Vocab

Assuage

(v.) to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench

Synonyms: mitigate, slake, allay
Antonyms: intensify, aggravate, exacerbate

Coalition

(n.) a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

Synonyms: alliance, league, federation, combine
Antonyms: splinter group

Elicit

(v.) to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)

Synonyms: evoke, extract, educe
Antonyms: repress, quash, squelch, stifle

Hackneyed

(adj.) used so often as to lack freshness or originality

Synonyms: banal, trite, commonplace, corny Antonyms: new, fresh, novel, original

Innuendo

(n.) a hint, indirect suggestion or reference (often in a derogatory sense)

Synonyms: insinuation, intimation
Antonym: direct statement

Intercede

(v.) to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement

Synonyms: intervene, mediate

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Jaded

(adj.) wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)

Synonyms: sated, surfeited, cloyed Antonyms: unspoiled, uncloyed

Petulant

(adj.) peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset

Synonyms: irritable, testy, waspish
Antonyms: amiable, placid

Transcend

(v.) to rise above or beyond, exceed

Synonyms: surpass, outstrip

Unctuous

(adj.) excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable

Synonyms: mealymouthed, fawning, greasy
Antonyms: gruff, blunt

Ameliorate

(v.) To improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming.

Synonyms: Amend, Better
Antonyms: Worsen, Aggravate, Exacerbate

Aplomb

(n.) Poise, assurance, great self-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, High-Flown, Pretentious
Antonyms: Unadorned, Simple Plain, Austere

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; nonsense. (v.) To let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly.

Synonyms: (n.) Balderdash, Hogwash, Tommyrot; (v.) Slaver

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: Alienate, Humiliate Oneself, Mortify Oneself.

Interloper

(n.) One who moves in 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

Lassitude

(n.) Weariness of body or mind, lack of energy.

Synonyms: Fatigue, Lethargy, Torpor, Languor
Antonyms: Energy, Vitality, Animation, Liveliness

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

Circuitous

(adj.) Roundabout, not direct.

Synonyms: Indirect, Meandering, Winding
Antonyms: Straight, Direct, As The Crow Flies

Commiserate

(v.) To sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress.

Synonyms: Feel Sorry For, Empathize
Antonyms: Feel No Sympathy For

Nominal

(adj.) Existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously.

Synonyms: Titular, Token, Trifling, Inconsequential
Antonyms: Real, Actual, Exorbitant, Excessive

Peculate

(v.) To steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use.

Synonyms: Embezzle, Defraud, Misappropriate

Proclivity

(n.) A natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior).

Synonyms: Natural Bent, Penchant, Propensity
Antonyms: Inability or Incapacity

Sangfroid

(n.) Composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances.

Synonyms: Poise, Self-Assurance, Equanimity
Antonyms: Excitability, Hysteria, Flappability

Seditious

(adj.) Resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government.

Synonyms: Mutinous, Rebellious, Subversive
Antonyms: Supportive, Loyal, Faithful, Allegiant

Tenuous

(adj.) Thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported.

Synonyms: Flimsy, Insubstantial, Vague, Hazy
Antonyms: Strong, Solid, Substantial, Valid

Vitriolic

(adj.) Bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid).

Synonyms: Withering, Acerbic, Mordant
Antonyms: Bland, Saccharine, Honeyed, Sugary

Wheedle

(v.) To use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end.

Synonyms: Cajole, Inveigle, Soft-Soap, Sweet-Talk
Antonyms: Coerce, Browbeat, Intimidate, Strong-Arm

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

Aura

(n.) that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality

SYNONYMS: ambience, atmosphere

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.) filmy, diaphanous, sheer, airy, feathery, gauzy
ANTONYMS: (adj.) dense, solid, massive

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

Propensity

(n.) a natural inclination or predilection toward

SYNONYMS: natural bent, proclivity, penchant
ANTONYMS: natural incapacity or inability

Resilient

adj.) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly
SYNONYMS: springy, elastic
ANTONYMS: rigid, stiff, inflexable

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

Autonomy

(n.) self-government, political control

SYNONYM: home rule
ANTONYMS: dependence, subjection

Equitable

(adj.) fair, just, embodying principles of justice

SYNONYMS: right, reasonable, evenhanded
ANTONYMS: unjust, unfair, one-sided, disproportionate

Flout

(v.) to mock, treat with contempt

SYNONYMS: sneer at, snicker at, scorn
ANTONYMS: obey, honor

Salutary

(adj.) beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome

SYNONYMS: salubrious, curative
ANTONYMS: detrimental, deleterious

Scathing

(adj.) bitterly severe, withering; causing great harm

SYNONYMS: searing, harsh, savage
ANTONYMS: bland, mild

Sepulchral

(adj.) funereal, typical of the tomb; extremely gloomy or dismal

SYNONYMS: lugubrious, mortuary

Soporific

(adj.) tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness or lethargy; (n.) something that induces sleep

SYNONYMS: (n.) narcotic, anesthetic
ANTONYMS: (adj.) stimulating; (n.) stimulant, stimulus

Transient

(adj.) lasting only a short time, fleeting; (n.) one who stays only a short time

SYNONYMS: (adj.) impermanent, ephemeral, evanescent
ANTONYMS: (adj.) permanent, imperishable, immortal

Unwieldy

(adj.) not easily carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity

SYNONYMS: bulky, clumsy, impractical
ANTONYMS: manageable, easy to handle

Vapid

(adj.) dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force

SYNONYMS: lifeless, colorless
ANTONYMS: zesty, spicy, colorful

Brusque

(adj.) abrupt, blunt, with no formalities


synonyms: tactless, ungracious
antonyms: tactful, diplomatic

Cajole

(v.) to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises

synonyms: wheedle, inveigle
antonyms: coerce, force

Castigate

(v.) to punish severely; to criticize severely

synonyms: chastise, censure antonyms: honor, praise, laud

Contrive

(v.) to plan with ingenuity; to bring about through a plan

synonyms: think up, concoct, fabricate

Ennui

(n.) weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom

synonyms: languor, world-weariness, listlessness
antonyms: 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 impotent synonyms:
(n) bond, restraint;
(v) bind, hamper antonyms:
(v) free, liberate, emancipate

Immutable

(adj.) not subject to change, constant

synonyms: unchangeable, unalterable, fixed, invariable
antonyms: 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

synonyms: (adj) revolutionary, rebellious, mutinous
antonyms: (adj) loyalist, loyal, faithful

Megalomania

(n.) a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality

synonyms: delusions of grandeur
antonyms: modesty, self-abasement

Surreptitious

(adj.) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud

synonyms: furtive, covert, clandestine, concealed
antonyms: open, frank, aboveboard, overt

Cadaverous

(adj.) severe or stern in manner; without adornment or luxury, simple, plain; harsh or sour in flavor

SYNONYMS: forbidding, rigorous, puritanical, ascetic, unadorned
ANTONYMS: mild, indulgent, luxurious, flamboyant

Concoct

(v.) to prepare by combining ingredients, make up (as a dish); to devise, invent, fabricate

SYNONYMS: create, fashion, rustle up

Desecrate

(v.) to commit sacrilege upon, treat irreverently; to contaminate, pollute
SYNONYMS: profane, defile, violate
ANTONYMS: revere, venerate, consecrate

Disconcert

(v.) to confuse; to disturb the composure of

SYNONYMS: upset, rattle, ruffle, faze
ANTONYMS: relax, calm, put at ease

Grandiose

(adj.) grand in an impressive or stately way; marked by pompous affectation or grandeur, absurdly exaggerated

SYNONYMS: majestic, bombastic, highfalutin
ANTONYMS: simple, modest, humble

Pillage

(v.) to rob of goods by open force (as in war), plunder; (n.) the act of looting; booty

SYNONYMS: (v.) ravage, sack, loot; (n.) booty

Punctilious

(adj.) very careful and exact, attentive to fine points of etiquette or propriety

SYNONYMS: precise, scrupulous
ANTONYMS: careless, perfunctory

Redoubtable

(adj.) inspiring fear or awe; illustrious, eminent

SYNONYMS: formidable, august
ANTONYMS: laughable, risible

Restitution

(n.) the act of restoring someone or something to the rightful owner or to a former state or position; making good on a loss or damage

SYNONYMS: reimbursement, redress, restoration

Stalwart

(adj.) strong and sturdy; brave; resolute; (n.) a brave, strong person; a strong supporter; one who takes an uncompromising position

SYNONYMS: (adj.) sturdy, stout, intrepid, valiant; (n.) mainstay
ANTONYMS: (adj.) weak, infirm, irresolute, vacillating

Acrimonious

(adj.) Stinging, bitter in temper or tone

S: biting, caustic, rancorous, hostile, peevish
A: gentle, warm, mild, friendly, cordial

Bovine

(adj.) Resembling a cow or ox; sluggish, unresponsive

S: stolid, dull, slow, stupid
A: alert, sharp, bright, keen, quick

Consternation

(n.) Dismay, confusion

S: shock, amazement, bewilderment, dismay
A: calm, composure, aplomb

Corpulent

(adj.) Fat; having a large, bulky body

S: overweight, heavy, obese, stout, portly
A: slender, lean, spare, gaunt, emaciated

Expurgate

(v.) To remove objectionable passages or words from a written text; to cleanse, clarify

S: purge, censor, bowdlerize

Gauntlet

(n.) An armored or protective glove; a challenge to combat

S: dare, provocation, trial, punishment

Hypothetical

(adj.) Based on an assumption or guess; used as a tentative idea to direct an investigate

S: assumed, supposed, conjectural, conditional
A: actual, real, tested, substantiated

Ignoble

(adj.) Mean, low, base

S: inferior, unworthy, dishonorable, sordid
A: admirable, praiseworthy, lofty, noble

Odium

(n.) Hatred, contempt; disgrace or infamy resulting from hateful conduct

S:a bhorrence, opprobrium, shame, ignominy
A: esteem, admiration, approbation

Subservient

(adj.) Subordinate in capacity or role; serving to promote some end; submissively obedient, serving to promote some end

S: secondary, servile, obsequious, useful
A: primary, principal, bossy, domineering