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to reduce in intensity or amount
The flood waters abated after forty days of rain. |
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preceding a cause
The argument between the two men was antecedent to the fight which followed |
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very dry
The desert is an arid place. |
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a source of harm or destruction; harmful, destructive
Overeating was the bane of her existence. |
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to harass
The scandal caused the President to be beleaguered by the press. |
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scorn, extreme dislike or disdain
The man treated the gossiping woman with contempt; talking about other people was beneath his dignity. |
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given to faultfinding, sneering, and sarcasm; exhibiting mocking disbelief
Some people are so cynical they sneer at everything that would make life worthwhile. |
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skillful and active with the hands; manuallly adroit and skillful
The machine shop advertised for a dexterous worker. |
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sullen, stern, harsh
His dour behavior was caused by the rain washing out his golf game. |
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to glorify, to praise to raise in rank
The woman was exalted for her successes in the field of science. |
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happy or delightful
Her marriage was a felicitous occasion. |
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free from fault or blame
She was a woman of impeccable character and could not be blamed for the smallest wrongdoing. |
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marked by extreme calm, impassivity, assurance and steadiness
Before the accident he seemed imperturbable,but now he is becoming frantic. |
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capable of being shaped, influenced, or altered; tractable
Gold is a malleable metal. |
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to humiliate, to woud pride to experience shame
It would simply mortify me to have someone say such shameful things about my family. |
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extremely stubborn, unwilling to accept advice
She was obdurate in her refusal to listen to our concerns about her cocaine problem. |
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trite remark, banal statement
That politician can spout platitudes, but he has never passed a bill that has substance. |
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trite remark, banal statement
That politician can spout platitudes, but he has never passed a bill that has substance. |
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a wasteful person; extremely wasteful, given to licentiousness
The profligate son wasted the family fortune on wine women, and song |
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looking for a fight, combative, belligerent
There are many pugnacious punks at the high school that bully other students. |
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appetizing
My mother is known for her savory meals. |
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to reject or to refuse with hostility
The woman had always viewed the man with disdain and would spurn his attempts at friendship forever. |
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haughty, vain and arrogant
I do not like your arrogant and supercilious attitude toward poor people. |
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overused, commonplace, hackneyed
This essay is full of trite phrases; it needs a fresh approach, avoiding phrases so hackneyed and overused. |
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clamorous; boisterous
The rock crowd became vociferous in its anger when it was announced that the show was cancelled. |
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something offensive to good taste and refinement
She chose to ignore the vulgarity of his crude remark. |
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