WOD 201 Flashcards
learn 400 new words this year
evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer, or fact) from someone.
synonyms: obtain, bring out, draw out, extract, evoke, bring about, bring forth, induce, excite, give rise to, call forth, prompt, generate, engender, spark off, trigger, kindle
elicit
“I tried to elicit a smile from Joanna”
feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement.
synonyms: enraptured, elated, transported, in transports, in raptures, euphoric; More
2.
involving an experience of mystic self-transcendence.
ecstatic
“ecstatic fans filled the stadium”
“an ecstatic vision of God”
prevent from happening; make impossible.
synonyms: prevent, make it impossible for, make it impracticable for, rule out, put a stop to, stop, prohibit, debar, interdict, block, bar, hinder, impede, inhibit, exclude, disqualify, forbid; estop
(of a situation or condition) prevent someone from doing something.
preclude
“the secret nature of his work precluded official recognition”
“his difficulties preclude him from leading a normal life”
“his difficulties preclude him from leading a normal life”
1.
a request made in an urgent and emotional manner.
synonyms: appeal, entreaty, supplication, petition, prayer; More
2.
LAW
a formal statement by or on behalf of a defendant or prisoner, stating guilt or innocence in response to a charge, offering an allegation of fact, or claiming that a point of law should apply.
plea
“he made a dramatic plea for disarmament”
“he changed his plea to not guilty”
an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way.
synonyms: tendency, inclination, predisposition, proneness, proclivity, readiness, susceptibility, liability, disposition
propensity
“his propensity for violence”
is a cognitive bias in which people of low ability have illusory superiority and mistakenly assess their cognitive ability as greater than it is.
the Dunning–Kruger effect
government by the wealthy.
a state or society governed by the wealthy.
plural noun: plutocracies
an elite or ruling class whose power derives from their wealth.
plutocracy
“the attack on the Bank of England was a gesture against the very symbol of plutocracy”
“no one can accept public policies which turn a democracy into a plutocracy”
“officials were drawn from the new plutocracy”
think about (a fact, proposal, or request) deeply and at length.
synonyms: ponder, consider, think over/about, reflect on, contemplate, deliberate, turn over in one’s mind, chew over, weigh up, consider the pros and cons of, cogitate on, meditate on, muse on, ruminate over/on, brood on, have one’s mind on, give some thought to, evaluate, examine, study, review, revolve
mull
“she began to mull over the various possibilities”
1.
an indefinite and very long period of time.
synonyms: age, epoch, generation, year, time, long period; More
2.
PHILOSOPHY
(in Neoplatonism, Platonism, and Gnosticism) a power existing from eternity; an emanation or phase of the supreme deity.
aeon
“he reached the crag aeons before I arrived”
set (something) on fire.
synonyms: light, ignite, set alight, set light to, set on fire, set fire to, put a match to, set burning, get going, start, touch off, spark; informaltorch
arouse or inspire (an emotion or feeling).
synonyms: rouse, arouse, wake, waken, awaken, quicken; More
(of an emotion) be aroused.
synonyms: rouse, arouse, wake, waken, awaken, quicken
kindle
“he kindled a fire of dry grass”
“a love of art was kindled in me”
“she hesitated, suspicion kindling within her”
make more beautiful or attractive.
synonyms: embellish, decorate, furnish, ornament
adorn
“pictures and prints adorned his walls”
adjective
1.
(of an action) convenient and practical although possibly improper or immoral.
synonyms: convenient, advantageous, in one’s own interests, to one’s own advantage, useful, of use, of service, beneficial, of benefit, profitable, gainful, effective, helpful; More
noun
1.
a means of attaining an end, especially one that is convenient but possibly improper or immoral.
synonyms: measure, means, method, stratagem, scheme, plan, course of action, solution, move, tactic, manoeuvre, recourse, resource, device, tool, contrivance, ploy, plot, machination, trick, ruse, artifice, invention
expedient
“either side could break the agreement if it were expedient to do so”
“the current policy is a political expedient”
verb
1.
(of a river or road) follow a winding course.
synonyms: zigzag, wind, twist, turn, curve, curl, bend, snake
“the river meandered gently through the meadow”
noun
1.
a winding curve or bend of a river or road.
synonyms: bend, loop, curve, twist, turn, turning, coil, zigzag, oxbow, convolution
meandere
“a river that meandered gently through a meadow”
“the river flows in sweeping meanders”
the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history.
the origin of a word and the historical development of its meaning.
plural noun: etymologies
synonyms: derivation, word history, development, origin, source
etymology
“the etymology of the word ‘devil’”
“the decline of etymology as a linguistic discipline”
(of a man) having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive.
synonyms: manly, masculine, male, all-male; More
having or characterized by strength and energy.
virile (we-rile) Virility (we-reelity)
“he was a powerful, virile man”
“a strong, virile performance of the Mass”
so as to give the impression of having a certain quality; apparently.
synonyms: apparently, on the face of it, to all appearances, as far as one can see/tell, on the surface, to all intents and purposes, outwardly, evidently, superficially, supposedly, avowedly, allegedly, professedly, purportedly; More
according to the facts as one knows them; as far as one knows.
seemingly
“a seemingly competent and well-organized person”
“it’s touch-and-go, seemingly, and she’s asking for you”
inability to interpret sensations and hence to recognize things, typically as a result of brain damage.
agnosia
“visual agnosia”
1.
having or displaying a passionate intensity.
synonyms: impassioned, passionate, intense, vehement, ardent, fervid, sincere, feeling, profound, deep-seated, heartfelt, deeply felt, emotional, animated, spirited
fervent
“a fervent supporter of the revolution”
a fleet of warships.
synonyms: fleet, flotilla, squadron, navy, naval force, (naval) task force
“an armada of forty-five warships”
armada
“an armada of destroyers, minesweepers, and gunboats”
noun 1. a check or restraint on something. synonyms: restraint, restriction, check, brake, rein, control, limitation, limit, constraint, stricture; More 2. a type of bit with a strap or chain attached which passes under a horse's lower jaw, used as a check. verb 1. restrain or keep in check.
synonyms: restrain, hold back, keep back, hold in, repress, suppress
curb
“plans to introduce tougher curbs on insider dealing”
“she promised she would curb her temper”
noun
an allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.
synonyms: insinuation, implication, hint, suggestion, intimation, overtone, undertone, whisper, allusion, nuance, reference, imputation, aspersion, slur
innuendo
“she’s always making sly innuendoes”
“he became the butt for their smutty innuendoes”
neither parallel nor at right angles to a specified or implied line; slanting.
synonyms: slanting, slanted, sloping, at an angle, angled, diagonal, aslant, slant, slantwise, sloped, inclined, inclining, tilted, tilting, atilt, skew, on the skew, askew; More
2.
not expressed or done in a direct way.
synonyms: indirect, inexplicit, roundabout, circuitous, circumlocutory, implicit, implied, elliptical, evasive, backhanded; More
oblique
“we sat on the settee oblique to the fireplace”
“he issued an oblique attack on the President”
inclined or willing.
synonyms: inclined, predisposed, minded More
having a specified attitude to or towards.
disposed
“James didn’t seem disposed to take the hint”
“he is favourably disposed towards the proposals”
(of a person) in a very unhappy or unfortunate state.
synonyms: miserable, unhappy, sad, broken-hearted, heartbroken, grief-stricken, grieving, sorrowful, sorrowing, mourning, anguished, distressed, desolate, devastated, despairing, inconsolable, disconsolate, downcast, down, downhearted, dejected, crestfallen, cheerless, depressed, melancholy, morose, gloomy, glum, mournful, doleful, dismal, forlorn, woeful, woebegone, abject, low-spirited, long-faced; More
of poor quality; very bad.
synonyms: harsh, hard, grim, stark, difficult; More
used to express anger or annoyance.
synonyms: despicable, contemptible, beyond contempt, reprehensible, base, low, vile, mean, scurvy, abominable, loathsome, hateful, detestable, odious, disreputable, depraved, debased, infamous, villainous, ignoble, shameful, shabby, worthless
wretched
“I felt so wretched because I thought I might never see you again”
“she disliked the wretched man intensely”
“the wretched conditions of the slums”
noun
1.
a point of transition between two different states.
2.
a pointed end where two curves meet.
cusp
“those on the cusp of adulthood”
become or make more cheerful, lively, or interesting.
synonyms: cheer up, brighten (up), become more cheerful, become livelier, feel happier, take heart, be heartened, liven up, revive
perk
“she’d been depressed, but she seemed to perk up last week”
outward behaviour or bearing.
synonyms: manner, air, attitude, appearance, look, aspect, mien, cas
demeanour
“his happy demeanour”
a simple device for calculating, consisting of a frame with rows of wires or grooves along which beads are slid.
abacus (aba-koes)
noun
1.
a person who is dissatisfied and rebellious.
synonyms: troublemaker, mischief-maker, agitator, dissentient, dissident, rebel; More
adjective
1.
dissatisfied and complaining or rebellious.
synonyms: disaffected, discontented, dissatisfied, disgruntled
malcontent
“it was too late to stop the malcontents with a show of force”
“the malcontent generals saw their role as leaders of this counter-revolution”
make someone liable or inclined to a specified attitude, action, or condition.
synonyms: make susceptible, make liable, make prone, lay open, make vulnerable, put at risk of, leave open, make subject
predispose
“lack of exercise may predispose an individual to high blood pressure”
noun
1.
a basic speech sound in which the breath is at least partly obstructed and which can be combined with a vowel to form a syllable.
adjective
1.
denoting or relating to a consonant.
2.
in agreement or harmony with.
synonyms: in agreement with, agreeing with, consistent with, in accordance with, accordant with, consilient with, in harmony with, compatible with, congruous with, in tune with, reconcilable with
consonant
“fricatives are by far the largest group of English consonants”
“the findings are consonant with other research”
“a consonant phoneme”
struggle to surmount (a difficulty).
synonyms: cope with, face, grapple with, deal with, take on, pit oneself against; More
2.
assert something as a position in an argument.
synonyms: assert, maintain, hold, claim, argue, profess, affirm, aver, avow, insist, state, declare, pronounce, allege, plead
contend
“she had to contend with his uncertain temper”
“he contends that the judge was wrong”
“the plaintiffs contended that their business plan was confidential”
stroke or caress lovingly or erotically.
synonyms: caress, stroke, pat, pet, pull, finger, touch, tickle, twiddle
fondle
“he kissed and fondled her”
trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth.
synonyms: cut back, trim, thin, thin out, pinch back, crop, clip, shear, pollard, top, dock; More cut away (a branch or stem) from a tree, shrub, etc.
synonyms: cut off, lop (off), chop off, hack off, clip, snip (off), nip off, dock, sever, detach, remove
reduce the extent of (something) by removing superfluous or unwanted parts.
synonyms: reduce, cut, cut back, cut down, cut back on, pare, pare down, slim down, make reductions in, make cutbacks in, trim, whittle away/down, salami-slice, decrease, diminish, axe, shrink, minimize; More
remove (superfluous or unwanted parts) from something.
prune
“now is the time to prune roses”
“prune back the branches”
“the workforce was pruned”
“Eliot deliberately pruned away details”
outward behaviour or bearing.
synonyms: manner, air, attitude, appearance, look, aspect, mien, cast
demeanour (the mean er)
“his happy demeanour”
a non-profit organization that operates independently of any government, typically one whose purpose is to address a social or political issue.
NGO
1.
formal and dignified.
synonyms: dignified, ceremonious, ceremonial, stately, courtly, majestic, imposing, impressive, awe-inspiring, portentous, splendid, magnificent, grand, important, august, formal
2.
characterized by deep sincerity.
synonyms: sincere, earnest, honest, genuine, firm, committed, unconditional, heartfelt, wholehearted, sworn, formal
solemn
“a solemn procession”
“a solemn occasion”
“a solemn promise”
“he swore a solemn oath to keep faith”
open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled.
synonyms: compliant, acquiescent, biddable, manageable, controllable, governable, persuadable, tractable, responsive, pliant, flexible, malleable, complaisant, accommodating, docile, submissive, obedient, tame, meek, easily handled; rarepersuasible
capable of being acted upon in a particular way; susceptible.
“cardiac failure not amenable to medical treatment”
synonyms: susceptible, receptive, responsive, reactive, vulnerabl
amenable (a mean able)
“parents who have amenable children”
“an easy-going, amenable child”
is a logical fallacy in which the reasoner begins with what they are trying to end with.
circular reasoning
never changing.
synonyms: unvarying, unchanging, changeless, unvaried, invariant
invariable
“his routine was invariable”
able to repel a particular thing; impervious to a particular substance.
synonyms: impermeable, impervious, resistant; More
2.
causing disgust or distaste.
synonyms: revolting, repulsive, disgusting, repugnant, sickening, nauseating, stomach-turning, stomach-churning, nauseous, emetic, vile, nasty, foul, appalling, abominable, hideous, horrible, awful, dreadful, terrible, obnoxious, loathsome, offensive, objectionable, off-putting, distasteful, disagreeable, uninviting
noun
1.
a substance that deters insects or other pests from approaching or settling.
2.
a substance used to treat something, especially fabric or stone, so as to make it impervious to water.
repellent
“water-repellent nylon”
“the idea was slightly repellent to her”
“a flea repellent”
required by law or a rule; obligatory.
synonyms: obligatory, mandatory, required, requisite, necessary, essential, statutory, prescribed; More
involving or exercising compulsion; coercive.
“the abuse of compulsory powers”
compulsory
“compulsory military service”
formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution).
synonyms: put an end to, do away with, get rid of, scrap, end, stop, terminate, eradicate, eliminate, exterminate, destroy, annihilate, stamp out, obliterate, wipe out, extinguish, quash, expunge, extirpate
abolish
“the tax was abolished in 1977”
“‘It is not a matter of freeing labour but rather of abolishing it.’
“
(with reference to the fingers or hand) close into a tight ball, especially as a manifestation of extreme anger.
noun
1.
a contraction or tightening of part of the body.
synonyms: contraction, tightening, tensing, tension, constricting, cramp
clench
“she clenched her fists, struggling for control”
“she saw the anger rise, saw the clench of his fists”
“she felt a clench in her stomach”
lack of harmony among musical notes.
synonyms: inharmoniousness, discordance, atonality, cacophony; More
lack of agreement or harmony between people or things.
synonyms: incongruity, disparity, discrepancy, disagreement, tension
dissonance
“an unusual degree of dissonance for such choral styles”
“the party faithful might be willing to put up with such dissonance among their candidates”
leadership or dominance, especially by one state or social group over others.
synonyms: leadership, dominance, dominion, supremacy, ascendancy, predominance, primacy, authority, mastery, control, power, sway, rule, sovereignty
hegemony
“Germany was united under Prussian hegemony after 1871”
noun
1.
a sudden attack or incursion into enemy territory, especially to obtain something; a raid.
synonyms: raid, attack, assault, incursion, swoop, strike, charge, sortie, sally, rush, onrush, push, thrust, onslaught, offensive, bombardment; More
verb
1.
make or go on a foray.
“the place into which they were forbidden to foray”
Foray
“the garrison made a foray against Richard’s camp”
“the place into which they were forbidden to foray”
very surprising, astonishing, or remarkable.
synonyms: surprising, astonishing, amazing, unexpected, unforeseen, staggering, shocking, stunning;
startling
“he bore a startling likeness to their father”
the decisive or most important point at issue.
synonyms: nub, heart, essence, most important point, central point, main point, essential part, core, centre, nucleus, kernel; informalthe bottom line
a particular point of difficulty.
plural noun: cruces; plural noun: cruxes
crux
“the crux of the matter”
“both cruces can be resolved by a consideration of the manuscripts”
exaggerated or aggressive patriotism.
synonyms: jingoism, excessive patriotism, blind patriotism, excessive nationalism, sectarianism, isolationism, excessive loyalty, flag-waving, xenophobia, racism, racialism, racial prejudice, ethnocentrism, ethnocentricity
excessive or prejudiced support for one’s own cause, group, or sex.
plural noun: chauvinisms
synonyms: jingoism, excessive patriotism, blind patriotism, excessive nationalism, sectarianism, isolationism, excessive loyalty, flag-waving, xenophobia, racism, racialism, racial prejudice, ethnocentrism, ethnocentricity
chauvinism
“public opinion was easily moved to chauvinism and nationalism”
“we stand together to stamp out chauvinism and bigotry”
noun
1.
a thing of little value or importance.
synonyms: unimportant thing/matter, trivial thing/matter, triviality, thing/matter of no consequence, thing/matter of no importance, bagatelle, inessential, nothing
1.
treat without seriousness or respect.
synonyms: treat in a cavalier fashion, treat lightly, treat frivolously, treat casually, play ducks and drakes with;
trifle
“we needn’t trouble the headmaster over such trifles”
“he is not a man to be trifled with”
1. overcome (a difficulty or obstacle). synonyms: overcome, conquer, get over, prevail over, triumph over, get the better of, beat, vanquish, master; More 2. stand or be placed on top of.
synonyms: cap, top, crown, tip
surmount
“all manner of cultural differences were surmounted”
“the tomb was surmounted by a sculptured angel”
untruthfulness.
synonyms: lying, untruthfulness, dishonesty, deceit, deceitfulness, deception, dissembling, insincerity, disingenuousness, hypocrisy, fraud, fraudulence, double-dealing, two-timing, duplicity, perjury, perfidy
mendacity
“people publicly castigated for past mendacity”
(of an action, idea, or aim) deserving praise and commendation.
synonyms: praiseworthy, commendable, admirable, meritorious, worthy, deserving, creditable, worthy of admiration, estimable, of note, noteworthy, exemplary, reputable, honourable, excellent, sterling; rareapplaudable
laudable
“laudable though the aim might be, the results have been criticized”
“a laudable attempt to get more women into Parliament”
the quality of being fair and impartial.
synonyms: fairness, fair-mindedness, justness, justice, equitableness, fair play; More
2.
the value of the shares issued by a company.
synonyms: value, worth, valuation
equity
“equity of treatment”
“he owns 62% of the group’s equity”
1.
take hold of suddenly and forcibly.
synonyms: grab, grasp, snatch, seize hold of, grab hold of, take hold of, lay hold of, lay (one’s) hands on, get one’s hands on, take a grip of, grip, clutch, take, pluck
2.
take (an opportunity) eagerly and decisively.
seize
“she jumped up and seized his arm”
“a protester seized the microphone”
“he seized his chance to attack as Carr hesitated”
require as a precondition of possibility or coherence.
synonyms: require, necessitate, imply, entail, mean, involve, assume, suppose, have as a necessary condition, have as a precondition
tacitly assume at the beginning of a line of argument or course of action that something is the case.
synonyms: presume, assume, take it for granted, take it, take it as read/given, suppose, surmise, think, accept, consider, postulate, posit
presuppose
“their original prediction presupposed a universe only three billion years old”
“the following course of action presupposes the existence of a policy-making group”
“your argument presupposes that it does not matter who is in power”
“I had presupposed that theme parks make people happy”
existing or operating within; inherent.
synonyms: inherent, intrinsic, innate, built-in, latent, essential, fundamental, basic, ingrained, natural
(of God) permanently pervading and sustaining the universe.
synonyms: pervasive, pervading, permeating; More
immanent
“the protection of liberties is immanent in constitutional arrangements”
“the material insecurity immanent in the forced commodification of labour”
in a way that is impossible to disentangle or separate.
inextricably
“for many top executives, golf and business are inextricably linked”
reach inside a receptacle and search for something.
synonyms: rummage (about/around/round) in, search (through), hunt through, scrabble about/around in, root about/around in, ferret (about/around) in, fish about/around in, poke about/around in, dig in, grub about/around in, go through, burrow in; More
2.
ARCHAIC
dig; excavate.
delve
“she delved in her pocket”
“when Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?”
very cold in temperature.
synonyms: very cold, bitterly cold, bitter, freezing, frozen, frosty, icy, icy-cold, ice-cold, chilly, wintry, bleak, sub-zero, arctic, Siberian, polar, glacial; More
(especially of a woman) unable or unwilling to be sexually aroused and responsive.
synonyms: sexually unresponsive, unresponsive, undemonstrative, unaffectionate, cold, cold-blooded, cold-hearted, passionless, unfeeling, unemotional, unloving, uncaring
stiff or formal in behaviour or style.
synonyms: stiff, formal, stony, steely, flinty, wooden, impersonal, indifferent, unresponsive, unemotional, unfeeling, unsmiling, unenthusiastic, austere, distant, aloof, remote, reserved, unapproachable
frigid
“frigid water”
“my ex told everyone I was frigid”
“the frigid elegance of the new Opera Bastille”
1.
surround or close off on all sides.
synonyms: surround, circle, ring, encompass, encircle, circumscribe, border, bound, edge, skirt, fringe, hem, line, flank; More
2.
place (something) in an envelope together with a letter.
synonyms: include, insert, put in, enfold
enclose
“the entire estate was enclosed with walls”
“I enclose a copy of the job description”
adjective
1.
necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility.
synonyms: binding, obligatory, mandatory, necessary, compulsory, required, requisite, essential, imperative
2.
(of an official or regime) currently holding office.
synonyms: current, existing, present, in office, in power; reigning
“the incumbent President had been defeated”
noun
1.
the holder of an office or post.
synonyms: holder, bearer, occupant;
incumbent
“the government realized that it was incumbent on them to act”
“it is incumbent on the government to give a clear lead”
“the incumbent President was defeated”
“the present incumbent will soon be retiring”
deduce or conclude (something) from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.
synonyms: deduce, reason, work out, conclude, come to the conclusion, draw the inference, conjecture, surmise, theorize, hypothesize
infer
“from these facts we can infer that crime has been increasing”
nounLITERARY•PHILOSOPHY
an ultimate object or aim.
telos
“in the hedonistic life, people lose some moral purpose, a telos which provides the moral justification for the society”
analyse and develop (an idea or principle) in detail.
synonyms: explain, explain in detail, make explicit, clarify, make plain/clear, spell out; More
analyse (a literary work) in order to reveal its meaning.
explicate
“an attempt to explicate the relationship between crime and economic forces”
“these essays seek to explicate and contextualize Kristeva’s writings”
though.
albeit (all-be-it)
“he was making progress, albeit rather slowly”
1.
not openly acknowledged or displayed.
synonyms: secret, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, stealthy, cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner, hole-in-the-corner, closet, behind-the-scenes, backstairs, back-alley, under-the-table, hugger-mugger, concealed, hidden, private; More
noun
1.
a thicket in which game can hide.
covert
“covert operations against the dictatorship”
noun
an image or representation of someone or something.
an unsatisfactory imitation or substitute.
simulacrum (simu-lakerum)
“a small-scale simulacrum of a skyscraper”
“a bland simulacrum of American soul music”
adjective
1.
of the highest quality or degree.
synonyms: excellent, magnificent, wonderful, glorious, marvellous, brilliant, supreme, consummate, outstanding, prodigious, dazzling, remarkable, formidable, fine, choice, sterling, first-rate, first-class, of the first water, of the first order, of the highest order, premier, prime, unsurpassed, unequalled, unparalleled, unrivalled, unbeatable, peerless, matchless, singular, unique, transcendent, best, greatest, worthiest, pre-eminent, perfect, faultless, flawless
noun
an exaggerated or hyperbolical expression of praise.
superlative
“a superlative piece of skill”
“the critics ran out of superlatives to describe him”
the policy or practice on the part of people in authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those subordinate to or otherwise dependent on them in their supposed interest.
paternalism
“attitudes in society reinforce a degree of paternalism among doctors”
adjective 1. concerning interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts. noun 1. a method or theory of interpretation.
hermeneutic
hold the complete attention of (someone) as though by magic; fascinate.
synonyms: fascinating, enthralling, entrancing, bewitching, captivating, intriguing, riveting, transfixing, engrossing, gripping, very interesting, very exciting, thrilling, absorbing, compelling, compulsive, mesmerizing, mesmeric, hypnotic, magical
spellbind
“the singer held the audience spellbound”
past tense: spellbound
adjective
(of a person) pleasing or liked on account of having qualities or interests that are similar to one’s own.
synonyms: like-minded, compatible, kindred, well suited, easy to get along with; More
(of a thing) pleasant or agreeable because suited to one’s taste or inclination.
synonyms: pleasant, pleasing, to one’s liking, agreeable, enjoyable, pleasurable, nice, appealing, engaging, satisfying, gratifying, fine, charming, delightful, relaxing, snug, welcome, welcoming, hospitable;
congenial
“his need for some congenial company”
“he went back to a climate more congenial to his cold stony soul”
nounFORMAL 1. a large, imposing building. synonyms: building, structure, construction, erection, pile, complex, assembly; More 2. a complex system of beliefs.
edifice
“the concepts on which the edifice of capitalism was built”
interpret (a word or action) in a particular way.
synonyms: interpret, understand, read, see, take, take to mean, parse, render, analyse, explain, elucidate, gloss, decode
construe
“his words could hardly be construed as an apology”
“his actions could be construed as an admission of guilt”
torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable.
excite the senses or desires of (someone).
synonyms: tease, torment, torture, bait
tantalize
“such ambitious questions have long tantalized the world’s best thinkers”
“she still tantalized him”
unambiguously explicit and direct.
synonyms: unqualified, unconditional, unequivocal, unreserved, absolute, explicit, unambiguous, definite, certain, direct, downright, outright, complete, thorough, thoroughgoing, total, emphatic, positive, express, point-blank, wholehearted, conclusive, undiluted, unalloyed, unadulterated
categorical
“a categorical assurance”
belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine.
synonyms: dissension, dissent, dissidence, blasphemy, nonconformity, unorthodoxy, heterodoxy, apostasy, freethinking, schism, faction; More
opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted.
heresy
“Huss was burned for heresy”
“the heresy of being uncommitted to the right political dogma”
having or showing no skill; clumsy.
synonyms: incompetent, unskilful, unskilled, inexpert, amateurish, crude, rough
inept
“the referee’s inept handling of the match”
verb
1.
refuse to accept; reject.
synonyms: reject, renounce, abandon, forswear, give up, turn one’s back on, have nothing more to do with, wash one’s hands of, have no more truck with, abjure, disavow, recant, desert, discard, disown, cast off, lay aside, cut off, rebuff
2.
deny the truth or validity of.
synonyms: deny, refute, contradict, rebut, dispute, disclaim, disavow; More
repudiate
“she has repudiated policies associated with previous party leaders”
“the minister repudiated allegations of human rights abuses”
open resistance; bold disobedience.
synonyms: resistance, opposition, confrontation; More
antonyms: submission, obedience
defiance
“an act of defiance”
occur as an interruption or change to an existing situation.
supervene
“he had appendicitis and as complications supervened, refrained from work for months”
1.
lacking the ability or strength to move.
synonyms: unmoving, motionless, immobile, still, stock-still, stationary, static, dormant, sleeping; More
2.
chemically inactive.
synonyms: chemically inactive
inert
“she lay inert in her bed”
“the inert gases in meteorites”
a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.
synonyms: dilemma, plight, predicament, state of uncertainty, state of perplexity, unfortunate situation, difficult situation, awkward situation; More
a difficult situation; a practical dilemma.
quandry
“Kate was in a quandary”
“a legal quandary”
provide or serve as clear evidence of.
attest
“his status is attested by his becoming an alderman”
relating to signs and symbols.
relating to semiotics.
adjective: semeiotical
semiotic
“the gestures, images, and objects notated in his scripts share a semiotic importance equal to the spoken text”
“a semiotic approach to popular music can reveal aspects of its structure that may be overlooked by more traditional methodologies”
a great difference.
synonyms: discrepancy, inconsistency, imbalance, inequality, incongruity, unevenness, disproportion;
disparity
“economic disparities between different regions of the country”
adjective
1.
subject to debate, dispute, or uncertainty.
synonyms: debatable, open to debate, open to discussion, arguable, questionable, at issue, open to question, open, doubtful, open to doubt, disputable, contestable, controvertible, problematic, problematical, controversial, contentious, vexed, disputed, unresolved, unsettled, up in the air, undecided, yet to be decided, undetermined, unconcluded
2.
having little or no practical relevance, typically because the subject is too uncertain to allow a decision.
“the whole matter is becoming increasingly moot”
verb
1.
raise (a question or topic) for discussion; suggest (an idea or possibility).
synonyms: raise, bring up, broach, mention, put forward, introduce, advance, present, propose, suggest, submit, propound, air, ventilate
moot
“whether the temperature rise was mainly due to the greenhouse effect was a moot point”
“whether the temperature rise is due to the greenhouse effect is a moot point”
“the scheme was first mooted last October”
“the idea was first mooted in the 1930s”
not having any serious purpose or value.
synonyms: flippant, glib, waggish, joking, jokey, light-hearted, facetious, fatuous, inane, shallow, superficial, senseless, thoughtless, ill-considered, non-serious; More
(of a person) carefree and superficial.
“the frivolous, fun-loving flappers of the twenties”
synonyms: giddy, silly, foolish, facetious, zany, light-hearted, merry, superficial, shallow, lacking seriousness, non-serious, light-minded, whimsical, skittish, flighty, irresponsible, thoughtless, lacking in sense, feather-brained, empty-headed, pea-brained, birdbrained, vacuous, vapid
frivolous
“frivolous ribbons and lacy frills”
1.
an unfounded rumour or story.
2.
a small winglike projection attached to an aircraft forward of the main wing to provide extra stability or control, sometimes replacing the tail.
canard
“the old canard that LA is a cultural wasteland”
make (a doubt, feeling, or belief) disappear.
synonyms: banish, eliminate, dismiss, chase away, drive away, drive off, get rid of, dissipate, disperse, scatter, disseminate
dispel
“the brightness of the day did nothing to dispel Elaine’s dejection”
begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.
synonyms: grow rapidly, increase rapidly/exponentially, expand, spring up, shoot up, swell, explode, boom, mushroom, proliferate, snowball, multiply, become more numerous, escalate, rocket, skyrocket, run riot, put on a spurt
burgeon (like burden)
“manufacturers are keen to cash in on the burgeoning demand”
diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength.
synonyms: diminish, decrease, reduce, get smaller, become smaller, grow smaller, become less, grow less, lessen, wane, contract, shrink, fall off, taper off, tail off, drop, fall, go down, sink, slump, plummet
dwindle
“traffic has dwindled to a trickle”
having or showing great knowledge or learning.
synonyms: learned, scholarly, well educated, knowledgeable, well read, widely read, well versed, well informed, lettered, cultured, cultivated, civilized, intellectual
erudite
“Ken could turn any conversation into an erudite discussion”
repeat aloud or declaim (a poem or passage) from memory before an audience.
synonyms: repeat from memory, say aloud, read aloud, declaim, quote, speak, deliver, render; More say aloud (a series of names, facts, etc.).
synonyms: enumerate, list, detail, itemize, reel off, rattle off
recite
“he recited passages of Dante”
“she recited the dates and names of kings and queens”
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
synonyms: parable, analogy, metaphor, symbol, emblem; More
a symbol.
allegory
“Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory of the spiritual journey”
adjective
1.
of a brownish-red colour.
noun
1.
a brownish-red colour.
2.
BRITISH
a firework that makes a loud bang, used as a signal or warning.
maroon
“ornate maroon and gold wallpaper”
“the hat is available in either white or maroon”
1.
pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.
synonyms: unhappy, sad, miserable, sorrowful, dejected, despondent, disconsolate, wretched, abject, morose, regretful, broken-hearted, heartbroken, down, downcast, dispirited, downhearted, heavy-hearted, crestfallen, depressed, melancholy, blue, gloomy, glum, mournful, despairing, doleful, woebegone, woeful, tearful, long-faced, joyless, cheerless, out of sorts; More
2.
(of an aim or endeavour) unlikely to succeed or be fulfilled.
synonyms: hopeless, with no chance of success, beyond hope
forlorn
“forlorn figures at bus stops”
“a forlorn attempt to escape”
1.
showing a lack of proper concern; offhand.
synonyms: offhand, indifferent, casual, dismissive, insouciant, uninterested, unconcerned
“Anne was irritated by his cavalier attitude”
a person or thing causing inconvenience or annoyance.
synonyms: source of annoyance/irritation, annoyance, inconvenience, bore, bother, irritant, problem, difficulty, trouble, trial, burden
nuisance
“it’s a nuisance having all those people clomping through the house”
verb
beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something.
synonyms: plead with, beg, entreat, beseech, appeal to, pray, ask, request, solicit, supplicate, importune, call on
implore
a substance such as salt, mustard, or pickle that is used to add flavour to food.
condiment
noun
1.
(in the Christian Church) a religious ceremony or ritual regarded as imparting divine grace, such as baptism, the Eucharist and (in the Roman Catholic and many Orthodox Churches) penance and the anointing of the sick.
2.
(in Roman Catholic use) the consecrated elements of the Eucharist, especially the bread or Host.
sacrament
“he heard Mass and received the sacrament”
synonyms: infuriate, incense, anger, annoy, irritate, madden, enrage, send into a rage, inflame, antagonize, provoke, irk, vex, gall, pique, try someone’s patience, get on someone’s nerves, make someone’s blood boil, make someone’s hackles rise, make someone see red, get someone’s back up, rub up the wrong way, ruffle someone’s feathers, drive to distraction; More
antonyms: please, delight, pleasing, delightful
exasperate
“this futile process exasperates prison officers”
noun
1.
either of a pair of upright poles with supports for the feet enabling the user to walk at a distance above the ground.
2.
a long-billed wading bird with predominantly black and white plumage and very long slender reddish legs.
stilt
until now or until the point in time under discussion.
synonyms: previously, formerly, earlier, so far, thus far, before, beforehand, to date, as ye
hitherto (heather-two)
“hitherto part of French West Africa, Benin achieved independence in 1960”
extend the application of (a method or conclusion) to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue or similar methods will be applicable.
estimate or conclude (something) by extrapolating.
“the figures were extrapolated from past trends”
extrapolate
“the results cannot be extrapolated to other patient groups”
showing a skilful use of underhand tactics to achieve goals.
synonyms: underhand, underhanded, deceitful, dishonest, dishonourable, disreputable, unethical, unprincipled, immoral, unscrupulous, fraudulent, cheating, dubious, dirty, unfair, treacherous, duplicitous, double-dealing, Janus-faced, below the belt, two-timing, two-faced, unsporting, unsportsmanlike; More
2.
(of a route or journey) longer and less direct than the most straightforward way.
synonyms: circuitous, roundabout, indirect, meandering, winding, serpentine, tortuous, rambling; rareanfractuous
devious
“he’s as devious as a politician needs to be”
“they arrived at the town by a devious route”
“the A832 is a devious route around the coastal fringes”
adjective
1.
(especially of wrongdoing) very obvious and unacceptable.
synonyms: flagrant, blatant, glaring, obvious, overt, evident, conspicuous; More
2.
(of income, profit, or interest) without deduction of tax or other contributions; total.
synonyms: total, whole, entire, complete, full, overall, comprehensive, aggregate; More
adverb
1.
without tax or other contributions having been deducted.
verb
1.
produce or earn (an amount of money) as gross profit or income.
synonyms: earn, make, bring in, take, get, receive, fetch, draw, collect; More
noun
2.
a gross profit or income.
gross
“gross human rights abuses”
“the gross amount of the gift was £1,000”
“if the value of your Bond is £50,000 or more the interest will be paid gross”
“the film went on to gross $8 million”
“the box office grosses mounted”
reject with disdain or contempt.
synonyms: refuse, decline, say no to, reject, rebuff, scorn, turn down, turn away, repudiate, treat with contempt, disdain, look down one’s nose at, despise
spurn
“he spoke gruffly, as if afraid that his invitation would be spurned”
1.
move in a quivering way; flicker.
synonyms: flicker, quiver, tremble, twinkle, glimmer, wink, blink
2.
become weaker; falter.
synonyms: become unsteady, falter, wobble, tremble, hesitate
be undecided between two opinions or courses of action.
synonyms: be undecided, be irresolute, be indecisive, hesitate, dither, equivocate, vacillate, fluctuate, see-saw, yo-yo;
waver
“the flame wavered in the draught”
“the candlelight in the room wavered in a warm draught”
“his voice wavered with a hint of uncertainty”
“she never wavered from her intention”
“his love for her had never wavered”
.
a severe flood.
synonyms: flood, flash flood, torrent; spate
verb
1.
overwhelm with a flood.
synonyms: flood, inundate, engulf, submerge, swamp, drown
deluge (de lee uge)
“this may be the worst deluge in living memory”
“many homes were swept away by the deluge”
“caravans were deluged by the heavy rains”
“caravans were deluged by the heavy rains”
verb
1.
walk doggedly and slowly with heavy steps.
synonyms: trudge, walk heavily, clump, stomp, stump, tramp, drag oneself, lumber, slog; More
noun
1.
a slow, heavy walk.
plod
“we plodded back up the hill”
“he settled down to a steady plod”
concern and distress caused by something unexpected.
synonyms: alarm, shock, surprise, consternation, concern, perturbation, disquiet, disquietude, discomposure, distress, upset, anxiety, trepidation, fear
verb
1.
cause (someone) to feel concern and distress.
synonyms: appal, horrify, shock, shake, shake up
dismay
“to his dismay, she left him”
“they were dismayed by the U-turn in policy”
“they greeted his decision with great dismay”
inflicting or intended as punishment.
synonyms: penal, disciplinary, corrective, correctional, retributive; More
(of a tax or other charge) extremely high.
synonyms: harsh, severe, stiff, austere, cruel, savage, stringent, burdensome, demanding, draconian, drastic, swingeing, crushing, crippling
punitive
“he called for punitive measures against the Eastern bloc”
“a current punitive interest rate of 31.3 per cent”
relating to, affecting, or involving the whole world; worldwide.
mondial
1.
jump or dive quickly and energetically.
synonyms: jump, dive, hurl oneself, throw oneself, fling oneself, launch oneself, catapult oneself, cast oneself, pitch oneself
2.
push or thrust quickly.
synonyms: thrust, stick, ram, drive, jab, stab, push, shove, force, sink
noun 1. an act of jumping or diving into water. "fanatics went straight from the hot room to take a cold plunge" synonyms: jump, dive
plunge
“our little daughters whooped as they plunged into the sea”
“Joy stripped her clothes off and plunged into the sea”
“he plunged his hands into his pockets”
“he plunged the dagger into the man’s back”
1.
digressing from subject to subject.
synonyms: rambling, digressive, meandering, wandering, maundering, diffuse, long, lengthy; More
2.
relating to discourse or modes of discourse.
discursive
“students often write dull, second-hand, discursive prose”
“the attempt to transform utterances from one discursive context to another”
noun
1.
a factual written account of important or historical events in the order of their occurrence.
synonyms: record, written account, history, annals, archive(s), register; More
verb
1.
record (a series of events) in a factual and detailed way.
synonyms: record, put on record, write down, set down, document, register, report, enter
chronicle
“a vast chronicle of Spanish history”
“his work chronicles 20th-century migration”
assign an inferior rank or position to.
synonyms: downgrade, lower, lower in rank/status, put down, move down
relegate
“they aim to prevent women from being relegated to a secondary role”
1.
a doctrine which identifies God with the universe, or regards the universe as a manifestation of God.
2.
the worship or tolerance of many gods.
pantheism
1.
characteristic of the Devil, or so evil as to be suggestive of the Devil.
synonyms: devilish, fiendish, satanic, Mephistophelian, demonic, demoniacal, hellish, infernal, evil, wicked, ungodly, unholy; rarecacodemonic
2.
INFORMAL•BRITISH
disgracefully bad or unpleasant.
synonyms: very bad, poor, dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, disgraceful, shameful, lamentable, deplorable, appalling, atrocious
diabolical
“his diabolical cunning”
“his diabolical skill”
“a singer with an absolutely diabolical voice”
adjective
1.
of a rich deep red colour inclining to purple.
noun
1.
a rich deep red colour inclining to purple.
verb
1.
(of a person’s face) become flushed, especially through embarrassment.
crimson
“she blushed crimson with embarrassment”
“a pair of corduroy trousers in livid crimson, they were horrid to behold”
“my face crimsoned and my hands began to shake”
an organism or inorganic object or material which takes various forms.
polymorph
noun
1.
a thing that existed before or logically precedes another.
synonyms: precursor, forerunner, predecessor
2.
a person’s ancestors or family and social background.
synonyms: ancestor, forefather, forebear, predecessor, progenitor
adjective
1.
preceding in time or order; previous or pre-existing.
synonyms: previous, earlier, prior, foregoing, preceding, precursory
antecedent (antee-ceedent)
“some antecedents to the African novel might exist in Africa’s oral traditions”
“music composed for vihuela (the guitar’s lute-like antecedent)”
“her early life and antecedents have been traced”
“antecedent events”
mad; insane.
deranged
“a deranged gunman”
original or primitive.
first or earliest.
proto
“prototherian”
“protomartyr”
a distinguishing badge or emblem of military rank, office, or membership of an organization.
synonyms: badge, crest, emblem, symbol, sign, device, mark, seal, colours; More
a sign or token of something.
insignia
“a khaki uniform with colonel’s insignia on the collar”
“the ruins are devoid of moss and ivy, the romantic insignia of age and decay”
1.
make (someone) unable to breathe properly; suffocate.
synonyms: suffocate, choke, asphyxiate; More
2.
restrain (a reaction) or stop oneself acting on (an emotion).
synonyms: suppress, smother, restrain, keep back, hold back, hold in, fight back, choke back, gulp back, withhold, check, keep in check, swallow, muffle, quench, curb, silence, contain, bottle up
stifle
“those in the streets were stifled by the fumes”
“she stifled a giggle”
noun
1.
a thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material.
2.
DENTISTRY
a crown in which the restoration is placed over the prepared surface of a natural crown.
verb
1.
cover (something) with a decorative layer of fine wood.
veneer
“a fine-grained veneer”
“factories employed cabinetmakers to veneer looking glasses”
appear as a vague form, especially one that is large or threatening.
synonyms: emerge, appear, become visible, come into view, take shape, materialize, reveal itself, appear indistinctly, come to light, take on a threatening shape
(of an event regarded as threatening) seem about to happen.
synonyms: be imminent, be on the horizon, impend, be impending, be close, be ominously close, threaten, be threatening, menace, brew, be just around the corner
loom
“vehicles loomed out of the darkness”
“ghostly shapes loomed out of the fog”
“there is a crisis looming”
“without reforms, disaster looms”
verb
1.
express to (someone) one’s disapproval of or disappointment in their actions.
noun
1.
the expression of disapproval or disappointment.
synonyms: rebuke, reproof, reproval, admonishment, admonition, scolding, reprimand, remonstration, lecture, upbraiding, castigation, lambasting, criticism, censure, disapproval, disapprobation
reproach
“her friends reproached her for not thinking enough about her family”
“he gave her a look of reproach”
adjective
1.
expressing contempt or disapproval.
synonyms: disparaging, derogatory, denigratory, deprecatory, defamatory, slanderous, libellous, abusive, insulting, slighting, vituperative, disapproving, contemptuous; More
noun
1.
a word expressing contempt or disapproval.
pejorative
“permissiveness is used almost universally as a pejorative term”
“most of what he said was inflammatory and filled with pejoratives”
a very steep rock face or cliff, especially a tall one.
synonyms: cliff face, steep cliff, rock face, sheer drop, cliff, crag, bluff, height, escarpment, scarp, escarp, scar
precipice
“we swerved toward the edge of the precipice”
a harsh discordant mixture of sounds.
synonyms: din, racket, noise, discord, dissonance, discordance, caterwauling, raucousness, screeching, jarring, stridency, grating, rasping
cacophony
“a cacophony of deafening alarm bells”
“despite the cacophony, Rita slept on”
a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation.
interlocutor
noun
1.
a plant disease, typically one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts.
synonyms: disease, canker, infestation, fungus, mildew, mould, rot, decay
2.
a thing that spoils or damages something.
synonyms: affliction, scourge, bane, curse, plague, menace, evil, misfortune, woe, calamity, trouble, ordeal, thorn in one’s flesh/side, trial, tribulation, visitation, nuisance, pest, pollution, contamination, cancer, canker
verb
1.
have a severely detrimental effect on.
synonyms: ruin, wreck, spoil, disrupt, undo, mar, play havoc with, make a mess of, put an end to, end, bring to an end, put a stop to, prevent, frustrate, crush, quell, quash, dash, destroy, scotch, shatter, devastate, demolish, sabotage; More
2.
infect (plants) with blight.
synonyms: infect, wither, shrivel, blast, mildew, nip in the bud, kill, destroy
“a peach tree blighted by leaf curl”
blight
“the vines suffered blight and disease”
“the vacant properties are a blight on the neighbourhood”
“potato blight”
“the government are protecting people from the blight of aircraft noise”
“the scandal blighted the careers of several leading politicians”
“a peach tree blighted by leaf curl”
conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies.
synonyms: banter, badinage, witty conversation, bantering, raillery, witticism, crosstalk, wordplay, patter;
repartee
“he had a quick mind and a splendid gift of repartee”
perfectly clean, neat, or tidy.
synonyms: clean, spotless, pristine, unsoiled, unstained, unsullied, speckless, ultra-clean
immaculate
(of a person or animal) move about restlessly and stealthily, especially in search of prey.
synonyms: move stealthily, slink, skulk, steal, nose, pussyfoot, sneak, sidle, stalk, creep
prowl
“lions prowling in the bush”
“I met her once on one of my off-duty bookshop prowls”
the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist.
the quality of being self-centred or selfish.
solipsism
behave uncontrollably and disruptively.
synonyms: go berserk, get out of control, rampage, run riot, riot, rush wildly/madly about, go on the rampage
amok
“stone-throwing anarchists were running amok”
a natural object or animal that is believed by a particular society to have spiritual significance and that is adopted by it as an emblem.
a person or thing regarded as being symbolic or representative of a particular quality or concept.
totem
“the fast food chains have become totems of Western economic development”
a trace of a bad or undesirable substance or quality.
synonyms: trace, touch, suggestion, hint, tinge, tincture; More
something with a contaminating influence or effect.
verb: taint; 3rd person present: taints; past tense: tainted; past participle: tainted; gerund or present participle: tainting
contaminate or pollute (something).
synonyms: contaminate, pollute, adulterate, infect, blight, befoul, spoil, soil, ruin, destroy
antonyms: clean
affect with a bad or undesirable quality.
synonyms:tarnish, sully, blacken, stain, besmirch, smear, blot, blemish, stigmatize, mar, corrupt, defile, soil, muddy, foul, dirty, damage, injure, harm, hurt, debase, infect, poison, vitiate
taint
“the lingering taint of creosote”
“the taint that threatens to stain most of the company’s other partners”
“the air was tainted by fumes from the cars”
“his administration was tainted by scandal”
“fraudulent firms need to be weeded out, lest they taint the reputation of all firms”
“the world’s last great wilderness is being tainted by pollution”
(of an animal, especially a pig) make a low, short guttural sound.
(of a person) make a low inarticulate sound, typically to express effort or indicate assent.
grunt
“an enormous pig grunted and shuffled in a sty outside”
“the men cursed and grunted as they lassoed the steer”
noun
1.
a hole or tunnel dug by a small animal, especially a rabbit, as a dwelling.
synonyms: warren, tunnel, hole, lair, set, den, earth, retreat, excavation, cave, dugout, hollow, scrape
verb
1.
(of an animal) make a hole or tunnel, typically for use as a dwelling.
synonyms: tunnel, dig (out), excavate, grub, mine, bore, drill, channel
burrow
“the rabbits’ burrow”
“moles burrowing away underground”
marked by or given to using irony in order to mock or convey contempt.
synonyms: sardonic, ironic, ironical, satirical; derisive, scornful, contemptuous, mocking, ridiculing, sneering, jeering, scoffing
sarcastic
“making sarcastic comments”
a large snake.
a biblical name for Satan (see Gen. 3, Rev. 20).
noun: Serpent; noun: the Serpent
a dragon or other mythical snake-like reptile.
2.
a sly or treacherous person, especially one who exploits a position of trust in order to betray it.
serpent
“fire-breathing, flying serpents”
1.
a sudden strong rush of wind.
synonyms: flurry, blast, puff, blow, rush, squall
a sudden burst of something such as rain, sound, or emotion.
synonyms: outburst, burst, outbreak, gale, effusion, eruption, explosion, storm, surge, peal, howl, hoot, shriek, roar; More
verb
1.
(of the wind) blow in gusts.
synonyms: bluster, flurry, blow, blast, roar
gust
“a sudden gust of wind”
“the wind was gusting through the branches of the tree”
“the wind gusted around chimneys”
“gusts of rain and snow flurried through the open door”
1.
walk with long, decisive steps in a specified direction.
synonyms: march, stalk, pace, tread, step, walk
walk about or along (a street or other place) with long, decisive steps.
2.
cross (an obstacle) with one long step.
a long, decisive step.
synonyms: step, long step, large step, pace, footstep
stride
“he strode across the road”
“she came striding down the garden path”
“a woman striding the cobbled streets”
“he crossed the room in a couple of strides”
“the speaker was getting into his stride”
unpleasantly bitter or pungent.
synonyms: pungent, bitter, sharp, sour, tart, harsh, acid, acidic, acidulated, vinegary, acerbic, acetic, acetous
acrid (like act)
acrid tang
“acrid smoke”
not clear or sharply defined.
synonyms: blurred, out of focus, fuzzy, hazy, misty, foggy, cloudy, shadowy, smoky, dim, nebulous; More
antonyms: distinct, clear, legible, loud
indistinct
“his speech was slurred and indistinct”
an enemy or opponent.
synonyms: enemy, adversary, opponent, rival, nemesis, antagonist, combatant, challenger, competitor, opposer, hostile party
foe
“his work was praised by friends and foes alike”
a group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem; a verse.
a group of four lines in some Greek and Latin metres.
stanza
is a French expression, traditionally referring to a child who is terrifyingly candid by saying embarrassing things to parents or others. However, the expression has drawn multiple usage in careers of art, fashion, music, and other creative arts
Enfant terrible
a large rodent with defensive spines or quills on the body and tail.
porcupine
archaic : a person sent ahead to provide lodgings
2a : one that initiates a major change : a person or thing that originates or helps open up a new activity, method, or technology : PIONEER
b : something that foreshadows a future event : something that gives an anticipatory sign of what is to come
harbinger (ger like german)
-the great legal harbinger of the New Deal revolution
-a harbinger of nanotechnology
the harbingers of peace to a hitherto distracted … people
-robins, crocuses, and other harbingers of spring
changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties or affections.
synonyms: capricious, changeable, variable, volatile, mercurial, vacillating, fitful, irregular
fickle
“celebs trying to appeal to an increasingly fickle public”
an effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling.
2.
(in ancient Greece) an epic poem, or part of a poem, of a suitable length for recitation at one time.
rhapsody
“rhapsodies of praise”
a green or brown film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period.
a gloss or sheen on a surface resulting from age or polishing.
the impression or appearance of something.
patina
“the dining table will acquire a warm patina with age”
“he carries the patina of old money and good breeding”
uncontrolled; unconstrained.
synonyms: unrestrained, unconstrained, uncontrolled, uninhibited, unrestricted, unchecked, uncurbed, rampant, runaway, irrepressible, unstoppable, uncontainable, unquenchable
unbridled
“a moment of unbridled ambition”
1.
a bright green precious stone consisting of a chromium-rich variety of beryl.
2.
a bright green colour.
emerald
“an emerald necklace”
“the sea glistened in shades of emerald and jade”
(of a person) tremble convulsively, typically as a result of fear or revulsion.
synonyms: shake, shiver, tremble, quiver, quaver, vibrate, palpitate, flutter, quake, heave, convulse
shudder
“she still shuddered at the thought of him”
“she still shuddered at the thought of him”
damage the purity or appearance of; mar or spoil.
synonyms: spoil, sully, mar, impair, debase, degrade;
desecrate or profane (something sacred).
synonyms: desecrate, profane, violate, treat sacrilegiously
defile
“the land was defiled by a previous owner”
“the tomb had been defiled and looted”
showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously.
synonyms: disrespectful, disdainful, scornful, contemptuous, derisive, disparaging
irreverent
“she is irreverent about the whole business of politics”
1.
an inscription on a building, statue, or coin.
2.
a short quotation or saying at the beginning of a book or chapter, intended to suggest its theme
epigraph
1.
sovereignty or control.
synonyms: supremacy, ascendancy, dominance, domination, superiority, predominance, pre-eminence, primacy, hegemony, authority, mastery, control, command, direction, power, sway, rule, government, jurisdiction, sovereignty, suzerainty, lordship, overlordship; More
2.
the territory of a sovereign or government.
synonyms: dependency, colony, protectorate, territory, province, outpost, satellite
dominion
“man’s attempt to establish dominion over nature”
“the Angevin dominions”
giving the worrying impression that something bad is going to happen; threateningly inauspicious.
synonyms: threatening, menacing, baleful, forbidding, sinister, doomy, inauspicious, unpropitious, portentous, unfavourable, dire, unpromising
ominous
“there were ominous dark clouds gathering overhead”
goodbye until we meet again.
“here’s hoping it is au revoir and not goodbye”
a large cage, building, or enclosure for keeping birds in.
aviary
a notice of a death, especially in a newspaper, typically including a brief biography of the deceased person.
synonyms: death notice,
obituary
“his obituary of Samuel Beckett”
a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, especially a tribute to someone who has just died.
synonyms: accolade, speech of praise, panegyric, paean, encomium, tribute, testimonial, compliment, commendation
eulogy
“a eulogy to the Queen Mother”
noun
1.
great enthusiasm and energy.
synonyms: enthusiasm, gusto, relish, appetite, eagerness, keenness, avidity, zeal, fervour, ardour, passion, love, enjoyment, joy, delight, excitement; More
2.
the outer coloured part of the peel of citrus fruit, used as flavouring.
synonyms: rind, peel, skin, covering, outer layer; More
verb
1.
scrape off the outer coloured part of the peel of (a piece of citrus fruit) for use as flavouring.
zest
“they campaigned with zest and intelligence”
“add 3 tablespoons of lemon zest”
“zest the orange and lemon, taking care to discard all of the white pith”
verb 1. push or shake (someone or something) abruptly and roughly. synonyms: push, thrust; More noun 1. an abrupt rough or violent movement. synonyms: bump, bounce, shake, jerk, lurch, vibratio
jolt
“a surge in the crowd behind him jolted him forwards”
“he felt a jolt when the plane started to climb”
adjective
1.
sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious.
synonyms: sumptuous, luxurious, luxuriant, lush, gorgeous, costly, opulent, grand, elaborate, splendid, rich, regal, ornate, expensive; More
verb
1.
bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities on.
synonyms: give freely, spend, expend, heap, shower, pour, deluge, give generously, give unstintingly, bestow freely; informal blow
lavish
“a lavish banquet”
“the media couldn’t lavish enough praise on the film”
“she has always lavished money on her children”
make (a person or area) poor.
synonyms: make poor, make penniless, reduce to penury, reduce to destitution, bring to ruin, bring someone to their knees, bankrupt, ruin, make insolvent; More
antonyms: make wealthy, rich, wealthy
exhaust the strength or vitality of.
synonyms: weaken, sap, exhaust, drain, empty, diminish, deplete, enervate, suck dry; More
antonyms: strengthen, enrich, rich, fertile
impoverish
“the wars had impoverished him”
“the soil was impoverished by annual burning”
an unorthodox or independent-minded person.
synonyms: individualist, nonconformist, free spirit, unorthodox person, unconventional person, original, trendsetter, bohemian, eccentric, outsider; More
antonyms: conformist
maverick
“he’s the maverick of the senate”
a section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as a comment on or a conclusion to what has happened.
synonyms: afterword, postscript, PS, coda, codicil, appendix, tailpiece, supplement, addendum, postlude, rider, back matter; More
a final or concluding act or event.
epilogue
“the meaning of the book’s title is revealed in the epilogue”
“a disastrous epilogue to the rest of his career”
noun
1.
a comb or tuft of feathers, fur, or skin on the head of a bird or other animal.
synonyms: comb, plume, tuft, topknot, mane; More
2.
the top of a mountain or hill.
synonyms: summit, peak, highest point, top, mountaintop, tip, pinnacle, brow, crown, head, cap, brink, apex, vertex, apogee, zenith; More
verb
1.
reach the top of (a hill or wave).
2.
(of a wave) form a curling foamy top.
crest
“a large game bird with a conspicuous erect red crest”
“she reached the crest of the hill”
“she crested a hill and saw the valley spread out before her”
“the swell begins to curl and crest”
of or denoting circles, arcs, or other shapes which share the same centre, the larger often completely surrounding the smaller.
concentric
“concentric circles indicate distances of 1 km, 2 km, and 3 km from the centre”
a stately or impressive building housing a tomb or group of tombs.
synonyms: tomb, sepulchre, crypt, vault, charnel house, burial chamber, catacomb, undercroft
mausoleum
“the cathedral was built in 1517 as a royal mausoleum”
1.
cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by not according with their expectations.
synonyms: amaze, astonish, dumbfound, stagger, surprise, startle, stun, stupefy, daze, nonplus; More
2.
mix up (something) with something else.
confound
“the inflation figure confounded economic analysts”
“he was forever confounding managerialism with idealism”
the force or energy with which a body moves.
synonyms: momentum, propulsion, impulsion, impelling force, motive force, driving force, drive, thrust, continuing motion; More
something that makes a process or activity happen or happen more quickly.
plural noun: impetuses
synonyms: motivation, stimulus, incitement, incentive, inducement, inspiration, encouragement, boost
impetus
“hit the booster coil before the flywheel loses all its impetus”
“the ending of the Cold War gave new impetus to idealism”
[…] is a term used in cultural criticism to critique the view that works of creative art, literature or music can be interpreted as reflections of the life of their authors.
The biographical fallacy
a feeling or state of extreme happiness.
synonyms: elation, exultation, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, rapture, ecstasy, bliss, happiness, delight, gladness, glee, exuberance, exhilaration, excitement; transports
antonyms: sadness
2.
the action of elevating someone in rank or power.
synonyms: elevation, raising, rise, promotion, advancement, upgrading, ennoblement, aggrandizement
antonyms: lowering
3.
the action of praising someone or something highly.
synonyms: praise, praising, extolment, acclamation, glory, glorification, glorifying, reverence, revering, veneration, venerating, worship, worshipping, hero-worship, hero-worshipping, adoration, idolization, idolizing, lionization, lionizing, deification, deifying; More
antonyms: disparagement
exaltation
“she was in a frenzy of exaltation and terror”
“the exaltation of Jesus to the Father’s right hand”
“her heart was full of exaltation”
“the exaltation of the army as a place for brotherhood”
(of an outcome or course of action) decided or determined beforehand; predestined.
preordained
“a divinely preordained plan of creation”
feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.
synonyms: feel remorse for, regret, be sorry for, rue, reproach oneself for, be ashamed of, feel contrite about, wish that one had not done something; More
view or think of (an action or omission) with deep regret or remorse.
repent
“the Padre urged his listeners to repent”
“Marian came to repent her hasty judgement”
(especially of a smell) spread through and be perceived in every part of.
synonyms: spread through, permeate, fill, suffuse, be diffused through, diffuse through, imbue, penetrate, pass through, filter through, percolate through, infuse, perfuse, extend throughout, be disseminated through, flow through, run through; More
be present and apparent throughout.
pervade
“a smell of stale cabbage pervaded the air”
“the sense of crisis which pervaded Europe in the 1930s”
contemplate or conceive of as a possibility or a desirable future event.
synonyms: foresee, predict, forecast, foretell, anticipate, expect, think likely, envision; More
form a mental picture of (something not yet existing or known).
envisage
“the Rome Treaty envisaged free movement across frontiers”
“he knew what he liked but had difficulty envisaging it”
encourage the development of (something, especially something desirable).
synonyms: encourage, promote, further, stimulate, advance, forward, cultivate, nurture, strengthen, enrich, help, aid, abet, assist, contribute to, support, endorse, champion, speak for, proselytize, sponsor, espouse, uphold, back, boost, give backing to, facilitate More
2.
bring up (a child that is not one’s own by birth).
synonyms: bring up, rear, raise, care for, take care of, look after, nurture
foster
“the teacher’s task is to foster learning”
“a person who would foster Holly was found”
disappear like vapor
After you lose a loved one, often you’re gripped with a fear of […], or the rapid fading from sight or memory of that person. It comes from the Latin […]meaning “disappear, vanish.” Something that possesses qualities of disappearing or vanishing.
evanescence
the evanescence of a rainbow detracts not a whit from its beauty
warm and friendly.
synonyms: friendly, warm, genial, affable, amiable, pleasant, fond, affectionate, warm-hearted, good-natured, gracious, hospitable, welcoming; More
2.
strongly felt.
synonyms: intense, strong, acute, violent, fierce, keen, fervent, fervid, ardent, passionate
cordial
“the atmosphere was cordial and relaxed”
“I earned his cordial loathing”
open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.
(of a person) using ambiguous or evasive language.
synonyms: ambiguous, indefinite, non-committal, vague, indeterminate, imprecise, inexact, indistinct, inexplicit, blurry, hazy, foggy, nebulous, borderline; More
uncertain or questionable in nature.
equivocal (equi-vecal)
“the equivocal nature of her remarks”
“he has always been equivocal about the meaning of his lyrics”
“the results of the investigation were equivocal”
noun
1.
comfort or consolation in a time of great distress or sadness.
synonyms: comfort, consolation, cheer, support, relief
solace
“she sought solace in her religion”
“they tried to find solace in pictures of their little girl as they wanted to remember her”
“the soundlessness of nature impressed and solaced her”
“Miss Wharton was driven home to be solaced with tea and sympathy”
characterized by unsystematic partial measures taken over a period of time.
synonyms: a little at a time, piece by piece, bit by bit, gradually, slowly, in stages, in steps, step by step, little by little, by degrees, in/by fits and starts, in bits
piecemeal
“the village is slowly being killed off by piecemeal development”
1.
a sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of muscles and associated especially with brain disorders such as epilepsy, the presence of certain toxins or other agents in the blood, or fever in children.
synonyms: fit, seizure, paroxysm, spasm, attack, muscular contractions; More
2.
a violent social or political upheaval.
synonyms: upheaval, eruption, turmoil, turbulence, disruption, agitation, disturbance, unrest, disorder, furore, upset, tumult, chaos
convulsion
“toxic side effects like convulsions”
“the convulsions of 1939–45”
noun
1.
a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.
synonyms: dissenter, heretic, nonconformist; More
adjective
1.
abandoning a religious or political belief or principle.
apostate
“after fifty years as an apostate he returned to the faith”
“an apostate Roman Catholic”
verb
1.
stare in an angry or fierce way.
synonyms: stare angrily, scowl, glower, look daggers, frown, lour, give someone a black look, look threateningly/menacingly; More
2.
(of the sun or an electric light) shine with a strong or dazzling light.
synonyms: blaze, be dazzling, be blinding, shine brightly, flare, flame, beam
2.
strong and dazzling light.
synonyms: strong light, dazzling light, blaze, dazzle, shine, beam, flare
glare
“she glared at him, her cheeks flushing”
“the sun glared out of a clear blue sky”
“Murray narrowed his eyes against the glare of the sun”
1.
smell strongly and unpleasantly; stink.
synonyms: stink, smell, smell bad/disgusting, give off a bad smell, stink/smell to high heaven
1.
a foul smell.
synonyms: stink, bad smell, foul smell, stench, taint, effluvium; More
2.
reek
“the yard reeked of wet straw and horse manure”
“the reek of cattle dung”
“the whole place reeked of cheap perfume”
walk with effort through water or another liquid or viscous substance.
synonyms: paddle, wallow, dabble, slop, squelch, trudge, plod; More
wade
“he waded out to the boat”
(of a person or their manner) serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline.
synonyms: serious, unsmiling, frowning, poker-faced, severe, forbidding, grim, unfriendly, sombre, grave, sober, austere, dour, stony, flinty, steely, unrelenting, unyielding, unforgiving, unbending, unsympathetic, disapproving; More
(of an act or statement) strict and severe.
synonyms: strict, severe, stringent, harsh, drastic, hard, tough, fierce, extreme, rigorous, rigid, exacting, demanding, uncompromising, unsparing, inflexible, authoritarian, draconian; More
(of competition or opposition) putting someone or something under extreme pressure.
stern
“a smile transformed his stern face”
“stern measures to restrict vehicle growth”
“the past year has been a stern test of the ability of British industry”
arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later.
synonyms: interim, temporary, pro tem; More
provisional
“a provisional government”
criticize (someone or something) harshly.
synonyms: criticize, castigate, chastise, censure, condemn, take to task, harangue, attack, rail at, rant at, revile, fulminate against, haul/call over the coals;
lambast
“they lambasted the report as a gross distortion of the truth”
make (an action or process) happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly.
synonyms: speed up, accelerate, hurry, hasten, step up, quicken, precipitate, rush; More
expedite
“he promised to expedite economic reforms”
extremely bad; appalling.
synonyms: very bad, dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, atrocious, disgraceful, deplorable, shameful, woeful, hopeless, lamentable, laughable, substandard, poor, inadequate, inferior, unsatisfactory; More
antonyms: superb
abysmal
“the quality of her work is abysmal”
calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation.
synonyms: impassive, phlegmatic, unemotional, calm, placid, unexcitable; More
stolid
1.
a person who is new to a subject or activity.
Similar: beginner learner novice newcomer new member new entrant new recruit raw recruit new boy/girl initiate tyro fledgling trainee apprentice probationer rookie new kid newbie newie
2.
a new convert to a religion.
neophyte
“four-day cooking classes are offered to neophytes and experts”
INFORMAL
a name.
moniker
“his real moniker is Dave Kennedy”
a tiny piece of a substance; a speck.
Similar: speck particle grain spot fleck atom
mote
“the tiniest mote of dust”
a collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject, especially in a book or other publication.
Similar: collection compilation anthology treasury digest summary synopsis precis résumé outline summarization round-up summing-up companion handbook manual vade mecum conspectus summa epitome a collection or set of similar items. "a compendium of tools" a package of stationery for writing letters.
compendium
“an invaluable compendium of useful information about language”
rude in a mean-spirited and surly way.
curlish
“it seems churlish to complain”
sit or stand with one leg on either side of.
Similar: mount get on noun 1. an act of sitting or standing with one's legs wide apart.
straddle
“he turned the chair round and straddled it”
noun
1.
the highest point in the development of something; a climax or culmination.
2.
ASTRONOMY
the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is furthest from the earth.
apogee
“a film which was the apogee of German expressionist cinema”
a detailed written study of a single specialized subject or an aspect of it.
monograph
“they are publishing a series of monographs on music in late medieval and Renaissance cities”
1.
the action of formally ending or dismissing an assembly, partnership, or official body.
Similar: cessation conclusion end ending finish termination break-up split-up winding up/down discontinuation suspension disbandment disbanding disestablishment disunion separation dispersal scattering prorogation recess
dissolution
“the dissolution of their marriage”
“he came running back in stark terror”
the state of being unwilling or unable to believe something.
Similar:
disbelief
incredulity
“he stared down the street in incredulity”
severe or bare in appearance or outline.
Similar: sharply delineated sharp sharply defined well focused crisp distinct obvious evident clear clear-cut graphic striking desolate bare barren arid vacant empty forsaken
Opposite: fuzzy indistinct pleasant comfortable ornate 2. complete; sheer.
Similar: sheer utter complete absolute total pure
stark
“the ridge formed a stark silhouette against the sky”
a slender threadlike appendage of a climbing plant, often growing in a spiral form, that stretches out and twines round any suitable support.
something resembling a xxxx, especially a slender curl or ringlet of hair.
tendril
“the wind fitfully moved the dark tendrils around her forehead”
a system of society or government ruled by a woman or women.
a form of social organization in which descent and relationship are reckoned through the female line.
the state of being an older, powerful woman in a family or group.
matriarchy
“a matriarchy run by morally superior women”
“she cherished a dream of matriarchy—catered to by grandchildren”
1.
a small space created by building part of a wall further back from the rest.
2.
a period of time when the proceedings of a parliament, committee, court of law, or other official body are temporarily suspended.
verb
1.
attach (a fitment) by setting it back into the wall or surface to which it is fixed.
2.
NORTH AMERICAN
(of formal proceedings) be temporarily suspended.
recess
“a table set into a recess”
“talks resumed after a month’s recess”
“recessed ceiling lights”
“the talks recessed at 2.15”
(of a young bird) develop wing feathers that are large enough for flight.
bring up (a young bird) until its wing feathers are developed enough for flight.
fledge
“the young fledge around four weeks after hatching”
“they fledged twenty-four chicks in fourteen months”
find a way around (an obstacle). Similar: avoid get round find a way round evade get past bypass sidestep dodge overcome outwit outmanoeuvre foil end-run duck overcome (a problem or difficulty), typically in a clever and surreptitious way.
circumvent
“if you come to an obstruction in a road you can seek to circumvent it”
“I found it quite easy to circumvent security”
a huge, powerful, and overwhelming force.
BRITISH
a large, heavy vehicle, especially an articulated lorry.
juggernaut
“the juggernaut of public expenditure”
“the juggernaut thundered through the countryside”
put forward as fact or as a basis for argument. Similar: postulate put forward advance propound submit predicate hypothesize take as a hypothesis set forth propose pose assert presuppose assume presume 2. put in position; place.
PHILOSOPHY
a statement which is made on the assumption that it will prove to be true.
posit
“the Confucian view posits a perfectible human nature”
“the Professor posits Cohen in his second category of poets”
unusually or disproportionately large; excessive. Similar: excessive undue unreasonable unjustifiable unwarrantable
inordinate
“the case had taken up an inordinate amount of time”
stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so. Similar: apparent seeming outward surface superficial professed
ostensible
“the real dispute which lay behind the ostensible complaint”
tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion. Similar: tremble shake shiver quaver quake shudder convulse flutter agitate vibrate flap beat noun a slight trembling movement or sound, especially one caused by a sudden strong emotion.
quiver
“the tree’s branches stopped quivering”
“she couldn’t help the quiver in her voice”
critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture.
Similar: interpretation explanation exposition explication elucidation
exegesis
“the task of biblical exegesis”
the action or practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats. Similar: force compulsion constraint duress oppression enforceme
coercion
(of a word or term) having only one possible meaning; unambiguous.
univocal
“a univocal set of instructions”
physical or mental effort.
Similar: effort strain struggle toil endeavour hard work labour industry blood sweat and tears pains assiduity assiduousness exercise
2.
the application of a force, influence, or quality.
Similar: use application appliance bringing to bear exercise
exertion
“she was panting with the exertion”
“the exertion of authority”
a thing that someone believes to be real but that exists only in their imagination.
Similar: invention production creation concoction fabrication
figment
“it really was Ross and not a figment of her overheated imagination”
be filled with love for.
Similar: in love with infatuated with besotted with smitten with love-struck by captivated by charmed by enchanted by fascinated by bewitched by beguiled by enthralled by entranced by enraptured by
Opposite:
indifferent to
have a liking or admiration for.
enamour
“it is not difficult to see why Edward is enamoured of her”
“she was truly enamoured of New York”
verb
lose or be deprived of (property or a right or privilege) as a penalty for wrongdoing.
noun
a fine or penalty for wrongdoing.
Similar: penalty financial penalty fine fee charge sanction punitive action penance damages confiscation loss relinquishment
adjective
lost or surrendered as a penalty for wrongdoing.
forfeit
“those unable to meet their taxes were liable to forfeit their estates”
“the loser must pay a forfeit”
“his possessions were declared forfeit”
1.the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region. Similar: everyday language spoken language colloquial speech native speech conversational language common parlance non-standard language jargon -speak cant slang idiom dialect localism provincialism lingo 2. architecture concerned with domestic and functional rather than public or monumental buildings.
adjective
1.
(of language) spoken as one’s mother tongue; not learned or imposed as a second language.
2.
(of architecture) concerned with domestic and functional rather than public or monumental buildings.
vernacular
“he wrote in the vernacular to reach a larger audience”
“buildings in which Gothic merged into farmhouse vernacular”
“vernacular buildings”
(of a seed or spore) begin to grow and put out shoots after a period of dormancy. Similar: sprout put forth shoots shoot shoot up bud put forth buds form/develop buds develop grow spring up swell
come into existence and develop.
Similar: develop take root grow spring up arise emerge evolve
germinate
“the idea germinated and slowly grew into an obsession”
conformity to facts; accuracy.
Similar: truthfulness truth accuracy accurateness correctness exactness precision preciseness realism authenticity faithfulness fidelity reputability honesty sincerity trustworthiness reliability dependability scrupulousness ethics morality
veracity
“officials expressed doubts concerning the veracity of the story”
“voters should be concerned about his veracity and character”
verb
play or move about in a cheerful and lively way.
Similar: frisk gambol cavort caper cut capers dance
noun
a playful and lively movement or activity.
antic caper game romp stunt escapade exploit revel spree sport fling prank jape giggle
frolic
“Edward frolicked on the sand”
“his injuries were inflicted by the frolics of a young filly”
deprived of or lacking (something). Similar: deprived of robbed of stripped of denuded of cut off from parted from devoid of destitute of bankrupt of wanting in need of lacking without free from low on
2.
(of a person) sad and lonely, especially through someone’s death or departure.
bereft
“her room was stark and bereft of colour”
“his death in 1990 left her bereft”
noun
1.
BIOLOGY•CHEMISTRY
a process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one.
2.
the process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge, etc.
osmosis
“by some strange political osmosis, private reputations became public”
an event regarded as a portent of good or evil.
prophetic significance.
Similar: portent sign signal token forewarning warning foreshadowing
omen
“the ghost’s appearance was an ill omen”
“the raven seemed a bird of evil omen”
is a memory error defined as the production of fabricated, distorted, or misinterpreted memories about oneself or the world.
confabulation
1a: DEVISE, PLAN
b: to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner
2: to bring about by stratagem or with difficulty : MANAGE
construct, cook (up), devise, drum up, excogitate, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, think (up), trump up, vamp (up)
contrive
Native Americans contrived weapons out of stone, wood, and bone.
contrive ways of handling the situation
The prisoners contrived a way to escape.
contrived household utensils from stone
1: to give, convey, or grant from or as if from a store
2: to communicate the knowledge of : DISCLOSE
communicate, conduct, convey, give, spread, transfer, transfuse, transmit
impart
her experience imparted authority to her words
the flavor imparted by herbs
imparted my scheme to no one
1: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music
2: ASSORTMENT
album, collectanea, compendium, compilation, florilegium, miscellany
anthology
an anthology of American poetry
… an anthology of threadbare clichés of … bistro cuisine …
1: of, relating to, or determining norms or standards
2: conforming to or based on norms
3: prescribing (see PRESCRIBE sense 1) norms
normative
normative tests normative behavior normative judgments normative rules of ethics normative grammar
1: a little man : MANIKIN
2: a miniature adult that in the theory of preformation is held to inhabit the germ cell and to produce a mature individual merely by an increase in size
homunculus
: an extended usually written treatment of a subject
specifically : one submitted for a doctorate
dissertation
wrote her dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet
In philosophy, is a puzzle or state of puzzlement. In rhetoric, it is a useful expression of doubt
an irresolvable internal contradiction or logical disjunction in a text, argument, or theory.
aporia
“the celebrated aporia whereby a Cretan declares all Cretans to be liars”
a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions.
synonyms: heathen, infidel, idolater/idolatress, atheist, non-theist, irreligious person, agnostic, sceptic, heretic, apostate
pagan
“a Muslim majority had to live in close proximity to large communities of Christians and pagans”
“in prehistoric times, pagans used to worship the sun gods”
an object or feature which imitates the design of a similar artefact made from another material.
skeuomorph
“the pottery box with a square lid is a skeuomorph of a twilled basketry container”
a tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true.
synonyms: gullibility, gullibleness, credulousness, naivety, naiveness, blind faith, trustfulness, over-trustfulness, lack of suspicion, innocence
credulty
“moneylenders prey upon their credulity and inexperience”
verb 1. send off to a destination or for a purpose. send send off post mail ship freight
2. deal with (a task or opponent) quickly and efficiently.
Similar: deal with finish dispose of conclude settle sort out discharge execute perform expedite push through accelerate
verb
2.
an official report on state or military affairs.
communication communiqué bulletin release report
dispatch
“he dispatched messages back to base”
“the Welsh team were dispatched comfortably by the opposition”
verb
“in his battle dispatch he described the gunner’s bravery”
very unwilling to spend money or use resources.
mean
miserly
ungenerous
illiberal
parsimonious
“even the parsimonious Joe paid for drinks all round”
PHILOSOPHY
relating to or involving the explanation of phenomena in terms of the purpose they serve rather than of the cause by which they arise.
relating to the doctrine of design and purpose in the material world.
teleological
“teleological narratives of progress”
“a teleological view of nature”
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage. Similar: disheartened discouraged dispirited downhearted low-spirited
despondent
“she grew more and more despondent”
a feeling of disappointment about someone or something you previously respected or admired; disillusionment.
disillusionment
disappointment
dissatisfaction
discontent
disenchantment
“their growing disenchantment with the leadership”
an acutely disturbed state of mind characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence, occurring in intoxication, fever, and other disorders.
derangement dementia temporary madness/insanity incoherence opposite: lucidity coherence
wild excitement or ecstasy.
delirium
“somewhere a patient shouted in delirium”
“a chorus of delirium from the terrace”
refer to a kind of psychological relationship experienced by an audience in their mediated encounters with performers in the mass media, particularly on television.
parasocial
(especially of something undesirable) of common occurrence; widespread. Similar: widespread general common universal extensive
rife
“male chauvinism was rife in medicine”
(of a person) not aware of the full facts.
Similar: unknowing unconscious unsuspecting oblivious unaware innocent unmindful uninformed ignorant
2.
not done on purpose; unintentional.
Similar: unintentional unintended inadvertent involuntary unmean
unwitting
“an unwitting accomplice”
“we are anxious to rectify the unwitting mistakes made in the past”
a person, typically a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth.
assist (a woman) during childbirth.
midwife
“these women midwifed her”
a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class. entitlement right privilege advantage due birthright
prerogative
“in some countries, higher education is predominantly the prerogative of the rich”
(especially of a child or animal) play roughly and energetically.
a spell of rough, energetic play.
play frolic frisk gambol jump about/around spring about/around bound about/around skip
romp
the noisy pack of children romped around the gardens”
“a romp in the snow”
the process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge, etc.
osmosis
“by some strange political osmosis, private reputations became public”
a situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement; a deadlock.
Similar: deadlock dead end stalemate checkmate stand-off standstill
impasse
“the current political impasse”
a piece of enclosed land planted with fruit trees.
orchard (ch like chair)
“an apple orchard”
(in ethology) the world as it is experienced by a particular organism.
umwelt
“the worlds they perceive, their Umwelten, are all different”
the time or date (twice each year) at which the sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of equal length (about 22 September and 20 March).
equinox
a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.
polemic
“his polemic against the cultural relativism of the Sixties”
a man who practises witchcraft; a sorcerer.
Similar:
sorcerer
wizard
warlock
make (something abstract) more concrete or real.
…is a complex idea for when you treat something immaterial — like happiness, fear, or evil — as a material thing. This can be a way of making something concrete and easier to understand.
reify
“these instincts are, in man, reified as verbal constructs”
the prevailing fashion or style at a particular time. fashion mode style trend taste adjective popular; fashionable.
vogue
“the vogue is to make realistic films”
“‘citizenship’ was to be the government’s vogue word”
1. (of a person or mental process) intelligently analytical and clear-thinking. penetrating acute sharp sharp-witted
2.
(of an action) quick and direct.
incisive
“she was an incisive critic”
“the most incisive move of a tight match”
making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible. good for helpful to instrumental in calculated to produce productive of
conducive
“the harsh lights and cameras were hardly conducive to a relaxed atmosphere”
praise enthusiastically.
extoll
“he extolled the virtues of the Russian peoples”
a Hindu or Buddhist mystical or magical text, dating from the 7th century or earlier.
adherence to the doctrines or principles of the …., involving mantras, meditation, yoga, and ritual.
tantra
reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on.
Similar: reduce cut cut down cut back decrease lessen diminish
curtail
“civil liberties were further curtailed”
express one's opinions in a pompous and dogmatic way. preach dogmatize sermonize moralize lecture
2.
(in the Roman Catholic Church) officiate as bishop, especially at Mass.
pontificate
“he was pontificating about art and history”
“he pontificated at three Christmas Masses”
1a: to petition for help or support
b: to appeal to or cite as authority
2: to call forth by incantation : CONJURE
3: to make an earnest request for : SOLICIT
4: to put into effect or operation : IMPLEMENT
5: BRING ABOUT, CAUSE
invoke
“the antiquated defence of insanity is rarely invoked in England”
explanation that makes something clear; clarification. Similar: explanation clarification illumination commentary interpretation
elucidation
“work that led to the elucidation of the structure of proteins”
involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong.
complicit
“the careers of those complicit in the cover-up were blighted”
either of the two times in the year, the summer solstice and the winter solstice, when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, marked by the longest and shortest days.
solstice (souls-tis)
a man’s head covering consisting of a long length of material wound around a cap or the head, worn especially by Sikhs and Muslims.
turban (tuerban)
1. involving immoral or dishonourable actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt. Similar: sleazy unsavoury shoddy vile foul corrupt dishonest dishonourable disreputable despicable discreditable contemptible abhorrent abominable 2. dirty or squalid. filthy mucky grimy muddy grubby shabby
sordid
“the story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams”
“the overcrowded housing conditions were sordid and degrading”
ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat. Similar: implore beg entreat importune plead with appeal to exhort
beseech
“they beseeched him to stay”
the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.
recidivism
“the prison has succeeded in reducing recidivism”
recover from illness or exertion. get better recover convalesce get well mend revive perk up 2. recover or regain (something lost or taken). Similar: get back regain recover win back recoup retrieve
recuperate
“she has been recuperating from a knee injury”
“they will seek to recuperate the returns that go with investment”
deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously. created or arranged in a way that seems artificial and unrealistic. Similar: forced strained studied artificial affected put-on
contrived
“the ending of the novel is too pat and contrived”
1.
relating to a transitional or initial stage of a process.
2.
occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold.
liminal
like the space between conscious and subconscious
