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130 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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approbation
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(def): expression of approval
(syn): commendation, sanction (ant): disapproval, condemnation, censure |
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elicit
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(def): to draw forth, bring out from some source
(syn): evoke, call forth, extract, educe (ant): repress, quash, squelch, stifle |
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coalition
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(def): a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose
(syn): alliance, league, federation (ant): splinter group |
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hackneyed
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(def): used so often as to lack freshness or originality
(syn):banal, trite, commonplace, corny (ant): new, fresh, novel, original |
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innuendo
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(n) a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (usually derogatory)
(syn): insinuation, intimation |
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jaded
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(def): wearied, worn out, dulled (from being over satiated by excessive indulgence)
(syn): sated, surfeited, cloyed (ant): unspoiled, uncloyed |
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meritorious
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(def): worthy, deserving of praise and recognition
(syn): praiseworthy, laudable, commendable (ant): blameworthy, reprehensible, discreditable |
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prerogative
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(def): a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence
(syn) perk, perquisite |
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simulate
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(def): to make a pretense of imitate, show the outer signs of
(syn) feign, pretend, affect |
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umbrage
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(def) shade cast by trees, foliage giving shade; an overshadowing influence or power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion
(syn) irritation, pique, annoyance |
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ameliorate
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(def) to improve, make better, correct a flaw
(syn) amend, better (ant) worsen, aggravate |
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bombastic
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(def) pompous or overblown language; full of high-sounding words intended on concealing lack of ideas
(syn) inflated, highfalutin, pretentious (ant) unadorned, simple, plain |
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drivel
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(def): saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish/aimless talk; nonsense (v) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly
(syn) balderdash, hogwash, tommyrot; slaver |
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exhort
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(def) to urge strongly, advise earnestly
(syn) entreat, implore, adjure (ant) discourage, advise against, deprecate |
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infringe
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(def) to violate or trespass
(syn) encroach, impinge, intrude, poach (ant) stay within bounds |
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interloper
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(def): one who infringes or intrudes
(syn): trespasser, meddler, buttinsky |
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inveigh
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(def) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval
(syn) rail, harangue, fulminate, remonstrate (ant) acclaim, glorify, extol |
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millennium
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(def) a period of one thousand years or great joy
(syn) chiliad, golden age, prosperity, peace (ant) doomsday, day of judgement |
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permeate
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(def) to spread throughout, penetrate, soak through
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stringent
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(def) strict, severe, rigorously or earnestly binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste
(syn) stern, rigorous, tough, urgent, imperitive (ant) lenient, mild, lax |
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abominate
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(def) to have an intense dislike or hatred
(syn) loathe, abhor (ant) relish, savor, cherish |
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adventitious
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(def) resulting from chance rather than inherent cause or character, accidental, not essential; acquired
(syn) extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous (ant) essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital |
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circuitous
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(def) roundabout, not direct
(syn) indirect, meandering, winding (ant) straight, direct, as the crow flies |
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enjoin
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(def) to direct or order, to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit
(syn) bid, charge, command, adjure (ant) allow, permit |
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expiate
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(def) to make ammends, to make up for, to avert
(syn) redeem, atone, make reparations |
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inadvertent
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(def) resulting from marked lack of attention; unintentional
(syn) accidental, unconsidered (ant) deliberate, intentional, premeditated |
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noncommittal
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(def) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position of yes or no
(syn) cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest (ant) positive, definite, committed |
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proclivity
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(def) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency
(syn) propensity, natural bent (ant) inability, incapacity |
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seditious
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(def) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing established government
(syn) mutinous, rebellious, subversive (ant) supportive, loyal, faithful |
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vitriolic
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(def) bitter, sarcastic, highly sarcastic or biting
(syn) withering, acerbic, mordant (ant) bland, saccharine, honeyed |
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affable
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(def) courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to
(syn) genial, amicable, aggreable (ant) surly, cantankerous, dour, inhospitable |
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amorphous
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(def) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization unity
(syn) formless, unstructured, nebulous, inchoate (ant) definite, well-defined, clear-cut |
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contraband
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(def) illegal traffic, smuggled goods; illegal, prohibited
(syn) illicit, bootleg, unlawful (ant) legal, lawful, licit |
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gossamer
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(def) thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; very thin, light cloth
(syn) filmy, diaphanous, sheer, airy, feather (ant) thick, dense, solid, massive |
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inscrutable
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(def) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically
(syn) impenetrable, incomprehensible, enigmatic (ant) comprehensible, intelligible, penetrable |
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irrevocable
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(def) incapable of being changed or called back
(syn) irreversible (ant) reversible |
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querulous
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(def) peevish, complaining, fretful
(syn) petulant, touchy, cranky (ant) uncomplaining, stoical, serene |
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repudiate
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(def) to disown, reject, or deny the validity of
(syn) disavow, abjure, renounce (ant) avow, affirm, aver, avouch |
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reverberate
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(def) re-echo, resound, reflect or be reflected repeatedly
(syn) springy, elastic, buoyant (ant) rumble, thunder |
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sedulous
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(def) persistent, showing industry and determination
(syn) assiduous, tireless, indefatigable (ant) lackadaisical, listless, indolent, otiose |
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amnesty
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(def) general pardon for an offense against to government; in general, any act of forgiveness
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axiomatic
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(def) self-evident, expressing a universally accepted principle or rule
(syn) take for granted (ant) questionable, dubious, controversial |
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caveat
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(def) a warning or caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior
(syn) admonition, word to the wise |
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extricate
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(def) to free from entanglements or difficulties; to remove with effort
(syn) disentangle, extract, disengage (ant) enmesh, entangle, involve |
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flout
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(def) to mock, to treat with contempt
(syn) scoff at, sneer at, snicker at, scorn (ant) obey, honor, revere, uphold |
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precept
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(def) a rule of conduct or action
(syn) principle or maxim |
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scathing
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(def) bitterly severe, withering, causing great harm
(syn) searing, harsh, ferocious, savage (ant) bland, mild |
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sepulchral
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(def) funeral, typical of the tomb, extremely gloomy or dismal
(syn) doleful, lugubrious, mortuary |
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straitlaced
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(def) extremely strict in regard to moral standards and conduct; prudish, puritanical
(syn) highly conventional, overly strict, stuffy (ant) lax, loose, indulgent, permissive, dissolute |
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unwieldy
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(def) not easily carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity
(syn) cumbersome, bulky, clumsy, impractical (ant) manageable, easy to handle |
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anomalous
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(def) abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual
(syn) exceptional, atypical, unusual, aberrant (ant) normal, regular, customary, typical |
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bizarre
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(def) extremely strange, unusual, atypical
(syn) grotesque, fantastic, outlandish (ant) normal, typical, ordinary, expected |
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cajole
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(def) to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice
(syn) wheedle, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk (ant) coerce, force, strong arm |
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contrive
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(def) to plan with ingenuity, invent; to bring about as a result of a scheme or plan
(syn) think up, devise, concoct |
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disabuse
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(def) to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking
(syn) undeceive, enlighten, set straight (ant) decieve, delude, pull to wool over one's eyes |
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fetter
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(def) a chain or shackle, to chain or shackle; to render helpless
(syn) bond, restraint; bind, hamper (ant) free, liberate |
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immutable
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(def) not subject to change, constant
(syn) unchangeable, unalterable, fixed, invariable (ant) changeable, inconstant |
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megalomania
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(def) delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc far in excess of reality
(syn) delusions of granduer (ant) humility, modesty |
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surreptitious
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(def) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud
(syn) furtive, open, frank, aboveboard |
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transmute
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(def) to change from one nature to another
(syn) transform, convert, translate (ant) maintain unchanged, preserve |
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austere
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(def) severe or stern in manner, without luxury, plain, harsh
(syn) forbidding, rigorous, puritanical, ascetic, unadorned (ant) mild, indulgent, luxurious |
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cadaverous
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(def) pale, gaunt, corpse-like
(syn) wasted, haggard, emaciated (ant) robust, portly, rosy |
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crass
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(def) coarse, unfeeling, stupid
(syn) crude, vulgar, tasteless, oafish, obtuse (ant) refined, elegant, tasteful, polished |
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desecrate
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(def) to commit sacrilege upon, treat irreverently, to contaminate, pollute
(syn) profane, defile, violate (ant) revere, honor, venerate |
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grandiose
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(def) grand in an impressive or stately way; marked by pompous affectation or grandeur, absurdly exaggerated
(syn) majestic, bombastic (ant) simple, modest, humble |
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infraction
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(def) breaking of a law or obligation
(syn) violation, transgression, breach |
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pillage
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(def) to rob of goods by open force, plunder; the act of looting; pillage
(syn) ravage, sack, loot; booty |
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punctilious
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(def) very careful and exact, attentive to fine points of ettiquette
(syn) precise, scrupulous, exacting, fussy (ant) careless, negligent |
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reprove
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(def) to find fault with, scold, rebuke
(syn) chide, chastise, upbraid (ant) praise, commend, laud |
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stalwart
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(def) strong and sturdy, brave, resolute; brave strong, taking an uncompromising position
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acrimonious
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(def) stinging, bitter in temper or tone
(syn) biting, caustic, rancorous (ant) gentle, warm, mild |
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consternation
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(def) dismay, confusion
(syn) shock, amazement, bewilderment (ant) calm, composure, aplomb |
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disavow
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(def) to deny responsibility for or connection with
(syn) to disown, disclaim, retract, abjure (ant) acknowledge, admit, grand |
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dissension
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(def) disagreement, sharp difference of opinion
(syn) strif, discord, contention (ant) agreement, accord, harmony |
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expurgate
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(def) to remove objectionable passages; to cleanse, purify
(syn) purge, censor, bowdlerize |
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hypothetical
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(def) based on assumptions or guesses; used as a tentative idea to guide investigation
(syn) assumed, conjectural, conditional (ant) actual, real, tested |
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impugn
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(def) to call into question, attack as false
(syn) challenge, deny, dispute, query, question (ant) confirm, prove, verify, validate |
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odium
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(def) hatred, contempt, disgrace
(syn) abhorrence, opprobrium, shame (ant) esteem, admiration, approbation |
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relegate
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(def) to place in a lower position; to assign, refer; to banish
(syn) transfer, consign, demote, exile (ant) promote, elevate, advance |
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subservient
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(def) subordinate in capacity or role; submissively obedient
(syn) secondary, servile, obsequious, useful (ant) primary, principal, bossy |
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abate
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(def) to make less in amount, degree; to subside, become less, nullify; to deduct, omit
(syn) diminish, decrease (ant) intensify, increase |
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anathema
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(def) object of intense dislike or hatred; a curse or strong denunciation
(syn) malediction, imprecation, abomination (ant) benediction, blessign |
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avarice
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(def) a greedy desire
(syn) cupidity, rapacity |
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dilatory
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(def) tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt; intended to delay or postpone
(syn) stalling, low, tardy (ant) prompt, punctual |
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equivocate
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(def) to speak in a way that allows for more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague
(syn) to palter or hedge (ant) to speak bluntly |
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irresolute
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(def) unable to make up one's mind, hesitating
(syn) indecisive, vacillating, wavering (ant) determined, decisive, unwavering |
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novice
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(def) one who is a beginner at some activity requiring skill/experience
(syn) neophyte, tyro, trainee (ant) veteran, pro |
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pretentious
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(def) done for show, striving for impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably
(syn) inflated, ostentatious, affected (ant) unassuming, modest |
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resuscitate
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(def) to revive, bring back to consciousness
(syn) to revitalize, reanimate, restore |
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supposition
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(def) something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence
(syn) assumption, hypothesis |
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accrue
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(def) to accumulate over time; to happen as a natural result
(syn) collect, accumulate, proceed from (ant) dwindle, decrease, diminish |
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bedlam
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(def) a state of uproar or confusion
(syn) commotion, chaos (ant) order, tranquility |
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debonair
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(def) pleasant, courteous, lighthearted, smooth and polished in manner and appearance
(syn) carefree, jaunty, gracious (ant) distraught, agitated |
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efficacious
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(def) effective, producing results
(syn) effectual, potent, powerful (ant) ineffective, worthless |
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fortuitous
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(def) accidental, serendipitious
(syn) unintentional, lucky (ant) intentional, deliberate |
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gratuitous
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(def) freely given, not called for by circumstances, unwarrented
(syn) voluntary, unjustified (ant) involuntary, warrented |
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invective
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(def) strong denunciation or condemnation; absusive language; abusive
(syn) vituperation, abuse, diatribe, philippic (ant) tribute, panegyric |
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munificent
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(def) extremely generous, lavish
(syn) bounteous, liberal (ant) stingy, miserly, tightfisted |
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provocative
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(def) tending to produce a strong feeling or response; arousing desire or appetite; irritating, annoying
(syn) stimulating, arousing, vexing (ant) dull, insipid, bland |
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reprobate
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(def) a depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person, scoundrel; wicked, corrupt; to disapprove or condemn
(syn) scoundrel, blackguard, immoral, corrupt (ant) saint, upright, virtuous |
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abstemious
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(def) moderate, sparing; characterized by abstinence or self discipline
(syn) temperate, sober (ant) indulgent, immoderate |
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contingent
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(def) likely but not certain to happen, possible; dependent upon an uncertain event or condition; happening by chance; a representative group forming part of a larger body
(syn) conditional, dependent; a detachment (ant) independent of, unconnected with, certain |
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denizen
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(def) an inhabitant, resident, one who frequents a place
(syn) resident, dweller (ant) alien, outsider, stranger |
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disseminate
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(def) to scatter, spread widely
(syn) disperse, publicize, broadcast (ant) bring together, concentrate, muster, conceal, hide |
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florid
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(def) highly colored, reddish; excessively ornate, showy
(syn) flushed, ruddy, flowery, frilly (ant) pale, ashen, pallid, sallow |
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gauche
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(def) awkward, lacking social graces, tactless, clumsy
(syn) inept, uncouth, maladroit (ant) adroit, tactful, diplomatic, politic |
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inculcate
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(def) to impress on the mind through repetition, to teach persistently
(syn) instill, implant, infuse (ant) efface, root out |
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perceptive
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(def) having sympathetic insight or understanding, capable of keen appreciation
(syn) insightful, discerning, observant (ant) dense, thick obtuse |
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salient
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(def) leaping, jumping or spring forth; prominent, standing out, conspicuous; a projection or bulge
(syn) striking, notable, protrusive (ant) inconspicuous, recessive |
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sear
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(def) to make or become dry or withered; to char or scorch the surface of; to parch, singe
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absolve
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(def) to clear from blame or responsibility
(syn) acquit, exonerate, vindicate (ant) condemn, convict |
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clangor
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(def) a loud ringing sound; to make a loud ringing noise
(syn) din, clamor, uproar (ant) silence, stillness, peace and quiet |
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cupidity
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(def) greed
(syn) avarice, rapacity, craving, lust (ant) generosity, contentment |
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enhance
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(def) to raise to a higher degree, to increase value or desirability
(syn) improve, magnify, heighten (ant) diminsh, reduce, lessen |
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extenuate
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(def) to lessen the seriousness or magnitude of an offense by making an excuse
(syn) moderate, mitigate, diminish, downplay (ant) intensify, aggravate, worsen |
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incisive
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(def) keen, sharp, penetrating
(syn) acute, cutting, perceptive, trenchant |
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paragon
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(def) a model of excellence or perfection
(syn) exemplar, ideal, paradigm, model |
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politic
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(def) prudent, shrewdly conceived, artful, expedient
(syn) tactful, diplomatic, judicious, circumspect (ant) unwise, injudicious, rash |
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redundant
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(def) extra, excess, more than needed, wordy, repetitive, profuse, lush
(syn) unnecessary, superfluous, verbose (ant) succinct, terse, laconic, scarce |
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scintillating
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(def) sparkling, twinkling, exceptionally brilliant
(syn) stimulating, lively, glittering, flashing (ant) dull, boring, insipid |
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absolve
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(def) to clear from blame or responsibility
(syn) acquit, exonerate, vindicate (ant) condemn, convict |
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clangor
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(def) a loud ringing sound; to make a loud ringing noise
(syn) din, clamor, uproar (ant) silence, stillness, peace and quiet |
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cupidity
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(def) greed
(syn) avarice, rapacity, craving, lust (ant) generosity, contentment |
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enhance
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(def) to raise to a higher degree, to increase value or desirability
(syn) improve, magnify, heighten (ant) diminsh, reduce, lessen |
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extenuate
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(def) to lessen the seriousness or magnitude of an offense by making an excuse
(syn) moderate, mitigate, diminish, downplay (ant) intensify, aggravate, worsen |
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incisive
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(def) keen, sharp, penetrating
(syn) acute, cutting, perceptive, trenchant |
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paragon
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(def) a model of excellence or perfection
(syn) exemplar, ideal, paradigm, model |
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politic
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(def) prudent, shrewdly conceived, artful, expedient
(syn) tactful, diplomatic, judicious, circumspect (ant) unwise, injudicious, rash |
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redundant
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(def) extra, excess, more than needed, wordy, repetitive, profuse, lush
(syn) unnecessary, superfluous, verbose (ant) succinct, terse, laconic, scarce |
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scintillating
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(def) sparkling, twinkling, exceptionally brilliant
(syn) stimulating, lively, glittering, flashing (ant) dull, boring, insipid |
