Similar Words - Don't Get These Confused Flashcards
STRIDENT or STRINGENT or ASTRINGENT
STRIDENT - Extremely Loud
STRINGENT - Strictly Controlled or Enforced
ASTRINGENT: having a sharp or bitter quality
: very critical in a sharp and often clever way; pungent, caustic
Medical: 1: causing contraction of soft organic tissues : puckery
2: suggestive of an astringent effect upon tissue : rigidly severe : austere ; also : pungent, caustic
MENDACIOUS or MENDICANT
MENDACIOUS - dishonest
MENDICANT - beggar, supplicant
FATUOUS or FACTIOUS or FACTITIOUS
FATUOUS - inanely foolish
FACTIOUS - inclined to make arguments, divisive, contentious
FACTITIOUS - produced artificially, not natural, fake
CENSURE or CENSOR
CENSURE - to officially criticize, someone or something, strongly and publicly
(syn condemn, denounce, objurgate, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reprove, bring to account, call to account)
CENSOR - to suppress or delete anything considered objectionable
(syn. expurgate)
INVEIGH or INVEIGLE
INVEIGH - to protest or complain bitterly or vehemently
(syn - rail, bellyache, kvetch, grouse)
INVEIGLE - to persuade someone to do something in a clever or deceptive way
(syn - manipulate, wangle)
EXTIRPATE or EXPURGATE or EXCORIATE or EXECRATE or EXPIATE
EXTIRPATE - : to destroy or remove (something) completely (cut out by the roots)
EXPURGATE -to change (a written work) by removing parts that might offend people
(syn - censor, launder)
EXCORIATE - to condemn or censure scathingly; to remove the skin.
EXECRATE - to declare to be evil or detestable; to denounce; to detest utterly
EXPIATE - to do something as a way to show that you are sorry about doing something bad
(syn - to atone, mend, redeem)
Related Words
compensate, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, repay; amend, correct, rectify, redress; propitiate
SENTENTIA or SENTIENT or SENTENTIOUS or TENDENTIOUS
SENTENTIA - aphorism.
(syn - adage, aphorism, apothegm, byword, epigram, maxim, proverb, saw, saying, word)
SENTIENT - adj. 1. responsive to or conscious of sense impressions
- aware
- finely sensitive in perception or feeling
SENTENTIOUS - adj. 1. having or expressing strong opinions about what people should and should not do; given to or abounding in excessive moralizing
2. terse
TENDENTIOUS: : strongly favoring a particular point of view in a way that may cause argument : expressing a strong opinion; BIASED
PROCLIVITY or PREDILECTION
PROCLIVITY - an inclination or predisposition toward something; especially : a strong inherent inclination toward something objectionable
PREDILECTION - preference, a strong liking for
PREVARICATE or EQUIVOCATE or EQUIVOCAL
PREVARICATE - to be deliberately ambiguous in order to hide the truth; to lie
EQUIVOCATE - to use unclear language especially to deceive or mislead someone
EQUIVOCAL - uncertain or open to interpretation; having two or more possible meanings; not easily understood or explained
(could be used to imply deliberate deception)
PERFIDY or PERDITION
PERFIDY - a betrayal of trust
PERDITION - damnation;
INSIPID or INSIDIOUS or INANE
INSIPID - : not interesting or exciting; dull or boring; lacking strong flavor
INSIDIOUS - causing harm in a way that is gradual or not easily noticed
1a : awaiting a chance to entrap : treacherous
b : harmful but enticing : seductive
2a : having a gradual and cumulative effect : subtle
INANE: 1: empty, insubstantial
2: lacking significance, meaning, or point : silly
EMOLLIENT or IMMOLATE
EMOLLIENT - having the effect of softening (mollify is to make softer, to disarm)
IMMOLATE - to kill or destroy (someone or something) by fire
VENAL or EVIL
VENAL - willing to do dishonest things in return for money
EVIL - morally bad
DEMUR or DEMURE
DEMUR - : to disagree politely with another person’s statement or suggestion
to politely refuse to accept a request or suggestion
DEMURE - quiet and polite; not attracting or demanding a lot of attention; not showy or flashy
FELICITY or FELICITOUS
FELICITY - great happiness; something that is pleasing and well chosen;
FELICITOUS -
1 very well suited or expressed : apt <a>
2 pleasant, delightful
(NOTE: Neither means Fortuitous or Lucky)</a>
RECTITUDE or SANCTIMONY
RECTITUDE - moral righteousness; the quality of being right
SANCTIMONY: : affected or hypocritical holiness
EXULT or EXALT
EXULT - to express joy or elation
EXALT - to raise (someone or something) to a higher level; to praise (someone or something) highly; to present (something) in a way that is very favorable or too favorable
FLOUT or FLAUNT
FLOUT - to demonstrate contempt for; to mock with disdain; to break or ignore (a law, rule, etc.) without hiding what you are doing or showing fear or shame
“flouting the rules”
FLAUNT - : to show (something) in a very open way so that other people will notice; to show a lack of respect for (something, such as a rule)
“flaunting his superiority” “flaunting the rules”
DISINGENUOUS or INGENUE or INGENUOUS or INGENIOUS
DISINGENUOUS - : not truly honest or sincere : giving the false appearance of being honest or sincere
INGENUE - a naïve innocent young woman
INGENUOUS - showing innocent or childlike simplicity and candidness
b :lacking craft or subtlety
INGENIOUS - very smart or clever : having or showing ingenuity
REVILE or REBUKE or REVULSION
REVILE - to criticize or scold with harsh or abusive language. to vituperate or rail
REBUKE - to criticize sharply, to reprimand; to admonish; to chide.
REVULSION: : a very strong feeling of dislike or disgust
1: a strong pulling or drawing away : withdrawal
2a : a sudden or strong reaction or change
b : a sense of utter distaste or repugnance
DEPREDATE or DEPRECATE
DEPREDATE - : to lay waste : plunder, ravage
DEPRECATE - : to criticize or express disapproval of (someone or something);
a. play down : make little of
b. belittle, disparage
ENNUI or INNUENDO
ENNUI - dissatisfaction and restlessness due to boredom or apathy; (rel RESTIVE)
INNUENDO - a statement which indirectly suggests that someone has done something immoral, improper, etc.
FERVENT or FERMENT or FOMENT or FERVID or PERFERVID or FERVOR
FERVENT - filled with strong emotion
FERMENT - to work up; a state of excitement or turbulence
FOMENT - : to cause or try to cause the growth or development of (something bad or harmful)
FERVID: 1: very hot : burning
2: marked by often extreme fervor “a fervid crusader”
PERFERVID: marked by overwrought or exaggerated emotion : excessively fervent
FERVOR: : a strong feeling of excitement and enthusiasm
FALLOW or SALLOW
FALLOW - usu. cultivated land that is allowed to lie idle during the growing season; also could be yellow brown color
SALLOW - a sickly yellowish hue or complexion
FETTER or FRITTER
FETTER - 1. a chain or shackle for the feet
2. something that confines : restraint
FRITTER AWAY (colloquial) - fritter something away (on someone or something) to waste something, such as money, on someone or something, foolishly.
SALUBRIOUS or SALACIOUS
SALUBRIOUS - making good health possible or likely
SALACIOUS - relating to sex in a way that is excessive or offensive
AVER or AVERT or ADVERT
AVER - to declare as true; to say (something) in a very strong and definite way
AVERT - to turn (your eyes, gaze, etc.) away or aside; to prevent (something bad) from happening
ADVERT - to turn or direct attention toward.
ASCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE
ASCRIBE - to attribute or assign to a cause
SUBSCRIBE - to give consent or approval to something written by signing
to feel favorably disposed
ASCETIC or AESTHETIC
ASCETIC - self-denial; restrained
AESTHETIC - of or relating to art or beauty
ASSIDUOUS or FASTIDIOUS
ASSIDUOUS - making careful and persistent
effort
FASTIDIOUS -very careful about how you do something; liking few things; hard to please;
wanting to always be clean, neat, etc.
PETTISH or PETULANT or PEEVISH
PETTISH adj; petulantly peevish: a pettish refusal.
cranky, fractious, irritable, nettlesome, peckish
PETULANT adj; moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, especially over some trifling annoyance: a petulant toss of the head.
PEEVISH adj. 1.cross, querulous, or fretful, as from vexation or discontent:a peevish youngster.
- showing annoyance, irritation, or bad mood: a peevish reply; apeevish frown.
- perverse or obstinate.
RAVAGING or RAVISH or RAVENOUS or RAPTUROUS or RAPACIOUS
RAVAGING - pillage, sack, or devastate. to lay waste.
RAVISHING - to rape, or rob violently. (a woman is so beautiful she rapes with one’s eyes.)
RAVENOUS - hungry to the point of violent devouring.
RAPTUROUS - great happiness, pleasure, or love (enrapture is to fill with delight).
RAPACIOUS - voracious, greedy, plundering
If a woman smashes your apartment up, she ravages it. If she looks stunningly beautiful, she is ravishing. If she eats the whole platter of hors d’oeuvres you’ve set out for the party before the other guests come, she’s ravenous.
EXECRATE or EXCORIATE
EXECRATE - to dislike and criticize (someone or something) very strongly; - to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce; to loathe; to curse;
EXCORIATE - to condemn or censure scathingly; to remove the skin.
EXECRATE or EXPLICATE or EXEGESIS
EXECRATE - to dislike and criticize (someone or something) very strongly; - to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce; to loathe; to curse;
EXPLICATE: : to explain or analyze (something, such as an idea or work of literature)
EXEGESIS: : exposition, explanation; especially : an explanation or critical interpretation of a text
FATUOUS or FACTITIOUS or FRACTIOUS or VACUOUS
FATUOUS - inanely foolish
FACTITIOUS - produced by humans rather than by natural forces; formed by or adapted to an artificial or conventional standard; produced by special effort : sham
FRACTIOUS - : causing trouble : hard to manage or control; full of anger and disagreement
VACUOUS - having or showing a lack of intelligence or serious thought : lacking meaning, importance, or substance
TRENCHANT or TRUCULENT
TRENCHANT - 1 keen, sharp
2: vigorously effective and articulate <a>; also : caustic
3a : sharply perceptive : penetrating <a>
b: clear-cut, distinct</a></a>
TRUCULENT - 1.: feeling or displaying ferocity : cruel, savage
2: deadly, destructive
3: scathingly harsh : vitriolic
4: aggressively self-assertive : belligerent
INDOLENT or REDOLENT
INDOLENT - 1a : causing little or no pain
b : slow to develop or heal
2a: averse to activity, effort, or movement : habitually lazy
b: conducive to or encouraging laziness
c: showing an inclination to laziness
REDOLENT - : 1. exuding fragrance : aromatic
2a: full of a specified fragrance : scented
b: evocative, suggestive <a></a>
PROVIDENCE or PROVIDENT or PROVENANCE
PROVIDENCE - 1 often capitalized : divine guidance or care
2. State of being provident;
PROVIDENT - : careful about planning for the future and saving money for the future; frugal
PROVENANCE: 1: origin, source
2: the history of ownership of a valued object or work of art or literature
CANNY or UNCANNY
CANNY - : clever, shrewd “a canny lawyer”; also : prudent “canny investments”
UNCANNY - 1.a : seeming to have a supernatural character or origin : eerie, mysterious
b: being beyond what is normal or expected : suggesting superhuman or supernatural powers
SOLICITUDE or SOLITUDE
SOLICITUDE - : concern that someone feels about someone’s health, happiness, etc.
SOLITUDE - : a state or situation in which you are alone usually because you want to be
INIMICAL or INIMITABLE
INIMICAL - Harsh, hostile.
INIMITABLE: : impossible to copy or imitate
PROSAIC or PROPITIOUS or PRODIGIOUS
PROSAIC - Common or unimaginative
PROPITIOUS - favorable (conditions)
PRODIGIOUS - having great power or size; extreme
DISSEMBLE
DISSEMBLE - 1. to hide under a false appearance
2. to put on the appearance of : simulate
SUBLIME or SUBLIMATE
SUBLIME (adj): lofty, grand, or exalted in thought, expression, or manner
b : of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth
c : tending to inspire awe usually because of elevated quality (as of beauty, nobility, or grandeur) or transcendent excellence
SUBLIME (v): 1. to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form;
2a (1) : to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor (2) : to render finer (as in purity or excellence)
b : to convert (something inferior) into something of higher worth
SUBLIMATE (v): : to divert the expression of (an instinctual desire or impulse) from its unacceptable form to one that is considered more socially or culturally acceptable
“She sublimated her erotic feelings into a series of paintings.”
DOGMA or DOGMATIC
DOGMA : firmly held belief or opinion, often religious
DOGMATIC: could be related to dogma, but also means: expressing personal opinions or beliefs as if they are certainly correct and cannot be doubted
QUIETUS or QUITTANCE or REQUITAL or REQUITE
QUIETUS: 1. final settlement (as of a debt)
- removal from activity; especially : death
- something that quiets or represses
QUITTANCE: 1. discharge from a debt or an obligation
b : a document evidencing quittance
2. recompense, requital
REQUITAL: 1. something given in return, compensation, or retaliation
2. the act or action of requiting; the state of being requited
“the electrician’s requital for the used car was in the form of work on the dealer’s house”
REQUITE: 1a : to make return for : repay
b : to make retaliation for : avenge
2: to make suitable return to for a benefit or service or for an injury
“the future writer would later requite the abuse he suffered at the hands of his classmates by creating scathing portraits of them in his novels”
TUMID or TURGID or TUMESCENT or TORPOR or TURBID
TUMID: marked by swelling : swollen, enlarged
- protuberant, bulging
- bombastic, turgid
TURGID: 1. being in a state of distension : swollen, tumid ; especially : exhibiting turgor
2. excessively embellished in style or language : bombastic, pompous
TUMESCENT: somewhat swollen. “our pregnant kitty’s tumescent middle”
TORPOR: having or showing very little energy or movement : not active
TURBID: a : deficient in clarity or purity : foul, muddy
b : characterized by or producing obscurity (as of mind or emotions)
DIDACTIC or PEDANTIC or PEDOGOGY
DIDACTIC - designed or intended to teach people something; used to describe someone or something that tries to teach something (such as proper or moral behavior) in a way that is annoying or unwanted
PEDANTIC: of, relating to, or being a pedant (a. one who makes a show of knowledge
b : one who is unimaginative or who unduly emphasizes minutiae in the presentation or use of knowledge c : a formalist or precisionist in teaching)
2. narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned
3. unimaginative, pedestrian
PEDAGOGY: the art or profession of teaching. Note a “Pedagogue” is a teacher, but has an additional connotation of the negative Pedantic
COGITATE or EXCOGITATE
COGITATE: to ponder; to think carefully and seriously about something
EXCOGITATE: to think out : devise:
Synonyms: concoct, construct, contrive, cook (up), devise, drum up, invent, fabricate, make up, manufacture, think (up), trump up, vamp (up)
APOSTATE or APOSTLE
APOSTATE: someone whose beliefs have changed and who no longer belongs to a religious or political group. Synonyms RENEGADE, DEFECTOR, DESERTER, RECREANT
APOSTLE: 1. a person who initiates a great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or system; an ardent supporter : adherent
- the highest ecclesiastical official in some church organizations
- One of 12 chosen by Christ; also one of the high ranking Mormons
ICONOCLAST or MARTINET
ICONOCLAST: a person who criticizes or opposes beliefs and practices that are widely accepted
Synonyms: bohemian, boho, counterculturist, deviant, enfant terrible, free spirit, heretic, nonconformist, individualist, loner, lone ranger, lone wolf, maverick, nonconformer
MARTINET: a person who is very strict and demands obedience from others
SECULAR or SECTARIAN
SECULAR: 1a. of or relating to the worldly or temporal ; b. not overtly or specifically religious . c. not ecclesiastical or clerical
2: not bound by monastic vows or rules; specifically : of, relating to, or forming clergy not belonging to a religious order or congregation <a>
3.a : occurring once in an age or a century
b : existing or continuing through ages or centuries
c : of or relating to a long term of indefinite duration</a>
SECTARIAN: relating to religious or political sects and the differences between them
SEQUITUR vs NON SEQUITUR
SEQUITUR: the conclusion of an inference : consequence.
“a reasonable sequitur from that announcement is that you’ll be leaving the company”
NON SEQUITUR: 1: an inference that does not follow from the premises; specifically : a fallacy resulting from a simple conversion of a universal affirmative proposition or from the transposition of a condition and its consequent
2: a statement (as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said
“We were talking about the new restaurant when she threw in some non sequitur about her dog”
OLIGARCHY or OCHLOCRACY or PLUTOCRACY
OLIGARCHY - Leadership by a few.
OCHLOCRACY: government by the mob: mob rule
PLUTOCRACY: government by the richest people
EGALITARIANISM
EGALITARIANISM: a belief in human equality especially with respect to social, political, and economic affairs
INDIGENT or INDIGENOUS
INDIGENT: 1: suffering from extreme poverty : impoverished
INDIGENOUS:1: produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment
2: innate, inborn
AMITY or ENMITY
AMITY: a feeling of friendship : friendly relations between nations or groups
ENMITY: positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will
APPOSE or APPOSITE
APPOSE: to place in juxtaposition or proximity
APPOSITE: highly pertinent or appropriate : apt, apropos
“enriched his essay on patriotism with some very apposite quotations from famous people on the subject”
PEREGRINATE or
PEREGRINATE:
vi: to travel especially on foot : walk
vt: to walk or travel over : traverse
BESOT or INFATUATE
BESOT: 1: to make dull or stupid; especially : to muddle with drunkenness; 2. foolish infatuation.
INFATUATE: 1: to cause to be foolish : deprive of sound judgment
2: to inspire with a foolish or extravagant love or admiration
BESMIRCH
BESMIRCH: : to cause harm or damage to (the reputation of someone or something)
: sully, soil
BLANDISH or BLATHER
BLANDISH: vt: to coax with flattery : cajole
vi: to act or speak in a flattering or coaxing manner
BLATHER: : to talk foolishly at length —often used with on
CHOLERIC
CHOLERIC: made angry easily
CHAGRIN
CHAGRIN: : a feeling of being frustrated or annoyed because of failure or disappointment
: disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure
COMPLAISANT or COMPLACENT
COMPLAISANT: : willing or eager to please other people : easily convinced to do what other people want
COMPLACENT: : satisfied with how things are and not wanting to change them
CONSANGUINEOUS or SANGUINEOUS or SANGUINE
CONSANGUINEOUS: : of the same blood or origin; specifically : descended from the same ancestor
SANGUINEOUS: 1: blood-red
2: of, relating to, or involving bloodshed : bloodthirsty
3: of, relating to, or containing blood
SANGUINE: 1: blood-red 2a : consisting of or relating to blood b : bloodthirsty, sanguinary c of the complexion : ruddy 3: having blood as the predominating bodily humor; also : having the bodily conformation and temperament held characteristic of such predominance and marked by sturdiness, high color, and cheerfulness 4: confident, optimistic
DOTAGE or DOTE or
DOTAGE: : the period of old age : the time when a person is old and often less able to remember or do things
DOTE: 1: to exhibit mental decline of or like that of old age : be in one’s dotage
2: to be lavish or excessive in one’s attention, fondness, or affection —usually used with on “doted on her only grandchild”
DYSTOPIAN or UTOPIAN or DIONYSIAN
DYSTOPIAN: 1: an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives
2: anti-utopia 2
UTOPIAN: 1: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a utopia; especially : having impossibly ideal conditions especially of social organization
2: proposing or advocating impractically ideal social and political schemes
3: impossibly ideal : visionary
4: believing in, advocating, or having the characteristics of utopian socialism
DIONYSIAN: of or relating to the sensual, spontaneous, and emotional aspects of human nature.
EREMITIC or HERMETIC
EREMITE: : hermit; especially : a religious recluse
HERMETIC:
: relating to or characterized by occultism or abstruseness : recondite
2 [from the belief that Hermes Trismegistus invented a magic seal to keep vessels airtight]
a : airtight
b : impervious to external influence
c : recluse, solitary
EQUABLE or EQUANAMITY
EQUABLE: 1: marked by lack of variation or change : uniform
2: marked by lack of noticeable, unpleasant, or extreme variation or inequality
EQUANAMITY:1: evenness of mind especially under stress
2: right disposition : balance
HOI-POLLOI or PROVINCIAL
HOI-POLLOI: : ordinary people : people who are not rich, famous, etc.: the general populace : masses
““I pay no attention to the opinions of the hoi polloi,” the writer sniffed”
PROVINCIAL: : one living in or coming from a province; a person of local or restricted interests or outlook
: a person lacking urban polish or refinement
LIBERTINE or PHILISTINE
LIBERTINE: : a person (especially a man) who leads an immoral life and is mainly interested in sexual pleasure
- usually disparaging : a freethinker especially in religious matters
2: a person who is unrestrained by convention or morality; specifically : one leading a dissolute life
PHILISTINE: a : a person who is guided by materialism and is usually disdainful of intellectual or artistic values
b : one uninformed in a special area of knowledge
MORDANT or MORBID
MORDANT: : expressing harsh criticism especially in a way that is funny
1: biting and caustic in thought, manner, or style : incisive “a mordant wit”
2: acting as a mordant
3: burning, pungent
“a writer famous for her mordant humor”
“a mordant review of the movie that compared it to having one’s teeth pulled for two hours”
MORBID:
1a : of, relating to, or characteristic of disease “morbid anatomy”
b : affected with or induced by disease “a morbid condition”
c : productive of disease “morbid substances”
2: abnormally susceptible to or characterized by gloomy or unwholesome feelings
3: grisly, gruesome “morbid details” “morbid curiosity”
PARSIMONIOUS or IMPECUNIOUS or PERSPICACIOUS
PARSIMONIOUS: : very unwilling to spend money
1: exhibiting or marked by parsimony; especially : frugal to the point of stinginess
2: sparing, restrained
“a parsimonious woman who insists that charity begins—and ends—at home”
IMPECUNIOUS - having little or no money
PERSPICACIOUS - : of acute mental vision or discernment : keen
PERQUISITES or PREREQUISITES
PERQUISITES:1: a privilege, gain, or profit incidental to regular salary or wages; especially : one expected or promised (PERQ)
2: gratuity, tip
3: something held or claimed as an exclusive right or possession
“Use of the company’s jet is a perquisite of the job.”
“give the movers a perquisite if they do a good job”
PREREQUISITES: something that you officially must have or do before you can have or do something else
PRURIENT or PURITAN
PRURIENT:: having or showing too much interest in sex
: marked by or arousing an immoderate or unwholesome interest or desire; especially : marked by, arousing, or appealing to sexual desire
“He took a prurient interest in her personal life.”
“a book that appealed to the prurient curiosity of its readers”
PURITAN: : a person who follows strict moral rules and who believes that pleasure is wrong
“She’s a puritan about sex.”
“some of the town’s puritans still maintain that sex education has no place in the school”
STASIS or SEPTIC
STASIS:: a state or condition in which things do not change, move, or progress
1: a slowing or stoppage of the normal flow of a bodily fluid or semifluid: as
a : slowing of the current of circulating blood
b : reduced motility of the intestines with retention of feces
2a : a state of static balance or equilibrium : stagnation
b : a state or period of stability during which little or no evolutionary change in a lineage occurs
“The country is in economic stasis.”
“His art was characterized by bursts of creativity followed by long periods of stasis.”
SEPTIC:
1: of, relating to, or causing putrefaction
2: relating to, involving, caused by, or affected with sepsis “septic patients”
3: used for sewage treatment and disposal “a septic system”; also : of or relating to a septic system “septic effluents”
SUPPLIANT or SUPPLANT
SUPPLIANT: SUPPLICANT
“didn’t like being in the position of a suppliant, having to ask her parents to help her pay the rent on her apartment”
“the new governor soon had to deal with a long line of supplicants asking for jobs and other political favors”
SUPPLANT:: to take the place of (someone or something that is old or no longer used or accepted)
1: to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery
b : to take the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence or power
“old traditions that were fading away and being supplanted by modern ways”
VITREOUS or VITRIOL or VIRTUOUS
VITREOUS:1a : resembling glass (as in color, composition, brittleness, or luster) : glassy “vitreous rocks”
b : characterized by low porosity and usually translucence due to the presence of a glassy phase “vitreous china”
2: of, relating to, derived from, or consisting of glass
VITRIOL:: harsh and angry words
1a : a sulfate of any of various metals (as copper, iron, or zinc); especially : a glassy hydrate of such a sulfate
b : oil of vitriol
2: something felt to resemble vitriol especially in caustic quality; especially : virulence of feeling or of speech
“His speech was full of political vitriol.”
“a film critic noted for the vitriol and sometimes outright cruelty of his pronouncements”
VIRTUOUS:1: potent, efficacious
2a : having or exhibiting virtue — (see virtue)
b : morally excellent : righteous “a virtuous decision”
3: chaste
ARROGATE or ABROGATE or ABNEGATE or ABDICATE
ARROGATE:: to take or claim (something, such as a right or a privilege) in a way that is not fair or legal
1a : to claim or seize without justification
b : to make undue claims to having : assume
2: to claim on behalf of another : ascribe
“They’ve arrogated to themselves the power to change the rules arbitrarily.”
“She arrogated the leadership role to herself.”
ABROGATE:: to end or cancel (something) in a formal and official way
: to fail to do what is required by (something, such as a responsibility)
1: to abolish by authoritative action : annul
2: to treat as nonexistent “abrogating their responsibilities”
“The company’s directors are accused of abrogating their responsibilities.”
“the U.S. Congress can abrogate old treaties that are unfair to Native Americans”
ABNEGATE: 1: deny, renounce “abnegated their God”
2: surrender, relinquish “abnegated her powers”
ABDICATE: : to leave the position of being a king or queen
: to fail to do what is required by (a duty or responsibility)
PROPITIOUS or PROPITIATE
PROPITIOUS:: likely to have or produce good results
1: favorably disposed : benevolent
2: being a good omen : AUSPICIOUS “propitious sign”
3: tending to favor : advantageous
“Now is a propitious time to start a business.”
PROPITIATE: : to make (someone) pleased or less angry by giving or saying something desired
: to gain or regain the favor or goodwill of : APPEASE
“He made an offering to propitiate the angry gods.”
PROFUNDITY or FECUNDITY
PROFUNDITY: 1a : intellectual depth
b : something profound or abstruse
2: the quality or state of being profound or deep
“the profundity of his thoughts”
“Her books are a mixture of playfulness and profundity.”
FECUND: 1: fruitful in offspring or vegetation : prolific. “a fecund breed of cattle”
2: intellectually productive or inventive to a marked degree. “a fecund imagination”
IMPERTINENT or PERTINENT or PERTINACIOUS
IMPERTINENT:1: not pertinent : irrelevant
2a : not restrained within due or proper bounds especially of propriety or good taste “impertinent curiosity”
b : given to or characterized by insolent rudeness “an impertinent answer”
PERTINENT: having a clear decisive relevance to the matter in hand
“he impressed the jury with his concise, pertinent answers to the attorney’s questions”
PERTINACIOUS: 1a : adhering resolutely to an opinion, purpose, or design
b : perversely persistent
2: stubbornly tenacious
“a pertinacious little boy who was determined to catch and collect reptiles”
“a pertinacious salesman who would simply not take “No!” for an answer”
SERENDIPITY or SURREPTITIOUS
SERENDIPITY: luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for
SURREPTITIOUS: done in a secret way: stealthy
CATHOLIC or CATECHIZE
CATHOLIC: comprehensive, universal; especially : broad in sympathies, tastes, or interests
“She is a novelist who is catholic in her interests.”
“a museum director with catholic tastes in art”
CATECHIZE: 1: to instruct systematically especially by questions, answers, and explanations and corrections; specifically : to give religious instruction in such a manner
2: to question systematically or searchingly
“her roommates catechized her about every detail of her date with her new boyfriend”
“applicants are rigorously cathechized by the seminary’s rector regarding their motives for joining the priesthood”
