help

urbane

synonyms: suave, sophisticated, debonair, worldly, cultivated, cultured, civilized, cosmopolitan; smooth, polished, refined, self-possessed; courteous, polite, well mannered, mannerly, civil, charming

debonair

synonyms: suave, urbane, sophisticated, cultured, self-possessed, self-assured, confident, charming, gracious, courteous, gallant, chivalrous, gentlemanly, refined, polishe

compendious

synonyms: succinct, pithy, short and to the point, concise, compact, condensed, compressed, abridged, summarized, synoptic, capsule; informalsnap

tribulation

synonyms: suffering, distress, trouble, misery, wretchedness, unhappiness, sadness, heartach

morose

synonyms: sullen, sulky, gloomy, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dour, surly, sour, glum, moody, ill-humored, melancholy, melancholic, brooding, broody, doleful, miserable, depressed, dejected, despondent, downcast, unhap

superfluous

synonyms: surplus [to requirements], nonessential, redundant, unneeded, excess, extra, [to] spare, remaining, unused, left over, in excess, waste ";superfluous material"; unnecessary, unneeded, redundant, un

reconnoiter

synonyms: survey, make a reconnaissance of, explore; investigate, examine, scrutinize, inspect, observe, take a look at; patrol; informalcheck out, scope out, recon ";two of our best

dulcet

synonyms: sweet, soothing, mellow, honeyed, mellifluous, euphonious, pleasant, agreeable; melodious, melodic, lilting, lyrical, silvery, golden

unctuous

synonyms: sycophantic, ingratiating, obsequious, fawning, servile, groveling, subservient, cringing, humble, hypocritical, insincere, gushing, effusive; glib, s

umbrage

synonyms: take offense, take exception, be aggrieved, be affronted, be annoyed, be angry, be indig

compete

synonyms: take part, participate, play, be a competitor, be involved; enter ";they competed in a tennis tournament"; contend with, vie with, battle

voluble

synonyms: talkative, loquacious, garrulous, verbose, wordy,

garrulous

synonyms: talkative, loquacious, voluble, verbose, chatty, chattering, gossipy; effusive, expansive, forthcoming, conversational, communicative; informalmouthy, gabby, gassy, windy, having the gift of [the

pedagogue

synonyms: teacher, schoolteacher, schoolmaster, schoolmistress, master, mistress, tutor; lecturer, academic, don, professor, instructor, educa

dire

synonyms: terrible, dreadful, appalling, frightful, awful, atrocious, grim, alarming; grave, serious, disastrous, calamitous, ruinous, hopeless, irretrievable, wretched, desperate, parlous; formalgrievous ";the dire economic situatio

curt

synonyms: terse, brusque, abrupt, clipped, blunt, short, monosyllabic, summary; snappish, snappy, sharp, tart; gruff, offhand, unceremonious, ungracious, rude, impolite, discourteous, uncivil ";

occult

synonyms: the supernatural, the paranormal, supernaturalism, magic, black magic, witch

proliterait

synonyms: the workers, working-class people, wage earners, the working classes, the common people, the lower classes, the masses, the rank and file, the third estate, the plebeians; the lumpen, the lumpenp

cogitate

synonyms: think about/on/over, contemplate, consider, mull over, meditate on, muse on/over, ponder, reflect on, deliberate on/over, ruminate on/over; dwell on,

frugal

synonyms: thrifty, economical, careful, cautious, prudent, provident, unwasteful, sparing, scrimping; abstemious, abstinent, austere, self-denying, ascetic, monkish, spartan; parsimonious, mi

pusillanimous

synonyms: timid, timorous, cowardly, fearful, faint-hearted, lily-livered, spineless, craven, shrinking; informalchicken, gutless, wimpy, wimpi

fraction

synonyms: tiny part, fragment, snippet, snatch, smattering, selection ";only a fraction of the collection"; tiny amount, little, bit, touch, soupçon, trifle, mite,

harangue

synonyms: tirade, diatribe, lecture, polemic, rant, fulmination, broadside, attack, onslaught; crit

diatribe

synonyms: tirade, harangue, onslaught, attack, polemic, denunciation, broadside, fulmination, condemnation, censure, criticism; informa

flag

synonyms: tire, grow tired/weary, weaken, grow weak, wilt, droop, fade, run out of steam ";they were flagging toward the finish"; fade, decline, wane, ebb, diminish, decrease, lessen,

indefatigable

synonyms: tireless, untiring, unflagging, unwearied; determined, tenacious, dogged, single-minded, assiduous, industrious, hard-working, unswerving, unfaltering, u

brook

synonyms: tolerate, allow, stand, bear, abide, put up with, endure; accept, permi

knell

synonyms: toll, tolling, dong, resounding, reverberation; death knell; archaictocsin ";the knell of

poignant

synonyms: touching, moving, sad, affecting, pitiful, piteous, pathetic, sorrowful, mournful, wretched, miserable, distressing, heart-rending, tearjerking, plaintive, tra

taint

synonyms: trace, touch, suggestion, hint, tinge; stain, blot, blemish, stigma, black mark, discredit, dishonor, di

transient

synonyms: transitory, temporary, short-lived, short-term, ephemeral, impermanent, brief, short, momentary, fleeting, passing, here today and gone tomorrow; literaryevanescent,

itinerant

synonyms: traveling, peripatetic, wandering, roving, roaming, touring, saddlebag, nomadic, gypsy, migrant, vagrant

perfidy

synonyms: treachery, duplicity, deceit, deceitfulness, disloyalty, infidelity, faithlessness, unfaithfulness, betrayal, treason, double-dealing, untrustworthiness,

subterfuge

synonyms: trickery, intrigue, deviousness, deceit, deception, dishonesty, cheating, duplicity, guile, cunning, craftiness, chicanery, pretense

malcontent

synonyms: troublemaker, mischief-maker, agitator, dissident, rebel, rabble-rouser; discontent, complainer, grumbler, moaner, whiner; informalgrouch, grump, bellyacher, kvetch, squeaky wheel ";a group of malcontents"

veracity

synonyms: truthfulness, truth, accuracy, correctness, faithfulness, fidelity; reputability, honesty, sincerity, trustworthiness, reliability, dependability, scrupulousness, ethi

ramshackle

synonyms: tumbledown, dilapidated, derelict, decrepit, neglected, run-down, gone to rack and ruin, beat-up, crumbling, decaying; ri

abscess

synonyms: ulcer, ulceration, cyst, boil, blister, sore, pustule, carbuncle, pimple, wen, whitlow, canker; inflamm

implacable

synonyms: unappeasable, unforgiving, unsparing; inexorable, intransigent, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, relentless, ruthless, remorseless, merciless, heartless, pitil

obscure

synonyms: unclear, uncertain, unknown, in doubt, doubtful, dubious, mysterious, hazy, vague, indeterminate, concealed, hidden ";the truth is that many aspects of a war's out

intransigent

synonyms: uncompromising, inflexible, unbending, unyielding, diehard, unshakab

indifferent

synonyms: unconcerned, uninterested, uncaring, casual, nonchalant, offhand, uninvolved, une

eccentric

synonyms: unconventional, uncommon, abnormal, irregular, aberrant, anomalous, odd, queer, strange, peculiar, we

recalcitrant

synonyms: uncooperative, intractable, obstreperous, truculent, insubordinate, defiant, rebellious, willful, wayward, headstrong, self-willed, contrary, perverse

minion

synonyms: underling, henchman, flunky, lackey, hanger-on, follower, servant, hireling, vassal, stooge, toady, sycophant; informalyes-man, trained seal, bootlicker, brown-noser, suck-up ";if working for you means being your minion, I'm not t

malaise

synonyms: unhappiness, uneasiness, unease, discomfort, melancholy, depression, despondency, dejection, angst, ennui; lassitude, listlessness, languor, weariness; indisposition, ailment, infirmity, i

forlorn

synonyms: unhappy, sad, miserable, sorrowful, dejected, despon

homogenous

synonyms: uniform, identical, unvaried, consistent, indistinguishable, homologous, homogenized; alike, similar, the same, much the same, all of a piece, melting-pot ";should the members of a society become so homogeneo

catholic

synonyms: universal, diverse, diversified, wide, broad, broad-based, eclectic, liberal, latitudinarian; compr

heterodox

synonyms: unorthodox, nonconformist, dissenting, dissident, rebellious, renegade; heretical, blasphemous, recusant, apostate, skeptical; f

adventitious

synonyms: unplanned, unpremeditated, accidental, chance, fortuitous, serendipitous, coincidental, casual, random ";he felt that the conversation was not entirely adven

obnoxious

synonyms: unpleasant, disagreeable, nasty, distasteful, offensive, o

restive

synonyms: unruly, diso

obstreperous

synonyms: unruly, unmanageable, disorderly, undisciplined, uncontrollable, rowdy, disruptive, truculent, difficult, refractory, rebelliou

flustered

synonyms: unsettle, make nervous, unnerve, agitate, ruffle, upset, bother, put on edge, disquiet, disturb, worry, perturb, disconcert, confuse, throw o

taciturn

synonyms: untalkative, uncommunicative, reticent, unforthcoming, quiet, secretive, tight-lipped, buttoned-up, close-mouthed; silent, mute, dumb, inarticulate; reserved, withdrawn ";our taciturn daughter has suddenly become

agitate

synonyms: upset, perturb, fluster, ruffle, disconcert, unnerve, disquiet, disturb, distress, unsettle, unhinge; informalrattle, faze, discombobulate ";a

enjoin

synonyms: urge, encourage, admonish, press; instruct, direct, require, order, command, tell, call on, demand, charge; formaladjure;

exhort

synonyms: urge, encourage, call on, enjoin, charge, press; bid, appeal to, entreat, implore, beg; formaladjure; literarybeseech ";the president exhorted state legislatures to beef

feckless

synonyms: useless, worthless, incompetent, inept, good-for-nothing, ne'er-do-well; lazy, idle, slothful, indolent, irresponsible, shiftless; informalno-good, no-account ";the feckless

evanescent

synonyms: vanishing, fading, evaporating, melting away, disappearing; ephemeral, fleeting, short-lived, short-term, transitory, transient, fugitive, tem

abysmal

synonyms: very bad, dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, atrocious, disgraceful, deplorable, shameful, hopeless, lamentable; informalrotten, appalling, crummy, pathetic, pitiful, woeful, useless, lousy, dir

opprobrium

synonyms: vilification, abuse, vituperation, condemnation, criticism, censure, denunciation, defamation, denigration, castigation, disparagement, obloquy, derogation, slander,

aspersion

synonyms: vilify, disparage, denigrate, defame, run down, impugn, belittle, criticize, condemn, decry, denounce, pillory; malign, slander, libel, discredit;

mercurial

synonyms: volatile, capricious, temperamental, excitable, fickle, changeable, unpredictable, variable, p

profligate

synonyms: wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, improvident, prodigal ";profligate local authorities";

debilitate

synonyms: weaken, enfeeble, enervate, devitalize, sap, drain, exhaust, weary, fatigue, prostrate; undermine, impair, indispose, incapacitate, cripple, disable, paralyze, immobilize;

extirpate

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

outlandish

synonyms: weird, queer, far out, quirky, zany, eccentric, idiosyncratic, unconventional, unorthodox, funny, bizarre, unusual, singular, extraordinary, strange, unfamiliar, peculiar, odd, curious; More informaloffbeat, off t

iniquity

synonyms: wickedness, sinfulness, immorality, impropriety; vice, evil, sin; villainy, criminality; odiousness, atrocity, egregiousness; outrage, monstrosity, obscenity, repr

eclectic

synonyms: wide-ranging, broad-based, extensive, comprehensive, encyclopedic; varied, diverse, catholic, all-embracing, multifaceted, multifarious, heterogeneous, m

prudent

synonyms: wise, well judged, sensible, politic, judicious, sagacious, sage, shrewd, advisable, well advised ";it is prudent to obtain consent"; cautious, care

epigram

synonyms: witticism, quip, jest, pun, bon mot; saying, maxim, adage, aphorism, apophthegm; informalone-liner, wisecrack, [old] chestnut ";a collection of humorous

verbose

synonyms: wordy, loquacious, garrulous, talkative, voluble; long-winded, flatulent, lengthy, prolix, tautological, pleonastic, periphrastic, circumlocutory, circuitous, wandering, discursive, digressive, rambling; informalmouthy,

cosmopolitan

synonyms: worldly, worldly-wise, well travelled, experienced, unprovincial, cultivated, cultured, sophisticated, suave, urbane, glamorous, fashionable, stylish; informaljet-setting, cool, hip, styling/stylin' ";a cosmopolitan audience";

perturb

synonyms: worry, upset, unsettle, disturb, concern, trouble, disquiet; disconcert, discomfit, unnerve, alarm, bother, distress, dismay, gnaw at, agitate, fluster, ruffle, dis

sallow

synonyms: yellowish, jaundiced, pallid, wan, pale, anemic, bloodless, pasty; unhealthy, sickly, washed out; informallike death warmed over; icteric ";a disturbingly sallow complex

myriad

synonyms:a multitude, a large/great number, a large/great quantity, scores, quantities, a mass, a host, droves, a horde; informallots, loads, masses, stacks, scads, tons, hundreds, thousand

subside

synonyms:abate, let up, quiet down, calm, slacken [off], ease [up], relent, die down, recede, lessen, soften, diminish, decline, dwindle, weaken, fade, wane, ebb ";wait until the storm subsi

provoke

synonyms:arouse, produce, evoke, cause, give rise to, occasion, call forth, elicit, induce, excite, spark off, touch off, kindle, generat

presume

synonyms:assume, suppose, dare say, imagine, take it, expect, believe, think, surmise, guess, judge, conjecture, speculate, postulate, presu

choleric

synonyms:bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, angry, grumpy, grouchy, crotchety, testy, cranky, crusty, cantankerous, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, peevish, cross, frac

abound

synonyms:be plentiful, be abundant, be numerous, proliferate, superabound, be thick on the ground; informalgrow on trees ";cafe

asset

synonyms:benefit, advantage, blessing, good point, strong point, selling point, strength

terse

synonyms:brief, short, to the point, concise, succinct, crisp, pith

evoke

synonyms:bring to mind, put one in mind of, conjure up, summon [up], invoke, elicit, induce, kindle, stimulate, stir up, awaken, arouse, call forth; recall, echo, capture ";the music

desultory

synonyms:casual, cursory, superficial, token, perfunctory, half-hearted, lukewarm; random, aimless, errat

engender

synonyms:cause, be the cause of, give rise to, bring about, occasion, lead to, result in, produce, create, generate, arouse, rouse, inspire, provoke,

advocate

synonyms:champion, upholder, supporter, backer, promoter, proponent, exponent, spokesman, spokeswoman, spokesperson, campaigner, f

suave

synonyms:charming, sophisticated, debonair, urbane, polished, refined, poised, self-possessed, dignified, civilized, gentlemanly, gall

protagonist

synonyms:chief/central/principal/main/leading character, chief/central/principal/main/leading participant, chief/central/principal/main/leading figure, chief/central/principal/main/leading playe

pugnacious

synonyms:combative, aggressive, antagonistic, belligerent, bellicose, warlike, quarrelsome, argumentative, contentious, disputatious, hostile, threatening, truculent; fiery, hot-tempered ";this

convoluted

synonyms:complicated, complex, involved, elaborate, serpentine, labyrinthine, tortuous, tangled, Byzantine; Rube Goldberg; confused, confusing, bewi

despicable

synonyms:contemptible, loathsome, hateful, detestable, reprehensible, abhorrent, abominable, awful, heinous; odious, vile, low, mean, abject, shameful, ignominious, shabby, ignoble, disreputable, discreditable, unwo

depraved

synonyms:corrupt, perverted, deviant, degenerate, debased, immoral, unprincipled; debauched, dissolute, lic

embellish

synonyms:decorate, adorn, ornament; beautify, enhance, grace; trim, garnish, gild; deck, bedeck, festoon, emblazon; informaltart up, pimp; literarybejewel, bedizen ";weapo

aspire

synonyms:desire, hope for, dream of, long for, yearn for, set one's heart on, wish for, want, be desirous of; aim for, seek, pursue, set one's sights on ";Jen aspires to a career in veterinary medici

scathing

synonyms:devastating, extremely critical, blistering, searing, withering, scorching, fierce, ferocious, savage, severe, stinging, biting, cutting, mordant, trenchant, virulent, caustic, vit

dismal

synonyms:dingy, dim, dark, gloomy, dreary, drab, dull, bleak, cheerless, depress

incredulous

synonyms:disbelieving, skeptical, unbelieving, distrustful, mistrustful, suspicious, doubtful, dubious, unconvinced; cynical ";we were incredulous when the congressman was

negotiate

synonyms:discuss terms, talk, consult, parley, confer, debate; compromise; mediate, intercede, arbitrate, moderate, conciliate; barga

eradicate

synonyms:eliminate, get rid of, remove, obliterate; exterminate, destroy, annihilate, kill, wipe out; abolish

commensurate

synonyms:equivalent, equal, corresponding, correspondent, comparable, proportionate, proportional ";they had privileges but commensurate duties";appropriate to, in kee

assay

synonyms:evaluation, assessment, appraisal, analysis, examination, test/tests, testing, inspec

perpetual

synonyms:everlasting, never-ending, eternal, permanent, unending, endless, without end, lasting, long-lasting, constant, abiding, enduring, perennial, tim

ostracize

synonyms:exclude, shun, spurn, cold-shoulder, reject, shut out, avoid, ignore, snub, cut dead, keep at arm's length, leave out in the cold; blackba

extenuating

synonyms:excuse, mitigate, palliate, make allowances for, make excuses for, defend, vindicate, justify; diminish, lessen, moderate, qualify, play down "

ebullient

synonyms:exuberant, buoyant, cheerful, joyful, cheery, merry, jolly, sunny, jaunty, lighthearted, elated; animated, sparkling, vivacious,

physiognomy

synonyms:face, features, countenance, expression, look, mien; informalmug, puss; literaryvisage, lineaments ";his

equitable

synonyms:fair, just, impartial, even-handed, unbiased, unprejudiced, egalitarian; disinterested, objective, neutral, nonpartisan, open-minded; informalfair and square ";a plan to distribute the burden of taxes in an equitable w

ascertain

synonyms:find out, discover, get to know, work out, make out, fathom, learn, deduce, divine, discern, see, understand, comprehend; establish, determine, verify, confirm; fig

facetious

synonyms:flippant, flip, glib, frivolous, tongue-in-cheek, ironic, sardonic, joking, jokey, jocular, playful, sportive, teasing, mischievous; witty,

compel

synonyms:force, pressure, press, push, urge; dragoon, browbeat, bully, intimidate, strong-arm; oblige, require, make; informallean on, put the screws on ";he compelled them to leave their land";exact, extort, d

affable

synonyms:friendly, amiable, genial, congenial, cordial, warm, pleasant, nice, likable, personable, charming, agreeable, sympathetic, simpatico, good-humored, good-natured, jolly, kindl

munificent

synonyms:generous, bountiful, openhanded, magnanimous, philanthropic, princely, handsome, lavish, liberal, charitable, big-hearted, beneficent; literarybounteous ";a munif

vivid

synonyms:graphic, evocative, realistic, lifelike, faithful, authentic, clear, detailed, lucid, eloquent, striking, arresting, impressive, colorful, rich, picturesque, dramatic, lively, stimulating, interesting, fascinating, scintilla

transpire

synonyms:happen, occur, take

pristine

synonyms:immaculate, perfect, in mint condition, as new, unspoiled, spotless, flawless, impeccable, clean, fresh, new, virgin

callow

synonyms:immature, inexperienced, juvenile, adolescent, naive, green, raw, untried, unworldly, unsophisticated; informalwet behind the ears ";she toyed

impunity

synonyms:immunity, indemnity, exemption [from punishment], freedom from liability, nonliability, license; amnesty, dispensation, reprieve, pardon, exoneration; stay of execut

impetuous

synonyms:impulsive, rash, hasty, overhasty, reckless, heedless, careless, foolhardy, bullheaded, headstrong, incautious, imprudent, injudicious, ill-considered, unthought-out; spontan

abeyance

synonyms:in suspension, in a state of suspension, in a state of dormancy, in a state of uncertainty, in remission; pending, suspended, deferred

voracious

synonyms:insatiable, unquenchable, unappeasable, prodigious, uncontrollable, compulsive, gluttonous, greedy, rapacious; enthusiastic, eager, keen, avid, desirous, hungry, ravenous; informalpiggish; rareesurient ";her vo

innuendo

synonyms:insinuation, s

risible

synonyms:laughable, ridiculous, absurd, comical, comic, amusing, funny, hilarious, humorous, droll, farcical, silly, ludicrous, hysterical; informalrib-tickling,

indolent

synonyms:lazy, idle, slothful, loafing, do-nothing, sluggardly, shiftless, lackadaisical, languid, inactive, underactive, inert, sluggish, lethargic, to

complicate

synonyms:make [more] difficult, make complicated, mix up, confuse, muddle; informalmess up, screw up, snarl up ";invol

promulgate

synonyms:make known, make public, publicize, spread, communicate, propagate, disseminate, broadcast, promote, preach; lit

agile

synonyms:nimble, lithe, supple, limber, acrobatic, fleet-footed, light-footed, light on one's feet; literaryfleet, lightsome ";she was as agile as a monkey";alert, sharp, acute, shrewd, astute, perceptive, quick-witted ";an ag

rococo

synonyms:ornate, fancy, elaborate, extravagant, baroque; Morefussy, busy, ostentatious, showy; flowery, florid, flamboyant, high-flown, magniloquent, orotund, bombastic, overwrought, overblown, inflated, turgid; informalhighfaluti

petulant

synonyms:peevish, bad-tempered, querulous, pettish, fretful, cross, irritable, sulky, snappish,

destitute

synonyms:penniless, poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken, impecunious, without a cent/penny [to one's name]; needy, in stra

travesty

synonyms:perversion of, distortion of, corruption of, misrepresentation of, poor imi

aplomb

synonyms:poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, calmness, composure, collectedness, levelheadedness, sangfroid, equilibrium, equanimity; informalunflappability ";the judges wer

penurious

synonyms:poor, poor as a church mouse, poverty-stricken, destitute, necessitous, impecunious, impoverished, indigent, needy, in need/want, badly off, in reduced/straitened circumstances, hard u

portend

synonyms:presage, augur, foreshadow, foretell, prophesy; be a sign, warn, be an omen, indicate, herald, signal, bode, promise, threaten, signify, spell, denote; literarybetoken, foretoken, forebode ";the sig

assume

synonyms:presume, suppose, take it [as given], take for granted, take as read, conjecture, surmise, conclude, deduce, infer, reckon, reason, think, fancy, believe, understand, gather, figure ";I assumed he wanted me t

persuade

synonyms:prevail on, coax, convince, get, induce, win over, bring around, coerce, influence, sway, inveigle, entice, tempt, lure, cajole, wheedle; procure; informalsweet-talk, twist someone's arm;

aegis

synonyms:protection, backing, support, patronage, sponsorship, charge, care, guidance, control, guardianship, trusteeship, agency, safeguarding, shelter, umbrella, aid, assis

apply

synonyms:put in an application for, put in for, try [out] for, bid for, appeal for, petition for, sue for, register for, audition for; request, seek, solicit [for], claim, as

reprimand

synonyms:rebuke, reproof, admonishment, admonition, reproach, scolding, upbraiding, finger-wagging, censure; informalrap over the knuckl

penitent

synonyms:repentant, contrite, remorseful, sorry, apologetic, regretful, conscience-stricken, rueful, ashamed, shamefaced, abject, in sackcloth and ashes ";she stood there looking like a penitent child

supersede

synonyms:replace, take the place of, take over from, succeed; supplant, displace, oust

evince

synonyms:reveal, show, make plain, manifest, indicate, display, exhibit, demonstrate, evidence, attest to; convey, communicate, proclaim, bespeak; informalooze ";his letters ev

consecrate

synonyms:sanctify, bless, make holy, make sacred; dedicate to God, devote, reserve, set apart; anoint, ordain;

ensconce

synonyms:settle, install, plant, position, seat, sit; establish, nestle; hide away, tuck away; informalpark, plonk ";Agnes ensconced herself i

impale

synonyms:stick, skewer, spear, spike, transfix, harpoon; pierce, stab, run through; literarytranspierce ";her knife impaled the counter like a

vagrant

synonyms:street person, homeless person, tramp, hobo, drifter, down-and-out, derelict, beggar; itinerant, wanderer, nomad, traveler, vagabond, transient; informalbag lady, bum; literarywayfarer ";

pungent

synonyms:strong, powerful, pervasive, penetrating; sharp, acid, sour, biting, bitter, tart, vinegary, tangy; highly flavored, aromatic, spicy, piquant, peppery, hot ";a punge

obstinate

synonyms:stubborn, unyielding, inflexible, unbending, intransigent, intractable, obdurate, mulish, bullheaded, stubborn as a mule, pigheaded, self-willed, strong-willed, headstrong, willful, contrary, perverse, reca

appropriate

synonyms:suitable, proper, fitting, apt, right; Morerelevant, pertinent, apposite; convenient, opportune; seemly, befitting; formalad rem; archaicmeet ";t

morose

synonyms:sullen, sulky, gloomy, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dour, surly, sour, glum, moody, ill-humored, melancholy, melancholic, brooding, broody, doleful, miserable, depressed, dejected, despondent, downcast, unhappy, l

propensity

synonyms:tendency, inclination, predisposition, proneness, proclivity, readiness, liability, disposition, leaning, weakness ";his propen

larceny

synonyms:theft, stealing, robbery, pilfering, thieving; burglary, housebreaking, breaking and entering; informalfilching, swiping, pinching; formalpecul

radical

synonyms:thoroughgoing, thorough, complete, total, comprehensive, exhaustive, sweeping, far-reaching, wide-ranging, extensive, across the board, profound, major, s

diminutive

synonyms:tiny, small, little, petite, elfin, minute, miniature, mini, minuscule, compact, pocket, toy, midget, un

certain

synonyms:unquestionable, sure, definite, beyond question, not in doubt, indubitable, undeniable, irrefutable, indisputable; obvious, evident, recognized, confirmed, accepted, acknowledged, undisputed, undoubted, unquestion

bedlam

synonyms:uproar, pandemonium, commotion, mayhem, confusion, disorder, chaos, anarchy, lawlessness; furor, upheaval, hubbub, hoopla, turmoil, riot,

secede

synonyms:withdraw from, break away from, break with, separate [oneself] from, leave, split with, split off from, disaffiliate from, resign from, pull out of; informalquit ";the southern states seceded from the Union, prec

meretricious

synonyms:worthless, valueless, cheap, tawdry, trashy, Brummagem, tasteless, kitsch, kitschy; false, artificial, fake, imitation; informaltacky, chintzy ";the meretriciou

prattle

talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way

bloviate

talk at length, especially in an inflated or empty way

bluster

talk in a loud, aggressive, or indignant way with little effect

maunder

talk in a rambling manner

rave

talk wildly or incoherent

savor

taste [good food or drink] and enjoy it completely

deracinate

tear [something] up by the roots

lacerate

tear or make deep cuts in [flesh or skin]

apotheosis

the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax

usury

the illegal action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest

pellucid

translucently clear

cozen

trick or deceive

folderol

trivial or nonsensical fuss

tacit

u

ineluctable

unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable

rebarbative

unattractive and objectionable

raffish

unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive manner

intuit

understand or work out by instinct

arcane

understood by few; mysterious

infelicitous

unfortunate; inappropriate

lavish

sumptuously rich

specious

superficially plausible, but actually wrong

acolyte

synonyms: assistant, helper, attendant, aide, minion, underling, lackey, henchman; follower, disciple, supporter, votary; informalsidekick, groupie, hanger-on ";surrounded by eager ac

medley

synonyms: assortment, miscellany, mixture, mélange, variety, mixed bag, grab bag, mix, coll

arrogate

synonyms: assume, take, claim, appropriate, seize, expropriate, wrest, usurp, commandeer ";the board arrogated to itself the task of determining what medical facilities will b

acumen

synonyms: astuteness, shrewdness, acuity, sharpness, sharp-wittedness, cleverness, smartness, brains; judgment, understanding, awareness, sense, common sense, canniness, discernment, wisdom, wit, sagacity

allure

synonyms: attraction, lure, draw, pull, appeal, allurement, enticement, temptation, charm, seduction, fascination ";the allure

ascetic

synonyms: austere, self-denying, abstinent, abstemious, self-disciplined, self-abnegating; simple, puritanical, monastic; reclusive, eremitic, hermitic; celibate, chaste ";an

gauche

synonyms: awkward, gawky, inelegant, graceless, ungraceful, ungainly, maladroit, klutzy, inept; lacking in social grace[s], unsophisticated, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, raw, inexperienced, unworldly ";Rose was embarrassed by her gauche r

splenetic

synonyms: bad-tempered, ill-tempered, angry, cross, peevish, petulant, pettish, irritable, irascible, choleric, dyspeptic, testy, tetchy, snappish, waspish,

crotchety

synonyms: bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, grumpy, grouchy, cantankerous, short-tempered, tetchy, testy, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, ill-humored, ill-natured, cross-grained, peevish, cross, fractious, pettish, waspish, crabbed, crabby, crusty,

repartee

synonyms: banter, badinage, bantering, raillery, witticism[s], ripostes, sallies, quips, joking, jesting; formalpersiflage ";an evening of wit and re

concern

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

prevaricate

synonyms: be evasive, beat around the bush, hedge, fence, shilly-shally, dod

fawn

synonyms: be obsequious to, be sycophantic to, curry favor with, flatter, play up to, crawl to, ingratiate oneself with, dance attendance on; informalsuck up to, be all over, brown-nose, toady

importune

synonyms: beg, beseech, entreat, implore, plead with, appeal to, call on, lobby; harass, pester, press, badger, bother, nag, harry; informalhassle,

neophyte

synonyms: beginner, learner, novice, newcomer; initiate, tyro, fledgling; trainee, apprentice,

disparage

synonyms: belittle, denigrate, deprecate, trivialize, make light of, undervalue, underrate, play down; rid

detract

synonyms: belittle, take away from, diminish, reduce, lessen, minimize, play down, trivialize, decry, depreciate, devalue, deprecate ";my reservations should not detract f

bellicose

synonyms: belligerent, aggressive, hostile, warlike, warmongering, hawkish, antagonistic, pugnacious, truculent, confrontational, contentious, militant, combative; informalspoiling for a fight, scrappy

rancor

synonyms: bitterness, spite, hate, hatred, resentment, malice, ill will, malevolence, animosity, antipathy, enmity, hostility, acrimony, venom, vitriol

flagrant

synonyms: blatant, glaring, obvious, overt, conspicuous, barefaced, shameless, brazen, undisguised, unconcealed; outrageous, scandalous, shocking, disgraceful,

augur

synonyms: bode, portend, herald, be a sign of, warn of, forewarn of, foreshadow, be an omen of, presage, indicate, signify, signal, promise, threaten, spell, denote; predict, prophesy; literarybetoken, foretoken, forebode ";the war he

spurious

synonyms: bogus, fake, false, counterfeit, forged, fraudulent, sham, artificial, imitation, simulated, feigned, deceptive, misleading, specious; informalphony, pretend ";an attempt to be excused due

factitious

synonyms: bogus, fake, specious, false, counterfeit, fraudulent, spurious, sham, mock, feigned, affected, pretended, contrived, engineered, inauthentic, ersa

audacious

synonyms: bold, daring, fearless, intrepid, brave, courageous, valiant, heroic, plucky; daredevil, devil-may-care, reckless, madcap; venturesome, mettlesome; informalgutsy, gutty, spunky, ballsy, skookum; liter

ennui

synonyms: boredom, tedium, listlessness, lethargy, lassitude, languor, weariness, enervation; malaise, dissatisfaction, melancholy, depression, world-weariness, Weltschmerz ";an ennui bred of l

presumptuous

synonyms: brazen, overconfident, arrogant, bold, audacious, forward, familiar, impertinent, insolent, impudent, cocky; cheeky, rud

laconic

synonyms: brief, concise, terse, succinct, short, pithy ";his laconic comment"; taciturn, uncommunicative, reticent, quiet, reserved, s

contrive

synonyms: bring about, engineer, manufacture, orchestrate, stage-manage, create, devise, concoct, construct, plan, fabricate, plot, hatch; informalwangle, set

onerous

synonyms: burdensome, arduous, strenuous, difficult, hard, severe, heavy, back-breaking, oppressive, weighty, uphill, challenging, formidable, laborious, Herculean, exhausting, tiring, taxing, dem

nonchalant

synonyms: calm, composed, unconcerned, cool, 'calm, cool, and collected', cool as a cucumber; indifferent, blasé, dispassionate, apathetic, casual, insouciant; informallaid-back ";she acts nonchalant

phlegmatic

synonyms: calm, cool, composed, 'calm, cool, and collected', controlled, serene, tranquil, placid, impassive, imperturbabl

discreet

synonyms: careful, circumspect, cautious, wary, chary, guarded; tactful, diplomatic, prude

meticulous

synonyms: careful, conscientious, diligent, scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, accurate; thoroug

scrupulous

synonyms: careful, meticulous, painstaking, thorough, assiduous, sedulous, attentive, conscientious, punctilious, searching, close, minute, rigorous, partic

rankle

synonyms: cause resentment to, annoy, upset, anger, irritate, offend, affront, displease, provoke, irk, vex, pique, nettle, gall

gingerly

synonyms: cautiously, carefully, with care, warily, charily, circumspectly, delicately; heedfully, watchfully, vigilantly, att

attest

synonyms: certify, corroborate, confirm, verify, substantiate, authenticate, evidence, demonstrate, show, prove; endorse, support, affirm, bear out, give credence

fortuitous

synonyms: chance, adventitious, unexpected, unanticipated, unpredictable, unforeseen, unlooked-for, serendipitous, casual, incidental, coincidental, random, accidental, inadvertent, unintentional, uni

indict

synonyms: charge with, accuse of, arraign for, take to court for, put on trial for, bring to trial for, prosecute for; cite for, impe

abyss

synonyms: chasm, gorge, ravine, canyon, fissure, rift, crevasse, hole, gulf, pit, cavity, void, bottomless pit ";a recurring nightmare in which he falls in

parsimony

synonyms: cheapness, miserliness, meanness, parsimoniousness, niggardliness, close-fistedness, closeness, penny-pinching; informalstinginess, minginess, tightness, tightfistedness, cheeseparing; formalpenuri

periphrastic

synonyms: circumlocutory, circuitous, roundabout, indirect, tautological, pleonastic, prolix, verbose, wordy, long-winded, rambling, wandering, tortuous, diffuse ";the periphrastic nature of leg

faction

synonyms: clique, coterie, caucus, cabal, bloc, camp, group, grouping, sector, section, wing, arm, branch, set; ginger group, pressure group ";a faction of the pa

wheedle

synonyms: coax, cajole, inveigle, induce, entice, charm, tempt, beguile, blandish, flatter, persuade, influence, win someone over, bring someone around, convince, prevail on, get around; informalsweet-talk

drab

synonyms: colorless, gray, dull, washed out, muted, lackluster; dingy, dreary, dismal, cheerless, gloomy, somber ";a drab interior"; uninteresting, dull, boring, tedious, monotonous, dry,

synthesis

synonyms: combination, union, amalgam, blend, mixture, compound, fusion, composite, alloy; unification, amalgamation, marrying ";the synthesis of their diverse styles makes for a wonderful new sound in cou

amalgamate

synonyms: combine, merge, unite, fuse, blend, meld; join [together], join forces, band [together], link [up], team up, go into partnership; literarycommingle

carping

synonyms: complain, cavil, grumble, grouse, whine, bleat, nag; informalgripe, grouch, beef, bellyache, moan, bitch, whinge, kvetch ";they could always find som

docile

synonyms: compliant, obedient, pliant, dutiful, submissive, deferential, unassertive, cooperative, amenable, accommodating, biddable, malleable ";his docile children do everything he asks o

connive

synonyms: conspire, collude, collaborate, intrigue, be hand in glove, plot, scheme; informalbe in cahoots ";at least two of the director

disdain

synonyms: contempt, scorn, scornfulness, contemptuousness, derision, disrespect; disparagement, condescension, s

redound

synonyms: contribute to, be conducive to, result in, lead to, effect; formalconduce to ";such sanctions would not redound to their benefit i

cogent

synonyms: convincing, compelling, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, weighty, impactful, effective; valid, sound, plausible, telling; impressive, persuasive, eloquent, credible, inf

profuse

synonyms: copious, prolific, abundant, liberal, unstinting, fulsome, effusive, extravagant, lavish, gushing; informalover the top,

facsimile

synonyms: copy, reproduction, duplicate, photocopy, replica, likeness, print, reprin

accurate

synonyms: correct, precise, exact, right, error-free, perfect; factual, fact-based, literal, faithful, true, truthful, true to life, authentic, realistic; informalon the

emend

synonyms: correct, rectify, repair, fix; improve, enhance, polish, refine, amend; edit, rewrite, revise, copyedit, redraft, recast, rephrase, reword, rework, alter, change, m

clique

synonyms: coterie, set, circle, ring, in-crowd, group; club, society, fraternity, sorority; cabal, caucus; informalgang ";almost no one from her clique showed up at the reunion";

miscreant

synonyms: criminal, culprit, wrongdoer, malefactor, offender, villain, lawbreaker, evildoer, del

iconoclast

synonyms: critic, skeptic; heretic, unbeliever, dissident, dissenter, infidel; rebel, renegade, mutineer ";in terms of the money culture in Washington, she is an

revile

synonyms: criticize, censure, condemn, attack, inveigh against, rail against, castigate, lambaste, denounce; slander, libel, malign, vilify, abuse; informalknock, slam, pan, crucify, roast, tear into, badmouth, dis, pummel; form

lambaste

synonyms: criticize, chastise, censure, take to task, harangue, rail at, rant at, fulminate against; upbraid, scold, reprimand, rebuke, castigate, chide, reprove, admonis

guile

synonyms: cunning, craftiness, craft, artfulness, art, artifice, wiliness, slyness, deviousness; wiles, ploys, schemes, stratagems, maneuvers, tricks, subterfuges, ruses; deception, deceit, duplicity, underhandedn

perfunctory

synonyms: cursory, desultory, quick, brief, hasty, hurried, rapid, fleeting, token, casual, superficial, careless, halfhearted, sketchy, mechanical, automatic

quotidian

synonyms: daily, everyday, day-to-day, diurnal ";the quotidian routine"; ordinary, average, run-of-the-mill, everyday, standard, typical, middle-of-the-road, common, conventional, mainstream, u

derelict

synonyms: damned, doomed, lost, condemned to hell; censured, faulted, convicted; literaryaccursed ";a condemned construction site"; dilapidated, ramshackle, r

reverie

synonyms: daydream, daydreaming, trance, musing; inattention, inattentiveness, woolgathering, preoccupation, absorption, abstraction, lack

duplicity

synonyms: deceitfulness, deceit, deception, double-dealing, underhandedness, dishonesty, fraud, fraudulence, sharp practice, chicanery, trickery, subterfuge, skulduggery, tre

wane

synonyms: decline, diminish, decrease, dwindle, shrink, tail off, ebb, fade [away], lessen, peter out, fall off, recede, slump, flag, weaken, give way, wither, crumble, evaporate, disintegrate, die out; literar

propriety

synonyms: decorum, respectability, decency, correctness, protocol, appropriateness, suitability, good manners, courtesy, politeness, rectitude, morality, ci

edict

synonyms: decree, order, command, commandment, mandate, proclamation, pronouncement, dictate, fiat, promulgation; law, statute, act, bill, rul

libel

synonyms: defamation, defamation of character, character assassination, calumny, misrepresentation, scandalmongering; aspersions, denigration, vilificati

traduce

synonyms: defame, slander, speak ill of, misrepresent, malign, vilify, denigrate, disparage, slur, impugn, smear, besmir

renege

synonyms: default on, fail to honor, go back on, break, back out of, withdraw from, retreat from, welsh on, backtrack on; br

tenable

synonyms: defensible, justifiable, supportable, sustainable, arguable, able to hold water, reasonable, sensible, rational, sound, viable, plausible, credible, believable, conceivable ";O'Leary's confession has certai

truculent

synonyms: defiant, aggressive, antagonistic, combative, belligerent, pugnacious, confrontational, ready for a fight, obstreperous, argumentative, quarrelsome, uncooperative; bad-tempered, ornery, short-tempered, cross, sn

flout

synonyms: defy, refuse to obey, disobey, break, violate, fail to comply with, fail to observe, contravene, infringe,

debase

synonyms: degrade, devalue, demean, cheapen, prostitute, discredit, drag down, tarnish, blacken, blemish; disgrace, dishonor,

procrastinate

synonyms: delay, put off doing something, postpone action, defer action, be dilatory, use delaying tactics, st

retard

synonyms: delay, slow down, slow up, hold back, hold up, set back, postpone, put back, detain, decelerate; hinder, hamper, obstruct, inhibit, impede, check, restrain, restrict, trammel; literary

devolve

synonyms: delegate, depute, pass [down/on], download, hand down/over/on, transfer, transmit, assign, consign, convey, entrust, turn over, give, cede, surrender, relinquish, deliver; be

delectable

synonyms: delicious, mouthwatering, appetizing, flavorful, toothsome, palatable; succulent, luscious, tasty; informalscrumptious, delish, yummy, finger-licking, lip-smacking, melt-in-your-

exacting

synonyms: demanding, stringent, testing, challengin

degrade

synonyms: demean, debase, cheapen, devalue; shame, humiliate, humble, mortify, abase, dishonor; dehumanize, brutalize ";prisons should not degrade

decry

synonyms: denounce, condemn, criticize, censure, attack, rail against, run down, pillory, lambaste, vilify, revile; disparage, deprecat

rebut

synonyms: deny, contradict, controvert, repudiate, counter, attempt to

deprecate

synonyms: deplore, abhor, disapprove of, frown on, take a dim view of, take exception to, detest, despise; crit

delineate

synonyms: describe, set forth/out, present, outline, sketch, depict, represent; map out, define, specify, id

sacrilege

synonyms: desecration, profanity, blasphemy, impiety, irreligion, unholiness, irreverence, disrespect, profanation ";any form of gamb

subvert

synonyms: destabilize, unsettle, overthrow, overturn; bring down, topple, depose, oust; disrupt, wreak havoc on, sabotage, ruin, undermine, weaken, damage ";a plot to subvert the

pertinacious

synonyms: determined, tenacious, persistent, persevering, purposeful, resolute, dogged, indefatigable, insistent, single-minded, unrelenting, relentless, tireless, unshakable; stubborn, obstinate, inflexible, unbendi

havoc

synonyms: devastation, destruction,

aberrant

synonyms: deviant, deviating, divergent, abnormal, atypical, anomalous, irregular; nonconformist, rogue; strange, odd, peculiar, uncommon, freakish, quirky; twisted,

tirade

synonyms: diatribe, harangue, rant, onslaught, attack, polemic, denunciation, broadside, fulmination, condemnation, censure, invective, criticism, tongue-lashing; blast; lecture;

polemic

synonyms: diatribe, invective, rant, tirade, broadside, attack, harangue, condemnation, criticism, stricture, admonition, rebuke; abuse; informalblast; formalcastigation; literaryphilippic ";a polemic against in

sedulous

synonyms: diligent, careful, meticulous, thorough, assiduous, attentive, industrious, conscientious, ultracareful, punctilious, scrupulous, painstaking, minute, rigorous, particular ";he picked the thorn from his leg with sedulous care

assiduous

synonyms: diligent, careful, meticulous, thorough, sedulous, attentive, conscientious, punctilious, painstaking, rigorous, particular; persevering ";she was assiduous in pointing out every feat

squalid

synonyms: dirty, filthy, grubby, grimy, mucky, slummy, foul, vile, poor, sorry, wretched, miserable, mean, seedy, shabby, sordid, insalubrious; neglected, uncared-for, broken-down, run-down, down-at-heel, down-at-t

perspicacious

synonyms: discerning, shrewd, perceptive, astute, penetrating, observant, percipient, sharp-witted, sharp, smart, alert, clear-sighted, farsighted, acute, clever, canny, intelligent, insightful, wise, sage, se

contagion

synonyms: disease, infection, illness, plague, blight; informalbug, virus; archaicpestilence ";European ships transported contagions to and from the New

odium

synonyms: disgust, abhorrence, repugnance, revulsion, loathing, detestation, hatred, hate, obloquy, dislike, distaste, disfavor, antipathy, animosity, animus, enmity, hostility, contempt; disgrace, shame, opprobrium,

fumigate

synonyms: disinfect, purify, sterilize, sanitize, decontaminate, cleanse, clean out ";the prisoners' quarters

affliction

synonyms: disorder, disease, malady, complaint, ailment, illness, indisposition, handic

denigrate

synonyms: disparage, belittle, deprecate, decry, cast aspersions on, criticize, attack; speak ill of, give someone

vilify

synonyms: disparage, denigrate, defame, run down, revile, abuse, speak ill of, criticize, condemn, denounce; malign, slander, libel, slur; informaltear apart/into, l

pejorative

synonyms: disparaging, derogatory, denigratory, deprecatory, defamatory, slanderous, libelous, abusive, insulting, slighting; informalbitchy ";his remarks were considered too pe

incline

synonyms: disposed, of a mind, willing, ready, prepared; predisposed ";if you

disaffected

synonyms: dissatisfied, disgruntled, discontented, malcontent, frustrated, alienated; disloyal, rebellious, mutinous, seditious, dissident, up in arms;

apostate

synonyms: dissenter, defector, deserter, traitor, backslider, turncoat; nonconformist; schismatic; archaicheretic; rarerecusant, recreant, tergiversator ";after 50 years as an apostate, he r

dissemble

synonyms: dissimulate, pretend, feign, act, masquerade, sham, fake, bluff, posture, hide one's feelings, put on a false front ";she's being honest and

dissipated

synonyms: dissolute, debauched, decadent, intemperate, profligate, self-indulgent, wild, depraved; licentious, promiscuous; drunken ";it was in college that he bec

distrait

synonyms: distracted, preoccupied, absorbed, abstracted, distant, faraway; absentminded, vague, inattentive, in a brown study, woolgathering, with

Fretful

synonyms: distressed, upset, miserable, unsettled, uneasy, ill at ease, uncomfortable, edgy, agitated, worked up, tense, stressed, restive, fidgety, antsy; querulous, irritable, cross, fractious, peevish, petulant, out of sorts, bad-tempered, irascible, grumpy, crotchety, captious, testy, tetchy,

fracas

synonyms: disturbance, brawl, melee, rumpus, skirmish, struggle, scuffle, scrum, clash, fisticuffs, altercation; informalscrap, dust-up, set-to, donnybrook; vulgar slangshitstorm ";the fracas in the alley

defunct

synonyms: disused, unused, inoperative, nonfunctioning, unusable, obsolete; no longer existing, discontinued; extinct "

vacillate

synonyms: dither, waver, be indecisive, be undecided, be ambivalent, hesitate, be of two minds, blow hot and cold, keep changing one's mind, be conflicted; fluctuate, oscillate, hem

pedant

synonyms: dogmatist, purist, literalist, formalist, doctrinaire, perfectionist; quibbler, hair-splitter, casuist, sophist; informalnitpicker ";pedants insist tha

relegate

synonyms: downgrade, lower, lower in rank/status, put down, move down; demote, degrade ";cooperatives may be relegated to a secondary r

haggard

synonyms: drawn, tired, exhausted, drained, careworn, unwell, unhealthy, spent, washed out, run-down; gaunt, pinched, peaked, hollow-cheeked, hollow-eyed, thin, emaciated, wasted,

imbibe

synonyms: drink, consume, quaff, guzzle, gulp [down]; informalknock back, down, swill, chug ";they'd imbibed too much whiskey"; drink [

quaff

synonyms: drink, swallow, gulp [down], guzzle, slurp, down, empty; imbibe, partake of, consume; informalkill, swig, swill, slug, knock back, toss off, chug, chugalug, scarf [down] ";they quaffed a few beers before heading hom

agog

synonyms: eager, excited, impatient, keen, anxious, avid, in suspense, on tenterhooks, on the edge of one's seat, on pins and needles, waiting with bated breath ";tell us what happened—we're all agog!";

alacrity

synonyms: eagerness, willingness, readiness; enthusiasm, ardor, avidity, fervor, keenness; promptness, haste, swiftness, dispatch, speed ";we want to move with alacrity, and put a stop to improper conduct while it's still goin

retrench

synonyms: economize, cut back, make cutbacks, make savings, make economies, reduce expenditure, be economical, be frugal, tighten

ambivalent

synonyms: equivocal, uncertain, unsure, doubtful, indecisive, inconclusive, irresolute, of two minds, undecided, torn, in a quandary, on the fence, hesitating, wavering, vacillating, equivocating

efface

synonyms: erase, eradicate, expunge, blot out, rub out, wipe out, remove, eliminate; delete, cancel, obliterate ";the chalk drawings were eff

placid

synonyms: even-tempered, calm, tranquil, equable, unexcitable, serene, mild, 'calm, cool, and collected', composed, self-possessed, poised, easygoing, levelheaded, steady, unruffled, unperturbed, phlegm

plethora

synonyms: excess, overabundance, superabundance, surplus, glut, superfluity, surfeit, profusion; too many, too much, enough and to spare; informalmore —— than one can shake a stick at ";a

fulsome

synonyms: excessive, extravagant, overdone, immoderate, inordinate, over-appreciative, flattering, adulatory, fawning, unctuous, ingratiating, cloying, saccharine; enthusiastic, effusive, rapturous, glowing, gushing, profuse, g

inordinate

synonyms: excessive, undue, unreasonable, unjustifiable, unwarrantable, disproportionate, unwarranted, unnecessary, needless, uncalled for, gratuitous, exorbitan

enervate

synonyms: exhaust, tire, fatigue, weary, wear out, devitalize, drain, sap, weaken, enfeeble, debilitate, incapacitate, prostrate; i

deplete

synonyms: exhaust, use up, consume, expend, drain, empty, milk; reduce, decrease, diminish; slim down

absolve

synonyms: exonerate, discharge, acquit, vindicate; release, relieve, liberate, free, deliver, clear, exempt, let off; formalexculpate ";this fact does not absolve you from responsibility"; for

explicate

synonyms: explain, make explicit, clarify, make plain/clear, spell out, untangle; interpret, translate, elucidate, expound, illuminate, throw light on ";I'm not sure anyone could

countenance

synonyms: face, features, physiognomy, profile; [facial] expression, look, appearance, aspect, mien; informalmug

conversant

synonyms: familiar with, acquainted with, au fait with, au courant with, at home with, well versed in, well

zealot

synonyms: fanatic, enthusiast, extremist, radical, young Turk, diehard, true believer, activist, militant; bigot, dogmatist, sec

corpulent

synonyms: fat, obese, overweight, plump, portly, stout, chubby, paunchy, beer-bellied, heavy, bulky, chunky, well upholstered, well padded, well covered, meaty, fleshy, rotund, broad in the beam; informaltubby, pudgy, beefy,

intrepid

synonyms: fearless, unafraid, undaunted, unflinching, unshrinking, bold, daring, gallant, audacious, adventurous, heroic, dynamic, spirited, indomitable; brave, courageous, valiant, valorous,

decrepit

synonyms: feeble, infirm, weak, weakly, frail; disabled, incapacitated, crippled, doddering, tottering; old, elderly, aged, ancient, senile; informalpast it, over the hill, n

vile

synonyms: foul, nasty, unpleasant, bad, disagreeable, horrid, horrible, dreadful, abominable, atrocious, offensive, obnoxious, odious, unsavory, repulsive, disgusting, distasteful, loathsome, hateful, nauseating, sickening; dis

suffrage

synonyms: franchise, right to vote, the vote, enfranchisement, bal

candor

synonyms: frankness, openness, honesty, candidness, truthfulness, sincerity, forthrightness, directness, plai

amiable

synonyms: friendly, affable, amicable, cordial; war

genial

synonyms: friendly, affable, cordial, amiable, w

convivial

synonyms: friendly, genial, affable, amiable, congenial, agreeable, good-humored, cordial, warm, sociable, outgoing, gregarious, companionable, cl

cardinal

synonyms: fundamental, basic, main, chief, primary, crucial, pivotal, prime, principal, paramount, preemi

obsequies

synonyms: funeral rites, funeral service, funeral, burial, interment, entombment,

droll

synonyms: funny, humorous, amusing, comic, comical, mirthful, hilarious; clownish, farcical, zany, quirky; jocular, lighthearted, whimsical, facetious, witty, clever, wry, tongue-in-che

palaver

synonyms: fuss, commotion, trouble, rigmarole, folderol; informalsong and dance, performance, to-do, carrying-on, hoo-ha, hullabaloo, b

largess

synonyms: generosity, liberality, munificence, bounty, bountifulness, beneficence, altruism, charity, philanthropy, magnanimity, benevolence, charitableness, openhandedness, kindness, big-heartedness; formalbenefaction ";Bob too

virtuoso

synonyms: genius, expert, master, past master, maestro, artist, prodigy, marvel, adept, professional, doyen, veteran; star, champion; informalhotshot, wizard, magician, pro, ace ";the

obtain

synonyms: get, acquire, come by, secure, procure, come into the possession of, pick up, be given; gain, earn, achieve, attain; informalget hold of, get/lay one's hands on, get one's mitts on, land, net ";the

saturnine

synonyms: gloomy, somber, melancholy, moody, lugubrious, dour, glum, morose, un

viscous

synonyms: glutinous, gelatinous, thick, viscid, mucous, mucoid, mucilaginous, gummy, gluey, adhesive, tacky, adherent, treacly, syrupy; technicalviscoelastic; informalgooey, gloppy "

needling

synonyms: goad, provoke, bait, taunt, pester, harass, prick, prod, sting, tease; irritate, annoy, anger, vex, irk, nettle, pique

ornery

synonyms: grouchy, grumpy, cranky, crotchety, cantankerous, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dyspeptic, irascible, waspish; truculent, cussed, stubborn ";they finally realized that his illness was what had made him s

kowtow

synonyms: grovel to, be obsequious to, be servile to, be sycophantic to, fawn over/on, cringe to, bow and scrape to, toady to, truckle to, abase oneself before, humble oneself to; curry favor with, dance attendance on, i

increase

synonyms: grow, get bigger, get larger, enlarge, expand, swell; rise, climb, escalate, soar, surge, rocket, shoot up, spiral; intensify, strengthen, extend, he

macabre

synonyms: gruesome, grisly, grim, gory, morbid, ghastly, unearthly, grotesque, hideous,

fractious

synonyms: grumpy, bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, crotchety, grouchy, cantankerous, short-tempered, tetchy, testy, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, ill-humored, peevish, cross, waspish, crabby, crusty,

credulous

synonyms: gullible, naive, too trusting, easily taken in, impressionable, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary, unquestioning; innocent, ingenuous, inexperienced, unsophistica

encumber

synonyms: hamper, hinder, obstruct, impede, cramp, inhibit, restrict, limit, constrain, restrain, bog down, retard, slow [do

stultify

synonyms: hamper, impede, thwart, frustrate, foil, suppress, smother ";social welfare was stultified by international trade regulations"; bore, make bored, dull, numb, benumb, stupefy ";he stultifies her with too

halcyon

synonyms: happy, golden, idyllic, carefree, blissful, joyful, joyous, contented; flourishing, thriving, prosperous, successful; se

inure

synonyms: harden, toughen, season, temper, condition; accustom, habituate, familiarize, acclimatize, adjust, adapt, desensitize ";t

detriment

synonyms: harm, damage, injury, hurt, impairment, loss, disadvantage, disservice, mischief ";local merchants fear the detriment to business that

pernicious

synonyms: harmful, damaging, destructive, injurious, hurtful, detrimental, deleterious, dangerous, adverse, inimical, unhealthy, unfavorable, bad, evil, baleful, wicked, malign, ma

inimical

synonyms: harmful, injurious, detrimental, deleterious, prejudicial, damaging, hurtful, destructive, ruinous, pernicious; antagonistic, contrary, antipathetic, unfavorable, adverse, opposed; hostile, unkind, u

innocuous

synonyms: harmless, safe, nontoxic, innocent; edible, eatable ";an innocuous fungus"; inoffensive, unobjectionable, unexceptionable, harmless, mild, tame, anodyne, soft-focus ";an innocuous comment";

sybarite

synonyms: hedonist, sensualist, voluptuary, libertine, pleasure-seeker, epicure, bon vivant, bon viveur ";an exclusive resort that ca

dither

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

impede

synonyms: hinder, obstruct, hamper, hold back/up, delay, interfere with, disrupt, retard, slow [down], hobble, cripple; block, check, stop, scupper, scuttle, thwart, frustrate, ba

appall

synonyms: horrify, shock, dismay, distress, outrage, scandalize; disgust, repel, rev

belligerent

synonyms: hostile, aggressive, threatening, antagonistic, warlike, warmongering, hawkish, pugnacious, bellicose, truculent, confrontational, contentious, militant, combative; informalspoi

antipathy

synonyms: hostility, antagonism, animosity, aversion, animus, enmi

gargantuan

synonyms: huge, enormous, vast, gigantic, very big, giant, massive, colossal, mammoth, immense, mighty, monumental, mountainous, titanic, towering, tremendous, elephantine, ki

titanic

synonyms: huge, great, enormous, gigantic, massive, colossal, monumental, mammoth, immense, tremendous, mighty, stupendous, prodigious, gargantuan, Herculean; informalhumongous, ginormous,

abase

synonyms: humble, humiliate, belittle, demean, lower, degrade, debase, cheapen, discredit, bring

mundane

synonyms: humdrum, dull, boring, tedious, monotonous, tiresome, wearisome, unexciting, uninteresting, uninvolving, uneventful, unvarying, u

idolatry

synonyms: idolization, fetishization, fetishism, idol worship, adulation, adoration, reverence, veneration, glorification, lionization, hero-worshiping ";the prophets rail

malady

synonyms: illness, sickness, disease, infection, ailment, disorder, complaint, indisposition, affliction, infirmity, syndrome; informalbug, virus ";every time we visi

emulate

synonyms: imitate, copy, mirror, echo, follow, model oneself on; match, equal, parallel, be on a par with, be in the same league as, come close to; compete with, contend with, rival, su

imminent

synonyms: impending, close [at hand], near, [fast] approaching, coming, forthcoming, on the way, in the offing, in the pipeline, on the horizon, in the

trenchant

synonyms: incisive, penetrating, sharp, keen, insightful, acute, focused, shrewd, razor-sharp, piercing; vigorous, forceful, strong, potent, telling, emphatic, forthright; mordant,

proclivity

synonyms: inclination, tendency, leaning, disposition, proneness, propensity, bent, bias, penchant, predisposition; predilection, partiality, liking, preference, taste, fondnes

transcendent

synonyms: incomparable, matchless, peerless, unrivaled, inimitable, beyond compare/comparison, unparalleled, unequaled, without equal, second to none, unsurpassed, unsurpassable, nonp

nonpareil

synonyms: incomparable, matchless, unrivaled, unparalleled, unequaled, peerless, beyond compare, second to none, unsurpassed, unbeatable, inimitable; unique,

augment

synonyms: increase, add to, supplement, build up, enlarge, expand, extend, raise, multiply, swell, grow; magnify, amplify, escalate; improve, boost; informalup,

incontrovertible

synonyms: indisputable, incontestable, undeniable, irrefutable, unassailable, beyond dispute, unquestionable, beyond question, indubitable, beyond doubt, unarguable, undebatable; certain, sure, definite, definitive, proven, decisive, conclusive, demonstrable, emphatic, categorical, airtight, water

exasperated

synonyms: infuriate, incense, anger, annoy, irritate, madden, enrage, antagonize, provoke, irk, vex, get on someone's nerves, ruffle someone's feathers, rub the wrong way; infor

gumption

synonyms: initiative, resourcefulness, enterprise, ingenuity, imagination; astuteness, shrewdness, acumen, sense, common sense, wit, mother wit, practicality; spirit, backbone, pluck, mettle, nerve, courage, wherewithal; informalget

naive

synonyms: innocent, unsophisticated, artless, ingenuous, inexperienced, guileless, unworldly, trusting; gullible, credulous, immature, callow, raw, green, wide-eyed; informalwet behind the ears, bo

interpolate

synonyms: insert, interpose, interject, enter, add, incorporate, inset, put, introduce ";language models can be interpolated online

vapid

synonyms: insipid, uninspired, colorless, uninteresting, feeble, flat, dull, boring, tedious, tired, unexciting, uninspiring, unimaginative, uninvolving, lifeless, tame, vacuous, bland,

foment

synonyms: instigate, incite, provoke, agitate, excite, stir up, whip up, encourage, urge, fan the flames of ";they were accused of fomenti

savant

synonyms: intellectual, scholar, sage, philosopher, thinker, wise/learned person; guru, master, pundit, pandit ";how out of place she was, a world-hungry young savant in a family of du

lucid

synonyms: intelligible, comprehensible, understandable, cogent, coherent, articulate; clear, transparent; plain, simple, vivid, sharp, straightforwar

inherent

synonyms: intrinsic, innate, immanent, built-in, indwelling, inborn, ingrained, deep-rooted; essential, fundamental, basic, structural, organic; natural, instinctive

preface

synonyms: introduction, foreword, preamble, prologue, prelude; front matter; informalprelims, intro, le

interloper

synonyms: intruder, encroacher, trespasser, invader, infiltrator; uninvited guest; outsider, st

peevish

synonyms: irritable, fractious, fretful, cross, petulant, querulous, pettish, crabby, crotchety, cantankerous, curmudgeonly, sullen, grumpy, bad-tempered, short-tempered, touchy, testy, tetchy, snappish, ira

irascible

synonyms: irritable, quick-tempered, short-tempered, hot-tempered, testy, touchy, tetchy, edgy, crabby, petulant, waspish, dyspeptic, snappish; cross, surly, crusty, grouchy, grum

pique

synonyms: irritation, annoyance, resentment, anger, displeasure, indignation, petulance, ill humor, vexation, exasperation, disgruntlement, discontent; offense, umbrage ";a fit of pique"

galvanize

synonyms: jolt, shock, startle, impel, stir, spur, prod, urge, motivate, stimulate, electrify, excite, rouse, arouse, awaken; invigorate, fire, animate, vitalize, energize, exhilarate

perpetuate

synonyms: keep alive, keep going, preserve, conserve, sustain, maintain, continue, extend, carry on, keep up, prolong; immortalize, commemorate, mem

penchant

synonyms: liking, fondness, preference, taste, relish, appetite, partiality, soft spot, love, passion, desire, fancy, whim, weakness, inclination, bent, bias, proclivity, predilection, predisposi

forfeit

synonyms: lose, be deprived of, surren

boor

synonyms: lout, oaf, ruffian, thug, yahoo, barbarian, Neanderthal, brute, beast, lubber; informalclod, roughneck, troglodyte, knuckle-dragger, pig, peasant ";a civilized affair guarant

lumber

synonyms: lurch, stumble, trundle, shamble, shuffle, waddle; trudge, clump, stump, plod, tramp, tromp; informalgalumph ";elephants lumbered past"; clumsy, awkward, heavy-footed, slow, blundering, bumbling, inept, maladroit, u

decoy

synonyms: lure, bait, red herring; enticement, i

opulent

synonyms: luxurious, sumptuous, palatial, lavish, lavishly appointed, rich, splendid, magnificent, grand, grandiose, fancy; informalplush, classy, ritzy, posh, swanky, swank ";

malevolent

synonyms: malicious, hostile, evil-minded, baleful, evil-intentioned, venomous, evil, malign, malignant, rancorous, vicious, vindictive, vengeful; literarymalefic, malefic

tractable

synonyms: malleable, manageable, amenable, pliable, governable, yielding, complaisant, compliant, game, persuadable, accommodating, docile, biddable, obliging, obedient, submissive, meek ";our preschool t

hoi polloi

synonyms: masses, common people, populace, public, multitude, rank and file, lower order[s], plebeians, proletariat; mob; derogatoryrabble, riffraff, [great] unwashed, [common] herd, proles, plebs; humoroussheeple; historicalthird estate ";in da

histrionic

synonyms: melodramatic, theatrical, dramatic, exaggerated, stagy, actorly, showy, affected, artificial, overacted, overdone; informalhammy, ham, campy ";a

baleful

synonyms: menacing, threatening, unfriendly, hostile, antagonistic, evil, evil-intentioned, vindictive, wicked, nasty, bitter, acrimonious, malevolent, malicious, malignant, malign, sinister; harmful, injurious, dangerous, destructive, noxious, pern

mirth

synonyms: merriment, high spirits, cheerfulness, cheeriness, hilarity, glee, laughter, gaiety, buoyancy, blitheness, euphoria, exhilaration, lightheartedness, joviality, joy, joyfulness, joyousness ";we could not hold back our mirth

punctilious

synonyms: meticulous, conscientious, diligent, scrupulous, careful, painstaking, rigorous, perfectionist, methodical, particular, strict; fussy, fastidious, finicky, pedantic; informalnitpick

embezzle

synonyms: misappropriate, steal, thieve, pi

fallacy

synonyms: misconception, misbelief, delusion, mistaken impression, error, misapprehension, misinterpretation, m

qualm

synonyms: misgivings, doubts, reservations, second thoughts, worries, concerns, anxiety; hesitation, hesitance, hesitancy, demur, reluctance, disinclination, appr

conflate

synonyms: mix, blend, fuse, unite, integrate ";the plot gets weighed down when the writers conflate too many issues into one e

derision

synonyms: mockery, ridicule, jeers, sneers, taunts; disdain, disparagement, denigration, disrespect, insults; scorn, contempt; lampooning, satire ";Quincy's memoirs incited the derision of his siblin

paradigm

synonyms: model, pattern, example, exemplar, template, standard, prototype, archetype ";why should your sets of values be the paradigm for the rest of

sententious

synonyms: moralistic, moralizing, sanctimonious, self-righteous, pietistic, pious, priggish, judgmental; pompous, pontific

lugubrious

synonyms: mournful, gloomy, sad, unhappy, doleful, glum, melancholy, woeful, miserable, woebegone, forlorn, somber, solemn, serious, sorrowful, morose, dour, cheerless, joyless, dismal; funereal, sepulchral; informaldown

addle

synonyms: muddled, confused, muzzy, fuddled, befuddled, dazed, disoriented, disorientated, fuzzy; informalwoozy ";Patricia was noticeably addled after Pete sudden

insular

synonyms: narrow-minded, small-minded, inward-looking, parochial, provincial, small-town, shortsighted, hidebound, blinkered; set in one's ways, inflexible, rigid, entrenched; illiberal, int

incumbent

synonyms: necessary for one to, essential that, required that, imperative that; compulsory for one to, binding on one to, mandat

remiss

synonyms: negligent, neglectful, irresponsible, careless, thoughtless, heedless, lax, slack, slipshod, lack

peripatetic

synonyms: nomadic, itinerant, traveling, wandering, roving, roaming, migrant, migratory, unsettled ";I could never

insouciance

synonyms: nonchalance, unconcern, indifference, heedlessness, calm, equanimity, composure, ease, airiness; informalcool ";through his own profligacy and insouciance in raising

ecumenical

synonyms: nondenominational, universal, catholic, latitudinarian, all-embracing, all-inclusive ";the local churches are sponsoring an ecumen

protest

synonyms: objection, complaint, exception, disapproval, challenge, dissent, demurral, remonstr

recondite

synonyms: obscure, abstruse, arcane, esoteric, recherché, profound, difficult, complex, complicated, involved; incomprehensible, unfathomable, impene

refractory

synonyms: obstinate, stubborn, mulish, pigheaded, obdurate, headstrong, self-willed, wayward, willful, perverse, contrary, recalcitrant, obstreperous, disobedient, difficult; infor

manifest

synonyms: obvious, clear, plain, apparent, evident, patent, palpable, distinct, definite, blatant, overt, glaring, barefaced, explicit, transparent, conspicuous, undisguised, unmistakable, noticeable, perceptible, visible, recogni

sporadic

synonyms: occasional, infrequent, irregular, periodic, scattered, patchy, isolated, odd; intermittent, spasmodic, fitful, desultory, erratic, unpredictable; nonconse

heinous

synonyms: odious, wicked, evil, atrocious, monstrous, abominable, detestable, contemptible, reprehensible, despicable, egregious, horrific, terrible, awful, abhorrent, loathsome, hideous, unspeakable, ex

errant

synonyms: offending, guilty, culpable, misbeha

tender

synonyms: offer, proffer, present, put forward, propose, sug

portent

synonyms: omen, sign, signal, token, forewarning, warning, danger sign, foreshadowing, prediction, forecast, prophecy, harbinger, augury, auspice, presage; writing on the wall, indication, hint;

ubiquitous

synonyms: omnipresent, ever-present, everywhere, all over the place, pervasive, universal, worldwide, global; rife, prevalent, far-reaching, inescapable ";after WWII, television became

arduous

synonyms: onerous, taxing, difficult, hard, heavy, laborious, burdensome, strenuous, vigorous, back-breaking; demanding, tough, challenging, formidable; exhausting, tiring, punishing, grueling; uphill, steep; informalkilling; t

connotation

synonyms: overtone, undertone, undercurrent, implication, hidden meaning, nuance, hint, echo, vibrations, association, intimation, suggestion, suspicion, insinuation ";there was a connota

Cosset

synonyms: pamper, indulge, overindulge, mollycoddle, coddle, baby, pet, mother, nanny, nursemaid, pander to, spoil

accomplice

synonyms: partner in crime, associate, accessory, abettor, confe

salary

synonyms: pay, wages, earnings, payment, remuneration, fee[s], stipend, income; informaltake-home; formalemolument ";an annual raise in his s

climax

synonyms: peak, pinnacle, height, high[est] point, top; acme, zenith; culmination, crowning point, crown, crest; highlight, high spot, high-water mar

idiosyncrasy

synonyms: peculiarity, oddity, eccentricity, mannerism, trait, singularity, quirk, tic, whim, vagary, caprice

incisive

synonyms: penetrating, acute, sharp, sharp-witted, razor-sharp, keen, astute, trenchant, shrewd, piercing, cutting, perceptive, insightful, percipient, per

impecunious

synonyms: penniless, poor, impoverished, indigent, insolvent, hard up, poverty-stricken, needy, destitute; in straitened circumstances, unable to make ends meet; i

destitute

synonyms: penniless, poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken, impecunious, without a cent/penny [to one's name]; needy,

discern

synonyms: perceive, make out, pick out, detect, recognize, notice, observe, see, spot; identify, determine, distinguish; literarydescry, espy ";they could discern a slender figure, probabl

imperious

synonyms: peremptory, high-handed, commanding, imperial, overbearing, overweening, domineering, authoritarian, dictatorial, autocratic, authoritativ

quintessence

synonyms: perfect example, exemplar, prototype, stereotype, picture, epitome, embodiment, ideal, apotheosis; best, pick, prime, acme, crème de la crème ";it's the quintessence of

pervade

synonyms: permeate, spread through, fill, suffuse, be diffused through, imbue, penetrate, filter through, percolate through, infuse, perfuse, flow through; charge, steep, saturate,

epitome

synonyms: personification, embodiment, incarnation, paragon; essence, quintessence, archetype, paradigm; exemplar, model, soul, example; height ";the sanatorium there is

permeate

synonyms: pervade, spread through, fill, filter through, diffuse through, imbue, penetrate, pass through, percolate through, perfuse, charge, suffuse, steep, impregnate,

querulous

synonyms: petulant, peevish, pettish, complaining, fractious, fretful, irritable, testy, tetchy, cross, snappish, crabby, crotchety, cantankerous, miserable, moody, grumpy, bad-tempered, sullen, sulk

tautology

synonyms: pleonasm, repetition, reiteration, redundancy, superfluity, duplication ";avoid such tautology as ";let's all work together, everyone, as a team";

aplomb

synonyms: poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, calmness, composure, collectedness, levelheadedness, sangfroid, equilibrium, equanimity; informalunflappability ";the judge

noxious

synonyms: poisonous, toxic, deadly, harmful, dangerous, pernicious, damaging, destructive; unpleasant, nasty, disgusting, awful, dreadful, horrible, terrible; vile, revolting, foul, nauseating, appalling, offensive; malodorous

virulent

synonyms: poisonous, toxic, venomous, noxious, deadly, lethal, fatal, dangerous, harmful, injurious, pernicious, damaging, destructive; literarydeathly ";virulent herbicide

euphemism

synonyms: polite term, indirect term, circumlocution, substitute, alternative, understatement, genteelism ";'influential person' is the local euphemism for underworld don"

grandiloquent

synonyms: pompous, bombastic, magniloquent, pretentious, ostentatious, high-flown, orotund, florid, flowery; overwro

indigent

synonyms: poor, impecunious, destitute, penniless, impoverished, insolvent, poverty-stricken; needy, in need, hard up, disadvanta

salacious

synonyms: pornographic, obscene, indecent, crude, lewd, vulgar, dirty, filthy; erotic, titillating, arousing, suggestive, sexy, risqué, ribald, smutty, bawdy; X-rated; informalporn, porno, blue, XXX; euphemisticadul

presage

synonyms: portend, augur, foreshadow, foretell, prophesy, be an omen of, herald, be a sign of, be the harbinger of, warn of, be a presage of, signal

defer

synonyms: postpone, put off, delay, hold over, hold off [on], put back; shelve, suspend, sta

feasible

synonyms: practicable, practical, workable, achievable, attainable, realizable, viable, realistic, sensible, reasonable, within reason; suitable, possible, expedient; informaldoable ";a

pragmatic

synonyms: practical, matter-of-fact, sensible, down-to-earth, commo

extol

synonyms: praise enthusiastically, go into raptures about/over, wax lyrical about, sing the praises of, praise to the skies, acclaim, exalt, eulogize, adulate, rhapsodize over, rave about, enthuse about/ov

obviate

synonyms: preclude, prevent, remove, get rid of, do away with, get around, rule out, eliminate, make/render unnecessary ";our latest agreement obviates any further discussion of the mat

forestall

synonyms: preempt, get in before; anticipate, second-guess; nip in the bu

absurd

synonyms: preposterous, ridiculous, ludicrous, farcical, laughable, risible, idiotic, stupid, foolish, silly, inane, imbecilic, insane, harebrained, cockamamie; unreasonable, irrational

officiate

synonyms: preside over, be in charge of, take charge of, direct, head [up]; oversee, superintend, supervise, conduct, run; referee, umpire, judge, adjudicate; emcee ";he officiated the gam

malinger

synonyms: pretend to be ill, feign [an] illness, fake [an] illness; shirk; informalgoof off ";he was put on repor

equivocate

synonyms: prevaricate, be evasive, be noncommittal, be vague, be ambiguous, dodge the question, beat ar

precept

synonyms: principle, rule, tenet, canon, doctrine, command, order, decree, dictate, dictum, injunction, commandment; mitzvah; formalprescript ";the precept

lucrative

synonyms: profitable, profit-making, gainful, remunerative, moneymaking, paying, high-income, well paid, bankable; rewarding, worthwhile; thriving, flourishing, successful, bo

protract

synonyms: prolong, lengthen, extend, draw out, drag out, spin out, stretch out, string out, elongate; carry on, continue, keep up, perpetuate ";the opposition will try to prot

prescient

synonyms: prophetic, predictive, visionary; psychic, clairvoyant; farsighted, prognostic, divinatory; insightful, intuitive, perceptive, percipient ";the outcome was

decorum

synonyms: propriety, seemliness, decency, good taste, correctness; politeness, courtesy, good manners; dignity, respectability, modesty, demureness ";he had acted wit

rail

synonyms: protest [against], fulminate against, inveigh against, rage against, speak out against, make a stand against; expostulate about, criticize, denounce, con

remonstrate

synonyms: protest, complain, expostulate; argue with, take issue with ";"I'm not a child!" he remonstrated"

clairvoyant

synonyms: psychic, fortune teller, crystal gazer; medium, spiritualist; telepath, mind-reader ";a woman c

livid

synonyms: purplish, bluish, dark, discolored, purple, grayish-blue; bruised; angry, black and blue ";a

perplex

synonyms: puzzle, baffle, mystify, bemuse, bewilder, confound, confuse, disconcert, dumbfound, throw,

scruple

synonyms: qualms, compunction, pangs/twinges of conscience, hesitation, reservations, second thoughts, doubt[s], misgivings, uneasiness, reluctance ";he had no sc

discursive

synonyms: rambling, digressive, meandering, wandering, maundering, diffuse, long, lengthy, wordy, verbose, long-winded, prolix; circuitous

peruse

synonyms: read, study, scrutinize, inspect, examine, wade through, look through; More browse through, leaf through, scan, run one's eye over, g

peruse

synonyms: read, study, scrutinize, inspect, examine, wade through, look through; browse through, leaf through, scan, run one's eye over, glance

insurrection

synonyms: rebellion, revolt, uprising, mutiny, revolution, insurgence, riot, sedition, subversion; civil disorder, unrest, anarchy; coup [d'état] ";the suspects all escaped after a prison insurre

alleviate

synonyms: reduce, ease, relieve, take the edge off, deaden, dull, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, mitigate, a

replenish

synonyms: refill, top up, fill up, recharge, freshen ";she replenished their glass

abstain

synonyms: refrain from, desist from, hold back from, forbear; give up, renounce, avoid, shun, eschew, forgo, go without, do without; refuse, decline; informalcut out; formalabjure ";Benjamin

repudiate

synonyms: reject, renounce, abandon, give up, turn one's back on, disown, cast off, lay aside; formalforswear, abjure; literaryforsake ";he repudiated

exult

synonyms: rejoice, be joyful, be happy, be delighted, be elated, be ecstatic, be overjoyed, be jubilant, be rapturous, be in raptures, be thrilled, jump for joy, be on c

inexorable

synonyms: relentless, unstoppable, inescapable, inevitable, unavoidable, irrevocable, unalterable; persistent, continuous, nonstop, steady, interminable, incessant, unceasing, u

germane

synonyms: relevant, pertinent, applicable, apposite, material; apropos, appropriate, apt, fitting, suitable; connected, related, akin

nostalgia

synonyms: reminiscence, remembrance, recollection; wistfulness, regret, sentimentality; homesickness ";a nostalgia for traditiona

expostulate

synonyms: remonstrate with, disagree with, argue with, take issue with, protest against, reason against, express disagr

recant

synonyms: renounce, disavow, deny, repudiate, renege on; formalforswear, abjure ";he was forced to recant his political beliefs"; change one's mind, be apostate; raretergiversate ";he r

abjure

synonyms: renounce, relinquish, reject, forgo, disavow, abandon, deny, repudiate, give up, wash one's hands of; eschew, abstain from, refrain from; informalkick, pack in; disaffirm; literaryforsake; formalforswear,

abrogate

synonyms: repeal, revoke, rescind, repudiate, overturn, annul; disallow, cancel, invalidate, nullify, void, negate, dissolve, countermand, declare null and void, disc

supplant

synonyms: replace, supersede, displace, take over from, substitute for, override ";paved highways supplanted the network of dirt roads"; oust, usurp, overthrow, remove, topple

delegate

synonyms: representative, envoy, emissary, commissioner, agent, deputy, commissary; spokesperson, spokesman, spokeswoman; ambassador, plenipotentiary ";union delegat

castigate

synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, censure, upbraid, reprove, reproach, scold, berate, take to task, lambaste, give someone a piece of one's mind; informalrake/haul over the coals, tell off

upbraid

synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, reprove, reproach, scold, berate, take to task, lambaste, give someon

reprove

synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, reproach, scold, admonish, chastise, chide, upbraid, berate, take to task, rake/haul over the coals, criticize, censure

reticent

synonyms: reserved, withdrawn, introverted, inhibited, diffident, shy; uncommunicative, unforthcoming, unresponsive, tight-lipped, buttoned-up, qui

abdicate

synonyms: resign, retire, stand down, step down, bow out, renounce the throne; archaicdemit ";the king abdicated in 1936"; resign from, relinquish, renounce, give up, surren

revere

synonyms: respect, admire, honor, think highly of, esteem, hold in high esteem, hold in high regard, look up to, put on a pedestal, lionize, reverence ";she is revered as a na

deference

synonyms: respect, respectfulness, dutifulness; submissiveness, submission, obedience, surrender, accession, capitulation, acquiescence, complaisance, obeisance ";his writings show excessive deference to the wealth

trammeled

synonyms: restrict, restrain, constrain, hamper, confine, hinder, handicap, obstruct, impede, hold back, tie down, hamstring, sh

rescind

synonyms: revoke, repeal, cancel, reverse, overturn, overrule, annul, nullify, void, invalidate, quash, abolish; vacate; formalabrogate ";the court can rescind a bankruptcy order";

countermand

synonyms: revoke, rescind, reverse, undo, repeal, retract, withdraw, quash, overturn, overrule, cancel, annul, invalidate, nullify, n

bawdy

synonyms: ribald, indecent, risqué, racy, rude, spicy, sexy, suggestive, titillating, naughty, improper, indelicate, indecorous, off-color, earthy, barnyard, broad, locker-room, Rabelaisian; pornographic, obscene, vulgar, crude, coarse, lewd, dirty, filthy, smutty, unseemly, salacious, prurient, l

risque

synonyms: ribald, rude, bawdy, Rabelaisian, racy, earthy, indecent, suggestive, improper, naughty, locker-room; vulgar, dirty, smutty, crude, coarse, obscene, lewd, X-rated; informalblue, raunchy; off-color ";risqué stories";

deride

synonyms: ridicule, mock, scoff at, jibe at, make fun of, poke fun at, laugh at, hold up to ridicule, pillory; disdain, disparage, denigrate, dismiss, slight; sneer at, scorn, insult; informalknock, pooh-pooh ";the kid I used to deride in j

ascendant

synonyms: rising [in power], on the rise, on the way up, up-and-coming, flourishing, prospering, burgeoning ";his onetime political supporters have become the ascendant electoral

reprobate

synonyms: rogue, rascal, scoundrel, miscreant, good-for-nothing, villain, wretch, rake, degenerate, libertine, debauchee; informal,cad; archaicb

ferret

synonyms: rummage, feel around, grope around, forage around, fish around/about, poke around/about; search through, hunt through, rifle through ";she ferreted

abscond

synonyms: run away, escape, bolt, flee, make off, take flight, take off, decamp; make a break for it, take to one's heels, make a quick getaway, beat a hasty ret

bucolic

synonyms: rustic, rural, pastoral, country, countryside; literaryArcadian, sylvan, georgic ";their farm had been used as the bucolic setting for two major motion pictur

sacrosanct

synonyms: sacred, hallowed, respected, inviolable, inviolate, unimpeachable, invulnerable, untouchable, inalienable; protected, defended, secure, safe ";the separation of churc

melancholy

synonyms: sadness, sorrow, unhappiness, woe, desolation, melancholia, dejection, depression, desponden

repeat

synonyms: say again, restate, reiterate, go/run through again, recapitulate; informalrecap ";she repeated her story"; recite, quote, parrot, regurgitate ";children can repeat large chunks of

adage

synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom, proverb, aphorism, saw, dictum, byword, precept, motto, truism, platitude, cliché, apophthegm, commonplace ";I should have remembered the old adage 'look befor

vituperate

synonyms: scold, revile, upbraid, criticize; blame, abuse, insult, vilifiy, denounce, denigrate, disparage; formalcastigate ";he began vituperating the ";social

searing

synonyms: scorching, blistering, sweltering, blazing [hot], burning, fiery, torrid; informalboiling [hot], baking [hot], sizzling, roasting ";the searing heat"; intense, excruciating, agonizing, sharp, stabbing, shooting, st

rogue

synonyms: scoundrel, villain, miscreant, reprobate, rascal, good-for-nothin

compunction

synonyms: scruples, misgivings, qualms, worries, unease, uneasiness, doubts, reluctance, reservations;

fastidious

synonyms: scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, meticulous; perfectionist, fussy, finicky, overparticu

staid

synonyms: sedate, respectable, quiet, serious, serious-minded, steady, conventional, traditional, unadventurous, unenterprising, set in one's ways, sober, proper, decorous, formal, stuffy, stiff, priggish; informalstarchy, buttoned-down,

abstemious

synonyms: self-denying, temperate, abstinent, moderate, self-disciplined, restrained, self-restrained, sober, austere, ascetic, puritanical, spartan, hair-shirt ";the monks here ha

bumptious

synonyms: self-important, conceited, arrogant, self-assertive, pushy, pompous, overbearing, cocky, swaggering; proud, haughty, overweening, egotistical; informalsnooty, uppity ";our bumptious cousin thinks she's God's

hedonism

synonyms: self-indulgence, pleasure-seeking, self-gratification, lotus-eating, sybaritism; intemperance, immoderation, extravagance, luxury, high living ";they feel that television promotes hedonism among all its viewers, especially ch

maudlin

synonyms: sentimental, oversentimental, emotional, overemotional, t

mawkish

synonyms: sentimental, oversentimental, maudlin, cloying, sickly, saccharine, sugary, oversweet, syrupy, nauseating; informalmushy, slushy, sloppy, schmaltzy, wee

acerbic

synonyms: sharp, sarcastic, sardonic, mordant, trenchant, cutting, razor-edged, biting, piercing, stinging, searing, scathing, caustic, bitter, acrimonious, astringent, abrasive, harsh, wounding, hurtful, unkind, cruel, virulent, v

diaphanous

synonyms: sheer, fine, delicate, light, thin, insubstantial, floaty, flimsy, filmy, silken, chiffony, gossamer, gossamer-thin, gauzy; translucent, transparent, see-through ";a

luminous

synonyms: shining, bright, brilliant, radiant, dazzling, glowing, gleaming, scintillating, lustrous; luminescent, phosphorescent, fluorescent, incandescent ";the luminous face of the alarm clock";

trauma

synonyms: shock, upheaval, distress, stress, strain, pain, anguish, suffering, upset, agony, misery, sorrow, grief, heartache, heartbreak, torture; ordeal, trial, tribulation, trouble, worry, anxiety; nightmare, hell, hellishness; war-weari

harridan

synonyms: shrew, termagant, virago, harpy, vixen, nag, hag, crone, dragon, ogress; fishwife, hellcat, she-devil, gorgon; martinet, tartar; informalold bag, old bat, battle-ax, witch; archaicscold ";Steve tried

canny

synonyms: shrewd, astute, smart, sharp, sharp-witted, discerning, penetrating, discriminating, perceptive, perspicacious, wise, worldly-wise, sagacious; cunning, crafty, wily, as sharp as a tack, savvy; dat

diffident

synonyms: shy, bashful, modest, self-effacing, unassuming, meek, unconfident, un

adroit

synonyms: skillful, adept, dexterous, deft, nimble, able, capable, skilled, expert, masterly, masterful, master, practiced, handy, polished, slick, proficient, accomplished, gifted, talented; quick-witted, quick-th

sordid

synonyms: sleazy, dirty, seedy, seamy, unsavory, tawdry, cheap, debased, degenerate, dishonorable, disreputa

glib

synonyms: slick, pat, fast-talking, smooth-talking; disingenuous, insincere, facile, shallow, superficial, flippant; smooth, silver-

lethargy

synonyms: sluggishness, inertia, inactivity, inaction, slowness, torpor, torpidity, lifelessness, listlessness, languor, laziness, idlen

modicum

synonyms: small amount, particle, speck, fragment, scrap, crumb, grain, morsel, shred, dash, drop, pinch, soupçon, jot, iota, whit, atom, smattering, scintilla, hint, suggestion, tinge; informalsmidgen, tad

natty

synonyms: smart, stylish, fashionable, dapper, debonair, dashing, spruced up, well dressed, chic, elegant, trim; informalsnazzy, trendy, snappy, nifty, sassy, spiffy, fly, kicky, styling/stylin', sharp ";he's looking pretty da

sodden

synonyms: soaking, soaked [through], wet [through], saturated, drenched, sopping wet, wringing wet ";his clothes were sodden"; waterlogged, soggy, saturated, boggy, swampy, miry, marshy; heavy, so

expatiate

synonyms: speak/write at length, go into detail, expound, dwell, dilate, expand, enlarge, elaborate; formalperorate ";he

conjecture

synonyms: speculation, guesswork, surmise, fancy, presumption, assumption, theory, postulation, supposi

mettle

synonyms: spirit, fortitude, strength of character, moral fiber, steel, determination, resolve, resolution, backbone, grit, true grit, courage, courageousness, bravery, valor, fearlessness, daring; informalguts,

mar

synonyms: spoil, impair, disfigure, detract from, blemish, scar; mutilate, deface, deform ";an ugly scar marred his features"; spoil, ruin, impair, damage, wreck; harm, hurt, blight, taint,

patron

synonyms: sponsor, backer, financier, benefactor, benefactress, contributor, subscriber, donor; philanthropist, promoter, friend, supporter; informalangel ";a patron of the ar

disseminate

synonyms: spread, circulate, distribute, disperse, promulgate, propagate, publicize, communicate, pass on, put about, make known ";much of our funding is used to d

stalwart

synonyms: staunch, loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable, reliable, steady, constant, trusty, solid, hard-working, steadfast, redoubtable, unwavering ";a stalwart

pilfer

synonyms: steal, thieve, take, snatch, purloin, loot; informalswipe, rob, nab, rip off, lift, "liberate", "borrow", filch, sna

insidious

synonyms: stealthy, subtle, surreptitious, cunning, crafty, treacherous, artful, sly, wily, shifty, underhanded, indirect; informalsneaky ";

dour

synonyms: stern, unsmiling, unfriendly, severe, forbidding, gruff, surly, grim, sullen, solemn, austere, stony ";they were barely acknowledged by the dour r

fetid

synonyms: stinking, smelly, foul-smelling, malodorous, reeking, pungent, acrid, high, rank, foul, noxious, humming; informalfunky; literarynoisome, miasmic, miasmal; i

bolster

synonyms: strengthen, reinforce, boost, fortify, renew; support, sustain, buoy up, prop up, shore up, maintain, aid, help; augment, increase ";an occasional word of thanks wou

swagger

synonyms: strut, parade, stride; walk confidently; informalsashay ";we swaggered into the arena"; boast, brag, bluster, crow, gloat; strut, posture, blow one's own horn, lord it; informalshow off, swank ";try to swagger less

obdurate

synonyms: stubborn, obstinate, intransigent, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, pigheaded, bullhea

obtuse

synonyms: stupid, slow-witted, slow, dull-witted, unintelligent, ignorant, simpleminded, witless; insensitive, imperceptive, uncomprehending; informaldim, dimwitted, de

cadaver

a corpse

tendon

a flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone

dictum

a formal prono

petition

a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to authority with respect to a parti

brevet

a former type of military commission conferred especially for outstanding service by which an officer was promoted to a higher rank without the cor

dinosaur

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

phantom

a ghost

crescendo

a gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music

junta

a military or polit

amalgam

a mixture or blend

appellation

a name or title

milieu

a person's socia

plenipotentiary

a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independen

libertine

a person, especially a man, who behaves w

ancestor

a person, typically one more remote than

aphorism

a pithy observation

sinecure

a position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit

peregrine

a powerful falcon found on most continents, breeding chiefly on mountains and coastal cliffs and much used for falconry

maelstrom

a powerful whirlpool in the sea o

dogma

a principle or set of princi

penitentiary

a prison for people convicted of serious crimes

tryst

a private, romantic rendezvous between lovers

panegyric

a public spe

rebus

a puzzle in which words are represented by combinations of pictures and individual letters; for instance, apex might be represented by a picture of an ape followed by a letter X

crotchet

a quarter note

anchorite

a religious recluse

nocturne

a short composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano

respite

a short period of rest or

camarilla

a small group of people, especially a group of advisers to a ruler or politician, with a shared, typically nefarious, purpose

poultice

a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth

temperance

abstinence from alcoholic drink

inculpate

accuse or blame

reproach

address [someone] in such a way as

concede

admit that something is true or valid after first denying or res

primordium

an organ, structure, or tissue in the earliest stage of development

mollify

appease the anger or anxiety of [someone]

annex

append or add as an extra or subordinate part, especially to a

transcend

be or go beyond the range or limits of [something abstract, typically a conceptual field or divisio

obtrude

become noticeable in an unwelcome or intrusive way

malapert

boldly disrespectful to a person of higher standing

sangfroid

composure or coolne

fortitude

courage in

postprandial

during or relating to the period after dinner or lunch

notorious

famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed

bombastic

high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated

quiescent

in a state or period of inactivity

congruent

in agreement or harmony

urban

in, relating to, or characteristic of a city or town

subsume

include or absorb [something] in something else

aggrandize

increase the power, status, or wealth of

peculate

embezzle or steal [money, especially public funds]

ardent

enthu

ardor

enthusiasm or passion

embroiled

involve [someone] deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation

inchoate

just begu

insipid

lacking flavor

artillery

large-caliber

penultimate

last but one in a series of things; second to the last

ephemeral

lasting for a very short time

chortle

laugh in a breathy, gleeful way; chuckle

beleaguer

lay siege to

mutable

liable to change

persiflage

light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter

strident

loud and harsh; grating

verdure

lush green vegetation

stupefy

m

untrammeled

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

skeptical

not easily convinced; having doubts or

redundant

not or no

exigent

pressing; demanding

redress

r

stimulate

ra

nugatory

of no value or importance

filial

of or due from a son or daughter

buck

oppose or resist (something that seems oppressive or inevitable).

disburse

pay out

cognoscenti

people who are considered to be especially well informed about a particular subject

picayune

petty; worthless

persnickety

placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy

pliant

pliable

praxis

practice, as distinguished from theory

kudos

praise and honor received f

grate

reduce [something, especially food] to small shreds by rubbing it on a grater

attenuate

reduce the force, effect, o

vilipend

regard as worthless or of little value; despise

profane

relating or devoted

manumit

release from slavery; set free

impute

repres

fatuous

silly and pointless

dross

something regarde

prodigal

spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant

reprehend

reprimand

earthy

resembling or suggestive of earth or soil

reciprocate

respond to [a gesture or action] by making a correspondi

insurgent

rising in active revolt

undergird

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

sublime

synonyms: exalted, elevated, noble, lofty, awe-inspiring, majestic, magnificent, glorious, superb, wonderful, marvelous, spl

providence

synonyms: fate, destiny, nemesis, kismet, God's will, divine intervention, predestination, predetermination, the stars; one's lot [in life]; archaicone's portion ";a life mapped

doughty

synonyms: fearless, dauntless, determined, resolute, indomitable, intrepid, plucky, spirited, bold, valiant, brave, stouthearted, courageous; informalgutsy, gutty, spunky, feisty,

replete

synonyms: filled, full, well stocked, well supplied, crammed, packed, jammed, teeming, overflowing, bursting; informaljam-packed, chockablock, c

eloquent

synonyms: fluent, articulate, expressive, silver-tongued; persuasive, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, well expressed, effective, lucid, vivid, graphic; smooth-tongued, glib ";

Futile

synonyms: fruitless, vain, pointless, useless, ineffectual, ineffective, inefficacious, to no effect, of no use, in vain, to no avail, unavailing; unsuccessful, failed, thwarted; unproductive, barren, unp

inveigh

synonyms: fulminate against, declaim against, protest [against], rail against/at, rage at, remonstrate agai

virago

synonyms: harridan, shrew, dragon, termagant, vixen; fishwife, witch, hellcat, she-devil, tartar, m

impudent

synonyms: impertinent, insolent, cheeky, cocky, brazen, bold, audacious; presumptuous, forward, disrespectful, insubordinate, bumptious, b

entreat

synonyms: implore, beg, plead with, pray, ask, request; bid, enjoin, appeal to, call on, petition, solicit

insinuate

synonyms: imply, suggest, hint, intimate, indicate, let it be known, give someo

incarcerate

synonyms: imprison, put in prison, send to prison, jail, lock up, put under lock and key, put away, intern, confine, detain, hold, immure, put in chains, hold

ameliorate

synonyms: improve, make better, better, make improvements to, enhance, help, benefit, boost, amend; relieve, ease, mitigate; informaltweak, patch up ";measures were taken to ameliorate the si

sumptuous

synonyms: lavish, luxurious, opulent, magnificent, resplendent, gorgeous, splendid, grand, lavishly appointed, palatial, rich;

lackadaisical

synonyms: lethargic, apathetic, listless, sluggish, spiritless, passionless; careless, lazy, lax, unenthusiastic, halfhearted, lukewarm, indifferent, unconcern

torpid

synonyms: lethargic, sluggish, inert, inactive, slow, lifeless; languid, listless, lazy, idle, indolent, slothful, supine, passive, apathetic, phlegmatic, somnolent, sleepy, weary, tired ";torpid tourists travele

torpor

synonyms: lethargy, sluggishness, inertia, inactivity, lifelessness, listlessness, languor, lassitude, laziness, idleness, indolence, sloth, acedia, passivity, somnolence, weariness, sleepiness ";the feeling of torpor lin

predilection

synonyms: liking, fondness, preference, partiality, taste, penchant, weakness, soft spot, fancy, inclination, leaning, bias, propensity

mendacious

synonyms: lying, untruthful, dishonest, deceitful, false, dissembling, insincere, disingenuous, hypocritical, fraudulent, double-dealing, two-faced, Janus-faced, two-timing, duplicitous, perjured; u

declaim

synonyms: make a speech, give an address, give a lecture, deliver a sermon; speak, hold forth, orate, preach, lecture, sermonize, moralize; informalsound off, spout, speec

sardonic

synonyms: mocking, satirical, sarcastic, ironical, ironic; cynical, scornful, contemptuous, derisive, d

ingenuous

synonyms: naive, innocent,

vehement

synonyms: passionate, forceful, ardent,

hiatus

synonyms: pause, break, gap, lacuna, interval, intermission, interlude, interruption, suspension, lull, respite, time out, time off, recess; informalbreather, letup ";the sp

defray

synonyms: pay [for], cover, meet, square, settle, clear, discharge ";the reserve fun

quaint

synonyms: picturesque, charming, swe

contrite

synonyms: remorseful, repentant, penitent, regretful, sorry, apologetic, rueful, sheepish, hangdog, ashamed, chastened, shamefaced, cons

penitent

synonyms: repentant, contrite, remorseful, sorry, apologetic, regretful, conscience-stricken, rueful, ashamed, shamefaced, abject, in sackcloth and ashes ";she stood there looking like a penitent

immune

synonyms: resistant to, not subject to, not liab

repugnance

synonyms: revulsion, disgust, abhorrence, repulsion, loathing, hatred, detestation, aversion, distaste, antipath

extravagant

synonyms: spendthrift, profligate, improvident, wasteful, prodigal, lavish ";an extravagant li

extant

synonyms: still existing, in existence, existent, surviving, remaining, undestroyed ";ext

abate

synonyms: subside, die down/away/out, lessen, ease [off], let up, decrease, diminish, moderate, d

precarious

synonyms: uncertain, insecure, unpredictable, risky, parlous, hazardous, dangerous, unsafe; unsettled, unstable, unsteady, shaky; informaldicey, chancy, iffy ";those steps look a bit precariou

uncouth

synonyms: uncivilized, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, unpolished, unsophisticated, bush-league, common, plebeian, low, rough, rough-hewn, coarse, loutish, boorish, oafish, troglodyte; ch

inadvertent

synonyms: unintentional, unintended, accidental, unpremeditated, unplanned, innocent, uncalculated, unconscious, unthinking, unwittin

obloquy

synonyms: vilification, opprobrium, vituperation, condemnation, denunciation, abuse, criticism, censure, defamation, denigration, calumny, insults; informalflak; formalca

foible

synonyms: weakness, failing, shortcoming, flaw, imperfection, blemish,

consummate

synonyms:complete, conclude, finish, accomplish, achieve; ex

erudite

synonyms:learned, scholarly, educated, knowledgeable, well read, well informed, intellectual; intelligent, clever, academic, literary; bookish, highbrow, sophisticated, ce

lascivious

synonyms:lecherous, lewd, lustful, licentious, libidinous, salacious, lubricious, prurient, dirty, smutty, naughty, indecent, ribald; informalblue; formalconcupiscent ";his las

prolix

synonyms:long-winded, verbose, wordy, pleonastic, discursive, rambling, long-drawn-out, overlong, lengthy, protracted, interminable; informalwindy, waffly ";his p

intercede

synonyms:mediate, intermediate, arbitrate, conciliate, negotiate, moderate; intervene, interpose, step in, act; plead, petition, advocate ";a third party was called in to intercede"

alloy

synonyms:mixture, mix, amalgam, fusion, meld, blend, compound, combination, composite, union; technicaladmixture ";modern pewter is an alloy of ti

demur

synonyms:object, take exception, take issue, protest, cavil, dissent; voice reservations, be unwilling, be reluctant, balk, think twice; drag

cynic

synonyms:skeptic, doubter, doubting Tho

provenance

t

rambunctious

uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous

exiguous

very small

penance

voluntary self-punishment i

Felicitous

well chosen or suited to the circumstances

sapient

wise, or attempting to appear wise

allude

suggest or call atten

demure

synonym

exacerbate

synonyms: aggravate, worsen, inflame, compound; intens

coy

synonyms: arch, simpering, coquettish, flirtatious, kitte

expiate

synonyms: atone for, make amends for, make up for, do penance for, pay for, redress, redee

peremptory

synonyms: brusque, imperious, high-handed, brisk, abrupt, summary, commanding,

preen

synonyms: clean, tidy, groom, smooth, arrange; arch

imbroglio

synonyms: complicated situation, complication, problem, difficulty, predicament, trouble, confusion, quandary, entanglement, muddle, mess, quagmire, morass, sticky situation; informalbind, jam, pickle, fix, corner,

conform

synonyms: comply with, abide by, obey, observe, follow, keep to, stick to, adhere to, uphold, heed, accept, go along with, fall i

equanimity

synonyms: composure, calm, level-headedness, self-possession, coolheadedness, presence of mind; serenity, tranquility, phlegm, imperturbability, equilibrium; poise

succinct

synonyms: concise, short [and sweet], brief, compact, condensed, crisp, laconic, terse, to the point, pithy, epigrammatic, synoptic, gn

corroborate

synonyms: confirm, verify, endorse, ratify, authenticate, validate, certify; support, back up, uphold, bear

subjugate

synonyms: conquer, vanquish, defeat, crush, quash, bring someone to their knees, enslave, subdue, suppress ";the Normans had subjugated most of Ireland's Gaelic population

diligence

synonyms: conscientiousness, assiduousness, assiduity, hard work, application, concentration, effort, care, industriousness, rigor, meticulousness, tho

venal

synonyms: corrupt, corruptible, bribable, open to bribery; dishonest, dishonorable, untrustworthy, unscrupulous, unprincipled; mercenary, greedy;

wanton

synonyms: deliberate, willful, malicious, spiteful, wicked, cruel; gratuitous, unprovoked, motiveless, arbitrary, groundless, unjustifiable, needless, unnec

catastrophe

synonyms: disaster, calamity, cataclysm, holocaust, havoc, ruin, ruination, tragedy; adversity, blight,

divulge

synonyms: disclose, reveal, tell, communicate, pass on, publish, broadcast, proclaim; expose, uncover, make public, give away, let slip; inform

edifying

synonyms: educate, instruct, teach, school,

uncanny

synonyms: eerie, unnatural, unearthly, preternatural, supernatural, otherworldly, ghostly, mysterious, strange, unsettling, abnormal, weird, bizarre, surreal, eldritch; informalc

dirge

synonyms: elegy, lament, burial hymn, threnody, requiem, funeral march; keen ";a lone bagpiper played the woeful di

discomfit

synonyms: embarrass, abash, disconcert, discompose, discomfort, take aback, unsettle, unnerve,

abash

synonyms: embarrassed, ashamed, shamefaced, remorseful, conscience-stricken, mortified, humiliated, humbled, chagrined, crestfallen, sheepish

catharsis

synonyms: emotional release, relief, release, venting; purging, purgation, purification, cleansing; abreac

intrude

synonyms: encroach on, impinge on, interfere in, trespass on/upon, infringe on, obtrude on/into, invade, violate, disturb, disrupt, interrupt; me

cryptic

synonyms: enigmatic, mysterious, confusing, mystifying, perplexing, puzzling, obscure, abstruse, arcane, oracular, Delphic, ambiguous, elliptical, oblique;

prodigious

synonyms: enormous, huge, colossal, immense, vast, great, massive, gigantic, mammoth, tremendous, inordinate, monumental; amazing, astonishing, astounding, staggering, stunning, r

zest

synonyms: enthusiasm, gusto, relish, appetite, eagerness, keenness, avidity, zeal, fervor, ardor, passion; verve, vigor, liveliness, sparkle, fire, animation, vitality, dynamism, energy, brio, pep, spirit, exub

inveigle

synonyms: entice, tempt, lure, seduce, beguile; wheedle, cajole, coax, persuade; informalsweet-talk, soft-

ambiguous

synonyms: equivocal, ambivalent, open to debate/argument, arguable, debatable; obscure, unclear, imprecise, vague, a

expunge

synonyms: erase, remove, delete, rub out, wipe out, efface; cross out, strike out, blot out, destroy, obliterate, scratch, eradicate, eliminate, deep-six ";a moment that ca

sap

synonyms: erode, wear away/down, deplete, reduce, l

elude

synonyms: evade, avoid, get away from, dodge, escape from, run from, run away from; lose, shake off, give the slip to, slip away from, throw off the scent; i

specter

a ghost

amanuensis

a literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts

farrow

a litter of pigs

appetence

a longing or desire

colporteur

a peddler of books, newspapers, and similar literature

apothecary

a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs

vocation

a strong feeling of

Frisson

a sudden strong feeling of excitement or fear; a thrill

cavalier

a supporter of King Charles I in the English Civil War

entropy

a thermodynamic quantity representing the unavailabili

example

a thing characteristi

plenitude

an abundance

plaint

an accusation; a charge

perquisite

another term for perk2

codify

arrange [laws or rules] into a systematic code

succor

assistance a

sylvan

consisting of or associated with woods; wooded

costive

constipated

malversation

corrupt behavior in a position of trust, especially in public office

gild

cover thinly with gold

aleatory

depending on the throw of a dice or on chance; random

confabulate

engage in conversation; talk

disport

enjoy oneself unrestrainedly; frolic

vicarious

experienced in

propitious

giving or

solvent

havi

substantive

having a firm basis in reality and therefore important, meaningful, or considerable

piquant

having a pleasantly sha

florid

having a red or flushed complexion

sapid

having a strong, pleasant taste

noisome

having an extremely offensive smell

puissant

having great power or influence

degenerate

having lost the physical,

collide

hit wi

minatory

expressing or conveying a threat

waffle

fail to make up one's mind

fidelity

faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing

twitterpated

infatuated or obsessed

didactic

intended to teach, particularly in h

prostrate

lyin

unremitting

never relaxing or slackening; inces

indemnity

security or protection against a loss or

brash

self-assertive in a rude, noisy,

tutelary

serving as a protector, guardian, or patron

prefatory

serving as an introduction; introductory

fusty

smelling stale, damp, or stuffy

finagle

obtain [something] by devious or dishonest means

picaresque

of or relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero

avuncular

of or relating to an uncle

sartorial

of or relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress

stygian

of or relating to the Styx River

filched

pilfer or steal [somethi

prevail

prove more powe

convolve

roll or coil together; entwine

vitiate

spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of

aver

state or assert to be the case

divagate

stray; digress

redolent

strongly reminiscent or suggest

contend

stru

insolent

synonyms: impertinent, impudent, cheeky, ill-mannered, bad-mannered, unmann

variegated

synonyms: multicolored, multicolor, many-colored, many-hued, polychromatic, varicolored, colorful, prismatic, rainbow, kaleidoscopic; mottled, striated, marbled, streaked, speckled

abstruse

synonyms: obscure, arcane, esoteric, little known, recherché, rarefied, recondite, difficult, hard, puzzling, perplexing, cryptic, enigmatic, Delphic, complex,

archaic

synonyms: obsolete, out of date, old-fashioned, outmoded, behind the times, bygone, anachronistic, antiquated, superannuated, antediluvian, old world, old-fangled; ancient, old, extinct, d

elicit

synonyms: obtain, draw out, extract, bring out, evoke, call forth, bring forth, induce, prompt, generate, engender, trigger, provoke; fo

iridescent

synonyms: opalescent, nacreous; shimmering, luminous, glittering, sparkling, dazzling, shining, gleaming, glowing, lustrous, scintillating; kaleidoscopic, rainbow-colored, multicolored; literaryglistering, coruscating, effulgen

providential

synonyms: opportune, advantageous, favorable, auspicious, propitious, heaven-sent, welcome, golden, lucky, happy, fortunate, felicitous, timely, well timed, seasonable, convenient, expedient ";we won with the aid of a provid

travail

synonyms: ordeal, trial, tribulation, trial and tribulation, trouble, hardship, privation, stress; drudgery, toil, slog, effort, exertion, labor, work, endeavor, s

prosaic

synonyms: ordinary, everyday, commonplace, conventional, straightforward, routine, r

obsolete

synonyms: outdated, out of date, outmoded, old-fashioned, démodé, passé, out of fashion; no longer in use, disused, fallen into disuse, behind the times, superannuated, outworn

belabor

synonyms: overelaborate, labor, dwell on, harp on about, hammer away at; overdo, overplay, overdramatize, make too much of, place too much emphasis on; informalbeat to death, drag out, make a big thing of, blow out o

obsequious

synonyms: servile, ingratiating, sycophantic, fawning, unctuous, oily, oleaginous, groveling, cringing, subservient, submissive, slavish; inf

instigate

synonyms: set in motion, get underway, get off the ground, start, commence, begin, initiate, launch, institute, set up, inaugurate, establ

austere

synonyms: severe, stern, strict, harsh, steely, flinty, dour, grim, cold, frosty, unemotional, unfriendly; formal, stiff, reserved, aloof, forbidding; grave, solemn, serious, unsmiling, unsympathetic, unforgi

flippant

synonyms:frivolous, facetious, tongue-in-cheek; disrespectful, i

preclude

synonyms:prevent, make it impossible for, rule out, stop, prohibit, debar, bar, hinder, impede, inhibit, exclude ";his difficulties preclude him from leading a normal l

apogee

the highest point in the development of something; the climax or culmination

peregrinate

travel or wander around from place to place

contort

twist or bend out of its normal shape

plenary

unqualified; absolute

lurid

very vivid in co

propitiate

w

meet

suitable; fit; proper

defile

sully, mar, or spoil

connect

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

concomitant

synonyms: attendant, accompanying, associated, related, connected; resultant, consequent ";the rise of urbanism brought a concomitant risk

vaunt

synonyms: boast about, brag about, make much of, crow about, pa

hector

synonyms: bully, intimidate, browbeat, harass, t

vicissitudes

synonyms: change, alteration, shift, reversal, twist, turn, downturn, variation; inconstancy, instability, uncertainty, chanciness, unpredictability,

precipice

synonyms: cliff face, cliff, steep cliff, rock face, sheer drop, height, crag, bluff, escarpment, scarp; literarysteep ";it's amazing h

amenable

synonyms: cooperative, acq

cataclysm

synonyms: disaster, catastrophe, calamity, tragedy, devastation, holocaust, ruin, ruination, upheaval,

consternation

synonyms: dismay, perturbation, distress, disquiet, discomposure; surprise, amazement, astonishment; alarm, panic, fear, fright, shock ";much to his colleagues' consternat

fervid

synonyms: fervent, ardent, passionate, impassioned, intense, vehement, wholehearted, heartfelt, sincere, earnest; literaryperfervid ";fervid protestations of love"

capriccio

a lively piece of music, typically

screed

a long speech or piece of writing, typically one regarded as tedious

jeremiad

a long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes

clamour

a loud and confu

doxy

a lover or mistress

nimbus

a luminous cloud or a halo surrounding a supernatural being or a saint

corps

a main subdivision of an armed force in the field, consisting of two or more divisions

incubus

a male demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women

lothario

a man who behaves selfishly and irresponsibly in his sexual relationships with women

stigma

a mark of dis

repast

a meal

diathermy

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

nostrum

a medicine, especial

grouse

a medium to large g

caucus

a meeting of the members of a legislative body who are members of a pa

myrmidon

a member of a warlike Thessalian people led by Achilles at the siege of Troy

curate

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

legate

a member of the clergy, especially a cardinal, representing the pope

manacle

a metal band, chain, or shackle for fa

strait

a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water

appetite

a natural desire to satisfy a bodily need, especially hunger

broadside

a nearly simultaneous firing of all the guns from one side of a warship

gauntlet

a stout glove with a long loose wrist

martinet

a strict disciplinarian, especially in the armed forces

partisan

a strong supporter of a party,

fetor

a strong, foul smell

toxophilite

a student or lover of archery

truant

a student who

imbecile

a stupid person

flocculant

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

nuance

a subtle difference in

sojourn

a temporary stay

anachronism

a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned

antecedent

a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another

vestige

a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists

tempest

a violent windy storm

theophany

a visible manifestation to humankind of God or a god

enfilade

a volley of gunfire directed along a line from end to end

omnibus

a volume containing several novels or other items previously published separately

aggregate

a whole formed by combining several [typically disparate] elements

integer

a whole number; a number that is not a fraction

circumvolution

a winding movement, especially of one thing around another

sibyl

a woman in ancient times supposed to utter the oracles and prophecies of a god

coquette

a woman who flirts

doyenne

a woman who is the most respected or prominent person in a particular field

pillory

a wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, in which an offender was i

subpoena

a writ ordering a person to attend a court

tort

a wrongful act or an infringement of a right [other than under contract] leading to civil legal liability

scion

a young shoot or twig of a plant, especially one cut for grafting or rooting

ultramontane

advocating supreme papal authority in matters of faith and discipline

avouch

affirm or assert

rapacious

aggressively gree

canard

an unfounded rumor or story

aleatoric

another term for aleatory

meliorate

another term for ameliorate

prize

another term for pry2

satiate

another term for sate1

saxicoline

another term for saxatile

paladin

any of the twelve peers of Charlemagne's court, of whom the count palatine was the chief

approbate

approve formally; sanction

cauterize

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

corrigible

capable of being corrected, rectified, or reformed

solicitous

characterized by or showing interest o

ostentatious

characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; des

brummagem

cheap, showy, or counterfeit

puerile

childishly silly and trivi

adduce

cite as evidence

recrudesce

break out again; recur

suspire

breathe

regurgitate

bring [swallowed food] up again to the mouth

cursory

hasty and therefore not thorough or deta

sinuous

having many curves and turns

flocculent

having or resembling tufts of wool

xenophobic

having or sh

uxorious

having or showing an excessive or submissive fondness for one's wife

emollient

having the quality of softening or soothing the skin

coterminous

having the same boundaries or extent in space, time, or meaning

callipygian

having well-shaped buttocks

salubrious

health-giving; healthy

exalt

hold [someone or something] in very

esurient

hungry or greedy

contumely

insolent or insulting language or treatment

expansive

covering a wide area in terms of space or scope; extensive or wide-ranging

recreant

cowardly

vitriol

cruel and bitter criticism

pollard

cut off the top and branches of [a tree] to encourage new growth at the top

mince

cut up or grind [food, especially meat] into very small pieces, typically in a machine with revolving blades

hack

cut with rough or heavy blows

somber

dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy

quietus

death or something that causes death, regarded as a release from life

humbug

deceptive or false talk or behavior

arch

deliberately or affectedly playful and teasing

salvation

deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be br

venial

denoting a sin that is n

mordacious

denoting or using biting sarcasm or invective

gainsay

deny or contradict [a fact or statement]

limn

depict or describe in painting or words

turpitude

depravity; wickedness

divest

deprive [someone] of pow

allay

diminish or put at rest [fear, suspicion, or worry]

syncopate

displace the beats or accents in [music or a rhythm] so that strong beats become weak and vice versa

impugn

dispute the truth, validity, or hone

louche

disreputable or sordid in a rakish or appealing way

gird

encircle [a person or part of the

plummet

fall or drop straight down at high sp

execrate

feel or express great loathing for

quail

feel or show fear or apprehension

harried

feeling strained as a result of having demands persi

vouchsafe

give or grant [something] to [someone] in a gracious or condescending manner

perspire

give out sweat through the pores of the skin as the result of heat, physical exertion

Unstinting

given or giving without restrai

capricious

given to sudden and unaccount

fey

giving an impression of vague unworldliness

intractable

hard to control or deal with

asperity

harshness of tone or

finesse

intricate and refined delicacy

hegemony

leadership or dominance, especiall

aboveboard

legitimate, honest, and open synonyms: legitimate, lawful, legal, licit, honest, fair, open, frank, straight, overt, candid, forthright, unconcealed, trustworthy, unequivocal; informal: legit, kosher, by the book, street legal, fair and square, square, on the level, on the up and up, upfront

dilute

make [a liquid] thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent to it

placate

make [someone] less angry or hostile

fructify

make [something] fruitful or productive

tergiversate

make conflicting or evasive statements; equivocate

recriminate

make counteraccusations

constrict

make narrower, especially by enci

undulate

move with a smooth wavelike motion

thew

muscular strength

jejune

naive, simplistic, and superficial

antebellum

occurring or existing before a particular war, especially the American Civil War

antediluvian

of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood, very old-fashioned (humorous)

bourgeois

of or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perc

dyspeptic

of or having indigesti

pavonine

of or like a peacock

byzantine

of or relating to Byzantium, the Byzantine Empire, or the Eastern Orthodox Church

vulpine

of or relating to a fox or foxes

delphic

of or relating to the ancient Greek oracle at Delphi

rustic

of or relating to the countryside; rural

primeval

of or resembling the earliest ages in the history of the world

sidereal

of or with respect to the distant stars [i.e., the constellations or fixed stars, not the sun or planets]

fell

of terrible evil or ferocity; deadly

parietal

of, relating to, attached to, or denoting the wall of the body or of a body cavity or hollow structure

voluptuous

of, relating to, o

egalitarian

of, relating to, or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities

edacious

of, relating to, or given to eating

crepuscular

of, resembling, or relating to twilight

lubricious

offensively displaying or intended to arouse sexual desire

countervail

offset the effect of [something] by countering it with something of equal force

cull

select from a large quantity; obtain from a variety of sources

jouissance

physical or intellectual pleasure, delight, or ecstasy

schadenfreude

pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune

burnish

polish [something, especially metal] by rubbing

patrimony

property inherited from one's father or male ancestor

otiose

serving no practical purpose or result

chutzpah

shameless audacity; impudence

contiguous

sharing a co

refulgent

shining brightly

effulgent

shining brightly; radiant

charnel

short for charnel house

ordinal

short for ordinal number

exculpate

show or declare that [someone] is not guilty of wrongdoing

blithe

showing a casual and cheerful indifference co

overweening

showing excessive confidence or pride

timorous

showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence

opalescent

showing varying colors as an opal does

intramural

situated or done within the walls of a building

legerdemain

skillful use of one's hands when performing conjuring tricks

dilatory

slow to act

recherché

rare, exotic, or obscure

objurgate

rebuke severely; scold

convalesce

recover one's health and strength over a period of time after a

ribald

referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way

abhor

regard with disgust and hatred synonyms: detest, hate, loathe, despise, execrate, regard with disgust, shrink from, recoil from, shudder at

cabalistic

relating to or associated with mystical interpretation or esoteric doctrine

consanguineous

relating to or denoting people descended from the same ancestor

felicific

relating to or promoting increased happiness

sacerdotal

relating to priests or the priesthood; priestly

calorific

relating to the amount of energy contained in food or fuel

mimetic

relating to, constituting, or habitually practicing mimesis

churlish

rude in a mean-spirited and surly way

sated

satisfy [a desire or an appetite] to the full

claim

state or assert that something is the case, typical

simper

smile or gesture in an affectedly coquettish, coy, or ing

steep

soak [food or tea] in water or other liquid so as to extract its flavor or to soften it

pith

soft or spongy tissue in plants or animals, in particular

desideratum

something that is needed or wanted

plaintive

sounding sad and m

conciliate

stop [someone] fr

stanch

stop or restrict [a flow of blood] from a wound

occlude

stop, close up, or obstruct [an opening, orifice, or passage]

seminal

[of a w

rudiment

the first principles of a subject

comely

[typically of a woman] pleasant to look at; attractive

invidious

[of an action or situation] likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others

retreat

[of an army] withdraw fr

expendable

[of an object] designed to be used only once

verdant

[of countryside] green with grass or other rich vegetation

toothsome

[of food] temptingly tasty

fungible

[of goods contracted for without an individual specimen being specified] able to replace or be replaced by another identical item; mutually interchangeable

pithy

[of language or style] concise and forcefully expressive

coruscate

[of light] flash or sparkle

heady

[of liquor] potent; intoxicating

putrid

[of organic matter] decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smel

condign

[of punishment or retribution] appropriate to the crime or wrongdoing; fitting and deserved

igneous

[of rock] having solidified from lava or magma

orotund

[of the voice or phrasing] full, round, and imposing

compatible

[of two things] able to exist or occur together without conflict

excerpt

a

homily

a

ramification

a

surrealism

a 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images

powwow

a North American Indian ceremony involving feasting, singing, and dancing

curmudgeon

a bad-tempered or surly person

tyro

a beginner or novice

demiurge

a being responsible for the creation of the universe, in particular

breviary

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

pugilist

a boxer, especially a professional one

synopsis

a brief summary or general survey of so

verdigris

a bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate

frieze

a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling

smorgasbord

a buffet offering a variety of hot and cold meats, salads, hors d'oeuvres, etc

ailurophile

a cat lover

fetter

a chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the

lummox

a clumsy, stupid person

compendium

a coll

menagerie

a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition

exposition

a comprehensive description an

apothegm

a concise saying or maxim; an aphorism

symposium

a conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject

nexus

a connection or series of connections linking two or more things

ramification

a conseq

ossuary

a container or room into which the bones of dead people are placed

caitiff

a contemptible or cowardly person

clangor

a continuous loud banging or ringing sound

colloquy

a conversation

recidivist

a convicted criminal who reoffends, especially repeatedly

manicure

a cosmetic treatment of the hands involving cutting, shaping, and often painting of the nails, removal of the cuticles, and softening of the skin

hetaera

a courtesan or mistress, especially one in ancient Greece akin to the modern geisha

cloister

a covered walk in a convent

rift

a crack, split, or break in something

climacteric

a critical period or event

scurvy

a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds,

precinct

a district of a city or town a

auspice

a divine or prophetic token

Fay

a fairy

disquiet

a feeling of anxiety or worry

dudgeon

a feeling of offense or deep resentment

succubus

a female demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men

palisade

a fence of wooden stakes or iron railings fixed in the ground, forming an enclosure o

fealty

a feudal tenant's or vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord

phantasm

a figment of the imagination; an illus

metaphor

a figure o

gossamer

a fine, filmy substance consistin

raft

a flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform

blandishment

a flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something

sap

a foolish and gullible person

wraith

a ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially one seen shortly be

cincture

a girdle or belt

solecism

a grammatical mistake in speech or writing

disparity

a great difference

claque

a group of people hired to applaud [or heckle] a performer or public speaker

cacophony

a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds

termagant

a harsh-tempered or overbearing woman

miasma

a highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor

avocation

a hobby or minor occupation

vassal

a holder of land by feudal tenur

behemoth

a huge or monstrous creature

diadem

a jeweled crown or headband worn as a symbol of sovereign

threnody

a lament

raft

a large amount of something

convocation

a large formal assembly of people

bevy

a large group of people or things of a particular ki

caldron

a large metal pot with a lid and handle, used for cooking over an open fire

rent

a large tear in a piece of fabric

portmanteau

a large trunk or suitcase, typically made of stiff leather and opening into two equal parts

billow

a large undulating mass of something, typically cloud, smoke, or steam

portfolio

a large, thin, flat case for loose sheets of paper such as drawings or maps

rigmarole

a lengthy and comp

mien

synonyms: appearance, look, expression, countenance, aura, demeanor, attitude, air, manner, bearing; formalcomportment ";a scowling mien that did nothing to boost o

deportment

a person's behavior or manners

visage

a person's face, with reference to the form or proportions of the features

sinew

a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament

elegy

a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead

georgic

a poem or book dealing with agriculture or rural topics

riposte

a quick clever reply to an insult or criticism

rebuttal

a refutation or contradiction

sacrament

a religious ceremony or act of the Christian Church that is regarded as an outward and visi

platitude

a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting o

reprise

a repeated passage in music

capstan

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

strut

a rod or bar forming part of a framework and designed to resist compression

guy

a rope or line fixed to the ground to secure a tent or other structure

dearth

a scarcity or

bursary

a scholarship to attend a college or university

cabal

a secret political clique or faction

vertigo

a sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height, or c

lithe

[especially of a person's body] thin, su

untenable

[especially of a position or view] not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection

nascent

[especially of a process or organization] ju

facile

[especially of a theory or argument] appearing nea

feral

[especially of an animal] in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication

exonerate

[especially of an official body] absolve [someone] from

sprightly

[especially of an old person] lively; full of

commodious

[especially of furniture or a

mordant

[especially of humor] ha

rubicund

[especially of someone's face] having a ruddy complexion; high-colored

sere

[especially of vegetation] dry or withered

perdition

[in Chris

chimera

[in Greek mythology] a fire-breathing f

ephebe

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

pontifex

[in ancient Rome] a member of the principal college of priests

haruspex

[in ancient Rome] a religious official who interpreted omens by inspecting the entrails of sacrificial animals

opus

a separate composition or set of compositions by a particular composer, usually ordered by date of publication

litany

a series of petitions for use in church services or processions, usu

fusillade

a series of shots fired or missiles throw

lackey

a servant, especially a

deluge

a severe flood

ford

a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across

skiff

a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat with sharp bow and square stern

salvo

a simultaneous discharge of artillery or other guns in a battle

phylactery

a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law

sepulcher

a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, i

sepulcher

a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in whic

peccadilloes

a small, relatively unimportant offense or sin

quagmire

a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot

encomium

a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or someth

desuetude

a state of disuse

lassitude

a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy

repose

a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility

credo

a statement of the bel

truism

a statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting

colossus

a statue that is much bigger than life size

mainstay

a stay that extends from the maintop to the foot of the foremast of a sailing

distaff

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

founder

[of a ship] fill with water and sink

dyke

a lesbian

chartreuse

a pale green or yellow liqueur made from brandy and aromatic herbs

monocoque

an aircraft or vehicle structure in which the chassis is integral with the body

assignation

an appointment to meet

morass

an area of mu

chicane

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

synod

an assembly of the clergy and sometimes also the laity in a diocese or other division of a particular church

arbor

an axle or spindle on which something revolves. a shady garden alcove with sides and a roof formed by trees or climbing plants trained over a wooden framework

sprite

an elf or fairy

surfeit

an excessive amount

glut

an excessively abundant supply of something

maven

an expert or connoisseur

conflagration

an ext

conurbation

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

simulacrum

an image or representation of someone or something

monster

an imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frightening

sylph

an imaginary spirit of the air

parody

an imitation of

pettifogger

an inferior legal practitioner, especially one who deals with petty cases or employs dubious practices

bruise

an injur

ingenue

an innocent or unsophisticated young woman

quidnunc

an inquisitive and gossipy person

gibe

an insulting or mocking remark; a taunt

interstice

an intervening space, especially a very small one

presentiment

an intuitive feeling about the future, especially one of foreboding

herald

an official messenger bringing news

dotard

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

mutiny

an open rebellion against the proper authorities, especially

orifice

an opening, as of a pipe or tube, or one in the body, such as a nostril or the anus

epaulet

an ornamental shoulder piece on an item of clothing, typically on the coat or jacket of a military uniform

ecstasy

an

remit

cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting [a debt or pu

doggerel

comic verse composed in irregular rhythm

analogous

comparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes clearer the nature of

arrant

complete, utter

obeisance

d

lucubrate

discourse learnedly in writing

slapdash

done too hurriedly and carelessly

primordial

existing at or from the beginning of time; primeval

ulterior

existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intention

immanent

existing or operating within; inherent

tendentious

expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one

glean

extract [information] from various sourc

mulct

extract money from [someone] by fine or taxation

ethereal

extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this worl

temerity

excessive confidence or boldness

raillery

good-humored teasing

palliate

make [a disease

assuage

make [an

loquacious

te

arbitrate

(of an independent person or body) reach an authoritative judgment or settlement.

bromide

2.

volatile

[of a substance] easily evaporate

scintilla

a tiny trace

forfend

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

descry

catch sight of

exegesis

critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture

tardy

delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time; late

obtund

dull the sensitivity of; blunt; deaden

hubris

excessive pride or self-confidence

consequential

following as a result or effe

mendicant

given to begging

caliginous

misty, dim; obscure, dark

opaque

not able to be

sanguine

optimistic or

inundate

overwhelm [someone

loath

reluctant; unwilling

distend

swell or cause to swell by pressure from inside

protean

tendin

argot

the jargon or slang of a particular group or cl

dawdle

waste time; be slow

accrue

(of sums of money or benefits) be received by someone in regular or increasing amounts over time.

apposite

synonyms: appropriate, suitable, fitting, apt, befitting; relevant, pertinent, appurtenant, to the point, applicable, germane, material, congruous, felicitous; formalad rem ";an

approbation

synonyms: approval, acceptance, endorsement, appreciation, respect, admiration, commendation, praise, congratulations, acclaim, esteem, applause; consent; rarelaudation ";at age 45, he w

proliferous

[of a plant] producing buds or side shoots from a flower or other terminal part

superannuated

[of a position or

ersatz

[of a product] made or used as a

latent

[of a quality or state] existing but not

meander

[of a river or road] follow a winding course

hermetic

[of a seal or

list

[of a ship] lean to one side, typically because of a leak or unbalanced cargo

plangent

[of a sound] loud, reverberating, and often melancholy

apocryphal

[of a story or statement] of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true

pervious

[of a substance] allowing water to pass through; permeable

bootless

[of a task or undertaking] ineffectual; useless

sisyphean

[of a task] such that it can never be completed

mellifluous

[of a voice or words] sweet or

perspicuous

[of an account or representation] clearly expressed and easily understood; lucid

recumbent

[e

salutary

[es

encaustic

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

troglodyte

[especially in prehistoric times] a person who lived in a cave

requiem

[especially in the Roman Catholic Church] a Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead

subtle

[especially of a change or distinction] so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or

contumacious

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

mephitic

[especially of a gas or vapor] foul-smelling; noxious

tepid

[especially of a liquid] only slightly warm; lukewarm

tumid

[especially of a part of the body] swollen

leviathan

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

gambit

[in ch

naiad

[in classical mythology] a water nymph said to inhabit a river, spring, or waterfall

machicolation

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

concubine

[in polygamous societies] a woman who lives with a man but

rector

[in the Episcopal Church] a member of the clergy who has charge of a parish

redoubtable

[o

precocious

[of

supine

[of a

incendiary

[of a device or attack] designed to cause fires

coagulate

[of a fluid, especially blood] change to a solid or semisolid state

blinkered

[of a horse] wearing blinders

seething

[of a liquid] bubble up as a result of be

turbid

[of a liquid] cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter

malleable

[of a metal or other material] able to be hammered or pressed perma

creditable

[of a performance, effort, or action] deserving public acknowledgment and praise but not necessarily outstanding or successful

flagitious

[of a person or their actions] criminal; villainous

mercenary

[of a person or their behavio

pettish

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

lissome

[of a person or their body] thin, supple, and graceful

sonorous

[of a person's voice or other sound] imposingly deep and full

stentorian

[of a person's voice] loud and powerful

languid

[of a person, manner, or gest

moribund

[of a person] at the point of death

stolid

[of a person] calm, dependabl

gregarious

[of a person] fond of company; sociab

percipient

[of a person] having a good understanding of things; perceptive

simpatico

[of a person] likable and easy to get along with

nonplussed

[of a person] surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react

captious

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

prolific

[of a plant, animal, or person] producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring

sophist

a paid teacher of philosophy and rhetoric in ancient Greece, associated in popular thought with moral skepticism and specious reasoning

fresco

a painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colors penetrate the plaster an

vigil

a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray

soothsayer

a pers

suppliant

a person making a humble plea to someone in power or authority

cynosure

a person or th

precursor

a person or thing that come

enigma

a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to und

proponent

a person who advocates a theory, propo

proponent

a person who advocates a theory, propos

stoic

a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining

kvetch

a person who complains a great deal

Fabulist

a person who composes or relates fables

dilettante

a person who cultivates an area of interest, such a

misanthrope

a person who dislikes humankind

proselyte

a person who has convert

predecessor

a person who held a job or office before the current holder

protege

a person who is guid

sloven

a person who is habitually messy or careless

bigot

a person who is intolerant toward those holding differ

wag

a person who makes facetious jokes

bursar

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

interlocutor

a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation

epicure

a person who takes particular pleasure in fine f

raconteur

a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way

effable

able to be described in words

palpable

able to be touched or felt

caustic

able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action

continent

able to control movements of the bowels and bladder

heteroclite

abnormal or irregular

condone

accept and allow [behavi

condone

accept and allow [behavior th

antagonize

synonyms: arouse hostility in, alienate; anger, annoy, provoke, vex, irritate; rub the wrong way; informalaggravate, rile, needle, rattle som

covenanted

agree, especially by

concord

agreement or harmony between people or gro

colloquium

an academic conference or seminar

fascist

an advocate or follower of fascism

serf

an agricultural laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord's estate

essay

synonyms: artic

awry

away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course; amiss

cantankerous

bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative

implore

beg someo

burgeon

begin to grow or increa

credence

belief in or acceptance of something as true

sublunary

belonging to this world as contrasted with a better or more spiritual one

appurtenant

belonging; pertinent

kinship

blood relationship

deleterious

causing harm or damage

astringent

causing the contraction of body tis

leery

cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions

excoriate

censure or criticize severely

habiliment

clothing

raiment

clothing

collate

collect

redivivus

come back to life; reborn

comport

conduct oneself; behave

modish

conforming to or following what is

dispensation

exemption from a rule or usual requirement

circumvent

find a way around [an obstacle]

edible

fit to be eaten [often used to contrast with unpalatable or

secure

fixed or fastened so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost

congregate

synonyms: assemble, gather, collect, come together, convene, rally, rendezvous, muster, meet, cluster, group ";huge crowds o

sustenance

food and drink regar

victuals

food or provisions, ty

proscribe

forbid, especially by law

ramify

form branches or offshoots; spread or branch out

ratiocinate

form judgments by a process of logic; reason

monolithic

formed of a single large block of stone

exempt

free from an obligation or liability imposed on others

tortuous

full of twists and tu

imposing

grand and impressive in appearance

viridescent

greenish or becoming green

antic

grotesque or bizarre

accrete

grow by accumulation or coalescence

hirsute

hairy

congruous

in agreement or harmony

delirious

in an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication and characterized by restlessness, illusio

canonic

in canon form

verbatim

in exactly the same word

bated

in great suspense; very anxiously or excitedly

discrete

individually separate and distinct

contuse

injure [a part of the body] without breaking the skin, forming a bruise

dilate

make or become wider, larger, or more open

cavil

make petty or unnecessary objections

incise

mark or decorate [an object or surface] with a cut or a series of cuts

plumb

measure [the depth of a body of water]

atrabilious

melancholy or ill-tempered

nacre

mother-of-pearl

gyrate

move or cause to move in a circle or spiral, esp

impervious

not allowing fluid to pass through

disingenuous

not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does

anodyne

not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive, often deliberately so

maladaptive

not providing adequate or appropriate adjustment to the environment or situation

animadvert

pass criticism or censure on; speak out against

evanesce

pass out of sight, memory, or existence

stymie

prevent or hinder the progress of

resonate

produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound

bathetic

producing an unintentional effect of anticlimax

execrable

synonyms: appalling, atrocious, lamentable, egregious, awful, dreadful, terrible; disgusting, deplorable, disgraceful, frightful, reprehens

refute

prove [a statement or theory] to be wrong or false; disprove

auxiliary

providing supplementary or additio

goad

provoke or annoy [someone] so as to stimulate some act

slake

quench or satisfy [one's thirst]

desiccate

remove the moisture from [something, especially food], typically in order to preserve it

adumbrate

report or represent in outline

ostensible

synonyms: apparent, outward, superficial, professed, supposed, alleged, purported ";the ostensible star is Lana

celerity

swiftness of movement

turgid

swollen and distended or congested

sycophant

sy

craven

syno

expletive

syno

graft

syno

interdict

syno

serendipity

synonyms: [happy] chance, [happy] accident, fluke; luck, good luck, go

interminable

synonyms: [seemingly] endless, never-ending, unending, nonstop, everlasting, ceaseless, unceasing, incessant, constant, continual, uninterrupted, sustained; monotonous, tedi

detest

synonyms: abhor, hate, loathe, despise, shrink from, be unable to bear, find intolerable, dislike, disdain, have an aversion to; formalabominate ";the only vegetabl

perennial

synonyms: abiding, enduring, lasting, everlasting, perpetual, eternal, continuing, unending, unceasing, never-ending, endless, undying, ceaseless, persis

anomalous

synonyms: abnormal, atypical, irregular, aberrant, exceptional, freak, freakish, odd, bizarre, peculiar, unusual, out of the ordinary; deviant, mutant; formalheteroclite ";it's an anomalous birth

eschew

synonyms: abstain from, refrain from, give up, forgo, shun, renounce, steer clear of, have nothing to do with, fight shy of; relinquish, reject, disavow, abandon

esoteric

synonyms: abstruse, obscure, arcane, recherché, rarefied, recondite, abstract; enigmatic, inscrutable, cryptic, Delphic; complex, complicated, incomprehensible, o

daft

synonyms: absurd, preposterous, ridiculous, ludicrous, farcical, laughable; idiotic, stupid, foolish, silly, inane, fatuous, harebrained, cockamamie, half-baked, crazy, cockeyed ";a daft i

ludicrous

synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, farcical, laughable, risible, preposterous, foolish, mad, insane, idiotic, stupid, inane, silly, asinine, nonsensical; informalc

preposterous

synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, foolish, stupid, ludicrous, farcical, laughable, comical, risible, nonsensical, senseless, insane; outrageous, monstrous; informalcrazy ";at the

invective

synonyms: abuse, insults, e

trappings

synonyms: accessories, accoutrements, appurtenances, trimmings, frills, accompaniments, extras, ornamentation, adornment, decoration; regalia, panoply, paraphernalia, apparatus, finery, equipment, gear, effects, things, bits and pieces ";she is sur

eulogy

synonyms: accolade, panegyr

attain

synonyms: achieve, accomplish, reach, obtain, gain, procure, secure, get, hook, net, win, earn, acquire; realize, fulfill; inform

vindicate

synonyms: acquit, clear, absolve, exonerate; discharge, liberate, free; informallet off, let off the hook; formalexculpate ";he was

ancillary

synonyms: additional, auxiliary, supporting, helping, extra, supplementary, supplemental, accessory, attendant; subsidiary, secondary; adjuvant; rareadminicular ";the Administrative Procedures Act and ancillary documents"

council

synonyms: advisory body, board, committee, brain trust, commission, assembly, panel; synod, co

effete

synonyms: affected, pretentious, precious, mannered, overrefined; ineffectual; informalla-di-da ";effete trendies"

accede

synonyms: agree to, consent to, accept, assent to, acquiesce in, comply with, go along with, concur with, surrender to, yield to, give in to, give way to, def

mitigate

synonyms: alleviate, reduce, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, take the edge off, allay, ease, assuage, palliate, relieve, tone down ";the worst symptoms have been mitiga

anathema

synonyms: an abomination, an outrage, an abhorrence, a disgrace, an evil, a bane, a

intimate

synonyms: announce, state, proclaim, declare, make known, make public, publicize, disclose, reveal, divulge, set forth ";he intimated to the com

vex

synonyms: annoy, irritate, anger, infuriate, exasperate, irk, gall, pique, put out, antagonize, nettle, get on someone's nerves, ruffle someone's feathers, rattle someone's cage, make someone's hackles rise, ru

aggravate

synonyms: annoy, irritate, exasperate, bother, put out, nettle, provoke, antagonize, get on someone's nerves, ruffle [someone's feathers], try someone's patience;

chagrin

synonyms: annoyance, irritation, vexation, exasperation, displeasure, dissatisfaction, discontent; anger, rage, fury, wrath, indignation, resentm

soporific

tending to induce drowsiness or sleep

tenacious

tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely

calumny

the

pedestal

the

probity

the

catalysis

the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst

ablution

the act of washing oneself [often used

attrition

the action o

egress

the action of going out of or leaving a place

valediction

the action of saying farewell

declamation

the action or art of de

gustation

the action or faculty of tasting

syncretism

the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cu

rhetoric

the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the us

remission

the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty

etiology

the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition

metabolism

the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life

dissolution

the closing down

harmony

the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progr

peroration

the concluding part of a speech, typically intended to inspire enthusiasm in the audience

fate

the development

patois

the dialect of the

mores

the essential or characteristic customs and conv

teleology

the explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve rather than by postulated causes

action

the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim

denouement

the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the p

ambrosia

the food of the gods

impetus

the force or energy with wh

cession

the formal giving up of rights, property, or territory, especially by a state

fratricide

the killing of one's brother or sister

prognosis

the likely course of a disease or ailment

nadir

the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organizatio

epiphany

the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi [Matthew 2:1-12]

doyen

the most respected or prominent person in a particular field

abscission

the natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically dead leaves and ripe fruit

iota

the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet [ Ι, ι ], transliterated as 'i.

proboscis

the nose of a mammal, especially when it is long and mobile, such as the trunk of an elephant or the snout of a tapir

prosody

the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry

banter

the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks

payola

the practice of bribing someone to use their influence or position to promote a particular product or interest

sortilege

the practice of foretelling the future from a card or other item drawn at random from a collection

paucity

the presence of something only in small or

accretion

the process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of

preemption

the purchase of goods or shares by one person or party before the opportunity is offered to others

asseveration

the solemn or emphatic declaration or statement of something

propinquity

the state of being close to someone or something; proximity

hebetude

the state of being dull or lethargic

sobriety

the state of being sober

tedium

the state of being tedious

pediment

the triangular upper part of the front of a building in classical style, typically surmounting a portico of columns

satire

the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's

pleonasm

the use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning [e.g., see with one's eyes ], either as a fault of style or for emphasis

solipsism

the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist

cerebration

the working of the brain; thinking

hagiolatry

the worship of saints

hagiography

the writing of the lives of saints

extrude

thrust or force out

tenuous

very weak or slight

sidle

walk in a furtive, unobtrusive, or timid manner, especially sideways or obliq

traipse

walk or move wearily or reluctantly

trudge

walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh

askance

with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval

staccato

with each sound or note sharply detached or separated from the others

akimbo

with hands on the hips and elbows turned outward

juvenilia

works produced by an author or artist while still young

malfeasance

wrongdoing, especially by a public official

coveted

yearn to possess