Term
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Definition
adj. theoretical; not concrete, non-representational.
To him, hunger was an abstract concept; he had never missed a meal.
Synonyms: hypothetical, ideal, theoretical, transcendent, transcendental
Antonym: Concrete |
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Term
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Definition
v. assent, agree passively .
Although she had appeared to acquiesce to her employer's suggestions, I could tell she had reservations.
Synonyms: assent, accede, agree, consent, subscribe, yes
Antonym: object |
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Term
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Definition
v. warn; reprove
He admonished his listeners to change their wicked ways.
Synonyms: reprove, call down, chide, lesson, monish
Antonym: commend |
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Term
adversary
(AD-ver-seh-ree) |
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Definition
n. opponent
The young wrestler struggled to defeat his adversary.
Synonyms: opponent, antagonist, anti, con, match, opposer, oppugnant
Antonym: ally |
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Term
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Definition
v. urge; plead for.
The abolitionists advocated freedom for the slaves.
Synonyms: encourage, countenance, favor
Antonym: impugn |
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Term
affirmation
(a-fer-MAY-shun) |
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Definition
n. positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath.
Despite Tom's affirmations of innocence, Aunt Polly still suspected he had eaten the pie.
Synonyms: declaration, profession
Antonym: debate |
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Term
altruistic
(al-troo-IS-tik) |
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Definition
adj. unselfishly generous; concerned for others.
In providing college scholarships for economically disadvantaged youths, Eugene Lang performed a truly altruistic dead.
Synonyms: charitable, benevolent, eleemosynary, good, humane, humanitarian, philanthropic
Antonym: egoistic |
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Term
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Definition
adj. unclear or doubtful in meaning.
His ambiguous instructions misled us; we did not know which road to take.
Synonyms: obscure, amphibological, equivocal, opaque, tenebrous, uncertain, unclear, unexplicit, unintelligible, vague
Antonym: explicit |
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Term
ambivalence
(am-BIV-uh-lehns) |
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Definition
n. the state of having contradictory or conflicting motional attitudes.
Torn between loving her parents one minute and hating them the next, she was confused by the ambivalence of her feelings.
Synonyms: equivocal
Antonyms: none |
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Term
ameliorate
(ah-MEE-lee-oh-rayt) |
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Definition
v. improve.
Many social workers have attempted to ameliorate the conditions of people living in the slums.
Synonyms: amend, better, help, meliorate
Antonyms: worsen, deteriorate |
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Term
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Definition
n. a person who rebels against the established order.
Only the total overthrow of all governmental regulations would satisfy the anarchist.
Synonyms: rebel, anarch, frondeur, insurgent, insurrectionist, malcontent, mutineer, revolter
Antonym: none |
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Term
animosity
(an-i-MAHS-i-tee) |
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Definition
n. active enmity.
He incurred the animosity of the ruling class because he advocated limitations of their power.
Synonym: enmity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, hostility, rancor
Antonym: goodwill |
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Term
antithesis
(an-TITH-eh-sis) |
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Definition
n. contrast; direct opposite of or to
This tyranny was the antithesis of all that he had hoped for, and he fought it with all his strength.
Synonyms: opposite, antipodal, antipodean, contradictory, converse, counter, diametric, polar, reverse
Antonym: none |
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Term
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Definition
n. lack of caring, indifference.
A firm believer in democratic government, she could not understand the apathy of people who never bothered to vote.
Synonyms: impassivity, sensibility, phlegm, stoicism, stolidity, unresponsiveness, disinterest, disregard, lethargy
Antonym: zeal, enthusiasm |
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Term
arbitrary
(AR-beh-tra-ree) |
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Definition
adj. unreasonable or capricious; imperious; tyrannical.
Any arbitrary action on your part will be resented by the members whom you do not consult.
Synonyms: capricious, erratic, freakish, vagarious, wayward, whimsical, whimsied
Antonym: none |
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Term
articulate
(ar-TIK-eu-layt) |
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Definition
adj. effective; distinct.
Her articulate presentation of the advertising campaign impressed her employers.
Synonyms: eloquent, fluent, smooth-spoken
Antonym: inarticulate |
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Term
ascendancy
(as-SEHN-duhn-see) |
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Definition
n. controlling influence; domination.
Leaders of religious cults maintain ascendancy over their followers by methods that can verge on brain-washing
Synonyms: supremacy, dominance, domination, dominion, masterdom, preeminence, preponderance, prepotence, prepotency, sovereignty
Antonym: none |
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Term
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Definition
adj. wise; shrewd.
That was a very astute observation. I shall heed it.
Synonyms: argute, astucious, cagey, heady, perspicacious, sagacious
Antonym: gullible |
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