| A | B |
|---|
| abdicate (v) | GIVE UP (OFFICE): resign, renounce, relinquish, divest oneself of |
| abet (v) | ASSIST (IN WRONGDOING): egg on; promote, further, advance, help, aid |
| abhor (v) | HATE!!!: despise, loathe, detest, abominate |
| abject (adj) | WRETCHED, MISERABLE; DEGRADING HUMILIATING: disheartening, debasing, hopeless, helpless; MEAN-SPIRITED, BASE; DESPICABLE, CONTEMPTIBLE: vile, shameless, ignoble, craven; COMPLETE AND UNRELIEVED: utter, sheer, downright, thoroughgoing |
| absolve (v) | CLEAR OF GUILT: acquit, exonerate, exculpate, vindicate |
| abstain (v) | REFRAIN COMPLETELY: forgo, forbear, avoid, shun, eschew |
| academic (adj) | SCHOLARLY: scholastic; THEORETICAL: speculative, unrealistic |
| accede (v) | ENTER; YIELD, AGREE: assent, consent, concur, acquiesce, comply |
| acclimate (v) | GET USED TO: adjust, adapt, orient, orientate, familiarize, accustom, habituate |
| addiction (n) | a (bad) devotion |
| bleak (adj) | DESOLATE, WINDSWEPT, BARE: barren; COLD, GLOOMY; UNPROMISING: raw, harsh, chilling, forbidding; dour; dismal, dreary, drab, somber, grim, cheerless, depressing |
| blight (v) | CHECK: nip, wither, shrivel; blast, ruin, devastate, efface; frustrate, foil, dash |
| blithe (adj) | MERRY, CAREFREE: lighthearted, jolly, jocund, jovial, buoyant, sprightly, mirthful; RECKLESS: light-minded, heedless, indifferent, nonchalant, blase |
| boisterous (adj) | NOISY, ROWDY: loud, obstreperous, vociferous, clamorous; unruly, disorderly, riotous, turbulent, tempestuous |
| bombastic (adj) | POMPOUS. INFLATED: grandiloquent, grandiose, hyperbolic, highsounding, highfalutin; swollen, bloated, turgid |
| boorish (adj) | RUDE, UNREFINED: vulgar, uncouth, gauche, crude, crass, churlish, ill-bred, unmannerly |
| boycott (v) | REFUSE FOR PROTEST: ban, proscribe, ostracize, blacklist, blackball |
| brash (adj) | HASTY, THOUGHTLESS: rash, reckless, foolhardy, impetuous, precipitate; impudent, saucy, impertinent, brazen, shameless; tactless, gauche |
| bravado (n) | FALSE COURAGE, braggadocio, swagger, bluster, cockiness, bluff |
| brusque (adj) | ABRUPT: curt, blunt, terse; gruff, rough, sharp, harsh; uncivil, impolite |
| caustic (adj) | CORROSIVE; SHARP, BITING: keen, cutting, stinging, tart, pungent, trenchant, mordant, astringent, acidulous, sarcastic, sardonic, acrimonious, venomous |
| censor (n) | An ARBITER of MORALS, ETC: expurgator, bowdlerizer; Comstockery, Grundyism |
| censure (v) | TO CRITICIZE SEVERELY: rebuke, reprimand, reprove, reprehend, condemn, upbraid, chastise |
| chagrin (n) | IRRITATION, EMBARRASSMENT, HUMILIATION: vexation, annoyance, mortification |
| charlatan (n) | imposter, quack, mountebank, humbug, fraud, faker |
| chronic (adj) | CONTINUING, RECURRENT: prolonged, continual, constant; habitual, inveterate, confirmed, deep-rooted, ingrained, perennial |
| circuitous (adj) | INDIRECT, ROUNDABOUT: winding, meandering, rambling, sinuous, devious, oblique; circumlocutory, periphrastic, digressive |
| circumspect (adj) | CAUTIOUS, PRUDENT,TACTFUL: careful, watchful, vigilant, guarded, wary, chary, leery; discreet, politic, diplomatic, judicious |
| circumvent (v) | GET AROUND,AVOID: bypass, skirt, evade, sidestep, dodge, duck |
| clandestine (adj) | CONCEALED: surreptitious, covert, furtive, stealthy, underhanded |
| blight (n) | A CAUSE OF RUIN: bane, scourge, plague, eyesore |
| censor (v) | TO REMOVE OBJECTIONABLE MATERIAL: expurgate, bowdlerize; excise (cut it out!), delete, expunge |
| censure (n) | STRONG CRITICISM: rebuke, reprimand, reproof |
| chagrin (v) | TO IRRITATE, EMBARRASS, OR HUMILIATE: vex, annoy, mortify, abash |
| boycott (n) | REFUSAL, PROTEST: an embargo, ban |
| connoisseur, n. | SOMEONE WITH INFORMED AND DISCRIMINATING JUDGMENT: expert, authority, specialist, pundit, savant, maven, devotee; judge, critic, arbiter |
| consensus, n. | COLLECTIVE UNIFORMITY OF OPINION; GENERAL AGREEMENT IN FEELING OR BELIEF: unanimity, like-mindedness, concord, harmony, accord, unity, concurrence |
| construe, v. | TO ANALYZE, EXPLAIN, INTERPRET, OR UNDERSTAND: deduce, infer, translate, gather, take to mean |
| consummate, adj. | COMPLETE OR PERFECT IN THE HIGHEST DEGREE: superlative, supreme; transcendent, surpassing, matchless; finished, total; masterful, virtuoso |
| consummate, v. | TO BRING TO COMPLETION OR PERFECTION: clinch, conclude |
| copious, adj. | LARGE IN NUMBER OR QUANTITY; FULL: abundant, plentiful, ample, bountiful, bounteous, profuse, lavish, numerous; extensive, comprehensive |
| corpulent, adj. | FAT AND BULKY: chubby, plump, husky, burly, portly, stout, rotund, obese |
| corroborate, v. | TO CONFIRM THE TRUTH OR ACCURACY OF: verify, substantiate, support, back up, bear out |
| counsel, n. | a) ADVICE SECURED THROUGH CONSULTATION: guidance, direction, recommendation b) AN ADVISER, ESPECIALLY A LEGAL ADVISER: attorney, lawyer |
| counsel, v. | TO ADVISE OR RECOMMEND AS A COURSE OF ACTION: guide, instruct, urge, exhort, admonish, caution |
| credibility, n. | THE ABILITY TO INSPIRE BELIEF OR TRUST: reliability, believability, plausibility, trustworthiness, dependability |
| criterion, n. | A STANDARD OR PRINCIPLE ON WHICH TO BASE A JUDGMENT OR DECISION: yardstick, touchstone, guideline, gauge, canon, rule |
| crucial, adj. | AT A POINT THAT WILL DETERMINE THE FINAL OUTCOME; OF SUPREME IMPORTANCE: critical, decisive, momentous, pivotal, vital |
| culpable, adj. | AT FAULT; BLAMEWORTHY: guilty, delinquent, peccant, wanting; blamable, censurable, reprehensible |
| cursory, adj. | HASTY AND SUPERFICIAL: hurried, perfunctory, quick, summary, careless, unmethodical, casual, slapdash |
| curtail, v. | TO SHORTEN OR REDUCE: abridge, abbreviate, truncate, lessen, diminish, cut short, cut back, dock, pare down, trim |
| cynical, adj. | INCLINED TO DOUBT OR DENY THE VIRTUOUSNESS OR HONESTY OF HUMAN MOTIVES; SNEERINGLY BITTER OR NEGATIVE: skeptical, suspicious, doubtful; pessimistic, misanthropic; derisive, scornful; caustic, sardonic, acerbic |
| dilapidated, adj. | FALLEN INTO DISREPAIR OR PARTIAL RUIN, USUALLY THROUGH NEGLECT: deteriorated, run-down, decaying, decrepit, rickety, ramshackle; dingy, seedy, sleazy |
| dilatory, adj. | INCLINED TO PUT THINGS OFF; INTENDED TO POSTPONE SOMETHING: late, tardy, slow, behindhand, laggard, dawdling, procrastinating, sluggish, lackadaisical, lethargic, dillydallying, temporizing |
| diligent, adj. | HARDWORKING; THOROUGH AND PERSISTENT: assiduous, sedulous, indefatigable |
| dire, adj. | a) DREADFUL OR DISASTROUS; BLEAK OR CHEERLESS: calamitous, fatal, woeful, grievous, horrendous; dismal, somber, gloomy b) URGENT: pressing, desperate, extreme |
| discomfit, v. | A) TO DEFEAT OR FRUSTRATE COMPLETELY: rout, trounce, drub; thwart, foil B) TO PERPLEX, CONFUSE, OR EMBARRASS COMPLETELY: baffle; nonplus, abash, disconcert, fluster |
| discourse, n. | AN ORAL EXCHANGE OF IDEAS OR CONVERSATION; A LENGTHY DISCUSSION, EITHER WRITTEN OR SPOKEN: treatise, dissertation; sermon, lecture, talk; colloquy |
| discourse, v. | TO TALK ABOUT OR DISCUSS AT LENGTH: enlarge (on), expand (on), expatiate (upon), descant (on) |
| discriminate, v. | A) TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN TWO OR MORE THINGS, OFTEN BY PERCEIVING MINUTE DIFFERENCES: differentiate, discern B) TO BEHAVE UNFAIRLY TOWARD A PERSON OR GROUP BECAUSE OF PREJUDICE: to show favoritism, bias, prejudice, or bigotry |
| disparage, v. | TO SPEAK SLIGHTINGLY OF OR UNDERVALUE: belittle, depreciate, derogate, decry, underrate, run down, minimize |
| disparity, n. | DIFFERENCE OR INEQUALITY, AS OF AGE, CHARACTER, OR QUALITY: disproportion, dissimilarity, inconsistency |
| distraught, adj. | DEEPLY DISTRESSED OR AGITATED: frantic, anguished, overwrought, hysterical, distracted, perturbed, upset |
| divulge, v. | TO MAKE KNOWN; TO MAKE PUBLIC: reveal, disclose, impart |
| docile, adj | EASY TO MANAGE, TEACH, TRAIN, OR DISCIPLINE: submissive, tractable, obedient, amenable, compliant |
| dormant, adj. | INACTIVE, AS IF IN SLEEP; SUSPENDED IN USE, GROWTH, OR DEVELOPMENT: latent, passive, inert, quiescent, torpid |
| drastic, adj. | VIOLENTLY FORCEFUL AND SWIFT; EXTREME: powerful, strong, rigorous, potent, thoroughgoing; severe, stern, draconian |
| duplicity, n. | DELIBERATE DECEPTION IN SPEECH OR CONDUCT: guilt, deceit, trickery, feint, dissimulation, chicanery, imposture, sharp practice, double-dealing |
| entice, v. | To lead on by arousing hope or desire: TEMPT, (AL)LURE, COAX, INVEIGLE, BEGUILE, SEDUCE |
| entreat, v. | To ask or petition earnestly: IMPLORE, BEG, BESEECH, IMPORTUNE, URGE |
| envisage, v. | To have a mental image of something, especially when the thing does not yet exist; to conceive of: ENVISION, VISUALIZE, PICTURE, IMAGINE |
| epithet, n. | a) A word or phrase used to describe or characterize someone: CHARACTERIZATION, APPELLATION, LABEL, NICKNAME, MONIKER, "HANDLE," b) A term of abuse or contempt: CURSE, OATH, OBSCENITY |
| equanimity, n. | Calmness or evenness of temper: PLACIDITY, TRANQUILITY, SANGFROID, IMPERTURBABILITY, COMPOSURE |
| equitable, adj. | Fair or just: IMPARTIAL, UNBIASED, EVENHANDED. |
| erudite, adj. | Deeply learned, especially in a specialized area: SCHOLARLY, PROFOUND, KNOWLEDGEABLE. NOUNS: SAVANT, PUNDIT, MAVEN |
| esoteric, adj. | a) Understood by or intended for only a select few. b) Difficult to understand. : OCCULT, RECONDITE, ARCANE, ABSTRUSE, CRYPTIC |
| ethical, adj. | In accordance with accepted principles of right and wrong: MORAL, VIRTUOUS, RIGHTEOUS, CORRECT, PROPER |
| ethnic, adj. | Relating to a small but distinct (religiously, racially, or culturally) social group within the population |
| euphemism, n. | The substitution of a relatively inoffensive term for one that is considered too harsh, unpleasant, or blunt. |
| exacerbate, v. | To increase the bitterness or severity of; to irritate: AGGRAVATE, WORSEN, INTENSIFY |
| exalt, v. | To elevate in power, position, or character: ENNOBLE, UPLIFT, UPGRADE |
| exemplary, adj. | a) Worthy of imitation b) Serving as a model, illustration, or warning: STERLING, MERITORIOUS, LAUDABLE. Nouns: PARAGON, EPITOME, ARCHETYPE, PROTOTYPE |
| exigency, n. | A state of urgency or a situation demanding immediate attention; the pressing needs caused by such a crisis: EMERGENCY, DEMANDS, CRISIS, NEEDS |
| fiasco, n. | A complete failure: DEBACLE, DISASTER, FLOP, "BOMB" |
| fickle, adj. | Likely to change for no apparent reason; inconstant: CAPRICIOUS, MERCURIAL, ERRATIC, VOLATILE, CHANGEABLE, |
| filch, v. | To steal slyly, especially small things: PILFER, PURLOIN, HEIST |
| finesse, n. | skill, delicacy, or subtlety in doing something or handling a situation: ADROITNESS, FACILITY, SAVVY, DEXTERITY, SHREWDNESS |
| finesse, v. | To accomplish by subtle or skillful maneuvering: MANIPULATE, MANEUVER, FINAGLE, CONTRIVE |
| flagrant, adj. | Extremely and deliberately conspicuous; glaring: SHOCKING, HEINOUS, EGREGIOUS, ARRANT, BRAZEN |
| flaunt, v. | To show off in a conspicuous or offensive way: DISPLAY, PARADE, SPORT, SPOTLIGHT |
| flout, v. | To treat openly with scorn or contempt: MOCK, SCOFF AT, DERIDE, DISPARAGE, RIDICULE |
| fluctuate, v. | To change continually from one position to another: WAVER, VACILLATE, OSCILLATE, SEESAW |
| foible, n. | A minor, often amusing, fault or weakness in character: FLAW, DEFECT, QUIRK, IDIOSYNCRASY, ECCENTRICITY |
| forestall, v. | To secure an advantage or prevent a loss by previous action:HINDER, THWARD, PRECLUDE, OBVIATE, WARD OFF, STAVE OFF, ANTICIPATE |
| formidable, adj. | a) Arousing fear or admiration because of the unusual size or superiority ot the thing involved: AWESOME, REDOUBTABLE, TERRIFYING, MIND-BOGGLING, IMPRESSIVE b) Difficult to do because of the size of the job involved: HUGE, TREMENDOUS |
| fortuitous, adj. | Occurring by chance or accident: ACCIDENTAL, INADVERTENT, ADVENTITIOUS, UNFORESEEN |
| frugal, adj. | a) Thrifty or economical in the use of money b) Involving little expense; meager. SPARING, PRUDENT, PROVIDENT; SCANTY, PALTRY, PARSIMONIOUS, PENURIOUS, TIGHTFISTED |
| fulsome, adj. | Excessive and offensive to good taste and obviously insincere: INORDINATE, EXTRAVAGANT, GROSS, REPULSIVE, ODIOUS, LOATHSOME,; VULGAR, CRASS |
| futile, adj. | Incapable of producing the desired result; unsuccessful or ineffective: VAIN, FRUITLESS, UNAVAILING, IDLE, INEFFECTUAL, BOOTLESS, POINTLESS |
| haughty, adj. | Scornfully superior and aloof: SUPERCILIOUS, DISDAINFUL, CONTEMPTUOUS, CONDESCENDING, PATRONIZING, PROUD, ARROGANT. |
| heinous, adj. | Grossly wicked or vile: DIABOLIC, VILLAINOUS, NEFARIOUS, MONSTROUS, INFAMOUS; ODIOUS, REPREHENSIBLE, EXECRABLE |
| ignominy, n. | Dishonor or disgrace usually resulting from some sort of shameful conduct: HUMILIATION, DEGRADATION; DISREPUTE, OPPROBRIUM, ODIUM, OBLOQUY |
| illicit, adj. | Unlawful, illegal: UNAUTHORIZED, UNSANCTIONED, BANNED, PROSCRIBED, FORBIDDEN. |
| immaculate, adj. | Entirely free of stain, blemish, fault, or error; spotless: UNSOILED, UNSULLIED, UNTARNISHED, UNDEFILED; FLAWLESS, IMPECCABLE, UNIMPEACHABLE, IRREPROACHABLE |
| immunity, n. | Exemption from something, especially a disease: IMPUNITY, INSUSCEPTIBILITY; FREEDOM, EXCLUSION, PROTECTION, SAFETY; DISPENSATION, AMNESTY. |
| immutable, adj. | Not subject to change or modification: CONSTANT, FIXED, INVARIABLE, UNALTERABLE, PERMANENT; RESOLUTE, STEADFAST, UNWAVERING, INFLEXIBLE, RIGID. |
| impasse, n. | A deadlock or dead end: STALEMATE, STANDSTILL, DILEMMA. |
| impediment, n. | A hindrance or obstruction: eNCUMBRANCE, OBSTACLE, HANDICAP, BARRIER |
| impervious, adj. | Incapable of being penetrated or affected: IMPERMEABLE, UNRESPONSIVE, UNRECEPTIVE, UNAMENABLE, CLOSED (TO) |
| implacable, adj. | Incapable of being pacified or appeased; inflexible: UNAPPEASABLE, UNRELENTING, UNFORGIVING, RELENTLESS, INEXORABLE, REMORSELESS, OBDURATE, ADAMANT, MERCILESS. |
| implicit, adj. | a) Understood, implied. b) Absolute, unquestioning: INFERRED, INHERENT; TACIT, UNSPOKEN; UNQUALIFIED |
| impugn, v. | To call into question; to cast doubt on: QUESTION, QUERY, CHALLENGE, DENY, GAINSAY, DISPUTE, MALIGN |
| incarcerate, v. | To put in jail or otherwise confine: JAIL, IMPRISON, INTERN; CAGE, IMMURE, CONSTRAIN, CONSTRICT. |
| incense,v. | To make violently angry: ENRAGE, INFURIATE, ENFLAME, PROVOKE, INCITE |
| kudos, n. | The prestige or acclaim that results from some noteworthy achievement or position: GLORY, HONOR, ACCLAMATION, CREDIT, RECOGNITION, RENOWN, ACCOLADE, PLAUDIT |
| lackadaisical, adj. | Sorely lacking in spirit energy, or purpose: LETHARGIC, LISTLESS, SLUGGISH, TORPID, INDOLENT, LAZY, SUPINE, SLOTHFUL, BASE, NONCHALANT, INDIFFERENT, PERFUNCTORY |
| legacy, n. | Something left to a person in a will; something handed down from the past: BEQUEST, INHERITANCE, ENDOWMENT; PRESENT, GIFT. |
| liability, n. | a) A debt or obligation, especially of a financial nature. b) b) A hindrance or handicap: INDEBTEDNESS, DEBIT, MINUS; DISADVANTAGE, DRAWBACK, OBSTACLE. |
| libel, n. | A public statement or picture that damages a person by falsely impugning his or her character, motives, or actions or by unjustly exposing the person to public censure or ridicule: CALUMNY, SLANDER. |
| libel, v. | To slander publicly: CALUMNIATE, DEFAME, TRADUCE, BAD-MOUTH. |
| litigation, n. | Legal action; a lawsuit: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
| lucid, adj. | Clear and intelligile to the understanding; mentally competent: CRYSTAL CLEAR, UNDERSTANDABLE, COMPREHENSIBLE, SANE, RATIONAL. |
| lucrative, adj. | Profitable: GAINFUL, REMUNERATIVE, REWARDING, WORTHWHILE, PRODUCTIVE, FRUITFUL, ADVANTAGEOUS |
| lurk, v. | To sneak; to lie hidden or in wait: SKULK, PROWL, SLINK, LOITER |
| lush, adj. | a) Luxuriant, plentiful; luxurious, opulent. b) Overelaborate or overripe: DENSE, THRIVING, FLOURISHING, PROFUSE, LAVISH, PRODIGAL, EXTRAVAGANT, ORNATE, SUMPTUOUS. |
| malapropism, n. | An unconscious and usually ludicrous misuse of a word: FLUB, GAFFE, SOLECISM |
| malice, n. | A desire to cause harm or suffering; deep-seated ill will: MALEVOLENCE, SPITE, RANCOR, ANIMOSITY, VINDICTIVENESS, MALIGNITY, ENMITY, RESENTMENT |
| mammoth, n. | An extinct form of elephant; a giant or colossus: MASTODON, BEHEMOTH |
| mammoth, adj. | Gigantic: COLOSSAL, TITANIC, VAST, GARGANTUAN, ENORMOUS, PRODIGIOUS, STUPENDOUS |
| mandatory, adj. | Required, obligatory: COMPULSORY, REQUISITE, IMPERATIVE. |
| medium, n. | The means by which some goal is achieved or the person through whom it is realized: AGENCY, CHANNEL, VEHICLE. |
| obscene, adj. | Offensive to accepted standards of decency; repulsive. LEWD, SALACIOUS, BAWDY, SCATOLOGICAL; RISQUE, REPREHENSIBLE. |
| obsequious, adj. | Excessively submissive to another person's wishes or ideas, often for purely self-interested reasons. SERVILE, FAWNING SUBSERVIENT, GROVELING, MEALYMOUTHED, SYCOPHANTIC, UNCTUOUS, DEFERENTIAL. |
| obsession, n. | An irrational preoccupation with an idea or feeling that usually results in severe anxiety. COMPULSION, FIXATION, MANIA, PHOBIA, HANG-UP. |
| obsolete, adj. | No longer in use; outmoded. ANTIQUATED, DATED, PASSE, SUPERANNUATED, ARCHAIC, DEFUNCT, EXTINCT. |
| officious, adj. | Excessively forward in offering unwanted or unnecessary help or advice; meddlesome. INTRUSIVE, PRYING, PUSHY, IMPORTUNATE. |
| ominous, adj. | Foreshadowing evil; menacing or threatening. PORTENTOUS, FOREBODING, UNTOWARD, UNPROMISING, SINISTER. |
| opportune, adj. | Suitable, appropriate, or timely. CONVENIENT, SEASONABLE, APT, FITTING, PROPITIOUS, AUSPICIOUS, ADVANTAGEOUS. |
| ostensible, adj. | Apparent or professed. PURPORTED, ALLEGED, AVOWED, NOMINAL, SUPPOSED, REPUTED, EVIDENT, MANIFEST. |
| ostracize, v. | To banish or exclude from a group; to shun. EXPEL, EXILE, BLACKLIST, BLACKBALL, BOYCOTT, BAR, REPUDIATE, REJECT, OUTLAW. |
| pandemonium, n. | General disorder, confusion, noise, and commotion. CHAOS, BEDLAM, TURMOIL, TUMULT, DIN, CACOPHONY, HUBBUB, HULLABALOO, RUCKUS, RUMPUS. |
| paradox, n. | A seemingly self-contradictory statement that, on closer examination, proves worthy of belief. RIDDLE, ENIGMA, ANOMALY. |
| paraphrase, v. & n. | v) To restate in other words or another form, often in order to clarify meaning or avoid difficulties. n) A restatement. REWORD, FREE RENDERING, VERSION. |
| parochial, adj. | a) Located in, or supported by, a parish (a type of ecclesiastical district). b) Restricted in scope or range; narrow or limited. LOCAL, REGIONAL, NARROW-MINDED, INSULAR, PROVINCIAL, HIDEBOUND, MYOPIC. |
| parody, v. & n. | v) To imitate in a mocking or unworthy way. n) A comic imitation of a serious work; a mockery. SPOOF, TAKEOFF, LAMPOON, CARICATURE, BURLESQUE, TRAVESTY, SATIRE; (verb) MOCK, RIDICULE. |
| pensive, adj. | Immersed in deep, often melancholy, thought. MEDITATIVE, REFLECTIVE, CONTEMPLATIVE, INTROSPECTIVE, SAD, MELANCHOLY, WISTFUL, DOLEFUL. |
| prerogative, n. | A special right or privilege that belongs to a person or group by virtue of rank, position, or the like. PERQUISITE, ADVANTAGE, BENEFIT, BIRTHRIGHT. |
| probity, n. | Unquestionable honesty or uprightness. INTEGRITY, RECTITUDE, ETHICALITY, RIGHTEOUSNESS, DECENCY. |
| procrastinate, v. | To delay action. POSTPONE, SHILLY-SHALLY, TEMPORIZE, STALL. |
| prodigious, adj. | Extraordinary in size or extent; marvelous. TREMENDOUS, MAMMOTH, VAST, GARGANTUAN, PHENOMENAL, WONDROUS. |
| proliferate, v. | To increase rapidly in size or abundance. BURGEON, SNOWBALL, MUSHROOM, THRIVE, PROSPER, FLOURISH, ESCALATE. |
| promulgate, v. | To announce officially, as a law or decree. PROCLAIM, DECREE, BROADCAST, DISSEMINATE, PUBLISH. |
| propensity, n. | A natural tendency or inclination. PENCHANT (for), PROCLIVITY (toward), PREDILECTION, BENT (for), GIFT. |
| propitiate, v. | To appease or pacify. MOLLIFY, PLACATE, CONCILIATE. |
| protracted, adj. | Extended or prolonged excessively. DRAWN-OUT, ELONGATED; INTERMINABLE, ENDLESS, LONG-WINDED. |
| prowess, n. | Superior courage, ability, or skill. VALOR, GALLANTRY, DARING, BRAVERY, INTREPIDITY, METTLE, PLUCK; EXPERTISE, FACILITY, PROFICIENCY. |
| pseudonym, n. | A fictitious name assumed by an author. PEN NAME, NOM DE PLUME, NOM DE GUERRE, ALIAS. |
| purge, v. & n. | v) To cleanse or purify, especially to rid a group of undesirable elements. n) A medicine that cleanses; the elimination of undesirable elements. FLUSH OUT, EJECT, EXPEL, LIQUIDATE, EXTERINATE, EXPIATE. (nouns) PHYSIC, LAXATIVE, POGROM |
| pusillanimous, adj. | Contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited. TIMID, TIMOROUS, FRIGHTENED, GUTLESS, LILY-LIVERED, FAINTHEARTED. |
| quell, v. | To bring to an end, usually by force; to quiet or pacify. SUPPRESS, EXTINGUISH, SUBDUE, QUASH, SQUELCH, CALM, ALLAY, ASSUAGE. |
| quixotic, adj. | High-minded but impractical. IDEALISTIC, VISIONARY, FANCIFUL, UNREALISTIC, UTOPIAN, CHIMERICAL. |
| reticent, adj. | Disinclined to speak out; reserved or restrained. / TACITURN, TIGHT-LIPPED, UNCOMMUNICATIVE, HESITANT |
| retribution, n. | Just payment for something, especially a punishment./ REQUITAL, RECOMPENSE, REDRESS, COMPENSATION, RETALIATION, REPRISAL, RESTITUTION, VENGEANCE, REVENGE (ONE'S JUST DESERTS) |
| retroactive, adj. | Applying or referring to a period prior to enactment./ RETROSPECTIVE (E.G., AN "EX POST FACTO" LAW,) |
| reverberate, v. | To echo over and over again; to resound./ REBOUND, RECOIL, REICOCHET, BOUNCE BACK, RESONATE, RUMBLE |
| revere, v. | To hold in great awe, esteem, or respect./ VENERATE, CHERISH, IDOLIZE, ESTEEM, HONOR |
| ritual, n. | A prescribed form or order for some kind of ceremony; something that is regularly and faithfully practiced./ LITURGY, CEREMONY, FORMALITIES, SERVICE |
| rudiment, n. | A basic principle, element, or skill./ BASICS, FUNDAMENTALS, ABC'S (A PRIMER) |
| ruminate, v. | a) To chew cud (as in cows). b) To ponder at length; to turn over in one’s mind./ MASTICATE, MULL OVER, COGITATE, DELIBERATE |
| ruse, n. | An action or device designed to confuse or mislead./ STRATEGEM, PLOY, SUBTERFUGE, ARTIFICE, GIMMICK, TRICK ("RED HERRING") |
| sabotage, v. & n. | v.) To hamper, injure, or destroy maliciously or stealthily. n.) Malicious damage, destruction, or hindrance of something./ v.) SUBVERT, UNDERMINE, HAMSTRING, WRECK; n.) TREACHERY |
| sacrilegious, adj. | Wickedly disrespectful of sacred or revered things./ IMPIOUS, BLASPHEMOUS, UNGODLY, WICKED, SINFUL, IMMORAL, REPROBATE, ICONOCLASTIC |
| salient, adj. | Prominent or conspicuous./ OUTSTANDING, NOTICEABLE, STRIKING, PRONOUNCED |
| salient, n. | An outward projection in a military position; anything that protrudes beyond its surroundings./ PROTUBERANCE, PROTRUSION, BULGE |
| sanctimonious, adj. | Making a great but insincere show of being holy or righteous, usually for the purpose of impressing others./ HYPOCRITICAL, PIETISTIC, SELF-RIGHTEOUS, CANTING, POMPOUS, INSINCERE, HOLIER-THAN-THOU, |
| sanguine, adj. | a) Reddish or ruddy. b) Cheerfully confident or optimistic./ ROSY, RUBICUND, FLORID, FLUSHED, BUOYANT, SUNNY, BRIGHT, HOPEFUL |
| satellite, n. | a) A natural or artificial body revolving around a celestial body of larger size. b) A country that is under the domination or influence of a larger or more powerful country./ SPACECRAFT, APPENDAGE, PROTECTORATE, CLIENT |
| satellite, adj. | Dependent./ SUBORDINATE, SUBJECT |
| tacit, adj. | Unspoken; implied or inferred./ UNDERSTOOD, IMPLICIT, WORDLESS, UNEXPRESSED, UNVOICED (OF THINGS, NOT PEOPLE) |
| taciturn, adj. | Habitually untalkative/ CLOSEMOUTHED, TIGHT-LIPPED, LACONIC, RESERVED, RETICENT |
| tangible, adj. | Capable of being touched; real or concrete./ PERCEPTIBLE, DISCERNIBLE, PALPABLE, MATERIAL, ACTUAL, PHYSICAL, SOLID |
| tenable, adj. | Capable of being defended or maintained./ DEFENSIBLE, DEFENDABLE, MAINTAINABLE; IRREFUTABLE, INCONTESTABLE, UNASSAILABLE, PLAUSIBLE, CREDIBLE |
| tentative, adj. | In the nature of an experiment or trial; uncertain./ PROVISIONABLE, CONTINGENT, PROBATIONARY, INTERIM, EXPERIMENTAL, EXPLORATORY, HESITANT, UNSURE |
| thwart, v. | To block or frustrate./ FOIL, BAFFLE, NEUTRALIZE, STYMIE, CRIPPLE, IMPEDE, INHIBIT |
| tranquil, adj. | Peaceful and quiet; free of mental agitation./CALM, SERENE, PLACID, COMPOSED, UNEXCITED, UNPERTURBED, IMPASSIVE, DISPASSIONATE |
| traumatic, adj. | So shocking as to produce a lasting psychological effect./ SHOCKING, PARALYZING, JOLTING |
| trenchant, adj. | Perceptive and forceful; cutting./ INCISIVE, KEEN, ACUTE, EFFECTIVE, COGENT, CAUSTIC, MORDANT, BITING |
| turbulent, adj. | Violently agitated or disturbed; restless or unruly./ STORMY, TROUBLED, TUMULTUOUS, TEMPESTUOUS |
| ubiquitous, adj. | Being or seeming to be everywhere / OMNIPRESENT, PERVASIVE, UNIVERSAL |
| urbane, adj. | Refined, elegant, and sophisticated in manner or style. / SUAVE, COSMOPOLITAN, POLISHED, GENTEEL, SMOOTH, COURTLY |
| usurp, v. | To seize a power, office, function, or the like without any legal right to do so. / EXPROPRIATE, ARROGATE, ENCROACH, INFRINGE, SUPPLANT, SUPERCEDE |
| vagary, n. (usually plural, vagaries) | A bizarre or eccentric idea, action, or condition./ WHIM, CAPRICE, PECULIARITY, QUIRK, CROTCHET, ODDITY, ECCENTRICITY |
| venal, adj. | Open to, or marked by, bribery or corruption./ CORRUPTIBLE, BRIBABLE, MERCENARY |
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