Term
Adomonish
Verb
3 syllables
The librarian had to admonish the noisy students several times before they settled down. |
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Definition
(v.) To caution or advise against something; to scold mildly; to remind of duty
Synonyms: warn, call on the carpet
Antonyms: praise, pat on the back |
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Term
Breach
Noun/Verb[image]
1 syllable
Because of a serious breach of rules, two players were ejected from the game. |
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Definition
(n.) An opening, gap, rupture, rift; a violation or infraction; (v.) to create an opening, break through
Synonyms: None
Antonyms: (v) close, seal |
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Term
Brigand
Noun
2 syllables
Ancient caravans passing through desolate areas were sometimes attacked by brigands. |
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Definition
(n.) A bandit, robber, outlaw, highwayman
Synonyms: None
Antonyms: None |
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Term
Circumspect
[image]
Adj.
3 syllables
It is important for a diplomat to behave in a manner that is both discreet and circumspect. |
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Definition
(adj.) careful, cautious
Synonyms: wary, prudent, guarded
Antonyms: incautious, rash, reckless, heedless |
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Term
Commandeer
Verb
3 syllables
Under certain circumstances the U.S government has the right to commandeer private property. |
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Definition
(v) To seize for military or official use
Synonyms: take over, requistion, expropriate
Antonyms: None |
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Term
Cumbersome
Adj.
3 syllables
[image]
The bus was filled to capcity with holiday shoppers carrying large and cubersome packages. |
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Definition
(adj.) clumsy, hard to handle; slow moving
Synonyms: unwieldy, ponderous
Antonyms: manageable, easy to handle |
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Term
Deadlock
Noun/Verb
2 syllables
After 15 innings, the score remained a frustrating 3-3 deadlock. |
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Definition
(n.) a standstill resulting from the oppsition of two equal forces or fractions; (v.) to bring to such a standstill
Synonyms: (n)standoff, stalemate, impasse
Antonyms: (n) agreement, accord, breakthrough |
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Term
Debris
Noun
2 syllables
After the storm, the beach was littered with driftwood and other debris.
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Definition
(n) scattered fragments, wreckage
Synonyms: rubble, detritus, flotsam & jetsam
Antonyms: None
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Term
Diffuse
Verb/Adj.
2 syllables
[image]The scent of lilacs slowly diffused through the open window. |
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Definition
(v.) to spread or scatter freely or widely; (adj.) wordy, long-winded, or unfocused; scattered or widely spread
Synonyms (v) disperse;(adj.) rambling, verbose, prolix
Antonyms (v.) concentrate; (adj.) brief, concise, succinct
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Term
Dilemma
Verb
3 sllyables
During the crisis the President found himself caught in a painful dilemma. |
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Definition
(n) A difficult or perplexing situation or problem
Synonyms predicament, quandary, pickle, bind
Antonyms cinch
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Term
Efface
Verb
2 syllables
Time had effaced almost all signs of the struggle that took place on the battlefield. |
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Definition
(v) To wipe out; to keep oneself from being noticed
Synonyms blot out, erase, obliterate, expunge
Antonyms None
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Term
Muddle
Verb
2 syllables
Too much stress and too little sleep will muddle a persons ability to concentrate. |
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Definition
(v) to make a mess of; muddle through: to get by; (n) a hopless mess
Snyonyms (v) jumble, mess up, (n) confusion
Antonyms (n) orderliness, tidiness, neatness |
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Term
Opinionated
ADJ.
4 syllables
My boss is not too opinionated to listen to a reasonable proposition. |
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Definition
(adj.) stubborn and often unreasonable in holding to one's own ideas; having a closed mind
Synonyms obstinate, pig-headed, inflexible
Antonyms open-minded, reasonable
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Term
Perennial
ADJ/Noun
4 syllables
Pizza is a perennial favorite of young and old alike in the United States. |
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Definition
(adj) lasting for a long time, oersistent; (n) a plant that lives for many years.
Synonyms (adj) enduring, reccuring
Antonyms (adj) brief, shortlived, fleeting, ephemeral |
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Term
Predispose
Verb
3 syllables
My genetic makeup seems to predispose me to colds and sore throats. |
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Definition
(v) To incline to beforehand
Synonyms make susceptible to
Antonyms immunize against, shield form |
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Term
Relinquish
Verb
3 syllables
Severe illness forced me to relinquish my role in the school play. |
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Definition
(v) to let go, give up
Synonyms surrender, abandon
Antonyms hold on to, keep, retain, cling to |
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Term
Salvage
Verb/Noun
2 syllables
Fortunately, we were able to salvage a few things from the fire. |
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Definition
(v) To save from fire or shipwreck; (n) propety thus saved
Synonyms (v) rescue, recover, retrieve, reclaim
Antonyms (v) abandon, scrap, junk |
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Term
Spasmodic
Adj.
3syllables
Spasmodic flashes of lightning and booming thunderclaps were accompanied by torrential rain. |
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Definition
(adj.) Sudden and violent but brief; fitful; intermittent
Synonyms: irregular, occasional
Antonyms: steady, continuous, chronic |
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Term
Spurious
Adj.
3 syllables
Manufacturers who make spurious claims for their products may face fines or lawsuits. |
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Definition
(adj.) not genuine, not true, not valid
Synonyms: false, counterfeit, fraudulent, bogus
Antonyms: genuine, authentic, bona fide, valid |
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Term
Unbridled
Adj.
3 syllables
Sometimes the unbridled enthusiasm of sports fans can get a little out of hand. |
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Definition
(adj.) uncontrolled, lacking in restraint
Synonyms: unrestrained, unchecked
Antonyms: restrained, held in check, muted |
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