abate
(v.) to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit
Synonyms: diminish, decrease, subside, let up Antonyms: intensify, increase, magnify, wax
adulation
(n) praise or flattery that is excessive
Synonyms: adoration, idolization, hero-worship Antonyms: ridicule, derision, odium
anathema
(n.) an object of intense dislike; a curse or stong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article)
Synonyms: abomination, imprecation, malediction Antonyms: benediction, blessing
astute
(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom'
Synonyms: shrewd, acute, sagacious, judicious, wily Antonyms: Obtuse, doltish, empty-headed, dumb
avarice
(n.) a greedy desire, particularly for wealth
Synonyms: cupidity, rapacity, acquisitiveness
culpable
(adj.) deserving blame, worthy of condemnation
Synonyms : guilty, delinquent, peccant, blameworthy Antonyms: blameless, innocent, laudable, meritorious
dilatory
(adj.) tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt; intended to delay or postpone
Synonyms: stalling, slow, tardy, laggard Antonyms:prompt, punctual, speedy, expeditious
egregious
(adj) conspicuous, standing out from the mass (used particularly in an unfavorable sense)
Synonyms: glaring, flagrant, blatant Antonyms: unnoticeable, paltry, piddling
equivocate
(v.) to speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation, to be deliberately vague or ambiguous
Synonyms: to speak out of both sides of one's mouth, palter, hedge Antonyms: to speak one's mind plainly
evanescent
(adj.) vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy
Synonyms: ephemeral, transient, transitory Antonyms: everlasting, immortal, imperishable
irresolute
(adj.) unable to make up one's mind; hesitating
Synonyms: indecisive, vacillating, wavering Antonyms: determined, decisive, unwavering
nebulous
(adj.) cloudlike, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color, not transparent; vague, confused, indistinct
Synonyms: hazy, fuzzy, cloudy, vague, murky, opaque, indeterminate Antonyms: definite, distinct, clear, sharply focused
novice
(n.) one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience (also used adjectivally)
Synonyms: neophyte, tyro, trainee, apprentice Antonyms: veteran, past paster, pro, expert
penury
(n.) extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency
Synonyms: destitution, want, indigence Antonyms: alluence, luxury
pretentious
(adj.) done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on one's skill or abilities, ambitious
Synonyms: inflated, ostentatious Antonyms: unaffected, modest
recapitulate
(v.) to review a series of facts; to sum up
Synonyms: review, summarize, sum up, go over
resuscitate
(v.) to revive, bring back to consciousness or existence
syn: revitalize, reanimate, restore, reactivate
slovenly
(adj.) untidy, dirty, careless
Synonyms: unkempt, slatternly, slipshod, lax Antonyms: neat, meticulous
supposition
(n.) something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence
Synonyms: assumption, presumption, hypothesis
torpid
(adj.) inactive, sluggish, dull
Synonyms: sluggish, lethargic, otiose, languid Antonyms: energetic, vigorous