The Shakespeare List

Transcription

The Shakespeare List
The
Shakespeare List
The Shakespeare List is a group of 1625 words that have appeared on past SAT/PSAT tests. Many of the
words have appeared several times on past tests. This section lists the words in alphabetical order along
with definitions, pronunciation guide, synonyms, antonyms, sentences, and derivatives.
The definitions given here, sometimes the secondary meaning, are those used on past SAT/PSAT tests.
For that reason, it is expedient to give the students these definitions that they are likely to be tested on,
rather than have the students look the words up themselves in dictionaries and copy definitions of their
choice.
A pronunciation guide is a simplified method of indicating the pronunciation of words so that the
student who is not familiar with pho netic symbols is not handicapped.
The synonyms are included in this section as a prediction of words that may appear on future SAT/PSAT
tests. If ETS, the creators of the SAT/PSAT, feels a particular word is important enough to put on the
test, then perhaps they will also put the synonym of that word on future tests.
The sentences were added to assist the student in seeing how the words are used in context
The derivatives of the words are predictors of words on future tests. Often a variation of a word will
appear on a test, so we want to expose the student to as many forms of the words as possible.
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
All rights reserved. Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
1
Shakespeare List
1.
without accompaniment by an instrument
Antonym >> accompanied
The girl had to sing acappella when her piano accompanist did not appear at the audition.
a cappella
ah cuh PEL luh
Synonyms >>
Derivatives >>
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
abandon
uh BAN dun
act of unrestrained behavior disregarding consequences
Synonyms >> license, laxity
(noun)
Antonym >> caution, self-restraint
Some say Teddy Roosevelt charged up San Juan Hill with reckless abandon.
Derivatives >> abandonable, abandoner, abandonment, abandoned, abandonedly
abase
uh BAYS
to degrade, to humiliate
Synonyms >> corrupt, debase, debauch, demean, deprave,
Antonym >> to exalt
vitiate,
pervert set out to abase her husband in public.
The bitter woman
deliberately
Derivatives >> abasement, abaser, abased, abasing
abate
uh BAYT
to reduce in intensity or amount
Synonyms >> decrease, diminish, dwindle, ebb, lessen, reduce, Antonym >> to increase
wane
The flood waters
abated after forty days of rain.
Derivatives >> abatable, abater, abatement, abated, abating
abdicate
AB duh kayt
to renounce or to give up a power
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to usurp
In order to marry the commoner, the king had to abdicate his throne.
Derivatives >> abdicable, abdicative, abdicator, abdicated, abdicating
aberration
ab uh RAY shun
the act of straying from the right or usual course; deviation from truth
Synonyms >> wandering, deviation, divergence, abnormality, Antonym >> common occurrence
eccentricity
This particular rule
is an aberration of our usual standards.
Derivatives >> aberrant, aberrance, aberrancy, aberrational
abet
uh BET
to encourage or to assist (usually an offense against justice or the law)
Synonyms >> foment, incite, instigate
Antonym >> to discourage; to interfere
To aid and abet an enemy of the country is a crime.
Derivatives >> abetment, abettor, abetted, abetting
abeyance
uh BAY uns
suspension of action
Synonyms >> dormancy, latency, quiescence
Antonym >> activity
The meeting was held in abeyance until the chairperson arrived.
Derivatives >> abeyant
abhor
ab HOR
to regard with extreme repugnance; to detest utterly; to loathe
Synonyms >> despise, abominate
Antonym >> to admire
If there is one particular food I abhor, it is hominy.
Derivatives >> abhorred, abhorring, abhorrer, abhorrence, abhorrent, abhorrently
abject
ab JEKT
utterly hopeless, humiliating, or wretched; contemptible
Synonyms >> debasing, degrading, despicable; miserable
Antonym >> exalted
We were concerned about his health when we discovered that he was living in abject poverty.
Derivatives >> abjection, abjectly, abjectness, abjectedness, abjective
abnegate
AB nuh gayt
to surrender or to relinquish (a right, belief, or idea)
Synonyms >> forgo
Antonym >> to admit, to accept
He asked the committee to abnegate its right to rule on the issue.
Derivatives >> abnegated, abnegating, abnegates, abnegation, abnegator
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
All rights reserved. Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
2
12.
uh BODE
a home
Antonym >>
dwelling, residence, domicile
Even though the house is small, he is proud of his humble abode.
abode
S ynonyms >>
Derivatives >>
13.
uh BOM uh nuh bul
repugnantly hateful; very unpleasant, detestable, loathsome
Antonym >> likable
abhorrent, horrible, revolting, foul
The weather was abominable last week with temperatures reaching as high as 115 degrees.
Derivatives >> abominableness, abominably, abominate, abominated, abominating, abomination
abrasive
uh BRAY siv
harsh, causing irritation, rough
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> kind; soothing
His mother was disturbed by his rude and abrasive behavior.
Derivatives >> abrasion
abridge
uh BRIJ
to shorten, to diminish
Synonyms >> abbreviate, curtail, retrench, shorten
Antonym >> to expand
Some companies publish abridged versions of novels.
Derivatives >> abridgable, abridged, abridger, abridgment
abrogate
AB ruh gayt
to abolish, to do away with
Synonyms >> annul, invalidate, negate, nullify
Antonym >> to establish
The king abrogated the law passed by the parliament.
Derivatives >> abrogable, abrogation, abrogative, abrogator, abrogated, abrogating
abscond
ab SKOND
to leave secretly and hide
Synonyms >> flee, fly
Antonym >> to give oneself up
After the thief absconded with the bonds, he was never found.
Derivatives >> absconder, absconded
abstemious
ab STEM ee us
sparing (usually in eating or drinking); temperate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> gluttonous
A person who is abstemious in his alcohol intake might not be welcome by that wild fraternity.
Derivatives >> abstemiously, abstemiousness, abstention, abstentious
abstracted
ab STRAK ted
removed in thought from the immediate situation, lost in one's own mind
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> attentive
The child, thinking of Christmas, had an abstracted look on his face.
Derivatives >> abstractedly, abstractedness
abstruse
ab STRUSE
difficult to understand, recondite, concealed
Synonyms >> complex, complicated, intricate, knotty
Antonym >> readily understood; clear
Some concepts of Einstein were so abstruse that many physicists could not understand them.
Derivatives >> abstrusely, abstruseness
abyss
uh BISS
bottomless hole, a vast expanse or depth
abominable
Synonyms >>
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
Synonyms >>
22.
Antonym >>
The man had fallen into the abyss of depravity.
Derivatives >> abysm, abysmal, abysmally, abyssal
acclaim
uh KLAYM
praise, approval; to salute; to hail
Synonyms >>
23.
He received great acclaim for discovering a polio vaccine.
Derivatives >> acclaimer, acclamation, acclamatory
accolade
AK uh layd
praise, an award
Synonyms >>
24.
Antonym >> to slander; to ridicule; to defame
Antonym >> censure
He received many accolades for being an excellent teacher.
Derivatives >> accolades
accord
uh KORD
agreement, state of harmony
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> disharmony; disagreement
We are in accord concerning the method of handling this problem.
Derivatives >> accordable, accorder, accordance, accordant
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
All rights reserved. Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
3
25.
to accumulate, to gather, or to grow as interest on money
Antonym >> to become less
If you leave the money in the bank, it will accrue interest, and you will have more money.
Derivatives >> accrual, accrued, accruing, accruement
acerbic
uh SER bic
sour or bitter in mood or tone
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> kindly
His cold sarcasm demonstrated his acerbic attitude.
Derivatives >> acerbity
acquiesce
AK wee es
to give in, to comply
Synonyms >> accede, agree, assent, consent, subscribe
Antonym >> to object; to disagree
I was so desperate that I had to acquiesce to his demands.
Derivatives >> acquiescence, acquiescent, acquiescingly, acquiescently
acrid
AK rid
caustic, bitter, harsh (relates sometimes to taste and smell)
Synonyms >> caustic, mordant, scathing
Antonym >> agreeable
The acrid odor in the restaurant caused me to leave.
Derivatives >> acridity, acridness, acridly
acrimonious ak ruh MONE ee us
caustic
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> cordial
The prisoner of war had acrimonious remarks for those that mistreated him.
Derivatives >> acrimony, acrimoniously, acrimoniousness
acuity
uh KEW uh tee
sharpness of perception
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> denseness
His acuity in determining the facts made him a good judge.
Derivatives >> acuities, acute, acuteness
acumen
uh KEW men
mental sharpness
Synonyms >> insight, discernment
Antonym >> lack of perceptiveness
Several past Presidents have been known for their political acumen.
Derivatives >> acuminous, acuminate, acuminated, acumination, acuminating
adage
AD ij
a wise saying
Synonyms >> proverb, maxim, motto
Antonym >>
"The early bird catches the worm" is an old adage.
Derivatives >> adagial
adamant
AD uh munt
inflexible, immovable, obstinate
Synonyms >> inexorable, obdurate
Antonym >> pliant
The man was adamant in his decision to seek a political office.
Derivatives >> adamantine, adamantive, adamancy, adamantly
addendum
uh DEN dum
something added, usually to a book
Synonyms >> addition, supplement
Antonym >>
The next edition of the book will have an addendum containing new information.
Derivatives >> addend, addenda, addendums
adherent
ad HEER unt
a follower of something such as a leader, party, philosophy, or profession
Synonyms >> disciple, follower, partisan
Antonym >> dissenter
He is an adherent of the Democratic party.
Derivatives >> adhere, adherer, adherence, adherently
adjunct
AD junkt
something joined or added to a thing but not necessarily a part of it
accrue
uh KREW
S ynonyms >>
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
Synonyms >>
37.
Antonym >>
An adjunct professor is one who is associated with a college faculty only in a temporary or auxiliary manner.
Derivatives >> adjunctive, adjunctively
admonish
ad MAH nish
to caution, to advise, or to counsel against something
Synonyms >> warn, rebuke, censure, notify, jog, apprise,
Antonym >> to condone; to praise
reprove,
scold
The teacher admonished him about excessively loud noise.
Derivatives >> admonisher, admonishingly, admonishment, admonition, admonished
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
All rights reserved. Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
4
38.
uh DROW it
skillful, adept
Antonym >> inept
clever, cunning, deft, dexterous, ingenious,
ingenuity
The magician was
especially adroit in making the lion disappear.
Derivatives >> adroitly, adroitness
adulation
ad u LAY shun
extreme praise or admiration
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> defamation; slander
Due to the great adulation of the crowds, the politician thought that he might win the election.
Derivatives >> adulate, adulator, adulatory, adulated, adulating
adulterate
uh DUL ter ate
to make impure by adding lesser substances; to corrupt
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to purify
The authorities were concerned that the drugs might have been adulterated intentionally.
Derivatives >> adulterator, adulterant, adulteration, adulterine, adulterous, adulterated, adulterating
advent
AD vent
a coming or arrival
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> departure, demise
The children anxiously awaited the advent of summer.
Derivatives >> advential, adventism, adventist
adversity
ad VER suh tee
misfortune, unfavorable happening
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> prosperity
He has suffered much adversity by first losing his job and then losing his wife.
Derivatives >> adverse
advocacy
AD vuh cuh see
support of an idea or cause
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> opposition
The nominee's advocacy of higher taxes may have cost him the election.
Derivatives >> advocate, advocator, advocatory, advocated, advocating
aesthetic
uhs THEH tic
relating or pertaining to a sense of beauty or art
adroit
Synonyms >>
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
Synonyms >>
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
Antonym >>
He is considered to have aesthetic tastes because he loves beauty and the arts.
Derivatives >> aesthete, aesthetical, aesthetically, aesthetician, aestheticism, aesthetics
affable
AF uh bul
friendly, courteous, amiable
Synonyms >> cordial, genial, gracious, sociable
Antonym >> surly; aloof; unfriendly
He had a very affable nature, always saying "Hello" to everyone.
Derivatives >> affability, affableness, affably
affinity
uh FIN uh tee
a likeness, a natural relationship, a kinship
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> repulsion
Having suffered himself, he felt an affinity for the home less.
Derivatives >> affinitive
affluent
uh FLU unt
abounding in wealth; prosperous; flowing freely
Synonyms >> rich, teeming
Antonym >> impoverished
Because the man was so affluent, he was able to donate large sums of money to the organization.
Derivatives >> affluence, affluently
affront
uh FRONT
an offensive act or word; an offense to one's dignity or self-respect
Synonyms >> impertinence, contumely, scorn, indignity,
Antonym >>
abuse,
outrage,
insult
I considered his rude remarks a personal affront.
Derivatives >> affrontedly, affrontedness, affronter, affrontingly, affrontiveness
afoot
uh FOOT
developing or in the process of happening
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> on hold
The eclipse of the sun caused him to think that something bizarre was afoot.
Derivatives >>
50.
uh GRAN diz munt an increase, enlargement, or enhancement
Antonym >> diminution
The discovery led to the aggrandizement of the scientist's reputation.
Derivatives >> aggrandize, aggrandizer, aggrandized, aggrandizing
aggrandizement
Synonyms >>
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
All rights reserved. Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
5
51.
aggregate
AG ruh git
sum total, whole amount
Antonym >> partial amount
Although difficult to mine, the aggregate of mineral resources in Alaska are immense.
Derivatives >> aggregative, aggregately, aggregation, aggregated, aggregating
agile
AJ uhl
characterized by ability to move quickly with suppleness and grace
Synonyms >> nimble, brisk, spry
Antonym >> clumsy
The girl's agile movements were the mark of a great gymnast.
Derivatives >> agilely, agility
air
AIR
to make a public utterance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to conceal
I intend to air my views to the school board and to anybody who will listen.
Derivatives >> airs, airing, aired
alacrity
uh LAK ruh tee
prompt and cheerful response
Synonyms >> celerity
Antonym >> indolence
I accepted his invitation to the prom with alacrity.
Derivatives >> alacritous
alchemist
AL kuh mist
one who practices medieval chemistry or tries to change metals into gold
Synonyms >>
52.
53.
54.
55.
Synonyms >>
56.
Synonyms >>
57.
58.
61.
62.
63.
Antonym >>
Authors frequently discuss sensitive political issues through the use of allegory.
Derivatives >> allegorical, allegoric, allegorically, allegoricalness, allegorist, allegoristic, allegorized, allegorizing
allegorization
alloy
AL
oh ee
a substance that is a mixture of metals
Synonyms >>
60.
Antonym >>
An alcove is to a room as an inlet is to a lake.
Derivatives >> alcoves
allay
uh LAY
to put fear, doubt, anger, or suspicion to rest; to quiet; to relieve
Synonyms >> soften, assuage, soothe, mollify, temper, ease, Antonym >> to aggravate
calm,
lessen
In order to allaymitigate,
the patient's
pain,
the nurse administered a pain reliever.
Derivatives >> allayed, allaying, allayer
allegory
AL uh gore ee
symbolical narrative; treatment of one subject under the guise of another
Synonyms >>
59.
Antonym >>
The alchemist wanted to change iron into gold.
Derivatives >> alchemistic, alchemistical, alchemize, alchemy, alchemic, alchemical, alchemically
alcove
AL kove
a partially enclosed extension of a room or part of a room
Antonym >>
This alloy is less expensive than pure gold since it is composed of a mixture of metals.
Derivatives >> alloyed, alloying, alloyage
allure
uh LUR
to influence, sway, or entice with some tempting appeal
Synonyms >> attract, fascinate, charm
Antonym >>
The child tried to allure the stray dog into her yard with a piece of bread.
Derivatives >> allured, alluring, allures, allurement, allurer
aloof
uh LOOF
apart, indifferent
Synonyms >> detached, incurious, unconcerned
Antonym >> integrated; friendly
The woman remained aloof during the party, separating herself from everyone else.
Derivatives >> aloofness
altercation
al ter KAY shun
a heated or angry dispute; noisy argument or controversy
Synonyms >> quarrel, contention
Antonym >> accord; agreement
We were not surprised at the altercation of the two enemies; they often fought in public.
Derivatives >> altercate, altercated, altercating
altruistic
al tru IS tik
unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others, generous
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> belligerant; stingy; selfish
Nuns and nurses are usually very altruistic people since they seek ways to help people.
Derivatives >> altruism, altruist, altruistically
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
All rights reserved. Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
6
64.
amalgam
uh MAL gum
a combination of different elements
Antonym >> individual units
His personality is a strange amalgam of different traits.
Derivatives >> amalgamate, amalgamable, amalgamative, amalgamator, amalgamation
amass
uh MASS
to collect, to gather, to accumulate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to loose; to scatter
He amassed a fortune as a result of the oil strike.
Derivatives >> amassable, amasser, amassment, amassed
ambience
AM bee uns
a surrounding or pervading atmosphere
Synonyms >> environment
Antonym >>
The girl was hesitant to move out into the world and away from the ambience of exclusively female friendships.
Derivatives >> ambient, ambiences
ambiguous
am BIG yew us
having more than one meaning; unclear, uncertain
Synonyms >> cryptic, enigmatic, equivocal, obscure
Antonym >> clear; certain
Finding an ambiguous test question is frustrating, since more than one answer could be correct.
Derivatives >> ambiguity, ambiguously, ambiguousness
ambivalent am BIV uh lunt
having contrary feelings or attitudes, uncertain as to course of action
Synonyms >> undecided
Antonym >> certain; firmly convinced
I am ambivalent about a permanent relationship with him, because I like him one day and don't the next.
Derivatives >> ambivalence
ambulatory AM bew luh tor ee
able to walk or move around
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> bedridden
I will be glad when I get out of this wheelchair and am ambulatory again.
Derivatives >> ambulant, ambulate, ambulated, ambulating, ambulation
ameliorate
uh MEE lee o rate
to make better, to relieve, to improve
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to make worse; to aggravate
Social workers attempt to ameliorate the conditions of people living in the slum areas.
Derivatives >> ameliorated, ameliorating, ameliorable, ameliorant, ameliorative, ameliorator, amelioration
amenable
uh MEN uh bul
open to or willing to follow advice or suggestion, tractable, malleable
Synonyms >> docile, obedient
Antonym >> unwilling
Since I like him and usually agree with him, I am always amenable to listening to his ideas.
Derivatives >> amenability, amenableness, amenably
amenity
uh MEN uh tee
agreeable ways or manners; the quality of being agreeable or pleasant
Synonyms >> courtesies, civilities
Antonym >> unpleasant feature
The woman was adored for her social amenities.
Derivatives >> amenities
amiable
A mee uh bul
friendly, sociable, and congenial; civil and urbane
Synonyms >> good-natured, obliging, complaisant
Antonym >>
She was blessed with having such an amiable friend who was almost always good-natured and obliging.
Derivatives >> amiableness, amiably, amicable, amicability, amiability
amity
AM uh tee
friendship
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> hostility
That small town is well-known for its amity; the town has very friendly people.
Derivatives >> amities
amorphous
uh MOR fuss
shapeless, having no definite form
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> structured
In the science fiction movie, the amorphous mass terrorized the town.
Derivatives >> amorphously, amorphousness, amorphism
amulet
AM yew let
a charm or ornament worn to protect against evil
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> hex
The princess wore the amulet to protect herself.
Derivatives >> amulets
Synonyms >>
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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7
77.
anachronism uh NAK ruh neh sum
an error in chronology; a chronological misplacing of persons or events
Antonym >> something chronologically correct
The movie, though entertaining, was not historically accurate and was full of glaring anachronisms.
Derivatives >>anachronic, anachronical, anachronically, anachrously, anachronisms, anachronistic, anachronistical
analgesic
an el GEE sik
causing insensitivity to pain
Synonyms >>
78.
Synonyms >>
79.
80.
81.
Synonyms >>
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
Antonym >>
A dentist uses a variety of analgesic drugs.
Derivatives >> analgesia
analogous
uh NAHL uh gus
alike or similar in certain respects that permits one to draw an analogy
Synonyms >> like
Antonym >> unrelated
The wings of a bird and those of an airplane are analogous.
Derivatives >> analogously, analogize, analogy
anarchist
AN ar kist
one who believes in the absence of government or law
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> tyrant; monarch
When the government fell and there was a total state of disorder, the anarchist was happy.
Derivatives >> anarchy, anarchically, anarchical, anarchic, anarchism, anarchistic
anarchy
AN ar kee
the absence of government; a state of lawlessness
Antonym >>
During the revolution, the government was overthrown and the country was in a state of anarchy.
Derivatives >> anarches, anarchist, anarchism, anarchic, anarch
anathema
uh NATH uh muh
a vigorous denunciation; one who is intensely disliked
Synonyms >> imprecation, curse
Antonym >>
The rebellious boy continued in his wayward actions despite the anathema pronounced by his father.
Derivatives >> anathemas, anathematic, anathematical, anathematically, anathemation, anathematize, anathemize
anchor
ANG kur
to secure firmly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to release from restraint
Anchor the boat to the dock.
Derivatives >> anchored, anchoring, anchors
ancillary
AN suh ler ee
aiding or accessory, subordinate to the main thing, supplementary
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> primary
While the main assault will be here, ancillary attacks will occur all along the coast.
Derivatives >> ancillaries
anecdote
AN ek dote
a short story of an interesting or amusing incident
Synonyms >> story, tale, narrative
Antonym >>
A raconteur is a person who is very good at telling anecdotes.
Derivatives >> anecdotage, anecdotal, anecdotic, anecdotical, anecdotalist, anecdotally, anecdotically
angular
ANG gyuh ler
lean; sharp cornered; gaunt
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> rotund
The patient has lost so much weight that his face has become quite angular.
Derivatives >> angulate, angularity, angulation, angulator
animosity
an uh MAH suh tee
harsh feelings, enmity, resentment, hatred
Synonyms >> animus, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, hostility, Antonym >> love
rancor for him, since he attempted to steal my girlfriend.
I have a lot of animosity
Derivatives >> animus
annulment
uh NUL munt
a voiding, invalidation
Synonyms >> abrogation, invalidation, negation, nullification, Antonym >> consummation
The two partiesextirpation
sought an annulment to the contract that bound them together.
Derivatives >> annul, annulled, annulling, annulable
anomalous
uh NAHM uh lus
out of place, abnormal
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fitting a pattern
Seeing a Toyota in the background of that World War II movie was anomalous.
Derivatives >> anomalously, anomalousness, anomaly, anomalies
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
All rights reserved. Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
8
90.
antecedent
an tuh SEE dunt
preceding a cause
Antonym >> following; later
The argument between the two men was antecedent to the fight which followed.
Derivatives >> antecedence, antecedency, antecede, antecedently
antediluvian an tuh duh LEW vee un very, very old (it literally means "before the Flood")
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> ultramodern
The natives' antediluvian marriage rituals had not changed in thousands of years.
Derivatives >> antediluvial
anthology
an THAH luh gee
an assortment or collection of selected pieces of literature or art
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> novel
The anthology we are using as a text contains many poems of various authors.
Derivatives >> anthological, anthologist, anthologize, anthologies
antidote
AN teh dote
something that relieves the effects of poison
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> poison
A snake bite need not be deadly, as long as one can get an antidote quickly.
Derivatives >> antidotal
antipathy
an TIP uh thee
a dislike, distaste, or enmity
Synonyms >> animosity, animus, antagonism, hostility, rancor Antonym >> propensity; amity
The woman's obvious antipathy toward snakes surfaced when she came into contact with the slithering reptile.
Derivatives >> antipathetic, antipathic, anthipathist, antipathize, antipathies
antiquated
AN tuh kwat id
obsolete, out of fashion, no longer usable
Synonyms >> antique, archaic, obsolete, venerable
Antonym >> modern
We cannot afford to have antiquated military forces.
Derivatives >> antiquate, antiquating, antiquation, antiquatedness
antiquity
an TIK wuh tee
the quality of being ancient; ancient times
Synonyms >>
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
Synonyms >>
97.
Antonym >>
Many scholars spend years studying the records left from antiquity.
Derivatives >> antiquities, antiquitarian
antithesis
an TI thuh sis
a direct opposite, a contrast
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> duplicate; same
Good is the antithesis of evil.
Derivatives >> antithetic, antithetical, antithetically
98. apathy
AP uh thee
a lack of concern or feeling, indifference
Synonyms >> phlegm, stoicism, stolidness
Antonym >> enthusiastic devotion
The man looked upon the turn of events with apathy.
Derivatives >> apathetic, apathetical, apathetically
99. aperture
AP uh ture
a hole or an opening
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> closure
The farmer discovered an aperture in his fence that had allowed some cows to escape.
Derivatives >> apertural, apertures, apertured
100. aplomb
uh PLUM
a handling of something with confidence and composure; self-assurance
Synonyms >> assurance, self-possession, poise
Antonym >> undignified behavior
The debutante handled herself with aplomb at the ball.
Derivatives >> aplombs
101. apocryphal
uh PA kra ful
of doubtful origin or authenticity, not genuine
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> of known origin; genuine
The jury saw through the apocryphal tears of the witness.
Derivatives >> apocryphally, apocryphalness
102. apogee
AP uh jee
the highest or most distant point; the climax
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lowest point
The apogee of environmental concern has yet to be s een.
Derivatives >> apogeal, apogean, apogeic
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9
uh PEES
to pacify, to be conciliatory in a manner that sacrifices principles
Antonym >> to incense
conciliate, mollify, placate, propitiate
The woman tried to appease her husband when he became so angry.
Derivatives >> appeased, appeasing, appeasement, appeasable, appeaser
append
uh PEND
to add in a supplementary manner
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to detach, to delete
His long-winded discourse was appended by a final summary of important points.
Derivatives >> appendage, appendant, appendance, appended
appreciate
uh PREE she ate
to increase in value
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to decrease in value
My home has appreciated in value by $10,000.
Derivatives >> appreciation, appreciator, appreciated, appreciating, appreciative, appreciatively, appreciativeness
appriciatory
apprise
uh PRIZE
to inform or to give notice
Synonyms >> acquaint, notify
Antonym >> to fail to inform
People who are arrested have to be apprised of their rights.
Derivatives >> apprised, apprising, apprizer
approbation ap row BAY shun
official approval, praise, commendation
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> disapprobation, disapproval
We initiated the attack with the approbation of the general.
Derivative s >> approbate, approbated, approbating, approbative, approbatory, approbativeness
arable
AIR uh bul
fit for plowing, tillable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> untillable
If a farmer does not use good conservation measures, the land will not stay arable.
Derivatives >> arability
arboreal
are BORE ee ul
relating to a tree or the inhabiting of a tree
103. appease
Synonyms >>
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The jungle is home for many arboreal animals other than monkeys.
Derivatives >> arboreous, arborescent, arboretum, arborous
110. arcane
are KANE
secret, mysterious
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> obvious; easily understood
The material that is arcane to the students is easily understood by the professor.
Derivatives >> arcanely, arcanist, arcanite, arcanum
111. archaic
are KAY ik
antiquated, old, out of use
Synonyms >> ancient, antique, obsolete, venerable
Antonym >> contemporary; modern
Words such as "thou", which are no longer part of normal vocabulary, are archaic.
Derivatives >> archaically, archaism, archaize, archaized, archaizing, archaizer
112. archipelago are kuh PEL uh go
a group of islands
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The sailors were excited when they reached the archipelago.
Derivatives >> archipelagic
113. ardent
AR dunt
expressing strong feelings, impassioned, zealous
Synonyms >> fervent, fervid, passionate, perfervid
Antonym >> unmoved; perfunctory
He was ardent in his support of civil rights.
Derivatives >> ardently
114. ardor
AR dur
warmth or heat of emotion; extreme force, vigor, or energy
Synonyms >> passion, intensity, fervor, enthusiam, zeal
Antonym >> lack of energy or enthusiasm
His ardor for the revolution cooled off during the course of the war.
Derivatives >> ardour, ardors
115. arduous
AR jew us
very difficult to accomplish or to achieve, very demanding (task)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> easy; not difficult
Training to be a gymnast is an arduous activity.
Derivatives >> arduously, arduousness
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10
116. arid
AIR id
very dry
Antonym >> moist
The desert is an arid place.
Derivatives >> aridity, aridness, aridly
array
uh RAY
a large grouping of things; regular order or arrangement; to clothe
Synonyms >> arrange, place; apparel, dress, attire; ornament, Antonym >>
adorn,ofdecorate
The group consisted
an impressive array of scholars.
Derivatives >> arraying, arrays, arrayed, arrayal
arrogant
AIR uh gunt
overbearingly assuming; insolently proud
Synonyms >> presumptuous, haughty, imperious, brazen
Antonym >> meek, modest
Because the girl was so arrogant, she had few friends.
Derivatives >> arrogance, arrogancy, arrogantly
artful
ART ful
skillful, clever, tricky
Synonyms >> crafty, cunning, foxy, sly
Antonym >> guileless
The President was artful in negotiating the arms deal.
Derivatives >> artfully, artfulness
articulate
are TIK yuh late
to speak distinctly; expressing oneself clearly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to speak indistinctly; to mumble
An announcer must be articulate. A good politician must be able to articulate his views.
Derivatives >> articulated, articulating, articulation, articulateness, articulative, articulately, articulator
artifacts
ARE tuh faks
simple objects showing human workmanship
Synonyms >>
117.
118.
119.
120.
121.
Synonyms >>
122.
123.
124.
125.
126.
Antonym >>
After supplying the finishing touches, the craftsman set the artifacts carefully on a shelf to dry.
Derivatives >> artifact, artefact, artefac, artifactual, artifactitious
ascend
uh SEND
to move upward, to rise from a lower station
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to descend; to go down
The climbers ascended the mountain.
Derivatives >> ascendancy, ascendance, ascendant, ascension, ascending, ascended
ascendancy uh SIN dun see
domination; growing power
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> decline
The United States would not patiently submit to the ascendancy of Hitler.
Derivatives >> ascendance, ascend, ascendant, ascension, ascending, ascended
ascertain
as sur TANE
to find out definitely; to determine
Synonyms >> learn
Antonym >>
The detective attempted to ascertain the truth through his questioning of the suspect.
Derivatives >> ascertainable, ascertainableness, ascertainably, ascertainer, ascertainment, ascertained
ascetic
uh SET ik
one who leads a life of self-denial and contemplation; absent of luxury
Synonyms >> austere, severe, stern
Antonym >> sensual
The rich playboy could not understand the ascetic life led by the monk.
Derivatives >> ascetical, asceticism, ascetically
askew
uh SKEW
out of line, slanted
Synonyms >> crooked
Antonym >> straight
Please straighten any pictures that are hanging askew.
Derivatives >>
uh SPARE uh tee
sharpness (as in temper); harshness
Antonym >>
severity, raucousness
These remarks spoken with asperity stung the boys to whom they were directed.
Derivatives >> asperities
128. assent
uh CENT
to agree or to concur; to give in, to yield; agreement
Synonyms >> acquiesce, concede; compliance
Antonym >> dissent
Assenting to his demands, she did as she was told.
Derivatives >> assenting, assented, assentingly, assentive, assentiveness, assentation, assentor
127. asperity
Synonyms >>
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11
uh SIJ you us
marked by careful and unremitting attention, constant in application
Antonym >> desultory; lazy
industrious, sedulous, diligent
He worked assiduously at studying geometry for weeks before he felt prepared to take the final exam.
Derivatives >> assiduously, assiduousness
assimilate
uh SIM uh late
to take in and incorporate as one's own, to absorb
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to reject
He assimilated many new experiences on his trip to the Orient.
Derivatives >> assimilated, assimilating, assimilation, assimilationist, assimilative, assimilatory, assimilativeness
assimilator
assuage
uh SWAYJ
to ease, to mitigate, to make less painful or burdensome, to calm
Synonyms >> allay, alleviate, lighten, soothe
Antonym >> to irritate; to intensify
Your kind words should assauge her suffering. The medicine should assauge his pain.
Derivatives >> assuaged, assuaging, assuagement, assuager
astronomical as trow NOM uh kul
inconceivably large
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> very small; miniscule
The number of stars in the sky is astronomical.
Derivatives >> astronomic, astronomically
astute
uh STOOT
shrewd, perspicacious, perceptive
Synonyms >> sagacious
Antonym >> undiscerning
One must be astute to do a geometry proof.
Derivatives >> astutely, astuteness
atone
uh TONE
to make amends
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to offend
He atoned for his theft by repaying his victims.
Derivatives >> atoned, atoning, atoner, atonement
atrophy
AT row fee
to waste away, to wither
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to thrive; to grow
His hunger strike caused his body to atrophy.
Derivatives >> atrophied, atrophying, atrophic
attenuate
uh TEN you ate
to make thin or to lessen the force or magnitude
Synonyms >> lessen, weaken, rarefy
Antonym >> to enlarge, to dilate
The poor acoustics in the auditorium attenuated the force of his performance.
Derivatives >> attenuated, attenuant, attenuating,attenuation, attenuator, attenuated
atypical
a TIP uh kul
unusual or abnormal; odd
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> usual
Screaming at the referee is atypical for that normally calm coach.
Derivatives >> atypic, atypically
audacity
aw DAS uh tee
excessive boldness, rashness, daring
Synonyms >> cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood,
Antonym >> meekness
temerity
I was surprised that he had the audacity to approach the Queen.
Derivatives >> audacious, audaciousness, audaciously
augment
awg MENT
to make greater or to supplement
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to diminish
We must try to augment our savings this year.
Derivatives >> augmentable, augmenter, augmentation, augmentative, augmented
augury
AW gyuh ree
an omen or prophecy
129. assiduous
Synonyms >>
130.
131.
132.
133.
134.
135.
136.
137.
138.
139.
140.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Several auguries were revealed to Caesar before his death.
Derivatives >> augur, auguries, augured
141. august
aw GUST
inspiring reverence or admiration
Synonyms >> majestic, venerable, eminent
Antonym >> meek and lowly
The crowd was overwhelmed by the august performance of the religious drama.
Derivatives >> augustness, augustly
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12
142. aura
AW ruh
a distinctive quality about a person, thing, or place
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Those at the inauguration ceremony had the aura of greatness.
Derivatives >> auras, aural
143. auspicious
aw SPISH us
favorable
Synonyms >> propitious
Antonym >> ill-omened
Making an "A" on the first test was an auspicious way to begin the year.
Derivatives >> auspiciously, auspiciousness
144. austere
aw STEER
strict, stern; unadorned, ascetic
Synonyms >> severe
Antonym >> indulgent
Pioneers usually led an austere existence.
Derivatives >> austereness, austerely, austerity
145. autocrat
AW toe krat
a person with unlimited influence and authority (usually a negative word)
Synonyms >>
146.
147.
148.
149.
150.
Antonym >>
The people wanted to overthrow the despotic autocrat.
Derivatives >> autocracy, autocratic, autocratical, autocratically
automaton
aw TOM uh ton
a creature acting in a mechanical way with no indication of intelligence
Synonyms >> robot
Antonym >>
Television often produces dull, unthinking human automatons.
Derivatives >> automatous, automatons
autonomous aw TON uh muhs
independent, self-contained
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dependent
One who is autonomous needs no help from others.
Derivatives >> autonomic, autonomously, autonomy, autonomist
avarice
AV uh ris
greed for wealth
Synonyms >> cupidity
Antonym >> generosity
Avarice and gluttony are two vices that can destroy lives.
Derivatives >> avaricious, avariciously, avariciousness
aversion
uh VER shun
strong disinclination, disliking
Synonyms >> hesitance, loathing, reluctance
Antonym >> inclination
I have an aversion to getting married.
Derivatives >> averseness, aversely, averse
aviary
A vee air ee
a place for keeping birds
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Many birds were in the aviary.
Derivatives >> aviaries
151. awry
uh RYE
Synonyms >> askew, amiss, wrong
Our plans have suddenly gone awry.
with a turn or twist to one side; away from the expected direction
Antonym >> aligned
Derivatives >>
BALE ful
destructive, deadly
Antonym >> benign
malign, sinister
War is a baleful experience for many.
Derivatives >> bale, balefully, balefulness
153. balky
BALL kee
refusing to proceed in an expected direction
Synonyms >> contrary, perverse, restive, wayward
Antonym >> easily led
When he refused to move he acted just like a balky mule.
Derivatives >> balkily, balkiness, balkingly
154. balm
BALLM
a soothing substance or one that gives relief
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> irritant
The balm caused the pain of the sunburn to subside and then to diminish.
Derivatives >> balmily, balminess, balmy, balms, balmed, balming
152. baleful
S ynonyms >>
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BANE ul, buh NAL
common, ordinary, lacking freshness, hackneyed
Antonym >> fresh, unique, extraordinary
inane, insipid, jejune, vapid
Because of his use of overused trite remarks, his speeches are banal.
Derivatives >> banality, banally
156. bane, baneful BANE ful
a source of harm or destruction; harmful, destructive
Synonyms >> deleterious, detrimental, noxious, pernicious
Antonym >> benign influence; harmless
Overeating was the bane of her existence. The baneful herbs made the woman extremely ill.
Derivatives >> baneful, banefully, banefulness
157. banter
BAN ter
to speak in a witty or teasing manner
155. banal
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
158.
159.
160.
161.
Synonyms >>
162.
163.
164.
165.
166.
167.
Antonym >>
The opposing coaches, who were old friends, bantered back and forth before the game.
Derivatives >> banterer, bantering, banteringly, banters, bantered
barb
BARB
a critical or caustic remark
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> kind remark
He started the speech with a few barbs for his opponent.
Derivatives >> barbs
barbarism
BAR buh riz um
the incorrect usage of words or forms of language
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> acceptable diction
The English teacher cringed at the gross barbarism in the paper.
Derivatives >> barbarous, barbarously, barbarousness
baseness
BASE ness
the quality of lacking higher values
Synonyms >> vileness, servility, unworthiness
Antonym >>
We were shocked at the criminal's baseness.
Derivatives >> base, baser, basest, basely
bastion
BASS chun
a fortification, a stronghold
Antonym >>
The enemy could not get past the bastion of the fort and therefore lost the battle.
Derivatives >> bastioned
bedlam
BED lum
a place or scene of wild and mad uproar; an extremely confusing scene
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> a peaceful and calm scene
After the arousing speech, the meeting became utter bedlam.
Derivatives >> bedlamer, bedlamite
befuddled
buh FUD uld
confused
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> clearheaded
He was befuddled by the difficult math problem.
Derivatives >> befuddle, befuddling
begrudge
buh GRUJ
to give reluctantly, to envy a possession or one's enjoyment
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to give willingly
She did not begrudge the money spent on her child's education.
Derivatives >> begrudged, begrudging, begrudgingly
beguile
buh GUYL
to deceive, to mislead, to persuade with charm
Synonyms >> delude
Antonym >> to enlighten
We sometimes allow ourselves to be beguiled by flatterers.
Derivatives >> beguiled, beguiling, beguilement, beguiler
beleaguer
buh LEEG er
to harass
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to shield from
The scandal caused the President to be beleaguered by the press.
Derivatives >> beleaguered, beleaguerer
belie
buh LIE
to contradict, to give a false impression
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to support; to agree with
Her first words appeared to belie all the wonderful things I had heard about her.
Derivatives >> belied, belying, belier
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BELL uh kose
inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile
Antonym >> peaceful
belligerent, pugnacious
The bellicose young man was always trying to start a fight.
Derivatives >> bellicosely, bellicosity, bellicoseness
belligerent
buh LIJ er unt
waging war; inclined to or exhibit ing assertiveness
Synonyms >> bellicose, pugnacious, combative, contentious, Antonym >> peaceful
quarrelsome
A belligerent nation
always seems to be at war.
Derivatives >> belligerence, belligerency, belligerently
bemuse
buh MUZE
to confuse or to bewilder
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to enlighten
He did not intend to bemuse the class with his ambiguous remarks.
Derivatives >> bemused
benevolence buh NEV uh lunz
kindness, generosity, charity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> antagonism; avarice; malevolence
His benevolence was shown when he set up soup kitchens for the poor.
Derivatives >> benevolent, benevolently
benign
buh NINE
not causing harm, of gentle disposition, beneficial
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> malignant, harmful
The minister was loved because of his benign attitude toward all types of people.
Derivatives >> benignly, benignant, benignancy, benignantly, benignity
bequeath
buh KWEETH
to hand down, to give or to leave in a will
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to keep; to horde
I bequeathed my gym shorts to my brother after I graduated from high school.
Derivatives >> bequeathal, bequest, bequeathed
berate
buh RATE
to engage in intense and long scolding or condemnation
Synonyms >> upbraid, rail, vituperate
Antonym >> to praise
That teacher will berate any student who is constantly tardy.
Derivatives >> berated, berating, berates
bestial
BES chul
brutal without reason, having the attributes of a savage
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> civilized
The bestial traits of the man were offensive to refined ladies.
Derivatives >> bestiality, bestialize, bestialized, bestializing
betoken
buh TOE kun
to give a sign of
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to hide; to conceal
His good actions betokened a kind heart.
Derivatives >> betokened
bewail
buh WALE
to deplore, to express deep sorrow
Synonyms >> bemoan, lament
Antonym >> to rejoice in
He bewailed the passing of his grandfather whom he loved and admired.
Derivatives >> bewailed, bewailing
bigot
BIG ut
one who is utterly intolerant of any creed or belief differing from his own
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> open-minded person
He is such a bigot that he will not even listen to our point of view.
Derivatives >> bigoted, bigotedly, bigotry, bigotries
bilk
BILK
to cheat
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to deal honestly with
The con artist bilked the elderly lady out of her life savings.
Derivatives >> bilker, bilked
bizarre
buh ZAR
out of the ordinary, odd
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> ordinary
Snow in May is a bizarre occurrence for Texans.
Derivatives >> bizarrely, bizarreness
168. bellicose
Synonyms >>
169.
170.
171.
172.
173.
174.
175.
176.
177.
178.
179.
180.
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15
to take the color out of, to bleach, to make white
Antonym >> to color
It is popular to blanch new blue jeans before wearing them.
Derivatives >> blancher, blanched
182. blandishment BLA N dish munt
flattery
181. blanch
BLANCH
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Due to the salesman's blandishments, the customer bought the jacket.
Derivatives >> blandish, blandisher, blandished
183. blasphemous BLAS fuh mus
irreverent, profane
Antonym >> sacred; reverent
Telling that sacrilegious joke is blasphemous.
Derivatives >> blaspheme, blasphemed, blaspheming, blaspemer, blasphemousness, blasphemously, blasphemy
blighted
BLIE ted
destroyed or caused by decline or decay
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> good; healthy; wholesome
The blighted fruit had to be separated from the rest.
Derivatives >> blight
blithe
BLIETH
lighthearted, joyous, glad, cheerful, free of spirit
Synonyms >> jocund, jolly, jovial
Antonym >> morose
Her blithe spirit provided an air of gaiety at the meeting.
Derivatives >> blithely, blithesome, blithesomely, blithesomeness
blunderbuss BLUN der bus
a clumsy and careless person; an obsolete firearm with a bell muzzle
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> a poised and sophisticated person
The girl made so many embarrassing remarks that she felt like a blunderbuss.
Derivatives >> blunder, blunderer, blundering, blunderbusses
bolt
BOLT
to move suddenly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to move sluggishly
We were surprised when the horse suddenly bolted.
Derivatives >> bolter, boltlike, bolted
bombastic
bom BASS tik
using inflated language, pompous
Synonyms >> claptrap, declamatory, fustian, ranting,
Antonym >> meek; humble
rodomontade
The politician was bombastic as he railed against big government.
Derivatives >> bombastically, bombastical
boon
BOON
favorable; a blessing, a benefit
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> curse
Hiring that young man was a boon for our company.
Derivatives >> boons, boonless
boorish
BOOR ish
rude or insensitive; ill-mannered
Synonyms >> churlish, clownish, loutish
Antonym >> sophisticated; well-mannered
How could you get me a date with such a boorish person?
Derivatives >> boorishly, boorishness, boor
bourgeois
BOOR zhwah
a person with the traits or viewpoints of the bourgeoisie
Synonyms >> middle class, mediocre
Antonym >>
Your outdated ideas are so bourgeois.
Derivatives >> bourgeoisie
bovine
BO vine
dull or sluggish like an ox or cow, relating to an ox or cow
Synonyms >> indolent, slothful
Antonym >> animated; energetic
Get out of bed and quit being so bovine.
Derivatives >> bovinely, bovinity
brazen
BRAY zen
shameless, insolent, disrespectful
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> reserved; mild
Pinching that woman was a very brazen act.
Derivatives >> brazenly, brazenness, brazenfaced
Synonyms >>
184.
185.
186.
187.
188.
189.
190.
191.
192.
193.
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16
the width of something, comprehensive quality
Antonym >> narrowness
The breadth of his knowledge about art is amazing.
Derivatives >> breadths, breadthen, breadthened, breadthening
broach
BROCH
to open up for the first time
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to close
The man was reluctant to broach the subject of money for fear of beginning an argument.
Derivatives >> broacher, broaches, broached, broaching
bucolic
byoo KOL ik
rustic, rural, unsophisticated; pastoral
Synonyms >> georgic
Antonym >> urban; sophisticated
He yearned for a simple, bucolic life.
Derivatives >> bucolical, bucolically
buffeted
BUFF et id
struck repeatedly, battered
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> assuaged; soothed
The winds buffeted the seamen all last night.
Derivatives >> buffet, buffeting, buffeter, buffets
buffoon
buh FOON
a clown, a silly or stupid person
194. breadth
BREDTH
Synonyms >>
195.
196.
197.
198.
Synonyms >>
199.
200.
201.
202.
203.
204.
Antonym >>
Only a buffoon would stand on the table during the Christmas dinner.
Derivatives >> buffoonery, buffoonish
bulwark
BOOL wark
a strong defense or something that defends
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> weakness
Nuclear arms are our bulwark against invasion.
Derivatives >> bulwarks
buoyant
BOY unt
capable of floating; cheerful
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> likely to sink
Because the log was buoyant, it stayed afloat. The girl's buoyant spirit made her pleasant company.
Derivatives >> buoyancy, buoyance, buoyantly, buoyantness, buoy
burgeon
BUR jun
to sprout, to newly emerge
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to shrivel and die; to wither
Plants burgeon with the coming of spring.
Derivatives >> burgeoned, burgeoning
burly
BUR lee
great in bodily size, sturdy; brusque
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> slight; refined; mannered
When we saw the burly man appear in the door, we knew it was no time to pick a fight.
Derivatives >> burlier, burliest, burlily, burliness
burnish
BUR nish
to make shiny or to polish by rubbing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to tarnish
Burnished metal is usually very reflective.
Derivatives >> burnisher, burnishes, burnished, burnishing
buttress
BUH tris
a support or prop
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Many cathedrals are supported by buttresses.
Derivatives >> buttresses, buttressless
205. by-line
BY line
a line at the head of a written article giving the writer's name
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The young writer looked anxiously at the article to see his name in the by-line.
Derivatives >> byliner
206. cache
KASH
a hole or hiding place used to store supplies
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The child hid his treasured toy in a cache in the corner.
Derivatives >> cached, caching
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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17
207. cacophonous kuh KAH fuh nus
harsh sounding, having dissonance
Antonym >> euphonious; pleasant sounding
An orchestra is cacophonous when it is tuning up.
Derivatives >> cacophony
cajole
kuh JOLE
to persuade with deliberate flattery, to coax, to wheedle
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to browbeat
I will not be cajoled into allowing you to stay up past your bedtime.
Derivatives >> cajoled, cajoling, cajolery, cajoleries, cajolement, cajoler
calamity
kuh LAM uh tee
a serious event causing distress or misfortune
Synonyms >> cataclysm, catastrophe
Antonym >> good fortune
The earthquake in Mexico was a calamity.
Derivatives >> calamitous, calamitously, calamitousness
calcified
KAL suh fide
inflexible, hardened
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> flexible; pliable
His views have become calcified, and trying to talk to him about it is foolish.
Derivatives >> calcify, calcifying, calcification, calciferous
caldron
KAL drun
a large kettle used for boiling
Synonyms >>
208.
209.
210.
211.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The witches stirred their brew in a large caldron.
Derivatives >> caldrons
212. calipers
KAL uh purs
an instrument used to measure distances or diameters
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
We learned in drafting class to measure distances with calipers.
Derivatives >> caliper
213. callous
KAL us
hardened; insensitive, indifferent, unsympathetic
Synonyms >> hard, inured, insensible, obtuse
Antonym >> soft, sensitive
He became callous after many years in the war.
Derivatives >> callously, callousness
214. callow
KAL oh
immature, inexperienced
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> mature; experienced
Rash and hasty decisions are the mark of impetuous, callow youth.
Derivatives >> callowness
215. cant
KANT
secret jargon or slang
Synonyms >>
216.
217.
218.
219.
Antonym >>
The rites of the Masons are characterized by their cant.
Derivatives >> cants, canted, canting
capitulate
kuh PICH uh late
to surrender
Synonyms >> defer, relent, submit, succumb, yield
Antonym >> to resist
The army was expected to capitulate after having lost that last battle with so many casualties.
Derivatives >> capitulated, capitulating, capitulation
capricious
kuh PRISH us
changing suddenly, fickle
Synonyms >> inconstant, mercurial, unstable
Antonym >> stable
Her capricious moods are difficult to anticipate.
Derivatives >> caprice, capriciously, capriciousness
caricature
KARE uh kuh chur
a portrayal where features are distorted, a parody
Synonyms >> burlesque, travesty
Antonym >> somber portrait
The caricature of the presidential nominee was hysterical.
Derivatives >> caricatured, caricaturing, caricaturist
carnal
KAR nul
marked by sexuality that is frank and unrelieved by higher emotions
Synonyms >> bodily, corporeal, worldly, fleshly, sensual,
Antonym >> spiritual
crude
The man's carnal actions prompted his dismissal from the social gathering.
Derivatives >> carnalist, carnality, carnalize
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18
KAR ping
finding fault
Antonym >> praising
captious, censorious, critical
My mother is always carping at me.
Derivatives >> carp, carper, carpingly, carped
cascade
kas KADE
a steep waterfall or series of waterfalls, a continuous series
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> trickle of water
The canoe disappeared under the cascade of water into the hidden passageway in the cliff.
Derivatives >> cascaded, cascading
castigate
KAS tuh gate
to punish or to subdue by punishment; to criticize with drastic severity
Synonyms >> punish, chastise
Antonym >> to salute
The psychologist suggested that the father might begin to castigate his unruly son for his belligerent behavior.
Derivatives >> castigated, castigating, castigates, castigation, castigator, castigatory
cataclysm
KAT uh kliz um
an event or situation that causes a momentous change or upheaval
Synonyms >> calamity, catastrophe
Antonym >>
The San Francisco earthquake was a cataclysmic event.
Derivatives >> cataclysmic, cataclysmal
catacomb
KAT uh kome
an underground tunnel or area with holes for graves
220. carping
S ynonyms >>
221.
222.
223.
224.
Synonyms >>
225.
226.
227.
228.
229.
230.
231.
232.
Antonym >>
Poe delighted in setting one of his masterpieces in a catacomb.
Derivatives >> catacombs
catharsis
kuh THAR sis
a purification or purging of emotions that brings about spiritual renewal
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> repression
The child had so many repressed emotions that a catharsis was needed to restore his normal state of mind.
Derivatives >> catharses, cathartic, cathartically
caustic
KAW stik
sarcastically biting, acrid
Synonyms >> mordant, scathing
Antonym >> kind; gentle
Critics are known for their caustic remarks about movies that they do not like.
Derivatives >> caustically, causticity
cavalier
kav uh LEER
an armed horseman, a knight; treating important matters lightly
Synonyms >> disdainful
Antonym >> reserved; humble; meek
His arrogant and cavalier attitude has offended many people.
Derivatives >> cavalierly
celerity
suh LER uh tee
quickness (usually in accomplishing a task)
Synonyms >> alacrity
Antonym >> slowness
Teachers like students who act with celerity in completing assignments.
Derivatives >> celeritous, celerities
celestial
seh LES chul
pertaining to the sky or heavens
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> earthly
Stars are celestial bodies.
Derivatives >> celestially
censorious
sen SORE ee us
critical
Synonyms >> carping, captious
Antonym >> complimentary
The artist was hurt by the censorious remarks of the critic.
Derivatives >> censor, censoriously, censoriousness, censorial, censorship
censure
SEN shur
to blame or to condemn
Synonyms >> denounce, reprehend, reprobate(verb)
Antonym >> to praise
The congressman was censured for taking a bribe.
Derivatives >> censured, censuring, censurer, censures
centrifuge
SEN truh fyooj
an apparatus used for separating materials by the use of centrifugal force
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
When milk is put into a centrifuge, the cream is separated and can be removed.
Derivatives >> centrifugal, centrifugally
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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19
things that are inevitable or certain, certainties
Antonym >> doubt
He was able to take his vows with absolute certitude.
Derivatives >> certitude
234. chaff
CHAF
material separated from the seed after threshing, worthless matter
233. certitudes
SIR tuh toods
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Chaff is the residue from the threshing process of separating seed.
Derivatives >> chaffless, chafflike
235. chagrin
shuh GRIN
vexation through humiliation, hurt pride, or disappointment
Synonyms >> trouble, grief
Antonym >> self-satisfaction
The chagrin the girl felt as a result of her abject poverty kept her from associating with her school peers.
Derivatives >> chagrined, chagrining, chagrins
236. champion
CHAM pee un
to defend or to support
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to persecute
The senator championed the cause of the homeless.
Derivatives >> championship, championless, championlike, championed, championing
237. charismatic care iz MAT ic
having special qualities or powers that are used for healing or prophecy
Synonyms >>
238.
239.
240.
241.
242.
243.
244.
245.
Antonym >>
Many charismatic religions believe in faith healing.
Derivatives >> charisma, charism
charlatan
SHAR luh tun
one who claims to know something that he does not, a quack
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> a professional; authentic authority
The side show featured a charlatan posing as a mind reader.
Derivatives >> charlatanic, charlatanism, charlatanry
chary
SHAR ee
careful, cautious
Synonyms >> circumspect, wary
Antonym >> trustful; uncritical
He is chary when he meets a new person.
Derivatives >> charier, chariest
chaste
CHASTE
morally pure
Synonyms >> pure, modest, decent
Antonym >> immoral, tainted
The king insisted that the woman who would become his wife be chaste.
Derivatives >> chastely, chasteness, chastity
chasten
CHAY sun
to discipline, to use punishment to correct behavior
Synonyms >> admonish, castigate, chastise, chide, rebuke,
Antonym >> to reward
reproach
I was chastened by my mother for not cleaning up my room.
Derivatives >> chastened, chastening, chastener
cherubic
chuh ROO bic
innocent, wholesome, angelic
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fiendish
The cherubic expression on the child's face concealed his guilt.
Derivatives >> cherub, cherubs, cherubim, cherubically
chicanery
sheh KAY nuh ree
unethical methods, trickery
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> honesty; truthfulness
The lawyer used chicanery to get the witness off guard in his testimony.
Derivatives >> chicaner, chicane, chicaned, chicaning, chicaneries
chide
CHIDE
to voice disapproval, to scold
Synonyms >> admonish, castigate, chasten, chastise, rebuke, Antonym >> to applaud
I was chided byreprove
my teacher for not completing my assignment.
Derivatives >> chided, chid, chidden, chiding, chider, chidingly
chimera
kuh MEER uh
a fantasy; a horrible creature of the imagination
Synonyms >> fantasy , vision
Antonym >> gentle creature
He is not the chimera your fears have made him in your mind.
Derivatives >> chimerical, chimeric, chimerically
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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20
to chuckle or to laugh from extreme happiness
Antonym >> to sneer
The little child began to chortle when he saw the Disney characters on the screen.
Derivatives >> chortler, chortled, chortling
chronic
KRON ik
marked by long duration or by frequent recurrence over a long period
Synonyms >> unending, habitual, inveterate
Antonym >> transitory
The chain smoker is often plagued by a chronic cough.
Derivatives >> chronical, chronically, chronicity
circuitous
sir KYOO uh tus
indirect, roundabout
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> straightforward
Sometimes taxi drivers seem to take a circuitous route.
Derivatives >> circuitously, circuitousness
circumlocution sir kum low KEW shun talking around a subject
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> brevity; conciseness; terseness
Politicians are known for circumlocution.
Derivatives >> circumlocutory
circumscribed SIR kum skribd
restricted or limited
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unbounded
The triangle circumscribed the circle.
Derivatives >> circumscribe, circumscribing, circumscription, circumscriptive
circumspect SIR kum spekt
careful to consider consequences, cautious, prudent
Synonyms >> chary, wary
Antonym >> reckless; careless; indiscreet
Her circumspect behavior left no doubts as to her integrity.
Derivatives >> circumspectness, circumspectly, circumspection, circumspective
circumvent
SIR kum vent
to get around something, to outwit, to frustrate; to avoid
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to confront
The witness tried unsucessfully to circumvent the subject.
Derivatives >> circumventer, circumventor, circumvention, circumventive, circumvented, circumventing
cite
SITE
to quote an authority
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to allude to
The lawyer cited many precedents in supporting his case.
Derivatives >> cited, citing, citable, citeable
civility
suh VIL uh tee
polite and courteous behavior
Synonyms >> mannerly behavior
Antonym >> rudeness, boorishness, impoliteness
Diplomats are expected to display a great deal of civility in their interactions with one another.
Derivatives >> civil, civilities, civilize, civilizatory, civilizedness
clamor
KLAM ur
loud noise or shouting
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> quiet
The clamor finally subsided when the children went to bed.
Derivatives >> clamors, clamored, clamoring, clamorous, clamorously, clamorousness
clandestine
klan DES tin
secret
Synonyms >> covert, furtive, stealthy, surreptitious,
Antonym >> open; obvious
underhanded
The C.I.A. is involved in clandestine activities.
Derivatives >> clandestinely, clandestineness
cleft
CLEFT
a space or opening made by cleavage, a split
Synonyms >> fissure, crevice, crack, rift, cranny, chasm,
Antonym >>
crevasse
The cleft in the mountain side was so great that it could not be crossed.
246. chortle
CHORE tul
Synonyms >>
247.
248.
249.
250.
251.
252.
253.
254.
255.
256.
257.
Derivatives >>
258. clemency
Synonyms >>
KLEM un see
leniency
Antonym >> harshness
Governors are usually allowed to grant clemency to deserving prisoners.
Derivatives >> clemencies, clement, clemently
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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21
klee SHAY
an overworked expression, a trite statement
Antonym >> unusual or original statement
platitude
"That dog won't hunt" used to be a clever way to say that an idea was bad, but due to overuse, it is now a cliché.
259. cliché
Synonyms >>
Derivatives >>
260. cloister
KLOI stur
to seclude or to confine
Antonym >> to display; to exh ibit; to make public
The wealthy magnate led a cloistered life in his retirement.
Derivatives >> cloistered, cloisterlike, cloistering
261. coagulate
ko AG yuh late
to gather together in a mass, to clot; to congeal
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to flow freely
Because blood coagulates, people do not bleed to death from small cuts.
Derivatives >> coagulable, coagulant, coagulated, coagulating, coagulation, coagulative, coagulator
262. coalesce
ko uh LESS
to merge, to fuse, to join, or to unite
Synonyms >> ama lgamate, commingle
Antonym >> to break up; to disperse
If the party can coalesce diverse groups into a united force, it might win the election.
Derivatives >> coalesced, coalescing, coalescent
263. coda
KO duh
a concluding portion of a musical or dramatic work
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The composition had a coda that was in itself delightful.
Derivatives >> codas
264. coddle
KODD ul
to pamper, to treat with extreme care
Antonym >> to abuse
Mothers generally coddle their children when they are sick.
Derivatives >> coddled, coddling
265. codicil
KODD uh sil
a supplement or an amendment (usually to a will)
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
266.
267.
268.
269.
Antonym >>
The boy was left a small inheritance by the codicil in his father's will.
Derivatives >> codicillary
cognate
KOG nate
having a common ancestor, related in origin
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unrelated
Cognate languages are those that developed from a common language.
Derivatives >> cognation
cognizant
KOG nuh zunt
aware, having knowledge
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> ignorant
I am cognizant of the importance of this situation.
Derivatives >> cognition, cognizable, cognizably, cognizance, cognize, cognized, cognizing
collaborate
kuh LAB uh rate
to work together
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to work alone
Sometimes singers who have never worked together will collaborate to make a new album.
Derivatives >> collaborated, collaborating, collaboration, collaborationism, collaborationist, collaborative
collaborator
collage
kuh
LAHZ
an assembly of diverse things to make an artistic composition
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
My girlfriend gave me a collage representing the time that we have dated.
Derivatives >> collages
270. colloquial
kuh LOW kwee ul
informal (speech)
Synonyms >>
Term papers are not to contain colloquial expressions.
Derivatives >> colloquially, colloquy
271. comatose
KOM uh tose
lethargic, unconscious
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> formal
Antonym >> conscious; aware
After the operation, he was in a comatose state.
Derivatives >> comatosely
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22
272. commensurate kuh MEN sur it
equal
Antonym >> disproportionate; unequal
I hope that I get a reward that is commensurate with what I have found.
Derivatives >> commensurately, commensuration, commensurable, commensurability, commensurably
commiserate kuh MIZ uh rate
to express sympathy or pity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to remain aloof
I commiserated with the family about their loss.
Derivatives >> commiserated, commiserating, commiseration, commiseratively, commiserative
commission kuh MISH un
to authorize or order; to send on a mission; to give a commission to
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to refuse to authorize
The owners commissioned a painting for the hotel's lobby.
Derivatives >> commissional, commissive, commissively, commissionaire, commissioned, commissioner
commodious kuh MO dee us
affording ample space and room; adapted to or suitable for use
Synonyms >> capacious, ample, serviceable
Antonym >> cramped and crowded
The room was of a commodious, well-proportioned size.
Derivatives >> commodiously, commodiousness, commodity
communal
kuh MYOON ul
pertaining to a group or community
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> individual
A hermit does not enjoy communal situations.
Derivatives >> commune, communed, communing, communally, communalism, communalist, communalization
communalizer
compatriot
kum PAY tree ut
a fellow countryman
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> traitor
The Lewis and Clark expedition was a journey of two compatriots exploring the unknown regions.
Derivatives >> comp atriotism
compilation kom puh LAY shun
an accumulation of many things
Synonyms >> accretion
Antonym >>
The book was an interesting compilation of many sources.
Derivatives >> compilator, compilatory, compile, compiled, compilement, compiler
complacency kum PLAY sun see
the state of being self-satisfied
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dissatisfaction
Considering that he is failing, it is curious to see his sense of complacency.
Derivatives >> complacent, complacently, complacence, complaisant, complaisance, complaisantly
compliance kum PLY uns
a yielding; acquiescence
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> rebellion
We intend to be in full compliance with the court order.
Derivatives >> compliant, compliantly, compliancy, compliable, compliableness, compliably
compost
KOM post
a composition of largely decaying matter used as fertilizer
Synonyms >>
273.
274.
275.
276.
277.
278.
279.
280.
281.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
A compost plant produces fertilizer from garbage.
Derivatives >> composts
282. compress
kum PRESS
to contract, to reduce in size or volume
Synonyms >> condense, constrict, contract, deflate
Antonym >> to expand
Farmers now have machines to compress hay into bales.
Derivatives >> compressible, compressibility, compressed, compression, compressive, compressor, compressively
compressing
283. compunction kum
PUNGK shun
remorse, distress or anxiety over an anticipated action
Synonyms >> contrition, penitence
Antonym >>
If you do not stop taking drugs, I will have no compunction about kicking you out of the house.
Derivatives >> compunctionless, compunctious, compunctiously
284. concentration kon sun TRAY shun
something that has been drawn together
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dispersion
There is a concentration of insects on that rotten log.
Derivatives >> concentrations
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23
agreement in purpose or feeling, consensus
Antonym >> discord
My wife and children were in concert together to destroy me.
Derivatives >> concerted, concertedly
conciliate
kun SIL ee ate
to reconcile, to pacify, to renew a friendship
Synonyms >> appease, mollify, placate, propitiate
Antonym >> to estrange
My husband tried to conciliate me with a gift of roses.
Derivatives >> conciliated, conciliating, conciliator, conciliatoriness, conciliatorily
concomitant kon KOM uh tunt
something that accompanies or exists concurrently with something else
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unassociated
The Miss America Pageant and its concomitant events provide the beauties with many new experiences.
Derivatives >> concomitance, concomitancy, concomitantly
concord
KON kord
agreement; concurrence in attitudes, consensus
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lack of harmony
There was complete concord among the delegates.
Derivatives >> concordal, concordance, concordant, concordatory
conduit
KON doo it
a pipe or tube for conveying water or other fluids, flume
285. concert
KON surt
Synonyms >>
286.
287.
288.
289.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The water ran through a conduit to the outside of the building.
Derivatives >>
290. conflagration kon fluh GRAY shun
a large fire
Antonym >> small flame
Some believe that the earth will be destroyed by a large conflagration.
Derivatives >> conflagrations, conflagrant, conflagrate, conflagrator, conflagratory
confluence
KON floo uns
a coming together
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> divergence
What is the name of the town that sits at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers?
Derivatives >> confluent
confound
kon FOUND
to cause one to become confused
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to distinguish between
I am confounded by the tax forms of the IRS.
Derivatives >> confounded, confoundedly, confounding, confounds
congeal
kun JEEL
to solidify or to coagulate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to become fluid
We waited three hours for the Jello to congeal.
Derivatives >> congealing, congealed, congealment, congelative
congenial
kun JEEN yul
characterized by friendly sociability
Synonyms >> compatible, consonant, genial, pleasant,
Antonym >>
attractive
The family decided to settle in the congenial little town.
Derivatives >> congeniality, congenially, congenialness
congenital
kun JEN uh tul
existing at birth or dating from birth
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> acquired
Due to the abuse of drugs, hundreds of babies are born with congenital birth defects each year.
Derivatives >> congenitally
conglomerate kun GLOM ur it
a mixture of many things
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> separated elements
When the three companies merged, a giant conglomerate was formed.
Derivatives >> conglomerated, conglomerating, conglomeratic, conglomeritic, conglomeration
conjecture
kun JEK chur
an inference or conclusion drawn or deduced by surmise or guesswork
Synonyms >> supposition, surmise, guess
Antonym >> verified statement
The theory that the scientist offered was only a matter of conjecture.
Derivatives >> conject, conjector, conjectural, conjecturally, conjectured, conjecturing, conjecturer
Synonyms >>
291.
292.
293.
294.
295.
296.
297.
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24
kon uh SUR
a person who is able to be a judge in matters of art or taste
Antonym >>
critic, aesthete
My sister knows so much about wine that she might be considered a connoisseur.
Derivatives >> connoisseurs, connoisseurship
299. consecrate
KON suh krate
to dedicate or to declare sacred
Synonyms >> devote, hallow
Antonym >> to profane
Ministers customarily consecrate their lives to serving God.
Derivatives >> consecrated, consecrating, consecratory, consecrator, consecration
300. conservatory kun SIR vuh tor ee
a greenhouse or place where plants are raised; a school for music and art
298. connoisseur
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The flower show will be held at the conservatory on the fair grounds.
Derivatives >> conservatories
301. consolidate
kun SOL uh date
to make solid, to unite, or to merge
Antonym >> to break into parts
Medical professionals need to consolidate their forces to seek a cure for the AIDS virus.
Derivatives >> consolidated, consolidating, consolidator, consolidation
conspicuous kun SPIK yoo us
obvious, noticeable, attracting attention
Synonyms >> prominent, remarkable, salient, striking
Antonym >> veiled; hidden
The wife of the president was conspicuous by her absence.
Derivatives >> conspicuity, conspicuously, conspicuousness
constrict
kun STRIKT
to tighten or to make narrow
Synonyms >> compress, condense, contract, deflate
Antonym >> to distend
Strangling constricts the windpipe and keeps air from reaching the lungs.
Derivatives >> constriction, constrictive, constrictor, constricted, constricting
contaminant kun TAM uh nunt
something that causes impurity; something that defiles or pollutes
Synonyms >> pollutant
Antonym >> disinfectant
The polluted water contained many dangerous contaminants.
Derivatives >> contaminate, contaminated, contaminating, contaminator, contamination
contempt
kun TEMPT
scorn, extreme dislike or disdain
Synonyms >> despicableness, pitiableness, scurviness
Antonym >> respect
The man treated the gossiping woman with contempt; talking about other people was beneath his dignity.
Derivatives >> contemptible, contemptuous
contentious kun TEN shus
quarrelsome, stirring controversy
Synonyms >> bellicose, belligerent, pugnacious
Antonym >> congenial; harmonious
My contentious child will not listen to any form of reason.
Derivatives >> contentiously, contentiousness, contention
contest
kun TEST
to compete, to attempt to disprove
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to accept without dispute
I contest your statement about his lack of courage.
Derivatives >> contested, contesting, contests
contrite
kun TRITE
extremely apologetic, remorseful, repentant
Synonyms >> penitent
Antonym >> unrepentant
Her contrite tears were not enough to convince her father not to spank her for her disobedience.
Derivatives >> contritely, contriteness, contrition
contusion
kun TOO shun
a bruise, an injury that does not break the skin
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> laceration
I suffered a severe contusion on my leg while playing soccer.
Derivatives >> contuse, contused, contusing, contusive
convalescence kon vuh LES uns
the gradual recovery of health and strength after illness
Synonyms >>
302.
303.
304.
305.
306.
307.
308.
309.
310.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The athlete's convalescence was dependent on following his doctor's orders.
Derivatives >> convalesce, convalescent, convalescently
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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25
311. converge
kun VERJ
to move together
Antonym >> to move apart
The cars converged at the intersection at the same time and crashed.
Derivatives >> converged, converging, convergence, convergency, convergent
312. convivial
kun VIV ee ul
fond of good company and of festivity
Synonyms >> friendly, sociable
Antonym >> unsociable
He was of the convivial sort, fond of people, parties, and pleasures.
Derivatives >> conviviality, convivially, convivium, convivia
313. convocation kon vo KAY shun
an assembly where there is a coming together
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
314.
315.
316.
317.
318.
319.
320.
321.
322.
Antonym >>
We always start the college fall semester with a general convocation.
Derivatives >> convocational, convoke, convoker
convoke
kun VOKE
to summon or to call together
Synonyms >> convene, muster
Antonym >> to revoke; to disassemble
The meeting of the board was convoked to discuss the chairman's resignation.
Derivatives >> convocation, convoke, convoker
copious
KO pee us
abundant
Synonyms >> ample
Antonym >> sparse
I always take copious notes in my history class.
Derivatives >> copiousness, copiously
coquette
ko KET
a woman who flirts with men without sincere affection
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> prude
The young woman flirted coquettishly with the man.
Derivatives >> coquetry, coquet, coquetted, coquetting, coquettish, coquettishly, coquettishness
cordial
KOR jul
courteous and gracious; friendly; warm
Synonyms >> affectionate, genial, cheering
Antonym >>
We received a very cordial reception from the hostess of the party.
Derivatives >> cordially, cordialness, cordiality
corporeal
kor POR ee ul
relating to a physical, material body; tangible and palpable
Synonyms >> bodily, material, substantial
Antonym >> immaterial; not tangible
The lawyers asked the man to list all his corporeal properties, his material assets which are visible or tangible.
Derivatives >> corporealis t, corporeality, corporealize, corporeally
corpulence
KOR pyuh luns
state of being very fat
Synonyms >> obesity
Antonym >> emaciation
Overeating will lead to corpulence.
Derivatives >> corpulent, corpulently
corroboration kuh rob uh RAY shun
confirmation
Synonyms >> authentication, substantiation, validation,
Antonym >> refutation
verification
Fortunately, I had some corroboration for my whereabouts on the night of the crime.
Derivatives >> corroborate, corroborated, corroborating, corroboratory, corroboratively, corroborator
corrugated KOR uh gay ted
bent into folds
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> smooth
A corrugated box absorbs shock and helps to protect its contents.
Derivatives >> corrugate, corrugating
cosmetology koz muh TOL uh jee
use of cosmetics in treating the hair, skin, or nails
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
I am studying cosmetology so that I can get a job in a beauty salon.
Derivatives >> cosmetologist, cosmetologies
323. cosmopolitan koz muh POL uh tun
dealing with the whole world
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> parochial
His cosmopolitan views make him a natural delegate to the world convention.
Derivatives >> cosmopolitanism, cosmopolite
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26
324. coterie
KO tuh ree
a small group that shares interests
Antonym >> individual
Fraternities and sororities were formed from coteries.
Derivatives >> coteries
325. countenance KOUN tuh nuns
to condone or to give approval
Synonyms >> approve, sanction, endorse
Antonym >> to disapprove
I do not countenance any form of cheating.
Derivatives >> countenanced, countenancing, countenancer
326. countermand koun ter MAND
to revoke, to cancel, or to reverse
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to approve; to validate
When the President awoke from surgery, he countermanded some orders issued by the Vice President.
Derivatives >> countermandable, countermanded, countermanding
327. couple
KUH pul
to join or to link together
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to separate
If you will couple the beads, you will have a longer necklace.
Derivatives >> coupled, couples, coupling
328. coven
KUV un
an assembly of witches
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
329.
330.
331.
332.
333.
334.
335.
336.
Antonym >>
The ritual was being performed by a coven of witches.
Derivatives >> covens
covert
KUV urt, KO vurt
secret, concealed
Synonyms >> clandestine, furtive, stealthy, surreptitious,
Antonym >> open, conspicuous
underhanded
The spy was engaged
in many covert activities; it was his job to keep them secret.
Derivatives >> covertly, covertness
crass
KRASS
coarse, crude, and unrefined
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> refined; sophisticated
Using foul language in front of your mother is crass.
Derivatives >> crassly, crassness, crassitude
credible
KRED uh bul
reliable and believable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unbelievable
It is important for a person's words to be credible.
Derivatives >> credibility, credibleness, credibly
credulous
KREJ uh lus
believing on slight evidence, gullible
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> suspicious
Because the lady's horoscope said that she should stay inside, the credulous woman did not go to work.
Derivatives >> credulously, credulousness, credulity
crescendo
kruh SHEN doe
a gradual increase in volume and intensity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> decrescendo; decrease in sound
The music began to crescendo into a loud blare.
Derivatives >> crescendoed, crescendoing
cryptic
KRIP tik
mysterious, secret
Synonyms >> abstruse, ambiguous, enigmatic, obscure,
Antonym >> clear; revealed
recondite
I did not understand his cryptic message.
Derivatives >> cryptical, cryptically, crypotogram, cryptography, cryptonym, cryptonymous
culpable
KUL puh bul
deserving blame; guilty
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> blameless
He was culpable for his children's constant bad behavior.
Derivatives >> culpability, culpableness, culpably
cumbersome KUM bur sum
difficult to handle, unwieldly
Synonyms >> cumbrous, ponderous
Antonym >> easily handled
Carrying all of these books is a cumbersome task.
Derivatives >> cumbersomely, cumbersomeness, cumbrous, cumbrously, cumbrousness
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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27
kyoo PID uh tee
greed
Antonym >> benevolence
avarice
The cupidity of a miser cannot be satisfied.
Derivatives >> cupidities
338. curmudgeon kur MUJ un
a surly, ill-mannered person; a grumpy person -- usually an old man
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> placid person
Grandpa, being dissatisfied with everything, has become a curmudgeon.
Derivatives >> curmudgeonly
339. cursory
KUR suh ree
superficial, casual, hastily done
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> meticulous
He gave only cursory consideration to my suggestion.
Derivatives >> cursorily, cursoriness
340. cutlery
KUT luh ree
cutting instruments
337. cupidity
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The salesman gave the woman a set of cutlery just for listening to his sales pitch.
Derivatives >> cutler, cutleries
341. cynical
SIN uh kul
given to faultfinding, sneering, and sarcasm; exhibiting mocking
disbelief
Synonyms >> misanthropic, pessimistic, misogynic
Antonym >>
Some people are so cynical they sneer at everything that would make life worthwhile.
Derivatives >> cynic, cynically, cynicism
342. dashiki
da SHE kee
a loose and brightly colored tunic or garment
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The woman's dashiki was purple and gold.
Derivatives >>
343. daunt
DAWNT
to intimidate, to dismay
Antonym >> to hearten
I am not daunted by your threats.
Derivatives >> dauntless, dauntlessly, dauntlessness
dawdle
DOD ul
to waste time, to spend time idly, to move in a lackadaisical manner
Synonyms >> dally, loiter, procrastinate
Antonym >> to rush
Since we have a deadline, do not dawdle over your work.
Derivatives >> dawdled, dawdling
dearth
DERTH
a lack, a scarcity
Synonyms >> paucity
Antonym >> adequate supply
The dearth of water in the arid country led to numerous deaths.
Derivatives >> dearths
debase
deh BASE
to reduce in dignity or quality
Synonyms >> abase, corrupt, debauch, demean, deprave,
Antonym >> to glorify
pervert,
vitiate
Do not debase yourself by swearing.
Derivatives >> debased, debasing, debasement, debaser, debasingly
debauchery deh BAH chuh ree
moral corruption
Synonyms >> abasement, corruption, debasement, depravity, Antonym >> temperance
perversion,
Certainly a minister
would vitiation
say that group sex is an example of debauchery.
Derivatives >> debauch, debaucher, debauchment, debauchee
debilitate
deh BIL uh tate
to weaken, to enfeeble
Synonyms >> sap
Antonym >> to invigorate
I was debilitated by my bout with pneumonia.
Derivatives >> debilitated, debilitating, debilitation, debilitative, debility
debunk
deh BUNGK
to expose the falseness or hypocrisy of something
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to cover up; to conceal
The charlatan was quickly debunked by the perceptive doctor.
Derivatives >> debunker, debunkers, debunked, debunking
Synonyms >>
344.
345.
346.
347.
348.
349.
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28
DEK uh dunt
decaying
declined, degenerated
Drugs, prostitution, and crime are signs of a decadent society.
Derivatives >> decadently, decadence, decadency
351. decelerate
dee SEL uh rate
to slow down
350. decadent
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> flourishing
Antonym >> to speed up
Before you reach the intersection, you should decelerate.
Derivatives >> decelerator,deceleration,decelerated, decelerating
declaim
deh KLAME
to harangue, to speak bombastically or vehemently
Synonyms >> bombast, fustian, rant, rodomontade
Antonym >> to mention
He declaimed his opponents with oratorical vigor.
Derivatives >> declaimer, declamation, declamatory, declaimed, declaiming
declivity
deh KLIV uh tee
downward slope
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> ascending slope
The declivity of the mountain made climbing it quite hazardous.
Derivatives >> declivous, declivitous
decorousness DEK ur us ness
proper behavior
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lack of propriety
A gentleman's behavior is known for its decorousness.
Derivatives >> decorous, decorously, decorum
decorum
deh KOR um
appropriate conduct, correct and proper behavior
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> impropriety
The students' decorum at the dance was excellent.
Derivatives >> decorous, decorously, decorousness
decry
deh KRY
to speak against, to rail against, to dis parage
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to laud
Many decry the lack of concern for this problem.
Derivatives >> decried, decrying, decrier
defamation
def uh MAY shun
act of harming or ruining another's reputation
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> adulation
The defamation of another's character is a horrible thing.
Derivatives >> defamatory, defame, defamed, defamer, defamingly
defer
deh FUR
to put off action until a future time; to delay
Synonyms >> postpone, procrastinate
Antonym >> to begin immediately
The decision has been deferred by the board until next week.
Derivatives >> deferred, deferring, deferrable
deference
DEF ur uns
courteous going along with the opinions or wishes of another
Synonyms >> homage, reverence, respect
Antonym >> disrespect
In deference to your wishes, I will not see him again.
Derivatives >> deferential, deferentially, deferentiality
defile
deh FILE
to make dirty, to desecrate, to pollute
Synonyms >> contaminate, taint
Antonym >> to enhance
The gang defiled the school with obscene graffiti.
Derivatives >> defilement, defiler, defiling, defilingly
defoliate
dee FOE lee ate
to deprive of leaves
Synonyms >>
352.
353.
354.
355.
356.
357.
358.
359.
360.
361.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The chemical Agent Orange was used in Vietnam to defoliate the trees so the enemy could be found.
Derivatives >> defoliant, defoliated, defoliating, defoliator
362. defraud
deh FRAWD
to deal with deceptively
Synonyms >> cozen, swindle
Antonym >> to deal with honestly
Some defense contractors have defrauded the government out of millions of dollars.
Derivatives >> defrauded, defrauding, defraudation, defraudment
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29
DEFT
skillful, adroit
Antonym >> clumsy
clever, cunning, dexterous, ingenious
He was very deft in handling the questions from the reporter.
Derivatives >> deftness, deftly
364. defunct
deh FUNGKT
no longer existing, dead
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> existing
That company went bankrupt and is now defunct.
Derivatives >> defunction, defunctive
365. defuse
dee FYOOZ
to remove or to lessen danger or hostility
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to intensify, to escalate
The crisis was defused when the army pulled back.
Derivatives >> defused, defusing
366. deleterious
del eh TEER ee us
harmful; dangerous; injurious
Synonyms >> baneful, detrimental, noxious, pernicious
Antonym >> harmless, benign
Some chemicals have deleterious effects on those who must handle them.
Derivatives >> deletery, deleteriously, deleteriousness
367. delimits
deh LIM it
fixes or defines the limit or boundary of something
363. deft
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The fence he built delimits his property.
Derivatives >> delimitate, delimiter, delimitation, delimitative, delimited, delimiting
368. delineation
deh len ee A shun
an outline, depiction, portrayal
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The profits of the company were delineated to the board.
Derivatives >> delineate, delineative, delineator
369. demagogue DEM uh gog
a person or leader who appeals to passions or prejudices
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Hitler is an example of a demagogue.
Derivatives >> demagogic, demagogical, demagogically, demagogism, demagoguism, demagoguery, demagogy
370. demarcation dee mar KAY shun
a setting or marking of a boundary
Synonyms >>
371.
372.
373.
374.
375.
Antonym >>
Latitudinal or longitudinal lines are often used as demarcation lines between states or countries.
Derivatives >> demarcate, demarcated, demarcating, demarcator
demur
deh MUR
to hesitate, to delay, to object
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to proceed, to agree, to accede
To demur at this time might cause the whole operation to be destroyed.
Derivatives >> demurred, demurring
demure
deh MYOOR
serious, reserved, coy
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> flagrant
Hollywood often portrays gentlemen as handsome and demure.
Derivatives >> demurer, demurest, demurely
denigrate
DEN uh grate
to belittle, to run down, to deny the importance of something
Synonyms >> asperse, calumniate, defame, malign, slander,
Antonym >> to praise; to laud; to acclaim
traduce,vilify
To denigrate someone's reputation merely on hearsay is wrong.
Derivatives >> denigration, denigrator, denigratory, denigrated, denigrating
deplete
deh PLETE
to use up gradually, to lessen in amount or value
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to restore
Our oil reserves have been depleted because of years of drilling and pumping.
Derivatives >> depleted, depleting, depletion, depletive, depletable
deplore
deh PLORE
to regret deeply or strongly; to feel or to express deep grief for
Synonyms >> bemoan, bewail, lament, mourn
Antonym >> to celebrate
The students deplored the death of their teacher.
Derivatives >> deplored, deploring, deploration, deplorer, deploringly
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30
deh PRAV eh tee
moral corruption, a wicked or perverse act
abasement, corruption, debasement, debauchery, Antonym >> noble behavior
vitiation
The depravity ofperversion,
his behavior
shocked everyone.
Derivatives >> deprave, depraver, depravement, depraved
deprecate
DEP ruh kate
to disapprove regretfully, to belittle, to express mild disapproval
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to endorse
Do not deprecate her act unless you fully understand her situation.
Derivatives >> depracating, deprecatingly, deprecative, deprecatively, deprecatory, deprecated, deprecating
dereliction
der uh LIK shun
conscious or willful neglect
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> careful attention
The private was charged with dereliction of duty when he was found asleep at his guard post.
Derivatives >> derelict, derelictly, derelictness
derision
deh REH zhun
scoffing at, mockery, ridicule
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> applause
The boy received much derision for his plaid gym shorts.
Derivatives >> derisive, derisiveness, derisively, derisory
derivative
deh RIV uh tiv
something that comes from another thing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> original
The word "denotative" is a derivative of the word "denote."
Derivatives >> derive, derivable, derivability, derivate, derivately, derivational, derivationist, derivatist
desecrate
DES uh krate
to violate the sanctity of something, to profane, to adulterate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to consecrate; to laud; to praise
The hoodlums desecrated the cemetery by painting on the tombstones.
Derivatives >> desecrater, desecration
desiccate
DES uh kate
to dry up
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to soak
When traveling, desiccated milk or soup is easy to carry.
Derivatives >> desiccated, desiccation, desiccative, desiccator, desiccatory
desist
deh ZIST, deh SIST
to cease from doing something
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to go on
The soldiers were ordered to cease and desist, or else be fired upon.
Derivatives >> desistance, desition, desisted, desisting
desolate
DES uh lit
deserted, without inhabitants, barren
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> populous
Some of the western states have large areas that are desolate.
Derivatives >> desolately, desolateness, desolater, desolating, desolation
despairing
deh SPARE ing
hopeless, despondent, discouraged
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> hopeful
The woman's despairing tears touched the hearts of many.
Derivatives >> despair, despaired, despairful, despairfully, despairingly, despairingness
despicable
des PIK uh bul
very bad, contemptible
Synonyms >> pitiable, scurvy
Antonym >> likable
Acting like a bully is despicable.
Derivatives >> despicability, despicableness, despicably
despoil
deh SPOIL
to take possessions by force, to plunder
Synonyms >> devastate, pillage, ravage, sack, waste
Antonym >> to replenish
Residents of occupied areas during a war are often despoiled.
Derivatives >> despoiler, despoilment, despoliation
despondency deh SPON dun see
depression, dejection
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> blithe hopefulness
Because he thought that he had failed the test, he felt great despondency.
Derivatives >> despondent, despondence, despondently, desponding, despondingly
376. depravity
Synonyms >>
377.
378.
379.
380.
381.
382.
383.
384.
385.
386.
387.
388.
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31
389. despotic
Synonyms >>
390.
391.
392.
393.
394.
395.
396.
397.
398.
399.
400.
401.
deh SPOT ik
ruling oppressively and absolutely; tyrannical
Antonym >> ruling democratically
Americans do not like despotic behavior.
Derivatives >> despotical, despotically, despotism, despotist, despotize, despot
destitution
des teh TOO shun
state of being extremely poor, in extreme want
Synonyms >> impecunity, indigence, penury, want
Antonym >> prosperity
We face destitution if our father loses his job.
Derivatives >> destitute, destitutely, destituteness
desultory
DES ul tore ee
jumping around, aimless, random
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> concentrated
The man's desultory attempts at finding employment wasted his time.
Derivatives >> desultorious, desultoriness, desultorily, desultor
deterrent
deh TUR unt
something that discourages or keeps something from happening
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> incentive
Some think that the death penalty is a deterrent to crime.
Derivatives >> deterrently, deterrence, deterring, deter
dexterous
DEK struss
skillful and active with the hands; manually adroit and skillful
Synonyms >> deft, handy
Antonym >> clumsy
The machine shop advertised for a dexterous worker.
Derivatives >> dexterity, dexterously, dexterousness, dextral
diatribe
DIE uh tribe
bitter denunciation or criticism, anathama
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> acclaim; praise
The new actress could not take the vicious diatribes of the critics.
Derivatives >> diatribes
dictum
DIK tum
an authoritative statement, decree
Synonyms >> saying, maxim
Antonym >>
The dictum from the Pope allows this activity.
Derivatives >> dicta
didactic
die DAK tik
instructive, designed to teach
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> uninstructive
Because of the coach's didactic approach, his players learned many blocking techniques.
Derivatives >> didactical, didacticism, didactive, didactically
diffidence
DIF eh duns
shyness, reserve, unassertiveness
Synonyms >> bashfulness, modesty
Antonym >> confidence
Because of his diffidence, he would not ask any girl to the prom.
Derivatives >> diffidency, diffident, diffidently, diffidentness
diffuse
deh FYOOZ
to spread in all directions
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to bring together
The rioting crowd was diffused by tear gas and water hoses.
Derivatives >> diffusedness, diffusedly, diffusely, diffuseness, diffuser, diffusibility, diffusion, diffusible
dilation
die LAY shun
expansion
Synonyms >> amplification, distention, inflation, swelling
Antonym >> constriction
Some drugs will cause the dilation of the pupil of the eye.
Derivatives >> dilate, dilated, dilatedly, dilatedness, dilative
dilatory
DIL uh tor ee
delaying, slow
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> proceeding
The Senator is employing the filibuster as a dilatory tactic.
Derivatives >> dilatoriness, dilatorily
dilettante
dil eh TANT tee
an aimless and superficial follower of the arts, a dabbler
Synonyms >> amateur, tyro
Antonym >> virtuoso; professional
The dilettante could be seen at all the art exhibits though he was far from being an accomplished artist himself.
Derivatives >> dilettantish, dilettantism, dilettantist
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32
DIL eh junt
characterized by steady, attentive and energetic effort in a pursuit or study
Antonym >>
industrious, assiduous, sedulous
The students in the special course were studious and diligent.
Derivatives >> diligence, diligency, diligently, diligentness
403. diminution
dim uh NOO shun
diminishment, reduction
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> escalation
The diminution of nuclear weapons is a goal of arms control.
Derivatives >> diminutive, diminutival, diminutively, diminutiveness
404. din
DEN
loud and discordant noises, cacophony
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> euphony
The din in the senate was so great that I could not hear the speaker.
Derivatives >> dins, dinned, dinning
405. diorama
die uh RAM uh
a three-dimensional miniature scene with painted model figures
402. diligent
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The student built a diorama for his project.
Derivatives >> dioramic
406. dirge
DURJ
funeral hymn, lament
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dance
The music was so morose and solemn that it sounded like a dirge.
Derivatives >>
dirgeful, dirges
407. disapprobation dis ap ruh BAY shun disapproval, condemnation
Antonym >> sanction
The unruly child faced the disapprobation of his parents when they learned of his behavior.
Derivatives >> disapprobative, disapprobatory
disavowal
dis uh VOW ul
denial
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> acknowledgment
His disavowal of the charges against him made the jury wonder if he was really guilty.
Derivatives >> disavow
discern
deh SURN
to differentiate between two or more things
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to ignore; to be oblivious; to confuse
Because of the fog, I was barely able to discern the landing strip.
Derivatives >> discerner, discernible, discernable, discernibleness, discernibly, discernably, discerningly,
discernment
disconcerting dis
kun SUR ting
upsetting, frustrating
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> refreshing; calming
That he has not responded to the medicine is disconcerting.
Derivatives >> disconcert, disconcerted, disconcertedness, disconcerting, disconcertingly, disconcertingness
disconcertment
discord
DIS
kord
lack of agreement, tension, strife
Synonyms >> contention, dissension, variance
Antonym >> harmony; agreement
There is a lot of discord in the nation over the issue of abortion.
Derivatives >> discordance, discordancy, discordant, discordantly, discordantness
discrepant
deh SKREP unt
disagreeing, inconsistent
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> same; consistent
The auditor became suspicious when he found the discrepant accounts.
Derivatives >> discrepancy, discrepantly
discretion
deh SKRESH un
ability to act on one's own power of individual decision
Synonyms >>
408.
409.
410.
411.
412.
413.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The judge has wide discretion in the bail that he sets.
Derivatives >>
discretional, discretionally, discretionary
414. discriminating deh SKRIM uh nay
drawing fine distinctions, picky
ting
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> uncritical
Since he has discriminating tastes, the wine must be selected carefully.
Derivatives >> discriminate, discriminability, discriminable, discriminably, discriminant, discriminated
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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33
415. discursive
Synonyms >>
416.
417.
418.
419.
420.
421.
422.
423.
424.
425.
426.
427.
deh SKUR siv
rambling, moving from one topic to another randomly
Antonym >> concise
His discursive speech was hard to follow.
Derivatives >> discursion, discursively, discursiveness
disdain
dis DANE
intense dislike; to treat with scorn or contempt, to reject as unworthy
Synonyms >> (to be) arrogant, haughty, high-handed, insolent, Antonym >> favor, admiration; to love
lordly,
Never having had
to dosupercilious
manual labor, he disdained the idea of becoming a cotton picker.
Derivatives >> disdained, disdaining, disdainer, disdainful, disdainfully, disdainfulness
disencumber dis en KUM bur
to free from burdens, to extricate
Synonyms >> disembarrass, ext ricate
Antonym >> to entangle; to snare
We are trying to disemcumber ourselves from financial debts.
Derivatives >> disencumberment, disencumbrance
disentangle dis en TANG gul
to unravel, extricate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to enmesh; to tie up
The referee tried to disentangle the players to see who had the ball.
Derivatives >> disentanglement, disentangler
disinclination dis in kluh NAY shun
a desire to avoid, aversion
Synonyms >> hesitance, loathing, reluctance
Antonym >> eagerness
I have a disinclination to go to Europe this summer since the dollar is worth less.
Derivatives >> disincline, disinclined
disinterment dis in TUR munt
removal from a grave or tomb
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> burial
The family signed a court order for the relative's disinterment.
Derivatives >> disinter
disjunction dis JUNGK shun
act of disjoining
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> union
The train wreck was caused by a disjunction of the tracks.
Derivatives >> disjunctional, disjunctive, disjunctivity
disparage
deh SPAR ij
to degrade, to speak of someone or something in a derogatory manner
Synonyms >> belittle, decry, deprecate
Antonym >> to praise profusely
His disparaging remarks about me caused the committee to give the job to another person.
Derivatives >> disparagement, disparager, disparagingly
disparity
deh SPAR eh tee
inequality, the condition or fact of being unequal in age, rank, or degree
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> similarity
The couple got married even though there was a great disparity in their ages.
Derivatives >> disparate, disparately, disparateness, disparatum
dispatch
deh SPATCH
to send away with promptness or speed; speed, quickness
Synonyms >> haste, expediency
Antonym >> to delay; slowness, inefficiency
The officer dispatched his troops to the scene of conflict.
Derivatives >> dispatched, dispatching, dispatches
disputatious dis pyoo TAY shus
inclined to fight, to argue, or to debate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> conciliatory
People avoided serious discussions with him because of his disputatious manner.
Derivatives >> dispute, disputability, disputation, disputatiously, disputatiousness, disputative, disputatively
disputativeness
disrepute
dis
reh PYOOT
disgrace, loss of reputation
Synonyms >> ignominy, infamy
Antonym >> esteem; dignity
If he does not win the perjury case, he will be held in disrepute.
Derivatives >> disreputability, disreputable, disreputably
dissected
deh SEK tid
divided into numerous segments or parts
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> whole
In biology today I dissected a frog.
Derivatives >> dissect, dissecting, dissection, dissectional, dissective, dissector
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34
428. dissemble
deh SEM bul
to disguise, to pretend
Antonym >> to reveal
Although he tried to dissemble his motive for seeing me, I knew the real reason.
Derivatives >> dissembled, dissembling, dissembler, dissemblingly
dissemination deh sem uh NAY shun
the act of spreading widely; scattering
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> consolidation
The dissemination of these ideas can best be achieved through television.
Derivatives >> disseminate, disseminator
dissipation
dis uh PAY shun
wasteful spending, squandering
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> collection
Even though he inherited a million dollars, I expect quick dissipation of his fortune.
Derivatives >> dissipate, dissipated, dissipatedly, dissipatedness, dissipater, dissipative
dissolution
dis uh LOO shun
disintegration, decomposition and dispersion
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> integration
The dissolution of the partnership caused him much grief.
Derivatives >> dissolute, dissolutely, dissoluteness, dissolutive, dissoluble
dissonance
DIS uh nuns
unrelated and harsh combination of sounds, discord
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> harmony
Dissonance is a part of some contemporary music.
Derivatives >> dissonant, dissonancy
dissuade
deh SWADE
to advise against, to talk out of
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to persuade, to encourage
I tried to dissuade him from going over Niagra Falls in a barrel, but he would not listen.
Derivatives >> dissuadable, dissuasion, dissuasive, dissuasively, dissuasiveness
distant
DIS tunt
chilly in manner
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> cordial
Her distant behavior made it difficult to talk to the woman; her chilly manner bordered on being rude.
Derivatives >> distantly, distantness
distend
deh STEND
to expand, to swell
Synonyms >> amplify, dilate, inflate
Antonym >> to contract
If a balloon is distended too much, it will break.
Derivatives >> distended, distendedly, distendedness, distensibility, distensible, distensile, distension, distention
distensive
dither
DITH
ur
a state of trembling excitement or fear; vacillation; a trembling; vibration
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> action with assurance
I am in a dither about whose offer to accept to the prom.
Derivatives >> dithered, dithering, dithery
diurnal
die UR nul
occurring during the day or daily
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> occurring at night, nocturnal
Several of the events for graduation will be diurnal.
Derivatives >> diurnally, diurnation
divination
div uh NAY shun
foretelling the future by means of magic
Synonyms >>
429.
430.
431.
432.
433.
434.
435.
436.
437.
438.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The prophet was known for his accuracy in divination.
Derivatives >> divinator, divinatory, divine, divination, divined
439. docile
DOS ul
easily managed, obedient, passive
Synonyms >> amenable, tractable
Antonym >> unruly; unmanageable
The dog was docile until the doorbell rang.
Derivatives >> docible, docibility, docilely, docility
440. document
DOK yu munt
to support with references or citations
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to leave unsupported
The lawyer must document instances of bad conduct if a sound case is to be made against the criminal.
Derivatives >> documents, documenting, documentive
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35
441. dogma
DOG muh
a system of beliefs or principles
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The foreigner was anxious to learn the dogma of the church since he had never been exposed to it.
Derivatives >> dogmatic
442. dogmatic
dog MAT ik
strongly opinioniated in an unwarranted manner
Synonyms >> dictatorial, doctrinaire, magisterial, oracular
Antonym >> unopinionated; wishy-washy
He was so dogmatic that having an intelligent discussion with him was impossible.
Derivatives >> dogmatician, dogmatical, dogmatically, dogmaticalness, dogmaticism, dogmatism, dogmatize
dogmatization
443. doleful
DOL ful
having great sorrow
Synonyms >> melancholy, plaintive, lugubrious, mournful
Antonym >> cheerful
By her doleful expression, I knew that she did not make the cheerleader squad.
Derivatives >> dolefully, dolefulness
444. dolt
DOLT
a dull, stupid person; blockhead
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Hearing stupid statements from such a dolt is not surprising.
Derivatives >> doltish, doltishly, doltishness
445. domicile
DOM eh sile
home or residence, abode
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Because he works on both coasts, he has two domiciles.
Derivatives >> domicilable, domicil, domiciliary, domiciliar
446. dormant
DOR munt
inactive, sleeping
Synonyms >> abeyant, latent, quiescent
Antonym >> active
Most flowers remain dormant in the winter and bloom in the spring.
Derivatives >> dormancy
447. dormer
DOR mur
a gabled extension of an attic room; window in such an extension
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The cat perched on the roof of the dormer and looked down below.
Derivatives >> dormers
448. dotard
DOE turd
a senile person
Antonym >> youth
Synonyms >>
Talking to the dotard was difficult because he often forgot where he was.
Derivatives >> dotards, dotage
449. dour
DOUR, DOW ur
sullen, stern, harsh
Antonym >> cheerful in appearance
Synonyms >>
His dour behavior was caused by the rain washing out his golf game.
Derivatives >> dourly, dourer, dourest
450. dowager
DOW uh jur
a widow who holds a title from her husband, an elderly woman of society
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
That little resort town is a favorite place of many wealthy dowagers.
Derivatives >> dowagers
451. droll
DROLE
odd or whimsical
Antonym >> serious
Synonyms >>
The droll expression on the man's face revealed his sense of humor.
Derivatives >> drollery, drollingly, drolliness
452. drone
DRONE
speaking in a monotonous tone; a continuous low humming sound
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
I could hardly endure the constant drone of the speaker's voice.
Derivatives >> droned, droning, drones, droner, droningly, dronish
453. dross
DROSE
waste material
Antonym >> valuable matter
Synonyms >>
Separating gold from the dross by hand is backbreaking labor.
Derivatives >> drosser, drossy, drossier, drossiest
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36
454. dub
DUB
to honor with a new title
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
I dub thee a knight of the Round Table.
Derivatives >> dubbed, dubbing, dubs, dubber
455. dubious
DOO be us
doubtful; not clear
Antonym >> distinct, doubtless, assured
Since he had not read the document, he was a little dubious about signing his name to it.
Derivatives >> dubiously, dubiousness, dubitable, dubitancy, dubitate, dubitation, dubitative, dubiety
456. ductile
DUK tul
capable of being fashioned into a new form
Synonyms >> pliable, pliant, malleable, adaptable
Antonym >> unmalleable
The crowd seemed like a ductile mass easily swayed in any direction.
Derivatives >> ductible, ductilely, ductility
457. dulcet
DUL sit
pleasing to the ear, melodious, euphonious
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> harsh; cacophonous
I was soothed by the dulcet tones of the violin.
Derivatives >> dulcetly, dulcify
458. dupe
DOOP, DYOOP
to trick, to fool, to deceive, or to cheat; to bilk
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
He was duped into investing his life savings into a bankrupt company.
Derivatives >> duped, duping, dupery
459. duplicity
doo PLIS eh tee
double-dealing, hypocrisy
Antonym >> sincerity; single-mindedness
His duplicity was exposed when the girl he was seeing found out he was married.
Derivatives >> duplicitous
dynamic
die NAM ik
producing an effect of energetic movement or progression
Synonyms >> forceful, energetic
Antonym >>
The man gave a dynamic speech to the audience.
Derivatives >> dynamically, dynamical
ebullient
eh BUL yunt
overflowing with excitement, showing enthusiasm
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> staid, stoic
She was ebullient about going to the prom.
Derivatives >> ebullience, ebulliency, ebulliently
eclectic
eh KLEK tik
coming from a variety of diverse sources
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> from one source
His eclectic tastes range from Bach to the Beatles.
Derivatives >> eclectically, eclecticism
eclipse
eh KLIPS
to cast a shadow upon; to darken; to make dim or obscure by comparison
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to make prominent or obvious
President Bush's successes in foreign policy were eclipsed by domestic failures in the public eye.
Derivatives >> eclipsed, eclipsing, ecliptic, ecliptically, ecliptical
ecstasy
EK stuh see
extreme happiness
Synonyms >> rapture, transport
Antonym >> wretchedness
The music was so beautiful that it put the crowd into a state of ecstasy.
Derivatives >> ecstatic, ecstatical, ecstatically
eddy
ED ee
a current of air or water moving contrary to the main current (circularly)
Synonyms >> whirlpool
Antonym >>
An eddy of wind picked up debris in the street and scattered it along the walks.
Derivatives >> eddies, eddyings
edifice
ED uh fis
a very large building
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> shack; small building
This particular edifice has the title of being the tallest building in the world.
Synonyms >>
460.
461.
462.
463.
464.
465.
466.
Derivatives >>
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37
instructing and improving spiritually or morally
Antonym >> heinous; nefarious
Visiting the cathedral was an edifying experience.
Derivatives >> edification, edificatory, edify, edifier, edifyingness
468. efface
eh FASE
to erase, to wear away
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to make conspicuous
The date on the coin has been effaced.
Derivatives >> effaceable, effacement, effacer
469. effervescent ef ur VES unt
showing high spirits
467. edifying
ED uh fie ing
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
She put me in a good mood because she was always so effervescent.
Derivatives >> effervesce, effervescence, effervescently, effervescingly, effervescible
470. effigy
EF eh jee
a dummy or image of a person (usually one who is not liked)
Synonyms >>
471.
472.
473.
474.
475.
476.
477.
Antonym >>
The ball team hung the opponent's mascot in effigy at the pep rally before the game.
Derivatives >> effigies
effrontery
eh FRUN tuh ree
extreme boldness, audacity
Synonyms >> cheek, chutzpah, gall, hardihood, nerve, temerity Antonym >> diffidence
I can't believe you had the effrontery to say such a rude thing to your parents.
Derivatives >> effronteries
effusion
eh FYOO zhun
a pouring forth (usually overdone in writing or speech)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> restraint; reserve
The effusion of profane language in his speech offended many.
Derivatives >> effuse, effusive, effusiveness, effusively
egocentric
ee go SEN trik
self-centered, selfish
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> modest; selfless
Egocentric people rarely show any concern for others.
Derivatives >> egocentricity, egocentrism
egregious
eh GREE jus
very bad, shocking, conspicuously bad
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> good
Skipping class is an egregious error.
Derivatives >> egregiously, egregiousness
elegiac
el uh JEE u k
mournful, expressing sorrow
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> rejoicing
His elegiac poem about the war deaths moved everyone.
Derivatives >> elegiacal, elegy
elicit
eh LIS it
to bring out a response, to evoke
Synonyms >> educe, extort, extract
Antonym >> to inhibit
I would like to elicit your participation in the blood drive.
Derivatives >> elicitable, elicitate, elicitation
ellipsis
eh LIP sis
ommision of words necessary for complete construction
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
If (it is) possible, (you) come early.
Derivatives >> ellipses
478. elucidate
eh LOO seh date
to make clear, to explain
Synonyms >> explicate, expound
Antonym >> to confuse
I will try to elucidate some of the important changes in the tax code.
Derivatives >> elucidation, elucidative, elucidatory, elucidator
479. emaciated
eh MAY she ay tid
very thin (usually as a result of starvation), wasting away
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fat; corpulent
As a result of receiving little food, most prisoners of concentration camps become extre mely emaciated.
Derivatives >> emaciate, emaciation
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38
480. embed
em BED
to enclose firmly in some mass
Antonym >> to extract
The fossil has been embedded in the rock for millions of years.
Derivatives >> embedment
embellish
em BEL ish
to decorate, to make beautiful with ornamentation
Synonyms >> deck, garnish, ornament, adorn
Antonym >> to abbreviate
He would embellish his narratives with anecdotes about famous people.
Derivatives >> embellisher, embellishment
embolden
em BOL dun
to encourage one to be bold or to have courage
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to discourage
The general tried to embolden his men before battle.
Derivatives >> emboldened, emboldening, emboldens
embroil
em BROIL
to entangle, to throw into confusion or strife
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to unhamper; to free
The senators are embroiled in an argument over raising taxes.
Derivatives >> embroiled, embroiling, embroiler, embroilment, embroils
emend
eh MEND
to correct (usually by a critic)
Synonyms >>
481.
482.
483.
484.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The newspaper had to emend the incorrect statement printed in the paper.
Derivatives >> emendable, emendate, emendation, emendator, emendatory, emends, emending, emended
485. emollient
eh MOL yunt
something that soothes or softens
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> irritant
Lotions are emollients used to ease the pain of sunburn.
Derivatives >> emollience,emollition
486. emotive
eh MOE tive
characterized by or relating to emotion
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Love is one of the emotive capacities of man.
Derivatives >> emotively, emotiveness, emotivity
487. empathy
EM puh the
understanding or identification with another's feelings or situation
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unconcern; disinterest
Having been discriminated against, I have a lot of empathy for those seeking equal pay for equal work.
Derivatives >> empathetic, empathetically, empathize
488. empirical
em PEER eh kul
based on observation or experiment and not on theory
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> theoretical
We need some empirical data to make our case solid.
Derivatives >> empiric, empiricism, empiricist, empirics, empirism
489. emulate
EM yuh late
to try to equal or to be like (usually through imitation)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
He has a lot of fine qualities that I try to emulate.
Derivatives >> emulation, emulative, emulator, emulatively
490. encumber
en CUM bur
to impede or to hinder; to hamper; to retard
Synonyms >> oppress, overload
Antonym >> to free
Red tape encumbers all our attempts at action.
Derivatives >> encumberingly, encumbrance, encumbrancer
491. endemic
en DEM ik
peculiar to or a trait of a group or area
Synonyms >> aboriginal, indigenous, native
Antonym >> alien
Great height is endemic to members of that African tribe.
Derivatives >> endemical, endemically, endemicity, endemism
492. endow
en DOW
to provide with income or property, to supply with a talent or quality
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
I plan to endow a million dollars to my former college.
Derivatives >> endowment, endowed
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39
en er VAY shun
weakness
Antonym >> strength
emasculation
A poor diet will cause enervation.
Derivatives >> enervate, enervated, enervator
enfranchise en FRAN chize
to give or to bestow something such as the right to vote or citizenship
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to remo ve; to take away
This bill will cause many young people to be enfranchised with the right to vote.
Derivatives >> enfranchisement, enfranchiser
engender
en JEN der
to cause, to produce, to create
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to squelch
His angry words engendered strife in his relationship with his wife.
Derivatives >> engendered, engenderer, engenders, engendering
engrossed
en GROSD
completely occupied or absorbed
Synonyms >> preoccupied
Antonym >>
The woman was so engrossed in her knitting that she did not notice her child walk out the door.
Derivatives >> engross, engrossing, engrossedly, engrosser, engrossingly, engrossingness, engrossment
enhance
en HANS
to make better, to improve
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to worsen
Your chances of passing the test will be enhanced if you study.
Derivatives >> enhanced, enhancement, enhancing, enhancer, enhancive
enigmatic
en ig MAT ik
mysterious, inexplicable, puzzling
Synonyms >> abstruse, ambiguous, cryptic, equivocal,
Antonym >> clear
obscure,
recondite
The disappearance
of Amelia
Earhart is an enigma to this day.
Derivatives >> enigma, enigmatical, enigmatically, enigmatize
enmesh
en MESH
to entangle
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to free; to release
They became enmeshed in an awful argument.
Derivatives >> enmeshed, enmeshment
enmity
EN muh tee
absolute hatred
Synonyms >> animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy,
Antonym >> love; admiration
hostility,
rancor
I have a lot of enmity for people who provide illegal drugs to children.
Derivatives >> enmities
ennoble
en NOE bul
to elevate, to raise in rank
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to defame
The man was ennobled by his true devotion to mankind.
Derivatives >> ennobled, ennoblement, ennobling, ennoblish
ensconce
en SKONS
to settle comfortably
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to uproot
Before the game started, he ensconced himself in the easy chair.
Derivatives >> ensconced, ensconcing
enthralling
en THROL ing
captivating, spellbinding
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> boring
Because the book was so enthralling, I stayed awake all night reading it.
Derivatives >> enthrall, enthralled, enthrallingly, enthrallment
entreaty
en TREE tee
a plea, an earnest request
Synonyms >> adjuration, appeal, suit, importunity,
Antonym >> denial
supplication
The lawyer made a lengthy entreaty to the jury before they retired to chambers.
Derivatives >> entreat, entreatingly, entreatment
entrench
en TRENCH
to fix firmly; to encroach
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to disestablish
These formulas should be firmly entrenched in your mind before the test.
Derivatives >> entrenched, entrenchment
493. enervation
Synonyms >>
494.
495.
496.
497.
498.
499.
500.
501.
502.
503.
504.
505.
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40
506. enumerate
eh NOO muh rate
to count one by one
Antonym >> to group
In his summation, my lawyer enumerated all of the reasons why I should receive a verdict of "not guilty."
Derivatives >> enumeration, enumerative, enumerator
enunciate
eh NUN see ate
to pronounce clearly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to slur
Please enunciate your response so that everyone can understand you.
Derivatives >> enunciable, enunciation, enunciative, enunciator
eon
EE un, EE on
a long period of time
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> short time
It seems like it will be eons before I am allowed to date.
Derivatives >> aeon, aeonian, eonian, aeonic, aeonial
ephemeral
eh FEM ur ul
lasting a short period of time, fleeting
Synonyms >> evanescent, fleeting, fugitive, transient,
Antonym >> lasting; timeless; eternal
transitory
The microorganism
had an ephemeral lifespan. It died shortly after it was created.
Derivatives >> ephemerally, ephemerality, ephemeralness, ephemeron, ephemerous
epicure
EP uh kyoor
a person who understands a lot about food and drink, a connoisseur
Synonyms >> gastronome, gourmet, gourmand
Antonym >> ascetic
The extravagant party was enjoyed most by the epicure who endulged in sensual delight.
Derivatives >> epicureal, epicurial, epicurean, epicureanism, epicureous, epicurism,
epilogue
EP uh log
a short addition to a literary work, a short speech given at the end of a play
Synonyms >>
507.
508.
509.
510.
511.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The author's intent in writing the novel can be found in the epilogue.
Derivatives >> epilog, epilogist, epilogues, epologuize
512. epitaph
EP uh taf
an inscription in memory of a dead person (usually on a tombstone)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
She wants to write her own epitaph before she dies, rather than have someone else write it later.
Derivatives >> epitaphial, epitaphless, epitaphic
513. epithet
EP uh thet
a term or phrase describing or characterizing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The "sultan of swat" is an epithet describing Babe Ruth.
Derivatives >> epithetic, epithetical, epithetize
514. epitome
eh PIT uh mee
a summary or brief representation of something
Synonyms >>
515.
516.
517.
518.
Antonym >>
That student is the epitome of the successful graduate.
Derivatives >> epitomator, epitomical, epitomic, epitomist, epitomize, epitomizer
epochal
EP uh kul
pertaining to an epoch (a period of time marked by distinctive events)
Synonyms >> significant, important
Antonym >> insignificant
His marriage was an epochal event in his life.
Derivatives >> epoch, epochally
equanimity
ee kwuh NIM uh tee
a calm temper, an even disposition
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lack of composure
The rude behavior of the students did not disturb his equanimity.
Derivatives >> equanimous, equanimously
equilibrium ee kwuh LIB ree um
a state of balance between opposing forces
Synonyms >> balance, poise
Antonym >> imbalance
The acrobats need a good sense of equilibium in order to perform the tricks.
Derivatives >> equilibriums, equilibrize, equilibrate
equivocal
eh KWIV uh kul
ambiguous (usually intended to mislead)
Synonyms >> abstruse, ambiguous, cryptic, enigmatic,
Antonym >> clear; straightforward
obscure,
recondite
His speech was difficult to understand because of all his equivocal statements.
Derivatives >> equivocacy, equivocality, equivocally, equivocalness, equivocate, equivocation, equivocator
equivocity
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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41
eh KWIV uh kate
to attempt to lie, to mislead, or to hide the truth
Antonym >> to tell the truth
palter, prevaricate
Tell the truth and do not attempt to equivocate.
Derivatives >> equivocal, equivocacy, equivocality, equivocally, equivocalness, equivocation, equivocator
equivocity
erudite
ER yoo dite
scholarly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> ignorant
The erudite physics professor had spent many years studying the theory of relativity.
Derivatives >> eruditely,erudition
eschew
es CHOO
to avoid or to shun
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to confront
He eschewed situations in which there would be drinking.
Derivatives >> eschewed, eschewal
esoteric
es uh TER ik
understood only by a small group or a select few
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> obvious
The English teachers were having an esoteric discussion about the correct usage of some obscure word.
Derivatives >> esoterical, esoterically, esotericism, esotericist, esoterism, esotery
espousing
eh SPOUZ ing
marrying, giving one's loyalty; adopting or embracing a cause
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> denying
The politician seems to be espousing the issue of decreased taxation in order to gain supporters.
Derivatives >> espoused, espousing, espousal, espouser
esteem
eh STEEM
estimate of value; approval and respect often blended with fondness
Synonyms >> regard, valuation, reputation
Antonym >> disrespect
The people held their leader in the highest esteem.
Derivatives >> esteemed, esteeming, esteems, esteemable
estrange
eh STRANJ
to alienate, to separate
Synonyms >> disaffect, wean
Antonym >> to unite; to join
The necessity to travel in his business may estrange him from his family for a short period of time.
Derivatives >> estranged, estrangedness, estrangement
ethereal
eh THER ee ul
heavenly, delicate, light, lacking material substance, intangible
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> earthly; mundane
The ethereal sounds of the music soothed and calmed the patient.
Derivatives >> etherealness, ethereality, etherealization, etherealize
ethos
EE thos, ETH os
the distinguishing character or values of a specific people or culture
519. equivocate
Synonyms >>
520.
521.
522.
523.
524.
525.
526.
527.
Synonyms >>
528.
529.
530.
531.
Antonym >>
In the Indian ethos, the young brave was encouraged into manhood.
Derivatives >> ethoses
eulogy
YOO luh jee
praise or tribute
Synonyms >> encomnium, panegyric, tribute
Antonym >> defamation
The young woman presented a touching eulogy at her father's funeral.
Derivatives >> eulogic, eulogious, eulogism, eulogist, eulogistic, eulogium, eulogization, eulogize, eulogizer
euphemism YOO fuh miz um
substitution of an inoffensive term for one that is offensive
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> coarse expression
People frequently use a euphemism for the word "died." They commonly say someone "passed away."
Derivatives >> euphemistic, euphemious, euphemiously, euphemistically, euphemize, euphemizer
euphonious yoo FOE nee us
pleasant or agreeable (sound); dulcet
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> raucous; dissonant
The euphonious sound of the record lulled the baby to sleep.
Derivatives >> euphonym euphonic, euphonia, euphonically, euphonical, euphoniously, euphoniousness
evanescent
ev uh NES unt
fleeting; impermanent
Synonyms >> ephemeral, fugitive, transient, transitory
Antonym >> permanent
The evanescent sounds of applause are not what keeps the artist performing.
Derivatives >> evanescence, evanesce, evanescently
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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42
eh VINS
to show clearly
Antonym >> to suppress, to hide, to conceal
manifest, evidence
By making a 27 on the test, he evinced his lack of knowledge of the material.
Derivatives >> evinced,evincing, evincible, evincive
533. evocative
eh VOK uh tiv
calling forth, calling to mind
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> forgetful
The play was evocative in that it made me recall my youth.
Derivatives >> evocatively, evocativeness, evocatory, evocator, evocation, evoke
534. exacerbate
ig ZAS ur bate
to aggravate, to irritate, to vex
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to ameliorate; to soothe
You will only exacerbate the situation if you try to call her.
Derivatives >> exacerbatingly, exacerbation
535. exacting
ig ZAK ting
demanding, requiring great care
Synonyms >> burdensome, onerous, oppressive
Antonym >> indulgent
Concerning the form of the outline, the teacher was very exacting.
Derivatives >> exact, exactable, exactingly, exactingness
536. exalt
ig ZALT
to glorify, to praise, to raise in rank
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to defame; to deprecate
The woman was exalted for her successes in the field of science.
Derivatives >> exalted, exalting, exalts, exaltation, exaltedly, exaltedness, exalter
537. excise
ik SIZE
to remove by cutting
532. evince
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
538.
539.
540.
541.
542.
543.
544.
Antonym >>
Hopefully, the doctor can excise the cancer from his liver.
Derivatives >> excision, excisional
excoriate
ik SKOR ee ate
to strongly denounce or to censure
Synonyms >> revile, berate
Antonym >> to praise
Prior to passing sentence on the convicted man, the judge excoriated him for stealing from the church.
Derivatives >> excoriated, excoriating, excoriation
exculpate
EK skul pate
to clear from blame or guilt
Synonyms >> absolve, acquit, exonerate, vindicate
Antonym >> to convict
The governor was petitioned to exculpate the prisoner.
Derivatives >> exculpation, exculpatory
execrable
EK suh kruh bul
extremely bad, deserving of hate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> admirable
The cheerleader told a joke about the drill team that was so execrable that he was suspended for three days.
Derivatives >> execrableness, execrably, execrate, execration, execrative, execratively, execrator
exhume
ig ZOOM
to dig something buried out of the earth; to revive after neglect
Synonyms >> disinter
Antonym >> to bury
The court issued an order to exhume the body for an autopsy.
Derivatives >> exhumed, exhuming, exhumation, exhumer
exigent
EK seh junt
urgent, requiring immediate attention
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lacking urgency
The exigent situation required immediate attention.
Derivatives >> exigency, exigencies, exigence, exigently
exonerate
ig ZON uh rate
to free from blame, obligation, or responsibility; to exculpate
Synonyms >> absolve, acquit, vindicate
Antonym >> to convict
I need your testimony to exonerate me from this charge.
Derivatives >> exoneration, exonerated, exoner
exorcise
EK sor size
to expel an evil spirit, to get rid of something troublesome
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
I am going to try to exorcise all negative thoughts from my mind.
Derivatives >> exorcisation, exorcise, exorcism, exorcismal, exorcisory, exorcist, exorcistate, exorcistical
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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43
545. exotic
Synonyms >>
ig ZOT ik
foreign, unfamiliar
Antonym >> native
The circus features exotic animals from Africa.
Derivatives >> exotical, exoticalness, exotically, exotica, exoticism, exoticist
546. expatriate
eks PAY tree ate
an exile
Antonym >> citizen
I am now living in the United States, but I am an expatriate of Russia.
Derivatives >> expatriation, expatriated, expatriating
expedient
ik SPEE dee unt
appropriate for a purpose but not necessarily moral, right, or just
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> disadvantageous
In trying to increase political support, the candidate found it expedient to change his stand on taxa tion.
Derivatives >> expediate, expedience, expediency, expediential, expedientist, expediently
expeditious
ek speh DISH us
done with speed and efficiency
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> sluggish
You need to be expeditious in solving this matter.
Derivatives >> expedite, expediter, expedition, expeditionary, expeditioner, expeditiously, expeditiousness
expeditive
expiate
EK
spee ate
to atone or to make amends for a sin or a crime
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to hold grudges
The judge asked him to expiate his crime by doing one hundred hours of community service.
Derivatives >> expiation, expiational, expiative, expiator, expiatory
explicate
EK spluh kate
to explain, to clarify the meaning
Synonyms >> elucidate, expound
Antonym >> to fail to clarify
He could not explicate the actions of his son.
Derivatives >> explication, explicative, explicator, explicatory
expunge
ik SPUNJ
to remove, to erase
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to add to
Their names were expunged from the social register after they were convicted of selling cocaine.
Derivatives >> expunged, expunging, expunction
expurgate
EK spur gate
to remove obscene or objectionable material usually before publication
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to include
The censors felt that certain words needed to be expurgated from the book.
Derivatives >> expurgation, expurgator, expurgatorial, expurgatory
extant
EK stunt
still in existence
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> inexistent
Although his books are illegal, many are extant and available on the black market.
Synonyms >>
547.
548.
549.
550.
551.
552.
553.
Derivatives >>
554. extemporaneous ik stem puh RAY nee us made with little or no preparation, not planned
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> planned
Our club president gets into trouble sometimes when he makes extemporaneous remarks.
Derivatives >> ext emporaneity, extemporally, extemporaneously, extemporaneousness
555. extol
ik STOLE
to praise, to glorify
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to defame
The teacher would always extol students who tried to do their best.
Derivatives >> extolled, extolling, extollingly, extollment, extoller
556. extradite
EK struh dite
to surrender a prisoner from one jurisdiction to another
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to grant asylum to
Officials in Israel wanted our government to extradite the accused war criminal to their country.
Derivatives >> extraditable, extradition
557. extraneous
ik STRAY nee us
not essential or vital
Synonyms >> alien, extrinsic, foreign
Antonym >> essential
The extraneous assignments left the student with little time for himself.
Derivatives >> extraneously, extraneousness
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44
558. extrapolation ik strap uh LAY shun
inference or prediction based on past data
Antonym >> proof
The theory derived from the experiment was merely an extrapolation; it could not be proved.
Derivatives >> extrapolate, extrapolative, extrapolator, extrapolatory
extricate
EK struh kate
to free, to disentangle
Synonyms >> disembarrass, disencumber
Antonym >> to snare
He could not extricate himself from the trap.
Derivatives >> extrication, extricated, extricable
extrinsic
ik STRIN sik
not inherent, external
Synonyms >> alien, extraneous, foreign
Antonym >> essential
Monetary reward and physical punishment are both forms of extrinsic motivation.
Derivatives >> extrinsical, extrinsically
exude
ig ZOOD
to come out gradually in drops through pores or small openings
Synonyms >> ooze out; emit
Antonym >> to absorb
Small beads of sweat were exuding from his forehead.
Derivatives >> exuded, exuding, exudes
facile
FAS il
easy, achieved with little difficulty
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> difficult; complicated
I cannot offer a facile solution to such a difficult problem.
Derivatives >> facilely, facileness
facilitate
fuh SIL eh tate
to make less difficult
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to complicate
Appliances are useful in facilitating housework.
Derivatives >> facilitated, facilitating, facilitates, facilitation, facilitator, facilitatory
facsimile
fak SIM uh lee
a reproduction or exact copy
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> original
The artist was commissioned to paint a facsimile of the masterpiece.
Derivatives >> facsimiles, facsimilist, facsimilize
failing (noun) FAY ling
a fault or defect
Synonyms >> foible, fraility, vice
Antonym >> strength
His main failing is his refusal to admit that he is sometimes wrong.
Derivatives >> failings
fallible
FAL uh bul
capable of making an error
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> not likely to be erroneous
All humans are fallible because none are perfect.
Derivatives >> fallibilism, fallibilist, fallibilistic, fallibility, fallibleness, fallibly
fallow
FAL ow
inactive, plowed but not sowed
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> active
In order for land to be productive, it must lie fallow occasionally.
Derivatives >> fallowness
fanaticism
fuh NAT eh siz um
enthusiasm or zeal that is excessively irrational
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> apathy; lack of zeal
The Nazis engendered fanaticism among their followers.
Derivatives >> fanatical, fanatic, fanatically, fanaticalness
fastidious
fa STID ee us
reflecting a meticulous or demanding attitude, critical to an extreme
Synonyms >> finicky
Antonym >> not meticulous
He considered her fastidious because she was offended by insignificant mistakes or errors.
Derivatives >> fastidiously, fastidiousness, fastidium
fatalistic
fate uh LIS tik
belief that events are predetermined and cannot be altered
Synonyms >>
559.
560.
561.
562.
563.
564.
565.
566.
567.
568.
569.
570.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Giving up because you believe you're doomed to failure is a fatalistic attitude.
Derivatives >> fatalist, fatalism, fatalistically
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45
FACH oo us
foolish, silly in an obnoxious way, inane
Antonym >> sensible
asinine, silly, simple
The woman was fatuous to think that she needed three thousand pairs of shoes.
Derivatives >> fatuously, fatuity, fatuitous, fatuitousness
fecund
FEE kund, FEK und
capable of reproducing, intellectual productivity
Synonyms >> fertile, fruitful, prolific
Antonym >> barren
The Amazon, with abundant plant and animal life, is a fecund area.
Derivatives >> fecundate, fecundation, fecundative, fecundator, fecundity
feint
FAYNT
a false appearance, a fake punch to occupy defenses allowing a real blow
Synonyms >> artifice, ruse, strategem, trick, wile
Antonym >>
Fooled by his opponent's feint, the boxer dropped his guard and was knocked down.
Derivatives >> feign, feigned, feigning, feignedly, feigner
felicitous
feh LIS eh tus
happy or delightful
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> sad; gloomy; morose
Her marriage was a felicitious occasion.
Derivatives >> felicitate, felicific, felicitation, felicitously, felicitousness, felicity
ferment
FUR ment
state of agitation, commotion
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> peace; calm
During the Civil War, much of the country was in a state of ferment.
Derivatives >> fermentability, fermentable, fermental, fermentation, fermentative, fermenter
ferocity
fuh ROS eh tee
savagery
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> mildness
A tiger is an animal that has ferocity.
Derivatives >> ferocious, ferociously, ferociousness
fervent
FUR vent
ardent, showing great emotion, impassioned
S ynonyms >> fervid, passionate, perfervid
Antonym >> indifferent
I have a fervent love for that man.
Derivatives >> fervency, fervently, ferventness, fervid, fervidly, fervidity, fervidness
fervid
FUR vid
ardent, burning, impassioned
Synonyms >> fervent, passionate, perfervid
Antonym >> indifferent
The evangelist is a fervid crusader against sin.
Derivatives >> fervidity, fervidly, fervidness
fester
FES tur
to cause increased poisoning, to inflame or to corrupt
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to heal
The wound will fester if it is not given some medical attention.
Derivatives >> festered, festering
fetid
FET id
having an offensive smell, malodorous
Synonyms >> fusty, musty, noisome, putrid, rancid, rank
Antonym >> aromatic
The dead body became fetid.
Derivatives >> fetidly, fetidness, fetidity
fetter
FET ur
to restrict by shackling or chaining
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to liberate
The convict was fettered to prevent his escape.
Derivatives >> fettered, fettering
fiasco
fee AS ko
a total failure and a mess
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unqualified success
The man's attempt to run the business was such a fiasco that a small fortune was lost because of his failure.
Derivatives >> fiascoes, fiascos
fickle
FIK ul
likely to change, capricious
Synonyms >> inconstant, mercurial, unstable
Antonym >> steadfast; constant
Because of her fickle behavior, he had little trust that she would continue to love him.
Derivatives >> fickler, ficklest, fickleness
571. fatuous
Synonyms >>
572.
573.
574.
575.
576.
577.
578.
579.
580.
581.
582.
583.
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46
584. finesse
feh NESS
delicate skill
Antonym >> clumsiness
A successful diplomat must have finesse when dealing with representatives of other countries.
Derivatives >> finessed, finessing
585. fission
FISH un
splitting into parts
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> process of joining
Nuclear fission is a source of great energy.
Derivatives >> fissioned, fissioning, fissionability, fissionable
586. fissure
FISH ur
a narrow opening produced by cleavage or separation of parts; cleft
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
587.
588.
589.
590.
591.
Antonym >>
The men built a bridge across the fissure in the mountain.
Derivatives >> fissured, fissuring, fissural, fissureless
fitful
FIT ful
irregular
Synonyms >> convulsive, spasmodic
Antonym >> constant
Due to fitful sleep last night, I am not rested.
Derivatives >> fitfully, fitfullness
flaccid
FLAK sid
lacking vigor or force; yielding to pressure for want of firmess
Synonyms >> flabby
Antonym >> firm; stiff; not flabby
The club was not very popular or effective because of its flaccid leadership.
Derivatives >> flaccidly, flaccidity, flaccidness
flaunt
FLONT
to show off, to display ostentatiously
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to hide
The woman was obviously trying to flaunt the new diamond ring on her finger.
Derivatives >> flaunted, flaunting, flaunter, flauntingly, flaunty
fledgling
FLEJ ling
an immature or inexperienced person, a young bird that is ready to fly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> veteran
The rookie policeman is just a fledgling compared to the captain.
Derivatives >> fledglings, fledgy, fledged
floe
FLOW
a large sheet of floating ice
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The tanker had to be careful to avoid the ice floe in the ocean.
Derivatives >> floes
592. florid
FLOR id
flowery, flushed with color
Synonyms >>
His face becomes florid when he gets angry.
Derivatives >> floridity, floridly, floridness
593. flourish
FLUR ish
to thrive, to grow well
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> plain; simple; pale
Antonym >> to wither
The company flourished after a new board of directors took control.
Derivatives >> flourisher, flourishing, flourishingly, flourishy
594. flout
FLOUT
to treat with contempt
Synonyms >> scoff, jeer, gibe, sneer, mock, insult
Antonym >>
When the boy answered the question he flouted a response that was both rude and insulting.
Derivatives >> flouted, flouting, flouts, flouter, floutingly
595. flower
FLOU ur
to develop fully
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to wither
Her intellectual spirit flowered after she went to college.
Derivatives >> flowered, flowers, flowering
596. fluid (adj.)
FLOO id
smooth and effortless
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> jerky
Most good golfers have a very fluid swing.
Derivatives >> fluidify, fluidity, fluidization, fluidize
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47
one who is temporary and usually unreliable
Antonym >> permanent
It is not wise to hire a fly-by-night for an important position.
Derivatives >> fly-by-nighter
focus
FOE kus
to concentrate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to scatter
We need to focus our attention on today's topic and not on extraneous matters.
Derivative s >> focused, focusing, focuses, focusable, focuser, focusless
foible
FOI bul
slight fault, minor weakness of character
Synonyms >> failing, fraility, vice
Antonym >> strong point
His character is weakened only by a slight foible.
Derivatives >> foibles
fold (noun)
FOLD
a group bound together by common beliefs; fenced enclosure for sheep
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> individuals
We need to convince him to return to the fold.
Derivatives >> folds
foliage
FOE lee ij
leaves of a plant, leafage
597. fly-by-night
FLY by nite
Synonyms >>
598.
599.
600.
601.
S ynonyms >>
Antonym >>
The trees will soon come alive with green foliage.
Derivatives >> foliages, foliar, foliaceous
602. foliated
FOE lee ay tid
split into thin layers
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Graphite has a foliated structure.
Derivatives >> foliate, foliation
603. foment
foe MENT
to instigate, to stir up, to promote the growth of
Synonyms >> abet, incite, instigate
Antonym >> to calm; to sedate
The raid on the armory was an attempt to foment revolution.
Derivatives >> fomentation, fomenter, foments, fomenting, fomented
604. forbearance fore BARE uns
patience, lenience
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> impatience
Because he is so young, we must have forbearance in dealing with him.
Derivatives >> forbear, forbearant, forbearer, forbearing, forbearingly, forbearingness, forbore
605. ford
FORD
to cross a body of water by wading
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
In order to get to the other side, we have to ford the stream.
Derivatives >> forded, fording, fords, fordless
606. foreboding
fore BOE ding
premonition of evil, an ominous omen
Synonyms >> prediction, portent, presentiment
Antonym >> serene
The black clouds overhead were a foreboding of bad weather.
Derivatives >> forebode, foreboder
607. foremost
FORE most
first in rank, time, place, or position
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lowest in rank
Learning these vocabulary words is foremost in importance.
Derivatives >> foremostly
608. forensic
fuh REN sik
pertaining to debate or argument
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Many students take debate classes in preparation for the forensic competitions.
Derivatives >> forensical
609. forestalled
fore STAWLD
prevented or delayed beforehand
Antonym >> assisted
Synonyms >>
The sandbag dam forestalled the advance of the water.
Derivatives >> forestall, forestaller, forestallment
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48
610. formidable
FORE meh duh bul
menacing, causing fear or awe
Antonym >> harmless; unimportant
That retired boxer was a formidable opponent in his time.
Derivatives >> formidability, formidableness, formidably
611. forsake
fore SAKE
to quit or to leave entirely; to depart or to withdraw from
Synonyms >> leave, desert, abandon
Antonym >>
The father was not about to forsake his children in their time of need.
Derivatives >> forsaken, forsook, forsaking, forsakes, forsakenly, forsakenness, forsaker
612. forswear
fore SWARE
to renounce and to repudiate
Synonyms >> abjure, renounce, recant, retract
Antonym >> to embrace eagerly
I had such a hangover this morning that I am going to forswear drinking.
Derivatives >> forswore, foreswear, foresworn, foreswearing
613. forte
FORE tay
a strong point of a person; that in which one excels
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Judging from the poorly baked chicken, cooking is not her forte.
Derivatives >>
something that happens by accident or chance (usually good)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> predetermined
Being picked first in the lottery is a fortuitous experience.
Derivatives >> fortuitously, fortuitousness, fortuity
615. fountainhead FOUN tun hed
principal source or orig in
614. fortuitous
fore TOO eh tus
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
A quick glance into his extravagant lifestyle shows the fountainhead of his motivation to save his business.
Derivatives >> fountainheads
616. fractious
FRAK shus
unruly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> manageable; easy to handle
The fractious students started a food fight.
Derivatives >> fractiously, fractiousness
617. franchise
FRAN chize
the right to vote
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> denial of the right to vote
We have laws to guarantee the franchise of every citizen so that he may vote.
Derivatives >> franchised, franchising, franchisement, franchiser
618. fraught
FRAWT
involving; full of; accompanied by
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lacking
This mission is an undertaking fraught with danger.
Derivatives >>
619. frenetic
Synonyms >>
fruh NET ik
frenzied, frantic
Antonym >> calm; serene
The mother became frenetic when the chicken bone lodged in her baby's throat.
Derivatives >> frenetically, frenetical
620. frivolous
FRIV uh lus
lacking in seriousness or importance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> serious; sober
A teacher should limit frivolous behavior in the classroom.
Derivatives >> frivolity, frivolousness, frivolously
621. frugal
FROO gul
avoiding spending money unnecessarily
Synonyms >> thrifty, economical
Antonym >> wasteful
He is so frugal because he is trying to save money for college.
Derivatives >> frugality, frugalness, frugally
622. fruition
froo ISH un
state of realization or accomplishment
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The doctor saw the fruition of his dream when the new hospital was finally built.
Derivatives >> fruitive
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49
FYOO jeh tiv
a person who is elusive or hard to find, wandering
Antonym >> firmly established
ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, transient,
transitory
The criminal became
a fugitive who spent his life running from the law.
Derivatives >> fugitate, fugitation, fugitives, fugitively, fugitiveness, fugitivity
624. fulsome
FUL sum
excess to the point of disgust, extreme lavishness
623. fugitive
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
625.
626.
627.
628.
629.
630.
631.
632.
633.
634.
635.
Antonym >>
The woman's fulsome prais e of her grandchildren was beginning to irritate the guests.
Derivatives >> fulsomely, fulsomeness
furrow
FUR ow
to make wrinkles or grooves
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to make plain
The man's furrowed brow showed his deep concern.
Derivatives >> furrowed, furrowing
furtive
FUR tiv
secret in an underhanded way, stealthy
Synonyms >> clandestine, covert, stealthy, surrepetitious,
Antonym >> bold
During the test, underhanded
he made some furtive glances at other classmates' papers.
Derivatives >> furtively, furtiveness
fuse
FYOOZ
to mix or to join (usually by melting)
Synonyms >> amalgamate, blend, coalesce, commingle,
Antonym >> to divide
Zinc and coppermerge,
can bemingle
fused into hard, bright brass.
Derivatives >> fused, fusing, fuses, fusibility, fusible
fussbudget
FUS buj it
one who fusses
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> a serene person; a pacifist
My sister is earning a reputation as a fussbudget because she constantly complains.
Derivatives >> fussbudgety
galling
GAUL ing
very irritating
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> soothing
It was a galling experience to have my boyfriend ask another girl to the prom.
Derivatives >> gallingly, gallingness, gall, galls, galled
galvanize
GAL vuh nize
to stimilute or to excite as if by an electric shock
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to calm; to soothe
We are hoping that these new discoveries will galvanize the public support of our research.
Derivatives >> galvanization, galvanized, galvanizer, galvanic
gambol
GAM bul
to playfully skip or leap
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to trudge
The young child laughed with glee as he began to gambol around the room.
Derivatives >> gamboled, gamboling
gamely
GAME lee
in a positive and spirited approach to a task, with unyielding spirit
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> without courage
He approached the task with a gamely attitude, exhibiting his positive and unyielding spirit.
Derivatives >> gameness
garish
GAR ish
crudely or tastelessly colorful or showy; excessively ornate or elaborate
Synonyms >> loud, tawdry, gaudy
Antonym >> austere; modest
Her garish clothes made her look out of place in the conservative setting.
Derivatives >> garishly, garishness
garner
GAR nur
to gather together, to store up
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to disperse
I will need to garner all of my allies in order to win this vote.
Derivatives >> garnering, garnered
garnish
GAR nish
to decorate
Synonyms >> adorn, deck, embellish, ornament
Antonym >> to remove decoration
Parsley is used to garnish many dinners.
Derivatives >> garnished, garnishing, garnishes, garnishable, garnishment
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50
GAR yuh lus
talkative, rambling
Antonym >> taciturn
voluble
He was so garrulous that he repeated everything many times.
Derivatives >> garrulously, garrulousness, garrulity
gaunt
GAWNT
very thin, emaciated, angular
Synonyms >> lank, lean, rawboned, spare
Antonym >> rotund, corpulent
Prisoners in World War II concentration camps became gaunt from lack of nutrition.
Derivatives >> gauntly, gauntness, gaunty
genial
JEAN yul, JEAN ee ul
cordial; pleasantly warm
Synonyms >> friendly, hearty, pleasant, agreeable, kindly
Antonym >> sullen
The woman has such a genial disposition that people love to be around her.
Derivatives >> genially, genialness
gentility
jen TIL eh tee
state of refinement, member of the upper class or gentry
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> boorishness
Southern gentlemen were proud of their gentility.
Derivatives >> gentilities
germane
jer MANE
important to the issue at hand, pertinent
Synonyms >> applicable, apposite, apropos, material
Antonym >> unimportant
The judge ruled that the testimony was germane to the trial and allowed it to be entered into the record.
Derivatives >> germanely, germaneness
germinal
JUR muh nul
being in the earliest stage of development
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fully developed
The project was still in its germinal stages when it was cancelled.
Derivatives >> germinability, germinable, geminally, germinate
germinate
JUR muh nate
to sprout, to begin to grow, to evolve
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to die
It takes about two weeks for some plants to germinate.
Derivatives >> germinal, germinability, germinable, germinally
giddy
GID ee
dizzy
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> levelheaded
I became giddy after drinking the champagne at the reception.
Derivatives >> giddify, giddily, giddiness
gilded
GIL did
covered with gold or a golden color; having a background of wealth
Synonyms >> prosperous, luxurious, ornate, meretricious,
Antonym >>
tawdry
The gilded and perfumed nobles were inwardly deceptive and rotten to the core.
Derivatives >> gild, gilding, gilder
girth
GURTH
size or dimensions (usually the measure around a body)
636. garrulous
Synonyms >>
637.
638.
639.
640.
641.
642.
643.
644.
645.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
To be a sumo wrestler, one must have a large girth.
Derivatives >> girths
646. glacial
GLAY shul
extremely cold or frigid
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> hot
The men were nearly frozen by the glacial wind blowing so relentlessly on them.
Derivatives >> glacially, glaciate, glaciation
647. gluttonous
GLUT uh nus
greedy for food and drink
Synonyms >> rapacious, ravenous, voracious
Antonym >> temperate
I am so gluttonous that I would have great difficulty dieting.
Derivatives >> glutton, gluttonize, gluttonously, gluttonousness
648. gnarl
NARL
to twist ext ensively
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> smooth and straighten
After riding the motorcycle all day, her hair was so gnarled by the wind that it was difficult to comb.
Derivatives >> gnarled, gnarly
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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51
649. goad
GODE
to urge on in a negative sense
Antonym >> to dissuade
He was goaded by his friends to take drugs.
Derivatives >> goaded, goading
650. grandiose
GRAN dee ose
impressive, imposing
Synonyms >> grand, magnificent, majestic, stately
Antonym >> small and unimpressive
They have grandiose plans to build a new football stadium
Derivatives >> grandiosely, grandioseness, grandiosity
651. graphic
GRAF ik
vivid
Synonyms >> descriptive
Antonym >> simple; unadorned
I have trouble looking at graphic films of concentration camps.
Derivatives >> graphical, graphically, graphicness
652. grate
GRATE
to cause irritation
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to soothe
Her acrimonious comments grate on my nerves.
Derivatives >> grated, grating, grater
653. gratis
GRAH tis
free
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> earned
The gratis appearance of the artist allowed more funds for the charity ball.
Derivatives >> gratitude, gratuitous, gratuitously
654. gratuitous
gruh TOO eh tus
given freely, unwarranted
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> demanded
I resent your gratuitous comments because no one asked for them.
Derivatives >> gratis, gratuitous, gratuitousness, gratuital, gratuitously
655. gravitate
GRAV eh tate
to move toward something
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to move away from something
People tend to gravitate toward others with similar interests.
Derivatives >> grivitated, gravitating, gravitation, gravitater, gravitational, gravitationally, gravity
656. gravity
GRAV eh tee
seriousness, importance
Synonyms >> earnestness, sedateness, sobriety, solemnity,
Antonym >> unimp ortance
staidness
The gravity of the situation was heightened by the death of the president .
Derivatives >> grave, graver, gravely
657. gregarious
greh GAR ee us
sociable and outgoing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> shy; reserved
He became much more gregarious after he developed an interest in girls.
Derivatives >> gregariously, gregariousness
658. grievous
GREE vus
characterized by severe suffering or sorrow, serious or grave
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> minor
You made a grievous error when you spoke to your parents in such a horrible fashion.
Derivatives >> grievously, grievousness
659. grisly
GRIS lee
ghastly, inspiring fear
Synonyms >> gruesome, lurid, macabre
Antonym >> attractive
The scene of the car accident was a grisly sight.
Derivatives >> grisliness, grisliest
660. grotto
GROT oh
cave
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The bandits hid in a grotto and were not discovered.
Derivatives >> grottoed
661. guile
GILE
deceitfulness, duplicity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> openness; candor
The woman was the unfortunate victim of guile and deceit when she lost her money to that swindler.
Derivatives >> guileful, guilefully, guilefulness, guileness, guilelessly, guilelessness, guilery
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52
662. guileless
GILE les
without deceit
Antonym >> deceitful
The voting public looks for a leader who is guileless; they want one who is full of integrity.
Derivatives >> guileful, guilefulness, guileness, guilelessly, guilelessness, guilery
663. guise
GIZE
costume or outward appearance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> true appearance
In the guise of a banker, the FBI agent investigated a counterfeit money case.
Derivatives >> guised, guising
664. hack
HAK
one who forfeits professional integrity in exchange for money or reward
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Only a hack would go to work for one of those offensive tabloid newspapers.
Derivatives >> hacks
665. hackneyed
HAK need
trite, banal, lacking freshness
Synonyms >> threadbare
Antonym >> inventive; fresh
The teacher instructed her students to avoid hackneyed phrases and instead to use something fresh and new.
Derivatives >>
666. hallmark
Synonyms >>
HALL mark
a distinguishing characteristic or trait
Antonym >>
Honesty is the hallmark of a good judge.
Derivatives >> hallmarks
667. harbingers
HAR bin jers
things that precede and forecast
Synonyms >> forerunners, heralds, precursors
Antonym >>
Thick fur on a wooly worm is a harbinger of a cold winter.
Derivatives >> harbinger
668. harbor
HAR bur
to give shelter or refuge
Antonym >> to turn away
It is illegal to harbor an escaped convict.
Derivatives >> harbors, harbored,harboring, harborage
haughty
HAW tee
arrogant, excessively proud and vain
Synonyms >> disdainful, high-handed, insolent,
Antonym >> humble
lordly,supercilious
Being quarterback of the football team does not give him the right to be haughty.
Derivatives >> haughtily, haughtiness
hedonist
HEED un ist
one who seeks pleasure as the sole aim in life
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> ascetic
The world is full of hedonists who seek nothing but their own pleasures.
Derivatives >> hedonism, hedonistically, hedonistical, hedonics, hedonic, hedonically
heedless
HEED les
disregarding, thoughtless
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> aware; concerned; attentive
He walked on, heedless of the signs warning about the mine field.
Derivatives >> heed, heeded, heeding, heeds, heedlessly, heedful, heedfully
hemophilia
hee muh FIL ee uh
a hereditary disease where blood does not coagulate to stop bleeding
Synonyms >>
669.
670.
671.
672.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Getting a slight cut is dangerous for him because of his hemophilia; a small cut can cause him to bleed to death.
Derivatives >> hemophile, hemophiliac, hemophilic, hemophiliod
673. heralded
HER ul did
announced or publicized
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unannounced
The approaching event was heralded by the newspapers.
Derivatives >> heraldic, heraldically, heraldist, heraldry
674. heretical
huh RET eh kul
contrary to church doctrine or accepted beliefs or standards
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> sacred
His heretical statements were offensive to many believers.
Derivatives >> heretic, heretically, hereticalness, hereticate, heretication, hereticator
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53
675. hermetic
hur MET ik
airtight
Antonym >> permeable
It is important to preserve fruits and vegetables in a container with a hermetic seal in order to prevent spoilage.
Derivatives >> hermetical, hermetically, hermetism, hermetist
heterogeneity het uh ro je NEE eh tee state of being dissimilar, composition from unlike elements
Synonyms >> disparateness, dissimilarity
Antonym >> homogeneity
Coming from many countries and cultures, students in my class are an example of heterogeneity.
Derivatives >> heterogeneous, heterogenesis, heterogeneously, heterogeneousness
hiatus
high ATE us
gap, pause, interruption in time
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> continuation
Our vacation will be a short hiatus from our work.
Derivatives >> hiatuses
hidebound
HIDE bound
having very dry skin that adheres tightly to the underlying flesh
Synonyms >> inflexible
Antonym >> flexible; moist, flexible skin
The man's hidebound attitude kept him from listening objectively to both sides of her story.
Derivatives >> hideboundness
hilarity
heh LAR eh tee
boisterous merriment, mirth
Synonyms >> glee, jollity
Antonym >> gloominess
The party was marked by great hilarity.
Derivatives >> hilarious, hilariously, hilariousness
histrionic
his tree ON iks
overly theatrical
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> sincere
Your histrionics do not sway my opinion.
Derivatives >> histrionical, histrionically
hoary
HORE ee
white with age
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> young
The hoary old man had many wrinkles.
Derivatives >> hoarier, hoariest
homage
HOM ij
a reverential regard; respect shown by external action
Synonyms >> honor, reverence, deference, obeisance
Antonym >> disrespect
The people went to pay homage to their respected leader.
Derivatives >> homages,homager
homely
HOME lee
plain or unattractive in appearance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> pretty; attractive
The girl was rather homely, but she had a wit and an intellect that could not be matched.
Derivatives >> homeliness, homlier, homliest
homogeneous hoe muh JEE nee us
of the same kind
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> heterogeneous
To get the best results with this research, we need a homogeneous group of people to fill out the questionnaire.
Derivatives >> homogeneously, homogeneousness
hone
HONE
to sharpen, to make more intense, to make more effective
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to dull
I am going to the golf course to hone my putting skills.
Derivative s >> honer
hues
HYOOZ
colors
Synonyms >>
676.
677.
678.
679.
680.
681.
682.
683.
684.
685.
686.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
A rainbow has many hues.
Derivatives >> hue, hueless, hued
687. humane
hyoo MANE
kind, compassionate, sympathetic and considerate
Antonym >> brutal
The United States was very humane in its treatment of prisoners of war.
Derivatives >> humanely, humaneness
Synonyms >>
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54
the quality or state of being humble in spirit
Antonym >> pride; arrogance
The humility of the man was astounding: he gave no sign of having excessive pride or arrogance.
Derivatives >> humilities, humble, humbly
689. husband
HUZ bund
to manage prudently and in a conservative manner
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to ignore; to slight
A farmer must husband his animals if they are to remain healthy.
Derivatives >> husbandry, husbandman, husbandly, husbander, husbandland
690. hydrophobia high druh FOE bee uh
fear of water
688. humility
hyoo MIL eh tee
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
He never learned to swim because of his hydrophobia.
Derivatives >> hydrophobic, hydrophobicity, hydrophobous
691. hyperbole
hi PER buh lee
obvious exaggeration
Antonym >> understatement
You have often heard the hyperbole "I've told you a million times;" it's an obvious exaggeration.
Derivatives >> hyperbolic, hyperbolically, hyperbolical, hyperbolism
692. hypocrite
HIP uh krit
one who is insincere or deceitful
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> sincere person
Saying one thing and then doing the other is the mark of a hypocrite.
Derivatives >> hypocrites, hypocritical, hypocritically, hypocrital, hypocrisy
693. hypothesize high POTH eh size
to reach a conclusion based on an assumption or something not proven
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to know with certainty
Before you begin your experiment, you should hypothesize about the possible outcome.
Derivatives >> hypothesized, hypothesis, hypotheses, hypothetical, hypothetically
694. icon
EYE kon
a picture, image, or other representation
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
695.
696.
697.
698.
699.
700.
Antonym >>
Different programs on some computer menus are represented by icons.
Derivatives >> iconic, iconical, iconically, iconicity
iconoclast
eye KON uh klast
one who attacks established beliefs or institutions
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> disciple
The church is constantly under attack by iconoclasts.
Derivatives >> iconoclasm, iconoclastic, iconoclastically
idiosyncrasy id ee uh SING kruh see a characteristic habit or mannerism that is peculiar to an individual
Synonyms >> peculiarity, quirk
Antonym >>
Scratching his hand whenever he was nervous was an idiosyncrasy of the man.
Derivative s >> idiosyncratic, idiosyncratically
idolatry
eye DOLL uh tree
worship of idols, excessive devotion
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> irreverence; indifference
The idolatry of rock stars by some teenagers can be dangerous.
Derivatives >> idolatrous, idolatrize, idolatrously, idolatrousness, idolater
ignoble
ig NO bul
of lowly origin, without honor
Synonyms >> abject, mean, sordid
Antonym >> noble; grand; lofty
I do not like his ignoble ideas.
Derivatives >> ignobility, ignobleness, ignobly
ignominy
IG nuh min ee
disgraceful or dishonorable conduct
Synonyms >> disgrace, disrepute, infamy
Antonym >> honor
Treason is an ignominy.
Derivatives >> ignominious, ignominiously, ignominiousness
illicit
eh LIS it
illegal
Synonyms >> unlawful, illegitimate
Antonym >> legal
Gambling is an illicit activity in many states.
Derivatives >> illicitness, illicitly
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55
eh LUS tree us
notably outstanding, famous
Antonym >> infamous
celebrated, distinguished, eminent, noted,
I was impressedrenowned
by the illustrious personage at the ball.
Derivatives >> illustriously, illustriousness
702. imbibe
im BIBE
to absorb or to drink in
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to exude
It is dangerous to imbibe too much alcohol.
Derivatives >> imbibes, imbibed, imbibition, imbibitional, imbiber
703. imbue
im BYOO
to impregnate or to inspire with feelings or opinions
Synonyms >> charge, infect, fire; permeate, infuse, tincture,
Antonym >> to drain
The scholar wassoak
imbued with the teachings of the philosopher.
Derivatives >> imbued, imbuing, imbuement
704. immunity
eh MYOO neh tee
resistance (usually to a disease)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lack of resistance
One's immunity to disease is lowered when one is fatigued.
Derivatives >> immunities, immunist, immune, immuned, immunization, immunize, immunizing
705. immutable
eh MYOO tuh bul
unchanging
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fickle
Her love for her husband was immutable.
Derivatives >> immutability, immutableness, immutably
706. impale
im PALE
to pierce, to fix on a pointed instrument
701. illustrious
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
707.
708.
709.
710.
711.
712.
713.
Antonym >>
Shish kebab can be prepared by impaling meat and vegetables on a skewer.
Derivatives >> impaled, impalement
impeccable
im PEK uh bul
free from fault or blame
Synonyms >> flawless, irreproachable
Antonym >> flawed
She was a woman of impeccable character and could not be blamed for the smallest wrongdoing.
Derivatives >> impeccability, impeccableness, impeccably
impecunious im puh KYOO nee us
without money
Synonyms >> destitute, indigent
Antonym >> rich
Some formerly rich people have become impecunious because of the poor oil and real estate market.
Derivatives >> impecuniary, impecuniousity, impecuniously, impecuniousness, impecunity
impede
im PEDE
to interfere with or to obstruct the progress
Synonyms >> hinder, obstruct
Antonym >> to assist, to promote
While the hurricane has impeded the building's construction, the builder feels that it can be completed on time.
Derivatives >> impeded, impeding, impeder, impedibility, imp edible, impedingly, impedient, impediment
impedimental,
impedimentary
impel
im
PEL
to urge or to drive forward (usually with moral pressure)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to restrain
I will impel him to study more often in order to pass this class.
Derivatives >> impelling, impellment, impeller, impelled
imperious
im PEER ee us
extremely overbearing
Synonyms >> domineering, imperative, masterful, preemptory Antonym >> meek
The imperious behavior of the dictator led to his overthrow.
Derivatives >> imperiously, imperiousness
impermeable im PUR mee uh bul
not able to be penetrated, unable to be passed through
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> penetrable
Boats are coated with an impermeable substance that keeps water and moisture out.
Derivatives >> impermeability, impermeabilization, impermeabilize, impermeableness, impermeably
impertinent im PUR tuh nunt
insolently rude, not within the proper bounds of good taste or manners
Synonyms >> intrusive, meddlesome, obtrusive, officious
Antonym >> reverent; respectful
His impertinent remarks did not help his case in the eyes of the jury.
Derivatives >>
impertinence, impertinency, impertinently, impertinentness
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56
im pur TUR buh bul marked by extreme calm, impassivity, assurance and steadiness
Antonym >> frantic
composed, collected, cool, unruffled,
Before the accidentnonchalant
he seemed imperturbable, but now he is becoming frantic.
Derivatives >> imperturbability, imperturbableness, imperturbably, imperturbation, imperturbed
impervious
im PUR vee us
incapable of being entered or penetrated, not capable of being damaged
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> penetrable
Because this watch is impervious to water , I can go swimming while wearing it.
Derivatives >> imperviously, imp erviousness
impetuous
im PECH oo us
violent, hasty, rash, impulsive
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> reserved
His impetuous behavior caused him to make many mistakes.
Derivatives >> impetuosity, impetuously, impetuousness, impetus
implacable
im PLAK uh bul
incapable of being appeased
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> yielding
That young man is the enemy of the implacable woman standing in the corner; she will never stop hating him.
Derivatives >> implacability, implacableness, implacably
implausible im PLAU zuh bul
not believable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> believable
His explanation of the accident is so implausible that no jury will believe him.
Derivatives >> implausibility, implausibileness, implausibly
implicit
im PLIS it
understood but not directly expressed
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> obscure
His implicit remarks left no doubt as to what he meant.
Derivatives >> implicitly, implicitness, implicity
import
IM port
relative importance, significance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> meaninglessness
The full import of today's events will not be realized for years.
Derivatives >> importance
importune
im por TOON
to beg in earnest
Synonyms >> entreat, implore, supplicate, adjure
Antonym >>
Although he importuned for one more chance, his former boss would not rehire him.
Derivatives >> importuned, importuning, importunely, importuner, importunity, importunacy, importunate
importunateness
impoundment im
POUND munt
the act of being seized and held in the custody of the law
Synonyms >> confinement
Antonym >>
The man was not happy when he had to deal with the impoundment of his car.
Derivatives >> impound, impounded, impounding, impoundable
impregnable im PREG nuh bul
incapable of being taken by assault, of being broken into or escaped from
S ynonyms >> unconquerable, unassailable
Antonym >> easily conquered
The warriors felt secure in the impregnable fortress.
Derivatives >> impregnability, impregnableness, impregnably
impromptu
im PROMP too
without prior preparation
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> prepared
Politicians must be good at delivering impromptu speeches.
Derivatives >> impromptus, impromptued, impromptuing
improvidence im PROV eh dunz
not providing for the future, not thrifty
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> foresight
The improvidence of immediately spending one's paycheck could be costly in an emergency.
Derivatives >> improvident, improvidently, improvidentially
impudent
IM pyuh dunt
disrespectful, characterized by improper bold behavior
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> respectful
The student's impudent act of using profanity toward Mrs. Dove caused him to be expelled.
Derivatives >> impudence, impudency, impudently, impudentness, impudicity
714. imperturbable
Synonyms >>
715.
716.
717.
718.
719.
720.
721.
722.
723.
724.
725.
726.
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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57
to assail or to attack one's honor or integrity
Antonym >> to speak well of
After the death of his father, many relatives impugned his claims to his inheritance.
Derivatives >> impugnable, impugnation, impugnment
728. impute
im PYOOT
to blame or to charge
727. impugn
im PYOON
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
729.
730.
731.
732.
733.
Synonyms >>
734.
735.
736.
737.
738.
739.
Antonym >>
His bizarre actions have been imputed to mental derangement.
Derivatives >> imputability, imputable, imputableness, imputably, imputation, imputational, imputatively
imputativeness
inane
eh NANE
lacking significance, meaning, or point; silly, insipid
Synonyms >> banal, flat, jejune, vapid
Antonym >> pertinent; intelligent; significant
Your comments are inane and are preventing the discussion of the main topic.
Derivatives >> inanely, inanity, inanition
inanimate
in AN uh mit
without life
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> alive
A rock is an inanimate object.
Derivatives >> inanimately, inanimateness
inaugural
in AH gyur ul
the beginning, the first of a series
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> final
After the President of the United States takes the oath of office, he makes his inaugural address.
Derivatives >> inaugurate, inaugurated, inaugurating, inauguration, inaugurator
inauspicious in ah SPISH us
unfavorable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> promising good results
I was disheartened by the inauspicious occasion of his death.
Derivatives >> inauspiciously
incantation
in kan TAY shun
a spell, written or recited formula of words designed for a particular effect
Antonym >>
The purpose of the witch doctor's incantations was to scare evil spirits.
Derivatives >> incant, incantational, incantatory
incapacitate in kuh PAS eh tate
to make incapable or unfit; to deprive of capacity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to aid; to make capable
A serious illness will incapacitate him, and we will be unable to go on with the journey.
Derivatives >> incapacitation, incapacity
incarcerate
in KAR suh rate
to put into prison
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to set free
The judge told the convicted murderer that he would be incarcerated in the state prison.
Derivatives >> incarceration, incarcerator, incarcerated, incarcerating
incensed
in SENSD
really mad
Synonyms >> enraged, infuriated, angered
Antonym >> pleased
The teacher was incensed when she found out that some of her trusted students had cheated on the exam.
Derivative s >> incense,incensing, incensement
inception
in SEP shun
the beginning of something
Synonyms >> origin, source
Antonym >> conclusion
Joe has worked for the company since its inception in 1935.
Derivatives >> incept, inceptive, inceptively, inceptor
incessant
in SES unt
uninterrupted
Synonyms >> constant, perennial, perpetual, unremitting
Antonym >> intermittent
The dog's incessant barking caused the man to have difficulty falling asleep.
Derivatives >> incessancy, incessantly, incessantness, incession
incipient
in SIP ee unt
beginning to come into being, the early stage of something
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> waning
He is not able to recognize his own incipient drug problem.
Derivatives >> incipiative, incipiency, incipience, incipiently
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58
740. incisive
in SIE siv
very perceptive, clear and to the point
Antonym >> obtuse
Synonyms >>
His incisive remarks swayed the crowd.
Derivatives >> incisively, incisiveness
741. inclement
in KLEM unt
stormy, severe
Antonym >> calm; favorable
The weatherman said that our area should prepare for some inclement weather.
Derivatives >> inclemency, inclemently, inclementness
incongruity in kon GROO eh tee
nonconformity, disagreement, incompatability
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> agreement
The incongruity between the two stories led me to doubt the accuracy of either report.
Derivatives >> incongruent, incongruently, incongruence, incongruous, incongrously, incongruousness
inconsequential in kon suh KWEN shul not significant, unimportant
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> pivotal; important
Since his team was ahead, the fact that the quaterback's last pass was intercepted was inconsequential.
Derivatives >>
inconsequential, inconsequentially, inconsequentiality
incontrovertible in kon truh VUR tuh indisputable
bul
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> disputable; arguable
The district attorney was looking for incontrovertible evidence to prove that the accused arsonist burned the bank.
Derivatives >> incontrovertibly
incorporeal
in kor POR ee ul
having no material or tangible form
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> material
The man was horrified by the incorporeal sights he saw in the haunted house.
Derivatives >> incorporeality, incorporeally, incorporeity, incorporeous
incorrigible in KOR eh juh bul
incapable of being reformed or improved
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> amenable to impovement
He was expelled from school because of his incorrigible conduct.
Derivatives >> incorrigibility, incorrigibleness, incorrigibly
incrustation in kruh STAY shun
being covered with a crust, state of being encrusted
Synonyms >>
742.
743.
744.
745.
746.
747.
Synonyms >>
748.
749.
750.
751.
752.
Antonym >>
The incrustation of deleterious habits has become the focal point for many self-help groups.
Derivatives >> incrustate, incrustated, incrustating
inculcate
in KUL kate, IN kul kate to teach persistently and earnestly
Synonyms >> instill, infix, implant, ingrain
Antonym >>
Many parents try to inculcate virtue in their young children.
Derivatives >> inculcated, inculcating, inculcative, inculcation, inculcatory, inculcator
incurious
in KYOOR ee us
uninterested, lacking normal curiosity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> interested; curious
I was surprised at his incurious reaction when I told him that the prom queen was interested in him.
Derivatives >> incuriosity, incuriously, incuriousness
indefatigable in deh FAT uh guh bul tireless, incapable of being fatigued
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> easily tired
The indefatigable army moved ahead steadily over the many days without rest.
Derivatives >> indefatigability, indefatigableness, indefatigably
indelible
in DEL uh bul
cannot be removed, washed away or erased
Synonyms >> permanent, lasting
Antonym >> fleeting
Her comments made an indelible impression on his mind, and he was never able to forget.
Derivatives >> indelibility,indelibly
indices
IN deh seez
plural of index, guides
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
There are many indices in the library for you to use in your research.
Derivatives >> index, indexical, indexically, indexless
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59
in DITE
to charge or to accuse
Antonym >> to absolve, to exonerate, to acquit
incriminate, blame, impeach
If the Grand Jury indicts the man, he will be tried for murder.
Derivatives >> indicter, indictor, indictable, indictably, indictment
indigence
IN deh juns
poverty
Synonyms >> destitution, penury, want
Antonym >> wealth
His ragged clothes are a sign of his indigence.
Derivatives >> indigency, indigent
indigenous
in DIJ eh nus
native to a certain area
Synonyms >> aboriginal, endemic, native
Antonym >> alien
Many types of cacti are indigenous to the southwest deserts of the United States.
Derivatives >> indigenously, indigenize, indigenization
indigent
IN deh junt
very poor, impoverished
Synonyms >> destitute, impecunious
Antonym >> affluent, wealthy
It is hard to believe that Joe is homeless and indigent when he used to be president of a savings and loan thrift.
Derivatives >> indigence, indigently
indignation
in dig NAY shun
anger as a result of something unjust
Synonyms >> fury, ire, rage, wrath
Antonym >> serenity
I have much indignation about the light sentence given to the drunk driver who ran over my child .
Derivatives >> indignant, indignantly, indignance, indignify, indignities
indolence
IN duh luns
laziness
Synonyms >> slothfulness
Antonym >> industriousness
The hot and humid weather in the tropics encourages indolence.
Derivatives >> indolent, indolency, indolently
indomitable in DOM eh tuh bul
incapable of being conquered
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> weak
He was from a tribe that was thought to be indomitable but finally was forced to live on the reservation.
Derivatives >> indomitability, indomitableness, indomitably
indubitable
in DOO beh tuh bul
not open to question or doubt
Synonyms >> unquestionable, certain
Antonym >> questionable; doubtful
At the base of the experiment was a core of indubitable knowledge.
Derivatives >> indubitability, indubitableness, indubitably
induce
in DOOS, in DYOOS
to bring on or to bring about
Synonyms >> cause, effect, influence, persuade, prevail
Antonym >> to impede
His personality changes were induced by drugs.
Derivatives >> induced, inducing, inducement, inducer
indulgent
in DUL junt
lenient, especially toward oneself
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> harsh; strict
The boy did not learn respect from his indulgent parents.
Derivatives >> indulge, indulged, indulging, indulgence, indulgently, indulger
industrious
in DUS tree us
skillfully busy or occupied
Synonyms >> assiduous, diligent, sedulous
Antonym >> slothful, indolent
The industrious student will use time wisely.
Derivatives >> industriously, industriousness, industry
inebriation
in ee bree A shun
drunkenness, intoxication
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> sobriety
One should not drive when in a state of inebriation.
Derivatives >> inebriant, inebriate, inebriated, inebriety, inebrious
ineffable
in EF uh bul
incapable of being expressed in speech or words
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> easily expressed
Her delight in being selected as a cheerleader was ineffable.
Derivatives >> ineffability, ineffableness, ineffably
753. indict
Synonyms >>
754.
755.
756.
757.
758.
759.
760.
761.
762.
763.
764.
765.
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60
in EPT nes
lack of competence or judgment
Antonym >> expertise
gauche, maladroit
The evidence of his ineptness as a coach is his poor win-loss record.
Derivatives >> inept, ineptly, ineptitude
inert
in URT
unable to move or to act, sluggish
Synonyms >> idle, passive, supine
Antonym >> active
It takes a long time to get things done when we must depend on inert bureaucrats.
Derivatives >> inertia, inertial, inertion, inertness, inertly
inertia
in UR shuh
resistance to motion or action
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> disposition to action
In order to move, a force must first overcome a body's initial inertia.
Derivatives >> inert, inertial, inertion, inertness, inertly
inexorable
in EK sur uh bul
relentless, cannot be persuaded to change one's course of action
Synonyms >> inflexible, obdurate, adamant
Antonym >> flexible; changeable; yielding
The archeologist was inexorable in his pursuit of the buried city.
Derivatives >> inexorability, inexorableness, inexorably
inextricable in EKS truh kuh bul
not able to be disentangled
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> separable
The kite string is in such an inextricable mess that you might as well throw it all away.
Derivatives >> inextricability, inextricableness, inextricably
infallible
in FAL uh bul
incapable of error
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> erroneous; fallacious
Since everyone makes mistakes, no human is infallible.
Derivatives >> infallibilism, infallibilist, infallibility, infallibleness, infallibly
infamous
IN fuh mus
having a reputation of the worst kind, vicious, notoriously bad
Synonyms >> disreputable, ignominous
Antonym >> illustrious
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was an infamous act.
Derivatives >> infamously, infamy, infamies
infernal
in FER nul
relating to hell
Synonyms >> hellish, diabolical, fiendish
Antonym >> heavenly
It is not nice to wish that someone go to the infernal regions.
Derivatives >> infernally, inferno
infidel
IN feh dul
a person who has no religious faith; unbeliever
Synonyms >> atheist
Antonym >> believer
The lack of religious values in society today point to the great numbers of infidels.
Derivatives >> infidelity
influence
IN floo uns
authority, prestige
(noun) >>
Synonyms
Antonym >> powerlessness
Because he has much influence with the President, his friendship should be sought.
Derivatives >> influenceability, influenceable, influences, influenced, influencing
influx
IN fluks
a flowing or coming in
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> outpouring
Due to the humid weather, an influx of mosquitoes is expected.
Derivatives >> influxion
ingenuity
in juh NOO eh tee
cleverness, inventiveness, resourcefulness
Synonyms >> adroitness, cunning, deftness, dexterity
Antonym >> lack of cleverness
He showed much ingenuity in his unique way of solving the problem.
Derivatives >> ingenious, ingeniously, ingeniousness
ingrate
IN grate
an ungrateful person
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> grateful person
I was stunned when I didn't even receive a "thank you" from the ingrate.
Derivatives >> ingrateful
766. ineptness
Synonyms >>
767.
768.
769.
770.
771.
772.
773.
774.
775.
776.
777.
778.
Copyright 2005 © by Advanced Placement Strategies
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61
to make an effort to gain good favor with someone
Antonym >> to alienate
He tried to ingratiate himself with the girl's parents by always being polite.
Derivatives >> ingratiating, ingratiatingly, ingratiation, ingratiatory
inimical
eh NIM eh kul
having the disposition or temper of an enemy
Synonyms >> hostile, unfriendly, harmful, adverse
Antonym >> hospitable
The child shuddered under the inimical glare of his father.
Derivatives >> inimicable, inimically, inimicalness, inimicous
inimitable
eh NIM eh tuh bul
not able to be imitated
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> imitable
He has his own inimitable way of doing things.
Derivatives >> inimitability, inimitableness, inimitably
iniquity
eh NIK weh tee
gross injustice; wickedness; wicked act
Synonyms >> perverseness, evil, baseness, wrong
Antonym >>
The iniquity of the criminal caused disgust even among his friends.
Derivatives >> iniquitous, iniquitousness, iniquitously
innate
eh NATE
existing from birth, inborn
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> learned
He has innate athletic talents that cannot be taught.
Derivatives >> innated, innately, innateness, innatism, innative
innocuous
eh NOK yoo us
harmless, producing no injury
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dangerous; injurious
Since the drink is innocuous, it is okay for us to have some.
Derivatives >> innocuously, innocuousness
inopportune in op ur TOON
inconvenient, poorly timed
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> convenient
Today is an inopportune time to get together since my parents are in town.
Derivatives >> inopportunely, inopportuneness
inordinate
in OR duh nit
exceeding reasonable limits, excessive
Synonyms >> exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, immoderate
Antonym >> small
It is a sign of trouble when a student has an inordinate number of absences.
Derivatives >> inordinately, inordinateness, inordination
insatiable
in SAY shuh bul
incapable of being satisfied
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> capable of being satisfied
She became quite fat because of her insatiable desire for chocolate.
Derivatives >> insatiability, insatiableness, insatiably, insatiate, insatiated, insatiately, insatiateness, insatiety
inscrutable
in SKROO tuh bul
difficult to understand; mysterious
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> clear; readable; understandable
He had us all confused with his inscrutable smile.
Derivatives >> inscrutableness, inscrutably, inscrutability
insentient
in SEN she unt
without sensation, lacking animation
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> capable of feeling
The insentient woman sat immobilized when she heard of the girl's death.
Derivatives >> insentience
insidious
in SID ee us
treacherous or dangerous in a secret sort of way
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> harmless
AIDS is insidious because one can have it and transmit it before showing symptoms of the disease.
Derivatives >> insidiously, insidiousness
insipid
in SIP id
boring and stupid
Synonyms >> banal, flat, inane, jejune, vapid
Antonym >> spirited and animated; zestful
I am bored by your insipid talk.
Derivatives >> insipidity, insipidly, insipidness
779. ingratiate
in GRAY she ate
Synonyms >>
780.
781.
782.
783.
784.
785.
786.
787.
788.
789.
790.
791.
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62
IN suh luns
insulting or contemptuous behavior
Antonym >>
arrogance, haughtiness, high-handedness,
impertinence
His insolence and
lack of respect for his mother are shocking.
Derivatives >> insolent, insolently, insolency, insolentness
793. insolvent
in SOL vunt
without money, broke
792. insolence
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> solvent; wealthy
Before Congress passed the legislation, many worried that the social security fund might become insolvent.
Derivatives >> insolvence, insolvency
instigation
in stuh GAY shun
urging, provocation; initiation
Synonyms >> abetment, fomentation, incitement
Antonym >> dissuasion
This project would never have been attempted without his instigation.
Derivatives >>
instigate, instigatingly, instigative, instigator
insubordination in suh bor duh NAY shun disobedience to authority
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> obedience
The student was reprimanded for his insubordination to the teacher.
Derivatives >> insubordinate, insubordinately
insufferable in SUF ur uh bul
not to be endured; intolerable; unbearable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> tolerable; bearable
The man's insufferable temper caused his wife to leave him.
Derivatives >> insufferableness, insufferably
insularity
in suh LAR eh tee
qualities of an island; narrow-mindedness of opinion
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> broad-mindedness
The insularity of the president made it difficult to get a motion passed.
Derivatives >> insularly, insular, insularize
insuperable in SOO pur uh bul
incapable of being surmounted; incapable of being vanquished
Synonyms >> unsurpassable, impassable, invincible
Antonym >> easily overcome, surmountable
These are the insuperable heroes who fought for our country.
Derivatives >> insuperability, insuperableness, insuperably
intangibles
in TAN juh buls
things that cannot be realized or defined
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> things that can be realized
The coach said that he had the best team and that they should win, but one never knows about intangibles.
Derivatives >> intangibility, intangibleness, intangibly
integral
IN tuh grul
essential for completeness
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> nonessential
We will not trade him because he is an integral part of our team.
Derivatives >> integrality
intemperance in TEM pur uns
lack of moderation (usually relating to drinking alcohol)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> temperance; moderation
Some fraternity members are known for their intemperance.
Derivatives >> intemperate, intemperancy, intemperately, intemperateness
intensify
in TEN suh fie
to strengthen
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to weaken
We will intensify our position by getting more documentation to support our views.
Derivatives >> intensification, intensifier, intensified, intensifying, intensifies
intercede
in ter SEDE
to intervene and to act as a mediator
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to stand aside
I will intercede on your behalf in your dispute with your boss if you believe it will do some good.
Derivatives >> interceder, intercession, intercessional, intercessive, intercessor, intercessorial
interloper
IN tur lope ur
one who interferes in the affairs or with the rights of others
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> ascetic; hermit
As the man tried to work out his difficulties a busy-body interloper jumped in and made matters worse.
Derivatives >> interlope
Synonyms >>
794.
795.
796.
797.
798.
799.
800.
801.
802.
803.
804.
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63
805. interminable in TUR mun uh bul
having or seeming to have no end, wearisomely protracted
Antonym >> short and limited
Although the reading assignment was only ten pages, it seemed interminable to the bored student.
Derivatives >> interminability, interminableness, interminably, interminate
interred
in TURD
buried
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> exhumed; disinterred
He was interred by the avalanche.
Derivatives >> inter, interment
intractable
in TRAK tuh bul
stubborn, difficult to manage
Synonyms >> headstrong, recalcitrant, refractory, unruly,
Antonym >> manageable; agreeable
The intractable willful
child was a discipline problem in every class.
Derivatives >> intractability, intractableness, intractably
intransigent in TRAN seh junt
refusing to compromise
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> comp romising; agreeable
Since both labor and management are intransigent on the issue of profit-sharing, there will be a strike.
Derivatives >> intransigence, intransigency, intransigentism, intransigently
intrepid
in TREP id
fearless
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> afraid
The intrepid fireman rushed into the burning house and saved the baby.
Derivatives >> intrepidity, intrepidly, intrepidness
intrinsic
in TRIN sik
belonging to or pertaining to the essential nature of a thing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> e xtraneous
Although the intrinsic value of this ring is small, its sentimental value is great since it is from my first love.
Derivatives >> intrinsically, intrinsicalness, intrinsical
introspective in truh SPEK tiv
the quality of examining one's own mind or thoughts
Synonyms >>
806.
807.
808.
809.
810.
811.
Synonyms >>
812.
813.
814.
815.
816.
817.
Antonym >>
I must be very introspective before I make my decision.
Derivatives >> introspect, introspection, introspector, introspectable, introspectional, introspectively
introspectionism
introvert
IN
truh vurt
one who turns inward and concentrates thoughts upon himself
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> extrovert
He is such an introvert that he is not even interested in making new friends.
Derivatives >> introverted, introvertive, introversion, introversive, introversively
intuitive
in TOO eh tiv
known without rational thought
Synonyms >> instinctive
Antonym >>
Her feelings that something bad was about to happen were strictly intuitive; she had no basis for them.
Derivatives >> intuitively, intuitiveness, intuitivism, intuitivist, intuition, intuitionless, intuitional, intuitionally
intuitionalism
inundate
IN
un date
to flood, to overflow
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to drain
The television station was inundated with phone calls when the basketball game was interrupted.
Derivatives >> inundable, inundant, inundation, inundator, inundatory
invective
in VEK tiv
critical or abusive language; violent abuse
Synonyms >> vituperation, obloquy, scurrility, billingsgate
Antonym >> liberal praise
As his anger mounted, slander and invective poured from his mouth.
Derivatives >> invectively, invectives
inveterate
in VET ur it
firmly established, habitual, deep-rooted
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> readily changeable
Because he had been an inveterate workaholic, he had trouble adjusting his lifestyle when he retired.
Derivatives >> inveterately, inveterateness
invidious
in VID ee us
causing animosity or resentment; hateful; offensive
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> pleasant; soothing; kind
We were quite resentful about the man's invidious remarks.
Derivatives >> invidiously, invidiousness
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64
secure from violation or from being profaned
Antonym >> destructable
The numerous guards attempt to make the President inviolable.
Derivatives >> inviolate, inviolability, invioableness, invioably, inviolacy, inviolateness, inviolately, inviolated
inviolating
iota
eye OH tuh
very small quantity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> large quantity
There is not one iota of evidence that I committed the crime.
Derivatives >> iotas
irascible
uh RAS uh bul
irritable, easily angered, cranky, cross
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> impassive; imperturbable
Just about anything could set off his irascible temper.
Derivatives >> irascibleness, irascibly, irascibility
iridescence
ear eh DES uns
the quality of exhibiting rainbow-like colors, brilliant appearance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dullness; darkness
The iridescence of the room with all the mirrors and chandeliers was magnificent.
Derivatives >>
iridescent, iridesce, iridescently
irreproachable ear eh PRO chuh bul faultless, not discreditable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> wrong; faulty
The woman's morals are so high that she is irreproachable.
Derivatives >> irreproachability, irreproachableness, irreproachably
irresolute
eh REZ uh loot
indecisive, unsure of how to proceed
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> sure; decisive; certain
The confused child stood irresolute, waiting for some instruction.
Derivatives >> irresolutely, irresoluteness, irresolution
irreverent
eh REV ur unt
showing a lack of respect
Synonyms >> disrespectful
Antonym >> respectful
It is irreverent to wear a hat inside of a church.
Derivatives >> irreverence,irreverently
itinerant
eye TIN ur unt
traveling from place to place
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> settled
The itinerant preacher ministered throughout the state.
Derivatives >> itinerancy, itineracy, itinerantly, itinerarium, itinerary, itinerate, itineration
itinerary
eye TIN uh rer ee
proposed route of a journey
818. inviolable
in VIE uh luh bul
Synonyms >>
819.
820.
821.
822.
823.
824.
825.
826.
Synonyms >>
827.
828.
829.
830.
Antonym >>
Our itinerary will place us in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.
Derivatives >> itinerancy, itineracy,itinerant, itinerantly, itinerarium, itinerated, itinerating, itineration
jaded
JAY did
weary from overuse, surfeited
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fresh
Jaded with the hedonistic life of a playboy, he decided to look for a more altruistic existence.
Derivatives >> jade, jadedly, jadedness
jargon
JAR gon
language used by a special group that is usually strange and confusing
S ynonyms >> dialect, vernacular, lingo
Antonym >>
In making transactions, the traders on the stock market floor used a jargon which we could not understand.
Derivatives >> jargonal,jargonistic,jargonish,jargonesque, jargonist, jargoneer, jargonize, jargonizing
jaundiced
JON dist
prejudiced, having a hostile attitude resulting from distorted reasoning
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unbiased; unprejudiced
His jaundiced viewpoint toward the rich stemmed from his youth of abject poverty.
Derivatives >> jaundice
jaunty
JON tee
stylish and lively in manner or appearance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> depressed
The woman walked with a jaunty step that gave clear evidence to her sprightly personality.
Derivatives >> jauntily, jauntiness, jauntingly
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65
to discard or to cast off, many times relates to spacecraft
Antonym >> to bring aboard
The sailors were forced to jettison all excess weight in order to stay afloat.
Derivatives >> jettisonable
jingoist
JING go ist
an extreme patriot, usually calls for a belligerent foreign policy
Synonyms >> chauvinist, nationalist
Antonym >> traitor
The jingoist was in the streets, loudly urging the public toward aggression against the foreign power.
Derivatives >> jingoism, jingoish, jingoistic, jingoistically
jocose
joe KOSE
given to jokes and jesting
Synonyms >> witty, facetious, jocular
Antonym >>
The teacher was not amused by the jocose remarks of the class clown.
Derivatives >> jocosely, jocoseness, jocosity
jocular
JOK yu lur
jesting or joking
Synonyms >> facetious, jocose, jocund
Antonym >> serious
The man's jocular mood kept us all entertained throughout the evening.
Derivatives >> jocularity, jocularly, jocularness, joculator
jollity
JOL eh tee
merriment, state of being jolly
Synonyms >> glee, hilarity, mirth
Antonym >> sadness
There was much good feeling and jollity at the Christmas party.
Derivatives >> jollier, jollification, jollify, jollily, jolliness, jolly
jubilee
JOO buh lee
a period of rejoicing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> season of mourning
The year of jubilee was a time of happiness and celebrating.
Derivatives >> jubilance, jubilant, jubilantly, jubilarian, jubilate, jubilation, jubilize
juncture
JUNGK chur
a point of joining
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> separation
His new book emphasizes the importance of the juncture of poetry and music into a new art form.
Derivatives >> junctural, junctional
junta
HOON tuh
a group of people who join in running a government (after a revolution)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> patriots
In the early 1980s, Argentina was governed by a military junta composed of generals.
Derivatives >> juntas, junto
juxtapose
JUK stuh poze
to place close together or side by side
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to set far apart
The huts in the village were never closely juxtaposed as one would imagine.
Derivatives >> juxtaposed, juxtaposition, juxtapositional
kindle
KIN dul
to start a fire, to stir up
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to douse
The boys were taught to kindle a fire.
Derivatives >> kindled, kindling, kindles
kinetic
keh NET ik
pertaining to motion; characterized by movement
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> immobile
The mobile is a form of kinetic sculpture.
Derivatives >> kinetically
knoll
NOLE
a small round hill
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> mountain
The young deer stood upon the knoll and looked out over the pond that lay beneath him.
Derivatives >> knolls
knotty
NOT ee
so complicated that it can probably not be solved; full of knots
Synonyms >> abstruse, complex, intricate, recondite
Antonym >> easy to solve; uncomplicated
A contest's knotty problems leave contestants disheartened. The knotty trees added an eerie feeling to the night.
Derivatives >> knotted, knotter, knottily
831. jettison
JET eh sun
Synonyms >>
832.
833.
834.
835.
836.
837.
838.
839.
840.
841.
842.
843.
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66
844. kudos
KOO doze
awards or honors
Antonym >> demerits
She deserves kudos for her work in building the museum.
Derivatives >> kudize, kudized, kudizing
labyrinthine lab uh RIN thin
like a maze, very convoluted and intricate
Synonyms >> mazy
Antonym >>
The senator vowed to unravel the labrinthine welfare bureaucracy.
Derivatives >> labyrinth, labyrinthal, labyrinthical, labyrinthian, labyrinthic, labyrinthically
lachrymose LAK ruh mose
tearful
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dry-eyed
She was very lachrymose at the funeral of her father.
Derivatives >> lachrymable, lachrymal, lachrymation, lachrymator, lachrymatory, lachrymosely, lachrymosity
laconic
luh KON ik
using a minimum of words; concise to the point of seeming rude
Synonyms >> compendious, concise, pithy, succinct,
Antonym >> verbose
summary,
terse
After the loss, the
coach's remarks
were laconic.
Derivatives >> laconian, laconical, laconically, laconicism, laconism
laggard
LAG urd
slow, sluggish
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> animated
When that coach tells you to do something, do not be laggard.
Derivatives >> laggardly, laggardness
lament
luh MENT
to mourn or to express sorrow in a demonstrative manner
Synonyms >> bemoan, bewail, deplore
Antonym >> to rejoice
She lamented the death of her father in a very lachrymose manner.
Derivatives >> lamented, lamenting, lamentation, lamentable
lampoon
lam POON
a light and mocking satire; writing that ridicules in a malicious way
Synonyms >> satire, ridicule
Antonym >> to glorify
The politician was lampooned by the cartoonists.
Derivatives >> lampooner, lampoonery, lampoonist, lampooned, lampooning, lampoons
languid
LANG gwid
slow, sluggish, listless, weak
Synonyms >> lethargic, stuporous, torpid
Antonym >> animated
The old man's walk was languid, each pace requiring great effort.
Derivatives >> languidly, languidness, languish, languisher, languishing, languishment
larceny
LAR suh nee
the act of stealing another's property
Synonyms >> theft
Antonym >>
After being convicted of larceny, the man offered to return the stolen items for a shorter prison term.
Derivatives >> larcener, larcenist, larcenous, larcenously, larcenies
largess
lar JES, LAR jis
generous giving
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> miserliness
The wealthy man was known by many charities for his largess.
Derivatives >> largesse
lassitude
LAS eh tood
feeling of weariness; fatigue
Synonyms >> languor, lethargy, stupor, torpor
Antonym >> restlessness
The hot weather in some parts of Mexico probably created the lassitude that led to the siesta.
Derivatives >> lassitudes
latent
LATE unt
not visible, dormant
Synonyms >> abeyant, quiescent
Antonym >> obvious
Sometimes a teacher can cause latent talents to emerge.
Derivatives >> latency
latitude
LAT eh tood
freedom of action or opinion
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lack of freedom
College students are given much latitude in the selection of their courses.
Derivatives >> latitudinal, latitudinally, latitudinarian
Synonyms >>
845.
846.
847.
848.
849.
850.
851.
852.
853.
854.
855.
856.
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67
LAWD
to praise, to extol
Antonym >> to defame
revere
Her performance was lauded by all of the critics.
Derivatives >> laudability, laudable, laudableness
858. leaven
LEV un
to introduce something that spreads throughout and modifies or enlivens
Synonyms >> infuse
Antonym >>
The professor leavened his lecture with humorous anecdotes.
Derivatives >> leavenless, leavening, leavened
859. lecher
LECH ur
one who indulges excessively in sexual activity or in lasciviousness
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> ascetic
The young woman was repulsed by the unwanted sexual advances of the lecher.
Derivatives >> lechery, lecherous, lecherously, lecherousness
860. legacy
LEG uh see
a gift by will, something handed down by an ancestor or predecessor
857. laud
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Most presidents wonder what their legacy to the country will be.
Derivatives >> legacies
861. legerdemain lej ur duh MANE
sleight of hand, deception or trickery resulting from use of the hands
Synonyms >>
862.
863.
864.
865.
Antonym >>
A magician must be able to perform feats of legerdema in.
Derivatives >> legerdermains
lethargic
luh THAR jik
sluggish, languid
Synonyms >> stuporous, torpid
Antonym >> energetic
Having had too much to drink, he was very lethargic the morning after the party.
Derivatives >> lethargically, lethargize, lethargy
levitate
LEV eh tate
to rise or to float in the air in seeming defiance of gravity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to cause to fall, to descend
The magician began his show by making a volunteer from the audience levitate.
Derivatives >> levitated, levitating, levitation, levitational, levitative
levity
LEV eh tee
excessive frivolity, flippancy
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> seriousness
It was inappropriate for him to insert some levity into the funeral service.
Derivatives >> levitate, levitation, levitated, levitational, levitative, levitating
lexicon
LEK suh kon
a dictionary or alphabetical listing of the words of a profession or subject
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
We looked in many lexicons before we found the definition of that arcane word.
Derivatives >> lexical, lexicality, lexically, lexicographer, lexicography, lexicographically, lexicologist
866. libertarian
lib ur TAR ee un
one who favors absolute liberty and free will
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Libertarians want less governmental control over their lives.
Derivatives >> libertarianism
867. licentious
lie SEN shus
lacking moral or sexual restraint, wanton
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> restrained
His licentious behavior caused him to lose his honored position in society.
Derivatives >> licentiously, licentiousness
868. limpid
LIM pid
clear, transparent
Synonyms >> translucent
Antonym >> abstruse; opaque
Many liked the author's limpid writing style because it was easy to understand.
Derivatives >> limpidity, limpidness
869. lineage
LEN ee ij
line of descent or tradition
Synonyms >> background, ancestry
Antonym >>
The girl traced her lineage to a family in the American revolution.
Derivatives >> lineages
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68
to treat one with importance or as a celebrity
Antonym >> to spurn
The newspapers often lionize a celebrity who visits the city.
Derivatives >> lionism, lionization
lithe
LIETH
flexible and graceful
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> inflexible
Ballet is a dance for lithe dancers.
Derivatives >> lithely
loathe
LOETH
to detest
Synonyms >> abhor, abominate
Antonym >> to adore
The fact that I loathe your brother does not mean that we cannot be friends.
Derivatives >> loathful, loathing, loathingly, loathness,loathsome
loiter
LOI tur
to stand idly or to linger aimlessly
Synonyms >> dally, dawdle, procrastinate
Antonym >> to hasten
The police did not want people to loiter around the scene of the shooting.
Derivatives >> loitering, loiteringly
loquacious
low KWAY shus
very talkative
Synonyms >> garrulous, voluble
Antonym >> taciturn
The twins are quite different: one is taciturn and the other is loquacious.
Derivatives >> loquaciousness, loquaciously, loquacity
lucid
LOO sid
easily understood, mentally sound
Synonyms >> perspicuous
Antonym >> obscure
His lucid remarks helped everyone understand the new tax code.
Derivatives >> lucidity, lucidly, lucidness
lugubrious
loo GOO bree us
excessively mournful
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> rejoicing
The woman shed lugubrious tears at the funeral of her husband and daughter.
Derivatives >> lugubriosity, lugubriously, lugubriousness
luminous
LOO muh nus
shining, full of light
Synonyms >> bright, brilliant, lustrous
Antonym >> dark; dull
The most luminous thing visible from Earth is the sun.
Derivatives >> luminosity,luminously, luminousness
lurid
LOOR id
sensational, gruesome and causing shock or horror
Synonyms >> grisly, ghastly, macabre
Antonym >>
The tabloid published every lurid detail of the ax murder.
Derivative s >> luridity, luridness
luscious
LUSH us
very pleasant to the taste
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unpleasant to the taste
The meal was absolutely luscious.
Derivatives >> lusciously, lusciousness
lustrous
LUS trus
shining or gleaming without sparkling
Synonyms >> bright, brilliant, luminous, radiant
Antonym >> dull
That gem is valuable because of its lustrous glow.
Derivatives >> lustrously, lustrousness
luxuriant
lug ZHOOR ee unt
abundant in growth, very fertile
Synonyms >> lavish, lush, prodigal, profuse
Antonym >> scanty
The luxuriant farmland of Iowa provides an abundant amount of food.
Derivatives >> luxuriance, luxurancy, luxuriantly, luxuriate, luxurious, luxuriously, luxuriousness, luxury
maelstrom
MALE strum
a turbulent whirlpool
870. lionize
LIE uh nize
Synonyms >>
871.
872.
873.
874.
875.
876.
877.
878.
879.
880.
881.
882.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
It is dangerous to swim close to a dam because of maelstroms.
Derivatives >> maelstroms
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69
883. magnanimity mag nuh NIM eh tee
having a lofty, generous, and courageous spirit
Antonym >> greed; stinginess
The magnanimity of the king endeared him to his subjects.
Derivatives >> magnanimous, magnanimously, magnanimousness
magnate
MAG nate
a person of power and influence
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> pauper
He was a film magnate who had great power to create a star.
Derivatives >> magnateship
maladroit
mal uh DROIT
inept, awkward
Synonyms >> gauche, clumsy, ungainly
Antonym >> adept, adroit, skillful
His maladroit attempts to repair the situation only made it worse.
Derivatives >> maladroitly, maladroitness
malady
MAL eh dee
a disease or unwholesome condition
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> good health
The poor old woman seems to suffer one malady after another.
Derivatives >> maladies
malapropism MAL eh prop iz um
a word that is used incorrectly in a ridiculous manner
Synonyms >>
884.
885.
886.
887.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Archie Bunker is known for his malapropisms.
Derivatives >> malapropos, malaprop, malapropian
888. malcontent
MAL kun tent
a person who is constantly dissatisfied and discontented
Synonyms >>
889.
890.
891.
892.
893.
894.
895.
Antonym >>
The principal blamed the disturbance on malcontents who were never happy with anything.
Derivatives >> malcontented, malcontentedly, malcontentedness
malediction mal eh DIK shun
curse
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> blessing
He uttered maledictions at his torturers.
Derivatives >> maledictive, maledictory
malefactor
MAL uh fak tur
a criminal
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> law-abiding citizen
The candidate for attorney general said that he will see that all malefactors are locked up.
Derivatives >> malefaction, malefactress, maleficence, malefice, maleficent
malevolence muh LEV uh lens
ill will or evil intentions
Synonyms >> malice, malignity, spite, spleen
Antonym >> benevolence
The old man's malevolence was obvious when he removed the girl from his will.
Derivatives >> malevolent, malevolently
malfeasant
mal FEE zunt
one who is guilty of misbehavior or wrongdoing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> law-abiding citizen
The criminal had been a malfeasant since early childhood.
Derivatives >> malfeasance
malice
MAL is
desire to harm others
Synonyms >> malevolence, malignity, spite, spleen
Antonym >> concern
His death was caused by malice and was not accidental.
Derivatives >> maliceful, malicious, maliciously, maliciousness
malicious
muh LISH us
motiviated by hate or deliberate intent to harm
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> kind
The malicious boy burned down the school.
Derivatives >> maliciousness, malice, maliciously, maliceful
malign
muh LINE
to utter injuriously misleading reports about
Synonyms >> traduce, asperse, vilify, calumniate, defame
Antonym >> to extol
Several old gossips in the neighborhood had maligned the woman.
Derivatives >> malignance, malignancy, malignant, malignantly
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70
to pretend or to feign illness to avoid work or duty
Antonym >> to perform dutifully
Soldiers sometimes malinger in order to avoid going into battle.
Derivatives >> malingerer, malingered, malingering
malleable
MAL ee uh bul
capable of being shaped, influenced, or altered; tractable
Synonyms >> plastic, pliable, pliant, ductile
Antonym >> unpliable
Gold is a malleable metal.
Derivatives >> malleability, malleabilization, malleableize, malleableness
malodorous mal OH dur us
foul-smelling, highly improper
Synonyms >> fetid, fusty, musty, noisome, putrid, rancid, rank Antonym >> aromatic
Insider trading is a malodorous practice that should be punished.
Derivatives >> malodor, malodorant
marshal
MAR shul
to arrange in proper order; to usher or to lead
S ynonyms >> order, dispose; convoke
Antonym >> to scatter
Their host marshaled them into the room.
Derivatives >> marshaled, marshaling, marshalcy, marshalship, marshaler
martial
MAR shul
relating to war or a warrior
Synonyms >> warlike
Antonym >>
The martial tendencies of that hostile country are a concern to the people of the United States.
Derivatives >> martialism, martialist, martially, martialness
masochist
MAS uh kist
one who derives satisfaction from suffering pain
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> sadist
Masochists enjoy inflicting pain on themselves, and sadists enjoy inflicting pain on others.
Derivatives >> masochism, masochistic, masochistically
materialize muh TEER ee uh lize
to become real, to appear, to take a form or shape
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to fade away
Our problems materialized after Dad lost his job.
Derivatives >> materialization, materializer, materializes, materialized, materializing
matriarchy MAY tree ar kee
a family or state headed or ruled by a female
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> patriarchy
The old woman is the matriarch of the family.
Derivatives >> matriarch, matriarchal, matriarchate
matriculate muh TRIK yuh late
to enroll or to admit to membership by enrolling, esp. in a college
896. malinger
muh LING gur
Synonyms >>
897.
898.
899.
900.
901.
902.
903.
904.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Though it took hours for the enrollment process, this young man has finally been matriculated.
Derivatives >> matriculated, matriculating, matriculation, matriculator
905. maudlin
MOD lin
overly sentimental
Synonyms >> mawkish
Antonym >>
The maudlin clown cried excessively over a simple popped balloon.
Derivatives >> maudlinism, maudlinly, maudlinness
906. maverick
MAV er ik
an independent individual who does not go along with the group
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> conformist
Eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes was a maverick in the fields of movie-making and airplane construction.
Derivatives >>
907. maxim
MAK sim
Synonyms >> proverb
a saying of proverbial nature; a general truth or principle; rule of conduct
Antonym >>
The maxim "a penny saved is a penny earned" is a favorite with many people.
Derivatives >> maxims, maximist
908. melancholy MEL un kol ee
depression of spirits
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> happiness
After Dad lost his job, he fell into a state of melancholy.
Derivatives >> melancholia, melancholic, melancholiac, melancholically, melancholily, melancholiness
melancholious
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71
909. mellifluous
Synonyms >>
muh LIF loo us
sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding
Antonym >> harsh sounding
The singer has a mellifluous voice.
Derivatives >> mellifluousness, mellifluously, mellifluent, millifluence, mellifluently
910. mellow
MEL oh
pleasingly mild
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> harsh
The orchestra played soft and mellow music.
Derivatives >> mellowy, mellowed
911. melodeon
muh LOW dee un
a small reed organ
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Music poured forth from the melodeon after he put in a nickle.
Derivatives >> melodeons
912. menagerie muh NAJ uh ree
a collection of live wild animals on exhibition, a varied mixture
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Her collection of glass figurines was a beautiful menagerie.
Derivatives >> menagerist, menageries
913. mercurial
mur KYOOR ee ul
changing unpredictably, fickle
Synonyms >> capricious, inconstant, unstable
Antonym >> stolid
Due to his mercurial temperament, employees always approached him carefully, unsure of what his mood would
be.
Derivatives
>> mercuriality, mercurially
914. meritorious mer eh TOR ee us
deserving of honor or praise
Synonyms >>
915.
916.
917.
918.
919.
920.
921.
Antonym >>
As a result of his meritorious behavior, the soldier was given a medal.
Derivatives >>
meritoriously, meritoriousness
metamorphosis met uh MORE fuh sis a complete change of form or structure; a change in appearance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> stasis
mutation, transmutation
The metamorphosis of tadpoles into frogs is an amazing process.
Derivatives >>
metamorphous, metamorphic
metaphorically met uh FOR ik lee
compared nonliterally
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> literally
Metaphorically speaking, he is drowning in oil.
Derivatives >> metaphor, metaphorical, metaphoricalness, metaphorist, metaphorize
metaphysical met uh FIZ eh kul
highly abstract or abstruse; relating to what is conceived as transcendent
Synonyms >> preternatural
Antonym >>
The spiritualist was engrossed in the metaphysical realm and cared nothing for earthly realities.
Derivatives >> metaphysic, metaphysically
methodical muh THOD eh kul
proceeding in a regular or systematic order
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> haphazard
The surgeon was very methodical in delivering the baby.
Derivatives >> methodically, methodicalness
meticulous muh TIK yuh lus
taking great care
Synonyms >> punctilious, scrupulous
Antonym >> careless
I am usually very meticulous in completing my assignments.
Derivatives >> meticulously, meticulousness
mettle
MET ul
courage or spirit
Synonyms >> resolution, tenacity
Antonym >> lack of courage
A crisis like this would test anyone's mettle.
Derivatives >> mettles, mettled, mettlesome
migratory MY gruh tor ee
moving from place to place, wandering, transient
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> stationary
The migratory whooping cranes always return to Padre Island.
Derivatives >> migrate, migratorial, migrator, migration, migrationist
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72
922. mince
Synonyms >>
MENS
to restrain one's speech or to euphemize in order to show politeness
Antonym >>
He does not like to mince words and thus will tell you bluntly what he thinks.
Derivatives >> minced, mincing, mincer
923. mired
MYRD
stuck or entangled
Antonym >> unhampered
Teachers seem to be mired with excessive paperwork.
Derivatives >> mire
mirth
MURTH
gladness and merriment usually accompanied by laughter
Synonyms >> glee, hilarity, jollity
Antonym >> sadness
The party was a source of mirth and gaiety.
Derivatives >> mirthful, mirthfully, mirthfulness, mirthless, mirthlessly, mirthlessness
misanthrope MIS un thrope
a hater of mankind
Synonyms >> misanthropist
Antonym >> philanthropist
Hopefully, nuclear weapons will never fall into the hands of a misanthrope.
Derivatives >> misanthropy, misanthropic, misanthropically, misanthropical, misanthropism, misanthropize
miser
MY zur
one who lives in wretched circumstances to save and hoard money
Synonyms >> niggard, skinflint, tightwad, pinchpenny
Antonym >> one who spends money easily
The old miser lived in a shack but was actually a millionaire.
Derivatives >> miserly, miserliness
misnomer
mis NO mur
misnaming, use of a wrong name
Synonyms >>
924.
925.
926.
927.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Some think that "a peacekeeper" is a misnomer for an MX missle .
Derivatives >> misnomered, misnomed
928. mitigate
MIT uh gate
to cause to become less harsh or hostile; to make less severe
Synonyms >> allay, alleviate, assuage, lighten
Antonym >> to intensify; to aggravate
He apoligized in order to mitigate her dis like for him.
Derivatives >> mitigation, mitigatedly, mitigative, mitigator, mitigatory
929. mnemonic nee MON ik
assisting or intended to assist the memory
Synonyms >>
930.
931.
932.
933.
Antonym >>
A string tied around the finger is a mnemonic device.
Derivatives >> mnemonics, mnemotechnical, mnemotechnically
mobile
MO bul, MO beel
a construction consisting of parts that move as a result of air currents
(noun)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The geometry classroom was decorated with many mobiles hanging from the ceiling.
Derivatives >> mobiles
modicum
MOD eh kum
limited quantity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> abundance
I insist on at least a modicum of decorum.
Derivatives >> modicums
mollify
MOL eh fie
to soothe or to appease, to assuage
Synonyms >> conciliate, pacify, placate, propitiate
Antonym >> to aggravate
The woman promised to buy candy in order to mollify her screaming child.
Derivatives >> mollification, mollifyingly, mollifier, mollifiable
molt
MOLT
to shed an outer covering such as feathers or skin periodically
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Feathers are everywhere since my birds are molting.
Derivatives >> molts, molted, molting
934. monastic
muh NAS tik
seclusion or simplicity of life
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The hermit led a very monastic life.
Derivatives >> monk, monastical, monastically, monasticism, monastery, monasterial
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73
935. monolithic
mon uh LITH ik
massive and rigidly fixed uniformly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Some argue that communism is monolithic, and others say that there are many types of communism.
Derivatives >> monolith, monolithism
936. montage
mon TAZH
any combination of disparate elements that form a unified, single image
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
His memory was a montage of varied experiences.
Derivatives >>
937. monumental mon yuh MEN tul
massive, very great, very important
Antonym >> trivial
Synonyms >>
Sending man to the moon was a monumental achievement.
Derivatives >> monumentalism, monumentality, monumentally
938. moratorium mor uh TORE ee um
a suspension of activity
Antonym >> period of activity
The major nuclear nations have passed a moratorium on nuclear weaons testing.
Derivatives >> moratory
939. morbidity
mor BID eh tee
unwholesomeness and gloominess, gruesomeness
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> wholesomeness
The boy talked about dead people and gruesome things. He soon frightened me with his morbidity.
Derivatives >> morbid, morbidness
940. moribund
MORE eh bund
close to death
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The moribund man asked to see a priest.
Derivatives >> moribundity
941. morose
muh ROSE
being sullen or gloomy
Synonyms >> crabbed, glum, saturnine, sulky, surly
Antonym >> cheerful
He was very morose after his wife left him.
Derivatives >> morosely, moroseness, morosity
942. mortify
MORE tuh fie
to humiliate, to wound pride, to experience shame
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to calm; to soothe
It would simply mortify me to have someone say such shameful things about my family.
Derivatives >> mortifyingly, mortifier, mortified, mortifiedly, mortification
943. mosaic
mow ZAY ik
a picture made by using various small pieces of multicolored material
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The myriad of races and cultures that make up America is said to resemble a mosaic.
Derivatives >> mosaicist, mosaically, mosaical
944. mote
MOTE
a particle or speck of dust
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
A single mote with radioactive properties can have a cancerous effect on humans.
Derivatives >>
exhibiting great diversity of elements; heterogeneous
Antonym >> homogenous
The rally for environmental concerns drew a motley crowd.
Derivatives >> motleys
946. mottled
MOT uld
marked with spots of different color
Synonyms >> spotted, blotched
Antonym >> evenly colored
The floor was covered with mottled linoleum.
Derivatives >> mottle, mottles, mottlings
947. multifarious mul tuh FARE ee us
great in variety, diverse
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> limited in variety
He is valuable because of his multifarious talents.
Derivatives >> multifariously, multifariousness
945. motley
MOT lee
Synonyms >>
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74
948.
mundane
Synonyms >>
949.
952.
953.
954.
955.
956.
957.
958.
959.
960.
Antonym >> unusual; outstanding
Antonym >> parsimonious; stingy
The munificent gift to the school was appreciated by all of the students.
Derivatives >> munificence, munificency, munificently, munificentness
mural
MYOOR ul
a painting on a wall or ceiling
Synonyms >>
951.
ordinary, commonplace
After I take care of these mundane matters, we can do something exciting.
Derivatives >> mundanely, mundaneness, mundanity
munificent myoo NIF eh sent
very generous
Synonyms >>
950.
mun DANE
Antonym >>
The artist was commissioned to paint a mural on the wall.
Derivatives >> muralist, murals
muse
MYOOZ
to ponder
Synonyms >> meditate, ruminate
Antonym >>
I have often mused about life on a tropical island.
Derivatives >> mused, museful, musefully, museless, musing
musty
MUS tee
smelling of damp or decay, malodorous
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fragrant
The old house was pervaded by an offensive, musty odor.
Derivatives >> mustily, mustiness
mutability
myoo tuh BILL uh tee
the degree to which something is subject and likely to change
Synonyms >> inconsistency
Antonym >> consistency
The mutability of his opinions was because of political pressures; these alone caused his changing attitudes.
Derivatives >> mutable, mutably, mutation
muted
MYOO tid
toned down or silenced
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> amplified
The conductor wanted the music to be muted at one spot in the performance.
Derivatives >> mute, mutedly, mutely, muteness
mutinous
MYOOT un us
rebellious, unruly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> agreeable; compatible
The crew grew mutinous because they thought they might sail right off the edge of the earth.
Derivatives >> mutiny, mutinously, mutinousness, mutinize, mutinies
myopic
my OP ik
unable to discern, unable to think clearly or objectively; shortsighted
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> perceptive
She is so myopic that she never sees all of her options.
Derivatives >> myopically
myriad
MIR ee id
a very large and indefinite number
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> small number
The myriad of races and cultures that make up America is said to resemble a mosaic.
Derivatives >> myriadfold, myriadly
nadir
NA dur
the lowest point
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> highest point
The rejection of our proposal was the nadir of our hopes.
Derivatives >> nadiral
naive
na EVE
unsophisticated; unexperienced
Synonyms >> natural, artless, ingenuous
Antonym >> sophisticated; experienced; wise
Many naive young women go to Hollywood believing that they will become movie stars.
Derivatives >> naively, naivete, naiveness, naivety
narcissistic nar seh SIS tik
excessively loving oneself
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
"Stuck on herself" is a colloquial term meaning narcissistic. The narcissistic boy cared for no one but himself.
Derivatives >> narcissism, narcism, narcissist, narcissistically
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75
961.
nascent
NAS unt, NAY sunt
recently coming into existence
Antonym >> established; old
The country was characterized by nascent revolutionary tendencies.
Derivatives >> nascence, nascency
nebulous
NEB yuh lus
lacking clarity of feature or sharpness of outline
Synonyms >> hazy, indistinct, turbid, clouded
Antonym >>
She had a nebulous recollection of the meeting with the man, unable to provide any specific facts about it.
Derivatives >> nebulously, nebulousness, nebulosity
necromancy NEK ruh man see
communicating with spirits, black magic
Synonyms >>
962.
963.
Synonyms >>
964.
965.
Synonyms >>
966.
967.
968.
969.
971.
972.
973.
Antonym >>
The student received a low grade because of the neologism in his paper.
Derivatives >> neology, neological, neologian, neologist, neologistic, neologize
neophyte
NEE uh fite
a recent convert, beginner, novice
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> veteran
Being a neophyte to surfing, he is having trouble catching a wave.
Derivatives >> neophytic, neophytism
nettle
NET ul
to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger in
Synonyms >> irritate, incite, provoke, vex
Antonym >> to placate
The small boys deliberately tried to nettle their big sister.
Derivatives >> nettles, nettled, nettling, nettler, nettlesome
neurotic
noo ROT ik
an emotionally unstable person; emotionally unstable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> mentally healthy; sound mind
My mother is so neurotic that she is difficult to be around.
Derivatives >> neurotically, neuroticism, neurotigenic
neuter
NOO tur, NYOO tur
neither masculine nor feminine in gender, neutral
Synonyms >>
970.
Antonym >>
The members of the tribe believed that the witch doctor could perform feats of necromancy.
Derivatives >> necromancing, necromancer, necromant, necromantically, necromantical, necromantic
nefarious
neh FARE ee us
extremely wicked, evil, vicious
Synonyms >> degenerate, iniquitous, villainous
Antonym >> righteous
Hitler's treatment of Jewish people was a sign that he was a very nefarious person.
Derivatives >> nefariously, nefariousness
neologism
nee OL uh jiz um
a newly coined word or phrase; new use of a word (often disapproved of)
Antonym >>
The worker bee is neuter.
Derivatives >> neuters, neuterly, neuterness, neutered, neutering
nihilist
NIE uh list
one who believes in total rejection of established laws and institutions
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> traditionalist
The anarchist was a true nihilist who hated much more than governmental restrictions.
Derivatives >> nihilism, nihilistic, nihility
nimble
NIM bul
quick in movement or resourcefulness
Synonyms >> agile, spry
Antonym >> slow in movement
In the circus, tight-rope walkers and jugglers have to be very nimble.
Derivatives >> nimbler, nimblest, nimbleness, nimbly
noisome
NOI sum
unwholesome, having a bad smell
Synonyms >> fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, putrid, rancid, Antonym >> wholesome
rank
An outhouse can
be a noisome building.
Derivatives >> noisomeness, noisomely
nomadic
no MAD ik
characterized by moving about from place to place as nomads
Synonyms >> transient
Antonym >> not mobile; stationary
The nomadic people traveled across the continent.
Derivatives >> nomad, nomadism, nomadically, nomadize
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76
974.
nonchalance non shuh LAWNS
indifference, a showing of little interest
Antonym >> intensity
He took the news of his failing grade with nonchalance.
Derivatives >>
nonchalant, nonchalantly, nonchalantness
noncombatant non kum BAT unt
civilian, one not engaged in combat
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> warrior
World War II was a war in which many noncombatants were killed.
Derivatives >> noncombatants
novice
NOV is
a beginner
Synonyms >> apprentice, probationer, neophyte, tyro
Antonym >> a veteran; a professional
A novice in swimming should stay in the shallow end of the pool until he is more skilled.
Derivatives >> novicehood, novicelike, novitiate
noxious
NOK shus
harmful, unwholesome
Synonyms >> baneful, deleterious, detrimental, pernicious
Antonym >> harmless; wholesome
Is that noxious odor coming from that noisome outhouse?
Derivatives >> noxiously, noxiousness
nuance
NOO awns
a subtle distinction or difference
Synonyms >>
975.
976.
977.
978.
Synonyms >>
979.
980.
981.
982.
983.
984.
985.
986.
Antonym >>
The nuance of flavor cannot be described adequately.
Derivative s >> nuances, nuanced, nuancing
nullify
NUL eh fie
to cause not to be in effect, to negate
Synonyms >> abrogate, annul, invalidate
Antonym >> to make effective
I am seeking to nullify the contract because he has not complied with it.
Derivatives >> nullified, nullifying, nullification, nullificationist, nullificator, nullifier
obdurate
OB doo rit
extremely stubborn, unwilling to accept advice
Synonyms >> inflexible, inexorable, adamant
Antonym >> tractable
She was obdurate in her refusal to listen to our concerns about her cocaine problem.
Derivatives >> obdurately, obdurateness, obduration, obdure, obduracy
obeisance
oh BAY suns
an attitude of respect; a gesture made in token of respect
Synonyms >> reverence, deference, homage, honor
Antonym >> disrespect; irreverence
The obeisance of the crowd characterized their respect for the speaker.
Derivatives >> obeisant, obeisantly
obfuscating ob FUS kay ting
confusing, making unclear
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> clear
His speech was obfuscating because it made people concentrate on irrelevant issues.
Derivatives >> obfuscated, obfuscate, obfuscable, obfuscation, obfuscator, obfuscatory, obfusticated
oblique
uh BLEEK
slanting, indirect, evasive, devious, misleading
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> direct
Because of the suspect's oblique answers, our interrogation of him led us in the wrong direction.
Derivatives >> obliquate, obliquation, obliquely, obliqueness, obliquely
obliterate
uh BLIT eh rate
to remove all traces of; to do away with; to destroy completely; to cancel
Synonyms >> expunge, efface
Antonym >>
The men began to obliterate the old building.
Derivatives >> obliterated, obliterating, obliterable, obliteration, obliterative
oblivion
uh BLIV ee un
state of being forgotten
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> remembrance
Until the singer's recent hit, his career had fallen into a state of oblivion.
Derivatives >> oblivious, obliviously
obscure
ub SKYOOR
difficult to see, vague
Synonyms >> abstruse, ambiguous, cryptic, enigmatic,
Antonym >> clear; apparent
equivocal,
recondite
Because the meaning of the play was obscure, I was unable to enjoy it.
Derivatives >> obscuration, obscurative, obscuredly, obscurely, obscurement, obscureness, obscurity
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77
987.
overly attentive, like a sycophant, servile
Antonym >> disinterested
I believe that his obsequious behavior toward his grandmother is to ensure being included in the will.
Derivatives >> obsequence, obsequent, obsequience, obsequiously, obsequiousness, obsequity
obstinate
OB stuh nit
unyielding regardless of reason or logic
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> yielding
He will not accept advice on many things because of his obstinate attitude.
Derivatives >> obstinacy, obstinancy, obstinance, obstinately, obstinateness, obstination
obstreperous ub STREP ur us
marked by aggressive noisiness; stubbornly defiant
Synonyms >> vociferous, clamorous, strident, boisterous
Antonym >> quiet and docile
The obstreperous blaring of the radio was quite annoying.
Derivatives >> obstreperousness, obstreperously
obtrude
ub TROOD
to thrust out, to thrust forward
Synonyms >> intrude
Antonym >> to hold in; to recoil
It is often rude to obtrude one's opinions upon another when no invitation for them has been given.
Derivatives >> obtrusive, obtruder, obtrusion, obtrusively, obtrusiveness
obtuse
ub TUSE
dull of mind, insensitive, stupid
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> intelligent
His obtuse response to the question showed that he did not understand the nature of the discussion.
Derivatives >> obtusely, obtuseness, obtusion, obtusity
obviates
OB vee ates
makes unnecessary, prevents as a result of anticipating
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> instigates; begins
I hope that this settlement obviates any further contact between us.
Derivatives >> obviated, obviable, obviation, obviative
oculist
OK yuh list
a doctor who specializes in treatment of the eyes
obsequious
ub SEE kwee us
Synonyms >> slavish, subservient
988.
989.
990.
991.
992.
993.
Synonyms >>
994.
Synonyms >>
995.
996.
997.
998.
Antonym >> respectable
Pornography is an odious business.
Derivatives >> odiously, odiousness, odium
officious
uh FISH us
overly dutiful or obliging, insisting on providing a service not requested
Synonyms >> impertinent, intrusive, meddlesome, obtrusive Antonym >> disinterested
The boss is not pleased with that employee's officious conduct.
Derivatives >> officiously, officiousness
ominous
OM uh nus
threatening
Synonyms >> fateful, portentous
Antonym >> harmless; non-threatening
The ominous clouds were harbingers of the tornado.
Derivatives >> ominously, ominousness
omnipotent om NIP uh tunt
having unlimited power
S ynonyms >>
Antonym >> limited
A President who feels that he is omnipotent is not serving the country.
Derivatives >> omnipotence, omnipotency, omnipotently
omnipresent om nuh PREZ unt
present everywhere at all times
Synonyms >>
999.
Antonym >>
The eye disease had to be treated by an oculist.
Derivatives >> ocular, ocularly, oculogyric, oculomotor, oculate
odious
OH dee us
deserving hate or contempt
Antonym >>
Christians believe in an omnipresent diety.
Derivatives >> omnipresence, omnipresently
omniscience om NISH uns
state of being all-knowing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Only God has omniscience, although my husband thinks he has it.
Derivatives >> omniscient, omnisciency, omnisciently
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78
1000.
something distasteful to bear that involves considerable difficulty
Antonym >> easy and pleasant task
The job of caring for the elderly will become the onus of the younger generation.
Derivatives >> onuses, onus probandi (burden of proof)
opalescent oh puh LES unt
showing or reflecting an iridescent light
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dull
She was even more beautiful against the opalescent sky.
Derivatives >> opalescence, opalescently, opalesque
opaque
oh PAKE
not allowing the passage of light, not transparent; hard to understand
Synonyms >> dark
Antonym >> transparent
I am going to place something opaque in the window so that no one will be able to see into this room.
Derivatives >> opaquely, opaqueness, opaquer
opprobrium uh PRO bree um
disgrace and reproach as a result of bad conduct
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> praise
A person dealing in drugs frequently faces social opprobrium.
Derivatives >> opprobrious, opprobriate, opprobriously, opprobriousness, opprobry
optimum
OP tuh mum
most favorable, best or greatest degree attainable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> least favorable
The operation must be performed under optimum conditions.
Derivatives >> optima, optimums, optimize, optimization, optimity
opulence
OP yuh luns
wealth, affluence, abundance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> meagerness, scarcity
Until the recent decline in the price of oil, the Hunt name was synonymous with opulence.
Derivatives >> opulent, opulently
ornate
or NATE
excessively decorated
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> austere, bare
The ornate Christmas tree provided us with many hours of pleasure.
Derivatives >> ornately, ornateness, ornature
orthodox
OR thuh doks
conforming to established s tandards, conventional
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unconventional
The church is founded upon a set of orthodox views.
Derivatives >> orthodoxness, orthodoxical, orthodoxically, orthodoxism, orthodoxly, orthodoxy
oscillating
OS uh lay ting
moving back and forth, swinging, varying
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> remaining steady
The oscillating pendulum was beginning to unnerve me.
Derivatives >> oscillate, oscillates, oscillated, oscillation, oscillator, oscillatory
ossify
OS uh fie
to change or to harden into bone, to be rigidly conventional
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to soften
This particular type of tree ossifies with age.
Derivatives >> ossified, ossifying, ossifier, ossificatory, ossification
ostensible
os TEN suh bul
apparent or avowed
onus
OH nus
Synonyms >> burden; blame; stigma
1001.
1002.
1003.
1004.
1005.
1006.
1007.
1008.
1009.
1010.
Synonyms >>
1011.
1012.
Antonym >>
The ostensible purpose of going to Las Vegas was the convention; however, the real purpose was to gamble.
Derivatives >> ostensibly, ostensive, ostensively, ostentation, ostentatious
ostentatious os ten TAY shus
showy, pretentious
Synonyms >> pompous
Antonym >> modest
The ostentatious socialite wore her mink fur coat even during the warmest days of August.
Derivatives >> ostentation, ostentate, ostentatiously, ostentatiousness, ostentative
ostracize
OS truh size
to exclude by general consent from society or privileges
Synonyms >> exile, disenfranchise, excommunicate
Antonym >> to accept; to condone
Her friends ostracized her after her husband's arrest.
Derivatives >> ostracized, ostracizing, ostracization, ostracizable, ostracizer
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79
1013.
overt
oh VURT
Synonyms >> conspicuous
1014.
1015.
1016.
open to view
Antonym >> secret; hidden
In an overt attempt to take over the corporation, he offered $50 per share for stock in the company.
Derivatives >> overtly, overtness
pacifistic
pas uh FIS tik
opposed to war or use of force
Synonyms >> appeased, conciliated, mollified, placated,
Antonym >> martial
propitiated
The man refused
to fight because of his pacifistic beliefs.
Derivatives >> pacifist, pacifier, pacifism, pacifistically, pacify
palatable
PAL uh tuh bul
argeeable to the taste, acceptable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> distasteful
I have never found it very palatable that girls in school can wear miniskirts but not shorts.
Derivatives >> palatableness, palatability, palatably
palette
PAL it
board on which a painter mixes paints
Synonyms >>
1017.
Antonym >>
The artist mixed her colors on the palette rather than on the canvas.
Derivatives >> palettes
palisade
pal eh SADE
a fence made of stakes
Synonyms >>
1018.
Antonym >>
The soldiers built palisades for protection from the enemy.
Derivatives >> palisading, palisado
pall
PAWL
to lose interest or attraction, to become wearisome
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
After the comedian's first bad jokes, his routine began to pall.
Derivatives >>
1019.
palliate
PAL ee ate
to ease pain, guilt or intensity
Antonym >> to intensify
The doctor attempted to palliate the patient's suffering by prescribing drugs.
Derivatives >> palliated, palliating, palliation, palliative, palliator, palliatory
pallor
PAL ur
extreme paleness usually relating to the face
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> ruddy color
The strange disease left the man with a sickly pallor.
Derivatives >> pallors
palpable
PAL puh bul
tangible, perceptible, easily noticeable
Synonyms >>
1020.
1021.
Synonyms >>
1022.
1023.
Antonym >>
I do not see how I overlooked such a palpable miscalculation.
Derivatives >> palpability, palpably, palpableness
paltry
PAWL tree
trifling; petty; worthless
Synonyms >> minor, inconsiderable, slight, insignificant, petty Antonym >> superior
He was building paltry houses unfit for occupancy.
Derivatives >> paltrier, paltriest, paltrily, paltriness
panacea
pan uh SEE uh
cure-all, remedy for all ills
Synonyms >>
1024.
Antonym >>
Love, not money, is the panacea for your problems.
Derivatives >> panacean, panace
panache
puh NASH
a grand or flamboyant manner; verve; style; flare
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> drabness
The actor who plays that role must have panache.
Derivatives >>
1025.
papyrus
Synonyms >>
puh PIE rus
ancient paper made from a papyrus plant
Antonym >>
My assignment is to research ancient cultures that wrote on papyrus.
Derivatives >> papyraceous, papyrological, papyrologist
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80
1026.
parable
Synonyms >>
1027.
PAIR uh bul
a short fictitious story that has a moral
Antonym >>
Jesus often imparted knowledge to his disciples through parables.
Derivatives >> parables
paradigm
PAIR uh dim, -dime
a very good example or model
Antonym >> a bad example
The English teacher gave the students a sample outline as a paradigm of good work.
Derivatives >> paradigmatic, paradigmatical, paradigmatically, paradigmatize
paradoxical pair uh DOKS uh kul
something that appears false or contradictory but is actually correct
Synonyms >>
1028.
Synonyms >>
1029.
Synonyms >>
1030.
1031.
1032.
1033.
1034.
1035.
1036.
1037.
Antonym >>
The minister was a paragon of virtue in all his affairs.
Derivatives >> paragonize
parasite
PAIR uh site
an organism that lives on another organism but contributes nothing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> self-sufficient individual
A tapeworm is a commonly known parasite that lives in humans.
Derivatives >> parasital, parasitic, parasitary, parasitical, parasitically
parch
PARCH
to become dry from heat, to shrivel from heat
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to refresh
The fruit was parched from staying in the sun so long.
Derivatives >> parched, parchedly, parchedness, parches, parching
pare
PAIR
to reduce or to lessen
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to supplement
We hope to pare our expenses by staying in inexpensive hotels.
Derivatives >> pared, pares, paring
pariah
puh RIE uh
an outcast
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> accepted citizen
He became a pariah among his friends when he admitted being a Nazi during the war.
Derivatives >> pariahdom, pariahism
parity
PAIR eh tee
the state of being equal
Synonyms >> likeness
Antonym >> inequality
Parity must exist between power and responsibility.
Derivatives >> parities
parochial
puh ROE key ul
limited in range or scope, narrow, provincial
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> broadminded
Having parochial attitudes, she was not receptive to new ideas.
Derivatives >> parochialism, parochiality, parochialize, parochially
parody
PAIR uh dee
humorous or ridiculous imitation
Synonyms >> burlesque, caricature, travesty
Antonym >> reverent imitation
Many skits on "Saturday Night Live" are parodies of current events.
Derivatives >> parodies
parry
PAIR ee
to deflect or to ward off a blow
Synonyms >>
1038.
Antonym >>
It is paradoxical that a man from the South, Lyndon Johnson, led the fight for the passage of a civil rights bill.
Derivatives >> paradoxicality, paradoxicalness, paradoxology, paradoxality
paragon
PAIR uh gon
a model of excellence or perfection
Antonym >>
The champion boxer won the match because he was able to parry his opponent's blows so successfully.
Derivatives >> parried, parrying
parsimony PAR suh moe nee
stinginess, frugality; excessive economy
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> prodigality; extravagance
His family suffered from his parsimony as he refused to spend adequate money even on the necessities of life.
Derivatives >> parsimonious, parsimoniousness, parsimoniously
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81
1039.
one who exhibits extreme or possibly blind allegiance to a group or cause
Antonym >> antagonist
The cause was supported by a small group of partisans.
Derivatives >> partisanism, partisanry, partisanship
pastiche
pa STEESH
a hodgepodge
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> concert; union
The poem is nothing more than a pastiche of images, allusions, and symbols.
Derivatives >> pasticheur, pasticcio
pathogenic path uh JEN ik
disease-producing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> harmless; healthy
That strain of bacteria is a pathogenic strain that causes tuberculosis.
Derivatives >> pathogenicity, pathogeny, pathogenetic
patronizing PAY truh niz ing
having a condescending attitude
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> accepting
She hugged the poor children in the streets and flashed them patronizing smiles.
Derivatives >> patronize, patronization, patronizer, patronizingly
paucity
PAH seh tee
scarcity, fewness of number, dearth
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> plenty
The low achievement test scores indicate that I have a paucity of intelligent students this year.
Derivatives >> pauciloquy
peal
PEEL
a loud ringing (usually of bells)
partisan
PAR ti zen
Synonyms >> adherent, disciple, follower
1040.
1041.
1042.
1043.
1044.
Synonyms >>
1045.
Antonym >>
The church bells pealed at noon to celebrate the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
Derivatives >> pealed, pealing
peccadillo
pek uh DILL oh
a slight offense, a small fault
Synonyms >>
1046.
1047.
1048.
1049.
1050.
1051.
Antonym >>
The I. R. S. does not consider failure to pay taxes a mere peccadillo.
Derivatives >> peccadilloes
pedantry
PED un tree
act of showing off learning in a manner that is needless and
unimaginative
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The teacher's lectures are a demonstration of pedantry without scholarship.
Derivatives >> pedantic, pedantical, pedantically, pedanticism, pedant
pedestrian puh DES tree un
ordinary, unimaginative
(adj.)
Synonyms
>>
Antonym >> extraordinary; unusual
There will not be much progress as long as the school board maintains its pedestrian attitude.
Derivatives >> pedestrianate, pedestrianize, pedestrianism
peevish
PEE vish
fretful, obstinate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> tranquil; peaceful
With a peevish gesture, Jane slammed the book shut.
Derivatives >> peevishly, peevishness, peeve, peeved
pejorative
peh JOR uh tiv
downgrading, disparaging
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> approbatory
I do not mean to sound pejorative when I say that he is ruthless on the basketball court.
Derivatives >> pejorate, pejoration, pejoratively
penchant
PEN chunt
a strong inclination
Synonyms >> leaning, proclivity, propensity
Antonym >> disinclination
He has a penchant for chemistry, and he has won many science awards.
Derivatives >> penchants
pendant
PEN dunt
something suspended, hanging down from something
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Her pendant earrings were in the shape of oil derricks.
Derivatives >> pendants
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82
1052.
showing or feeling regret for wrongdoing, repentant
Antonym >> unrepentant
He became penitent when he realized that his prank resulted in serious injury.
Derivatives >> penitence, penitency, penitential
pensive
PEN siv
deeply thoughtful
Synonyms >> meditative, reflective
Antonym >> thoughtless
The philosopher was often in a pensive mood.
Derivatives >> pensively, pensiveness
penury
PEN yuh ree
extreme poverty
Synonyms >> destitution, impecuniousness, indigence, want
Antonym >> opulence
There is much penury in central Africa.
Derivatives >> penurious, penuriously, penuriousness
percipient
pur SIP ee unt
very perceptive, discerning
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unperceptive; ignorant
The play was reviewed by the city's foremost percipient critic.
Derivatives >> percipience, percipiency
perdition
pur DISH un
eternal damnation, utter ruin
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> salvation
The church warns against pursuing hedonistic and worldly things and risking eternal perdition.
Derivatives >> perditions
perennial
puh REN ee ul
lasting for many years
Synonyms >> constant, incessant, perpetual, unremitting
Antonym >> annual
The Dallas Cowboys were often a perennial favorite to win the Super Bowl.
Derivatives >> perennially
perfidious
pur FID ee us
calculated to deceive; deceitful; treacherous
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> honest; trustworthy
You show a lack of character by spreading perfidious stories about your brother.
Derivatives >> perfidiously, perfidiousness, perfidy
perfunctory pur FUNGK tuh ree
acting routinely with little interest or care
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> concerned; diligent
Due to his perfunctory manner of inspecting the factory, he did not notice some serious problems.
Derivatives >> perfunctorily, perfunctoriness, perfunctorious, perfunctoriously
peripheral
puh RIF ur ul
on the edge, not important
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> central; essential; at the core
Let's discuss the main topic now and save peripheral issues for later.
Derivatives >> peripheral, peripheric, peripheralism, peripherally, peripherically, periphery
perishable
PER eh shuh bul
likely to decay or to spoil
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unlikely to deteriorate
We have to move the perishable items to a cooler place.
Derivatives >> perishability, perishableness, perishably, perishing, perishless, perishment
perjury
PUR juh ree
false testimony under oath
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> truthful testimony
He was charged with perjury for lying to the grand jury.
Derivatives >> perjure, perjured, perjuring, perjurer, perjurious, perjuriously, perjuriousness, perjurous
pernicious
pur NISH us
very destructive or harmful, deadly
Synonyms >> baneful, deleterious, detrimental, noxious
Antonym >> harmless, benign
Shooting heroin is a pernicious habit.
Derivatives >> perniciously, perniciousness
perpetuate pur PECH oo ate
to prolong the existence of something
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to destroy
The Audubon Society works to perpetuate the species of many threatened birds.
Derivatives >> perpetuation, perpetuator, perpetuity, perpetual, perpetually
penitent
PEN eh tunt
Synonyms >> compunctual, contrite, remorseful
1053.
1054.
1055.
1056.
1057.
1058.
1059.
1060.
1061.
1062.
1063.
1064.
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83
1065.
1066.
1067.
1068.
1069.
1070.
1071.
1072.
1073.
personification pur son uh fuh KAY
attribution of personal qualities
Synonyms >>
shun
Antonym >>
Through the personification in the poem the trees seem to be human.
Derivatives >> personify, personificative, personificator, personifier
perspicacious pur spu KAY shus
having clear insight, shrewd, very perceptive
Synonyms >> astute, sagacious
Antonym >> ignorant; stupid
The perspicacious detective was able to determine the perpetrator of the crime.
Derivatives >> perspicaciously, perspicaciousness, perspicacity
pertinacity pur tuh NAS eh tee
stubborn persistence or act of refusing to yield on an opinion or belief
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> vacillation
Because of his pertinacity, the fighter was able to go the entire twelve rounds and win the fight.
Derivatives >> pertinacious, pertinaciously, pertinaciousness
peruse
puh ROOZ
to read or to examine
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to skim
My lawyer says he has not had time to peruse the contract.
Derivatives >> perusal, perusable, perused, perusing
pestilence
PES tuh lens
a deadly epidemic disease; something considered harmful or evil
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> something harmless
The bubonic plague was a pestilence that killed thousands of people.
Derivatives >> pestilent, pestilently, pestilential, pestilentially, pestilentialness
petty
PET ee
small and insignificant
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> significant; prodigious
Put your petty grievances aside and settle this matter.
Derivatives >> pettiness, pettily
petulance
PECH uh luns
unreasonable touchiness or irritability
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> serenity
Petulance is sometimes the trait of a child who is not getting his way.
Derivatives >> petulant, petulancy, petulantly
phalanx
FAY langks
a close arrangement of people or things
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> scattering
When the rain began to pour down, the stadium became a phalanx of umbrellas.
Derivatives >> phalanxes, phalanges
philanderer feh LAN dur ur
one who engages in love affairs lightly or insincerely
Synonyms >>
1074.
1075.
1076.
I asked my daughter how she could fall in love with a playboy and a philanderer.
Derivatives >>
philander, philandered, philandering
philanthropist feh LAN thruh pist
one who tries to do good for mankind; lover of mankind
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> misanthrope
Ross Perot is a philanthropist, donating money for many projects and causes.
Derivatives >> philanthrope, philanthropic, philanthropically, philanthropism, philanthropistic, philanthropy
Philistine
FILL eh steen
a narrow-minded person who opposes or is indifferent to cultural values
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> an open-minded person
There are so many Philistines in this town that a bond issue for an art museum would never pass.
Derivatives >> Philistinic, Philistinism
philology
feh LOL uh jee
study of literature, especially language used in literature
Synonyms >>
1077.
Antonym >>
Antonym >>
The study of philology is common among English majors.
Derivatives >> philologer, philological, philologian, philologaster, philologastry, philologically, philologist
philologize
phlegmatic
fleg
MAT ik
not easily excited to action or emotion; apathetic; sluggish
Synonyms >> stoical, cool, cold, uninterested, dull, torpid;
Antonym >> volatile; not sluggish
unruffled,
placid
Not taking part in the boisterous activities was typical of his phlegmatic behavior.
Derivatives >> phlegmatical, phlegmatically, phlegmaticalness, phlegmaticness
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84
1078.
phobia
FOE bee uh
fear of something or a situation
Synonyms >>
1079.
Antonym >>
I have a phobia of close spaces.
Derivatives >> phobias, phobiac, phobic
phoenix
FEE niks
person of unmatched beauty; something rising from apparent destruction
Synonyms >>
1080.
1081.
1082.
Antonym >>
Like a phoenix, he was able to recover from bankruptcy and become a millionaire again.
Derivatives >> phoenixity
picayune
pik ee YOON
something of very small value, petty
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> significant
The judge grew tired of the lawyer's picayune objections.
Derivatives >> picayunish
piety
PIE eh tee
devotion and reverence to God
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> irreverence
The man was noted for his piety and devotion to the church.
Derivatives >> pietism, pietist, pietistic, pietistically
pigeonhole
PIJ un hole
to assign to a category
Synonyms >> assort, sort, classify
Antonym >>
Since he writes comedies, mysteries, and musicals, it is difficult to pigeonhole his writing style.
Derivatives >>
1083.
PILL ij
to rob or to take by force, to plunder (especially in a war situation)
Antonym >>
despoil, devastate, ravage, sack, waste
In World War II, the Germans pillaged the Russians, and then the Russians pillaged the Germans.
Derivatives >> pillager, pillaged, pillaging
pinnacle
PIN uh kul
the peak or highest point
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> low point
His career reached its pinnacle during the season when he hit sixty home runs.
Derivatives >> pinnacled, pinnacling, pinnacles
pious
PIE us
marked by showing zealous devotion to the rites of religion
pillage
Synonyms >>
1084.
1085.
Synonyms >>
1086.
He engages in many pious practices such as attending mass.
Derivatives >> devout
pique
PEEK
resentment, irritation
Synonyms >>
1087.
1088.
1089.
Antonym >> acceptance
After finding that he had been seeing other women, she showed her pique by not speaking to him.
Derivatives >> piqued, piquing
pithy
PITH ee
concise and meaningful
Synonyms >> compendious, laconic, succinct, summary, terse Antonym >> long and drawn out
Due to great demands on his time, the President needs memos that he must read to be pithy.
Derivatives >> pithier, pithiest, pith
placate
PLAY kate
to appease or to pacify by making concessions
Synonyms >> conciliate, mollification, propitiate
Antonym >> to antagonize
My wife is so angry at me that I cannot placate her.
Derivatives >> placater, placating, placatingly, placation, placative, placatory
placebo
pluh SEE boe
substance with no medication given to humor a patient
Synonyms >>
1090.
Antonym >>
Antonym >>
Sugar pills are sometimes a placebo given to a hypochondriac.
Derivatives >> placebos
placid
PLAS id
peaceful, calm
Synonyms >> serene, tranquil
Antonym >> disturbed
The wilderness is usually a placid place where one can relax.
Derivatives >> placidity, placidly, placidness
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85
1091.
to steal and to use another's writings as one's own
Antonym >> to originate
English teachers are always on the lookout for materials in themes that are plagiarized.
Derivatives >> plagiarism, plagiarist, plagiaristic, plagiary
plaintive
PLANE tiv
mournful and expressing sorrow
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> joyful
The dog moaned in a plaintive manner when her puppies were taken.
Derivatives >> plaintively, plaintiveness
platitude
PLAT eh tood
trite remark, banal statement
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> profundity
That politician can spout platitudes, but he has never passed a bill that has substance.
Derivatives >> platitudinal, platitudinarian, platitudinize, platitudinous, platitudinously
plausible
PLAH zuh bul
seemingly acceptable, believable, or possible
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unbelievable
We need someone to develop a plausible solution to this problem.
Derivatives >> plausibleness, plausibly, plausibility
plenitude
PLEN eh tood
abundance, a lot
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dearth; scarcity
I can always find a plenitude of advice but rarely a plausible solution.
Derivatives >> plenitudinous
plethora
PLETH ur uh
superabundance, excessive amount
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> scarcity
She offered a plethora of excuses for failing French, none of which were acceptable.
Derivatives >> plethoric
pliable
PLY uh bul
easily manipulated or able to be bent freely without breaking
Synonyms >> pliant, ductile, malleable
Antonym >> obstinate
The diplomat's instructions from his country left him no room to be pliable. He could make no compromises.
Derivatives >> pliability, pliableness, pliably, pliant, pliancy, pliantness, pliantly
plight
PLITE
difficult or adverse situation
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fortunate situation
My plight is that I do not have enough money to pay my bills.
Derivatives >> plights, plighted, plighting
plumage
PLOO mij
feathers of a bird
plagiarize
PLAY juh rize
Synonyms >>
1092.
1093.
1094.
1095.
1096.
1097.
1098.
1099.
Synonyms >>
1100.
The plumage of the peacock is beautiful.
Derivatives >> plumages, plumaged, plumassier, plumate, plume
plunderer
PLUN dur ur
one who robs or loots or otherwise takes things by force
Synonyms >>
1101.
1102.
Antonym >>
In a war situation, invading armies are sometimes seen as little more than plunderers.
Derivatives >> plunder,plunderable,plunderingly, plunderous, plunderage
pluralism
PLOOR uh liz um
condition when many cultures coexist in one society
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> segregation
Having many ethnic groups and different religions, the United States is a pluralistic country.
Derivatives >> pluralistic, pluralist, pluralistically, plurally, pluralization, pluralize
pneumatic
noo MAT ik
pertaining to air or gas
Synonyms >>
1103.
Antonym >>
Antonym >>
A pneumatic drill uses compressed air.
Derivatives >> pneumatics, pneumatism, pneumatization, pneumatize
poignant
POIN yunt
piercing, incisive, and keen
Synonyms >> piquant, pungent, racy
Antonym >> dull
The man's poignant words struck the very heart of the matter.
Derivatives >> poignance, poignancy, poignantly
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86
1104.
polarization
poe lur eh ZAY shun
division into two opposite positions
Antonym >> consolidation
There is a polarization in the school district between those who want a smoking area and those who do not.
Derivatives >> polarize, polarizing, polarizer, polarizable, polarizability
polemicist
puh LEM eh sist
one skilled in argument and in refuting attacks
Synonyms >>
1105.
Synonyms >>
1106.
1107.
1108.
1109.
1110.
1111.
Synonyms >>
1112.
1114.
1115.
Antonym >>
The stock market crash was a portent of the coming of a depression.
Derivatives >> portentive, portentous, portentously, portentousness
portly
PORT lee
heavy or rotund in a stately manner, stout
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lean; slender; angular
Winston Churchill was the portly prime minister of England during World War II.
Derivatives >> portliness
posterity
pah STER uh tee
future generations, all descendants of a person
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> forebears
They wanted to write a declaration of independence that would last for all posterity.
Derivatives >> posterities
postscript
POSTskript
a message appended at the end of a letter
Synonyms >>
1116.
Antonym >>
She stood for a moment in the portal before stepping into the room.
Derivatives >> portaled, portals
portent
PORE tent
a sign or forewarning
Synonyms >>
1113.
Antonym >>
It is vital that a politician be a polemicist so he can present and defend the positions of his constituency.
Derivatives >> polemist, polemize, polemics, polemic, polemical
polyphony
puh LIF uh nee
music in which two or more independent melodies are sounded together
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> homophony
Most of the music heard today is based on polyphony.
Derivatives >> polyphonic, polyphonist
pompous
POM pus
exaggerated show of dignity or self-importance, bombastic
Synonyms >> ostentatious, pretentious
Antonym >> humble; meek
It is very pompous of him to believe that his ideas should always receive the first consideration.
Derivatives >> pomp, pomposity, pompously, pompousness
ponderous
PON dur us
very heavy, unwieldly from weight
Synonyms >> cumbersome, cumbrous
Antonym >> lightweight
The ponderous furniture was hard to move, and thus became a burden.
Derivatives >> ponderosity, ponderously, ponderousness
pontificate
pon TIF uh kate
to speak in a self-important manner; to speak pompously
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to speak humbly
One would think that my dad were the Pontiff himself, the way he pontificates about his achievements.
Derivatives >> pontifical, pontificalibus, pontificality, pontification, pontificator
porous
PORE us
something that permits the passage of substances through pores
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> impermeable
The porous material did not keep the rain off of us.
Derivatives >> porosity, porose, porosis, porotic
portal
PORE tul
a doorway (especially a large one)
Antonym >>
Sometimes a person will add information in a postscript when he forgets to include it in the letter.
Derivatives >> postscripts
potable
POE tuh bul
something drinkable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unfit to drink
The show "Jeopardy" used to have a category called "Pot & Potables" that concerned all kinds of drinks.
Derivatives >> potability, potableness
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87
1117.
potent
POTE unt
powerful, having a strong effect
Antonym >> ineffectual
They gave me a potent pain killer to stop the throbbing sensation in my leg.
Derivatives >> potence, potency
potentate
POTE un tate
a monarch, very powerful ruler, sovereign
Synonyms >>
1118.
Synonyms >>
1119.
1120.
1121.
1122.
1123.
Antonym >>
There are many countries in the Middle East that are ruled by a potentate.
Derivatives >> potentates
pragmatic
prag MAT ik
practical, dealing with facts
Synonyms >> realistic
Antonym >>
He was not very pragmatic when he dealt with finances.
Derivatives >> pragmatical, pragmaticality, pragmatically, pragmaticalness, pragmaticism
prate
PRATE
to talk idly or foolishly at great length
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to speak about serious matters
We want a speaker who will talk of important issues, not one who will prate about himself.
Derivatives >> prater, prated, prating
prattle
PRAT ul
meaningless sounds, babble
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> articulate language
I have difficulty understanding the prattle of young children.
Derivatives >> prattled, prattling, prattlement, prattler, prattingly
precarious
pre KARE ee us
dangerous, risky, not a secure situation
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> safe
It seems that a tightrope walker is often in a precarious situation.
Derivatives >> precariously, precariousness
precept
PREE sept
a rule guiding conduct or imposing a standard
Synonyms >>
1124.
1125.
1126.
1127.
1128.
Antonym >>
A favorite precept by which many people live is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Derivatives >> preceptist, preceptive
preciosity
presh ee OS eh tee
meticulousness, extreme fastidiousness
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lack of concern; indifference
English gentlemen are known for their preciosity.
Derivatives >> preciosities
precipice
PRES uh pis
a very steep cliff or mass of rock, the brink of something dangerous
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> cavern
Some mountain climbers enjoy climbing a steep precipice.
Derivatives >> precipices
precipitate
preh SIP eh tate
to cause to speedily occur, to throw headlong
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to delay
Coming home late at my house will always precipitate a fight.
Derivatives >> precipitation, precipitancy, precipitately, precipitator, precipitous
precipitous
preh SIP eh tus
marked by great rapidity, haste, or lack of caution
Synonyms >> hasty, sudden, rash; steep, sheer
Antonym >> gradual
Her precipitous behavior led her to make silly mistakes. The precipitous slope rose before us.
Derivatives >> precipitously, precipitousness, precipice
précis
PRAY see, pray SEE
an abstract or summary
Synonyms >> digest, condensation
Antonym >> complete work
We merely read a précis of the story instead of the complete work.
Derivatives >>
1129.
preclude
preh KLOOD
to make impossible
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to aid
A low SAT score may preclude your acceptance to that college.
Derivatives >> precludable, precluded, preclusion, preclusive
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88
1130.
exceptionally early in development or occurrence
Antonym >> backward
A child prodigy is a young person who is very precocious.
Derivatives >> precociousness, precosity, precociously
precognition pree kog NISH un
knowing something before it happens
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> recollection
I wish that I had a precognition of whether she would accept a date with me.
Derivatives >> precognitive, precognize
precursor
preh KUR sur
something that comes before, forerunner
Synonyms >> harbinger, herald
Antonym >> descendant
A good education is usually a precursor to finding a good job.
Derivatives >> precurse, precursive, precursory
predator
PRED uh tur
one that preys, plunders, or destroys
precocious
preh KOE shus
Synonyms >>
1131.
1132.
1133.
Synonyms >>
1134.
Antonym >>
A hawk is a predator because it survives by attacking other animals.
Derivatives >> predatism, predatory, preditorily, predatoriness
predilection pred uh LEK shun
preference
Antonym >> dislike; disinclination
He has a predilection for fish when he goes out to eat.
Derivatives >> predilect, predilected
predisposed pree deh SPOZD
inclined toward something in advance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> objective or neutral
I believe that the judge was predisposed to freeing the man.
Derivative s >> predispose, predisposition
preeminence pree EM uh nuns
superiority to all others
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> inferiority
Receiving a Nobel prize signifies preeminence in a field.
Derivatives >> preeminent, preeminency, preeminently
preface
PREF is
an introductory statement or part; something preliminary or introductory
Synonyms >> introduction, preamble, prologue
Antonym >> epilogue
The accident was a preface to a great scientific discovery.
Derivatives >> prefaced, prefacing, prefacer
premature
pree muh TOOR
occurring or existing earlier than what is normal
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> overdue
Premature children need special care because their vital systems are not fully developed.
Derivatives >> prematurely, prematureness, prematurity
premeditated pree MED eh tay ted
thought out beforehand
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> spontaneous
Premeditated murder is punishable by the death penalty in Texas.
Derivatives >> premeditate, premeditatedly, premeditatedness, premeditatingly, premeditation, premeditative
premonition pree muh NISH un
a forewarning; a feeling of anxiety over a future event
Synonyms >> presentiment
Antonym >>
He had a vague premonition of danger.
Derivatives >>
premonitory
prepossessing pree puh ZES ing
pleasing or creating a favorable impression
Synonyms >>
1135.
1136.
1137.
1138.
1139.
1140.
1141.
Synonyms >>
1142.
Antonym >>
Shirley Temple was a popular child actress because of her prepossessing personality.
Derivatives >> prepossess, prepossessingly, prepossession, prepossionary
presage
PRES ij
something that foreshadows a future event; foreknowledge of the future
Synonyms >> omen, foreboding, presentiment, prediction
Antonym >>
Many view a rainbow as a presage of good fortune.
Derivatives >> presageful, presagement, presager, presaging, presagingly, presagious
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89
1143.
knowledge of events before they happen, foresight
Antonym >> unaware
He was led to his success in his experiment by some extraordinary prescient.
Derivatives >> prescience, presciently
prestidigitation pres tuh dij eh TAY
sleight of hand, manual dexterity
shun
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Most magicians are skilled in prestidigitation.
Derivatives >> prestidigitator, prestidigitatorial, prestidigitatory, prestigiation, prestigiator
presumptuous preh ZUMP choo us
brazenly overstepping bounds, arrogant
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> humble
It was presumptuous of him to think that I would loan him the money.
Derivatives >> presume, presumer, presumption, presumptive, presumptively, presumptuously, presumptuousness
pretentious
preh TEN shus
making an extravagant outward show,self-important
Synonyms >> ostentatious, pompous
Antonym >> meek; humble; shy
Isn't it a little pretentious to spend two million dollars on a wedding?
Derivatives >> pretension, pretention, pretensionless, pretensive, pretentiously, pretentiousness
prevalent
PREV uh lunt
generally or widely accepted, current, or practiced
Synonyms >> prevailing, victorious, dominant
Antonym >> limited, uncommon
The state of lethargy is a prevalent problem in education.
Derivatives >> prevalence, prevalently
prevarication preh var uh KAY shun
evasiveness, lie
Synonyms >> equivocation
Antonym >> honesty
Prevarication is a dangerous activity when under oath on the witness stand.
Derivatives >> prevaricate, prevaricative, prevaricator, prevaricatory
primeval
pry MEE vul
ancient, relating to the earliest ages
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> recently developed
The archeologist discovered a primeval urn that dated to 600 B.C.
Derivatives >> primevally
primordial
pry MORE dee ul
original, existing at the beginning (ususally relates to time)
prescient
PREE she unt
Synonyms >>
1144.
1145.
1146.
1147.
1148.
1149.
1150.
Synonyms >>
1151.
1152.
1153.
1154.
1155.
Antonym >>
Some believe that an ape-like creature is the human's primordial ancestor.
Derivatives >> primordially, primordium
privation
pry VAY shun
the condition of lacking basic necessities of life
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> abundance
Children in many parts of the world face severe privation.
Derivatives >> privational, privative, privatively
proclivity
pro KLIV eh tee
inclination, tendency
Synonyms >> leaning, penchant, propensity
Antonym >> disinclination
Most immigrants, because they are anxious to succeed, have a proclivity for hard work.
Derivatives >> proclive, proclivities
procrastinate pro KRAS tuh nate
to defer action; to delay
Synonyms >> prolong, postpone
Antonym >>
We try not to procrastinate when asked to do a job.
Derivatives >> procrastinated, procrastinating, procrastinatingly, procrastinatively, procrastination, procrastinative
procrastinatory
prodigal
PROD
uh gul
wasteful, a person given to extravagance
Synonyms >> lavish, lush, luxuriant, profuse
Antonym >> thrifty individual
The prodigal son squandered his inheritance.
Derivatives >> prodigality, prodigally, prodigalize
prodigious
pruh DIJ us
extraordinary in bulk, quantity, or degree, great in size, enormous
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> puny; minuscule
His prodigious appetite allowed him to eat the entire turkey.
Derivatives >> prodigiously, prodigiousness
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90
1156.
one with exceptional talents or powers; an extraordinary accomplishment
Antonym >> ordinary occurrence
Mozart was considered a child prodigy since he had great musical talents at a very early age.
Derivatives >> prodigies
profane
pruh FANE
showing contempt toward sacred things
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> holy
Profane language will not be tolerated on the tennis court.
Derivatives >> profanation, profanatory, profanely, profaneness, profaner, profanity
proffer
PROF ur
to present for acceptance
Synonyms >> offer, tender
Antonym >>
We found the terms of the loan proffered by the banker to be very satisfactory.
Derivatives >> profferer
profligate
PROF luh git
a wasteful person; extremely wasteful, given to licentiousness
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> thrifty
The profligate son wasted the family fortune on wine, women, and song.
Derivatives >> profligacy, profligated, profligately, profligateness
profundity
pruh FUN deh tee
profound knowledge, intellectual depth
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> shallowness; stupidity
Einstein had a profundity that was admired by all.
Derivatives >> profound, profoundly, profoundness
profuse
pruh FYOOS
extravagantly abundant, flowing freely
Synonyms >> lavish, lush, luxuriant, prodigal
Antonym >> meager
Cutting that artery will cause profuse bleeding.
Derivatives >> profusely, profuseness, profusion, profusive, profusively
progenitor
pro JEN eh tur
related ancestor; forefather
prodigy
PROD eh jee
Synonyms >>
1157.
1158.
1159.
1160.
1161.
1162.
Synonyms >>
1163.
Synonyms >>
1164.
1165.
1166.
Antonym >>
The play had a prologue that set the scene for the opening act.
Derivatives >> prologist, prologize
promontory PROM un tore ee
land or rock projecting into a body of water
Synonyms >>
1168.
Antonym >>
He was proud of all his progeny, but he loved the oldest child the most.
Derivatives >> progenitor, progenitorial, progenitorship, progeniture
proliferation pro lif uh RAY shun
an increase in number, multiplication
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> decline; decrease
Many are afraid of nuclear proliferation and the possibility that a terrorist country will explode a bomb.
Derivatives >> proliferate, proliferative, proliferous, proliferously, prolific
prolific
pro LIF ik
abundantly fruitful, marked by great productivity
Synonyms >> fecund, fertile
Antonym >> barren; unfruitful
Since he has written a great number of books in a short period, Stephen King is known as a prolific writer.
Derivatives >> proliferation, proliferate, proliferative, proliferous, proliferously
prologue
PRO log
introductory remarks in a speech, play or literary work
Synonyms >>
1167.
Antonym >>
George Washington is one of the progenitors of the United States.
Derivatives >> progenitorial, progenitorship, progeny
progeny
PROJ uh nee
children, descendants, offspring
Antonym >>
A promontory is an ideal place to build a lighthouse.
Derivatives >> promontories, promontoried
propensity
pruh PEN seh tee
preference, natural inclination
Synonyms >> leaning, penchant, proclivity
Antonym >> aversion
I have a propensity for rising early.
Derivatives >> propension, propense, propend
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91
1169.
propinquity
pro PING kweh tee
nearness; kinship
Synonyms >>
1170.
1171.
1172.
1173.
1174.
Antonym >>
The farm's propinquity to the chemical plant was blamed for the rise in cancer among the family members.
Derivatives >> propinquant, propinquous
propitious
pruh PISH us
favorably disposed, graciously inclined
Synonyms >> helpful, advantageous, benevolent, favorable,
Antonym >> unfavorable; inauspicious
auspicious
America has conditions
propitious to democracy.
Derivatives >> propitiously, propitiousness, propitiate, propitiated, propitiatory
propound
pruh POUND
to put forth for discussion or analysis
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to remove from consideration
The scientist was asked to propound a hypothesis during the discussion.
Derivatives >> propounder
propriety
pruh PRY eh tee
correct conduct
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> indecorum
Those who attend the club meetings should conduct themselves with propriety.
Derivatives >> proprieties
prosaic
pro ZAY ik
commonplace, uninspired, banal
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> imaginative
Because his writings are so prosaic, I find them boring and unimaginative.
Derivatives >> prosaical, prosaically, prosaicalness, prosaicism, prosaism, prosaist
proscribe
pro SCRIBE
to denounce or to condemn, to forbid
Synonyms >>
1175.
Antonym >>
We will proscribe anyone who comes to the rally with the opponent's campaign buttons on his shirt.
Derivatives >> proscript, proscription, proscriptive, proscriptiveness, proscriptively
proselytizer PROS uh leh tize ur
one who causes another to convert from one belief or faith to another
Synonyms >>
1176.
1177.
Antonym >>
His conversion to that religion inspired him to become a proselytizer to others.
Derivatives >> proselyte, proselyter, proselytical, proselytism, proselytist, proselytistic, proselytization
prostration
pros TRAY shun
a stretching out due to lacking vitality and being completely overcome
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> vitality
During late summer football practices, players sometimes suffer from heat prostration.
Derivatives >> prostrate, prostrator, prostrating
protagonist pro TAG uh nist
the leading character of a drama or other literary work
Synonyms >>
1178.
Antonym >>
The protagonist of this story gets the smartest girl.
Derivatives >> protagonism
protean
PRO tee un
very versatile; capable of great change
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> stale; unchanging; limited in scope
The protean actor was the backbone of the company as he was able to star in any production with ease.
Derivatives >>
1179.
protract
Synonyms >>
1180.
1181.
pro TRAKT
to prolong
Antonym >> to shorten
The union hopes to protract the strike in order to force management to settle.
Derivatives >> protractedly, protractedness, pretractible, protraction, protractive
protrusion
pro TROO zhun
something sticking out
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> indentation
A large protrusion on his head was the result of being hit by the bat.
Derivatives >> protusive, protusively, protusiveness
protuberance pro TOO buh runs
the state of bulging beyond the surrounding area; protrusion
Synonyms >> projection
Antonym >> indentation
The woman was embarrassed by the protuberance of her lower jaw.
Derivatives >> protuberancy, protuberant, protuberantly
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92
1182.
lacking sophistication, narrow-minded
Antonym >> sophisticated
Her parents are so provincial that they believe they should arrange her marriage.
Derivatives >> provinciate, provincialism, provinciality, provincialization
prudent
PROOD unt
wise and careful about practical matters
Synonyms >> judicious, sage, sane, sapient
Antonym >> indiscreet; uncautious
In the city, it is prudent to have locks on all doors and windows.
Derivatives >> prudence, prudential, prudently
prurient
PROOR ee unt
arousing an unwholesome desire or interest (usually related to sex)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> pure
Pornography arouses prurient interests.
Derivatives >> prurience, pruriency, pruriently
pucker
PUK ur
to gather into wrinkles or irregular folds
Synonyms >> wrinkle, furrow, contract
Antonym >> to straighten
His lips puckered into a low whistle when he heard her name.
Derivatives >> puckered, puckering, puckerer, puckery
puerile
PYOO uh ril, PYOOR il childish, immature
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> mature
One puerile student can be a source of constant disturbance in a classroom.
Derivatives >> puerilily, puerilism, puerility
pugnacious
pug NAY shus
looking for a fight, combative, belligerent
Synonyms >> bellicose, contentious, quarrelsome
Antonym >> peaceful
There are many pugnacious punks at the high school that bully other students.
Derivatives >> pugnaciously, pugnaciousness, pugnacity
pulchritude PUL kreh tood
beauty, comeliness
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> ugliness
Members of the drill team must have talent and pulchritude.
Derivatives >> pulchritudinous
pulverize
PUL vuh rize
to reduce into small pieces, to demolish
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to mold together
The rocks were pulverized by the heavy machine rolling over them.
Derivatives >> pulverization, pulverized, pulverizer, pulverous, pulverulent, pulverulently
punctilious
pungk TILL ee us
stressing precise following of instructions, details, codes or conduct
Synonyms >> meticulous, scrupulous
Antonym >> lackadaisical
The boss insists that we be punctilious in following company policy.
Derivatives >> punctiliously, punctiliousness
pungent
PUN junt
sharp or irritating to the taste or smell, acrid
Synonyms >> piquant, poignant, racy
Antonym >> sweet; pleasant
There was a pungent odor in the stockyard.
Derivatives >> pungence, pungency, pungently
puritanical
pyoor eh TAN eh kul
marked by severe or rigid morality
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> satanical
The girl's father was so puritanical he would not allow her to date until she was eighteen years old.
Derivatives >> puritanic, puritan, puritanically, puritanicalness, puritanism, puritanize
purse
PURS
to pucker or to tighten one's lips
provincial
pruh VEN shul
Synonyms >>
1183.
1184.
1185.
1186.
1187.
1188.
1189.
1190.
1191.
1192.
1193.
Synonyms >>
1194.
Antonym >>
The angrier he got, the more he pursed his lips.
Derivatives >> pursed, pursing
purveyors
pur VAY ur
one who provides or procures
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The purveyors were able to get all sorts of things for their Army division.
Derivatives >> purveyance, purveyor
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93
1195.
pyromania
pie ruh MAY nee uh
Synonyms >>
1196.
1197.
1198.
1199.
1200.
uncontrollable impulse to ignite fires
Antonym >>
The arson was due to pyromania rather than a deliberate attempt to collect insurance money.
Derivatives >> pyromancy, pyromaniac, pyromaniacal
quack
KWAK
an unqualified or fake doctor, charlatan
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> qualified physician
Fortunately the girl was saved from the scalpel of the quack who called himself a doctor.
Derivatives >> quackery, quackish, quackishly, quackishness, quackism
quaint
KWAYNT
unusual in character or appearance
S ynonyms >> eccentric, peculiar, queer, unique
Antonym >> ordinary
When we go to New England, we like to stay in a quaint old inn that gives us the flavor of the area.
Derivatives >> quaintish, quaintly, quaintness
quake
KWAKE
to shake from shock or instability
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to remain motionless
I began to quake in my boots when he pulled a gun.
Derivatives >> quaked, quaking
quandary
KWON duh ree
dilemma
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> state of peace and calm
She was in a quandary because two boys whom she liked wanted to take her to the senior prom.
Derivatives >> quandaries
quash
KWOSH
to set aside or to suppress forcibly
Synonyms >> annul, abrogate, void; crush, quell
Antonym >>
The dictator was able to quash the rebellion by shooting those who opposed him.
Derivatives >>
1201.
to quiet or to put down a disturbance
Antonym >> to foment; to incite
Fortunately, the principal was able to quell the food fight in the cafeteria.
Derivatives >> quelled, quelling, quells
quench
KWENCH
to extinguish, to put out; to relieve with liquid
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to stir up
He quenched the hot coals in the barbecue pit with water.
Derivatives >> quencher, quenched, quenching, quenchable, quenchableness
querulous
KWER uh lus
constantly complaining, whining
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> uncomplaining
Amy irritates me when she constantly speaks in her querulous voice.
Derivatives >> querulously, querulousness, querulist, querulent
query
KWEER ee
an inquiry
Synonyms >> question, ask
Antonym >>
It is common for an author to send a query to a magazine editor to see if he will accept a manuscript.
Derivatives >> queries, queried, queryingly, queryist
quiescent
kwee ES unt
inactive, dormant
Synonyms >> abeyance, latent
Antonym >> active
The eruption was a surprise because the volcano had been quiescent for many years.
Derivatives >> quiescence, quiesce, quiescency, quiescently
quixotic
kwik SOT ik
idealistic but impractical
Synonyms >> chimera, fanciful, fantastic, visionary
Antonym >> practical
It is usually quixotic for a commoner to pursue a relationship with a member of the royal family.
Derivatives >> quixote, quixotical, quixotically, quixotism, quixotize, quixotry
rabid
RAB id
raging, furious, fanatical
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> calm
Philadelphia is known for its rabid sports fans.
Derivatives >> rabic, rabidity, rabidly, rabidness, rabies, rabiform, rabious
quell
KWELL
Synonyms >>
1202.
1203.
1204.
1205.
1206.
1207.
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94
1208.
raconteur
Synonyms >>
1209.
1210.
1211.
1212.
1213.
1214.
1215.
1216.
1217.
1218.
1219.
1220.
rak on TUR
one who is skillful at telling stories and anecdotes
Antonym >>
One of the reasons that most Americans loved Will Rogers was that he was a wonderful raconteur.
Derivatives >> raconteuse
rail at
RAIL at
to condemn or to attack with abusive language
Synonyms >> berate, revile, upbraid, vituperation
Antonym >> to compliment
Texas Congressmen will rail at any attempt to pass a bill that would be detrimental to the oil industry.
Derivatives >> railed, railing
rancid
RAN sid
having a foul or offensive smell or taste
Synonyms >> fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome,
Antonym >> pleasant
putrid,
rank
A rancid odor came
from
the garbage pail.
Derivatives >> rancidly, rancidness, rancidification, rancidify, rancidity
rancor
RANG kur
bitter deep-seated ill will, enmity
Synonyms >> animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy,
Antonym >> affection; kindness
hostility
I was full of rancor
when I learned that the men had killed my parents.
Derivatives >> rancored, rancorous, rancorously
rant
RANT
to rave, to speak in a loud and attacking manner
Synonyms >> bombastic, claptrap, declamation, fustian,
Antonym >> to speak peaceably
rodomontade
He ranted constantly
about how everyone was out to get him.
Derivatives >> ranted, ranting
rarefy
RARE uh fie
to make less dense; to make more spiritual, refined, or abstruse
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to make denser; to condense
Their thoughts are refined and rarefied through interaction with each other.
Derivatives >> rarefier, rarefied, rarefiable, rarefactive, rarefaction
ratify
RAT eh fie
to give formal approval
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to reject
In the United States, a treaty must be ratified by two-thirds of the Senate in order to take effect.
Derivatives >> ratification, ratificationist, ratifier
raucous
RAH kus
loud and boisterous, harsh, disorderly
Synonyms >> stentorian, strident
Antonym >> quiet; mild
The raucous crowd at the fight threw chairs into the ring to show disagreement with the decision.
Derivatives >> raucously, raucousness, raucid, raucity
ravenous
RAV uh nus
urgently eager for food; craving satisfaction or gratification
Synonyms >> voracious, gluttonous, rapacious
Antonym >> sated; satisfied; full
The boy had a ravenous appetite and ate everything on the table.
Derivatives >> ravenously, ravenousness
raze
RAZE
to completely destroy
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to construct
Atomic war will raze many cities.
Derivatives >> razed, razing
rebuff
reh BUFF
to snub or to refuse bluntly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to accept
The woman was not afraid to rebuff the man's inappropriate advances toward her.
Derivatives >> rebuffed, rebuffing, rebuffs
recalcitrant reh KAL seh trunt
very stubborn, refusing to obey, unruly
Synonyms >> headstrong, intractable, refractory, willful
Antonym >> compliant
Recalcitrant students are usually tardy, do not complete class assignments, and disrupt class.
Derivatives >> recalcitrance, recalcitrancy, recalcitrate, recalcitration
recant
reh KANT
to withdraw or to repudiate a statement or belief, revoke
Synonyms >> abjure, forswear, renounce, retract
Antonym >> to avow; to reaffirm belief
The prosecutor's case was greatly weakened when his main witness recanted his testimony.
Derivatives >> recantation, recanter
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95
1221.
1222.
recapitulation ree kuh pich uh LAY
a summary
Synonyms >> shun
Antonym >>
It is usually a good idea for a teacher to give a recapitulation of the previous day's topics.
Derivatives >> recapitulate, recapitulationist, recapitulative, recapitulatory, recapitulatively
reciprocal
reh SIP ruh kul
mutual, interacting
Synonyms >>
1223.
1224.
1225.
1226.
1227.
1228.
1229.
Synonyms >>
1230.
1233.
Antonym >> dangerous place
Reservations were supposed to be places of refuge for Indians.
Derivatives >> refuges
refute
reh FYOOT
to disprove, to show as erroneous
Synonyms >>
1232.
Antonym >>
The congregation joined in singing the refrain of the hymn.
Derivatives >> refrainment
refuge
REF yooj
shelter or place of protection
Synonyms >>
1231.
Antonym >>
We have made a reciprocal trade agreement whereby we will sell the country grain and it will sell us copper.
Derivatives >> reciprocality, reciprocally, reciprocating, reciprocation, reciprocative, reciprocator, reciprocatory
reciprocity
recluse
REK loos
a person who lives in solitude, a hermit
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> cosmopolitan
Howard Hughes is the most famous recluse of the century.
Derivatives >> reclusion, reclusive
reconcile
REK un sile
to reestablish friendship, to resolve a dispute
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to alienate
The family will never be the same until Mom and Grandma reconcile their differences.
Derivatives >> reconcilability, reconcilable, reconcilableness, reconcilably, reconcileness, reconcilement
reconciliate
rectify
REK
tuh fie
to set right or to correct
Synonyms >> reform, revise, remedy, emend
Antonym >>
The school board has decided to increase funding for female athletic teams in order to rectify past imbalances.
Derivatives >> rectifiable, rectifier, rectified, rectifying
rectitude
REK teh tood
state of moral integrity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> depravity
When the preacher's rectitude was questioned, many left his congregation.
Derivatives >> rectitudinous, rectitudinously
redundant
reh DUN dunt
repetitious, superfluous
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> concise
She is boring because she is a rambling and redundant speaker.
Derivatives >> redundancy, redundance, redundantly
refractory
reh FRAK tuh ree
unmanageable, stubborn with respect to authority
Synonyms >> headstrong, intractable, recalcitrant, unruly
Antonym >> obedient
willful
A refractory child should be removed from the classroom.
Derivatives >> refractorily, refractoriness
refrain (noun) reh FRAIN
a recurring phrase or verse
Antonym >> to prove; to avow
The lawyer presented evidence that refuted the testimony of the witness.
Derivatives >> refutable, refutability, refutably, refutal, refutation, refutative, refutatory, refuter
regimen
REJ uh men
the regular process, procedure, or system of doing something
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unsystematic activity
The boxer's training regimen is very strenuous.
Derivatives >> regiment, regimental, regimentally, regimentation, regiminal
reiterate
ree IT uh rate
to repeat
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to fail to repeat
I hope that I am not becoming redundant by again reiterating the key facts.
Derivatives >> reiteration, reiteratedly, reiterative, reiteratively
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96
1234.
reh JOIN dur
an answer to a reply
Antonym >> a question
reply
Her remarks drew a sharp rejoinder from the man.
Derivatives >> rejoin, rejoinders
relegate
REL uh gate
to assign to an inferior position
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to promote
The veteran ball player knew it was time to retire when he was relegated to sitting on the bench.
Derivatives >> relegation, relegable, relegates, relegated, relegating
relish
REL ish
to take great pleasure or delight in
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to detest
I relish the thought of graduating from high school and getting out on my own.
Derivatives >> relishable, relished, relishing
remit
reh MIT
to send or to transmit (usually money)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to collect
The phone company called and said that we needed to remit our payment or our service would be cut off.
Derivatives >> remitment, remittable, remittal, remittance, remittee
remonstrate reh MON strate
to protest, to make objections
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to agree; to acquiesce
I must remonstrate about the treatment of the residents of the rest home.
Derivatives >> remonstrance, remonstrancer, remonstrant, remonstrantly, remonstratingly
remuneration remonstration,remonstrative
reh myoo nuh RAY shun the act of paying for a service, loss, or expense
Synonyms >> compensation, reimbursement
Antonym >>
The man sought remuneration for his expenses from his boss.
Derivative s >> remunerate, remunerative, remunerator, remuneratively, remunerativeness
rend
REND
to tear violently, to split
Synonyms >> cleave, rive
Antonym >> to unify
He tried to rend the flag as a protest against the war.
Derivatives >> rent, rended, rending, rends
renege
reh NIG
to go back on one's word
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to keep one's word
Because he has reneged on his promise, I will no longer trust his word.
Derivatives >> reneged, reneging, reneger
renunciation reh nun see A shun
the act of renouncing; ascetic self-denial
Synonyms >> sacrifice, rejection, repudiation
Antonym >>
The board member made a renunciation of his chairmanship.
Derivatives >> renunciate, renunciant, renunciative, renunciatory
reparation
rep uh RAY shun
compensation to one who has suffered
Synonyms >> redress, amends, restitution
Antonym >>
Vietnam is seeking reparations from the United States for the damage that it suffered during the war.
Derivatives >> reparative, reparatory
repast
reh PAST
a meal
rejoinder
Synonyms >>
1235.
1236.
1237.
1238.
1239.
1240.
1241.
1242.
1243.
1244.
Synonyms >>
1245.
The governor showed the dignitaries into a large hall for a sumptuous repast.
Derivatives >> repasts, repasted, repasting
repentant
reh PEN tunt
penitent; characterized by showing repentance or contrition for a past sin
Synonyms >>
1246.
Antonym >>
Antonym >>
Her repentant mood touched the jury, and she was absolved of guilt.
Derivatives >> repent, repenter, repenting, repented, repentance, repentantly
repertoire
REP ur twar
a list of works of music or readings that are ready for performance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The orchestra has added some selections of Mozart to its repertoire.
Derivatives >> repertorial, repertorium, repertory
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1247.
reh PLETE
filled to capacity, abundantly supplied
Antonym >> devoid
plenary
The bar was replete with every possible kind of alcohol.
Derivatives >> repleteness, repletion, repletive
replicate
REP luh kate
to repeat, to copy, or to duplicate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to make an original
I always try to replicate the moves of my tennis pro when I am taking a lesson.
Derivatives >> replication, replica, repliant
repose
reh POSE
to lie or to be at rest; the state of being at rest; absence of movement
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> action; movement; activity
When in repose, her little face looks remarkably calm.
Derivatives >> reposal, reposed, reposing, reposedly, reposedness, reposeful, reposefully, reposefulness
reprehensible rep reh HEN suh bul
deserving blame or reprimand
Synonyms >> blameworthy, censureable, condemnable
Antonym >> praiseworthy
Some think thatreprobatory
kissing on the first date is reprehensible conduct.
Derivatives >> reprehend, reprehensibility, reprehensibly, reprehension, reprehensive, reprehensory
repress
reh PRES
to restrain, to hold back
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to release
I feel that I need to repress my desires for him since he obviously does not like me.
Derivatives >> repressed, repression, repressive, repressiveness
reprise
reh PRIZE
a recurrence, renewal, or resumption of an action
Synonyms >> recapitulation, repetition
Antonym >>
The battle was noted for the reprise of attacks by the enemy.
Derivatives >> reprisal, reprised, reprising
reproach
reh PROCH
to blame for something; a disgrace
Synonyms >> admonish, castigate,chasten, chastise,chide
Antonym >> to praise; accolade
rebuke,reprove
Her conduct was
so good that it was beyond reproach.
Derivatives >> reproachable, reproachful, reproachfully, reproachfulness, reproachingly
reprobate
REP ruh bate
to disapprove of; a person with no moral principles, a depraved individual
Synonyms >> blame, censure, condemn, denounce, reprehend Antonym >> saint
Some thought that the ax murderer was a reprobate who deserved to die.
Derivatives >> reprobation, reprobative, reprobator, reprobatory
reprove
reh PROOV
to scold or to rebuke for a misdeed usually with kindly intent
Synonyms >> admonish, castigate, chastise, chide, rebuke
Antonym >> to approve; to applaud
reproach
A teacher sometimes needs to reprove a student for talking during class.
Derivatives >> reprovable, reprovingly, reproving, reproved, reproves, reproof
repudiate
reh PYOO dee ate
to reject, to disown, to disavow
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to adopt
He announced that he would repudiate all debts that had been created by his wife.
Derivatives >> repudiation, repudiationist, repudiator
repugnant
reh PUG nunt
disgusting, offensive
Synonyms >> abhorrent, invidious, obnoxious, repellent
Antonym >> appealing
It is repugnant to spit on the sidewalk.
Derivatives >> repugnancy, repugnantly, repugnatorial, repugnance
repulse
reh PULSE
to repel or to rebuff (usually with rudeness)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to impress
His offensive language repulsed the girl; it did not impress her.
Derivatives >> repulsive, repulsion, repulsively, repulsiveness
reputable
REP yuh tuh bul
having a good reputation
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> disreputable; notorious; infamous
The Better Business Bureau said that the company was reputable.
Derivatives >> reputability, reputably, reputation, reputative, reputatively, repute, reputed, reputedly, reputeless
replete
Synonyms >>
1248.
1249.
1250.
1251.
1252.
1253.
1254.
1255.
1256.
1257.
1258.
1259.
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98
1260. requite
reh KWITE
to make repayment or to return
Antonym >> to withhold
Synonyms >>
The girl suffered a broken heart from unrequited love.
Derivatives >> requited, requiter, requital
1261. rescind
reh SEND
to cancel
Antonym >> to restore
He said that he will have to rescind his offer if he does not hear from us by Tuesday.
Derivatives >> rescindable, rescinder, resindment
reserve
reh ZURV
self-restraint
Synonyms >> reticence
Antonym >> lack of restraint
He showed a lot of reserve in dealing with the harsh critics at the meeting.
Derivatives >> reserved, reservedly, reserveless
resilient
reh ZIL yunt
ability to return to a former state
Synonyms >> supple
Antonym >> static
There is a need for more resilient bumpers on cars that can withstand minor accidents.
Derivatives >> resiliency, resiliently
resolute
REZ uh loot
characterized by a decided purpose
Synonyms >> staunch, steadfast, determined, resolved
Antonym >>
faithful,
The business was
run byfirm
a resolute man who set his mind on a goal and followed through with it.
Derivatives >> resoluter, resolutest, resolutely, resoluteness, resolution, resolutionary, resolutioner, resolutive
resonant
REZ uh nunt
echoing, continuing to sound
Synonyms >>
1262.
1263.
1264.
1265.
Synonyms >>
1266.
1267.
1268.
1269.
1270.
1271.
1272.
Antonym >>
The resonant sounds of the cello make it a pleasing instrument.
Derivatives >> resonance, resonate, resonantly, resonator
resourceful
reh SORS ful
acting effectively (usually in difficult situations)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unable to cope or adapt
It will take a resourceful person to get out of this mess.
Derivatives >> resourcefully, resourcefulness
respite
RES pit
a rest, a delay, a period of relief
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> continuance
I enjoy a quiet lunch that serves a respite from my tense job of being an air traffic controller.
Derivatives >> respiteless
resplendent reh SPLEN dunt
brilliant, shining
Synonyms >> sublime, superb
Antonym >> dim
The resplendent fireworks display pleased the Fourth of July crowd.
Derivatives >> resplendence, resplendency, resplendently
restitution
res teh TOO shun
restoration of or compensation for something taken from a rightful owner
Synonyms >> redress, amends, reparation
Antonym >>
He agreed to make restitution to his neighbor for the damage that his dog did to his neighbor's yard.
Derivatives >> restitutive,restitutory
restive
RES tiv
unwilling to yield or to adjust
Synonyms >> contrary, perverse, balky, wayward, persistent Antonym >> pliable; willing to change
stubborn
The man was unable
to persuade the restive crowd.
Derivatives >> restively, restiveness
resurge
reh SURJ
to rise again
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to remain quiescent
Our football team's chances of a title will resurge if the coach drafts a good quarterback.
Derivatives >> resurgence, resurgency, resurgent
reticence
RET uh suns
restraint in speech, reluctance to speak
Synonyms >> reserve, taciturnity
Antonym >> candor
A lawyer must have great reticence in discussing matters that could violate his client's rights.
Derivatives >> reticency, reticent, reticently
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1273. retinue
Synonyms >>
RET uh noo
a body of retainers who follow a prince or other distinguished person
Antonym >>
It was the largest retinue ever to accompany the president on a trip.
Derivatives >> retinued
1274. retraction
reh TRAK shun
the act of taking back or disavowing
Synonyms >> abjure, forswear, recant, renounce
Antonym >> reaffirmation
He maintained that his story was true and refused to offer a retraction.
Derivatives >> retractable, retract, retractile, retractor
1275. retrenchment reh TRENCH munt
the act of cutting down or off as by the reduction of expenses
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Half of the workers were eliminated from the payroll by retrenchment.
Derivatives >> retrench, retrenchable, retrencher
1276. retrograde
REH truh grade
moving backward
Synonyms >> withdrawing, receding, backward
Antonym >> moving forward
That particular object is moving in retrograde motion.
Derivatives >> retrograded, retrograding, retrogradely, retrogradingly
1277. retrogress
REH truh gres
to move backward, to degenerate
Synonyms >> recede, retract, retreat
Antonym >> moving forward
Some ministers believe that society's morals have retrogressed.
Derivatives >> retrogressed, retrogressing, retrogression, retrogressive, retrogressively
1278. retrospection re truh SPEK shun
a looking back or contemplation of the past
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
A retrospection of his life will reveal that he always worked hard and tried to live by the Golden Rule.
Derivatives >> retrospect, retropsective, retrospectively
1279. revelry
REV ul ry
loud and boisterous partying or merrymaking
Synonyms >>
1280.
1281.
1282.
1283.
1284.
1285.
Antonym >>
On the night of the election, there was much revelry at the governor's victory party.
Derivatives >> revelries
revere
reh VERE
to honor, to regard with respect
Synonyms >> adore, venerate, worship
Antonym >> to despise
Nearly all Catholics revere the Pope.
Derivatives >> reverence, reverent, reverentness, reverential, reverentiality, reverentially
reverie
REV uh ree
daydreaming
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> attentiveness
Spring seems to lend itself to reverie.
Derivatives >> reveries, reverist
revile
reh VILE
to subject to verbal abuse
Synonyms >> upbraid, berate, rail at, vituperate, scold
Antonym >> to praise; to acclaim
The woman began to revile her husband in a fit of anger.
Derivatives >> reviled, reviling, revilement, reviler, revilingly
revulsion
reh VUL shun
a strong feeling of disgust or repugnance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> attraction; appreciation
Everyone should have a revulsion for child abuse.
Derivatives >> revulsant,revulsionary, revulsive
rhapsodize
RAP suh dize
to express in an overly enthusiastic manner
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to drone
He felt his Super Bowl trip was the greatest thing since the wheel and rhapsodized about it for weeks.
Derivatives >> rhapsodist, rhapsodic, rhapsodically, rhapsodical, rhapsodistic
rhetoric
RET ur ik
the art of using words effectively in speaking or writing; inflated language
Synonyms >> verbosity, bombast; discourse, speech
Antonym >>
Freshman composition is a course in rhetoric.
Derivatives >> rhetorical, rhetorically, rhetoricalness, rhetoricate, rhetorician, rhetorize
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100
RIB uld
vulgarly humorous, profane
Antonym >> high-minded
coarse, gross, obscene, vulgar
It is uncharacteristic of a priest to tell a ribald joke.
Derivatives >> ribaldly, ribaldrous, ribaldry
1287. rife
RIFE
common in occurrence, abundant
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> rare
The AIDS virus is rife among intravenous drug-users.
Derivatives >> rifely, rifeness
1288. rigor
RIG ur
strictness, severity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> laxity
Calculus and physics are courses that require rigor in study habits.
Derivatives >> rigorism, rigorist, rigoristic, rigoristic, rigorous, rigorously, rigoroursness
1289. rile
RILE
to make angry, to arouse resentment
Synonyms >> irritate
Antonym >> to soothe
The boy would often try to rile his sister and instigate an argument.
Derivatives >> riley, riled, riling, riles
1290. rivulet
RIV yuh let
a small stream, brook
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> river
The small rivulet had almost dried up for lack of rain.
Derivatives >> rivulets
1291. rotund
roe TUND
very plump, round
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> gaunt
Picture Henry the VIII if you want to visualize a rotund individual.
Derivatives >> rotundity, rotundly, rotundate
1292. rout
ROUT
to gouge out or to make a furrow in; to expel by force
1286. ribald
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The wood craftsman took his tools and began to rout a furrow into the wood in the shape of a heart.
Derivatives >> router, routed, routing
1293. rudiment
ROO duh munt
an essential element or skill, als o the early stages of development
Synonyms >>
1294.
1295.
1296.
1297.
1298.
Antonym >>
Because he was not good at the rudiments of English, he had difficulty with his research paper.
Derivatives >> rudimental, rudimentarily, rudimentariness, rudimentary, rudimentation
rudimentary roo duh MEN tuh ree consisting in first principles, of a primitive kind; relating to basic skills
Synonyms >> basic, fundamental, undeveloped, elementary
Antonym >> fully developed
Second grade students have only rudimentary skills in reading.
Derivatives >> rudiment, rudiments, rudimental, rudimentarily, rudimentariness, rudimentation
rue
ROO
to be sorry for, to regret
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to consider happily
He will rue the day that he tangles with me.
Derivatives >> rueful, ruefully, ruefulness, rues
ruffianism
RUF ee un is um
rowdy or tough behavior
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> gentle behavior
The ruffianism of the boys in school did not go unnoticed by their angry principal.
Derivatives >> ruffian, ruffianish, ruffianize, ruffianly
ruminate
ROO muh nate
to consider for a long time at a slow pace, to ponder
Synonyms >> meditate, muse, ponder
Antonym >> to consider fleetingly
We will have to go elsewhere if you ruminate about your decision for a long period.
Derivatives >> ruminatingly, ruminator, ruminative, ruminant, ruminantly
rupture
RUP chur
to break apart, to burst
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to repair; to mend
The rupture of the appendix is a life-threatening situation.
Derivatives >> ruptured, rupturing
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101
ROOZ
clever trick, subterfuge
Antonym >>
artifice, feint, strategem, trick, wile
Ferris thought it a clever ruse to put pillows under his bed covers to make his parents believe he was sleeping.
Derivatives >> ruses
1300. rustic
RUS tik
relating to the country
Synonyms >> rural, coarse
Antonym >> urban; relating to the city
The rustic cabin in the mountains was small but comfortable.
Derivatives >> rustical, rustically, rusticate, rustication, rusticator
1301. saboteur
sab uh TUR
one that destroys property or normal operations (usually in a war effort)
1299. ruse
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Saboteurs sneak behind enemy lines and blow up power lines and bridges.
Derivatives >> sabotage
1302. saccharine
SAK uh rin
overly sweet attitude
Antonym >> vitriolic
Her saccharine attitude disgusted me, but it seemed to win her many friends.
Derivatives >> saccharinity
sagacious
suh GAY shus
wise, shrewd, very discerning
Synonyms >> astute, perspicacious
Antonym >> ignorant; uninformed
The sagacious freshman knew not to buy an elevator pass from the senior attempting a clever ruse.
Derivatives >> sagaciate, sagaciously, sagaciousness, sagacity
salubrious
suh LOO bree us
healthful, favorable to one's well-being
Synonyms >> salutary, wholesome
Antonym >> poisonous; harmful
Arizona's dry climate is salubrious for many people with allergies.
Derivatives >> salubriously, salubriousness, salubrity
salutary
SAL yuh ter ee
promoting good health or beneficial effects
Synonyms >> salubrious, wholesome
Antonym >> harmful
Your talk has had a salutary effect on your child. His class behavior has really improved.
Derivatives >> salutarily, salutariness
sanctify
SANGK tuh fie
to set apart for sacred use, to make holy, to purify
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to taint
A priest sanctifies water by blessing it.
Derivatives >> sanctification, sanctified, sanctifier, sanctity, sanctitude
sanguine
SANG gwin
very confident
Synonyms >> optimistic, hopeful, sure
Antonym >> afraid
The candidate had sanguine expectations for his election to the senate.
Derivatives >> sanguineness,sanguineous, sanguinary
sated
SAY ted
satisfied fully, indulged to excess
Synonyms >> cloyed, glutted, gorged, palled, satiated
Antonym >> ravenous
surfeited
He was quite sated after finishing the seven course meal.
Derivatives >> sate, satiate, satiated, satiation, satiety
satiric
suh TER ik
characterized by satire (a branch of literature ridiculing vice or folly)
Synonyms >> sarcastic, sardonic, ironic
Antonym >>
The political cartoonist was known for his satiric drawings.
Derivatives >> satire, satirical, satirically, satirism, satirist, satirize, satirizer
saturate
SACH uh rate
to soak, to completely fill
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to desiccate; to dry out
Floods sometimes occur when the ground becomes saturated from a heavy rain and can absorb no more water.
Derivatives >> saturation, saturated, saturating
savant
suh VAHNT, SAY vant a scholar, a learned person
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dunce
Woodrow Wilson is an example of a savant who became president .
Derivatives >> savants
Synonyms >>
1303.
1304.
1305.
1306.
1307.
1308.
1309.
1310.
1311.
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102
SAY vuh ree
appetizing
Antonym >> unappetizing
palatable, toothsome
My mother is known for her savory meals.
Derivatives >> savor, savored, savorer, savorily, savoriness, savoringly, savorous, savorsome
1313. scale
SKALE
to climb up or over
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to climb down
Who was the first woman to scale Mt. Everest?
Derivatives >> scaled, scaling
1314. scanty
SKAN tee
less than or barely sufficient, meager
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> copious; abundant
Because the details of the incident are so scanty, we are not able to make any firm conclusions at this time.
Derivatives >> scantiness, scantily, scantly
1315. scapegoat
SKAPE gote
one who takes the blame for others
1312. savory
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Since no one wanted to point a finger at the real culprit, the innocent man was made a scapegoat for the crime.
Derivatives >>
1316. scathing
SKAY thing
bitterly severe; harmful, injurious
Antonym >> harmless
The critics gave a scathing review of the play.
Derivatives >> scathingly
1317. schism
SIZ um
a division of a group into two discordant groups
Synonyms >> breach, faction, discord, disharmony
Antonym >> unification
The club lost half its members because of a schism in the body.
Derivatives >> schismatic, schisms, schismatical, schismatically, schismatist, schimatize
1318. scintillating SIN tuh lay ting
sparkling, shining, or flashing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dull
The fireworks during a Fourth of July celebration are a scintillating display.
Derivatives >> scintillate, scintillant, scintillantly, scintillatingly, scintillation, scintillator, scintillescent
1319. scribe
SKRIBE
a journalist, a public secretary or clerk
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
1320.
1321.
1322.
1323.
Antonym >>
Sportswriters are often referred to as scribes.
Derivatives >> scribal
scrupulous
SKROO pyuh lus
very principled, very careful and conscientious
Synonyms >> meticulous, punctilious
Antonym >> unprincipled
The scrupulous police officer never took a bribe, and he ceaselessly tried to prevent crime.
Derivatives >> scruple, scrupulosity, scrupulousness, scrupulously
scurry
SKUR ee
to hurry about, to scamper
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to dawdle; to move slowly
The robbers scurried when they heard the police siren.
Derivatives >> scurried, scurrying
scuttle
SKUT ul
to sink (usually a ship)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to preserve
In war a captain of a ship might scuttle his vessel rather than have it captured and used by the enemy.
Derivatives >> scuttled, scuttling
scythe
SITHE
an instrument for cutting or mowing
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
We used a scythe to cut the exceedingly tall grasses.
Derivatives >> scytheless, scythestone
1324. searing
SEER ing
causing to wither or to dry up or to become scorched
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
One could easily die in the searing heat of the Mojave desert.
Derivatives >> sear, seared, searingly
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1325. seasoned
SEE zond
experienced
Antonym >> inexperienced
This team needs a seasoned veteran to provide some leadership.
Derivatives >> seasonable, seasonableness, seasonably
sectarian
sek TARE ee un
a member of a sect that is a faction with extreme beliefs
Synonyms >> narrow-minded
Antonym >> broad-minded
His sectarian beliefs marked him as being extremely narrow-minded.
Derivatives >> sectarianism, sectarianize
secular
SEK yuh lur
nonreligious, worldly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> religious
"Jingle Bells" is a secular Christmas song.
Derivatives >> secularism, secularist, secularity, secularization, secularize, secularly
sedentary
SED un ter ee
characterized by a sitting posture
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> characterized by a standing position
Because he could not stand, he looked for a sedentary occupation.
Derivatives >> sedentarily, sedentariness
sedulously
SEJ uh lus lee
very diligent, accomplishing with painstaking care
Synonyms >> assiduous, industrious
Antonym >> haphazardly
It is very heartwarming when I can get a student to sedulously complete an assignment.
Derivatives >> sedulous, sedulity, sedulousness
seethe
SEETH
to boil , to be agitated
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to be at peace
The nation seethed with anger when the terrorists took the men as hostages.
Derivatives >> seething, seethingly
seminal
SEM uh nul
having the character of an originative power, principle, or source
Synonyms >> original, germinative
Antonym >>
Our country was based on the seminal ideas of freedom for all.
Derivatives >> seminality, seminally
sententious
sen TEN shus
given to excessive moralizing
Synonyms >> expressive, pithy, epigrammatic
Antonym >>
The sententious expression "contentment breeds happiness" is not readily accepted by everyone.
Derivatives >> sententiously, sententiousness
sentinel
SEN tuh nul
one who keeps guard as a sentry
Synonyms >>
1326.
1327.
1328.
1329.
1330.
1331.
1332.
1333.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The oak trees hovered over the house as sentinels.
Derivatives >> sentineled, sentineling, sentinels
1334. sequester
seh KWES tur
to seclude
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to allow to mingle freely
Because of the publicity about the case and the defendant, the judge decided to sequester the jury.
Derivatives >> sequestered, sequestrable, sequestrant, sequestration, sequestrator
1335. serendipity ser un DIP eh tee
the faculty for making desirable discoveries by accident
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Finding the road to his house was a case of serendipity.
Derivatives >>
suh REEN
calm, placid
Antonym >> agitated
tranquil
The mountain on a clear spring morning is a serene setting.
Derivatives >> serenely, sereneness, serenity
1337. serpentine
SUR pen teen
resembling a serpent, wily or tempting; diabolical
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> straight
The line of dancers moved and swayed in a serpentine manner.
Derivatives >> serpentinely, serpentiningly, serpentize
1336. serene
Synonyms >>
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104
having an edge that is notched or toothed like a saw
Antonym >> smooth and even
Some trees have leaves that are serrated, and others have leaves that are smooth on the edges.
Derivatives >> serrate
servile
SUR vil, SUR vile
overly submissive
Synonyms >> obsequious, slavish, subservient
Antonym >> authoritative
Having complete devotion and submissiveness for the sheik, the women of the harem were very servile.
Derivatives >> servilely, servilism, servility, servitude
sever
SEV ur
to cut or to separate
Synonyms >> divorce, sunder
Antonym >> to connect
I decided to sever my relationship with that organization when I found out the true nature of it.
Derivatives >> severs, severed, severing, severability, severance, severable
shepherd
SHEP urd
to guide, to guard, or to tend to
(verb)
Synonyms
>>
Antonym >> to neglect
The young man was able to shepherd the group of people safely out of the dangerous situation.
Derivatives >> shepherding,shepherdless, shepherdlike
shrill
SHRIL
high-pitched or piercing (sound)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> muted
The shrill sounds of the sirens pierced the night.
Derivatives >> shriller, shrillest, shrilling, shrillness, shrilly
sieve
SIV
a utensil for sifting or straining
1338. serrated
sur RAY ted
Synonyms >>
1339.
1340.
1341.
1342.
1343.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The manager complained that his second baseman fielded ground balls like a sieve.
Derivatives >> sieving
1344. simper
SIM pur
a silly or self-conscious smile, smirk
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> frown
The young man made the silly remark with a simper.
Derivatives >> simperer, simpering, simpered, simperingly
1345. sinecure
SIE nuh kyoor, SIN uh – an office or position requiring little work
Synonyms >>
1346.
1347.
1348.
1349.
Antonym >>
In many cases the position of vice-president is a sinecure.
Derivatives >> sinecureship, sinecurism, sinecurist
sinuous
SIN yoo us
bending in and out in a serpentine or wavy form
Synonyms >> winding, intricate, complex
Antonym >> straight
The land was covered with a sinuous system of canals and irrigation ditches.
Derivatives >> sinuosity, sinuously, sinuousness
skewed
SKYOOD
not straight, crooked, slanting
Synonyms >> asymmetrical
Antonym >> straight
The telescope did not work because of the skewed alignment of the mirrors.
Derivatives >> skew, skewness
skulk
SKULK
to move in a sneaky, furtive, or stealthy manner
Synonyms >> lurk, slink, sneak
Antonym >> to be open; to lack secrecy
The burglar skulked about on the balcony.
Derivatives >> skulker, skulked, skulking, skulks
slag
SLAG
the residue or mass of metal left after smelting; worthless matter
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The bottom of the pit was full of slag.
Derivatives >> slagger
1350. sleeper
SLEE pur
a possible winner of a contest that is given little chance to win
Antonym >> predicted winner
That horse paid such good odds because he was a real sleeper.
Derivatives >> sleepers
Synonyms >>
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SLOOTH
one that searches out and investigates obscure information
Antonym >>
detective
Sherlock Holmes is a sleuth of worldwide renown.
Derivatives >> sleuthed, sleuthing, sleuths
slothful
SLOTH ful
lazy, indolent
Synonyms >> bovine
Antonym >> industrious
That student is so slothful that he has never done any of his homework assignments.
Derivatives >> slothfully, slothfulness, sloth
slough
SLUF
to cast off
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to grasp; to hold tenaciously
He sloughs off criticism like water off a duck's back.
Derivatives >> sloughs, sloughy
slovenly
SLUV un lee
messy, untidy, careless
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fastidious
A person with slovenly work habits will likely lose his job.
Derivatives >> slovenry, slovenness, slovenliness
sluggard
SLUG urd
a person who is lazy
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> energetic person
Let's fire him. Not only is he slovenly, but he is also a sluggard.
Derivatives >> sluggardly, sluggardness
snippet
SNIP it
a small amount, morsel
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> large amount
The professor learned mere snippets about the tribes he had visited.
Derivatives >> snippiness, snippety, snippy
solace
SOL is
to comfort or to cheer
Synonyms >> soothe, mitigate, assuage
Antonym >> to deride; to harrass
The Red Cross attempted to solace the flood victims.
Derivatives >> solaceful, solacement, solacer, solaced, solacing
solicitous
suh LIS eh tus
worried, concerned
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unconcerned
He was very solicitous about the health of his ill grandmother.
Derivatives >> solicitously, solicitousness, solicitude
soliloquy
suh LIL uh kwee
a speech or dramatic monologue made to oneself to reveal thoughts
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> conversation; dialogue
Hamlet's soliloquy in the graveyard is a popular piece to memorize.
Derivatives >> soliquist, soliloquize, soliloquizer, soliloquizingly
solvent
SOL vunt
able to pay debts
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> broke; in debt
I have become solvent now that I have received a raise in salary.
Derivatives >> solvency, solvently
somnambulist som NAM byuh list
a sleepwalker
1351. sleuth
Synonyms >>
1352.
1353.
1354.
1355.
1356.
1357.
1358.
1359.
1360.
1361.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Many people with sleeping disorders are classified as somnambulists.
Derivatives >> somnambulic, somnambulant, somnambular, somnambulation, somnambule, somnambulism
somnambulistic
1362. sonnet
SON
it
a fourteen line form of poetry
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The sonnet is a favorite form of poetry with many writers.
Derivatives >> sonnets
1363. sonorous
suh NOR us, SAN uh rus resonant, producing a full and rich sound
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Orson Wells was known for his sonorous voice.
Derivatives >> sonorant, sonoriferous, sonoriferously, sonority, sonorization, sonorously, sonorousness
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1364. soothsayer
Synonyms >>
SOOTH say ur
a person who is able to predict the future, seer
Antonym >>
After John Kennedy was shot, many self-proclaimed soothsayers claimed to have predicted the assassination.
Derivatives >> soothsay, soothsaying
1365. sophistry
SOF eh stree
practice of intentionally misleading arguments that seem to be plausible
Synonyms >>
1366.
1367.
1368.
1369.
1370.
Antonym >>
Arguing that the Bible supports segregation is sophistry.
Derivatives >> sophists, sophistical sophist, sophister, sophistic, sophistically, sophisticalness
sophomoric sof uh MORE ik
immature and poorly informed
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> profound
Intentional crying is a sophomoric attempt to gain sympathy.
Derivatives >> sophomorical, sophomorically
soporific
sop uh RIF ik
something that tends to cause sleep and to dull awareness or alertness
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> exciting
Quiet music late at night is soporific.
Derivatives >> soporiferous, soporiferously, soporiferousness, soporifical, soporifically
sordid
SOR did
filthy, foul
Synonyms >> abject, ignoble, mean
Antonym >> nice; harmless
The sordid details of the brutal ax murder sickened the jurors.
Derivatives >> sordidness, sordidly
sovereign
SOV rin
possessed of controlling power
Synonyms >> predominant, paramount, preponderant
Antonym >> without power
The king is sovereign within his country.
Derivatives >> sovereignly, sovereignity, sovranty
spangle
SPANG gul
a small circular piece of glittering material used for decorating garments
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Her dress was decorated with multi-colored spangles.
Derivatives >> spangled, spangly
1371. sphinx
SFINGKS
a mysterious person or thing given to enigmatic questions or answers
Synonyms >>
1372.
1373.
1374.
1375.
1376.
Antonym >>
The man spoke in such riddles that he sounded like a sphinx.
Derivatives >> sphingine, sphinxian, sphinx-like
spiteful
SPITE ful
full of spite or malice; malicious; malevolent
Synonyms >> vengeful, cruel, rancorous
Antonym >> benevolent; kind
She is a spiteful child, always seeking revenge for any injury.
Derivatives >> spitefully, spitefulness
splice
SPLISE
to join
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to sever
For Christmas, I am going to give my father an instrument to help him splice his home movies if they break.
Derivatives >> spliced, splicing
spontaneous spon TAY nee us
having no external cause, acting on impulse
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> planned
He knew exactly what I was thinking because my reaction was so spontaneous.
Derivatives >> spontaneously, spontaneousness, spontaneity
sporadic
spo RAD ik
occasionally occurring
Synonyms >> infrequent, rare, scarce, uncommon
Antonym >> constant
While there are sporadic showers, the summers in the western part of Texas are usually hot and dry.
Derivatives >> sporadically, sporadicity
spurious
SPYOOR ee us
false or deceitful
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> honest
Cashing forged checks is a spurious activity.
Derivatives >> spuriously, spuriousness
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107
1377. spurn
SPURN
to reject or to refuse with hostility
Antonym >> to embrace
The woman had always viewed the man with disdain and would spurn his attempts at friendship forever.
Derivatives >> spurner, spurned, spurning
squali d
SKWOL id
filthy in appearance, sordid
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> clean
There are squalid and depressed areas in most of the world's major cities.
Derivatives >> squalidity, squalidly, squalidness
squander
SKWON dur
to waste
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to conserve
He squandered the family fortune on wine, women, and song.
Derivatives >> squanderer, squandered, squandering
stagnant
STAG nunt
not flowing, foul from not moving
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> flowing
The stagnant pond had a foul odor.
Derivatives >> stagnate, stagnation, stagnantly, stagnancy, stagnance
staid
STADE
reserved and upright in manner or behavior, sedate
Synonyms >> earnest, grave, sober, solemn
Antonym >> boisterous
The staid and uninteresting old maid behaved with utmost decorum in all situations.
Derivatives >> staidness
stalwart
STAL wurt
one who supports a cause with firm partisanship
Synonyms >> resolute , strong
Antonym >>
That justice was known as a stalwart in defending 1st amendment rights.
Derivatives >> stalwartly, starlwartness
stand
STAND
a determined effort for or against something; a determined position taken
Synonyms >>
1378.
1379.
1380.
1381.
1382.
1383.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
We must take a stand on this political issue.
Derivatives >>
STARK
harsh, grim, or desolate; ext remely simple or severe
Antonym >> luxurient
dreary
The stark landscape gave an ominous feeling.
Derivatives >> starkly, starkness
stasis
STAY sis
motionlessness, stagnation
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> flux
At a particular point of stasis, one cannot advance in growth or understanding.
Derivatives >> stases
stately
STATE lee
dignified, majestic
Synonyms >> grand, grandiose, imposing, magnificent
Antonym >> humble
The general's funeral procession was stately as it wound through the streets of the city.
Derivatives >> stateliness, statlier, statelily
static (adj.)
STAT ik
having no motion, showing little change
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> active
Since our town has attracted little new industry, the population of the city has become static.
Derivatives >> statically, statical
steadfastness STED fas nes
quality of being fixed with little chance of moving or changing
Synonyms >> resolution, staunchness
Antonym >> irresolution
The steadfastness of her position not to sell her land is remarkable considering what she has been offered.
Derivatives >> steadfast, steadfastly
stealthy
STEL the
acting in a secret and sneaky way--this is a negative term
Synonyms >> clandestine, covert, furtive, surreptitious
Antonym >> open; indiscreet
underhanded
The secret organization moves by stealth to gather information on its enemies.
Derivatives >> stealthful, stealthfully, stealthily, stealthiness, stealth
1384. stark
Synonyms >>
1385.
1386.
1387.
1388.
1389.
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1390. sterile
STER ul
incapable of reproducing
Antonym >> productive
Since the woman was sterile, she and her husband decided to adopt children.
Derivatives >> sterilely, sterility, sterilizable, sterilizability, sterilization, sterilize
stilted
STIL ted
artificially formal, stiff, pompous
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> genuine
The demeanor of English royalty seems stilted to many Americans.
Derivatives >> stiltedly, stiltedness
stint
STINT
to limit to a certain amount; to be frugal
Synonyms >> confine, restrain
Antonym >> to be wasteful
Don't stint on the food when you prepare for the party.
Derivatives >> stinted, stinting, stintedly, stintedness, stinter, stintingly, stintless
stipend
STY pend
normal salary
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> bonus
The normal stipend for a good quarterback is a half million dollars a year.
Derivatives >> stipendiary, stipendium, stipendless
stoic
STOW ik
a stoical person; not showing passion or feeling, indifference, impassive
Synonyms >> apathetic, phlegmatic, stolid
Antonym >> impassioned; ardent
The umpire remained quite stoic despite the manager's screaming and the intense booing of the crowd.
Derivatives >> stoical, stoically, stoicism
stoke
STOKE
to stir up, to amply feed
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to smother
He stoked the fire so it would give off more heat.
Derivatives >> stoked, stoking
stolid
STOL id
showing little emotion
Synonyms >> apathetic, phlegmatic, stoic
Antonym >> emotional
He always has a stolid appearance at the poker table.
Derivatives >> stolidly, stolidity
stooped
STOOPD
bent forward from the middle of the back
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> erect
Some farm workers become stooped from many years of bending over in the fields.
Derivatives >> stoop, stooping, stoops
stratum
STRAY tum, STRAT um a horizontal layer
Synonyms >>
1391.
1392.
1393.
1394.
1395.
1396.
1397.
1398.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The geologist said that this stratum is composed of limestone.
Derivatives >> stratums
1399. strident
STRIDE unt
loud and harsh sounding
Synonyms >> raucous, stentorian, boisterous, clamorous
Antonym >> soft and pleasant
obstreporous
The teacher used a strident voice when reprimanding a student.
Derivatives >> stridently
1400. strife
STRIFE
vigorous or bitter conflict, discord, or antagonism
Synonyms >> difference, disagreement, contrariety,
Antonym >>
opposition;
fight
The disagreement caused much strife between the two people.
Derivatives >> strifeful, strifeless
1401. stultifying
STUL tuh fie ing
causing to be useless, crippling, causing to appear stupid
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The teacher stultifies his position in the classroom if he permits bad behavior.
Derivatives >> stultification
1402. stupefy
STOO puh fie
to dull the senses as to put into a stupor
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to excite
That boring lecture would stupefy anyone with any intelligence.
Derivatives >> stupefyingly, stupefaction, stupefacient, stupefactive
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109
1403. stymie
STY mee
to block, to present an obstacle
Antonym >> to assist
After hitting the golf ball into the rough, I could not shoot directly at the hole as I was stymied by a tree.
Derivatives >> stymied, stymieing, stymies
1404. subjective
sub JEK tiv
coming from an individual's mind
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> objective
I scored poorly on the subjective essay exam because my teacher disagreed with my opinion.
Derivatives >> subjectively, subjectiveness, subjectivism, subjectivity, subjectivize, subjectivization
1405. subjugate
SUB juh gate
to bring under one's control
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
It was the intent of the dictator to subjugate all the people in the land and control them.
Derivatives >> subjugable, subjugation, subjugator
1406. sublimate
SUB luh mate
to refine or to transform a primitive impulse into one socially acceptable
Synonyms >>
1407.
1408.
1409.
1410.
1411.
1412.
1413.
1414.
1415.
Antonym >>
We are going to try to sublimate his natural rebelliousness into concern for righting the wrongs of mankind.
Derivatives >> sublimation, sublimator
sublime
suh BLIME
exalted, noble, uplifting
Synonyms >> resplendent, superb
Antonym >>
The romantic dinner, which included delicious food, soft music, and a beautiful setting, was simply sublime.
Derivatives >> sublimely, sublimeness, sublimer
submissive
sub MIS iv
yielding or surrendering oneself to the will of another
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> rebellious
I am very submissive to the demands and requests of my parents because I feel that they know best.
Derivatives >> submission, submiss, submissionist, submissively, submissiveness
subterranean sub tuh RAY nee un
below ground
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> above ground
The subterranean tunnel connected the two buildings.
Derivatives >> subterraneous, subterraneanly
subtle
SUT ul
delicate, elusive, not obvious
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> obvious; gross; blunt
To avoid being obtrusive in the elegant restaurant, he used subtle gestures to call the waiter to his table.
Derivatives >> subtilist, subtility, subtilization, subtilize, subtilizer, subtleness, subtlety
subvert
sub VURT
to destroy or to impair by insideous undermining
Synonyms >> raze, demolish, alienate, overturn, defeat
Antonym >>
The revolution began when several citizens joined together in an effort to subvert their own government.
Derivatives >> subverter, subverted, subvertible, subversion, subversive, subversively, subversiveness, subverse
succinct
suk SINGKT
brief, compact
Synonyms >> compendious, concise, laconic, pithy, summary, Antonym >> frequently digressing
terse were succinct and to the point the ceremony was brief.
Because her comments
Derivatives >> succinctly, succinctness
succulent
SUK yuh lunt
very juicy
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> dry
An orange is an example of a succulent fruit.
Derivatives >> succulency, succulence
suffrage
SUF rij
right to vote
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lack of franchise
Woman's suffrage was a movement and a cause at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Derivative s >> suffragette, suffragettism, suffragism, suffragist
sully
SUL ee
to tarnish, to dirty, or to soil
Synonyms >> defile
Antonym >> to purify; to make clean
Tabloid newspapers have been known to sully a person's good name with little or no documentation.
Derivatives >> sullied, sullying, sullies, sulliable
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1416. summary
SUM uh ree
condensed and concise
Synonyms >> compendious, laconic, pithy, succinct, terse
(adj.)
Antonym >> detailed
The judge asked for a summary conclusion since time was short.
Derivatives >> summarily, summability, summariness, summarize, summation, summational
1417. summon
SUM un
to call together, to send for or to request to appear
Synonyms >> convene, convoke, muster
Antonym >> to turn away
I am frightened because I have been summoned to the principal's office.
Derivatives >> summoner, summons
1418. sumptuous
SUMP choo us
lavish, luxurious
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> paltry
I like to go to my mother's house on Thanksgiving Day because we always have a sumptuous feast.
Derivatives >> sumptuously, sumptuosity, sumptuousness
1419. sunder
SUN dur
to break or to force apart; to become parted or disunited
Synonyms >> separate, sever, divorce
Antonym >> to fuse
The concerned parents attempted to sunder the girl's relationship with the violent young man.
Derivatives >> sundered, sundering, sunders
1420. superb
soo PURB
of very high quality
Synonyms >> resplendent, sublime
Antonym >> grossly inferior
The superb beauty of the Grand Canyon completely overwhelmed me.
Derivatives >> superbity, superbly, superbness
1421. supercilious soo pur SIL ee us
haughty, vain and arrogant
Synonyms >> disdainful, high-handed, insolent, lordly
Antonym >> servile
I do not like your arrogant and supercilious attitude toward poor people.
Derivatives >> superciliously, superciliousness
1422. superfluous soo PUR floo us
beyond what is needed or required, an overflow
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> necessary
The meeting lasted so long because of many superfluous comments by some of the speakers.
Derivatives >> superfluously, superfluousness, superfluent, superfluity
1423. superlative
suh PUR luh tiv
of the highest kind or order; surpassing all others
Synonyms >>
1424.
1425.
1426.
1427.
1428.
Antonym >>
The professor's superlative writings earned him a fellowship and a research grant.
Derivatives >> superlatively, superlativeness
supersede
soo pur SEDE
to replace, to cause to be displaced or set aside
Synonyms >> displace, supplant
Antonym >>
This new law will supersede all previous laws.
Derivatives >> supersedure, supersedence
supplant
suh PLANT
to take the place of
Synonyms >> displace, supersede
Antonym >>
Republicans have supplanted the Democrats as the dominant political party in several counties.
Derivatives >> supplantation, supplanter, supplanted, supplanting
supple
SUP ul
easily bent, elastic, pliable
Synonyms >> resilient
Antonym >> rigid
Her supple bones allowed her to perform strange feats in gymnastics.
Derivatives >> suppler, supplest
supplication sup luh KAY shun
begging, humbly asking for a favor
Synonyms >> adjuration, beseechment, entreaty, imploration Antonym >>
importunity
I am going to see
the Governor to make a supplication for a pardon for my brother.
Derivatives >> supplicate, supplicatingly, supplicator, supplicatory
surfeited
SUR feh ted
fed or supplied to excess
Synonyms >> cloyed, glutted, gorged, palled, sated, satiated Antonym >> starved
I was surfeited after having eaten so much food at the banquet.
Derivatives >> surfeit, surfeiter
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churlishly rude or bad-tempered; unfriendly, hostile
Antonym >> courteous
The discourteous boy had a surly manner of speaking.
Derivatives >> surlier, surliest, surlily, surliness
1430. surplus
SUR plus
an amount that is more than what is needed
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> shortage
The government purchases surplus wheat so that it is not thrown away.
Derivatives >> surplusage
1431. surreptitious sur up TISH us
secret, clandestine, stealthy
Synonyms >> covert, furtive, underhanded
Antonym >> aboveboard; in an open manner
The Watergate burglars tried to attain information in a surreptitious manner.
Derivatives >> surreptitiously
1432. swatch
SWOCH
a sample piece from some cloth or other item
1429. surly
SUR lee
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
He brought a book of swatches to help me choose the material for the curtains.
Derivatives >> swatches
1433. sybarite
SIB uh rite
a person devoted to luxury
Antonym >> ascetic
He is a sybarite and a hedonist and is quite different from his brother, the monk.
Derivatives >> sybaritic, sybaritical, sybaritically, sybaritish, sybaritism
1434. sycophant
SIK uh funt
a self-serving flatterer, a brownnoser
Synonyms >> leech, sponge, toady
Antonym >>
A wise ruler will not pay attention to the many sycophants who will try to gain his attention.
Derivatives >> sycophancy, sycophantic, sycophantical, sychophantically, sychophantize, sychophantish
sychophantishly
1435. syllabus
SIL uh bus
a brief outline of the main points of a text or course of study
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The syllabus that the professor gave to us stated that the final exam counts for 60% of our grade.
Derivatives >> syllabi, syllabuses
1436. symmetry
SIM eh tree
balanced proportions
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lack of balance
The symmetry of the gardens of Versailles creates a beautiful and balanced atmosphere.
Derivatives >> symmetrical, symmetric, symmetrically, symmetricalness, symmetrization, symmetrize
1437. synchronize SING kruh nize
to make simultaneous; to operate at the same time
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to operate at different times
We need to synchronize our watches with the clocks in the school.
Derivatives >> synchronization, synchronous, synchronizer, synchronistic, synchronistically, synchronistical
1438. syncopation sing kuh PAY shun
the accenting of musical beats not normally accented
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The syncopation in the music made dancing fun.
Derivatives >> syncopated, syncopate, syncopative, syncopator
1439. synthesis
SIN thuh sis
combining parts into a whole
Synonyms >>
Before the project is complete, we need to establish synthesis.
Derivatives >> synthesist, synthesize, synthesizer
1440. synthetic
sin THET ik
artificial
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> disjoining
Antonym >> authentic
Many synthetic substances are better than the natural substances that they replaced.
Derivatives >> synthethical, synthetically
1441. table
TAY bul
to put aside or to postpone (usually relates to parliamentary procedure)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to consider immediately
The Senate voted to table the bill that would raise taxes.
Derivatives >> tabled, tabling, tables
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understood, silent, not spoken, implicit
Antonym >> spoken; verbalized
We have a tacit agreement that the goods are delivered only after payment is made.
Derivatives >> tacitly, tacitness, taciturn
taciturn
TAS eh turn
quiet, not verbose
Synonyms >> reserved, reticent
Antonym >> loquacious; talkative
A shy person is usually taciturn.
Derivatives >> tacit, tacitly, tacitness, taciturnity, taciturnly
tact
TAKT
a keen sense for what is appropriate or tasteful in delicate situations
Synonyms >> diplomacy, perception, sensitivity, poise
Antonym >>
The diplomat handled the situation with much tact and courteous behavior.
Derivatives >> tactful, tactfully, tactfulness
tactile
TAK til
perceptible by touch; capable of being felt
Synonyms >> tangible
Antonym >> intangible
The woman's stroke left her with no tactile sensations at all.
Derivatives >> tactilist, tactility, taction
tangential
tan JEN shul
slightly connected, divergent
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> pertinent
Since we are short of time, tangential remarks are not appreciated.
Derivatives >> tangent, tangentially, tangently
tangible
TAN juh bul
capable of being touched; real or actual rather than imaginary
Synonyms >> palpable, corporeal; certain, genuine
Antonym >> imaginary; not able to be touched
The man had no tangible assets such as a home or a car, but he had much to offer in terms of personality.
Derivatives >> tangibility, tangibleness, tangibly
tantamount TAN tuh mount
equivalent in value or significance
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unlike in significance
In my father's eyes anything less than an "A" is tantamount to failure.
1442. tacit
TAS it
Synonyms >>
1443.
1444.
1445.
1446.
1447.
1448.
Derivatives >>
1449. taper
Synonyms >>
1450.
1451.
1452.
1453.
1454.
TAY pur
to decrease in thickness or width
Antonym >> to make wider
The intensity of the pain will taper off as time goes on. Some shirts are tapered at the bottom.
Derivatives >> tapered, tapering
tarry
TARE ee
to delay in coming or going, to linger
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to depart promptly
Please do not tarry; I want you to be here on time.
Derivatives >> tarriness, tarried, tarries
tart
TART
sharp or sour taste
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> sweet
I like a tart mustard on my hot dog.
Derivatives >> tartly, tartish
taut
TAUT
tightly drawn, having no slack
Synonyms >> tight
Antonym >>
As the convicted man fell from the scaffold, the rope became taut around his neck.
Derivatives >> tautly, tautness, tauten
tawdry
TAH DREE
cheap and gaudy in appearance
Synonyms >> garish, meretricious
Antonym >> refined
It was in bad taste to wear such tawdry jewelry to the funeral.
Derivatives >> tawdriness, tawdrily
teeming
TEEM ing
filled to overflowing; present in a large amount
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> deserted
The damp field is teeming with mosquitoes.
Derivatives >> teem, teemful, teemfulness, teemingly, teemless
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113
tuh MER uh tee
boldness that is foolhardy
Antonym >> reserve
audacity, cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall
hardihood,
nerve
I can't believe that
he has the
temerity to talk back to his commanding officer.
Derivatives >> temerariousness, temerarious, temerariously
1456. temperance TEM pur uns
moderation or self-restraint in action or statement
1455. temerity
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
1457.
1458.
1459.
1460.
Antonym >>
The woman exercised temperance in filling her plate with small portions of food.
Derivatives >> temperate, temperately, temperateness
temperate
TEM pur ut
exercising self-control
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> extreme
Seeing the devastating effects of alcohol on his father, he was temperate in his own liquor consumption.
Derivatives >> temperance, temperately, temperateness
tempestuous tem PES choo us
turbulent, stormy
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> calm
The mayoral candidates had a tempestuous debate in which they exchanged many personal accusations.
Derivatives >> tempestuously, tempestuousness, tempest
tenacious
teh NAY shus
persistent, holding fast to a position
Synonyms >> mettlesome, resolved
Antonym >> fickle
England was tenacious in its desire not to fall to the Germans.
Derivatives >> tenaciously, tenaciousness, tenacity
tenet
TEN ut
a doctrine or principle held as being true
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The principle that only men may become priests is a tenet of that church.
Derivatives >> tenets
1461. tensile
TEN sul
capable of being stretched
Antonym >> inelastic
The material could be made to fit several sizes because it was tensile.
Derivatives >> tensibility, tensible, tensibleness, tensibly
1462. tentative
TEN tuh tiv
not fully worked out, provisional, uncertain
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> permanent
We have a tentative arms -control agreement, but we hope to have a signed agreement by the end of the year.
Derivatives >> tentatively, tentativeness
1463. tenuous
TEN yoo us
flimsy, barely attached
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> firm or substantial
His position with the law firm became tenuous when he objected to hiring women.
Derivatives >> tenuously, tenuousness, tenuity
1464. tenure
TEN yur
the period of holding something
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Under his tenure at the space administration, not one astronaut was injured.
Derivatives >> tenurial, tenurially
1465. tepid
TEP id
moderately warm; lacking in passion, force, or animation
Synonyms >> lukewarm; dull, lifeless, halfhearted
Antonym >> passionate
The girl enjoyed a tepid bath. She had only a tepid interest in her grades.
Derivatives >> tepidly, tepidness, tepidarium, tepidity
1466. terrestrial
teh RES tree ul
of the earth or pertaining to the earth
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> heavenly
Humans are terrestrial beings.
Derivatives >> terrestrially, terrain
1467. terse
TERS
concise
Synonyms >> compendious, laconic, pithy, succinct, summary Antonym >> long-winded
The president gave a terse statement dismissing the charges of the opposing party.
Derivatives >> tersely, terseness
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114
1468. tether
TETH ur
to fasten or to confine as with a rope
Antonym >> to free
The man was tethered to the wall with chains.
Derivatives >> tethered, tethering
1469. theatrical
the AT ruh kul
overly dramatic, exaggerated in behavior
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unaffected
You do not need to be so theatrical to make your point.
Derivatives >> theater, theatrics, theatricalism, theatricality, theatricalization
1470. threadbare
THRED bare
very worn
Synonyms >> shabby, dilapidated, haggard
Antonym >> brand new; in excellent condition
The clown's coat was old and threadbare, with holes in the sleeves.
Synonyms >>
Derivatives >>
THWART
to effectively oppose or to stop
Antonym >>
foil, frustrate, baffle, balk, circumvent
We were able to thwart the invading forces with bombing by our superior air force.
Derivatives >> thwarted, thwartedly, thwarter, thwarting
1472. tidings
TIE dings
information or news
1471. thwart
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
I bring good tidings from the central office. Tomorrow is a holiday.
Derivatives >> tiding
1473. tier
TEER
one of a series of rows or levels
Synonyms >>
1474.
1475.
1476.
1477.
1478.
1479.
Antonym >>
Our symphony seats are on the third tier of the auditorium.
Derivatives >> tiers
timor ous
TIM ur us
apprehensive, worried, or fearful
Synonyms >> timid
Antonym >>
If one has to walk through a mine field, he should do so with timorous steps.
Derivatives >> timorously, timorousness
tinge
TINJ
to add a bit of color; to affect slightly; a slight coloration
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to blanch
I wanted to add a tinge of red to the picture. The roses tinged the air with their fragrance.
Derivatives >> tingent, tinged, tinging, tinges
titanic
tie TAN ik
massive, enormous in scope
S ynonyms >>
Antonym >> puny
Poverty is a titanic problem in the valley.
Derivatives >> titan, titanian, titanically
titter
TIT ur
to snicker or to giggle nervously
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to frown
The girls tittered while they waited for the boys to ask them to dance.
Derivatives >> tittered, tittering, titters
toady
TOE dee
a flatterer; an obsequious sycophant
Synonyms >> fawner, yes-man, parasite
Antonym >>
The man flattered the woman so much that he appeared like a toady.
Derivatives >> toadied, toadying, toadyish, toadyism
tome
TOME
a book that is a large volume
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
I have purchased the history of England in ten tomes.
Derivatives >> tomes
1480. topicality
top uh KAL eh tee
subject of current interest
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Around April 15 each year, paying taxes is an item of topicality.
Derivatives >> topic, topical, topically
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115
1481. topple
TOP ul
to overturn
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to stabilize
The rebels were able to topple the government.
Derivatives >> toppled, topppling
1482. torpid
TOR pid
sluggish, inactive, dull
Antonym >> active; animated
He is always torpid on Sunday mornings.
Derivatives >> torpor, torpidity, torpidness, torpify, torpidly, torpitude, torporific
totter
TOT ur
to stagger as if about to fall
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to walk steadily
Drinking heavily will usually cause one to totter.
Derivatives >> tottered, tottering, totteringly, tottery, totters
toxic
TOK sik
poisonous
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> healthful; harmless
Carbon monoxide is toxic to animal life.
Derivatives >> toxical, toxicant, toxify, toxiferous, toxin, toxical, toxicity
tractable
TRAK tuh bul
capable of being easily led, taught, or controlled; obedient
Synonyms >> amenable, docile
Antonym >> willful; unruly
It is odd that the students in first period are so unruly, while those in second period are very tractable.
Derivatives >> tractability, tractableness, tractably
traducer
truh DOOS ur
one who slanders or speaks falsely about someone
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> one who praises or extols
After hearing the gossip, the woman confronted the traducer face to face to stop the vicious slander.
Derivatives >> traduce, traducement, traduction
tranquil
TRANG kwul
peaceful, calm
Synonyms >> placid, serene
Antonym >> agitated
Weather in Texas can quickly change from tranquil to turbulent.
Derivatives >> tranquilization, tranquilize, tranquility, tranquilness, tranquilizer
transcended tran SEND ed
surpassed, exceeded
Synonyms >>
1483.
1484.
1485.
1486.
1487.
1488.
Synonyms >>
1489.
1490.
1491.
1492.
1493.
Antonym >>
His actions in the crisis transcended the call of duty.
Derivatives >> transcend, transcendence, transcendency, transcendent, transcendental, transcendentalistic
transgression trans GRESH un
violation of a law or command; sin
Synonyms >> contravention, disobedience, trespass
Antonym >> obedience; upholding of the law
Breaking the law is a transgression.
Derivatives >> transgress, transgressive, transgressively, transgressor
transient
TRAN shunt
quickly passing, fleeting
Synonyms >> ephemeral, evanescent, fugitive, transitory
Antonym >> enduring; everlasting
The moment of happiness she enjoyed was merely transient; soon she was depressed again.
Derivatives >> transience, transiently, transiency, transcience
translucence trans LOO suns
the quality of allowing passage of light but not a clear view
Synonyms >> limpidity, transparency
Antonym >> opaqueness; darkness
Because of the translucence of the water, I could see a body but could not tell whose it was.
Derivatives >> translucency, translucent, translucently
transmutation trans myoo TAY shun
a change into something different
Synonyms >> metamorphosis
Antonym >>
The alchemist was interested in the transmutation of iron into gold.
Derivatives >> transmute, transmutability, transmutationist, transmutative
transparent trans PARE unt
quality of being able to be seen through, clear
Synonyms >> limpid, translucent
Antonym >> opaque
Glass is a transparent substance.
Derivatives >> transparently, transparentness, transparency
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116
1494. travail
truh VALE
difficult labor
Antonym >> relaxing diversion
It took years of travail to build this business.
Derivatives >> travails
1495. travesty
TRAV eh stee
any grotesque or debased likeness or imitation
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The outcome of that court ruling was a travesty of justice.
Derivatives >> travesties, travestied, travestying
1496. treachery
TRECH uh ree
violation of faith; betrayal of trust; treason
Synonyms >> disloyalty
Antonym >>
The man's ruthless act of treachery was expected.
Derivatives >> treacheries, treacherous, treacherously, treacherousness
1497. trek
TREK
a journey (usually slow and difficult), to migrate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The men took a short trek through the mountains.
Derivatives >> trekker, trekking
1498. trenchant
TREN chunt
incisive or keen ; caustic, cutting
Synonyms >> sharp, biting, acute
Antonym >> soothing; kind
His trenchant remarks can cut to the core.
Derivatives >> trenchancy, trenchantly
1499. trepidation
trep eh DAY shun
fear, trembling, agitation
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fearlessness
Since I did not have time to study, I have a lot of trepidation about this examination.
Derivatives >> trepidate, trepidant, trepid, trepidly, trepidity
1500. trifling
TRY fling
not significant, frivolous
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> important; significant
Some think that watching MTV is a trifling experience.
Derivatives >> trifle, trifled, trifling, trifles
1501. trite
TRITE
overused, commonplace, hackneyed
Synonyms >> threadbare
Antonym >> unusual
This essay is full of trite phrases; it needs a fresh approach, avoiding phrases so hackneyed and overused.
Derivatives >> triter, tritest, tritely, triteness
1502. trivia
TRIV ee uh
insignificant matters
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> important matters
The English teacher is looking for substance, not trivia, in themes.
Derivatives >> trivial, triviality, trivialization, trivialize, trivally
1503. troupe
TROOP
a company or group--usually theatrical performers
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
A Shakespeare troupe is coming to town to perform Macbeth.
Derivatives >> trouper
1504. trowel
TROU ul
flat bladed hand tool used to work with mortar or to dig holes for plants
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
A bricklayer must have great expertise in using a trowel.
Derivatives >> troweled, troweling, trowels
1505. truncate
TRUNG kate
to shorten by cutting
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to lengthen
If you truncate the board, it will fit into the space you desire.
Derivatives >> truncated, truncately, truncation, truncature
1506. tumultuous
too MUL choo us
marked by disturbance and uproar; raising clatter and commotion
Synonyms >> uproarious, turbulent, violent, boisterous
Antonym >> calm; quiet; peaceful
unquiet
Our class reunion had a tumultuous celebration.
Derivatives >> tumult, tumultuary, tumultuously, tumultuousness
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117
1507. turbulence
TUR byuh luns
wild or disturbing activity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> stillness
There is a lot of turbulence during a hurricane.
Derivatives >> turbulent, turbulation, turbulator, turbulency, turbulently
1508. turgid
TUR jid
swollen
Synonyms >>
The body was turgid from being in the water for so long.
Derivatives >> turgidity, turgidly, turgidness
1509. turpitude
TUR puh tood
depravity
Antonym >> deflated
Antonym >> principles
Our country is seeing a rise in moral turpitude.
Derivatives >> turpitudes
1510. unassailable un uh SALE uh bul
undisputable, not able to be attacked with success
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> disputable
The arguments of the lawyer were unassailable; consequently, he won the case.
Derivatives >> unassailably, unassailableness, unassailed
1511. unctuous
UNGK choo us
characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The unctuous young man was determined to become a monk.
Derivatives >> unctuosity, unctuousness, unctuously
1512. understate
UN dur state
to show restraint or lack of emphasis
Antonym >> to embroider
I believe that you are understating the danger of nuclear energy.
Derivatives >> understated, understatement
undulant
UN juh lunt
moving with or resembling a wavelike motion
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> motionless
Playing golf on an undulant terrain is usually difficult.
Derivatives >> undulance, undulate, undulated, undulating, undulation, undulatory
unequivocal un eh KWIV uh kul
without a doubt, clear
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> doubtful; ambiguous
The President stated in an unequivocal manner, "If nominated, I will run; and if elected, I will serve."
Derivatives >> unequivocally, unequivocalness
unfathomable un FATH um uh bul
not capable of being understood
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> understandable
The solution to the mystery was unfathomable in the beginning.
Derivatives >> unfathomableness, unfathomably, unfathomed
unflappable un FLAP uh bul
not easily upset
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> easily upset
A candidate needs to be unflappable when he meets the press.
Synonyms >>
1513.
1514.
1515.
1516.
Derivatives >>
to deprive the right to be in a profession (usually applies to a priest)
Antonym >> to decorate
The priest was unfrocked as a result of his moral depravity.
Derivatives >> unfrocked
1518. ungainly
un GANE lee
awkward
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> agile
Boys who grow very fast are sometimes ungainly.
Derivatives >>
ungainliness
1519. unimpeachable un im PEE chuh bul
not to be called into question, exempt from liability
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> liable; full of blame
irreproachable, blameless
The man had an unimpeachable reputation and was considered by all to be extremely trustworthy.
Derivatives >> unimpeachableness, unimpeachably, unimpeached
1517. unfrock
un FROK
Synonyms >>
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118
1520. unkempt
un KEMPT
disheveled in appearance
Antonym >> neat
Synonyms >>
When the child came to school unkempt and dirty, I became concerned.
Derivatives >> unkemptly, unkemptness
1521. unnerve
un NURV
to cause to lose composure
Antonym >> to strengthen
I became unnerved when he started talking badly about my mother.
Derivatives >> unnerving, unnerves
unobtrusive un ob TRUE siv
not readily noticeable, inconspicuous
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> noticeable; obvious
He is very unobtrusive sitting over there in the corner.
Derivatives >> unobtrusiveness, unobtrusively
unpalatable un PAL eh tuh bul
distasteful, unpleasant, disagreeable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> agreeable; tasty
The speaker made harshly unpalatable but honest statements.
Derivatives >> unpalatableness, unpalatably
unremitting un reh MIT ing
constant, incessant
Synonyms >> perennial, perpetual
Antonym >> sporadic
I need some medicine for my unremitting headache.
Derivatives >> unremitted, unremittent, unremittedly, unremittingly
unsung
un SUNG
not celebrated in verse or song or otherwise praised
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> celebrated
Wars are full of unsung heroes who give their lives for their country.
Synonyms >>
1522.
1523.
1524.
1525.
Derivatives >>
1526. untenable
Synonyms >>
un TEN uh bul
not able to be defended
Antonym >> defensible
Taking a bribe is an untenable act for a politician.
Derivatives >> untenability, untenableness
1527. unwieldy
un WEEL dee
difficult to manage due to size
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> of manageable size
I was not able to move the unwieldy cabinet by myself.
Derivatives >> unwieldily, unwieldiness, unwieldly
1528. unwitting
un WIT ing
not intentional, without knowledge
Synonyms >>
1529.
1530.
1531.
1532.
Antonym >> conscious
Because her day-to-day routine was so precise and obvious, she was an unwitting tool of the thief.
Derivatives >> unwittingly, unwittingness
upbraid
up BRADE
to scold harshly, to reproach
Synonyms >> berate, rail at, revile, vituperate
Antonym >> to praise
I must upbraid my son for staying out past his curfew.
Derivatives >> upbraided, upbraider, upbraiding, upbraidingly
uproarious
up ROAR ee us
making great noise (not necessarily negative)
Synonyms >> tumultuous
Antonym >> soft, quiet
The Beatles usually played to uproarious crowds.
Derivatives >> uproariously, uproariousness, uproar
upshot
UP shot
outcome, final result
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> initial step
The upshot of the riot is that some are dead, and many are wounded.
Derivatives >> upshots
urban
UR bun
having to do with a city or characteristic of a city
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> rural
Since he has grown up on a farm, I am worried about his attending an urban college.
Derivatives >> urbanism, urbanist, urbanistic, urbanize, urbanization
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119
ur BANE
having a refined manner, suave and elegant
Antonym >> boorish; unrefined
diplomatic, politic
Southern gentlemen and English noblemen are known for their urbane manners.
Derivatives >> urbanely
1534. usurp
yoo SURP
to take possession or authority over something without right
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to acquiesce
The younger son tried to usurp the throne from the rightful heir.
Derivatives >> usurpation, usurpative, usurpatory, usurpature
1535. utility
yoo TIL eh tee
usefulness
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> uselessness
A hammer has much utility to a carpenter.
Derivatives >> utilize, utilizer, utilization
1536. utopian
yoo TOE pee un
having the characteristics of an ideally perfect place
1533. urbane
Synonyms >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Dorothy thought that Oz was a utopian place until she found out that the Wizard was a fake.
Derivatives >> utopianism, utopianist, utopianize, utopia
1537. utter
UT ur
to express by speaking
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to leave unspoken
The teacher told me not to utter another word.
Derivatives >> utters, uttered, uttering, utterance
1538. vacillating
VAS uh lay ting
changing, fluctuating
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> static; stable; not easily changed
I have vacillating opinions concerning my future career.
Derivatives >> vacillate, vacillatingly, vacillation, vacillatory, vacillator
1539. vacuity
va KYOO eh tee
emptiness as in lack of intelligence
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The vacuities of their faces showed that they knew nothing about the subject.
Derivatives >> vacuities
1540. vacuous
VAK yoo us
lacking content; marked by a lack of intelligence
Synonyms >> empty, vacant, void
Antonym >> intelligent
The girl's vacuous statements labeled her as silly and immature.
Derivatives >> vacuously, vacuousness
1541. vagabond
VAG uh bond
one who leads an unsettled, irresponsible or disreputable life
Synonyms >> vagrant, truant, tramp, hobo, bum
Antonym >>
During the winter months the library is often a warm resting place for the vagabond.
Derivatives >> vagabonds, vagabondage, vagabondia
1542. vagrant
VAY grunt
a wanderer who does not have a home
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
There are many vagrants who sleep under freeways in urban areas.
Derivatives >> vagrance, vagrancy, vagrantly
1543. valid
VAL id
well-grounded, justifiable
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
unjustified
I found his reasons valid, and I accepted his statement.
Derivatives >> validate, validation, validatory, validity, validly, validness
1544. validate
VAL eh date
to give official sanction
Synonyms >> authenticate, confirm, corroborate, substantiate Antonym >> to invalidate; to void; to nullify
verifymust be validated by the school board before they are official.
The election results
Derivatives >> validation, validatory, validity, validly
1545. vanguard
VAN gard
the forefront in any movement, field, or activity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
This innovative school is a vanguard in the field of education.
Derivatives >> vanguardism, vanguardist
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120
1546. vanquished
VAN kwishd
conquered, overpowered
Antonym >> submitted
Hitler's armies vanquished Poland with aid from Russia.
Derivatives >> vanquishable, vanquisher, vanquishment
vapid
VAP id
dull, inane, insipid
Synonyms >> banal, flat, jejune
Antonym >> intelligent; interesting
The vapid discussion between the two girls was boring and uninteresting.
Derivatives >> vapidity, vapidly, vapidness
variegated
VAR ee uh gay tid
changed in appearance by using or applying different colors
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> same; alike
The variegated roses were not only beautiful, but were also extremely unusual.
Derivatives >> variegate, variegation, variegator
vehement
VEE uh munt
forcefully expressing emotion or conviction
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> meek
He vehemently denied that he had said those harsh words.
Derivatives >> vehemence, vehemency, vehemently
venal
VEEN ul
capable of being bribed or corrupted
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> honest; upright
Venal politicians are an affront to democracy.
Derivatives >> venality, venally, venalness
venerate
VEN uh rate
to honor, to revere
Synonyms >> adore, worship
Antonym >>
Although I did not always agree with President Kennedy, I venerate his memory.
Derivatives >> veneration, venerational, venerator, venerable, venerability
vent
VENT
to give utterance to
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to repress
He vented his opinions only at the end of the speech.
Derivatives >> vented, venting
venturesome VEN chur sum
being bold and taking risks
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> cautious
Columbus was venturesome in seeking to find India by sailing west.
Derivatives >> venturesomely, venturesomeness, venture
veracity
vuh RAS eh tee
devotion to the truth
Synonyms >> truthfulness, accuracy, correctness
Antonym >>
The lawyer had no confidence in the veracity of the witness.
Derivatives >> veracious, veraciously, veraciousness
verbose
ver BOSE
wordy, very talkative
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> terse
That professor is so verbose that it takes him an hour to cover material that should take fifteen minutes.
Derivatives >> verbosely, verboseness, verbosity
verdant
VUR dunt
fresh and green
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> barren
The verdant golf course was in great shape for the tournament.
Derivatives >> verdancy
verify
VER eh fie
to prove the truth of; to confirm; to substantiate
Synonyms >> authenticate, validate
Antonym >>
You should verify your results before you present them.
Derivatives >> verified, verifying, verifiability, verifiableness, verifiable
versatile
VUR suh til
capable of doing many things; having many uses
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unadaptable
Colleges are seeking versatile students who will be active in many areas of collegiate life.
Derivatives >> versatilely, versatileness, versatility
Synonyms >>
1547.
1548.
1549.
1550.
1551.
1552.
1553.
1554.
1555.
1556.
1557.
1558.
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1559. verve
VERV
energy, enthusiasm
Antonym >> sluggishness
The winning cheerleader squad received special commendations for expressing great verve.
Derivatives >> verves
1560. vestiges
VES tij is
remnants, traces, remains
S ynonyms >>
Synonyms >>
1561.
1562.
1563.
1564.
1565.
1566.
Antonym >>
The archaeologists were looking for vestiges of ancient Egyptian civilizations.
Derivatives >> vestige, vestigial, vestigium
vestigial
veh STIJ ee ul
something in an underdeveloped form
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fully developed
Some animals still have vestigial tails, although they are hardly noticeable.
Derivatives >> vestigially
vexation
vek SAY shun
discomfort or distress
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> pleasantry
The young children were a source of vexation to their nervous, neurotic mother.
Derivatives >> vex, vexatious, vexedly, vexedness, vexingly
viable
VIE uh bul
capable of working, functioning, or developing adequately
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> incapable of development
He is a viable candidate because he has experience and can attract votes.
Derivatives >> viability, viably
vibrant
VIE brunt
full of life
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lifeless
She was a vibrant young woman before she went into a coma.
Derivatives >> vibrance, vibrancy, vibrantly
vicarious
vie KARE ee us
experienced through imagined participation in another's activity
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> firsthand
Many people who watch football experience a vicarious release of aggression.
Derivatives >> vicariate, vicarism, vicariously, vicariousness
vicissitude
veh SIS eh tood
a passing from one thing to another, change of luck
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
One can never get used to life's vicissitudes.
Derivatives >> vicissitudinous
1567. vigilant
VIJ uh lunt
very alert, watchful
unconcerned; inattentive
I have been vigilant in trying to find the thief.
Derivatives >> vigilance, vigilantly, vigilantness, vigil
1568. vignette
vin YET
a short descriptive literary sketch or a short scene from a movie
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
During the sesquicentennial, some television stations presented one-minute vignettes about the state's history.
Derivatives >> vignetter, vignetting, vignettist
1569. vile
VILE
wretchedly bad; highly offensive, unpleasant or objectionable
Synonyms >> repellent, mean, vicious, evil, iniquitous
Antonym >> good, elevated
The politician fell victim to vile slander from his opponent.
Derivatives >> viler, vilest, vilely, vileness
1570. vilify
VIL eh fie
to malign, to defame, to utter abusive statements against
Synonyms >> asperse, calumniate, denigrate, traduce
Antonym >> to praise; to acclaim
It is not right to vilify someone just because he disagrees with you.
Derivatives >> vilification, vilifier, vilifying, vilifyingly
1571. vim
VIM
great vitality and energy
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lethargy
Although he is ninety years old, he still has much vim and vigor.
Derivatives >> vims
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VIN duh kay ted
cleared of accusations or charges
Antonym >> accused
absolved, acquitted, exculpated, exonerated
I am willing to go to trial and believe that I will be vindicated of all charges.
Derivatives >> vindicate, vindication, vindicative, vindicator, vindicatory, vindictive, vindictively, vindictiveness
vindictive
vin DIK tiv
revengeful, spiteful
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> loving; forgiving
You should be more forgiving and less vindictive.
Derivatives >> vindicated, vindication, vindicative, vindicator, vindicatory, vindictive, vindictively, vindictiveness
virtuoso
vur choo OH so
one skilled in the fine arts as an accomplished musician, a savant
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unskilled beginner
Having played with some of the greatest symphonies in the world, he was known as a virtuoso.
Derivatives >> virtuosity
virtuous
VIR choo us
having excellent morals; righteous
Synonyms >> ethical, noble
Antonym >> depraved
One would expect nuns to be very virtuous.
Derivatives >> virtuously, virtuousness, virtue
virulent
VIR yuh lunt
extremely poisonous; hateful
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> harmless
The doctor prescribed a lot of medication to arrest the virulent infection.
Derivatives >> virulence, virulently
visceral
VIS ur ul
dealing with coarse or base emotions; earthly, crude
1572. vindicated
Synonyms >>
1573.
1574.
1575.
1576.
1577.
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
J.D. Salinger often used a visceral writing style in his work.
Derivatives >> viscerally
1578. viscosity
vis KOS eh tee
property of having a high resistance to flow
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Heinz ketchup has a high viscosity.
Derivatives >> viscous
1579. visionary
VIZH uh ner ee
a dreamer; one who is impractical
a practical person
Only a visionary would believe that a perfect society is possible.
Derivatives >> visionariness
1580. vista
VIS tuh
a distant view seen through an opening
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
As he reached the forest, he saw vistas of stone passages leading in many directions.
Derivatives >> vistaed, vistas
1581. vitiated
VISH ee ate id
impaired, corrupted, or made ineffective
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> strengthened
My agreement with him was vitiated when I found that he was stealing assets.
Derivatives >> vitiate, vitiation, vitiator
1582. vitriolic
vi tree OL ik
very caustic and sarcastic
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> kind; harmless
A teacher should avoid vitriolic remarks in the classroom.
Derivatives >>
1583. vituperation
Synonyms >>
vie too puh RAY shun
abusive remarks
Antonym >> praise; commendation
He expressed his contempt with vituperation.
Derivatives >> vituperate, vituperative, vituperator, vituperatory, vituperous
1584. vivacious
vi VAY shus
full of life, very animated
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> sluggish
Game shows are looking for vivacious contestants who are fun to watch and who will liven up the show.
Derivatives >> vivaciously, vivaciousness, vivacity
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VIV id
bright, distinct, and clear
Antonym >> lackluster
graphic
I have vivid memories of my trip to Europe.
Derivatives >> vividly, vividness, vividity, vivific, vivificate, vivification, vivifier, vivify
vivify
VIV uh fie
to make more lively
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to dull; to quiet
The clown began his antics to try to vivify the audience.
Derivatives >> vivid, vividity, vivific, vivificate, vivification
vociferous
voe SIF ur us
clamorous; boisterous (suggests a vehement outcry)
Synonyms >> blatant, obstreperous, strident
Antonym >> quiet; subdued
The rock crowd became vociferous in its anger when it was announced that the show was cancelled.
Derivatives >> vociferator, vociferously, vociferousness
vogue
VOGE
popular fashion
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unfashionable
Miniskirts are in vogue again.
Derivatives >> voguish
volatile
VOL uh til
quickly changeable, easily vaporized
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> static; unchangeable
Because of his volatile temper, one must use caution in dealing with him.
Derivatives >> volatileness, volatility, volatilization, volatilizable, volatize
voluble
VOL yuh bul
ability to use words easily, fluent and glib
Synonyms >> garrulous, loquacious
Antonym >> taciturn
A disc jockey needs to be a voluble speaker.
Derivatives >> volubility, volubleness, volubly
voluminous vuh LOO muh nus
marked by great volume or size
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> slight
There are voluminous writings about most of our presidents.
Derivatives >> voluminosity, voluminously, voluminousness
voluptuous
vuh LUP choo us
pleasurable to the senses, sensuous
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> plain; homely
Bob Hope always took voluptuous women with him when he entertained soldiers overseas.
Derivatives >> voluptuosity, voluptuousness, voluptuate, voluptuously
voracious
voe RAY shus
having a large appetite, ravenous
Synonyms >> gluttonous, rapacious
Antonym >> temperate
Henry the VIII allegedly had a voracious appetite.
Derivatives >> voraciously, voraciousness, voracity
vouchsafe
VOUCH safe
to grant in a condescending manner
S ynonyms >>
Antonym >> to refuse to grant
I can vouchsafe you a large return on your investment.
Derivatives >> vouchsafement
vulgarity
vul GAR eh tee
something offensive to good taste and refinement
Synonyms >> coarseness, grossness, obscenity, ribaldness
Antonym >> refinement
She chose to ignore the vulgarity of his crude remark.
Derivatives >> vulgar, vulgarian, vulgarism, vulgarization, vulgarize, vulgarizer
vulnerable
VUL nur uh bul
susceptible to injury or attack
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> protected
A fighter is vulnerable if he does not keep up his guard.
Derivatives >> vulnerability, vulnerableness, vulnerably
wan
WAHN
very pale and sickly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> full of vitality
I knew that something very serious was wrong by his wan appearance.
Derivatives >> wanned, wanning
1585. vivid
Synonyms >>
1586.
1587.
1588.
1589.
1590.
1591.
1592.
1593.
1594.
1595.
1596.
1597.
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1598. wanderlust
WAHN dur lust
a strong impulse to travel
Synonyms >>
1599.
1600.
1601.
1602.
1603.
1604.
1605.
Antonym >>
The wanderlust inside me was so strong that I could not keep from traveling during the summer.
Derivatives >> wanderlustful
wane
WANE
to decrease in size, degree, or power
Synonyms >> abate, subside, ebb
Antonym >> to grow stronger
The bodybuilder's strength began to wane when he quit lifting weights.
Derivatives >> waned, waning
wanton
WAHN tun
immoral, lewd
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> moral
He had to drop out of the presidential race when his wanton behavior was exposed.
Derivatives >> wantonly, wantonness
warp
WARP
to become bent or twisted
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to straighten
The wood was old and warped by water and wind.
Derivatives >> warped, warpage
warranted
WOR un ted
justified
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> unjustified
The jury felt that the death penalty was warranted because of the heinous nature of the crime.
Derivatives >> warrant, warrantable, warrantableness, warrantably
wary
WARE ee
watchful or on one's guard; cautious; careful
Synonyms >> alert, vigilant, guarded, circumspect, prudent
Antonym >> rash
The speaker was wary of grammatical errors.
Derivatives >> warier, wariest, warily, wariness
waver
WAY vur
to show indecision or to vacillate
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> to stand firm
I have convinced him to waver from his previous decision.
Derivatives >> wavers, wavered, wavering, waveringly, wavery
waylay
WAY lay
to ambush or to attack unexpectedly
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The police tried to waylay the criminal.
Derivatives >> waylaid, waylaying, waylays
1606. wheedle
HWEED ul
to try to convince by flattery, to coax, to cajole
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
She is able to wheedle whatever she desires from the men she dates.
Derivatives >> wheedling, wheedled, wheedles
1607. whelp
HWELP
a young offspring of a mammal
Synonyms >>
We saw the tracks of the mother wolf and two large whelps.
Derivatives >> whelpless
1608. whets
HWETS
stimulates, sharpens
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> parent
Antonym >> stifles; dulls; suppresses
The smell of fresh bread always whets my appetite.
Derivatives >> whet, whetted
1609. whim
HWIM
a sudden and impulsive action
Synonyms >> caprice, crotchet, vagary
Antonym >>
Our trip to Washington was a mere whim.
Derivatives >> whims, whimmed, whimming
1610. willful
WIL ful
unruly, self-willed in an obstinate manner
Synonyms >> intractable, recalcitrant, refractory
Antonym >> obedient
The teacher did not like his willful behavior of violating class rules.
Derivatives >> wilful, willfully, wilfully, willfulness, wilfulness
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1611. wily
WILE ee
cunning, crafty
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
"Wily as a fox" is an expression that means a person is very crafty at some activity.
Derivatives >> wile, wiled, wiling, wilier, wiliest
1612. winnow
WIN oh
to separate or to distinguish (valuable from worthless parts)
Synonyms >>
Antonym >>
The lawyer tried to winnow falsehood from truth.
Derivatives >> winnowed, winnowing, winnower
1613. winsome
WIN sum
winning, engaging, or charming
Antonym >> repugnant; rude
Synonyms >>
The young lady had a winsome smile that won her many friends.
Derivatives >> winsomely, winsomeness
1614. wispy
WIS pee
small in amount, fragile, or slight
Antonym >> substantial
A baby hummingbird is a wispy little creature.
Derivatives >> wispily, wispiness, wispish, wisps
wistful
WIST ful
having unfulfilled longing or yearning
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> fulfilled; realistic
It is a wistful dream for her to think that she can go to Hollywood and become a star.
Derivatives >> wistfulness, wistfully
witticism
WIT eh siz um
a clever and witty remark
Synonyms >> pun
Antonym >> platitude
The speaker's witticism will be remembered long after he is gone.
Derivatives >> witty
woe
WOE
great sorrow, grief, or misfortune
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> happiness
The woe she suffered at his death continued through months of depression.
Derivatives >> woes, woebegone, woeful, woebegoneness, woefully, woefulness
wooden
WOOD un
stiff, clumsy
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> graceful
The dancer's wooden movements quickly eliminated her from the troupe.
Synonyms >>
1615.
1616.
1617.
1618.
Derivatives >>
1619. workaday
Synonyms >>
WUR kuh day
ordinary, commonplace
Antonym >> extraordinary
Because the novelist included workaday settings in her book, she was able to appeal to the ordinary man.
Derivatives >>
YOKE
to fit or to join with a harness; to connect or to join together
Antonym >> to uncouple
couple
Our mule does not like it when we yoke it to the harness.
Derivatives >> yoked, yoking, yokeless
1621. zany
ZAY nee
comical and outlandish
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> solemn
The zany clown made the children laugh.
Derivatives >> zanies, zanyism
1622. zeal
ZEEL
enthusiasm, fervor
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> lack of enthusiasm
To the delight of his students, he brought great zeal to the teaching profession.
Derivatives >> zeals, zealless, zealot, zealotic, zealotism, zealotry
1623. zealot
ZEL ot
one who embraces a cause and supports it with vigor
Synonyms >> enthusiast
Antonym >> one without enthusiasm or passion
The man was known as a religious zealot, as he never stopped trying to convert others to his beliefs.
Derivatives >> zealotic, zealotism, zealotry, zealous, zealously
1620. yoke (verb)
Synonyms >>
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1624. zenith
Synonyms >>
ZEE nith
the highest point overhead, peak
Antonym >> lowest point
With that award-winning film, she reached the zenith of her career.
Derivatives >> zeniths, zenithal
1625. zephyr
ZEF ur
a gentle breeze, the west wind
Synonyms >>
Antonym >> tornado
The girl's long hair gently rose and fell at the hand of the zephyr.
Derivatives >> zephyrs, zephryous
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