduced air pressure and forward suction directly behind a rapidly moving vehicle

stems

the ascending axis of a plant, whether above or below ground, which ordinarily grows in an opposite direction to the root or descending axis the stalk that supports a leaf, flower, or fruit the main body of that portion of a tree, shrub, or other plant which is above ground; trunk; stalk

ideology

the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group such a body of doctrine, myth, etc., with reference to some political and social plan, as that of fascism, along with the devices for putting it into operation

base

the bottom support of anything; that on which a thing stands or rests a fundamental principle or groundwork; foundation; basis the bottom layer or coating, as of makeup or paint

ecologies

the branch of biology dealing with the relations and interactions between organisms and their environment, including other organisms the set of relationships existing between organisms and their environment

ecology

the branch of biology dealing with the relations and interactions between organisms and their environment, including other organisms the set of relationships existing between organisms and their environment

pragmatists

the branch of semiotics dealing with the causal and other relations between words, expressions, or symbols and their users practical considerations

limelight

the center of public attention, interest, observation, or notoriety

pedantry

the character, qualities, practices, etc., of a pedant, especially undue display of learning slavish attention to rules, details, etc. an instance of being pedantic

elite

the choice or best of anything considered collectively, as of a group or class of persons persons of the highest class a group of persons exercising the major share of authority or influence within a larger group

prose

the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, as distinguished from poetry or verse matter-of-fact, commonplace, or dull expression, quality, discourse, etc.

populace

the common people of a community, nation, etc., as distinguished from the higher classes all the inhabitants of a place; population

banality

the condition or quality of being banal, devoid of freshness or originality; hackneyed; trite

dramaturgy

the craft or technique of dramatic composition

opprobrium

the disgrace or the reproach incurred by conduct considered outrageously shameful; infamy a cause or object of such disgrace or reproach

hedonism

the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the highest good devotion to pleasure as a way of life

verged

the edge, rim, or margin of something the limit or point beyond which something begins or occurs; brink a limiting belt, strip, or border of something

verges

the edge, rim, or margin of something the limit or point beyond which something begins or occurs; brink a limiting belt, strip, or border of something

verging

the edge, rim, or margin of something the limit or point beyond which something begins or occurs; brink a limiting belt, strip, or border of something

gamut

the entire scale or range

patent

the exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor to manufacture, use, or sell and invention for a certain number of years an invention or process protected by this right

intransigence

the state or quality of being intransigent, or refusing to compromise or agree; inflexibility

theology

the field of study and analysis that threats God and of God's attributes and relations to the universe; study of divine things or religious truth; divinity a particular form, system, branch, or course of this study

pedagogy

the function or work of a teacher; teaching the art of science of teaching; education; instructional methods

psyche

the human soul, spirit, or mind the mental or psychological structure of a person, especially as a motive force

chaff

the husks of grains and grasses that are separated during threshing straw cut up for fodder worthless matter; refuse the membranous, usually dry, brittle bracts of the flowers of certain plants

pith

the important or essential part; essence; core; heart

finale

the last piece, division, or movement of a concert, opera, or composition the concluding part of any performance, course of proceedings, etc.; end

protagonist

the leading character, hero, or heroine of a drama or other literary work a proponent for an advocate of a political cause, social program, etc. the leader or principal person in a movement, cause, etc.

nadir

the lowest point; point of greatest adversity or despair

gist

the main or essential part of a matter the ground of legal action

simony

the making of profit out of sacred things the sin of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferments, benefices, etc.

patriarch

the male head of a family or tribal line a person regarded as the father or founder of an order, class, etc.

asceticism

the manner of life, practices, or principles of an ascetic the doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like rigorous self-denial; extreme abstinence; austerity

congress

the national legislative body of a nation, especially of a republic

referents

the object or event to which a term or symbol refers

eloquence

the practice or art of using language with fluency and aptness

nave

the principal longitudinal area of a church, extending from the main entrance or narthex to the chancel, usually flanked by aisles of less height and breadth: generally used only by the congregation

acculturation

the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of this process

triage

the process of sorting victims, as of a battle or disaster, to determine medical priority in order to increase the number of survivors the determination of priorities for action of, relating to, or performing the task of triage

catharsis

the purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, especially through certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music

adherence

the quality of adhering; steady devotion, support, allegiance, or attachment

brutality

the quality of being brutal; cruelty; savagery a brutal act or practice

ingenuity

the quality of being cleverly inventive or resourceful; inventiveness cleverness or skillfulness of conception or design an ingenious contrivance or device

insouciance

the quality of being insouciant; lack of care or concern; indifference free from concern, worry, or anxiety; carefree; nonchalant

magnanimity

the quality of being magnanimous generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness high-minded; noble proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc.

tenacity

the quality of being tenacious, or of holding fast; persistence the quality of retaining something the quality or property of holding together firmly

urbanity

the quality of being urbane; refined courtesy or politeness; suavity urbanities, civilities or amenities the quality or state of being urban

indolence

the quality or state of being indolent having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful

profundity

the quality or state of being profound; depth profound or deep matters a profoundly deep place; abyss

posture

the relative disposition of the parts of something the position of the limbs or the carriage of the body as a whole an affected or unnatural attitude a mental or spiritual attitude one's image or policy as perceived by the public, other nations, etc.

hinterland

the remote or less developed parts of a country; back country the land lying behind a coastal region an area or sphere of influence in the unoccupied interior claimed by the state possessing the coast an inland area supplying goods, especially trade goods, to a port

dwindled

to become smaller and smaller; shrink; waste away to fall away, as in quality; degenerate to make smaller and smaller; cause to shrink

lard

the rendered fat or hogs, especially the internal fat of the abdomen to apply lard or grease to to prepare or enrich (lean meant, chicken, etc.) with pork or fat, especially with lardons to supplement or enrich with something for improvement or ornamentation

suffrage

the right to vote, especially in political election a vote given in favor of a proposed measure, candidate, or the like

taxonomy

the science or technique of classification a classification in to ordered categories

spectroscopy

the science that deals with the use of the spectroscope and with spectrum analysis

chronology

the sequential order in which past events occur a statement of this order a reference work organized according to the dates of events

jingoistic

the spirit, policy, or practice of jingoes; bellicose chauvinism a person who professes his or her patriotism loudly and excessively, favoring vigilant preparedness for war and an aggressive foreign policy; bellicose chauvinist

complicity

the state of being an accomplice; partnership or involvement in wrongdoing

primacy

the state of being first in order, rank, importance, etc.

vacuity

the state of being vacuous or without contents; vacancy; emptiness absence of thought or intelligence; inanity; blankness a time or state of dullness, lacking in mental or physical action or productivity

perpetuity

the state of character of being perpetual endless or indefinitely long duration or existence; eternity endless or indefinitely long duration or existence; eternity something that is perpetual

partiality

the state or character of being partial a favorable bias or prejudice a special fondness, preference, or liking

solemnity

the state or character of being solemn; earnestness; gravity; impressiveness

discrepancy

the state or quality of being discrepant or in disagreement, as by displaying an unexpected or unacceptable difference; inconsistency an instance of difference or inconsistency

candor

the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; candidness freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality

impact

the striking of one thing against another; forceful contact; collision an impinging influence; effect an impacting; forcible impinging the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology, or ideology

etymologies

the study of historical linguistic change, especially as manifested in individual words

euphemistically

the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt

tonality

the sum of relations, melodic and harmonic, existing between the tones of a scale or musical system (in painting, graphics, etc.) the system of tones or tints, or the color scheme, of a picture the quality of tones

constitution

the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, sate, corporation, or the like, is governed

apex

the tip, point, or vertex; summit climax; peak; acme

equivocations

the use of equivocal or ambiguous expressions, especially in order to mislead or hedge; prevarication an equivocal, ambiguous expression; equivoque

irony

the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected

pervades

to become spread throughout all parts of

immortalized

to bestow unending fame upon; perpetuate to make immortal; endow with immortality

bustling

to move or act with a great show of energy to abound or teem with something; display an abundance of something; teem to cause to bustle; hustle

taut

tightly drawn; tense; not slack emotionally or mentally strained or tense in good order or condition; tidy; neat

eschew

to abstain or keep away from; shun; avoid

habituated

to accustom (a person, the mind, etc.), as to a particular situation

inured to

to accustom to hardship, pain, etc.; toughen or harden; habituate to come into use; take or have effect to become beneficial or advantageous

conceded

to acknowledge as true, just, or proper; admit to acknowledge (an opponent's victory, score, etc.) before it is officially established to grant as a right or privilege; yield

inscribing

to address or dedicate (a book, photograph, etc.) informally to a person, especially by writing a brief personal note in or on it to mark (a surface) with words, characters, etc., especially in a durable or conspicuous way to write, print, mark, or engrave (words, characters, etc.) to enroll, as on an official list

laurels

to adorn or wreathe with laurel to honor with marks of distinction

impressed

to affect deeply or strongly in mind or feelings; influence in opinion to fix deeply or firmly on the mind or memory, as ideas or facts to urge, as something to be remembered or done

piques

to affect with sharp irritation and resentment, especially by some wound to pride to wound (the pride, vanity, etc.) to excite (interest, curiosity, etc.) to arouse an emotion or provoke to action

assent

to agree or concur; subscribe to to give in; yield; concede

obviate

to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary

aver

to assert or affirm with confidence; declare in a positive or peremptory manner

defame

to attack the good name or reputation of, as by uttering or publishing maliciously or falsely anything injurious; slander or libel; calumniate to disgrace; bring dishonor upon

elude

to avoid or escape by speed, cleverness, trickery, etc.; evade to escape the understanding, perception, or appreciation of

expatriate

to banish (a person) from his or her native country to withdraw (oneself) from residence in one's native country to withdraw (oneself) from allegiance to one's country

bodes

to be an omen of; potend to announce beforehand; predict

attest to

to bear witness to; certify; declare to be correct, true, or genuine; declare the truth of, in other words or writing, especially affirm in an official capacity to give proof or evidence of; manifest to put an oath

cauterizes

to burn with a hot iron, electric current, fire, or a caustic, especially for curative purposes; treat with a cautery

evoked

to call up or produce (memories, feelings, etc.) to elicit or draw forth to call up; cause to appear; summon

evoking

to call up or produce (memories, feelings, etc.) to elicit or draw forth to call up; cause to appear; summon

peddle

to carry (small articles, goods, wares, etc.) from place to place for sale at retail; hawk to deal out, distribute, or dispense, especially in small quantities to sell (drugs) illicitly

delves

to carry on intensive and thorough research for data, information, or the like; investigate

instigating

to cause by incitement; foment to urge, provoke, or incite to some action or course

hindered

to cause delay, interruption, or difficulty in; hamper; impede to prevent from doing, acting, or happening; stop

entail

to cause or involve by necessity or as a consequence to impose as a burden

render

to cause to be or become; make to do; perform to furnish; provide to exhibit or show (obedience, attention, etc.)

rendered

to cause to be or become; make to do; perform to furnish; provide to exhibit or show (obedience, attention, etc.)

congeal

to change from a soft or fluid state to a rigid or solid state, as by cooling or freezing to curdle; coagulate, as a fluid to make or become fixed, as ideas, sentiments, or principles

tansmute

to change from one nature, substance, form, or condition into another; transform

transmogrify

to change in appearance or form, especially strangely or grotesquely; transform

exculpate

to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame; vindicate

vindicated

to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like to afford justification for; justify to uphold or justify by argument or evidence to assert, maintain, or defend (a right, cause, etc.) against opposition

shuttered (v.)

to close or provide with shutters to close (a store or business operations) for the day or permanently to close or close down

recoiling

to coil again

contravening

to come or be in conflict with; go or act against; deny or oppose to violate, infringe, or transgress

exuded

to come out gradually in drops, as sweat, through pores, or small openings; ooze out to send out, as sweat; emit through pores or small openings to project or display conspicuously or abundantly; radiate

indemnify

to compensate for damage or loss sustained, expense incurred, etc. to guard or secure against anticipated loss; give security against (future damage or liability)

confers

to consult together; compare opinions; carry on a discussion or deliberation to bestow upon as a gift, favor, honor, etc.

epitomized

to contain or represent in small compass; serve as a typical example of; typify

commune

to converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy, etc.; interchange thoughts or feelings to be in intimate communication or rapport interchange of ideas or sentiments

castigate

to criticize or reprimand severely to punish in order to correct

curtailing

to cut short; cut off a part of; abridge; reduce; diminish

waning

to decrease in strength, intensity, etc. to decline in power, importance, prosperity, etc. to draw to a close; approach an end

discounted (v.)

to deduct a certain amount from (a bill, charge, etc.) to offer for sale or sell at a reduced price to advance or lend money with deduction of interest on (commercial paper not immediately payable)

commentated

to deliver a commentary on to write a commentary on; annotate

proscribe

to denounce or condemn (a thing) as dangerous or harmful; prohibit

disclaim

to deny or repudiate interest in or connection with; disavow; disown

negating

to deny the existence, evidence, or truth of to nullify or cause to be ineffective to be negative; bring or cause negative results

strive

to exert oneself vigorously; try hard to make strenuous efforts toward any goal to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance to rival; vie

oust

to expel or remove from a place or position occupied

chide

to express disapproval of; scold; reproach to harass, nag, impel, or the like by chiding

chided

to express disapproval of; scold; reproach to harass, nag, impel, or the like by chiding

deprecating

to express earnest disapproval of to urge reasons against; protest against (a scheme, purpose, etc.) to depreciate; belittle

depreciated

to express earnest disapproval of to urge reasons against; protest against (a scheme, purpose, etc.) to depreciate; belittle

detest

to feel abhorrence of; hate; dislike intensely

rue

to feel sorrow over; repent of; regret bitterly to wish that (something) had never been done, taken place, etc. to feel sorrow, repentance, or regret

enamored

to fill or inflame with love to charm or captivate

ascertain

to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine

delimit

to fix or mark the limits or boundaries of; demarcate

inundates

to flood; cover to overspread with water; deluge to overwhelm

ensues

to follow in order; come afterward, especially in immediate succession to follow as a consequence; result

injecting

to force (a fluid) into a passage, cavity, or tissue to introduce (something new or different) to introduce arbitrarily or inappropriate; intrude to interject (a remark, suggestion, etc.), as into conversation

compel

to force or drive, especially to a course of action to secure or bring about by force to force to submit; subdue to overpower

deem

to form or have an opinion; judge; think to hold as an opinion; think; regard

fester

to form pus; generate purulent matter; suppurate to cause ulceration, as a foreign body in the flesh to putrefy or rot to rankle, as a feeling of resentment

satisfies

to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs, or demands of (a person, the mind, etc.); give full contentment to to put an end to (a desire, want, need, etc.) by sufficient or ample provision to give assurance to; convince

patronize

to give (a store, restaurant, hotel, etc.) one's regular patronage; trade with to behave in an offensively condescending manner toward to act as a patron toward (an artist, institution, etc.); support

contribute

to give (money, time, knowledge, assistance, etc.) to a common supply, fund, etc., as for charitable purposes to furnish (an original written work, drawing, etc.) for publication

dissemble

to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of to put on the appearance of; feign

heeding

to give careful attention to to give attention; have regard careful attention; notice; observation

incentivize

to give incentives to

reneged

to go back on one's word

burgeoning

to grow or develop quickly; flourish to begin to grow, as a bud; put forth buds, shoots, etc., as a plant

coalesced

to grow together or into one body to unite so as to form one mass, community, etc. to blend or come together

crane

to hoist, lower, or move by or as by a crane

beseeched

to implore urgently to beg eagerly for; solicit

imbues

to impregnate or inspire, as with feelings, opinions, etc. to saturate or impregnate with moisture, color, etc. to imbrue

bedazzled

to impress forcefully, especially so as to make oblivious to faults or shortcomings to dazzle so as to blind or confuse

exacerbate

to increase the severity, bitterness or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.); aggravate to embitter the feelings of (a person); irritate; exasperate

extrapolate

to infer (an unknown) from something that is known; conjecture

beguiled

to influence by trickery, flattery, etc.; mislead; delude to take away from by cheating or deceiving to charm or divert

interpolate

to introduce (something additional or extraneous) between other things or parts; interject; interpose; intercalate to alter (a text) by the insertion of new matter, especially deceptively or without authorization

infuses

to introduce, as if by pouring; cause to penetrate; instill to imbue or inspire to steep or soak (leaves, barks, roots, etc.) in a liquid so as to extract the soluble properties or ingredients

sussing

to investigate or figure out

vexing

to irritate; annoy; provoke to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about

shunned

to keep away from (a place, person, object, etc.), from motives of dislike, caution, etc.; take pains to avoid

mitigate

to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate to make less severe to make (a person, one's state of mind, disposition, etc.) milder or more gentle; mollify; appease

bask

to lie in or be exposed to a pleasant warmth to enjoy a pleasant situation

skulk

to lie or keep in hiding, as for some evil reason to move in a stealthy manner; slink

degrade

to lower in dignity or estimation; bring into contempt to lower in character or quality; debase to reduce in amount, strength, intensity, etc

mummified

to make (a dead body) into a mummy, as by embalming and drying to make (something) resemble a mummy; dry or shrivel up to preserve (an idea, institution, custom, etc.) that may have outlived its usefulness or relevance

deified

to make a god of; exalt to the rank of a deity; personify as a deity to adore or regard as a deity

deify

to make a god of; exalt to the rank of a deity; personify as a deity to adore or regard as a deity

stipulate

to make an express demand or arrangement as a condition of agreement to arrange expressly or specify in terms of agreement to require as an essential condition in making an agreement to promise, in making an agreement

blunt (v.)

to make blunt or dull to weaken or impair the force, keenness, or susceptibility of

fabricate

to make by art or skill and labor; construct to make by assembling parts or sections

retching

to make efforts to vomit to vomit the act or an instance of retching

enraged

to make extremely angry; put into a rage; infuriate

defile

to make foul, dirty, or unclean; pollute; taint; debase to violate the chastity of to make impure for ceremonial use; desecrate to sully, as a person's reputation

humanize

to make humane, kind, or gentle to make human to become human or humane

promulgates

to make known by open declaration; publish; proclaim formally or put into operation (a law, decree of a court, etc.) to set forth or teach publicly (a creed, doctrine, etc.)

signify

to make known by signs, speech, or action to be a sign of; mean; portend to be of importance or consequence

assuage

to make milder or less severe; relieve; ease; mitigate to appease; satisfy; allay; relieve to soothe, calm, or mollify

corroborate

to make more certain; confirm

normalizing

to make normal to establish or resume (relations) in a normal manner, as between countries to become normal; resume a normal state

decipherable

to make out the meaning of (poor or partially obliterated writing, etc.) to discover the meaning of (anything obscure or difficult to trace or understand) to interpret by the use of a key, as something written in cipher

perpetuate

to make perpetual to preserve from extinction or oblivion continuing or enduring forever; everlasting lasting an indefinitely long time continuing or continued without intermission or interruption; ceaseless

explicate

to make plain or clear; explain; interpret to develop (a principle, theory, etc.)

requite

to make repayment or return for (service, benefits, etc.) to make retaliation for (a wrong, injury, etc.); avenge to make return to (a person, group, etc.) for service, benefits, etc. to retaliate on (a person, group, etc.) for a wrong, injury, etc. to give or do in return

husband (v.)

to manage, especially with prudent economy to use frugally; conserve

designation

to mark or point out; indicate; show; specify to denote; indicate; signify to name; entitle; style to nominate or select for duty, office, purpose, etc.; appoint; assign

underscore

to mark with a line or lines underneath; underline, as for emphasis to stress; emphasize a line drawn beneath something written or printed

trepidation

tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation trembling or quivering movement; tremor

convoluted

twisted; coiled complicated; intricately invovled

myopic

unable or unwilling to act prudently; shortsighted lacking tolerance or understanding; narrow-minded

inevitably

unable to be avoided, evaded, or escaped; certain; necessary sure to occur, happen, or come; unalterable that which is unavoidable

disinterested

unbiased by personal interest or advantage; not influenced by selfish motives not interest; indifferent

vituperations

verbal abuse or castigation; violent denunciation or condemnation

jurisprudent

versed in jurisprudence the science or philosophy of law a body or system of laws

innumerable

very numerous incapable of being counted; countless

antediluvian

very old, old-fashioned, or out of date; antiquated; primitive

minuscule

very small (of letters or writing) small; not capital

puritanical

very strict in moral or religious matters, often excessively so; rigidly austere

strife

vigorous or bitter conflict, discord, or antagonism a quarrel, struggle, or clash competition or rivalry

militant

vigorously active and aggressive, especially in support of a case engaged in warfare; fighting a militant person a person engaged in warfare or combat

turpitude

vile, shameful, or base character; depravity a vile or depraved act

genial

warmly and pleasantly cheerful; cordial favorable for life, growth, or comfort; pleasantly warm; comfortably mild characterized by genius

leery

wary; suspicious

prodigal

wastefully or recklessly extravagant giving or yielding profusely; lavish lavishly abundant; profuse a person who spends, or has spent, his or her money or substance with wasteful extravagance; spendthrift

lassitude

weariness of body or mind from strain, oppressive climate, etc.; lack of energy; listlessness; languor a condition of indolent indifference

notorious

widely and unfavorably known publicly or generally known as for a particular trait

credulous

willing to believe or trust too readily, especially without proper or adequate evidence; gullible marked by or arising from credulity

venal

willing to sell one's influence, especially in return for a bribe; open to bribery; mercenary able to be purchased, as by a bribe associated with or characterized by bribery

prudent

wise or judicious in practical affairs; sagacious; discreet or circumspect; sober careful in providing for the future; provident

askance to

with suspicion, mistrust, or disapproval with a side glance; sidewise; obliquely

insipid

without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; vapid without sufficient taste to be pleasing, as food or drink; bland

ineptness

without skill or aptitude for a particular task or assignment; maladroit generally awkward or clumsy; haplessly incompetent inappropriate; unsuitable; out of place absurd or foolish

mercenary

working or acting merely for money or other reward; venal hired to serve in a foreign army, guerrilla organization, etc. a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army

artifices

a clever trick or stratagem; a cunning, crafty device or expedient; wile trickery; guile; craftiness cunning; ingenuity; inventiveness

antipathy

a natural, basic, or habitual repugnance; aversion an instinctive contrariety or opposition in feeling an object of natural aversion or habitual dislike

aquiline

(of the nose) shaped like an eagle's beak; hooked of or like the eagle

anarchist

a person who advocates or believes in anarchy or anarchism a person who seeks to overturn by violence all constituted forms and institutions of society and government, with no purpose of establishing any other system of order in the place of that destroyed a person who promotes disorder or excites revolt against any established rule, law, or custom

actuarial

a person who computes premium rates, dividends, risks, etc., according to probabilities based on statistical records

amateurs

a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons a person inexperienced or unskilled in a particular activity

adherents

a person who follows or upholds a leader, cause, etc.; supporter; follower

apologist

a person who makes a defense in speech or writing of a belief, idea, etc.

arcades

a series of arches supported on piers or columns an arched, roofed-in gallery an arched or covered passageway, usually with shops on each side

anomie (or anomy)

a state or condition of individuals or society characterized by a breakdown or absence of social norms and values, as in the case of uprooted people

apathy

absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting

antagonistic

acting in opposition; opposing, especially mutually hostile; unfriendly

antagonism

an active hostility or opposition, as between unfriendly or conflicting groups an opposing force, principle, or tendency

apologia

an apology, as in defense or justification of a belief, idea, etc. a work written as an explanation or justification of one's motives, convictions, or acts

artifacts

any object made by human beings, especially with a view to subsequent use a handmade object, as a tool, or the remains of one, as a shard of pottery, characteristic of an earlier time or cultural stage, especially such an object found at an archaeological excavation

albatross

any of several large, web-footed sea birds of the family a seemingly inescapable moral or emotional burden, as of guilt or responsibility

aristocratic

of or relating to govenment by an aristocracy belonging to or favoring the aristocracy characteristic of an aristocrat; having the manners, or qualities associated with the aristocracy

antithetical to

of the nature of or involving antithesis directly opposed or contrasted; opposite

anecdotal

pertaining to, resembling, or containing anecdotes pertaining to the relationship of figures or to the arrangement of elements in a scene so as to emphasize the story content of a subject

affability

pleasantly easy to approach and talk to; friendly; cordial; warmly polite showing warmth and friendliness; benign; pleasant

amenable

ready or willing to answer, act, agree, or yield; open to influence, persuasion, or advice; agreeable; submissive; tractable

aesthetic (adj.)

relating to the philosophy of aesthetics; concerned with notions such as the beauty and the ugly

arduous

requiring great exertion; laborious; difficult requiring or using much energy and vigor; strenuous hard to climb; steep hard to endure; full of hardships; severe

arcadian

rural, rustic, or pastoral, especially suggesting simple, innocent contentment

abreast of

side by side; beside each other in a line equal to or alongside in progress, attainment, or awareness

artful

slyly crafty or cunning; deceitful; tricky skillful or clever in adapting means to ends; ingenious done with or characterized by art or skill

artfully

slyly crafty or cunning; deceitful; tricky skillful or clever in adapting means to ends; ingenious done with or characterized by art or skill

apocrypha

various religious writings of uncertain origin regarded by some as inspired, but rejected by most authorities

alluring

very attractive or tempting; enticing; seductive fascinating; charming

akimbo

with hand on hip and elbow bent outward