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65 Cards in this Set
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Ascertain (Verb) "It was often almost impossible to ascertain the motives of her captors." Eric Pape |
Definition: to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine Synonyms: confirm, identify Antonyms: confuse,ignore |
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Aberration (Noun) "It is found that this point is intimately connected with the phenomenon of aberration." Robert Stawell Ball |
Definition: The act of departing from the right, normal, or usual course Synonyms: oddity, weirdness Antonyms: regularity, sameness |
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Hedonist (Noun) "The greatest poets, however, do not accept the point of view either of the extreme moralist or of the hedonist." Robert Lynd |
Definition: a person whose life is devoted to the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification Synonyms: sensualist, glutton Antonyms: puritan, ascetic |
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Presage (Noun) "Such conspiracies were the presage of what was soon to happen in Germany." William Milligan Sloane |
Definition: a presentiment or foreboding Synonyms: omen, premonition Antonyms: hide, bottle up |
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Surfeited (Noun) "He departed this life without having a surfeit of any sort of victuals, not even of barley cake." Etienne Dinet |
Definition: excess; an excessive amount Synonyms: gorge, fill Antonyms: lack, necessity |
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Benefaction (Noun) "It was not that he regarded the king's present as a benefaction." |
Definition: an act of conferring a benefit; the doing of good; a good deed Synonyms: gift,aid, endowment Antonyms: obstruction, less |
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Ablution (Noun) "The ritual washing of a priest's hands or of sacred vessels" |
Definition: "the ritual washing of a priest's hands or of sacred vessels Synonyms: cleansing and purification Antonyms: Dirty, disrespectful |
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Baneful (Adjective) "Such a judgment is iniquitous, absurd and false in its generality, and baneful in its consequences." J. Maxwell |
Definition: destructive; pernicious Synonyms: Deadly, evil Antonyms: Beneficial, helpful |
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Respite (Noun) "It's actually a golden moment; his fall forced this respite that would have otherwise not taken place" The Daily Beast |
Definition: a delay or cessation for a time, especially of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief Synonyms: Layoff, stop Antonyms: advance, beginning |
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Tarries (Verb) "But he, the man-child glorious,— Where tarries he the while?" |
Definition:to remain or stay, as in a place; sojourn Synonyms: pause, dwell Antonyms: leave, hurry |
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Castigation (Verb) "Its advocates have been met with neglect, contempt, or castigation, not with arguments." |
Definition: to criticize or reprimand severely Synonyms: discipline, penalty Antonyms: reward, forgiveness |
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Venerable (Adjective) "Headed west to edit the venerable Hollywood Reporter, the former Us Weekly star will face a challenge from upstart websites." Jacob Bernstein |
Definition: commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity; worthy of veneration or reverence, as because of high office or noble character Synonyms: grand, dignified Antonyms: common, un-respected |
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Blight (Noun) "Others announced layoffs and cutbacks and every manner of cancer and blight." Patrick DeWitt |
Definition: any cause of impairment, destruction, ruin, or frustration Synonyms: evil, rot Antonyms: health, blessing |
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Soothsayer (Noun) "A soothsayer warned Julius Caesar about the Ides of March—a catastrophe looming in the middle of the month." Alex Horton |
Definition: a person who professes to foretell events Synonyms: prophet, oracle Antonyms: historian |
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Vehement (Adjective) "Many of the most vehement public demonstrations in Europe over the past two decades have followed attempts at pension reform." Megan McArdle |
Definition: characterized by rancor or anger; violent Synonyms: angry, desperate, forceful Antonyms: dispassionate, peaceful, indifferent |
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Disheveled (Adjective) "When I arrived at school, my uniform was disheveled ; my hair was a mess." Genyfer Spark |
Definition: hanging loosely or in disorder; unkempt Synonyms: bedraggled, ruffled Antonyms: clean, tidy, ordered |
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Covetousness (Adjective) "In fact, such a deed might savour of jealousy and covetousness." Emile Zola |
Definition: inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy. Synonyms: greed, cupidity Antonyms: generous, kind |
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Goads (Noun) "Social and cultural insecurity has also served as a goad to Mormon productivity and achievement." Walter Kirn |
Definition: anything that pricks or wounds like such a stick. Synonyms: lash, irritation, desire Antonyms: restraint, hatred, block |
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Insolence (Noun) "But it seemed to him she had behaved with a pride that bordered on insolence." Leo Tolstoy |
Definition: contemptuously rude or impertinent behavior or speech Synonyms: desire, passion, motivation Antonyms: discouragement, indifference |
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Austere (Adjective) "Like Najwa, she eventually found the austere lifestyle too trying." David A. Graham |
Definition: severe in manner or appearance; uncompromising; strict; forbidding Synonyms: exacting, inflexible, strict Antonyms: gentle, luxurious |
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Jocular (Adjective) "Where Simmons is jocular in a kind of clever fratboy way, Lund is more refined in his language and more robust in his indignation." Steve Almond |
Definition: given to, characterized by, intended for, or suited to joking or jesting; waggish; facetious Synonyms: humorous, comical, crazy Antonyms: depressed, serious, solemn |
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Indolence (Noun) "And he was also indolent, with the indolence which is so often the secret of good nature." Joseph Conrad |
Definition: the quality or state of being indolent (slow or slothful) Synonyms: laziness, procrastination Antonyms: industry, hard worker |
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Haughtily (Adverb) "God has not forgotten them, though they are haughtily ignored by proud Cain, who regards them as nothing in his presence" Martin Luther |
Definition: disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant; supercilious Synonyms: insolently, stuck up Antonyms: polite, humble |
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Supplicate (Verb) "They go down on their knees to their husbands and beg and beseech and supplicate them to have nothing to do with it." William McFee |
Definition: to pray humbly; make humble and earnest entreaty or petition. Synonyms: beg, desire Antonyms: give, refuse |
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Palliative (Adjective) "Palliative sedation would have relieved her pain, it is true." Elizabeth Picciuto |
Definition: to relieve or lessen without curing Synonyms: intoxicant, spirits Antonyms: medicine, anestesia |
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Ad Infinitum (Adverb)
âDon't say, "the sky is my limit", say, "I progress ad infinitum.â
Michael Bassey Johnson |
Definition: to infinity; endlessly; without limit. Synonyms: forever, endlessly, having no end Antonyms: end, final |
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Apportion (Verb)
"It takes time sometimes a very long time to apportion power among different groups within a nascent political system."
Iraq's Political Miracle |
Definition: to distribute or allocate proportionally; divide and assign according to some rule of proportional distribution Synonyms: allocate, assign, ration Antonyms: keep, deny, unite
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bona fide (adjective)
"Here at last was a bona-fide lower-berther who might be induced to enlighten me."
Peter McArthur |
Definition: made, done, presented, etc., in good faith; without deception or fraud Synonyms: actual, honest, valid Antonyms: lie, fake
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Buoyant (Adjective)
"What is less convincing is her buoyant optimism about our odds of survival."
Nick Romeo |
Definition: not easily depressed; cheerful. Synonyms: bouncy, cheerful, lighthearted Antonyms: apathetic, depressed, heavy |
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Clique (Noun)
"And this clique only allowed members with certain rites of entry: liberal Democratic women who were pro-choice."
Amy Siskind |
Definition:a small, exclusive group of people; coterie; set. Synonyms: gang, club, society Antonyms: individual
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Concede (Verb)
"It not only motivates parents to concede to the practice, but also not to report incidences when medical issues arise." Emily Shire |
Definition:to acknowledge as true, just, or proper; admit: Synonyms: Accept, confess, surrender Antonyms: deny, refuse, reject
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Congenial (Adjective)
"She herself represents a congenial mingling of English and Scottish blood." Clive Irving |
Definition: agreeable, suitable, or pleasing in nature or character: Synonyms: cordial, pleasent, sociable Antonyms: aloof, harsh, unpleasant |
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Lofty (Adjective)
"Be reliable supports of the Songun revolution possessed of a lofty spirit and rich knowledge!"
Justin Rohrlich
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Definition:extending high in the air; of imposing height; towering: Synonyms: soaring, towering Antonyms: beneath, humble
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Migration (Noun)
"On the migration issue, Putin is a liberal reformer," says Zayonchkovskaya."
Scott Horton |
Definition: the process or act of migrating. Synonyms: journey, movement Antonyms: idleness, inaction
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Perceive (Verb)
"Many Syrians, meanwhile, are angered by what they perceive as U.S. indifference to their suffering." Mike Giglio |
Definition: to become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses: Synonyms: distinguish, grasp Antonyms: disbelieve, neglect |
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Perverse (Adjective)
"Her eyes flashing fire, and her voice sharpening to a scream, ' perverse ungrateful wretch!'"
Mary Brunton |
Definition:willfully determined or disposed to go counter to what is expected or desired; contrary. Synonyms: contradictory, wicked Antonyms: agreeable, reasonable |
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Prelude (Noun)
"All that is a prelude to explain the significance of the numbers at the top: 51 percent, 47 percent, and then 32 percent." Lawrence Lessig
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Definition: a preliminary to an action, event, condition, or work of broader scope and higher importance. Synonyms: introduction, prologue Antonyms: conclusion, ending |
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Rancid (Adjective)
"I will be happy if events prove me too pessimistic, but the political atmosphere in Washington is rancid."
Robert Shrum |
Definition: having a rank, unpleasant, stale smell or taste, as through decomposition, especially of fats or oils: Synonyms: contaminated, musty, polluted Antonyms: clean, fresh, new |
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Rustic (Adjective)
"Inside, the rustic dinner tables were adorned with colorful tulips."
Robin Givhan |
Definition: of, relating to, or living in the country, as distinguished from towns or cities; rural. Synonyms: simple, austere Antonyms: sophisticated, uncommon |
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Sever (Verb)
"They [the regime] try to sever connections between those living outside and those based inside Iran."
Iran Wire |
Definition: to separate (a part) from the whole, as by cutting or the like. Synonyms: detach, separate, split Antonyms: attach, connect, unite |
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Sordid (Adjective)
"Jim DeFede goes inside St. Francis de Salesâperhaps the most sordid Catholic pulpit in the country."
Jim DeFede |
Definition: morally ignoble or base; vile: Synonyms: nasty, shameful, vile Antonyms: clean, good, respectable |
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Untenable (Adjective)
"They consider Leno ambitious, ego-driven, but a respectable guy who was put in an untenable position."
Ginna Piccalo |
Definition: incapable of being defended, as an argument, thesis, etc.; indefensible. Synonyms: illogical, unsound Antonyms: logical, reasonable
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Versatile (Adjective)
"On YouTube, Letterman was no match for his spry, versatile competition."
Jason Lynch |
Definition: capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor, Synonyms: gifted, skillful, talented Antonyms: dull, incapable
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Vindicate (Verb)
"He insists the documents will vindicate him by showing that the CIA program was vital and produced important information."
John Sifton |
Definition: to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like: Synonyms: absolve, defend, uphold Antonyms: blame, convict, prove
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Wane (Verb)
"A lot of new projects are being deferred because of uncertainty, but as the downward spiral peters out the uncertainty will wane."
The Daily Beast |
Defintion: to decrease in strength, intensity, etc.: Synonyms: decrease, dwindle, fade Antonyms: expand, increase, grow |
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Abase (Verb) "He saw a way to hurt her, to abase her pride, and cut her to the very soul with shame."
Rafael Sabatini |
Definition: to reduce or lower, as in rank, office, reputation, or estimation; humble; degrade. Synonyms: belittle, degrade, mortify Antonyms: compliment, increase, cherish |
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Actuate (Verb) "This idea seems to actuate all animals when in the last stage of thirst."
Ernest Giles |
Definition:to incite or move to action; impel; motivate: Synonyms: activate, energize, expire Antonyms: bore, depress, prevent |
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Avert (Verb) "Those who claim to respect international law cannot avert their eyes when those laws are flouted."
Barack Obama |
Definition: to turn away or aside Synonyms: avoid, halt, ward off Antonyms: assist, support, allow |
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Boorish (Adjective) "His conduct is boorish and intemperate; his views are anachronistic and absurd; his moral authority is zilch."
David R. Dow |
Definition: of or like a boor; unmannered; crude; insensitive Synonyms: barbaric, rude, vulgar Antonyms: gentle, mannerly, smooth
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Brunt (Noun) "Do young black males disproportionately suffer the brunt of this criminal justice system?"
Mark Geragos |
Definition: the main force or impact, as of an attack or blow Synonyms: burden, impact, violence Antonyms: peace, relaxation |
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Combatant (Noun) "Both my combatant and I claimed that the other was at fault."
Joshua DuBois |
Definition: a person or group that fights. Synonyms: attacker, soldier, warrior Antonyms: assistant, supporter, ally
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Dormant (Adjective) "Usually the leaf buds, or scion, are collected while the fruit tree is dormant in the winter."
Stacey Slate |
Definition: lying asleep or as if asleep; inactive, as in sleep; torpid Synonyms: asleep, comatose, sluggish Antonyms: alert, conscious, energetic
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Dubious (Adjective) "Afghanistan disconnected YouTube in the aftermath of the Libya tragedy, a dubious if understandable short-term solution."
P.J Crowley |
Definition: doubtful; marked by or occasioning doubt Synonyms: arguable, hesitant, skeptical Antonyms: determined, honest, secure
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Harangue (Noun) "I half-expected him to barnstorm out in riding boots and harangue us, Mussolini-style, underlit from a plinth."
Tina Brown |
Definition: a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack; diatribe. Synonyms: diatribe, spiel, tirade Antonyms: tribute, eulogy
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Harry (Verb) "Political ads showing harry Reid on rider mower, mowing the Mall?"
P.J. O'rourke |
Definition: to harass, annoy, or prove a nuisance to by or as if by repeated attacks; worry: Synonyms: Attack, disturb, molest Antonyms: comfort, guard, protect
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Impenitent (Adjective) "One of the prominent characteristics of an impenitent heart is a disposition to feed upon the faults of professors of religion."
Harvey Newcomb |
Defintion: not feeling regret about one's sin or sins; obdurate. Synonyms: hardened, remorseless Antonyms: regretful, forgiving
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Knave (Noun) "But still this world (so fitted for the knave) Contents us not."
Alexander Pope |
Definition: an unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest person. Synonyms: fraud, lowlife, rouge Antonyms: Honest, faithful |
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Legion (Noun) "It may have been said in jest, but a legion of Hollywood actresses would have nodded ruefully in unison."
Tim Teemen |
Definition: a military or semimilitary unit. Synonyms: many, various, large Antonyms: small, few, numbered
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Liberality (Noun) "To his liberality am I indebted that I can return to my country with honour."
Baron Trenck |
Definition: the quality or condition of being liberal in giving; generosity; bounty Synonyms: benevolence,generousness, selfishness Antonyms: malevolence, unkindness
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Plaintiff (Noun) "To bring a suit under the law, a plaintiff first had to go through a state-level administrative process to prove discrimination."
Michelle Goldberg |
Definition: a person who brings suit in a court (opposed to defendant ) Synonyms: Prosecutor, suer Antonyms: defender, helper
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Probe (Verb) "However, the probe stayed in contact with the Rosetta orbiter and has already sent back some photos."
Matthew R. Francis |
Definition: to search into or examine thoroughly; question closely Synonyms: examination, inquiry, research Antonyms: glimpse, browse
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Protract (Verb) "He succeeded in interesting his little pupil, and did not protract his term of study so as to weary him."
Horatio Alger, Jr. |
Definition: to draw out or lengthen, especially in time; extend the duration of; prolong. Synonyms: Prolong, put off Antonyms: advance, complete
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Quarry (Noun) "To do it right requires a certain strange respect and, hard as that can be to imagine, affection for the quarry."
Rick Peristein |
Definition: game, especially game hunted Synonyms: chase, pray, victim
Antonyms: hunter, predator
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Spurn (Verb) "A Ted Cruz may spurn those local politicians, and instead build his campaign upon national organizations."
David Frum |
Definition: to reject with disdain; scorn Synonyms: disdain, reject, scorn Antonyms: accept, prove, respect
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Subterfuge (Noun) Fitzpatrick came to Boston well suited to deal with subterfuge and corruption.
T.J English |
Definition: an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule, escape a consequence, hide something, etc. Synonyms: ploy, ruse, strategy Antonyms: honesty, truthfulness, openness |
