-
abate
become less in amount or intensity
-
abdication
the act of abdicating
-
aberration
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
-
abet
assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
-
abeyance
temporary cessation or suspension
-
abhor
find repugnant
-
abide
dwell
-
abjure
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
abraded
-
abrogate
revoke formally
-
abscond
run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
-
abstruse
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
-
abut
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
-
abysmal
resembling an abyss in depth; so deep as to be unmeasurable
-
acarpous
producing no fruit
-
acclaim
enthusiastic approval
-
accolade
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
-
accretion
an increase by natural growth or addition
-
accrue
grow by addition
-
adamant
very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
-
admonitory
expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective
-
adorn
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
-
adulteration
the act of adulterating (especially the illicit substitution of one substance for another)
-
affable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
-
affinity
a natural attraction or feeling of kinship
-
aggravate
make worse
-
agile
moving quickly and lightly
-
agog
highly excited
-
ail
be ill or unwell
-
alacrity
liveliness and eagerness
-
alcove
a small recess opening off a larger room
-
ale
a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the United States an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
-
allegiance
the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
-
alleviate
provide physical relief, as from pain
-
alloy
a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten
-
aloof
remote in manner
-
amalgamate
to bring or combine together or with something else
-
ambidextrous
equally skillful with each hand
-
ambiguous
having more than one possible meaning
-
ambivalent
uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow
-
ambrosial
worthy of the gods
-
ameliorate
to make better
-
amortize
liquidate gradually
-
anguish
extreme distress of body or mind
-
animosity
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
-
antidote
a remedy that stops or controls the effects of a poison
-
antithetical
sharply contrasted in character or purpose
-
apartheid
a social policy or racial segregation involving political and economic and legal discrimination against people who are not Whites; the former official policy in South Africa
-
aplomb
great coolness and composure under strain
-
apostate
not faithful to religion or party or cause
-
apotheosis
model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
-
appease
make peace with
-
apprehensive
in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
-
apprise
inform (somebody) of something
-
approbation
official approval
-
apropos
of an appropriate or pertinent nature
-
apt
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
-
arabesque
position in which the dancer has one leg raised behind and arms outstretched in a conventional pose
-
arboreal
resembling a tree in form and branching structure
-
ardor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
-
arduous
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
-
argot
a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
-
arrant
without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers
-
arrogance
overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
-
articulate
express or state clearly
-
ascend
travel up, "We ascended the mountain"
-
ascertain
learn or discover with certainty
-
ascetic
someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
-
ascribe
attribute or credit to
-
aseptic
free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms
-
asperity
harshness of manner
-
aspersion
a disparaging remark
-
assail
attack someone physically or emotionally
-
assiduous
marked by care and persistent effort
-
assuage
provide physical relief, as from pain
-
asterisk
a star-shaped character * used in printing
-
astringent
tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
-
astute
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
atonement
the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity)
-
attenuate
become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
-
attune
adjust or accustom to; bring into harmony with
-
audacious
disposed to venture or take risks
-
augury
an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come
-
august
profoundly honored
-
auspicious
auguring favorable circumstances and good luck
-
austere
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
-
auxiliary
furnishing added support
-
aver
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
-
aversion
the act of turning yourself (or your gaze) away
-
avid
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
-
avow
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
-
baleful
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
balk
refuse to comply
-
baneful
deadly or sinister
-
barrage
the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target
-
barren
completely wanting or lacking
-
bask
be exposed
-
beatify
make blessedly happy
-
bedizen
decorate tastelessly
-
belabor
beat soundly
-
bellicose
having or showing a ready disposition to fight
-
belligerent
characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight
-
benefactor
a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)
-
benevolence
disposition to do good
-
benign
kindness of disposition or manner
-
bequest
(law) a gift of personal property by will
-
berate
censure severely or angrily
-
bereft
sorrowful through loss or deprivation
-
bewilder
cause to be confused emotionally
-
bigot
a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own
-
bilge
where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom
-
blandishment
flattery intended to persuade
-
blandness
lacking any distinctive or interesting taste property
-
blatant
without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
-
blithe
carefree and happy and lighthearted
-
bogus
fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
-
boisterous
full of rough and exuberant animal spirits
-
bolster
support and strengthen
-
boorish
ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance
-
brash
offensively bold
-
brass
an alloy of copper and zinc
-
brazen
unrestrained by convention or propriety
-
breach
an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification)
-
brittle
having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped
-
broach
bring up a topic for discussion
-
brook
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
-
buoyant
tending to float on a liquid or rise in air or gas
-
burgeon
grow and flourish
-
burnish
polish and make shiny
-
cabal
a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
-
cadge
obtain or seek to obtain by cadging or wheedling
-
cajole
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
-
calipers
-
calumny
a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
-
candid
openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness
-
cant
a slope in the turn of a road or track; the outside is higher than the inside in order to reduce the effects of centrifugal force
-
cantankerous
stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
-
canvass
get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
-
castigate
inflict severe punishment on
-
castigation
verbal punishment
-
catalyst
(chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
-
caustic
of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
-
censure
harsh criticism or disapproval
-
centurion
(ancient Rome) the leader of 100 soldiers
-
chary
characterized by great caution and wariness
-
chastened
-
chastisement
a rebuke for making a mistake
-
chauvinist
a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind
-
chicanery
the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
-
chisel
an edge tool with a flat steel blade with a cutting edge
-
churl
a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement
-
clamor
utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
-
clientele
customers collectively
-
clinch
secure or fasten by flattening the ends of nails or bolts
-
cling
hold on tightly or tenaciously
-
clot
a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
-
cloture
a rule for limiting or ending debate in a deliberative body
-
coagulation
the process of forming semisolid lumps in a liquid
-
coalesce
fuse or cause to grow together
-
coax
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
-
coda
the closing section of a musical composition
-
coddle
cook in nearly boiling water
-
coerce
to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"
-
coeval
of the same period
-
cogent
powerfully persuasive
-
cogitate
consider carefully and deeply; reflect upon; turn over in one's mind
-
cognizant
(sometimes followed by `of') having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
-
cohort
a band of warriors (originally a unit of a Roman Legion)
-
colander
bowl-shaped strainer; used to wash or drain foods
-
collusion
secret agreement
-
combustion
a process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light
-
commemorate
call to remembrance; keep alive the memory of someone or something, as in a ceremony
-
commodious
large and roomy (`convenient' is archaic in this sense)
-
commuter
someone who travels regularly from home in a suburb to work in a city
-
complaisance
a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
-
compunction
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
-
conceal
prevent from being seen or discovered
-
conceit
the trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false pride
-
conciliatory
making or willing to make concessions
-
concord
a harmonious state of things in general and of their properties (as of colors and sounds); congruity of parts with one another and with the whole
-
concur
happen simultaneously
-
condense
cause a gas or vapor to change into a liquid
-
conduce
be conducive to
-
condone
excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
-
congeal
become gelatinous
-
conjoin
make contact or come together
-
connoisseur
an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
-
connotation
an idea that is implied or suggested
-
consequential
having important issues or results
-
console
give moral or emotional strength to
-
conspicuous
obvious to the eye or mind
-
consternation
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
-
constrain
hold back
-
constrict
squeeze or press together
-
consume
serve oneself to, or consume regularly
-
consummate
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
-
contemn
look down on with disdain
-
contentious
inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
-
contiguous
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
-
contrite
feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
-
contumacious
wilfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
-
conundrum
a difficult problem
-
conviction
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
-
convoke
call together
-
convoluted
rolled longitudinally upon itself
-
cordial
politely warm and friendly
-
cordon
a series of sentinels or of military posts enclosing or guarding some place or thing
-
cornucopia
a goat's horn filled with grain and flowers and fruit symbolizing prosperity
-
corporeal
having material or physical form or substance
-
correlate
to bear a reciprocal or mutual relation
-
corroboration
confirmation that some fact or statement is true through the use of documentary evidence
-
countenance
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
-
counterfeit
not genuine; imitating something superior
-
countervail
compensate for or counterbalance
-
covert
secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed
-
covetous
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
-
cower
crouch or curl up
-
coy
modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures
-
crass
(of persons) so unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility
-
cravat
neckwear worn in a slipknot with long ends overlapping vertically in front
-
craven
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
-
crease
an angular or rounded shape made by folding
-
credulity
tendency to believe readily
-
credulous
showing a lack of judgment or experience
-
crush
to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
-
cryptic
having a secret or hidden meaning
-
cumbersome
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
-
curmudgeon
a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas
-
curriculum
an integrated course of academic studies
-
cursory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
-
curtail
terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent
-
dainty
something considered choice to eat
-
daunt
cause to lose courage
-
dawdler
someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
-
dearth
an insufficient quantity or number
-
debacle
a sudden and violent collapse
-
decorum
propriety in manners and conduct
-
decree
a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
-
decry
express strong disapproval of
-
defer
yield to another's wish or opinion
-
deferential
showing deference
-
defiance
a hostile challenge
-
delineate
represented accurately or precisely
-
deluge
a heavy rain
-
demagogue
a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejudices
-
demur
take exception to
-
denigrate
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
-
denouement
the outcome of a complex sequence of events
-
deplete
use up (resources or materials)
-
deposition
the act of putting something somewhere
-
deprave
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
-
deprecate
express strong disapproval of; deplore
-
dereliction
willful negligence
-
derision
the act of deriding or treating with contempt
-
derivative
a compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another compound
-
derogatory
expressive of low opinion
-
descry
catch sight of
-
desiccant
a substance that promotes drying (e.g., calcium oxide absorbs water and is used to remove moisture)
-
desuetude
a state of inactivity or disuse
-
desultory
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
-
deter
turn away from by persuasion
-
detraction
a petty disparagement
-
tumescence
tumidity resulting from the presence of blood or other fluid in the tissues
-
deviance
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
-
dexterity
adroitness in using the hands
-
diaphanous
so thin as to transmit light
-
diatribe
thunderous verbal attack
-
didactic
instructive (especially excessively)
-
diffidence
lack of self-confidence
-
dilate
become wider
-
disallow
command against
-
discern
detect with the senses
-
discomfit
cause to lose one's composure
-
disconcert
cause to lose one's composure
-
discountenance
look with disfavor on
-
discourse
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
-
discredit
the state of being held in low esteem
-
discreet
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
-
discrete
constituting a separate entity or part
-
disdain
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
-
disencumber
release from entanglement of difficulty
-
disheveled
in disarray; extremely disorderly
-
disingenuous
not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
-
disinter
dig up for reburial or for medical investigation; of dead bodies
-
dislodge
remove or force from a position of dwelling previously occupied
-
dismal
causing dejection
-
disparate
fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
-
disproof
the act of determining that something is false
-
dissemble
behave unnaturally or affectedly
-
disseminate
cause to become widely known
-
dissent
a difference of opinion
-
dissolution
separation into component parts
-
distraught
deeply agitated especially from emotion
-
divergence
the act of moving away in different direction from a common point
-
divestiture
the sale by a company of a product line or a subsidiary or a division
-
divulge
make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
-
doggerel
a comic verse of irregular measure
-
dogmatic
of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
-
dolt
a person who is not very bright
-
dormant
inactive but capable of becoming active
-
dote
shower with love; show excessive affection for
-
drawl
a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels
-
droll
comical in an odd or whimsical manner
-
drone
an unchanging intonation
-
drowsiness
a very sleepy state
-
dubious
fraught with uncertainty or doubt
-
dud
an explosion that fails to occur
-
dulcet
pleasing to the ear
-
dupe
fool or hoax
-
duplicity
acting in bad faith; deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another
-
duress
compulsory force or threat
-
dwarf
a plant or animal that is atypically small
-
dynamo
generator consisting of a coil (the armature) that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet (the field magnet) causing a current to flow in the armature
-
earthenware
ceramic ware made of porous clay fired at low heat
-
ebullience
overflowing with eager enjoyment or approval
-
ebullient
joyously unrestrained
-
ecumenical
concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions
-
edacious
devouring or craving food in great quantities
-
eddy
a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind resulting when the current of a fluid doubles back on itself
-
edible
suitable for use as food
-
effete
marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay
-
efficacy
capacity or power to produce a desired effect
-
effluvium
a foul-smelling outflow or vapor (especially a gaseous waste)
-
effrontery
audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
-
egress
the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent
-
elaborate
marked by complexity and richness of detail
-
elegy
a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
-
elicit
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
-
eloquence
powerful and effective language
-
emaciate
grow weak and thin or waste away physically
-
embellish
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
-
embezzle
appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
-
emote
give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role
-
empirical
derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
-
encapsulate
enclose in a capsule or other small container
-
encomium
a formal expression of praise
-
encumbrance
an onerous or difficult concern
-
endearing
lovable especially in a childlike or naive way
-
endemic
native to or confined to a certain region
-
epiphany
a divine manifestation
-
endorse
be behind; approve of
-
enduring
unceasing
-
enervate
weaken mentally or morally
-
engender
make children
-
engrave
carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
-
engrossing
capable of arousing and holding the attention
-
engulf
flow over or cover completely
-
enigma
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
-
enmity
a state of deep-seated ill-will
-
ensign
a person who holds a commissioned rank in the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant junior grade
-
entangle
twist together or entwine into a confusing mass
-
enthral
hold spellbound
-
entice
provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
-
entreat
ask for or request earnestly
-
enunciate
express or state clearly
-
enzyme
any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions
-
epicurean
devoted to pleasure
-
epistle
a specially long, formal letter
-
epithet
descriptive word or phrase
-
epitome
a standard or typical example
-
equable
not varying
-
equanimity
steadiness of mind under stress
-
equilibrium
a stable situation in which forces cancel one another
-
equipoise
equality of distribution
-
equivocal
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
-
equivocate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
-
eradicate
destroy completely, as if down to the roots
-
erratic
liable to sudden unpredictable change
-
erudite
having or showing profound knowledge
-
eschew
avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
-
esoteric
confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
-
espouse
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
-
eulogy
a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
-
euphoria
a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
-
euthanasia
the act of killing someone painlessly (especially someone suffering from an incurable illness)
-
evasive
avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger especially enemy fire
-
evince
give expression to
-
evoke
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
-
excoriation
severe censure
-
exculpate
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
-
exhaustive
performed comprehensively and completely
-
exigency
a pressing or urgent situation
-
exoneration
the condition of being relieved from blame or obligation
-
exorbitant
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
-
expatiate
add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
-
expedient
appropriate to a purpose; practical
-
expiation
compensation for a wrong
-
exploit
use or manipulate to one's advantage
-
expostulate
reason with (somebody) for the purpose of dissuasion
-
expurgate
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
-
expand
extend in one or more directions
-
extant
still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
-
extempore
with little or no preparation or forethought
-
extenuate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
extinct
no longer in existence; lost or especially having died out leaving no living representatives
-
extinguish
put out, as of fires, flames, or lights
-
extirpate
destroy completely, as if down to the roots
-
extol
praise, glorify, or honor
-
extort
obtain by coercion or intimidation
-
extralegal
not regulated or sanctioned by law
-
extricable
capable of being extricated
-
extrovert
(psychology) a person concerned more with practical realities than with inner thoughts and feelings
-
exuberance
joyful enthusiasm
-
facetious
cleverly amusing in tone
-
facile
arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
-
fagged
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
-
fallacious
containing or based on a fallacy
-
falter
move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
-
fatuous
devoid of intelligence
-
fawn
a young deer
-
feckless
generally incompetent and ineffectual
-
fecund
capable of producing offspring or vegetation
-
feint
any distracting or deceptive maneuver (as a mock attack)
-
felicitous
exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style
-
felon
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
-
ferment
cause to undergo fermentation
-
ferocity
the property of being wild or turbulent
-
ferret
domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
-
fervid
characterized by intense emotion
-
fervor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
-
fetid
offensively malodorous
-
fetter
a shackle for the ankles or feet
-
feud
a bitter quarrel between two parties
-
fidelity
the quality of being faithful
-
fidget
move restlessly
-
figurehead
a person used as a cover for some questionable activity
-
finesse
subtly skillful handling of a situation
-
finical
exacting especially about details
-
finicky
exacting especially about details
-
fission
reproduction of some unicellular organisms by division of the cell into two more or less equal parts
-
fixate
pay attention to exclusively and obsessively
-
flak
artillery designed to shoot upward at airplanes
-
flamboyant
marked by ostentation but often tasteless
-
flaunt
display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously
-
flax
plant of the genus Linum that is cultivated for its seeds and for the fibers of its stem
-
fledged
(of birds) having developed feathers or plumage; often used in combination
-
fleet
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
-
flinch
draw back, as with fear or pain
-
flop
fall loosely
-
florid
elaborately or excessively ornamented
-
flout
treat with contemptuous disregard
-
fluke
a stroke of luck
-
fluster
cause to be nervous or upset
-
foible
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
-
foil
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
-
foment
try to stir up public opinion
-
foolproof
not liable to failure
-
foppish
affecting extreme elegance in dress and manner
-
forage
collect or look around for (food)
-
forbear
a person from whom you are descended
-
forbearance
a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges; refraining from acting
-
ford
cross a river where it's shallow
-
forestall
act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
-
forfeit
lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime
-
forge
create by hammering
-
forgery
criminal falsification by making or altering an instrument with intent to defraud
-
forswear
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
foster
providing or receiving nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal ties
-
fracas
noisy quarrel
-
fragile
easily broken or damaged or destroyed
-
fragrant
pleasant-smelling
-
frantic
marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion
-
frenetic
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
-
fret
be agitated or irritated
-
fringe
an ornamental border consisting of short lengths of hanging threads or tassels
-
froward
habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
-
frugal
avoiding waste
-
fulmination
the act of exploding with noise and violence
-
fulsome
unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech
-
gainsay
take exception to
-
garble
make false by mutilation or addition; as of a message or story
-
garner
store grain
-
garrulity
the quality of being wordy and talkative
-
garrulous
full of trivial conversation
-
gaucherie
the quality of being rustic or gauche
-
germane
relevant and appropriate
-
gist
the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
-
glean
gather, as of natural products
-
glib
artfully persuasive in speech
-
glimmer
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
-
gloat
dwell on with satisfaction
-
glut
supply with an excess of
-
gnaw
bite or chew on with the teeth
-
goad
stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
-
gorge
a deep ravine (usually with a river running through it)
-
gossamer
a gauze fabric with an extremely fine texture
-
gouge
an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
-
gourmand
a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
-
grandiloquent
lofty in style
-
grave
a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
-
graze
feed as in a meadow or pasture
-
gregarious
instinctively or temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
-
grievous
causing or marked by grief or anguish
-
grovel
show submission or fear
-
guile
shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
-
gullible
naive and easily deceived or tricked
-
gush
gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
-
gust
a strong current of air
-
hack
cut away
-
halcyon
a mythical bird said to breed at the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea and to have the power of calming the winds and waves
-
hallow
render holy by means of religious rites
-
harangue
a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
-
harbinger
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
harrow
a cultivator that pulverizes or smooths the soil
-
haughty
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
heed
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
-
heinous
extremely wicked, deeply criminal
-
heresy
a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion
-
hermetic
completely sealed; completely airtight
-
heterogeneous
consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature
-
hew
make or shape as with an axe
-
highbrow
highly cultured or educated
-
hirsute
having or covered with hair
-
hoax
something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage
-
hollow
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
-
holster
a sheath (usually leather) for carrying a handgun
-
homiletics
the art of preaching
-
hone
sharpen with a hone
-
hoodwink
conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end
-
hospitable
disposed to treat guests and strangers with cordiality and generosity
-
hubris
overbearing pride or presumption
-
hush
become quiet or still; fall silent
-
husk
material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
-
hypocrisy
insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have
-
iconoclast
someone who attacks cherished ideas or traditional institutions
-
idiosyncrasy
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
-
idolatry
the worship of idols; the worship of images that are not God
-
idyll
a short poem descriptive of rural or pastoral life
-
ignoble
completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose
-
ignominious
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
-
illicit
contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention
-
imbroglio
an intricate and confusing interpersonal or political situation
-
immaculate
completely neat and clean
-
imminent
close in time; about to occur
-
immutable
not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature
-
impair
make worse or less effective
-
impassive
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
impecunious
not having enough money to pay for necessities
-
impede
be a hindrance or obstacle to
-
impediment
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
-
impending
close in time; about to occur
-
imperative
requiring attention or action
-
imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
impermeable
preventing especially liquids to pass or diffuse through
-
imperturbable
not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure
-
impervious
not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
-
imperviousness
the quality of being impenetrable (by people or light or missiles etc.)
-
impetuous
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
-
impiety
unrighteousness by virtue of lacking respect for a god
-
implacable
incapable of being placated
-
implicate
bring into intimate and incriminating connection
-
implicit
implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something
-
implosion
a sudden inward collapse
-
importune
beg persistently and urgently
-
imprecation
the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
-
impromptu
with little or no preparation or forethought
-
impudent
improperly forward or bold
-
impugn
attack as false or wrong
-
impute
attribute or credit to
-
inadvertent
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
-
inane
devoid of intelligence
-
insomuch
to such an extent or degree; so
-
incense
make furious
-
incessant
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
-
inchoate
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
-
incipient
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
-
incise
make an incision into by carving or cutting
-
incite
provoke or stir up
-
inclined
at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position
-
incongruous
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
-
incredulous
not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
-
inculcate
teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
-
incumbent
necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility; morally binding
-
incursion
the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)
-
indefatigability
tireless determination
-
indelible
cannot be removed or erased
-
indigence
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
-
indigenous
originating where it is found
-
indistinct
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
-
indolence
inactivity resulting from a dislike of work
-
indomitable
impossible to subdue
-
indulge
yield (to); give satisfaction to
-
indulgent
characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone
-
ineffable
defying expression or description
-
ineluctable
impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"
-
inept
generally incompetent and ineffectual
-
ineptitude
unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training
-
inferno
any place of pain and turmoil
-
infuriate
make furious
-
infuse
fill, as with a certain quality
-
ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness
-
ingest
serve oneself to, or consume regularly
-
inimical
not friendly
-
inimitable
defying imitation; matchless
-
innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health
-
inscrutable
of an obscure nature
-
insensible
barely able to be perceived
-
insinuate
give to understand
-
insipid
lacking interest or significance or impact
-
insouciant
marked by blithe unconcern
-
insularity
the state of being isolated or detached
-
insurrection
organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another
-
interdict
an ecclesiastical censure by the Roman Catholic Church withdrawing certain sacraments and Christian burial from a person or all persons in a particular district
-
interim
the time between one event, process, or period and another
-
intersperse
introduce one's writing or speech with certain expressions
-
intransigence
the trait of being intransigent; stubbornly refusing to compromise
-
intransigent
impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason
-
intrepid
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
-
introspection
the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
-
inundate
fill or cover completely, usually with water
-
inured
made tough by habitual exposure
-
invective
abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
-
inveigh
complain bitterly
-
inveterate
habitual
-
invincible
incapable of being overcome or subdued
-
involute
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
-
irascible
quickly aroused to anger
-
irate
feeling or showing extreme anger
-
ire
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
-
irksome
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
-
irresolute
uncertain how to act or proceed
-
irrevocable
incapable of being retracted or revoked
-
itinerate
travel from place to place, as for work
-
jabber
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
-
jagged
having a sharply uneven surface or outline
-
jibe
shift from one side of the ship to the other
-
jocular
characterized by jokes and good humor
-
judicious
marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
-
knit
make (textiles) by knitting
-
labyrinthine
resembling a labyrinth in form or complexity
-
lachrymose
showing sorrow
-
lackluster
lacking brilliance or vitality
-
lament
a cry of sorrow and grief
-
lassitude
a feeling of lack of interest or energy
-
latent
potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
-
laudatory
full of or giving praise
-
lavish
very generous
-
legacy
(law) a gift of personal property by will
-
levee
a pier that provides a landing place on a river
-
levity
a manner lacking seriousness
-
libel
a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
-
liberality
the trait of being generous in behavior and temperament
-
libertine
unrestrained by convention or morality
-
lien
the right to take another's property if an obligation is not discharged
-
limn
make a portrait of
-
limp
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
-
lionize
assign great social importance to
-
lithe
moving and bending with ease
-
loll
be lazy or idle
-
lope
run easily
-
loquacious
full of trivial conversation
-
lucubrate
add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
-
luculent
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
lugubrious
excessively mournful
-
lull
make calm or still
-
lumber
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
-
luminary
a celebrity who is an inspiration to others
-
lurk
lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
-
lustrous
reflecting light
-
macabre
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
-
macerate
soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result
-
machination
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
-
maladroit
not adroit
-
malapropism
the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
-
malevolence
wishing evil to others
-
malign
speak unfavorably about
-
malinger
avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill
-
malleable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
manacle
shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs
-
massacre
the savage and excessive killing of many people
-
matriculation
admission to a group (especially a college or university)
-
maudlin
effusively or insincerely emotional
-
maul
injure badly by beating
-
maverick
someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
-
mellifluous
pleasing to the ear
-
mendacity
the tendency to be untruthful
-
mendicant
practicing beggary
-
mercurial
liable to sudden unpredictable change
-
meretricious
tastelessly showy
-
mesmerize
attract strongly, as if with a magnet
-
meticulous
marked by precise accordance with details
-
mettle
the courage to carry on
-
mettlesome
having a proud and unbroken spirit
-
middling
lacking exceptional quality or ability
-
minatory
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
mince
cut into small pieces
-
misanthrope
someone who dislikes people in general
-
mischievous
naughtily or annoyingly playful
-
miser
a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably)
-
misogynist
a misanthrope who dislikes women in particular
-
mite
any of numerous very small to minute arachnids often infesting animals or plants or stored foods
-
moderation
quality of being moderate and avoiding extremes
-
mollify
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
molt
cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
-
morbid
suggesting the horror of death and decay
-
morose
showing a brooding ill humor
-
muffler
a tubular acoustic device inserted in the exhaust system that is designed to reduce noise
-
multifarious
having many aspects
-
mundane
found in the ordinary course of events
-
myriad
a large indefinite number
-
nadir
an extreme state of adversity; the lowest point of anything
-
nascent
being born or beginning
-
nebulous
lacking definite form or limits
-
negligent
characterized by neglect and undue lack of concern
-
neophyte
any new participant in some activity
-
nexus
the means of connection between things linked in series
-
nibble
bite off very small pieces
-
noisome
causing or able to cause nausea
-
nonchalant
marked by blithe unconcern
-
nonplused
filled with bewilderment
-
nostrum
patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable
-
noxious
injurious to physical or mental health
-
nugatory
of no real value
-
obdurate
stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
-
obfuscate
make obscure or unclear
-
oblivious
(followed by `to' or `of') lacking conscious awareness of
-
obloquy
a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
-
obsequious
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
-
obstreperous
noisily and stubbornly defiant
-
obtain
come into possession of
-
obtrusive
sticking out; protruding
-
obtuse
of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees
-
obviate
do away with
-
occluded
closed off
-
odious
unequivocally detestable
-
odium
hate coupled with disgust
-
odor
any property detected by the olfactory system
-
officious
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
-
ominous
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
onerous
not easily borne; wearing
-
opaqueness
the quality of being opaque to a degree; the degree to which something reduces the passage of light
-
opprobrious
expressing offensive reproach
-
ossify
become bony
-
ostensible
appearing as such but not necessarily so
-
ostentation
pretentious or showy or vulgar display
-
ostracism
the act of excluding someone from society by general consent
-
overhaul
make repairs, renovations, revisions or adjustments to
-
overweening
presumptuously arrogant
-
paean
(ancient Greece) a hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to invoke or thank a deity)
-
palate
the upper surface of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities
-
palatial
relating to or being a palace
-
palliate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
palpability
the quality of being perceivable by touch
-
palpitate
beat rapidly
-
panegyric
formally expressing praise
-
paradigm
a standard or typical example
-
parenthesis
either of two punctuation marks (or) used to enclose textual material
-
pariah
a person who is rejected (from society or home)
-
parley
a negotiation between enemies
-
parsimonious
excessively unwilling to spend
-
partisan
a fervent and even militant proponent of something
-
patron
someone who supports or champions something
-
paucity
an insufficient quantity or number
-
peccadillo
a petty misdeed
-
pedantic
marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
-
pedestrian
a person who travels by foot
-
pellucid
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
-
penchant
a strong liking
-
penitent
feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds
-
penurious
excessively unwilling to spend
-
penury
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
-
peregrination
traveling or wandering around
-
peremptory
putting an end to all debate or action
-
perfidious
tending to betray; especially having a treacherous character as attributed to the Carthaginians by the Romans
-
perfidy
an act of deliberate betrayal
-
perfunctory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
-
perilous
fraught with danger
-
peripatetic
traveling especially on foot
-
perish
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
-
perjury
criminal offense of making false statements under oath
-
permeate
spread or diffuse through
-
pernicious
exceedingly harmful
-
perpetrate
perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
-
personable
(of persons) pleasant in appearance and personality
-
perspicacity
the capacity to assess situations or circumstances shrewdly and to draw sound conclusions
-
pertain
be relevant to
-
pest
a persistently annoying person
-
petrified
-
petrify
change into stone
-
petrous
(of bone especially the temporal bone) resembling stone in hardness
-
petulant
easily irritated or annoyed
-
philistine
a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
-
phlegmatic
showing little emotion
-
picaresque
involving clever rogues or adventurers especially as in a type of fiction
-
pied
having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
-
pinch
squeeze tightly between the fingers
-
pine
a coniferous tree
-
pious
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
-
piquant
having an agreeably pungent taste
-
pique
a sudden outburst of anger
-
pitfall
an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty
-
pith
soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants
-
pivotal
being of crucial importance
-
placate
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
plaintive
expressing sorrow
-
plaque
a memorial made of brass
-
platitude
a trite or obvious remark
-
plea
a humble request for help from someone in authority
-
plead
appeal or request earnestly
-
plethora
extreme excess
-
pliant
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
plod
walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
-
pluck
pull lightly but sharply with a plucking motion
-
plumb
exactly vertical
-
plummet
drop sharply
-
plunge
dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity
-
poignant
keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
-
poncho
a blanket-like cloak with a hole in the center for the head
-
ponderous
having great mass and weight and unwieldiness
-
portent
a sign of something about to happen
-
precarious
not secure; beset with difficulties
-
precept
rule of personal conduct
-
preclude
make impossible, especially beforehand
-
precursory
warning of future misfortune
-
predilection
a predisposition in favor of something
-
predominate
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
-
preen
clean with one's bill
-
premature
too soon or too hasty
-
preponderance
exceeding in heaviness; having greater weight
-
presage
a foreboding about what is about to happen
-
presumption
an assumption that is taken for granted
-
preternatural
existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
-
prevalent
most frequent or common
-
prevaricate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
-
prim
affectedly dainty or refined
-
pristine
immaculately clean and unused
-
probity
complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
-
proclivity
a natural inclination
-
procrastination
the act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or defering an action to a later time
-
prodigal
recklessly wasteful
-
prodigious
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
profane
grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
-
profligacy
the trait of spending extravagantly
-
profligate
unrestrained by convention or morality
-
profundity
the quality of being physically deep
-
profuse
produced or growing in extreme abundance
-
proliferate
grow rapidly
-
prolix
tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length
-
prone
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
-
propagation
the act of producing offspring or multiplying by such production
-
propinquity
the property of being close together
-
propitiatory
intended to reconcile or appease
-
propitious
presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
-
prosaic
lacking wit or imagination
-
proscribe
command against
-
protracted
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
-
provident
providing carefully for the future
-
provisional
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
-
provoke
provide the needed stimulus for
-
prudence
discretion in practical affairs
-
prudish
exaggeratedly proper
-
prune
cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
-
pry
be nosey
-
pucker
to gather something into small wrinkles or folds
-
pugnacious
tough and callous by virtue of experience
-
puissance
power to influence or coerce
-
punctilious
marked by precise accordance with details
-
pundit
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
-
pungency
a strong odor or taste property
-
purvey
supply with provisions
-
pusillanimous
lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful
-
putrefaction
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
-
pyre
wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite
-
quack
the harsh sound of a duck
-
quaff
to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
-
quail
small gallinaceous game birds
-
qualm
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
-
quandary
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
-
quell
suppress or crush completely
-
quibble
evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections
-
quiescence
a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction
-
quiescent
being quiet or still or inactive
-
quirk
a strange attitude or habit
-
quixotic
not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic
-
quotidian
found in the ordinary course of events
-
rabble
a disorderly crowd of people
-
raconteur
a person skilled in telling anecdotes
-
raffish
marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
-
ramify
have or develop complicating consequences
-
rancorous
showing deep-seated resentment
-
rant
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
-
rapacious
living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey
-
rarefy
lessen the density or solidity of
-
rave
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
-
reactionary
extremely conservative
-
rebuff
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
-
recalcitrant
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
recant
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
recast
cast again
-
recidivism
habitual relapse into crime
-
reciprocity
a relation of mutual dependence or action or influence
-
recital
a public instance of reciting or repeating (from memory) something prepared in advance
-
recluse
one who lives in solitude
-
recompense
make payment to; compensate
-
reconcile
come to terms
-
recondite
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
-
recreant
having deserted a cause or principle
-
recuperate
restore to good health or strength
-
redeem
exchange or buy back for money; under threat
-
redoubtable
inspiring fear
-
refine
reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities
-
refractory
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
refulgent
radiating or as if radiating light
-
regale
provide with choice or abundant food or drink
-
regicide
the act of killing a king
-
reiterate
to say, state, or perform again
-
rejuvenation
the act of restoring to a more youthful condition
-
relapse
deteriorate in health
-
reminiscent
serving to bring to mind
-
remonstrate
argue in protest or opposition
-
render
give or supply
-
renovate
restore to a previous or better condition
-
renowned
widely known and esteemed
-
repast
the food served and eaten at one time
-
repel
force or drive back
-
repine
express discontent
-
reproach
express criticism towards
-
reprobate
a person without moral scruples
-
repudiate
refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
-
repulsive
offensive to the mind
-
requite
make repayment for or return something
-
rescind
cancel officially
-
resigned
-
resilience
the physical property of a material that can return to its original shape or position after deformation that does not exceed its elastic limit
-
resort
have recourse to
-
restive
being in a tense state
-
resuscitation
the act of reviving a person and returning them to consciousness
-
retard
cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate
-
reticent
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
-
retrospective
concerned with or related to the past
-
revere
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
-
reverent
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
-
riddle
pierce with many holes
-
rift
a narrow fissure in rock
-
rivet
heavy pin having a head at one end and the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces that are fastened together
-
roll
move by turning over or rotating
-
rotund
spherical in shape
-
ruffian
a cruel and brutal fellow
-
rumple
disturb the smoothness of
-
sagacious
acutely insightful and wise
-
salacious
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
-
salubrious
promoting health; healthful
-
salutary
tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
-
sanctimony
the quality of being hypocritically devout
-
sanction
official permission or approval
-
sanguine
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
-
sanity
normal or sound powers of mind
-
sash
a band of material around the waist that strengthens a skirt or trousers
-
satiate
fill to satisfaction
-
saturnine
bitter or scornful
-
savant
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
-
savor
the taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth
-
sawdust
fine particles of wood made by sawing wood
-
scabbard
a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet
-
scent
any property detected by the olfactory system
-
scorch
burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color
-
scribble
write down quickly without much attention to detail
-
scurvy
a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
-
secular
someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
-
sedulous
marked by care and persistent effort
-
seminal
pertaining to or containing or consisting of semen
-
sententious
concise and full of meaning
-
sequence
a following of one thing after another in time
-
sere
(used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture
-
sermon
an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
-
serrated
notched like a saw with teeth pointing toward the apex
-
serration
the condition of being serrated
-
servile
submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior
-
sever
set or keep apart
-
severance
the act of severing
-
shallow
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
-
shard
a broken piece of a brittle artifact
-
sheath
a protective covering (as for a knife or sword)
-
shrewd
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
shrill
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
-
shun
avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
-
shunt
a conductor having low resistance in parallel with another device to divert a fraction of the current
-
sidestep
a step to one side (as in boxing or dancing)
-
simper
smile affectedly or derisively
-
sinuous
curved or curving in and out
-
skiff
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
-
skit
a short theatrical episode
-
slack
not tense or taut
-
slake
satisfy (thirst)
-
slate
a fine-grained metamorphic rock that can be split into thin layers
-
sluggard
an idle slothful person
-
slur
utter indistinctly
-
smolder
burn slowly and without a flame
-
snare
a trap for birds or small mammals; often has a slip noose
-
snub
refuse to acknowledge
-
soar
rise rapidly
-
sober
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
-
sobriety
the state of being sober and not intoxicated by alcohol
-
sodden
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
-
soggy
(of soil) soft and watery
-
solvent
capable of meeting financial obligations
-
somatic
affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
-
soot
a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink
-
sophisticated
having or appealing to those having worldly knowledge and refinement and savoir-faire
-
sophistry
a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone
-
soporific
sleep inducing
-
sordid
foul and run-down and repulsive
-
spear
a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
-
specious
plausible but false
-
splenetic
of or relating to the spleen
-
splice
join the ends of
-
sponge
primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies
-
spurious
plausible but false
-
spurn
reject with contempt
-
squalid
foul and run-down and repulsive
-
squander
spend thoughtlessly; throw away
-
squat
sit on one's heels
-
stanch
stop the flow of a liquid
-
steeply
in a steep manner
-
stentorian
used of the voice
-
stickler
someone who insists on something
-
stigma
a symbol of disgrace or infamy
-
stigmatize
to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
-
sting
deliver a sting to
-
stingy
unwilling to spend
-
stint
supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
-
stipple
engrave by means of dots and flicks
-
stipulate
specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
-
stolid
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
stray
wander from a direct course or at random
-
streak
a narrow marking of a different color or texture from the background
-
striate
marked with stria or striations
-
stride
walk with long steps
-
strut
to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
-
Stygian
dark and dismal as of the rivers Acheron and Styx in Hades
-
stymie
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
-
subdue
put down by force or intimidation
-
sublime
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
-
submerge
put under water
-
suborn
incite to commit a crime or an evil deed
-
subpoena
a writ issued by court authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding; disobedience may be punishable as a contempt of court
-
substantiation
the act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something
-
subsume
contain or include
-
succor
assistance in time of difficulty
-
suffice
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
-
suffocate
deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
-
sullied
-
summarily
without delay; in a summary manner
-
sumptuous
rich and superior in quality
-
sundry
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
-
supercilious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
superfluous
more than is needed, desired, or required
-
superimpose
place on top of
-
supersede
take the place or move into the position of
-
supine
lying face upward
-
suppliant
humbly entreating
-
supplicate
ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer
-
suppress
to put down by force or authority
-
surcharge
an additional charge (as for items previously omitted or as a penalty for failure to exercise common caution or common skill)
-
surfeit
indulge (one's appetite) to satiety
-
susceptibility
the state of being susceptible; easily affected
-
swerve
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
-
sycophant
a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
-
synopsis
a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
-
taciturn
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
-
tadpole
a larval frog or toad
-
talon
a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey
-
tamp
press down tightly
-
tamper
play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly
-
tangential
of superficial relevance if any
-
tarnished
-
tassel
adornment consisting of a bunch of cords fastened at one end
-
taunt
harass with persistent criticism or carping
-
taut
pulled or drawn tight
-
tautology
useless repetition
-
tawdry
tastelessly showy
-
teetotal
practicing complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages
-
telltale
disclosing unintentionally
-
temerity
fearless daring
-
temperance
the trait of avoiding excesses
-
temperate
not extreme
-
tenacity
persistent determination
-
tenuous
very thin in gauge or diameter
-
tepid
moderately warm
-
terse
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
-
testiness
feeling easily irritated
-
thrift
extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money unnecessarily
-
thwart
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
-
timid
showing fear and lack of confidence
-
timorous
timid by nature or revealing timidity
-
toady
a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
-
tonic
a medicine that strengthens and invigorates
-
topple
fall down, as if collapsing
-
torment
intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain
-
torpid
in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
-
torque
a twisting force
-
tortuous
marked by repeated turns and bends
-
tout
advertize in strongly positive terms
-
tractable
easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)
-
transgress
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
-
transient
lasting a very short time
-
transitory
lasting a very short time
-
travesty
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
-
trenchant
having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect
-
trepidation
a feeling of alarm or dread
-
trickle
run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
-
trifling
not worth considering
-
trite
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
-
truce
a state of peace agreed to between opponents so they can discuss peace terms
-
truculence
obstreperous and defiant aggressiveness
-
trudge
walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
-
turbid
(of liquids) clouded as with sediment
-
turbulence
instability in the atmosphere
-
turgid
ostentatiously lofty in style
-
turmoil
a violent disturbance
-
turpitude
a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
-
turquoise
a shade of blue tinged with green
-
tyro
someone new to a field or activity
-
ubiquitous
being present everywhere at once
-
ulterior
lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed (especially being kept in the background or deliberately concealed)
-
umbrage
a feeling of anger caused by being offended
-
uncouth
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
-
underbid
bid (a hand of cards) at less than the strength of the hand warrants
-
undermine
destroy property or hinder normal operations
-
undulate
move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
-
unearth
recover through digging
-
unencumbered
free of encumbrance
-
unfeigned
not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed
-
unscathed
not injured
-
untoward
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
-
upbraid
express criticism towards
-
urbane
showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience
-
vacillation
indecision in speech or action
-
vagary
an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)
-
vain
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
-
valiant
having or showing valor
-
valorous
having or showing valor
-
vanquish
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
-
variegate
make something more diverse and varied
-
veer
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
-
venal
capable of being corrupted
-
veneer
coating consisting of a thin layer of superior wood glued to a base of inferior wood
-
veneration
a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
-
veracity
unwillingness to tell lies
-
verdant
characterized by abundance of verdure
-
verisimilitude
the appearance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true
-
veritable
not counterfeit or copied
-
verve
an energetic style
-
vestige
an indication that something has been present
-
vex
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
-
vigilance
the process of paying close and continuous attention
-
vigilant
carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
-
vigorous
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
-
vilify
spread negative information about
-
vindictive
disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
-
virago
a noisy or scolding or domineering woman
-
visceral
relating to or affecting the viscera
-
viscous
having a relatively high resistance to flow
-
vitiate
make imperfect
-
vituperate
spread negative information about
-
vivacious
vigorous and animated
-
volatile
a volatile substance; a substance that changes readily from solid or liquid to a vapor
-
volubility
the quality of being facile in speech and writing
-
voluble
marked by a ready flow of speech
-
waffle
pancake batter baked in a waffle iron
-
waft
a long flag; often tapering
-
wag
causing to move repeatedly from side to side
-
warmonger
a person who advocates war or warlike policies
-
warrant
formal and explicit approval
-
wean
gradually deprive (infants and young mammals) of mother's milk
-
weigh
have a certain weight
-
welter
a confused multitude of things
-
wend
direct one's course or way
-
whimsical
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
-
wince
a reflex response to sudden pain
-
woo
seek someone's favor
-
writ
(law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer
-
yarn
a fine cord of twisted fibers (of cotton or silk or wool or nylon etc.) used in sewing and weaving
-
abate
become less in amount or intensity
-
abdication
the act of abdicating
-
aberration
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
-
abet
assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
-
abeyance
temporary cessation or suspension
-
abhor
find repugnant
-
abide
dwell
-
abjure
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
abraded
-
abrogate
revoke formally
-
abscond
run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
-
abstruse
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
-
abut
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
-
abysmal
resembling an abyss in depth; so deep as to be unmeasurable
-
acarpous
producing no fruit
-
acclaim
enthusiastic approval
-
accolade
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
-
accretion
an increase by natural growth or addition
-
accrue
grow by addition
-
adamant
very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
-
admonitory
expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective
-
adorn
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
-
adulteration
the act of adulterating (especially the illicit substitution of one substance for another)
-
affable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
-
affinity
a natural attraction or feeling of kinship
-
aggravate
make worse
-
agile
moving quickly and lightly
-
agog
highly excited
-
ail
be ill or unwell
-
alacrity
liveliness and eagerness
-
alcove
a small recess opening off a larger room
-
ale
a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the United States an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
-
allegiance
the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
-
alleviate
provide physical relief, as from pain
-
alloy
a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten
-
aloof
remote in manner
-
amalgamate
to bring or combine together or with something else
-
ambidextrous
equally skillful with each hand
-
ambiguous
having more than one possible meaning
-
ambivalent
uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow
-
ambrosial
worthy of the gods
-
ameliorate
to make better
-
amortize
liquidate gradually
-
anguish
extreme distress of body or mind
-
animosity
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
-
antidote
a remedy that stops or controls the effects of a poison
-
antithetical
sharply contrasted in character or purpose
-
apartheid
a social policy or racial segregation involving political and economic and legal discrimination against people who are not Whites; the former official policy in South Africa
-
aplomb
great coolness and composure under strain
-
apostate
not faithful to religion or party or cause
-
apotheosis
model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
-
appease
make peace with
-
apprehensive
in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
-
apprise
inform (somebody) of something
-
approbation
official approval
-
apropos
of an appropriate or pertinent nature
-
apt
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
-
arabesque
position in which the dancer has one leg raised behind and arms outstretched in a conventional pose
-
arboreal
resembling a tree in form and branching structure
-
ardor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
-
arduous
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
-
argot
a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
-
arrant
without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers
-
arrogance
overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
-
articulate
express or state clearly
-
ascend
travel up, "We ascended the mountain"
-
ascertain
learn or discover with certainty
-
ascetic
someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
-
ascribe
attribute or credit to
-
aseptic
free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms
-
asperity
harshness of manner
-
aspersion
a disparaging remark
-
assail
attack someone physically or emotionally
-
assiduous
marked by care and persistent effort
-
assuage
provide physical relief, as from pain
-
asterisk
a star-shaped character * used in printing
-
astringent
tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
-
astute
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
atonement
the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity)
-
attenuate
become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
-
attune
adjust or accustom to; bring into harmony with
-
audacious
disposed to venture or take risks
-
augury
an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come
-
august
profoundly honored
-
auspicious
auguring favorable circumstances and good luck
-
austere
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
-
auxiliary
furnishing added support
-
aver
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
-
aversion
the act of turning yourself (or your gaze) away
-
avid
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
-
avow
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
-
baleful
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
balk
refuse to comply
-
baneful
deadly or sinister
-
barrage
the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target
-
barren
completely wanting or lacking
-
bask
be exposed
-
beatify
make blessedly happy
-
bedizen
decorate tastelessly
-
belabor
beat soundly
-
bellicose
having or showing a ready disposition to fight
-
belligerent
characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight
-
benefactor
a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)
-
benevolence
disposition to do good
-
benign
kindness of disposition or manner
-
bequest
(law) a gift of personal property by will
-
berate
censure severely or angrily
-
bereft
sorrowful through loss or deprivation
-
bewilder
cause to be confused emotionally
-
bigot
a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own
-
bilge
where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom
-
blandishment
flattery intended to persuade
-
blandness
lacking any distinctive or interesting taste property
-
blatant
without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
-
blithe
carefree and happy and lighthearted
-
bogus
fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
-
boisterous
full of rough and exuberant animal spirits
-
bolster
support and strengthen
-
boorish
ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance
-
brash
offensively bold
-
brass
an alloy of copper and zinc
-
brazen
unrestrained by convention or propriety
-
breach
an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification)
-
brittle
having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped
-
broach
bring up a topic for discussion
-
brook
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
-
buoyant
tending to float on a liquid or rise in air or gas
-
burgeon
grow and flourish
-
burnish
polish and make shiny
-
cabal
a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
-
cadge
obtain or seek to obtain by cadging or wheedling
-
cajole
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
-
calipers
-
calumny
a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
-
candid
openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness
-
cant
a slope in the turn of a road or track; the outside is higher than the inside in order to reduce the effects of centrifugal force
-
cantankerous
stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
-
canvass
get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
-
castigate
inflict severe punishment on
-
castigation
verbal punishment
-
catalyst
(chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
-
caustic
of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
-
censure
harsh criticism or disapproval
-
centurion
(ancient Rome) the leader of 100 soldiers
-
chary
characterized by great caution and wariness
-
chastened
-
chastisement
a rebuke for making a mistake
-
chauvinist
a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind
-
chicanery
the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
-
chisel
an edge tool with a flat steel blade with a cutting edge
-
churl
a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement
-
clamor
utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
-
clientele
customers collectively
-
clinch
secure or fasten by flattening the ends of nails or bolts
-
cling
hold on tightly or tenaciously
-
clot
a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
-
cloture
a rule for limiting or ending debate in a deliberative body
-
coagulation
the process of forming semisolid lumps in a liquid
-
coalesce
fuse or cause to grow together
-
coax
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
-
coda
the closing section of a musical composition
-
coddle
cook in nearly boiling water
-
coerce
to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"
-
coeval
of the same period
-
cogent
powerfully persuasive
-
cogitate
consider carefully and deeply; reflect upon; turn over in one's mind
-
cognizant
(sometimes followed by `of') having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
-
cohort
a band of warriors (originally a unit of a Roman Legion)
-
colander
bowl-shaped strainer; used to wash or drain foods
-
collusion
secret agreement
-
combustion
a process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light
-
commemorate
call to remembrance; keep alive the memory of someone or something, as in a ceremony
-
commodious
large and roomy (`convenient' is archaic in this sense)
-
commuter
someone who travels regularly from home in a suburb to work in a city
-
complaisance
a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
-
compunction
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
-
conceal
prevent from being seen or discovered
-
conceit
the trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false pride
-
conciliatory
making or willing to make concessions
-
concord
a harmonious state of things in general and of their properties (as of colors and sounds); congruity of parts with one another and with the whole
-
concur
happen simultaneously
-
condense
cause a gas or vapor to change into a liquid
-
conduce
be conducive to
-
condone
excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
-
congeal
become gelatinous
-
conjoin
make contact or come together
-
connoisseur
an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
-
connotation
an idea that is implied or suggested
-
consequential
having important issues or results
-
console
give moral or emotional strength to
-
conspicuous
obvious to the eye or mind
-
consternation
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
-
constrain
hold back
-
constrict
squeeze or press together
-
consume
serve oneself to, or consume regularly
-
consummate
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
-
contemn
look down on with disdain
-
contentious
inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
-
contiguous
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
-
contrite
feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
-
contumacious
wilfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
-
conundrum
a difficult problem
-
conviction
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
-
convoke
call together
-
convoluted
rolled longitudinally upon itself
-
cordial
politely warm and friendly
-
cordon
a series of sentinels or of military posts enclosing or guarding some place or thing
-
cornucopia
a goat's horn filled with grain and flowers and fruit symbolizing prosperity
-
corporeal
having material or physical form or substance
-
correlate
to bear a reciprocal or mutual relation
-
corroboration
confirmation that some fact or statement is true through the use of documentary evidence
-
countenance
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
-
counterfeit
not genuine; imitating something superior
-
countervail
compensate for or counterbalance
-
covert
secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed
-
covetous
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
-
cower
crouch or curl up
-
coy
modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures
-
crass
(of persons) so unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility
-
cravat
neckwear worn in a slipknot with long ends overlapping vertically in front
-
craven
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
-
crease
an angular or rounded shape made by folding
-
credulity
tendency to believe readily
-
credulous
showing a lack of judgment or experience
-
crush
to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
-
cryptic
having a secret or hidden meaning
-
cumbersome
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
-
curmudgeon
a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas
-
curriculum
an integrated course of academic studies
-
cursory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
-
curtail
terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent
-
dainty
something considered choice to eat
-
daunt
cause to lose courage
-
dawdler
someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
-
dearth
an insufficient quantity or number
-
debacle
a sudden and violent collapse
-
decorum
propriety in manners and conduct
-
decree
a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
-
decry
express strong disapproval of
-
defer
yield to another's wish or opinion
-
deferential
showing deference
-
defiance
a hostile challenge
-
delineate
represented accurately or precisely
-
deluge
a heavy rain
-
demagogue
a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejudices
-
demur
take exception to
-
denigrate
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
-
denouement
the outcome of a complex sequence of events
-
deplete
use up (resources or materials)
-
deposition
the act of putting something somewhere
-
deprave
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
-
deprecate
express strong disapproval of; deplore
-
dereliction
willful negligence
-
derision
the act of deriding or treating with contempt
-
derivative
a compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another compound
-
derogatory
expressive of low opinion
-
descry
catch sight of
-
desiccant
a substance that promotes drying (e.g., calcium oxide absorbs water and is used to remove moisture)
-
desuetude
a state of inactivity or disuse
-
desultory
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
-
deter
turn away from by persuasion
-
detraction
a petty disparagement
-
tumescence
tumidity resulting from the presence of blood or other fluid in the tissues
-
deviance
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
-
dexterity
adroitness in using the hands
-
diaphanous
so thin as to transmit light
-
diatribe
thunderous verbal attack
-
didactic
instructive (especially excessively)
-
diffidence
lack of self-confidence
-
dilate
become wider
-
disallow
command against
-
discern
detect with the senses
-
discomfit
cause to lose one's composure
-
disconcert
cause to lose one's composure
-
discountenance
look with disfavor on
-
discourse
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
-
discredit
the state of being held in low esteem
-
discreet
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
-
discrete
constituting a separate entity or part
-
disdain
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
-
disencumber
release from entanglement of difficulty
-
disheveled
in disarray; extremely disorderly
-
disingenuous
not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
-
disinter
dig up for reburial or for medical investigation; of dead bodies
-
dislodge
remove or force from a position of dwelling previously occupied
-
dismal
causing dejection
-
disparate
fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
-
disproof
the act of determining that something is false
-
dissemble
behave unnaturally or affectedly
-
disseminate
cause to become widely known
-
dissent
a difference of opinion
-
dissolution
separation into component parts
-
distraught
deeply agitated especially from emotion
-
divergence
the act of moving away in different direction from a common point
-
divestiture
the sale by a company of a product line or a subsidiary or a division
-
divulge
make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
-
doggerel
a comic verse of irregular measure
-
dogmatic
of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
-
dolt
a person who is not very bright
-
dormant
inactive but capable of becoming active
-
dote
shower with love; show excessive affection for
-
drawl
a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels
-
droll
comical in an odd or whimsical manner
-
drone
an unchanging intonation
-
drowsiness
a very sleepy state
-
dubious
fraught with uncertainty or doubt
-
dud
an explosion that fails to occur
-
dulcet
pleasing to the ear
-
dupe
fool or hoax
-
duplicity
acting in bad faith; deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another
-
duress
compulsory force or threat
-
dwarf
a plant or animal that is atypically small
-
dynamo
generator consisting of a coil (the armature) that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet (the field magnet) causing a current to flow in the armature
-
earthenware
ceramic ware made of porous clay fired at low heat
-
ebullience
overflowing with eager enjoyment or approval
-
ebullient
joyously unrestrained
-
ecumenical
concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions
-
edacious
devouring or craving food in great quantities
-
eddy
a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind resulting when the current of a fluid doubles back on itself
-
edible
suitable for use as food
-
effete
marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay
-
efficacy
capacity or power to produce a desired effect
-
effluvium
a foul-smelling outflow or vapor (especially a gaseous waste)
-
effrontery
audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
-
egress
the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent
-
elaborate
marked by complexity and richness of detail
-
elegy
a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
-
elicit
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
-
eloquence
powerful and effective language
-
emaciate
grow weak and thin or waste away physically
-
embellish
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
-
embezzle
appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
-
emote
give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role
-
empirical
derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
-
encapsulate
enclose in a capsule or other small container
-
encomium
a formal expression of praise
-
encumbrance
an onerous or difficult concern
-
endearing
lovable especially in a childlike or naive way
-
endemic
native to or confined to a certain region
-
epiphany
a divine manifestation
-
endorse
be behind; approve of
-
enduring
unceasing
-
enervate
weaken mentally or morally
-
engender
make children
-
engrave
carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
-
engrossing
capable of arousing and holding the attention
-
engulf
flow over or cover completely
-
enigma
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
-
enmity
a state of deep-seated ill-will
-
ensign
a person who holds a commissioned rank in the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant junior grade
-
entangle
twist together or entwine into a confusing mass
-
enthral
hold spellbound
-
entice
provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
-
entreat
ask for or request earnestly
-
enunciate
express or state clearly
-
enzyme
any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions
-
epicurean
devoted to pleasure
-
epistle
a specially long, formal letter
-
epithet
descriptive word or phrase
-
epitome
a standard or typical example
-
equable
not varying
-
equanimity
steadiness of mind under stress
-
equilibrium
a stable situation in which forces cancel one another
-
equipoise
equality of distribution
-
equivocal
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
-
equivocate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
-
eradicate
destroy completely, as if down to the roots
-
erratic
liable to sudden unpredictable change
-
erudite
having or showing profound knowledge
-
eschew
avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
-
esoteric
confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
-
espouse
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
-
eulogy
a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
-
euphoria
a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
-
euthanasia
the act of killing someone painlessly (especially someone suffering from an incurable illness)
-
evasive
avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger especially enemy fire
-
evince
give expression to
-
evoke
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
-
excoriation
severe censure
-
exculpate
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
-
exhaustive
performed comprehensively and completely
-
exigency
a pressing or urgent situation
-
exoneration
the condition of being relieved from blame or obligation
-
exorbitant
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
-
expatiate
add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
-
expedient
appropriate to a purpose; practical
-
expiation
compensation for a wrong
-
exploit
use or manipulate to one's advantage
-
expostulate
reason with (somebody) for the purpose of dissuasion
-
expurgate
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
-
expand
extend in one or more directions
-
extant
still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
-
extempore
with little or no preparation or forethought
-
extenuate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
extinct
no longer in existence; lost or especially having died out leaving no living representatives
-
extinguish
put out, as of fires, flames, or lights
-
extirpate
destroy completely, as if down to the roots
-
extol
praise, glorify, or honor
-
extort
obtain by coercion or intimidation
-
extralegal
not regulated or sanctioned by law
-
extricable
capable of being extricated
-
extrovert
(psychology) a person concerned more with practical realities than with inner thoughts and feelings
-
exuberance
joyful enthusiasm
-
facetious
cleverly amusing in tone
-
facile
arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
-
fagged
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
-
fallacious
containing or based on a fallacy
-
falter
move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
-
fatuous
devoid of intelligence
-
fawn
a young deer
-
feckless
generally incompetent and ineffectual
-
fecund
capable of producing offspring or vegetation
-
feint
any distracting or deceptive maneuver (as a mock attack)
-
felicitous
exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style
-
felon
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
-
ferment
cause to undergo fermentation
-
ferocity
the property of being wild or turbulent
-
ferret
domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
-
fervid
characterized by intense emotion
-
fervor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
-
fetid
offensively malodorous
-
fetter
a shackle for the ankles or feet
-
feud
a bitter quarrel between two parties
-
fidelity
the quality of being faithful
-
fidget
move restlessly
-
figurehead
a person used as a cover for some questionable activity
-
finesse
subtly skillful handling of a situation
-
finical
exacting especially about details
-
finicky
exacting especially about details
-
fission
reproduction of some unicellular organisms by division of the cell into two more or less equal parts
-
fixate
pay attention to exclusively and obsessively
-
flak
artillery designed to shoot upward at airplanes
-
flamboyant
marked by ostentation but often tasteless
-
flaunt
display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously
-
flax
plant of the genus Linum that is cultivated for its seeds and for the fibers of its stem
-
fledged
(of birds) having developed feathers or plumage; often used in combination
-
fleet
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
-
flinch
draw back, as with fear or pain
-
flop
fall loosely
-
florid
elaborately or excessively ornamented
-
flout
treat with contemptuous disregard
-
fluke
a stroke of luck
-
fluster
cause to be nervous or upset
-
foible
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
-
foil
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
-
foment
try to stir up public opinion
-
foolproof
not liable to failure
-
foppish
affecting extreme elegance in dress and manner
-
forage
collect or look around for (food)
-
forbear
a person from whom you are descended
-
forbearance
a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges; refraining from acting
-
ford
cross a river where it's shallow
-
forestall
act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
-
forfeit
lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime
-
forge
create by hammering
-
forgery
criminal falsification by making or altering an instrument with intent to defraud
-
forswear
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
foster
providing or receiving nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal ties
-
fracas
noisy quarrel
-
fragile
easily broken or damaged or destroyed
-
fragrant
pleasant-smelling
-
frantic
marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion
-
frenetic
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
-
fret
be agitated or irritated
-
fringe
an ornamental border consisting of short lengths of hanging threads or tassels
-
froward
habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
-
frugal
avoiding waste
-
fulmination
the act of exploding with noise and violence
-
fulsome
unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech
-
gainsay
take exception to
-
garble
make false by mutilation or addition; as of a message or story
-
garner
store grain
-
garrulity
the quality of being wordy and talkative
-
garrulous
full of trivial conversation
-
gaucherie
the quality of being rustic or gauche
-
germane
relevant and appropriate
-
gist
the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
-
glean
gather, as of natural products
-
glib
artfully persuasive in speech
-
glimmer
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
-
gloat
dwell on with satisfaction
-
glut
supply with an excess of
-
gnaw
bite or chew on with the teeth
-
goad
stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
-
gorge
a deep ravine (usually with a river running through it)
-
gossamer
a gauze fabric with an extremely fine texture
-
gouge
an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
-
gourmand
a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
-
grandiloquent
lofty in style
-
grave
a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
-
graze
feed as in a meadow or pasture
-
gregarious
instinctively or temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
-
grievous
causing or marked by grief or anguish
-
grovel
show submission or fear
-
guile
shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
-
gullible
naive and easily deceived or tricked
-
gush
gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
-
gust
a strong current of air
-
hack
cut away
-
halcyon
a mythical bird said to breed at the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea and to have the power of calming the winds and waves
-
hallow
render holy by means of religious rites
-
harangue
a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
-
harbinger
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
harrow
a cultivator that pulverizes or smooths the soil
-
haughty
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
heed
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
-
heinous
extremely wicked, deeply criminal
-
heresy
a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion
-
hermetic
completely sealed; completely airtight
-
heterogeneous
consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature
-
hew
make or shape as with an axe
-
highbrow
highly cultured or educated
-
hirsute
having or covered with hair
-
hoax
something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage
-
Hopi
a member of the Shoshonean people of northeastern Arizona
-
hollow
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
-
holster
a sheath (usually leather) for carrying a handgun
-
homiletics
the art of preaching
-
hone
sharpen with a hone
-
hoodwink
conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end
-
hospitable
disposed to treat guests and strangers with cordiality and generosity
-
hubris
overbearing pride or presumption
-
hush
become quiet or still; fall silent
-
husk
material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
-
hypocrisy
insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have
-
iconoclast
someone who attacks cherished ideas or traditional institutions
-
idiosyncrasy
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
-
idolatry
the worship of idols; the worship of images that are not God
-
idyll
a short poem descriptive of rural or pastoral life
-
ignoble
completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose
-
ignominious
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
-
illicit
contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention
-
imbroglio
an intricate and confusing interpersonal or political situation
-
immaculate
completely neat and clean
-
imminent
close in time; about to occur
-
immutable
not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature
-
impair
make worse or less effective
-
impassive
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
impecunious
not having enough money to pay for necessities
-
impede
be a hindrance or obstacle to
-
impediment
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
-
impending
close in time; about to occur
-
imperative
requiring attention or action
-
imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
impermeable
preventing especially liquids to pass or diffuse through
-
imperturbable
not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure
-
impervious
not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
-
imperviousness
the quality of being impenetrable (by people or light or missiles etc.)
-
impetuous
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
-
impiety
unrighteousness by virtue of lacking respect for a god
-
implacable
incapable of being placated
-
implicate
bring into intimate and incriminating connection
-
implicit
implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something
-
implosion
a sudden inward collapse
-
importune
beg persistently and urgently
-
imprecation
the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
-
impromptu
with little or no preparation or forethought
-
impudent
improperly forward or bold
-
impugn
attack as false or wrong
-
impute
attribute or credit to
-
inadvertent
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
-
inane
devoid of intelligence
-
insomuch
to such an extent or degree; so
-
incense
make furious
-
incessant
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
-
inchoate
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
-
incipient
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
-
incise
make an incision into by carving or cutting
-
incite
provoke or stir up
-
inclined
at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position
-
incongruous
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
-
incredibility
the quality of being incredible
-
incredulous
not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
-
inculcate
teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
-
incumbent
necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility; morally binding
-
incursion
the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)
-
indefatigability
tireless determination
-
indelible
cannot be removed or erased
-
indigence
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
-
indigenous
originating where it is found
-
indistinct
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
-
indolence
inactivity resulting from a dislike of work
-
indomitable
impossible to subdue
-
indulge
yield (to); give satisfaction to
-
indulgent
characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone
-
ineffable
defying expression or description
-
ineluctable
impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"
-
inept
generally incompetent and ineffectual
-
ineptitude
unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training
-
inferno
any place of pain and turmoil
-
infuriate
make furious
-
infuse
fill, as with a certain quality
-
ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness
-
ingest
serve oneself to, or consume regularly
-
inimical
not friendly
-
inimitable
defying imitation; matchless
-
innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health
-
inscrutable
of an obscure nature
-
insensible
barely able to be perceived
-
insinuate
give to understand
-
insipid
lacking interest or significance or impact
-
insouciant
marked by blithe unconcern
-
insularity
the state of being isolated or detached
-
insurrection
organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another
-
interdict
an ecclesiastical censure by the Roman Catholic Church withdrawing certain sacraments and Christian burial from a person or all persons in a particular district
-
interim
the time between one event, process, or period and another
-
intersperse
introduce one's writing or speech with certain expressions
-
intransigence
the trait of being intransigent; stubbornly refusing to compromise
-
intransigent
impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason
-
intrepid
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
-
introspection
the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
-
inundate
fill or cover completely, usually with water
-
inured
made tough by habitual exposure
-
invective
abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
-
inveigh
complain bitterly
-
inveterate
habitual
-
invincible
incapable of being overcome or subdued
-
involute
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
-
irascible
quickly aroused to anger
-
irate
feeling or showing extreme anger
-
ire
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
-
irksome
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
-
irresolute
uncertain how to act or proceed
-
irrevocable
incapable of being retracted or revoked
-
itinerate
travel from place to place, as for work
-
jabber
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
-
jagged
having a sharply uneven surface or outline
-
jibe
shift from one side of the ship to the other
-
jocular
characterized by jokes and good humor
-
judicious
marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
-
knit
make (textiles) by knitting
-
labyrinthine
resembling a labyrinth in form or complexity
-
lachrymose
showing sorrow
-
lackluster
lacking brilliance or vitality
-
lament
a cry of sorrow and grief
-
lassitude
a feeling of lack of interest or energy
-
latent
potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
-
laudatory
full of or giving praise
-
lavish
very generous
-
legacy
(law) a gift of personal property by will
-
levee
a pier that provides a landing place on a river
-
levity
a manner lacking seriousness
-
libel
a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
-
liberality
the trait of being generous in behavior and temperament
-
libertine
unrestrained by convention or morality
-
lien
the right to take another's property if an obligation is not discharged
-
limn
make a portrait of
-
limp
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
-
lionize
assign great social importance to
-
lithe
moving and bending with ease
-
loll
be lazy or idle
-
lope
run easily
-
loquacious
full of trivial conversation
-
lucubrate
add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
-
luculent
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
lugubrious
excessively mournful
-
lull
make calm or still
-
lumber
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
-
luminary
a celebrity who is an inspiration to others
-
lurk
lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
-
lustrous
reflecting light
-
macabre
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
-
macerate
soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result
-
machination
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
-
maladroit
not adroit
-
malapropism
the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
-
malevolence
wishing evil to others
-
malign
speak unfavorably about
-
malinger
avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill
-
malleable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
manacle
shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs
-
massacre
the savage and excessive killing of many people
-
matriculation
admission to a group (especially a college or university)
-
maudlin
effusively or insincerely emotional
-
maul
injure badly by beating
-
maverick
someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
-
mellifluous
pleasing to the ear
-
mendacity
the tendency to be untruthful
-
mendicant
practicing beggary
-
mercurial
liable to sudden unpredictable change
-
meretricious
tastelessly showy
-
mesmerize
attract strongly, as if with a magnet
-
meticulous
marked by precise accordance with details
-
mettle
the courage to carry on
-
mettlesome
having a proud and unbroken spirit
-
middling
lacking exceptional quality or ability
-
minatory
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
mince
cut into small pieces
-
misanthrope
someone who dislikes people in general
-
mischievous
naughtily or annoyingly playful
-
miser
a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably)
-
misogynist
a misanthrope who dislikes women in particular
-
mite
any of numerous very small to minute arachnids often infesting animals or plants or stored foods
-
moderation
quality of being moderate and avoiding extremes
-
mollify
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
molt
cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
-
morbid
suggesting the horror of death and decay
-
morose
showing a brooding ill humor
-
muffler
a tubular acoustic device inserted in the exhaust system that is designed to reduce noise
-
multifarious
having many aspects
-
mundane
found in the ordinary course of events
-
myriad
a large indefinite number
-
nadir
an extreme state of adversity; the lowest point of anything
-
nascent
being born or beginning
-
nebulous
lacking definite form or limits
-
negligent
characterized by neglect and undue lack of concern
-
neophyte
any new participant in some activity
-
nexus
the means of connection between things linked in series
-
nibble
bite off very small pieces
-
noisome
causing or able to cause nausea
-
nonchalant
marked by blithe unconcern
-
nonplused
filled with bewilderment
-
nostrum
patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable
-
noxious
injurious to physical or mental health
-
nugatory
of no real value
-
obdurate
stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
-
obfuscate
make obscure or unclear
-
oblivious
(followed by `to' or `of') lacking conscious awareness of
-
obloquy
a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
-
obsequious
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
-
obstreperous
noisily and stubbornly defiant
-
obtain
come into possession of
-
obtrusive
sticking out; protruding
-
obtuse
of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees
-
obviate
do away with
-
occluded
closed off
-
odious
unequivocally detestable
-
odium
hate coupled with disgust
-
odor
any property detected by the olfactory system
-
officious
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
-
ominous
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
onerous
not easily borne; wearing
-
opaqueness
the quality of being opaque to a degree; the degree to which something reduces the passage of light
-
opprobrious
expressing offensive reproach
-
ossify
become bony
-
ostensible
appearing as such but not necessarily so
-
ostentation
pretentious or showy or vulgar display
-
ostracism
the act of excluding someone from society by general consent
-
overhaul
make repairs, renovations, revisions or adjustments to
-
overweening
presumptuously arrogant
-
paean
(ancient Greece) a hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to invoke or thank a deity)
-
palate
the upper surface of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities
-
palatial
relating to or being a palace
-
palliate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
palpability
the quality of being perceivable by touch
-
palpitate
beat rapidly
-
panegyric
formally expressing praise
-
paradigm
a standard or typical example
-
parenthesis
either of two punctuation marks (or) used to enclose textual material
-
pariah
a person who is rejected (from society or home)
-
parley
a negotiation between enemies
-
parsimonious
excessively unwilling to spend
-
partisan
a fervent and even militant proponent of something
-
patron
someone who supports or champions something
-
paucity
an insufficient quantity or number
-
peccadillo
a petty misdeed
-
pedantic
marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
-
pedestrian
a person who travels by foot
-
pellucid
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
-
penchant
a strong liking
-
penitent
feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds
-
penurious
excessively unwilling to spend
-
penury
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
-
peregrination
traveling or wandering around
-
peremptory
putting an end to all debate or action
-
perfidious
tending to betray; especially having a treacherous character as attributed to the Carthaginians by the Romans
-
perfidy
an act of deliberate betrayal
-
perfunctory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
-
perilous
fraught with danger
-
peripatetic
traveling especially on foot
-
perish
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
-
perjury
criminal offense of making false statements under oath
-
permeate
spread or diffuse through
-
pernicious
exceedingly harmful
-
perpetrate
perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
-
personable
(of persons) pleasant in appearance and personality
-
perspicacity
the capacity to assess situations or circumstances shrewdly and to draw sound conclusions
-
pertain
be relevant to
-
pest
a persistently annoying person
-
petrified
-
petrify
change into stone
-
petrous
(of bone especially the temporal bone) resembling stone in hardness
-
petulant
easily irritated or annoyed
-
philistine
a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
-
phlegmatic
showing little emotion
-
picaresque
involving clever rogues or adventurers especially as in a type of fiction
-
pied
having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
-
pinch
squeeze tightly between the fingers
-
pine
a coniferous tree
-
pious
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
-
piquant
having an agreeably pungent taste
-
pique
a sudden outburst of anger
-
pitfall
an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty
-
pith
soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants
-
pivotal
being of crucial importance
-
placate
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
plaintive
expressing sorrow
-
plaque
a memorial made of brass
-
platitude
a trite or obvious remark
-
plea
a humble request for help from someone in authority
-
plead
appeal or request earnestly
-
plethora
extreme excess
-
pliant
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
plod
walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
-
pluck
pull lightly but sharply with a plucking motion
-
plumb
exactly vertical
-
plummet
drop sharply
-
plunge
dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity
-
poignant
keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
-
poncho
a blanket-like cloak with a hole in the center for the head
-
ponderous
having great mass and weight and unwieldiness
-
portent
a sign of something about to happen
-
precarious
not secure; beset with difficulties
-
precept
rule of personal conduct
-
preclude
make impossible, especially beforehand
-
precursory
warning of future misfortune
-
predilection
a predisposition in favor of something
-
predominate
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
-
preen
clean with one's bill
-
premature
too soon or too hasty
-
preponderance
exceeding in heaviness; having greater weight
-
presage
a foreboding about what is about to happen
-
presumption
an assumption that is taken for granted
-
preternatural
existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
-
prevalent
most frequent or common
-
prevaricate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
-
prim
affectedly dainty or refined
-
pristine
immaculately clean and unused
-
probity
complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
-
proclivity
a natural inclination
-
procrastination
the act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or defering an action to a later time
-
prodigal
recklessly wasteful
-
prodigious
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
profane
grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
-
profligacy
the trait of spending extravagantly
-
profligate
unrestrained by convention or morality
-
profundity
the quality of being physically deep
-
profuse
produced or growing in extreme abundance
-
proliferate
grow rapidly
-
prolix
tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length
-
prone
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
-
propagation
the act of producing offspring or multiplying by such production
-
propinquity
the property of being close together
-
propitiatory
intended to reconcile or appease
-
propitious
presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
-
prosaic
lacking wit or imagination
-
proscribe
command against
-
protracted
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
-
provident
providing carefully for the future
-
provisional
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
-
provoke
provide the needed stimulus for
-
prudence
discretion in practical affairs
-
prudish
exaggeratedly proper
-
prune
cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
-
pry
be nosey
-
pucker
to gather something into small wrinkles or folds
-
pugnacious
tough and callous by virtue of experience
-
puissance
power to influence or coerce
-
punctilious
marked by precise accordance with details
-
pundit
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
-
pungency
a strong odor or taste property
-
purvey
supply with provisions
-
pusillanimous
lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful
-
putrefaction
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
-
pyre
wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite
-
quack
the harsh sound of a duck
-
quaff
to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
-
quail
small gallinaceous game birds
-
qualm
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
-
quandary
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
-
quell
suppress or crush completely
-
quibble
evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections
-
quiescence
a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction
-
quiescent
being quiet or still or inactive
-
quirk
a strange attitude or habit
-
quixotic
not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic
-
quotidian
found in the ordinary course of events
-
rabble
a disorderly crowd of people
-
raconteur
a person skilled in telling anecdotes
-
raffish
marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
-
ramify
have or develop complicating consequences
-
rancorous
showing deep-seated resentment
-
rant
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
-
rapacious
living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey
-
rarefy
lessen the density or solidity of
-
rave
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
-
reactionary
extremely conservative
-
rebuff
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
-
recalcitrant
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
recant
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
recast
cast again
-
recidivism
habitual relapse into crime
-
reciprocity
a relation of mutual dependence or action or influence
-
recital
a public instance of reciting or repeating (from memory) something prepared in advance
-
recluse
one who lives in solitude
-
recompense
make payment to; compensate
-
reconcile
come to terms
-
recondite
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
-
recreant
having deserted a cause or principle
-
recuperate
restore to good health or strength
-
redeem
exchange or buy back for money; under threat
-
redoubtable
inspiring fear
-
refine
reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities
-
refractory
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
refulgent
radiating or as if radiating light
-
regale
provide with choice or abundant food or drink
-
regicide
the act of killing a king
-
reiterate
to say, state, or perform again
-
rejuvenation
the act of restoring to a more youthful condition
-
relapse
deteriorate in health
-
reminiscent
serving to bring to mind
-
remonstrate
argue in protest or opposition
-
render
give or supply
-
renovate
restore to a previous or better condition
-
renowned
widely known and esteemed
-
repast
the food served and eaten at one time
-
repel
force or drive back
-
repine
express discontent
-
reproach
express criticism towards
-
reprobate
a person without moral scruples
-
repudiate
refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
-
repulsive
offensive to the mind
-
requite
make repayment for or return something
-
rescind
cancel officially
-
resigned
-
resilience
the physical property of a material that can return to its original shape or position after deformation that does not exceed its elastic limit
-
resort
have recourse to
-
restive
being in a tense state
-
resuscitation
the act of reviving a person and returning them to consciousness
-
retard
cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate
-
reticent
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
-
retrospective
concerned with or related to the past
-
revere
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
-
reverent
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
-
riddle
pierce with many holes
-
rift
a narrow fissure in rock
-
rivet
heavy pin having a head at one end and the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces that are fastened together
-
roll
move by turning over or rotating
-
rotund
spherical in shape
-
ruffian
a cruel and brutal fellow
-
rumple
disturb the smoothness of
-
sagacious
acutely insightful and wise
-
salacious
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
-
salubrious
promoting health; healthful
-
salutary
tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
-
sanctimony
the quality of being hypocritically devout
-
sanction
official permission or approval
-
sanguine
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
-
sanity
normal or sound powers of mind
-
sash
a band of material around the waist that strengthens a skirt or trousers
-
satiate
fill to satisfaction
-
saturnine
bitter or scornful
-
savant
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
-
savor
the taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth
-
sawdust
fine particles of wood made by sawing wood
-
scabbard
a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet
-
scent
any property detected by the olfactory system
-
scorch
burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color
-
scribble
write down quickly without much attention to detail
-
scurvy
a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
-
secular
someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
-
sedulous
marked by care and persistent effort
-
seminal
pertaining to or containing or consisting of semen
-
sententious
concise and full of meaning
-
sequence
a following of one thing after another in time
-
sere
(used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture
-
sermon
an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
-
serrated
notched like a saw with teeth pointing toward the apex
-
serration
the condition of being serrated
-
servile
submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior
-
sever
set or keep apart
-
severance
the act of severing
-
shallow
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
-
shard
a broken piece of a brittle artifact
-
sheath
a protective covering (as for a knife or sword)
-
shrewd
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
shrill
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
-
shun
avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
-
shunt
a conductor having low resistance in parallel with another device to divert a fraction of the current
-
sidestep
a step to one side (as in boxing or dancing)
-
simper
smile affectedly or derisively
-
sinuous
curved or curving in and out
-
skiff
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
-
skit
a short theatrical episode
-
slack
not tense or taut
-
slake
satisfy (thirst)
-
slate
a fine-grained metamorphic rock that can be split into thin layers
-
sluggard
an idle slothful person
-
slur
utter indistinctly
-
smolder
burn slowly and without a flame
-
snare
a trap for birds or small mammals; often has a slip noose
-
snub
refuse to acknowledge
-
soar
rise rapidly
-
sober
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
-
sobriety
the state of being sober and not intoxicated by alcohol
-
sodden
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
-
soggy
(of soil) soft and watery
-
solvent
capable of meeting financial obligations
-
somatic
affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
-
soot
a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink
-
sophisticated
having or appealing to those having worldly knowledge and refinement and savoir-faire
-
sophistry
a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone
-
South America
a continent in the western hemisphere connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama
-
soporific
sleep inducing
-
sordid
foul and run-down and repulsive
-
spear
a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
-
specious
plausible but false
-
splenetic
of or relating to the spleen
-
splice
join the ends of
-
sponge
primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies
-
spurious
plausible but false
-
spurn
reject with contempt
-
squalid
foul and run-down and repulsive
-
squander
spend thoughtlessly; throw away
-
squat
sit on one's heels
-
stanch
stop the flow of a liquid
-
steeply
in a steep manner
-
stentorian
used of the voice
-
stickler
someone who insists on something
-
stigma
a symbol of disgrace or infamy
-
stigmatize
to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
-
sting
deliver a sting to
-
stingy
unwilling to spend
-
stint
supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
-
stipple
engrave by means of dots and flicks
-
stipulate
specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
-
stolid
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
stray
wander from a direct course or at random
-
streak
a narrow marking of a different color or texture from the background
-
striate
marked with stria or striations
-
stride
walk with long steps
-
strut
to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
-
Stygian
dark and dismal as of the rivers Acheron and Styx in Hades
-
stymie
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
-
subdue
put down by force or intimidation
-
sublime
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
-
submerge
put under water
-
suborn
incite to commit a crime or an evil deed
-
subpoena
a writ issued by court authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding; disobedience may be punishable as a contempt of court
-
substantiation
the act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something
-
subsume
contain or include
-
succor
assistance in time of difficulty
-
suffice
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
-
suffocate
deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
-
sullied
-
summarily
without delay; in a summary manner
-
sumptuous
rich and superior in quality
-
sundry
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
-
supercilious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
superfluous
more than is needed, desired, or required
-
superimpose
place on top of
-
supersede
take the place or move into the position of
-
supine
lying face upward
-
suppliant
humbly entreating
-
supplicate
ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer
-
suppress
to put down by force or authority
-
surcharge
an additional charge (as for items previously omitted or as a penalty for failure to exercise common caution or common skill)
-
surfeit
indulge (one's appetite) to satiety
-
susceptibility
the state of being susceptible; easily affected
-
swerve
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
-
sycophant
a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
-
synopsis
a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
-
taciturn
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
-
tadpole
a larval frog or toad
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talon
a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey
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tamp
press down tightly
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tamper
play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly
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tangential
of superficial relevance if any
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tarnished
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tassel
adornment consisting of a bunch of cords fastened at one end
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taunt
harass with persistent criticism or carping
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taut
pulled or drawn tight
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tautology
useless repetition
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tawdry
tastelessly showy
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teetotal
practicing complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages
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telltale
disclosing unintentionally
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temerity
fearless daring
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temperance
the trait of avoiding excesses
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temperate
not extreme
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tenacity
persistent determination
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tenuous
very thin in gauge or diameter
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tepid
moderately warm
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terse
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
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testiness
feeling easily irritated
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thrift
extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money unnecessarily
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thwart
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
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timid
showing fear and lack of confidence
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timorous
timid by nature or revealing timidity
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toady
a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
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tonic
a medicine that strengthens and invigorates
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topple
fall down, as if collapsing
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torment
intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain
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torpid
in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
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torque
a twisting force
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tortuous
marked by repeated turns and bends
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tout
advertize in strongly positive terms
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tractable
easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)
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transgress
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
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transient
lasting a very short time
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transitory
lasting a very short time
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travesty
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
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trenchant
having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect
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trepidation
a feeling of alarm or dread
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trickle
run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
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trifling
not worth considering
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trite
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
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truce
a state of peace agreed to between opponents so they can discuss peace terms
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truculence
obstreperous and defiant aggressiveness
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trudge
walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
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turbid
(of liquids) clouded as with sediment
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turbulence
instability in the atmosphere
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turgid
ostentatiously lofty in style
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turmoil
a violent disturbance
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turpitude
a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
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turquoise
a shade of blue tinged with green
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tyro
someone new to a field or activity
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ubiquitous
being present everywhere at once
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ulterior
lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed (especially being kept in the background or deliberately concealed)
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umbrage
a feeling of anger caused by being offended
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uncouth
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
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underbid
bid (a hand of cards) at less than the strength of the hand warrants
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undermine
destroy property or hinder normal operations
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undulate
move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
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unearth
recover through digging
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unencumbered
free of encumbrance
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unfeigned
not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed
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unscathed
not injured
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untoward
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
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upbraid
express criticism towards
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urbane
showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience
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vacillation
indecision in speech or action
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vagary
an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)
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vain
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
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valiant
having or showing valor
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valorous
having or showing valor
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vanquish
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
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variegate
make something more diverse and varied
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veer
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
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venal
capable of being corrupted
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veneer
coating consisting of a thin layer of superior wood glued to a base of inferior wood
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veneration
a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
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veracity
unwillingness to tell lies
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verdant
characterized by abundance of verdure
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verisimilitude
the appearance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true
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veritable
not counterfeit or copied
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verve
an energetic style
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vestige
an indication that something has been present
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vex
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
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vigilance
the process of paying close and continuous attention
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vigilant
carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
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vigorous
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
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vilify
spread negative information about
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vindictive
disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
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virago
a noisy or scolding or domineering woman
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visceral
relating to or affecting the viscera
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viscous
having a relatively high resistance to flow
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vitiate
make imperfect
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vituperate
spread negative information about
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vivacious
vigorous and animated
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volatile
a volatile substance; a substance that changes readily from solid or liquid to a vapor
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volubility
the quality of being facile in speech and writing
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voluble
marked by a ready flow of speech
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waffle
pancake batter baked in a waffle iron
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waft
a long flag; often tapering
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wag
causing to move repeatedly from side to side
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warmonger
a person who advocates war or warlike policies
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warrant
formal and explicit approval
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wean
gradually deprive (infants and young mammals) of mother's milk
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weigh
have a certain weight
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welter
a confused multitude of things
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wend
direct one's course or way
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whimsical
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
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wince
a reflex response to sudden pain
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woo
seek someone's favor
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writ
(law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer
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yarn
a fine cord of twisted fibers (of cotton or silk or wool or nylon etc.) used in sewing and weaving