attrition

Sports teams are constantly looking for new talent to replace players lost through attrition-those who retire, quit because of injuries, and so on.

Part of Speech: noun

Definition: a natrual loss of individuals

Synonym(s): abrasion, erosion

Antonym(s): building, strengthening

circumvent

I had to swerve to the right to circumvent a huge pothole.

Part of Speech: verb

Definition: to avoid

Synonym(s): dodge, prevent

Antonym(s): assist, permit

cohesive

A family needs to be cohesive-to stay together even when stresses and strains threaten to tear it apart.

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: connected

Synonym(s): strong, unyielding

Antonym(s): surrendering, weak

grievous

The assisination of a great leader, such as Mahatma Gandi or Martin Luther King Jr., often does grievous harm to a society.

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: terrible

Synonym(s): severe, painful

Antonym(s): harmless, pleasent

inundate

During the heavy rains, the river overflowed and inundated the fields, detroying all the crops.

Part of Speech: verb

Definition: to flood

Synonym(s): drown, overwhelm

Antonym(s): underwhelm

oblivious

The driver continued into the intersection, apparently oblivious to the fact that the light had turned red.

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: not noticing

Synonym(s): unaware, ignorant

Antonym(s): aware, conscious

reticent

Paul is very reticent about his first marriage; he never talks about his former wife or what led to their divorce.

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: quiet

Synonym(s): secretive, reserved

Antonym(s): communicative, unrestrained

robust

Once an energetic, robust man, Mr. Rand has been considerably weakened by illness.

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: strong and well

Synonym(s): healthy, boisterous

Antonym(s): infirm, weak

sanction

By greeting the dictator with extreme courtesy and fanfare, the legislature seemed to sanction his policies.

Part of Speech: verb

Definition: to grant approval of

Synonym(s): confirmation, countenance

Antonym(s): refusal, veto

vociferous

When male loons sense that their territory is being invaded, they give vociferous cries of challenge.

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: loud

Synonym(s): insistent, clamorous

Antonym(s): quiet, silent