ISEE Flashcards
Abandon
: to leave and never return to (someone who needs protection or help)
: to leave and never return to (something)
: to leave (a place) because of danger
Synonyms: disregard, vacate, withdraw, drop, give up, leave, leave high and dry, opt out, quit, forgo, bail out
Adhesive
: designed to stick to something
Synonyms: adherent, sticky, clingy, gluey, glutinous, gummy, tacky, hugging, holding, attaching
Admire
: to feel respect or approval for (someone or something)
: to look at (something or someone) with enjoyment
synonyms: adore, applaud, appreciate, cherish, commend, credit, honor, idolize, marvel at, praise, prize, respect, revere, treasure, worship
Ail
: to cause pain or trouble for (someone)
: to suffer bad health
Synonyms: agitate, disturb, alarm, bother, concern, derail, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distract, distress, exercise, flurry, frazzle, freak (out), fuss, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, weird out, worry
2ail
: ailment
Synonyms: affection, disease, ailment, bug, complaint, complication, condition, disorder, distemper, distemperature, fever, ill, illness, infirmity, malady, sickness, trouble
Aggravate
: to make (an injury, problem, etc.) more serious or severe
: to make (someone) angry : to annoy or bother (someone)
Other forms: ag·gra·vat·ed; ag·gra·vat·ing
Examples
it really aggravates me when I arrive 10 minutes before the stated closing time, and the store’s closed already
Synonyms: bother, bug, exasperate, get on one’s nerves, grate, irritate, nag, pester, provoke, tease
Aimless
: without purpose or direction
: having no goal
“an aimless, ungratifying life”
synonyms: purposeless, goalless, without purpose, haphazard, wandering, without goal, desultory, directionless, flighty, pointless, undirected, unoccupied, idle
Alter
: to change (something: to make a change to (a piece of clothing) so that it will fit better
synonyms: change, adjust, amend, convert, doctor, make different, modify, reconstruct, reform, reconstruct, renovate, transform
Approximate
: almost correct or exact : close in value or amount but not precise
Synonyms: almost, comparative, near, relative, close, rough
Alarmed
: filled with fear or dread
Synonyms: afraid, aghast, alarmed, fearful, frightened, horrified, horror-struck, hysterical, scared, scary, shocked, spooked, terrified, terrorized
Assert
: to state (something) in a strong and definite way
: to demand that other people accept or respect (something)
: cause others to recognize by confident and forceful behavior:
: behave or speak in a confident and forceful manner:
Examples
‘he asserted his innocence’
‘it was time to assert herself’
Synonyms: insist, declare, state, stress, swear, stand up for, press, uphold, announce, insist, claim, argue, proclaim
Assured
: sure or certain to happen
: very confident
: sure that something is certain or true
‘He gave his evidence in a very confident and assured way.’
Synonyms: confident, self-confident, self-assured, certain, clear, confident, doubtless, implicit, positive, sure, guaranteed, beyond doubt, definite, calm, together
Astonish
: to cause a feeling of great wonder or surprise in (someone)
: suprise or impress (someone) greatly
Examples
‘you never fail to astonish me’
‘the news that you and she broke up absolutely astonishes me’
synonyms: amaze, astound, bewilder, boggle, confound, daze, dumbfound, flabbergast, overwhelm, shock, startle, stun, blown away
Audible
: heard or able to be heard
capable of being heard; loud enough to be heard; actually heard.
synonyms: deafening, detectable, discernible, distinct, loud, perceptible, resounding, sounding, clear, hearable, plain, roaring, aural, auricular, loud enough, within earshot
Barrier
: something (such as a fence or natural obstacle) that prevents or blocks movement from one place to another
: a law, rule, problem, etc., that makes something difficult or impossible
: something that makes it difficult for people to understand each other
Examples
there was a big barrier plastered with signs saying “Keep Out” around the trash compactor
Synonyms: barricade, fence, hedge, wall, boundary, hurdle, limit, obstacle, roadblock, enclosure
Benign
medical : not causing death or serious injury
: without cancer : not cancerous
: not causing harm or damage
Examples
around campus he’s known as a real character, but one whose eccentricities are entirely benign
basking under a benign sun on a day in early spring
Synonyms: harmless, hurtless, innocent, innocuous, inoffensive, safe, favorable
Betray
: to give information about (a person, group, country, etc.) to an enemy
: to hurt (someone who trusts you, such as a friend or relative) by not giving help or by doing something morally wrong
: to show (something, such as a feeling or desire) without wanting or trying to
synonyms see reveal
Examples
childhood friends of movie stars often betray them by telling their secrets to the supermarket tabloids
his face betrayed his exasperation with his nosy neighbor
she was betrayed by a false show of friendship into covering up the crime
Synonyms: backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, go back on, sell down the river, stab in the back, deceive, break trust
Bewilder
: to confuse (someone) very much
Examples
the change in policy seems to have bewildered many of our customers
synonyms: baffle, distract, fluster, mystify, perplex, puzzle, rattle, stump, confuse
Biased
: having or showing a bias : having or showing an unfair tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others
Examples
She is too biased to write about the case objectively.
an extremely biased statement
He is biased against women/minorities.
Synonyms: partial, one-sided, partisan, prejudiced
Blunt
: having a thick edge or point : not sharp
: saying or expressing something in a very direct way that may upset some people
synonyms see dull, bluff
Examples
scissors with blunt ends
He was hit over the head with a blunt instrument.
She suffered blunt trauma to the head.
Synonyms: abrupt, bluff, brusque (also brusk), crusty, curt, downright, short, short-spoken, snippy, unceremonious, straightforward, frank, plain-spoken, candid, direct, forthright, terse, harsh, upfront
2blunt
: to make (something) less sharp
Examples
a weapon blunted by use
The stress and fatigue had blunted his reflexes.
They tried to blunt their criticism by praising her energy and enthusiasm.
Synonyms: benumb, dull, cauterize, damp, dampen, deaden, numb, unsharpened, worn
Brittle
: easily broken or cracked
: not strong : easily damaged
: sharp in sound
Synonyms: crisp, crispy, crumbly, flaky (also flakey), friable, short, breakable, fragile, delicate
2brittle
: a candy made with caramelized sugar and nuts spread in thin sheets
Cautious
: careful about avoiding danger or risk
Examples
‘a cautious driver’
Synonyms: alert, careful, safe, attentive, circumspect, conservative, considerate, gingerly, guarded, heedful, wary, watchful, vigilant
Conceal
: to hide (something or someone) from sight
: to keep (something) secret; prevent from being known or noticed
Examples
‘a line of sand dunes concealed the distant sea’
‘love that they had to conceal from others’
synonyms: hide, screen, cover, obscure, block out, mask, shroud, secret, cover up, disguise, veil
Censor
: a person who examines books, movies, letters, etc., and removes things that are considered to be offensive, immoral, harmful to society, etc.
: to examine books, movies, letters, etc., in order to remove things that are considered to be offensive, immoral, harmful to society, etc.
Examples
The station censored her speech before broadcasting it.
His report was heavily censored.
The government censored all references to the protest.
synonyms: edit, cut, sanitize, delete parts of, make cuts in, clean up
Abbreviation
: a shortened form of a word or name that is used in place of the full word or name
Examples
a recording of musical abbreviations that introduces the listener to the great composersp
synonyms: shortened form, initialism, acronym, symbol
Abhor
: to dislike (someone or something) very much
Examples
abhors the way people leave their trash at the picnic sites in the park
synonyms: hate, detest, despise, loathe, regard with disgust
Abrupt
: very sudden and not expected
: talking to other people in a very brief and unfriendly way
: rudely brief
Examples
There was an abrupt change in the weather.
The road came to an abrupt end.
The storm caused an abrupt power failure.
synonyms: sudden, unexpected, without warning, unanticipated, unforeseen, quick, swift, rapid, hurried, immediate
Accord
: to give (something, such as special treatment or status) to someone or something
: Give or grant someone (power, status or recognition)
Examples
‘the young man had accorded her little note’
Synonyms: give, grant, present, award, bestow on, check, agree, answer, match up with coincide, comport, conform to, consist, correspond, fit, go, harmonize, jibe, rhyme, sort, square, tally
Adamant
: Refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind
Example
‘she is adamant that she is not going to resign’
adjective
: not willing to change an opinion or decision : very determined
Synonyms:
unshakable, immovable, inflexible, unwavering, unswerving, uncompromising, insistent, resolute, resolved, determined, firm, steadfast; stubborn, unrelenting, diehard, unyielding, unbending, rigid, obdurate, inexorable, intransigent, (dead) set
2 adamant
a rock or mineral to which many, often contradictory, properties were attributed, formerly associated with diamond or lodestone.
Adapt
: to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation
: to change (something) so that it functions better or is better suited for a purpose
: to change (a movie, book, play, etc.) so that it can be presented in another form
Examples
‘When children go to a different school, it usually takes them a while to adapt.’
‘These fish all adapt easily to colder water.’
‘She has adapted to college life quite easily.’
Synonyms: modify, alter, change, adjust, readjust, convert, redesign, restyle, refashion, remodel, reshape, revamp, rework, redo, reconstruct, reorganize; customize, tailor; improve, amend, refine, tweak, acclimate, accommodate, condition, conform, doctor, edit, fashion, fit, put, shape, suit, tailor
Affiliation
: to associate (oneself) or be associated with
: bring or come into close connection
the state or process of affiliating or being affiliated.
‘she had an obvious affiliation to the Democratic Party’
synonyms: association with, connection with/to, alliance with/to, alignment with, link with/to, attachment to, tie with/to, relationship with/to, fellowship with, partnership with, coalition with, union with;
Adept
: a highly skilled or well-trained person
: very good at doing something that is not easy
Examples
She is adept in several languages.
She is politically adept
She’s adept at fixing flaws in the computer system.
‘they are adepts at krav maga and crossfit’
Synonyms: expert, proficient, accomplished, skillful, talented, masterly, masterful, consummate, virtuoso; dexterous, deft, artful; brilliant, splendid, marvelous, formidable, outstanding, first-rate, first-class, excellent, fine, artist, authority, connoisseur, masterful, educated, experienced, expert, good, great
Akin
: similar or related
Examples
The two languages are closely akin.
The two languages are closely akin to one another.
a feeling akin to loneliness
Synonyms: affiliated, related, allied, kindred
Akin
: similar or related
: of similar character
Examples
The two languages are closely akin to one another.
‘genius and madness are akin’
Synonyms: similar, related, close, near, corresponding, comparable, equivalent, connected, alike, kindred
Aggregate
: formed by adding together two or more amounts
: to join or combine into a single group
: to equal a specified number or amount
: a total amount
Example
‘an aggregate score’
Synonyms: whole, full, sum, summation, sum total, total, totality, collection, combination, overall, mass, gross
Ambiguous
: able to be understood in more than one way : having more than one possible meaning
: not expressed or understood clearly
Examples
‘the exact reason for the change in plans is ambiguous, but I suspect it has something to do with money’
‘it was an ambiguous explanation’
Synonyms: obscure, equivocal, fuliginous, inscrutable, murky, mysterious, mystic, ambivalent, open to debate/argument, arguable, debatable, unclear, imprecise, vague, doubtful, uncertain
Analyze
: to study (something) closely and carefully : to learn the nature and relationship of the parts of (something) by a close and careful examination
: to study the emotions and thoughts of (someone) by using psychoanalysis
Examples
‘chemists are analyzing the substance’
Synonyms: examine, inspect, survey, study, scrutinize, look over; investigate, explore, probe, research, go over (with a fine-tooth comb), review, evaluate, break down, dissect, anatomize
Ambivalent
:having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
Examples
‘some loved her, some hated her, few were ambivalent about her’
‘the need to relocate has made her ambivalent about the promotion’
Synonyms: uncertain, unsure, doubtful, indecisive, inconclusive, irresolute, of two minds, undecided, torn, in a quandary, on the fence, hesitating, wavering, vacillating, mixed, unclear, blowing/running hot and cold; iffy
Ancient
: very old : having lived or existed for a very long time
: belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence
Example
‘the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean’
Synonyms: of long ago, early, prehistoric, primeval, primordial, primitive
2ancient
: Having been in existence for a very long time:
‘an ancient gateway’
‘ancient forests’
Synonyms: old, very old, age-old, archaic, timeworn, time-honored,
3ancient
: Showing or feeling signs of age or wear
‘an ancient pair of jeans’
‘you make me feel ancient’
Synonyms: old, aged, elderly, antiquated, decrepit; old-fashioned, out of date, outmoded, obsolete, passé
Animosity
: a strong feeling of dislike or hatred
Examples
‘his open animosity towards us made our meeting very uncomfortable’
‘she no longer felt any animosity toward him’
Synonyms: antipathy, hostility, friction, antagonism, acrimony, enmity, animus, bitterness, rancor, resentment, dislike, ill feeling/will, bad blood, hatred, hate, loathing; malice, spite, spitefulness
Annex
: to add (an area or region) to a country, state, etc. : to take control of (a territory or place)
noun
: a building that is attached to or near a larger building and usually used as part of it
: a section or statement added at the end of a document
Synonyms: addition, extension, penthouse
Anguish*
: extreme suffering, grief, or pain
synonyms see sorrow
Synonyms: affliction, agony, distress, excruciation, hurt, misery, pain, rack, strait(s), torment, torture, travail, tribulation, woe
2anguish
: to suffer anguishtransitive verb
: to cause to suffer anguish
Synonyms: agonize, afflict, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute, plague, rack, torment, torture
Arbitrary
: not planned or chosen for a particular reason : not based on reason or evidence
: done without concern for what is fair or right
: Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system:
Examples
‘his mealtimes were entirely arbitrary’
Synonyms: whimsical, random, chance, unpredictable, unreasoned, unsupported, irrational, illogical, groundless
Anxious
: experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome
: afraid or nervous especially about what may happen : feeling anxiety
: causing or showing fear or nervousness
: wanting or eager to do or have something very much especially because of fear or nervousness
Examples
‘she was anxious about the play tryouts scheduled for the following day’
‘there were some anxious moments’
‘I’m anxious for my birthday party’
Synonyms: worried, concerned, uneasy, apprehensive, fearful, perturbed, troubled, bothered, disturbed, distressed, disquieted, fretful, agitated, nervous, edgy, antsy, unquiet, on edge, tense, overwrought, worked up, keyed up, jumpy, worried sick, with one’s stomach in knots, with one’s heart in one’s mouth, with butterflies in one’s stomach, trepidatious, jittery, twitchy
Arid
: very dry : having very little rain or water
: lacking in interest and life
: lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning
Examples
‘The arid climate makes the desert the best outdoor setting to keep planes free of corrosion.’
‘Yoga classes without downward dog seem to me arid and dull.’
Synonyms: dry, dried up, bone-dry, waterless, moistureless, parched, scorched, baked, thirsty, droughty, desert; barren, infertile; dreary, dull, drab, dry, sterile, colorless, unstimulating, uninspiring, flat, boring, uninteresting, lifeless, emotionless, plain-vanilla
Aspiration
: (usually aspirations) A hope or ambition of achieving something
: The object of one’s hope or ambition; a goal
: Medicine The action or process of drawing breath.
: The action of drawing fluid by suction from a vessel or cavity.
Examples
‘a combination of aspiration and hard work made her the top’ ‘female tennis player in the state
college is his immediate aspiration after he graduates from high school’
‘Our aspiration is to double in size and become a trillion-dollar company.’
Synonyms: desire, hope, dream, wish, longing, yearning; aim, ambition, expectation, goal, target, ambitiousness, ambition, go-getting
Assent
: to agree to or approve of something (such as an idea or suggestion) especially after carefully thinking about it
Example
‘she put off marrying till her father gave his assent’
synonyms: agreement, acceptance, approval, consent, acquiescence, compliance, concurrence; support, sanction, endorsement, confirmation; permission, leave, blessing; the go-ahead, the nod, the green light, the OK, the thumbs up
Assess
: Evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of
: to make a judgment about (something)
: to officially say what the amount, value, or rate of (something) is
: to tax or charge (someone or something) : to require (a person, business, etc.) to pay a particular amount of money
Examples
‘the utility company will assess a fee if your payment is late’
‘let’s step back and assess the situation’
synonyms: evaluate, judge, gauge, rate, estimate, appraise, consider, get the measure of, determine, analyze, size up
Barrage
: A concentrated artillery bombardment over a wide area.
: A concentrated outpouring, as of questions or blows:
: Bombard (someone) with something:
: a dam placed in a watercourse to increase the depth of water or to divert it into a channel for navigation or irrigation
2barrage
1 : artillery fire laid on a line close to friendly troops to screen and protect them
2 : a vigorous or rapid outpouring or projection of many things at once
Examples
The public was barraged with campaign ads in the months leading up to the election.
They were barraged
The office has been barraged
3barrage
: to cause (someone) to receive a great amount of something : to direct a barrage of questions, comments, etc., at (someone)
Synonyms: bombardment, cannonade; gunfire, shelling; salvo, volley, fusillade
HISTORICAL broadside
Bastion
: a place or system in which something (such as an old-fashioned idea) continues to survive
Example
‘the rebel army retreated to its bastion in the mountains to regroup’
Synonyms: protection, fastness, fortification, fortress, hold, redoubt, stronghold, fort, castle, citadel
Barren
: having very few plants : not suitable for plants
: not producing fruit or not able to produce fruit
of a woman or female animal : not able to produce children or offspring
Synonyms: unproductive, infertile, unfruitful, sterile, arid, desert, dead, desolate, hardscrabble, impoverished, poor, stark, unproductive, waste
2barren
1 plural : an extent of usually level land having an inferior growth of trees or little vegetation
2 : a tract of barren land
Synonyms: wasteland, desert, desolation, heath, no-man’s-land, waste
Bashful
: nervous or uncomfortable in social situations : afraid to talk to people because of a lack of confidence
: Reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy
Examples
a bashful child who hid in his room whenever there were visitors in the house
‘don’t be bashful about telling them how you feel’
Synonyms: shy, reserved, diffident, retiring, self-conscious, coy, demure, reticent, reluctant, shrinking, timid, timorous, meek; hesitant, apprehensive, nervous, insecure, doubting, wary, unconfident, inhibited, faint-hearted; embarrassed, shamefaced, sheepish
*Barren
: having very few plants : not suitable for plants
: not producing fruit or not able to produce fruit
of a woman or female animal : not able to produce children or offspring
Synonyms: unproductive, infertile, unfruitful, sterile, arid, desert, stark
2barren
1 plural : an extent of usually level land having an inferior growth of trees or little vegetation
2 : a tract of barren land
Synonyms: wasteland, desert, desolation, heath, no-man’s-land, waste
Brazen
: acting or done in a very open and shocking way without shame or embarrassment
: Bold and without shame
Example
Is he going to be this brazen, this bold all the time?
Synonyms: arch, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassbound, brassy, nervy, brazen-faced, cheeky, cocksure, cocky, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, sassy, saucy, wise
Candid*
: expressing opinions and feelings in an honest and sincere way
: Truthful and straightforward; frank
Examples
a candid woman who never hesitates to say exactly what’s on her mind
Synonyms: frank, outspoken, forthright, blunt, open, honest, truthful, sincere, direct, straightforward, plain-spoken, unreserved, upfront, unvarnished, bald; heart-to-heart, intimate, personal, man-to-man, woman-to-woman
photography : showing people acting in a natural way because they do not know that they are being photographed
Examples
it is better to let the photographer mingle among the guests and take candid shots
Synonyms: unposed, informal, uncontrived, unstudied, impromptu; spontaneous, extemporary, natural
Coerce
: to make (someone) do something by using force or threats
: to get (something) by using force or threats
Examples
was coerced into signing the document
their confessions were allegedly coerced by torture
synonyms: pressure, pressurize, press, push, constrain; force, compel, oblige, browbeat, bludgeon, bully, threaten, intimidate, dragoon, twist someone’s arm
Commodities
: something that is bought and sold
: something or someone that is useful or valued
Examples
His time is a valuable commodity, and when reporters are denied it, they can become annoyed.
commodities such as sugar and oil
Synonyms: item, material, type of produce, product, article, object, thing, artifact, piece of merchandise; import, export
Coerce
: to make (someone) do something by using force or threats
: to get (something) by using force or threats
: Persuade (an unwilling person) to do something by using force or threats
Examples
‘they were coerced into signing the document’
‘their confessions were allegedly coerced by torture’
synonyms: pressure, pressurize, press, push, constrain; force, compel, oblige, browbeat, bludgeon, bully, threaten, intimidate, dragoon, twist someone’s arm
Compassion
: a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble, etc.
: Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others
Examples
‘the victims should be treated with compassion’
treats the homeless with great compassion
has no compassion for people who squander their money
Synonyms: pity, sympathy, empathy, care, concern, sensitivity, warmth, love, tenderness, mercy, leniency, tolerance, kindness, humanity, charity
Conceal
: to hide (something or someone) from sight
: to keep (something) secret
synonyms see hide
Examples
wisely concealed the documents in a drawer beneath a false bottom
tried to conceal her true intentions from immigration officials
hide, screen, cover, obscure, block out, blot out, mask, shroud, secrete
Synonyms: hidden, not visible, out of sight, invisible, covered, disguised, camouflaged, obscured; private, secret
Comprehensive
: including many, most, or all things
: Complete; including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something:
Examples
‘a comprehensive list of sources’
a comprehensive listing of all the paintings generally attributed to the Dutch artist Rembrandt
comprehensive plans for covering just about any conceivable terrorist attack
Synonyms: inclusive, all-inclusive, complete; thorough, full, extensive, all-embracing, exhaustive, detailed, in-depth, encyclopedic, universal, catholic; far-reaching, radical, sweeping, across the board, wholesale; broad, wide-ranging
Condescending
: showing that you believe you are more intelligent or better than other people
Examples
‘She spoke to us in a condescending tone’
‘His comments were offensive and condescending to us.
a condescending attitude’
‘she thought the teachers were arrogant and condescending’
Synonyms: patronizing, supercilious, superior, snobbish, snobby, disdainful, lofty, haughty; smug, conceited
INFORMAL snooty, stuck-up
Condone
: to forgive or approve (something that is considered wrong) : to allow (something that is considered wrong) to continue
: Accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) to continue
Examples
‘he is too quick to condone his friend’s faults’
‘the college cannot condone any behavior that involves illicit drugs’
Synonyms: disregard, accept, allow, let pass, turn a blind eye to, overlook, forget; forgive, pardon, excuse, let go
Concise
: using few words : not including extra or unnecessary information
Examples
a concise article on violence in the media that manages to say more than most books on the subject
Synonyms: brief, capsule, compact, compendious, crisp, curt, elliptical (or elliptic), epigrammatic, laconic, monosyllabic, pithy, sententious, succinct, summary, telegraphic, terse, thumbnail
Confer
: to discuss something important in order to make a decision
: to give (something, such as a degree, award, title, right, etc.) to someone or something
Examples
the British monarch continues to confer knighthood on those who are outstanding in their fields of endeavor
my parents are going to confer with a financial adviser about saving for their retirement
Synonyms: accord, award, grant, vest
Congenial
: suitable or appropriate
: pleasant and enjoyable
: very friendly
Examples
a couple relaxing in the congenial atmosphere of a luxury health spa
congenial traveling companions who made our tour of Italy even more enjoyable than we had anticipated
Synonyms: agreeable, blessed (also blest), pleasant, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, good, grateful, gratifying, heavenly, jolly, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty, satisfying, savory (also savoury), sweet, tasty, welcome
Confine
1 plural a : something (as borders or walls) that encloses ; also : something that restrains b : scope 3 2 a archaic : restriction b obsolete : prison
: to keep (someone or something) within limits : to prevent (someone or something) from going beyond a particular limit, area, etc.
: to keep (a person or animal) in a place (such as a prison)
: to force or cause (someone) to stay in something (such as a bed or wheelchair)
Synonyms: cap, circumscribe, limit, hold down, restrict
Consensus
: a general agreement about something : an idea or opinion that is shared by all the people in a group
Examples
finally reached a consensus on how to spend the money that the club had raised
Synonyms: accord, concurrence, concurrency, agreement, unanimity, unison
Contradiction
: the act of saying something that is opposite or very different in meaning to something else
: a difference or disagreement between two things which means that both cannot be true
Examples
a loving father as well as a ruthless killer, the gangster is a living contradiction
the actress’s contradiction of the marriage rumor caused quite a stir
Synonyms: dichotomy, incongruity, paradox
Contemplation
: the act of thinking deeply about something
: the act of looking carefully at something
Examples
the decision to enter a monastery and to spend one’s life in prayer and contemplation
in contemplation of their children’s college expenses, they started saving early
Synonyms: meditation
Contented
: happy and satisfied : showing or feeling contentment
Examples
having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
Synonyms: content, gratified, happy, pleased, satisfied
Controversial
: relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument : likely to produce controversy
Examples
racial segregation was a controversial topic in the 1960s
controversial by temperament, she’s the sort of political attack dog who kills all hope of bipartisanship
Synonyms: argumentative, contentious, disputatious, hot-button, polemical (also polemic)
Conniving
given to or involved in conspiring to do something immoral, illegal, or harmful.
“a heartless and conniving woman”
Conundrum
: a confusing or difficult problem
Examples
the conundrum of how an ancient people were able to build such massive structures without the benefit of today’s knowledge and technology
Synonyms: closed book, mystery, enigma, head-scratcher, mystification, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle, secret
Connive
: to secretly help someone do something dishonest or illegal
Conventional
: used and accepted by most people : usual or traditional
: of a kind that has been around for a long time and is considered to be usual or typical
: common and ordinary : not unusual
synonyms see ceremonial
Examples
conventional wisdom holds that an incumbent president has an overwhelming advantage over his opponent
tried to break from the conventional attitudes regarding the proper roles for men and women
conventional courtesy demands that the bridal couple send written thank-you notes for their gifts
Synonyms: current, customary, going, popular, prevailing, prevalent, standard, stock, usual
Credible
: able to be believed : reasonable to trust or believe
: good enough to be effective
Examples
it’s at least a credible explanation
Synonyms: believable, creditable, likely, plausible, presumptive, probable
Cunning
: getting what is wanted in a clever and often deceptive way
synonyms see clever, sly
Synonyms: beguiling, cagey (also cagy), crafty, artful, cute, designing, devious, dodgy [chiefly British], foxy, guileful, scheming, shrewd, slick, sly, subtle, tricky, wily
2cun·ning
: cleverness or skill especially at tricking people in order to get something
btlety (as in inventing, devising, or executing)
3 : craft, slyness
synonyms see art
Examples
He may be a fraud, but you have to admire his cunning.
(chiefly Brit) He succeeded through a combination of charm and low cunning.
Synonyms: artfulness, artifice, caginess, canniness, craft, craftiness, cunningness, deviousness, foxiness, guile, guilefulness, slickness, slyness, sneakiness, subtleness, subtlety, wiliness
Credible
: a statement of the basic beliefs of a religion
: an idea or set of beliefs that guides the actions of a person or group
Examples
the religion’s creed
people of different races and creeds
a political creed
Synonyms: credo, doctrine, dogma, gospel, ideology (also idealogy), philosophy, testament
Counsel
: advice given to someone
law : a lawyer who represents a person or group in a court of law
Synonyms: advocate, attorney, attorney-at-law, lawyer, counselor (or counsellor), counselor-at-law, legal eagle
2counsel
: to give advice to (someone)
: to listen to and give support or advice to (someone) especially as a job
: to suggest or recommend (something)
Examples
She counseled him not to accept the offer.
He counsels people who are trying to quit drinking.
The President’s advisers counseled restraint until the incident had been investigated.
Synonyms: advise, confab, confabulate, consult, confer, parley, powwow, treat
Creed
: a statement of the basic beliefs of a religion
: an idea or set of beliefs that guides the actions of a person or group
Examples
the religion’s creed
people of different races and creeds
a political creed
Synonyms: credo, doctrine, dogma, gospel, ideology (also idealogy), philosophy, testament
Debate
: a discussion between people in which they express different opinions about something
Synonyms: account, advisement, consideration, deliberation, reflection, study, thought
2debate
: to discuss (something) with people whose opinions are different from your own
: to compete against (someone) in a debate : to argue against another person’s opinions as part of an organized event
: to think about (something) in order to decide what to do
Examples
Scholars have been debating the meaning of the text for years.
Whether or not the tax cuts benefit the lower classes is still hotly debated among economists.
The energy bill is currently being debated in Congress.
Synonyms: chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, ponder, deliberate, entertain, eye, kick around, meditate, mull (over), perpend, pore (over), question, revolve, ruminate, study, think (about or over), turn, weigh, wrestle (with)
Dawdle
: to move or act too slowly
synonyms see delay
Examples
if you continue to dawdle, we’ll be late for sure
accused the city council of dawdling even as the crime rate was spiraling out of control
Synonyms: crawl, creep, dally, delay, diddle, dillydally, drag, lag, linger, loiter, lollygag (also lallygag), mope, poke, shilly-shally, tarry
Debt
: an amount of money that you owe to a person, bank, company, etc.
: the state of owing money to someone or something
: the fact that you have been influenced or helped by someone or something
Examples
He is trying to pay off gambling debts.
The company has run up huge debts.
Their debts are piling up.
Synonyms: arrearage, arrears, indebtedness, liability (usually liabilities), obligation, score
Decree
: an official order given by a person with power or by a government
: an official decision made by a court of law
Synonyms: behest, charge, commandment, command, dictate, direction, directive, do, edict, imperative, injunction, instruction, order, word
2decree
: to order or decide (something) in an official way
Examples
The government decreed a national holiday.
The change was decreed by the President.
The City Council has decreed that all dogs must be kept on a leash.
Synonyms: call, command, dictate, direct, mandate, ordain, order
Defiant
: refusing to obey something or someone : full of defiance
Examples
the defiant puppy refused to let go of the football
Synonyms: balky, contrary, contumacious, disobedient, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, intractable, obstreperous, rebel, rebellious, recalcitrant, recusant, refractory, restive, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful (or wilful)
Deceive
: to make (someone) believe something that is not true
Examples
he went to great lengths to deceive his family about the nature of his new job at the mall
Synonyms: bamboozle, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick, do a number on, lead one down the garden path (also lead one up the garden path), pull one’s leg, pull the wool over one’s eyes
Dejection
: sadness that is caused by failure, loss, etc.
Examples
I find that ice cream often works wonders when trying to overcome dejection
Synonyms: blue devils, blues, sadness, depression, desolation, despond, despondence, despondency, disconsolateness, dispiritedness, doldrums, dolefulness, downheartedness, dreariness, dumps, forlornness, gloom, gloominess, glumness, heartsickness, joylessness, melancholy, miserableness, mopes, mournfulness, oppression, sorrowfulness, unhappiness
Deficient
: not having enough of something that is important or necessary
: not good enough : not as good as others
Synonyms: incomplete, fragmental, fragmentary, half, halfway, partial
Decline
: to become lower in amount or less in number
: to become worse in condition or quality
: to say that you will not or cannot do something
Synonyms: balk (at), deselect, disapprove, negative, nix, pass, pass up, refuse, reject, reprobate, repudiate, spurn, throw out, throw over, turn down, turn one’s back on
2 : the period during which something is deteriorating or approaching its end
3 : a downward slope
4 : a wasting disease; especially : pulmonary tuberculosis
synonyms see deterioration
Examples
a period of economic decline
He says that American industry is in a state of decline.
There was a general feeling that the country was in decline.
Synonyms: debilitation, decay, decaying, declension, degeneration, descent, deterioration, ebbing, enfeeblement, weakening
Defensive
: defending or protecting someone or something from attack : helping to keep a person or thing safe
: behaving in a way that shows that you feel people are criticizing you
sports : of or relating to the way that players try to stop an opponent from scoring in a game or contest
Synonyms: protective, self-protective
2defensive
: a defensive position
on the defensive : in the state or condition of being prepared or required to defend against attack or criticism
Examples
We won after keeping the other team on the defensive for most of the game.
Their soldiers appear to be on the defensive.
The company was pushed/forced onto the defensive in the lawsuit.
Synonyms: guard
Delicate
: easily broken or damaged
: easily injured, hurt, or made sick
: attractive and made up of small or fine parts
synonyms see choice
Synonyms: airy, dainty, exquisite, nuanced, refined, subtle
Deliberate
: to think about or discuss something very carefully in order to make a decision
synonyms see think
Synonyms: chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, debate, ponder, entertain, eye, kick around, meditate, mull (over), perpend, pore (over), question, revolve, ruminate, study, think (about or over), turn, weigh, wrestle (with)
2deliberate
: done or said in a way that is planned or intended : done or said on purpose
: done or decided after careful thought
: slow and careful
synonyms see voluntary
Synonyms: advised, calculated, considered, knowing, measured, reasoned, studied, thoughtful, thought-out, weighed
Despair
: to no longer have any hope or belief that a situation will improve or change
Synonyms: despond, lose heart
2despair
: the feeling of no longer having any hope
: someone or something that causes extreme sadness or worry
Examples
Things look bad now, but don’t despair.
We had begun to despair of ever finding a house we could afford.
Synonyms: desperation, despond, despondence, despondency, forlornness, hopelessness, slough of despond
Detest
: to dislike (someone or something) very strongly
synonyms see hate
Examples
I detest pepperoni, and wouldn’t eat it if you paid me!
Devotion
: a feeling of strong love or loyalty : the quality of being devoted
: the use of time, money, energy, etc., for a particular purpose
: prayer, worship, or other religious activities that are done in private rather than in a religious service
synonyms see fidelity
Examples
Albert Schweitzer was world-renowned for his devotion to his fellow man
the knight’s fierce devotion to his lord
a people of deep spirituality and indomitable devotion
Synonyms: affection, attachment, devotedness, love, fondness, passion
Desolate
: lacking the people, plants, animals, etc., that make people feel welcome in a place
: very sad and lonely especially because someone you love has died or left
synonyms see alone, dismal
Synonyms: black, bleak, cheerless, chill, Cimmerian, cloudy, cold, comfortless, dark, darkening, depressing, depressive, gloomy, dire, disconsolate, dismal, drear, dreary, dreich [chiefly Scottish], elegiac (also elegiacal), forlorn, funereal, glum, godforsaken, gray (also grey), lonely, lonesome, lugubrious, miserable, morbid, morose, murky, plutonian, saturnine, solemn, somber (or sombre), sullen, sunless, wretched
2desolate
: to make (someone) feel very sad and lonely for a long time
: to damage (a place) in such a way that it is no longer suitable for people to live in
Dignity
: a way of appearing or behaving that suggests seriousness and self-control
: the quality of being worthy of honor or respect
Examples
the archbishop is very conscious of his dignity
Synonyms: class, rank, fashion, quality, standing, state
Detrimental
: causing damage or injury
Synonyms: adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, damaging, dangerous, deleterious, harmful, evil, hurtful, ill, injurious, mischievous, nocuous, noxious, pernicious, prejudicial, wicked
2detrimental
: an undesirable or harmful person or thing
Dilute
: to make (a liquid) thinner or less strong by adding water or another liquid
: to lessen the strength of (something)
2dilute
: reduced in strength as a result of containing an added liquid
Examples
a dilute solution of acid
a dilute acid that’s safe to handle in the classroom
Synonyms: weak, diluted, thin, thinned, washy, watery, weakened
Disavow
: to say that you are not responsible for (something) : to deny that you know about or are involved in (something)
Examples
disavowed the testimony that she had given earlier in the trial
the government will disavow any knowledge of your mission
Disgraced
dis·grace
- the loss of respect, honor, or esteem; ignominy; shame: the disgrace of criminals.
- a person, act, or thing that causes shame, reproach, or dishonor or is dishonorable or shameful.
- the state of being out of favor; exclusion from favor, confidence, or trust: courtiers and ministers in disgrace.
- to bring or reflect shame or reproach upon: to be disgraced by cowardice.
- to dismiss with discredit; put out of grace or favor; rebuke or humiliate: to be disgraced at court.
Dismay
: a strong feeling of being worried, disappointed, or upset
Examples
His comments were met with cries of dismay.
They watched in dismay as the house burned.
Much to the dismay of her fans, she announced her retirement immediately after the book’s release.
Synonyms: disappointment, dissatisfaction, frustration, letdown
Dismayed
dis·may
verb
past tense: dismayed; past participle: dismayed
cause (someone) to feel consternation and distress.
“they were dismayed by the U-turn in policy”
synonyms: appall, horrify, shock, shake (up); disconcert, take aback, alarm, unnerve, unsettle, throw off balance, discompose; disturb, upset, distress; informalrattle, faze
“he was dismayed by the change in his friend”
Display
: to put (something) where people can see it
: to show that you have (an emotion, quality, skill, etc.)
synonyms see show
Synonyms: show, disport, exhibit, expose, flash, flaunt, lay out, parade, produce, show off, sport, strut, unveil
2display
: an arrangement of objects intended to decorate, advertise, entertain, or inform people about something
: an event at which something is done or shown to impress or entertain people
: an action, performance, etc., which shows very clearly that you have some ability, feeling, quality, etc.
Examples
Each table had a beautiful display of flowers. = Each table had a beautiful flower display.
the bookstore’s display of dictionaries = the bookstore’s dictionary display
The library’s current display features locally made crafts.
Synonyms: exhibition, exhibit, expo, exposition, fair, show
Dispute
: to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal
: to argue about (something)
: to fight in order to take control of (something)
Synonyms: contest, challenge, impeach, oppugn, query, question
Antonyms: accept, believe, embrace, swallow
2dispute
: a disagreement or argument
Examples
The lawyer disputed the witness’s statement.
You can dispute your bill if you believe it is inaccurate.
She disputed the claim.
Synonyms: contestation, controversy, debate, difference, difficulty, disputation, disagreement, dissension (also dissention), dissensus, firestorm, nonconcurrence
Distasteful
: not pleasant or enjoyable
: morally offensive
Examples
cod-liver oil is so distasteful that it’s worse than anything it cures
concerned mothers who find some recent musical trends distasteful
the distasteful nature of his job as a bill collector
Synonyms: brackish, unappetizing, unpalatable, unsavory, yucky (also yukky)
Dissect
: to cut (a plant or dead animal) into separate parts in order to study it
: to study or examine (something) closely and carefully
: to divide (something) into parts
synonyms see analyze
Examples
let’s dissect the plot of this thriller to see what makes it thrilling
Synonyms: anatomize, assay, break down, cut, deconstruct, analyze
Diversity
: the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc.
: the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization
Examples
the diversity of plant life on that tropical island is staggering
there’s considerable diversity in the platforms for the two major parties
Synonyms: assortment, diverseness, variety, heterogeneity, heterogeneousness, manifoldness, miscellaneousness, multifariousness, multiplicity, variousness
Distort
: to change the natural, normal, or original shape, appearance, or sound of (something) in a way that is usually not attractive or pleasing
: to change (something) so that it is no longer true or accurate
synonyms see deform
Examples
the coach’s message was so distorted after passing through so many people that it was unintelligible
if you keep distorting your face like that, someday it’s going to freeze in that position
Synonyms: bend, color, cook, garble, falsify, fudge, misinterpret, misrelate, misrepresent, misstate, pervert, slant, twist, warp
Domestic
: of, relating to, or made in your own country
: relating to or involving someone’s home or family
: relating to the work (such as cooking and cleaning) that is done in a person’s home
Synonyms: familial, household
Dormant
: not doing anything at this time : not active but able to become active
synonyms see latent
Examples
the bears lay dormant in their den during the winter
the engine lay dormant in the garage until we found a use for it
Synonyms: asleep, dozing, napping, resting, sleeping, slumbering
Antonyms: awake, sleepless, wakeful, wide-awake
Dominate
: to have control of or power over (someone or something)
: to be the most important part of (something)
: to be much more powerful or successful than others in a game, competition, etc.
Examples
by 1941 Hitler had dominated much of Europe
the ruined fortress dominates the town
Synonyms: conquer, overpower, pacify, subdue, subject, subjugate, subordinate, vanquish
Doubtful
: uncertain or unsure about something
: not likely to be true : not probable
: likely to be bad : not worthy of trust
Examples
he was doubtful about the decision to complete the project despite its mounting problems
the election results were highly doubtful, so an investigation was begun
our winning the championship increasingly looks like a doubtful outcome
Synonyms: distrustful, dubious, hinky [slang], mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, trustless, uncertain, unconvinced, undecided, unsettled, unsure, on the fence
Drastic
: extreme in effect or action : severe or serious
Dread
: to fear something that will or might happen
Examples
He can’t swim and dreads going in the water.
She dreaded making speeches in front of large audiences.
I dread the day I will have to leave my friends.
2dread
: a strong feeling of fear about something that will or might happen
: a person or thing that causes fear
synonyms see fear
Examples
She has a dread of failure.
He lives with the/a constant dread of rejection.
She awaited her punishment with dread.
Synonyms: alarm (also alarum), apprehensiveness, apprehension, foreboding, misgiving
3dread
: causing great fear
Examples
a dread disease
every ship on the Spanish Main was terrified of running into the dread pirate
Synonyms: alarming, dire, direful, fearful, dreadful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightening, frightful, ghastly, hair-raising, horrendous, horrible, horrifying, intimidating, redoubtable, scary, shocking, spine-chilling, terrible, terrifying
Dubious
: unsure or uncertain : feeling doubt about something
: causing doubt, uncertainty, or suspicion : likely to be bad or wrong
—used ironically in phrases like and to describe something bad or undesirable as if it were an honor or achievement
synonyms see doubtful
Examples
any letter bearing the signature of Geronimo would be of dubious authenticity, to say the least
I’m dubious about our plan to go hang gliding without having had any training
made the dubious claim of being of royal blood
Synonyms: debatable, disputable, dodgy [chiefly British], doubtable, doubtful, dubitable, equivocal, fishy, problematic (also problematical), queer, questionable, shady, shaky, suspect, suspicious
Drench
verb
past tense: drenched; past participle: drenched
1. wet thoroughly; soak.
“I fell in the stream and got drenched”
synonyms: soak, saturate, wet through, permeate, douse, souse; cover (something) liberally or thoroughly.
“cool patios drenched in flowers”
- forcibly administer a drug in liquid form orally to (an animal).
Drench
past tense: drenched; past participle: drenched
- wet thoroughly; soak.
“I fell in the stream and got drenched”
synonyms: soak, saturate, wet through, permeate, douse, souse;
More
cover (something) liberally or thoroughly.
“cool patios drenched in flowers”
- forcibly administer a drug in liquid form orally to (an animal).
Duration
: the length of time that something exists or lasts
Examples
for the whole duration of the speech the bored audience fidgeted
scientists warning that the very duration of our civilization depends upon finding a solution to this major environmental problem
Synonyms: continuance, date, life, life span, lifetime, run, standing, time
Egotism
: the feeling or belief that you are better, more important, more talented, etc., than other people
Examples
for someone who has won a Nobel Prize in physics, he is remarkably without egotism
egotism is not something that winners of the Nobel Prize for peace usually have time for
Synonyms: amour propre, bighead, complacency, conceit, conceitedness, ego, complacence, pomposity, pompousness, pride, pridefulness, self-admiration, self-assumption, self-conceit, self-congratulation, self-esteem, self-glory, self-importance, self-love, self-opinion, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, swellheadedness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity
Eager
: very excited and interested : feeling a strong and impatient desire to dosomething or forsomething
ea·ger·ness noun
Examples
Tom was eager to try out his new pair of skis
Synonyms: agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, athirst, avid, crazy, desirous, enthused, enthusiastic, excited, geeked [slang], great, greedy, gung ho, hepped up, hopped-up, hot, hungry, impatient, juiced, keen, nuts, pumped, raring, solicitous, stoked [slang], thirsty, voracious, wild, champing at the bit, chomping at the bit
Economize
: to use money, resources, etc., carefully ( chiefly US)
Examples
in tough times people learn how to economize
First use: 1816
Synonyms: pinch, save, scrimp, skimp, spare, pinch pennies
Elegant
: showing good taste : graceful and attractive
: simple and clever
Examples
the most elegant First Lady in the nation’s history
the bride’s elegant gown received nothing but praise
prepared an elegant dinner for the honored guests
Synonyms: classy, courtly, fine, graceful, handsome, majestic, refined, stately, tasteful
Egotist
noun: egotist; plural noun: egotists
a person who is excessively conceited or self-absorbed; self-seeker.
“he is a self-absorbed egotist”
synonyms: self-seeker, egocentric, egomaniac, narcissist; More
Elongate
: to make (something) longer or to grow longer
Synonyms: drag (out), draw out, extend, lengthen, outstretch, prolong, protract, stretch
2elongate
1 : stretched out
2 : slender
Synonyms: long (or elongated), extended, king-size (or king-sized), lengthy
Entrust
: to give someone the responsibility of doing something or of caring for someone or something
synonyms see commit
Examples
we entrusted our financial adviser with the investment of all of our savings
we entrusted our pets to the care of our neighbor while we went on vacation
Endeavor
: to seriously or continually try to do(something)
synonyms see attempt
Synonyms: bang away, beaver (away), dig (away), drudge, labor, fag, grub, hump, hustle, moil, peg (away), plod, plow, plug, slave, slog, strain, strive, struggle, sweat, toil, travail, tug, work
2endeavor
: a serious effort or attempt
Examples
His endeavors have gone unrewarded.
He failed despite his best endeavors.
She is involved in several artistic endeavors.
Synonyms: assay [archaic], bash [chiefly British], bid, crack, attempt, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl
Envy
: the feeling of wanting to have what someone else has
: someone or something that causes envy
Synonyms: covetousness, enviousness, green-eyed monster, invidiousness, jealousy, resentment
2envy
: to feel a desire to have what someone else has : to feel envy because of (someone or something)
Examples
I envy you for your large group of friends.
They envied his success. = They envied him for his success.
I envy the way you’ve made so many friends.
Synonyms: begrudge, resent
Equivalent
: having the same value, use, meaning, etc.
synonyms see same
Esteem
: respect and affection
Synonyms: account, appreciation, admiration, estimation, favor, regard, respect
2esteem
: to think very highly or favorably of (someone or something)
synonyms see regard
Examples
She is (highly) esteemed for her work with cancer patients.
an actor esteemed by all his peers
an esteemed author/artist/colleague
Eradicate
: to remove (something) completely : to eliminate or destroy (something harmful)
synonyms see exterminate
Examples
the successful effort to eradicate smallpox around the globe
Erratic
: acting, moving, or changing in ways that are not expected or usual : not consistent or regular
synonyms see strange
Synonyms: aimless, arbitrary, catch-as-catch-can, desultory, random, haphazard, helter-skelter, hit-or-miss, scattered, slapdash, stray
2erratic
: one that is erratic (see 1erratic ); especially : a boulder or block of rock transported from its original resting place especially by a glacier
Euphemism
: a mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive
Evade
: to stay away from (someone or something) : to avoid (someone or something)
: to avoid dealing with or facing (something)
: to avoid doing (something required)
synonyms see escape
Examples
The criminals have so far managed to evade the police.
They have evaded capture/arrest.
His criminal activities somehow evaded detection.
Synonyms: avoid, dodge, duck, elude, eschew, escape, finesse, get around, scape, shake, shirk, shuffle (out of), shun, weasel (out of)
Evacuate
: to remove (someone) from a dangerous place
: to leave (a dangerous place)
medical : to pass (solid waste) from your body
intransitive verb
1 : to withdraw from a place in an organized way especially for protection
2 : to pass urine or feces from the body
Examples
evacuate the cupboards completely before spraying the insecticide
Synonyms: clear, empty, vacate, void
Exalt
: to raise (someone or something) to a higher level
: to praise (someone or something) highly
: to present (something) in a way that is very favorable or too favorable
Examples
popular support and media hype have exalted Super Bowl Sunday to the level of a national holiday
monstrous, gaudy gambling palaces that seem to exalt the very notion of excess
Synonyms: aggrandize, canonize, deify, dignify, elevate, ennoble, enshrine, ensky, enthrone, glorify, magnify
Excel
: to be better than others
: to be or do better than (others)
synonyms see exceed
Examples
the special effects in this new sci-fi extravaganza excel any that we’ve seen previously
Synonyms: beat, better, eclipse, exceed, surpass, outclass, outdistance, outdo, outgun, outmatch, outshine, outstrip, overtop, top, tower (over), transcend
Excavate
: to uncover (something) by digging away and removing the earth that covers it
: to dig a large hole in (something)
: to form (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by digging
Examples
workmen are excavating a long tunnel that will eventually replace the aboveground expressway
Synonyms: dig, shovel
Exemplify
: to be a very good example of (something) : to show (something) very clearly
Examples
in your review you don’t really exemplify your points with specific examples from the novel
Exile
: a situation in which you are forced to leave your country or home and go to live in a foreign country
: a period of time during which someone has lived in exile
: a person who has been forced to live in a foreign country : a person who is in exile
Synonyms: banishment, deportation, displacement, expatriation, expulsion, relegation
2exile
: to force (someone) to go to live in a distant place or foreign country : to force (someone) into exile
Examples
The President was exiled by military rulers soon after the coup.
an exiled writer
dissidents exiled to Siberia
Exquisite
: finely done or made : very beautiful or delicate
: very sensitive or fine
: extreme or intense
synonyms see choice
Synonyms: acute, almighty, blistering, deep, dreadful, excruciating, explosive, intense, fearful, fearsome, ferocious, fierce, frightful, furious, ghastly, hard, heavy, heavy-duty, hellacious, intensive, keen, profound, terrible, vehement, vicious, violent
2Exquisite
: one who is overly fastidious in dress or ornament
Extend
: to cause (something, such as your arm or leg) to straighten out or to stretch out
: to become longer or to be able to become longer
: to continue in a specified direction or over a specified distance, space, or time
intransitive verb
1 : to stretch out in distance, space, or time : reach
2 : to reach in scope or application
Examples
our guests from out of town extended their visit by a week
the couple extended an invitation to join them for a get-together at their house after the concert
you can extend that chaise longue so that it lies completely flat
Synonyms: drag (out), draw out, elongate, lengthen, outstretch, prolong, protract, stretch
Extravagant
: more than is usual, necessary, or proper
: very fancy
: very expensive and not necessary
synonyms see excessive
Examples
the billionaire’s son is the typically extravagant playboy who hasn’t earned any of what he spends
the book doesn’t quite merit the extravagant praise that it has received
wooed her with an array of extravagant gifts
Synonyms: prodigal, high-rolling, profligate, spendthrift, squandering, thriftless, unthrifty, wasteful
Fathom
: a unit of length equal to six feet (about 1.8 meters) used especially for measuring the depth of water
2fathom
: to understand the reason for (something)
intransitive verb 1 : probe 2 : to take soundingstransitive verb 1 : to measure by a sounding line 2 : to penetrate and come to understand t fathom out her reasons.
Synonyms: 2sound, plumb
Extinct
: no longer existing
: no longer active
Synonyms: bygone, bypast, dead, defunct, departed, done, expired, gone, nonextant, vanished
2extinct
archaic
: extinguish
Falter
: to stop being strong or successful : to begin to fail or weaken
: to begin to walk or move in an unsteady way
: to feel doubt about doing something
transitive verb
: to utter hesitatingly or brokenly
synonyms see hesitate
Synonyms: balance, dither, hesitate, halt, hang back, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, waver, wobble (also wabble)
Fatigue
: the state of being very tired : extreme weariness
: the uniform that soldiers wear when they are doing physical work
: the tendency of a material (such as metal) to break after being bent or moved many times
Synonyms: burnout, collapse, exhaustion, frazzle, lassitude, prostration, tiredness, weariness
2fatigue
: to make (someone) tired
intransitive verb
: to suffer fatigue
synonyms see tire
Examples
We were fatigued by the long journey.
He always left work feeling somewhat fatigued.
mentally fatigued
Synonyms: break, burn out, bust, do in, do up, drain, fag, exhaust, frazzle, harass, kill, knock out, outwear, tire, tucker (out), wash out, wear, wear out, weary
