Vocab

Assuage

To make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench. Synonyms: alleviate, mitigate. Antonyms: intensify, aggravate.

Coalition

A combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose. Synonyms: alliance, union. Antonyms: disunion.

Elicit

To draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person). Synonyms: evoke, extract. Antonyms: suppress.

Hackneyed

Used so often as to lack freshness or originality. Synonyms: stale, trite. Antonyms: fresh, novel.

Innuendo

A hint, indirect suggestion or reference (often in a derogatory sense). Synonyms: insinuation, implication. Antonyms: direct statement.

Intercede

To plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement. Synonyms: mediate, intervene. Antonyms: ignore.

Jaded

Wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence). Synonyms: bored, weary. Antonyms: fresh, unspoiled.

Petulant

Peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset. Synonyms: irritable, sulky. Antonyms: amiable, good-natured.

Transcend

To rise above or beyond, exceed. Synonyms: surpass, outstrip. Antonyms: fall behind.

Unctuous

Excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety. Synonyms: ingratiating, oily. Antonyms: blunt, gruff.

Ameliorate

To improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming. Synonyms: enhance, better. Antonyms: worsen.

Aplomb

Poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity. Synonyms: composure, self-assurance. Antonyms: embarrassment.

Bombastic

Pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas. Synonyms: inflated, grandiloquent. Antonyms: straightforward, unadorned.

Callow

Without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise. Synonyms: inexperienced, juvenile. Antonyms: mature.

Drivel

Foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense. Synonyms: babble, nonsense. Antonyms: sense.

Ingratiate

To make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others. Synonyms: flatter, attract. Antonyms: alienate.

Interloper

One who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder. Synonyms: trespasser, outsider. Antonyms: insider.

Intrinsic

Belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent. Synonyms: inherent, innate. Antonyms: extrinsic.

Lassitude

Weariness of body or mind, lack of energy. Synonyms: fatigue, lethargy. Antonyms: energy.

Surmise

To think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess. Synonyms: conjecture, guess. Antonyms: prove.

Circuitous

Roundabout, not direct. Synonyms: indirect, winding. Antonyms: direct.

Commiserate

To sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress. Synonyms: empathize, pity. Antonyms: ignore.

Nominal

Existing in name only; not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously. Synonyms: insignificant, trivial. Antonyms: significant.

Peculate

To steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use. Synonyms: embezzle, misappropriate. Antonyms: return.

Proclivity

A natural or habitual inclination or tendency. Synonyms: inclination, propensity. Antonyms: aversion.

Sangfroid

Composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances. Synonyms: composure, poise. Antonyms: agitation.

Seditious

Resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government. Synonyms: rebellious, insurrectionary. Antonyms: loyal.

Tenuous

Thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance. Synonyms: flimsy, weak. Antonyms: strong.

Vitriolic

Bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid). Synonyms: acrid, scathing. Antonyms: bland.

Wheedle

To use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end. Synonyms: coax, cajole. Antonyms: bully.

Aggrandize

To increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to build up or intensify. Synonyms: enhance, elevate. Antonyms: diminish.

Amorphous

Shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character. Synonyms: vague, nebulous. Antonyms: distinct.

Aura

That which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality. Synonyms: atmosphere, vibe. Antonyms: void.

Erudite

Scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic. Synonyms: knowledgeable, educated. Antonyms: ignorant.

Gossamer

Thin, light, delicate, insubstantial. Synonyms: flimsy, ethereal. Antonyms: dense.

Insular

Relating to, characteristic of, or situated on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience. Synonyms: narrow-minded, provincial. Antonyms: open-minded.

Propensity

A natural inclination or predilection toward. Synonyms: tendency, inclination. Antonyms: disinclination.

Resilient

Able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly. Synonyms: strong, tough. Antonyms: weak.

Scurrilous

Coarsely abusive, vulgar or low (especially in language). Synonyms: slanderous, defamatory. Antonyms: respectful.

Sedulous

Persistent, showing industry and determination. Synonyms: diligent, industrious. Antonyms: lazy.

Autonomy

Self-government, political control. Synonyms: independence, self-rule. Antonyms: dependence.

Equitable

Fair, just, embodying principles of justice. Synonyms: fair, impartial. Antonyms: unjust.

Flout

To mock, treat with contempt. Synonyms: scorn, disdain. Antonyms: honor.

Salutary

Beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome. Synonyms: advantageous, beneficial. Antonyms: harmful.

Scathing

Bitterly severe, withering; causing great harm. Synonyms: harsh, severe. Antonyms: gentle.

Sepulchral

Funereal, typical of the tomb; extremely gloomy or dismal. Synonyms: gloomy, mournful. Antonyms: cheerful.

Soporific

Tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness or lethargy. Synonyms: sleep-inducing, drowsy. Antonyms: stimulating.

Transient

Lasting only a short time, fleeting; one who stays only a short time. Synonyms: temporary, fleeting. Antonyms: permanent.

Unwieldy

Not easily carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity. Synonyms: cumbersome, awkward. Antonyms: manageable.

Vapid

Dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force. Synonyms: uninspired, boring. Antonyms: exciting.

Brusque

Abrupt, blunt, with no formalities. Synonyms: curt, terse. Antonyms: gracious.

Cajole

To coax, persuade through flattery or artifice. Synonyms: coax, persuade. Antonyms: dissuade.

Castigate

To punish severely; to criticize severely. Synonyms: chastise, reprimand. Antonyms: praise.

Contrive

To plan with ingenuity; to bring about through a plan. Synonyms: devise, concoct. Antonyms: abandon.

Ennui

Weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom. Synonyms: boredom, tedium. Antonyms: excitement.

Fetter

A chain or shackle placed on the feet; anything that confines or restrains. Synonyms: restraint, shackles. Antonyms: freedom.

Immutable

Not subject to change, constant. Synonyms: unchangeable, enduring. Antonyms: changeable.

Insurgent

One who rebels or rises against authority. Synonyms: rebel, revolutionary. Antonyms: loyalist.

Megalomania

A delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality. Synonyms: delusions of grandeur, self-importance. Antonyms: humility.

Surreptitious

Stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation. Synonyms: clandestine, covert. Antonyms: open.

Cadaverous

Severe or stern in manner; without adornment or luxury. Synonyms: gaunt, emaciated. Antonyms: robust.

Concoct

To prepare by combining ingredients, make up (as a dish); to devise, invent, fabricate. Synonyms: devise, create. Antonyms: destroy.

Desecrate

To commit sacrilege upon, treat irreverently; to contaminate, pollute. Synonyms: violate, profane. Antonyms: sanctify.

Disconcert

To confuse; to disturb the composure of. Synonyms: disconcert, unsettle. Antonyms: reassure.

Grandiose

Grand in an impressive or stately way; marked by pompous affectation or grandeur. Synonyms: extravagant, ostentatious. Antonyms: modest.

Pillage

To rob of goods by open force (as in war), plunder. Synonyms: loot, sack. Antonyms: give.

Punctilious

Very careful and exact, attentive to fine points of etiquette or propriety. Synonyms: meticulous, careful. Antonyms: careless.

Redoubtable

Inspiring fear or awe; illustrious, eminent. Synonyms: formidable, awesome. Antonyms: unremarkable.

Restitution

The act of restoring someone or something to its rightful owner or position. Synonyms: restoration, recompense. Antonyms: confiscation.

Stalwart

Strong and sturdy; brave; resolute. Synonyms: sturdy, brave. Antonyms: weak.

Acrimonious

Stinging, bitter in temper or tone. Synonyms: bitter, caustic. Antonyms: pleasant.

Bovine

Resembling a cow or ox; sluggish, unresponsive. Synonyms: dull, stolid. Antonyms: lively.

Consternation

Dismay, confusion. Synonyms: dismay, bewilderment. Antonyms: composure.

Corpulent

Fat; having a large, bulky body. Synonyms: overweight, portly. Antonyms: slender.

Expurgate

To remove objectionable passages or words from a written text. Synonyms: censor, sanitize. Antonyms: include.

Gauntlet

An armored or protective glove; a challenge to combat. Synonyms: challenge, ordeal. Antonyms: none.

Hypothetical

Based on an assumption or guess; used as a tentative idea to direct investigation. Synonyms: imagined, conjectural. Antonyms: real.

Ignoble

Mean, low, base. Synonyms: dishonorable, lowly. Antonyms: noble.

Odium

Hatred, contempt; disgrace or infamy resulting from hateful conduct. Synonyms: hatred, contempt. Antonyms: love.

Subservient

Subordinate in capacity or role; submissively obedient. Synonyms: submissive, obedient. Antonyms: dominant.