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(adj.) with a sharp point; keen and alert; sharp and severe; rising quickly to a high point and lasting for a short time
One who is an acute observer of human nature may notice subtle changes in people's behavior.
SYNONYMS: Clever, penetrating
ANTONYMS: dull, blunted, mild, stupid, obtuse |
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(v.) to talk or act in a noisy and threatening way; to blow in stormy gusts; (n.) speech that is loud and threatening
When we saw harsh winds bluster around our tent, we decided to change our plans for the weekend.
Dad's manner is all bluster, but beneath it all, he's really a kind-hearted man.
SYNONYMS:(v.) spout, rant, brag, swagger; (n.) bravado) |
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(v.) to act or work clumsily and awkwardly; to ruin something through clumsiness
If we bungle this project, we may never get another chance to prove ourselves as a worthy team.
SYNONYMS: blunder, botch, mess up |
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(n.) a series of notes clarifying or explaining something; an expression of opinion
Our spiritual leader gave us a helpful commentary on the true meaning of the Ten Commandments.
SYNONYMS: explanation, remarks, narration, description, account, review, analysis |
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(n.) the length of time that something continues or lasts
Even though the story was hard to follow, my friends decided to stay for the duration of the opera. |
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(adj.) causing fear because of strangeness; weird, mysterious
It is a lot of fun to tell eerie stories around a campfire.
SYNONYMS: frightening, spooky, creepy |
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(n.) one aspect or side of a subject or problem; one of the cut surfaces of a gem
One important facet of problem solving is to recognize when a solution makes no sense.
SYNONYMS: angle, characteristic, factor, element, cut |
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(n.) the state of being faithful; accuracy in details, exactness
The fidelity of scratchy old records can't match the clarity of CDs of DVDs.
SYNONYMS: loyalty, faithfulness
ANTONYMS: disloyalty, treachery, inexactness |
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(n.) a brawl, a noisy quarrel;(v.) to wear away by rubbing: make ragged or worn: to strain, irritate
After the two loudest students began arguing, the whole class jumped into the fray.
A faucet that drips continuously can fray anyone's nerves.
SYNONYMS: (n.) scuffle; (v.) unravel |
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(adj.) willful, stubborn
Even the most patient caregiver may feel challenged when faced with a headstrong child.
SYNONYMS: obstinate, mulish, unruly
ANTONYMS: obedient, docile, submissive |
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(n.) one living permanently in a given place
Although she enjoys traveling to exptic places, she's a lifelong inhabitant of this small town.
SYNONYMS: resident, native, occupant, tenant
ANTONYMS: stranger, outsider, visitor, foreigner |
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(adj.) having lost the power of feeling or movement; (v.) to dull the feelings of; to cause to lose feeling
Bitter cold may leave your toes numb so try to wear woolen socks.
This injection will numb the area so that the doctor can stitch the cut painlessly.
SYNONYMS: (adj.) unfeeling, insensible, dazed; (v.) deaden
ANTONYMS: (adj.) sensitive, alert |
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(v.) to make peaceful or calm; to soothe
The factory owners hope to pacify the angry protesters with promises of higher wages and shorter working hours.
SYNONYMS: mollify, placate
ANTONYMS: anger, arouse, stir up, foment, ignite |
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(adj.) greedy; very hungry; eager for satisfaction
Exercising vigorously for several hours gives me a ravenous appetite.
SYNONYMS: starved, famished, voracious, wolfish
ANTONYMS: not hungry, well-fed, satisfied, satiated |
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(v.) to prove incorrect
After analyzing the situation, I now know a foolproof way to refute the original claim.
SYNONYMS: disprove, rebut
ANTONYMS: clear conscience, guiltlessness |
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(n.) deep and painful regret for one's past misdeeds; pangs of conscience
When the drive realized what a terrible accident he had cause, he was overcome with remorse.
SYNONYMS: guilt
ANTONYMS: clear conscience, guiltlessness |
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(N.) something that interferes with progress; a disappointment, unexpected loss or defeat; a steplike recession in a wall
A broken toe can be a major setback for a skater who hopes to qualify of the Olympics.
SYNONYMS: failure, reversal
ANTONYMS: advance, gain, progress, triumph |
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(adj.) overly self-sastified, self-righteous
Just because he got the lead in the school play doesn't justify his irritating air of smug superiority.
SYNONYMS: conceited, complacent
ANTONYMS: discontented, disgruntled |
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(n.) a brief statement giving a general view of some subject, book, etc.; a summary
The teacher's guide gives a synopsis of the plot of each story in the collection.
SYNONYMS: outline, digest, abstract |
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(v.) to delay leaving; to linger, wait; to remain or stay for a while
He will be tempted to tarry longer if he thinks that this might be their last visit together
SYNONYMS: dawdle, dally
ANTONYMS: rush, hasten, leave, depart |
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