-
abate
to decrease in intensity
-
aberrant
deviating from the norm
-
abjure
to renounce or reject solemnly
-
-
abstemious
eating and drinking in moderation
-
accolade
- an expression of praise
- synonym: kudos
-
acerbic
- having a sour or bitter taste or character
- synonym: acrid
-
acumen
- quick, keen, or accurate knowledge or insight
- synonym: shrewdness, perspecacity
-
admonish
- to reprove; to express warning or disapproval
- synonym: caution
-
adroit
- adept; dexterous
- synonym: skillful
-
adulation
- excessive praise
- synonym: idolization
-
adulterate
- to reduce purity by combining with inferior ingredients
- synonym: debase
-
aesthetic
dealing with, appreciative of, or responsive to art or beauty
-
aggrandize
- to increase in intensity, power, or prestige
- synonym: strengthen
-
alacrity
eager and enthusiastic willingness
-
alchemy
- a medieval science aimed at the transmutation of metals, especially base metals, into gold
- synonym: sorcery
-
amalgamate
- to combine several elements into a whole
- synonym: unite
-
amenable
- agreeable
- synonyms: acquiescent
-
anachronistic
- out of place in terms of historical or chronological context
- synonym: misplaced
-
anathema
- a solemn or ecclesiastical (religious) curse; a cursed or thoroughly loathed person or thing
- synonym: detested thing
-
anomaly
deviation from the normal order, form, or rule; abnormality
-
antipathy
- aversion; dislike
- synonym: abhorrence
-
antithetical
- diametrically opposed
- synonym: opposite
-
apocryphal
- of dubious authenticity or origin; spurious
- synonym: questionable
-
apogee
- farthest or highest point; cumination
- synonym: summit
-
apostate
- one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions
- synonym: defector
-
apotheosis
- deification; supreme example
- synonym: quintessence
-
apposite
- appropriate; relevant
- synonym: suitable
-
apprise
- to give notice to; to inform
- synonym: notify
-
approbation
- an expression of approval or praise
- synonym: admiration
-
arabesque
- a complex, ornate design; also a dance position
- synonym: ornamentation
-
arcane
- mysterious; esoteric
- synonym: inscrutable
-
archaic
- outdated; associated with an earlier, perhaps more primitive time
- synonym: antiquated
-
artless
- completely without guile; unsophisticated
- synonym: naive
-
ascetic
- someone practicing self-denial
- synonym: spartan
-
aspersion
- an act of defamation or maligning
- synonym: slander
-
assay
- to put to a test
- synonym: assess
-
assiduous
- diligent; hard-working
- synonym: devoted
-
assuage
- to ease or lessen
- synonym: alleviate
-
astringent
- biting; severe
- synonym: harsh
-
atrophy
- to waste away or deteriorate
- synonym: wither
-
attenuate
- to weaken or make thinner
- synonym: rarefy
-
audacious
- daring and fearless; recklessly bold
- synonym: impudent, foolhardy
-
augury
- omen; portent
- synonym: indication
-
auspices
- protection or support
- synonym: patronage
-
auspicious
- favorable
- synonym: propitious
-
avarice
- greed, especially for wealth
- synonym: acquisitiveness
-
aver
- to state as a fact; to confirm or support
- synonym: assert, affirm
-
baleful
- sinister; ominous
- synonym: threatening
-
beatify
- to bless, make happy, or ascribe a virtue to
- synonym: exalt
-
behemoth
- something enormous; a gigantic creature
- synonym: leviathan
-
beleaguer
- to beset; to besiege
- synonym: harass
-
belie
- to give a false impression of
- synonym: contradict
-
bellicose
- belligerent; warlike
- synonym: hostile
-
boisterous
- loud; noisy
- synonym: raucous
-
bolster
- to provide support
- synonym: reinforce
-
bombast
- self-important or pompous writing or speech
- synonym: bluster
-
boor
- a rude or insensitive person
- synonym: churl
-
burgeon
- to grow rapidly or flourish
- synonym: increase
-
burnish
- to make smooth; to rub to a shine
- synonym: polish
-
byzantine
- labyrinthine; complex
- synonym: intricate
-
cabal
- a scheme or plot
- synonym: coterie
-
cachinnate
- to laugh loudly
- synonym: guffaw
-
cacophony
- harsh, jarring
- synonym: inharmony
-
cajole
- to inveigle; to coax through flattery
- -the director had to cajole the vain actor into wearing the chicken suit.
- synonym: wheedle
-
calumniate
- to slander
- -tight political races can become very dirty in their final days with each candidate trying to calumniate the other
- synonym: smear
-
calumny
- slander
- -othello believed the calumny that his wife was cheating on him, setting in motion shakespeares tragedy
- synonym: defamation
-
canon
- an established set of principles or code of laws, often religious in nature
- synonym: rules
-
capricious
- inclined to change one's mind impulsively or unpredictably
- synonym: whimsical, fickle
-
captious
- calculated to confuse or entrap in argument
- synonym: tricky
-
castigate
- to severly criticize or punish
- synonym: chastise
-
catalyst
- a substance that accelerates the rate of a chemical reaction without itself changing
- synonym: accelerator, impetus
-
caustic
- burning or stinging, causing corrosion
- synonym: sarcastic
-
-
censure
- to criticize severely; to officially rebuke
- synonym: chastise, denounce
-
chary
- wary; cautious, sparing
- synonym: careful
-
chasten
- to restrain or correct
- synonym: reprove
-
chauvinist
- a blindly devoted patriot
- -giovanni is a chauvinist about his grandmothers cooking and complains constantly whenever he eats at an italian restaurant
- synonym: jingoist
-
chicanery
- trickery or subterfuge
- synonym: ruse, sham
-
chimera
- an illusion; originally an imaginary fire-breating monster
- synonym: delusion
-
churlish
- vulgar; difficult and intractable
- synonym: boorish
-
coalesce
- to come together or unite
- synonym: fuse
-
coda
- concluding section of a musical or literary piece
- synonym: conclusion
-
cogent
- appealing forcibly to the mind or reason; convincing
- synonym: persuasive
-
commensurate
- matching; corresponding in degree, size or amount
- synonym: proportionate
-
complaisance
- the willingness to comply with the wishes of others
- synonym: agreeableness
-
connoisseur
- an informed and astute judge in matters of taste; expert
- synonym: aficionado, enthusiast, specialist
-
contiguous
- sharing a border; touching; adjacent
- synonym: bordering
-
contrite
- regretful, penitent; seeking forgiveness
- synonym: apologetic
-
convention
- a generally agreed-upon practice or attitude
- synonym: custom
-
corrigible
- capable or being set right; correctable
- synonym: reformable
-
-
countenance
- to approve of or tolerate
- synonym: sanction
-
cozen
- to deceive, beguile, or hoodwink
- synonym: mislead
-
craven
- contemptibly fainthearted; lacking any courage
- synonym: cowardly
-
credulous
- tending to believe too readily
- synonym: gullible
-
crestfallen
- dejected; disappointed
- synonym: discouraged
-
curmudgeon
- an irritable, ill-tempered person
- synonym: complainer
-
cursory
- hasty; done with little attention
- synonym: hurried
-
cynicism
- an attitude or quality of belief that all people are motivated by selfishness
- synonym: distrust, pessimism
-
daunt
- to cow or dismay
- -the size of the workload alone is likely to daunt even the most dedicated students
- synonym: discourage
-
dearth
- smallness of quantity or number; scarcity
- synonym: deficiency
-
debacle
- rout; fiasco; complete failure
- synonym: breakdown
-
decorous
- correct; formal
- -i dont trust such decorous behaviour
- synonym: proper
-
decorum
- polite or appropriate conduct or behaviour
- synonym: propriety
-
demur
- to question or oppose
- synonym: object
-
denigrate
- to belittle
- synonym: disparage
-
denizen
- inhabitant; one who frequents a place
- synonym: resident
-
denouement
- an outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot
- synonym: resolution
-
deposition
- official testimony
- synonym: statement
-
deprecate
- to disparage or put down
- synonym: belittle
-
derision
- scorn; ridicule
- synonym: mockery, contempt
-
derivative
- unoriginal; abtained from another source
- synonym: adapted
-
descry
- to observe or discern
- synonym: detect
-
desecrate
- to violate the sanctity of
- -when forlding a national flag, you should not desecrate it by letting it drag on the ground
- synonym: defile
-
desiccate
- to dry out; to make dull or dry
- synonym: dehydrate
-
desuetude
- the state of not being used
- synonym: disuse
-
desultory
- random; disconnected
- synonym: haphazard
-
detraction
- slandering, verbal attack; aspersion
- synonym: disparagement
-
diaphanous
- transparent
- synonym: translucent
-
diatribe
- a harsh denunciation
- synonym: fulmination
-
didactic
- intended to teach or instruct
- synonym: pedagogic
-
diffident
- reserved; shy; lacking in self-confidence
- synonym: timid
-
dilatory
- causing delay
- synonym: dallying
-
dilettante
- one with an amateurish or superficial interest in the arts or a branch of knowlege
- synonym: amateur
-
din
- loud, sustained sounds
- synonym: noise
-
dirge
- a song or poem of grief
- synonym: lament
-
discomfit
- to embarrass or perplex
- synonym: disconcert
-
discordant
- conflicting; dissonant or harsh in sound
- synonym: cacophonous inharmonious
-
discretion
- cautious reserve in speech
- synonym: carefulness
-
discursive
- digressive; passing from one topic to another
- synonym: rambling
-
disinterested
- unbiased, neutral or free from personal motive
- synonym: dispassionate
-
disparage
- to slight or belittle
- synonym: demean
-
disparate
- fundamentally distinct or dissimilar
- synonym: incongruent contrasting
-
dissemble
- to disguise or conceal; to mislead
- synonym: camouflage
-
distention
- the state or act of extending or being swollen out of shape
- - after eating the large holiday meal, i could barely hide the distention of my belly
- synonym: swelling
-
divulge
- to disclose something secret
- synonym: reveal
-
doggerel
- trivial or poorly constructed verse
- synonym: limerick
-
dogmatic
- stubbornly opinionated
- synonym: adamant
-
dormant
- inactive; in abeyance
- synonym: latent
-
dross
- slag; worthless matter; impurity
- synonym: waste
-
dulcet
- melodious; pleasant-sounding
- synonym: harmonious
-
dynamo
- generator; forceful, energetic person
- synonym: live wire
-
ebullience
- the quality of lively or enthusiastic expression of thoughts and feelings
- synonym: effervescence
-
eccentric
- departing from norms or conventions
- synonym: unconventional, aberrant, peculiar
-
eclectic
- culled from many sources
- synonym: varied
-
edifying
- enlightening
- synonym: instructive
-
effluvia
- outflow in a stream of particles; a noxious odor or vapor
- synonym: emanations
-
effrontery
- boldness; impudency; arrogance
- synonym: presumptuousness
-
effusive
- gushing; excessively demonstrative
- -it was hard not to feel welcomed by such an effusive greeting
- synonym: profuse
-
egress
- a path to go out; the right to go out
- synonym: exit
-
elegy
- a mournful poem, especially one lamenting the dead
- synonym: lament
-
eloquent
- well-spoken; expressive
- synonym: articulate, persuasive, fluent
-
emollient
- soothing, especially to the skin; making less harsh
- synonym: softening
-
empirical
- based on observation or ecperiment
- synonym: observed
-
encomium
- glowing and enthusiastic praise
- synonym: tribute
-
endemic
- characteristic of or often found in a particular locality, region, or people
- synonym: native, indigenous
-
enervate
- to weaken; to reduce in vitality
- synonym: debilitate
-
engender
- to cause; to give rise to
- synonym: propagate
-
enigmatic
- mysterious; obscure; difficult to understand
- synonym: cryptic
-
ennui
- dissatisfactionor restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy
- synonym: boredom, languor, tedium
-
enormity
- excessive wickedness; evil
- synonym: outrage
-
ephemeral
- fleeting; short-lived
- synonym: brief
-
epicure
- one devoted to sensual pleasure, particularly food and drink
- synonym: gourmet
-
episodic
loosely connected; sporadic
-
epithet
- disparaging or descriptive word or phrase
- synonym: slur
-
epitome
- embodiment or quintessence
- -hest hte epitome of a used-car salesman; slicked-back hair, toothy smile and unctuous manner
- synonym: representation
-
equanimity
- composure; self-possession
- synonym: calmness
-
equivocate
- to use ambiguous language with a deceptive intent
- synonym: prevaricate, vacillate, quibble
-
errant
- wandering; straying
- synonyms: roving
-
erudite
- learned
- synonyms: scholarly
-
-
esoteric
- intended for or understood by a small, specific group
- synonyms: obscure
-
estimable
- worthy; formidable
- synonyms: admirable
-
evanescent
- tending to disappear like vapor; vanishing
- synonyms: ephemeral
-
evince
- to show clearly
- - i told the bully i was not afraid, but my knocking knees evinced otherwise
- synonyms: manifest
-
exacerbate
- to make worse or more severe
- synonyms: aggravate, intensify
-
excoriate
- to censure scathingly
- -the radio host excoriated the caller for defending the unpopular politician
- synonyms: upbraid
-
exculpate
- to exonerate; to clear of blame
- synonyms: absolve, pardon, acquit
-
exegesis
- critical examination; explication
- synonyms: interpretation
-
exemplar
- typical or standard specimen; model
- -candy girl is an exemplar of the jackson 5's best work
- synonyms: archetype
-
exigent
- urgent; pressing; requiring immediate action or attention
- synonyms: crucial, dire, imperative
-
exonerate
- to remove blame
- synonyms: acquit
-
expurgate
- to remove obscenity especially from a book
- -the espurgated edition of the story is more suitable for children
- synonyms: censor
-
extirpate
- to destroy; to exterminate; to cut out
- synonyms: abolish
-
fallacy
- an invalid or incorrect notion; a mistaken belief
- synonyms: misconception
-
fallow
- unseeded; inactive; dormant
- synonyms: unproductive
-
fatuous
- silly; foolish
- synonyms: inane
-
fawn
- to flatter or praise exessively
- synonyms: adulate
-
feckless
- ineffectual; irresponsible
- synonyms: incompetent
-
felicitous
- apt; suitably expressed; well chosen
- -the felicitous arrival of the pizza put my grumbling stomach at ease
- synonyms: appropriate
-
fervent
- greatly emotional or zealous
- -fred sent a fervent letter to his senator expressing his strong opposition to the bill
- synonyms: ardent
-
fetid
- stinking; smelly
- synonyms: malodorous
-
fetter
- to shackle; to put in chains
- synonyms: restrain
-
filibuster
- intentional obstruciton, especially using prolonged speechmaking to delay legistlative action
- synonyms: delay, impediment
-
filigree
- an ornamental work, especially of delicate, lace like patterns
- synonyms: ornamentation
-
-
flout
- to demonstrate contempt for, as in a rule or convention
- -fabio flouts the class rules by speaking out of turn and interrupting students
- synonyms: defy
-
foment
- to incite; to rouse
- synonyms: instigate
-
forbearance
- patience; willingness to wait
- synonyms: tolerance
-
forestall
- to hinder; to avert
- synonyms: prevent
-
forswear
- to renounce; repudiate
- synonyms: disavow
-
fortuitous
- happening by fortunate accident or chance
- synonyms: lucky
-
founder
- to sink; to fall completely
- synonyms: stumble
-
fracas
- noisy quarrel; brawl
- -the fracas outside of the nigtclub caused the manager to call the police
- synonyms: donnybrook
-
fractious
- quarrelsome; unruly
- synonyms: irritable
-
frieze
- a semi-scultural, raised-surface strip of ornamental facade on a building
- synonyms: decarative band
-
furtive
- marked by stealth; covert; surreptitious
- -jack shot a furtive glance at the celebrity who sat at the next table
- synonyms: shifty
-
gainsay
- to deny; to oppose
- synonyms: contradict
-
gambol
- to skip aobut playfully
- synonyms: frolic
-
garner
- to gather and save; to store up
- synonyms: amass
-
garrulous
- pointlessly talkative; talking too much
- synonyms: loquacious
-
gauche
- crude; awkward
- synonyms: tactless
-
germane
- relevant to the subject at hand
- synonyms: applicable
-
glib
- marked by ease or informality; nonchalant lacking in depth
- synonyms: superficial
-
gossamer
- delicate; insubstantial or tenuous
- synonyms: diaphanous
-
grandiloquence
- pompous speech or expression
- synonyms: bombast
-
gratuitous
- unnecessary; uncalled for
- synonyms: unprovoked
-
gregarious
- sociable; outgoing; enjoying the company of others
- synonyms: affable
-
guile
- artfulness; trickery; duplicity
- synonyms: deceit
-
hackneyed
- rendered trite or commonplace by frequent usage
- synonyms: banal
-
halcyon
- calm and peaceful
- synonyms: serene
-
hallowed
- holy; consecrated
- synonyms: revered
-
harangue
- to deliver a pompous speech or tirade
- synonyms: hassle
-
harbinger
- something that signals what is to come
- synonyms: forerunner
-
harrow
- to distress; to cause agony to
- synonyms: torment
-
hedonism
- devotion to pleasurable pursuits, especially to the pleasures fo the senses
- synonyms: debauchery, indulgence
-
hegemony
- the consistent dominance of one state or ideology over others
- synonyms: predominance, leadership
-
heretical
- dissenting form established dogma
- -some might find it heretical to put celery in a grilled-cheese sandwich, but i recommend trying it before passing judgment
- synonyms: unorthodox
-
hermetic
- sealed; alrtight
- synonyms: impervious
-
heterodox
- unorthodox; iconoclastic
- synonyms: heretical
-
homily
- a sermon or morally instructive lecture
- synonyms: admonition
-
hubris
- arrogant presumption or pride
- synonyms: conceit
-
iconoclastic
- attacking cherished beliefs
- synonyms: irreverent
-
idolatrous
- given to intense or excessive devotion to something
- synonyms: committed
-
idyll
- a carefree, lighthearted pastoral or romantic episode
- synonyms: carefree scene
-
ignominious
- shameful; undignified
- synonyms: humiliation
-
imbroglio
- difficult or bitter situation
- synonyms: entanglement, disafreement
-
imminent
- about to happen
- synonyms: impending
-
immutable
- not capable of change
- synonyms: permanent
-
impassive
- revealing no emotion
- synonyms: apathetic, imperturbable
-
impecunious
- lacking funds; without money
- synonyms: destitute
-
imperious
- commanding; arrogant; haughty
- synonyms: domineering
-
imperturbable
- marked by extreme calm, impassivity, and steadiness
- synonyms: unflappable
-
impetuous
- hastily or rashly energetic; impulsive and vehement
- synonyms: reckless
-
implacable
- not capable of being appeased or significantly changed
- synonyms: uncompromising
-
importune
- to ask incessantly; to beg; to nag
- synonyms: exhort
-
impugn
- to challenge; to call into question
- synonyms: discredit
-
impunity
- immunity form punishment or penalty
- synonyms: exemption
-
inchoate
- in an initial stage; not fully formed
- synonyms: rudimentary, amorphous
-
incipient
- beginning to come into being or to become apparent
- synonyms: developing
-
indefatigable
- dogged; tireless
- synonyms: unflagging
-
indifferent
- having no interest or concern; showing no bias or prejudice
- synonyms: disinterested
-
indolent
- lazy; listless
- synonyms: lethargic
-
ineptitude
- incopetence
- synonyms: incapacity
-
inert
- inmoving; lethargic; sluggish
- synonyms: motionless
-
infelicitous
- unfortunate; inappropriate
- synonyms: malapropos; ill-chosen
-
ingenuous
- artless; frank and candid; lacking in sophistication; naive
- synonyms: guileless, innocent, trusting
-
inherent
- ingrained within one's nature
- synonyms: intrinsic
-
inimical
- damaging, harmful, or injurious; hostile, adverse, or unfriendly
- synonyms: deleterious
-
iniquity
- gross injustice; wickedness
- synonyms: sin
-
innocuous
- harmless; causing no damage
- synonyms: inoffensive
-
inscrutable
- incapable of being discovered or understood
- synonyms: unfathomable
-
insensible
- unconscious unresponsive
- synonyms: indifferent
-
insipid
- without taste or flavor; lacking in spirit
- synonyms: bland
-
insouciant
- unconcerned; carefree; heedless
- synonyms: nonchalant
-
insular
- provincial; narrow-minded
- synonyms: isolated
-
intractable
- not easily managed or directed
- synonyms: stubborn, obstinate
-
intransigent
- refusing to compromise
- synonyms: inflexible
-
intrepid
- steadfast and courageous
- synonyms: fearless
-
inured
- accustomed to accepting something undesirable
- synonyms: numbed, habituated
-
inveigle
- to obtain by deception or flattery
- synonyms: manipulate
-
irascible
- easily angered; prone to temperamental outbursts
- synonyms: touchy, testy, irritable
-
itinerant
- traveling from place to place
- synonyms: roving
-
jejune
- vapid; uninteresting; immature
- synonyms: childish
-
jettison
- to throw overboard
- synonyms: discard
-
jibe
- to agree; to be in accord
- synonyms: conform
-
jocular
- humorous; joking
- synonyms: jesting
-
kinetic
- characterized by motion
- synonyms: dynamic
-
laconic
- using few words
- synonyms: terse
-
lambaste
- to excoriate; to berate
- - the coach lambasted his players at halftime for their bad attitude, bad decision, and exceptionally bad performance
- synonyms: scold
-
laud
- to praise highly
- synonyms: acclaim, extol
-
libertine
- someone unrestrained by morality or convention
- synonyms: swinger
-
limn
- to draw; to outline in detail
- synonyms: describe
-
limpid
- transparent; serene; untroubled
- synonyms: clear
-
lissome
- supple; graceful
- synonyms: lithe
-
loquacious
- extremely talkative
- synonyms: garrulous
-
lubricious
- lewd; wanton; slippery
- synonyms: salacious
-
luminous
- characterized by brightness and the emission of light
- synonyms: brilliant, radiant
-
maculate
- marked with spots or blotches; impure
- synonyms: stained
-
magnanimous
- generous and noble in mind and heart, especially in forgiving
- synonyms: altruistic, beneficent
-
malevolent
- having or showing often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred
- synonyms: evil
-
malinger
- to feign illness to avoid work
- synonyms: dodge
-
malleable
- capable of being shaped or formed; tractable
- synonyms: pliable
-
martial
- associated with war and the armed forces
- synonyms: military, soldierly
-
maverick
- an independent individual who does not go along with a group
- synonyms: nonconformist
-
mellifluous
- sweetly flowering, often used to describe a voice
- synonyms: smooth
-
medacity
- the condition of being untruthful
- synonyms: dishonesty
-
-
mercurial
- characterized by rapid and unpredictable change in mood
- synonyms: inconstant
-
meretricious
- flashy; gaudy
- synonyms: tawdry
-
meticulous
- characterized by extreme cara and precision; attentive to detail
- synonyms: conscientious
-
mettle
- strenght of spirit; courage
- synonyms: fortitude
-
minatory
- menacing; threatening
- synonyms: intimidating
-
misanthrope
- one who hates all other humans
- synonyms: cynic
-
misogynist
- one who hates women
- synonyms: sexist
-
mitigate
- to make or become less severe or intense; to moderate
- synonyms: lessen
-
mollify
- to calm or soothe; to reduce in emotional intensity
- synonyms: pacify
-
morose
- sad; sullen
- synonyms: melancholy
-
mundane
- of the world; typical of or concerned with the ordinary
- synonyms: commonplace, everyday, banal
-
munificence
- generosity
- synonyms: bouteousness
-
nadir
- low point
- synonyms: rock bottom
-
nascent
- coming into being; in early develpmental stages
- synonyms: emerging, embryonic, burgeoning
-
natty
- trimly neat and tidy
- synonyms: dapper
-
nebulous
- vague; cloudy; lacking clearly defined form
- synonyms: hazy, unformulated, unclear
-
-
neologism
- a new word, expression, or usage
- synonyms: coinage (of a word or phrase)
-
neophyte
- a recent convert; a beginner
- synonyms: tyro, novice
-
nexus
- a connection; tie or link
- synonyms: core
-
noisome
- offensive, especially to one's sense of smell
- synonyms: foul
-
nonplussed
- baffled; at a loss for what to say or do
- synonyms: bewildered
-
nostrum
- panacea; questionable remedy
- synonyms: cure-all
-
noxious
- harmful; injurious
- synonyms: toxic, poisonous, deleterious
-
nugatory
- trifling; inconsequential
- synonyms: piddling
-
obdurate
- unyielding; hardhearted
- synonyms: intractable
-
obfuscate
- to deliberately obscure; to make confusing
- synonyms: confound
-
obloquy
- sharp criticism; abusively detractive language
- synonyms: calumny
-
obsequious
- exhibiting a fawning attentiveness
- synonyms: kowtowing
-
obstinate
- stubborn; hardheaded
- synonyms: uncompromising
-
obstreperous
- noisy; defiant
- synonyms: unruly
-
obtuse
- lacking sharpness of intellect; not clear or precise in thought or expression
- synonyms: thickheaded, simple-minded, dull-witted
-
obviate
- to anticipate and make unnecessary
- synonyms: intervene, preclude, avert
-
occlude
- to obstruct or block
- synonyms: clog, congest
-
odious
- evoking intense aversion or dislike
- synonyms: repugnant
-
officious
- meddlesome; pushy in one's services
- synonyms: intrusive
-
ombudsman
- a person who investigates citizens' complaints
- synonyms: mediator
-
onerous
- troubling; burdensome
- synonyms: arduous, grueling, laborious
-
opaque
- impenetrable by light; not reflecting light
- synonyms: turbind
-
opprobrium
- disgrace; contempt
- synonyms: scorn
-
ossified
- tending to become more rigid; conventiona; turned into bone
- synonyms: hardened
-
ostensible
- seeming; appearing as such
- synonyms: outward
-
ostentatious
- characterized by or given to pretentiousness
- synonyms: showy
-
overweening
- presumptuously arrogant; overbearing
- synonyms: excessive
-
palliate
- to make something appear less serious; to make less severe
- synonyms: mitigate
-
panegyric
- formal praise
- synonyms: encomium
-
pariah
- an outcast; a rejected and despised person
- synonyms: leper
-
parody
- a humorous limitation intended for ridicule or comic effect, especially in literature and art
- synonyms: satire, lampoon, caricature
-
parsimonious
- cheap; miserly
- synonyms: stingy
-
partisan
- biased or prejudiced
- synonyms: sectarian
-
-
peccadillo
- a slight offense; literally, a minor sin
- synonyms: infraction
-
pecuniary
- having to do with money
- synonyms: financial
-
pedagogy
- the art or profession of training, teaching or instructing
- synonyms: education
-
pedantic
- the parading of learning; excessive attention to minutiae and formal rules
- synonyms: bookish
-
pellucid
- transparent; easy to understand
- synonyms: clear
-
penchant
- strong inclination; a liking
- synonyms: fondness
-
penury
- poverty; destitution
- synonyms: indigence
-
perennial
- recurrent throughout the year or over many years; happening repeatedly or continually
- synonyms: lasting, returning
-
perfunctory
- done without care or interest; done merely as a duty
- synonyms: obligatory, cursory, automatic
-
perigee
- the point nearest the earth in an prbit of a body
- synonyms: nearest point
-
peripatetic
- itinerant; traveling on foot
- synonyms: roving
-
personable
- pleasing in appearance or personality
- synonyms: winning
-
peruse
- to examine with great care
- synonyms: scrutinize
-
pervade
- to permeate
- synonyms: infuse
-
pervasive
- having the tendency to permeate or spread throughout
- synonyms: ubiquitous
-
petulant
- ill-tempered; irritable
- synonyms: peevish
-
phlegmatic
- calm; sluggish; unemotional
- synonyms: dispassionate
-
pine
- to yearn intensely; to languish; to lose vigor
- synonyms: mourn, desire
-
pirate
- to illegally use or reproduce
- synonyms: steal
-
pith
- the essential or central part
- synonyms: core, quintessence
-
pithy
- precise and brief
- synonyms: succinct
-
placate
- to appease; to calm by making concessions
- synonyms: assuage, pacify
-
platitude
- a superficial remark, especially one offered as meaningful
- synonyms: cliche
-
plethora
- an overabundance; a surplus
- synonyms: plenty
-
plummet
- to plunge or drop straight down
- synonyms: fall; decline
-
polemical
- controversial; argumentative
- synonyms: contentious
-
pragmatic
- practical rather than idealistic
- synonyms: realistic
-
prattle
- to babble meaninglessly; to talk in an empty and idle manner
- synonyms: chatter, blather
-
preen
- to dress up; to primp; to groom oneself with elaborate care
- synonyms: beautify
-
prescience
- knowing of events prior to their occuring
- synonyms: presage, foreknowledge, insight
-
presumptuous
- overstepping due bonds (as of propriety or courtesy); taking liberties
- synonyms: presuming, rash
-
prevaricate
- to deliberately avoid the truth; mislead
- synonyms: misinform, deceive, hedge
-
pristine
- pure; uncorrupted; clean
- synonyms: untouched
-
probity
- adherence to highest principles; uprightness
- synonyms: integrity
-
proclivity
- a natural predisposition or inclination
- synonyms: penchant
-
prodigal
- recklessly wastefu; extravagant
- synonyms: profuse; lavish
-
prodigious
- abundant in size, force or extent; extraordinary
- synonyms: immense
-
profligate
- excessively wasteful; recklessly extravagant
- synonyms: prodigal
-
profuse
- given or coming forth in grat abundance
- synonyms: copious, extravagant
-
proliferate
- to grow or increase swiftly and abundantly
- synonyms: burgeon, propagate
-
propensity
- a natural inclination or tendency
- synonyms: proclivity
-
prosaic
- dull; unimaginative
- synonyms: lackluster, commonplace
-
protracted
- extended in time
- synonyms: prolonged
-
prowess
- superior skill or daring
- synonyms: mastery
-
pugnacious
- contentious; quarrelsome; given to fighting
- synonyms: belligerent
-
pundit
- an authority on a subject; one who gives opinions
- synonyms: expert
-
pungent
- characterized by a strong, sharp smell or taste
- synonyms: acrid, pointed
-
pusillanimous
- cowardly; craven
- synonyms: timid
-
putrefy
- to rot; to decay and give off a foul odor
- synonyms: spoil
-
quaff
- to drink deeply
- -inga quaffed a liter of water after the marathon
- synonyms: imbibe
-
quagmire
- a situation that is difficult to get out of
- synonyms: predicament
-
quash
- to quell; to put an end to forcibly
- synonyms: suppress
-
querulous
- prone to complaining or grumbling; quarrelsome
- synonyms: cantankerous, complaining
-
query
- question; inquiry, doubt in the mind; reservation
- synonyms: question reservation
-
quixotic
- foolishly impractical; marked by lofty romantic ideals
- synonyms: fanciful, idealistic
-
quotidian
- occuring or recurring daily; commonplace
- synonyms: ordinary, everyday
-
raffish
- unconventional and slightly disreputable; carefree; vulgar
- synonyms: rakish
-
rancorous
- characterized by bitter, long-lasting resentment
- synonyms: acrimonious
-
rankle
- to irritate; to cause resentment
- synonyms: irk
-
rarefy
- to make or become thin or less dense
- synonyms: refine, purify
-
recalcitrant
- obstinately resistant to authority; difficult to manage
- synonyms: defiant, rebellious
-
recondite
- hidden; concealed; difficult to understand; obscure
- synonyms: abstruse, esoteric
-
reconnoiter
- to engage in reconnaissance
- synonyms: inverstigate
-
redolence
- the state of being frangrant, suggestive or evocative
- synonyms: fragrance
-
redress
- to set something right; to make amends for
- synonyms: rectify
-
refulgent
- radiant; shining; brilliant
- synonyms: luminous, resplendent
-
refute
- to disprove; to successfully argue against
- synonyms: rebut, counter
-
regale
- to delight or entertain
- synonyms: amuse
-
relegate
- to forcibly assign, especially to a lower place or position
- synonyms: demote downgrade, consign
-
renege
- to fail to honor a commitment; to break a promise
- synonyms: withdraw
-
repartee
- witty conversation
- synonyms: banter
-
reprehensible
- worthy of blame or censure
- synonyms: shameful
-
repudiate
- to refuse to have anything to do with; to disown
- synonyms: abandon, deny
-
rescind
- to invalidate; to repeal; to retract
- synonyms: void, annul
-
reverent
- marked by, feeling, or expressing profound awe and respect
- synonyms: respectful
-
rhetoric
- the art or study of effective use of language for communiction and persuasion
- synonyms: elocution
-
risible
- causing laughter; laughable
- synonyms: ludicrous
-
rue
- to regret; to feel remorse or sorrow for
- synonyms: lament
-
sagacious
- having sound judment; perceptive
- synonyms: wise
-
salacious
- lascivious; lustful; obscene
- synonyms: lewd
-
salient
- prominent; relevant
- synonyms: conspicuous
-
salubrious
- promoting health or well-being
- synonyms: healthful
-
salutary
- wholesome; favorable to health
- synonyms: salubrious
-
sanction
- authoritative permission or approval
- synonyms: countenance
-
sanguine
- cheerful confident; optimistic
- synonyms: upbeat
-
saturnine
- gloomy; dark; sullen
- synonyms: melancholy
-
schism
- a split into factions
- synonyms: division
-
sedulous
- diligent; persistent; hard-working
- synonyms: assiduous
-
shard
- a piece of broken pottery or glass
- synonyms: fragment
-
sidereal
- astral; relating to stars or constellations
- synonyms: stellar
-
sinecure
- a job that pays a salary but requires little work
- synonyms: cushy job
-
sinuous
- winding; undulating
- synonyms: serpentine
-
slake
- to satisfy or quench
- synonyms: abate
-
sodden
- soaked or drenched
- synonyms: saturated
-
solicitous
- concerned and attentive; eager
- synonyms: ardent, considerate, desirous
-
solvent
- able to meet financial obligations; able to dissolve another substance
- synonyms: sound
-
sophistry
- fallacious reasoning; faulty logic
- synonyms: casuistry
-
soporific
- causing drowsiness; tending to induce sleep
- synonyms: tranquilizing
-
sparse
- thin; not dense; arranged at widely spaced intervals
- synonyms: scarce, sporadic
-
specious
- seemingly true, but actually being fallacious; misleadingly attractive
- synonyms: deceptive
-
spendthrift
- one who spends money wastefully
- synonyms: squanderer
-
sporadic
- occuring only occasionally, or in scattered instances
- synonyms: intermittenet, irregular, desultory
-
spurious
- lacking authenticity or validity; false; counterfeit
- synonyms: illegitimate, phony
-
static
- not moving, active or in motion; at rest
- synonyms: inert, stagnant, immobile
-
stentorian
- extremely loud and powerful
- synonyms: booming
-
stupefy
- to stun, baffle, or amaze
- synonyms: stonish, bewilder, astound
-
stygian
- gloomy; dark
- synonyms: infernal
-
subpoena
- a court order requiring appearance and/or testimony
- synonyms: summons decree
-
subtle
- not obvious; elusibe; difficult to discern
- synonyms: inconspicuous, indirect
-
succinct
- brief; concise
- synonyms: terse
-
superfluous
- exceeding what is sufficient or necessary
- synonyms: excessive, lavish
-
surfeit
- excess; overindulgence
- synonyms: overabundance, surplus
-
sybarite
- a person who leads a life of pleasure and luxury
- synonyms: hedonist
-
sycophant
- someone who tries to get ahead through flattery and fawning
- synonyms: toady
-
tacit
- implied; not explicitly stated
- synonyms: implicit, unspoken
-
taciturn
- uncommunicative; silent
- synonyms: reserved
-
tenacious
- adhering to or persisting in something valued
- synonyms: adamant, persevering
-
tenuous
- having little substance or strength; flimsy; weak
- synonyms: shaky, feeble
-
terse
- brief and concise in wording
- synonyms: succinct, laconic
-
timorous
- timid; fearful
- synonyms: apprehensive
-
tirade
- a long and extremely critical speech; a harsh denunciation
- synonyms: censure, harangue
-
toady
- sycophant; flatterer
- synonyms: flunky
-
tortuous
- winding; twisting; excessively complicated
- synonyms: meandering, circuitous
-
tout
- to publicly praise or promote
- synonyms: laud, herald, acclaim
-
transient
- fleeting; passing quickly; brief
- synonyms: temporary, momentary
-
trenchant
- sharply perceptive; keen; penetrating
- synonyms: incisive
-
truculent
- fierce and cruel; eager to fight
- synonyms: brutal, vitriolic, belligerent
-
truncate
- to cut off abruptly
- synonyms: shorten
-
tyro
- novice; greenhorn; rank amateur
- synonyms: beginner
-
unfeigned
- genuine; not false or hypocritical
- synonyms: honest, sincere
-
untenable
- indefensible; not viable; uninhabitable
- synonyms: flawed, illogical
-
untrammeled
- not hampered or impeded
- synonyms: unrestrained
-
urbane
- sophisticated; refined; elegant
- synonyms: cultivated
-
vacillate
- to move indecisively between one course of action or opinion and another
- synonyms: waver
-
vagary
- unpredictable aciton
- synonyms: caprice
-
variegated
- multicolored; characterized by a variety of patches of different color
- synonyms: diversified
-
venal
- capable of being bought or bribed
- synonyms: corruptible
-
venerate
- to revere; to worship
- synonyms: idolize
-
verisimilitude
- appearance of truth or reality
- synonyms: suthenticity
-
vexation
- annoyance; irritation
- synonyms: aggravation
-
vigilant
- alertly watchful
- synonyms: wary, attentive
-
viscous
- thick; sticky
- synonyms: gelatinous
-
vituperate
- to use harsh, condemnatory language; to abuse severely
- synonyms: berate, rebuke
-
volatile
- readily changing to a bapor; changeable; fickle
- synonyms: explosive, mercurial
-
voracious
- having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit
- synonyms: avid, ravenous, rapacious
-
waft
- to cause to move as if by a light breeze
- synonyms: drift
-
waver
- to move to and fro; to sway; to be unsettled in opinion
- synonyms: vacillate, falter, hesitate
-
wend
- to go; to proceed
- synonyms: meander
-
zealous
- fervent; ardent impassioned
- synonyms: fanatical, passionate
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