Term
|
Definition
(adj) able to get and retain ideas or information; concerned with acquiring wealth or property
syn: greedy, grasping, avaricious, retentive
ant: altruistic, unretentive |
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Term
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Definition
(v) to claim or take without right
syn: expropriate, usurp, commandeer
ant: relinquish, renounce, abdicate, abandon |
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Term
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Definition
(adj) hackneyed, trite, commonplace
syn: stale, insipid
ant: fresh, novel, original, new |
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Term
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Definition
(v) to work on excessively; to thrash soundly
syn: overwork |
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Term
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Definition
(adj) tending to find fault, especially in petty, nasty, or hairsplitting way
(n) petty, nagging criticism
syn: nit-picking, caviling
ant: approving, uncritical |
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Term
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Definition
(adj) holding or sticking together; making a logical whole; comprehensible, meaningful
syn: connected, unified, consistent, cohesive
ant: muddled, chaotic, disjointed |
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Term
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Definition
(v) to change from liquid to solid, thicken; to make inflexible or rigid
syn: harden, jell, coagulate, solidify
ant: melt, liquefy |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to imitate with the intent of equaling or surpassing the model
syn: copy, mimic, rival, match, measure up to |
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Term
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Definition
(n) a formal expression of praise, a lavish tribute
syn: panegyric, eulogy, commendation
ant: condemnation, castigation, criticism |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to avoid, shun, keep away from
syn: abstain from, steer clear of, forgo
ant: embrace, adopt |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) relevant, appropriate, apropos, fitting
syn: pertinent
ant: irrelevant, extraneous, inappropriate |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) so great or demanding as not to be satisfied
syn: unquenchable, ravenous, voracious |
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Term
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Definition
(adj) refusing to compromise, irreconcilable
syn: uncompromising, unyielding, obdurate
ant: lukewarm, halfhearted, yielding |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) offensive, hateful; tending to cause bitterness and resentment
syn: malicious, spiteful, prejudicial, pejorative
ant: complimentary, flattering, ameliorative |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) generosity in giving; lavish or bountiful contributions
syn: liberality, munificence, bounty
ant: stinginess, miserliness, niggardliness |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a survey made for military purposes; any kind of preliminary inspection or examination
syn: scouting expedition |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to establish by evidence, prove; to give concrete or substantial form to
syn: verify, confirm, validate, authenticate
ant: refute, disprove, invalidate |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) habitually silent or quiet, inclined to talk very little
syn: tight-lipped, uncommunicative, laconic
ant: garrulous, loquacious, prolix, verbose |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to stall or act evasively in order to gain time, avoid a confrontation, or postpone a decision; to compromise
syn: hedge, dillydally, procrastinate |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) capable of being held or defended
syn: defensible, justifiable, maintainable
ant: indefensible, unjustifiable |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to approach and speak to first; to confront in a challenging or aggressive way
syn: buttonhole, approach, confront
ant: evade, avoid, shun |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a comment indicating strong criticism or disapproval
syn: rebuke, reproof
ant: praise, compliment |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) desirous of something to the point of greed; intensely eager
syn: keen, enthusiastic, grasping
ant: reluctant, indifferent, unenthusiastic |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) having a salty taste and unpleasant to drink
syn: briny, saline
ant: fresh, clear, sweet |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) swiftness, rapidity of motion or action
syn: promptness, alacrity, speed
ant: slowness, sluggishness, dilatoriness |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) straying or wandering from a straight or direct course; done or acting in a shifty or underhanded way
syn: roundabout, indirect, tricky, sly, artful
ant: direct, straightforward, open, aboveboard |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) in chess, an opening move that involves risk or sacrifice of a minor piece in order to gain a later advantage; any opening move of this type
syn: ploy, stratagem, ruse, maneuver |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a legendary bird identified with the kingfisher
(adj) of or relating to the halcyon; calm, peaceful; happy, golden; prosperous, affluent
syn: tranquil, serene, placid, palmy
ant: turbulent, chaotic, tumultuous |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) pertaining to actors and their techniques; theatrical, artificial; melodramatic
syn: affected, stagy
ant: low-keyed, muted, untheatrical, subdued |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) deliberately setting or causing fires; designed to start fires; tending to stir up strife or rebellion
(n) one who deliberately sets fires, arsonist; one who causes strife
syn: inflammatory, provocative, firebrand
ant: soothing, quieting, peacemaker |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a whirlpool of great size and violence; a situation resembling a whirlpool in violence and destruction
syn: vortex, chaos, turbulence, tumult |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) nearsighted; lacking a broad, realistic view of situation; lacking foresight or discernment
syn: shortsighted
ant: farsighted |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) open, not hidden, expressed or revealed in a way that is easily recognized
syn: clear, obvious, manifest, patent
ant: secret, clandestine, covert, concealed |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) tending to make worse; expressing disapproval or disparagement, derogatory, deprecatory, belittling
ant: complimentary, ameliorative |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a state of being proper, appropriateness; standards of what is proper or socially acceptable
syn: fitness, correctness, decorum
ant: unseemliness, inappropriateness |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) improper or disrespectful treatment of something held sacred
syn: desecration, profanation, defilement |
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Term
|
Definition
(adv) without delay or formality; briefly, concisely
syn: promptly, peremptorily, abruptly |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) asking humbly and earnestly
(n) one who makes a request humbly and earnestly, a petitioner, suitor |
|
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Term
|
Definition
| (n) an object that serves as a charm or is believed to confer magical powers, an amulet, fetish |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to move in waves or with a wavelike motion; to have a wavelike appearance or form
syn: ripple, fluctuate, rise and fall |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to pronounce distinctly; to expresss well in words; to connect by a joint or joints
(adj) expressed clearly and forcefully; able to employ language clearly and forcefully; jointed
syn: pronounce, elucidate, eloquent
ant: mumble, slur, tongue-tied, halting |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to romp or prance around exuberantly; to make merry
syn: gambol |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) belief, mental acceptance
syn: credit, trust, confidence
ant; disbelief, skepticism, incredulity |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to condemn, express strong disapproval; to officially depreciate
syn: denounce, censure, devalue
ant: tout, commend, extol, laud, praise |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to disguise or conceal, deliberately give a false impression
syn: dissimulate, mask, feign |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) very much agitated or upset as a result of emotion or mental conflict
syn: frantic, distracted
ant: calm, composed, collected |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a formal statement of commendation; high praise
syn: panegyric, encomium, tribute, testimonial
ant: philippic, diatribe, invective |
|
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to display clearly, to make evident, to provoke
syn: exhibit, manifest, occasion |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to remove form a grave; to bring to light
syn: disinter, unearth, uncover
ant: bury, inter |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) lacking in spirit and strength; ineffective, weak; irresponsible, unreliable
syn: feeble, helpless, incompetent, ineffective
ant: competent, capable, effective |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) dark and gloomy, obscure; lacking in clarity and precision
syn: dim, cloudy, unclear
ant: clear, transparent, lucid, limpid |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) wicked, depraved, devoid of moral standards
syn: iniquitous, reprehensible
ant: virtuous, honorable, praiseworthy, meritorious |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) stimulating to the taste or mind; spicy, pungent; appealingly provocative
syn: tangy, zestful
ant: bland, insipid, tasteless, mild |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) developed or created at the very beginning; going back to the most ancient times or earliest stage; fundamental, basic
syn: original, primeval, primal |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) nearness in place or time; kinship
syn: proximity, similarity
ant: remoteness, distance |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) not usual or expected; not in character
syn: unusual, uncommon, unexpected, atypical
ant: usual, customary, typical |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) founded upon or involving a visionary view of an ideal world; impractical
syn: idealistic
ant: realistic, pragmatic |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) language that is too wordy or inflated in proportion to the sense or content, wordiness; a manner of expression
syn: verbosity, prolixity, diction, jargon |
|
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) green in tint or color; immature in experience or judgment
syn: artless, naive
ant: scorched, sere, barren, arid |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) having a gelatinous or gluey quality, lacking in easy movement or fluidity
syn: gummy, sticky, thick
ant: runny, watery, aqueous |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure
(v) to waste away
syn: degeneration, deterioration, wither
ant: growth, development, mature, develope |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a fortified place, stronghold
syn: citadel, rampart, bulwark, parapet |
|
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a state of agreement, harmony, unanimity; a treaty, pact, covenant
ant: disagreement, strife, discord |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) complete or perfect in the highest degree
(v) to bring to a state of completion or perfection
syn: masterful, clinch, conclude
ant: launch, initiate, begin, kick off |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) disorder, confusion
(v) to throw into disorder
syn: disorganization, dishevel, mess up
ant: organization, order, tidiness |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) urgency, pressure; urgent demand, pressing need; an emergency
syn: requirement, crisis |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) floating debris; homeless, impoverished people
syn: floating wreckage |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) frenzied, highly agitated
syn: frantic, overwrought
ant: calm, controlled, relaxed, leisurely |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to gather bit by bit; to gather small quantities of grain left in a field by the reapers
syn: collect, cull, pick up |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a type of game bird; a complaint
(v) to complain, grumble
syn: gripe, kvetch, bellyache |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to imprison, confine, jail
syn: intern, immure
ant: liberate, release, free |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) obligatory, required
(n) one who holds a specific office at the time spoken of
syn: mandatory, necessary
ant: optional, unnecessary |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) humorous, jesting, jolly, joking
syn: waggish, facetious, droll, witty
ant: humorless, solemn, grave, earnest, grim |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) ridiculous, laughable, absurd
syn: risible, preposterous
ant: heartrending, poignant, pthetic |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) biting or caustic in thought, manner, or style; sharply or bitterly harsh
syn: acrimonious, acidulous, sardonic, scathing
ant: bland, mild, gentle, soothing |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a prickly or stinging plant
(v) to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger; to vex or irritate severely
syn: peeve, annoy, incense, gall, irk
ant: please, delight, soothe, pacify |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money
syn: monetary, financial |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited
syn: craven, lily-livered
ant: stouthearted, courageous, daring |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) in a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of one sleeping or resting
syn: prone, prostrate, supine, inactive
ant: erect, upright, energetic, dynamic |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a scheme to outwith or deceive an opponent or to gain an end
syn: ruse, trick, ploy, subterfuge |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) sharpness (particularly of the mind or senses)
syn: keenness, acuteness
ant: dullness, obtuseness |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to portray, sketch, or describe in accurate and vivid detail; to represent pictorially
syn: depict, picture, render |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) marked by evil and corruption, devoid of moral principles
syn: perverted, degenerate, vicious, corrupt
ant: moral, virtuous, upright, uncorrupted |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to weaken or lessen the mental, moral, or physical vigor of; enfeeble, hamstring
syn: impair, cripple, paralyze
ant: invigorate, strengthen, buttress |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) intended for or understood by only a select few, private, secret
syn: occult, cryptic, arcane, recondite
ant: accessible, comprehensible, intelligible |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) fruitful in offspring or vegetation; intellectually productive
syn: fertile, teeming, prolific
ant: infertile, barren, unproductive |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) an arbitrary order or decree; a command or act of will or consciousness
syn: edict, dictum, ukase |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a fabrication of the mind; an arbitrary notion
syn: creation, invention, fancy |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to acquire as the result of effort; to gather and store away, as for further use
syn: collect, accumulate, accrue
ant: scatter, squander, waste, dissipate |
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Term
|
Definition
(v) to set apart as holy or sacred, sanctify, consecrate; to honor greatly, revere
syn: venerate, bless
ant: desecrate, defile, profane |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a peculiarity that serves to distinguish or identify
syn: eccentricity, quirk, mannerism |
|
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Term
|
Definition
(n) shame and disgrace
syn: dishonor, humiliation, disrepute, odium
ant: honor, glory, acclaim |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) earthy, worldly, relating to practical and material affairs; concerned with what is ordinary
syn: prosaic, humdrum, routine, sublunary
ant: heavenly, unworldly, spiritual, transcendental |
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|
Term
|
Definition
(n) a subtle or slight variation (as in color, meaning, quality), delicate gradation or shade of difference
syn: shade, nicety, refinement |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) conceited, presumptuous; excessive, immoderate
syn: arrogant, unbridled, inflated
ant: restrained, understated, modest, meek |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a strong attraction or inclination
syn: proclivity, propensity, predilection
ant: disinclination, aversion |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) according to reputation or general belief; having widespread acceptance and good reputation; alleged
syn: putative, reputable, supposed
ant: proven, corroborated, authenticated |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) reasoning that seems plausible but is actually unsound; a fallacy
syn: specious reasoning |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) costly, rich, magnificent
syn: lavish, munificent, opulent, splendid
ant: skimpy, meager, stingy, niggardly, spartan |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) present or existing everywhere
syn: omnipresent, pervasive, universal
ant: restricted, limited, rare, scarce |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) degraded; base, contemptible; cringing, servile; complete and unrelieved
syn: wretched, miserable, ignoble, sheer, utter
ant: lofty, noble, exalted |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) one who believes that nothing can be known about God; a skeptic
(adj) without faith, skeptical
syn: doubter
ant: believer |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) involvement in wrongdoing; the state of being an accomplice
syn: connivance, collusion
ant: noninvolvement, innocence |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) someone or something that is abandoned or neglected
(adj) left abandoned; neglectful of duty
syn: vagrant, remiss, delinquent
ant: punctilious, conscientious, scrupulous |
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a bitter and prolonged verbal attack
syn: harangue, tirade
ant: panegyric, encomium, eulogy |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(n) a crude image of a despised person
syn: figure, figurine, likeness |
|
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Term
|
Definition
(n) the state or quality of being just, fair, or impartial; fair and equal treatment; something that is fair; the money value of a property above and beyond any mortgage or other claim
syn: justice, fairness, impartiality
ant: injustice, unfairness, bias, prejudice |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) silly, empty of meaning or value
syn: vapid, idiotic, moronic, fatuous
ant: sensible, meaningful, profound |
|
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Term
|
Definition
(n) the act of accusing; a formal accusation
syn: charge, accusation |
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|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) certain, not to be doubted or denied
syn: unquestionable, indisputable
ant: questionable, debatable, dubious |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) stopping and beginning again, sporadic
syn: fitful, spasmodic, random
ant: continuous, uninterrupted |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) open to discussing and debate, unresolved
(v) to bring up for discussion
(n) a hypothetical law case argued by students
syn: debatable, questionable, broach
ant: undebatable, indisputable, self-evident |
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Term
|
Definition
| (n) a principle idea, feature, theme, or element; a repeated or dominant figure in a design |
|
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Term
|
Definition
(n) a new convert, beginner, novice
syn: tenderfoot, tyro, rookie
ant: veteran, past master, expert, pro |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(n) keenness in observing and understanding
syn: acuity, acumen, discernment
ant: dullness, obtuseness |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) complete in all aspects or essentials; absolute; attended by all qualified members
syn: unlimited, unrestricted
ant: limited, restricted, incomplete |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(n) a watch kept over a person; careful, close, and disciplined observation
syn: observation, scrutiny, monitoring |
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Term
|
Definition
(adj) pertaining to or characteristic of forests; living or located in a forest; wooded, woody
syn: forested, arcadian |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) easily irritated; characterized by impatience and exasperation
syn: irritable, peevish, waspish, petulant
ant: even-tempered, imperturbable, unexcitable |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(n) a grotesque or grossly inferior imitation; a disguise, especially the clothing of the opposite sex
(v) to ridicule by imitating in a broad or burlesque fashion
syn: burlesque, parody, caricature, farce |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(v) to calm or pacify, set to rest; to lessen or relieve
syn: reduce, alleviate, moderate
ant: aggravate, exacerbate, intensify |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) beastlike; beastly, brutal; subhuman in intelligence and sensibility
syn: animal, depraved, loathsome
ant: human, humane, clement, virtuous, upright |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) festive, sociable, having fun together, genial
syn: fun-loving, jovial, merry
ant: dour, grim, sullen, unsociable |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(n) a circle of acquaintances; a close-knit, often exclusive, group of people with common interest
syn: clique, set |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(n) a person or thing closely resembling or corresponding to another; a complement
syn: match |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(v) to object or take exception to
(n) an objection
syn: protest, object to
ant: assent to, consent to, accept, agree to |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(n) shameless boldness, impudence
syn: gall, chutzpah, nerve, impertinece, cheek
ant: shyness, diffidence, timidity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(v) to decorate, adorn, touch up; to improve by adding details
syn: ornament, garnish
ant: strip, mar, disfigure |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) lasting only a short time, short-lived
syn: fleeting, transient, evanescent, transitory
ant: durable, long-lasting, permanent, perpetual |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) appropriate, apt, well chosen; marked by well-being or good fortune, happy
syn: fortunate, well-put
ant: inappropriate, inept, graceless, unhappy |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) done slyly or stealthily, sneaky, secret, shifty; stolen
syn: clandestine, covert, surreptitious
ant: forthright, aboveboard, open |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) glaring, tastelessly showy or overdecorated in a vulgar or offesnive way
syn: gaudy, flashy, tawdry
ant: subdues, muted, understated, quiet |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) misleading, deceptive; lacking in or not based on reality
syn: specious, spurious, fanciful, imaginary
ant: actual, real, factual, objective |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) needy, impoverished
syn: penniless, poverty-stricken, destitute
ant: wealthy, affluent, prosperous |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) far too great, exceeding reasonable limits, excessive
syn: exorbitant, extravagant
ant: moderate, reasonable, equitable |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(v) to cast overboard, get rid of as unnecessary or burdensome
syn: cast off, discard, dump, junk, abandon
ant: conserve, retain, hold on to, keep |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(n) a person who hates or despises people
syn: people-hater |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) very persistent, holding firmly to a course of action or a set of beliefs; hard to get rid of, refusing to be putt off or denied
syn: stubborn, dogged, determined |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(adj) of little value or importance, paltry, measly; concerned with trifling matters, small-minded
syn: inconsequential, piddling, trifling
ant: important, significant, huge, gigantic |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(n) clothing, garments
syn: apparel, attire |
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|
