Hello Friends, here i am sharing top 500 vocabulary words with their meanings, explanation, synonyms, antonyms . These 500 Vocabulary words are most frequently asked in many competitive examination such as IBPS PO / Clerk, Bank PO / Clerk, Railway / RRB NTPC, SSC, PSC, Police & etc. Here you can download complete pdf file of these 500 vocabulary words.
Most Important 500 Vocabulary Words, Their Meanings, Synonyms & Antonyms
ABANDON
To give up completely - abandoned the sinking ship.
Synonyms: relinquish, forgo, forsake
ABASH
To lose self-confidence; to confuse, put to shame – abashed
before the assembled dignitaries. Synonyms: fluster, disconcert,
discomfit, discompose. Antonym: (adj.) self-possessed
ABDICATE
To give up claim to - abdicated the throne. Synonyms:
renounce, abandon, relinquish
ABET
To encourage -or support - treacherously abetted the enemy.
Synonyms: spur, incite. Antonym: deter
ABRIDGE
To shorten - abridged his lengthy speech. Synonyms: curtail,
diminish, retrench. Antonyms: protract, elongate, amplify
ABROGATE
To abolish or render void - a treaty abrogated by mutual
consent. Synonyms: annul, nullify, rescind, void.
ABSTEMIOUS
Moderate in the use of food or drink - abstemious in his
habits. Synonym: temperate
ACADEMIC
Pertaining to school; theoretical academic interests; an
academic discussion, with no practical implications. Synonym: scholastic
ACCEDE
To agree to - accede to a request. Synonym: assent.
Antonym: demur
ACCELERATE
To quicken, speed tip - took an accelerated course in
order to graduate early. Synonym: expedite (adj. expeditious).
Antonym: retard.
ACCOLADE
An award or salute - a tremendous accolade for a returning
hero. Synonyms: tribute, ovation
ACCORD
Agreement or harmony - in full accord with his view.
Synonyms: concord, concurrence. Antonyms: dissension, discord
ACRIMONIOUS
Sharp or harsh in language or temper - stung by the
acrimonious remark. Synonyms: caustic, acerb, pungent, tart, mordant,
acrid; (noun) asperity. Antonyms: suave, affable,
ACUMEN
Keenness of mind or insight - showing exceptional business
acumen. Synonyms: perspicacity, discernment, perception. Antonym:
obtuseness.
ADMONISH (noun: ADMONITION)
To warn or find fault gently -
admonishing the unruly child. Synonyms: chide, caution, reprimand,
reprehend, reproach.
ADVERSARY
(adj.: ADVERSE): An opponent - his adversary in a bitter
debate. Synonym: antagonist. Antonyms: cohort, confederate, ally,
accomplice.
ADVERSITY
Misfortune - calm in the face of adversity. Synonyms:
affliction, mischance, reverses.
AESTHETIC
Pertaining to the beautiful - interested in aesthetic values
rather than in purely practical affairs.
AFFABLE
Sociable, courteous, and agreeable in manner a much
admired, affable gentleman. Synonyms: civil, complaisant, benign,
gracious, genial, urbane, cordial. Antonyms: curt, brusque, rude,
boorish, surly.
AFFLUENT
Prosperous, flourishing; copious - a large bequest from an
affluent grandfather. Synonyms: opulent, profuse. Antonyms: destitute,
impecunious.
AGGRESSIVE
self-assertive; attacking, offensive - annoyed people by his aggressive
attitude. Synonyms: bumptious, officious, obtrusive. Antonyms: meek,
humble, retiring, diffident.
ALACRITY
Eagerness; cheerful promptness - responded to the flattering
offer with alacrity. Synonyms: celerity, briskness, energy, animation.
Antonyms: apathy, nonchalance, sluggishness, lethargy, phlegmatic.
ALIENATE
To estrange - alternated by his gruff manner.
ALLAY
To calm; to lessen in severity - at ease now that his fears have
been allayed. Synonyms: appease, alleviate, pacify, assuage, abate,
mitigate, propitiate, mollify, placate. Antonyms: intensify, aggravate.
ALLUDE (noun: ALLUSION)
To refer to indirectly - alluded quite subtly
to his friend's misfortune. Synonyms: insinuate, intimate, imply.
Antonyms: refer, cite.
ALLURE
To tempt by flattery or an attractive offer - allured by the
prospect of a new job. Synonyms: lure, decoy, inveigle, entice, seduce,
wheedle, beguile, cajole. Antonym: repel.
AMBIGUOUS
Uncertain, vague, capable of being inter- in more than one
way - puzzled by the ambiguous statement. Synonyms: hazy, obscure,
equivocal, dubious, nebulous. Antonyms: explicit, unquestionable.
AMENABLE
Obedient; willing to submit - amenable to the suggestion.
Synonyms: tractable, docile, responsive. Antonyms: intractable,
refractory, recalcitrant.
AMIABLE
Good-natured; friendly - attracted friends by his amiable
disposition. Synonym: complaisant.
ANACHRONISM
A thing placed or occurring out of its normal time - A
machine gun at the Battle of Yorktown would be an anachronism.
ANALOGY (adj.: ANALOGOUS): A relation between two things shown in
the resemblance not of the things themselves but of their characteristics
- He indicated points of analogy between the two situations. Synonyms:
correspondence, affinity. Antonym: anomaly (a deviation from the
general rule).
ANARCHY: State of confusion or lawlessness - a country brought to utter
anarchy by civil war. Synonyms: chaos, pandemonium.
ANIMUS: A feeling of hatred-felt no animus, even against the enemy.
Synonyms: enmity, rancor, malevolence, animosity. Antonym: amity.
ANNALS: Historical records - in the annals of literature.
ANONYMOUS: Of unknown authorship-an anonymous publication.
ANTHOLOGY: A collection of choice literary works – an anthology of
modern poetry.
ANTITHESIS (adj.: ANTITHETICAL): Contrast; the direct opposite - His
selfish attitude seemed to me the antithesis o patriotism.
APATHY (adj.: APATHETIC): Lack of feeling, emotion, or interest -
attributed his failure to apathy, rather than lack of ability. Synonyms:
torpor, lethargy, sluggishness, listlessness, languor, lassitude,
dispassion; (verb) languish. Antonyms: zeal, animation.
APPREHENSIVE (verb: APPREHEND): Fearful - Being unprepared, John is
apprehensive of the examination.
APPRISE: To inform –apprised his lieutenants of the new situation.
APPROBATION: Approval; praise -a plan that met with hearty
approbation. Synonyms: sanction, commendation. Antonym:
disapprobation.
APT (noun: APTITUDE, APTNESS): ((1) Likely; inclined or disposed - apt
to succeed. Synonym: prone. (2) Fit, suitable - an apt remark.
Synonyms: appropriate, felicitous. (3) Skillful, expert - apt at
woodcarving. Synonyms: deft, dexterous, adept. Antonym: inept.
ARBITER: A person who has authority to decide matters in dispute - a
fair decision rendered by the arbiter. Synonyms: mediator, arbitrator
ARCHETYPE: An original pattern - copies reproduced from the
archetype. Synonym: prototype. Antonyms: Stereotype, facsimile,
replica.
ARID: Dry; barren - the arid desert land. Synonyms: jejune, parched.
Antonyms: arable, fertile.
ARISTOCRACY: Government by the best people; a privileged class -
special privileges enjoyed by the aristocracy. Synonym: oligarchy.
Antonym: democracy.
ARMISTICE: A temporary suspension of hostilities. The armistice halted
the war. Synonym: truce
ARTFUL: Sly; crafty - attained his mean objective by artful measures.
Synonyms: cunning, wily, adroit, ingenious, guileful. Antonyms:
guileless, ingenuous, artless.
ARTICULATE (verb): To speak clearly or distinctly - articulated slowly so
that he could not be misunderstood. (adj.): Capable of speech; distinct,
clear – an articulate man, always ready to give his views.
ASCETIC: Rigorously self-denying - pursued the ascetic life of a monk.
Synonyms: austere, abstinent. Antonyms: wanton, self-indulgent.
ASKANCE: With distrust - looked askance at the forged signature.
ASSEVERATE: To declare positively; to confirm - asseverated his views
with conviction. Synonyms: assert, avouch, aver, avow, allege.
Antonyms: gainsay, controvert, recant, rescind, abjure, disavow.
ASSIDUOUS: Industrious - an assiduous worker, toiling long hours.
Synonyms: sedulous, attentive, diligent, indefatigable. Antonyms:
indolent, slothful.
ASYLUM: A place offering shelter and retreat - found asylum from
persecution. Synonyms: sanctuary, refuge.
ATHEIST: One who denies that God exists - The atheist declared, "There
is no God." Synonyms: infidel, agnostic, skeptic.
ATTRIBUTE (verb): Assign -attributed his success to bard work.
Synonym: ascribe (noun): An inherent quality -Generosity was his
outstanding attribute.
AUGMENT: To increase or enlarge - an army augmented by numerous
enlistments. Synonyms: enhance, amplify. Antonyms: abate, curtail.
AUSPICIOUS: Indicating a happy outcome - The prospect for this project
appears auspicious. Synonyms: propitious, fortunate. Antonyms:
ominous, foreboding.
AUTHENTIC: Genuine -proved to be an authentic document. Synonyms:
veritable, bona fide. Antonyms: apocryphal, counterfeit, spurious,
bogus.
AUTOCRATIC: Despotic - feared by the masses as an autocratic ruler.
Synonym: tyrannical. Antonym: benevolent.
AVARICE: Excessive greed - a fortune accumulated by avarice and
miserliness. Synonyms: covetousness, cupidity, avidity. Antonym:
magnanimity.
AWRY: Unsymmetrical; not straight - the picture, hanging awry on the
wall. Synonym: askew.
BANAL: Lacking in freshness, originality, or vigor-bored by his banal
remarks. Synonyms: commonplace, hackneyed, prosaic, trite,
stereotyped, vapid. Antonyms: racy, original, vivid.
BANEFUL (noun: BANE: poison; source of harm): Destructive, poisonous
- a baneful effect, causing serious injury. Synonyms: deleterious,
pernicious, virulent, noxious, toxic. Antonym: beneficent.
BANTER: Good-natured teasing or ridicule-The two wits I exchanged
banter, to the amusement of the audience. Synonyms: raillery, chaff
BATON: A stick or staff - The conductor wielded his baton gracefully.
BELIE: To give a false idea of - His gracious manner belled his evil
purpose. Synonym: misrepresent
BELLICOSE; Inclined to quarrel; warlike - His bellicose attitude often got
John into fights. Synonyms: pugnacious, contentious, disputatious.
Antonyms: pacific, conciliatory.
BELLIGERENT: Engaged in war - two belligerent nations warring fiercely.
BENEVOLENT: Kindly; charitable - like a benevolent monarch, bestowing
many favors. Synonyms: benign, benignant, gracious, magnanimous.
Antonyms: malevolent, malignant.
BEREAVE: To deprive or leave desolate by loss - a widow just bereaved
of her husband.
BESMIRCH: To soil or dirty - besmirched his opponent's good name with
vile epithets. Synonyms: stilly, defile, smirch, bespatter.
BIASED: Prejudiced - misled by a biased point of view. Synonyms:
bigoted, arbitrary, partial, partisan. Antonyms: disinterested, equitable.
BIBLIOPHILE: A lover of books - The bibliophile fingered the old book
fondly. Antonym: bibliophile.
BIZARRE: Queer; unusual in appearance- bizarre clothes, outlandish in
the extreme. Synonyms: odd, fantastic, grotesque, eccentric.
BLAND: Gentle; polite; agreeable - a bland diet, without irritating foods.
Synonyms: mild, suave (affable or persuasive in manner), soothing,
non-irritating. Antonyms: piquant, tart, racy, caustic, acrid, pungent.
BLANDISHMENT: A flattering speech or act - attracted people by his
blandishments.
BLEMISH (verb): To scar or spoil - Bad associates blemished his
character; (noun): A disfigurement, defect - a character without a
blemish.
BLIGHT: To ruin or decay - the rotting wheat, blighted by incessant rain.
Synonyms: wither, blast
BLITHE: Gay and light-hearted in spirit or mood - spread cheer with her
blithe spirit. Synonyms: jocund, merry, joyous. Antonyms: dejected,
forlorn, abject.
BOG: A swamp - sank into the spongy bog. Synonyms: morass, fen,
quagmire, mire.
BOMBASTIC (noun: BOMBAST): High-sounding; pretentious in language
- a bombastic speech, inflated with meaningless high-flown words.
Synonyms: ranting, pompous, fustian.
BOORISH: Unrefined in speech or manners - exhibited the boorish
manners of a backwoodsman. Synonyms: churlish, uncouth, uncultured,
crass. Antonym: suave.
BUCOLIC: Pertaining to the country - a bucolic poem - the joys of the
shepherd. Synonyms: pastoral, rustic, rural.
BUFFOON: A clown - acting like a buffoon, full of ludicrous tricks.
Synonym: harlequin.
BULWARK: (1) An embankment used as a fortification - a lofty bulwark
for defense. Synonym: rampart. 2) A person, idea, or object serving as
a protection - acted as a bulwark in the fight against crime.
BUMPTIOUS: Obnoxiously conceited or self-assertive - a bumptious
monitor, puffed up with his own importance. Synonyms: aggressive,
arrogant, contumelious, overbearing.
CABAL: A small group of persons engaged in plotting - a cabal of
prominent persons united to overthrow the government. Synonyms:
junto, faction.
CACOPHONOUS: Unharmonious sounding - a cacophonous blare of
trumpets, noisy and discordant. Synonyms: dissonant, discordant,
blatant, strident, raucous. Antonyms: mellifluous, euphonious, dulcet.
CADAVEROUS: Corpselike; hence, haggard, pale -His face appeared
cadaverous from long imprisonment. Synonyms: ghastly, gaunt, pallid
(noun: pallor), wan, ashen. Antonyms: rubicund, florid.
CALLOUS: Unfeeling or insensitive - made callous by long suffering.
Synonyms: insensible, obdurate.
CALUMNIATE: To accuse falsely or maliciously in order to injure
another's reputation; slander - calumniated his political opponent by
spreading false rumors. Synonyms: asperse, vilify, defame, scandalize.
CANDID (noun: CANDOR): Frank, outspoken; impartial a candid reply
that could hardly be more forthright. Synonyms: artless, ingenuous,
unbiased. Antonyms: guileful, evasive.
CANTANKEROUS: Ill-natured; quarrelsome – showed a cantankerous
and sullen disposition. Synonyms: petulant, peevish, contentious,
pugnacious, testy, choleric, fretful. Antonyms: amiable, affable,
equable.
CAPRICIOUS: Inclined, through some whim or fancy change the mind,
purpose, or actions suddenly - a capricious person, undependable in
mood or temper. Synonyms: fickle, fitful, changeable, erratic,
inconstant, crotchety, whimsical, mercurial. Antonyms: steadfast,
constant, even-tempered.
CAPTIOUS: Quick to find fault about trifles- a captious critic pouncing on
slight laws. Synonyms: hypercritical, carping, carviling, censorious.
CARICATURE: A picture or other description of a person which
exaggerates ludicrously one or more of his distinctive features - not a
realistic portrait but a malicious caricature.
CASTIGATE: To punish or criticize severely - castigated for using
improper language. Synonyms: reprove, upbraid, reprehend, censure,
reprimand, chasten. Antonyms: commend, eulogize, laud.
CELESTIAL: Pertaining to the sky; heavenly-a celestial pageant of bright
stars. Synonyms: ethereal; (noun) firmament.
CHAUVINIST. An extreme patriot-a chauvinist with most pride in his
country. Synonym: jingoist.
CHICANERY: Trickery, deception,- practiced chicanery all his shady
dealings. Synonyms: duplicity, craft, stratagem, wile, subterfuge.
CHRONIC: Continuing a long time; habitual-a. chronic complaint,
persisting for years. Synonyms: persistent, unremitting, inveterate,
incessant, constant. Antonyms: intermittent, sporadic, infrequent.
CIRCUMSPECT: Cautious - looked about him circumspectly. Synonyms:
prudent, vigilant, discreet, wary. Antonyms: rash, indiscreet, reckless,
precipitate, foolhardy, temerarious, headstrong.
CIRCUMVENT: To gain an advantage by the use of trick to evade by the
use of deception; to go around - circumvented the law by evasive
practices. Synonyms: thwart, balk, outwit, delude.
CIVIL: (1) Of or having to do with citizens or the state - civil duties as
well as civil liberties. 2) Polite, courteous - answered in a civil fashion.
Synonyms: respectful, gracious.
CLAMOROUS: Loud and noisy - a clamorous outburst the crowd outside.
Synonyms: vociferous, obstreperous, blatant, raucous, strident.
Antonyms: muted, quiet.
CLANDESTINE: Secret; stealthy - a clandestine meeting known only to a
few. Synonyms: furtive, covert, surreptitious. Antonyms: overt,
manifest, above-board.
CLEMENT: Merciful; gentle - a clement judge who tempered justice with
leniency. Synonyms: compassionate, forbearing. Antonyms: relentless,
ruthless.
COALITION (verb: COALESCE): Alliance; merging of various units into
one unit - three parties forming a coalition to rule the country.
Synonyms: amalgamation, consolidation, fusion.
COERCION: Compelling a person by physical force or other means to do
something against his will - rendered his services without the slightest
coercion. Synonyms: constraint, restraint, impelling.
COGENT: Having the force to compel, usually by appealing to reason -
persuaded by cogent arguments. Synonym: persuasive.
COLLUSION: Working together secretly for an evil purpose - acted in
collusion to overthrow the government. Synonyms: collaboration,
conspiracy, conniving, machination.
COMMODIOUS: Roomy - a commodious apartment. Synonyms:
spacious, capacious, ample.
COMPATIBLE: Harmonious; able, to get along together parted company
because they were not compatible. Synonyms: congruous, consistent.
Antonyms: incongruous, discordant, incompatible.
COMPENDIUM (adj.: COMPENDIOUS): A brief summary of the main
ideas of a larger work - a compendium of chemistry in a slim volume.
Synonyms: synopsis, digest, precis, abstract, epitome.
COMPENSATION: Payment for services - just compensation for his labor.
Synonyms: stipend, remuneration, recompense, emolument.
COMPLACENT: Self-satisfied - looked on his own performance with a
complacent smile. Synonym: smug.
COMPUNCTION: Regret for wrongdoing - displayed slight compunction
for his misdeed. Synonyms: contrition, penitence, atonement, remorse,
qualm.
CONCEDE: To yield; to admit as true; to grant - conceded victory to a
superior force. Synonyms: acquiesce, capitulate.
CONDIGN: Well-deserved (applied chiefly to punishment) - received
condign punishment for his crime.
CONDOLE (noun: CONDOLENCE): To express sympathy with another in
sorrow, pain, or misfortune - condoled with each other in their grief.
Synonyms: commiserate, show compassion, solace.
CONDONE: To forgive or overlook (an offense) - condoned the deed, in
view of the offender's age. Synonyms: extenuate, palliate, mitigate,
gloss.
CONFEDERATE (noun): A person allied with others for a special purpose
(frequently a bad one) - joined his confederate in secret enterprise.
Synonyms: collaborator, accomplice. (adj.): United or allied in a
conspiracy - two confederate groups hurrying to their rendezvous.
CONGENIAL: ((1) Possessing similar interests and tastes; able to get on
well with others - congenial people with similar backgrounds. Synonym:
compatible. (2) Agreeable - congenial to his taste.
CONJECTURE: To guess - Without facts, we can only conjecture about
his guilt. Synonyms: surmise, presume.
CONSECRATE: ((1) To set apart as sacred - consecrate the battlefield
with a monument to the dead heroes. Synonyms: hallow, sanctify.
Antonym: desecrate. (2) To devote or dedicate to some aim -
consecrated his life to teaching.
CONSENSUS. General agreement - The consensus of the committee was
that no action should be taken. Synonym: accord.
CONSTERNATION: Amazement; lack of courage caused by fearful
prospect - The threat struck deep consternation into John. Synonyms:
dismay, bewilderment.
CONSTRUE (noun: CONSTRUCTION): To interpret, explain the sense of,
or analyze - construed the statement to his own advantage.
CONSUMMATE (adj.): Perfect or highly accomplished - achieved with
consummate skill. Antonyms: botched. bungled, inept (verb): To
complete, bring to perfection - consummated the deal without delay.
CONTEMPTUOUS: Expressive of contempt (an emotion involving anger
and disgust) - cast a contemptuous look at his subordinate. Synonyms:
supercilious, scornful, disdainful, contumelious.
CONVIVIAL: Festive; gay - a convivial party. Synonyms: jovial, jocund,
mirthful. Antonyms: lugubrious, dolorous, mirthless.
COPIOUS: Plentiful - shed copious tears at the bad news. Synonyms:
profuse, bountiful, abundant. Antonyms: meager, scant.
CORPULENT: Fat - corpulent due to excessive eating. Synonyms: obese,
portly. Antonyms: gaunt, lank, emaciated, peaked.
COSMOPOLITAN (noun): One who is at home in all countries - A
cosmopolitan can feel at ease anywhere in the world. (adj.): Free from
local prejudices - a world-wide traveler, cosmopolitan in tastes and
attitudes. Synonyms: Catholic. Antonyms: parochial, provincial.
COTERIE: A group of people joined by common interests a coterie of
select friend. Synonym: clique.
COUNTENANCE (noun): A face - His countenance expressed his
complete disgust. Synonym: visage. (verb): To approve - refused to
countenance disrespectful conduct. Synonym: sanction.
CRASS: Coarse and stupid - displayed crass ignorance. Synonym: gross.
CRAVEN (noun): Coward - the deed of a craven, motivated by fear.
Synonym. Poltroon. (adj.): Cowardly - a craven act which shocked the
world. Synonyms: pusillanimous, dastardly. Antonyms: stalwart,
intrepid, valiant, stout-hearted.
CREDENCE: Trust or belief - gave little credence to the rumor.
Synonym: conviction. Antonym: skepticism.
CREDIBLE: Worthy of belief - a credible story, true to life. Antonym:
incredible.
CREDITABLE: Deserving or reflecting Credit or honor - applauded for his
creditable performance. Synonyms: praiseworthy, meritorious,
commendable. Antonyms: discreditable, infamous, opprobrious,
ignominious.
CREDULOUS: Inclined to believe anything; easily imposed upon - a
credulous fool whom anyone can dupe. Synonym: gullible. Antonyms:
incredulous, skeptical.
CRINGE: To shrink in fear - cringing before superior force. Synonyms:
cower, flinch, fawn, truckle, wince.
CRUCIAL: Decisive or critical; difficult - the crucial event that decided
the outcome. CRYPTIC: Containing hidden meaning - a cryptic message,
difficult to decipher. Synonyms: occult, enigmatic. Antonyms:
palpable, manifest.
CULPABLE: Deserving blame or censure - removed from office for
culpable negligence. Synonyms: censurable, reprehensible.
CUMBROUS: Burdensome and clumsy - a cumbrous knapsack, impeding
his march. Synonyms: cumbersome, unwieldy, bulk. CURB: To control,
check, or restrain - forcibly curbed the people's protest. Synonyms:
repress, subdue.
CURSORY: Hurried; hence, superficial - Time permitted only a cursory
examination. Antonyms: painstaking, meticulous. CURT: Rudely abrupt
-offended by the curt response. Synonyms: blunt, brusque, bluff.
Antonyms: affable, civil.
CYNICAL: Sneeringly distrustful of the good motives or conduct of
others - belittled the hero with a cynical remark. Synonyms: sarcastic,
surly.
DEARTH: Scarcity - a dearth of news, brought about by censorship.
Antonyms: plethora, abundance.
DEFERENCE: Submitting to the wishes or judgment of another - yielded
out of deference to the old man. Synonyms: respect, complaisance,
veneration. Antonym recalcitrance.
DEITY: A god -The sun was a deity to ancient peoples. Synonym:
divinity.
DELECTABLE: Very pleasing - a delectable meal, tastefully prepared.
DELETE: To erase or cancel, take out or remove - deletedan offensive
phrase. Synonyms: expunge, censor, efface, eradicate.
DELINEATE: To sketch or portray - striking features, delineated by a
master artist.
DELINQUENT (noun): An offender - found to be a delinquent by the
court. (adj.): Failing to fulfill an obligation - too many people who are
delinquent in meeting their civic duties. Synonym: derelict.
DELUGE: A great flood; downpour - a spring deluge which caused the
river to overflow.
DEMAGOGUE: A leader who tries to stir the passions of people for his
own purposes - the mob roused by an unprincipled demagogue.
DEMEANOR: Behavior; bearing - carrying himself with a proud
demeanor. Synonyms: deportment, mien.
DEMURE: Affectedly or falsely modest or prim; serious demure as a
Victorian maiden. Synonyms: sedate, staid, decorous, prudish, coy.
Antonyms: immodest, frivolous.
DENOUNCE (noun: DENUNCIATION): To speak against - denounced by
the press as a traitor. Synonyms: stigmatize, censure, reprehend,
castigate- Antonyms: laud, eulogize.
DEPLETE: To empty or to use up - depleted the public treasury by vast
building programs. Synonyms: exhaust, drain. Antonyms: replenish;
(adj.) replete.
DEPLORE: To express sorrow or grief over - a lamentable situation
deplored by all parties. Synonyms: lament, decry, grieve.
DEPRAVED: Of low morals; corrupt - a depraved mind, devising evil.
Synonyms: debased, wicked, vicious, perverted.
DEPRECATE: To plead or argue against a certain course of action -
deprecated the proposal severely. Synonyms: remonstrate, protest,
decry, expostulate. Antonym: sanction.
DEPRECIATE: To belittle or speak slightingly of - depreciated John's
acting ability. Synonyms: disparage, derogate (adj. derogatory).
Antonyms: enhance, magnify, extol, laud, eulogize.
DEVASTATION: Widespread ruin - the city left in utter devastation by
war. Synonyms: destruction, desolation.
DEVIOUS: ((1) Winding; indirect - took a devious, rather than the direct
way home. Synonym: circuitous. (2) Straying from the right course -
used devious means to attain his wicked ends. Synonyms: crooked,
erring.
DEVOID: Lacking in; not possessing - a speech devoid of even a trace of
ill-will. Synonym: destitute. Antonyms: abounding, prevalent.
DEVOUT: Devoted to religious observances - devout in his regularity of
attendance at worship. Synonyms: pious, religious. Antonym impious.
DICTUM: Art authoritative statement; a saying-an imperial dictum
demanding instant compliance.
DIDACTIC: Designed to teach, imparting a lesson - a poem with a
didactic purpose. Synonym: pedagogical.
DIFFIDENT: Lacking in self-confidence- too diffident to lead a group.
Synonyms: shy, timid, reserved, reticent, retiring. Antonyms: forward,
aggressive.
DILEMMA: A situation calling for a choice between two equally difficult
alternatives; hence, a difficult or perplexing situation - faced with a
dilemma defying solution. Synonyms: predicament, quandary, plight.
DILETTANTE: One who dabbles in the fine arts for amusement only and
without concentrated study - a doctor by profession, a dilettante in art.
Synonyms: amateur, connoisseur.
DISCONCERT: To confuse; to embarrass - disconcerted by his suspicious
stare. Synonyms: perturb, discomfit, discompose, abash, disquiet,
fluster.
DISCONSOLATE: Depressed; without hope or possibility of consolation -
made disconsolate by abject poverty. Synonyms: inconsolable, dejected.
Antonyms: blithesome, carefree.
DISCOURSE: To converse or talk; to discuss - discoursed at length on
the rise of political parties. DISCRETE: Separate - two discrete issues,
totally unrelated.
DISCURSIVE: Rambling from one subject to another - a discursive
letter, covering many topics. Synonyms: desultory, digressive.
DISPARITY (adj.: DISPARATE): Inequality; difference in image, quantity,
character, or rank - great disparity between promise and performance.
DISPASSIONATE: Free from feeling or partiality - coldly dispassionate as
the chairman of the meeting. Synonyms: palm, impartial. Antonym
partial.
DISPATCH (verb): To do speedily; to send off - dispatched with
remarkable promptness. Synonym: expedite. (noun): A speedy
performance; the sending off of something - done with all possible
dispatch. Synonyms: celerity, alacrity.
DISPEL: To drive away; to scatter - dispelled a doubt that had lingered.
Synonyms: dissipate, disperse, diffuse.
DISSENT (noun: DISSENSION): To disagree; to differ in opinion - He
dissented violently, rejecting compromise.
DISSOLUTE: Living loosely; unrestrained in conduct or morals - his life
wasted by dissolute conduct. Synonyms: debauched, dissipated,
profligate.
DISTRAUGHT: Mentally distressed; distracted - distraught by trials and
tribulations. Synonym: harassed.
DIVERSE: (verb: DIVERSIFY; noun: DIVISIBILITY): Varied; different -
two diverse characters; one candid, the other insincere. Synonym:
multifarious.
DIVERTING: Entertaining - a diverting one of the most amusing I've
ever seen.
DIVULGE: To make public or reveal - refused to divulge his source of
information. Synonyms: disclose, impart.
DOGMATIC: Positive in expressing an opinion; asserting an opinion as
though it were an undisputed fact - spoken dogmatically, as if the
speaker considered himself infallible. Synonyms: overbearing,
opinionated, peremptory, dictatorial.
DOLOROUS: Sorrowful; mournful - a dolorous song full of sorrow for
past joys. Synonyms: doleful, lugubrious, grievous. Antonyms: jocund,
blithe, mirthful.
DYNAMIC: Forceful - possessed dynamic energy, tireless and powerful.
Synonym: energetic. Antonyms: static, inert, dormant, torpid, sluggish,
quiescent.
ECCLESIASTIC (adj.): Pertaining to the clergy or the church -
recognized as an authority in ecclesiastic matters. Antonyms: secular,
lay. (noun): A clergyman - an ecclesiastic of liberal views.
EDICT: A public command or proclamation issued by an authority -
proclaimed by royal edict. Synonym: decree.
EDIFY: To instruct or uplift, particularly in morals or religion - a story
that edifies the reader, as well as entertains him.
EFFETE: No longer productive; hence, lacking in or, worn out - powerful
in ancient days, now an effete civilization.
EGOTISTIC: Conceited - an egotistic person, flourishing on praise.
Synonyms: egocentric, vain. Antonym: altruistic.
EGREGIOUS: Outstandingly bad an egregious mistake with serious
implications.
EJACULATE: To exclaim or utter suddenly – ejaculated a cry of horror.
ELICIT: To draw out – elicited no response from the audience.
Synonyms: evoke, extract, extort.
ELUCIDATE: To make clear; to explain – elucidated his theory so that
even a schoolboy could understand it. Synonym: clarify.
EMISSARY: A person sent on an errand or mission - delegated his
emissary to conclude a pact.
ENGENDER: To cause, produce, or stir up-an act that engendered good
will.
ENNUI: Boredom; weariness of mind-fell asleep at the meeting from
sheer ennui.
ENSUE: To follow or result-Silence ensued when the leader arose to
speak.
ENTREAT: To beg earnestly – entreated the judge to show mercy.
Synonyms: solicit, supplicate, beseech, implore, importune; (adj.)
importunate, mendicant, suppliant
EPHEMERAL: Very short-lived - an ephemeral joy, lasting but a day.
Synonyms: fleeting, transitory, transient, evanescent. Antonym:
eternal
EPICUREAN (noun): A person devoted to luxurious living and pleasure -
an epicurean, seeking to enjoy every meal. (adj.): Pleasure-loving - His
entire existence demonstrated his epicurean tastes.
EPIGRAM: A brief pointed saying - a speech full of original epigrams.
Synonyms: maxim proverb, adage.
EPITAPH: A tombstone inscription - an epitaph engraved on marble.
EPITHET: A phrase that describes a quality (good or bad) in a person or
thing - "Glaring" error is a commonly used epithet. Synonyms:
characterization , appellation
EQUANIMITY (adj.: EQUABLE): Evenness of temper or mind - suffered
his cruel fate with equanimity. Synonyms: serenity, composure,
imperturbability, aplomb.
ERR (noun: ERRATUM): To be mistaken or go astray - To err is human,
to forgive divine. Synonyms: stray, blunder.
ERRATIC: Irresponsible, eccentric; lacking a fixed purpose erratic
behavior, reflecting his queer ideas.
ERUDITE: Learned - an erudite person, an editor of many books.
Synonyms: scholarly, knowing.
ESOTERIC: Understood by only a select few - an esoteric subject,
discussed only by scholars. Synonyms: abstruse, recondite.
EXCEPTIONABLE: Objectionable - exceptionable behavior, universally
criticized. Synonyms: questionable, reprehensible, censurable.
Antonym: laudable.
EXCULPATE: To free from blame - exculpated by a jury. Synonyms:
vindicate, exonerate, absolve, acquit. Antonyms: arraign, indict,
inculpate.
EXEMPLARY (noun: EXEMPLAR): Serving as a model; commendable -
exemplary conduct approved by all. Synonyms: illustrative, typical;
praiseworthy, laudable.
EXODUS: Departure, emigration - the pathetic exodus of refugees from
their homeland.
EXOTIC: Strange and foreign - an exotic costume imported from Asia.
EXPATIATE: To speak or write at great length - He expatiated on the
subject for two hours. Synonym: dilate.
EXPATRIATE (verb): To banish or exile; to withdraw from one's country
- expatriated for treachery to his country. (noun): An expatriated person
- expatriates who left the United States to live in Paris.
EXPEDIENT (adj.): Convenient in helping to attain some purpose - found
it expedient to maintain silence at that moment. Synonyms: opportune,
seasonable. (noun): A means to accomplish something - tried all
expedients to achieve a quick result.
EXPLOIT (verb): To use for one's selfish purpose – refugees exploited by
unscrupulous employers. (noun): A brilliant deed - lauded for his
exploits in science. Synonym: feat.
EXPOUND (noun: EXPOSITION): To set forth in detail; to explain -
expounded his theory in a learned article.
EXPURGATE: To purify (usually a piece of writing) of offensive material -
expurgate all obscenities before the book could be sold. Synonyms:
purge, delete.
EXTEMPORANEOUS: Done or spoken on the spur of the moment or
without preparation - an extemporaneous speech. Synonyms:
impromptu, offhand.
EXTINCT: No longer existing or active - the extinct dinosaur, alive only
in history. Synonym: defunct. Antonym: extant.
EXTIRPATE: To root out, destroy totally - extirpated the cause of
trouble. Synonyms: eradicate, exterminate, efface, obliterate.
EXTRANEOUS. Not essential; foreign; irrelevant - excluded material
extraneous to the subject. Synonyms: extrinsic, adventitious.
Antonyms: germane, intrinsic, inherent, relevant, pertinent.
EXULTATION: Great rejoicing - received the good news with exultation.
Synonym: jubilation.
FACADE: Front or face, especially of a building - a facade of marble.
FACETIOUS: Given to joking or inappropriate gaiety; said in fun -
brightened the evening with his facetious remarks. Synonyms: jocose,
droll, flippant, frivolous. Antonyms: solemn, grave, saturnine.
FALLACIOUS (noun: FALLACY): Unsound; misleading; deceptive - led
astray by fallacious reasoning and plans.
FALLIBLE: Liable to make mistakes or be deceived - Being human, Tom
was naturally fallible. Antonyms: infallible, unerring.
FATHOM: To penetrate and understand - difficult to fathom his
mysterious actions.
FATUOUS: Foolish; silly - a fatuous suggestion that struck us as stupid.
Synonyms: inane, vacuous, puerile. Antonyms: judicious, sagacious,
sage.
FEALTY: Faithfulness - The soldiers were pledged to fealty to their ruler.
Synonyms: allegiance, constancy, fidelity. Antonyms: disloyalty,
infidelity, treachery.
FEASIBLE: Workable - a feasible plan, proved practical by - previous
experience. Antonym: impracticable.
FEIGN (noun: FEINT): To pretend - He feigned to be angry, but we saw
through his pretense. Synonyms: dissemble, sham, dissimulate, affect.
FELICITY (adj.: FELICITOUS): (1) A state of happiness - promoted
felicity in the nation. Synonym: bliss. (2) A high ability - lie has a felicity
of language, mastery of the well-chosen phrase.
FERVID: Spirited; ardent - a fervid debater, full of emotion. Synonyms:
perfervid, impassioned, zealous, fervent, vehement.
FESTOON (noun): A garland of flowers, leaves, etc. hung between two
points - the room bright with festoons of Thanksgiving decorations.
(verb): To hang with festoons - a room festooned with spring flowers.
FETISH: (1) Something that is believed to have magical powers -
savages worshipping the fetish in a ceremonial dance. Synonym: charm,
talisman, amulet. (2) An object of unreasoning devotion and worship –
Photography, begun as a hobby, became a fetish.
FLAGRANT: Outstandingly bad - condemned for his flagrant abuse of
power. Synonyms: glaring, scandalous, notorious, conspicuous, gross.
FLAMBOYANT: Elaborately showy - written in a flamboyant, style, full of
highly decorative imagery. Synonyms: florid, ornate, resplendent,
embellished, garish, gaudy, gorgeous, rococo. Antonym: somber.
FLAUNT: Display or wave boastfully - flaunted the excellent report
before his delighted parents.
FLEETING: Passing swiftly -the fleeting hours of happiness. Synonyms:
transitory, fugitive.
FLUCTUATE: To waver from one course to another; to vary irregularly -
his mood fluctuating with every hour. Synonyms: oscillate, vacillate,
undulate, sway.
FORBEAR (noun: FORBEARANCE): To exercise self control; to keep from
- forbearing to shoot the animal despite temptation. Synonyms:
restrain, abstain.
FORENSIC: Pertaining to public discussion or law courts - a lawyer gifted
in forensic debate. Synonyms: rhetorical, oratorical.
FORTUITOUS: Accidental - a fortuitous meeting with a friend in need.
Synonyms: casual, incidental, adventitious, random.
FRACAS: A disorderly quarrel - A fracas broke up the meeting.
Synonyms: brawl, altercation, fray, wrangle, imbroglio.
FRUSTRATE: To prevent (the attainment of an object); to defeat or
render ineffectual - His scholastic progress was frustrated by a serious
illness. Synonyms: balk, thwart, foil, baffle, obstruct, discomfit.
Antonym: abet.
FULSOME: Disgustingly excessive - nauseated by fulsome praise.
GARNISH: To trim or decorate - dishes garnished attractively with
greens. Synonyms: adorn, deck.
GENEALOGY: A record of a person's or a family's ancestors or relatives -
an interesting genealogy, including saints and sinners. Synonym:
lineage.
GENESIS: Origin - chemistry, which had its genesis in alchemy.
Synonym: inception.
GESTICULATE: To make gestures, or indicate feelings by. motions -
gesticulated wildly to show his distress.
GHASTLY: Horrible, deathlike - a ghastly disaster which shocked the
world. Synonyms: gruesome, grisly, pallid, macabre, grim, lurid.
GIBE (variant spelling: JIBE): To laugh at; to utter with scorn - gibed at
his enemy mercilessly. Synonyms: mock, sneer, jeer, scoff, flout,
deride (adj.: derisive), rail, taunt.
GLIB: Smooth-spoken, fluent - a glib liar, distorting the truth
effortlessly.
GLUTTONOUS (noun. GLUTTON; verb: GLUT): Inclined to cat to excess -
gulped down his food in gluttonous fashion. Synonyms: voracious,
intemperate.
GOSSAMER (noun): A very thin gauzelike fabric or structure - a poem so
delicate that it seemed an unreal gossamer. (adj.): Thin and light - the
gossamer wings of a dragon fly. Synonyms: diaphanous, flimsy,
gauzelike Antonyms: substantial, ponderous.
GREGARIOUS: Habitually fond of associating in a company or herd -
gregarious sheep; that gregarious animal, man. Antonyms: lone, aloof.
GRIMACE: A distortion of the face to express an attitude or feeling - a
grimace that was more expressive than words.
HAIL: To greet - The crowd hailed the returning hero. Synonyms:
accost, salute.
HARANGUE (verb): To deliver a long. noisy speech- harangued the
multitude. Synonyms: rant, declaim. (noun): A loud, tiresome speech -
an empty harangue which bored his audience. Synonym: tirade.
HARBINGER, A forerunner; ail announcer - the robin, harbinger of
spring. Synonyms: precursor, herald.
HAUGHTY: Proud; looking down with contempt on others - dismissed the
messenger in a haughty manner.
HEEDLESS: Thoughtless; taking little care - rushed into battle, heedless
of the danger. Synonyms: inadvertent, rash, incautious. Antonyms:
prudent, circumspect, mindful, wary.
HEINOUS: Wicked; hateful - committed a heinous crime. Synonyms:
atrocious, outrageous, monstrous, odious, nefarious, abominable.
HERESY: An opinion held in opposition to the traditional view - a view
condemned as heresy. Synonym: heterodoxy. Antonym: orthodoxy.
HIATUS: A gap or vacancy; break -left a hiatus on the page where he
erased a sentence. Synonym: breach.
HISTRIONIC: Pertaining to the theater; designed for show - broke into
histrionic laughter, hollow and insincere. Synonyms: dramatic,
theatrical.
HOAX (noun): A trick or deception; a practical joke - played a hoax
upon the credulous public. Synonym: canard. (verb): To play a trick on;
to deceive - He hoaxed the crowd completely with his disguise.
HOMONYM: Two words having the same sound but different meanings -
confusing such homonyms as mail add male.
HOVEL: A dirty or wretched dwelling - born in a hovel, died in a
mansion.
HYPERBOLE: Extravagant exaggeration for effect - An example of
hyperbole: "There are a million objections to the project." Synonym:
overstatement. Antonym: understatement.
HYPOTHESIS: An assumption made for the sake of argument - worked
from a fantastic hypothesis. Synonym: supposition.
IDIOSYNCRASY: A. personal peculiarity - Wearing white was one of
Whistler's idiosyncrasies. Synonyms: eccentricity, foible, mannerism,
crotchet, aberration, quirk, singularity.
IGNOMINIOUS (noun: IGNOMINY): Incurring public disgrace - suffered
an ignominious descent from political power. Synonyms: infamous,
degrading, opprobrious, odious. Antonyms: illustrious, renowned,
preeminent.
IMMACULATE: Spotless; pure - an immaculate reputation. Synonyms:
undefiled, unsullied, unblemished, untarnished. Antonyms: defiled,
sullied, blemished.
IMMINENT: Likely to occur soon - stood in imminent peril. Synonym:
impending.
IMMUNE (verb: IMMUNIZE): Exempt from; protected from - immune
from taxation. Synonym: unsusceptible.
IMPALE: To pierce through with a pointed instrument - impaled a spider
to the wall.
IMPEACH: (1) To accuse (a public official) of wrongdoing - impeached
the judge for accepting a bribe. Synonym: arraign. (2) To cast discredit
upon - impeached his motives. Synonyms: call in question, discredit.
IMPECCABLE: Faultless - performed with impeccable skill. Synonyms:
consummate, irreproachable, unerring, infallible. Antonyms: culpable,
fallible.
IMPERVIOUS: Incapable of being penetrated - a mind impervious to new
ideas. Synonyms: impermeable, impenetrable. Antonyms: permeable,
pervasive.
IMPLACABLE: Incapable of being soothed, made peaceful, or forgiving -
implacable resentment. Synonyms: unrelenting, inexorable,
unappeasable. Antonyms: placable, forbearing.
IMPLICIT: (1) Implied but not clearly expressed - an implicit agreement.
(2) Unquestioning - implicit confidence. Synonyms: tacit, implied.
Antonym: explicit.
IMPORT (noun): Meaning; significance or importance - a matter of great
import. Synonyms: purport, moment, consequence.
IMPOSTOR (noun: IMPOSTURE): One who pretends to be what he is not
unmasked as an impostor. Synonyms: quack, mountebank, charlatan,
bogus, fraud.
IMPRECATION: A curse - hurled imprecations at those who would not
listen to him. Synonyms: execration, malediction, anathema.
Antonyms: benediction, benison.
IMPREGNABLE: Unconquerable - an impregnable fortress. Synonym:
invincible. Antonym: vulnerable.
IMPROPRIETY: Improper act, manners, or expression - guilty of
impropriety in public office. Synonyms: indecency, indecorum.
Antonym: amenity.
IMPROVIDENT: Lacking in thrift; not providing for future needs - an
improvident spender. Synonyms: prodigal, shiftless.
IMPUGN: To attack or criticize as false; to call in question - impugned
his honesty.
INCARCERATE: To imprison - crushed his opponents by incarcerating
them. Synonyms: intern, immure. Antonyms: emancipate, enfranchise.
INCISIVE: Cutting, penetrating - incisive criticism. Synonyms:
sarcastic, mordant, trenchant, acute.
INCOGNITO. With one's identity concealed - traveled incognito.
INCONTROVERTIBLE: Indisputable - incontrovertible evidence.
Synonyms: irrefutable, indubitable.
INCREMENT: An increase - a salary increment. Synonym: accrual.
INCUMBENT (noun): An officeholder - the incumbent in an election.
(adj.): Obligatory - felt it incumbent to reply. Synonyms: mandatory,
imperative.
INDEFATIGABLE: Untiring - an indefatigable worker. Synonyms:
unflagging, unremitting, persevering.
INDIGENOUS: Native - Rice is indigenous to China. Synonyms: innate,
inborn.
INDOOMITABLE: Stubborn in determination not to be subdued -
indomitable courage. Synonyms: insuperable, irrepressible, invincible,
unyielding. Antonyms: tractable, amenable, docile, submissive.
INFERENCE: A conclusion reached by reasoning from data or premises -
an inference drawn from his remarks. Synonyms: deduction,
implication.
INGENIOUS: Demonstrating originality, skill, or resourcefulness - an
ingenious device. Synonyms: dextrous, inventive, adroit. Antonyms:
maladroit, gauche.
INGENUOUS: Simple and straightforward; concealing nothing - an
ingenuous plan that anyone could see through. Synonyms:
unsophisticated, naive, candid. Antonym: sophisticated.
INGRATIATE: To win another's favor or good opinion tried to ingratiate
himself with the politician.
INHIBIT: To check or hinder - inhibited his friend from a foolhardy
course. Synonyms: restrain, curb. Antonym: promote.
INNOCUOUS: Harmless; inoffensive - an innocuous remark, but it
enraged him.
INNUENDO: An indirect reference or suggestion (frequently derogatory)
- conveyed his idea by innuendo. Synonyms: (verb) intimate, insinuate.
INORDINATE: Excessive - spoiled by inordinate praise. Synonyms:
immoderate, intemperate, extravagant.
INSATIABLE: Unable to be satisfied - insatiable greed. Synonyms.
unappeasable, unquenchable, insatiate.
INSCRUTABLE: Incapable of interpretation or understanding - the
inscrutable smile of the Mona Lisa. Synonyms: unfathomable, cryptic,
enigmatic.
INSIDIOUS: Working secretly or slyly - that insidious disease, cancer.
Synonyms: wily, crafty, furtive, treacherous, artful, guileful perfidious.
INSTIGATE: To stir tip - instigated discontent among the soldiers.
Synonyms: foment, incite.
INTEGRITY: Honesty, moral soundness - a man of proved integrity.
Synonyms: probity, uprightness, incorruptibility.
INVEIGH (noun-. INVECTIVE): To speak angrily or bitterly-inveighed
against economic discrimination. Synonyms: rail, denounce, fulminate,
vituperate.
IRASCIBLE: Easily angered - Even petty things made Peter irascible.
Synonyms: choleric, petulant, testy, peevish, splenetic, touchy.
Antonyms: placid, equable.
IRE: Anger -aroused his ire. Synonyms: resentment; (adj.) irate,
incensed.
IRKSOME: Tedious, monotonous - an irksome chore that no one liked.
ITINERANT: Traveling about; wandering - an itinerant salesman.
Synonym: nomadic.
JARGON: Confused, unintelligible, meaningless talk; special vocabulary
used only by members of a group or trade - Variety, a newspaper
written in theatrical jargon. Synonyms: gibberish, argot, cant.
JAUNTY: Having an air of easy carelessness or liveliness - walked with a
jaunty step. Synonyms: sprightly, airy, gay, nonchalant, debonair.
Antonyms: somber, staid.
JEOPARDY: Danger - His life was in jeopardy. Synonyms: hazard, peril.
JETTISON: To throw overboard (as cargo); to throw off (as a burden or
something in the way )- jettisoned their old candidate as a political
liability.
JUDICIOUS: Wise; using or exhibiting good judgment - a well-chosen
plan, termed judicious by all. Synonyms: discreet, politic, discerning.
KALEIDOSCOPIC: Constantly changing or varying in pattern or scenes -
kaleidoscopic views of New York.
KEN: Range of sight or understanding - something beyond our ken.
Synonym: insight.
LABYRINTH (adj.: LABYRINTHINE): A structure or intricate passage out
of which it is difficult to find one's way (also applied to spiritual and
intellectual complexities) - confused by a labyrinth of intellectual
discussions. Synonym: maze.
LACHRYMOSE: Causing or given to shedding tears - a lachrymose
tragedy.
LACONIC: Saying much in few words - a laconic reply that spoke
volumes. Synonyms: concise, pithy, terse, succinct, taciturn, reticent.
Antonyms: verbose, prolix, redundant, diffuse, tautological, turgid,
garrulous, voluble.
LARCENY: Theft - indicted for grand larceny.
LATENT: Hidden; present but not fully developed - latent talent that
time will reveal. Synonyms: dormant, quiescent, covert, potential.
Antonyms: apparent, patent.
LAVISH: (1) Profuse or generous - lavish in praise. Synonyms: ample,
superabundant. (2) Given to extravagance - a lavish spender.
Synonyms: prodigal, munificent, magnanimous. Antonyms:
parsimonious, niggardly, frugal, penurious.
LETHAL: Deadly - a lethal weapon. Synonyms: mortal, fatal.
LONGEVITY: Prolonged duration of life - a country remarkable for the
longevity of its inhabitants.
LOW: To bellow softly like cattle - the lowing herd in the meadow.
Synonym: moo.
LUCID: Clear; transparent; easily understood - a lucid explanation of a
difficult text. Synonyms: pellucid, perspicuous, intelligible, limpid,
luminous, translucent. Antonyms: abstruse, obscure.
LUDICROUS: Ridiculous; producing laughter - a ludicrous remark that
set them all to roaring. Synonyms: mirthful, droll, comical, absurd.
Antonyms: doleful, lugubrious, dismal.
LUMINARY: An eminent person; a celestial body - the platform graced
by a number of luminaries.
MACHIAVELLIAN: Sacrificing moral principles in order to attain power;
politically cunning; crafty - a machiavellian design, wickedly contrived.
Synonym: unscrupulous.
MALICIOUS (noun: MALICE): Bearing, or acting with, deliberate ill-will
or spite - hurting with malicious intent. Synonyms: rancorous,
malignant, malevolent, virulent, vindictive. Antonym: benign.
MASQUERADE (verb): To assume a deceptive appearance or character -
a thief masquerading as an honest man. Synonyms: dissemble, feign.
(noun): A disguise; a group of people in disguise or fancy costumes - a
masquerade so perfect no one could guess his identity.
MAUDLIN: Sentimental to the point of tears - turned maudlin at the
mention of his lost dog. Synonym: mawkish, lachrymose.
MEANDER: To walk about (or talk) aimlessly; to wind about (as a
stream) - meandered through the town, looking into shop windows.
Synonym: ramble.
MEDIOCRE: Average in quality - a mediocre performance, unworthy of
his talents.
MERCENARY: Acting solely from a consideration of reward or profit -
actuated by a mercenary motive. Synonym: venal.
MERETRICIOUS: Attracting in a false, cheap, or showy manner- a
meretricious beauty that is too flashy to be real. Synonyms: tawdry,
specious.
METICULOUS: Fussy about minute details - took meticulous pains with
his composition. Synonyms: fastidious, punctilious, overscrupulous,
finical, methodical. Antonyms: desultory, perfunctory, slovenly.
METTLE (adj.: METTLESOME: high-spirited ): Disposition; spirit; courage
- His mettle was tried in battle. Idiom: to be on one's mettle (meaning,
“ready to do one's best”). Synonyms: temperament, ardor.
MICROCOSM: A little world, or a universe in miniature this village, a
microcosm of the great outside world. Antonym macrocosm (world on a
large scale).
MIMIC: To make fun of or copy by imitating - mimicked the comedian's
gestures.
MISANTHROPIC (noun: MISANTHROPE): Hating or distrusting mankind -
condemned for his misanthropic views. Antonyms: philanthropic,
altruistic.
MISNOMER: A name or term that describes wrongly - To call him a
brave man is really a misnomer.
MONOLOGUE: A speech by one person - The actor gave his views in a
dramatic monologue. Synonym: soliloquy. Antonyms: colloquy (adj.
colloquial): conversation between two or more persons; dialogue:
conversation between two persons.
MOROSE: Gloomy; ill-humored - shunned because of his morose
temper. Synonyms: sulky, crabbed, sullen, splenetic, saturnine.
Antonyms: blithe, genial.
MOTLEY: Of various colors; of mixed ingredients - a motley costume; a
motley crowd. Synonyms: checkered (referring to a varied career),
piebald, variegated, diverse, heterogeneous. Antonym: homogeneous.
MOTTLED: Spotted or streaked with varied colors - a mottled pony.
Synonyms: blotched, dappled.
MUNDANE: Of, or pertaining to, the world, as contrasted with the spirit -
mundane affairs. Synonyms: earthly, terrestrial, secular, temporal.
MURKY: Dark; cloudy - a murky cavern. Synonyms: dismal, tenebrous,
fuliginous. Antonyms: resplendent, glowing, lustrous, luminous, fulgent,
coruscating.
MUTABLE: Given to frequent change in nature, mood, or form - mutable
in mood as a spring wind. Synonyms: vacillating, fickle, inconstant,
fitful, mercurial, wavering, capricious. Antonyms: constant, steady.
MYRIAD: Innumerable - the myriad stars in the heavens.
NAUTICAL: Pertaining to ships or navigation - a nautical career.
Synonyms: marine, naval, maritime.
NETTLE: To irritate or provoke - nettled by his critics. Synonyms: vex,
pique, goad.
NOCTURNAL: Pertaining to, or occurring in, the night - awakened by the
sounds of a nocturnal prowler. Antonym: diurnal.
NOISOME: Foul-smelling; harmful-the swamp gave off a noisome odor.
Synonyms: malodorous, fetid, disgusting; noxious, deleterious.
Antonym: salubrious.
NONCHALANT: Unmoved or indifferent; casual - reacted to the news in a
nonchalant manner. Synonym: apathetic. Antonyms: enthusiastic,
zealous.
NOSTALGIA: Homesickness - felt nostalgia for the old homestead.
NOTORIOUS: Widely known (in a bad sense) - a notorious gambler.
NOVICE: A beginner - conducted himself in politics like a novice.
Synonyms: tyro, neophyte. Antonym: virtuoso.
OBDURATE: Hard-hearted; stubborn - an obdurate, unrepentant
criminal. Synonyms: adamant, unyielding, inflexible. Antonyms:
submissive, docile, compliant.
OBLIVIOUS (noun: OBLIVION): Forgetful; absent-minded - walking
oblivious of his surroundings. Synonyms: unmindful, heedless,
abstracted.
OBSESSION: A persistent feeling, idea, activity, etc., which dominates a
person; the state of being exclusively preoccupied by a fixed idea - Now
that he has learned bowling, it has become his obsession. Synonyms:
mania, infatuation (a foolish passion), monomania.
OBSOLETE: No longer in use - an obsolete word, not even included by
most dictionaries. Synonyms: archaic, antiquated.
OBTRUSIVE (verb: OBTRUDE): Thrusting oneself or itself into undue
prominence - made himself obnoxiously obtrusive. Synonyms: intrusive,
aggressive.
OBVIATE: To prevent, dispose of, or make unnecessary by appropriate
actions - an act which obviated all objections. Synonyms: preclude,
forestall.
OMNIPOTENT: All-powerful - an omnipotent despot.
ONUS: Burden; duty; obligation - bore the onus of his difficult office
creditably.
OSTENSIBLE: Apparent; pretended - his ostensible, though not actual,
purpose. Synonyms: professed, plausible (that is, appearing true,
reasonable, or fair), specious.
OSTRACIZE: To banish; to exclude from public favor or privileges - a
former premier ostracized by popular vote. Synonym: outlaw.
PANACEA: A remedy for all ills - seeking a panacea to cure our social
troubles. Synonym: nostrum.
PANEGYRIC: A speech or writing of extravagant praise - delivered a
panegyric at his friend's testimonial dinner. Synonyms: eulogy,
adulation, tribute, laudation (adj. laudatory), encomium. Antonyms:
censure, disparagement, derogation, castigation, depreciation.
PARADOX: A self -contradictory statement; something 'that appears to
be absurd and yet may be true -"Life is too important a matter to he
taken seriously." - a paradox by Oscar Wilde. Synonym: anomaly.
PARAPHRASE: To restate the meaning of a passage in other words -
paraphrased the poem in a few lines of prose.
PARODY (noun): A humorous imitation of an author's style and
mannerisms - wrote a parody on Kipling's "Gunga Din." Synonym:
burlesque. (verb): To write a parody - parodied the popular authors of
the (lay to his audience's amusement. Synonym: Mimic.
PECCADILLO: A petty fault-possesses one peccadillo among his many
virtues. Synonyms: frailty, foible, flaw, blemish.
PECUNIARY: Pertaining to money - involved in pecuniary difficulties.
Synonyms; financial, fiscal, monetary.
PEDANT (adj.: PEDANTIC): One who proudly shows off his learning or
who overrates his knowledge - like a pedant glorying in his scholarly
trifles.
PENSIVE: Sadly thoughtful - softly sang his pensive song. Synonyms:
reflective, meditative, contemplative, musing.
PEREMPTORY: Positive in expressing an opinion - gave a peremptory
judgment. Synonyms: decisive, resolute, imperious, positive, dogmatic.
Antonyms: indecisive, tentative.
PERTINACIOUS: Clinging doggedly to an opinion or purpose -
pertinacious in his efforts. Synonyms: obdurate, tenacious, persistent,
persevering, intractable, inflexible.
PERUSE: To read carefully - perused the important letter.
PERVERSE: Willfully bent on doing the wrong thing - a perverse lad,
always disobeying his parents. Synonyms: headstrong, froward,
refractory, wayward, fractious.
PETRIFY: To paralyze with horror, fear, or surprise - petrified by the
enemy bombardment. Synonyms: stupefy, stun, bewilder, amaze.
PLAGIARISM. Adopting and reproducing, without acknowledgment, the
writings or ideas of another and passing them off as one's own - denied
the charge of deliberate plagiarism.
PLATITUDE: A dull and commonplace remark - bored people by his
pompous phrases and platitudes. Synonyms: bromide, truism, axiom.
PLEBEIAN: Pertaining to the common people; hence, common or vulgar
- plebeian in his tastes and outlook. Antonyms: patrician, aristocratic.
PLEBISCITE. A direct vote by the people - The decision to confederate
was ratified by plebiscite.
POIGNANT: (1) Gripping and moving the feelings powerfully - a
poignant grief. (2) Piercing, biting, pointed - a poignant cry; poignant
wit.
PONDEROUS: Very heavy; clumsy; dull - a ponderous speech, extremely
boring.
PRECARIOUS: Uncertain or risky - earning a precarious livelihood,
providing no luxuries.
PRECIPITOUS: (1) Very steep - a precipitous cliff. (2) Descending
rapidly - a precipitous decline in popularity.
PRELUDE: An introduction, forerunner, or preliminary step - a short
prelude to the play. Synonyms: preface, prologue, preamble. Antonym:
epilogue.
PREROGATIVE: A privilege or power attaching to a position - It is a
woman's prerogative to refuse to tell her age. Synonym: license.
PRESTIGE: Esteem or influence accorded for recognized achievements
or reputation - As Senator he enjoyed great prestige. Synonym:
distinction.
PRESUMPTION: (1) Something taken for granted - acted on a
reasonable presumption. (2) Going beyond proper bounds; impudent
boldness - His question was downright presumption. Synonyms:
effrontery, forwardness, arrogance.
PREVARICATE: To disguise or conceal the truth to lie - prevaricated in
order to avoid detection. Synonyms: quibble, equivocate; (adj.)
mendacious. Antonyms: (noun) veracity, verity; (adj.) forthright.
PROCRASTINATE: To postpone or put off to another time - missed his
opportunity by procrastinating too long. Synonyms: defer, delay.
PROGNOSTICATE (noun: PROGNOSIS): To forecast - The Weather
Bureau prognosticates daily. Synonyms: presage, portend, augur,
forebode.
PROLETARIAT: The wage-earning class - a truckman, humble member
of the proletariat.
PROMONTORY: A cliff - an imposing promontory along the coast.
Synonyms: headland, precipice.
PROMULGATE: To publish or proclaim; to spread abroad The President
promulgated a decree. Synonym: disseminate.
PROTUBERANT: Bulging or swelling out - a protuberant jaw. Antonyms:
receding, recessive.
PROVISIONAL: Temporary; for the time being - a provisional plan until a
permanent decision is reached. Synonym: tentative.
PROXIMITY: Nearness-worked in close proximity to his home.
Synonyms: propinquity, vicinity. Antonym remoteness.
PSEUDONYM: A false name assumed by a writer - concealed his identity
by a pseudonym. Synonyms: alias, pen name, nom de plume.
PUNITIVE: Inflicting, or concerned with, punishment - took punitive
measures against deserters.
QUASH: To crush; to render void - quashed a rebellion; quashed an
indictment. Synonyms: suppress, extinguish, quell; annul.
QUERULOUS: Given to fault-finding and complaining - Her querulous
nature estranged many people. Synonyms: fretful, whining, captious,
carping, peevish, petulant. Antonym: affable.
QUIXOTIC: Extravagantly romantic or idealistic; highly impractical - a
quixotic scheme that can never materialize. Synonyms: utopian,
visionary, fantastic.
RACONTEUR: A skilled storyteller - held spellbound by a superb
raconteur.
RADICAL (noun): One who advocates extreme basic changes - The
reform movement was led by a radical. (adj.): Thorough, extreme -
radical measures adopted to meet the emergency. Antonym (noun and
adj.): conservative.
RAMIFICATION: A branching; sub-division - studied the subject in all its
ramifications.
RAZE: To tear down completely- razed the old building. Synonyms:
level. Antonym: rear.
RECAPITULATE: To restate in a brief, concise form; to sum up -
recapitulated the main ideas.
RECIPROCAL: Mutual; done in return for something received - held each
other in reciprocal esteem.
RECUMBENT: Lying down; leaning back or down - resting in a
recumbent position.
REDOLENT: (1) Fragrant - a room redolent of roses. Synonym:
aromatic. (2) Reminiscent of - redolent of olden times.
REDOUBTABLE: Commanding fear or respect - cringing before a
redoubtable enemy. Synonym: formidable.
REFUTE: To prove incorrect or false-refuted his opponent's argument.
Synonyms: rebut, confute. Antonyms: substantiate, confirm,
corroborate.
REITERATE: Repeat (several times) - reiterated his story once more.
REMUNERATIVE: Profitable - a remunerative job. Synonyms: lucrative,
gainful.
RENEGADE: One who forsakes political or party principles or his religious
faith - a renegade from his former allegiance. Synonyms: turncoat,
apostate, recreant, traitor.
REPRISAL: Injury inflicted in turn for one received - took action in
reprisal against his neighbor. Synonym: retaliation.
RESENTMENT: Feeling of displeasure or indignation resulting from
mistreatment or abuse - showed resentment at what he considered an
unwarranted insult. Synonyms: umbrage, dudgeon, animosity.
RESILIENT: Elastic; light-hearted; possessing power of recovery - a
resilient Spirit, refusing to admit defeat. Synonyms: flexible, pliable,
supple, limber.
RESPITE: (1) Temporary deferment or cessation of work or pain - a brief
respite from labor. Synonym: surcease. (2) A temporary delay in the
execution of -a sentence - granted the doom man a temporary respite.
Synonym: reprieve.
RETRIBUTION: The reward or punishment exacted for an injury,
wickedness, or other action - suffered just retribution for his folly.
Synonyms: requital, nemesis.
RETRIEVE: (1) To make good -retrieved a mistake. (2) To recover -
retrieved the suitcase left at the station. (3) To restore - retrieved his
lost fortunes.
REVERBERATE: To echo - a shot reverberating through the valley.
Synonym: resound.
RUDIMENTARY: In an early stage of development - possessing only a
rudimentary, knowledge of physics. Synonym: incipient.
RUE (adj.: RUEFUL): To be sorry for-He will rue the day he left home.
Synonyms: regret, repent.
SACROSANCT: Very holy - a shrine. regarded as sacrosanct. Synonyms:
consecrated, inviolable, hallowed.
SAGACIOUS (noun: SAGACITY): Wise; shrewd - proved to be sagacious
in his judgment. Synonyms: perspicacious, astute, sapient, discerning,
sage.
SALLOW: Sick - a sallow complexion. Synonym: pallid. Antonyms:
rubicund, ruddy, florid.
SALLY: (verb): To rush forth suddenly - sallied out to meet the enemy.
(noun): A Witty remark - amused the audience with his sallies against
his opponent. Synonyms: quip, banter.
SANCTIMONIOUS: Pretending to be religious - showed his hypocrisy in a
sanctimonious display of piety.
SANGUINARY: Bloody - a sanguinary battle. Synonym: gory.
SANGUINE: Of a hopeful disposition; blood-red in color - a perennial
optimist, sanguine in temperament. Synonyms: buoyant, ardent.
SARTORIAL: Pertaining to a tailor or clothes - a picture of sartorial
perfection.
SATELLITE: (1) An attentive or flattering follower - a prince surrounded
by many satellites. Synonyms: lackey, toady, disciple, adherent; adj.,
fawning, obsequious, partisan. (2) A country influenced or controlled by
another - Freedom is conspicuously absent ,in the Soviet satellites. (3) A
body (natural or artificial) which revolves around a larger body,
generally a planet - The moon is the only natural satellite of the earth,
but in recent years it has been joined by many artificial satellites.
SCINTILLA: A trace; a particle - not a scintilla of convincing evidence.
Synonyms: iota; vestige.
SCOURGE (verb): To punish severely; to afflict; to whip - a disease that
scourged the country. Synonyms: excoriate, flay. (noun). A whip or
other means of punishment; a cause of affliction - The Black Plague was
a dreadful scourge of the Middle Ages. Synonym: tribulation.
SCRUTINIZE: To examine carefully -scrutinized the contents of the
letter.
SHIBBOLETH: A party slogan - a shibboleth designed to attract votes.
SIMPER (verb): To smile in a silly or affected way simpered as he
greeted each guest. (noun): An affected or silly smile - stood nervously,
a simper on his face. Synonym: (verb and noun) smirk.
SINECURE: Employment entailing little or no responsibility or labor - His
job was a sinecure.
SINISTER: Threatening or showing evil; dishonest - the sinister look of a
gangster.
SLEAZY: Flimsy and cheap - sleazy cloth which is used only in cheap
garments. Synonym: unsubstantial.
SLOVENLY: Untidy-severely criticized the student's slovenly appearance.
Synonyms: slipshod, slatternly, frowzy.
SOPORIFIC: Tending to induce sleep - a poorly written novel, soporific in
effect.
SORDID: Mean and base; filthy - Sordid motives breed selfish actions.
Synonyms: degraded, vile, ignoble.
SOVEREIGN: Supreme m power and authority; independent of the
control of any other government - possessing sovereign powers; a
sovereign state. Synonyms: autonomous, imperial, majestic,
paramount.
SPORADIC: Occurring singly, at irregular intervals; scattered - sporadic
cases of illness.
SPURN: To refuse or reject with contempt - an offer that was spurned
instantly. Synonyms: repel, snub.
STOIC: Indifferent, calm in bearing pain or pleasure; practising
remarkable self-control over emotions - maintained a stoic attitude
despite all his trials. Synonyms: stolid, impassive.
STRINGENT: Strict; compelling, constraining stringent regulations;
stringent requirements. Synonyms: exacting, rigid. Antonym: lax.
STUPENDOUS: Amazing by, virtue of its immense size, force, or any
quality in exceptional degree - The circus is a stupendous spectacle.
Synonyms: astounding, prodigious, monstrous, marvelous, colossal,
awful.
SUCCULENT: juicy - a succulent steak. Antonyms: desiccated, vapid.
SULTRY: Close, hot, and moist - sultry tropical weather.
SUPINE: (1) Lying flat on the back - resting in a supine position.
Antonym: erect. (2) Inert, inactive, averse to taking action - a supine,
ineffective administrator. Synonyms: listless, torpid.
TANGIBLE: Real; actual - tangible gains which may be seen, and
counted. Synonyms: material, veritable, perceptible, substantial.
TANTAMOUNT: Equivalent - an act that is tantamount to treason.
TAUNT (verb). To reproach with contempt - taunted him with the charge
of failure to act promptly. Synonyms: mock, twit, gibe, sneer, deride.
(noun): An insulting, jeering, or bitter remark - hurled taunts at his
foes.
TEEMING: In abundance, fertile, highly productive - the teeming tropics,
rank with vegetation. Synonyms: swarming, fruitful, fecund, abounding.
TEMERITY: Unwise or reckless boldness - leaped into battle with
thoughtless temerity. Synonyms: audacity, presumptuousness,
effrontery, rashness; (adj.) temerarious, foolhardy, venturesome.
Antonyms: prudence, circumspection, wariness.
TEMPORAL: Worldly, as opposed to spiritual; existing for a time only - a
man preoccupied with temporal matters. Synonyms: mundane, secular,
civil.
TEMPORIZE: To delay or refuse to commit oneself in order to gain time -
temporized while his friends hurried to his aid. Synonym: equivocate.
TENET: A principle of belief held as true - a tenet of religion which be
maintained loyally. Synonyms: creed, doctrine, dogma.
TENUOUS: Slender; not substantial; of slight importance - clung
desperately to his tenuous hope.
TRANQUIL: Calm; peaceful - a tranquil summer night. Synonyms:
placid, serene. Antonyms: perturbed, ruffled, turbulent.
TRANSGRESS: To break a law or command; to violate a moral principle;
to overstep a moral bound or limit - transgressed the bounds of
decency; transgressed the law.
TREMULOUS: Trembling - tremulous with fright. Synonym: quivering.
TRIVIAL: Of little - importance - a trivial offense. Synonym: paltry.
Antonyms: gross, momentous.
TRUCULENT (noun: TRUCULENCE): Cruel, fierce; harsh; threatening or
intimidating savagely - a dispute marked by a truculent attitude on both
sides.
TURGID: (1) Swollen, inflated - turgid rivers overflowing their banks.
Synonyms: bloated, distended. (2) Using big or high-sounding words - a
turgid prose style. Synonyms: pompous, bombastic, prolix.
UBIQUITOUS: Existing everywhere - The common cold is a ubiquitous
complaint. Synonyms: omnipresent, universal.
UNTENABLE: Incapable of being defended or held - withdrew the
argument as untenable.
UTILITARIAN (adj.): Materially or practically useful - beautiful, but not
utilitarian.
VANQUISH: To subdue or conquer -an army vanquished with heavy
losses.
VAUNT: To boast - proudly vaunted his strength. Synonyms: brag
(noun: braggadocio, braggart), proclaim.
VENEER: A superficial appearance or show designed to impress one with
superiority - pierced beneath his thin veneer of elegance. Synonym:
gloss.
VENERABLE: Deserving respect or reverence because of age - a
venerable leader.
VERNAL: Pertaining to spring-an array of vernal flowers. Antonym:
hibernal (wintry).
VERSATILE: Able to do many things skillfully - versatile in all the arts.
VICARIOUS: Taking the place of another; felt, received, or done in place
of another - took vicarious pleasure in his brother's victory.
VICISSITUDE: A change from one condition to another, often
unexpected - suffered many vicissitudes of fortune.
VIRAGO: A scolding or ill-tempered woman - My neighbor's wife is a
virago. Synonyms: shrew, termagant, vixen.
VITUPERATE (noun: VITUPERATION; adj.: VITUPERATIVE): To scold or
blame loudly, find fault with in abusive language - an angry man,
vituperating the world. Synonyms: berate, revile.
WAIVE: To give up (privileges, etc.); to do without - waived his rights to
the property. Synonyms: relinquish, forgo, forsake.
WHIM (adj.: WHIMSICAL): A sudden notion or passing fancy -frequently
acted on the whim of the moment. Synonyms: caprice, vagary, crotchet.
WRITHE: To twist about (usually with pain) - writhed in agony on the
floor. Synonyms: contort, squirm.
ZEALOUS (noun: ZEALOT: fanatic): Full of enthusiasm or eagerness -a
zealous student, first in his class. Antonym: perfunctory.
ZENITH: The highest point - the zenith of his career. Synonyms: acme,
apex, culmination, summit. Antonym: nadir.
