Vocabulary Unit 1-9
Unwieldy (an-wel-de) We loaded the truck with the chairs and the coffee table, but the grand piano was too unwieldy.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: not easily carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity *Synonyms: cumbersome, bulky, clumsy, impractical *Antonyms: manageable, easy to handle
Bombastic \bam-bas'-tik\ Sentence: He delivered a bombastic speech that did not even address our problems.
*adjective *negative (-) *Bombastic: pompous or overblown in language; full of the high-sounding word intended to conceal a lack of ideas *Synonyms: inflated, highfalutin, high-flown, pretentious *Antonyms: unadorned, simple, plain, austere
Callow \kal'-oh\ Sentence: They entered the army as callow recruits and left as seasoned veterans.
*adjective *negative (-) *Callow: without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers *Synonyms: green, raw, unfledged, inexperienced *Antonyms: mature, grown-up, polished, sophisticated
Tenuous (ten'-yu-as) Sentence: My grasp of trigonometry was tenuous until I attended extra-help sessions
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition, slender, thin, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported *Synonyms: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, lazy *Antonyms: strong, solid, substantial, valid
Vitriolic (vi-tre-al'-ik) Sentence: Though hurt by his vitriolic language, I had to admit that some of his points were valid.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid) *Synonyms: withering, acerbic, mordant *Antonyms: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary
Scathing (ska-thin) Sometimes a carefully reasoned discussion does more to change people's minds than a scathing attack.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: bitterly severe, withering, causing great harm *Synonyms: searing, harsh, ferocious, savage *Antonyms: bland, mild
Scurrilous (skar'-a-las) Sentence: Days passed and unrest grew, and soon the rebels began a scurrilous attack on their absent leader.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: coarsely abusive, vulgar or low (especially in language), foul-mouthed *Synonyms: obscene, filthy, abusive vituperative *Antonyms: decorous, seemly, tasteful, dignified
Vapid (vap-id) While critics called the movie vapid, I thought the performers were very compelling.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force *Synonyms: insipid, lifeless, colorless *Antonyms: zesty, spicy, savory, colorful, lively
Sepulchral (sa-pal'-kral) My sister announced in a severe and sepulchral tone of voice that we were out of cookies.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: funeral, typical of the tomb, extremely gloomy or dismal *Synonyms: doleful, lugubrious, morturary *Antonyms: bright, cheery
Irrevocable (i-rev'-a-ka-bal) Sentence: We tend to think of court verdicts as irrevocable, by they are often overturned by higher courts.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: incapable of being changed or called back *Synonyms: irreversible, unrecallable, unalterable *Antonyms: reversible, changeable
Inscrutable (in-skru-ta-bal) Sentence: I could not tell by her inscrutable smile whether she was pleased or only amused with me.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically *Synonyms: impenetrable, incomprehensible, enigmatic *Antonyms: comprehensible, intelligible, penetrable
Noncommittal (nan-ke-mit'-el) Sentence: We questioned her quietly, carefully, and at length but her answers remained noncommittal.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no *Synonyms: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest *Antonyms: positive, committed, definite
Querulous (kwer'-a-las) Sentence: Some flight attendants dread a querulous airline passenger more than they do rough weather.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: peevish, complaining, fretful *Synonyms: petulant, touchy, cranky, irritable *Antonyms: uncomplaining, stocial, serene, placid
Insular (in'-sya-lar) Sentence: You seem too sophisticated to hold such insular opinions.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: relating to, characteristic of, or situated on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience. *Synonyms: narrow-minded, parochial, provincial *Antonyms: catholic, cosmopolitan, liberal
Seditious (sa-dish'-as) Sentence: Dictators usually begin their reigns by searching out and silencing seditious opinion.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government. *Synonyms: mutinous, rebellious, subversive *Antonyms: supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant
Inadvertent (in-ad-ver'-tent) Sentence: The poor fellow was stronger that he realized, and the damage he did was inadvertent
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental *Synonyms: accidental, unconsidered *Antonyms: deliberate, intentional, premeditated
Fractious (frak-shas) It seems as if even the smoothest-running organizations contain one or two fractious elements.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: tending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable *Synonyms: refractory, recalcitrant, peevish *Antonyms: docile, tractable, cooperative
Sleazy (sle-ze) Sentence: The old lady made her clothes at home in order to avoid the sleazy goods sold in the general store.
*adjective *negative (-) *Definition: thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean, or disresputable *Synonyms: inferior, cheesy, tawdry, tatty *Antonyms: superior, first-rate, quality, sturdy
Stringent \strin'-jant\ Sentence: Some argue that more stringent laws against speeding will make our streets safer.
*adjective *negative (-) *Stringent: strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste *Synonyms: stern, rigorous, tough, urgent, imperative *Antonyms: lenient, mild, lax, permissive
Resilient (ri-zil'-yant) Sentence: The development of lightweight, resilient plastics revolutionized the design of many durable goods.
*adjective *neutral (*) *Definition: able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly *Synonyms: springy, elastic, buoyant, bouncy *Antonyms: rigid, stiff, inflexible, unyielding
Nominal (nam'-a'nal) Sentence: Because so many of its patients were having financial troubles, the health clinic charged only nominal fees.
*adjective *neutral (*) *Definition: existing in name only, too small to be considered or taken seriously *Synonyms: accidental, unconsidered *Antonyms: real, actual, exorbitant, excessive
Straitlaced (strat-last) Travelers may find people overseas straitlaced in some ways but surprisingly free in others.
*adjective *neutral (*) *Definition: extremely strict in regard to moral standards and conduct; puritanical *Synonyms: highly conventional, overly strict, stuffy *Antonyms: lax, loose, indulgent, permissive, dissolute
Adventitious (ad-ven-tish'-es) Sentence: It was no adventitious meeting that led to their writing songs together, for in fact they were cousins.
*adjective *neutral (*) *Definition: resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital. *Synonyms: Extrinsic, Incidental, Fortuitous *Antonyms: Essential, Intrinsic, Inherent, Congenital
Circuitous (sar-kyu'-a-tas) Sentence: I followed a circuitous path through the woods, not because I feared pursuit, but because I was lost.
*adjective *neutral (*) *Definition: roundabout, not direct *Synonyms: indirect, meandering, winding *Antonyms: straight, direct, as the crow flies
Axiomatic (ak-sa-a-mat-ik) One should no accept the idea that the camera never lies as an axiomatic truth.
*adjective *neutral (*) *Definition: self-evident, expressing a universally accepted principle or rule *Synonyms: taken for granted *Antonyms: questionable, dubious, controversial
Amorphous (a-mor-fas) Sentence: The amorphous body of the amoeba was fascinating to watch under the microscope.
*adjective *neutral (*) *Definition: shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character without organization, unity or cohesion. *Synonyms: formless, unstructured, nebulous, inchoate *Antonyms: definite: well-defined, clear-cut
Occult \a-kelt\ Sentence: Much of his talk about the occult seems grounded in nothing but trick photography and folklore.
*adjective *neutral (*) *Occult: (adj) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; (v.) to hide, conceal; eclipse; (n.) matters involving the supernatural *Synonyms: (adj) supernatural, abstruse, arcane, escoteric *Antonyms: (adj) mundane, common, public, exoteric
Intrinsic \in-trin'-sik\ Sentence: It had been my father's favorite book when he was my age, but for me i held little intrinsic interest.
*adjective *neutral (*) *Intrinsic: belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part *Synonyms: immanent, organic *Antonyms: extrinsic, external, outward
Salutary (sal-ya-ta-e) The cute new puppy had a salutary effect on her health.
*adjective *positive (+) *Definition: beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome *Synonyms: salubrious, curative *Antonyms: detrimental, deleterious, pernicious
Affable (af'-a-bal) Sentence: We spent a pleasant afternoon with our affable neighbors.
*adjective *positive (+) *Definition: courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to *Synonyms: genial, amicable, agreeable, cordial *Antonyms: surly, cantankerous, dour, inhospitable
Equitable (ek-we-ta-bal) He did more work, so a sixty-forty split of the profits seemed an equitable arrangement.
*adjective *positive (+) *Definition: fair, just, embodying principles of justice *Synonyms: right, reasonable, evenhanded *Antonyms: unjust, unfair, disproportionate
Sedulous (saj'-a-las) Sentence: No one could say that he was lazy; for he was a careful, sedulous copier of other people's work.
*adjective *positive (+) *Definition: persistent, showing industry and determination Synonyms: assiduous, tireless, indefatigable *Antonyms: lackadaisical, listless, indolent, otiose
Erudite (er'yu-dit) Sentence: For my paper, I would like to find and erudite history of the subject written in a clear and unbiased manner.
*adjective *positive (+) *Definition: scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic *Synonyms: profoundly educated, well-read *Antonyms: ignorant, uneducated, illeterate
Commiserate (ka-miz'-a-rat) Sentence: The family commiserate with her after the loss of her old and faithful dog.
*adjective *positive (+) *Definition: to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress *Synonyms: feel sorry for, empathize *Antonyms: feel no sympathy for
Ex officio \eks-a-fish'-a-o\ Sentence: The President is the ex officio commander-in-chief of the armed forces in times of war
*adjective/adverb *positive *Ex officio: by virtue of holding a certain office *Synonyms: prerogative *Antonyms: none found
Transient (tran'-shant) His bad mood was transient, and by the time he'd finished his breakfast, he was smiling
*adjective/noun *neutral (*) *Definition: (adj) lasting only a short time, fleeting; (n) one who stays only a short time *Synonyms: (adj) impermanent, ephemeral evanescent *Antonyms: (adj) permanent, imperishable, immortal
Soporific (sap-a-rif-ik) He claimed that the musical despite its energy, was soporific and that he had slept through the entire second act.
*adjective/noun *neutral (*) *Definition: (adj) tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness or legarthy; (n) something that induces sleep *Synonyms: (n) narcotic, anesthetic *Antonyms: (adj) stimulating; (n) stimulant, stimulus
Drivel \driv'-al\ Sentence: To me, my dream made perfect sense, however when I tried to tell my friends, it sounded like drivel
*noun *negative (-) *Drivel: (n) saliva or mucus flowing from mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense; (v) to let saliva from the mouth; to utter nonsense; to waste or friter away foolishly *Synonyms: (n) balderdash, hogwash, tommyrot (v) slaver *Antonyms: (n) sense, truth
Interloper \in'-tar-lop-ar\ Sentence: The crowd was so eager to see the band's performance that resented the opening singer as an interloper.
*noun *negative (-) *Interloper: one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder *Synonyms: trespasser, meddler, buttinsky *Antonyms: permission, permit
Lassitude \las'-a-tud\ Sentence: On some days, I am overcome by lassitude at the thought of so many more years of schooling.
*noun *negative (-) *Lassitude: weariness of body or mind, lack of energy *Synonyms: fatigue, languor, torpor *Antonyms: energy, vitality, animation, liveliness
Propensity (pra-pen'-sa-te) Sentence: Queen Elizabeth showed a strong propensity for putting off decisions in the hopes that they would resolve themselves.
*noun *neutral (*) *Definition: a natural inclination or predirection towards *Synonyms: natural bent, proclivity, penchant *Antonyms: natural incapability or inability
Proclivity (proh-clih-vuh-tee) Sentence: Curious, patient, and fond of long walks outdoors, she soon displayed a proclivity for nature study.
*noun *neutral (*) *Definition: a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior) *Synonyms: natural bent, penchant, propensity, likeliness, preference *Antonyms: inability or incapability
Precept (pre-sept) Many religions follow the precept that it is important to treat others as you, yourself, would like to be treated.
*noun *neutral (*) *Definition: a rule of conduct or action *Synonyms: principle, maxim *Antonyms: unbelief, disorganization
Autonomy (o-tan-a-me) Even after the thirteen colonies gained autonomy from England, many Americans clung to English traditions
*noun *neutral (*) *Definition: self-government, political control *Synonyms: home rule *Antonyms: dependence, subjection, colonial status
Aura (or'-a) Sentence: What people thought was her aura of mystery was actually a mask for her shyness.
*noun *neutral (*) *Definition: that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personality quality *Synonyms: ambience, atmosphere *Antonyms: cyclone, anticyclone
Epitome \i-pit'-a-me\ Sentence: Admitting when you have been fairly defeated is the epitome of sportsmanship.
*noun *neutral (*) *Epitome: a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality *Synonyms: abstract, digest, model, archetype *Antonyms: enlargement, addition, explansion
Millennium \ma-len-e-am\ Sentence: In 1999 an argument raged over whether 2000 or 2001 would mark the beginning of a new millenium.
*noun *neutral (*) *Millenium: a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy *Synonyms: chiliad, golden age, prosperity, peace *Antonyms: doomsday, day of judgement
Aplomb \a-plam'\ Sentence: Considering the family's tense mood, you handled the situation with aplomb.
*noun *positive (+) *Aplomb: poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity *Synonyms: composure, self-possession, levelheadness *Antonyms: confusion, embarrassment, abashment
Amnesty (am'-na-ste) Many political prisoners were freed under the amnesty granted by the new regime
*noun *positive (+) *Definition: a general pardon for an offense against a government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution. *Synonyms: second-chance, forgiving *Antonyms: strict, unforgiving
Caveat (kav'-e-at) The well known Latin phrase "caveat emptor" means "Let the buyer beware"
*noun *positive (+) *Definition: a warning or caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior *Synonyms: admonition, word to the wise *Antonyms: conceal, prevent
Sangfroid (san-frwa) Sentence: An experienced actor can perform with what seems like limitless sangfroid, even when he forgets a line.
*noun *positive (+) *Definition: composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances *Synonyms: poise, self-assurance, equanimity *Antonyms: excitability, hysteria, flappability
Acculturation (a-kel-che-ra'-shen) Sentence: Every immigrant group newly arrived in another country goes through a slow process of acculturation.
*noun *positive (+) *Definition: the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend *Synonyms: adaptation, cultivation *Antonyms: demobilization, nationalization
Contraband (kan'-tra-band) Sentence: Three jeweled combs from the 17th century were among the contraband seized by the police.
*noun/adjective *negative (-) *Definition: (n) illegal traffic, smuggled goods; (adj) illegal, prohibited *Synonyms: (adj): illicit, bootleg, unlawful *Antonyms: (adj): legal, lawful, licit
Gossamer (gas'-a-mar) Sentence: Ghosts are often depicted in literature as wearing gossamer clothing that makes them seem all the more ethereal.
*noun/adjective *neutral (*) *Definition: (adj): thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; (n): a very thin, light cloth *Synonyms: (adj): filmy, diaphanous, sheer, airy, feathery, gauzy *Antonyms: (adj): thick, dense, solid, massive
Ferment (far'-ment; v., far-ment) Sentence: Caught in the ferment of revolution, the young men enlisted with the local militias.
*noun/verb *positive (+) *Definition: (n) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence (v) to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action *Synonyms: (n) commotion, turmoil, unrest *Antonyms: (n) peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity
Remonstrate (ri-man'-strat) Sentence: Slowly, carefully, keeping his voice down, he argued with the caller as one might remonstrate as a child.
*verb *negative (-) *Definition: to argue or plead with someone against something, protest against, object to *Synonyms: reason against, expostulate *Antonyms: support, commend
Enjoin (en-join') Sentence: I enjoin them to stop spending so much money or to face the consequences
*verb *negative (-) *Definition: to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit *Synonyms: bid, charge, command, adjure *Antonyms: allow, permit
Abominate (a-bam-a-nat) Sentence: I abominate cruelty yet do not always notice when I have said something cruel without meaning to.
*verb *negative (-) *Definition: to have an intense dislike or hatred for *Synonyms: loathe, abhor, despise, detest *Antonyms: relish, savor, cherish, esteem
Flout (flaut) She chose to ignore my advice, not because she wanted to flout my beliefs, but because she had strong opinions of her own.
*verb *negative (-) *Definition: to mock, treat with contempt *Synonyms: scoff at, sneer at, snicker at, scorn *Antonyms: obey, honor, revere, uphold
Peculate (pek'-yu-lat) Sentence: Investigators discovered that the clerk came up with a scheme to peculate from the company.
*verb *negative (-) *Definition: to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use. *Synonyms: Embezzle, Defraud, Misappropriate *Antonyms: return, offering, compensation
Filch (filch) If you filch pennies from the cash drawer, you are unlikely, after a while, to be satisfied with only pennies.
*verb *negative (-) *Definition: to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in petty amounts *Synonyms: pilfer, purloin, swipe *Antonyms: honesty, returning
Wheedle (whed-al) Sentence: The spy used charm and flattery in order to wheedle the information from the diplomat.
*verb *negative (-) *Definition: to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end *Synonyms: cajole, inveigle, softsoap, sweet-talk *Antonyms: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm
Infringe \in-frinj'\ Sentence: Sheila continued to infringe her recognizable boundaries despite many warnings.
*verb *negative (-) *Infringe: to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds *Synonyms: encroach, impinge, intrude, poach *Antonyms: stay in bounds
Inveigh \in-va'\ Sentence: You should not inveigh against the plan with quite so much vigor unitil you have read it.
*verb *negative (-) *Inveigh: to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval *Synonyms: rail, fulminate, remonstrate *Antonyms: acclaim, glorify, extol
Repudiate (ri-pyu'-de-at) Sentence: He was forced to repudiate a statement he had made before he'd had all the information.
*verb *negative (-) *Definition: to disown, reject, or deny the validity of *Synonyms: disavow, abjure, renounce *Antonyms: avow, affirm, aver, avouch
Blazon (blaz-on) They will blazon the results of the electron across the Internet and every television set in the land
*verb *neutral (*) *Definition: to adorn or embellish; to display conspicuously; to publish or proclaim widely *Synonyms: broadcast, trumpet *Antonyms: hide, conceal, cover up, bury
Ascribe (a-skrib') Sentence: You may ascribe these holes to gopher or elves, but I blame the dog next door.
*verb *neutral (*) *Definition: to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute *Synonyms: impute, credit, attribute *Antonyms: misconception, undeceive
Infer (in-far) Sentence: I can infer nothing from his odd behavior.
*verb *neutral (*) *Definition: to find out by reasoning; to arrive at a conclusion on the basis of thought ; to hint, suggest, imply *Synonyms: gather, deduce, presume, guess, speculate *Antonyms: abstain, disperse, neglect
Reverberate (ri-ver'-be-rat) Sentence: From the construction site, the noise of the bulldozers and dump trucks reverberate across the valley.
*verb *neutral (*) *Definition: to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly *Synonyms: rumble, thunder, boom, echo *Antonyms: quieten
Permeate \par'-me-at\ Sentence: The rain permeates all of my clothing and reduced the map in my pocket to a pulpy mass.
*verb *neutral (*) *Permeate: to spread through, penetrate, soak through *Synonyms: saturate, seep, infuse, infiltrate *Antonyms: dehydrate, take out, dry
Precipitate (v): \pri-sip'-a-tat\; (adj, n): \pri-sip'-at-at\ Sentence: Scholars often disagree over which event or events precipitate an historic moment.
*verb *neutral (*) *Precipitate: (v.) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height, to give distinct form to; (adj.) characterized by excessive haste; (n.) moisture; the product of an action or process *Synonyms: (v) provoke, produce; (adj) reckless, impetuous *Antonyms: (adj) wary, cautious, circumspect
Surmise \sar-miz'\ Sentence: *I cannot be sure, but I surmise that she would not accept my apology even if I made it on my knees * The police had no proof, nothing to go on but a suspicion, just a mere surmise.
*verb *neutral (*) *Surmise: (v) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (n.) likely idea that lacks definite proof *Synonyms: (v) infer, gather; (n.) inference, presumption *Antonyms: certainty, information, knowledge
Ameliorate \ə-ˈmēl-yə-ˌrāt\ Sentence: A hot meal can ameliorate the discomforts of even the coldest day.
*verb *positive (+) *Ameliorate: to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming *Synonyms: amend, better *Antonyms: worsen, aggravate, exacerbate
Extricate (ek-stra-kat) The ring must have slid off my finger as I was trying to extricate the fish from the net.
*verb *positive (+) *Definition: to free from entanglements or difficulties; to remove with effort *Synonyms: disentangle, extract, disengage *Antonyms: enmesh, entangle, involve
Aggrandize (a-gran'-diz) Sentence: John D. Rockefeller worked to aggrandize his empire by purchasing oil wells, refineries, and pipelines.
*verb *positive (+) *Definition: to increase in greatness, power or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear greater *Synonyms: augment, amplify, enhance, exait *Antonyms: reduce, decrease, diminish
Expiate (ek' spe at) Sentence: They seemed more than willing to expiate their guilt by whatever means necessary.
*verb *positive (+) *Definition: to make amends, make up for; to avert. *Synonyms: redeem, make amends for, atone, make reparation *Antonyms: wrong, inaccurate, wrongness
Expedite (ek'-spe-dit) Sentence: The pleasant background music did not expedite my work but instead, distracted me.
*verb *positive (+) *Definition: to make easy, cause to progress faster *Synonyms: accelerate, facilitate, speed up *Antonyms: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct
Exhort \eg-zort'\ Sentence: With the dramatic gestures, our fans vigorously exhorted the team to play harder.
*verb *positive (+) *Exhort: to urge strongly, advise earnestly *Synonyms: entreat, implore, adjure *Antonyms: discourage, advise against, deprecate
Ingratiate \in-gra'-she-at\ Sentence: It is not a good idea to ingratiate oneself by paying cloying compliments.
*verb *positive (+) *Ingratiate: to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense) *Synonyms: cozy up to, curry favor with *Antonyms: alienate, humiliate oneself, mortify oneself
Scourge (skerj) Jonathan Swift used wit to scourge the British government for its cruel treatment of Ireland.
*verb/noun *negative (-) *Definition: (v) to whip, punish severely; (n) a cause of affliction or suffering; a source of severe punishment or criticism *Synonyms: (v) flog, beat; (n) bane, plaque, pestilence *Antonyms: (n) godsend, boon, blessing
Jaded The knife became jaded after being used a lot and not sharpened.
Adjective Negative Dulled or satiated by overindulgence.
Lurid The movie was lurid to the point it was rated R.
Adjective Negative Gruesome; horrible; revolting.
Petulant It was petulant to sit in the waiting room and do nothing.
Adjective Negative Moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, especially over some trifling annoyance.
Provincial The Liberty Bell is provincial to Philadelphia.
Adjective Netural Belonging or peculiar to some particular; local.
Hackneyed The school hackneyed the auditorium for the cold weather so people wouldn't stay in the cold.
Adjective Netural Made commonplace or trite; stale; banal.
Unctuous The test went unctuous because it was very easy.
Adjective Positive Characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, especially in an affected manner; excessively smooth, suave, or smug.
Meritorious We were give a meritorious after scoring the highest on the test.
Adjective Positive Deserving praise, reward, esteem, etc.; praiseworthy.
Coalition A coalition was formed between two people who hated each other to help people in need.
Noun Netural A combination or alliance especially a temporary one between persons, factions, states, etc.
Hiatus There was a hiatus in my work when my brother came home from school and asked me to help him.
Noun Negative A break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc.
Umbrage My brother was umbrage when he threw toys at me while I was doing homework.
Noun Negative Offense; annoyance; displeasure.
Decadence The wood started to decadence after a hundred years.
Noun Negative The act or process of falling into an inferior condition or state; deterioration; decay.
Innuendo During the play the man made innuendo to a Disney movie on stage.
Noun Netural An indirect intimation about a person or thing, especially of a disparaging or a derogatory nature.
Approbation We got the approbation to start a new launch into space.
Noun Neutral Approval; commendation.
Prerogative Gold card holders have the prerogative to go around the school during tartan time.
Noun Positive An exclusive right, privilege, etc., exercised by virtue of rank, office, or the like.
Intercede I was her intercede when she was in a coma.
Verb Negative To act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition.
Elicit The gold card was elicit when she cheated on a test.
Verb Negative To draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke.
Simulate The video was able to simulate the movement of the killer.
Verb Netural To create a simulation, likeness, or model of (a situation, system, or the like of).
Expostulate We expostulated who should cook since I can't cook.
Verb Netural To reason earnestly with someone against something that person intends to do or has done; remonstrate.
Assuage The quiz was made assuage when the addition problems removed.
Verb Positive To make milder or less severe; relieve; ease; mitigate.
Transcend Her test score transcend the test in the whole grade.
Verb Positive To rise above or go beyond; overpass; exceed.
