ameliorate
(v.) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming
Synonyms: amend, better Antonyms: worsen, aggravate, exacerbate
aplomb
(n.) poise, assurance, great confidence; perpendicularity
Synonyms: composure, self-possession, levelheadedness Antonyms: confusion, embarrassment, abashment
bombastic
(adj.) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas
Synonyms: inflated, highfalutin, pretentious Antonyms: unadorned, simple, plain
callow
(adj.) without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers
Synonyms: green, raw, unfledged, inexperienced Antonyms: mature, grown-up, polished, sophisticated
drivel
(n.) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; (v.) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly
Synonyms: (n.) balderdash, tommyrot; (v) slaver
epitome
(n.) a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality
Synonyms: abstract, digest, archetype
exhort
(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly
Synonyms: entreat, implore, adjure Antonyms: discourage, advise against, deprecate
ex officio
(adj., adv.) by virtue of holding a certain office
infringe
(v.) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds
Synonyms: encroach, impinge, intrude Antonyms: stay in bounds, comply
ingratiate
(v.) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense)
Synonyms: cozy up to, curry favor with Antonyms: humiliate oneself
interloper
(n.) one who moves where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder
Synonyms: trespasser, meddler, buttinsky
intrinsic
(adj.) belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part
Synonyms: immanent, organic Antonyms: extrinsic, external, outward
inveigh
(v.) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval
Synonyms: harangue, remonstrate Antonyms: acclaim, glorify, extol
lassitude
(n.) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy
Synonyms: fatigue, lethargy, torpor, languor Antonyms: energy, vitality, animation, liveliness
millennium
(n.) a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy
Synonyms: chiliad, golden age Antonyms: doomsday
occult
(adj.) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; (v.) to hide, conceal; eclipse; (n.) matters involving the supernatural
Synonyms: (adj.) esoteric, abstruse, arcane Antonyms: (adj.) mundane, common, public, exoteric
permeate
(v.) to spread through, penetrate, soak through
precipitate
(v.) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct form to; (adj.) characterized by excessive haste; (n.) moisture; the product of an action or process
Synonyms: (v.) provoke, produce; (adj.) reckless, impetuous Antonyms: (adj.) wary, circumspect
stringent
(adj.) strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste
Synonyms: stern, rigorous, tough, urgent Antonyms: lenient, mild, lax, permissive
surmise
(v.) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (n.) likely idea that lacks definite proof
Synonyms: (v.) infer, gather; (n.) inference, presumption