anomalous
(adj.) abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual S: exceptional, atypical, unusual, aberrant A: normal, regular, customary, typical, ordinary
aspersion
(n.) a damaging or derogatory statement, the act of slandering or defaming S: innuendo, calumny, denigration A: endorsement, testimonial, praise
bizarre
(adj.) extremely strange, unusual, atypical S: grotesque, fantastic, outlandish A: normal, typical, ordinary, expected
brusque
(adj.) abrupt, blunt, with no formalities S: curt, tactless, ungracious, gruff, rough A: gracious, tactful, courteous, diplomatic
cajole
(v.) to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice, to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises S: wheedle, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk A: coerce, force, strong-arm
castigate
(v.) to punish severely, to criticize severely S: chastise, rebuke, censure, upbraid A: reward, honor, praise, laud
contrive
(v.) to plan with ingenuity, invent, to bring about as the result of a scheme or plan S: think up, devise, concoct, fabricate
demagogue
(n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power S: rabble-rouser, firebrand
disabuse
(v.) to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking S: undeceive, enlighten, set straight A: deceive, delude, pull wool over one's eyes
ennui
(n.) weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom S: languor, world-weariness, listlessness A: enthusiasm, liveliness, excitement, intensity
fetter
(n.) a chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural) anything that confines or restrains; (v.) to chain or shackle, to render helpless or important S: (n.) bond, restraint; (v.) blind, hamper A: (v.) free, liberate, emancipate
heinous
(adj.) very wicked, offensive, hateful S: evil, odious, abominable, outrageous A: excellent, wonderful, splendid
immutable
(adj.) not subject to change, constant S: unchangeable, unalterable, fixed, invariable A: changeable, inconstant, variable, fickle
insurgent
(n.) one who rebels or rises against authority; (adj.) rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority, surging or rushing in or on S: (adj.) revolutionary, rebellious, mutinous A: (adj.) loyalist, loyal, faithful
megalomania
(n.) a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc. far in excess of reality S: delusion or grandeur A: humility, modesty, self-abasement
sinecure
(n.) a position requiring little or no work, an easy job S: "no show" job, cushy job, "plum"
surreptitious
(adj.) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation, made or accomplished by fraud S: furtive, covert, clandestine, concealed A: open, frank, aboveboard, overt
transgress
(v.) to go beyond a limit or boundary, to sin, violate a law S: overstep, exceed, trespass, err A: obey, toe the line
transmute
(v.) to change from one nature, substance, or form to another S: transform, convert, translate, metamorphose A: maintain unchanged, preserve
vicarious
(adj. performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another S: surrogate, substitute, imagined, secondhand A: real, actual, firsthand
Studied by 28 People