Term
approbation
(ap re ba' shen) |
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Definition
(n)
the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise, official approval
syn-commendation, sanction
ant-disapproval, condemnation, censure |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench
syn-mitigate, alleviate, slake, allay
ant-intensify, aggravate, exacerbate |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose
syn-alliance, league, federation, combine
ant-splinter group |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
decline, decay, or deterioration;a condition or period of decline or decay; excessive self-indulgence
syn-degeneration, corruption
ant-rise, growth, development, maturation |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to draw forth, bring out from source (such as another person)
syn-call forth, evoke, extract, educe
ant-repress, quash, squelch, stifle |
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Term
expostulate
(ik spas' cha lat) |
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Definition
(v)
to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decison by earnest reasoning
syn-protest, remoonstrate, complain |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
used so often as to lack freshness or originality
syn-banal, trite, commonplace, corny
ant-new, fresh, novel, original |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
a gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing)
syn-pause, lacuna
ant-continuity, continuation |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)
syn-insinuation, intimation
ant-direct statement |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement
syn-intervene, mediate |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)
syn-sated, surfeited, cloyed
ant-unspoiled, uncloyed |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
causing shock, horror, or relvulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint
syn-gruesome, gory, grisly, baleful, ghastly
ant-pleasant, attractive, appealing, wholesome |
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Term
meritorious
(mer i tor' e es) |
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Definition
(adj)
worth, deserving recognition and praise
syn-praiseworth, laudable, commendable
ant-blameworthy, reprehensible, discreditable |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset
syn-irritable, testy, waspish
ant-even-tempered, placid, serene, amiable |
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Term
prerogative
(pre rag' e tiv) |
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Definition
(n)
a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence
syn-perquisite, perk |
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Term
provincial
(pre vin' shel) |
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Definition
(adj)
pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the the sense of being limited and backward; of a simple, plain design that originated in the countryside;
(n)
a person with a narry point of view; a person from an outlying area; a soldier from a province or colony
syn (adj)-narrow-minded, parochial, insular, naive
ant (adj)-cosmopolitan, catholic, broad-minded |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of
syn-feign, pretend, affect |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to rise above or beyond, exceed
syn-surpass, outstrip |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
shade cast by trees; foilage giving shade; an overshadowing influence or power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion
syn-irritation, pique, annoyance
ant-pleasure, delight, satisfaction |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty; oily; pliable
syn-mealymouthed, servile, fawning, greasy
ant-gruff, blunt |
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Term
ameliorate
(e mel' ye rate) |
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Definition
(v)
to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming
syn-amend, better
ant-worsen, aggravate, exacerbate |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity
syn-composure, self-possession, levelheadedness
ant-confusion, embarrassment, abashment |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas
syn-inflated, highfalutin, high-flown, pretentious
ant-unadorned, simple, plain, austere |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers
syn-green, raw, unfledged, inexperienced
ant-mature, grown-up, polished, sophisticated |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
savliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense
(v)
to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly
syn(n)-balderdash, hogwash, tommyrot, slaver |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality
syn-abstract, digest, model, archetype |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to urge strongly, advise earnestly
syn-entreat, implore, adjure
ant-discourage, advise against, deprecate |
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Term
ex officio
(eks e fish' e o) |
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Definition
(adj) (adv)
by virtue of holding a certain office |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds
syn-encroach, impringe, intrude, poach
ant-stay in bounds |
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Term
ingratiate
(in gra' she ate) |
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Definition
(v)
to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense)
syn-cozy up to, curry favor with
ant-alienate, humiliate oneself, morify oneself |
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Term
interloper
(in' ter lope er) |
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Definition
(n)
one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder
syn-trespasser, meddler, buttinsky |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; origination in a bodily organ or part
syn-immanent, organic
ant-extrinsic, external, outward |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval
syn-rain, harangue, fulminate, remonstrate
ant-acclaim, glorify, extol |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
weariness of body or mind, lack of energy)
syn-fatigue, lethargy, torpor, languor
ant-energy, vitality, animation, liveliness |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy
syn-chilliad, golden age, prosperity, peace
ant-doomsday, day of judgment |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means
(v)
to hide, conceal; eclipse
(n)
matters involving the supernatural
syn(adj)-supernatural, esoteric, abstruse, arcane
ant(adj)-mundane, common, public, exoteric |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to spread through, penetrate, soak through |
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Term
precipitate
(pri sip' e tate) |
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Definition
(v)
to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distict form to
(adj)
characterized by excessive haste
(n)
moisture; the product of an action or process
syn(v)-provoke, produce; (adj)-reckless, impetuous
ant(adj)-wary, cautious, circumspect |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste
syn-stern, rigorous, tough, urgent, imperative
ant-lenient, mild, lax, permissive |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess
(n)
likely idea that lacks definite proof
syn(v)-infer, gather (n)-inference, presumption |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to have an intense dislike or hatred for
syn-loathe, abhor, despise, detest
ant-relish, savor, cherish, esteem |
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Term
acculturation
(e kul che ra' shun) |
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Definition
(n)
the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blen
syn-adaptation |
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Term
adventitious
(ad ven tish' es) |
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Definition
(adj)
resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essentical; (medicine) acquired, not congenital
syn-extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous
ant-essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute
syn-impute, credit, attribute |
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Term
circuitous
(ser kyu' e tes) |
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Definition
(adj)
roundabout, not direct
syn-indirect, meandering, winding
ant-straight, direct, as the crow flies |
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Term
commiserate
(ke miz' e rate) |
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Definition
(v)
to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress
syn-feel sorry for, empathize
ant-feel no sympathy for |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit
syn-bid, charge, command, adjure
ant-allow, permit |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to make easy, cause to progress faster
syn-accelerate, facilitate, speed up
ant-hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct |
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Term
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Definition
(v) to make amends, make up for; to avert
syn-redeem, make amends for, atone, make reparation |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence
(v)
to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action
syn(n)-commotion, turmoil, unrest
ant(n)-peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity |
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Term
inadvertent
(in ed ver' tent) |
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Definition
(adj)
resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental
syn-accidental, unconsidered
ant-deliberate, intentional, premeditated |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously
syn-titular, token, trifling, inconsequential
ant-real, actual, exorbitant, excessive |
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Term
noncommittal
(nan ke mit' el) |
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Definition
(adj)
not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no
syn-cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest
ant-positive, definite, committed |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to steal something that has been givein into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use
syn-embezzle, defraud, misappropriate |
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Term
proclivity
(pro kliv' e tee) |
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Definition
(n)
a natural a habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)
syn-natural bent, penchant, propensity
ant-inability or incapacity |
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Term
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Definition
(n)
composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances
syn-poise, self-assurance, equanimity
ant-excitability, hysteria, flappability |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government
syn-mutinous, rebellious, subversive
ant-supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant |
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Term
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Definition
(adj)
thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported
syn-flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy
ant-strong, solid, substantial, valid |
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Term
vitriolic
(vi tree al' ik) |
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Definition
(adj)
bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)
syn-withering, acerbic, mordant
ant-bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary |
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Term
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Definition
(v)
to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end
syn-cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk
ant-coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm |
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