Test
surfeit
(n) excess, abundance<br /><br />(v) to feed, supply, or give to surfeit<br /><br />an intemperate or immoderate indulgence in something (as food or drink)<br />
Momentous
(of a decision, event, or change) of great importance or significance, especially in its bearing on the future.<br /><br />The Sony breach exemplifies a case in which the sheer diversity of information renders this breach a particularly momentous one.
moribund
(of a person) at the point of death.<br /><br />\on examination she was moribund and dehydrated\"<br /><br />synonyms:dying
tenet
. principle, doctrine, dogma, etc.
fetter
1 : a chain or shackle for the feet<br /> 2 : something that confines : restraint<br /><br />Examples: John keeps his smartphone with him when he goes hiking, but Linda leaves hers at home, preferring to free herself momentarily of the fetters of technology.<br /><br />opposite : unfettered †'free, unrestrained, unbridled
redoubtable
1 : causing fear or alarm : formidable<br />2 : illustrious, eminent; broadly : worthy of respect<br /><br />I can almost understand what drove the redoubtable Mr Azam to do the things he did.
acculturate
1 : cultural modification of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from another culture; also : a merging of cultures as a result of prolonged contact<br /><br />2 : the process by which a human being acquires the culture of a particular society from infancy
tacit
1 : expressed or carried on without words orspeech <br /><br /> 2 : implied or indicated (as by an act or by silence) but not actually expressed<br /><br /> <br />
delectable
1 : highly pleasing : delightful <br /><br />2 : delicious <br /><br />Synonyms: agreeable, blessed (also blest),congenial, darling, pleasant, delicious,delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet,enjoyable, felicitous, good, grateful,gratifying, heavenly, jolly, luscious, nice,palatable, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty,satisfying, savory (also savoury), sweet, tasty,welcome
ensconce
1 : shelter, conceal <br />ensconced themselves within the protection of three great elms €" Mark Twain<br /><br />2 : establish, settle <br />ensconced in a new job
underpin
1 : support, substantiate <br />2 : to form part of, strengthen, or replace the foundation of <br /><br /> Examples the central beliefs that underpin a free society<br /><br />this is where IT strategy can be defined to underpin or carry the C strategy to reach goals set
underpin
1 : support, substantiate <br />2 : to form part of, strengthen, or replace the foundation of <br /><br /><br />it is imperative that IT services underpin the business processes
teething
1 : the first growth of teeth<br />2 : the phenomena accompanying growth of teeth through the gums
stave
1 : to fend off <staving offcreditors>2 : to ward off (as somethingadverse) : forestall <trying tostave off disaster><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />managed to stave off the invaders <br /><br />the quartermaster staved off a shortage by requisitioning more than enough supplies<br /><br />
botch
1 : to foul up hopelessly <br /> often used with up<br /><br />2 : to put together in a makeshift way
herald
1 : to give notice of : announce<br /><br />2 a : to greet especially with enthusiasm : hail<br /><br /> b : publicize<br /><br />3 : to signal the approach of : foreshadow<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The early flowers are heralds of spring.<br /><br />Mercury was the herald of the Roman gods<br />
contravene
1 : to go or act contrary to : violate <br /><br /><br />2 : to oppose in argument : contradict
mull
1 : to grind or mix thoroughly :pulverize<br /><br />2 : to consider at length : ponder €"often used with overintransitive verb: meditate, ponder
stutter
1 : to speak with involuntary disruption or blocking of speech (as by spasmodic repetition or prolongation of vocal sounds)<br /><br />2 : to move or act in a halting or spasmodic manner<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />With stuttering sales of the latest Eurofighter Typhoon model forcing job cuts at U.K.-based BAE Systems Plc, Europe€™s biggest defense company, and the upheaval of Brexit straining defense pacts, that heritage may count for little.<br /><br />
dawdle
1 : to spend time idly<br /><br />2 : to move lackadaisically<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Hurry up! There\'s no time to dawdle.<br /><br />Come home immediately afterschool, and don\'t dawdle.<br /><br /><br /><br />Synonyms: crawl, creep, dally, delay, diddle, dillydally, drag, lag, linger, loiter, lollygag (also lallygag), mope, poke, shilly-shally, tarry
succumb
1 : to yield to superior strength or forceor overpowering appeal or desire <succumb to temptation><br /><br />2 : to be brought to an end (as death) by the effect of destructive or disruptive forces<br /><br />synonyms see yield<br /><br />
blue chip
1 a : a stock issue of high investmentquality that usually pertains to asubstantial well-established companyand enjoys public confidence in its worth and stability; also : a company that offers such stocks <br /><br />b : a business or undertaking with anoutstanding record or likelihood of profitability
endemic
1 a : belonging or native to a particularpeople or country <br /><br />b : characteristic of or prevalent in a particular field, area, or environment <br /><br />2 : restricted or peculiar to a locality or region synonyms see native
bespoke
1 a : custom-made <br /><br />b : dealing in or producing custom-made articles<br /><br />2 dialect : engaged<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a wealthy man who can easily afford bespoke suits <br /><br />once the last decent-looking woman in town was bespoke, it was time for the luckless bachelor to move on<br /><br />Synonyms: custom€"made (also bespoken),custom, customized, custom-tailored, made-to-order, tailored, tailor-made
infirmity
1 a : the quality or state of being infirm <br />b : the condition of being feeble : frailty<br />2 : disease, malady<br />3 : a personal failing : foible <br /><br />one of the besetting infirmities of living creatures is egotism €" A. J. Toynbee<br />Other forms: plural in·fir·mi·ties<br /><br />Examples<br />In recent years she has had to reduce her schedule because of age and infirmity.<br />the infirmities of old age
conflate
1 a : to bring together : fuse <br />b : confuse<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />be careful not to conflate gossip with real news<br /><br />the movie conflates documentary footage and dramatized reenactments
compendious
"a compendious study""<br />synonyms: succinct; pithy; short and to the point; short and sweet; potted; thumbnail; brief; crisp; compact"
repose
"a state of rest, sleep, or tranquillity.<br />\in repose her face looked relaxed\""<br />synonyms: rest; relaxation; inactivity; restfulness; stillness; idleness;<br /><br /><br />verb<br /><br />be situated or kept in a particular place.<br /><br />\""the diamond now reposes in the Louvre\""<br />synonyms: lie; be placed; be set; be situated; be positioned; be supported; rest<br />\""the diamond reposed on a bed of plum velvet\""""; "
sanction
"a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule.<br /><br />\a range of sanctions aimed at deterring insider abuse\""<br /><br />synonyms: penalty; punishment; deterrent;"""
stentorian
"adjective<br />(of a person\'s voice) loud and powerful.<br />\a stentorian roar\""<br />synonyms: loud; booming; thundering; thunderous; trumpeting; blaring; roaring; ear-splitting; deafening;"""
pipe dream
"an unattainable or fanciful hope or scheme.<br /><br />\free trade in international aviation will remain a pipe dream\""<br /><br />synonyms: fantasy; false hope; illusion; delusion; daydream; unrealizable dream; reverie; mirage; castle in the air; castle in Spain; chimera; informalpie in the sky"""
clamor
"demand, shout loudly and insistently.<br>the surging crowds <b>clamoured</b> for attention""
garrulous
"excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.<br /><br />a garrulous cab driver""<br />synonyms: talkative; loquacious; voluble; verbose; long-winded; chatty"
asinine
"extremely stupid or foolish.<br />\Lydia ignored his asinine remark\""<br />synonyms: stupid; foolish; pointless; brainless; mindless"""
parlous
"full of danger or uncertainty; precarious.<br /><br />\the parlous state of the economy\""<br /><br />synonyms: bad; dire; dreadful; awful; terrible; appalling; frightful; grave; serious; desperate; precarious; uncertain; touch-and-go; difficult; unsafe; perilous; dangerous; risky"""
vicissitude
"her husband's sharp vicissitudes of fortune""<br />synonyms: change; alteration; alternation; transformation; metamorphosis; transmutation; mutation; modification; transition; development; shift; switch; turn; More<br /><br />alternation between opposite or contrasting things.<br />""the vicissitude of the seasons"""""
incumbent
"necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility.<br />the government realized that it was incumbent on them to act""<br /><br />synonyms: binding; obligatory; mandatory; necessary; compulsory; required; requisite; essential; imperative<br />""it is incumbent on the government to give a clear lead""<br /><br />2. currently holding office.<br />""the incumbent President was defeated""<br />synonyms: current; existing; present; in office; in power; reigning<br />""the incumbent President had been defeated""<br /><br />3.having a sizeable share of a market.<br />""powerful incumbent airlines""""; "
trifle
"noun<br /><br />a thing of little value or importance.<br /><br />\we needn\'t trouble the headmaster over such trifles\""<br /><br />synonyms:unimportant thing/matter
sieve
"sift; put (a food substance or other material) through a sieve.<br />sieve the flour and sugar together in a bowl""<br />synonyms: strain"
gamut
"the complete range or scope of something.<br /><br />\the whole gamut of human emotion\""<br /><br />synonyms: range; spectrum; span; sweep; compass; scope; area; breadth; width; reach; extent; catalogue; scale; sequence"
verve
"vigour and spirit or enthusiasm.<br />Kollo sings with supreme verve and flexibility""<br /><br />synonyms: enthusiasm; vigour; energy; pep; dynamism; go; elan; vitality; vivacity; buoyancy; liveliness; animation; sprightliness; zest; sparkle"
saunter
"walk in a slow, relaxed manner.<br />Adam sauntered into the room""<br />synonyms: stroll; amble; wander; meander; drift; maunder; potter; walk; promenade; ramble"""
confer
(1) to discuss something important in order to make a decision<br /><br />discuss, deliberate, consult <br /><br />(2) to give (something, such as a degree, award, title, right, etc.) to someone or something<br /><br />bestow
concomitant
(adj) accompanying especially in a subordinate or incidental way<br /><br /><br />Examples<br />hunger, a lack of education, and other concomitants of poverty<br />disease is all too often one of the concomitants of poverty<br /><br /><br />Synonyms: accompanying, attendant, attending, coexistent, coexisting, coincidental, coincident, concurrent<br /><br />Synonyms: attendant, companion, accompaniment, corollary, incident, obbligato
pursuant
in accordance with (a law or a legal document or resolution).<br /><br />\the local authority applied for care orders pursuant to section 31 of the Children Act 1989\"<br /><br />following; going in pursuit."
insurmountable
incapable of being surmounted : insuperable <br /><br />Synonyms: bulletproof, impregnable,indomitable, insuperable, invincible,invulnerable, unbeatable, unconquerable,unstoppable
insuperable
incapable of being surmounted, overcome, passed over, or solved <insuperable difficulties><br /><br />Examples<br />the building project ran into insuperable financial difficulties and had to be scrapped<br /><br /><br />insuperable problems have arisen which make it very unlikely that we will ever finish this project<br />
overarching
including or influencing everypart of something<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />forming an arch overhead<br /><br />2 : dominating or embracing all else <overarching goals><br /><br />
anomalous
inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected : irregular, unusual
anomalous
inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected : irregular, unusual<br /><br />2 a : of uncertain nature or classification <br /><br />b : marked by incongruity or contradiction :<br /><br />paradoxical<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />that was an anomalous year for the housing industry, so the number of starts is anything but typical<br /><br />an anomalous burst of anger from this usually easy going person<br /><br />Synonyms: aberrant, aberrated, abnormal,exceptional, atypical, especial, exceeding,extraordinaire, extraordinary, freak, odd,peculiar, phenomenal, preternatural, rare,singular, uncommon, uncustomary, unique,unusual, unwonted
untenable
indefensible; not able to be defended ; not able to be occupied <br /><br />an untenable position<br />untenable apartments<br /><br /><br />
besotted
infatuated<br /><br />to make dull or stupid <br />all readybesotted with drink<br />
in lieu
instead of<br /><br />He gave us an IOU <b>in lieu</b> of cash.
foment
instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action).<br /><br />\they accused him of fomenting political unrest\"<br /><br />synonyms:instigate
foment
instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action).<br>they accused him of fomenting political unrest""
visceral
instinctive<br /><br />obtained through intuition rather than from reasoning or observation<br /><br />Synonyms:intuitive, nonrationalillogical, unlogical<br /><br />lacking in correct logical relation<br /><br />characterized by or proceeding from instinct rather than intellect: a visceral reaction.
veracity
integrity, probity, truthfulness, honesty, verity<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />her innate veracity is beyond question<br /><br />I challenge the veracity of many of the quotations in his memoirs, for he recreates conversations that occurred decades ago<br /><br />There is not the least bit of controversy regarding the veracity of these events, by the way. It is all well documented, and there are still many around who remember these events vividly.
seething
intensely hot : boiling < a seething inferno><br /><br />constantly moving or active : agitated
lo and behold
interjection€"used to express wonder or surprise<br /><br />example:<br /><br />and lo and behold, there was a lot of evidence that they would.
vest
intransitive verb<br />1 : to become legally vested<br />2 : to put on garments or vestments<br /><br />Synonyms: accredit, certify, charter [British], commission, empower, enable, invest, license (also licence), qualify, authorize, warrant
cognitive
involving conscious intellectual activity (as thinking, reasoning, orremembering) <br /><br />cognitive impairment<br /><br />when star performers were compared with average ones in senior leadership positions, nearly 90% of the difference in their profiles are attributable to emotional intelligence factors rather than cognitive abilities.
laborious
involving or characterized by hard or toilsome effort : labored<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the volunteers have been commendably laborious in their cleanup of the beach<br /><br />the laborious task of cleaning up the oil spill<br /><br />Synonyms: active, assiduous,bustling, diligent, employed,engaged, hopping, industrious,busy, occupied, sedulous, tied-up,working
whit
iota, modicum, bit<br /><br />the smallest amount or part imaginable<br /> <br />I care not a whit about what other people think
raring
itching, enthusiatic, eager, anxious<br /><br />Since you will be raring to go, it is a good idea to choose worthy destinations.<br /><br />At first, the apparition is happy to be free of his physical constraints and is raring to change the fortunes of any and all.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
dissemblance
lack of resemblance : dissimilitude
dissimilitude
lack of resemblance<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />there\'s a real dissimilitude between literature and film, and a critic shouldn\'t evaluate one in terms of the other<br /><br />Synonyms: contrast, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity, difference, <br /><br />
listless
lacking bodily energy or motivation<br /><br />when I had the flu, I felt listless and worn-out<br /><br />Synonyms enervated, lackadaisical,languid, languishing, languorous, limp,spiritless<br /><br />
diffident
lacking confidence : not feeling comfortable around people: very careful about acting or speaking<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She was diffident about stating her opinion.<br /><br />for someone who makes a living performing for other people, the actress is remarkably diffident in real life
disinegenuos
lacking in candor; also : giving a false appearance of simple frankness : calculating
base
lacking or indicating the lack of higher qualities of mind or spirit :ignoble <br />b : lacking higher values : degrading<br />a drab base way of life<br /><br />Synonyms: ignoble, contemptible, currish, despicable, detestable, dirty, dishonorable, execrable, ignominious, low, low-down, low-minded, mean, nasty, paltry, snide, sordid, vile, wretched
banal
lacking originality, freshness, or novelty :<br /><br />example:<br /><br />please find new ways of phrasing your thoughts instead of relying on banal expressions
crass
lacking sensitivity, refinement or intelligence<br /><br />example: <br /><br />he attracted crass comments from the audience<br /><br />tasteless, uncouth, uncultivated, uncultured, unpolished, unrefined, vulgar
transient
lasting only for a short time <br /><br />had transient thoughts of suicide but never acted upon them<br /><br />not lasting long: staying somewhere only a shorttime
stratum
layer, level<br /><br />startum 1 server of NTP passes info to startum 2 and then to strata n<br /><br />one of the segments of society into which people are grouped <br /><br />the lower strata of society have been hit especially hard by this economic downturn<br />
nondescript
leaving distinctive or interesting features or characteristics<br /><br />unremarkable, unexceptional
amenable
liable to be brought to account: answerable <br /><br />citizens amenable to the law<br /><br />2 a : capable of submission (as to judgment or test) : suited <br /><br />the data is amenable to analysis<br /><br />b : readily brought to yield, submit, or cooperate <br /><br />a government not amenable to change<br /><br />
inimical
likely to cause damage or have a bad effect<br /><br />not friendly<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence <br /><br />forces inimical to democracy<br /><br />Synonyms adversarial, adversary, antagonistic, antipathetic,inhospitable, hostile, jaundiced,mortal, negative, unfriendly, unsympathetic<br /><br />
contentious
likely to cause disagreement or argument <br /><br /><br /><br />gun control is likely to be a contentious subject in any group discussion<br /><br />Synonyms: aggressive, agonistic,argumentative, assaultive, bellicose, brawly,chippy, combative, confrontational,belligerent, discordant, disputatious, feisty,gladiatorial, militant, pugnacious,
esoteric
limited to a small circle <engaging in esoteric pursuits> <br />b : private, confidential <an esoteric purpose><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />metaphysics is such an esotericsubject that most people arecontent to leave it to thephilosophers
ebullient
lively and enthusiastic
subterranean
located or living under the surface of the ground<br /><br />: existing or working in secret
retroactive
made effective as of a date prior to enactment, promulgation, or imposition <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />They all received a retroactive pay raise.<br /><br />The new tax will be retroactive to January 1.<br /><br />
facetious
making light of something usuallyregarded as serious or sacred <br /><br />a facetious and tasteless remark aboutpeople in famine-stricken countries being spared the problem of overeating<br /><br />Synonyms cute, flippant, flip, pert, smart, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-ass, smart-assed, smarty-pants, wise, wiseass<br /><br />
steep
marinate; soak (food or tea) in water or other liquid so as to extract its flavour or to soften it.<br /><br />\the chillies are steeped in olive oil\"<br /><br />synonyms:marinade
tendentious
marked by a tendency in favor of aparticular point of view : biased
cookie-cutter
marked by lack of originality or distinction
penurious
marked by or suffering from penury/poverty<br /><br />parsimonious<br /><br />synonyms see stingy<br /><br /> Examples<br /><br />the company\'s penurious management could not be convinced of the need to earmark more money for research and development the most penurious members of the community are forced to depend on the services of the food bank
stalwart
marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind, or spirit <br /><br />Synonyms: <br /><br />bold, courageous, dauntless,doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted,gutsy, gutty, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, manful, brave, stout, stouthearted, undauntable, undaunted,valiant, valorous
febrile
marked or caused by fever : feverish
febrile
marked or caused by fever : feverish<br /><br />a febrile reaction caused by an allergy
histrionic
melodramatic, overact, theatrical
wanton
merciless, inhumane <br /><br />wanton cruelty<br /><br />What happened next€"the slaughter of the family and servants€"was one of the seminal events of the 20th century, a wanton massacre that shocked the world and still inspires a terrible fascination today
meld
merge, blend<br /><br />blend, mixture
sundry
miscellaneous, various <sundry articles><br /><br />of various items not important enough to mentioned individually<br /><br />a drugstore selling magazines, newspapers and sundries<br /><br />
dilapidated
miserable, moth-eaten, neglected,ratty, run-down, scrubby, scruffy,seedy, sleazy, tacky,<br /><br />Examples<br />a dilapidated car that had seen better days<br /><br />to bring into a condition of decay or partial ruin <br /><br />furniture is dilapidated by use €" Janet Flanner
proselytize
missionize; brainwash, influence, sway; propagate<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />He uses his position to proselytize for the causes that he supports.<br /><br />the efforts of early missionaries to proselytize the Native Americans of Minnesota were largely unproductive<br /><br />
tepid
moderately warm : lukewarm<br />eg. a tepid bath<br /><br />2 a : lacking in passion, force, or zest <br />eg. tepid poetry<br /><br />b : marked by an absence of enthusiasm or conviction<br /> eg.<br />a tepid interest <br />a tepid response
befuddle
most of the applicants were befuddled by the wording of one of the questions on the driving test<br /><br />Synonyms addle, baffle, bamboozle, beat, befog, confuse, bemuse, bewilder, <br /><br />
cerebral
much given to learning and thinking <br /><br />a very cerebral jurist who has given much thought to what makes our nation\'s constitution work<br /><br />Synonyms blue, intellectual,eggheaded, geeky, highbrow,highbrowed, intellectualist,
cerebral
much given to learning and thinking <br />intellectual<br />a very cerebral jurist who has given much thought to what makes our nation\'s constitution work
passe
no longer fashionable or popular<br /><br />1 : past one\'s prime<br />2 a : outmoded<br />b : behind the times<br /><br />Examples<br />That style of music is now considered passé.<br />that literary style is a bit passé nowadays
untenable
not able to be defended <br /><br />2 : not able to be occupied <br /><br />the purported reason for maintaining law and order at the expense of people's right to free flow information and freedom of expression seems untenable
inexorable
not able to be stopped or changed<br /><br />: not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped : relentless <br /><br />inexorable progress><br /><br />
tenuous
not certain, definite, or strong :flimsy, weak, or uncertain: very thin<br /><br />Columnist Bruce Schneier called FBI's case against North Korea tenuous" and noted that a Korean language used may not have been a North Korean dialect"
bashful
not comfortable around people <br /><br />a bashful child who hid in his room whenever there were visitors in the house<br /><br />Synonyms backward, shy, coy, demure, diffident, introverted, modest, recessive, retiring, self-effacing, sheepish, withdrawn
incongruous
not conforming, not harmonious, incompatible
unsullied
not contaminated
intractable
not easily managed, controlled, or solved<br /><br />: not easily relieved or cured<br /><br /><br />1 : not easily governed, managed, or directed <br /><br />intractable problems<br /><br />2 : not easily manipulated or wrought <br /><br />intractable metal<br /><br />
extraneous
not forming an essential or vital part<br /><br /> b : having no relevance<br /> <br />Examples<br /><br />the architect\'s streamlined modern style shuns any sort of extraneous ornamentation<br /><br />the professor would have covered all of the course material if she had refrained from her extraneous remarks on just <br />about everything
extrinsic
not forming part of or belonging to a thing : extraneous b : originating from or on the outside<br /><br /> originating outside a part and acting upon the part as a whole 2 : external<br /><br />Examples the fact that the ring belonged to your grandmother is extrinsic to its value to a jeweler
spurious
not genuine, sincere, or authentic<br /><br />: based on false ideas or bad reasoning<br /><br />Synonyms: bogus, fake, false, forged, inauthentic, phony (also phoney), queer, sham, snide, counterfeit, unauthentic
incongruous
not harmonious : incompatible<incongruous colors> <br /><br />b : not conforming : disagreeing<conduct incongruous with principle> <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />there\'s an incongruous modernism to the actor\'s performance in this period piece<br /><br /> incongruous theories about the origins of matter
desultory
not having a plan or purpose<br /><br />: done without serious effort
tacky
not having or exhibiting good taste: <br /><br />a : marked by lack of style : dowdy<br /><br />b : marked by cheap showiness :<br />gaudy <br /><br />a tacky publicity stunt<br />a tacky outfit
unassuming
not having or showing a desireto be noticed, praised, etc.<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />: not assuming : modest <br /><br />an unassuming librarian an unassuming manner<br /> an unassuming neighborhood<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a talented but surprisingly unassuming musician<br /><br />
tep·id
not hot and not cold: not energetic or excited
jejune
not interesting, : too simple<br /><br />Synonyms: arid, colorless, drab, dreary, drudging, dry, dull, dusty, flat, heavy<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She made jejune remarks about life and art.<br /><br />another moralizing tale filled with jejune platitudes<br /><br /><br />
incontrovertible
not open to question : indisputable<br /><br /><br /><br />
im·plau·si·ble
not plausible : provoking disbelief<br /><br />Synonyms: fantastic (also fantastical),incredible, inconceivable, incredulous,unbelievable, uncompelling, unconceivable,unconvincing, unimaginable, unthinkable
impalpable
not readily discerned by themind <impalpable evils><br /><br />incapable of being felt by touch : intangible <the impalpable aura of power that emanated from him
inscrutable
not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood : mysterious <an inscrutable smile> <inscrutable motives><br /><br />Examples<br />the many inscrutable beliefs of that ancient religion<br /><br />ancient oracles typically uttered inscrutable prophecies that could be interpreted almost any way one chose
inconspicuous
not readily noticeable, unobtrusive, invisible,
undocumented
not supported by documentary evidence <br /><br />undocumented expenditures<br /><br />b : lacking documents required forlegal immigration or residence <br /><br />undocumented workers<br />
disingenuous
not truly honest or sincere :giving the false appearance of being honest or sincere<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Her recent expressions of concern are self-serving and disingenuous.<br /><br />
profligate
noun<br />: a person given to wildly extravagant and usually grossly self-indulgent expenditure<br /><br />Examples<br />a profligate who could not really afford the grand style he maintained at Monticello, Jefferson died deeply in debt<br /><br />Synonyms: fritterer, high roller, prodigal, spender, spendthrift, squanderer, waster, wastrel<br /><br />adjective<br /><br />carelessly and foolishly wastingmoney, materials, etc. : very wasteful<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />1 : wildly extravagant <br /><br />profligate spending<br /><br />2 : completely given up to dissipationand licentiousness : shamelesslyimmoral <br /><br />leading a profligate life<br /><br />
introspection
noun<br />: a reflective looking inward : an examination of one\'s own thoughts and feelings<br /><br />Examples<br />not a man given to introspection, he grew impatient with his wife\'s constant need to discuss their relationship<br /><br /><br />Synonyms: self-contemplation, self-examination, self-observation, self-questioning, self-reflection, self-scrutiny, self-searching, soul-searching
promenade
noun<br /><br />: a public place for walking especiallyalong<br /><br />verb<br />to walk in a public place for pleasure<br />Examples<br /><br />They promenaded along the beach.<br /><br /><br />
caveat
noun<br /><br />: an explanation or warning that should be remembered when you are doing or thinking about something<br /><br />
herald
noun<br /><br />Synonyms: advocate, advocator, apostle, backer, booster, champion, expounder, espouser, friend, gospeler(or gospeller), exponent, hierophant, high priest, paladin, promoter, proponent, protagonist, supporter, <br /><br />verb<br /><br />to give notice of : announce <a gongused to herald the new year> <the approach of a cold air mass€¦is heralded by a shift of the wind €" P. E. James><br /><br />2 a : to greet especially withenthusiasm : hail <br /><br />doctors are heralding a new drug<br />b : publicize <br /><br />a highly heralded event<br /><br />3 : to signal the approach of :foreshadow <br /><br />The technology heralded a new age of space exploration<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Rain heralds the arrival of spring.<br /><br />The technology heralded a new age of space exploration.<br /><br />
profligate
noun<br /><br />a person given to wildly extravagant and usually grossly self-indulgent expenditure<br /><br />adjective<br /><br />wildly extravagant <profligate spending>
discourse
noun<br /><br />verbal interchange of ideas; especially : conversation<br /><br />Synonyms: chat, colloquy, converse, dialogue (also dialog), conversation, discussion, exchange<br /><br />verb<br /><br />to express oneself especially in oral discourse
recourse
noun<br />a temporary replacement <br />if you\'re a spectator caught without rainwear at a sporting event, then a plastic garbage bag makes an acceptable, if unfashionable, expedient<br /><br />
hamper
obstruct, inhibit, impede, curb, set back
conspicuous
obvious to the eye, attracting attention, noticeable
axiomatic
obviously true<br /><br />1 : taken for granted : self-evident <br />an axiomatic truth
long-standing
of long duration (a long-standing dispute)
execrable
of low quality ; extremely unsatisfactory<br /><br />another souvenir shopselling execrable knickknacks manufactured in some foreign sweatshop <br /><br />her execrable singing finally brought a complaint from the neighbors
serville
of or befitting a slave or a menial position<br /><br />2 : meanly or cravenly submissive : abject<br /><br />Examples<br />had always maintained a servile attitude around people with money
populist
of or relating to a political party that claims to represent ordinary people
aural
of or relating to the ear or to the sense of hearing <br /><br />Examples <br /><br />a quiet room for people seeking relief fromthe overload of aural stimulus just outside
emotive
of or relating to the emotions<br /><br />2 : appealing to or expressing emotion
ethereal
of or relating to the regions beyond the earth <br /><br />celestial, heavenly c : unworldly, spiritual<br /><br /> lacking material substance : immaterial,<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />that ethereal attribute that every performer should have€"charisma<br /><br />the bakery\'s scrumptious pastries have a wonderfully ethereal consistency<br /><br />a land of ethereal beauty and tranquillity
comatose
of, resembling, or affected with coma<br />2 : characterized by lethargic inertness : torpid <a comatose economy><br /><br />Examples<br />the city\'s downtown has been comatose for years<br /><br />Synonyms: dead, sleepy, slow
venerable
old and respected : valued and respected because of old age, longuse, etc.<br /><br />encouraged by the venerable doctor\'s head-nodding
archetype
old, out of use
by and large
on the whole : in general
vassal
one in a subservient or subordinate position
pagan
one who has little or no religionand who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious orhedonistic person
misogynist
one who hates women
maven
one who is experienced or knowledgeable :expert; also : freak 4a.<br /><br />Examples <br /><br />an investment maven, he was doing well even when the market was doing poorly<br /><br />a science-fiction maven who could talk forhours about fictional technology
glazier
one who sets glas
bigot
one who stubbornly or intolerantly adheres to his or her own opinions and prejudices an incorrigible bigot who hasn\'t entertained a new thought in years<br /><br />Synonyms dogmatist, dogmatizer,partisan (also partizan), sectarian<br /><br />
temperament
one\'s characteristic attitude or mood <br /><br />looking for a dog with a sweet temperament<br /><br />Synonyms grain, nature, temper, disposition
overt
open to view : manifest <overt hostility
overt
open to view <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />overt hostility<br /><br />an overtly religious reference
concurrent
operating or occurring at the same time<br /> running parallel<br /><br /> b : convergent; <br /><br />acting in conjunction<br /><br />sentence : concurrent attacks by land, sea, and air.
novel
original or striking especially in conceptionor style <br /><br />Synonyms: fresh, new, original, strange,unaccustomed, unfamiliar, unheard-of,unknown, unprecedented
vacillate
oscillate; to waver in mind
ectopic
out of place <ectopic lesions>
egregious
outstandingly bad; shocking.<br />egregious abuses of copyright""
apopcleptic
overcome with anger; furious.<br /><br />\Mark was apoplectic with rage at the decision\"<br /><br />synonyms:furious; enraged; overcome with anger; infuriated; in a temper; incensed; raging;<br /><br />"
hindsight
perception of the nature of an event after it has happened
sycophant
person who flatters another in order to get ahead when her career was riding high, the self-deluded actress often mistook sycophants for true friends<br /><br />Synonyms apple-polisher, bootlicker, brownnoser, fawner, flunky (alsoflunkey or flunkie), lickspittle, suck-up, toady<br /><br />
queasy
perturbed, nervous, tense, troubled, uneasy, unquiet, upset, uptight, worried<br /><br />having an unpleasantly nervous or doubtful feeling<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The boat ride made me a littlequeasy.<br />She complained of a queasystomach.<br />He feels queasy about taking the test.<br />
spite
petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />He is jealous and full of spite.<br />an act of spite<br />You only denied his request out of (pure) spite.<br />
cusp
point, apex: as a : a point of transition (as from one historicalperiod to the next) : turning point; also : edge,verge <br /><br />Examples<br />the cusp of a tooth<br /><br />She is on the cusp of being a star.<br /><br />on the cusp between childhood andadolescence
progenitor
precursor, originator, ancestor<br /><br />the East India company was the progenitor of the modern multinational corporation
precursor
predecessor, forerunner<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />18th-century lyric poets like Robert Burns were precursors of the Romantics<br /><br />a precursor of the modern eggplant
preordain
predestine
precedence
priority of importance <yoursafety takes precedence><br /><br />his merchandise order takes precedence because we received it first
innocuous
producing no injury, harmless, innoffensive , insipid
testament
proof or evidence that something exists or is true<br /><br /> a tangible proof or tribute<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the €œbefore€ and €œafter€ pictures are a testament to the effectiveness of the weight loss program<br />
aegis
protection, sponsorship<br /><br />a medical study that was questioned by many because it was done under the aegis of a major pharmaceutical company.
unsullied
pure, untarnished
catharsis
purification or purgation of the emotions (as pity and fear) primarily through art <br /><br />a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension
posit
put forward as fact or as a basis for argument.<br /><br />\the Confucian view posits a perfectible human nature\"<br /><br />synonyms:postulate
imperil
put in peril, endanger, compromise, jeopardise<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The toxic fumes imperiled the lives of the trapped miners.<br /><br />The financial health of the company was imperiled by a string of bad investments.<br /><br />a list of imperiled species<br /><br />
demure
quiet and polite<br /><br />: not attracting or demanding a lot of attention : not showy or flashy<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />1 : reserved, modest<br /><br />2 : affectedly modest, reserved, or serious : coy<br /><br />Examples<br />She was wearing a demure gray suit.<br />the demure charm of the cottage
radicalize
radical:<br /><br />very different from the usual or traditional : extreme <br /><br />b : favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions <br /><br />c : associated with political views,
temerity
rashness, recklessness<br />2 : a rash or reckless act<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />she had the temerity to ask my boyfriend if she could go out with him should he and I ever break up<br /><br />Synonyms: audaciousness, audacity, brashness
supple
readily adaptable or responsive to new situations<br /><br />2 a : capable of being bent or folded without creases, cracks, or breaks : pliant <supple leather><br /><br />b : able to perform bending or twisting movements with ease : limber <supple legs of a dancer>
prominent
readily noticeable : conspicuous
recoup
regain <an attempt to recouphis fortune><br /><br />Samsung Electronics is poised to recoup its title as the world€™s top maker of smartphones.
pecuniary
relating to or in the form of money
fiduciary
relating to or involving trust(such as the trust between a customer and a professional)
empirical
relying on experience or observation alone often without due regard for system and theory an empirical basis for thetheory<br /><br />3 : capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment <br /><br />empirical laws
strenuous
requiring or showing great energy and effort<br /><br />Full Definition<br />1 a : vigorously active : energetic<br />b : fervent, zealous <br /><br />his most strenuous supporters
oleaginous
resembling or having the properties of oil : oily; also : containingor producing oil<br /><br />2 : marked by an offensivelyingratiating manner or quality<br /><br />
deference
respect and esteem due a superior or an elder; also : affected or ingratiating regard for another\'s wishes<br /><br />synonyms see honor<br /><br />in deference to : in consideration of <returned early in deference to her parents\' wishes><br /><br />Examples<br />the sycophantic deference with which the hotel treats celebrity guests
deride
ridicule<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />my brothers derided our efforts, but were forced to eat theirwords when we won first place
cobble
roughly assemble or put together something from available parts or elements<br /><br />thankfully i can cobble together enough experience to be able to apply for the certification
wrack
ruin, destruction<br />2 : a remnant of something destroyed<br /><br />
preclude
rule out in advance, <br /><br />negate , prevent, impede, thwart<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Clinton's lawyers cleaned her email devices in such a way as to preclude complete forensic recovery.<br /><br />
categorical
said in a very strong, clear, and definite way<br /><br />Examples<br />He issued a categorical denial about his involvement in the deal.<br /><br />a categorical denial of the rumors that the celebrities were planning to get married
slake
satisfy, quench <br /><br />slake your thirst<br /><br />will slake your curiosity
ingest
sawallow, ruminate, absorb, gulp, digest, imbibe, soak
dearth
scarcity that makes dear; specifically : famine<br /><br /> an inadequate supply : lack <a dearth of evidence>
slate
schedule; plan.<br /><br />\London shows are slated for late June\"<br /><br />nominate (someone) as a candidate for an office or post.<br /><br />\"I understand that I am being slated for promotion\"<br /><br />"
collusion
secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purpose<br /><br />Synonyms: complicity, connivance,conspiracy<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />there was collusion between the twocompanies to fix prices
collusion
secret cooperation for an illegalor dishonest purpose<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />there was collusion between the two companies to fix prices
arcane
secret or mysterious : known or understood by only a few people<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a theory filled with arcane details<br /><br />grammatical rules that seem arcane to generations of students who were never taught grammar in the first place
arcane
secret or mysterious : knownor understood by only a fewpeople<br /><br />Examples<br />grammatical rules that seem arcane to generations of students who were never taught gramm
pretentious
self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance <br /><br />that pretentious couple always serves caviar at their parties, even though they themselves dislike it
instrumental
serving as a crucial means, agent, or tool <was instrumental in organizing the strike>
instrumental
serving as a crucial means, agent, or tool <was instrumental in organizing the strike> <br /><br />very important in helping or causing something to happen or be done
vi·car·i·ous
serving instead of someone or something else <br /><br />b : that has been delegated <vicarious authority><br /><br />2 : performed or suffered by one person as a substitute for another or to the benefit or advantage of another : substitutionary <a vicarious sacrifice>
brass
shameless boldness <br /><br />had the brass to demand a refund for something they had broken themselves!<br /><br />Synonyms audaciousness, audacity, brashness, effrontery, brassiness, brazenness, cheek, cheekiness, <br /><br />
gall
shameless boldness <br />I can\'t believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh<br /><br />Synonyms audaciousness, audacity, brashness, brass, brassiness, brazenness, cheek, cheekiness, <br /><br />
ensconce
shelter, conceal <ensconced themselves within the protection of three great elms €" MarkTwain><br /><br />2 : establish, settle <ensconced in€‹ a new job><br /><br /><br /><br />Synonyms: install, lodge, nestle, perch, roost, settle<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The sculpture is safelyensconced behind glass.<br /><br />He ensconced himself in frontof the television.<br /><br />
assiduous
showing great care, attention, and effort<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the fascinating sight ofassiduous ants carrying food intothe anthill
assiduous
showing great care, attention, and effort<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br /> marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application <br /><br />an assiduous book collector<br /><br />tended her garden with assiduous attention<br /><br />
coy
showing reluctance to make a definite commitment <br /><br />a coy response<br /><br />using coy tricks to attract attention
cue
signal, sign, indication, prompt, reminder, gesture<br /><br />the blinking blue light is my cue to lower the volume
straddle
sit or stand with one leg on either side of.<br>he turned the chair round and straddled it"<br><br><br><br><br><br>synonyms:<br>sit/stand astride
guille
skill in achieving one\'s ends throughindirect, subtle, or underhanded means <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />When they couldn\'t win by honest means, they resorted to guile.<br /><br />a shady salesman who usually relies on a combination of quick thinking and guile
industrious
skillful, ingenious<br />2 : constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied : diligent <an industrious worker>
anathema
someone or something intenselydisliked or loathed €" usually used as a predicate nominative <br /><br />this notion was anathema to most of his countrymen€" S. J. Gould<br /><br />Synonyms curse, ban, execration, imprecation, malediction<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a politician who is anathema toconservatives<br /><br />ideas that are an anathema to me<br /><br />
contention
something (such as a belief, opinion, or idea) that is argued or stated<br /><br />: anger and disagreement<br /><br />: a situation in which you have a chance to win something that you are trying to win<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />my contention is that today\'s lower batting averages are the result of better pitching<br /><br /> several actresses seem to be in heated contention for the title of €œworst dressed€
archetype
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed <br /><br />the abacus is sometimes cited as the archetype of the modern digital calculator<br /><br />Synonyms antecedent, ancestor,daddy, foregoer, forerunner,granddaddy (also grandaddy),precursor, predecessor, prototype
forte
something for which a person shows a special talent <br /><br />doing funny impressions of people has always been my forte<br /><br />Synonyms long suit, métier (also metier), speciality, specialty, strong suit, thing
quid pro quo
something given or received for something else; also : a dealarranging a quid pro quo<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />in politics nobody does somethingfor nothing: there\'s always a quidpro quo involved<br /><br />Synonyms: back-and-forth, barter, commutation, dicker, exchange, swap, trade, trade-off, truck
overture
something introductory : prelude<br /> the first part of an event : the beginning of something<br /><br />Examples<br />The government has made a significant peace overture by opening the door to negotiation.<br />the parade down Main Street served as the overture for a weekend of fun and festivities
connotation
something suggested by a word or thing : implication <br /><br />the connotations of comfort thatsurrounded that old chair<br /><br />undertone
connotation
something suggested by a word or thing : implication <the connotations of comfort that surrounded that old chair>
inflection
something that curves or is curved<br /><br /> the inflection of the river is even morevobvious when viewed from the summit of the nearby mountain<br /><br />Synonyms angle, arc, arch, bow, crook,curvature, curve, bend, turn, wind<br /><br />
blight
something that frustrates plans or hopes <br /><br />3 : something that impairs or destroys <br /><br />4 : a deteriorated condition<br /><br /> Examples
banality
something that is boring or ordinary ; especially : an uninteresting statement : a banal remark<br />: the quality of being ordinary or banal<br /><br />husband\'s infedility is one of life\'s many banalities
synthesis
something that is made by combining different things (such as ideas, styles, etc.)<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a philosophy that is a kind of synthesis of several schools of Western and Eastern thought
effusion
something that is said or expressed too much or with a lot of emotion<br /><br />greeted her with great effusion
microcosm
something that is seen as a small version of something much larger<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The village is a microcosm of thewhole country.
underpinning
something that serves as a foundation :basis, support , cornerstone€" often used in plural <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the underpinnings of the theory have recently been called into question<br /><br /> the underpinnings of the bridge were seriously damaged in the collision<br /><br />the philosophical underpinnings of educational methods
undeepinning
something that serves as a foundation :basis, support €" often used in plural <br /><br />the underpinnings of the theory have recently been called into questionthe<br /> underpinnings of the bridge were seriously damaged in the collision
blight
something that spoils the appearance orcompleteness of a thing <the expanding urban sprawl is a blight on the countryside><br /><br />Synonyms blemish, blotch, defect,deformity, disfigurement, excrescence,excrescency, fault, flaw, imperfection,mar, mark, pockmark, scar<br /><br />
strident
sounding harsh and unpleasant<br /><br />: expressing opinions or criticism in a very forceful and often annoying or unpleasant way<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />: characterized by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound <br /><br />a strident voice; also :<br /> commanding attentionby a loud or obtrusive quality <br /><br />strident slogans<br /><br />
extemporary
spoken or done without preparation<br /><br />improvised, offhand
pervasive
spread throughout:<br /><br />The corruption is so pervasive that it is accepted as the way to do business.<br /><br />pervasive drug use among students creates a climate in the schools that is destructive to learning.<br /><br />pervasive odors of ripening vine, Fill the air like a lusciouswine.
salient
standing out conspicuously : prominent; especially : of notable significance<br /><br />very important or noticeable
austere
stern and cold in appearance or manner <br /><br />an austere Puritan<br /><br />b : somber, grave an austere critic
dogmatism
stubborn or intolerant adherence toone\'s opinions or prejudices<br /><br />it seems as if one foot rested on dogmatism and one on scepticism.
restive
stubbornly resisting control : balky<br /><br />2 : marked by impatience or uneasiness :fidgety<br /><br /><br />Examples the restive horse threw its head and refused to move when the rider urged it forward spent a restive night worrying about the next day\'s exam
reconnaissance
survey, exploration, scrutiny
veer
swerve, change direction,to turn or steer sharply away from someone or something.<br /><br />The bird veered off from the cluster of trees.<br /><br /> The bird veered off and missed hitting the post.
rue
synonyms: regret, be sorry about, feel apologetic/remorseful about, feel remorse for, repent of<br /><br />Ferguson will rue the day he turned down that offer\
tenable
synonyms:defensible, justifiable, defendable,supportable, sustainable,maintainable, arguable, able to hold water, reasonable, rational,
rend
tear (something) into pieces.<br /><br />\snapping teeth that would rend human flesh to shreds\"<br /><br />\"you tell me this in order to make me able to betray you without rending my heart\"<br /><br />\"he rent the branch out of the tree\""
discretion
the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters <br /><br />we\'ll rely on your discretion in handling this accusation of cheating<br /><br />Synonyms discreetness, common sense,<br /><br />
reparation
the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury <br /><br />b : something done or given as amends or satisfaction <br /><br />3 : the payment of damages : indemnification; specifically : compensation in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation
larceny
the act of stealing something<br /><br />Examples<br />He was arrested and charged with larceny.<br /><br />He has been accused of several larcenies.
ascension
the act or process of ascending<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />her ascension from the freshman to the varsity team was evidence of how much she had improved in one season
perusal
the action of reading or examining something<br /><br />reading, study,
ward
the action or process of guarding <br /><br />The men had no uniforms, so they wore ordinary clothes: coats to ward off the early morning chill and large brimmed hats
egress
the action or right of going or coming out<br /><br />2 : a place or means of going out :exit<br /><br />a way to get out of a place or the act of leaving a place<br /><br />Examples<br />The auditorium is designed to provide easy egress in an emergency.<br /><br />the only egress from the nightclub was a dark, narrow stairway to the street below
vocation
the activity by which one regularly makes a living <br />Synonyms calling, employment, game, lay, line, profession, trade, occupation, work
braggadocio
the annoying or exaggerated talk of someone who is trying to sound very proud or brave<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a loud mouthed braggart who hid his cowardice with braggadocio<br /><br />his braggadocio hid the fact that he felt personally inadequate<br /><br />
substrate
the base on which an organism lives
nihilism
the belief that a society\'s political and social institutions are so bad that they should be destroyed<br /><br />
paragon
the best of its kind<br /><br />Even with the rise of Kobe Bryant, many still believe that Michael Jordan is the paragonfor basketball players.<br /><br />
quintessential
the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form
antithesis
the exact opposite of something or someone: <br /><br />the state of two things that are directly opposite to each other
bearing
the fact or state of being pertinent<these new facts have some bearingon the case><br /><br />Synonyms applicability, pertinence, connection, materiality, relevance, relevancy, correlation<br /><br />
pinnacle
the highest point of development or achievement : acme
levy
the imposition or collection of an assessment<br /><br />Synonyms: assessment, duty, imposition, impost, tax<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The government imposed a levy on gasoline.<br /><br />the legislators approved a new levy on imported cattle to help protect American ranchers
wherewithal
the money, skill, etc., that is neededto get or do something<br /><br />: means, resources; specifically : money<br />didn't have the wherewithal for an expensive dinner
heyday
the period of one\'s greatest popularity,vigor, or prosperity<br /><br />Synonyms: blossom, florescence, floruit,flower, flush, bloom, high noon, prime, salad days, springtime
domicile
the place where you live : yourhome<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />1 : a dwelling place : place ofresidence : home2 a : a person\'s fixed, permanent, and principal home for legal purposes<br />b : residence 2b<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />You will need to report your change of domicile to your insurance company.<br /><br />Students must establish a domicile in the state to be eligible for reduced tuition.<br /><br />
nadir
the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and verticallydownward from the observer<br /><br />2 : the lowest point<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The relationship between the two countries reached a nadir in the 1920s.<br /><br />the discussion really reached its nadir when people resorted to name-calling<br /><br />
volition
the power of choosing or determining : will<br /><br />left the church of her own volition, not because she was excommunicated
clout
the power to influence or control situations<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She used her political clout to have another school built.<br /><br />britain lost its clout with the advent of bogger auper power countries<br /><br />By not only keeping abreast of news, but providing detailed analysis of products being offered, GetVoiP is able to generate traffic to their site and increase their clout with businesses.<br /><br />The more online clout you have as a business, the more money you€™ll make.<br /><br />
volition
the power to make your own choices or decisions<br /><br />Synonyms accord, autonomy, choice, self-determination, free will, will<br /><br />left the church of her own volition, not because she was excommunicated
brinksmanship
the practice of causing or allowing a situation to become extremely dangerous in order to get the results that you want<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />two nations caught up in nuclear brinksmanship<br /><br />
pretexting
the practice of presenting oneself as someone else in order to obtain private information
brunt
the principal force, shock, or stress (as of an attack)<br /><br />2 : the greater part : burden<br /><br />Examples <br /><br />Cities on the coast felt/bore the brunt of thestorm<br />.His troops took the brunt of the enemyattack.<br /><br />The brunt of his criticism was directed at the supervisors.
ebullient
the quality of lively or enthusiastic expression of thoughts or feelings : exuberance
laxity
the quality or state of being lax/careless/loose/carefree/slack
tedium
the quality or state of being tedious or boring<br />Full Definition<br /><br />1 : the quality or state of being tedious : tediousness; also : boredom<br /><br />2 : a tedious period of time<br /><br />Examples<br />The movie was three hours of tedium.<br />I took a day off to relieve the tedium of work.
currency
the quality or state of beingcurrent : currentness<br /><br />management, along with IS auditors, should review all policies periodically for currency
ether
the rarefied element formerly believed to fill the upper regions of <br />space <br /><br />the upper regions of space : heavens<br /><br />Example<br /><br />The balloon disappeared into the ether.<br /><br />plucked an answer out of the ether<br /><br />broadcasting radio signals into the ether
turnover
the rate at which employees leave a workforce and are replaced.<br />high staff turnover left the program with too many young instructors"<br /><br />synonyms:<br />rate of replacement
iota
the smallest amount or part imaginable <br /><br />there\'s not an iota of doubt regarding the defendant\'s guilt
triage
the sorting of patients (as in an emergency room) according to the urgency of their need for care<br /><br />2 : the assigning of priority order to projects on the basis of where funds and other resources can be best used, are most needed, or are most likely to achieve success
verve
the spirit and enthusiasmanimating artistic composition orperformance : vivacity <br />b : energy, vitality<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She played with skill and verve.
stratification
the state of being divided into social classes: the state of having many layers
primacy
the state of being most important or strongest<br /><br />Examples<br />the primacy of calcium for building strong bones<br /><br />Synonyms: distinction,dominance, noteworthiness,
contrition
the state of feeling remorseful and penitent or contrite<br /><br />synonyms:remorse, remorsefulness, repentance, penitence, sorrow, sorrowfulness, regret, ruefulness, pangs of conscience;<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Were her tears a true sign of contrition?<br /><br />once again she heard her abusive husband\'s tearful expressions of contrition<br /><br /><br /><br />
celibacy
the state of not being married<br />2 a : abstention from sexual intercourse <br />b : abstention by vow from marriage<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a widower who has maintainedabsolute celibacy since thedeath of his wife
tutelage
the teaching of an individual student by a teacher<br />: an act of guarding or protecting something<br />: helpful influence or guidance<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a governess overseeing thetutelage of the family\'s children
duress
the use of power to impose one\'s will on another <br /><br />complied with the order only under duress<br /><br />Synonyms arm-twisting, coercion, compulsion, constraint, force, pressure
mull
think about (something) deeply or consider and at length.<br /><br />\she began to mull over the various possibilities\"<br /><br />synonyms:ponder
baleful
threatening harm or evil<br /><br />: harmful or deadly<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />1 : deadly or pernicious in influence <br />baleful effects<br /><br />2 : foreboding or threatening evila baleful look<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the baleful effects of water pollution<br /><br />a dark, baleful sky portending a tornado<br /><br />
protuberance
thrusting out from a surrounding or adjacent surface often as a rounded mass : prominent <protuberant eyes>
abjure
to abstain from : avoid <abjure extravagance><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />abjured some long-held beliefs when she converted to another religion<br />a strict religious sect that abjures theluxuries, comforts, and conveniences of the modern world
vituperative
to abuse or censure severely or abusively
ti·rade
to abuse or censure severely or abusively <br /><br />Synonyms: abuse, assail, bash, belabor,
concert
to act in harmony or conjunction<br /><br />Synonyms: arrange, bargain,negotiate<br /><br />Banks can lower costs and enable growth through service model innovation€"especially when applied in concert with sophisticated marketing, analytics and integrated multichannel distribution.
bode
to announce beforehand : foretell<br /><br />2 : to indicate by signs
obviate
to anticipate and prevent (as a situation) or make unnecessary (as an action)<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />brushing regularly should obviate the need for frequent trips to the dentist
spat
to argue or fight : to have a spat<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />They were typical sisters, spatting one minute, playing together the next.<br /><br />we tend to spat over money more than anything else<br /><br />Synonyms: altercate, argufy, bicker, brabble, brawl, controvert, dispute, fall out, fight, hassle, jar, quarrel, quibble, row, scrap, argue, squabble, tiff, wrangle
incense
to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of
supplicate
to ask humbly and earnestly of <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the minister reminded his flockthat God is a being to be obeyedand worshipped always and notjust someone to be supplicatedin times of trouble
lambaste
to assault violently : beat, whip<br /><br /> attack verbally : censure<br /><br />
enshrine
to assign a high status or value to<br /><br />some teachers tend to enshrine their personal preferences as sacred rules of English grammar<br /><br />Synonyms aggrandize, canonize, deify, dignify, elevate, ennoble, exalt, ensky, enthrone, glorify, magnify<br /><br />Related Words boost, lift, promote, raise, upgrade, uplift; heighten, intensify; idealize, romanticize, sanitize, sugarcoat; acclaim, extol(also extoll), honor, laud, praise<br /><br />
imbibe
to assimilate or take into solution<br /><br /> drink b : to take in or up <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />an array of colorful and tasty drinks for party guests to imbibe <br /><br />plants can imbibe water through their roots
abet
to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose<br /><br /> to help, encourage, or support someone in a criminal act<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She abetted the thief in his getaway. <br /><br />Did he abet the commission of acrime?<br /><br />Their actions were shown to abet terrorism.
Smitten
to attack or afflict suddenly and injuriously <br /><br />3 : to cause to strike<br /><br />4 : to affect as if by striking <br /><br />5 : captivate, take <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />He vowed that he would smite his enemy.<br /><br />Misfortune smote him and all his family.<br /><br />He smote the ball mightily.
accost
to attack someone verbally in a bold or aggressive way.<br /><br />An example of the word accost would be a person on a bus yelling at someone in order to get his seat.<br /><br />I was once accosted and grilled by the ( constantly patrolling ) security guards just for taking pictures!
eschew
to avoid habitually especially on <a class=d_link" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moral[1]">moral</a> or <a class="d_link" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/practical[1]">practical</a> grounds"
prevaricate
to avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a question<br /><br />Examples<br />during the hearings the witness was willing to prevaricate in order to protect his friend
brim/brimming
to be copiously supplied <br />a secondhand bookstore that was brimming with bargains<br /><br />Synonyms abound, bristle, bulge,burst, bustle, buzz, crawl, hum,overflow, pullulate, swarm, teem<br /><br />
percolate
to be diffused through : penetrate<br /><br /> to spread gradually <br /><br />Synonyms: bleed, ooze, exude, seep, strain,sweat, transude, weep
gravitate
to be drawn or attracted especially by natural inclination <br /><br />There is so much momentum behind Samsung and Galaxy S that many consumers -- particularly ones who don\'t avidly read tech Web sites such as CNET -- will simply gravitate toward the Galaxy S4 on name recognition alone.
reel
to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around his mind reeled upon hearing the news that his employer had been indicted for fraud<br /><br />Synonyms spin, swim, turn, whirl<br /><br />Related Words swirl<br /><br />to move forward while swaying fromside to side <br /><br />got off the amusement park ride reeling and barely able tostand<br /><br />Synonyms careen, dodder, lurch,stagger, teeter, totter, waddle<br /><br />
tank
to be very unsuccessful : to failcompletely<br /><br />: to make no effort to win a contest (such as a tennis match) : to deliberately lose a game, match, etc.<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Some people say she deliberately tanked the match.<br /><br />Some people have accused her of tanking.<br /><br />
catapult
to become catapulted <br /><br />Examples They catapulted rocks toward the castle.<br /><br />The publicity catapulted her CD to the top of the charts.<br /><br />The novel catapulted him from unknown tobest-selling author.<br /><br />Synonyms:<br /><br /> cast, throw, chuck, dash, fire,fling, heave, hurl, hurtle, launch, lob, loft, peg,pelt, pitch, sling, toss
marvel
to become filled with surprise,wonder, or amazed curiosity<br /><br /> <marveled at the magician\'s skill><br /><br />to feel astonishment or perplexity at or about <marveled that they had escaped>
transpire
to become known or apparent <br /><br />to happen<br />: to become known<br /><br />Examples<br />please tell me what transpired on the night of October 1
go to rack and ruin \\ go to wrack and ruin
to become ruined. (The words rack and wrack mean \wreckage\" and are found only in this expression.) That lovely old house on the corner is going to go to rack and ruin. My lawn is going to wrack and ruin."
devolve
to become worse or of less value<br /><br />the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum<br /><br />Synonyms atrophy, crumble, decay, decline, degenerate, descend,<br /><br />
precipitate
to bring about especially abruptly <br /><br />precipitate a scandal that wouldend with his expulsion <br /><br />to cause (something) to happen quickly or suddenly
harken
to bring back to mind<br /><br /> let\'s harken back to what we learned last week<br /><br />Synonyms flash back (to), hark back (to), remember (to), hearken back (to), mind [chiefly dialect], recall, recollect, reminisce (about), reproduce, think (of)
scourge
to bring destruction to (something)through violent action <br /><br />barbarians scourged the countryside, leaving village after village burned to the ground<br /><br />Synonyms destroy, devastate, ruin,ravage<br /><br />
attune
to bring into harmony : tune<br />2 : to make aware or responsive <attune businesses to changing trends><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />after years spent in academia, he\'s finding it difficult to attune himself to the corporate culture
educe
to bring out (as something latent)<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the gift of a puppy finally educed a response from the shy boy
evoke
to call forth or up:<br /><br /> conjure 2a <br /><br />to cite especially with approval or for support <br /><br />to bring to mind or recollection <br /><br /><br />2 : to re-create imaginatively
countermand
to cancel (an order) especially by giving a new order<br /><br />Examples<br />Orders to blow up the bridge were countermanded.
prosecute
to carry through (as a process) to completion <br /><br />the neurologists plan to prosecute their research for as long as funding remains available<br /><br />Synonyms accomplish, achieve, bring off, carry off, carry out, commit, compass, do, execute
impeach
to cast doubt on; especially : tochallenge the credibility or validityof<br /><br />accuse<br /><br /> <impeach the testimony of awitness>
deter
to cause (someone) to decide not to do something<br />: to prevent (something) from happening<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />we tried to deter him from hiscrazy scheme, but to no avail<br /><br />serving to deter <a deterrent effect>
lull
to cause (someone) to fall asleep or become sleepy<br /><br />: to cause (someone) to feel safe and relaxed instead of careful and alert<br /><br />1 : to cause to sleep or rest : soothe <br /><br />He was lulled to sleep by her soothing voice.<br /><br />2 : to cause to relax vigilance <br /><br />were lulled into a false sense of security
impel
to cause (someone) to feel a strong need or desire to do something<br /><br />force <felt impelled to correct the misconception><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />gasoline impels a car\'s engine<br /><br />I felt impelled to tell the truth, however painful it might be
deflect
to cause (something that is moving) to change direction<br />: to hit something and suddenly change direction<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the wind deflected the Frisbee just as I was about to lunge for it
wreak
to cause (something veryharmful or damaging)<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Gangs have been wreakingmayhem in the city.<br /><br />The hurricane wreaked terribledamage/destruction on coastalcities.
upend
to cause (something) to be upside down<br /><br />the team won the division play-offs, but was upended in the final championship game <br /><br />we had to upend the sofa inorder to fit it into the elevator<br /><br />HSBC is not the only company to try to project the responsible company image only to be upended by the bad behavior of some of its staff
wreak havoc (with something)
to cause a lot of trouble with something; to ruin or damage something. <br /><br />Your bad attitude will wreak havoc with my project. <br /><br />The rainy weather wreaked havoc with our picnic plans.
Harrow
to cause persistent suffering to <br /><br />the villagers were gaunt and sickly, harrowed by years of disease and starvation<br /><br />Synonyms agonize, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, afflict, persecute, plague, rack, torment, torture
engender
to cause to exist or to develop : produce <policies that have engendered controversy><br /><br />to assume form : originate<br /><br />a suggestion to go out for pizza that didn\'t seem to engender any interest<br /><br />feelings of confidence and independence that were only just beginning to engender within her
deranged
to cause to go insane or as if insane<br /><br />being stranded at night on a lonelyroad would derange anyone<br /><br />Synonyms crack, craze, frenzy, loco,madden, unbalance, unhinge, unstring<br /><br />to undo the proper order or arrangement of the storage room had all been deranged by the earthquake, and it took hours to sort out things<br /><br />Synonyms confuse, disorder,disarrange, disarray, discompose,dishevel, disjoint, dislocate, disorganize,<br /><br />
expurgate
to change (a written work) by removing parts that might offendpeople<br /><br />to expunge objectionable parts from before publication or presentation <br /><br />an expurgated edition of the letters>
veer
to change direction or course<br />
draft
to choose (someone) for a special purpose<br /><br />: to officially order (someone) to join the armed forces<br /><br />The drama club drafted three teenagers to be in the parade.<br /><br />
convene
to come together in a group for a meeting<br /><br />convened the members of the council for an emergency session
descry
to come upon after searching, study, or effort <br /><br />we couldn\'t descry the reasons for his sudden departure<br /><br />Synonyms<br /> ascertain, find, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find out, get,
whinge
to complain in an annoying way<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Quit whinging and get on with the job.People were whinging about thelack of service.
fulminate
to complain loudly or angrily<br /><br />Synonyms: bluster, rant, huff,rave, spout<br /><br />example<br /><br />Public officials across the political spectrum fulminated against the perceived security threat.
reverberate
to continue or be repeated in a series of reflected sound waves <br /><br />the sound of thunder reverberated from one end of the mountain pass to the other<br /><br />Synonyms echo, reecho, resonate,resound, sound
dissuade
to convince (someone) not to do something<br /><br /> a : to advise (a person) against something <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />tried to dissuade her from her intention to drop out of college<br /><br />
adulterate
to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or element
adulterate
to corrupt, debase, or makeimpure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or element;
gild
to cover (something) with a thin layer of gold
pan
to criticize severely <br />the show was panned<br /><br />Synonyms blame, censure, condemn, denounce, dis (also diss) [slang], dispraise, fault, knock, criticize, reprehend, slag [chiefly British]
blight
to damage (a thing or place)<br /><br />the condition that has blighted his son\'s life €" Patricia Guthrie
fray
to damage or diminish by continued friction <br /><br />constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope<br /><br />a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective <br /><br />another generation of scientists entered the fray to find a cure for AIDS
sully/sullied
to damage or ruin the goodquality of (something)
avow
to declare assuredly <br /><br />she avowed her innocence <br /><br />2 : to declare openly, bluntly, andwithout shame <br /><br />ever ready to avow his reactionary outlook<br /><br />synonyms see acknowledge, assert<br /><br />
repudiate
to declare not to be true vigorously repudiated the charge that she hadlied on her résumé<br /><br />Synonyms contradict, disaffirm,disallow, disavow, disclaim,disconfirm, disown, gainsay, negate,negative, refute, reject, deny<br /><br />
stud
to decorate or cover(something) with many small items<br /><br />a sky studded with stars> <a careerstudded with honors>
spangle
to decorate or cover(something) with many small,shiny objects<br /><br />the grass floor spangled with fallen petals
wane
to decrease in size, extent, ordegree : dwindle: as <br />a : to diminish in phase or intensity€" used chiefly of the moon, othersatellites, and inferior planets
parry
to defend yourself by turning or pushing aside (a punch, a weapon, etc.)<br /><br />: to avoid giving a direct answerto (a question) by being skillful or clever<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />He parried the thrust of his opponent\'s sword.<br /><br />He parried and then threw a punch.<br /><br />She cleverly parried the reporters\' questions.<br /><br />
dehumanize
to deprive of human qualities, personality, or spirit<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />being deprived of clothes dehumanized the prisoners
lobotomize
to deprive of sensitivity, intelligence, or vitality <br /><br /><fear of prosecution was causing the press to lobotomize itself €" Tony Eprile>
divest
to deprive or dispossess especially of property, authority, or title <br />b : to undress or strip especially of clothing, ornament, or equipment <br />c : rid, free<br />2 : to take away from a person<br /><br />he was divested of the boxing title when the fraud was uncovered
raze
to destroy (something, such as a building) completely<br /><br />Examples<br />an entire city block razed by a terrible fire<br /><br />the developer razed the old school building and built a high-rise condominium complex
delve
to dig or labor with or as if with a spade<br /><br />2 a : to make a careful or detailed search for information <br />delved into the past<br /><br />b : to examine a subject in detail <br /><br />the book delves into the latest research
peter
to diminish, wane, dwindle
remonstrate
to disagree and argue or complain about something
acquit
to discharge completely (as from an obligation or accusation)<br /><br />
execrate
to dislike and criticize (someone or something) very strongly<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />transitive verb1 : to declare to be evil or detestable: denounce<br /><br />2 : to detest utterly<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She came to execrate the hypocritical values of her upper-class upbringing.<br /><br />leaders from around the world execrated the terrorists responsible for the bomb blast<br />
recuse
to disqualify (oneself) as judge in a particular case ; broadly : to remove (oneself) from participation to avoid a conflict of interest
recuse
to disqualify (oneself) as judge in a particular case; broadly : to remove (oneself) from participation to avoid a conflict of interest
affront
to do or say something that shows a lack of respect <br /><br />to face in defiance : confront <affront death><br /><br />a deliberate offense : insult<an affront to his dignity><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />He was affronted by her rude behavior. did not mean to affront you when I <br />told you I didn\'t need your help<br /><br />
elicit
to draw forth or bring out (somethinglatent or potential) <br /><br />2 : to call forth or draw out (as information or a response)<br /><br /> <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the role elicited the actress\'s flair for comedy that previous directors had overlooked
bedizen
to dress or adorn gaudily<br /><br />Examples<br />an elderly actress bedizening herself with makeup and jewelry
desiccate
to dry up<br />2 : to preserve (a food) by drying : dehydrate<br /><br />3 : to drain of emotional or intellectual vitalityintransitive verb<br />: to become dried up<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />that historian\'s dryasdust prose desiccates what is actually an exciting period in European history <br /><br />add a cup of desiccated coconutto the mix
reek
to emit smoke or vapor<br /><br /> exude, give off <br /><br />it is very solidly constructed and reek\'s of quality
adorn
to enhance the appearance of<br /> especially with beautiful objects<br /><br />Examples Her paintings adorn the walls.<br /><br />They adorned themselves with jewelry.
substantiate
to establish by proof orcompetent evidence : verify <br /><br />substantiate a charge<br /><br /> to prove the truth of (something)
parry
to evade or turn aside something
barter
to exchange things (such as products or services) for other things instead of for money<br /><br />trade, swap, exchange<br /><br />she qould barter her freedom for marrying the qealthy man
ostracize
to exclude from a group by common consent
imply
to express (something) in anindirect way : to suggest(something) without saying orshowing it plainly: to include or involve(something) as a natural ornecessary part or result
decry
to express scornfully one\'s low opinion of <br /><br />scientists were quick to decry the claims of the psychic<br /><br />Synonyms bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, denigrate, deprecate
espouse
to express support for<br /><br />after working among them for two years in the Peace Corps, she felt compelled to espousethe peasants' cause for socialjustice<br /><br />
pry
to extract, detach, or open with difficulty <br /><br />pried the secret out of my sister
venerate
to feel or show deep respect for (someone or something that is considered great, holy, etc.)<br /><br />Examples<br />a writer venerated by generations of admirers<br />She is venerated as a saint.
steel
to fill with courage or strength of <br />purpose <br /><br />hoped that his inspirational talk would steel the youths in the pursuit of their dreams<br /><br />steeled herself to face the crisis
steel
to fill with courage or strength of purpose <br /><br />hoped that his inspirational talk would steel the youths in the pursuit of their dreams<br /><br />Related Words animate, enliven,invigorate; enforce, fortify, reinforce
mesh
to fit or work together properly; compliment<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />They meshed traditions from several cultures into one wedding ceremony.<br /><br />The book tries to mesh philosophy and/with humor.<br /><br />The two plans mesh well/nicely.<br /><br />
prosecute
to follow to the end : pursue until finished <br /><br />to bring legal action against for redress or punishment of a crime or violation of law <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the neurologists plan to prosecute their research for as long as funding remains available<br /><br />Synonyms: accomplish, achieve, bring off, carry off, carry out
prosecute
to follow to the end : pursueuntil finished <prosecute a war>2 : to engage in : perform<br /><br />the neurologists plan to prosecute their research for as long as funding remains available
disenthral
to free from bondage : liberate<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />we must disenthrall ourselves fromtime-honored ways of doing things, or we will never progress as a society<br /><br /><br /><br />Synonyms: discharge, free (also disenthral), emancipate, enfranchise, enlarge, liberate, loose, loosen, manumit, release, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter<br /><br />
unfetter
to free from fetters <unfetter a prisoner<br /><br /> emancipate, liberate <br /><br /><unfetter the mind from prejudice><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />authorities eventually unfettered the menagerie of wild animals that had been kept illegally as pets<br /><br />
ingratiate
to gain favor or approval for (yourself) by doing or saying things that people like<br /><br />ingratiate themselves with the community leaders
graft
to get (illicit gain) by graft<br /><br />the acquisition of gain (as money) in dishonest or questionable <br />ways; also : illegal or unfair gain
eke
to get with great difficulty €" usually used with out <br /><br />eke out a living
eke
to get with great difficulty €" usually used with out <br /><br />eke out a living<br />
portend
to give an omen or anticipatory sign of<br /><br />to be a sign or warning that something usually bad or unpleasant is going to happen<br /><br />2 : indicate, signify<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The distant thunder portended a storm.<br /><br />If you\'re superstitious, a black cat portends trouble.<br /><br />
apprise
to give information to <br /><br />let me apprise you of the current situation<br /><br />Synonyms acquaint, advise,enlighten, brief, catch up, clear, clue(in), familiarize, fill in, hip, inform,<br /><br />
reprieve
to give relief or deliverance to for a time<br /><br />The lunch break is a sacred time of reprieve that many of us look forward to from the moment we step into the office.
shore
to give support to : brace €" usually used with up <trying to shore up his claim>
careen
to go forward quickly without control<br /><br />1 : to put (a ship or boat) on a beach especially in order to clean, caulk, or repair the hull<br /><br /><br />to sway from side to side : lurch <br /><br />a careening carriage being pulledwildly€¦by a team of runaway horses€" J. P. Getty<br /><br />Examples<br />the sled careened as it barreled down the hill<br />he careened unsteadily to the couch after hitting his head
contravene
to go or act contrary to : violate<br /> <contravene a law><br />2 : to oppose in argument : contradict <contravene a proposition><br /><br />Examples<br />the unauthorized reproduction of the image contravenes copyright laws
sap
to gradually diminish the supply or intensity of <br /><br />sapped her strength<br /><br />to weaken or exhaust the energy or vitality of <br /><br />the illness sapped him of his stamina
perscute
to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief<br /> to annoy with persistent or urgent approaches : pester<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />people who were persecuted simply for practicing their religious faiths <br /><br />he likes to persecute her sister with pointless, annoying questions at very inopportune times
persecute
to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict;<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />people who were persecuted simply for practicing their religious faith<br /><br />she likes to persecute her sister with pointless, annoying questions at very inopportune times
jar
to have a harsh or unpleasant effecton someone or something<br /><br />: to hit or shake (something) forcefully<br /><br />: to make (someone) feel uneasy<br /><br />jar·ring·ly \\ˈjär-iÅ‹-lÄ"\\ adverb<br /><br />Examples<br />The loss jarred his confidence in the team.<br />The earthquake jarred the tiles loose.<br />The tiles jarred loose in the earthquake.
subsume
to have as part of a whole <br /><br />games and team sports are subsumed underthe classification of€œrecreation€<br /><br />Synonyms carry, comprehend, contain, embrace, encompass, entail, involve, number, include, take in<br /><br /><br />to include or place within something larger or more comprehensive :encompass as a subordinate or component element<br /><br /> red, green, and yellow are subsumed under the term€œcolor€<br />
abet
to help, encourage, or support someone in a criminal act<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She abetted the thief in his getaway.<br /><br />Did he abet the commission of a crime?<br /><br />Their actions were shown to abet terrorism.<br /><br />Synonyms: incite, brew, ferment,foment, instigate, pick, provoke,raise, stir (up), whip (up)
smite
to hit (someone or something) very hard<br /><br />Misfortune smote him and all hisfamily.<br /><br />He smote the ball mightily.
stunt
to hold back the normal growth of<br /><br />unfortunately, an unusually dry summer seems to have permanently stunted the tree
undergird
to hold up or serve as a foundation for <br /><br />the theory of evolution undergirds virtually all of modern biology<br /><br />Synonyms: bear, bolster, brace, buttress, carry, prop (up), shore (up), stay, sustain, support, underpin, uphold
prepossesing
to impress favorably beforehand or at the outset.
internalize
to incorporate (as values or patterns of culture) within the self asconscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization
enamor
to inflame with love €" usually used in the passive with of
derogate
to insult (someone or something) : to say or suggest that (something or someone) is not important or worthy of respect
affront
to insult especially to the face by behavior or language <br /><br />to cause offense to <br /><br />laws that affront society>2 : <br /><br />to face in defiance : confront <br /><br />affront death
browbeat
to intimidate or disconcert by a sternmanner or arrogant speech : bully<br /><br />to use threats or angry speech to make (someone) do or accept something
embroil
to involve in conflict or difficulties <a program embroiled in controversy>
earmark
to keep or intend for a specialpurpose <the earnings from mysecond job have been earmarked for a down payment on a car><br /><br />Synonyms allocate, consecrate, dedicate, devote, give up (to), reserve, save, set by<br /><br />
snicker
to laugh in a covert or partly suppressed manner :
impute
to lay the responsibility or blame for often falsely or unjustly <br />2 : to credit to a person or a cause : attribute<br /><br />Examples people often impute his silence to unfriendliness and not to the shyness it really represents
defect
to leave a country, political party, organization, etc., and go to a different one that is a competitor or an enemy
drivel
to let saliva dribble from the mouth : slaver<br />2 : to talk stupidly and carelessly<br /><br />nonsense<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />What is he driveling about now?<br /><br />a driveling idiot<br /><br />
lade
to load heavily or oppressively,<br /><br />load<br /><br />example<br /><br />the trucks were heavily laden with produce for the market
peer
to look narrowly or curiously; especially : to look searchingly at something difficult to discern<br /><br />2 : to come slightly into view : emergepartly<br /><br />peer into someone\'s eyes<br /><br />Synonyms blink, gawk, gawp [chiefly British], gaze, goggle, gape, rubberneck, stare
swoon
to lose consciousness <br /><br />whenever theyoung woman swooned, she always seemed to manage falling into the armsof a good-looking man<br /><br />Synonyms black out, conk (out), keel(over), pass out, faint<br /><br />
prime
to make (someone) ready to do something<br /><br />to make (something) ready for use<br /><br />Examples<br />She was obviously primed for the questions at the press conference.<br />Both teams are primed for battle and ready to play.<br /><br />We sanded and primed the woodwork before painting.
frazzled
to make (someone) very nervous or upset<br /><br />: burnout, collapse,exhaustion, fatigue, lassitude,prostration, tiredness, weariness
vitiate
to make (something) lesseffective : to ruin or spoil (something)<br /><br />1 : to make faulty or defective :impair <br /><br />the comic impact is vitiated by obvious haste €" William Styron<br /><br />2 : to debase in moral or aesthetic status <br /><br />a mind vitiated by prejudice<br /><br />3 : to make ineffective <br />fraud vitiates a contract<br /><br />
subverse
to make (something) weaker or less effective<br /><br />1 : to overturn or overthrow from thefoundation : ruin<br /><br /><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />by insisting that she pay me forhelping her, she subverted my nobledesire to do a good deed withoutreward
ameliorate
to make (something, such as a problem) better, less painful, etc.<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />trying to ameliorate the suffering of people who have lost their jobs<br /><br />This medicine should help ameliorate the pain.<br /><br />Synonyms: improve, amend, better, enhance, enrich, help, meliorate, perfect, refine, upgrade<br /><br />
slanderous
to make a false spoken statementthat causes people to have a bad opinion of someone<br /><br />Examples<br />She is being sued for slander.<br />He was a target of slander.<br />We\'ve heard countless unsupported slanders about her.
harry
to make a pillaging or destructive raid on : assault<br />2 : to force to move along by harassing <br /><br />harrying the terrified horses down out of the mountains €" R. A. Sokolov<br /><br />3 : to torment by or as if by constant attack
rile
to make agitated and angry : upset<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Her comments riled the professor.It doesn\'t take much to get him riled up.His antics got the kids all riled up.
recant
to make an open confession of error<br /><br />to publicly say that you no longer have an opinion or belief that you once had<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Church officials asked the minister to recant.<br /><br />Witnesses threatened to recant their testimony when the court released their names to the paper.
besmirch
to make dirty <br /><br />contaminate, defile,pollute, taint; discolor; confuse,disarrange, disarray, dishevel,<br /><br />inconsiderately besmirched the white bedsheets with their dirty feet<br /><br />Synonyms befoul, begrime, bemire,dirty, blacken, daub,<br /><br />
inebriate
to make drunk : intoxicate<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />those inebriate sports fans who yell and scream throughout the game
desensitize
to make emotionally insensitive or callous; <br /><br /> to extinguish an emotional response (as of fear, anxiety, or guilt) to stimuli that formerly induced it
underscore
to make evident : emphasize,stress <arrived early to underscorethe importance of the occasion>
manifest
to make evident or certain by showing or displaying <br /><br /> Examples<br /> Both sides have manifested a stubborn unwillingness to compromise.<br /><br />Their religious beliefs are manifested in every aspect of their lives.<br /><br />Love manifests itself in many differen tways.
moor
to make fast with or as if with cables, lines, or anchors : anchor<br />intransitive verb<br />1 : to secure a boat by mooring : anchor
augment
to make greater, more numerous,larger, or more intense <br /><br />the impact of the report was augmented by its timing
whet
to make keen or more acute :excite, stimulate <whet theappetite> <whetted her curiosity>
promulgate
to make known openly or publicly<br /><br />the encyclical that promulgated the church's position on artificial birth control<br /><br />Synonyms<br /><br />advertise, annunciate,blare, blaze, blazon, broadcast,declare, enunciate, flash, give out, herald, placard, post, proclaim, announce, publicize, publish, release, sound, trumpet<br /><br />
bungle
to make mistakes in doing (something) : <br /><br />to not do (something) well or successfully<br /><br />mishandle, botch <bungle a job><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The government bungled badly in planning the campaign.bungled the job the first time she tried to do it
jostle
to make one\'s way by pushing and shoving <br /><br />people jostling toward the exit
whet
to make sharp or sharper <br />whetted the knife with the grindstone<br /><br />Synonyms edge, grind, hone, stone,strop, sharpen<br /><br />
circumvent
to manage to get around especially by ingenuity or stratagem<br /><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />employees who try to circumvent thecompany\'s dress codecircumvented the traffic jam by takingan alternate routemost casual joggers will be able tocircumvent the reservoir without toomuch of a strain
earmark
to mark in a distinguishing manner<br /><br />2 : to designate (as funds) for a specific use orowner <br /><br /> The old building has been earmarked for demolition<br /><br />.The project uses funds that had been earmarked for education.
cite
to mention (something) especially as an example or to support an idea or opinion<br /><br />He cited evidence suggesting she was in the area when the crime was committed.
recede
to move back or away : withdraw <br /><br /><a receding hairline> <br />b : to slant backward<br /><br />2 : to grow less or smaller : diminish, decrease <a receding deficit><br /><br /> <the flood waters gradually receded>
Wade
to move or proceed with difficulty or labor <br /><br />wade through the crowd<br /><br />wade through all the evidence<br /><br />3 : to set to work or attack with determination or vigor €" used with in or into <br /><br />wade into a task<br /><br />
hurtle
to move rapidly or forcefully<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the probe hurtled through space to its destination: Jupiter<br /><br />hurtled his spear at the tiger as it lunged toward him
incite
to move to action : stir up : spur on : urge on<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the rock band\'s failure to show up incited ariot, as the crowd had waited for hours <br /><br />the demagogue\'s fiery rant incited thecrowd to riot
swindle
to obtain money or property by fraud or deceit<br /><br />cheat
intervene
to occur, fall, or come between points of time or events <only six months intervened between their marriage and divorce><br /><br /><br />2 : to enter or appear as an irrelevant or extraneous feature or circumstance <it\'s business as usual until a crisis intervenes>
immolate
to offer in sacrifice; especially : to kill as a sacrificial victim<br /><br />2 : to kill or destroy often by fire<br /><br />Examples<br />a ceremony in which they immolated their cherished possessions so that the gods would send rain
proffer
to offer or give (something) to someone<br /><br />to present for acceptance : tender, offer<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />He proffered advice on how best to proceed.<br /><br />proffered his assistance in helping the two sides reach a compromise
retort
to pay or hurl back : return <br />retort an insult<br /><br />reply<br /><br />3 : to answer (as an argument) by a counter argument<br /><br />1 : to answer back usually sharply<br /><br />2 : to return an argument or charge<br /><br />3 : retaliate<br /><br />also noun
imbue
to permeate or saturate,<br />to impregnate or inspire as with feelings or opinions<br /><br />to caue to become impressed or penetrated<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />her training at the school for the deaf imbued her with a sense of purpose that she had never known before
inveigle
to persuade (someone) to do something in a clever or deceptive way: <br /><br />to get (something) in a clever or deceptive way<br /><br />to win over by wiles : entice<br /><br />to acquire by ingenuity or flattery: wangle <br /><br />inveigled her way into a promotion<br /><br />
scrounge
to persuade someone to give you (something) for free<br /><br />: to get or find something by looking in different places, asking different people, etc.<br /><br />to get as needed by or as if by foraging, scavenging, or borrowing <br /><br />scrounging enough money for a bus ticket
glean
to pick over in search of relevant material <gleaning old files for information><br /><br />to gather information or material bit by bit<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She gleaned her data fromvarious studies.<br /><br />He has a collection of antique tools gleaned from flea markets and garage sales.<br /><br />They spent days gleaning the files for information.
entrench
to place (someone or something) in a very strongposition that cannot easily be changed<br /><br />to establish solidly <entrenched themselves in the business>
stoke
to poke or stir up (as a fire) : supply with fuel<br />2 : to feed abundantly<br />3 : to increase the activity, intensity, oramount of<br /><br /> limiting the number of cars available€¦will help stoke demand for the car €" Keith Naughton
extol
to praise (someone or something) highly<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The health benefits of exercise are widely extolled. <br /><br />campaign literature extolling the candidate\'s military record
stymie
to present an obstacle to : stand in the way of <stymied by red tape><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the raging blizzard stymied therescuers\' attempts to find thestranded mountain climbers
broach
to present or bring forward for discussion <br /><br />broached the topic of plans for next year\'s parade
enshrine
to preserve or cherish as sacred<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />some teachers tend to enshrine their personal preferences as sacred rules of English grammar
malinger
to pretend to be sick or injured in order to avoid doing work<br /><br />His boss suspected him of malingering because of his frequentabsences from work.
preempt
to prevent from happening or taking place : forestall, preclude<br /><br />take for oneself <br /><br />the movement was then preempted by a lunatic fringe
churn out
to produce mechanically or copiously :grind out <br /><br />the usual pap which hasbeen churned out about this superstar
rebut
to prove (something) is false by using arguments or evidence<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Her lawyer attempted to rebut the witness\'s testimony.<br /><br />Stalingrad\'s defenders were finallyable to rebut the besiegers, but onlyafter a horrendous loss of life.<br /><br />
retrofit
to provide (something) with new parts that were not available when it was originally built<br /><br />to adapt to a new purpose or need <b>:</b> <a class=sx-link sc" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modify">modify</a> <<i>retrofit</i> the story for a new audience>"
pander
to provide gratification for others\' desires <br /><br />films that pander to the basest emotions
dissent
to publicly disagree with anofficial opinion, decision, or set of beliefs<br /><br />public disagreement with anofficial opinion, decision, or set of beliefs
parlous
to put (something or someone) in a dangerous situation
incarcerate
to put in prison <br /><br />to subject to confinement<br /><br />Examples <br /><br />the state incarcerated over 1900 peoplelast year
redact
to put in writing : frame<br /><br />2 : to select or adapt (as by obscuring or removing sensitiveinformation) for publication or release; broadly : edit<br /><br />3 : to obscure or remove (text) from a document prior to publication or release
don
to put on (an article of clothing)<br />2 : to wrap oneself in : take on<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />He donned his gloves and hat.<br /><br />She donned her jacket.
marginalize
to put or keep (someone) in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group<br /><br />to relegate to an unimportant or powerless position within a society orgroup<br /><br />
exalt
to raise (someone or something) to a higher level: to praise (someone or something)highly: to present (something) in a way that is very favorable or too favorable<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />His behavior has exalted the power and prestige of his office. <br />The essay exalts the simple beautyof the country.<br /><br />We exalt thee, O Lord.
prune
to reduce especially by eliminating superfluous matter<br /><br />Synonyms: bob, crop, cut, cut back, dock, lop (off), nip, pare, poll,clip, shave, shear, snip, trim<br /><br /> < pruned the text> <prune the budget><br /><br />a much needed pruning of banks across the world could stifle lending and dampen economic recovery, IMF said.
annul
to reduce to nothing : obliterate<br />2 : to make ineffective or inoperative : neutralize <br /><br />annul the drug\'s effect<br /><br />..should have consigned them to the annuls of history
repudiate
to refuse to have anything to do with :disown<br /><br />3 a : to refuse to accept; especially : to reject as unauthorized or as having no binding force<br /><br /> b : to reject as untrue or unjust <br /><br />4 : to refuse to acknowledge or pay<br /><br />synonyms see decline<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />vigorously repudiated the charge that she had lied on her résumé<br /><br />the angry mother bitterly repudiated her teenaged daughter, telling her that she never wanted to see or hear from her again<br /><br />we didn\'t like the terms, so we repudiated the contract
condone
to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless<br /><br /><a government accused of condoning racism><br /><br /> <condone corruption in politics><br /><br />synonyms see excuse<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />he is too quick to condone his friend\'s faults
marginalize
to relegate to an unimportant or powerless position within a society or group<br /><br />example<br /><br />isolated communities such as the Roma communities feel marginalized by the wider community
exonerate
to relieve of a responsibility, obligation, or hardship<br />2 : to clear from accusation or blame<br /><br />Examples<br />the results of the DNA fingerprinting finally exonerated the man, but only after he had wasted 10 years of his life in prison
warrant
to require or deserve (something)<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The writing was poor, but it hardlywarrants that kind of insulting criticism.<br /><br />The punishment he received was not warranted.
transcend
to rise above or go beyond the limits of <br /><br />to outstrip or outdo in some attribute,quality, or power<br /><br />his military exploits far transcended those of his predecessors.<br /><br />Synonyms: beat, better, eclipse, exceed,excel, outclass, outdistance, outdo, outgun,outmatch, outshine, outstrip, overtop, top,tower (over), surpass<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a man whose practical knowledge of botany transcends that of his more educated colleagues<br /><br /> a person who believes that any true understanding of God transcends human intelligence
vilify
to say or write very harsh and critical things about (someone or something)<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />claimed that she had beenvilified by the press because of her conservative views
vilify
to say or write very harsh and critical things about (someone or something)<br /><br />Examples<br />He was vilified in the press for his comments.<br />claimed that she had been vilified by the press because of her conservative views
vilify
to say or write very harsh and critical things about (someone or something)<br />Examples<br /><br />claimed that she had been vilified by the press because of her conservative views
confiscate
to seize by or as if by authority
ex·tra·dite
to send (a person who has been accused of a crime) to another state or country for trial
compartmwntalize
to separate something categories or compartments<br /><br />we shouldn\'t compartmentalize the students into such restrictive categories asscholar and athlete, which are not mutually exclusive
absolve
to set free from an obligation or theconsequences of guilt<br /><br />2 : to remit (a sin) by absolution <br /><br />synonyms see exculpate<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />no amount of remorse will absolve shoplifters who are caught, and all cases will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law
array
to set or place in order : draw up, marshal <the forces arrayedagainst us>
suture
to sew together (a cut,wound, etc.) : to close (something) with a suture
brandish
to shake or wave (as a weapon) menacingly<br /><br /> to wave or swing (something, such as a weapon) in a threatening or excited manner
forebode
to show signs of a favorable or successful outcome <br /><br />that police car parked outside the house doesn\'t forebode well<br /><br />Related Words forecast, foretell, predict, presage, prognosticate, prophesy; forewarn, warn; anticipate, divine, foreknow, foresee;
fray
to show signs of strain <br /><br />fraying nerves<br /><br />strain, irritate <br /><br />tempers became a bit frayed
cower
to shrink away or crouch especially forshelter from something that menaces,domineers, or dismays<br /><br />synonyms see fawn<br /><br />
straddle
to sit or ride with a leg on either side of (something)<br />: to be on both sides of (something)<br />: to have parts that are in (different places, regions, etc.)
remedy (verb)
to solve, correct, or improve(something)<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />transitive verb: to provide or serve as a remedyfor : relieve <remedy a social evil><br /><br />Remedy errors early in the lifecycle
revile
to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way<br /><br />: to subject to verbal abuse <br />:vituperate<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Many people reviled him for his callous behavior.<br /><br />
revile
to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Many people reviled him for his callous behavior.<br /><br />
banter
to speak to or address in a wittyand teasing manner
permeate
to spread or diffuse through <a room permeated with tobacco smoke><br /><br />\'not all of the atteibutes will be used in this video but like i said this will permeate several other videos as a running example\'
permeate
to spread or diffuse through <br /><br />a room permeated with tobacco smoke<br /><br /> interpenetrate, percolate (into), pervade, riddle, suffuse,transfuse
permeate
to spread or diffuse through<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the smell of freshly baked bread permeated the house<br /><br /> a room permeated with tobacco smoke
pervade
to spread throughout <br /><br />the delicious scent of roasting turkey pervaded thehouse<br /><br />permeate, percolate
overstate
to state in too strong terms : exaggerate <overstated his qualifications><br /><br />Examples<br />it appears you\'ve somewhat overstated your computer skills, if you can\'t find the €œon€ button!<br /><br />
exfiltrate
to steal (sensitive data) from a computer (as with a flash drive)<br /><br />to escape from a hostile area<br />
forestall
to stop (something) from happening or to cause (something) to happen at a later time<br /><br />: to act before (someone else) in order to prevent something<br /><br /><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Negotiations failed to forestallthe conflict.<br /><br />His comments were meant to forestall criticism of his proposal.<br /><br />He forestalled critics by offering a defense of the project.<br /><br />
desist
to stop doing something<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Despite orders from the police, the protesters would not desist.
impinge
to strike or dash especially with a sharpcollision <br /><br />2 : to have an effect : make an impression
buffet
to strike sharply especially withthe hand : cuff<br /><br />2 : to strike repeatedly : batter<the waves buffeted the shore><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The waves buffeted the shore.<br /><br />The strong winds buffeted theship.<br /><br />The island was buffeted by a <br />tropical storm last month.
castigate
to subject to severe punishment, reproof, orcriticism<br /><br />Examples<br />castigated him for his constant tardiness <br /><br />a news paper editorial castigating the city council for approving the project in the firstplace<br /><br />a judge who believes in castigating criminals to the full extent of the law
propound
to suggest (an idea, theory, etc.) to a person or group of people to consider<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />let us propound the question whether mercy killing should ever be an option
corroborate
to support with evidence or authority : make more certain<br /><br />synonyms see confirm
precede
to surpass in rank, dignity, or importance<br /><br />to be, go, or come ahead or in front of<br /><br />3 : to be earlier than<br />4 : to cause to be preceded : preface
commandeer
to take arbitrary or forcible possession of<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />an airliner commandeered by terrorists<br /><br />
revel
to take intense pleasure or satisfaction <br /><br />reveled in the quiet after everyone had gone
eviscerate
to take out the internal organs of (an animal)<br /><br />1 a : to take out the entrails of : disembowel <br />b : to deprive of vital content or force<br /><br />2 : to remove an organ from (a patient) or the contents of (an organ)<br /><br /> Examples<br /><br />the ancient Egyptians wouldeviscerate the bodies of thedead as part of the process ofmummifying them
partake
to take part insomething<br /><br />in today\'s world, CEOs also need to partake in some of the grunt work as well.
deride
to talk or write about (someoneor something) in a very critical or insulting way : <br /><br />to say that(someone or something) isridiculous or has no value<br /><br />ridicule<br /><br />Examples<br />my brothers derided our efforts, but were forced to eat their words when we won first place<br /><br />derisive
brood
to think a lot about something in an unhappy way<br /><br /> to think anxiously or gloomily about : ponder<br /><br />brooding anger for a long time<br />
premeditate
to think about and revolve in the mindbeforehand<br /><br /> to think, consider, or deliberate beforehand
ruminate
to think carefully and deeply about somethingof an animal : <br /><br />to bring up and chew again what has already been chewed and swallowed
addle
to throw into confusion : confound<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />It's a dangerous poison that's strongenough to addle the brain.<br /><br />Their brains were addled with fear.<br /><br />
pinion
to tie up (someone\'s arms or legs) very tightly<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />They pinioned his arms behind his back.
stumble
to trip in walking or running
exhort
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action <br /><br />the speaker exhorted the graduating students to go forth and try to make a difference in the world
hem
to utter the sound represented by hem <br /><br />hemmed and hawed before answering<br /><br />2 : equivocate <br /><br />the administration hemmed and hawed over the students\' demands
defile
to violate the chastity or virginityof : deflower
straggle
to walk slowly into or from a place in a way that is not continuous or organized<br /><br />: to move away or spread out from others in a disorganized way
hobble
to walk with difficulty becauseof injury or weakness
bespatter
to wet or soil by striking with somethingliquid or mushy <br /><br />vehicle after passing vehicle bespattered the sides of my once-clean car with that wintry slush
secede
to withdraw formally from an alliance, federation, or association.
berate
to yell at (someone) : to criticize (someone) in a loud and angry way<br /><br />Synonyms: baste, bawl out, scold, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out, dress down, flay, hammer, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste (or lambast), lecture, rag, rail (at or against), rant (at), rate, ream (out), rebuke, reprimand, reproach, score, tongue-lash, upbraid<br /><br />
cede
to yield or grant typically by treaty<br />2 : assign, transfer<br /><br />Russia ceded Alaska to the U.S. in 1867.<br /><br />The state had to cede part of their territory.<br /><br />The country had no choice but to cede control of the canal.
succumb
to yield to superior strengthor force or overpowering appealor desire <succumb to temptation><br /><br />2 : to be brought to an end (as death) by the effect of destructive or disruptive forces<br /><br />: to stop trying to resist something<br /><br />: to die<br /><br />
obsequies
too eager to help or obey someoneimportant<br /><br />Examples<br />She\'s constantly followed by obsequious assistants who will do anything she tells them to.
facile
too simple : not showing enough thought or effort<br /><br />: done or achieved in a way that is too easy<br /><br />: working, moving, or performing well and very easily<br /><br /><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />This problem needs more than just a facile solution.<br /><br />He is a wonderfully facile writer.<br /><br />
pander
toprovide gratification for others\'desires <br /><br />films that pander to the basest emotions
topsy-turvy
totally disordered<br /><br />Synonyms: chaotic, cluttered, confused,disarranged, disarrayed, disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, higgledy-piggledy, hugger-mugger, jumbled, littered,
afflict
trouble, injure<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the South was afflicted by a severe drought <br /><br />he\'s been afflicted by nightmares eversince the accident
veritable
true or real
convolute
twist<br /><br />Instead it offers quite a convoluted description of who we are.
untrammeled
unchained, unbridled
subvert
undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution).<br /><br />\an attempt to subvert democratic government\"<br /><br />synonyms:destabilize; unsettle; overthrow; overtur<br /><br />"
tacit
understood although not put intowords <br /><br />we have a tacit agreement that if I wash the dishes, she dries them and puts them away<br /><br />Synonyms implied, implicit,unexpressed, unspoken, unvoiced,wordless<br /><br />
illicit
unlawful, illegal, not permitted<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />had a long history of using illicit drugs
invidious
unpleasant and likely to cause bad feelings in other people<br /><br />envious<br />3 a : of an unpleasant or objectionable nature : obnoxious <invidious remarks> <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />inevitably, his remarkable success attracted the invidious attention of the other sales representatives
dank
unpleasantly moist or wet <adank basement><br /><br />synonyms: damp, wet, moist<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a dark dank cave vegetables tended to go badquickly in the dank cellar<br /><br />
indiscriminate
unrestrained <indiscriminate sexual behavior> <br />b : heterogeneous, motley <anindiscriminate collection><br /><br />haphazard, random <indiscriminate application of a law>
callow
used to describe a young person who does not have much experience and does not knowhow to behave the way adults behave<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />: lacking adult sophistication :immature <callow youth><br /><br /><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a story about a callow youth who learns the value of hard work and self-reliance<br /><br />
pithy
using few words in a clever and effective way<br />: resembling or having a lot of pith<br /><br />The book is filled with pithy sayings about love and loss.<br /><br />a pithy little Mother\'s Day card<br /><br /><br />
menagerie
variety<br /><br />a collection of wild or foreignanimals kept especially forexhibition<br /><br />2 : a varied mixture <a menagerie of comedians €" TV Guide><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the living room is eclectically furnished with a menagerie of garage-sale finds<br /><br />
mint
verb: create, produce<br /><br />The One M8 is undeniably the most impressive handset the company has ever minted.<br /><br />noun: unmarred as if fresh from a mint<br /><br /><in mint condition>
trawl
verb<br /><br />: to catch fish with a large net (calleda trawl)<br /><br />: to search through (something) in order to find someone or something<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />intransitive verb<br /><br />1 a : to fish with a trawl<br />b : to make a search as if by trawling<br /><br />2 : troll<br /><br />transitive verb<br /><br />: to catch (fish) with a trawl<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The boat trawled far out at sea.<br /><br />a fishing boat trawling the oceanfloor<br /><br />He trawled the Internet looking for Web sites on growing grapes.<br /><br />
confute
verb<br />to prove to be false<br /><br /> theories which will eventually be confirmed or confuted by experience<br /><br />Synonyms<br /> belie, confound, disprove, debunk, disconfirm, discredit, falsify, rebut, refute, shoot down
gull
verb<br />to take advantage of (one who is foolish or unwary) : deceive<br /><br />Examples<br />we were gulled into believing that if we answered the e-mail, we\'d somehow become millionaires, but instead we just got put on a list for junk mail<br /><br />noun<br />a person. who is deceived
strife
very angry or violent disagreement between two or more people or groups<br /><br />Examples<br />political/religious strife<br />civil strife<br /><br />Synonyms: conflict, disaccord,discordance, discordancy,disharmony, dissension (alsodissention), dissent, dissidence,dissonance, disunion,
convoluted
very complicated and difficult to understand<br /><br />: having many twists and curves<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />1 : having convolutions <br /><br />a ram withconvoluted horns<br /><br />2 : involved, intricate <br /><br />a convolutedargument<br /><br /><br /><br />Examples<br />a convoluted explanation that left the listeners even more confused than they were before
squalid (adj)
very dirty and unpleasant<br /><br />: immoral or dishonest<br /><br />The family lived in squalid conditions.<br /><br />squalor (noun)<br /><br />
overwrought
very excited or upset<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />became overwrought when she heard that her child was missing <br /><br />the author\'s prose is overwrought with purple passages and florid metaphors
sumptuous
very expensive, rich, or impressive
rave reviews
very good reviews/ratings
scathing
very harsh or severe<br /><br />bitterly severe <br /><br />a scathing condemnation<br /><br />
blatant
very obvious and offensive<br />Full Definition<br />1 : noisy especially in a vulgar or offensive manner : clamorous<br /><br />I take off points for blatant spelling errors
antiquated
very old and no longer useful, popular, or accepted : very old-fashioned or obsolete<br /><br />Examples<br />saw an antiquated hand-cranked rope-making machine at the textiles museum
scrumptious
very pleasant to taste<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />: delightful, excellent; especially :delicious scrump·tious·ly adverb<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />baked a scrumptious chocolate cake<br /><br />
morose
very serious, unhappy, and quiet<br />: very sad or unhappy<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />those morose job seekers who have grown accustomed to rejection
inane
very silly or stupid<br /><br />Full Definition<br />empty, insubstantial<br /><br />lacking significance, meaning, or point : silly <inane comments><br /><br />synonyms see insipid<br /><br />void or empty space <br /><br />a voyage into the limitless inane €" V. G.Childe<br /><br />inane comments<br />
paltry
very small or too small in amount<br /><br />: having little meaning, importance, or worth<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />1 : inferior, trashy<br /><br />2 : mean, despicable <br />a paltry trick<br /><br />3 : trivial <br />a paltry excuse<br /><br />4 : meager, measly <br />made a paltry donation<br /><br />
unequivocal
very strong and clear : not showing or allowing any doubt : not equivocal<br /><br />Our stance on misconduct is unequivocal: we will not tolerate it, and where we find it we will fully investigate and apply consequences where warranted without fear or favour.
opprobrium
very strong disapproval or criticism of a person or thing especially by a large number of people<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />They\'re going ahead with the plandespite public opprobrium.<br /><br />saw no reason why €œsecretary€ should suddenly become a term of opprobrium among the politicallycorrect
meteoric
very sudden or fast<br />marked by very quick success<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a meteoric rise to fame<br /><br />
knackered
very tired or exhausted<br /><br />British: tired, exhausted<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />I\'m absolutely knackered, so no pub-crawling for me tonight<br /><br />
noisome
very unpleasant or disgusting<br /><br />offensive to the senses and especially to the sense of smell <br /><br />noisome garbage
tenuous
very weak, negligible, shaky, delicate<br /><br />despite being a powerful force in the financial industry, the Rothschilds had a tenuous place in society because of the Queen\'s disapproval to accept them as part of the political fabric
caveat
warning, caution
oversight
watchful and responsible care<br /> <br /> regulatory supervision <br /><br />2. an inadvertent omission or error<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />owners wanted to have oversight of the club's fund-raising activities<br /><br />claiming €œ3 billion€ instead of €œ3 million€ was just an oversight <br /><br />you'll have oversight of the troop until the scoutmaster returns <br /><br />Synonyms: administration, care, charge,control, direction, governance, government,guidance, handling, intendance, management,operation, conduct, presidency, regulation,running, stewardship, superintendence,superintendency, supervision
staunch
watertight, sound<br />b : strongly built : substantial 2 : steadfast in loyalty or principle <br /><br />astaunch friend<br /><br /> faithful<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She is a staunch advocate of women\'s rights.He\'s a staunch believer in thevalue of regular exercise.I\'m one of his staunchestsupporters.<br /><br />
amenable
willing<br /><br />whatever you decide to do, I\'m amenable€"just let me know <br /><br />our normally balky cat becomes the most amenable of creatures when confronted with the strange environment of the veterinary clinic<br /><br /> even our nation\'s highest leaders must remain amenable to the law
ruse
wily subterfuge<br /><br />synonyms: trick<br /><br />Examples<br />His act was just a clever ruse to get me to go out with him.
trammel
years after his death, she was still trammeled by inconsolable grief for her deceased husband<br /><br />2 : to prevent or impede the freeplay of : confine<br /><br />Synonyms chain, enchain, enfetter, fetter, gyve, handcuff, manacle, pinion, shackle, bind<br /><br />
copious
yielding something abundantly <a copious harvest> <copious springs> <br /><br />b : plentiful in number <copious references to other writers><br /><br />2 a : full of thought, information, or matter <br /><br />b : profuse or exuberant in words,expression, or style <a copious talker><br /><br />3 : present in large quantity : takingplace on a large scale <copious weeping> <copious food and drink>
vindicate
zbsb
din
1.To stun with deafening noise.(verb)<br /><br />a loud, confusing mixture of noisesthat lasts for a long time (noun)<br /><br /><br />It was hard to hear anything above the din in the restaurant.<br /><br />there's always a great din from the cafeteria during lunch<br /><br />dinner his ears<br /><br />
singular
2 : distinguished by superiority :exceptional <br /><br />an artist of singular attainments><br /><br />3 : being out of the ordinary :unusual <br /><br />on the way home we had a singular adventure<br /><br />4 : departing from general usage or expectation : peculiar, odd <br /><br />the air had a singular chill>
facetitious
2 : meant to be humorous or funny : notserious <br /><br />synonyms see witty <br /><br />the essay is a facetious commentary on the absurdity of war as a solution for international disputes
reap
2 : obtain, win<br /><br />Samsung is now reaping the rewards of that effort.
purview
2 : the range or limit of authority,competence, responsibility, concern, orintention<br /><br />3 : range of vision, understanding, orcognizance
deprecate
2 : to express disapproval of<br /><br />3 a : play down : make little of <br /><br /> b : belittle, disparage
diaSpora
2 a : the movement, migration, or scattering of a people away from an established or ancestral homeland <br /><br />< the black diaspora to northern cities>
intervene
3 a : to come in or between by way ofhindrance or modification <br /><br />b : to interfere with the outcome or course especially of a condition or process (as toprevent harm or improve functioning)
cornerstone
: a basic element : foundation <br /><br />Synonyms: basis, bedrock, bottom, base,footing, foundation, ground, groundwork,keystone, root, underpinning, warp, warp and woof
libertine
: a free thinker especially in religious matters<br /><br />2 : a person who is unrestrained by convention or morality; specifically : one leading a dissolute life<br /><br />the legend of Don Juan depicts him as a playboy and libertine
oversight
: a mistake made becausesomeone forgets or fails tonotice something<br /><br />: the act or job of directing work that is being done
aficionado
: a person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a usually fervently pursued interest or activity : devotee <br /><br />aficionados of the bullfight<br /><br />movie aficionados
resurgence
: a rising again into life, activity, or prominence <br /><br />a resurgence of interest<br /><br />Examples<br />There has been some resurgence in economic activity recently.
cache
: a secure place of storage<br /><br />they systematically searched for the cache of guns and ammunition but to no avail.
sycophant
: a servile self-seeking flatterer<br /><br />Examples<br />when her career was riding high, the self-deluded actress often mistook sycophants for true friends
allegory
: a symbolic representation :emblem 2
goings-on
: actions, events
insidious
: awaiting a chance to entrap :treacherous <br />b : harmful but enticing : seductive<insidious drugs>
cogent
: convincing b : pertinent, relevant <br /><br />Examples <br />the results of the DNA finger printing were the most cogent evidence for acquittal
Momentous
: important, consequential<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a momentous occasion that will go down in the history books<br /><br />Synonyms: big, consequential, earthshaking,earth-shattering, eventful, historic, major,material, meaningful, important, monumental,much, significant, substantial, tectonic,weighty
lopsided
: leaning to one side<br /><br />: lacking in balance, symmetry, orproportion : disproportionately heavy on oneside <br /><br /><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the portrait in the foyer was lopsided, so I straightened it while I was waiting<br /><br />Synonyms: <br /><br />askew, aslant, atilt, cock-a-hoop,cockeyed, crazy, crooked, listing, awry,oblique, off-kilter, pitched, skewed, slanted,slanting, slantwise, tilted, tipping, uneven
moniker
: name, nickname <br /><br />Examples <br /><br />seeing as no respectable rodeo performer could possibly be known as Leslie, a suitably masculine moniker was created for him <br /><br />€œCornelius Jedidiah Beauregard€ is his rather unwieldy moniker
derelict
: no longer cared for or used by anyone<br /><br />: failing to do what should be done<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The officer was charged with being derelict in his duty.<br /><br />the guards were judged derelict in their duty<br /><br />Origin: Latin derelictus, <br /><br /><br />
hackneyed
: not interesting, funny, etc., because of being used too often : not fresh or original<br />Full Definition<br />: lacking in freshness or originality <br /><br />hackneyed slogans<br /><br />synonyms see trite<br />Examples<br />it\'s hackneyed, but true€"the more you save the more you earn<br /><br />Synonyms: banal, cliché (also cliche), clichéd, cobwebby, commonplace
askew
: out of line : awry askew·ness noun<br /><br />Examples <br /><br />The picture hung askew on the wall. His tie is slightly askew in this picture. his hat was askew because of the wind
dither
: shiver, tremble<br />2 : to act nervously or indecisively : vacillate<br /><br />noun<br />: a highly nervous, excited, or agitated state : excitement, confusion<br /><br />Examples<br />We don\'t have time to dither.<br /><br />She did not dither about/over what to do next.<br /><br />Synonyms: fret, fluster, fuss, huff, lather, pother, stew, sweat, swelter, swivet, tizzy, twitter<br /><br />
swoon
: to become very excited about someone or something<br />: to suddenly become unconscious<br />Full Definition<br />intransitive verb<br />1 a : faint<br />b : to become enraptured <br />swooning with joy<br />2 : droop, fade
abdicate
: to fail to do what is required by (a duty or responsibility)<br /><br />eg<br /><br />your data may be held in the public cloud, but you cannot abdicate your security responsibility
infer
: to form (an opinion) from evidence : to reach (a conclusion) based on known facts<br />: to hint or suggest (something)<br /><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />he inferred that she had leftbecause her coat was gonethe results infer that there mightbe a problem with one piece of the equipment
teetering
: to move unsteadily : wobble<br /><br />b : waver, vacillate <br /><br />2 : seesaw
repudiate
: to refuse to have anything to do with :disown <br /><br />3 a : to refuse to accept; especially : to reject as unauthorized or as having no binding force <br /><br />b : to reject as untrue or unjust <br /><br />4 : to refuse to acknowledge or pay
stoke
: to stir or add fuel to (something that is burning)<br />: to increase the amount or strength of (something)<br /><br />Di Maria stoked the fire on an Argentine radio station yesterday, by revealing the club did not want him to aggravate a leg injury.<br /><br />Synonyms: accelerate, add (to),aggrandize, amplify, augment,boost, build up, compound,enlarge, escalate, expand, extend,hype, multiply, pump up, raise,
harness
: to tie together : <br /><br />3 : utilize
predicate
<b>Definition:</b> 1. to state or affirm that something is true; 2. to use something as a foundation or justification for an action or opinion;<br /><br /> 3. to imply something<br /><b>Synonyms:</b> affirm, allege, avow, state, declare, base, found, imply, connote, suggest<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Strong growth is predicated by good business <br /><br />The lawyer claimed that the charges against his client were predicated on lies. (based, built, declared)
contingency
<b>a. </b>An event that may occur but that is not likely or intended; a possibility.<br><b>b. </b>A possibility that must be prepared for; a future emergency.
enter the fray
<br />1. To join a competition. Now that you\'ve entered the fray and decided to run for mayor, I hope you\'ve prepared for the personal attacks unfortunately are likely to follow.<br />2. To join in on an argument. Once my relatives start arguing, I usually leave the room rather than enter the fray.
alacrity
<br />: promptness in response : cheerfulreadiness <br />accepted the invitationwith alacrity<br /><br />Synonyms: amenability, gameness, goodwill, obligingness, willingness
drawl
<br />: to speak slowly with vowel sounds that are longer than usual<br /><br />
brackish
<br />Synonyms distasteful, unappetizing, unpalatable, unsavory, yucky<br /><br />Examples<br />the office coffee is often some brackish brew that\'s been sitting around for a couple of hours<br /><br />the river becomes brackish as we approach the tidemark
envoy
<br />a person sent on a mission to represent another <br /><br />the president sent the secretary of state as his personal envoy to gain the support of the country\'s allies<br /><br />Synonyms agent, delegate, emissary,ambassador, legate, minister,representative<br /><br />
corral
<br />gather together and confine (a group of people or things).<br /><br />\the organizers were corralling the crowd into marching formation\"<br /><br />"
subliminal
<br />relating to things that influence your mind in a way that you do not notice<br /><br />1 : inadequate to produce a sensation or a perception<br /><br />2 : existing or functioning below the threshold of consciousness <br /><br />the subliminal mind<br /><br />subliminal advertising<br /><br />She thinks there\'s a lot of subliminal messaging in the media.<br /><br />
dissuade
<br />to convince (someone) not to do something<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />tried to dissuade her from herintention to drop out of college
ambivert
<br><br><br><br>a person who has a balance of extrovert and introvert features in their personality.<br /> <br><br>
predispose
<br><br><br>synonyms:<br>make susceptible, make liable, make prone, lay open, make vulnerable,put at risk of, leave open<br><br><br><br>lack of exercise may predispose an individual to high blood pressure""
supplant
<br>to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery<br><br><br><br /><a href=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uproot">uproot</a> (2) <b>:</b> to eradicate and <a class="formulaic" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supply">supply</a> a substitute for <efforts to <i>supplant</i> the vernacular><br>"
fray
A fight; a brawl. See Synonyms at brawl.<br />2. A heated dispute or intensely competitive situation: \Minneapolis became the latest battleground in the fray over bio-engineering as hundreds of protesters took to the streets\""
bastion
A projecting part of a fortification.<br /><br /> A well-fortified position.<br /><br />One that upholds or defends something, as against neglect or unpopularity:<br /><br /> a college that is a bastion of traditionalism
allegory
A symbolic representation: <br /><br />The blindfolded figure with scales is an allegory of justice.
agnostic
Agnostic, in an information technology (IT) context, refers to something that is generalized so that it is interoperable among various systems. The term can refer not only to software and hardware, but also to business processes or practices.<br /><br />The word agnostic comes from the Greek a-,meaning without and gnÅsis, meaningknowledge. In IT, that translates to the ability of something to function without €œknowing€ the underlying details of a system that it is working within. As with interoperability, agnosticism is typically enabled by either compliance with widely-used standards or added elements (such as coding) that will enable one system to function in a variety of environments.<br /><br />Some examples of agnosticism in IT:<br /><br />Platform-agnostic software runs on any combination of operating system and underlying processor architecture. Such applications are sometimes referred to as €œcross-platform.€Device-agnostic software operates across various types of devices, including desktop computers, laptops, tablet PCs andsmartphones.Database-agnostic software functions with any vendor€™s database management system (DBMS). Typical database-agnostic products include business analytics (BA) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.Protocol-agnostic software is independent of communication protocols. It negotiates a protocol with its peer and begins communication.Business process-agnostic software functions in different business environments. One example is a business process-agnostic business service that encapsulates logic associated with a specific business entity, such as \invoice\" or \"claim.€Vendor-agnostic middleware can mediate between software from multiple vendors
recrimination
Examples<br /><br /><br />an angry statement in which you accuse or criticize a person who has accused or criticized you<br /><br />: a retaliatory accusation; also : the making of such accusations <br /><br />endless recrimination<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The discussion turned into a heated debate with recriminations flying back and forth.<br /><br />The meeting ended with bitterness and recrimination.
slew
Examples<br /><br />A whole slew of people were waiting.<br />He has written a slew of books.<br /><br />Synonyms: abundance, barrel, basketful, boatload, bucket, bunch,<br /><br />
contiguous
Examples<br /><br />Connecticut and Massachusetts are contiguous states<br /><br />Synonyms: abutting, adjoining,bordering, conterminous, adjacent,
panacea
Examples<br /><br />a remedy for all ills or difficulties : cure-all<br /><br />The law will improve the lives of local farmers, but it is no panacea.<br /><br />a woman who seems to believethat chicken soup is a panacea for nearly everything
portent
Full Definition<br /><br />1 : something that foreshadows a coming event : omen, sign<br /><br />2 : prophetic indication or significance3 : marvel, prodigy<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a red sky in the morning can be a portent of a coming storm<br /><br />a scout was sent to have a look at this teenage pitcher who was supposed to be the latest portent of the baseball world
since
However, Barca have since signed Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic from Sevilla and with Luis Enrique known to demand a high work-rate from his players, it is unclear whether Xavi can fit into that philosophy
unilateral
Of, on, relating to, involving, or affecting only one side: \a unilateral advantage in defense\" (New Republic).<br /><br />2. Performed or undertaken by only one side: unilateral disarmament."
orwellian
Orwellian\ is an adjective describing a situation; idea; or societal condition that George Orwell identified as being destructive to the welfare of a free and open society. It denotes an attitude and a brutal policy of draconian control by propaganda; surveillance; misinformation; denial of truth (doublethink); and manipulation of the past; including the \"unperson\"€"a person whose past existence is expunged from the public record and memory; practised by modern repressive governments.<br /><br />THERE\'S something Orwellian about Education Secretary Mike Russell\'s diktat that a video of him congratulating students must be played at all college graduation ceremonies."
vilify
Related Words belittle, denigrate, detract, disparage; discredit, disgrace, dishonor, shame; abase, debase, degrade, humble, humiliate; disdain, scorn
banal
Related Words unexciting,uninspiring, unrewarding; bland,boring, drab, dreary, dry, dull, heavy,humdrum, jading, leaden, lifeless,<br /><br />Examples <br /><br />the sort of banal woman who appeals to men not looking for intellectual stimulation please find new ways of phrasing your thoughts instead of relying on banal expressions
evince
She evinced an interest in art at an early age.<br /><br />the teenager caught shoplifting seemed to evince no remorse<br /><br />Synonyms: bespeak, betray,communicate, declare, demonstrate,display, show, expose, give away, manifest, reveal
uphold
Synonyms <br />defend, justify, support, maintain, advocate, champion, espouse; confirm, vindicate, <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />determined to uphold her views in the face of all challenges <br /><br />an entablature upheld by a series of gracefully slender columns <br /><br />worshippers upheld their joined hands and sang the praises of the Lord
rescind
Synonyms abandon, abort, call, call off, cry off, drop, recall, repeal, cancel, revoke, scrap, scrub
repeal
Synonyms abandonment, abortion, calling, calling off, dropping, recall, recision, cancellation, rescission, revocation<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the company called the furniturestore to repeal the order for six new desks
efface
Synonyms abolish, black out, blot out,cancel, clean (up), annihilate, eradicate,erase, expunge,<br /><br />when the supply ship finally arrived, it discovered that virtually all evidence of the colony at Roanoke had been effaced
exonerate
Synonyms absolve, acquit, clear,exculpate, vindicate
predilection
Synonyms affection, affinity, aptitude,<br /><br />a young lad with a predilection for telling tall tales
churn
Synonyms agitate, stir, swirl, wash,whirl<br /><br />to make (the account of a client) excessively active byfrequent purchases and salesprimarily in order to generate commissions<br /><br />a lot of data is being churned out daily; Big Data
expound
Synonyms air, express, give, look, raise, sound, state, vent, ventilate, voice
primordial
Synonyms ancient, primal, primeval, primitive, early
decimate
Synonyms annihilate, cream,destroy, demolish, desolate
furtive
Synonyms backstairs, behind-the-scenes, clandestine, covert, secret, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, private, <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />He cast a furtive glance in our direction.<br /><br />We exchanged furtive smilesacross the table.<br /><br />
diffident
Synonyms backward, bashful, coy,demure, shy, introverted, modest,recessive, retiring, self-effacing , sheepish, <br />withdrawn<br /><br />
pale
Synonyms blanch, bleach, blench, decolorize, dull, fade, whiten, snow, wash out<br /><br />but these inconveniences pale into insignificance when the raw power of the motor is unleashed
moot
Synonyms bring up, broach, introduce, place, raise<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />conservatives had shouted down the proposal when it was first mooted<br /><br />the issue of whether a person\'snature or upbringing is more important continues to be mooted by experts and laymen alike
volition
Synonyms choice,self-determination, free will, will
disjointed
Synonyms choppy, disconnected,incoherent, unconnected<br /><br />Related Words baffling, bewildering,confounding, confused, confusing,disordered, disorderly, disorganized,muddled, perplexing, puzzlin<br /><br />
incapacitate
Synonyms cripple, disable, hamstring,immobilize, paralyze, prostrate
anathematize
Synonyms curse, beshrew [archaic], imprecate, maledict<br /><br />Related Words condemn, damn, denounce, execrate<br /><br />
impasse
Synonyms deadlock, gridlock, halt, logjam, Mexican standoff, stalemate, standoff, standstill<br /><br />a situation in which no progress seems possible<br /> a : a predicament affording no obvious escape <br />b : deadlock<br /><br />2 : an impassable road or way :cul-de-sac<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />An arbitrator was called in to break the impasse.<br /><br />She had reached an impasse in her career.<br /><br />
rut
Synonyms drill, grind, groove,lockstep, pattern, rote, routine,treadmill
incorrigible
Synonyms hopeless, incurable, irrecoverable, irredeemable, irreformable, irremediable, irretrievable, unrecoverable, unredeemable<br /><br />an incorrigible criminal who should spend the rest of his life behind bars
base
Synonyms ignoble, contemptible, currish, despicable, detestable, dirty, dishonorable, execrable, ignominious, low, low-down, low-minded,
appellation
Synonyms name, appellative, cognomen, compellation, denomination, denotation, designation, handle, moniker (also monicker), nomenclature, title<br /><br />a twisting roadthat deserved the appellation€œSidewinder Lane€
<br /><br />judgmental
Synonyms: <br /><br /> faultfinding, hypercritical, critical,overcritical, rejective<br /><br />example:<br /><br />culinary purists who tend to be judgmentalabout home cooks who take shortcuts
flurry
Synonyms: <br /><br />burst, flare, flare-up, flash,flicker, outbreak, flutter, outburst, spurt
construe
Synonyms: <br /><br />clarify, clear (up), explain,demonstrate, demystify, elucidate, explicate,expound, get across, illuminate, illustrate,interpret, simplify, spell out, unriddle<br /><br />
rapturious
Synonyms: <br /><br />cloud nine, elatedness, elation,euphoria, exhilaration, heaven, high,intoxication, paradise, ecstasy, rhapsody,seventh heaven, swoon, transport
unflinching
Synonyms: <br /><br />determined, dogged, grim,implacable, relentless, unappeasable, unyielding, unrelenting<br /><br />Example<br /><br />she was unflinching in his determination to see that justice was done
indubitable
Synonyms: accomplished, certain, inarguable, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, irrefutable, irrefragable, positive, sure, unanswerable, unarguable, unchallengeable, undeniable, unquestionable
viable
Synonyms: achievable, attainable, doable, feasible, practicable, realizable, possible, workable<br /><br />more research will be required to see if this is a viable solution
dissemble
Synonyms: act, affect, assume, bluff, counterfeit, feign, fake, pass (for), <br /><br />Examples<br />he dissembled happiness at the news that his old girlfriend was getting married€"to someone else<br />children learn to dissemble at a surprisingly early age
deleterious
Synonyms: adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, damaging, dangerous, harmful, detrimental,<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />nicotine has long beenrecognized as a deleterioussubstance
corollary
Synonyms: aftereffect, aftermath,backwash, child, conclusion,consequence, effect, development,
palatable
Synonyms: agreeable, all right, alright
contrite
Synonyms: apologetic, compunctious, penitent, regretful, remorseful, repentant, rueful, sorry<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />being contrite is not enough to spare you an arrest if you\'re caught shoplifting
lurid
Synonyms: appalling, atrocious,awful, dreadful, frightful, ghastly,grisly, gruesome (also grewsome),hideous, horrendous, horrid,horrific, horrifying, horrible,macabre, monstrous, nightmare,nightmarish, shocking, terrible,terrific
moot (2)
Synonyms: arguable, controvertible, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, issuable, debatable, negotiable, questionable<br /><br /> a : open to question : debatable <br />b : subjected to discussion : disputed<br /><br />2 : deprived of practical significance :made abstract or purely academic<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The court ruled that the issue is now moot because the peopleinvolved in the dispute have died.<br /><br />I think they were wrong, but the point is moot. Their decision has been made and it can\'t be changednow.<br /><br />
moot
Synonyms: arguable,controvertible, disputable,doubtable, doubtful, issuable,debatable, negotiable,questionable<br /><br />Examples<br />He says that they should have foreseen the accident, but that point is moot.<br /><br />The court ruled that the issue is now moot because the people involved in the dispute have died.<br /><br />I think they were wrong, but the point is moot. Their decision has been made and it can\'t be changed now.
jejune
Synonyms: arid, colorless, drab,dreary, drudging, dry, dull, dusty, flat<br /><br />not interesting, insipid<br /><br />Examples<br />She made jejune remarks about life and art.<br /><br />another moralizing tale filled with jejune platitudes
duress
Synonyms: arm-twisting, coercion, compulsion, constraint, force, pressure<br /><br />the use of power to impose one\'s will on another <br /><br />complied with the order only under duress
ersatz
Synonyms: artificial, bogus, dummy, imitation, factitious, fake, false, faux, imitative, man-made,<br /><br />Examples<br />like everything else the restaurant served, the whipped cream on the dessert was ersatz
descry
Synonyms: ascertain, find, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find out, get<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />we couldn\'t descry the reasons for his sudden departure<br /><br />could just descry the ship comingover the horizon<br /><br />
detritus
Synonyms: ashes, debris, remains, flotsam, residue, rubble, ruins, wreck, wreckage
confect
Synonyms: assemble, build, construct, erect, fabricate, make, make up, piece, put up, raise, rear, set up<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a cook who can confect a magnificent dinner from whateveringredients are in the cupboards<br /><br />
supercilious
Synonyms: assumptive, bumptious, cavalier, chesty, haughty, highfalutin (alsohifalutin), high-and-mighty, high-handed, high-hat, huffish, huffy, imperious, important, lofty, <br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />: coolly and patronizingly haughty <br /><br />reacted to their breach of etiquette with a supercilious smile<br /><br />
temerity
Synonyms: audaciousness, audacity, brashness, brass, brassiness, brazenness, cheek,
balk
Synonyms: baffle, frustrate, beat, checkmate, discomfit, foil, thwart<br /><br />something that makes movement or progress difficult <br /><br />the extravagant centerpiece proved to be a balk to the flow of conversation<br /><br />it\'s hard not to balk at this revelation
be·drag·gle
Synonyms: bathe, wet, douse (also dowse), drench, drown, soak, sodden, sop, souse, wash, water, waterlog, water-soak, wet down
vie
Synonyms: battle, contend, face off, fight, race, rival, compete<br /><br />to compete with others in an attempt to get or win something<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />They are vying to win the championship for the third year in a row.<br /><br />Two young men were vying for her attention.
rue
Synonyms: bemoan, deplore, lament, repent, regret<br /><br />to feel sorrow, remorse, or regret<br /><br />regret, sorrow <with rue my heart is laden €" A. E. Housman>
flagrant
Synonyms: blatant, conspicuous, egregious, glaring, gross, obvious<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />flagrant abuse of the law<br /><br />her flagrant disregard for otherpeople\'s rights<br /><br /><br />very bad : too bad to be ignored
egregious
Synonyms: blatant, conspicuous, flagrant, glaring, gross, obvious, patent, pronounced, rank, striking<br /><br />Examples<br />the student\'s theme was marred by a number of egregious errors in spelling
condone
Synonyms: blink (at), brush (aside or off), excuse, discount, disregard, forgive, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, overlook, overpass, paper over, pardon, <br /><br />he is too quick to condone his friend\'s faults
edict
Synonyms: bull, decree, diktat, directive, fiat, rescript, ruling, ukase<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The government issued an edict banning public demonstrations.<br /><br />a royal/religious edict
concussion
Synonyms: bump, collision,impact, crash, impingement, jar,jolt, jounce, kick, shock, slam,smash, strike, wallop<br /><br />There was of course a considerable concussion as the vessel drove up on the sand heap.
frazzle
Synonyms: burnout, collapse,exhaustion, fatigue, lassitude,prostration, tiredness, weariness
hoard
Synonyms: cache, stash,stockpile, store
remiss
Synonyms: careless, derelict, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, slack<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />I would be remiss if I didn\'t tell you how much I appreciated the lovelygift<br />
ineluctable
Synonyms: certain, inevitable, ineludible, inescapable, necessary, sure, unavoidable, unescapable
allure
Synonyms: charm, animal magnetism, appeal, attractiveness,captivation, charisma, duende,enchantment, fascination, force field, glamour<br /><br />example: Stok<br />er powerfully captures the allure of the supernatural in Dracula
stifle
Synonyms: choke, smother, strangle, suffocate, deter, discourage
exegesis
Synonyms: clarification, construction, elucidation, explanation, explication, exposition, illumination, illustration, interpretation, road map<br /><br />Examples<br />a psychobiography that purports to be the definitive exegesis of the late president\'s character
fungible
Synonyms: commutable, exchangeable, interchangeable, substitutable, switchable<br /><br />, wheat, and lumber are fungible commodities><br />2 : interchangeable
stereotype
Synonyms: concept, conception,generality, notion, generalization
infer
Synonyms: conclude, decide,deduce, derive, extrapolate,gather, judge, make out, reason,understand, draw a conclusion
contrition
Synonyms: contriteness, guilt, penitence, regret, remorse, remorsefulness, repentance, rue, self-reproach, shame<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />once again she heard herabusive husband\'s tearfulexpressions of contrition
bridle
Synonyms: control, check, constrain, contain,curb, govern, hold, inhibit, keep, measure,pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame<br /><br />Examples <br /><br />She was forced to bridle her anger.<br /><br />He bridled at their criticism of his methods.
confluence
Synonyms: convergence, conjunction, convergency, meeting<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a happy confluence of beautifulweather and spectacularscenery during our vacation
vice
Synonyms: corruption, debauchery, depravity, immorality, iniquitousness, iniquity, libertinage, libertinism, licentiousness, profligacy, sin<br /><br />moral depravity or corruption : wickedness<br /><br />Examples<br />Such men are prone to vice.<br /><br />He thought gambling was a vice.<br /><br />the vice of greed
envy
Synonyms: covetousness, enviousness, green-eyed monster, invidiousness, jealousy, resentment<br /><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />I envy you for your large group of friends.<br /><br />They envied his success.<br /><br /> They envied him for his success.<br /><br />I envy the way you\'ve made so many friends.
derange
Synonyms: crack, craze, frenzy,loco, madden, unbalance, unhinge,unstring
lacuna
Synonyms: crunch, dearth, deficit, drought (also drouth), failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness, insufficiency, lack, deficiency, <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She found a lacuna in the historical record.<br /><br />attributes many of the nation\'s problems to a lacuna of leadership at the top<br /><br />
antidote
Synonyms: cure, corrective,curative, rectifier, remedy,therapeutic, therapy<br /><br />its focus on privacy with the help of its Circles seemed like the right antidote to Facebook.
Machiavellian
Synonyms: cutthroat, immoral, unprincipled, unconscionable, unethical, unscrupulous<br /><br />Examples<br />yet another tale of a power-mad dictator with a Machiavellian plan to take over the world
incursion
Synonyms: descent, foray, raid, inroad,invasion, irruption<br /><br />Examples<br /><br /> there were incursions from the border every summer
disparate
Synonyms: different, dissimilar,distant, distinct, distinctive,distinguishable, diverse,nonidentical, other, unalike, unlike
unobtrusive
Synonyms: discreet,inconspicuous, invisible,unnoticeable<br /><br /><br />not attracting attention in a way that bothers you<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the notice that an 18% tip would be automatically added was so unobtrusive we almost didn\'t see it at the bottom of the menu
ordain
Synonyms: doom, fate, destine, predestine,predetermine<br /><br />it was ordained that anyone hunting in the forest without permission was to pay a fine<br /><br />
preordain
Synonyms: doom, fate, foredoom, foreordain, ordain, predestine, predetermine, destine<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />my wife and I are such soulmates, I\'m convinced that our marriage was preordained<br /><br /><br />
reverberate
Synonyms: echo, reecho, resonate, resound, sound<br /><br />an historic event that still reverberates today
edify
Synonyms: enlighten, educate, illume, illuminate, illumine, inspire, nurture<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />These books will both entertain and edify readers.<br /><br />a family-oriented show that tried to edify the television audience as wellas entertain it<br /><br />
vestibule
Synonyms: entranceway, entry, entryway, foyer, hallway, lobby, hall
appraisal
Synonyms: estimation,appraisement, assessment,estimate, evaluation, fix, judgment(or judgement), value judgment<br /><br />Examples<br />gave us a positive appraisal of his artistic talents<br /><br />the appraisal of the house\'s value took place yesterday
ethos
Synonyms: ethics, morality, morals, norms, principles, standards<br /><br />It also includes the ethos in which the company stands by so that everyone is clear on the company values and their mission.
preface
Synonyms: exordium, foreword, intro,preamble, introduction, prelude, proem,prologue (also prolog), prolusion
perilous
Synonyms: grave, grievous, hazardous, jeopardizing, menacing, parlous, dangerous, risky, serious, threatening, unhealthy, unsafe, venturesome<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a perilous journey across the mountains<br /><br />a perilous journey through hostileterritory<br />
conjecture
Synonyms: guess, shot, supposition, surmise, shot in the dark
surmise
Synonyms: guess, shot, supposition,conjecture
amok
Synonyms: helter€"skelter (oramuck), berserk, berserkly,frantically, frenetically, frenziedly,harum-scarum, hectically, madly,pell-mell, wild, wildly<br /><br />run amok<br />
clamor
Synonyms: howl, hubbub, hue and cry,hullabaloo, noise, outcry, roar, tumult, uproar,vociferation<br /><br />overwhelmed by people clamoring for our attention
sectarian
Synonyms: illiberal, insular,Lilliputian, little, narrow-minded,<br /><br />relating to religious or political sects and the differences between them<br /><br />of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect or sectarian
precocious
Synonyms: inopportune, early, premature, unseasonable, untimely<br /><br />exceptionally early in development or occurrence <precocious puberty><br />2 : exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age <a precocious child><br /><br />Examples<br />a precocious baldness makes him look older than he really is
secular
Synonyms: nonreligious, profane, temporal
abhorrent
Synonyms: offensive, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful,
antipode
Synonyms: opposite, antithesis, contrary, counter, negative, obverse, reverse<br /><br />the exact opposite or contrary<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />my jock brother is an antipode to my bookworm sister<br /><br />
Insurgence
Synonyms: rebellion, insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, outbreak, revolt, revolution, rising, uprising
unabashed
Synonyms: shameless,unashamed, unblushing,unembarrassed<br /><br />not embarrassed or ashamed about openly expressing strong feelings or opinions<br /><br />Examples<br />unabashed by their booing and hissing, he continued with his musical performance
burnish
Synonyms: shine, gloss, luminance, luster (or lustre), polish, sheen<br /><br />Examples<br />after some much-needed polishing, the silver tea set had a brilliant burnish
insufferable
Synonyms: unbearable,insupportable, intolerable,unendurable, unsupportable
machismo
Synonyms: virility, macho, manhood, manliness, masculinity<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a culture that prizes machismo and has rigid gender roles
emolument
Synonyms: wage, hire, packet [British], pay, paycheck, pay envelope, payment, salary, stipend<br /><br /><br /><br />
discord
Synonyms:<br /><br /> conflict, disaccord, discordance,discordancy, disharmony,
latitude
The greater than normal personal latitude enjoyed by both sex worker and foreigner lead to more negotiation on condom use and overall lower use<br /><br />freedom of action or choice<br /><br />students are allowed considerable latitude in choosing courses
shirk
To avoid or neglect (a duty or responsibility).
ingratiate
To bring (oneself, for example) into the favor or good graces of another, especially by deliberate effort: She quickly sought to ingratiate herself with the new administration.
coned
To destroy, do away with, slaughter, or kill. <br /><br />We need to CONE Osama€ or €œOsama is to be CONED€ <br />
pale in comparison
To pale in comparison is to look weak, small, meager, or inferior compared to something else. Pale here takes the little-used sense to become smaller. It\'s the same pale used in the common phrase (less common in the U.S.) pale into insignificance, whose meaning is obvious.
prevaricate
To speak or write evasively. See <br />Synonyms at lie<br /><br />2. (Usage Problem) To behave in an indecisive manner; delay or procrastinate.<br /><br />He prevaricated for some two years before accepting the new design for production. <br /><br />As the industry prevaricated, sales collapsed.
pro rata
Used to describe a proportionate allocation. A method of assigning an amount to a fraction, according to its share of the whole.<br /><br />For example, a pro-rata dividend means that every shareholder gets an equal proportion for each share he or she owns.
diatribe
a bitter and abusive speech or piece of writing<br /><br />3 : ironic or satirical criticism<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The article is a diatribe againstmainstream media.<br /><br />a bitter diatribe about how unfairthe tax system is<br /><br />
ethology
a branch of knowledge dealing with humancharacter and with its formation and evolution<br /><br />the scientific and objective study of animal behavior especially under natural conditions
flurry
a brief period of excitement or activity<br /><br />a large amount of something that happens or comes suddenly<br /><br />a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity <br /><br />a flurry of activity on the floor of the stock market as soon as the news spread<br /><br />Synonyms burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, outbreak, flutter, outburst, spurt
bane
a cause of great distress or annoyance.<br><br />the telephone was <b>the bane of my life</b>""
fetter
a chain or shackle for the feet<br />2 : something that confines :restraint
confluence
a coming or flowing together, meeting, or gathering at one point <a happy confluence of weather and scenery><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a happy confluence of beautifulweather and spectacularscenery during our vacation<br /><br />Synonyms: convergence, conjunction, convergency, meeting
commonality
a common feature or attribute<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />one commonality between the two very different women is their passion for charity work
fiasco
a complete failure
snag
a concealed or unexpected difficulty or obstacle<br /><br />Examples<br />We hit a snag with our travel plans. = We ran into a snag with our travel plans.
aphorism
a concise statement of a principle
lassitude
a condition of weariness or debility : fatigue<br /><br />Synonyms: burnout, collapse, exhaustion, frazzle, fatigue<br /><br />as his cancer progresses, hisdays are increasingly marked bylassitude and isolation from theoutside world
lèse€"ma·jes·té
a crime (as treason) committed against a sovereign power <br />b : an offense violating the dignity of a ruler as the representative of a sovereign power<br /><br />2 : a detraction from or affront to dignity or importance<br /><br />
curmudgeon
a crusty, ill-tempered, and usuallyold man<br /><br />Examples<br />only a curmudgeon would object to the nursing home\'s holiday decorations
recess
a dark, hidden place or part<br /><br />a deep recess in the hill>
totem
a device, design, or figure used as an identifying mark ; symbol, emblem<br /><br />the bald eagle, that universally recognized totem of our country<br /><br />
travail
a difficult experience or situation<br />: painful or difficult work or effort<br /><br />example:<br /><br />However, i think this fall in profitability is temporary, and that SCB will come through its recent travails.
guise
a display of emotion or behavior thatis insincere or intended to deceive<br />my new neighbor began seeking my company under the guise of friendship, but he turned out to be amember of a religious cult bent on conversion<br /><br />Synonyms act, airs, charade, disguise, facade, front, masquerade, playacting, pose, pretense (or pretence), put-on, semblance, show<br /><br />
aura
a distinctive atmosphere surrounding agiven source <br /><br /> an energy field that is held to emanate from a living being<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the monastery perched high on a mountain top had an aura of unreality and mystery about it
aspersion
a false or misleading charge meant to harm someone\'s reputation <br /><br />cast aspersions on her integrity<br /><br />how dare you asperse the character of our dedicatedpastor!<br /><br />
frailty
a fault due to weakness especially of moral character<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />selfishness is a common human frailty<br /><br />frailty doesn\'t affect all elderly people, formany are indeed healthy and strong
umbrage
a feeling of being offended by whatsomeone has said or done<br /><br />took umbrage at the slightest suggestion of disrespect
qualm
a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about whether you are doing the right thing<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />He accepted their offer without a qualm.<br /><br />she has no qualms about downloading pirated music file from the Internet<br /><br />
skepticism
a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something <br /><br />our alibi was met with skepticism at first, but we gradually convinced them of the truth
tantrum
a fit of bad temper<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />had a tantrum when he foundhis little sister using his modelpaints<br /><br />
foolery
a foolish act, utterance, or belief<br />2 : foolish behavior<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />it\'s foolery to expect me to let youshoplift that DVDlet the kids have a little foolery once in a while
fray
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective <br /><br />another generation of scientists entered the fray to find a cure for AIDS<br /><br />Synonyms battle, fight, struggle, scrabble, throes<br /><br /><br /><br />a troubled youth always getting into frays at school
avulsion
a forcible separation or detachment: as <br /><br /> a tearing away of a body part accidentally or surgically
spate
a great flow of water or of somethingthat overwhelms <br /><br />a spate of words has been published on this controversial topic<br /><br />a spate of new criticisms<br /><br />Synonyms alluvion, bath, cataclysm,cataract, deluge, flood tide,<br /><br />following the monsoon rain, the rivers were in full spate<br />
hubris
a great or foolish amount of pride or confidence<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />: exaggerated pride or self-confidence<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />His failure was brought on by his hubris.
hubris
a great or foolish amount of pride or confidence<br /><br />Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance: \There is no safety in unlimited technological hubris\" <br /><br />A 300-year-old imperial dynasty; one marked by periods of glorious achievement as well as staggering hubris and ineptitude; was swiftly brought to an end -Romanovs<br /><br />"
pantheon
a group of illustrious or notable persons or things<br /><br />example<br />the company could end up joining a pantheon of corporate fiascos that includes Enron
constituency
a group of people who support or who are likely to support a politican or political party
legislature
a group of people with the power to make or change laws<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Our legislature passed a law requiring people to wear safety belts.<br /><br />Each state has its own legislature.
consortium
a group of persons formally joinedtogether for some common interest<br />a consortium for the prevention of animal cruelty<br /><br />Synonyms board, brotherhood, chamber, club, college, congress<br /><br />
triad
a group of three <a triad of candlesticks on the mantle><br /><br />Synonyms threesome, trifecta, trinity, trio, triple, triplet, triumvirate<br />
pipe dream
a hope, wish, or dream that is impossible to achieve or not practical<br /><br />an illusory or fantastic plan, hope, or story<br /><br />Examples<br />His plan for starting his own business was just a pipe dream.<br />opening our own restaurant has long been a pipe dream
bevy
a large group or collection <br /><br />a bevy of girls
spate
a large number or amount <br /><br />b : a sudden or strong outburst : rush <a spate of anger><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a spate of anger<br /><br />A spate of books on the subject have come out recently.<br /><br />the recent spate<br /><br />There was a spate of corporate mergers in the 1980s.<br />
microcosm
a little world; especially : the human race or human nature seen as an epitome of the world or the universe<br /><br /><br />2 : a community or other unity that is an epitome of a larger unity
tirade
a long and angry speech<br /><br />a protracted speech usually marked by intemperate, vituperative, or harshly censorious language<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />after the inspection by the health department, we had to listen to the manager\'s tirade about keeping the restaurant\'s kitchen cleaner<br /><br />
litany
a long list of complaints, problems, etc.<br /><br />a sizable series or set <br /><br />a litany of problems><br />
rigmarole
a long, complicated, and annoying process, description, etc.<br />Full Definition<br />1 : confused or meaningless talk<br />2 : a complex and sometimes ritualistic procedure<br /><br />Examples<br />We had to go through the rigmarole of installing, registering, and activating the software before we found out it wouldn\'t work.<br /><br />He just told us what to do without all the usual rigamarole.
stalwart
a loyal supporter<br />Full Definition<br />1 : a stalwart person<br />2 : an unwavering partisan<br />Examples<br />party stalwarts
chasm
a marked division, separation, ordifference<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Leaders tried to bridge a chasm between the two religious groups<br /><br />a racial/cultural/economic chasm
conduit
a means of transmitting ordistributing <br />a conduit for illicit payments<br />a conduit of information<br /><br />mentorship also acts as an informal conduit of passing institutional knowledge from the more experienced managers to younger generation.
modus operandi
a method of procedure; especially: a <br />distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime
skirmish
a minor or brief argument or disagreement<br /><br />Related Words argument, fight, quarrel, row, spat, squabble, tiff; battle,brawl, fray, wrangle
epiphany
a moment in which you suddenly see or understandsomething in a new or very clearway<br /><br />example: the day you know why you are born€"is often described as a personal epiphany.
moniker
a name or nickname<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />seeing as no respectable rodeo performer could possibly be known as Leslie, a suitably masculine moniker was created for him<br />€œCornelius Jedidiah Beauregard€ is his rather unwieldy moniker
fracas
a noisy argument or fight<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />: a noisy quarrel : brawl<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the police broke up the fracas in the bar and threw both combatants in the lockuppolice preparing for any fracas that might follow the soccer game<br /><br />Synonyms: battle, clash, combat, conflict, contest, dustup, fight, fray, hassle, scrap, scrimmage, scrum, scuffle, skirmish, struggle, tussle<br /><br />
quirk
a peculiar trait : idiosyncrasy <br />c : accident, vagary <a quirk of fate>
dalliance
a period of brief or casual involvement with something.<br /><br />\Berkeley was my last dalliance with the education system\""
savant
a person of deep wisdom or learning<a savant in the field of medicalethics><br /><br />Synonyms pundit, sage, scholar<br /><br />Related Words seer, wise man; polyhistor, polymath, Renaissance man; brain, egghead, genius, <br /><br />
luminary
a person of prominence or brilliant achievement
charlatan
a person who falsely pretends to know or be something in order to deceive people
incumbent
a person who holds a particular office or position
savant
a person who knows a lot about a particular subject<br /><br />: a person who does not have normal intelligence but who has very unusual mental abilities that other people do not have
sycophant
a person who praises powerful people in order to get their approval<br /><br />a person who flatters another in orderto get ahead <br /><br />when her career wasriding high, the self-deluded actress often mistook sycophants for true friends
plaintiff
a person who sues anotherperson or accuses anotherperson of a crime in a court of law<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the judge ruled that theplaintiff\'s lawsuit wasgroundless, and he dismissed it
maven
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field an investment maven, he was doing well even when the market was doing poorly<br /><br />Synonyms ace, adept, artist,authority, cognoscente, connoisseur,<br /><br />
scamper
a playful or hurried run or movement
brainchild
a product of one\'s creative effort<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the artificial language Esperanto was thebrainchild of L. L. Zamenhof, a Polish oculist<br /><br />Synonyms: invention, coinage, concoction,contrivance, creation, innovation, wrinkle
riposte
a quick and clever reply<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />he\'s known for having a brilliantriposte to nearly any insult
basilisk
a reptile that can kill people by breathing on them or looking at them<br /><br />adj<br /><br />suggesting a basilisk : baleful,spellbinding <the eyes€¦with all their blaze of basilisk horror €"Bram Stoker>
recriminate
a retaliatory accusation; also :the making of such accusations<br /><br />endless recrimination
Dunkirk
a retreat to avoid total defeat<br /><br />2 : a crisis situation that requires a desperate last effort to forestall certain failure <br />a Dunkirk for UnitedStates foreign policy €" Time<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />with the company facing a financialDunkirk, it was hoped that the new CEO could turn things around€"and fast<br /><br /><br /><br />Synonyms <br /><br />boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crisis, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, emergency, exigency, extremity, flash point, head, juncture, tinderbox, zero hour
scabbard
a sheath for a sword, dagger, or bayonet
aphorism
a short phrase that expresses a true or wise idea<br /><br />synonym: proverb, saying, adage
rundown
a short statement of the main points <br /><br />a rundown of the suspect\'s lengthy police record
manifestation
a sign that shows somethingclearly<br /><br />Synonyms: abstract, avatar, epitome, externalization, genius, icon image, incarnation, incorporation, embodiment, objectification, personification, personifier<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a portrait of a mother and childthat is regarded as the verymanifestation of maternal love<br /><br />his journey, his physical manifestation may have ended , but I think his legacy will live on forever. _ king of Bhutan on Lee Kwan Yiew
exodus
a situation in which manypeople leave a place at thesame time<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the mass exodus from the citiesfor the beaches and themountains on most summerweekends
maelstrom
a situation in which there are a lot of confused activities, emotions, etc.<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She was caught in a maelstrom of emotions.The ship was drawn into the maelstrom.
smidgen
a small amount : bit <a smidgen ofsalt> <a smidgen of common sense><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the maid cleaned the house until therewasn\'t even a smidgen of dust left<br /><br />
smattering
a small number<br /><br />Synonyms couple, handful, scatter, scattering, smatter, few, sprinkle, sprinkling<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She only knows a smattering ofGerman.<br /><br />a smattering of guests at the art exhibit<br /><br />
modicum
a small portion : a limited quantity<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />only a modicum of skill is necessary to put the kit together<br /><br />england still expects a modicum of eccentricity in its artists<br /><br />he hasnt even a modicum of common sense
delectation
a source of great satisfaction <br /><br />tourists enjoying the delectations of this tropical paradise for the first time<br /><br />Synonyms delight, feast, gas [slang],joy, kick, manna, pleasure, treat<br /><br />
quandary
a state of perplexity or doubt<br /><br />a situation in which you are confused about what to do<br /><br />situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices <br /><br />I\'m in a quandary about whether I should try to repair my stereo or buy a new one, even though I don\'t have the money to do either<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The unexpected results of the testhave created a quandary for researchers.<br /><br />I\'m in a quandary about whether I should try to repair my stereo or buy a new one, even though I don\'thave the money to do either.<br /><br />
paradox
a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true
avarice
a strong desire to have or get money<br /><br />excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain : greediness,cupidity<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the bank official\'s embezzlementwas motivated by pure avarice
consternation
a strong feeling of surprise or sudden disappointment that causes confusion<br /><br />The candidate caused consternation among his supporters by changing positions on a key issue.<br /><br />Much to her parents\' consternation, she had decided to not go to college.<br /><br />
conviction
a strong persuasion or belief <br /><br />the state of being convinced<br /><br />synonyms see certainty, opinion<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />spoke with conviction about her political beliefs<br /><br />Synonyms: assurance, assuredness,certainty, certitude, cocksureness, confidence,doubtlessness, face, positiveness, satisfaction,sureness, surety
nuance
a subtle distinction or variation2 : a subtle quality
aura
a subtle sensory stimulus (as an aroma) <br /><br />a distinctive atmosphere surrounding a given source <the place had an aura of mystery><br /><br />Synonyms: air, ambience (or ambiance),aroma, atmosphere, climate, flavor, halo,karma, mood, nimbus, note, odor, patina,smell, temper, vibration(s)
coup d\'etat
a sudden attempt by a small group of people to take over the government usually through violence
veneer
a superficial or deceptivelyattractive appearance, display, oreffect : facade, gloss <a veneer oftolerance>
derrick
a tall machine with a long part like an arm that is used to move or lift heavy things especially on ships<br /><br />a tall tower that is built over an oilwell and used to support and guidethe tool that is used to dig the holeand get oil out of the ground
contrivance
a thing contrived; especially : a mechanical device<br /><br /> an artificial arrangement or development <br /><br />the act or faculty of contriving : the state of being contrived<br /><br />Examples <br /><br />a new contrivance for cleaning computer keyboards
ruse
a trick or act that is used to fool someone<br /><br />: a wily subterfuge<br /><br />synonyms see trick<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />His act was just a clever ruse to get me to go out with him.<br /><br />
effrontery
a very confident attitude or way of behaving that is shocking or rude<br /><br />shameless boldness<br /><br />Examples<br />the little squirt had the effrontery to deny eating any cookies, even with the crumbs still on his lips
bedlam
a very noisy and confused state or scene, madhouse<br /><br />The park had never had so many visitors at one time. It was total bedlam.<br /><br />French physician Philippe Pinel was instrumental in the transformation of bedlams from filthy hellholes to well-ordered, humane institutions
gravitas
a very serious quality or manner<br /><br />Ghulam Azam\'s burial ceremony was performed for the most part with the gravitas such an event demands.
archetype
a very typical example of a certain person or thing.<br /><br />\he was the archetype of the old-style football club chairman\""
jettison
a voluntary sacrifice of cargo to lighten aship\'s load in time of distress<br /><br />omit or forgo as part of a planor as the result of some other decision<br /><br /> must be prepared to jettison many romantic notions
pantomime
a way of expressing information or telling a story without words by using body movements and facial expressions<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />In the game of charades, one player uses pantomime to represent a word or phrase that the other players have to try to guess.
tailwind
a wind that blows in the same direction as something (such as a ship or an airplane) that is moving forward<br /><br />While the commodity crash has created havoc on the exporting nations, commodity importers in South Asia are now in a honeymoon period. Their external balances are performing better, inflation is low and fiscal deficits are under control. Such tailwinds, will obviously push growth higher making a lot of people incorrectly conclude that the government is doing a great job.
derelict
abandoned especially by theowner or occupant; also : run-down<br /><br />2 : lacking a sense of duty : negligent<br /><br />noun<br /><br />: a person who has no money, job, home, etc.<br /><br />
sentient
able to feel, see, hear, smell, or taste<br /><br />Full Definition<br />responsive to or conscious of sense impressions <br /><br />sentient beings<br /><br />Synonyms alive, apprehensive, aware, cognizant, mindful, sensible, conscious, ware, witting<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />sentient of the danger posed by the approaching hurricane<br /><br /><br /><br />
capacious
able to hold or contain a lot : large in capacity<br /><br />Synonyms: ample, spacious,commodious, roomy<br /><br />Examples<br />that car has a capacious trunk that makes it a good choice for families
incipient
aborning, budding, growing<br /><br />an incipient solar system<br /><br /> evidence of incipient racial tension<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />I have an incipient dislike and distrust of that guy, and I only met him this morning
rack up
achieve, gain <br /><br />racked up their 10th victory<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />racked up their second consecutive Super Bowl victory<br /><br />
gusto
active strength of body or mind <br /><br />I don\'thave the gusto to go on a strenuous hike right now
covert
adj:<br /><br />not openly shown, engaged in, or avowed :veiled 2 : covered over : sheltered<br /><br />noun:<br /><br />hiding place : shelter <br /><br />a thicket affording cover for game<br /><br />a masking or concealing device
menial
adjective and noun<br /><br />of or relating to servants : lowly<br /><br />2 a : appropriate to a servant : humble, servile <answered in menial tones> <br /><br />b : lacking interest or dignity <a menial task>me·nial·ly adverb<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />low-paid menials<br /><br />immigrants to that country faced fierce prejudice and could expect to find work only as menials<br /><br />
minatory
adjective: having a menacing quality : threatening<br />Examples the novel\'s protagonist is haunted by a minatory black specter
regressive
adjective: regressive<br /><br />returning to a former or less developed state; characterized by regression.<br /><br />\regressive aspects of recent local government reform\"<br /><br />relating to or marked by psychological regression.<br /><br />\"a regressive personality\"<br /><br />"
prima facie
adjective<br /><br />1 : true, valid, or sufficient at first impression: apparent <br /><br />2 : self-evident<br /><br />legally sufficient to establish a fact or a case unless disproved <br /><br /> < prima facie evidence>
expedient
adjective<br />Suitable or efficient for accomplishing a purpose: thought email was the most expedient way to communicate with distant relatives.<br /><br />Convenient but based on a concern for self-interest rather than principle: changed his position when it was politically expedient.<br />Obsolete Speedy; expeditious.<br /><br />noun<br /><br />Something that is a means to an end, especially when based on self-interest: compromised only as an expedient to boost his career.<br /><br />Something contrived or used to meet an urgent need: exhausted every expedient before filing a lawsuit.<br />
motif
adominant idea or central theme<br /><br />a single or repeated design or color<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the motif of mute figures standing in lonely isolation is a recurrent one in the artist\'s works <br /><br />the fabric for the upholstery features a scallop shell motif
communique
advertisement, bulletin, announcement, notice, notification, posting, release
manic
affected with, relating to,characterized by, or resulting from mania
distraught
agitated with doubt or mental conflict or pain <br /><br />2 : mentally deranged : crazed <br /><br /><br /><br />Examples <br /><br />distraught relatives waiting to learnwhether there were any survivors of theplane crash
palatable
agreeable to the palate or taste<br /><br />agreeable or acceptable to the mind<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />I did not find the idea of moving again very palatable <br /><br />I always associate the palatable aroma of roasting turkey with Thanksgiving <br /><br />the vegetarian version of that classic dish turned out to be surprisingly palatable
egalitarian
aiming for equal wealth, status, etc., for all people<br /><br />a communist statewith egalitarian beliefs
pathological
altered or caused by disease; also :indicative of disease<br /><br />being such to a degree that is extreme,excessive, or markedly abnormal <br /><a pathological liar> <br />
infraction
an act that breaks a rule or law<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />: the act of infringing : violation<br /><br />Examples<br />speeding is only a minor infraction, but vehicular homicide is a serious felony
geriatric
an aged person<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />most of the clinic\'s outpatients are geriatrics living on fixed incomes<br /><br />children who think that anyone over the age of 40 is geriatric<br /><br />went into nursing to work with geriatric patients
lee·way
an allowable margin of freedom or variation : tolerance <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />you will be given some leeway in choosing how to carry out the project
outlay
an amount of money that is spent<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />1 : the act of expending 2 : expenditure, payment outlays for national defense<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The initial outlay for the program will be 2.4 million dollars. <br /><br />Maintaining a horse requires considerable outlay.<br /><br />the nation had outlaid nearly 20 billion dollars on social programs at that point<br /><br /><br />
surfeit
an amount that is too much or more than you need<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />ended up with a surfeit ofvolunteers who simply got in eachother\'s way<br /><br />Synonyms bellyful, fat,overabundance, overage, overflow,overkill, overmuch, overplus,oversupply, plethora, plus,redundancy, superabundance,superfluity, excess, surplus,surplusage
tussle
an argument or a dispute<br /><br />Just how positive will depend on how long the price stays low. That is the subject of a continuing tussle between OPEC and the shale-drillers.
antic
an attention drawing often wildly playful or funny act or action <br /><br />caper
chauvinist
an attitude that the members of your own sex are always better than those of the opposite sex<br /><br />: the belief that your country, race, etc., is better than any other<br /><br />Examples<br />their ingrained chauvinism has blinded them to their country\'s faults
gamut
an entire range or series <br /><br />ran the gamut from praise to contempt<br /><br />the distance or extent between possible extremes <br /><br />the actress\'s work runs the gamut from goofy comedies to serious historical dramas<br /><br />Synonyms diapason, range, scale, spectrum, spread, stretch
gamut
an entire range or series <br /><br />synonyms see range<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the actress\'s work runs the gamut from goofy comedies to serious historical dramas
rut
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity <br /><br />I\'ve fallen into a rut, watching television and then going to bed every night<br /><br />Synonyms drill, grind, groove, lockstep, pattern, rote, routine, treadmill<br /><br />
rubrik
an established rule, tradition, or custom
referendum
an event in which the people of acounty, state, etc., vote for oragainst a law that deals with a specific issue : a public vote on aparticular issue
malefaction
an evil deed : crime<br /><br />Examples<br />the town treasurer has been linked to the kickback scheme and other financial malefactions
pollyanna
an excessively cheerful or optimistic person.<br /><br />\what I am saying makes me sound like some ageing Pollyanna who just wants to pretend that all is sweetness and light\"<br />"
caveat
an explanation or warning thatshould be remembered whenyou are doing or thinking aboutsomething<br /><br />
dystopia
an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives<br /><br /> anti-utopia
coup
an impressive victory or achievement that usually isdifficult or unexpected<br /><br /><br />Landing the ex-Top Gear presenters, as well as ex-producer and creative force behind the show Andy Wilman, is quite the coup for Amazon. <br />
imprecation
an offensive word or phrase that people say when they are angry<br /><br />1 : curse<br />2 : the act of imprecating
conjecture
an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence <br /><br />the many conjectures about the true identity of Jack the Ripper<br /><br />Synonyms guess, shot, supposition, surmise<br /><br />
decree (noun,verb)
an order publicly issued by anauthority <br /><br />a decree issued by the state\'s supreme court to the legislature<br /><br />command, dictate, direction, directive, do, edict, imperative<br />
diktat
an order that must be followed<br /><br />1 : a harsh settlement unilaterally imposed (as on a defeated nation)<br />2 : decree, order<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The company president issued a diktat that employees may not wear jeans to work.<br /><br />a democratic government has to be something wanted by that nation\'s citizens and not something created by a foreign power\'s diktat
subtext
an underlying theme in a piece of writing<br /><br />a message which is not stated directly but can be inferred<br /><br />the implicit or metaphorical meaning (as of a literary text)<br /><br />That was not the main theme of his speech, but it was a clear subtext.<br /><br />There is an emotional subtext, too.
plight
an unfortunate, difficult, or precarious situation
agglomerate
an unorganized collection or mixture <br />of various things <br /><br />the Holy Roman Empire was an ever-varying agglomerate of central European states that managed to survive for 1,000 years
medieval
antiquated, out of use, old
montage
any combination of disparate elements that forms or is felt to form a unified whole, single image, etc.<br /><br />the combining of pictorial elements from different sources in a single composition.
plausible
appearing worthy of belief <the argument was both powerful and plausible><br /><br />Synonyms: credible, creditable, likely, believable, presumptive, probable
odious
arousing or deserving hatred or repugnance : hateful <an odious crime><a false and odious comparison>odi·ous·ly adverbodi·ous·ness noun<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />an odious and unforgivable insult<br /><br />Synonyms: abhorrent, abominable,appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful,dreadful, evil, foul
solicit
ask<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />solicited several opinions about which job he should accept<br /> <br />always ready to solicit donations for a charity <br /><br />solicited him to join the team
appraise/appraisal
assess/assessment, analyse/analysis, rate, estimate, calculate, determine, compute.
complicity
association or participation in or as if in awrongful act<br /><br />germany arrests former auschwitz guard having concluded that he had been complicit in murder.
placate
assuage, mollify, appease, pacify<br /><br />to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses) : ease <br /><br />unable to assuage their grief<br /><br />2 : pacify, quiet <br /><br />€¦to assuage an implacable foe €" Edward Gibbon<br /><br />
insidious
awaiting a chance to entrap :treacherous b : harmful but enticing : seductive <br /><br />having a gradual and cumulative effect :subtle
rubric
b (1) : name, title; specifically : the title of astatute<br /><br /> (2) something under which a thing is classed : category <the sensations fallingunder the general rubric,€œpressure€ €" F. A.Geldard> <br /><br />3 : an established rule, tradition, or custom<br /><br />4 a guide listing specific criteria for gradingor scoring academic papers, projects, or tests<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the rubrics at the beginning of the chapters are intended to be humorous<br /><br />the rubric, popular among jewelers anyway, that a man should spend a month\'s salary on his fiancée\'s engagement ring<br /><br />all of these books with their conspiracy theories fall under the rubric of speculative fiction
reel
b : to be in a whirl<br /><br />2 : to behave in a violent disorderly manner<br /><br />3: to waver or fall back (as from a blow)<br /><br />4 : to walk or move unsteadily
vice
bad or immoral behavior or habits: a moral flaw or weakness: a minor bad habit
liminal
barely perceptible3 : of, relating to, or being anintermediate state, phase, orcondition : in-between, transitional <br /><br />example: in the liminal state between life and death €" Deborah Jowitt
adapt
become adjusted to new conditions.<br>a large organization can be slow to <b>adapt to</b> change""
germane
being at once relevant and appropriate : fitting <br /><br />Synonyms: applicable, apposite, apropos, pertinent, material, pointed, relative, relevant<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />facts germane to the dispute<br /><br />my personal opinion isn\'t germane to our discussion of the facts of the case<br /><br />omit details that are not germane to the discussion<br /><br />
fore
being at or in the forward part or surface of something <br /><br />cats have five fore toes but only four hind toes<br /><br />In the years ahead, investment in training will remain at the fore for the banking industry, reflecting the Government\'s focus on upskilling the local population
discordant
being at variance : disagreeing<br />
uncanny
being beyond one\'s powers to know, understand, or explain <br /><br />a number of uncanny parallels in the lives of the twins who had been separated at birth<br /><br />Synonyms arcane, cryptic, deep, enigmatic (also enigmatical), impenetrable, inscrutable, mystic, occult, mysterious
pavlovian
being or expressing a conditionedor predictable reaction : automatic
spruce
being strikingly neat and trim in styleor appearance <br /><br />a slim, spruce man in a tailor-made business suit<br /><br />Synonyms dapper, natty, sharp,snappy, smart<br /><br />
per se
being such inherently, clearly, or as a matter of law <br /><br />so relieving poverty brings big happiness,but income, per se does not.
vilification
belittlement, denigration,disparagement; cattiness, despite,hatefulness, malevolence, malice,maliciousness, malignancy, malignity
endemic
belonging or native to a particular people or country <br /><br />b : characteristic of or prevalent in aparticular field, area, or environment <br /><br />2 : restricted or peculiar to a locality or region
quail
blanch, pale, whiten; quake, quiver, shake, shudder, tremble; crouch; jerk, start, twitch; <br /><br />to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust<br /><br />we quailed when the waiter unexpectedly presented us with a hindquarter of frog\'s legs<br /><br />Synonyms blench, cringe, flinch, recoil, shrink, squinch, wince<br /><br />
boon
blessing; godsed; bonus; aid; help; advantage; gain; asset; priilege<br /></span><br />"the route will be <b>a boon to</b> many travellers"
bluster
boastful speech or writing <br /><br />all the bluster in the campaign speech was intended to hide a lack of specifics<br /><br />Synonyms bombast, brag, braggadocio, bull [slang],<br /><br />
brazen
bold and without shame.<br /><br />he went about his illegal business with a brazen assurance"<br /><br />Such brazen acts of disrespect will not be tolerated while I\'m in charge! <br />"
brazen
bold and without shame<br /><br />he went about his illegal with brazen assurance<br /><br />unashamed, unabashed, unembarrassed, immodest
drudgery
boring, difficult, or unpleasant work<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />He hated the drudgery of his job.<br /><br />in the €œgood old days€ household servants led lives filled with much drudgery and little pleasure
stigmatize
brand<br /><br />to describe or identify in opprobrious/infamous/vitriolic terms
temerity
brashness, brassiness, audacity, boldness brazen
contravention
breach, infringement, breaking, flouting<br /><br />DLP deals with activities which may constitute a contravention of the bank\'s IS policies
venal
bribable, corruptible, dirty, purchasable<br /><br />Examples<br />that judge is known for being venal and easily bought
terse
brief and direct in a way that may seem rude or unfriendly<br /><br />using few words : devoid of superfluity <br /><br />a terse summary; also :short, brusque <br /><br />dismissed me with a terse€œno€
cusp
brink, point, edge, threshold,verge<br /><br />Examples the cusp of a tooth <br />She is on the cusp of being a star<br /><br />on the cusp between childhood and adolescence
ramp-up
buildup, increase<br /><br />
equanimity
calm emotions when dealing with problems or pressure<br /><br />1 : evenness of mind especially under stress <br /><br />nothing could disturb his equanimity<br /><br />2 : right disposition : balance<br /><br /> physical equanimity
stolid
calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation.<br /><br />\a stolid bourgeois gent\"<br /><br />synonyms:impassive; phlegmatic; unemotional; calm; placid; unexcitable<br /><br />"
scalable
capable of being easily expanded or upgraded on demand <a scalable computer network>
extensible
capable of being extended
tenable
capable of being held, maintained, or defended : defensible, reasonable<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the soldiers\' encampment on the open plain was not tenable, so they retreated to higher groundthe <br /><br />tenable theory that a giant meteor strike set off a chain of events resulting in the demise of the dinosaurs
palpable
capable of being touched or felt : tangible<br /><br />2 : easily perceptible : noticeable<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the tension in the negotiating room was palpable <br /><br />a small but palpable lump in my neck <br /><br />a palpable case of lying under oath
frugal
careful about spending moneyor using things when you do notneed to : using money orsupplies in a very careful way<br /><br />example:<br /><br />For international banks, the idea of operating across the border, let alone frugally, is on trial- even if the banks themselves have escaped prosecution.
travesty
caricature, do, imitate, mock, parody, misrepresentation
precipitate
cause (an event or situation especially a bad one) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly or prematurely<br /><br />fears that this is going to precipitate a crisis seem overblown<br /><br />suicide: the precipitating event almost invariably seem domestic
psychosomatic
caused by mental or emotionalproblems rather than by physical illness<br /><br />Examples<br />The doctor told her that her stomach problems were psychosomatic.
soporific
causing or tending to cause sleep <soporific drugs><br /><br />Synonyms: drowsy, narcotic, opiate, sleepy, slumberous (or slumbrous), somniferous, somnolent, hypnotic<br /><br />
fractious
causing trouble : hard to manage or control<br />full of anger and disagreement <br /><br />tending to be troublesome : unruly a fractious crowd<br />quarrelsome, irritable a fractious political campaign<br />
indubitable
certainly true : not able to be doubted<br /><br />Synonyms: accomplished, certain, inarguable, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the indubitable fact that there are no more woolly mammoths or saber-toothed tigers around<br /><br />
metastesize
change of position, state, or form <br /><br />to spread or grow by or as if by metastasis
capricious
changing often and quickly ; especially : often changingsuddenly in mood or behavior<br /><br />: not logical or reasonable : based on an idea, desire, etc., that is not possible to predict<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />: governed or characterized by caprice : impulsive, unpredictable<br /><br /><br /><br />Synonyms: fickle, changeable, changeful, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconsistent, inconstant,
sectarian
characteristic of a sect
mercurial
characterized by rapid and unpredictable changeableness of mood <br /><br />a mercurial temper<br /><br />Synonyms: capricious, changeable, changeful, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconsistent, inconstant, fickle, mutable, skittish, temperamental, uncertain, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, variable, volatile
stifling
choke, smother, strangle,suffocate<br /><br /><br /><br />
privy
clandestine<br /><br />not known or meant to be known by the general populace <br /><br />privy information on the current state of the peace negotiations<br /><br />Synonyms behind-the-scenes, confidential, esoteric, hushed, hush-hush, inside, intimate, nonpublic, private, secret
construe
clarify, clear (up), explain,demonstrate, demystify, elucidate,explicate, expound, get across, illuminate, illustrate, interpret, simplify, spell out, unriddle<br /><br /> construed my actions as hostile
saturnine
cold, comfortless, dark, darkening,depressing, depressive, desolate,dire, disconsolate, dismal, drear,
rake
collect, gather or move<br /><br />the movie could not rake in the expected amount in movie collections
rake
collect, gather or move<br /><br />the movie could not rake in the expected amount in movie collections<br /><br />Not all Harvard MBA students are raking in the dough
fulminant
coming on suddenly and with great severity <fulminant disease>
prevalence
commonness, presence, frequentness, pervasiveness, popularity<br /><br />
indemnify
compensate (someone) for harm or loss<br /><br />each of the parties shall indemnify me for all reasonable costs of defending such actions and proceedings"<br /><br />synonym:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.google.com.bd/search?es_sm=122&q=define+reimburse&sa=X&ei=n9PwVJbPG8SKuAS07oHoAw&ved=0CB4Q_SowAA">reimburse</a>
gripe
complaint
sanguine
confident and hopeful; optimistic<br /><br />he is sanguine about prospects for the global economy
sanguine
confident, optimistic<br /><br />confident and hopeful<br /><br />Examples<br />She has a sanguine disposition.<br />He is sanguine about the company\'s future.
canonical
conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure : orthodox
ramification
consequence, outgrowth <br /><br />the ramifications of which were not put into consideration.
discrete
consisting of distinct or unconnected elements :<br />noncontinuous <br /><br />separate and different from each other
sully
contaminate, defile, pollute, taint; discolor; confuse, <br /><br />to make dirty <br /><br />people that sully our state parks with their trash<br /> <br />a once-gleaming marble interior sullied by decades of exposure to cigarette smoke
commensurate
corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree : proportionate <br /><br />was given a job commensurate with her abilities<br /><br />project duration and budget must be commensurate with the nature and characteristics of the deliverables
demure
coy, withdrawn, sheepish<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />She was wearing a demure gray suit.<br /><br />the demure charm of the cottage<br /><br />
petulant
cranky, grumpy, iritable<br /><br />Ozil, petulant as he is, bluntly refuses to meet those requirements.
divisive
creating disunity or dissension <adivisive issue>
flak
criticism, opposition<br /><br />He took a lot of flak from the other kids for his unusual appearance
lambaste
criticize
revile
criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner.<br /> <br />he was now reviled by the party that he had helped to lead"<br /><br /><br /><br />"
draconian
cruel; also : severe <br /><br />draconian littering fines
inflection
curve, bend, turn<br /><br />the act or result of curving or bending : bend
aquiline
curving like an eagle\'s beak: like an eagle
bane
death, destruction <stop the way of those that seek my bane €"Philip Sidney> <br />d : woe<br /><br />2 : a source of harm or ruin : curse <national frontiers have been more of a bane than a boon for mankind €" D. C. Thomson>
promulgate
declare, proclaim<br /><br />example:<br /><br />This striking confirmation forced the German scientists to assert that no scientific discovery of such importance has been made since Newton\'s theory of gravitation was promulgated
consecrate
dedicated to a sacred purpose<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the consecrate gold tablets which Joseph Smith claimed to have found
aspersion
defamation<br /><br />cast aspersions on her integrity
iconoclastic<br />
defying tradition<br /><br />Jackson Pollack was an iconoclastic artist, totally breaking with tradition by splashing paint on a blank canvas.
abase
degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, deteriorate, lessen,<br /><br />Examples<br />was unwilling to abase himself by pleading guilty to a crime that he did not commit<br />I certainly don\'t abase myself when I do good, honest manual labor.
protract
delay, defer<br /><br />2 : to prolong in time or space : continue<br /><br />3 : to extend forward or outward €"<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the highway project was protracted by years of litigation
wanton
deliberate and unprovoked.<br /><br />\sheer wanton vandalism\"<br /><br />synonyms:deliberate; wilful; malicious; malevolent; spiteful; vicious; wicked; evil; cruel; More<br /><br />"
contingent
dependent on or conditioned by something else <br /><br />payment is contingent on fulfillment of certain conditions
contingent
dependent on or conditioned by something else <payment is contingenton fulfillment of certain conditions>
dismal
depressing, gloomy, cheerless
emasculate
deprive of strength, vigor, or spirit : weaken<br /><br />2 : to deprive of virility or procreative power : castrate<br /><br />3 : to remove the androecium of (a flower) in the process of artificial cross-pollination<br /><br /><br />Critics charged that this changewould emasculate the law.<br /><br /><br /><br />to deprive of courage or confidence <br /><br />being eliminatedearly in one\'s very first tennistournament can be an emasculating experience
bereft
deprived of or lacking (something).<br>her room was stark and <b>bereft of</b> colour"<br><br><br><br><br><br>synonyms:<br>deprived of
culpable
deserving blame : guilty of doing something wrong<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />are you any less culpable formurder if you acted in the heatof passion?
kismet
destiny,doom, fortune, fate<br /><br />Examples<br />he always said that it was kismet that they met at a showing of their favorite movie
scuttle (v)
destroy, wreck; also : scrap <br /><br />scuttle the deal
contrive
devise, plan <br /><br />contrive ways of handling the situation
contrive
devise, plan<br /><br />to form or think of (a plan, method, etc.)<br /><br />: to form or make (something) in a skillful or clever way<br /><br />: to make (something) happen in a clever way or with difficulty<br /><br /><br /><br />contrive ways of handling the situation
retrograde
directed or moving backwards.<br /><br />\a retrograde flow\"<br /><br />synonyms:backward
dissident
disagreeing especially with an establishedreligious or political system, organization, or belief<br /><br />maverick, nonconformist, nonorthodox, out-there,unconventional, unorthodox
phase out
discontnue, decommission, move out
deter
discourage, or prevent from acting <br /><br />2 : inhibit <br /><br />serve as a deterrent
ignominy
disgrace, shameful<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />he spent the remainder of his life inignominy after being involved in abribery scandal
masquerade
disguise oneself; also : to go about disguised
malady
disorder, ailment<br /><br />Examples<br />in the olden days people were always suffering from some unknown malady
repudiate
disown, disregard<br /><br />to refuse to acknowledge or pay <br /><br />we didn\'t like the terms, so we repudiated the contract
vindictive
disposed to seek revenge : vengeful b : intended for or involving revenge
vindictive
disposed to seek revenge : vengeful<br /><br />be careful not to annoy the vindictive old woman who lives down the street
mold
distinctive nature or character : type<br /><br />to determine or influence the quality or nature of <mold public opinion>
tangent
diverging from an original purpose or course : irrelevant <br /><br />an abrupt change of course : digression<br /><br />
polarize
divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.<br /><br />\the cultural sphere has polarized into two competing ideological positions\"<br /><br />"
schism
division, separation; also :discord, disharmony <br /><br />a schism between political parties<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a schism between leading members of the party<br /><br />The church was divided by schism.<br /><br />
bourgeois
dominated by commercial and industrial interests : capitalistic<br /><br />relating to or belonging to the middleclass of society<br /><br />: having qualities or values associatedwith the middle class : too concernedabout wealth, possessions, and respectable behavior<br /><br />
over·arch·ing
dominating or embracing all else <overarching goals><br /><br />including or influencing every part of something
hegemony
domination <battled for hegemony in Asia><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />European intellectuals have long debated the consequences of the hegemony of American popular culture around the world<br /><br />Synonyms: ascendance (also ascendence), ascendancy (also ascendency), dominance, domination, dominion, supremacy, imperium, predominance, predominancy, preeminence, reign, sovereignty (also sovranty)
furtive
done in a quiet and secret way to avoid being noticed<br /><br />furtive guy who always seemsto be up to something, and usually that something is no-good
expeditious
done with speed and efficiency.<br>an expeditious investigation
surreptitious
done, made, or acquired by stealth : clandestine<br />2 : acting or doing something clandestinely : stealthy <a surreptitious glance><br /><br />Synonyms: backstairs, behind-the-scenes, clandestine, covert, furtive<br /><br />Synonyms: backstairs, behind-the-scenes, clandestine, covert, furtive
soused
drunk
palpable
easily perceptible : noticeable<br /><br />a palpable difference<br /><br />Synonyms: appreciable, apprehensible, detectable, discernible (also discernable), distinguishable, perceptible, sensible<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />I felt a palpable sense of relief.<br /><br />The attraction between them was palpable.<br /><br />There was a palpable excitement in the air as the town prepared for the festival<br /><br />
impressionable
easy to influence<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The teacher was accused of forcing his political beliefs on impressionable teenagers.<br /><br />The book had a profound effect on his impressionable youngmind.<br /><br />
fringe
edge, periphery €" oftenused in plural <operated on thefringes of the law> <br /><br />it\'s always facinating to see people working on the fringes of science
circumvent
employees who try to circumvent the company\'s dress code<br /><br />internal controls may fail where such controls are circumvented by exploiting vulnerabilities .<br /><br />most casual joggers will be able to circumvent the reservoir without too much of a strain<br /><br /> Synonyms: beat, bypass, dodge,get around, shortcut, sidestep,skirt
incite
encourage, spark, instigate, <br /><br />urge or persuade (someone) to act in a violent or unlawful way.<br /><br />he <b>incited</b> loyal subjects <b>to</b> rebellion"<br />"
impinge
encroach, infringe <impinge on other people\'s rights><br /><br />to have an effect : make an impression <br /><br /><waiting for the germ of a new idea to impinge upon my mind €" Phyllis Bentley><br /><br />hail was noisily impinging upon the car\'s exterior
implicate
enlace, entwine, intertwine, interlace, intertwist, interweave, inweave, lace, ply, twist, weave, wreathe, writhe<br /><br />Deguito implicates Chinese-Filipino businessman Kim Wong in the money laundering
swathe
enveloping medium<br /><br />Large swathes of housing were built to accommodate the surge in population and as a result Detroit made many millionaires.<br /><br />a wide swath of existing Windows users will be able to make the jump to Windows 10 free of charge.
supplant
eradicate, replace, uproot<br /><br />Examples old traditions that were fading away and being supplanted by modern ways
efface
erase (a mark) from a surface.<br /><br />make oneself appear insignificant or inconspicuous.<br /><br />\with time; the words are effaced by the rain\"<br /><br />\"to efface oneself is not the easiest of duties which the teacher can undertake\"<br /><br />"
akin
essentially similar, related, or compatible <his interests are akin to mine><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The two languages are closely akin.<br /><br />The two languages are closely akin to one another.<br /><br />a feeling akin to loneliness<br /><br />Synonyms: affiliated, related, allied, kindred
prosaic
everyday, ordinary
vile
evil or immoral: very bad or unpleasant<br /><br />with the last look at the Count\'s vile body, i ran from the place
excommunicate
excluded from the rights of church membership : excommunicated
contemporaneous
existing or happening during the same time period<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the contemporaneous publication of the two articles<br /><br />contemporaneous accounts of the battle from officers on both sides<br /><br />
connoisseur
expert; especially : one who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge
connoiseur
expert; especially : one who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge<br /><br />works that are highly prized byconnoisseurs of art glass
doleful
expressing or suggesting mourning<br /><br />a doleful expression on their faces as they said good-bye to the friends they had made over the summer<br /><br />Synonyms aching, agonized,anguished, bemoaning, bewailing,bitter, deploring, mournful, dolesome,<br /><br />
plangent
expressing or suggesting mourning<br /><br />a plangent, haunting song about a long-ago love<br /><br />marked by a high volume of sound<br /><br />plangent organ music filled the church <br /><br />Synonyms blaring, blasting, booming, clamorous, clangorous, <br /><br /><br /><br />Synonyms aching, agonized, anguished, bemoaning, bewailing, <br /><br />
dogmatic
expressing personal opinions or beliefs as if they are certainly correct and cannot be doubted<br /><br />Synonyms: doctrinaire, opinionated, opinionative, opinioned, pontifical, self-opinionated
furtive
expressive of stealth : sly <had a furtive look about him><br /><br />gave each other furtive glancesas we watched our friend openthe booby-trapped soda
abject
extremely bad or severe<br /><br />very weak : lacking courage orstrength<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />demanded nothing less than anabject apology from them<br /><br />a man made abject by suffering>
abysmal
extremely bad, appaling, fathomless
decrepit
fallen into ruin or disrepair3 : dilapidated, run-down
conducive
favourable, helpful, encouraging, beneficial<br /><br />the new survey is our latest effort to get your feedback in a more conducive way.
bold
fearless before danger <br /><br />showing an ability to take risks; xonfident and courageous
truculent
feeling or displaying ferocity : cruel,savage<br /><br />2 : deadly, destructive<br /><br />3 : scathingly harsh : vitriolic
flighty
fickle and irresponsible
flotsam
floating pieces, parts, etc., from a ship that has been wrecked<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the dispirited family picked through the flotsam of their possessions after the hurricane, looking for anything that could be salvaged
cult
formal religious veneration : worship
erstwhile
formerly, once, previously<br /><br />serving as general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami in the erstwhile East Pakistan
charlatan
fraud; fake; fraudster. Deceiver, cheat
ingenuous
free from any intent to deceive or impress others <photographsthat capture the ingenuoussmiles of young children at play><br /><br />Synonyms artless, genuine, honest, guileless, innocent, naive(or naïve), natural, real, simple, sincere, true, unaffected, unpretending, unpretentious<br /><br />
latitude
freedom of action or choice<br /><br />students are allowed considerable latitude in choosing courses
latitude
freedom, <br /><br />an allowable margin of freedom or variation <br /><br />I design internal communication strategies for clients and I have a lot of creative latitude €" but not enough
personable
friendly or pleasant in manner :easy to get along with
parlous
full of danger or risk<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />The company is in a parlous financial situation.<br /><br />He talked about the parlous state of the country.
raring
full of enthusiasm or eagerness<br />ready and raring to go<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />we\'d gotten up so early that by thetime eight o\'clock rolled around, we were raring to get started on the hike<br /><br />
wistful
full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy; also : inspiring such yearning <br /><br />a wistful memoir
resolute
fully committed to achieving a goal<br /><br />despite the risks involved, she wasresolute in her decision to undergo theexperimental operation<br /><br />Synonyms bent (on or upon) , bound,decisive, do-or-die, firm, hell-bent (on orupon), intent, out, purposeful,<br /><br />
vindictive
gdgdg
enoble
give (someone) a noble rank or title.<br /><br />\they receive life baronies on appointment unless they are already ennobled\"<br /><br />synonyms:elevate to the nobility/peerage; raise to the nobility/peerage; make/create someone a noble; <br /><br />"; ;
austere
giving little or no scope for pleasure <austere diets><br /><br />simple or plain : not fancy of a person<br /><br />having a serious and unfriendly quality<br /><br />having few pleasures : simple and harsh
inordinate
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount <br /><br />an inordinate number of complaints about the slow pace of snow removal around the city<br /><br />Related Words boundless, endless,immeasurable, infinite, limitless;unbearable, unjustifiable, unwarranted;
plutocratic
government by the richest people: <br />a country that is ruled by the richest people: <br /><br />a group of very rich people whohave a lot of power
compunction
guilt or regret<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />throughout her school years she cheated without compunction
mirth
happiness and laughter<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Her clumsy attempt to cut thecake was the cause of much mirth.<br /><br />He was in a mirthful mood.
invective
harsh or insulting words : rudeand angry language<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />1 : an abusive expression or speech<br /><br />2 : insulting or abusive language: vituperation<br /><br />synonyms see abuse<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a barrage of racist invective<br /><br />hurled curses and invective at the driver who heedlessly cut them off in traffic<br /><br />
specious
having a false look of truth or genuineness : sophistic <specious reasoning><br /><br />Synonyms: beguiling, deceitful, deceiving, deluding, delusive, delusory, fallacious, false, misleading, deceptive<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a specious argument that reallydoes not stand up under closeexamination
pompous
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude <br /><br />the pompous waiter served us in the manner of a person doing some poorsoul a great favor
populous
having a large population<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />1 a : densely populated <br />b : having a large population2 a : numerous <br />b : filled to capacitypop·u·lous·ly adverbpop·u·lous·ness noun<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the most populous state in the U.S.<br /><br />
kafkaesque
having a nightmarishly complex, bizarre, or illogical quality <br /><br />Kafkaesque bureaucratic delays
seminal
having a strong influence on ideas, works, events, etc., that come later : <br /><br />very important and influential
seminal
having a strong influence on ideas, works, events, etc., that come later :very important and influential<br /><br />containing or contributing the seeds of later development : creative, original <br /><br />a seminal book
plain vanilla
having no special or extra features; ordinary or standard.<br /> <br>choosing plain vanilla technology wherever you can will save you money""
blithe
having or showing a good mood ordisposition <br /><br />a blithe, obedient child<br /><br />Synonyms cheerful, blithesome,bright, buoyant, canty [British dialect], cheery, chipper, eupeptic,gay, gladsome, lightsome, sunny,upbeat, winsome<br /><br />
blase
having or showing a lack of excitement or interest in something especially because it is very familiar<br /><br />Full Definition<br />1 : apathetic to pleasure or excitement as a result of excessive indulgence or enjoyment : world-weary <br /><br />a blasé traveler<br /><br />blasé about one\'s hometown<br /><br />2 : sophisticated, worldly-wise<br /><br />3 : unconcerned <br /><br />his blasé reaction to losing the match<br /><br />Examples<br />People get blasé about their hometown.
vacuous
having or showing a lack of intelligence or serious thought : lacking meaning, importance, or substance<br /><br />emptied of or lacking content<br />2 : marked by lack of ideas or intelligence : stupid, inane <a vacuous mind> <a vacuous movie><br />3 : devoid of serious occupation : idle<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a great vacuous space thatshould have been filled with anaudiencea movie that wasenthusiastically derided for itsvacuous dialogue
bellicose
having or showing a tendency to argue or fight<br /><br />Synonyms: aggressive, agonistic, argumentative, assaultive, belligerent, brawly, chippy, combative, <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />bellicose hockey players who always seem to spend moretime fighting than playing<br /><br />
apathetic
having or showing little or no feeling or emotion : spiritless 2 : having little or no interest or concern :indifferent<br /><br />synonyms see impassive<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />people of conscience cannot be apathetic about the great suffering in this world<br /><br />gave nothing more than an apathetic gaze to his interrogators
invidious
having or showing mean resentment of another\'s possessions or advantages<br /><br />tending to cause discontent, animosity, or envy <br /><br />the invidious task of arbitration<br /><br />inevitably, his remarkable success attracted the invidious attention of the other sales representatives<br /><br />Synonyms covetous, green-eyed, envious, jaundiced, jealous, resentful<br /><br />
precocious
having or showing the qualities or abilities of an adult at an unusually early age<br /><br />exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age <a precocious child><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a precocious baldness makes him look older than he really is
conceited
having or showing too much pride in your own worth or goodness<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a conceited basketball player who was always too busy evento sign autographs
prepossessing
having qualities that people like :<br /><br />appealing or attractive<br /><br />he is of a fairly prepossessing appearance
material
having real importance or great <br />consequences<br /><br /> facts material to the investigation
riveting
having the power to fix the attention :<br />engrossing, fascinating <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a riveting explanation of light waves that fascinated the class<br /><br />Synonyms: absorbing, arresting, consuming,engaging, engrossing, enthralling, fascinating,gripping, immersing, intriguing, involving,interesting
legislative
having the power to make laws: relating to the making of laws
glutinous
having the quality of glue : gummy<br /><br />glu·ti·nous·ly adverb<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />a bad horror movie from the 1950sabout a glutinous blob thatdevoured Manhattan<br /><br />
equivocal
having two or more possiblemeanings: not easily understood or explained<br /><br />Full Definition<br /><br />subject to two or more interpretations and usually used tomislead or confuse <br /><br />an equivocal statement<br /><br />
delectable
highly pleasing : delightful <a delectable melody>2 :<br /><br /> delicious <a delectable meal><br /><br />Synonyms: agreeable, blessed (also blest), congenial, darling,pleasant, delicious, delightful,
laurels
honor or fame given for someachievement<br /><br />a recognition of achievement :honor €" usually used in plural<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />They enjoyed the laurels of theirmilitary victory.<br /><br />The player earned his laurels fromyears of hard work.<br /><br />
reverence
honor or respect that is felt for or shown to (someone or something)<br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Her poems are treated withreverence by other poets.<br /><br />Their religion has a deepreverence for nature.<br /><br />
homage
honor<br /><br /> expression of high regard : respect €"often used with pay <br /><br />something that shows respect or attests to the worth or influence of another tribute <br /><br /><br /><br />Examples<br /><br />the poem is a moving homage to all who have served in our nation\'s armed services<br /><br />the unique homage that we grant to Olympic athletes
ignominious
humiliating, degrading <br /><br />causing disgrace or shame<br /><br />an ignominious defeat
vice
immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society <br /><br />that section of the city is legendary for crime and vice<br /><br />Synonyms corruption, debauchery, depravity, immorality, iniquitousness, iniquity, libertinage, libertinism, licentiousness, profligacy, sin
indecorous
impolite<br /><br />not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation <br /><br />an indecorous joke for a solemn moment in the marriage ceremony<br /><br />Synonyms amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inapt, incongruous, incorrect, inappropriate, inept, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt,
insurmountable
impossible to overcome
inexorable
impossible to stop or prevent.<br /><br />\the seemingly inexorable march of new technology\"<br /><br />synonyms:relentless; unstoppable; unavoidable; inescapable; inevitable; irrevocable;<br /><br />"
impetuous
impulsive
enmasse
in a body : as a whole <br /><br />Examples<br /><br />Her supporters arrived en masse for the rally.
amok
in a confused and reckless manner<br /><br />returned to the classroom to find an escaped snake and her students running amok<br /><br />Synonyms helter-skelter, berserk, berserkly, frantically, frenetically,<br /><br />