Adulterate

v.

to corrupt, make worse by the addition of something of lesser value

Hospitals take strict precautions to assure that nothing adulterates the blood supply.

Synonyms: contaminate, pollute, sully

Antonyms: purify, purge, expurgate

Ambidextrous

Adj.

Able to use both hands equally well; very skillful; deceitful, hypocritical

Occasionally a teacher will come across a child who displays ambidextrous abilities when taught to write

Synonyms: versatile, flexible

Antonyms: clumsy, all thumbs

Augment

v.

To make larger, increase

Many couples have to augment their income in order to pay the mortgage on a new home.

Synonyms: supplement, amplify

Antonyms: decrease, deminish 

Bereft

adj., part.

deprived of; made unhappy through a loss

Individuals who live to be very old may eventually find themselves completely bereft of friends and family.

Synonyms: bereaved

Antonyms: replete, well provided

Deploy

v.

To position or arrange; to utilize; to form up

A bugle call is a signal used to deploy troops for inspection, parade, or battle.

Synonyms: station, organize

Dour

Adj.

stern, unyielding, gloomy, ill-humored

Dickens's Mr. Gradgrind in the novel Hard Times is an example of a character with a dour and sullen disposition.

Synonyms: harsh, bleak, forbidding, saturnine

Antonyms: cheery, inviting, genial

Fortitude

n.

courage in facing difficulties

The residents of the Mississppi delta showed remarkable fortitude during and after the flood that destroyed their homes and businesses.

Synonyms: resolve, steadfastness, mettle

Antonyms: fearfulness, faintheartedness

Gape

v.

to stare with open mouth; to open the mouth wide; to open wide

First-time visiters to Niagara Falls can be expected to gape at the spectacular sights nature has provided for them.

Synonym: ogle

Gibe

v., n.

v. to utter taunting word

n. an expression of scorn

The recruits rushed into battle so that no one could gibe at them for cowardice.

Voters may reject a candidate who resorts to personal give instead of discussing the issues

Synonyms: (v.) redicule, mock, deride, jeer

Antonyms: (n.) compliment, praise

Guise

n.

an external appearance, cover, mask

The theives gained entry to the home by presenting themselves in the guise of police officers.

Synonyms: costume, semblance, pretense

Insidious 

Adj.

Intended to deceive or entrap; sly, teacherous

The investigators uncovered an insidious scheme to rob people of their life savings.

Synonyms: cunning, dastardly, perfidious

Antonyms: frank, ingenuous, aboveboard

Intimation

n.

A hint, indirect suggestion

They were too proud to give any intimations of their financial difficulties.

Synonyms: clue, inkling

Opulent

Adj

Wealthy, luxurious; ample; grandiose

The tour guide showed us the opulent living quarters of the royal family

Synomyms: rich, plentiful, abundant

Antonyms: poverty-stricken, wretched, destitute

Pliable

Adj.

Easily bent, flexible; easily influenced

Spools of pliable copper wire are the standard equipment for many kinds of maintenance workers, including electricians.

Synonyms: adaptable, resilient 

Antonyms:inflexible, recalcitrant

Reiterate

v.

To say again, repeat

Effective spearkers often reiterate an important staement for emphasis

Synonyms: restate, recapitulate

Stolid

Adj.

Not easily moved metally or emotionally; dull, unresponsive

Stolid people can generally be expected to take most things in stride.

Synonyms: impassive, phlegmatic

Antonyms: emotional, oversensitive

Tentative

Adj.

Experimental in nature; uncertain, hesitant

Negotiators have come up with a tentative agreement that will keep both sides at the bargaining table past the strike deadline.

Synonyms: provisitonal, inconclusive

Antonyms: conclusive, confirmed

Unkempt

Adj.

Not combed; untidy; not properly maintained; unpolished, rude

According to my parents, the lastest fashions make me and my friends look unkempt.

Synonyms: sloppy, disoredered, rough

Antonyms: well-groomed, tidy

Verbatim

Adj, Adv

Word for word; exactly as written or spoken

Newspapers often publish the verbatim text of an important political speech.

At the swearing-in ceremony, the Chief Justice reads each line of the Oath of Office, and the new President repeats the oath verbatim.

Synonyms: (adj.) exact, (adv.) precisely

Antonyms: (adj.) paraphrased

Warily

Adv.

Cautiously, with great care

The hikers made their way warily up the steep and rocky trail.

Synonyms: prudently, gingerly

Antonyms: recklessly, heedlessly, incautiosly