definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, antonyms
affable
(adj.) courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to
synonyms: genial, amicable, cordial
antonyms: surly, cantankerous, dour, inhospitable
aggrandize
(v.) to increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear greater
synonyms: augment, amplify, enhance, exalt
antonyms: reduce, decrease, diminish
amorphous
(adj.) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion
synonyms: formless, unstructured, inchoate
antonyms: definite, well-defined, clar-cut
archetype
(n.) an original model on which something was patterned or replicated; the ideal example of a particular type of person or thing
synonyms: model, prototype, epitome
aura
(n.) that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality
synonyms: ambience, atmosphere
contraband
(n.) illegal traffic, smuggled goods; (adj.) illegal, prohibited
synonyms: (adj.) bootleg, unlawful
antonyms: (adj.) legal, lawful, licit
erudite
(adj.) scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic
synonyms: profoundly educated, well-read
antonyms: ignorant, uneducated, illiterate
gossamer
(adj.) thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; (n.) a very thin, light cloth
synonyms: (adj.) flimsy, diaphanous, sheer, airy, feathery, gauzy
antonyms: (adj.) dense, solid, massive
inscrutable
(adj.) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically
synonyms: impenetrable, incomprehensible, enigmatic
antonyms: comprehensible, intelligible, penetrable
insular
(adj.) relating to, characteristic of, or situated on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience
synonyms: narrow-minded, parochial, provincial
antonyms: catholic, cosmopolitan, liberal
irrevocable
(adj.) incapable of being changed or called back
synonyms: unrecallable, unalterable
antonyms: reversible, changeable
propensity
(n.) a natural inclination or prediction toward
synonyms: natural bent, proclivity, penchant
antonyms: natural incapacity or inability
querulous
(adj.) peevish, complaining, fretful
synonyms: petulant, irritable
antonyms: uncomplaining, stoical
remonstrate
(v.) to argue with someone against something; protest against
synonyms: reason against, expostulate
repudiate
(v.) to disown, reject, or deny the validity of
synonyms: disavow, renounce
antonyms: avow, affirm, aver
resilient
(adj.) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly
synonyms: springy, elastic
antonyms: rigid, stiff, inflexible
reverberate
(v.) to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly
synonyms: rumble, thunder, boom, echo
scurrilous
(adj.) coarsely abusive, vulgar or low (especially in language), foul-mouthed
synonyms: obscene, filthy, abusive, vituperative
antonyms: decorous, seemly, tasteful, dignified
sedulous
(adj.) persistent, showing industry and determination
synonyms: assiduous, indefatigable
antonyms: indolent, listless
sleazy
(adj.) thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean, or disreputable
synonyms: inferior, cheesy
antonyms: superior, first-rate