1100 - First Part Flashcards
Eminent
em·i·nent\ˈe-mə-nənt\
adjective
: successful, well-known and respected
Full Definition
1 : standing out so as to be readily perceived or noted : conspicuous
2 : jutting out : projecting
3 : exhibiting eminence especially in standing above others in some quality or position : prominent
synonyms see famous
Examples
many eminent surgeons are on the hospital’s staff
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin eminent-, eminens, present participle of eminēre to stand out, from e- + -minēre; akin to Latin mont-, mons mountain — more at mount.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: astral, bright, distinguished, illustrious, luminous, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, preeminent, prestigious, redoubtable, signal, star, superior
Replete
re·plete\ri-ˈplēt\
adjective
: having much or plenty of something : filled withsomething
: having had plenty to eat : pleasantly full
Full Definition
1 : fully or abundantly provided or filled <a>
2 a : abundantly fed
b : fat, stout
3 : complete
synonyms see full
re·plete·ness noun
Examples
the merchant was a richly replete gentleman, clearly enjoying the fruits of his success
a gym that is replete with the very latest in home exercise equipment
everyone settled back and relaxed, completely replete after the huge meal
Origin: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French replet, from Latin repletus, past participle of replēre to fill up, from re- + plēre to fill — more at full.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: blubbery, chubby, corpulent, fleshy, full, gross, lardy, obese, overweight, plump, podgy [chiefly British], portly, pudgy, fat, roly-poly, rotund, round, tubby
Antonyms: lean, skinny, slender, slim, spare, thin</a>
Steep
steep\ˈstēp\ adjective \: almost straight up and down : rising or falling very sharply \: going up or down very quickly \: very high Full Definition 1 : lofty, high — used chiefly of a sea 2 : making a large angle with the plane of the horizon 3 a : mounting or falling precipitously b : being or characterized by a rapid and intensive decline or increase 4 : extremely or excessively high steep·ish \ˈstē-pish\ adjective steep·ly adverb steep·ness noun Examples a steep slope/hillside The stairs are very steep. a steep drop/increase in prices Origin: Middle English stepe, from Old English stēap high, steep, deep; akin to OldFrisian stāp steep, Middle High German stief — more at stoop. First use: before 12th century Synonyms: abrupt, bold, precipitous, sheer Antonyms: easy Synonyms: endue (or indue), imbue, inculcate, ingrain (also engrain), inoculate, invest, infuse, suffuse Antonyms: wring (out)
3steep
: to put (something) in a liquid for a period of time
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to soak in a liquid at a temperature under the boiling point (as for softening, bleaching, or extracting an essence)
2 : to cover with or plunge into a liquid (as in bathing, rinsing, or soaking)
3 : to saturate with or subject thoroughly to (some strong or pervading influence)
intransitive verb
: to undergo the process of soaking in a liquid
synonyms see soak
steep·er noun
Origin: Middle English stepen.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: abrupt, bold, precipitous, sheer
Antonyms: easy
Synonyms: endue (or indue), imbue, inculcate, ingrain (also engrain), inoculate, invest, infuse, suffuse
Antonyms: wring (out)
Indiscriminate
in·dis·crim·i·nate\ˌin-dis-ˈkrim-nət, -ˈkri-mə-\
adjective
: affecting or harming many people or things in a careless or unfair way
: not careful in making choices
Full Definition
1 a : not marked by careful distinction : deficient in discrimination and discernment
b : haphazard, random
2 a : promiscuous, unrestrained
b : heterogeneous, motley
in·dis·crim·i·nate·ly adverb
in·dis·crim·i·nate·ness noun
Examples
donated an indiscriminate jumble of toys, books, and old clothes to the rummage sale
First use: circa 1598
Synonyms: assorted, eclectic, heterogeneous, miscellaneous, kitchen-sink, magpie, mixed, motley, patchwork, piebald, promiscuous, raggle-taggle, ragtag, varied
Antonyms: homogeneous
Voracious
vo·ra·cious\vȯ-ˈrā-shəs, və-\
adjective
: having or showing a tendency to eat very large amounts of food
Full Definition
1 : having a huge appetite : ravenous
2 : excessively eager : insatiable <a>
vo·ra·cious·ly adverb
vo·ra·cious·ness noun
Examples
it seemed like the voracious kitten was eating her weight in food every day
a voracious reader
Origin: Latin vorac-, vorax, from vorare to devour; akin to Old English ācweorran to guzzle, Latin gurges whirlpool, Greek bibrōskein to devour.
First use: 1635
Synonyms: edacious, esurient, gluttonous, greedy, hoggish, piggish, rapacious, ravenous, swinish
Antonyms: apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic</a>
Abound
abound\ə-ˈbau̇nd\
: to be present in large numbers or in great quantity
Full Definition
intransitive verb
1 : to be present in large numbers or in great quantity : be prevalent
2 : to be copiously supplied — used with in or with
Examples
a business in which opportunities abound
They live in a region where oil abounds.
They live in a region that abounds in/with oil.
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French abunder, from Latin abundare, from ab- + unda wave — more at water.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: brim, bristle, bulge, burst, bustle, buzz, crawl, hum, overflow, pullulate, swarm, teem
Prognosticate
prog·nos·ti·cate\präg-ˈnäs-tə-ˌkāt\
transitive verb
1 : to foretell from signs or symptoms : predict
2 : presage
synonyms see foretell
Other forms: prog·nos·ti·cat·ed; prog·nos·ti·cat·ing
prog·nos·ti·ca·tive -ˌkā-tiv\ adjective
prog·nos·ti·ca·tor -ˌkā-tər\ noun
Examples
using current trends to prognosticate what the workplace of the future will be like
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: augur, call, forecast, predict, presage, foretell, prophesy, read, vaticinate
Automaton
au·tom·a·ton\ȯ-ˈtä-mə-tən, -mə-ˌtän\
noun
: a machine that can move by itself ; especially
: a person who acts in a mechanical or machinelike way
Full Definition
1 : a mechanism that is relatively self-operating; especially : robot
2 : a machine or control mechanism designed to follow automatically a predetermined sequence of operations or respond to encoded instructions
3 : an individual who acts in a mechanical fashion
Other forms: plural au·tom·atons or au·tom·a·ta-mə-tə, -mə-ˌtä\
Origin: Latin, from Greek, neuter of automatos.
First use: 1611
Matron
ma·tron\ˈmā-trən\
noun
: an older married woman who usually has a high social position
: a woman whose job is to be in charge of children or other women
: a female nurse who is in charge of the other nurses in a hospital
Full Definition
1 a : a married woman usually marked by dignified maturity or social distinction
b : a woman who supervises women or children (as in a school or police station)
c : the chief officer in a women’s organization
2 : a female animal kept for breeding
Examples
the matron firmly ordered the rowdy little boys back to their seats
Origin: Middle English matrone, from Anglo-French, from Latin matrona, from matr-, mater.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: dame, dowager, grande dame, matriarch
Technology
tech·nol·o·gy\tek-ˈnä-lə-jē\
noun
: the use of science in industry, engineering, etc., to invent useful things or to solve problems
: a machine, piece of equipment, method, etc., that is created by technology
Full Definition
1 a : the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area : engineering 2
b : a capability given by the practical application of knowledge <a>noun
Origin: Greek technologia systematic treatment of an art, from technē art, skill + -o- + -logia -logy.
First use: 1859</a>
Realm
realm\ˈrelm\
noun
: an area of activity, interest, or knowledge
: a country that is ruled by a king or queen
Full Definition
1 : kingdom 2
2 : sphere, domain
3 : a primary marine or terrestrial biogeographic division of the earth’s surface
Examples
new discoveries in the realm of medicine
in political and legal realms
the realm of art/science/education
Origin: Middle English realme, from Anglo-French, alteration of Old French reiame, from Latin regimen control — more at regimen.
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, field, specialty, sphere, terrain, walk
Annals
an·nals\ˈa-nəlz\
noun plural
: historical records
: records of the activities of an organization
Full Definition
1 : a record of events arranged in yearly sequence
2 : historical records : chronicles
3 : records of the activities of an organization
Examples
his annals of the reigns of English kings was used as a source by Shakespeare
Origin: Latin annales, from plural of annalis yearly — more at annual.
First use: 1542
Synonyms: history, chronicle, record
Compound
com·pound\käm-ˈpau̇nd, kəm-ˈ, ˈkäm-ˌ\
: to make (something, such as an error or problem) worse : to add to (something bad)
finance : to pay interest on both an amount of money and the interest it has already earned
: to form (something) by combining separate things
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to put together (parts) so as to form a whole : combine
2 : to form by combining parts
3 a : to settle amicably : adjust by agreement
b : to agree for a consideration not to prosecute (an offense)
4 a : to pay (interest) on both the accrued interest and the principal
b : to add to : augment
intransitive verb
1 : to become joined in a compound
2 : to come to terms of agreement
com·pound·able -ˈpau̇n-də-bəl, -ˌpau̇n-\ adjective
com·pound·er noun
Origin: Middle English compounen, from Anglo-French *cumpundre, from Latin componere, from com- + ponere to put — more at position.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: amalgamated, composite
Antonyms: noncompound, simple
Synonyms: accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, increase, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, multiply, pump up, raise, swell, stoke, supersize, up
Antonyms: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)
2com·pound\ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd, käm-ˈ, kəm-ˈ\
adjective
: made up of two or more parts
: made by combining two or more words
: consisting of two or more main clauses
Full Definition
1 : composed of or resulting from union of separate elements, ingredients, or parts: as
a : composed of united similar elements especially of a kind usually independent <a>
b : having the blade divided to the midrib and forming two or more leaflets on a common axis <a>
2 : involving or used in a combination
3 a of a word : constituting a compound
b of a sentence : having two or more main clauses
Origin: Middle English compouned, past participle of compounen.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: amalgamated, composite
Antonyms: noncompound, simple
Synonyms: accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, increase, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, multiply, pump up, raise, swell, stoke, supersize, up
Antonyms: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)</a></a>
Tinge
tinge\ˈtinj\
transitive verb
: to give a small amount of color to (something)
: to give a small amount of some quality to (something)
Full Definition
1 a : to color with a slight shade or stain : tint
b : to affect or modify with a slight odor or taste
2 : to affect or modify in character
Other forms: tinged; tinge·ing or ting·ing \ˈtin-jiŋ\
Examples
showing a tinge of color
dark hair with reddish tinges
a tinge of mystery/regret
Origin: Latin tingere to dip, moisten, tinge; akin to Greek tengein to moisten and probably to Old High German dunkōn to dip.
First use: 1577
Synonyms: cast, hue, shade, tincture, color, tint, tone
Synonyms: bepaint [archaic], dye, paint, pigment, stain, tincture, color, tint
Antonyms: decolorize
2tinge
noun
: a slight color, flavor, or quality
Full Definition
1 : a slight staining or suffusing shade or color
2 : an affective or modifying property or influence : touch <a>
Examples
The ink tinged his fingers blue.
The sky was tinged with red.
trees tinged in yellow and orange
First use: 1752
Synonyms: cast, hue, shade, tincture, color, tint, tone
Synonyms: bepaint [archaic], dye, paint, pigment, stain, tincture, color, tint
Antonyms: decolorize</a>
Paradox
par·a·dox\ˈper-ə-ˌdäks, ˈpa-rə-\
noun
: something (such as a situation) that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible
: someone who does two things that seem to be opposite to each other or who has qualities that are opposite
: a statement that seems to say two opposite things but that may be true
Full Definition
1 : a tenet contrary to received opinion
2 a : a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true
b : a self-contradictory statement that at first seems true
c : an argument that apparently derives self-contradictory conclusions by valid deduction from acceptable premises
3 : one (as a person, situation, or action) having seemingly contradictory qualities or phases
Examples
the paradox of fighting a war for peace
Origin: Latin paradoxum, from Greek paradoxon, from neuter of paradoxos contrary to expectation, from para- + dokein to think, seem — more at decent.
First use: 1540
Synonyms: dichotomy, incongruity, contradiction
Implore
im·plore\im-ˈplȯr\
: to make a very serious or emotional request to (someone)
: to say (something) as a serious or emotional request
: to ask or beg for (something) in a very serious or emotional way
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to call upon in supplication : beseech
2 : to call or pray for earnestly : entreat
synonyms see beg
Other forms: im·plored; im·plor·ing
im·plor·ing·ly adverb
Examples
the victims of the hurricane implored the governor to put the full resources of the state into the relief effort
Origin: Middle French or Latin; Middle French implorer, from Latin implorare, from in- + plorare to cry out.
First use: circa 1540
Synonyms: appeal (to), beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, beg, importune, petition, plead (to), pray, solicit, supplicate
Drudgery
drudg·ery\ˈdrəj-rē, ˈdrə-jə-rē\ noun \: boring, difficult, or unpleasant work Full Definition \: dull, irksome, and fatiguing work : uninspiring or menial labor synonyms see work Other forms: plural drudg·er·ies Examples in the “good old days” household servants led lives filled with much drudgery and little pleasure First use: 1550 Synonyms: donkeywork, drudge, 1toil, fatigue, grind, labor, moil, slavery, sweat, travail Antonyms: fun, play
Interminable
in·ter·mi·na·ble(ˌ)in-ˈtərm-nə-bəl, -ˈtər-mə-\
adjective
: having or seeming to have no end : continuing for a very long time
Full Definition
: having or seeming to have no end; especially : wearisomely protracted
in·ter·mi·na·ble·ness noun
in·ter·mi·na·bly -blē\ adverb
Origin: Middle English, from Late Latin interminabilis, from Latin in- + terminare to terminate.
First use: 15th century
Perceive
per·ceive\pər-ˈsēv\
: to notice or become aware of (something)
: to think of (someone or something) as being something stated
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 a : to attain awareness or understanding of
b : to regard as being such
2 : to become aware of through the senses; especially : see, observe
Other forms: per·ceived; per·ceiv·ing
per·ceiv·able -ˈsē-və-bəl\ adjective
per·ceiv·ably -blē\ adverb
per·ceiv·er noun
Examples
I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn’t sure
perceived that it was going to be a nice day
I perceive your point, but I still disagree
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French perceivre, from Latin percipere, from per- thoroughly + capere to take — more at heave.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: feel, scent, see, sense, smell, taste
Antonyms: miss
Laconic
la·con·ic\lə-ˈkä-nik\
adjective
: using few words in speech or writing
Full Definition
: using or involving the use of a minimum of words : concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
synonyms see concise
la·con·i·cal·ly -ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
the sportscaster’s color commentary tends to be laconic but very much to the point
laconic by nature, he found the monastery’s vow of silence was very much to his liking
Origin: Latin laconicus Spartan, from Greek lakōnikos; from the Spartan reputation for terseness of speech.
First use: 1589
Synonyms: aphoristic, apothegmatic, brief, capsule, compact, compendious, crisp, curt, elliptical (or elliptic), epigrammatic, concise, monosyllabic, pithy, sententious, succinct, summary, telegraphic, terse, thumbnail
Antonyms: circuitous, circumlocutory, diffuse, long-winded, prolix, rambling, verbose, windy, wordy
Throng
throng\ˈthrȯŋ\
noun
: a large group of people
Full Definition
1 a : a multitude of assembled persons
b : a large number : host
2 a : a crowding together of many persons
b : a pressing increase of activity
synonyms see crowd
Examples
There were throngs of shoppers in the mall.
A throng of fans was waiting for the players to arrive.
Origin: Middle English thrang, throng, from Old English thrang, gethrang; akin to Old English thringan to press, crowd, Old High German dringan, Lithuanian trenkti to jolt.
First use: before 12th century
Synonyms: army, bike [chiefly Scottish], cram, crush, drove, flock, herd, horde, host, legion, mass, mob, multitude, press, rout, scrum, swarm, crowd
Synonyms: flock, mob, swarm, crowd
2throng
: to go to (a place) in a large group or in large numbers
: to gather in a crowd or in great numbers
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to crowd upon : press <a>
2 : to crowd into : pack
intransitive verb
: to crowd together in great numbers
Other forms: thronged; throng·ing \ˈthrȯŋ-iŋ\
Examples
Shoppers thronged the mall for the sales.
The island was thronged with tourists. = Tourists thronged the island.
People thronged the streets.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: army, bike [chiefly Scottish], cram, crush, drove, flock, herd, horde, host, legion, mass, mob, multitude, press, rout, scrum, swarm, crowd
Synonyms: flock, mob, swarm, crowd</a>
Intrepid
in·trep·id\in-ˈtre-pəd\
adjective
: feeling no fear : very bold or brave
Full Definition
: characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance
in·tre·pid·i·ty \ˌin-trə-ˈpi-də-tē\ noun
in·trep·id·ly \in-ˈtre-pəd-lē\ adverb
in·trep·id·ness noun
Examples
an intrepid explorer who probed parts of the rain forest never previously attempted
Origin: Latin intrepidus, from in- + trepidus alarmed — more at trepidation.
First use: 1680
Synonyms: bold, courageous, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, gutty, heroic (also heroical), brave, lionhearted, manful, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, undauntable, undaunted, valiant, valorous
Antonyms: chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, coward, cowardly, craven, dastardly, fainthearted, fearful, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], nerveless, poltroon, poor-spirited, pusillanimous, spineless, spiritless, timorous, uncourageous, ungallant, unheroic, weakhearted, yellow
Accost
ac·cost\ə-ˈkȯst, -ˈkäst\
: to approach and speak to (someone) often in an angry, aggressive, or unwanted way
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to approach and speak to often in a challenging or aggressive way
Origin: Middle French accoster, ultimately from Latin ad- + costa rib, side — more at coast.
First use: 1597
Reticent
ac·cost\ə-ˈkȯst, -ˈkäst\
: to approach and speak to (someone) often in an angry, aggressive, or unwanted way
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to approach and speak to often in a challenging or aggressive way
Origin: Middle French accoster, ultimately from Latin ad- + costa rib, side — more at coast.
First use: 1597
Hapless
hap·less\ˈha-pləs\ adjective \: having no luck : very unfortunate Full Definition \: having no luck : unfortunate hap·less·ly adverb hap·less·ness noun Examples the hapless motorist had barely paid his bill and driven away from the body shop when a truck sideswiped his car First use: 14th century Synonyms: unlucky, hard-luck, ill-fated, ill-starred, jinxed, luckless, snakebit (or snakebitten), star-crossed, unfortunate, unhappy Antonyms: fortunate, happy, lucky
Furtive
fur·tive\ˈfər-tiv\
adjective
: done in a quiet and secret way to avoid being noticed
Full Definition
1 a : done by stealth : surreptitious
b : expressive of stealth : sly
2 : obtained underhandedly : stolen
synonyms see secret
fur·tive·ly adverb
fur·tive·ness noun
Examples
a furtive guy who always seems to be up to something, and usually that something is no-good
gave each other furtive glances as we watched our friend open the booby-trapped soda
Origin: French or Latin; French furtif, from Latin furtivus, from furtum theft, from fur thief, from or akin to Greek phōr thief; akin to Greek pherein to carry — more at bear.
First use: 1612
Synonyms: sneaky, shady, shifty, slippery, sly, sneaking, stealthy
Antonyms: open, overt, public
Felon
fel·on\ˈfe-lən\ noun \: a criminal who has committed a serious crime (called a felony) Full Definition 1 : one who has committed a felony 2 archaic : villain 3 : whitlow Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French felun, fel evildoer, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fillen to beat, whip, fel skin — more at fell. First use: 13th century 2felon adjective 1 archaic a : cruel b : evil 2 archaic : wild First use: 13th century
Plethora
pleth·o·ra\ˈple-thə-rə\
noun
: a very large amount or number : an amount that is much greater than what is necessary
Full Definition
1 : a bodily condition characterized by an excess of blood and marked by turgescence and a florid complexion
2 : excess, superfluity; also : profusion, abundance
ple·tho·ric \plə-ˈthȯr-ik, ple-, -ˈthär-; ˈple-thə-rik\ adjective
Examples
a biology textbook that is helpfully illustrated with a plethora of excellent illustrations
the author offers a plethora of detail that tends to overwhelm the reader
Origin: Medieval Latin, from Greek plēthōra, literally, fullness, from plēthein to be full — more at full.
First use: 1541
Synonyms: abundance, cornucopia, feast, plenitude, plentitude, plenty, superabundance, wealth
Antonyms: deficiency, inadequacy, insufficiency, undersupply
Irate
irate\ī-ˈrāt, ˈī-ˌ, i-ˈrāt\ adjective \: very angry Full Definition 1 : roused to ire 2 : arising from anger irate·ly adverb irate·ness noun Examples Irate viewers called the television network to complain about the show. an irate neighbor First use: 1838 Synonyms: angered, apoplectic, ballistic, cheesed off [chiefly British], choleric, enraged, foaming, fuming, furious, hopping, horn-mad, hot, incensed, indignant, inflamed (also enflamed), infuriate, infuriated, angry, ireful, livid, mad, outraged, rabid, rankled, riled, riley, roiled, shirty [chiefly British], sore, steamed up, steaming, teed off, ticked, wrathful, wroth Antonyms: angerless, delighted, pleased
Vigilant
vig·i·lant\ˈvi-jə-lənt\
adjective
: carefully noticing problems or signs of danger
Full Definition
: alertly watchful especially to avoid danger
synonyms see watchful
vig·i·lant·ly adverb
Examples
the night watchman, who was usually vigilant, apparently dozed off and didn’t notice the vandals sneaking in
Origin: Middle English (Scots), from Latin vigilant-, vigilans, from present participle of vigilare to keep watch, stay awake, from vigil awake.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, observant, open-eyed, tenty (also tentie) [Scottish], alert, watchful, wide-awake
Antonyms: asleep
Pretext
pre·text\ˈprē-ˌtekst\
noun
: a reason that you give to hide your real reason for doing something
Full Definition
: a purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs
synonyms see apology
Origin: Latin praetextus, from praetexere to assign as a pretext, screen, extend in front, from prae- + texere to weave — more at technical.
First use: 1513
Fabricate
fab·ri·cate\ˈfa-bri-ˌkāt\
: to make or build (something)
: to create or make up (something, such as a story) in order to trick people
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 a : invent, create
b : to make up for the purpose of deception
2 : construct, manufacture; specifically : to construct from diverse and usually standardized parts
Other forms: fab·ri·cat·ed; fab·ri·cat·ing
fab·ri·ca·tor \ˈfa-bri-ˌkā-tər\ noun
Examples
with a few inexpensive materials from a craft shop, we were able to fabricate our own holiday wreath
fabricated a daring plan to create an underground explosion that would take the enemy totally by surprise
the house was essentially fabricated at the factory and then shipped to the site for assembly
Origin: Middle English, from Latin fabricatus, past participle of fabricari, from fabrica.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: make, fashion, form, frame, manufacture, produce
Antonyms: demount, disassemble, dismantle, dismember, knock down, strike, take down, tear down
Adroit
adroit\ə-ˈdrȯit\ adjective \: very clever or skillful Full Definition \: having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations synonyms see clever, dexterous adroit·ly adverb adroit·ness noun Examples an adroit negotiator She is adroit at handling problems. She managed the situation adroitly. Origin: French, from Old French, from a- (from Latin ad-) + droit right, droit. First use: 1652 Synonyms: skillful, artful, bravura, deft, delicate, dexterous (also dextrous), expert, masterful, masterly, practiced (also practised), virtuoso, workmanlike Antonyms: amateur, amateurish, artless, rude, unprofessional, unskillful
Gesticulate
ges·tic·u·late\je-ˈsti-kyə-ˌlāt\
: to move your arms and hands especially when speaking in an angry or emotional way
Full Definition
intransitive verb
: to make gestures especially when speaking
Other forms: ges·tic·u·lat·ed; ges·tic·u·lat·ing
ges·ti·cu·la·tive \je-ˈsti-kyə-ˌlā-tiv\ adjective
ges·tic·u·la·tor -ˌlā-tər\ noun
ges·tic·u·la·to·ry -lə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective
Origin: Latin gesticulatus, past participle of gesticulari, from *gesticulus, diminutive of gestus.
First use: circa 1609
Nuance
nu·ance\ˈnü-ˌän(t)s, ˈnyü-, -ˌäⁿs; nü-ˈ, nyü-ˈ\
noun
: a very small difference in color, tone, meaning, etc.
Full Definition
1 : a subtle distinction or variation
2 : a subtle quality : nicety
3 : sensibility to, awareness of, or ability to express delicate shadings (as of meaning, feeling, or value)
nu·anced -ˌän(t)st, -ˈän(t)st\ adjective
Origin: French, from Middle French, shade of color, from nuer to make shades of color, from nue cloud, from Latin nubes; perhaps akin to Welsh nudd mist.
First use: 1781
Avid
av·id\ˈa-vəd\
adjective
: very eager
: wanting something very much
Full Definition
1 : desirous to the point of greed : urgently eager : greedy
2 : characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit
synonyms see eager
av·id·ly adverb
av·id·ness noun
Examples
stared at the array of jewels with an avid glint in his eye
an avid baseball card collector
Origin: French or Latin; French avide, from Latin avidus, from avēre to desire, crave; akin to Welsh ewyllys desire, Old Irish con-oí he protects.
First use: 1769
Synonyms: acquisitive, avaricious, greedy, coveting, covetous, grabby, grasping, mercenary, moneygrubbing, rapacious
Antonyms: apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic
Cajole
ca·jole\kə-ˈjōl\
: to persuade someone to do something or to give you something by making promises or saying nice things
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 a : to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance : coax
b : to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion
2 : to deceive with soothing words or false promises
Other forms: ca·joled; ca·jol·ing
ca·jole·ment -ˈjōl-mənt\ noun
ca·jol·er noun
ca·jol·ery -ˈjō-lə-rē\ noun
Examples
cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
Origin: French cajoler.
First use: 1630
Synonyms: blandish, blarney, coax, palaver, soft-soap, sweet-talk, wheedle
Synonym discussion: cajole coax soft-soap blandish wheedle mean to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions. cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections . coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect . soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain . blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions . wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading .
Rudimentary
ru·di·men·ta·ry\ˌrü-də-ˈmen-tə-rē, -ˈmen-trē\
adjective
: basic or simple
: not very developed or advanced
Full Definition
1 : consisting in first principles : fundamental
2 : of a primitive kind
3 : very imperfectly developed or represented only by a vestige
ru·di·men·tar·i·ly -ˌmen-ˈter-ə-lē, -ˈmen-trə-lē\ adverb
ru·di·men·ta·ri·ness -ˈmen-tə-rē-nəs, -ˈmen-trē-\ noun
Examples
rudimentary shelters built by prehistoric peoples
had only a rudimentary knowledge of science
Origin: (see rudiment ).
First use: 1839
Synonyms: crude, low, rude, primitive
Antonyms: advanced, developed, evolved, high, higher, late
Enhance
en·hance\in-ˈhan(t)s, en-\
: to increase or improve (something)
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 obsolete : raise
2 : heighten, increase; especially : to increase or improve in value, quality, desirability, or attractiveness
Other forms: en·hanced; en·hanc·ing
en·hance·ment -ˈhan(t)-smənt\ noun
Examples
some shrubbery would really enhance the curb appeal of that house
the right makeup would enhance the beauty of her eyes
leather seats and a state-of-the-art stereo system enhance the sedan
Origin: Middle English enhauncen, from Anglo-French enhaucer, enhauncer, from Vulgar Latin *inaltiare, from Latin in + altus high — more at old.
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: ameliorate, amend, better, improve, enrich, help, meliorate, perfect, refine, upgrade
Antonyms: worsen
Caustic
caus·tic\ˈkȯs-tik\
adjective
: able to destroy or burn something by chemical action
: very harsh and critical
Full Definition
1 : capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action : corrosive
2 : marked by incisive sarcasm
3 : relating to or being the surface or curve of a caustic
caus·ti·cal·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
caus·tic·i·ty \kȯ-ˈsti-sə-tē\ noun
Origin: Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, from kaiein to burn.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: acerb, acerbic, acid, acidic, acidulous, acrid, barbed, biting, sarcastic, corrosive, cutting, mordant, pungent, sardonic, satiric (or satirical), scalding, scathing, sharp, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-mouthed, snarky, tart
2caus·tic\ˈkȯs-tik\
noun
1 : a caustic agent: as
a : a substance that burns or destroys organic tissue by chemical action
b : sodium hydroxide
2 : the envelope of rays emanating from a point and reflected or refracted by a curved surface
Origin: (see 1caustic ).
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: acerb, acerbic, acid, acidic, acidulous, acrid, barbed, biting, sarcastic, corrosive, cutting, mordant, pungent, sardonic, satiric (or satirical), scalding, scathing, sharp, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-mouthed, snarky, tart
Loathe
loathe\ˈlōth\
: to hate (someone or something) very much
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to dislike greatly and often with disgust or intolerance : detest
synonyms see hate
Other forms: loathed; loath·ing
loath·er noun
Examples
She loathed him.
They were rivals who truly/bitterly loathed each other.
I loathe having to do this.
Origin: Middle English lothen, from Old English lāthian to dislike, be hateful, from lāth.
First use: 12th century
Synonyms: abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate
Antonyms: love
Reprimand
rep·ri·mand\ˈre-prə-ˌmand\ noun \: a severe or formal reproof Origin: French réprimande, from Latin reprimenda, feminine of reprimendus, gerundive of reprimere to check — more at repress. First use: 1636
2reprimand
: to speak in an angry and critical way to (someone who has done something wrong, disobeyed an order, etc.)
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to reprove sharply or censure formally usually from a position of authority
synonyms see reprove
First use: 1681
Synonyms: commination, condemnation, denunciation, excoriation, objurgation, rebuke, censure, reproach, reproof, riot act, stricture
Antonyms: citation, commendation, endorsement (also indorsement)
Synonyms: baste, bawl out, berate, 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, scold, reproach, score, tongue-lash, upbraid
Antonyms: cite, commend, endorse (also indorse)
Lackluster
lack·lus·ter\ˈlak-ˌləs-tər\ adjective \: lacking excitement or interest Full Definition \: lacking in sheen, brilliance, or vitality : dull, mediocre lackluster noun First use: 1600
Inadvertent
in·ad·ver·tent-tənt\
adjective
: not intended or planned
Full Definition
1 : not focusing the mind on a matter : inattentive
2 : unintentional
in·ad·ver·tent·ly adverb
Examples
an inadvertent encounter with a rattlesnake in the brush
Origin: back-formation from inadvertence.
First use: 1653
Synonyms: casual, chance, fluky (also flukey), fortuitous, accidental, incidental, unintended, unintentional, unplanned, unpremeditated, unwitting
Antonyms: calculated, deliberate, intended, intentional, planned, premeditated, premeditative, prepense, set
Jostle
jos·tle\ˈjä-səl\
: to push against (someone) while moving forward in a crowd of people
Full Definition
intransitive verb
1 a : to come in contact or into collision
b : to make one’s way by pushing and shoving
c : to exist in close proximity
2 : to vie in gaining an objective : contend
transitive verb
1 a : to come in contact or into collision with
b : to force by pushing : elbow
c : to stir up : agitate
d : to exist in close proximity with
2 : to vie with in attaining an objective
Other forms: jos·tled; jos·tling -s(ə-)liŋ\
Origin: alteration of justle, frequentative of 1joust.
First use: 1546
Synonyms: bore, bull, bulldoze, crash, elbow, jam, 2press, muscle, push, shoulder, squeeze
Infamous
in·fa·mous\ˈin-fə-məs\
adjective
: well-known for being bad : known for evil acts or crimes
: causing people to think you are bad or evil
Full Definition
1 : having a reputation of the worst kind : notoriously evil
2 : causing or bringing infamy : disgraceful
3 : convicted of an offense bringing infamy
in·fa·mous·ly adverb
Examples
the infamous criminal who remains known only by the moniker of “Jack the Ripper”
Origin: Middle English, from Latin infamis, from in- + fama fame.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: discreditable, disgraceful, dishonorable, ignominious, disreputable, louche, notorious, opprobrious, shady, shameful, shoddy, shy, unrespectable
Antonyms: honorable, reputable, respectable
Dupe
dupe\ˈdüp also ˈdyüp\
noun
: one that is easily deceived or cheated : fool
Examples
They duped her out of $300.
He was duped into buying a phony watch.
We were duped by the con artist.
Origin: French, from Middle French duppe, probably alteration of huppe hoopoe.
First use: 1681
Synonyms: bamboozle, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, deceive, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick
Antonyms: undeceive
2dupe \: to deceive or trick (someone) into believing or doing something Full Definition transitive verb \: to make a dupe of Other forms: duped; dup·ing dup·er noun First use: 1704 Synonyms: bamboozle, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, deceive, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick Antonyms: undeceive
Incipient
in·cip·i·ent-ənt\
adjective
: beginning to develop or exist
Full Definition
: beginning to come into being or to become apparent
in·cip·i·ent·ly adverb
Examples
I have an incipient dislike and distrust of that guy, and I only met him this morning
Origin: Latin incipient-, incipiens, present participle of incipere to begin — more at inception.
First use: 1669
Synonyms: aborning, budding, inceptive, inchoate, nascent
Antonyms: adult, full-blown, full-fledged, mature, ripe, ripened
Ominous
om·i·nous\ˈä-mə-nəs\
adjective
: suggesting that something bad is going to happen in the future
Full Definition
: being or exhibiting an omen : portentous; especially : foreboding or foreshadowing evil : inauspicious
om·i·nous·ly adverb
om·i·nous·ness noun
Examples
that comment about downsizing from the company president sounded ominous
Origin: (see omen ).
First use: 1580
Synonyms: baleful, dire, direful, doomy, foreboding, ill, ill-boding, inauspicious, menacing, minatory, portentous, sinister, threatening
Antonyms: unthreatening
Synonym discussion: ominous portentous fateful mean having a menacing or threatening aspect. ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster . portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity . fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance .
Bristle
bris·tle\ˈbri-səl\
noun
: a short, stiff hair, fiber, etc.
Full Definition
: a short stiff coarse hair or filament
bris·tle·like \ˈbri-sə(l)-ˌlīk\ adjective
Origin: Middle English bristil, from brust bristle, from Old English byrst; akin to Old High German burst bristle, and perhaps to Latin fastigium top.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: hair, fiber, filament, thread
Synonyms: brim, abound, bulge, burst, bustle, buzz, crawl, hum, overflow, pullulate, swarm, teem
2bristle of hair : to rise up and become stiff \: to show signs of anger : to become angry Full Definition transitive verb 1 : to furnish with bristles 2 : to make bristly : ruffle intransitive verb 1 a : to rise and stand stiffly erect b : to raise the bristles (as in anger) 2 : to take on an aggressively defensive attitude (as in response to a slight or criticism) 3 a : to be full of or covered with especially something suggestive of bristles b : to be full of something specified Other forms: bris·tled; bris·tling \ˈbris-liŋ, ˈbri-sə-\ Examples Electricity makes your hair bristle. He bristled at the insult. She bristled at their criticism. First use: 15th century Synonyms: hair, fiber, filament, thread Synonyms: brim, abound, bulge, burst, bustle, buzz, crawl, hum, overflow, pullulate, swarm, teem
Repudiate
re·pu·di·ate\ri-ˈpyü-dē-ˌāt\
: to refuse to accept or support (something) : to reject (something or someone)
: to say or show that (something) is not true
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to divorce or separate formally from (a woman)
2 : to refuse to have anything to do with : disown
3 a : to refuse to accept; especially : to reject as unauthorized or as having no binding force
b : to reject as untrue or unjust
4 : to refuse to acknowledge or pay
synonyms see decline
Other forms: re·pu·di·at·ed; re·pu·di·at·ing
re·pu·di·a·tor -ˌā-tər\ noun
Examples
vigorously repudiated the charge that she had lied on her résumé
the angry mother bitterly repudiated her teenaged daughter, telling her that she never wanted to see or hear from her again
we didn’t like the terms, so we repudiated the contract
Origin: Latin repudiatus, past participle of repudiare, from repudium rejection of a prospective spouse, divorce, probably from re- + pudēre to shame.
First use: 1545
Synonyms: contradict, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, gainsay, negate, negative, refute, reject, deny
Antonyms: acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own
Tremulous
trem·u·lous-ləs\
adjective
: shaking slightly especially because of nervousness, weakness, or illness
: feeling or showing a lack of confidence or courage
Full Definition
1 : characterized by or affected with trembling or tremors
2 : affected with timidity : timorous
3 : such as is or might be caused by nervousness or shakiness <a>
4 : exceedingly sensitive : easily shaken or disordered
trem·u·lous·ly adverb
trem·u·lous·ness noun
Examples
a tremulous girl somehow mustered up the courage to ask a question of the governor
the frail woman extended a tremulous hand in welcome
Origin: Latin tremulus — more at tremble.
First use: 1611
Synonyms: fainthearted, fearful, fearsome, mousy (or mousey), scary, skittish, timid, timorous, shy
Antonyms: adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, bold, daring, dashing, gutsy, hardy, venturesome, venturous</a>
Cessation
ces·sa·tion\se-ˈsā-shən\
noun
: a stopping of some action : a pause or stop
Full Definition
: a temporary or final ceasing (as of action) : stop
Examples
the cessation of the snowstorm was a relief
Origin: Middle English cessacioun, from Middle French cessation, from Latin cessation-, cessatio delay, idleness, from cessare to delay, be idle — more at cease.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: arrest, arrestment, cease, end, check, close, closedown, closure, conclusion, cutoff, discontinuance, discontinuation, ending, expiration, finish, halt, lapse, offset, shutdown, shutoff, stay, stop, stoppage, surcease, termination
Antonyms: continuance, continuation
Stipulate
stip·u·late\ˈsti-pyə-ˌlāt\
: to demand or require (something) as part of an agreement
Full Definition
intransitive verb
1 : to make an agreement or covenant to do or forbear something : contract
2 : to demand an express term in an agreement — used with for
transitive verb
1 : to specify as a condition or requirement (as of an agreement or offer)
2 : to give a guarantee of
Other forms: stip·u·lat·ed; stip·u·lat·ing
stip·u·la·tor -ˌlā-tər\ noun
Origin: Latin stipulatus, past participle of stipulari to demand a guarantee (from a prospective debtor).
First use: circa 1624
Euphemism
eu·phe·mism\ˈyü-fə-ˌmi-zəm\
noun
: a mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive
Full Definition
: the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant; also : the expression so substituted
eu·phe·mist -mist\ noun
eu·phe·mis·tic \ˌyü-fə-ˈmis-tik\ adjective
eu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Origin: Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmos auspicious, sounding good, from eu- + phēmē speech, from phanai to speak — more at ban.
First use: circa 1681
Mundane
mun·dane\ˌmən-ˈdān, ˈmən-ˌ\
adjective
: dull and ordinary
: relating to ordinary life on earth rather than to spiritual things
Full Definition
1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of the world
2 : characterized by the practical, transitory, and ordinary : commonplace
synonyms see earthly
mun·dane·ly adverb
mun·dane·ness -ˈdān-nəs, -ˌdān-\ noun
mun·dan·i·ty \ˌmən-ˈdā-nə-tē\ noun
Examples
they didn’t want to be bothered with mundane concerns like doing the dishes while on vacation
a period for reflection and penitence, when spiritual concerns should take precedence over those that are mundane
Origin: Middle English mondeyne, from Anglo-French mundain, from Late Latin mundanus, from Latin mundus world.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: everyday, nitty-gritty, prosaic, terrestrial, workaday
Antonyms: heavenly, nontemporal, unearthly, unworldly
Incongruous
in·con·gru·ous(ˌ)in-ˈkäŋ-grə-wəs\
adjective
: strange because of not agreeing with what is usual or expected
Full Definition
: lacking congruity: as
a : not harmonious : incompatible
b : not conforming : disagreeing
c : inconsistent within itself
d : lacking propriety : unsuitable
in·con·gru·ous·ly adverb
in·con·gru·ous·ness noun
Examples
there’s an incongruous modernism to the actor’s performance in this period piece
incongruous theories about the origins of matter
Origin: Late Latin incongruus, from Latin in- + congruus congruous.
First use: 1611
Synonyms: amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inapt, inappropriate, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt, unbecoming, unfit, unhappy, unseemly, unsuitable, untoward, wrong
Antonyms: appropriate, becoming, befitting, correct, decorous, felicitous, fit, fitting, genteel, happy, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable
Condolence
con·do·lence\kən-ˈdō-lən(t)s also ˈkän-də-\ noun \: a feeling or expression of sympathy and sadness especially when someone is suffering because of the death of a family member, a friend, etc. Full Definition 1 : sympathy with another in sorrow 2 : an expression of sympathy synonyms see pity First use: 1603
Belligerent
bel·lig·er·ent\bə-ˈlij-rənt, -ˈli-jə-\
adjective
: angry and aggressive : feeling or showing readiness to fight
: fighting a war : engaged in a war
Full Definition
1 : waging war; specifically : belonging to or recognized as a state at war and protected by and subject to the laws of war
2 : inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness
belligerent noun
bel·lig·er·ent·ly adverb
Examples
the coach became quite belligerent and spit at an umpire after being thrown out of the game
Origin: modification of Latin belligerant-, belligerans, present participle of belligerare to wage war, from belliger waging war, from bellum + gerere to wage.
First use: 1577
Synonyms: aggressive, agonistic, argumentative, assaultive, bellicose, brawly, chippy, combative, confrontational, contentious, discordant, disputatious, feisty, gladiatorial, militant, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, warlike, on the warpath
Antonyms: nonaggressive, nonbelligerent, pacific, peaceable, peaceful, unbelligerent, uncombative, uncontentious
Synonym discussion: belligerent bellicose pugnacious quarrelsome contentious mean having an aggressive or fighting attitude. belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities . bellicose suggests a disposition to fight <a>. pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat <a>. quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause . contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling .</a></a>
Disdain
dis·dain\dis-ˈdān\
noun
: a feeling of strong dislike or disapproval of someone or something you think does not deserve respect
Full Definition
: a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior : scorn
Origin: Middle English desdeyne, from Anglo-French desdaign, from desdeigner (see 2disdain ).
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: contemptuousness, despisement, despite, despitefulness, contempt, misprision, scorn
Antonyms: admiration, esteem, estimation, favor, regard, respect
Synonyms: contemn, dis (also diss) [slang], scorn, disrespect, high-hat, look down (on or upon), slight, sniff (at), snoot, snub
Antonyms: honor, respect
2dis·dain\dis-ˈdān\
: to strongly dislike or disapprove of (someone or something)
: to refuse to do(something) because of feelings of dislike or disapproval
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to look on with scorn
2 : to refuse or abstain from because of a feeling of contempt or scorn
3 : to treat as beneath one’s notice or dignity
synonyms see despise
Examples
They disdained him for being weak.
teenagers who disdain authority
a critic who disdains all modern art
Origin: Middle English desdeynen, from Anglo-French desdeigner, dedeigner, from Vulgar Latin *disdignare, from Latin dis- + dignare to deign — more at deign.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: contemptuousness, despisement, despite, despitefulness, contempt, misprision, scorn
Antonyms: admiration, esteem, estimation, favor, regard, respect
Synonyms: contemn, dis (also diss) [slang], scorn, disrespect, high-hat, look down (on or upon), slight, sniff (at), snoot, snub
Antonyms: honor, respect
Feint
feint\ˈfānt\
noun
sports : a quick movement that you make to trick an opponent
Full Definition
: something feigned; specifically : a mock blow or attack on or toward one part in order to distract attention from the point one really intends to attack
synonyms see trick
Examples
The boxer made a feint with his right, then followed with a left hook.
Origin: French feinte, from Old French, from feint, past participle of feindre.
First use: 1644
2feint sports : to pretend to make an attack as a trick to fool your opponent : to make a feint Full Definition intransitive verb \: to make a feinttransitive verb 1 : to lure or deceive with a feint 2 : to make a pretense of Examples He feinted with his right, then followed with a left hook. First use: 1741
Alacrity
alac·ri·ty\ə-ˈla-krə-tē\
noun
: a quick and cheerful readiness to do something
Full Definition
: promptness in response : cheerful readiness
alac·ri·tous -krə-təs\ adjective
Examples
having just acquired his driver’s license that morning, the teen agreed with alacrity to drive his cousin to the airport
Origin: Latin alacritas, from alacr-, alacer lively, eager.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: amenability, gameness, goodwill, obligingness, willingness
Intimidate
in·tim·i·date\in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt\
: to make (someone) afraid
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to make timid or fearful : frighten; especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats
Other forms: in·tim·i·dat·ed; in·tim·i·dat·ing
in·tim·i·dat·ing·ly -ˌdā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb
in·tim·i·da·tion -ˌti-mə-ˈdā-shən\ noun
in·tim·i·da·tor -ˈti-mə-ˌdā-tər\ noun
Examples
refusing to be intimidated by the manager’s harsh stare, I demanded my money back
Origin: Medieval Latin intimidatus, past participle of intimidare, from Latin in- + timidus timid.
First use: 1646
Synonyms: blackjack, bogart, browbeat, bulldoze, bully, bullyrag, cow, hector, mau-mau, strong-arm, pick on
Scoff
scoff\ˈskäf, ˈskȯf\
noun
1 : an expression of scorn, derision, or contempt : gibe
2 : an object of scorn, mockery, or derision
Origin: Middle English scof, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to obsolete Dan skof jest; akin to OldFrisian skof mockery.
First use: 14th century
2scoff
intransitive verb
: to show contempt by derisive acts or language
transitive verb
: to treat or address with derision : mock
scoff·er noun
First use: 14th century
Brash
brash\ˈbrash\
adjective
: confident and aggressive in usually a rude or unpleasant way
: very strong or harsh
Full Definition
1 : brittle
2 a : heedless of the consequences : audacious <a>
b : done in haste without regard for consequences : rash
3 a : full of fresh raw vitality <a>
b : uninhibitedly energetic or demonstrative : bumptious <a>
4 a : lacking restraint and discernment : tactless
b : aggressively self-assertive : impudent
5 : piercingly sharp : harsh <a>
6 : marked by vivid contrast : bold
brash·ly adverb
brash·ness noun
Origin: origin unknown.
First use: 1566
Synonyms: arch, audacious, bold, bold-faced, nervy, brassbound, brassy, brazen, brazen-faced, cheeky, cocksure, cocky, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, sassy, saucy, wise
Antonyms: meek, mousy (or mousey), retiring, shy, timid</a></a></a></a>
Promulgate
pro·mul·gate\ˈprä-məl-ˌgāt; prō-ˈməl-, prə-ˈ, ˈprō-(ˌ)\
: to make (an idea, belief, etc.) known to many people
: to make (a new law) known officially and publicly
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to make (as a doctrine) known by open declaration : proclaim
2 a : to make known or public the terms of (a proposed law)
b : to put (a law) into action or force
synonyms see declare
Other forms: pro·mul·gat·ed; pro·mul·gat·ing
pro·mul·ga·tion \ˌprä-məl-ˈgā-shən; ˌprō-(ˌ)məl-, (ˌ)prō-ˌ\ noun
pro·mul·ga·tor \ˈprä-məl-ˌgā-tər; prō-ˈməl-, prə-ˈ, ˈprō-(ˌ)\ noun
Examples
the encyclical that promulgated the church’s position on artificial birth control
Origin: Latin promulgatus, past participle of promulgare, from pro- forward + -mulgare (probably akin to mulgēre to milk, extract) — more at emulsion.
First use: 1530
Synonyms: advertise, annunciate, blare, blaze, blazon, broadcast, declare, enunciate, flash, give out, herald, placard, post, proclaim, announce, publicize, publish, release, sound, trumpet
Pugnacious
pug·na·cious\ˌpəg-ˈnā-shəs\
adjective
: showing a readiness or desire to fight or argue
Full Definition
: having a quarrelsome or combative nature : truculent
synonyms see belligerent
pug·na·cious·ly adverb
pug·na·cious·ness noun
pug·nac·i·ty -ˈna-sə-tē\ noun
Examples
a movie reviewer who is spirited, even pugnacious, when defending her opinions
Origin: Latin pugnac-, pugnax, from pugnare to fight — more at pungent.
First use: 1642
Synonyms: aggressive, agonistic, argumentative, assaultive, bellicose, brawly, chippy, combative, confrontational, contentious, discordant, disputatious, feisty, gladiatorial, militant, belligerent, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, warlike
Antonyms: nonaggressive, nonbelligerent, pacific, peaceable, peaceful, unbelligerent, uncombative, uncontentious
Belittle
be·lit·tle\bi-ˈli-təl, bē-\
: to describe (someone or something) as little or unimportant
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to speak slightingly of : disparage
2 : to cause (a person or thing) to seem little or less <a>
synonyms see decry
Other forms: be·lit·tled; be·lit·tling-ˈli-təl-iŋ, -ˈlit-liŋ\
be·lit·tle·ment -ˈli-təl-mənt\ noun
be·lit·tler -ˈli-təl-ər, -ˈlit-lər\ noun
Examples
belittled the movie hunk’s acting ability
First use: 1797
Synonyms: bad-mouth, decry, cry down, denigrate, deprecate, depreciate, derogate, diminish, dis (also diss) [slang], discount, dismiss, disparage, kiss off, minimize, play down, poor-mouth, put down, run down, talk down, trash, trash-talk, vilipend, write off
Antonyms: acclaim, applaud, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, laud, magnify, praise</a>
Tangible
tan·gi·ble\ˈtan-jə-bəl\ adjective \: easily seen or recognized \: able to be touched or felt Full Definition 1 a : capable of being perceived especially by the sense of touch : palpable b : substantially real : material 2 : capable of being precisely identified or realized by the mind 3 : capable of being appraised at an actual or approximate value synonyms see perceptible tan·gi·bil·i·ty \ˌtan-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun tan·gi·ble·ness \ˈtan-jə-bəl-nəs\ noun tan·gi·bly \-blē\ adverb Origin: Late Latin tangibilis, from Latin tangere to touch. First use: 1589 Synonyms: palpable, touchable Antonyms: impalpable, intangible
2tan·gi·ble\ˈtan-jə-bəl\ noun \: something that is tangible (see 1tangible ); especially : an asset capable of being appraised at an actual or approximate value Origin: (see 1tangible ). First use: 1890 Synonyms: palpable, touchable Antonyms: impalpable, intangible
Laceration
lac·er·a·tion\ˌla-sə-ˈrā-shən\ noun \: a deep cut or tear of the flesh \: the act of cutting or tearing flesh Full Definition 1 : the act of lacerating 2 : a torn and ragged wound Examples the fall from the motocross bike left him with several lacerations from the sharp rocks First use: 1597 Synonyms: incision, gash, rent, rip, slash, slit, tear
Sordid
sor·did\ˈsȯr-dəd\
adjective
: very bad or dishonest
: very dirty
Full Definition
1 : marked by baseness or grossness : vile
2 a : dirty, filthy
b : wretched, squalid
3 : meanly avaricious : covetous
4 : of a dull or muddy color
synonyms see mean
sor·did·ly adverb
sor·did·ness noun
Examples
he managed to rise above the sordid streets upon which he grew up
a sordid affair involving bribery and corruption in high places
Origin: Latin sordidus, from sordes dirt — more at swart.
First use: 1606
Synonyms: bedraggled, befouled, begrimed, bemired, besmirched, black, blackened, cruddy, dingy, draggled, dusty, filthy, foul, grimy, grotty [chiefly British], grubby, grungy, mucky, muddy, nasty, smudged, smutty, soiled, dirty, stained, sullied, unclean, uncleanly
Antonyms: clean, cleanly, immaculate, spick-and-span (or spic-and-span), spotless, stainless, ultraclean, unsoiled, unstained, unsullied
Octogenarian
oc·to·ge·nar·i·an\ˌäk-tə-jə-ˈner-ē-ən\ noun \: a person who is between 80 and 89 years old Full Definition \: a person whose age is in the eighties octogenarian adjective Origin: Latin octogenarius containing eighty, from octogeni eighty each, from octoginta eighty, from octo eight + -ginta (akin to viginti twenty) — more at vigesimal. First use: 1815
Scurrilous
scur·ri·lous\ˈskər-ə-ləs, ˈskə-rə-\
adjective
: said or done unfairly to make people have a bad opinion of someone
Full Definition
1 a : using or given to coarse language
b : vulgar and evil
2 : containing obscenities, abuse, or slander
scur·ri·lous·ly adverb
scur·ri·lous·ness noun
Examples
a scurrilous satire on the scandal that enveloped Washington
First use: 1576
Synonyms: contumelious, invective, opprobrious, scurrile (or scurril), abusive, truculent, vitriolic, vituperative, vituperatory
Solace
so·lace\ˈsä-ləs also ˈsō-\
transitive verb
1 : to give comfort to in grief or misfortune : console
2 a : to make cheerful
b : amuse
3 : allay, soothe
Other forms: so·laced; so·lac·ing
so·lace·ment -mənt\ noun
so·lac·er noun
Origin: (see 2solace ).
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: cheer, consolation, relief, comfort
Synonyms: assure, cheer, console, reassure, comfort, soothe
Antonyms: distress, torment, torture, trouble
2so·lace\ˈsä-ləs also ˈsō-\
noun
: someone or something that gives a feeling of comfort to a person who is sad, depressed, etc. : a source of comfort
Full Definition
1 : comfort in grief : alleviation of grief or anxiety
2 : a source of relief or consolation
Origin: Middle English solas, from Anglo-French, from Latin solacium, from solari to console.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: cheer, consolation, relief, comfort
Synonyms: assure, cheer, console, reassure, comfort, soothe
Antonyms: distress, torment, torture, trouble
Aspirant
as·pi·rant\ˈas-p(ə-)rənt, ə-ˈspī-rənt\ noun \: a person who tries to become something : a person who aspires to do or to be something Full Definition \: one who aspires First use: 1738 Synonyms: applicant, applier, candidate, campaigner, contender, expectant, hopeful, prospect, seeker Antonyms: noncandidate
2aspirant
adjective
: seeking to attain a desired position or status
First use: 1800
Synonyms: applicant, applier, candidate, campaigner, contender, expectant, hopeful, prospect, seeker
Antonyms: noncandidate
Dreg
dreg\ˈdreg\
noun
1 : sediment contained in a liquid or precipitated from it : lees — usually used in plural
2 : the most undesirable part — usually used in plural
3 : the last remaining part : vestige — usually used in plural
dreg·gy \ˈdre-gē\ adjective
Origin: Middle English, from Old Norse dregg; perhaps akin to Latin fraces dregs of oil.
First use: 14th century
Frenzy
fren·zy\ˈfren-zē\
noun
: great and often wild or uncontrolled activity
Full Definition
1 a : a temporary madness
b : a violent mental or emotional agitation
2 : intense usually wild and often disorderly compulsive or agitated activity <a>
Other forms: plural frenzies
Origin: Middle English frenesie, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin phrenesia, alteration of Latin phrenesis, from phreneticus.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: agitation, deliriousness, delirium, distraction, fever, feverishness, flap, furor, furore, fury, hysteria, rage, rampage, uproar</a>
2frenzy transitive verb \: to affect with frenzy Other forms: fren·zied; fren·zy·ing First use: 1791 Synonyms: agitation, deliriousness, delirium, distraction, fever, feverishness, flap, furor, furore, fury, hysteria, rage, rampage, uproar
