vocabulary words, definitions, and antonyms and synonyms

ambidextrous

(adjective) able to use both hands equally well; very skillful; deciteful; hypocritical Example: occasionally a teacher will come across a child who displays ambidextrous abilities when taught to write. Synonyms: versatile,facile Antonyms: clumsy, all thumbs, maladroit

bereft

(adjective) deprived of; made unhappy through a loss. Example: individuals who live to be very old may eventually find themselves completely bereft of friends and family. Synonyms: bereaved Antonyms: replete, well provided

pliable

(adjective) easily bent, flexible; easily influenced spools of pliable copper wire are standard equipment for many kinds of maintance workers, including electricians. Synonyms: supple, adaptable, resilient, Antonyms: rigid, inflexible,recalcitrant

tentative

(adjective) experimental in nature; uncertain hesitant negotiators have come up with a tentative agreement that will keep both sides at the bargaining table past the strike deadline Synonyms:provisional, inconclusive Antonyms: definite, conclusive, confirmed

insidious

(adjective) intended to deceive or entrap; sly, treacherous the investigators uncovered an insidious scheme to rob people of their life savings Synonyms: cunning, underhanded, perfidious Antonyms: frank, ingenious, aboveboard

stolid

(adjective) no easily moved mentally or emotionally;dull,unresponsive stolid people can generally be expected to take most things in stride. Synonyms: impassive, phlegmatic Antonyms: emotional, oversensitive,high-strung

unkempt

(adjective) not combed;untidy,not properly maintained; unpolished,rude according to my parents, the latest fashions make me and my friends look unkempt. Synonyms: sloppy,disheveled, disordered, rough Antonyms: well-groomed, tidy, neat,natty

dour

(adjective) stern,unyielding, gloomy, ill-humored. Example: Dickens's Mr. Gradgrind in the novel hard times is an example of a character with a dour and sullen disposition. Synonyms: harsh, bleak,forbidding, saturnine Antonyms: cheery, inviting, genial

opulent

(adjective) wealthy, luxurious, ample, grandiose the tour guide showed us the opulent living quarters of the royal family. Synonyms: rich, lavish, plentiful, abundant Antonyms: poverty-stricken,wretched, destitute

verbatim

(adjective.,adverb) word for word;exactly as written or spoken newspapers often publish the verbatim text of an important political speech. at the swearing-in ceremony the chief justice reads each line of the oath of office and the new president repeats it verbatim. Synonyms:exact,precisely Antonyms: paraphrased

warily

(adverb) cautiously, with great care the hikers made their war warily up the steep and rocky trail. Synonyms: carefully, prudently, gingerly Antonyms: recklessly, heedlessly, incautiously

intimation

(noun) a hint, indirect suggestion they were to proud to give any intimation of their financial difficulties Synonyms: clue, indication, inkling

guise

(noun) an external appearance, cover, mask the thieves gained entry to the home by presenting themselves in the guise of police officers. Synonyms: costume, semblance, pretense

fortitude

(noun) courage in facing difficulties. The residents of the Mississippi delta showed remarkable fortitude during and after the flood that destroyed their homes and businesses. Synonyms: resolve, steadfastness, mettle Antonyms: fearfulness, timidity, faintheartedness

adulterate

(verb) to corrupt,make worse by the addition of something of lesser value Example: hospitals take strict precautions to assure that nothing adulterates the blood supply. Synonyms: contaminate,pollute, sully, Antonyms:purify, purge, expurgate

augment

(verb) to make larger, increase Example: many couples have to augment their income in order to pay the mortgage on a new home. Synonyms: enlarge, supplement, amplify Antonyms: decrease, diminish

deploy

(verb) to position or arrange; to utilize; to form up. Example: a bugle call is a signal used to deploy troops for inspection,parade,or battle. Synonyms: station, organize

reiterate

(verb) to say again, repeat effective speakers often reiterate an important statement for emphasis Synonyms: restate, rehash, recapitulate

gape

(verb) to stare with open mouth; to open mouth wide;to open to gape at the spectacular first-time visitors to Niagara falls can be expected to gape at the spectacular sights of nature has provided for them. Synonyms: gawk, ogle

gibe

(verb) to utter taunting words: (noun) an expression of scorn. the recruits rushed into battle so that no one could gibe at them for cowardice. voters may reject a candidate who resorts to personal gibe instead of discussing the issues. Synonyms: ridicule, mock, deride, jeer Antonyms: compliment, praise