-
abominate
ə ˈbäm ə ˌnāt
verb
to have an intense or deep hatred for
I _________ cruelty yet do not always notice when I have said something cruel without meaning to.
- synonyms: loathe, abhor, detest, despise
- antonyms: relish, savor, cherish, esteem
-
acculturation
ə ˌkəl chə ˈrā shən
noun
the modification of the social patterns, traits or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend
Every immigrant group newly arrived in another country goes through a slow process of _____________.
synonym: adaptation
-
adventitious
ˌad ven ˈti shəs
adjective
resulting from chance rather than an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital
It was no ____________ meeting that led to their writing songs together, for in fact, they were cousins.
- synonyms: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous
- antonyms: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital
-
ascribe
ə ˈskrīb
verb
to assign or refer to (as a cause to source), attribute
You may _______ these holes to gophers or elves, but I blame the dog from next door.
- synonyms: impute, credit, attribute
- antonyms: dissociate, absolve
-
circuitous
sər ˈkyoō ə təs
adjective
round-about, not direct
I followed a ___________ path through the forest not because I fear pursuit, but because I was lost.
- synonyms: indirect, meandering, winding
- antonyms: straight, direct, as the crow flies
-
commiserate
kə ˈmiz ə ˌrāt
verb
to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress
The family ____________ with her after the loss of her old and faithful dog.
- synonyms: feel sorry for, empathize
- antonyms: to feel no sympathy for, disregard
-
enjoin
en ˈjoin
verb
to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit
I ______ them to stop spending so much money or to face the consequences.
- synonyms: bid, charge, command, abjure
- antonyms: allow, permit
-
expedite
ˈek spə ˌdīt
verb
to make easy, cause to progress faster
The pleasant music in the background did not ________ my work, but instead, distracted me.
- synonyms: accelerate, facilitate, speed up
- antonyms: hinder, hamper, empede, obstruer
-
expiate
ˈek spē ˌāt
verb
to make amends, make up for, to avert
They seem more than willing to _______ their guilt by whatever means necessary.
- synonyms: redeem, make amends for, atone, make reparation
- antonyms: take from, do harm
-
ferment (1)
fər ˈment
noun
a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence
Caught in the _______ of revolution, the young men enlisted with local militias.
- synonyms: commotion, turmoil, unrest
- antonyms: peace, quiet, tranquility, placidity
-
ferment (2)
fər ˈment
verb
to be in or work in such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical reaction
If left for a time, the cider will ________.
-
inadvertent
ˌin əd ˈvər tənt
adjective
resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental
The poor fellow was stronger than he realized, and the damage he did was ___________.
- synonyms: accidental, unconsidered
- antonyms: deliberate, intentional, premeditated, predetermined
-
nominal
ˈnäm i nəl
adjective
existing in name, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously
Because so many of its patients were having financial problems the health clinic only charged _______ fees.
- synonyms: titular, token, trifling, inconsequential
- antonyms: real, actual, exorbitant, excessive
-
noncommittal
nän kə ˈmit əl
adjective
not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or say yes or no
We questioned her quietly, carefully, and at length, but her answers remained ____________.
- synonyms: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe
- antonyms: positive, definite, committed
-
peculate
ˈpek yə ˌlāt
verb
to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use
Investigators discovered that the clerk came up with a scheme to ________ from the company.
- synonyms: embezzle, defraud, misappropriate
- antonyms: donate, give
-
proclivity
prō ˈkliv ə tē
noun
a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)
Curious, patient, and fond or long walks outdoors, she soon displayed a __________ for nature study.
- synonyms: natural bent, penchant, prosperity
- antonyms: inability or incapability
-
sangfroid
säng ˈfrwä
noun
composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances
An experienced actor can perform with what seems like limitless _________, even when she or he forgets a line.
- synonyms: poise, self-assurance, equanimity
- antonyms: excitability, hysteria, flappability
-
seditious
siˈ dish əs
adjective
restraint to lawful authority; having the purpose f overthrowing an established government
Dictators usually begin their reigns by searching out and silencing __________ opinion.
- synonyms: mutinous, rebellious, subversive
- antonyms: supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant
-
tenuous
ˈten yoō əs
adjective
thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis; poorly supported
My grasp of trigonometry was _______ until I attended extra-help sessions.
- synonyms: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy
- antonyms: strong, solid, substantial, valid
-
vitriolic
ˌvi trē ˈäl ik
adjective
bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)
Though I was hurt by his __________ language, I had to admit that some of his points were valid.
- synonyms: withering, acerbic, mordant
- antonyms: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary
-
wheedle
ˈwhēd əl
verb
to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end
The spy used charm and flattery in order to _______ the information from the diplomat.
- synonyms: cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk
- antonyms: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm
|
|