GRE Vocabulary (500 Words) - GRE奇而易单词

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ETS M-W
abet M-W
5
to actively second and encourage (as an activity or plan)
to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose
abet
abet supportencourageassistsecond
abet
GRE
The researchers theorized that people in power focus so keenly on their own prerogatives that they
become oblivious to those around them and that their subordinates, not wanting to provoke the boss,
__________ this process.
(A) subvert
(B) imitate
(C) abet
(D) expose
(E) underestimate
abet abet support
abet
() M-W
abetM-W
She abetted the thief in his getaway.
Did he abet the commission of a crime?
Their actions were shown to abet terrorism.
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M-W
(Review & Preview)
Preview
7
1 (Related words)
2 (Antonyms)
3 (Near Antonyms)
M-W Thesaurus
8
K abet
H abet
to help, encourage, or support someone in a criminal act
to actively second and encourage (as an activity or plan)
to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose
She abetted the thief in his getaway.
Did he abet the commission of a crime?
Their actions were shown to abet terrorism.
[9]
endorse, patronize (abet patronize)
[149]
exhilarate, galvanize (abet galvanize)
[135]
foster (abet foster)
[129]
infame (abet infame)
[122]
avert, forestall, obviate, preclude (abet " avert)
[119]
constrain, curb, restraint (abet " constrain) (abet " curb)
[122]
hamper, hinder, impede (abet ! hinder)
K endorse, patronize
[9]
abet (abet patronize)
H patronize
to give money or support to (someone or something); to talk to (someone) in a way that shows
that you believe you are more intelligent or better than other people; to be a frequent or
regular customer or user of (a place)
to act as patron of R provide aid or support for
to adopt an air of condescension toward R treat haughtily or coolly
to be a frequent or regular customer or client of
The family patronizes the arts.
He hated being patronized and pitied by those who didnt believe his story.
Im sure you did your best even though you failed.Please dont patronize.
I patronize the library regularly.
For the court to come around, at this late date, to acknowledging our existence as free
personsis shockingly patronizing; its condescension that has been cast as liberation.
John Cloud, Time, 7 July 2003
She spoke dryly, but she had to admit that the girl did not mean to patronize, and was
pleasant, the way she talked right to Stephen instead of across him the way most people
did. Ursula K. Le Guin, New Yorker, 28 Sept. 1987
9
My feelings seem to have been confused and blurred, tinged with sentimentality, colored
by a great deal of folklore, and wobbling always between a patronizing afection, fostered
by my elders, and downright hostility. William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other
Writings, (l953) 1982
H endorse
to publicly or ofcially say that you support or approve of (someone or something); to publicly
say that you like or use (a product or service) in exchange for money; to write your name on
the back of (a check)
to write on the back of; especially R to sign ones name as payee on the back of (a check)
in order to obtain the cash or credit represented on the face
to inscribe (ones signature) on a check, bill, or note
to inscribe (as an ofcial document) with a title or memorandum
to make over to another (the value represented in a check, bill, or note) by inscribing
ones name on the document
to acknowledge receipt of (a sum specifed) by ones signature on a document
to approve openly <endorse an idea>; especially R to express support or approval of
publicly and defnitely <endorse a mayoral candidate>
to recommend (as a product or service) usually for fnancial compensation <shoes en-
dorsed by a pro basketball player>
The newspaper has endorsed the conservative candidate for mayor.
We do not endorse their position.
She endorses a line of clothing.
That brand of sneaker is endorsed by several basketball stars.
You must endorse the check before you deposit it in the bank.
[10]
accentuate, acclaim, amplify, augment, compound, edify, escalate, exalt, extol, illu-
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (endorse acclaim)
[22]
censure, condemn (endorse ! censure) (endorse " condemn)
K accentuate, acclaim, amplify, augment, compound, edify, escalate, exalt, extol, illuminate,
intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis
[9]
endorse, patronize (endorse acclaim)
H acclaim
to praise (someone or something) in a very strong and enthusiastic way
applaud, praise
to declare by acclamation
to shout praise or applause
The critics have acclaimed her performance.
10
<she has long been acclaimed by the critics for her realistic acting>
strong approval or praise
the act of acclaiming
praise, applause
Her performance in the ballet earned her critical acclaim.
She deserves acclaim for all her charitable works.
H accentuate
to make (something) more noticeable
accent, emphasize; ALSO: intensify <accentuates the feeling of despair>
He likes to wear clothes that accentuate his muscular build.
<lets accentuate the saxophones during this piece by having the sax players stand up>
H amplify
to increase the strength of (an electric signal); to make (something, such as a musical instru-
ment) louder by increasing the strength of electric signals; to give more information about
(something, such as a statement); to speak or write about (something) in a more complete
way
to expand (as a statement) by the use of detail or illustration or by closer analysis
to make larger or greater (as in amount, importance, or intensity) R increase
to increase the strength or amount of; especially R to make louder
to cause (a gene or DNA sequence) to undergo amplifcation
to expand ones remarks or ideas
amplify a weak radio signal
a receiver that amplifed the television signal
using spices to amplify the favors of the food
H augment
to increase the size or amount of (something); to add something to (something) in order to
improve or complete it
to make greater, more numerous, larger, or more intense <the impact of the report was
augmented by its timing>
to add an augment to (see 2augment)
supplement <augmented her income>
to become augmented
The money augmented his fortune.
Heavy rains augmented the water supply.
a former member of Brunets team, Jean-Renaud Boisserie of Berkeley, is in the Middle
Awash seeking to augment the animal fossil recordparticularly that of hippopotamuses.
Rex Dalton, Nature, 5 Jan. 2006
11
These reserve units will soon be augmented by full-time Maritime Safety and Security
Teams. The frst of these teams was formed on July 3; a dozen more are supposed to be
created within the next three years. David Helvarg, Popular Science, September 2002
The sale of its shares in such companies has helped augment its cash reserves from $1.7
billion to $2 billion. Call it a rainy-day fundsomething that other dot-coms never had.
But the move also suggests that even Yahoo has lost faith in the once boundless promise
of Internet companies. Brad Stone, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2001
a vowel prefxed or a lengthening of the initial vowel to mark past time especially in Greek
and Sanskrit verbs
H compound
to make (something, such as an error or problem) worse; to add to (something bad)fnance;
to pay interest on both an amount of money and the interest it has already earned; to form
(something) by combining separate things
to put together (parts) so as to form a whole R combine <compound ingredients>
to form by combining parts <compound a medicine>
to settle amicably R adjust by agreement
to agree for a consideration not to prosecute (an ofense) <compound a felony>
to pay (interest) on both the accrued interest and the principal
to add to R augment <we compounded our error in later policy Robert Lekachman>
to become joined in a compound
to come to terms of agreement
The interest is compounded at regular intervals.
<we compounded our error by waiting too long to call for help>
made up of two or more parts; made by combining two or more words; consisting of two or
more main clauses
composed of or resulting from union of separate elements, ingredients, or parts: as
composed of united similar elements especially of a kind usually independent <a com-
pound plant ovary>
having the blade divided to the midrib and forming two or more leafets on a common
axis <a compound leaf>
involving or used in a combination
constituting a compound
having two or more main clauses
Steamboatis a compound noun.
I told him to leave and he leftis a compound sentence.
a word consisting of components that are words (as rowboat, high school, devil-may-care)
a word (as anthropology, kilocycle, builder) consisting of any of various combinations of
words, combining forms, or afxes
12
something formed by a union of elements or parts; especially R a distinct substance formed
by chemical union of two or more ingredients in defnite proportion by weight
a fenced or walled-in area containing a group of buildings and especially residences
H edify
to teach (someone) in a way that improves the mind or character
build
establish
to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge R uplift; ALSO:
enlighten, inform
These books will both entertain and edify readers.
<a family-oriented show that tried to edify the television audience as well as entertain
it>
H escalate
to become worse or to make (something) worse or more severe; to become greater or higher
or to make (something) greater or higher
to increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope <a little war threatens
to escalate into a huge ugly one Arnold Abrams>
expand 2
The confict has escalated into an all-out war.
a time of escalating tensions
We are trying not to escalate the violence.
Salaries of leading executives have continued to escalate.
The cold weather has escalated fuel prices.
H 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
to raise in rank, power, or character
to elevate by praise or in estimation R glorify
elate
to raise high R elevate
to enhance the activity of R intensify <rousing and exalting the imagination George
Eliot>
to induce exaltation
His behavior has exalted the power and prestige of his ofce.
The essay exalts the simple beauty of the country.
We exalt thee, O Lord.
13
He shamelessly exalts his own role in the peace process.
H extol
to praise (someone or something) highly
to praise highly R glorify
The health benefts of exercise are widely extolled.
<campaign literature extolling the candidates military record>
H illuminate
to supply (something) with light; to shine light on (something); to make (something) clear
and easier to understand
to enlighten spiritually or intellectually
to supply or brighten with light
to make luminous or shining
to set alight
to subject to radiation
to make clear R elucidate
to bring to the fore R highlight <a crisis can il luminate how interdependent we all are>
to make illustrious or resplendent
to decorate (as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate
designs or miniature pictures
the part of the moon il luminated by the sun
A university study has illuminated the problem.
brightened with light
intellectually or spiritually enlightened
one having or claiming unusual enlightenment
H intensify
to become stronger or more extreme; to become more intense; to make (something) stronger
or more extreme; to make (something) more intense
to make intense or more intensive R strengthen
to increase the density and contrast of (a photographic image) by chemical treatment
to make more acute R sharpen
to become intense or more intensive R grow stronger or more acute
We could hear the wind howling outside as the storm intensifed.
They intensifed their eforts to increase sales.
an intensifed search for survivors
H laud
14
to praise (someone or something)
praise, extol
He was much lauded as a successful businessman.
<the critics have lauded the best-selling authors newest novel>
an ofce of solemn praise to God forming with matins the frst of the canonical hours
praise, acclaim
<an actor who in his lifetime received all the laud and honor that the theater world could
bestow>
H magnify
to make (something) greater; to make (something) seem greater or more important than it is;
to make (something) appear larger
extol, laud
to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect
to increase in signifcance R intensify
exaggerate <magnifes every minor issue to crisis proportions>
to enlarge in fact or in appearance
to have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they are
The sound was magnifed by the calm air.
His failures have been magnifed by the success of his friends.
I dont want to magnify the importance of these problems.
The lens magnifed the image 100 times.
a magnifed view of the image
H synthesis
something that is made by combining diferent things (such as ideas, styles, etc.); the pro-
duction of a substance by combining simpler substances through a chemical process; the
production of sounds or speech by using electronic equipment
the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole
the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler
compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound
the combining of often diverse conceptions into a coherent whole; ALSO: the complex so
formed
deductive reasoning
the dialectic combination of thesis and antithesis into a higher stage of truth
the frequent and systematic use of infected forms as a characteristic device of a language
<a philosophy that is a kind of synthesis of several schools of Western and Eastern
thought>
[16]
ameliorate (intensify ameliorate)
15
[27]
commendation, panegyric (acclaim commendation) (acclaim panegyric)
[25]
compliment (laud compliment)
[146]
protract (augment protract)
[44]
abstruse, ambiguous, arcane, conceal, cryptic, esoteric, impenetrable, inscrutable,
nebulous, obscure, opaque (edify " obscure)
[124]
alleviate, appease, assuage, mitigate, mollify, placate (intensify " alleviate)
[130]
befuddle, confound, perplex (edify " perplex)
[24]
belabor, excoriate, lambaste (acclaim " excoriate) (acclaim " lambaste) (acclaim " bela-
bor) (laud " belabor)
[22]
censure, condemn (acclaim " censure) (exalt " condemn) (extol " condemn)
[17]
compromise, deteriorate, diminish, disparage, dwindle, ebb, eclipse, impair, retro-
grade, subvert, transcend, vitiate, wane (accentuate " disparage) (acclaim ! disparage)
(augment ! diminish) (augment ! dwindle) (escalate ! wane) (exalt ! disparage) (extol !
disparage) (laud ! disparage) (magnify ! disparage)
[146]
curtail (augment " curtail)
[148]
distort (illuminate " distort)
[149]
downplay (magnify " downplay)
[131]
obfuscate (illuminate ! obfuscate)
K ameliorate
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (intensify ameliorate)
H ameliorate
to make (something, such as a problem) better, less painful, etc.
to make better or more tolerable
to grow better
trying to ameliorate the sufering of people who have lost their jobs
This medicine should help ameliorate the pain.
The disparate impact of the risk imposed by the loser paysrule can be ameliorated.
Indeed, there are features of the British legal system which have led some observers to
fnd the rule to be considerably more benign to poorer litigants. Edward F. Sherman,
Texas Law Review, June 1998
And, after all, some illnesses are psychogenic. Many can be at least ameliorated by a
positive cast of mind. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World, 1996
Even the abolitionists gave their attention not to the task of ameliorating conditions
among slaves but to transforming slaves into free people. John Hope Franklin, The
Land of Room Enough,1981, in Race and History, 1989
16
[17]
grade, subvert, transcend, vitiate, wane (ameliorate ! deteriorate)
[128]
exacerbate (ameliorate " exacerbate)
K compromise, deteriorate, diminish, disparage, dwindle, ebb, eclipse, impair, retrograde, sub-
vert, transcend, vitiate, wane
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (augment ! diminish)
H diminish
to become or to cause (something) to become less in size, importance, etc.; to lessen the
authority or reputation of (someone or something); to describe (something) as having little
value or importance
to make less or cause to appear less <diminish an armys strength>
to lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of R belittle <diminish a rivals accomplish-
ments>
to cause to taper
to become gradually less (as in size or importance) R dwindle
taper
The strength of the army was greatly diminished by outbreaks of disease.
The drugs side efects should diminish over time.
Nothing could diminish the importance of his contributions.
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (accentuate " disparage)
H disparage
to describe (someone or something) as unimportant, weak, bad, etc.
to lower in rank or reputation R degrade
to depreciate by indirect means (as invidious comparison) R speak slightingly about
Voters dont like political advertisements in which opponents disparage one another.
Its a mistake to disparage their achievements.
The article disparaged polo as a game for the wealthy.
(acclaim ! disparage) (exalt ! disparage) (extol ! disparage) (laud ! disparage) (magnify ! dispar-
age)
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (augment ! dwindle)
H dwindle
to gradually become smaller
17
to become steadily less R shrink
to make steadily less
Our energy dwindled as the meeting dragged on.
The towns population is dwindling away.
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (escalate ! wane)
H wane
of the moon; to appear to become thinner or less full; to become smaller or less; to decrease
in size, amount, length, or quality
to decrease in size, extent, or degree R dwindle: as
to diminish in phase or intensity used chiefy of the moon, other satellites, and inferior
planets
to become less brilliant or powerful R dim
to fow out R ebb
to fall gradually from power, prosperity, or infuence
The moon waxes and then wanes.
The scandal caused her popularity to wane.
Interest in this issue has continued to wane.
the waning days of summer
the act or process of waning <strength on the wane>
a period or time of waning; specifcally R the period from the full moon to the new moon
a defect in lumber characterized by bark or a lack of wood at a corner or edge
[16]
ameliorate (ameliorate ! deteriorate)
H deteriorate
to become worse as time passes; to make (something) worse
to make inferior in quality or value R impair
disintegrate
to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition R degenerate <allowed a tradition
of academic excellence to deteriorate><his health deteriorated>
eforts to save a deteriorating rain forest
Exposure to rain and sun will gradually deteriorate the paint.
H compromise
to give up something that you want in order to reach an agreement; to settle diferences
by means of a compromise; to expose (something) to risk or danger; to damage or weaken
(something)
to bind by mutual agreement
18
to adjust or settle by mutual concessions
to expose to suspicion, discredit, or mischief <his reputation has been compromised>
to reveal or expose to an unauthorized person and especially to an enemy <confdential
information was compromised>
to cause the impairment of <a compromised immune system><a seriously compromised
patient>
to come to agreement by mutual concession
to fnd or follow a way between extremes
to make a shameful or disreputable concession <wouldnt compromise with their princi-
ples>
The two sides were unwilling to compromise.
We cant reveal that information without compromising national security.
a dangerous drug that can further compromise an already weakened immune system
You dont make deals that compromise yourself or your team, of course, but you help
other riders if you can, so they might return the favor. Lance Armstrong, Its Not
About the Bike, (2000) 2001
The book is compromised by the authors lack of selectivity. Amy Hempel, Ms., Octo-
ber/November 1999
Our plan had been to pass a good balanced budget without compromising its essential
components Tony Blankley, George, September 1997
Lieutenant Charon would get a pat on the back from his captain not to mention con-
gratulations for running such a quiet and efective operation that had not compromised
his informants Tom Clancy, Without Remorse, 1994
Finally, the two sides compromised and a treaty was signed Alfredo Quarto, Cultural
Survival Quarterly, 1990
a way of reaching agreement in which each person or group gives up something that was
wanted in order to end an argument or dispute; something that combines the qualities of
two diferent things; a change that makes something worse and that is not done for a good
reason
settlement of diferences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions
something intermediate between or blending qualities of two diferent things
a concession to something derogatory or prejudicial <a compromise of principles>
the art of political compromise
To avoid an argument, always be ready to seek compromise.
a director who will not tolerate artistic compromise
She says that accepting their proposal would be a compromise of her principles.
You cant always come up with the optimal solution, but you can usually come up with a
better solution,he [Barack Obama] said over lunch one afternoon. A good compromise,
a good piece of legislation, is like a good sentence.William Finnegan, New Yorker, 31
May 2004
19
I therefore proposed a strategy that raised the possibility of compromise Robert
S. McNamara, In Retrospect, 1995
Ive had other flms that were successful, but Im aware of the compromises I madeand
they were tremendous. Woody Allen, Rolling Stone,16 Sept. 1993
In his promotion of burgeoning black writers, however, Hughes made no compromises.
Rita Dove, New York Times Book Review, 9 Oct. 1988
H ebb
the time when the tide fows out from the land; a low point or condition; a condition of
weakness, failure, etc.
the refux of the tide toward the sea
a point or condition of decline <our spirits were at a low ebb>
Morale seems to have reached its lowest ebb.
<a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country>
of a tide; to fow outward from the land; to get worse
to recede from the food
to fall from a higher to a lower level or from a better to a worse state <his popularity
ebbed>
waiting for the tide to ebb
<the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed>
H eclipse
to cause an eclipse of (the sun or moon); to make (something) less important or popular; to
do or be much better than (someone or something)
to cause an eclipse of: as
obscure, darken
to reduce in importance or repute
surpass <her score eclipsed the old record>
The sun was partially eclipsed by the moon.
Train travel was eclipsed by the growth of commercial airlines.
an occasion when the sun looks like it is completely or partially covered with a dark circle
because the moon is between the sun and the Earth; an occasion when the moon looks like
it is completely or partially covered with a dark circle because the Earths shadow is on it;
a loss of power, success, popularity, etc.
the total or partial obscuring of one celestial body by another
the passing into the shadow of a celestial body compare occultation, transit
a falling into obscurity or decline; ALSO: the state of being eclipsed <his reputation has
fallen into eclipse>
the state of being in eclipse plumage
20
an eclipse of the sun
The popularity of television led to the eclipse of the radio drama.
an artist whose reputation has long been in eclipse
H impair
to make (something) weaker or worse
to damage or make worse by or as if by diminishing in some material respect <his health
was impaired by overwork><the strike seriously impaired community services>
Smoking can impair your health.
Drinking impairs a persons ability to think clearly.
His memory was so impaired by age that he often forgot where he was.
H retrograde
returning to an earlier and usually worse state or condition; moving backward
having or being motion in a direction contrary to that of the general motion of similar
bodies and especially east to west among the stars <Saturn is retrograde for another
week>
having or being a direction of rotation or revolution that is clockwise as viewed from the
north pole of the sky or a planet <a retrograde orbit>
moving, occurring, or performed in a backward direction
occurring or performed in a direction opposite to the normal or forward direction of
conduction or fow compare anterograde 1
contrary to the normal order R inverse
tending toward or resulting in a worse or previous state
contradictory, opposed
characterized by retrogression
afecting memories of a period prior to a shock or seizure <retrograde amnesia>
retro <retrograde fashion>
a retrograde policy that would leave more people poorer than they are now
<retrograde pedaling will engage the brakes on that bike>
backward, reversely
to turn back R reverse
to go back R retreat
to go back over or recapitulate something
to decline to a worse condition
<the Dark Ages, the period following the fall of the Roman Empire when Western civi-
lization seriously retrograded>
H subvert
21
to secretly try to ruin or destroy a government, political system, etc.; to make (something)
weaker or less efective
to overturn or overthrow from the foundation R ruin
to pervert or corrupt by an undermining of morals, allegiance, or faith
They conspired to subvert the government.
trying to subvert the electoral process
H transcend
to rise above or go beyond the normal limits of (something)
to rise above or go beyond the limits of
to triumph over the negative or restrictive aspects of R overcome
to be prior to, beyond, and above (the universe or material existence)
to outstrip or outdo in some attribute, quality, or power
to rise above or extend notably beyond ordinary limits
music that transcends cultural boundaries
She was able to transcend her own sufering and help others.
Her concerns transcended local issues.
H vitiate
to make (something) less efective; to ruin or spoil (something)
to make faulty or defective R impair <the comic impact is vitiated by obvious haste
William Styron>
to debase in moral or aesthetic status <a mind vitiated by prejudice>
to make inefective <fraud vitiates a contract>
The impact of the flm was vitiated by poor acting.
<believed that luxury vitiates even the most principled person>
[22]
censure, condemn (disparage censure)
[146]
curtail (diminish curtail) (dwindle curtail)
[146]
undermine (impair undermine)
[124]
alleviate, appease, assuage, mitigate, mollify, placate (impair " alleviate)
[146]
protract (diminish " protract)
K censure, condemn
[17]
grade, subvert, transcend, vitiate, wane (disparage censure)
H censure
to ofcially criticize (someone or something) strongly and publicly
estimate, judge
22
to fnd fault with and criticize as blameworthy
He was censured by the committee for his failure to report the problem.
<a vote to censure the President for conduct that was unbecoming to his ofce>
ofcial strong criticism
a judgment involving condemnation
opinion, judgment
the act of blaming or condemning sternly
an ofcial reprimand
The country faces international censure for its alleged involvement in the assassination.
<a rare censure of a senator by the full United States Senate for misconduct>
(acclaim " censure)
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (exalt " condemn)
H condemn
to say in a strong and defnite way that someone or something is bad or wrong; to give
(someone) a usually severe punishment; to cause (someone) to sufer or live in difcult or
unpleasant conditions
to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without
reservation <a policy widely condemned as racist>
to pronounce guilty R convict
sentence, doom <condemn a prisoner to die>
to adjudge unft for use or consumption <condemn an old apartment building>
to declare convertible to public use under the right of eminent domain
We strongly condemn this attack against our allies.
The government condemns all acts of terrorism.
The country condemns the use of violence on prisoners.
The school condemns cheating, and any student caught cheating will be expelled.
City ofcials condemned our apartment building and forced us to leave.
(extol " condemn)
[9]
endorse, patronize (endorse ! censure)
H censure
to ofcially criticize (someone or something) strongly and publicly
estimate, judge
to fnd fault with and criticize as blameworthy
He was censured by the committee for his failure to report the problem.
<a vote to censure the President for conduct that was unbecoming to his ofce>
23
ofcial strong criticism
a judgment involving condemnation
opinion, judgment
the act of blaming or condemning sternly
an ofcial reprimand
The country faces international censure for its alleged involvement in the assassination.
<a rare censure of a senator by the full United States Senate for misconduct>
[9]
endorse, patronize (endorse " condemn)
H condemn
to say in a strong and defnite way that someone or something is bad or wrong; to give
(someone) a usually severe punishment; to cause (someone) to sufer or live in difcult or
unpleasant conditions
to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without
reservation <a policy widely condemned as racist>
to pronounce guilty R convict
sentence, doom <condemn a prisoner to die>
to adjudge unft for use or consumption <condemn an old apartment building>
to declare convertible to public use under the right of eminent domain
We strongly condemn this attack against our allies.
The government condemns all acts of terrorism.
The country condemns the use of violence on prisoners.
The school condemns cheating, and any student caught cheating will be expelled.
City ofcials condemned our apartment building and forced us to leave.
[24]
belabor, excoriate, lambaste (censure lambaste)
[26]
revile (condemn revile)
[27]
commendation, panegyric (censure ! commendation)
K belabor, excoriate, lambaste
[22]
censure, condemn (censure lambaste)
H lambaste
to criticize (someone or something) very harshly
to assault violently R beat, whip
to attack verbally R censure <critics lambasted his performance>
The coach lambasted the team for its poor play.
They wrote several letters lambasting the new law.
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (acclaim " belabor)
24
H belabor
to talk about (something) for too long; to repeat or stress (something) too much or too often;
to attack or criticize (someone)
to attack verbally
to beat soundly
to explain or insist on excessively <belabor the obvious>
Her habit of belaboring the obvious makes her a very boring speaker.
Please dont belabor the point.
He uses his newspaper column to belabor writers for even the most minor grammatical
errors.
(laud " belabor)
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (acclaim " excoriate)
H excoriate
to wear of the skin of R abrade
to censure scathingly
He was excoriated as a racist.
The candidates have publicly excoriated each other throughout the campaign.
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (acclaim " lambaste)
H lambaste
to assault violently R beat, whip
to attack verbally R censure <critics lambasted his performance>
The coach lambasted the team for its poor play.
They wrote several letters lambasting the new law.
[25]
compliment (belabor " compliment)
K compliment
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (laud compliment)
H compliment
to say nice things about (someone or something); to pay a compliment to (someone or some-
thing)
to express esteem, respect, afection, or admiration to R to pay a compliment to
25
to present with a token of esteem
<complimented her on her election victory>
She was forever complimenting Zibas exotic appearance and asking for her viewpoint on
various international issues. Anne Tyler, Digging to America, 2006
she had gotten a three-and-a-half-star review in the Nut County Reporter, compliment-
ing her especially on her crme brle and her pork medallions Jane Smiley, Good
Faith, 2003
What a day. She had been winked at, complimented, given a gift, and now mistaken for
the mysterious Alyce Karen Cushman, The Midwifes Apprentice, 1995
Wilde would compliment him later: I have always regarded you as the best critic of my
plays.But I have never criticised your plays,said Tree. Thats why,said Wilde.
Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, (1984) 1988
a remark that says something good about someone or something; an action that expresses
admiration or approval
an expression of esteem, respect, afection, or admiration; especially R an admiring remark
formal and respectful recognition R honor
best wishes R regards <accept my compliments><compliments of the season>
He told her he admired her paintings and she returned the compliment by saying that
she was a fan of his sculptures.
When customers recommend our company to friends and family members, we consider
that to be the highest compliment we can get.
Boys in the Midwest grow up without a word of praise, their parents fearful that a
compliment might make them vain Garrison Keillor, WLT: A Radio Romance, 1991
Mallard scowled at him. He had never learned to receive compliment or expressions of
gratitude gracefully. Dorothy Simpson, The Night She Died, 1981
The warden said he wouldnt let just anybody have a young swan, but hed let you have
one because you understand about birds, and he trusts you. Thats quite a compliment,
son.Mr. Beaver looked pleased. E. B. White, The Trumpet Of The Swan, (1970) 2000
The frst presentation of Falstaf I ever saw was yours Perhaps the best compliment I
can pay is to say, as I truly can, I am very anxious to see it again. Abraham Lincoln,
letter, 17 Aug. 1863
(belabor " compliment)
K revile
[22]
censure, condemn (condemn revile)
H revile
to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way
to subject to verbal abuse R vituperate
to use abusive language R rail
26
Many people reviled him for his callous behavior.
K commendation, panegyric
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (acclaim commendation)
H commendation
the act of praising or approving of someone or something; something (such as an ofcial letter)
that praises someone publicly
an act of commending
something (as a formal citation) that commends
compliment
Their hard work deserves commendation.
The President issued a commendation praising the volunteers for their exceptional work
during the relief efort.
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (acclaim panegyric)
H panegyric
something (such as a speech or a piece of writing) that praises someone or something
a eulogistic oration or writing; ALSO: formal or elaborate praise
<wrote a panegyric on the centennial of the Nobel laureates birth>
[22]
censure, condemn (censure ! commendation)
H commendation
the act of praising or approving of someone or something; something (such as an ofcial letter)
that praises someone publicly
an act of commending
something (as a formal citation) that commends
compliment
Their hard work deserves commendation.
The President issued a commendation praising the volunteers for their exceptional work
during the relief efort.
[27]
contentious, controversial, invective, polemical, pugnacious, truculent (commendation
" invective)
K contentious, controversial, invective, polemical, pugnacious, truculent
[27]
commendation, panegyric (commendation " invective)
H invective
27
harsh or insulting words; rude and angry language
an abusive expression or speech
insulting or abusive language R vituperation
a barrage of racist invective
<hurled curses and invective at the driver who heedlessly cut them of in trafc>
of, relating to, or characterized by insult or abuse
<an overbearing, bullying boss who is fond of sending invective e-mails to long-sufering
assistants>
H contentious
likely to cause people to argue or disagree; involving a lot of arguing; likely or willing to argue
likely to cause disagreement or argument <a contentious issue>
exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes <a man of
a most contentious nature>
After a contentious debate, members of the committee fnally voted to approve the fund-
ing.
The dispute involves one of the regions most contentious leaders.
In the perpetual skirmish between science and religion, biological evolution is a con-
tentious battle ground. Barry A. Palevitz, Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 1999
Creator Jim Davis had spent two years fne-tuning the contentious relationship between
the grouchy cat, his milquetoast owner, Jon (Davis pen-and-ink alter ego), and befuddled
dog Odiein a strip hed thought would be called Jon. Beth Johnson, Entertainment
Weekly, 19 June 1998
Historians, admittedly a contentious lot, have failed even to agree on what to call King
Philips War. Jill Lepore, The Name of War, 1998
My mental attitude when drinking is both contentious and malicious, and while in this
mood and state I was the author of statements which I know to be wholly unfounded.
Theodore Dreiser, The Titan, 1914
H controversial
relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument; likely to produce contro-
versy
of, relating to, or arousing controversy <a controversial policy><a controversial flm>
given to controversy R disputatious <a controversial temperament>
Abortion is a highly controversial subject.
a decision that remains controversial
He is a controversial author.
H polemical
of, relating to, or being a polemic R controversial
28
engaged in or addicted to polemics R disputatious
<during the Middle Ages even theologians could be surprisingly polemical in their writ-
ings>
<an unnecessarily polemical look at the supposed incompatibility between science and
religion>
H pugnacious
showing a readiness or desire to fght or argue
having a quarrelsome or combative nature R truculent
Theres one pugnacious member on the committee who wont agree to anything.
<a movie reviewer who is spirited, even pugnacious, when defending her opinions>
Thats a bass for you: pugnacious, adaptable and ever ready to demonstrate that the frst
order of business on any given day, drought or no drought, is eating anything that it can
ft its big, powerful mouth around. Pete Bodo, New York Times, 22 Oct. 1995
Herz sees himself as a pugnacious sardine going up against rule-fouting sharks. Richard
Wolkomir, Smithsonian, August 1992
He was a short man with heavy shoulders, a slight potbelly, pufy blue eyes, and a
pugnacious expression. Alice Munro, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 1989
Podhoretz takes a more pugnacious and protesting stance, insisting on the word seri-
ousnessat all times and punctuating it with the word moral. Christopher Hitchens,
Times Literary Supplement, 30 May 1986
H truculent
easily annoyed or angered and likely to argue
feeling or displaying ferocity R cruel, savage
deadly, destructive
scathingly harsh R vitriolic <truculent criticism>
aggressively self-assertive R belligerent
<die-hard fans who became truculent and violent after their teams loss>
<a theater critic who was notorious for his titanically truculent reviews>
The hard work is to demonstrate exactly how the outsize Churchillian personality, so
truculent, so impulsive, so often profoundly wrongheaded, became, in the dark spring of
1940, just what was needed for national survival. Simon Schama, New York Review of
Books, 28 Feb. 2002
Miltonin his prose an opinionated and truculent writerremains a magnet for opin-
ionated and truculent criticism. Helen Vendler, New Republic, 30 July 2001
Within a year of publishing The Female Eunuch, she had debated Norman Mailer in a
truculent disputation at Town Hall in New York, turned up on the cover of Life magazine
as the saucy feminist that even men like,and inspired innumerable women to stop
wearing underpants. Margaret Talbot, New Republic, 31 May 1999
29
in the breast pocket of her police uniform she carried a small silver fgurine of Durga,
the Hindu goddess of shakti: power and strength. Defant and truculent, she fashed a
cheeky grin. Mary Anne Weaver, Atlantic, November 1996
Challenged to a fght by a truculent layabout on the playing felds of St. Jamess primary
school one Saturday, he had replied to his aggressors taunts with his own war cries
Wole Soyinka, Isara, 1989
[30]
biased, partisan (pugnacious biased)
[142]
disdain (invective disdain)
[117]
irascible (contentious irascible)
[145]
accommodate, conciliatory (polemical " conciliatory)
[33]
amiable (contentious " amiable)
[92]
incontrovertible (controversial " incontrovertible)
[103]
ingratiating (polemical " ingratiating)
K biased, partisan
[27]
contentious, controversial, invective, polemical, pugnacious, truculent (pugnacious
biased)
H biased
having or showing a bias; having or showing an unfair tendency to believe that some people,
ideas, etc., are better than others
exhibiting or characterized by bias (see 1bias); especially R prejudiced
tending to yield one outcome more frequently than others in a statistical experiment <a
biased coin>
having an expected value diferent from the quantity or parameter estimated <a biased
estimate>
She is too biased to write about the case objectively.
He is biased against women.
The judges of the talent show were biased toward musical acts.
Its also politically biased, full of slighting references to the Whigs, whom Johnson de-
tested, and imperiously chauvinistic, wherever possible dismissing or making light of
words imported from French. Charles McGrath, New York Times Book Review, 4
Dec. 2005
I am willing to believe that history is for the most part inaccurate and biased, but what is
peculiar to our age is the abandonment of the idea that history could be truthfully writ-
ten. In the past people deliberately lied, or they unconsciously colored what they wrote,
or they struggled after the truth, well knowing that they must make many mistakes; but
in each case they believed that the factsexisted and were more or less discoverable.
Leon Wieseltier, New Republic, 17 Feb. 2003
30
The information experts say that its dangerous to conclude very much from talking to
people because you will never interact with a scientifcally selected random sample. Thus,
the information you derive from meeting people is biased or anecdotal. Will Manley,
Booklist, 1 Mar. 2002
But even if you think I may be biased about the books conclusions, please trust me about
its awful prose. James Martin, Commonweal, 3 May 2002
H partisan
a frm adherent to a party, faction, cause, or person; especially R one exhibiting blind,
prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance
a member of a body of detached light troops making forays and harassing an enemy
a member of a guerrilla band operating within enemy lines
a weapon of the 16th and 17th centuries with long shaft and broad blade
[31]
hostile, inimical (biased hostile) (biased inimical)
[34]
apathetic, apathy, candid, complacent, evenhanded, impartial, indiferent, insou-
ciant, mediocre, perfunctory, phlegmatic (biased ! evenhanded) (biased ! impartial) (bi-
ased " indiferent)
K hostile, inimical
[30]
biased, partisan (biased hostile)
H hostile
of or relating to an enemy; not friendly; having or showing unfriendly feelings; unpleasant or
harsh
of or relating to an enemy <hostile fre>
marked by malevolence R having or showing unfriendly feelings <a hostile act>
openly opposed or resisting <a hostile critic><hostile to new ideas>
not hospitable <plants growing in a hostile environment>
having an intimidating, antagonistic, or ofensive nature <a hostile workplace>
of or relating to the opposing party in a legal controversy <a hostile witness>
adverse to the interests of a property owner or corporation management <a hostile
takeover>
They were entering hostile territory.
Her suggestions were given a hostile reception.
It was a small town that was hostile to outsiders.
The camel is specially adapted to its hostile desert habitat.
Dugoni, a lawyer who coauthored a nonfction book about an Idaho worker brain-damaged
in 1996 by cyanide fumes, opens his debut novel with a wrongful death attorney in San
Francisco, David Sloane, about to make his closing remarks defending a corporation in a
31
similar case. Sloane, who has won 14 cases in a row, hates his arrogant client and must
face an obviously hostile jury. Publishers Weekly, 9 Jan. 2006
Relations with neighboring societies may be intermittently or chronically hostile. A so-
ciety may be able to hold of its enemies as long as it is strong, only to succumb when
it becomes weakened for any reason, including environmental damage. Jared M. Dia-
mond, Collapse, 2005
I do not want a hostile relationship with my surgeon. But its obvious hes pigeonholed me
into the last of the four patient categories that doctors use when writing a case history:
young, middle-aged, senior, elderly. Sylvia Simmons, Newsweek, 10 June 2002
Even when one is inside a climate-controlled spacecraft, sheltered from the deadly vacuum
outside, space is a hostile setting. Terrestrial organisms venturing of the planet face a
number of threats, chief among them cosmic radiation and the near absence of gravity.
Kenneth S. Kosik , Air & Space, June/July 2001
Lotus Development Corp. succumbed to a sweetened ofer of $3.52 billion, or $64 a share,
from International Business Machines Corp. in one of the fastest capitulations ever in
a hostile takeover. A marathon week of negotiations, which began shortly after IBM
unveiled a surprise bid of $60 a share for Lotus last Monday, ended yesterday with the
signing of a defnitive agreement. Laurie Hays et al., Wall Street Journal, 12 June
1995
While the stereotype of the tortured artist brooding alone in a drafty garret may be
an exaggeration, artists of all kinds painters, musicians, poets, singers often fnd
themselves struggling to cope in a world downright hostile to their work. Financial
hardships, loneliness, family members who nag them to get realjobs, and their own self-
destructive attitudes and habits can block creativity and prevent artists from pursuing
their vision. New Age Journal, Winter 1995
[30]
biased, partisan (biased inimical)
H inimical
likely to cause damage or have a bad efect; not friendly
being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence <forces inimical to democracy>
having the disposition of an enemy R hostile <inimical factions>
refecting or indicating hostility R unfriendly <his fathers inimical glare>
<received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support>
<laws designed to enhance national security that some regard as inimical to cherished
freedoms>
[33]
amiable (inimical " amiable)
[112]
benign, innocuous (inimical " benign)
[118]
boon, convivial, indulgence (inimical " convivial)
[83]
cordial (hostile ! cordial)
32
[141]
empathetic (hostile " empathetic) (inimical " empathetic)
K amiable
[27]
contentious, controversial, invective, polemical, pugnacious, truculent (contentious "
amiable)
H amiable
friendly and pleasant
pleasing, admirable
generally agreeable <an amiable comedy>
being friendly, sociable, and congenial
Everyone knew him as an amiable fellow.
She had an amiable conversation with her friend.
an amiable man, a gray-headed, fftyish, good old boy with a long career in media and
public relations, and a hellish taste for margaritas Denis Johnson, Rolling Stone, 17
Aug. 2000
These strained plot contortions arent really necessary: the funny, amiable heart of the
movie is in the scenes of these tough old dufers scamming their way through the training
program. David Ansen, Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2000
The book pivots around Molly Bonner, an amiable, 40-ish woman whose second husband
has just died in a helicopter accident, leaving her grief-struck and rich. Tad Friend,
Vogue, March 1997
Gianni Versace is an amiable smoothy with a light touch and a corona of gray hair.
Marie Brenner, Vanity Fair, January 1997
(inimical " amiable)
[33]
courteous (amiable courteous)
[117]
solicitous (amiable solicitous)
[117]
irascible (amiable " irascible)
K courteous
[33]
amiable (amiable courteous)
H courteous
very polite in a way that shows respect
marked by polished manners, gallantry, or ceremonial usage of a court
marked by respect for and consideration of others
The clerks were helpful and courteous.
<their customer service department always gives courteous responses, even to rude peo-
ple>
33
There was no doubt that his stubbornly held and trenchantly expressed viewshis tren-
chancy always tempered, however, by his gently courteous mannercontributed signif-
cantly to his unpopularity Simon Winchester, The Man Who Loved China, 2008
she has seen generations of boys come and go, some well groomed and courteous, others
rough and uppity Julian Barnes, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 1990
He joined us in the Yellow Room with his son, a thoughtful, courteous, nice doctor
Lady Bird Johnson, 27 May 1964, in A White House Diary, 1970
[34]
ciant, mediocre, perfunctory, phlegmatic (courteous " candid)
K apathetic, apathy, candid, complacent, evenhanded, impartial, indiferent, insouciant, mediocre,
perfunctory, phlegmatic
[30]
biased, partisan (biased ! evenhanded)
H evenhanded
not favoring one side or group over another
fair, impartial
I thought it was an evenhanded assessment of her performance.
<an evenhanded meting out of punishment>
[30]
biased, partisan (biased ! impartial)
H impartial
treating all people and groups equally; not partial or biased
not partial or biased R treating or afecting all equally
an impartial analysis of the case
<an impartial evaluation of the job applicants qualifcations that does not consider age,
gender, or race>
[30]
biased, partisan (biased " indiferent)
H indiferent
not interested in or concerned about something; neither good nor bad; not very good
marked by impartiality R unbiased
that does not matter one way or the other
of no importance or value one way or the other
marked by no special liking for or dislike of something <indiferent about which task he
was given>
marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for something R apathetic <indiferent
to sufering and poverty>
being neither excessive nor inadequate R moderate <hills of indiferent size>
34
being neither good nor bad R mediocre <does indiferent work>
being neither right nor wrong
characterized by lack of active quality R neutral <an indiferent chemical>
not diferentiated <indiferent tissues of the human body>
capable of development in more than one direction; especially R not yet embryologically
determined
The movie was poorly received by an indiferent public.
Was the food good, bad, or indiferent?
It can hardly be argued, by himself or by his defenders, that he was indiferent to, or
unaware of, the true situation. Christopher Hitchens, Harpers, March 2001
aspects of language that the earlier grammarians were indiferent to. Geofrey Nun-
berg, Atlantic, December 1983
For it is commonly said and commonly believed that science is completely neutral and
indiferent as to the ends and values which move men to act John Dewey, Freedom
and Culture, 1939
[33]
courteous (courteous " candid)
H candid
expressing opinions and feelings in an honest and sincere wayphotography; showing people
acting in a natural way because they do not know that they are being photographed
white <candid fames>
free from bias, prejudice, or malice R fair <a candid observer>
marked by honest sincere expression <a candid discussion>
indicating or suggesting sincere honesty and absence of deception <her candid face>
disposed to criticize severely R blunt <candid critics>
relating to or being photography of subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without
being posed
He was quite candid about his past.
She gave us her candid opinion on the matter.
To be candid, I have wondered whether it is fair to write about a man for whom I cannot
help but feel a real distaste. Jill Lepore, Journal of American History, June 2001
If Bart Knaggs had been totally candid, he would have told me that when his prospective
father-in-law, who was a doctor, had heard that the cancer had moved into my lungs,
he said to Bart, Well, your friend is dead.Lance Armstrong, Its Not About the Bike,
(2000) 2001
There are candid anecdotes of open-heart surgery. Joyce Carol Oates, New York
Times Book Review, 30 Sept. 1990
H apathetic
35
not having or showing much emotion or interest
having or showing little or no feeling or emotion R spiritless
having little or no interest or concern R indiferent
Young people are becoming increasingly apathetic.
the apathetic attitude of the public
Surprisingly, most Americans are apathetic toward this important issue.
But contrary to popular belief, not all jocks are as apathetic as they are athletic. One
such progressive player is Toni Smith, a college basketball player who turned her back
on Old Glory every time the national anthem was played before her games last season.
In a written statement, she cited Americas systemic inequalities as her reason for not
saluting the fag. Complex, June/July 2003
The disorder is sometimes inherited via a defective gene from one parent, and patients are
usually spared signs of the disorder until they reach their ffties. Because the brain-cell
loss occurs in parts of the brain that help regulate social behavior, personality changes
are the most common manifestations of the illness. Patients tend to become either
uninhibited or apathetic. Bruce L. Miller, Discover, January 1998
But in cities such as Boston, Cincinnati, Oakland, San Francisco, and Seattle, reformers
are trying to recharge an apathetic electorate by taking aim at the very process of voting
itself. Wilma Rule et al., Ms., September/October 1996
H apathy
the feeling of not having much emotion or interest; an apathetic state
lack of feeling or emotion R impassiveness
lack of interest or concern R indiference
People have shown surprising apathy toward these important social problems.
People have shown a surprising apathy toward these problems.
Thats the danger of a teeming cast of characters: they get jumbled in the viewers
mind, and apathy ensues. Novels can aford a rich banquet of personalities; its what
readers sign up for. But ratiocination isnt welcome in modern movies, which prefer
visceral impact over intellect. Richard Corliss, Time, 20 Oct. 2008
But short of such complete apathy, there are other neurological conditions in which the
capacity for genuine emotion is compromised. One sees this in some forms of autism,
in the fat afectof some schizophrenics. But here, as with Harry, music can often
break through, if only in a limited way or for a brief time, and release seemingly normal
emotions. Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia, 2008
According to the polls, the American people, as opposed to some of their leaders, seek no
converts to their ideology.And they are not cultural imperialists.Maybe not. But this
reserve seems grounded less in humility (60 percent of Americans consider their culture
superior to others) than in apathy. Robert Wright, New York Times Book Review,
14 May 2006
36
The result could well be further inequality of political information, with avid followers of
politics becoming ever more knowledgeable while the rest of the public slips deeper into
political apathy. Martin P. Wattenberg, Atlantic, October 1998
H complacent
satisfed with how things are and not wanting to change them
marked by self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers
or defciencies R marked by complacency R self-satisfed <a complacent smile>
complaisant 1
unconcerned
The strong economy has made people complacent.
We have grown too complacent over the years.
We cant aford to be complacent about illiteracy.
I gazed at my mothers poised, beautiful profle as her face turned from side to side,
calm or complacent, accepting what the route ofered. Donald Hall, Atlantic, October
1996
Mr. Davis organized his second great quintet in the mid-60s, but by then jazz had taken
a new turn and many felt he had become pass, a complacent peacock. Gary Giddins,
New York Times Book Review, 15 Oct. 1989
he hopes to break through the readers complacent indiference, make him aware of his
predicament, and force him to take sides. Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions,
1987
Lord Lathkill was so completely unostentatious, so very willing to pay all the attention
to me, and yet so subtly complacent, so unquestionably sure of his position. D. H.
Lawrence, The Complete Short Stories Volume III, (1922) 1981
H insouciant
a relaxed and calm state; a feeling of not worrying about anything
lighthearted unconcern R nonchalance
<wandered into the meeting with complete insouciance to the fact that she was late>
H mediocre
not very good
of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance R ordinary, so-so
The dinner was delicious, but the dessert was mediocre.
The carpenter did a mediocre job.
The critics dismissed him as a mediocre actor.
They sensed that mediocre students like Roosevelt really did possess a set of virtues that
needed to be protected and cherished. David Brooks, New York Times Book Review,
6 Nov. 2005
37
Of course, it could be that what Wesley has been through steeled his nerves and trans-
formed him from a mediocre point guard into one of the fercest shooters in the league
with the game on the line. Chad Millman, ESPN, 14 May 2001
In short, theyd have to build a frst-rate health-care system out of the shantytowns
mediocre onea system that would administer those drugs reliably and keep the patients
spirits up, because the second-line drugs are weak and have unpleasant side efects, which
a patient has to endure for as much as two years. Tracy Kidder, New Yorker, 10 July
2000
H perfunctory
used to describe something that is done without energy or enthusiasm because of habit or
because it is expected
characterized by routine or superfciality R mechanical <a perfunctory smile>
lacking in interest or enthusiasm
<the violinist delivered a perfunctory performance that displayed none of the passion and
warmth he was once known for>
The eight-time Pro Bowl player sometimes goes several weeks without agreeing to do even
the most perfunctory postgame interviews. Nunyo Demasio, Sports Il lustrated, 8 Jan.
2007
Convivial and self-absorbed, he talks freely about crime and crooks, with only the most
perfunctory nods toward conventional morality. Edward Dolnick, The Rescue Artist,
2005
You probably dont want to know how perfunctory was the presentation of the states
evidence, how tenth-rate was the performance of the court-appointed defense or how
wretched was the end. Christopher Hitchens, Nation, 23-30 Aug. 1999
H phlegmatic
not easily upset, excited, or angered
resembling, consisting of, or producing the humor phlegm(see phlegm)
having or showing a slow and stolid temperament
<a strangely phlegmatic response to what should have been happy news>
Some people are phlegmatic, some highly strung. Some are anxious, others risk-seeking.
Some are confdent, others shy. Some are quiet, others loquacious. We call these difer-
ences personality Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999
Why would a man live like this? Alone on the godforsaken prairie surrounded by whis-
pering cornfelds and phlegmatic Swedes if instead you could go to picture shows and
snazzy restaurants and dance with a beautiful woman with her head on your shoulder
and her perfume driving you wild? Garrison Keillor, WLT: A Radio Romance, 1991
But Einstein was phlegmatic: when a book was published entitled 100 Authors Against
Einstein, he retorted, If I were wrong, then one would have been enough!Stephen W.
Hawking, A Brief History of Time, 1988
38
[39]
blithe (insouciant blithe)
[85]
deceptive, fallacious, inconsequential, negligible, nugatory, specious, trifing, trivial
(candid " deceptive) (evenhanded " deceptive)
[107]
efusive (phlegmatic " efusive)
[90]
hypocritical (candid ! hypocritical)
K blithe
[34]
ciant, mediocre, perfunctory, phlegmatic (insouciant blithe)
H blithe
showing a lack of proper thought or care; not caring or worrying; happy and without worry
of a happy lighthearted character or disposition
lacking due thought or consideration R casual, heedless <blithe unconcern>
He showed blithe disregard for the rights of others.
He was blithe about the risks to his health.
[39]
bleak, lugubrious (blithe " bleak)
K bleak, lugubrious
[39]
blithe (blithe " bleak)
H bleak
not warm, friendly, cheerful, etc.; not hopeful or encouraging
exposed and barren and often windswept
cold, raw <a bleak November evening>
lacking in warmth, life, or kindliness R grim
not hopeful or encouraging R depressing <a bleak outlook>
severely simple or austere
<a bleak outlook for the team for the rest of the season>
<it was a dark and bleak wintry day>
H lugubrious
full of sadness or sorrow; very sad especially in an exaggerated or insincere way
mournful; especially R exaggeratedly or afectedly mournful <dark, dramatic and lugubri-
ous brooding V. S. Pritchett>
dismal <a lugubrious landscape>
a comic actor known for his lugubrious manner
<the diners dim lighting makes eating there a particularly lugubrious experience>
[40]
auspicious (bleak ! auspicious)
39
[83]
cordial (lugubrious ! cordial)
K auspicious
[39]
bleak, lugubrious (bleak ! auspicious)
H auspicious
showing or suggesting that future success is likely
showing or suggesting that future success is likely R propitious <made an auspicious be-
ginning>
attended by good fortune R prosperous <an auspicious year>
His acclaimed frst novel was an auspicious debut.
<told him she couldnt dance with him just then, but her auspicious smile encouraged
him to ask again later>
After his auspicious debut, Chambers became sought after by serious collectors of folk
art; but given that the present show is now only the second he has had and is the frst
retrospective look at him, he is probably as obscure to the general museum going public
today as he was in 1942. Sanford Schwartz, New York Review of Books, 15 Jan. 2009
There is, frst of all, Marconi himself, the 21-year-old prodigy who burst on London with
his gizmo in 1896. This wasnt the most auspicious moment for a half-Irish, half-Italian
unknown to announce that he had bested some of the empires greatest scientifc minds.
Kevin Baker, New York Times Book Review, 5 Nov. 2006
Indeed, it hardly seems like an auspicious time to introduce a brand of cigarettes, espe-
cially for tiny Star, which accounts for just over 1 percent of the U.S. market with its
four brands of discount smokes. David Noonan, Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2000
[40]
arduous, austere, authoritarian, exacting, fastidious, fnicky, grim, onerous, taxing
(auspicious " grim)
[116]
dubious (auspicious " dubious)
[117]
prophetic (auspicious " prophetic)
K arduous, austere, authoritarian, exacting, fastidious, fnicky, grim, onerous, taxing
[40]
auspicious (auspicious " grim)
H grim
unpleasant or shocking to see or think about; causing feelings of sadness or worry; gloomy or
depressing; having a very serious appearance or manner
ferce in disposition or action R savage
stern or forbidding in action or appearance <a grim taskmaster>
somber, gloomy
ghastly, repellent, or sinister in character <a grim tale>
unfinching, unyielding <grim determination>
40
Hikers made a grim discovery when they came across a dead body in the woods.
The accident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving.
The prognosis is grimdoctors do not expect her to live longer than six months.
He paints a grim picture of the prospects for peace.
His face looked grim, and we knew his news wouldnt be good.
H arduous
very difcult
hard to accomplish or achieve R difcult <years of arduous training>
marked by great labor or efort R strenuous <a life of arduous toil A. C. Cole>
hard to climb R steep <an arduous path>
He went through a long and arduous training program.
an arduous journey across miles of desert
Traveling for several days by train, stagecoach and horseback, they would reach Mari-
posa Grove, a stand of some 200 ancient giant sequoias, where they would rest before
embarking on an arduous descent via 26 switchbacks into the valley. Tony Perrottet,
Smithsonian, July 2008
As yoga classes go, this is not an arduous one, but the students dont know that.
Richard Corliss, Time, 23 Apr. 2001
Women of middling means had the most to gain from increased consumption, for imported
goods often reduced their long and arduous labor, especially in making candles and soap
or in spinning and weaving cloth. Alan Taylor, American Colonies, 2000
H austere
simple or plain; not fancyof a person; having a serious and unfriendly quality; having few
pleasures; simple and harsh
stern and cold in appearance or manner
somber, grave <an austere critic>
morally strict R ascetic
markedly simple or unadorned <an austere ofce><an austere style of writing>
giving little or no scope for pleasure <austere diets>
having the favor of acid or tannin predominant over fruit favors usually indicating a
capacity for aging
They choose austere furnishings for the ofce.
He was known for his austere style of writing.
They lived an austere life in the country.
This is a national conceit that is the comprehensible result of the religious beliefs of
the early New England colonists (Calvinist religious dissenters, moved by millenarian
expectations and theocratic ideas), which convinced them that their austere settlements
41
in the wilderness represented a new start in humanitys story. William Pfaf, New York
Review, 15 Feb. 2007
For many of us with no frsthand familiarity with Greece, its easy to forget that its
celebrated ruins are a distortion and that we behold its ancient culture in its bare-bones
lineaments. The austere white buildings of the Acropolis were once painted and parti-
colored structures. Brad Leithauser, New York Times Book Review, 26 Mar. 2006
I cut of my long dark hair, put on the habit (and it was quite becoming, in an austere
sort of way), wrapped a big rosary around my waist, threw the cloak over my shoulders
and set out. Albert E. Cowdrey, Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 2005
Certain kinds of landscapesvolatile ocean environments, sculpturally seductive alpine
peaks, austere polar regionsbecame infused with what philosopher Edmund Burke
called a sort of delightful horror.James Balog, American Photo, May/June 2004
H authoritarian
expecting or requiring people to obey rules or laws; not allowing personal freedom
of, relating to, or favoring blind submission to authority <had authoritarian parents>
of, relating to, or favoring a concentration of power in a leader or an elite not constitu-
tionally responsible to the people <an authoritarian regime>
<grew up with an authoritarian older sister who thought she was queen of the world>
<an authoritarian coach who runs football practice like its boot camp>
H exacting
requiring much time, attention, or efort from someone; very difcult or demanding
tryingly or unremittingly severe in making demands
requiring careful attention and precision
He has very exacting standards.
<he was shocked when his normally exacting supervisor complimented him on a job well
done>
H fastidious
very careful about how you do something; liking few things; hard to please; wanting to always
be clean, neat, etc.
scornful
having high and often capricious standards R difcult to please <critics so fastidious
that they can talk only to a small circle of initiates Granville Hicks>
showing or demanding excessive delicacy or care
refecting a meticulous, sensitive, or demanding attitude <fastidious workmanship>
having complex nutritional requirements <fastidious microorganisms>
He is fastidious about keeping the house clean.
She was too fastidious to do anything that might get her dirty.
42
My mother had always been the most fastidious and organized of peoplea wet ring
left on her cofee table by a glass could drive her to distraction. John B. Judis, New
Republic, 14 Oct. 1996
Ill stop of and get us a sandwich,said Matthew. Tony, a fastidious eater, sighed.
Penelope Lively, City of the Mind, 1991
Though he prides himself on being hip, he is too fastidious to do anything dangerous or
dirty. Jay McInerney, Bright Lights, Big City, 1984
H fnicky
very hard to please; requiring a lot of care or attention
extremely or excessively particular, exacting, or meticulous in taste or standards <a
fnicky eater>
requiring much care, precision, or attentive efort <a fnicky recipe>
My teacher is fnicky about grammar.
a complicated and fnicky recipe
H onerous
difcult and unpleasant to do or deal with
involving, imposing, or constituting a burden R troublesome <an onerous task>
having legal obligations that outweigh the advantages <an onerous contract>
The government imposed onerous taxes on imports.
<had the onerous and stressful job of notifying the families of soldiers killed in action>
Then everyone was asked, how fairly did you act?, from extremely unfairly(1) to ex-
tremely fairly(7). Next they watched someone else make the assignments, and judged
that persons ethics. Selfessness was a virtual no-show: 87 out of 94 people opted for
the easy task and gave the next guy the onerous one. Sharon Begley, Newsweek, 23
June 2008
The frst hitch occurred when the state education department took a full six months after
the new law was adopted to issue 12 pages of onerous rules and regulations governing
Arkansas charter schools. Wendy Cole, Time, 10 June 2000
Environmentalism poses stark issues of survival, for humankind and for all those other
tribes of creatures over which we have exercised our onerous dominion. Marilynne
Robinson, The Death of Adam, 1998
Rap tested well, but early on the promoters said they wouldnt be booking any gangsta
rap, a move at least partly designed to calm security concerns during the onerous process
of complying with the strict mass-gathering laws enacted in the wake of the 1969 festival.
John Milward, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 1994
H taxing
requiring a lot of efort, energy, etc.
43
onerous, wearing <a taxing operatic role>
The journey proved to be very taxing.
<a very taxing workload that is taking a lot of time to fnish>
[44]
nebulous, obscure, opaque (arduous opaque)
[59]
arrogant, ostentatious, pretentious (authoritarian pretentious)
[104]
convoluted, intricate, sophisticated (arduous intricate)
[110]
elusive (arduous elusive)
[110]
ephemeral, evanescent, transitory (arduous evanescent)
[112]
implacable, intransigent (austere implacable)
[111]
inveterate (austere inveterate)
[76]
meticulous, scrupulous (exacting meticulous)
[56]
punctilious, stilted (exacting punctilious)
[69]
staunch, steadfast (austere steadfast)
[112]
benign, innocuous (grim ! benign)
[57]
obedient, tractable (authoritarian " obedient)
K abstruse, ambiguous, arcane, conceal, cryptic, esoteric, impenetrable, inscrutable, nebulous,
obscure, opaque
[40]
(arduous opaque)
H opaque
not letting light through; not transparent; difcult to understand or explain
blocking the passage of radiant energy and especially light R exhibiting opacity (see
opacity)
hard to understand or explain <opaque prose>
obtuse, thickheaded
the opaque water of the muddy river
<somehow listeners seem to connect with the songwriter, despite his deeply personal,
often opaque lyrics>
In the opening hour, a group of strangers receive a maddeningly opaque cell-phone sum-
mons to join a secret cross-country race with a $32 million prize. The thing is, the
summons can also be a threat (one competitors wife is possibly being help captive), and
the consequences of falling behind are murderous. Tom Gliatto, People, 23 Apr. 2007
The reality facing Rory Stewart was that he was sent into a collapsed rural region in a
country of which he knew almost nothing, and in which he had to fnd his way through a
maze of opaque tribal and religious relationships. Robert Skidelsky, New York Review
of Books, 5 Oct. 2006
44
Arborio rice, the kind that grows in the Po Valley and gave rise to the wonderful dish
risotto, has a tiny opaque white pearl on the inside that remains al dente, and starch
on the outside that the grains release during cooking, making a creamy sauce. Corby
Kummer, Atlantic, March 1993
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (edify " obscure)
H obscure
to make (something) difcult to understand or know; to make (something) obscure; to hide
or cover (something); to be in front of (something) so that it cannot be seen
to make dark, dim, or indistinct
to conceal or hide by or as if by covering
to reduce (a vowel) to the value [?]
The true history has been obscured by legends about what happened.
They accused the company of trying to obscure the fact that the product poses a health
risk.
Throughout this book, the ground of fact becomes obscured entirely by a deep layer of
speculative quicksand. Helen Vendler, New Republic, 10 June 2002
But evening comes or even noon and some combination of nervous tensions obscures my
memories of what whiskey costs me in the way of physical and intellectual well-being.
John Cheever, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 1990
[Mr. Schullers]Early Jazzbrought a sometimes Olympian precision to writing about
an art that has often languished in the whales belly of sociology, obscured by pretension
and blubbery thinking. Stanley Crouch, New York Times Book Review, 2 Apr. 1989
It was eight oclock when we landed; we walked for a short time on the shore enjoying the
transitory light, and then retired to the inn and contemplated the lovely scene of waters,
woods, and mountains, obscured in darkness, yet still displaying their black outlines.
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein, 1818
not well-known; not known to most people; difcult to understand; likely to be understood
by only a few people; difcult or impossible to know completely and with certainty
dark, dim
shrouded in or hidden by darkness
not clearly seen or easily distinguished R faint <obscure markings>
not readily understood or clearly expressed; ALSO: mysterious
relatively unknown: as
remote, secluded <an obscure village>
not prominent or famous <an obscure poet>
constituting the unstressed vowel ? or having unstressed ? as its value
The movie is full of obscure references that only pop culture enthusiasts will understand.
45
The origins of the language are obscure.
Many people shared an obscure sense of gratifcation that [Dylan] Thomas had died young,
as a poet should. Adam Kirsch, New Yorker, 5 July 2004
But by 1830 the Boston Mission Board was desperate enough that it targeted an obscure
sect of Oriental Christians, the Nestorians in faraway Iran, as a possibility for conversion.
Robert D. Kaplan, The Arabists, 1993
I knew they were special from their jeans and T-shirts, their knowing, ironic looks when
obscure works of literature were referred to. Julia Alvarez, How the Garcia Girls Lost
Their Accents, 1991
Now at last Bacon could refer when he chose to his fathers high position and his fathers
serviceand no man could say it was done for self-aggrandizement, as a son who is
obscure bespeaks the glory of past forebears. Catherine Drinker Bowen, Francis Bacon,
1963
obscurity
who shall through the palpable obscure fnd out his uncouth way ? John Milton,
Paradise Lost, 1667
H abstruse
hard to understand
difcult to comprehend R recondite <the abstruse calculations of mathematicians>
Her subject matter is abstruse.
<youre not the only one who fnds Einsteins theory of relativity abstruse>
H ambiguous
able to be understood in more than one way; having more than one possible meaning; not
expressed or understood clearly
doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctness <eyes of an ambiguous
color>
inexplicable
capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways <an ambiguous
smile><an ambiguous term><a deliberately ambiguous reply>
We were confused by the ambiguous wording of the message.
He looked at her with an ambiguous smile.
Due to the ambiguous nature of the question, it was difcult to choose the right answer.
the ambiguous position of women in modern society
Greater familiarity with this artist makes ones assessment of him more tentative rather
than less. His best pictures exude a hypersensitive, ambiguous aura of grace. Peter
Schjeldahl, New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2003
He seeks sources for the speechs ideas in Lincolns ambiguous stance toward organized
religion, in the sermons of preachers he listened to, and in his Bible-reading habit.
Gilbert Taylor, Booklist, 15 Dec. 2001
46
In Mexico we follow the fraught, ambiguous journey of a Tijuana cop caught between
the ruthless, corrupt general he works for and the DEA, which wants him to inform
on his countrymen. David Ansen, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2001
Physicians could manipulate reimbursement rules to help their patients obtain coverage
for care that the physicians perceive to be necessary, for example, through ambiguous
documentation or by exaggerating the severity of patients conditions. Michael K.
Wynia et al., Journal of the American Medical Association, 12 Apr. 2000
H arcane
secret or mysterious; known or understood by only a few people
known or knowable only to the initiate R secret <arcane rites>; broadly R mysterious,
obscure <arcane explanations>
a theory flled with arcane details
<grammatical rules that seem arcane to generations of students who were never taught
grammar in the frst place>
H conceal
to hide (something or someone) from sight; to keep (something) secret
to prevent disclosure or recognition of <conceal the truth>
to place out of sight <concealed himself behind the door>
The sunglasses conceal her eyes.
The controls are concealed behind a panel.
The defendant is accused of attempting to conceal evidence.
The editorial accused the government of concealing the truth.
She could barely conceal her anger.
H cryptic
difcult to understand; having or seeming to have a hidden meaning
secret, occult
having or seeming to have a hidden or ambiguous meaning R mysterious <cryptic mes-
sages>
marked by an often perplexing brevity <cryptic marginal notes>
serving to conceal <cryptic coloration in animals>; ALSO: exhibiting cryptic coloration
<cryptic animals>
not recognized <a cryptic infection>
employing cipher or code
His instructions were cryptic. He said only to wait until we felt certain the answer was
clear.
<puzzled by the cryptic e-mail message left on his computer>
47
his hectic characters either communicate in choppy or cryptic exchanges or rattle on
in breathless recitations full of contradictions and asides. Donna Seaman, Booklist, 15
Mar. 1994
Since Hughess poems contained neither Eliots footnotes nor Ezra Pounds cryptic ori-
entalism, many critics and editors assumed the poet unintelligent and his work raw or,
at best, slight. Rita Dove, New York Times Book Review, 9 Oct. 1988
The remark seemed cryptic to Philip, but when he heard her say it two or three times to
diferent persons, and found that it aroused hearty agreement, he came to the conclusion
that it was only obscure to his own intelligence. W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human
Bondage, 1915
H esoteric
only taught to or understood by members of a special group; hard to understand; limited to
a small number of people
designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone <a body of esoteric legal
doctrine B. N. Cardozo>
requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group <esoteric terminol-
ogy>; broadly R difcult to understand <esoteric subjects>
limited to a small circle <engaging in esoteric pursuits>
private, confdential <an esoteric purpose>
of special, rare, or unusual interest <esoteric building materials>
<metaphysics is such an esoteric subject that most people are content to leave it to the
philosophers>
<must have had some esoteric motive for leaving his art collection to a museum halfway
around the globe>
A kahuna is a master of Hawaiian esoteric practices. Recently, Mariko Gordon and Hugh
Cosman engaged a kahuna to bless their house. Alec Wilkinson, New Yorker, 7 Oct.
2002
he listens to a group of Malaysians playing reedy, plangent music on some esoteric kind
of wind instrument. Penelope Lively, City of the Mind, 1991
There was a new mall, an excellent bookstore with esoteric literary and policy journals,
some restaurants with cosmopolitan menus, and engaging real estate advertisements.
Robert D. Kaplan, An Empire Wilderness, 1988
H impenetrable
impossible to pass or see through; impossible to understand
incapable of being penetrated or pierced
inaccessible to knowledge, reason, or sympathy R impervious
incapable of being comprehended R inscrutable
The forts defenses were thought to be impenetrable.
48
<the ancient temple was surrounded by vast stretches of impenetrable jungle>
H inscrutable
difcult to understand; causing people to feel curious or confused
not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood R mysterious <an inscrutable smile><inscrutable
motives>
an inscrutable work of art
He was a quiet, inscrutable man.
Of all the myths that have grown up around Alan Greenspan, the most powerful is the
idea that hes willfully inscrutable. James Surowiecki, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2001
That wily politicians might adopt Franklins distinction between appearance and reality
to become inscrutable confdence men did not seem to trouble him. John H. Summers,
Journal of American History, December 2000
Supersymmetry is a magic mirror, and everything in what we imagine to be the real world
has its ghostly, inscrutable mirror image. Ian Stewart, Prospect, September 2003
H nebulous
not clear; difcult to see, understand, describe, etc.
of, relating to, or resembling a nebula R nebular
indistinct, vague
These philosophical concepts can be nebulous.
<made nebulous references to some major changes the future may hold>
[49]
camoufage (conceal camoufage) (obscure camoufage)
[51]
unfathomable (abstruse unfathomable)
[51]
disclose, divulge (conceal ! disclose)
[52]
limpid, lucid, manifest, palpable, placid, transparent (abstruse " lucid) (abstruse "
manifest) (abstruse " transparent) (ambiguous " palpable) (ambiguous ! manifest) (cryptic !
manifest) (nebulous " limpid) (obscure ! manifest) (opaque ! limpid)
[56]
malleable (impenetrable " malleable)
[51]
superfcial (abstruse ! superfcial)
K camoufage
[44]
nebulous, obscure, opaque (conceal camoufage)
H camoufage
to hide (something) by covering it up or making it harder to see
to conceal or disguise by camoufage
to practice camoufage
49
It was impossible to camoufage the facts.
<camoufaged the military camp as a native village>
a way of hiding something (such as military equipment) by painting it or covering it with
leaves or branches to make it harder to see; the green and brown clothing that soldiers and
hunters wear to make them harder to see; something (such as color or shape) that protects
an animal from attack by making the animal difcult to see in the area around it
the disguising especially of military equipment or installations with paint, nets, or foliage;
ALSO: the disguise so applied
concealment by means of disguise
behavior or artifce designed to deceive or hide
The army tanks were painted green and brown for camoufage.
The rabbits white fur acts as a camoufage in the snow.
Rabbits use their white fur as camoufage in the snow.
Her so-called charity work was a camoufage for her own self-interest.
His tough attitude served as camoufage.
made in colors or patterns typical of camoufage <a camoufage jacket>
(obscure camoufage)
[50]
feign (camoufage feign)
[51]
disclose, divulge (camoufage " disclose) (camoufage " divulge)
K feign
[49]
camoufage (camoufage feign)
H feign
to pretend to feel or be afected by (something)
pretend, dissemble
to give a false appearance of R induce as a false impression <feign death>
to assert as if true R pretend
invent, imagine
to give fctional representation to
disguise, conceal

I wince, feigning interest in a TV Guide and mumbling a hello. Douglas Coupland,
Generation X, 1991
Success keeps her busy. Relaxation?she asks, feigning puzzlement. Whats that?
Jennifer Johnston, New Woman, November 1990
Brad would sometimes clown or feign clumsiness just to crack her composed expression
with a blush or a disapproving frown. John Updike, Trust Me, 1987
50
K disclose, divulge
[44]
nebulous, obscure, opaque (conceal ! disclose)
H disclose
to make (something) known to the public
to open up
to expose to view
hatch
to make known or public <demands that politicians disclose the sources of their income>
He refused to disclose the source of his information.
The company has disclosed that it will be laying of thousands of workers later this year.
The identity of the victim has not yet been disclosed.
disclosure
(camoufage " disclose)
[49]
camoufage (camoufage " divulge)
H divulge
to make (information) known; to give (information) to someone
to make public R proclaim
to make known (as a confdence or secret)
The company will not divulge its sales fgures.
<we tried to make him divulge the name of the winner, but he wouldnt budge>
K unfathomable
[44]
nebulous, obscure, opaque (abstruse unfathomable)
H unfathomable
impossible to understand
not capable of being fathomed:
immeasurable
impossible to comprehend
His behavior is completely unfathomable.
<the unfathomable reaches of space>
[51]
superfcial (unfathomable " superfcial)
K superfcial
51
[44]
nebulous, obscure, opaque (abstruse ! superfcial)
H superfcial
concerned only with what is obvious or apparent; not thorough or complete; afecting only
the outer part or surface of something; not deep or serious; lying close to the surface
of, relating to, or located near a surface
lying on, not penetrating below, or afecting only the surface <superfcial wounds>
square <superfcial foot>
concerned only with the obvious or apparent R shallow
seen on the surface R external
presenting only an appearance without substance or signifcance
a superfcial analysis of the results
They had a superfcial knowledge of the topic.
These superfcial changes dont address the underlying problem.
The storm only caused superfcial damage to the building.
Wonderbra model Eva Herzigova sued a Canadian underwear company that refused to
pay her $30,000 fee because she showed up for the photo shoot with a short haircut that
company didnt like. You know, its shameful in this day and age how superfcial and
sexist some of these ad execs are. Lewis Grossberger, Mediaweek, 14 Apr. 2003
Angelina Jolie goes blond and bubbly and hell hasnt even started freezing over. The
brooding brunette donned a Monroe-esque platinum coif for her most recent flm, Life
or Something Like It.She plays a superfcial reporter who learns whats most important
in lifewhich is, apparently, getting it on with Edward Burns. Katerine Stroup et al.,
Newsweek, 23 July 2001
All this discussion of money may seem a vulgar recital of greed. But that is really just
a superfcial, simplistic criticism and usually a dishonest one. Garth Clark, Ceramics
Monthly, October 2001
(unfathomable " superfcial)
K limpid, lucid, manifest, palpable, placid, transparent
[44]
nebulous, obscure, opaque (opaque ! limpid)
H limpid
perfectly clear; clear and simple in style
marked by transparency R pellucid <limpid streams>
clear and simple in style <limpid prose>
absolutely serene and untroubled
the limpid waters of the stream
52
<her eyes are the blue of a limpid stream of water>
(nebulous " limpid)
[44]
nebulous, obscure, opaque (abstruse " lucid)
H lucid
very clear and easy to understand; able to think clearly
sufused with light R luminous
translucent <snorkeling in the lucid sea>
having full use of ones faculties R sane
clear to the understanding R intelligible
He is able to recognize his wife in his lucid moments.
<those lucid bands that spread across the arctic sky and are known as the northern
lights>
His lucid history of this grim subject is scrupulously accurate, so far as I am able to judge
Richard A. Posner, New Republic, 8 Apr 2002
You would like me to read to you?You would oblige me greatly by doing so, Dorothea,
said Mr. Casaubon, with a shade more meekness than usual in his polite manner. I am
wakeful: my mind is remarkably lucid.George Eliot, Middlemarch, 1872
The atmosphere, seen through a short space of half or three-quarters of a mile, was
perfectly lucid, but at a greater distance all colours were blended into a most beautiful
haze Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle, 1839
The stroke also set of a major crisis of presidential succession, as the debilitated and not
entirely lucid president continued to cling to ofce and plan feebly for re-election.
Beverly Gage New York Times Book Review, 13 Dec 2009
[44]
nebulous, obscure, opaque (abstruse " manifest)
H manifest
to show (something) clearly
to make evident or certain by showing or displaying
Both sides have manifested a stubborn unwillingness to compromise.
Their religious beliefs are manifested in every aspect of their lives.
Her behavior problems began manifesting themselves soon after she left home.
Malone has invited Barkley to spend a week to relax, talk some basketball, eat some
hot Louisiana food and kick around the subject of frustration, something they both feel
but manifest in diferent ways. Jack McCallum, Sports Il lustrated, 27 Apr. 1992
He asked what they had been doing in Dallas, and they told him that they were looking
at the Sunbelt boom as manifested in the great Texas banks, thrifts and real estate
operations. John Kenneth Galbraith, A Tenured Professor, 1990
53
And if one is a pantheist one might say that all nature is divinity and manifests itself
in myriad forms and delightful complexities. Margot Adler, Drawing Down the Moon,
1986
able to be seen; clearly shown or visible; easy to understand or recognize
readily perceived by the senses and especially by the sense of sight
easily understood or recognized by the mind R obvious
Their sadness was manifest in their faces.
His love for literature is manifest in his large library.
There was manifest confusion in the streets.
The argument, for all of its manifest inadequacies captured the national imagination
and shaped subsequent religious discourse. It provided a vocabulary, an explanation,
and a new set of boundaries for the restructured American religion that had by then
been developing for half a century. Jonathan D. Sarna, American Judaism, 2004
Economics, the great model among us now, indulges and deprives, builds and abandons,
threatens and promises. Its imperium is manifest, irrefragableas in fact it has been
since antiquity. Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, 1998
Washington has long been uneasy about its relationship with Somalia, partly because of
the manifest shakiness of the Siad Barre administration but also because of Somalias
continuing claims on the Ogaden. John Borrell, Wall Street Journal, 23 August 1982
His muscles were getting fabby, and his tailor called attention to his increasing waistband.
In fact, Daylight was developing a defnite paunch. This physical deterioration was
manifest likewise in his face. Jack London, Burning Daylight, 1910
manifestation, indication
manifesto
a list of passengers or an invoice of cargo for a vehicle (as a ship or plane)
Since 2002, a program known as the Container Security Initiative requires our main
trading partners to send to U.S. Customs and border Protection an electronic manifest
for every U.S.-bound container twenty-four hours before it is loaded on a ship. William
Finnegan, New Yorker, 19 June 2006
Has any passenger manifest been more fretted over than the Mayfowers? Jack Hitt,
Harpers, July 2005
But for me, fnding it still in useis high on the manifest of writerly thrills longed for
along with seeing someone you dont know hungrily reading your book on an overland
bus in Turkey; or noticing your book on the shelf behind the moderator on Meet the
Press next to The Wealth of Nations and Giants in the Earth; or seeing your book on
a list of overlooked American masterpieces compiled by former insiders in the Kennedy
administration. Richard Ford, Independence Day, 1995
(ambiguous ! manifest) (cryptic ! manifest) (obscure ! manifest)
54
[44]
nebulous, obscure, opaque (ambiguous " palpable)
H palpable
obvious and noticeable
capable of being touched or felt R tangible
easily perceptible R noticeable <a palpable diference>
easily perceptible by the mind R manifest
I felt a palpable sense of relief.
The attraction between them was palpable.
There was a palpable excitement in the air as the town prepared for the festival.
A positive patch-test result, measured by a visible and palpable localized response, denotes
a delayed hypersensitivity response Simon Kallal et al., New England Journal of
Medicine, 7 Feb. 2008
When Im back in nature after months of walking around on concrete and living in boxes,
I feel a palpable internal shift. Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006
As pushcart vendors manned the stadium concourses, ringing bicycle bells and selling
E-lados ice cream in paper cups, and concessionaires poured shots of Cutty Sark and
blended pia coladas, there was a palpable sense of spirit. Daniel G. Habib, Sports
Illustrated, 21 Apr. 2003
[44]
nebulous, obscure, opaque (abstruse " transparent)
H transparent
able to be seen through; easy to notice or understand; honest and open; not secretive
having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies
lying beyond are seen clearly R pellucid
allowing the passage of a specifed form of radiation (as X-rays or ultraviolet light)
fne or sheer enough to be seen through R diaphanous
free from pretense or deceit R frank
easily detected or seen through R obvious
readily understood
characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business
practices
<bottles of blue transparent glass>
<his meaning in leaving the conversation is transparent: he doesnt want to talk about
his combat experiences>
H placid
not easily upset or excited; not moving much; calm and steady
55
serenely free of interruption or disturbance <placid skies><a placid disposition>; ALSO:
complacent 1
a person with a sunny, placid disposition
the placid surface of the lake
[56]
imperturbable (placid imperturbable)
[56]
punctilious, stilted (placid " stilted)
K imperturbable
[52]
limpid, lucid, manifest, palpable, placid, transparent (placid imperturbable)
H imperturbable
very calm; very hard to disturb or upset
marked by extreme calm, impassivity, and steadiness R serene
Although he seems outwardly imperturbable, he can get very angry at times.
<the chef was absolutely imperturbableeven when the kitchen caught on fre>
K punctilious, stilted
[40]
(exacting punctilious)
H punctilious
very careful about behaving properly and doing things in a correct and accurate way
marked by or concerned about precise accordance with the details of codes or conventions
Shes very punctilious about grammar.
<old-money aristocrats with a punctilious sense of propriety>
[52]
limpid, lucid, manifest, palpable, placid, transparent (placid " stilted)
H stilted
awkward especially because of being too formal
pompous, lofty
formal, stif
having the curve beginning at some distance above the impost <a stilted arch>
<the conversation was somewhat stilted as we didnt seem to share any interests>
<a stilted letter of apology that was written and accepted with equal measures of insin-
cerity>
K malleable
[44]
nebulous, obscure, opaque (impenetrable " malleable)
H malleable
56
capable of being stretched or bent into diferent shapes; capable of being easily changed or
infuenced
capable of being extended or shaped by beating with a hammer or by the pressure of
rollers
capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or infuences
having a capacity for adaptive change
<the cult leader took advantage of the mal leable, compliant personalities of his followers>
The brothers Warner presented a fexible, mal leable world that defed Newton, a world
of such plasticity that anything imaginable was possible. Billy Collins, Wall Street
Journal, 2829 June 2008
At each landing the villagers had carved the wonderfully mal leable silt into staircases,
terraces, crenellations, and ziggurats. Kenneth Brower, National Geographic Traveler,
March 2000
The boy seemed to me possessed by a blind, invalid arrogance, and every human being,
as his eye ficked over or finched against them, became, immediately, as malleable as his
mother and his father. James Baldwin, The Evidence of Things Not Seen, 1985
[57]
obedient, tractable (malleable tractable)
[103]
resilient (malleable resilient)
K obedient, tractable
[56]
malleable (malleable tractable)
H tractable
easily managed or controlled; willing to learn or be guided by another
capable of being easily led, taught, or controlled R docile <a tractable horse>
easily handled, managed, or wrought R malleable
This new approach should make the problem more tractable.
Hes a very tractable child.
[40]
(authoritarian " obedient)
H obedient
willing to do what someone tells you to do or to follow a law, rule, etc.; willing to obey
submissive to the restraint or command of authority R willing to obey
<that boy is so obedient that he does everything the frst time he is asked>
[57]
subordinate (obedient subordinate)
[102]
rebel (obedient ! rebel)
K subordinate
57
[57]
obedient, tractable (obedient subordinate)
H subordinate
to think of or treat (someone or something) as less important than someone or something else
to make subject or subservient
to treat as of less value or importance <stylist whose crystalline prose subordinates
content to form Susan Heath>
<it is one of the lessons of history that more powerful civilizations often subordinate
weaker ones>
Clinton administration Trade Representative Mickey Kantor declared: The days when
we could aford to subordinate our economic interests to foreign policy or defense concerns
are long past.Lawrence F. Kaplan, New Republic, 18 Mar. 2002
The real reason, though, is that art survives life, and this unpalatable realization lies
behind the lumpen desire to subordinate the former to the latter. The fnite always
mistakes the permanent for the infnite and nurtures designs upon it. Joseph Brodsky,
Times Literary Supplement, 26 Oct. 1990
someone who has less power or authority than someone else; someone who is subordinate to
someone else
one who stands in order or rank below another R one that is subordinate
She leaves the day-to-day running of the frm to her subordinates.
<subordinates do most of the actual creation of the famous designers clothing designs>
Case in point: the dismissal of advertising chief Julie Roehm, accused of having an afair
with a subordinate (also fred) and taking freebies from an advertising agency (also fred)
in violation of company policies. Bill Saporito, Time, 12 Nov. 2007
He ran an extremely unhappy headquarters. He tended to berate subordinates, frequently
shouting and cursing at them. Thomas E. Ricks, Fiasco, 2006
She also found it impossible to give negative feedback. As a consequence, her work
and that of her subordinates started to sufer, and she was missing deadlines. Steven
Berglas, Harvard Business Review, June 2002
in a position of less power or authority than someone else; less important than someone or
something else
placed in or occupying a lower class, rank, or position R inferior <a subordinate ofcer>
submissive to or controlled by authority
of, relating to, or constituting a clause that functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb
subordinating
<his contention is that environment plays a subordinate role to heredity in determining
what we become>
About two-thirds of the way through, this nonsense comes to life for ffteen minutes when
the point of view shifts to that of a subordinate character, an aging thug (well played by
Laurence Fishburne) who is employed by the casino to spot card counters. Richard
Alleva, Commonweal, May 9, 2008
58
A reporters right to protect a source is a subordinate matter that obfuscates the more
important issue of violating journalistic integrity and responsibility when one becomes
an agent, if not a pawn, of a mean-spirited and vindictive retaliation scheme. Jon
Dufey, Editor & Publisher, 13 Oct. 2003
She was thirty-three, furiously frustrated with her subordinate role in the studioattend-
ing to the models hair, makeup, and clothesand chronically dissatisfed with her own
pictures, which represented a diferent kind of womans work. Judith Thurman, New
Yorker, 13 Oct. 2003
[59]
dominant (subordinate " dominant)
K dominant
[57]
subordinate (subordinate " dominant)
H dominant
more important, powerful, or successful than most or all others; most commonbiology; causing
or relating to a characteristic or condition that a child will have if one of the childs parents
has it
commanding, controlling, or prevailing over all others <the dominant culture>
very important, powerful, or successful <a dominant theme><a dominant industry>
overlooking and commanding from a superior position <a dominant hill>
of, relating to, or exerting ecological or genetic dominance
being the one of a pair of bodily structures that is the more efective or predominant in
action <dominant eye>
The company is now dominant in its market.
It is the dominant culture in the region.
the dominant female of the pack
the ffth tone of a major or minor scale
a dominant genetic character or factor
any of one or more kinds of organism (as a species) in an ecological community that exerts
a controlling infuence on the environment and thereby largely determines what other
kinds of organisms are present
a dominant individual in a social hierarchy
[59]
arrogant, ostentatious, pretentious (dominant arrogant)
[85]
(dominant " inconsequential) (dominant " negligible) (dominant " trifing) (dominant " trivial)
K arrogant, ostentatious, pretentious
[40]
(authoritarian pretentious)
59
H pretentious
having or showing the unpleasant quality of people who want to be regarded as more impres-
sive, successful, or important than they really are
characterized by pretension: as
making usually unjustifed or excessive claims (as of value or standing) <the pretentious
fraud who assumes a love of culture that is alien to him Richard Watts>
expressive of afected, unwarranted, or exaggerated importance, worth, or stature <pretentious
language><pretentious houses>
making demands on ones skill, ability, or means R ambitious <the pretentious daring of
the Green Mountain Boys in crossing the lake American Guide Series: Vermont>
The houses in the neighborhood are large and pretentious.
<that pretentious couple always serves caviar at their parties, even though they them-
selves dislike it>
It is hard to be pretentious or elevated in Yiddish, and easy to poke fun. Cynthia
Ozick, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 1988
To anyone ignorant of the underlying physics, it might seem the most arrogant and
pretentious necromancy. Carl Sagan, Contact, 1985
She seemed at that frst meeting a little pretentious and a would-be intellectual she
was studying sociology in the States, a subject which thrives on banalities and abstract
jargon Graham Greene, Getting to Know the General, 1984
and then a P.S. running into 20 pages both sides of the paper and coming back to
the top of page oneHegel, Nietzsche, Emerson, Gide, Beethoven, Suarezall the boys
trotted out in reams of pretentious blather. Myles na Gopaleen (Flann O Brien), The
Best of Myles, 1968
[59]
dominant (dominant arrogant)
H arrogant
having or showing the insulting attitude of people who believe that they are better, smarter,
or more important than other people; having or showing arrogance
exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate ones own worth or importance often by an
overbearing manner <an arrogant ofcial>
showing an ofensive attitude of superiority R proceeding from or characterized by arrogance
<an arrogant reply>
Shes frst in her class, but shes not arrogant about it.
<the arrogant young lawyer elbowed his way to the head of the line of customers, declaring
that he was too busy to wait like everybody else>
Tim Blixseth, the founder of the Yellowstone Club and other gated hideaways, tells Frank:
I dont like most rich people. They can be arrogant.This from a man who owns two
Shih Tzus named Learjet and G2. Alex Beam, New York Times Book Review, 10 June
2007
60
Arrogant execs are not the only targets of investors ire. Theres no telling how much
money analysts such as Meeker cost investors with their interminable buy recommenda-
tions on Internet stocks that eventually went bust. Marcia Vickers et al., Business
Week, 25 Feb. 2002
Despite her social and business status in Washington, Graham remained unassuming and
down to earth. Her quiet but steady courage afrmed women such as Geneva Overhosler,
a former editor and Post ombudsman, by showing a woman could be powerful without
being arrogant. Mark Fitzgerald et al., Editor & Publisher, 23 July 2001
Shakespeare must have known that while his audiences loved to see villains punished
and arrogant young men humbled, they did not want to fdget and squirm through mea
culpas before the fnal scene. Elaine Showalter, Civilization, April/May 1999
H ostentatious
displaying wealth, knowledge, etc., in a way that is meant to attract attention, admiration,
or envy
marked by or fond of conspicuous or vainglorious and sometimes pretentious display
an ostentatious display of knowledge
<wears an ostentatious diamond ring on his little fnger>
The power of the government was present, in its watchmen, supervisors of the market and
police force, but it did not express itself in large and ostentatious buildings. Albert
Hourani, A History of the Arab Peoples, 1991
That pompous excuse for a plush ride is a thumb in the eye to every taxpayerand in
the case of an ostentatious cost-cutter, genuine hypocrisy. William Safre, New York
Times, 2 May 1991
Always proud to sit down with an ice-cold beer in my hand, I was ostentatious about it
in town. Mark Helprin, New Yorker, 30 May 1988
She had driven to Prague from the Netherlands in her Porsche, telling friends she didnt
give a hoot how ostentatious she might appear to the comrades. Frank Deford, Sports
Illustrated, 4 Aug. 1986
[61]
anomalous, singular (ostentatious anomalous)
K anomalous, singular
[59]
arrogant, ostentatious, pretentious (ostentatious anomalous)
H anomalous
not expected or usual
inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected R irregular, unusual
of uncertain nature or classifcation
marked by incongruity or contradiction R paradoxical
Researchers could not explain the anomalous test results.
61
<that was an anomalous year for the housing industry, so the number of starts is anything
but typical>
H singular
grammar; showing or indicating no more than one thing; better or greater than what is usual
or normal; strange or odd
of or relating to a separate person or thing R individual
of, relating to, or being a word form denoting one person, thing, or instance <a singular
noun>
of or relating to a single instance or to something considered by itself
distinguished by superiority R exceptional <an artist of singular attainments>
being out of the ordinary R unusual <on the way home we had a singular adventure>
departing from general usage or expectation R peculiar, odd <the air had a singular chill>
having a determinant equal to zero
having the property that the matrix of coefcients of the new variables has a determinant
equal to zero
In the phrase his car is red,the word caris a singular noun.
Walksin she walks everydayis a singular verb.
He had a singular appearance.
the singular number, the infectional form denoting it, or a word in that form
a singular term
[62]
absurd (singular absurd)
[99]
blatant, conspicuous, egregious, vociferously (anomalous conspicuous)
[101]
meretricious (anomalous meretricious)
[101]
salient (anomalous salient)
[101]
comprehensive, inclusive (singular " comprehensive)
K absurd
[61]
anomalous, singular (singular absurd)
H absurd
extremely silly, foolish, or unreasonable; completely ridiculous
ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous <an absurd argument>
having no rational or orderly relationship to human life R meaningless <an absurd uni-
verse>; ALSO: lacking order or value <an absurd existence>
dealing with the absurd (see 2absurd) or with absurdism <absurd theater>
The charges against him are obviously absurd.
<absurd claims of having been abducted by UFOs>
62
In an era when federal judges issue rulings that in their impact often rival the lawmaking
of any legislature in the land, it is increasingly absurd that their proceedings should
remain of-limits to the same wider public scrutiny that news cameras have brought to
courts in 48 states. Editor & Publisher, 14 July 2003
By the time Showalter was fred one day after the end of last season, the stories of how he
carried his attention to detail to absurd lengthsincluding his insistence that the A on
the players socks be completely visiblehad been well circulated. Phil Taylor, Sports
Illustrated, 30 July 2001
This criticism, patently absurd to anyone who has read even a handful of Updikes more
than 40 books, nevertheless has been made so often that it is worth Pritchards long
rebuttal. Jonathan Wilson, New York Times Book Review, 24 Sept. 2000
Yet from time to time, virtually every parent falls back on threats, often absurd ones that
leave Mom and Dad feeling foolish and the problem unresolved. Dorothy Foltz-Gray,
Parenting, December/January 1996
the state or condition in which human beings exist in an irrational and meaningless universe
and in which human life has no ultimate meaning usually used with the
[63]
eccentric, erratic, haphazard (absurd eccentric)
[97]
idiosyncratic (absurd idiosyncratic)
[99]
implausible (absurd implausible)
[99]
untenable (absurd untenable)
K eccentric, erratic, haphazard
[62]
absurd (absurd eccentric)
H eccentric
tending to act in strange or unusual ways; strange or unusual; not following a perfectly circular
path
deviating from an established or usual pattern or style <eccentric products>
deviating from conventional or accepted usage or conduct especially in odd or whimsical
ways <an eccentric millionaire>
deviating from a circular path; especially R elliptical 1 <an eccentric orbit>
located elsewhere than at the geometrical center; ALSO: having the axis or support so
located <an eccentric wheel>
He was a kind but eccentric man.
Shes become more eccentric over the years.
It was Charles Darwins eccentric mathematician cousin Francis Galton who in 1874
ignited the nature-nurture controversy. Matt Ridley, Time, 2 June 2003
Eccentric drifters that normally roam the farthest reaches of the solar system, these
daredevils fy so close to the Sun that they pass through its scorching corona. Maggie
McKee, Astronomy, December 2002
63
In the spit-and-polish Navy, he and his equally unkempt colleagues were regarded as
eccentric. David M. Kennedy, Atlantic, March 1999
a person who acts in strange or unusual ways; an eccentric person
a mechanical device consisting of an eccentric (see 1eccentric) disk communicating its
motion to a rod so as to produce reciprocating motion
a person who behaves in odd or unusual ways R an eccentric person
<an eccentric who designed his house to look like a Scottish castle>
To his own townspeople Thoreau was a radical and an eccentric, a man without a vo-
cation, supporting himself doing odd jobs, devoting himself to what seemed to them
inconsequential rambles, and living like a hermit on the shores of Walden Pond.
Maxine Kumin, In Deep, 1987
But Mozart was also an eccentric, brought up not as a creature of society but as a
prodigious child speaking a language of sound. Mozart couldnt handle people,as one
former friend put it. Edward Rothstein, New York Times Book Review, 31 Oct. 1982
It wasnt until she [Mother Teresa] had set up a leprosarium outside Calcutta on land
provided by the government that I began to see her as an idealist rather than an eccentric.
Bharati Mukherjee, Time, 14 June 1999
H erratic
acting, moving, or changing in ways that are not expected or usual; not consistent or regular
having no fxed course R wandering <an erratic comet>
nomadic
transported from an original resting place especially by a glacier <an erratic boulder>
characterized by lack of consistency, regularity, or uniformity <erratic dieting><keeps
erratic hours>
deviating from what is ordinary or standard R eccentric <an erratic genius>
<so far your efort to land a summer job has been very erratic>
<because of your erratic attendance at practice, youre in danger of being cut from the
team>
My sinker has been my most erratic pitch. And when your foundation pitch is lacking,
you have to go to other pitches. My sinker has been in and out, but mostly out. Orel
Hershiser, in New York Times, 9 May 1999
In winning his two-month match in Yugoslavia against Boris Spassky, 10 games to fve,
Bobby Fischer was erratic, which was hardly surprising considering his two-decade layof,
but there were times when he played more brilliantly than anybody could have expected.
Sports Il lustrated, 16 Nov. 1992
Over the centuries, in erratic ways, men have constructed a world in which they are
relatively free of many kinds of threatening or harmful stimuli B. F. Skinner, Beyond
Freedom and Dignity, (1971) 1972
64
one that is erratic (see 1erratic); especially R a boulder or block of rock transported from
its original resting place especially by a glacier
H haphazard
having no plan, order, or direction
marked by lack of plan, order, or direction
We were given a haphazard tour of the city.
<considering the haphazard way you measured the ingredients, its a wonder the cookies
came out this good>
chance 1
[65]
capricious, fckle, fuid, mercurial, volatile (erratic capricious) (haphazard capricious)
[70]
deliberate (haphazard " deliberate) (erratic " deliberate)
[78]
mundane, prosaic, terrestrial (eccentric " prosaic)
K capricious, fckle, fuid, mercurial, volatile
[63]
eccentric, erratic, haphazard (erratic capricious)
H capricious
changing often and quickly; especially; often changing suddenly in mood or behavior; not
logical or reasonable; based on an idea, desire, etc., that is not possible to predict
governed or characterized by caprice R impulsive, unpredictable
employees who are at the mercy of a capricious manager
The court ruled that the punishment was arbitrary and capricious.
every balloon voyage is a race between capricious winds and the amount of fuel on
board. Tom Morganthau, Newsweek, 29 Mar. 1999
She is capricious, however, and is said to take bribes and wantonly peddle her infuence
from time to time. Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994
Lady Luck is a capricious mother who, as in a recurrent nightmare, always ofers, never
comes through, and never stops smiling. Hugh Drummond, Boston Magazine, Novem-
ber 1989
I dont believe in random occurrences or blind chance, though I know the patterns of this
world are capricious and terribly complex. Leslie Marmon Silko, letter, 21 Aug. 1979
(haphazard capricious)
H fckle
changing often; changing opinions often
marked by lack of steadfastness, constancy, or stability R given to erratic changeableness
He blames poor sales on fckle consumers.
<a fckle friendship that was on and of over the years>
65
The Weak will suck up to the Strong, for fear of losing their jobs and their money and
all the fckle power they wielded only twenty-four hours ago. Hunter S. Thompson,
Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2004
The corporate fan who has replaced the core fan is a fckle beast, choosy about which
games hell use his precious free time to attend. E. M. Swift, Sports Il lustrated, 15
May 2000
A failed play was a denial of what Odets was owed, for he was chasing the public no
diferently than did his bourgeois and nonrevolutionary contemporaries, a public as fckle
as it always was and is. Arthur Miller, Harpers, March 1999
War is like hard-drug abuse or a fckle lover, an apparently contradictory bolt of com-
pulsion, agony and ecstasy that draws you back in the face of better judgment time and
time again. Anthony Loyd, My War Gone By, 1999
H fuid
capable of fowing freely like waterused to describe something that can change easily or that
changes often ; having or showing a smooth and easy style
having particles that easily move and change their relative position without a separation
of the mass and that easily yield to pressure R capable of fowing
subject to change or movement <boundaries became fuid>
characterized by or employing a smooth easy style <the ballerinas fuid movements><fuid
recitation of his lines>
available for various uses <a fuid computer program>
liquid 4 <fuid assets>
a substance in a fuid state
<warm the jam until it is fuid, then spread it over the cake>
a substance that is able to fow freely; a liquid substance
a substance (as a liquid or gas) tending to fow or conform to the outline of its container
Please check the fuids in the cars engine.
She needs to drink plenty of fuids.
Fluid leaked from the cars engine.
a bottle of yellow fuid
H mercurial
changing moods quickly and often; changing often; very changeable; very lively and quick
of, relating to, or born under the planet Mercury
having qualities of eloquence, ingenuity, or thievishness attributed to the god Mercury or
to the infuence of the planet Mercury
characterized by rapid and unpredictable changeableness of mood <a mercurial temper>
of, relating to, containing, or caused by mercury
66
<the bosss mood is so mercurial that we never know how hes going to react to anything>
Few moments in English history have been more hungry for the future, its mercurial
possibilities and its hope of richness, than the spring of 1603. Adam Nicolson, Gods
Secretaries, 2003
Though you could see all three places in one day, each of them makes you want to stay or
to keep returning to watch the efects of the changing weather and the mercurial Sicilian
light. Francine Prose, Atlantic, December 2002
Some scientists suggest that because manic-depressive patients are ever riding the bio-
chemical express between emotional extremes, their brains end up more complexly wired
and remain more persistently plastic than do the brains of less mercurial sorts. Natalie
Angier, New York Times, 12 Oct. 1993
Still grinning, still miming, he samba-ed across the foor and started in on the dishes
with a vigor that would have prostrated his mercurial cousin. T. Coraghessan Boyle,
Harpers, October 1987
a pharmaceutical or chemical containing mercury
H volatile
likely to change in a very sudden or extreme way; having or showing extreme or sudden
changes of emotion; likely to become dangerous or out of control
readily vaporizable at a relatively low temperature
fying or having the power to fy
lighthearted, lively
easily aroused <volatile suspicions>
tending to erupt into violence R explosive <a volatile temper>
unable to hold the attention fxed because of an inherent lightness or fckleness of dispo-
sition
characterized by or subject to rapid or unexpected change <a volatile market>
difcult to capture or hold permanently R evanescent, transitory
The stock market can be very volatile.
She is a volatile woman.
The protests are increasing, creating a volatile situation in the capital.
I am beginning to hear investors say that the best way to beat this volatile market is by
tradinganxiously moving in and out of securities as the market ebbs and fows. In my
view there is no surer path to the poorhouse. John W. Rogers, Jr., Forbes, 25 May
2009
Usually, only a few of the volatile chemicals in a fragrance are obviously noticeable to
human noses. Ivan Amato, Science News, 24 Sept. 2005
VOCs (or volatile organic compounds) are thought to be among the potential culprits
behind illnesses often lumped under the heading of Sick Building Syndrome. Scott
Schilling, This Old House, March 2005
67
it was Elvis who represented rock and roll at its unblushing, volatile best; he was its
frst master and the embodiment of every reason that adolescents of the postwar years
turned to it in favor of the cheerfully torpid pop music to which their parents were
listening. David Hajdu, New York Review of Books, 9 Oct. 2003
When left unused, make-up has a tendency to dry out because any water or other volatile
substances it contains evaporate. Barry Fox, New Scientist, 9 Aug. 2003
a chemical or compound that changes into a gas easily
a substance that is readily vaporizable at relatively low temperature R a volatile substance
[68]
cumulative, incremental (volatile " incremental)
[69]
immutable (capricious ! immutable)
[69]
staunch, steadfast (fckle ! staunch)
K cumulative, incremental
[65]
capricious, fckle, fuid, mercurial, volatile (volatile " incremental)
H incremental
of, relating to, being, or occurring in especially small increments <incremental addi-
tions><incremental change>
<the incremental evolution of the collection from a specialized gallery into a comprehen-
sive art museum>
<the incremental total for my collection of baseball cards>
H cumulative
increasing or becoming better or worse over time through a series of additions; including or
adding together all of the things that came before
made up of accumulated parts
increasing by successive additions
tending to prove the same point <cumulative evidence>
taking efect upon completion of another penal sentence <a cumulative sentence>
increasing in severity with repetition of the ofense <cumulative penalty>
formed by the addition of new material of the same kind <a cumulative book index>
summing or integrating overall data or values of a random variable less than or less than
or equal to a specifed value <cumulative normal distribution><cumulative frequency
distribution>
<a cumulative weight gain of 20 pounds over the course of a year>
Game Boy, which frst came out in 1989 as a monochrome handheld toy, has become
the most successful of all of the systems, reaching cumulative sales of 110 million units
to date Ngai Croal, Newsweek, 28 May 2001
68
They began looking at the cumulative efect of stress and realized that, while there might
have been an incident that fnally triggered the madness, a series of previous events
had lowered the soldiers emotional resistance. Michael Fleming and Roger Manvell,
Psychology Today, July 1987
Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the
cumulative force of a whole lifes cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another, you
have only an extemporaneous, half possession. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance,
in Essays, 1841
K immutable
[65]
capricious, fckle, fuid, mercurial, volatile (capricious ! immutable)
H immutable
unable to be changed
not capable of or susceptible to change
the immutable laws of nature
<one of the immutable laws of television is that low ratings inevitably lead to cancella-
tion>
K staunch, steadfast
[40]
(austere steadfast)
H steadfast
very devoted or loyal to a person, belief, or cause; not changing
frmly fxed in place R immovable
not subject to change <the steadfast doctrine of original sin Ellen Glasgow>
frm in belief, determination, or adherence R loyal <her followers have remained steadfast>
He was steadfast in his support of the governors policies.
<a steadfast supporter of womens rights>
[65]
capricious, fckle, fuid, mercurial, volatile (fckle ! staunch)
H staunch
very devoted or loyal to a person, belief, or cause
watertight, sound
strongly built R substantial
steadfast in loyalty or principle <a staunch friend>
She is a staunch advocate of womens rights.
Hes a staunch believer in the value of regular exercise.
Im one of his staunchest supporters.
69
K deliberate
[63]
eccentric, erratic, haphazard (erratic " deliberate)
H deliberate
to think about or discuss something very carefully in order to make a decision
to think about or discuss issues and decisions carefully
to think about deliberately and often with formal discussion before reaching a decision
The jury deliberated for two days before reaching a verdict.
They will deliberate the question.
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
characterized by or resulting from careful and thorough consideration <a deliberate de-
cision>
characterized by awareness of the consequences <deliberate falsehood>
slow, unhurried, and steady as though allowing time for decision on each individual action
involved <a deliberate pace>
She spoke in a clear, deliberate manner.
He advocates a slow and deliberate approach to the problem.
(haphazard " deliberate)
[70]
astute, canny, shrewd (deliberate shrewd)
[72]
expedient, prudent (deliberate prudent)
[74]
cursory (deliberate ! cursory)
[75]
spontaneous (deliberate " spontaneous)
K astute, canny, shrewd
[70]
deliberate (deliberate shrewd)
H shrewd
having or showing an ability to understand things and to make good judgments; mentally
sharp or clever
mischievous
abusive, shrewish
ominous, dangerous
severe, hard <a shrewd knock>
sharp, piercing <a shrewd wind>
marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen <shrewd common sense>
given to wily and artful ways or dealing <a shrewd operator>
Shes shrewd about her investments.
70
<a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best possible deal>
According to Frank Luntz, Republican pollster and spinmeister, these younger working
women with small children are critical swing voters. By dint of focus groups and shrewd
professional questioning, Luntz has determined what these women need mostmore time
in their lives. He seemed to regard this fnding as a considerable coup. Molly Ivins,
Mother Jones, September/October 2004
When Ann Richards fractured her hand in a fall nine years ago, she went to the doctor
for a bone density test only to learn that she had an early form of osteoporosis.
The diagnosis spurred the former Texas governor, whose mother and grandmother also
sufered from the disease, to write Im Not Slowing Down: Winning My Battle with
Osteoporosis an inspiring little volume flled with the authors shrewd insights into
healthcare, gender and, yes, politics. Julie Hale, Book Page, August 2003
One shrewd political tactician who knew what it was like to lose a close election watched
Goldwater closely. Nixon had an eye on a comeback in 1968 and knew he needed the
Southall of it this time. Jon Meacham, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2002
But a growing empire produces tough challenges. Winfrey is used to ironclad control. A
shrewd businesswoman, she still signs all the checks of more than $1,000 for her Harpo
Entertainment Group, and she meticulously scrutinizes the smaller ones that others sign
for her. Lynette Clemetson, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2001
H astute
having or showing an ability to notice and understand things clearly; mentally sharp or clever
having or showing shrewdness and perspicacity <an astute observer><astute remarks>;
ALSO: crafty, wily
He is an astute observer of the current political scene.
Astute readers will notice the error.
His analysis of the battle was very astute.
We thought they were not very intellectually astute, but we didnt really understand how
political a lot of what they were doing was. Ben Wallace-Wells, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov.
2007
He asked astute diagnosticians around the country how they approached and cracked dif-
fcult diagnoses and what happened when they failed. Misdiagnosis is not an insignifcant
problem: Groopman cites a fnding that between one in six and one in seven patients is
incorrectly assessed. Ruth Levy Guyer, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 2007
And fnally, even if she had never actually uttered the bon mot that would be famously
attributed to her, that if she had two heads, she would risk one in the kings service, could
the astute young duchess actually have had input into the implausible negotiations?
Harvey Rachlin, Scandals, Vandals, and Da Vincis, 2007
Focusing largely upon Western alchemy during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,
she has a sharp eye for how alchemical images surface in literature of that period. Readers
71
of Ben Jonson, Christopher Marlowe, and William Shakespeare will fnd illuminating
insights. Abraham reveals the far reaches of her astute literary intelligence by analyzing
alchemical imagery encoded in a broad range of works, from Chaucer and Milton to
Vladimir Nabokov and P.G. Wodehouse. Norman Weinstein, Parabola, November
1999
H canny
very clever and able to make intelligent decisions
clever, shrewd <a canny lawyer>; ALSO: prudent <canny investments>
careful, steady; ALSO: restrained
quiet, snug <then canny, in some cozy place, they close the day Robert Burns>
<a canny card player, good at psyching out his opponents>
<warm and canny under the woolen bedcovers, we didnt mind the chilly Scottish nights>
in a canny manner R carefully
K expedient, prudent
[70]
deliberate (deliberate prudent)
H prudent
having or showing careful good judgment
characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence: as
marked by wisdom or judiciousness <prudent advice>
shrewd in the management of practical afairs <prudent investors>
marked by circumspection R discreet
provident, frugal
He always listened to her prudent advice.
You made a prudent choice.
An endless war is not always the most moral or the most prudent course of action.
Richard A. Posner, New Republic, 2 Sept. 2002
We missed the Mass for St. Rose of Lima, who, though prudent, had failed to be martyred
and was therefore only second-string. Darryl Pinckney, High Cotton, 1992
Prudent burners take several precautions. Burning one of two bordering felds, they wet
the edge of one or the other, usually the one being burned, to prevent the fames from
jumping. Alec Wilkinson, Big Sugar, 1989
Since the inexplicable power of a magnetized needle to fndthe north smacked of black
magic . For many decades the prudent sea captain consulted his compass secretly.
Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
H expedient
providing an easy and quick way to solve a problem or do something
72
suitable for achieving a particular end in a given circumstance
characterized by concern with what is opportune; especially R governed by self-interest
They found it expedient to negotiate with the terrorists.
Do the right thing, not the expedient thing.
Marley found it expedient to maintain social relationships with gunmen and politicans
from both political parties. Robert Palmer, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 1994
The marble foor gave the hall the aspect of a cathedral, and the walls were decorated
with aphorisms such as Ciceros THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE IS THE HIGH-
EST LAW, a phrase he found curiouslyor at least potentiallyexpedient in what was
certainly designed as a temple to the idea of law. Tom Clancy, Patriot Games, 1987
Under political pressure and at the urging of Jeferson, Madison fnally (but grudgingly)
admitted that a bill of rights might help, over time, to instill in the people a greater
respect for the fundamental maxims of free government.But even as he was sheparding
the frst amendments through Congress, in 1789, he privately described them (amazingly
enough) as a nauseous project,required only for expedient reasons of politics. Jack
N. Rakove, Atlantic, December 1986
an easy and quick way to solve a problem or do something; an expedient solution
something done or used to achieve a particular end usually quickly or temporarily R an
expedient action or solution
The government chose short-term expedients instead of a real economic policy.
We can solve this problem by the simple expedient of taking out another loan.
In 1882, racing to meet the deadline on Life on the Mississippi, he [Mark Twain] boasted
to W.D. Howells that he had managed to churn out 9,500 words in a day, having resorted
to the old hacks expedient of copying out large chunks from other peoples books
Jonathan Raban, Times Literary Supplement, 2127 Sept. 1990
The Viet Cong taught the peasants to dig cave shelters under the sleeping platforms rural
Vietnamese cover with mats of woven straw and use as beds. This expedient gave the
peasants a handy shelter right inside the house, unless that house happened to be one of
those set afre by the napalm or the white phosphorus, called Willy Peter in U.S. military
idiom. Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988
For government is an expedient, by which men would fain succeed in letting one another
alone; and, as has been said, when it is most expedient, the governed are most let alone
by it. Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience,1849
For it is plain that every word we speak is in some degree a diminution of our lungs by
corrosion, and consequently contributes to the shortening of our lives. An expedient was
therefore ofered, that since words are only names for things, it would be more convenient
for all men to carry about them such things as were necessary to express the particular
business they are to discourse on. Jonathan Swift, Gul livers Travels, 1726
[74]
imprudent (expedient ! imprudent)
73
K imprudent
[72]
expedient, prudent (expedient ! imprudent)
H imprudent
not wise or sensible; not prudent
not prudent R lacking discretion, wisdom, or good judgment <an imprudent investor>
Its politically imprudent to stir up such controversy during an election year.
<a very sweet girl, but so imprudent that no one trusts her with a secret>
K cursory
[70]
deliberate (deliberate ! cursory)
H cursory
done or made quickly
rapidly and often superfcially performed or produced R hasty <a cursory glance>
Only a cursory inspection of the buildings electrical wiring was done.
The mayor gave a cursory glance at the report.
Even the most cursory look at the organizations records shows problems.
[74]
impetuous (cursory impetuous)
[75]
impulsive (cursory impulsive)
[75]
spontaneous (cursory spontaneous)
[76]
meticulous, scrupulous (cursory " meticulous)
K impetuous
[74]
cursory (cursory impetuous)
H impetuous
acting or done quickly and without thought; controlled by emotion rather than thought
marked by impulsive vehemence or passion <an impetuous temperament>
marked by force and violence of movement or action <an impetuous wind>
Hes always been an impetuous young man.
In one episode of The Sopranos,the young, impetuous mobster Christopher Moltisanti
tries to write a screenplay in the hours when he is not robbing trucks or picking up
cannolis for Tony. David Remnick, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2001
And from the beginning, NASA was trapped beneath the dominoes, as the Soviets
knocked of frst satellite, frst man in space, frst earth orbit, frst space walk. But
it was Kennedys impetuous science-fction PR that really put the pressure on, when he
promised to put an American on the moon by the end of the decade. Erik Davis,
Village Voice, 26 July 1994
74
Men who dont wear hats are generally youthful, vigorous, impetuous, and have a devil-
may-care glint in their eyes. Mike Royko, Like I Was Sayin , 1984
[75]
circumspect (impetuous " circumspect)
K circumspect
[74]
impetuous (impetuous " circumspect)
H circumspect
thinking carefully about possible risks before doing or saying something
careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences R prudent <diplomacy
required a circumspect response>
<she has a reputation for being quiet and circumspect in investigating charges of child
abuse>
K impulsive
[74]
cursory (cursory impulsive)
H impulsive
doing things or tending to do things suddenly and without careful thought; acting or tending
to act on impulse; done suddenly and without planning; resulting from a sudden impulse
having the power of or actually driving or impelling
arising from an impulse <an impulsive decision>
prone to act on impulse <an impulsive young man>
acting momentarily
Shes impulsive and often does things that she later regrets.
He needs to learn to control his impulsive behavior.
She made an impulsive decision to quit her job.
I couldnt make out exactly what had happened, though I could guess how it started
the two of them talking, kidding around when Mrs. Ramsey came down to the library
basement to fle some periodicals, an impulsive kiss in the stacks Tobias Wolf, Old
School, 2003
There was an odd nobility, a knight-errant quality, about Alanin his willingness to
sufer for the sake of life itself, in his tendency to view himself under harsher light than
he would turn on others, in his impulsive generosity. Tracy Kidder, Home Town, 1999
So speaks Maude Bailey, the celibate feminist scholar heroine of A. S. Byatts ffth novel,
as, in an impulsive collusion with a male scholar she scarcely knows, she runs of to
Brittany. Joyce Carol Oates, Vogue, November 1990
K spontaneous
[74]
cursory (cursory spontaneous)
75
H spontaneous
done or said in a natural and often sudden way and without a lot of thought or planning; doing
things that have not been planned but that seem enjoyable and worth doing at a particular
time
proceeding from natural feeling or native tendency without external constraint
arising from a momentary impulse
controlled and directed internally R self-acting <spontaneous movement characteristic of
living things>
produced without being planted or without human labor R indigenous
developing or occurring without apparent external infuence, force, cause, or treatment
not apparently contrived or manipulated R natural
The comment was completely spontaneous.
Hes a guy whos spontaneous and fun.
Shane has a lovely habit of paying us spontaneous visits: one time she brought over a
jar of a pickle shed recently put up; another time just a good story or two. James
Oseland, Saveur, December 2006
Cold viruses can damage the olfactory system directly. This loss of smell may last even
after the cold is over. Sometimes the sense comes back as suddenly as it disappeared,
perhaps because even as adults we generate new olfactory neurons. Spontaneous im-
provement might be a persons best hope, because there are no real proven treatments
for reversing olfactory nerve damage. Harvard Health Letter, September 2001
Peter Jakobsen of the European Space Agency, which built the Faint Object Camera, drew
spontaneous applause at the January meeting when he showed an image of supernova
SN1987A from the instrument. Kristin Leutwyler, Scientifc American, March 1994
(deliberate " spontaneous)
K meticulous, scrupulous
[40]
(exacting meticulous)
H meticulous
very careful about doing something in an extremely accurate and exact way
marked by extreme or excessive care in the consideration or treatment of details <a
meticulous researcher>
He described the scene in meticulous detail.
He is meticulous about keeping accurate records.
Always meticulous about his appearance in the past, he had become dirty and unkempt,
with straggly hair, stained clothes, and patches of silver stubble on his chin. Minette
Walters, Fox Evil, 2002
76
She was very much the craftswoman, all her work meticulous, slow, perfect. Simon
Winchester, The Professor and the Madman, 1998
In dense, meticulous arguments Brooten mounts an assault on that view. Cullen
Murphy, Atlantic, August 1993
(cursory " meticulous)
H scrupulous
very careful about doing something correctly; careful about doing what is honest and morally
right
having moral integrity R acting in strict regard for what is considered right or proper
punctiliously exact R painstaking <working with scrupulous care>
She was always scrupulous about her work.
The work requires scrupulous attention to detail.
Less scrupulous companies fnd ways to evade the law.
While many assume that a conservative reading of the Constitution will lead inevitably
to a conservative interpretation, Amar has argued, in scholarly articles and in a pre-
vious book, The Bill of Rights,that paying scrupulous attention to the text, history
and structure of the Constitution often reveals support for liberal outcomes. James
Ryerson, New York Times Book Review, 6 Nov. 2005
Most clients praise the lawyer efusively. Rubenstein declares that Grubman never rep-
resents both parties in any one matter, is scrupulous in disclosing his relations to all his
clients and abides by the confict rules of the legal profession. Johnnie L. Roberts,
Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2001
Tax-shelter proliferation has reached such epidemic proportions that it has actually
spurred a backlash among the more conscientious members of the tax profession. A
few scrupulous tax lawyers have anonymously leaked details of shelter schemes to the
IRS. Franklin Foer, New Republic, 5 June 2000
[77]
unethical (scrupulous ! unethical)
K unethical
[76]
meticulous, scrupulous (scrupulous ! unethical)
H unethical
not R in-, non- in adjectives formed from adjectives <unambitious><unskilled>or par-
ticiples <undressed>, in nouns formed from nouns <unavailability>, and rarely in verbs
formed from verbs <unbe>sometimes in words that have a meaning that merely
negates that of the base word and are thereby distinguished from words that prefx
in- or a variant of it (as im-) to the same base word and have a meaning positively
opposite to that of the base word <unartistic><unmoral>
77
opposite of R contrary to in adjectives formed from adjectives <unconstitutional><ungraceful><unmannered>or
participles <unbelieving>and in nouns formed from nouns <unrest>
do the opposite of R reverse (a specifed action) R de- 1a, dis- 1a in verbs formed from
verbs <unbend><undress><unfold>
deprive of R remove (a specifed thing) from R remove in verbs formed from nouns
<unfrock><unsex>
release from R free from in verbs formed from nouns <unhand>
remove from R extract from R bring out of in verbs formed from nouns <unbosom>
cause to cease to be in verbs formed from nouns <unman>
completely <unloose>
K mundane, prosaic, terrestrial
[63]
eccentric, erratic, haphazard (eccentric " prosaic)
H prosaic
dull or ordinary
characteristic of prose as distinguished from poetry R factual
dull, unimaginative <prosaic advice>
everyday, ordinary <heroic characters wasted in prosaic lives Kirkus Reviews>
He has a prosaic writing style.
the prosaic life of a hardworking farmer
She believes the noises are made by ghosts, but I think theres a more prosaic explanation.
For the most part, the descriptions of the books listed in the Catalog,though informative,
are relentlessly prosaic, even hackneyed. Mordecai Richler, New York Times Book
Review, 8 Oct. 1989
In addition to the prosaic essentials of lifewheat, rice, and saltthe Portuguese found
exotic stores of pepper, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and other spices. Daniel J. Boorstin,
The Discoverers, 1983
There is, of course, an ordinary medicine, an everyday medicine, humdrum, prosaic, a
medicine for stubbed toes, quinsies, bunions, and boils Oliver Sacks, Awakenings,
1973
where did he get his money? He had to eat and drink, buy apparatus and chemicals,
even pay the poor rate. Where did he get the common coin to meet such unavoidable if
prosaic obligations? Flann OBrien, The Dalkey Archive, 1964
H mundane
dull and ordinary; relating to ordinary life on earth rather than to spiritual things
of, relating to, or characteristic of the world
characterized by the practical, transitory, and ordinary R commonplace <the mundane
concerns of day-to-day life>
78
mundane chores, like washing dishes
They lead a pretty mundane life.
prayer and meditation helped her put her mundane worries aside
On him, a mundane navy blazer looked like an Armani dinner jacket; around him, a
dusky locker room became the chandeliered lobby of the Savoy. Curry Kirkpatrick,
ESPN, 19 Mar. 2001
How did our ancestors pass from the mundane activity of counting to the concept of
numberin the abstract, devoid of any particular collection of objects to label? John
D. Barrow, Pi in the Sky, 1992
They decided on buttock tattoos, rather than the more mundane engagement ring, be-
cause a tattoo is permanent. You can always pawn a ring. Mike Royko, Chicago
Tribune, 25 Aug. 1988
The day began with the mundane business of getting my white chifon dress shortened
Lady Bird Johnson, January 14, 1964, in A White House Diary, 1970
H terrestrial
relating to or occurring on the earth; living or growing on land instead of in water or air;
sending a broadcast signal from the Earth
of or relating to the earth or its inhabitants <terrestrial magnetism>
mundane in scope or character R prosaic
of or relating to land as distinct from air or water <terrestrial transportation>
living on or in or growing from land <terrestrial plants><terrestrial birds>
of or relating to terrestrial organisms <terrestrial habits>
belonging to the class of planets that are like the earth (as in density and silicate com-
position) <the terrestrial planets Mercury, Venus, and Mars>
The toad has terrestrial habits, spending most of its time on shore.
<scientists havent even found all the terrestrial life on our planet>
[79]
jejune, pedestrian, tedious (prosaic jejune)
K jejune, pedestrian, tedious
[78]
mundane, prosaic, terrestrial (prosaic jejune)
H jejune
not interesting; too simple
lacking nutritive value <jejune diets>
devoid of signifcance or interest R dull <jejune lectures>
juvenile, puerile <jejune refections on life and art>
She made jejune remarks about life and art.
<another moralizing tale flled with jejune platitudes>
79
H pedestrian
not interesting or unusual; relating to or designed for people who are walking
commonplace, unimaginative
going or performed on foot
of, relating to, or designed for walking <a pedestrian mall>
He lived a pedestrian life, working at the paper mill and living in his trailer.
pedestrian concerns like paying the bills and getting the kids to school on time
a person who is walking in a city, along a road, etc.
a person going on foot R walker
The car slid of the road and almost hit a group of pedestrians.
H tedious
boring and too slow or long
tiresome because of length or dullness R boring <a tedious public ceremony>
He made a tedious 45-minute speech.
The work is tedious, but it needs to get done.
Writing a new spreadsheet or word-processing program these days is a tedious process,
like building a skyscraper out of toothpicks. Jef Goodell, Rolling Stone, 16 June 1994
Another of their assignments was to slow-fy any plane that had a new engine to break
it in; that meant fying the aircraft for a tedious hour-and-a-half as slowly as it would
possibly go without falling out of the sky. Doris Weatherford, American Women and
World War II, 1990
From there, it became clear that the deposition was going to be neither as undramatic
nor as quotidian, and even tedious, as it at frst appeared. Renata Adler, New Yorker,
June 23, 1986
[80]
banal, insipid, trite (pedestrian banal) (tedious banal)
[85]
(jejune trivial)
[96]
provocative (jejune " provocative)
K banal, insipid, trite
[79]
jejune, pedestrian, tedious (pedestrian banal)
H banal
boring or ordinary; not interesting
lacking originality, freshness, or novelty R trite
He made some banal remarks about the weather.
The writing was banal but the story was good.
80
The more banal, the more commonplace, the more predictable, the triter, the staler, the
dumber, the better. Don DeLillo, Mao II, 1991
it seemed to me that computers have been used in ways that are salutary, in ways that
are dangerous, banal and cruel, and in ways that seem harmless if a little silly. Tracy
Kidder, The Soul of a New Machine, 1981
The instructors script is banal, relying heavily on images of waves on a beach or clouds
in the sky. Maxine Kumin, Wintering Over,1979, in In Deep, 1987
(tedious banal)
H insipid
not interesting or exciting; dull or boring; lacking strong favor
lacking taste or savor R tasteless <insipid food>
lacking in qualities that interest, stimulate, or challenge R dull, fat <insipid prose>
The soup was rather insipid.
<an apple pie with a mushy, insipid flling that strongly resembled soggy cardboard>
While it is fashionable to write of that decade as an insipid time, one long pajama party,
the 50s, in sport at least, were a revolutionary age. Frank Deford, Sports Il lustrated,
27 Dec. 199931 Jan. 2000
Id climbed and fshed in the emptiest reaches of the American West, but Alaska made the
wilds of the lower 48 seem insipid and tame, a toothless simulacrum. Jon Krakauer,
Smithsonian, June 1995
By contrast, what we know as popularor massculture has always conformed to the
most insipid prejudices, and the least subtle formulations, of society. Joyce Carol
Oates, The Profane Art, 1983
One evening, over beers, Rasala complained about some insipid movie recently shown on
TV. Tracy Kidder, The Soul of a New Machine, 1981
H trite
not interesting or efective because of being used too often; not fresh or original
hackneyed or boring from much use R not fresh or original
That argument has become trite.
<by the time the receiving line had ended, the bride and grooms thanks sounded trite
and tired>
The wrong sort of built environment, she argued, wrecked the social fabric of cities. This
view seems almost trite today, but in the 1960s it was insurgent. Robert Kuttner,
New York Times Book Review, 12 Mar. 2000
Experts are always unique (their tritest pronouncements are packaged as news)
Wendy Kaminer, New York Times Book Review, 11 Feb. 1990
Its wares are soiled with frequent handling; its styles are so hackneyed, trite, and homo-
geneous, they constitute a single style Joyce Carol Oates, The Profane Art, 1983
81
[82]
poignant (banal " poignant)
[84]
unprecedented (trite " unprecedented)
K poignant
[80]
banal, insipid, trite (banal " poignant)
H poignant
causing a strong feeling of sadness
pungently pervasive <a poignant perfume>
painfully afecting the feelings R piercing
deeply afecting R touching
designed to make an impression R cutting <poignant satire>
pleasurably stimulating
being to the point R apt
The photograph was a poignant reminder of her childhood.
<a poignant story of a love afair that ends in tragedy>
this movie isnt a soft-pedaled, poignant tale of addiction and recoveryits just about
the addiction. David Crowley, Vibe, June 2001
In a poignant attempt to split the diference between the two camps, Justices Breyer and
David Souter tried to prevent the Court from destroying itself. Jefrey Rosen, New
Republic, 25 Dec. 2000
Ive witnessed the poignant eforts of young whites striving to conform to the vague tenets
of the mainstream, taking crushingly dull jobs, settling down with the least challenging
of spouses Jake Lamar, UTNE Reader, May/June 1992
a new and sharper and most poignant sense of loss for that broken musical instrument
which had once been my leg. Oliver Sacks, A Leg to Stand On, 1984
[82]
acerbic (poignant acerbic)
K acerbic
[82]
poignant (poignant acerbic)
H acerbic
expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way
acid in temper, mood, or tone <acerbic commentary><an acerbic reviewer>
the flms most acerbic critics
<whispered a steady stream of acerbic comments as the lecturer droned on>
Whitney has graced magazine covers for her acerbic and blunt evisceration of the banks
she has covered. Several weeks ago, she left her well-paid post at Oppenheimer to start
her own economic consultancy, where she will charge many of her employers clients for
her own unambiguous analysis. Zachary Karabell, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2009
82
we probably have no choice but to enjoy Private Lives on its own termsas a play
that exults in its total lack of a public dimension. Cowards acerbic wit, his submerged
sensibility, and his clipped semantics actually had a profound infuence on the styles
of virtually all the English dramatists who followed him Robert Brustein, New
Republic, 10 June 2002
discovery of self-esteem and New Agey conclusions (I discovered there was a goddess
deep inside me) are something that an acerbic comedian like Cho shouldnt embrace
without irony. Publishers Weekly, 7 May 2001
We want to experience how someone as acerbic as Jane Austen, as morally passionate as
Dostoyevsky, as psychologically astute as Henry James makes sense of the chaos of this
world. Laura Miller, New York Times Book Review, 15 Mar. 1998
[83]
cordial (acerbic " cordial)
K cordial
[82]
acerbic (acerbic " cordial)
H cordial
politely pleasant and friendly
of or relating to the heart R vital
tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate <bottles full of excellent cordial waters Daniel
Defoe>
sincerely or deeply felt <a cordial dislike for each other>
warmly and genially afable <cordial relations>
We received a cordial greeting from our hostess at the party.
The two nations have maintained cordial relations.
Conrad Black was cordial and not the least rumbustious. Calvin Trillin, New Yorker,
17 Dec. 2001
Though its chairman, Charles Obi, was cordial to him, the others made it clear that they
didnt want him. Ishmael Reed, Japanese by Spring, 1993
My reception was cordial enough Robert Frost, 7 Jan. 1913, in Selected Letters of
Robert Frost, edited by Lawrance Thompson, 1964
Mr. Price now received his daughter; and having given her a cordial hug, and observed
that she was grown into a woman Jane Austen, Mansfeld Park, 1814
a sweet alcoholic drink; a drink of heavy fruit juice that is mixed with water
a stimulating medicine or drink
liqueur
It was fortunate that the boys never tested Alyces magic, for the bottle she shook so
fercely at them was naught but blackberry cordial she was to deliver to Old Anna
Karen Cushman, The Midwifes Apprentice, 1995
83
A boy is said to become a man when he can sip the 140-proof anise-seed cordial without
wincing. Paul L. Montgomery, New York Times, 6 Sept. 1965
In this bottle,he said, there is a cordial made of the juice of one of the fre-fowers that
grow in the mountains of the sun. If you or any of your friends are hurt, a few drops of
this will restore you. C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, 1950
(lugubrious ! cordial) (hostile ! cordial)
[84]
afability (cordial afability)
K afability
[83]
cordial (cordial afability)
H afability
friendly and easy to talk to
being pleasant and at ease in talking to others <an afable host>
characterized by ease and friendliness <an afable manner>
a lively, afable young fellow
<as the shows afable host, she keeps the freewheeling gabfest from getting out of hand>
Berties a bright, afable fellow, but every little success he has feels cheapened in com-
parison with his dads overpowering accomplishments. Lev Grossman, Time, 7 Feb.
2005
In repose, he can be afable and quite funny. But woe betide anyone who crosses him
or who fails to perform to his demanding standards. Anthony Bianco et al., Business
Week, 9 Sept. 2002
The owner emerged from a galley kitchen to explain that the restaurant was supposed
to be closed. This roly-poly man with graying locks above a noble, high forehead was
afable and articulate, not your average short-order cook. John Krich, San Francisco
Examiner, 21 Aug. 1994
K unprecedented
[80]
banal, insipid, trite (trite " unprecedented)
H unprecedented
not done or experienced before
having no precedent R novel, unexampled
The team has enjoyed unprecedented success this year.
This level of growth is unprecedented.
An unprecedented number of students are taking the class.
on one occasion, a president (Eisenhower) refers to himself as conservative.Four years
later, the Republican presidential nominee (Goldwater) announces that he is a con-
servative.Another sixteen years later, Ronald Reagan, a self-declared conservative, is
84
elected president by an overwhelming majority. By that time1980more Americans
identify themselves as conservatives than as liberals. This was, and remains, a tectonic
transformation, unprecedented in American history. John Lukacs, Harpers, March
2008
Faced with an unprecedented crisis that combines cyclical turbulence with metastasizing
digital technology that steals away revenue and readers at an alarming and seemingly
accelerating rate (while ofering newspapers only stingy payofs), publishers and editors
everywhere have thrown away their rule booksand, to fnd their way in this new and
alien environment, are ready to implement previously unthinkable changes. Mark
Fitzgerald et al., Editor & Publisher, August 2008
Many of the forces that initially sent the economy into a tailspin in 1929 and 1930 have
been at work in the 2000s as well: a stock-market boom turned bust, a real estate boom
turned bust, unprecedented levels of consumer debt. Justin Fox, Time, 10 Mar. 2008
Shakespeare served as exemplar of the writer who achieved success, and an unprecedented
degree of fnancial reward, from his pen alone. Jonathan Bate, Harpers, April 2007
Fan fction was once mainly a fringe pursuit. Now, its changing the world of fction, as
Internet exposure helps unknown authors fnd mainstream success. Some Web sites are
attracting unprecedented numbers of readers and, in some cases, leading to book deals.
John Jurgensen, Wall Street Journal, 1617 Sep. 2006
Shocking as it is, more than a month after the hurricane hit, New Orleans is still, for
all practical purposes, a ghost town. The entire population has leftan unprecedented
situation in modern times in any major city anywhere. Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans
Matters, 2005
K deceptive, fallacious, inconsequential, negligible, nugatory, specious, trifing, trivial
[79]
jejune, pedestrian, tedious (jejune trivial)
H trivial
not important
commonplace, ordinary
of little worth or importance <a trivial objection><trivial problems>
relating to or being the mathematically simplest case; specifcally R characterized by having
all variables equal to zero <a trivial solution to a linear equation>
specifc 4
statistics and other trivial matters
a trivial sum of money
Compared to her problems, our problems seem trivial.
His later memory, untutored and unsupported by anything so trivial as evidence or doc-
uments, now fourished and ran wild. Muriel Spark, Curriculum Vitae, (1992) 1993
I had never heard anyone speak of their parents in this way; I never even knew you could
make them seem trivialJamaica Kincaid, Lucy, 1990
85
But the last tribute was to be a struggle among states for possession of the trivial remains
of a man who in life had known as much revilement as honor. Robert Penn Warren,
Jeferson Davis Gets His Citizenship Back, 1980
[34]
ciant, mediocre, perfunctory, phlegmatic (evenhanded " deceptive)
H deceptive
intended to make someone believe something that is not true; likely to make someone believe
something that is not true
tending or having power to deceive R misleading <a deceptive appearance>
<in his deceptive answer about the vehicles history, the salesman said that the used car
had never been hit by another car>
<a mail-order frm indicted for deceptive business practices>
(candid " deceptive)
[59]
dominant (dominant " inconsequential)
H inconsequential
not important
illogical
irrelevant
of no signifcance R unimportant
<thats an inconsequential problem compared to the other issues>
<an inconsequential error that does nothing to lessen the value of the report>
[59]
dominant (dominant " negligible)
H negligible
very small or unimportant
so small or unimportant or of so little consequence as to warrant little or no attention R
trifing <a negligible error>
A negligible amount of damage was done to the vehicle.
The price diference was negligible.
[59]
dominant (dominant " trifing)
H trifing
having little value or importance
lacking in signifcance or solid worth: as
frivolous <trifing talk>
trivial <a trifing gift>
lazy, shiftless <a trifing fellow>
86
a trifing sum of money
<deciding what you want to do for a living is no trifing matter>
[59]
dominant (dominant " trivial)
H trivial
not important
commonplace, ordinary
of little worth or importance <a trivial objection><trivial problems>
relating to or being the mathematically simplest case; specifcally R characterized by having
all variables equal to zero <a trivial solution to a linear equation>
specifc 4
statistics and other trivial matters
a trivial sum of money
Compared to her problems, our problems seem trivial.
His later memory, untutored and unsupported by anything so trivial as evidence or doc-
uments, now fourished and ran wild. Muriel Spark, Curriculum Vitae, (1992) 1993
I had never heard anyone speak of their parents in this way; I never even knew you could
make them seem trivialJamaica Kincaid, Lucy, 1990
But the last tribute was to be a struggle among states for possession of the trivial remains
of a man who in life had known as much revilement as honor. Robert Penn Warren,
Jeferson Davis Gets His Citizenship Back, 1980
H fallacious
containing a mistake; not true or accurate
embodying a fallacy <a fallacious conclusion>
tending to deceive or mislead R delusive
<its fallacious to say that something must exist because science hasnt proven its nonex-
istence>
<consumers who harbor the fal lacious belief that credit-card spending will never catch
up with them>
H nugatory
of little or no consequence R trifing, inconsequential
having no force R inoperative
<the congressional resolution has symbolic value only, as it relates to a matter governed
by the states and is thus nugatory>
<the book is entertaining, but its contributions to Shakespearean scholarship are nuga-
tory>
H specious
87
falsely appearing to be fair, just, or right; appearing to be true but actually false
showy
having deceptive attraction or allure
having a false look of truth or genuineness R sophistic <specious reasoning>
He justifed his actions with specious reasoning.
<a specious argument that really does not stand up under close examination>
Forty years ago I was not yet thirty, and my father still held to the hope that I would
come to my senses, abandon the practice of journalism, and follow a career in one of the
Wall Street money trades. As a young man during the Great Depression he had labored
briefy as a city-room reporter for William Randolph Hearsts San Francisco Examiner,
and he knew that the game was poorly paid and usually rigged, more often than not a
matter of converting specious rumor into dubious fact. Lewis H. Lapham, Harpers,
February 2004
One must always guard the interests of ones constituency in the public forum even when
its claims are weak or perhaps specious, lest ones opponents steal the march in the never-
ending battle for resources or public support. Robert Jackall et al., Image Makers,
2000
By and large, they made these changes with specious explanations or no explanation at
all. Today, when curricula list rhetoric as a subject, it usually means simply the study
of how to write efectively. Walter J. Ong, Orality and Literacy, (1982) 2002
[88]
fraudulent (deceptive fraudulent)
[90]
hypocritical (deceptive hypocritical)
[93]
mendacious (deceptive mendacious)
[94]
compelling (fallacious " compelling)
K fraudulent
[85]
(deceptive fraudulent)
H fraudulent
done to trick someone for the purpose of getting something valuable
characterized by, based on, or done by fraud R deceitful
Corrupt leaders were chosen in a fraudulent election.
fraudulent use of a credit card
the victim of a fraudulent scheme
[88]
legitimate (fraudulent " legitimate)
K legitimate
[88]
fraudulent (fraudulent " legitimate)
88
H legitimate
to make (something) real, accepted, or ofcial; to show that (something or someone) is fair or
reasonable
to make (someone or something) legitimate (see 1legitimate):
to give legal status or authorization to
to show or afrm to be justifed
to lend authority or respectability to
to give (a child born out of wedlock) the same legal status as a child born in wedlock
slang words legitimated by usage
Her tendency to be secretive only serves to legitimate their suspicions.
Poland has ceased being a nation with even a pretense of Communist rule, a rule that is
legitimated by Marxist ideology. Irving Kristol, Wall Street Journal, 11 Jan. 1982
they are more concerned with the ways in which schools and colleges legitimate and
maintain inequality than with the ways they devalue and restrict personal autonomy.
Christopher Jencks, New York Times Book Review, 15 Feb. 1976
Which comes frst, the desire to legitimate euthanasia or the nullifying of a distinction
between killing and allowing to die? Daniel Callahan, Commonweal, 2 June 2000
allowed according to rules or laws; real, accepted, or ofcial; fair or reasonable
lawfully begotten; specifcally R born in wedlock
having full flial rights and obligations by birth <a legitimate child>
being exactly as purposed R neither spurious nor false <a legitimate grievance><a legiti-
mate practitioner>
accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirements <a legitimate gov-
ernment>
ruling by or based on the strict principle of hereditary right <a legitimate king>
conforming to recognized principles or accepted rules and standards <a legitimate adver-
tising expenditure><a legitimate inference>
relating to plays acted by professional actors but not including revues, burlesque, or some
forms of musical comedy <the legitimate theater>
legitimate means for achieving success
the legitimate use of frearms
Theres no legitimate reason for prescribing this medication to a child.
Law books were getting thicker by the week with Supreme Court decisions barring legit-
imate claims because they werent timely fled. John Grisham, The Chamber, 1995
Even in many courtrooms, where there is valid concern about the privacy of defendants,
judges recognize that camera coverage serves a legitimate public interest. New Republic,
22 Feb. 1993
He was indeed already a legitimate child according to the law of Scotland, by the subse-
quent marriage of his parents. Sir Walter Scott, The Heart of Mid-Lothian, 1818
89
K hypocritical
[85]
(deceptive hypocritical)
H hypocritical
characterized by hypocrisy; ALSO: being a hypocrite
<its hypocritical to say mean things behind someones back, and then to act nice when
you want something from her>
(candid ! hypocritical)
[90]
authentic, genuine (hypocritical ! genuine)
K authentic, genuine
[90]
hypocritical (hypocritical ! genuine)
H genuine
actual, real, or true; not false or fake; sincere and honest
actually having the reputed or apparent qualities or character <genuine vintage wines>
actually produced by or proceeding from the alleged source or author <the signature is
genuine>
sincerely and honestly felt or experienced <a deep and genuine love>
actual, true <a genuine improvement>
free from hypocrisy or pretense R sincere
There has been a genuine improvement in the economy in recent months.
She showed a genuine interest in our work.
He has always shown a genuine concern for poor people.
a genuine desire to help others
She seems to be a very genuine person.
But whatever else he is, he is the genuine article. A writer of one terrible book after
another, but a writer nonetheless. Dale Peck, New Republic, 1 July 2002
Having had two brothers, a sister and a brother-in-law die violently, he acquired a gen-
uine identifcation with sufering, particularly that of what has come to be called the
underclass. George F. Will, New York Times Book Review,24 May 1998
Like a poem, a genuine essay is made of language and character and mood and temper-
ament and pluck and chance. Cynthia Ozick, Atlantic, September 1998
H authentic
real or genuine; not copied or false; true and accurate; made to be or look just like an original
authoritative
worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact <paints an authentic
picture of our society>
90
conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features <an authentic reproduction
of a colonial farmhouse>
made or done the same way as an original <authentic Mexican fare>
not false or imitation R real, actual <an authentic cockney accent>
ranging upward from the keynote compare plagal 1
progressing from the dominant chord to the tonic compare plagal 2
true to ones own personality, spirit, or character
We saw authentic examples of ancient Roman sculpture.
Experts have confrmed that the signature on the letter is authentic.
The witness provided an authentic record of what actually took place.
She prepared a very authentic Mexican meal.
The building is an authentic reproduction of a colonial farmhouse.
In 1879 expert opinion was unanimous in rejecting Sautuolas timid suggestion that the
ceiling paintings in his familys cave were made by the same prehistoric hunters whose
stone and bone artifacts he had been collecting from the cave foor. He was accused
of forgery and not until 1902, when discovery of similar paintings in several French
caves supported Sautuolas claim, did experts agree that they were authentic relics of
Paleolithic times. William H. McNeill, New York Review, 19 Oct. 2006
If I did authentic Japanese food here, no one would understand,says Masaharu Mori-
moto, whose idiosyncratic creations dazzle as many as 300 diners a night at his epony-
mous Philadelphia restaurant. Anything I do here is going to be an Americanization
of Japanese cuisine.The ponytailed Morimoto of Iron Chef fame has been expanding
the boundaries of Japanese cuisine his entire career, starting at his own sushi bar in
Hiroshima, Japan Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 31 Mar. 2005
But before we could leave, the old guy had to have his pint with the regulars at the
Regulator. Part of his routine. All the staf were from Ireland (the real Ireland), and
all the walls were paneled with authentic oak. Michael Kandel, Fantasy & Science
Fiction, October/November 2004
According to Lia, the document seems authentic, though she emphasizes that it contains
no specifc attack orders Aparisim Ghosh, Time, 22 Mar. 2004
[91]
empirical (genuine empirical)
[92]
incontrovertible (authentic incontrovertible)
[92]
unalloyed (authentic unalloyed)
[93]
spurious (authentic ! spurious)
K empirical
[90]
authentic, genuine (genuine empirical)
H empirical
91
based on testing or experience
originating in or based on observation or experience <empirical data>
relying on experience or observation alone often without due regard for system and theory
<an empirical basis for the theory>
capable of being verifed or disproved by observation or experiment <empirical laws>
of or relating to empiricism
They collected plenty of empirical data from their experiments.
<guidelines for raising children that are based on empirical evidence>
Eventually, access to electron microscopes and X-ray difraction technology provided the
necessary empirical evidence to test the hypotheses, and the jigsaw pieces began to fall
into place. Gail Nichols, Ceramics Monthly, February 2002
No religion, new or old, is subject to empirical proof, so what we have is a contest between
faiths. Harvey Cox, Atlantic, March 1999
K incontrovertible
[90]
authentic, genuine (authentic incontrovertible)
H incontrovertible
not able to be doubted or questioned
not open to question R indisputable <incontrovertible facts>
<incontrovertible facts that left the jury with no choice but to convict>
(controversial " incontrovertible)
K unalloyed
[90]
authentic, genuine (authentic unalloyed)
H unalloyed
not mixed with something else
not alloyed R unmixed, unqualifed, pure <unal loyed metals><unalloyed happiness>
<the unalloyed happiness that marriage has brought them>
[92]
adulterate (unalloyed ! adulterate)
K adulterate
[92]
unalloyed (unalloyed ! adulterate)
H adulterate
to make (something, such as a food or drink) impure or weaker by adding something of poor
quality
to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or
element; especially R to prepare for sale by replacing more valuable with less valuable or
inert ingredients
92
The company is accused of adulterating its products with cheap additives.
<the company was fned for adulterating its all beeffrankfurters with cereal>
being adulterated R spurious
tainted with adultery R adulterous
<the pharmacist was convicted of selling adulterate drugs in order to maximize profts>
<caught red-handed in what he claimed was his frst adulterate encounter>
K spurious
[90]
authentic, genuine (authentic ! spurious)
H spurious
not genuine, sincere, or authentic; based on false ideas or bad reasoning
of illegitimate birth R bastard
outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuine qualities R
false <the spurious eminence of the pop celebrity>
of falsifed or erroneously attributed origin R forged
of a deceitful nature or quality <spurious excuses>
<a spurious Picasso painting that wouldnt have fooled an art expert for a second>
<claimed that the governors election-year enthusiasm for conservation was spurious,
since he had cut funding for state parks>
One reiterated theme of his book is that the electoral process can be the most dangerous
of delusions, tending to confer a spurious legitimacy on those most willing to corrupt it.
Hilary Mantel, New York Review, 21 Sept. 2006
Of all the potentially spurious phrases regularly found lurking on book jackets, none
should be approached with greater wariness than This is his frst novel.Tony Early,
New York Times Book Review, 30 Apr. 2000
I have no special interest in defending modern fnance theory, but I think it is important to
get this straight, lest Soross own ideas acquire spurious validity as a practical corrective
to academic moonshine. Robert M. Solow, New Republic, 12 Apr. 1999
K mendacious
[85]
(deceptive mendacious)
H mendacious
not honest; likely to tell lies; based on lies
given to or characterized by deception or falsehood or divergence from absolute truth
<mendacious tales of his adventures>
The newspaper story was mendacious and hurtful.
<that tabloid routinely publishes the most moronically mendacious stories about celebri-
ties>
93
Indeed, the racist and Malthusian elements in Darwins work are subjects on which the
new secularists are either silent, delicate, or mendacious. Eugene McCarraher, Com-
monweal, 15 June 2007
A choice item in the collection of mendacious stories that were circulated about Columbus
after his death is this. Columbus lost himself on the way to Hispaniola, and only by virtue
of letters and pilots sent by Martn Alonso did he manage to fnd the island and join
Pinta. Samuel Eliot Morison, Admiral of the Ocean Sea, 1942
Mildred had become great friends with her and had given her an elaborate but mendacious
account of the circumstances which had brought her to the pass she was in. W.
Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915
K compelling
[85]
(fallacious " compelling)
H compelling
very interesting; able to capture and hold your attention; capable of causing someone to
believe or agree; strong and forceful; causing you to feel that you must do something
that compels: as
forceful <a compelling personality>
demanding attention <for compelling reasons>
convincing <no compelling evidence>
The novel was so compelling that I couldnt put it down.
He made a compelling argument.
I would need a very compelling reason to leave my job.
She had a compelling need to share what she had heard.
[94]
germane, pertinent (compelling pertinent)
K germane, pertinent
[94]
compelling (compelling pertinent)
H pertinent
relating to the thing that is being thought about or discussed
having a clear decisive relevance to the matter in hand
<he impressed the jury with his concise, pertinent answers to the attorneys questions>
At the dawn of the common-law court system, jurors took their places as residents of
the neighborhood where the pertinent events had occurred, who were assumed to possess
special knowledge of the facts and, more important, of every witnesss credibility.
Hiller B. Zobel, American Heritage, July/August 1995
A more pertinent question than What am I?is How can I be who I am and still hack
it in America?C. Eric Lincoln, Lure and Loathing, 1993
94
But as my moment of fame ticks by, a more pertinent issue persists: What hath CNN
wrought in the worlds of communications, of diplomacy, of politics? Peter Arnett,
Washington Post, 25-31 Mar. 1991
No recurrent symbolism in the Odyssey is more pertinent than the long and deliberate
stripping its hero undergoes: of his ships, of his men, of his hopes, of his clothes, even of
his very skin on the clifs of Corfu. John Fowles, Island, 1978
H germane
relating to a subject in an appropriate way
closely akin
being at once relevant and appropriate R ftting <omit details that are not germane to the
discussion>
facts germane to the dispute
<my personal opinion isnt germane to our discussion of the facts of the case>
The press material for this flm contains some notes made by the Dardenne brothers
during the shooting. Such material is usually disposable, but these notes are germane..
Stanley Kaufmann, New Republic, 3 Feb. 2003
From time to time, engineers and scientists hold conferences where they trot out ideas
they have developed, frequently ideas germane to solving practical problems. Jane
Jacobs, Cities and the Wealth of Nations,(1984) 1985
Bork and his supporters argued that his academicwritings and his speeches were not
germane to whether he should be confrmed. Elizabeth Drew, New Yorker, 2 Nov.
1987
[95]
extraneous (germane ! extraneous)
K extraneous
[94]
germane, pertinent (germane ! extraneous)
H extraneous
not forming a necessary part of something; not important
existing on or coming from the outside <extraneous light>
not forming an essential or vital part <extraneous ornamentation>
having no relevance <an extraneous digression>
being a number obtained in solving an equation that is not a solution of the equation
<extraneous roots>
She sped up the process by eliminating all extraneous steps.
<the architects streamlined modern style shuns any sort of extraneous ornamentation>
Obviously, some degree of packaging is necessary to transport and protect the products
we need, but all too often manufacturers add extraneous wrappers over wrappers and
layers of unnecessary plastic. Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006
95
Industry sages argue that lump charcoal is poised for a back-to-the-future resurgence.
They say that a new generation of consumersaware that most briquettes are shot
through with all manner of extraneous materials, from fllers of pulverized limestone
to binders of sugarcane bagasse and ignition catalysts of sodium nitrateare willing
to pay the two-buck-a-bag premium for true lump, which, compared to traditional bri-
quettes, lights quicker, burns hotter, and throws of no chemical residue. John T.
Edge, Gourmet, June 2003
The summer concert season is at hand, which means lots of warm nights wishing the guy
in the row behind you would bogart that joint instead of blowing smoke into your hair,
and lots of days spent wondering just how many extraneous charges one ticket can
possibly have added on. Entertainment Weekly, 18 May 2001
K provocative
[79]
jejune, pedestrian, tedious (jejune " provocative)
H provocative
causing discussion, thought, argument, etc.; causing sexual feelings or excitement
serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate <a provocative question>
a thoughtful and provocative book
It was one of his more provocative suggestions.
She was wearing a very provocative outft.
[96]
evocative, reminiscent (provocative evocative)
K evocative, reminiscent
[96]
provocative (provocative evocative)
H evocative
bringing thoughts, memories, or feelings into the mind
evoking or tending to evoke an especially emotional response <settings so evocative
that they bring tears to the eyes Eric Malpass>
He wrote a powerful and evocative biography.
<the Italian-American restaurant is decorated in a manner evocative of the charming
outdoor cafs in Italy>
H reminiscent
reminding you of someone or something else; similar to something else; thinking about the
past; having many thoughts of the past
of the character of or relating to reminiscence
marked by or given to reminiscence
tending to remind R suggestive
Im in a reminiscent mood.
96
<a sparkling winter day that was oddly reminiscent of summer in its cheering sunniness>
K idiosyncratic
[62]
absurd (absurd idiosyncratic)
H idiosyncratic
an unusual way in which a particular person behaves or thinks; an unusual part or feature of
something
a peculiarity of constitution or temperament R an individualizing characteristic or quality
individual hypersensitiveness (as to a drug or food)
characteristic peculiarity (as of temperament); broadly R eccentricity
Her habit of using likein every sentence was just one of her idiosyncrasies.
The current system has a few idiosyncracies.
[97]
conformity (idiosyncratic " conformity)
K conformity
[97]
idiosyncratic (idiosyncratic " conformity)
H conformity
behavior that is the same as the behavior of most other people in a society, group, etc.; the
fact or state of agreeing with or obeying something
correspondence in form, manner, or character R agreement <behaved in conformity with
her beliefs>
an act or instance of conforming
action in accordance with some specifed standard or authority <conformity to social
custom>
The corporate culture demands a certain conformity of appearance.
<the simple lifestyle of the Amish is in conformity with their ascetic religious beliefs>
[97]
disparity (conformity " disparity)
[98]
diversity (conformity " diversity)
K disparity
[97]
conformity (conformity " disparity)
H disparity
diferent from each other
containing or made up of fundamentally diferent and often incongruous elements
markedly distinct in quality or character
<disparate notions among adults and adolescents about when middle age begins>
97
First during the nineteen-seventies, but with increasing momentum during the eighties, a
loose community of physics researchers had begun to postulate that the disparate small
particles that we learned about in high-school science classelectrons, for instance
were actually the varied vibrations of tiny open and closed looped strings. Benjamin
Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 21 July 2008
The American border with Mexico is among the most economically disparate intersections
in the world, but the cities on either side of the port looked almost identicala spread
of humble brick and cinder-block homes dotting a blanket of brown hills. Cecilia Balli,
I made the French lemon cream tart that Greenspan credits to Herm and got disparate
reactions. An American friend loved its creaminess and felt it had a comfortingly familiar
texture; a British friend said he missed the traditional sharp, gel-like custard.
Tamasin Day-Lewis, Saveur, November 2006
Like these imagined cities, identical twins are identical only in their blueprints. By the
time they are born, they are already disparate in countless neurological and physiological
ways that mostly we cannot see. Frank J. Sulloway, New York Review, 30 Nov. 2006
The plan, as near as anybody outside Yahoo can make out, is to stitch all those disparate
organizations into one huge Frankensteins monster of a search engine that will strike
terror into the hearts of all who behold it. Lev Grossman, Time, 22 Dec. 2003
K diversity
[97]
conformity (conformity " diversity)
H diversity
the quality or state of having many diferent forms, types, ideas, etc.; the state of having
people who are diferent races or who have diferent cultures in a group or organization
the condition of having or being composed of difering elements R variety; especially R the
inclusion of diferent types of people (as people of diferent races or cultures) in a group
or organization <programs intended to promote diversity in schools>
an instance of being composed of difering elements or qualities R an instance of being
diverse <a diversity of opinion>
The island has more diversity in plant life than other islands nearby.
The city is known for its cultural diversity.
The school aims for diversity in its student population.
Another factor in Burns rise has been the strength and depth of Xeroxs commitment to
diversity. One-third of Xeroxs 3,819 executives are women and 22
Jim, a lanky, bearded 35-year-old, knows a lot about heirloom fruits and vegetables. He
works with the Southern Seed Legacy in Athens, Georgia, an organization devoted to
preserving the seeds of heirloom plants in order to restore some of the genetic diversity
that industrial agriculture has eroded over the years. Gary Paul Nabhan, Saveur,
October 2009
98
Even more eccentric is the treatment of the British Empire. Stretching over three centuries
and six continents, you might have expected that its extent, duration, and diversity would
have made it immune to facile interpretation. David Gilmour, New York Review, 2
Nov. 2006
The media food the nations editorial markets with testimonies to the piebald character
of the American democracy jumbled together from a wonderful diversity of colors, creeds,
and cultural dispensations, which is a swell story, but in the United States Senate not
one visible to the naked eye. Lewis H. Lapham, Harpers, March 2005
The handsome creatures have hooked the interest of evolutionists and ecologists because
of their dazzling diversity of shapes, behaviors, and feeding habits, which include nibbling
the fns and scales of other fsh. Science, 26 Nov. 2004
K implausible
[62]
absurd (absurd implausible)
H implausible
not believable or realistic; not plausible
not plausible R provoking disbelief
Shes been making implausible claims.
He gave an implausible excuse for showing up late for work.
The novel has an implausible ending.
K untenable
[62]
absurd (absurd untenable)
H untenable
not capable of being defended against attack or criticism; not tenable
not able to be defended <an untenable position>
not able to be occupied <untenable apartments>
K blatant, conspicuous, egregious, vociferously
[61]
anomalous, singular (anomalous conspicuous)
H conspicuous
very easy to see or notice; attracting attention by being great or impressive
obvious to the eye or mind <conspicuous changes>
attracting attention R striking <a conspicuous success>
marked by a noticeable violation of good taste
There were a number of conspicuous changes to the building.
The sign was placed in a very conspicuous spot.
The bird has a conspicuous red head.
She felt very conspicuous in her pink coat.
99
He was uncomfortable about his conspicuous weight gain.
The business was a conspicuous success.
Conspicuous species of large organisms with small populations are vulnerableand sev-
eral fshes and marine mammals, including Stellers sea cow, have succumbed. Stephen
Jay Gould, Natural History, June 1991
Its most conspicuous feature was knee breeches, which showed of his well-turned legs and
feet. Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, 1984
H blatant
very obvious and ofensive
noisy especially in a vulgar or ofensive manner R clamorous
completely obvious, conspicuous, or obtrusive especially in a crass or ofensive manner R
brazen <blatant disregard for the rules>
He showed a blatant disregard for the safety of other drivers.
<a blatant clamor for the impeachment of the scandal-plagued governor>
Blatant racial and gender discrimination is just about over. Gregg Esterbrook, New
Republic, 20 Dec. 1999
The surcharges are particularly galling because they seem to amount to blatant double
dipping. John Greenwald, Time, 29 Nov. 1999
H egregious
very bad and easily noticed
distinguished
conspicuous; especially R conspicuously bad R fagrant <egregious errors><egregious padding
of the evidence Christopher Hitchens>
an egregious example of political bias
<the students theme was marred by a number of egregious errors in spelling>
the public perception is that too many corporate executives have committed egregious
breaches of trust by cooking the books, shading the truth, and enriching themselves
with huge stock-option profts while shareholders sufered breathtaking losses. John
A. Byrne et al., Business Week, 6 May 2002
History cannot be rewritten, but some of its more egregious errors can be correctedat
least in part, at least symbolically. Or so assume a growing number of human-rights
advocates. Ellis Cose, Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2001
H vociferously
expressing feelings or opinions in a very loud or forceful way; expressed in a very loud or
forceful way
marked by or given to vehement insistent outcry
He is her most vociferous critic.
100
He was vociferous in his support of the proposal.
The decision was made over their vociferous objections.
K meretricious
[61]
anomalous, singular (anomalous meretricious)
H meretricious
attractive in a cheap or false way
of or relating to a prostitute R having the nature of prostitution <meretricious relation-
ships>
tawdrily and falsely attractive <the paradise they found was a piece of meretricious trash
Carolyn See>
superfcially signifcant R pretentious <scholarly names to provide fg-leaves of respectabil-
ity for meretricious but stylish books Times Literary Supplement>
K salient
[61]
anomalous, singular (anomalous salient)
H salient
very important or noticeable
moving by leaps or springs R jumping
jetting upward <a salient fountain>
projecting beyond a line, surface, or level
standing out conspicuously R prominent; especially R of notable signifcance <similar to
Prohibition, but there are a couple of salient diferences Tony Gibbs>
something (as a promontory) that projects outward or upward from its surroundings;
especially R an outwardly projecting part of a fortifcation, trench system, or line of
defense
K comprehensive, inclusive
[61]
anomalous, singular (singular " comprehensive)
H comprehensive
including many, most, or all things; of or relating to a comprehensive school
covering completely or broadly R inclusive <comprehensive examinations><comprehensive
insurance>
having or exhibiting wide mental grasp <comprehensive knowledge>
<a comprehensive overview of European history since the French Revolution>
<a comprehensive listing of all the paintings generally attributed to the Dutch artist
Rembrandt>
101
Natalies every move was photographed, a documentation of a happy childhood as com-
prehensive as it was false. John Gregory Dunne, New York Review of Books, 15 Jan.
2004
Inevitably, though, in so comprehensive an account, some important events and themes
are cursorily checked of Isabel Fonseca, Times Literary Supplement, 29 Jan. 1993
Walcott proceeded to misinterpret these fossils in a comprehensive and thoroughly con-
sistent manner Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life, 1989
H inclusive
covering or including everything; open to everyone; not limited to certain people; including
the stated limits and everything in between
comprehending stated limits or extremes <from Monday to Friday inclusive>
broad in orientation or scope
covering or intended to cover all items, costs, or services
<a butterfy expert with an inclusive knowledge of his subject>
K rebel
[57]
obedient, tractable (obedient ! rebel)
H rebel
to oppose or fght against a government; to oppose a person or group in authority; to refuse
to obey rules or accept normal standards of behavior, dress, etc.
to oppose or disobey one in authority or control
to renounce and resist by force the authority of ones government
to act in or show opposition or disobedience <rebelled against the conventions of polite
society>
to feel or exhibit anger or revulsion <rebelled at the injustice of life>
When the government imposed more taxes, the people rebelled.
The protesters are rebelling against the new tax law.
Children often rebel against their parents.
He rebeled against the social conventions of his time.
a person who opposes or fghts against a government; a person who opposes a person or group
in authority; a person who does not obey rules or accept normal standards of behavior, dress,
etc.
one who rebels or participates in a rebellion
The government captured six armed rebels.
He was a rebel against the school administration.
He is a typical teenage rebel.
opposing or taking arms against a government or ruler
102
of or relating to rebels <the rebel camp>
disobedient, rebellious
<todays rebel chefs feel free to ignore the dictates of classic French cuisine>
[103]
obsequious (rebel " obsequious)
K obsequious
[102]
rebel (rebel " obsequious)
H obsequious
too eager to help or obey someone important
marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness
Shes constantly followed by obsequious assistants who will do anything she tells them to.
But the Democratic presidential nominee is commonly referred to as Elvis, and his running
mate as Eddie Haskell, that obsequious weenie from 50s TV. Guy Trebay, Village
Voice, 28 July 1992
He could wear an oxford shirt and necktie and speak the local language, in every sense,
and never act obsequious or look as though he felt out of place. Tracy Kidder, New
England Monthly, April 1990
The obsequious villagers touched their caps but sneered behind her back. George
Sand,1980, in V. S. Pritchett: A Man of Letters1985
Nashs other hand fashed forward a lighter with the obsequious speed of a motor salesman.
Ian Fleming, From Russia, With Love, 1957
[103]
ingratiating (obsequious ingratiating)
K ingratiating
[103]
obsequious (obsequious ingratiating)
H ingratiating
intended to gain someones favor or approval
capable of winning favor R pleasing <an ingratiating smile>
intended or adopted in order to gain favor R fattering
<one of the orphans had a most ingratiating smile>
(polemical " ingratiating)
K resilient
[56]
malleable (malleable resilient)
H resilient
able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens; able to
return to an original shape after being pulled, stretched, pressed, bent, etc.
103
characterized or marked by resilience: as
capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture
tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
The local economy is remarkably resilient.
<after being dipped in liquid nitrogen, the rubber balls normally resilient surface is as
brittle as ceramic>
The tallow tree, an ornamental species introduced by Benjamin Franklin in 1772, can
quickly grow to 10 metres and is resilient to many pests. New Scientist, 19-25 Aug.
2006
In this afecting and eloquent account of the Dew family members attempts to come
to terms with the homosexuality of the elder son Stephen emerges as a remarkably
resilient and self-aware young man. Genevieve Stuttaford, Publishers Weekly, 18 Apr.
1994
Scientists are trying to fgure out how the complex structure of such crystals and polymers
and their interactions on the molecular level lead to resilient materials like sea shells,
teeth and bones. JoAnn Shroyer, Quark, Critters and Chaos, 1993
Old roses are tough and resilient; they may be a little loose and blowzy but the fact
remains, these bushes want to live. Beverly Lowry, New York Times Book Review, 3
Dec. 1989
Hot-dipped nails have a resilient, thick zinc jacket that withstands more of the perils of
a nails life. Jim Locke, The Apple Corps Guide to the Well-Built House, 1988
K convoluted, intricate, sophisticated
[40]
(arduous intricate)
H intricate
having many parts
having many complexly interrelating parts or elements R complicated <intricate machin-
ery><an intricate plot>
difcult to resolve or analyze
The movie has an intricate plot.
<an intricate machine that requires some training to use it properly>
Filigree is an ancient technique that creates an intricate, lace-like pattern through the
combination of wire swirls and shapes. Jeanne Rhodes-Moen, Step by Step Wire
Jewelry, Fall 2007
Tsunami generation involves intricate interactions among earthquakes, landslides, and
sympatheticvibrations between the quake and the ocean above it. Robert Koenig,
Science, 17 Aug. 2001
104
However, other random processes can be quite intricate; for example, the fuctuating
prices of stocks are difcult to explain because there are so many variables and combi-
nations of variables that are infuencing the prices. Lloyd Jaisingh, Statistics for the
Utterly Confused, 2000
H convoluted
very complicated and difcult to understand; having many twists and curves
having convolutions
involved, intricate <a convoluted argument>
<a convoluted explanation that left the listeners even more confused than they were
before>
At base stands a profound respect for the integrity of history and the complex and con-
voluted relationship between present and the past. Ira Berlin, New York Times Book
Review, 9 Sept. 2001
They are pictures of convoluted tree trunks on an island of pink wave-smoothed stone
Margaret Atwood, Harpers, August 1990
she has been fashioning sequences of plans too convoluted to materialize Joseph
Heller, God Knows, 1984
To therapists, stepfamilies may present convoluted psychological dilemmas Letty
Cottin Pogrebin, Family Politics, 1983
H sophisticated
having or showing a lot of experience and knowledge about the world and about culture,
art, literature, etc.; attractive to fashionable or sophisticated people; highly developed and
complex
deprived of native or original simplicity: as
highly complicated or developed R complex <sophisticated electronic devices>
having a refned knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide
experience <a sophisticated lady>
devoid of grossness: as
fnely experienced and aware <a sophisticated columnist>
intellectually appealing <a sophisticated novel>
She was a sophisticated and well-traveled woman.
a swank and sophisticated restaurant
Her knitting technique is more sophisticated than mine.
Pucks mix of casual and sophisticated elements has become the most prevalent style of
L.A. dining today. Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 31 Mar. 2009
Sophisticated investors took Moodys and S&Ps word for it, and it turned out that the
agencies didnt know what they were doing. Andy Serwer et al., Time, 29 Sept. 2008
105
These students want the amenities they grew up with at hometheir own rooms, their
own baths, along with some of the fner things in life. Theyre a more sophisticated
consumer.Camille Sweeney, New York Times Real Estate Magazine, Spring 2007
Sonar devices can locate an enemys sophisticated, almost-silent diesel submarines by,
ironically, making a deafening noisesometimes above 230 decibels, as loud as a Saturn
V rocket blasting of. Dick Russell, Mother Jones, March & April 2006
[106]
cynical, misanthropic (sophisticated cynical)
[107]
eclectic, heterogeneous (convoluted heterogeneous)
[109]
inexplicable (convoluted inexplicable)
[109]
rudimentary (intricate " rudimentary)
K cynical, misanthropic
[104]
convoluted, intricate, sophisticated (sophisticated cynical)
H cynical
believing that people are generally selfsh and dishonest; selfsh and dishonest in a way that
shows no concern about treating other people fairly
captious, peevish
having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic: as
contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives <those cynical men who say
that democracy cannot be honest and efcient F. D. Roosevelt>
based on or refecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest
<a cynical ploy to win votes>
Cynical people say there is no such thing as true love.
People are so cynical nowadays.
Shes become more cynical in her old age.
Some people regard the governors visit to the hospital as a cynical attempt to win votes.
if more and more people out there are willing to kill themselves in order to kill us,
weve got to give the poor and cynical of the world something positive to believe in.
Robert Reich, Prospect, February 2003
When Rootspremiered on the ABC network in 1977, my generation of black academics
and activists was cynical and outraged. We felt the horrors of slavery were rendered fat
and lifeless by the miniseries Houston A. Baker, Jr., Vibe, February 2002
It was fear of the Other, the poor, the dyingor to evoke a word with biblical authority
the pestilential. And so I could no longer be cynical about her motives. Bharati
Mukherjee, Time, 14 June 1999
was quiet spoken, but he had a cynical arch to his brows, as though he were repressing
an urge to sneer. Joseph Wambaugh, The Blooding, 1989
H misanthropic
106
of, relating to, or characteristic of a misanthrope
marked by a hatred or contempt for humankind
<a misanthropic outlook on life that probably stems from a childhood flled with physical
and emotional abuse>
[107]
mawkish (cynical " mawkish)
K mawkish
[106]
cynical, misanthropic (cynical " mawkish)
H mawkish
sad or romantic in a foolish or exaggerated way
having an insipid often unpleasant taste
sickly or puerilely sentimental
<a mawkish plea for donations to the charity>
[107]
efusive (mawkish efusive)
K efusive
[107]
mawkish (mawkish efusive)
H efusive
expressing a lot of emotion
marked by the expression of great or excessive emotion or enthusiasm <efusive praise>
pouring freely
characterized or formed by a nonexplosive outpouring of lava <efusive rocks>
They ofered efusive thanks for our help.
<often efusive no matter what the occasion, my aunt is even more so at weddings and
funerals>
(phlegmatic " efusive)
K eclectic, heterogeneous
[104]
convoluted, intricate, sophisticated (convoluted heterogeneous)
H heterogeneous
made up of parts that are diferent
consisting of dissimilar or diverse ingredients or constituents R mixed
<the seating in the hall was a heterogeneous collection of old school desk chairs, wood
and metal folding chairs, and even a few plush theater seats>
H eclectic
including things taken from many diferent sources
107
selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles
composed of elements drawn from various sources; ALSO: heterogeneous
The collection includes an eclectic mix of historical artifacts.
<the museums eclectic collection has everything from a girafe skeleton to medieval mu-
sical instruments>
All around us, fshers galumphed past. They carried an eclectic array of rods, nets,
buckets and coolers. Stephen C. Sautner, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2000
Her witty, mordant and splendidly vinegary observations were informed by broad and
eclectic reading. George F. Will, Newsweek, 24 May 1999
The polo crowd is eclectic and dangerously hagridden with narcissism and treachery, and
that is the way they like it. Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994
big wheels of country bread and eclectic selections of pts, hams, cheeses, honey and
all sorts of homemade cookies and sweets. Per-Henrik Mansson, Wine Spectator, 28
Feb. 1993
one who uses a method or approach that is composed of elements drawn from various
sources R one who uses an eclectic method or approach
[108]
homogeneous (eclectic ! homogeneous)
[109]
monolithic (eclectic " monolithic)
K homogeneous
[107]
eclectic, heterogeneous (eclectic ! homogeneous)
H homogeneous
made up of the same kind of people or things
of the same or a similar kind or nature
of uniform structure or composition throughout <a culturally homogeneous neighbor-
hood>
having the property that if each variable is replaced by a constant times that variable the
constant can be factored out R having each term of the same degree if all variables are
considered <a homogeneous equation>
a fairly homogeneous collection of examples
In their natural state, mountains of this type are almost entirely covered by dense forest.
The wooded landscape is very uniform, lacking in contrast, and any disturbance of the
homogeneous green blanket is very obvious John Crowley, Focus on Geography,
Winter 2007
One odd side efect is that, during the last 20 years, the formerly homogeneous, rather
stodgy world of academic criticism has diversifed into an incoherent mob of competing
factions. Walter Kendrick New York Times Book Review, 24 Dec. 1995
108
The Benedictine convents for women, which had begun to be founded soon after Benedicts
day, became particularly homogeneous in their social composition. The nuns of the ninth
and tenth centuries were all high-born ladies, and it was almost impossible to be admitted
to these convents without being a widowed or maiden relative of an important lord.
Norman F. Cantor, The Civilization of the Middle Ages, 1993
K monolithic
[107]
eclectic, heterogeneous (eclectic " monolithic)
H monolithic
of, relating to, or resembling a monolith R huge, massive
formed from a single crystal <a monolithic silicon chip>
produced in or on a monolithic chip <a monolithic circuit>
cast as a single piece <a monolithic concrete wall>
formed or composed of material without joints or seams <a monolithic foor covering>
consisting of or constituting a single unit
constituting a massive undiferentiated and often rigid whole <a monolithic society>
exhibiting or characterized by often rigidly fxed uniformity <monolithic party unity>
K inexplicable
[104]
convoluted, intricate, sophisticated (convoluted inexplicable)
H inexplicable
not able to be explained or understood
incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for <an inexplicable disappear-
ance>
He had a series of seemingly inexplicable accidents.
<an inexplicable desire for ice cream at two in the morning>
K rudimentary
[104]
convoluted, intricate, sophisticated (intricate " rudimentary)
H rudimentary
basic or simple; not very developed or advanced
consisting in frst principles R fundamental <had only a rudimentary formal education
D. J. Boorstin>
of a primitive kind <the equipment of these past empire-builders was rudimentary A.
J. Toynbee>
very imperfectly developed or represented only by a vestige <the rudimentary tail of a
hyrax>
This class requires a rudimentary knowledge of human anatomy.
When baseball was in its rudimentary stages, diferent teams played by diferent rules.
109
Some insects have only rudimentary wings.
Because now, every schlemiel with a pair of mirrored sunglasses and a rudimentary grasp
of the rules of poker thinks he can play cards with the pros. A. J. Jacobs, New York
Times Book Review, 8 May 2005
Despite the rudimentary nature of its instrumentsan octant, a chronometer and a level
the Lewis and Clark Expedition was a triumph for science and natural history.
Daniel J. Boorstin, U.S. News & World Report, 11 July 1994
A few were hopeless imbeciles, unable to comprehend more than the rudimentary re-
quirements of flling their bellies when food was placed before them Edgar Rice
Burroughs, The Monster Men, 1929
It appears as if the posterior molar or wisdom-teeth were tending to become rudimentary
in the more civilised races of man. Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man, 1871
K elusive
[40]
(arduous elusive)
H elusive
hard to fnd or capture; hard to understand, defne, or remember
tending to elude: as
tending to evade grasp or pursuit <elusive prey>
hard to comprehend or defne
hard to isolate or identify
The truth may prove elusive.
<the giant squid is one of the oceans most elusive inhabitants>
But for all their infuence, D.C. lobbyists have failed to attain one elusive goal: public
respect. Franklin Foer, New Republic, 25 Mar. 2002
In truth, the ideal of wholly disinterested scholarshipin any feld of researchwill
probably remain an elusive one. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New York Times, 4 Apr.
1998
His meanings have been known to be elusive, which is why he appeals to pop cryptogra-
phers. Sarah Vowell, GQ, November 1998
This boson is so central to the state of physics today, so crucial to our fnal understanding
of the structure of matter, yet so elusive, that I have given it a nickname: the God
Particle. Leon Lederman et al., The God Particle, 1993
K ephemeral, evanescent, transitory
[40]
(arduous evanescent)
H evanescent
110
lasting a very short time
tending to vanish like vapor
<beauty that is as evanescent as a rainbow>
H ephemeral
lasting a very short time
lasting one day only <an ephemeral fever>
lasting a very short time <ephemeral pleasures>
<the autumnal blaze of colors is always to be treasured, all the more so because it is so
ephemeral>
several rather infated pages of material about an ephemeral love afair Fitzgerald al-
legedly had with an English woman named Bijou Joyce Carol Oates, Times Literary
Supplement, 5 Jan. 1996
As a consequence North Africa was easily reconquered by the Byzantine emperor in
the 530s, and the Vandals infuence on North African development was ephemeral and
negligible. Norman F. Cantor, The Civilization of the Middle Ages, 1993
This accounts for the peculiar sense most observers have that the ephemeral, sensational-
ist, polymorphous, magpie popular culture of the United States is at bottom remarkably
conservative Louis Menand, Harpers, March 1993
something that lasts for a very short time R something ephemeral; specifcally R a plant that
grows, fowers, and dies in a few days
H transitory
lasting only for a short time
tending to pass away R not persistent
of brief duration R temporary <the transitory nature of earthly joy>
the transitory nature of earthly pleasures
<a transitory panic struck me when I realized that we had left the baby in the car>
[111]
inveterate (ephemeral " inveterate)
K inveterate
[40]
(austere inveterate)
H inveterate
always or often doing something specifed; always or often happening or existing
frmly established by long persistence <the inveterate tendency to overlook the obvious>
confrmed in a habit R habitual <an inveterate liar>
his inveterate tendency to overlook the obvious
111
<he has an inveterate tendency to tell some very tall tales>
(ephemeral " inveterate)
K implacable, intransigent
[40]
(austere implacable)
H implacable
opposed to someone or something in a very angry or determined way that cannot be changed
not placable R not capable of being appeased, signifcantly changed, or mitigated <an
implacable enemy>
He has an implacable hatred for his political opponents.
<an implacable judge who knew in his bones that the cover-up extended to the highest
levels of government>
H intransigent
completely unwilling to change; very stubborn
characterized by refusal to compromise or to abandon an extreme position or attitude R
uncompromising <intransigent in their opposition><an intransigent attitude>
He has remained intransigent in his opposition to the proposal.
<he has remained intransigent, refusing all suggestions for improvement of the process>
K benign, innocuous
[40]
(grim ! benign)
H benign
medical; not causing death or serious injury; without cancer; not cancerous; not causing harm
or damage
of a gentle disposition R gracious <a benign teacher>
showing kindness and gentleness <benign faces>
favorable, wholesome <a benign climate>
of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life; especially R not becoming
cancerous <a benign lung tumor>
having no signifcant efect R harmless <environmentally benign>
We were happy to hear that the tumor was benign.
<around campus hes known as a real character, but one whose eccentricities are entirely
benign>
substituting such benign power sources as the hybrid, the fuel cell, and the electric
motor in place of the internal-combustion engine. Brock Yates, Car and Driver,
May 2000
112
Rather than a benign fairytale creature that delivers babies, the marabou stork is an
ugly, viciously predatory African bird that preys on famingos James Polk, New
York Times Book Review, 11 Feb. 1996
her pulled-back black hair had gone gray in strange distinct bands, but she seemed
much as he remembered her, solid and energetic, with a certain benign defance. John
Updike, New Yorker, 23 May 1988
When she chose to smile on me, I always wanted to thank her. The action was so graceful
and inclusively benign. Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
(inimical " benign)
H innocuous
not likely to bother or ofend anyone; causing no injury
producing no injury R harmless
not likely to give ofense or to arouse strong feelings or hostility R inofensive, insipid
He told a few innocuous jokes.
<those innocuous lies we must tell every day if society is to remain civil>
Gossip is a relatively innocuous manifestation; fashioning ones self as eternally battling a
white America mired in racismis a more noisome one. John McWhorter, Wall Street
Journal, 17 Sept. 2003
Small and innocuous looking, the habanero is uncontested as the hottest pepper in the
world, the mother of all peppers. Jim Robbins, Smithsonian, January 1992
And there was LeRoy a somewhat gruesome but innocuous neighborhood dimwit who
gave me the creeps when he sat down on the front stoop to listen to a bunch of us talking
after school. Philip Roth, New York Times Book Review, 18 Oct. 1987
The salamander, an innocuous amphibian like a big newt, was also regarded with a
mixture of horror and awe. David Attenborough, The First Eden, 1987
[113]
deleterious, pernicious (benign ! deleterious) (benign ! pernicious)
[114]
hazardous (innocuous ! hazardous)
[115]
ominous (benign " ominous)
K deleterious, pernicious
[112]
benign, innocuous (benign ! deleterious)
H deleterious
damaging or harmful
harmful often in a subtle or unexpected way <deleterious efects><deleterious to health>
The chemical is deleterious to the environment.
The drug has no deleterious efects on patients.
113
In developing countries, the imposition of boundaries around national parks and protected
areas has been deleterious for both people and wildlife. Kristin B. Gunther, Association
of American Geographers, 2002
Most everyone now knows the action of pressing mouse keys is far more deleterious to the
tender structures of the wrist and hand than typing is. Michael Finley, Albany (New
York) Times-Union, 2 Sept. 1998
This skewed allocation of resources away from those most in need, in turn, insures that
many young people from low-income families will continue to be shut out of the economy,
with obvious deleterious family and social consequences. Iris C. Rotberg, Education
Week, 9 Mar. 1994
For as James Keirans pointed out to me, ticks are the worlds most notorious carriers
of the agents of diseases that strike animals, wild and domestic. And they rank second
only to mosquitoes in their deleterious efect on humans. Edwards Park, Smithsonian,
January 1987
[112]
benign, innocuous (benign ! pernicious)
H pernicious
causing great harm or damage often in a way that is not easily seen or noticed
highly injurious or destructive R deadly
wicked
More pernicious still has been the acceptance of the authors controversial ideas by the
general public.
the pernicious efects of jealousy
She thinks television has a pernicious infuence on our children.
The notion that poll data are a legitimate form of news has to be one of the most per-
nicious tenets of late-twentieth-century American journalism Barbara Ehrenreich,
Nation, 20 Nov. 1995
The more it [the Papacy] took part in the temporal conficts with consistently perni-
cious result, the more impotent among the monarchs it revealed itself Barbara W.
Tuchman, The March of Folly, 1984
At its most pernicious, paper entrepreneurialism involves little more than imposing losses
on others for the sake of short-term profts for the frm. Robert B. Reich, Atlantic,
March 1983
[114]
hazardous (pernicious hazardous)
[115]
ominous (deleterious ominous)
[116]
salutary (deleterious " salutary)
K hazardous
[113]
deleterious, pernicious (pernicious hazardous)
114
H hazardous
involving risk or danger
depending on hazard or chance
involving or exposing one to risk (as of loss or harm) <a hazardous occupation><disposing
of hazardous waste>
It was a hazardous voyage.
These are hazardous chemicals that can cause death if inhaled.
(innocuous ! hazardous)
[115]
precarious (hazardous precarious)
K precarious
[114]
hazardous (hazardous precarious)
H precarious
not safe, strong, or steady
depending on the will or pleasure of another
dependent on uncertain premises R dubious <precarious generalizations>
dependent on chance circumstances, unknown conditions, or uncertain developments
characterized by a lack of security or stability that threatens with danger
He earned a precarious livelihood by gambling.
The strong wind almost knocked him of of his precarious perch on the edge of the clif.
These states are corrupt and brutal. They are theocracies, or precarious autocracies, or
secular totalitarian states: tyrannies all, deniers of freedom, republics of fear, enemies of
civility and human fourishing. Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review, 15 Oct. 2001
Such folks led a precarious existence, their homes routinely destroyed in pursuit of a
scorched earth policy whenever Florence came under siege. R.W.B. Lewis, Dante,
2001
She was the frst baby he had ever held; he had thought it would be a precarious expe-
rience, shot through with fear of dropping something so precious and fragile, but no, in
even the smallest infant there was an adhesive force, a something that actively ft your
arms and hands, banishing the fear. John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994
K ominous
[113]
deleterious, pernicious (deleterious ominous)
H ominous
suggesting that something bad is going to happen in the future
being or exhibiting an omen R portentous; especially R foreboding or foreshadowing evil R
inauspicious
an ominous threat of war
115
He spoke in ominous tones.
Not many sets of initials became universally recognizable during the twentieth century,
and those that did often had ominous overtones, from SS to KGB. Geofrey Wheatcroft,
Atlantic, March 2001
While politicians and multinational corporations extol the virtues of NAFTA the omi-
nous curtain is already up in a six-mile section at the border crossing at Mexicali
Leslie Marmon Silko, Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit, 1996
Fighting against sensations that sought to claim him, he moved nervously and the note
in his hand rattled with a dry and ominous whisper. Richard Wright, Rite of Passage,
1994
Arranged in two long and ominous rows, the branding irons dangled from the ceiling
in the center of the room, suggesting some sort of fence or jail Lewis H. Lapham,
Harpers, May 1993
(benign " ominous)
K salutary
[113]
deleterious, pernicious (deleterious " salutary)
H salutary
having a good or helpful result especially after something unpleasant has happened
producing a benefcial efect R remedial <salutary infuences>
promoting health R curative
The accident should be a salutary lesson to be more careful.
<the low interest rates should have a salutary efect on business>
K dubious
[40]
auspicious (auspicious " dubious)
H dubious
unsure or uncertain; feeling doubt about something; causing doubt, uncertainty, or suspi-
cion; likely to be bad or wrongused ironically in phrases like dubious honor and dubious
distinction to describe something bad or undesirable as if it were an honor or achievement
giving rise to uncertainty: as
of doubtful promise or outcome <a dubious plan>
questionable or suspect as to true nature or quality <the practice is of dubious legality>
unsettled in opinion R doubtful 
He made the highly dubious claim that Elvis is still alive and living in Hawaii.
a man of dubious character
The recent rumbles and ruptures in the fnancial markets are fnally making people re-
assess the dubious systems of credit that have arisen in the past few years. William
Safre, New York Times Magazine, 19 Aug. 2007
116
Thus, the translation of the Latin word biographus as a biography,and the limitation of
biographiesto written, printed histories of men, was perhaps inevitable. Poor Dryden
was given the dubious honor of being the frst to use the generic termdespite the
fact that his phrase had been taken out of the context of biographical compilers, in a
discussion of Plutarch. Nigel Hamilton, Biography, 2007
That indeed is the crux of the matter. Today especially, when community-oriented polic-
ing is being introduced everywhere, it seems not only ethically dubious but self-defeating
to engage in practices that at their best undermine trust and cooperation between cit-
izens and law-enforcement ofcials and at their worst foster cynicism toward our legal
system. Edwin Dobb, Harpers, May 2002
To avoid fees, the new relationshipminimum for checking accounts jumped from $2000
to as much as $6000. And what would customers get in exchange? The ability to
take advantage of such a dubious new beneft as a consolidated monthly statement.
Consumer Reports, March 1996
K prophetic
[40]
auspicious (auspicious " prophetic)
H prophetic
correctly stating what will happen in the future; of or relating to a prophet or to prophecy
of, relating to, or characteristic of a prophet or prophecy
foretelling events R predictive
the prophetic books of the Old Testament
<in retrospect, those lower-than-expected sales numbers were a prophetic indicator of the
fnancial trouble the company would soon be in>
K solicitous
[33]
amiable (amiable solicitous)
H solicitous
showing concern or care for someones health, happiness, etc.
manifesting or expressing solicitude <a solicitous inquiry about his health>
full of concern or fears R apprehensive <solicitous about the future>
meticulously careful <solicitous in matters of dress>
full of desire R eager
I appreciated his solicitous inquiry about my health.
He had always been solicitous for the welfare of his family.
K irascible
[27]
contentious, controversial, invective, polemical, pugnacious, truculent (contentious
irascible)
117
H irascible
becoming angry very easily; having a bad temper
marked by hot temper and easily provoked anger
an irascible old football coach
He has an irascible disposition.
(amiable " irascible)
K boon, convivial, indulgence
[31]
hostile, inimical (inimical " convivial)
H convivial
of or relating to social events where people can eat, drink, and talk in a friendly way with
others
relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company <a convivial
host><a convivial gathering>
<the hiking club attracts a wide range of convivial people who share a love of the out-
doors>
H boon
something pleasant or helpful; a beneft or advantage
beneft, favor; especially R one that is given in answer to a request
a timely beneft R blessing
<the couples generous donation was a great boon to the charitys fund-raising campaign>
<a softhearted man who fnds it hard to deny any boon, whether it be for friend or
stranger>
favorable
convivial <a boon companion>

H indulgence
the behavior or attitude of people who allow themselves to do what they want or who allow
other people to do what they want; the act of doing something that you enjoy but that is
usually thought of as wrong or unhealthy; something that is done or enjoyed as a special
pleasure
remission of part or all of the temporal and especially purgatorial punishment that accord-
ing to Roman Catholicism is due for sins whose eternal punishment has been remitted
and whose guilt has been pardoned (as through the sacrament of reconciliation)
the act of indulging R the state of being indulgent
an indulgent act
118
an extension of time for payment or performance granted as a favor
the act of indulging in something; especially R self-indulgence
something indulged in <walk of gastronomic indulgences Barbara L. Michaels>
She lived a life of selfsh indulgence.
his indulgence in forbidden pleasures
She found that she couldnt aford the indulgences she had once enjoyed.
For our anniversary we allowed ourselves the indulgence of an elegant dinner at our favorite
restaurant.
Good food is my only indulgence.
[119]
constrain, curb, restraint (boon " restraint)
[140]
impediment, obstacle (boon ! impediment) (boon " obstacle) (indulgence " impediment)
K constrain, curb, restraint
[9]
abet (abet " constrain)
H constrain
to limit or restrict (something or someone); to use pressure to force (someone) to do something
to force by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation
to restrict the motion of (a mechanical body) to a particular mode
compress; ALSO: to clasp tightly
to secure by or as if by bonds R confne; broadly R limit
to force or produce in an unnatural or strained manner <a constrained smile>
to hold back by or as if by force <constraining my mind not to wander from the task
Charles Dickens>
<constrained by conscience to tell only the truth>
<constrained his anger at the needless interruption>
[9]
abet (abet " curb)
H curb
to control or limit (something)
to furnish with a curb
to check or control with or as if with a curb <trying to curb her curiosity>
to lead (a dog) to a suitable place (as a gutter) for defecation
The legislation is intended to curb price and wage increases.
pills designed to curb your appetite
a short border along the edge of a street that is usually made of stone or concrete; something
that controls or limits something else
a bit that exerts severe pressure on a horses jaws; ALSO: the chain or strap attached to
it see bit illustration
119
an enclosing frame, border, or edging
check, restraint <a price curb>
a raised edge or margin to strengthen or confne
an edging (as of concrete) built along a street to form part of a gutter
a market for trading in securities not listed on a stock exchange
We sat on the curb eating our ice cream.
<these international regulations act as a curb on the plundering of a nations archaeolog-
ical treasures>
[118]
boon, convivial, indulgence (boon " restraint)
H restraint
a way of limiting, controlling, or stopping something; a device that limits a persons movement;
control over your emotions or behavior
an act of restraining R the state of being restrained
a means of restraining R a restraining force or infuence
a device that restricts movement <a restraint for children riding in cars>
a control over the expression of ones emotions or thoughts
Make sure the child safety restraint is in place.
The prisoner was placed in restraints.
His angry response showed a lack of restraint.
The government has acted with restraint in dealing with this crisis.
[120]
stife (curb stife)
K stife
[119]
constrain, curb, restraint (curb stife)
H stife
to not allow yourself to do or express (something); to stop (someone) from doing or expressing
something; to make (something) difcult or impossible
to kill by depriving of oxygen R sufocate
smother
mufe
to cut of (as the voice or breath)
to withhold from circulation or expression <stifed our anger>
deter, discourage
to be or become unable to breathe easily <stifing in the heat>
trying to stife a cry
I had to stife the desire to yell Stop!.
Students at the school are stifed by the pressure to score high on tests.
120
Too many regulations stife innovation.
something that stifes the growth of the plant
I wish we could go outside instead of stifing in this tiny room.
He was almost stifed by the smoke.
the joint next above the hock in the hind leg of a quadruped (as a horse or dog) corre-
sponding to the human knee see horse illustration
[121]
engender (stife " engender)
K engender
[120]
stife (stife " engender)
H engender
to be the source or cause of (something)
beget, procreate
to cause to exist or to develop R produce <policies that have engendered controversy>
to assume form R originate
The issue has engendered a considerable amount of debate.
<a suggestion to go out for pizza that didnt seem to engender any interest>
[121]
extinguish (engender " extinguish)
[122]
hamper, hinder, impede (engender " impede)
[135]
quell (engender " quell)
K extinguish
[121]
engender (engender " extinguish)
H extinguish
to cause (something) to stop burning; to cause the end or death of (something)
to bring to an end R make an end of <hope for their safety was slowly extinguished>
to reduce to silence or inefectiveness
to cause to cease burning R quench
to cause extinction of (a conditioned response)
to dim the brightness of R eclipse
to cause to be void R nullify <extinguish a claim>
to get rid of usually by payment <extinguish a debt>
The fre department was called in to extinguish the blaze.
He extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray.
They ruthlessly extinguished all resistance.
News of the confict extinguished our hopes for a peaceful resolution.
121
K hamper, hinder, impede
[9]
abet (abet ! hinder)
H hinder
to make (something, such as a task or action) slow or difcult
to make slow or difcult the progress of R hamper
to hold back R check
to delay, impede, or prevent action
The witness refused to cooperate, hindering the investigation.
The countrys economic growth is being hindered by the sanctions.
Its not clear whether the change will help or hinder our project.
situated behind or in the rear R posterior
<the animals case of mange was especially bad in its hinder parts>
[121]
engender (engender " impede)
H impede
to slow the movement, progress, or action of (someone or something)
to interfere with or slow the progress of
He claims that economic growth is being impeded by government regulations.
The soldiers could not impede the enemys advance.
H hamper
to slow the movement, progress, or action of (someone or something)
to restrict the movement of by bonds or obstacles R impede
to interfere with the operation of R disrupt
curb, restrain
to interfere with R encumber
The project was hampered by budget restraints.
Construction is hampering trafc on the highway.
a basket for food; a basket for holding dirty clothes until they can be washed
a large basket usually with a cover for packing, storing, or transporting articles (as food
or laundry)
[122]
avert, forestall, obviate, preclude (hamper avert) (hinder avert) (impede avert)
K avert, forestall, obviate, preclude
[122]
hamper, hinder, impede (hamper avert)
H avert
to turn (your eyes, gaze, etc.) away or aside; to prevent (something bad) from happening
122
to turn away or aside (as the eyes) in avoidance
to see coming and ward of R avoid <avert disaster>
He sped up and averted an accident.
The diplomatic talks narrowly averted a war.
an attempt to avert a strike at the plant
(hinder avert) (impede avert) (abet " avert)
H forestall
to stop (something) from happening or to cause (something) to happen at a later time; to act
before (someone else) in order to prevent something
to prevent the normal trading in by buying or diverting goods or by persuading persons
to raise prices
intercept
obstruct, beset
to exclude, hinder, or prevent by prior occupation or measures
to get ahead of R anticipate
Negotiations failed to forestall the confict.
His comments were meant to forestall criticism of his proposal.
He forestalled critics by ofering a defense of the project.
H obviate
to make (something) no longer necessary; to prevent or avoid (something)
to anticipate and prevent (as a situation) or make unnecessary (as an action)
The new medical treatment obviates the need for surgery.
The new treatment obviates many of the risks associated with surgery.
H preclude
to make (something) impossible; to prevent (something) from happening; to prevent (someone)
from doing something
close
to make impossible by necessary consequence R rule out in advance
She sufered an injury that precluded the possibility of an athletic career.
Bad weather precluded any further attempts to reach the summit.
I fear these things, but vaguely, for my brain buzzes in the merciful wash of endorphins
that preclude any thought from occupying it too long. Louise Erdrich, Harpers, May
1993
the institution [of slavery] in the United States was almost uniquely despotic, a closed
system so powerful and totalitarian that organized insurrection was almost entirely pre-
cluded William Styron, American Heritage, October 1992
123
But conceptual blinders can preclude observation, while most accurate generalities guar-
antee no proper resolution of specifc anatomies, but can certainly guide perceptions
along fruitful paths. Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life, 1989
the same profusion of water that precluded overland travel in the summer months
could, during the sledgehammer freeze of winter, be utilized as a natural highway
albeit a highway of ice. Jon Krakauer, Smithsonian, November 1987
[124]
alleviate, appease, assuage, mitigate, mollify, placate (avert mollify) (avert placate)
[131]
circumvent (avert circumvent)
[131]
conspiracy, intrigue (avert intrigue)
[133]
divert (avert divert)
[133]
eschew, evade (avert eschew) (avert evade)
[134]
ofset (avert ofset)
[135]
thwart (avert thwart)
[135]
foster (avert " foster)
K alleviate, appease, assuage, mitigate, mollify, placate
[122]
avert, forestall, obviate, preclude (avert mollify)
H mollify
to make (someone) less angry; to calm (someone) down
to soothe in temper or disposition R appease <mol lifed the staf with a raise>
to reduce the rigidity of R soften
to reduce in intensity R assuage, temper
soften, relent
He tried to mollify his critics with an apology.
All attempts to mollify the extremists have failed.
The landlord fxed the heat, but the tenants still were not mollifed.
[122]
avert, forestall, obviate, preclude (avert placate)
H placate
to cause (someone) to feel less angry about something
to soothe or mollify especially by concessions R appease
The administration placated protesters by agreeing to consider their demands.
The angry customer was not placated by the clerks apology.
Although Rumsfeld was later thrown overboard by the Administration in an attempt to
placate critics of the Iraq War, his military revolution was here to stay. Jeremy Scahill,
Nation, 2 Apr. 2007
124
The frst step that women took in their emancipation was to adopt traditional male roles:
to insist on their right to wear trousers, not to placate, not to smile, not to be decorative.
Fay Weldon, Harpers, May 1998
These spirits inhabited natural objects, like rivers and mountains, including celestial
bodies, like the sun and moon. They had to be placated and their favors sought in order
to ensure the fertility of the soil and the rotation of the seasons. Stephen W. Hawking,
A Brief History of Time, 1988
But it seems important to the Thunderbirds to make a big deal out of this; evidently
it placates congressmen who dont think the Air Force should be in show biz. Frank
Deford, Sports Il lustrated, 3 Aug. 1987
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (intensify " alleviate)
H alleviate
to reduce the pain or trouble of (something); to make (something) less painful, difcult, or
severe
relieve, lessen: as
to make (as sufering) more bearable <her sympathy al leviated his distress>
to partially remove or correct <measures taken to alleviate a labor shortage>
fnding ways to alleviate stress
<a car pool al leviates some of the stress of driving the kids to and from school every
day>
For decades, as you probably know, researchers have found that when you tell patients
that youre giving them medicine, many report that their symptoms are alleviated, even
if theyre only taking sugar pills. Daniel Zwerdling, Gourmet, August 2004
Granholm has spent the morning giving a major public address on state fnance issues,
courting local ofcials in meetings, and, in between, talking with me. Wed discussed
the state of the Michigan economy and her ideas for developing a new high-tech corridor
outside Detroit that focuses on homeland security innovation; we went over her ideas
for al leviating overcrowding in the states emergency rooms. Jonathan Cohn, New
Republic, 14 Oct. 2002
When applied in ointment form, capsaicin helps alleviate the discomfort of arthritis and
psoriasis. Taken internally as a diluted tincture, it helps keep the blood fowing smoothly
and strengthens the cardiovascular system. Nina Simonds, Gourmet, September 2002
Ridley, a British journalist with a doctoral degree in zoology, does touch on the incredible
potential of genetics for alleviating human misery. But much of his remarkable book
is focused on a higher plane of pure intellectual discovery. Lee M. Silver, New York
Times Book Review, 27 Feb. 2000
Before discussing what must be done to alleviate the environmental and social crises
aficting the globe, Chief Oren Lyons of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation,
125
wanted to drive to a gym in Syracuse, New York, and watch his son shadowbox. Paul
Schneider, Audubon, March/April 1994
(impair " alleviate)
H appease
to make (someone) pleased or less angry by giving or saying something desired; to make (a
pain, a problem, etc.) less painful or troubling
to bring to a state of peace or quiet R calm
to cause to subside R allay <appeased my hunger>
pacify, conciliate; especially R to buy of (an aggressor) by concessions usually at the
sacrifce of principles
They appeased the dictator by accepting his demands in an efort to avoid war.
His critics were not appeased by this last speech.
They made sacrifces to appease the gods.
We had no way to appease our hunger.
But I imagine he and his siblings, who profted handsomely from the sale, have mixed
emotions. They may be sad they had to sell, yet relieved that they are no longer under
pressure to appease Wall Streets demand for growth and profts. James Laube, Wine
Spectator, 31 Mar. 2005
The frst is that, in afuent America, mothering has gone from an art to a cult, with
devotees driving themselves to ever more baroque extremes to appease the goddess of
perfect motherhood. Judith Shulevitz, New York Times Book Review, 20 Feb. 2005
It was last summer, and Gingell, then Sun Microsystemss chief software engineer, had an
excuse: His twin-engine Cessna had broken down, and hed lost track of time while he
gabbed on the phone with his mechanic. That wasnt likely to appease Suns famously
tart-tongued CEO, Scott McNealy, who was getting his introductory briefng on a vital
new technology initiative that happened to be Gingells brainchild. Erick Schonfeld,
Business 2.0, September 2002
The California legislatures solution to this seemingly intractable problem was a politically
appealing package with features to appease both utility investors and ratepayers.
Benjamin A. Holden, Wall Street Journal, 19 Feb. 1997
H assuage
to make (something, such as an unpleasant feeling) less painful, severe, etc.
to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses) R ease <unable to assuage
their grief>
pacify, quiet <vainly strove to assuage an implacable foe Edward Gibbon>
to put an end to by satisfying R appease, quench <assuaging his thirst>
He couldnt assuage his guilt over the divorce.
<a mother cooing to her toddler and assuaging his fear of the dark>
126
Life contains sorrows that cannot be assuaged, and it is important to be honest in ac-
knowledging this. Jo McGowan, Commonweal, 5 May 2006
But for the second exam, my pretest diet included yogurt and ice cream (without pieces),
which assuaged my hunger, and the cleansing was stimulated by a glass of salty liquid
midafternoon. Jane E. Brody, New York Times, 12 July 2005
Whatever arrangements such mothers willingly make for their children, whatever strate-
gies they employ to relieve their guilt, whatever books they read to assuage their anxiety
all of that is their business, not mine. Caitlin Flanagan, Atlantic, March 2004
As Ive told Jody on numerous occasions, the best way for her to assuage my guilt is to
hit it big in the Internet gold rush and then retire Matthew Miller, New Republic,
17 Jan. 2000
H mitigate
to make (something) less severe, harmful, or painful
to cause to become less harsh or hostile R mollify <aggressiveness may be mitigated or
channeled Ashley Montagu>
to make less severe or painful R alleviate
extenuate
Emergency funds are being provided to help mitigate the efects of the disaster.
medicines used to mitigate a patients sufering
At the far end of the room is a sliding glass door, taped with an X to mitigate shattering.
The framing is fimsy, and rattles from mortar rounds even a half mile away. William
Langewiesche, Atlantic, May 2005
a genre novel whose inevitable cinematic ending doesnt mitigate the visceral and emo-
tional power of what has come before. It lingers in the memory like a very bad dream.
Joyce Carol Oates, New York Review of Books, 14 Aug. 2003
For 65 holes Norman dominated the classic rolling fairways and small, subtle greens of
Olympic with driving and iron play so solid that it mitigated mediocre putting.
Jaime Diaz, Sports Il lustrated, 8 Nov. 1993
[127]
alienate (mollify " alienate) (placate " alienate)
[128]
exacerbate (alleviate ! exacerbate)
[128]
exasperate (appease " exasperate)
[129]
infame (appease ! infame) (assuage " infame)
[129]
unsettle (appease " unsettle)
K alienate
[124]
alleviate, appease, assuage, mitigate, mollify, placate (mollify " alienate)
H alienate
127
to make (someone) unfriendly; to cause (someone) to stop being friendly, helpful, etc., towards
you; to cause (someone) to feel that she or he no longer belongs in a particular group, society,
etc.
to make unfriendly, hostile, or indiferent especially where attachment formerly existed
to convey or transfer (as property or a right) usually by a specifc act rather than the due
course of law
to cause to be withdrawn or diverted
He alienated most of his colleagues with his bad temper.
Her position on this issue has alienated many former supporters.
(placate " alienate)
[128]
exasperate (alienate exasperate)
K exasperate
[127]
alienate (alienate exasperate)
H exasperate
to make (someone) very angry or annoyed
to excite the anger of R enrage
to cause irritation or annoyance to
to make more grievous R aggravate
The criticism of his latest movie is sure to exasperate his admirers.
We were exasperated by the delays.
irritated or annoyed especially to the point of injudicious action R exasperated
roughened with irregular prickles or elevations <exasperate seed coats>
(appease " exasperate)
K exacerbate
[124]
alleviate, appease, assuage, mitigate, mollify, placate (alleviate ! exacerbate)
H exacerbate
to make (a bad situation, a problem, etc.) worse
to make more violent, bitter, or severe <the new law only exacerbates the problem>
The proposed factory shutdown would only exacerbate our unemployment problems.
His angry comments have exacerbated tensions in the negotiation process.
The declining retirement security faced by growing numbers of Americans is being exac-
erbated by increasing longevity and quickly rising health care costs. Jef Madrick, New
York Review of Books, 20 Mar. 2008
128
the sway that pack journalism holds on the Beltway press corps persists. The Crowd
is never so infuential as in the ever-lengthening season of presidential campaigns. The
feverish obsessions of the blogosphere have only exacerbated the phenomenon: Now the
herd just turns faster in pursuit of some ginned-up controversyor faux scandal.
Editor & Publisher, April 2007
(ameliorate " exacerbate)
K infame
[9]
abet (abet infame)
H infame
to cause (a person or group) to become angry or violent; to make (something) more active,
angry, or violent; to cause (a part of your body) to grow sore, red, and swollen
to excite to excessive or uncontrollable action or feeling; especially R to make angry
to make more heated or violent R intensify <insults served only to infame the feud>
to set on fre R kindle
to cause to redden or grow hot from anger or excitement <a face infamed with passion>
to cause infammation in (bodily tissue)
to burst into fame
to become excited or angered
to become afected with infammation
His angry speech infamed the mob.
ideas that infame the imagination
His comments have infamed an already tense situation.
infaming the passions of the mob
a chemical that can infame the skin
(appease ! infame) (assuage " infame)
K unsettle
[124]
alleviate, appease, assuage, mitigate, mollify, placate (appease " unsettle)
H unsettle
to make (someone) nervous, worried, or upset
to loosen or move from a settled state or condition R make unstable R disorder
to perturb or agitate mentally or emotionally R discompose
to become unsettled
Such a sudden change will unsettle her.
<the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many
shoppers>
129
[130]
befuddle, confound, perplex (unsettle befuddle)
K befuddle, confound, perplex
[129]
unsettle (unsettle befuddle)
H befuddle
to muddle or stupefy with or as if with drink
confuse, perplex
<most of the applicants were befuddled by the wording of one of the questions on the
driving test>
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (edify " perplex)
H perplex
to confuse (someone) very much
to make unable to grasp something clearly or to think logically and decisively about
something <her attitude perplexes me><a perplexing problem>
to make intricate or involved R complicate
Questions about the meaning of life have always perplexed humankind.
<lets not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns>
H confound
to surprise and confuse (someone or something); to prove (someone or something) wrong
used as an interjection to express anger or annoyance
to bring to ruin R destroy
bafe, frustrate <conferences are not for accomplishment but to confound knavish
tricks J. K. Galbraith>
consume, waste
to put to shame R discomft <a performance that confounded the critics>
refute <sought to confound his arguments>
damn
to throw (a person) into confusion or perplexity
to fail to discern diferences between R mix up
to increase the confusion of
The strategy confounded our opponents.
The murder case has confounded investigators.
The schools team confounded all predictions and won the game.
The success of the show confounded critics.
[131]
obfuscate (perplex obfuscate)
130
K obfuscate
[130]
befuddle, confound, perplex (perplex obfuscate)
H obfuscate
to make (something) more difcult to understand
darken
to make obscure <obfuscate the issue>
confuse <obfuscate the reader>
to be evasive, unclear, or confusing
Politicians keep obfuscating the issues.
Their explanations only serve to obfuscate and confuse.
(illuminate ! obfuscate)
K circumvent
[122]
avert, forestall, obviate, preclude (avert circumvent)
H circumvent
to avoid being stopped by (something, such as a law or rule); to get around (something) in a
clever and sometimes dishonest way
to hem in
to make a circuit around
to manage to get around especially by ingenuity or stratagem <the setup circumvented
the red tape Lynne McTaggart>
We circumvented the problem by using a diferent program.
He found a way to circumvent the law.
Los Angeles was the beachhead for the sushi invasion, attracting many Japanese chefs
eager to make their fortunes and to circumvent the grueling 10-year apprenticeship re-
quired in their homeland. Jay McInerney, New York Times Book Review, 10 June
2007
Rondon and Lyra paddled to the right side, where they found a channel that circum-
vented the worst part of the rapids. Candice Millard, The River of Doubt, 2005
His appreciation of this fner side of life is circumvented by a cynicism that he tells me is
common to Eastern Europeans. Lynne Tillman, Motion Sickness, 1991
The thirty-six-hour workweek established by the garment-industry code was circumvented
by having the workers punch out at fve P.M., leave by the back door (their usual en-
trance), then return by the front door and work until eleven P.M. without punching the
clock. Melissa Hield, Speaking For Ourselves, (1977) 1984
K conspiracy, intrigue
[122]
avert, forestall, obviate, preclude (avert intrigue)
131
H intrigue
to make (someone) want to know more about something; to cause (someone) to become
interested; to make secret plans
cheat, trick
to get, make, or accomplish by secret scheming <intrigued myself into the club>
entangle
to arouse the interest, desire, or curiosity of <intrigued by the tale>
to carry on an intrigue (see 1intrigue); especially R plot, scheme
<evidence that the leading manufacturers had intrigued to keep prices artifcially high>
<the mystery story intrigued me so that I read it in one sitting>
One day during math study period, after Id fnished my regular assignment, I took out
a fresh sheet of paper and tried to solve a problem that had intrigued me: whether the
frst player in a game of ticktacktoe can always win, given the right strategy. Martin
Gardner, Scientifc American, August 1998
Bundy was also a man whose thinking in foreign afairs was extremely conventionalbut
who in the area of domestic policy was curiously more open-minded and unconventional,
so that throughout the Kennedy years, friends would be intrigued by the diference in
Bundy. David Halberstam, Harpers, July 1969
the activity of making secret plans; a secret plan
a secret scheme R machination
the practice of engaging in secret schemes
a clandestine love afair
a novel of intrigue and romance
an administration characterized by intrigue and corruption
Rolstons work channels the vampish intrigue of vintage Hollywood with a sense of
irony and wit that makes the work truly modern. Stephanie Sung, Picture, Septem-
ber/October 2008
In this, as in any other enterprise where there is the promise of money, intrigues and lies
and hoodwinking and bullying abound. Alice Munro, Hard-Luck Stories,in In the
Stacks, 2002
The story began to take on a warm, attractive glow as a Highland romantic epic of
heroism and villainy, of intrigue and bravery, complete with comely maidens such as
Flora MacDonald and handsome heroes such as Bonnie Prince Charlie himself. Arthur
Herman, How the Scots Invented the Modern World, 2001
H conspiracy
a secret plan made by two or more people to do something that is harmful or illegal; the act
of secretly planning to do something that is harmful or illegal
the act of conspiring together
132
an agreement among conspirators
a group of conspirators
The CIA uncovered a conspiracy against the government.
They were accused of conspiracy to commit murder.
K divert
[122]
avert, forestall, obviate, preclude (avert divert)
H divert
to change the direction or use of (something); to take (attention) away from someone or
something; to take the attention of (someone) away from something or someone
to turn aside R deviate <studied law but diverted to diplomacy>
to turn from one course or use to another R defect <divert trafc to a side street>
distract <trying to divert her attention>
to give pleasure to especially by distracting the attention from what burdens or distresses
Police diverted trafc to a side street.
The stream was diverted toward the farmland.
They were charged with illegally diverting public funds for private use.
He lied to divert attention from the real situation.
Theyre only proposing the law to divert attention from important issues.
K eschew, evade
[122]
avert, forestall, obviate, preclude (avert eschew)
H eschew
to avoid (something) especially because you do not think it is right, proper, etc.
to avoid habitually especially on moral or practical grounds R shun
They now eschew the violence of their past.
a psychologist who eschews the traditional methods of psychotherapy
Though a doctor with psychiatric training, he eschewed the science that had so enamored
earlier child-rearing professionals Sue Halpern, New York Review of Books, 29 May
2003
A fair number of academics eschew the simple title professorand call themselves economists,
astronomers, historians, philosophers. Tracy Kidder, Home Town, 1999
When introduced to a stranger, he eschewed formalities, stuck out a gnarled right hand
and responded with a chummy, Hermann.Tim Layden, Sports Il lustrated, 2 Feb. 1998
[122]
avert, forestall, obviate, preclude (avert evade)
H 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)
133
to slip away
to take refuge in escape or avoidance
to elude by dexterity or stratagem
to avoid facing up to <evaded the real issues>
to avoid the performance of R dodge, circumvent; especially R to fail to pay (taxes)
to avoid answering directly R turn aside
to be elusive to R bafe <the simple, personal meaning evaded them C. D. Lewis>
The criminals have so far managed to evade the police.
a politician skilled at evading difcult questions
The governor has been accused of evading the issue.
K ofset
[122]
avert, forestall, obviate, preclude (avert ofset)
H ofset
to cancel or reduce the efect of (something); to create an equal balance between two things
to place over against something R balance <credits ofset debits>
to serve as a counterbalance for R compensate <his speed ofset his opponents greater
weight>
to form an ofset in <ofset a wall>
to become marked by ofset
Gains in one area ofset losses in another.
The limited storage space in the house is ofset by the large garage.
outset, start
cessation
a short prostrate lateral shoot arising from the base of a plant
a small bulb arising from the base of another bulb
a lateral or collateral branch (as of a family or race) R ofshoot
a spur from a range of hills
a horizontal ledge on the face of a wall formed by a diminution of its thickness above
displacement
an abrupt change in the dimension or profle of an object or the part set of by such
change
something that sets of to advantage or embellishes something else R foil
an abrupt bend in an object by which one part is turned aside out of line
something that serves to counterbalance or to compensate for something else; especially
R either of two balancing ledger items
unintentional transfer of ink (as from a freshly printed sheet)
134
a printing process in which an inked impression from a plate is frst made on a rubber-
blanketed cylinder and then transferred to the paper being printed
<a better performance this time will be an ofset to last years dismal showing>
<symptoms that were striking for their abrupt onset and their equally abrupt ofset>
K thwart
[122]
avert, forestall, obviate, preclude (avert thwart)
H thwart
to prevent (someone) from doing something or to stop (something) from happening
to run counter to so as to efectively oppose or bafe R contravene
to oppose successfully R defeat the hopes or aspirations of
to pass through or across
She did all she could to thwart his plans.
The army thwarted the attempt at a coup.
athwart
situated or placed across something else R transverse
a seat extending athwart a boat
[135]
foster (thwart ! foster)
K foster
[9]
abet (abet foster)
H foster
to help (something) grow or develop; to provide the care that a parent usually gives to a child;
to be or become the foster parent of a child
to give parental care to R nurture
to promote the growth or development of R encourage <fostered the college in its early
years>
Such conditions foster the spread of the disease.
Would you consider fostering a child?
used to describe a situation in which for a period of time a child lives with and is cared for
by people who are not the childs parents
afording, receiving, or sharing nurture or parental care though not related by blood or
legal ties
(avert " foster) (thwart ! foster)
K quell
[121]
engender (engender " quell)
135
H quell
to end or stop (something) usually by using force; to calm or reduce (something, such as fear
or worry)
to thoroughly overwhelm and reduce to submission or passivity <quel l a riot>
quiet, pacify <quell fears>
<the National Guard was called in to help quell the late-night disturbances downtown>
<the principal held up her hand to quel l the students so they could hear the urgent
announcement>
slaughter
the power of quelling
[136]
proscribe (quell proscribe)
K proscribe
[135]
quell (quell proscribe)
H proscribe
to make (something) illegal; to not allow (something)
to publish the name of as condemned to death with the property of the condemned
forfeited to the state
to condemn or forbid as harmful or unlawful R prohibit
acts that are proscribed by law
<regulations proscribe the use of electronic devices on board a plane while it is landing>
[136]
contradict, disavow, refute, repudiate, spurn (proscribe repudiate)
K contradict, disavow, refute, repudiate, spurn
[136]
proscribe (proscribe repudiate)
H repudiate
to refuse to accept or support (something); to reject (something or someone); to say or show
that (something) is not true
to divorce or separate formally from (a woman)
to refuse to have anything to do with R disown
to refuse to accept; especially R to reject as unauthorized or as having no binding force
<repudiate a contract>
to reject as untrue or unjust <repudiate a charge>
to refuse to acknowledge or pay <repudiate a debt>
a generation that has repudiated the values of the past
He has publicly repudiated the governments policies.
He published an article that repudiates the studys claims.
136
She says she has evidence which repudiates the allegations.
During the Algerian war of independence, the United States had also repudiated Frances
claimed right to attack a town in neighboring Tunisia that succored Algerian guerrillas
Christopher Hitchens, Harpers, February 2001
When witnessing abuse, boys will identify with the seemingly powerful father who appears
to be a winnerand will repudiate the mother, who seems to be the loser.Constance
Adler, Shape, September 1993
While a wife could divorce her husband only for good reason a husband could repudiate
his wife without giving any reason Albert Hourani, A History of the Arab Peoples,
1991
Voters in Myanmar appeared today to have sharply repudiated their military rulers
and to have given a landslide victory to the main opposition party Steven Erlanger,
New York Times, 29 May 1990
Photographs, the most ubiquitous emblem of mass culture, found an obvious place in Pop
Art, and were embraced by those intent on repudiating the preciosity of action painting.
Naomi Rosenblum, A World History of Photography, 1989
Three weeks after the agreement was made and before any specifcations were submitted,
the buyer repudiated the agreement. John D. Calamari and Joseph M. Perillo, The
Law of Contracts, 1987
H contradict
to say the opposite of (something that someone else has said); to deny the truth of (something);
to deny or disagree with what is being said by (someone); to not agree with (something) in
a way that shows or suggests that it is false, wrong, etc.
to assert the contrary of R take issue with <contradict a rumor>
to imply the opposite or a denial of <your actions contradict your words>
He contradicted the charges of his critics.
My sister doesnt like being contradicted.
The mayors actions in ofce contradicted the promises he made during the campaign.
H disavow
to say that you are not responsible for (something); to deny that you know about or are
involved in (something)
to deny responsibility for R repudiate
to refuse to acknowledge or accept R disclaim <party leaders disavowed him>
He disavowed the actions of his subordinates.
She now seems to be trying to disavow her earlier statements.
H refute
to prove that (something) is not true; to say that (something) is not true
137
to prove wrong by argument or evidence R show to be false or erroneous
to deny the truth or accuracy of <refuted the allegations>
The lawyer refuted the testimony of the witness.
He refutes the notion that hes planning to retire soon.
She refuted the allegations against her.
But for every study that shows acid rain is damaging frogs, another one refutes it.
Emily Yofe, New York Times Magazine, 13 Dec. 1992
And it violates the basic tenet of historical method: that the historian be alert to the
negative instances that would refute his thesis and to alternative explanations that would
be more plausible than his own. Gertrude Himmelfarb, The New History and the Old,
1987
It is not necessary to refute such an argument point by point Denis Goulet, Center
Magazine, May 1969
We refute these aspersions whether they come from our best friends or our worst foes.
Sir Winston Churchill, address in House of Commons, 18 Jan. 1945, in Nathan Aus, ed.,
Voices of History 194546, 1946
H spurn
to refuse to accept (someone or something that you do not think deserves your respect, at-
tention, afection, etc.)
stumble
kick 1a
to reject something disdainfully
to tread sharply or heavily upon R trample
to reject with disdain or contempt R scorn
<fercely independent, the elderly couple spurned all ofers of fnancial help>
kick 1a
stumble
disdainful rejection
contemptuous treatment
[138]
dispute (contradict dispute)
[139]
validate, vindicate (disavow " validate) (refute ! validate)
K dispute
[136]
contradict, disavow, refute, repudiate, spurn (contradict dispute)
H dispute
to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal; to argue about (something);
to fght in order to take control of (something)
138
to engage in argument R debate; especially R to argue irritably or with irritating persistence
to make the subject of disputation <legislators hotly disputed the bill>
to call into question <her honesty was never disputed>
to struggle against R oppose <disputed the advance of the invaders>
to contend over <both sides disputed the bridgehead>
You can dispute your bill if you believe it is inaccurate.
These estimates are hotly disputed by scientists.
No one ever disputed that it was the right decision.
The source of the text has been disputed for centuries.
a part of the city where two drug gangs are disputing territory
a disagreement or argument
verbal controversy R debate
quarrel
physical combat
They could not settle their dispute.
There is a labor dispute between workers and management.
The two farmers are involved in a land dispute.
K validate, vindicate
[136]
contradict, disavow, refute, repudiate, spurn (disavow " validate)
H validate
to make legally valid R ratify
to grant ofcial sanction to by marking <validated her passport>
to confrm the validity of (an election); ALSO: to declare (a person) elected
to support or corroborate on a sound or authoritative basis <experiments designed to
validate the hypothesis>
to recognize, establish, or illustrate the worthiness or legitimacy of <validate his con-
cerns>
The court validated the contract.
A judge still needs to validate the election.
Customs ofcers validated our passports.
The decline in sales only validated our concerns.
(refute ! validate)
H vindicate
to show that (someone) should not be blamed for a crime, mistake, etc.; to show that (someone)
is not guilty; to show that (someone or something that has been criticized or doubted) is
correct, true, or reasonable
139
to set free R deliver
avenge
to free from allegation or blame
confrm, substantiate
to provide justifcation or defense for R justify
to protect from attack or encroachment R defend
to maintain a right to
She will be completely vindicated by the evidence.
These discoveries vindicate their theory.
Their approach to the problem has been vindicated by the positive results.
He felt vindicated when the truth became known.
K impediment, obstacle
[118]
boon, convivial, indulgence (boon ! impediment)
H impediment
something that makes it difcult to do or complete something; something that interferes with
movement or progress; a condition that makes it difcult to speak normally
something that impedes; especially R an impairment (as a stutter or a lisp) that interferes
with the proper articulation of speech
a bar or hindrance (as lack of sufcient age) to a lawful marriage
<tough going for the burros on the canyon trail, even without the added impediment of
heavy loads>
(indulgence " impediment)
[118]
boon, convivial, indulgence (boon " obstacle)
H obstacle
something that makes it difcult to do something; an object that you have to go around or
over; something that blocks your path
something that impedes progress or achievement
He overcame the obstacles of poverty and neglect.
They must overcome a number of obstacles before the restaurant can be opened.
Lack of experience is a major obstacle for her opponent.
She swerved to avoid an obstacle in the road.
[140]
spur (impediment " spur)
K spur
[140]
impediment, obstacle (impediment " spur)
H spur
140
to encourage (someone) to do or achieve something; to cause (something) to happen or to
happen more quickly; to urge (a horse) to go faster by pushing spurs into its sides
to urge (a horse) on with spurs
to incite to action or accelerated growth or development R stimulate
to put spurs on
to spur ones horse on
The reward spurred them to work harder.
Lower interest rates should spur economic growth.
He spurred the horse onward.
a sharp pointed object that is attached to the heel of a horse riders boot and that is pressed
into the horses side to make the horse go faster; something that makes you want to do
something or that causes something to happen; a mass of sharp rock on the side of a mountain
a pointed device secured to a riders heel and used to urge on the horse
recognition and reward for achievement <won his academic spurs as the holder of a chair
in a university James Mountford>
a goad to action R stimulus
something projecting like or suggesting a spur: as
a projecting root or branch of a tree, shrub, or vine
a stif sharp spine (as on the wings or legs of a bird or insect); especially R one on a cocks
leg
a gaf for a gamecock
a hollow projecting appendage of a corolla or calyx (as in larkspur or columbine)
a bony outgrowth (as on the heel of the foot)
climbing iron
an angular projection, ofshoot, or branch extending out beyond or away from a main
body or formation; especially R a ridge or lesser elevation that extends laterally from a
mountain or mountain range
a railroad track that branches of from a main line
a reinforcing buttress of masonry in a fortifcation
on impulse R suddenly
<the threat of losing its only sports franchise was the spur the city council needed to
fnally do something about the rising crime rate>
<a weak wall that might need a spur>
K empathetic
[31]
hostile, inimical (hostile " empathetic)
H empathetic
involving, characterized by, or based on empathy
141
<an empathetic social worker who soon realized that the single mother was at her breaking
point>
(inimical " empathetic)
K disdain
[27]
contentious, controversial, invective, polemical, pugnacious, truculent (invective
disdain)
H disdain
to strongly dislike or disapprove of (someone or something); to refuse to do (something)
because of feelings of dislike or disapproval
to look on with scorn <disdained him as a coward>
to refuse or abstain from because of a feeling of contempt or scorn <disdained to answer
their questions>
to treat as beneath ones notice or dignity
They disdained him for being weak.
She disdained to answer their questions.
The right eyes him [Thomas Jeferson] suspiciously as a limousine Jacobin so enamored
of revolution that he once suggested we should have one every 20 years. The left disdains
him as your basic race hypocrite. Charles Krauthammer, Time, 22 May 2000
Only in our last days on the peninsula (the arm of Antarctica that polar scientists disdain
as the Banana Belt) did we see our frst frozen sea Kate Ford, Wall Street Journal,
12 June 1998
His vehicle would be a form he both enjoyed and disdainedpulp fction. His audience
would be one he often condescended tothe black masses. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.,
NNew York Times Book Review, 20 Sept. 1992
There is also evidence of epic womanizing that Mr. Schickel mentions but loftily an-
nounces that he disdains to tell us about. Camille Paglia, New York Times Book
Review, 21 July 1991
a feeling of strong dislike or disapproval of someone or something you think does not deserve
respect
a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior R scorn
He regarded their proposal with disdain.
I have a healthy disdain for companies that mistreat their workers.
McCarthys indiference to accolades and his disdain for grandstanding turned into a
disdain even for being understood. Louis Menand, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2004
There is ferce disdain within the Pentagon for the passive U.N. peacekeepers who stood
by while thousands were murdered in Bosnias ethnic cleansing. Joe Klein, Time, 24
Nov. 2003
142
But for all its playful love of puns and cool disdain for suits,the high-tech world is, at
heart, a cruel, unforgiving place ruled by the merciless dynamics of the marketplace.
Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 27 June 2002
[143]
mockery (disdain mockery)
[143]
acquiescence, deference (disdain " deference)
[144]
humility (disdain " humility)
K mockery
[142]
disdain (disdain mockery)
H mockery
behavior or speech that makes fun of someone or something in a hurtful way; mocking behavior
or speech; a bad or useless copy of something
insulting or contemptuous action or speech R derision
a subject of laughter, derision, or sport
a counterfeit appearance R imitation
an insincere, contemptible, or impertinent imitation <makes a mockery of justice>
something ridiculously or impudently unsuitable
His kind of personality invites mockery.
the childrens cruel mockery of each other
K acquiescence, deference
[142]
disdain (disdain " deference)
H deference
a way of behaving that shows respect for someone or something
respect and esteem due a superior or an elder; ALSO: afected or ingratiating regard for
anothers wishes
in consideration of <returned early in deference to her parents wishes>
Her relatives treat one another with deference.
He is shown much deference by his colleagues.
Deference to leaders and intolerance toward outsiders (and toward enemies within) are
hallmarks of tribalism Benjamin R. Barber, Atlantic, March 1992
In the 1980s, in deference to the neighborhoods, City Hall would attempt a counter-
reformation of downtown, forbidding Manhattanization.Richard Rodriguez, Harpers,
October 1990
She could have subtly appealed to the deference she knew was still in there, encoded in
their middle-aged hearts; she never did. Peggy Noonan, New York Times Magazine,
16 Dec. 1990
143
A sense of deference to the upper class among whites made it possible, in Sproats es-
timation, for white leaders to contain the white supremacists. Robert L. Harris, Jr.,
American Historical Review, December 1987
H acquiescence
the act of acquiescing R the state of being acquiescent
an instance of acquiescing
<good manners demanded our cheerful acquiescence to our hosts plans for dinner>
[144]
adulate (deference adulate)
K adulate
[143]
acquiescence, deference (deference adulate)
H adulate
excessive or slavish admiration or fattery
The rugby player enjoyed the adulation of his fans.
a writer who inspires adulation in her readers
[144]
dismissal (adulate " dismissal)
K dismissal
[144]
adulate (adulate " dismissal)
H dismissal
the act of dismissing R the fact or state of being dismissed
<numerous dismissals from the company during the economic slump>
K humility
[142]
disdain (disdain " humility)
H humility
the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people; the quality or state of
being humble
the quality or state of being humble
He accepted the honor with humility.
The ordeal taught her humility.
[144]
egotism (humility ! egotism)
K egotism
[144]
humility (humility ! egotism)
H egotism
144
the feeling or belief that you are better, more important, more talented, etc., than other
people
excessive use of the frst person singular personal pronoun
the practice of talking about oneself too much
an exaggerated sense of self-importance R conceit compare egoism 2
In his egotism he thought everyone was coming just to see him.
<for someone who has won a Nobel Prize in physics, he is remarkably without egotism>
K accommodate, conciliatory
[27]
contentious, controversial, invective, polemical, pugnacious, truculent (polemical "
conciliatory)
H conciliatory
to make (someone) more friendly or less angry
to gain (as goodwill) by pleasing acts
to make compatible R reconcile
appease
to become friendly or agreeable
The companys attempts to conciliate the strikers have failed.
<it will be hard to conciliate the views of labor and management regarding health bene-
fts>
H accommodate
to provide room for (someone); to provide a place to stay and sleep for (someone); to have
room for (someone or something); to do something helpful for (someone); to provide what is
needed or wanted for (someone or something)
to make ft, suitable, or congruous
to bring into agreement or concord R reconcile
to provide with something desired, needed, or suited
to make room for
to hold without crowding or inconvenience
to give consideration to R allow for <accommodate the special interests of various groups>
to adapt oneself; ALSO: to undergo visual accommodation
Over 600 people can be accommodated on the cruise ship.
The ceilings were too low to accommodate his terrifc height.
They were kind enough to accommodate me with a ride to the train station.
I asked them for additional money, and they accommodated me with a loan.
He would often change his schedule to accommodate his clients.
New facilities are being added to accommodate the special needs of elderly residents.
145
Smart investors quickly accommodated to the new market conditions.
Although Lost World was the hottest movie around, we saw it in a chamber of almost
laughable minuteness, barely large enough to accommodate nine rows of seats, which
were grudgingly padded Bill Bryson, Im a Stranger Here Myself, 1999
a farmhouse that has been redone to accommodate both good English antiques and
luxe 20th-century comforts without sacrifcing any of its rough-hewn charm. Francine
Prose, Travel & Leisure, December 1994
The young-adult horror authors tend to be too busy accommodating MTV attention spans
to create vivid personalities Ken Tucker, New York Times Book Review, 14 Nov.
1993
political authority depended on tribal leadership, and the scholars had to accommodate
themselves to it. Ernest Gellner, Culture, Identity, and Politics, 1987
K curtail
[17]
grade, subvert, transcend, vitiate, wane (diminish curtail)
H curtail
to reduce or limit (something)
to make less by or as if by cutting of or away some part <curtail the power of the
executive branch><curtail infation>
The new laws are an efort to curtail illegal drug use.
School activities are being curtailed due to a lack of funds.
(dwindle curtail) (augment " curtail)
[146]
protract (curtail ! protract)
K protract
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (augment protract)
H protract
delay, defer
to prolong in time or space R continue
to extend forward or outward compare retract 1
<the highway project was protracted by years of litigation>
(diminish " protract) (curtail ! protract)
K undermine
[17]
grade, subvert, transcend, vitiate, wane (impair undermine)
146
H undermine
to make (someone or something) weaker or less efective usually in a secret or gradual way
to excavate the earth beneath R form a mine under R sap
to wash away supporting material from under
to subvert or weaken insidiously or secretly <trying to undermine his political rivals>
to weaken or ruin by degrees
She tried to undermine my authority by complaining about me to my boss.
The events of the past year have undermined peoples confdence in the government.
[147]
bolster, buttress (undermine " bolster)
K bolster, buttress
[146]
undermine (undermine " bolster)
H bolster
to make (something) stronger or better; to give support to (something)
to support with or as if with a bolster R reinforce
to give a boost to <news that bolstered his spirits>
She came with me to bolster my confdence.
a convincing argument that was bolstered by the speakers reputation
She is thinking of ways to bolster her career.
a long bag of cloth completely flled with soft material; a long pillow or cushion
a long pillow or cushion
a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing
H buttress
to support, strengthen, or defend (something)
to furnish or shore up with a buttress; ALSO: support, strengthen <arguments buttressed
by solid facts>
The treaty will buttress the cause of peace.
The theory has been buttressed by the results of the experiment.
a structure built against a wall in order to support or strengthen it
a projecting structure of masonry or wood for supporting or giving stability to a wall or
building
something that resembles a buttress: as
a projecting part of a mountain or hill
a horny protuberance on a horses hoof at the heel see hoof illustration
the broadened base of a tree trunk or a thickened vertical part of it
something that supports or strengthens <a buttress of the cause of peace>
147
<the mother had always been the buttress of our family in trying times>
<after the wall collapsed, the construction company agreed to rebuild it with a buttress>
[148]
undercut (bolster " undercut)
K undercut
[147]
bolster, buttress (bolster " undercut)
H undercut
to ofer to sell things or work for a lower cost than (another person or company); to make
(something) weaker or less efective
to cut away the underpart of <undercut a vein of ore>
to cut away material from the underside of (an object) so as to leave an overhanging
portion in relief
to ofer to sell at lower prices than or to work for lower wages than (a competitor)
to cut obliquely into (a tree) below the main cut and on the side toward which the tree
will fall
to strike (a ball) with a downward glancing blow so as to give a backspin or elevation to
the shot
to undermine or destroy the force, value, or efectiveness of <infation undercuts consumer
buying power>
to perform the action of cutting away beneath
They undercut the competing store by 10 percent.
a law that undercuts the Constitution
Her behavior undercuts her own credibility.
tenderloin 1
the action or result of cutting away from the underside or lower part of something
a notch cut in the base of a tree before felling to determine the direction of falling and to
prevent splitting
K distort
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (illuminate " distort)
H 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
to twist out of the true meaning or proportion <distorted the facts>
to twist out of a natural, normal, or original shape or condition <a face distorted by
pain>; ALSO: to cause to be perceived unnaturally <the new lights distorted colors>
148
pervert <distort justice>
to become distorted; ALSO: to cause a twisting from the true, natural, or normal
Her face was distorted by pain.
The odd camera angle distorted her fgure in the photograph.
The sound of the guitar was distorted.
Heat caused the plastic to distort.
She felt he was distorting the facts.
The story was distorted by the press.
The loss of both her parents at an early age distorted her outlook on life.
K downplay
[10]
minate, intensify, laud, magnify, synthesis (magnify " downplay)
H downplay
to make (something) seem smaller or less important
play down, de-emphasize
Athletes often downplay their injuries.
<he self-deprecatingly downplays his own contributions to the festivals success>
K exhilarate, galvanize
[9]
abet (abet galvanize)
H galvanize
to cause (people) to become so excited or concerned about an issue, idea, etc., that they want
to do something about it; to cause (a force that is capable of causing change) to become
active; to cover (steel or iron) with a layer of zinc to prevent it from rusting
to subject to the action of an electric current especially for the purpose of stimulating
physiologically <galvanize a muscle>
to stimulate or excite as if by an electric shock <an issue that would galvanize public
opinion>
to coat (iron or steel) with zinc; especially R to immerse in molten zinc to produce a coating
of zinc-iron alloy
to react as if stimulated by an electric shock <they galvanized into action>
The group is hoping to galvanize public opinion against the proposed law.
The Web site has galvanized support for the project.
a factory where steel is galvanized
H exhilarate
to cause (someone) to feel very happy and excited
to make cheerful and excited R enliven, elate <was exhilarated by her success>
149
refresh, stimulate
<the exhilarating feeling of fying that hang gliding ofers>
<the climactic moment of commencement ceremonies usually exhilarates graduates and
proud parents alike>
K abstemious
H abstemious
not eating and drinking too much
marked by restraint especially in the consumption of food or alcohol; ALSO: refecting
such restraint <an abstemious diet>
She is known as an abstemious eater and drinker.
<being abstemious diners, they avoid restaurants with all-you-can-eat bufets>
K acquaintance
H acquaintance
someone who is known but who is not a close friend; the state of knowing someone in a
personal or social way; the state of knowing someone as an acquaintance; knowledge about
something
the state of being acquainted
personal knowledge R familiarity
the persons with whom one is acquainted <should auld acquaintance be forgot Robert
Burns>
a person whom one knows but who is not a particularly close friend <a casual acquain-
tance>
She ran into an old acquaintance at the grocery store.
our familys close acquaintance with our neighbors
She struck up an acquaintance with a man from the city.
He seemed cold at frst, but on closer acquaintance I realized that he was just shy.
While he has some acquaintance with the subject, he is not an expert.
But Francis later found out that the dinner acquaintance who sweet-talked him got a
thank-you check for three thousand pounds. Julian Barnes, New Yorker, 20 Sept.
1993
But all those qualities are so wrapped up in others that one could hardly ask for two
men who are, at frst acquaintance, more diferent. Peter Garrison, Air & Space,
October/November 1991
A classical education, or at any rate a very extensive acquaintance with English literature,
ancient and modern, appears to me quite indispensable for the person who would do any
just to your clergyman; and I think I may boast myself to be, with all possible vanity,
the most unlearned and uninformed female who ever dared to be an authoress. Jane
Austen, letter, 11 Dec. 1815
150
K acrimony
H acrimony
angry and bitter feelings
harsh or biting sharpness especially of words, manner, or disposition
The dispute began again with increased acrimony.
<she responded with such acrimony that he never brought the subject up again>
[151]
venom (acrimony venom)
[151]
civility (acrimony " civility)
K venom
[151]
acrimony (acrimony venom)
H venom
poison that is produced by an animal (such as a snake) and used to kill or injure another
animal usually through biting or stinging; a very strong feeling of anger or hatred
poisonous matter normally secreted by some animals (as snakes, scorpions, or bees) and
transmitted to prey or an enemy chiefy by biting or stinging; broadly R material that is
poisonous
ill will, malevolence
She spoke of him with venom in her voice.
He spewed venom against his rival.
envenom
[151]
panacea (venom " panacea)
K panacea
[151]
venom (venom " panacea)
H panacea
something that will make everything about a situation better
a remedy for all ills or difculties R cure-all
The law will improve the lives of local farmers, but it is no panacea.
<a woman who seems to believe that chicken soup is a panacea for nearly everything>
K civility
[151]
acrimony (acrimony " civility)
H civility
polite, reasonable, and respectful behaviorcivilities; polite actions and words
training in the humanities
151
civilized conduct; especially R courtesy, politeness
a polite act or expression
They greeted each other with the usual exchange of civilities.
<after the usual civilities, the parents and the principal had a serious talk about the
boy>
K adroit
H adroit
very clever or skillful
having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations <an adroit
leader><adroit maneuvers>
She is adroit at handling problems.
<with an adroit fick of the wrist, fipped the omelet into the air and landed it squarely
back in the pan>
Rumor has always played a role in politics, but rarely have the backstage operatives been
so adroit, and so cynical, in their use of vitriol. Walter Shapiro, Time, 10 July 1989
Family medicine is constructed around the unquantifable idea that a doctor who treats
your grandmother, your father, your niece, and your daughter will be more adroit in
treating you. John McPhee, Table of Contents, 1984
He was adroit with money and was blessed with the extraordinary Spanish gift of prolifc,
and even inchoate, invention. V. S. Pritchett, Goya ,1975, in A Man of Letters,
1985
[152]
ingenious (adroit ingenious)
K ingenious
[152]
adroit (adroit ingenious)
H ingenious
very smart or clever; having or showing ingenuity
showing or calling for intelligence, aptitude, or discernment
having or showing an unusual aptitude for discovering, inventing, or contriving <an in-
genious detective>
marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in conception or execution <an
ingenious contraption>
The book has an ingenious plot.
She was ingenious at fnding ways to work more quickly.
It was ingenious of him to arrange the schedule so precisely.
How many dog-size bathrobes (an ingenious device) are out there? David Colman,
Vogue, April 2001
152
spacecraft engineers tried to come up with ways to unstickthe antenna. Those at-
tempts failed, but by ingenious software and mission-sequencing techniques the Galileo
mission was still able to fulfll nearly all of its scientifc requirements and return a rich
quantity of scientifc data Louis Friedman et al., Encyclopedia of the Solar System,
1999
an ingenious method of checking errors W. David Gardner, Datamation, June 1982
K aesthetic
H aesthetic
of or relating to art or beauty
of, relating to, or dealing with aesthetics or the beautiful <aesthetic theories>
artistic <a work of aesthetic value>
pleasing in appearance R attractive <easy-to-use keyboards, clear graphics, and other
ergonomic and aesthetic features Mark Mehler>
appreciative of, responsive to, or zealous about the beautiful; ALSO: responsive to or
appreciative of what is pleasurable to the senses
There are practical as well as aesthetic reasons for planting trees.
making aesthetic improvements to the building
My generation has an annoying penchant for treating luxuries as necessities and turning
guilty pleasures into aesthetic and even moral touchstones. Terrence Raferty, GQ,
October 1997
Whereas the essence of Prousts aesthetic position was contained in the deceptively simple
yet momentous assertion that a pictures beauty does not depend on the things portrayed
in it.Alain de Botton, How Proust Can Change Your Life, 1997
I suppose that jazz listening and prizefght watching are my two most passionate avoca-
tions, and this is largely so because the origins of my aesthetic urges are in the black
working class. Gerald Early, The Passing of Jazzs Old Guard: , in The Best
American Essays 1986, Elizabeth Hardwick & Robert Atwan, editors, 1986
a set of ideas or opinions about beauty or artaesthetics; the study of beauty especially in art
and literature; the artistic or beautiful qualities of something
a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste and with the
creation and appreciation of beauty
a particular theory or conception of beauty or art R a particular taste for or approach to
what is pleasing to the senses and especially sight <modernist aesthetics><staging new
ballets which refected the aesthetic of the new nation Mary Clarke & Clement Crisp>
a pleasing appearance or efect R beauty <appreciated the aesthetics of the gemstones>
Aesthetics is an important part of Greek philosophy.
the aesthetics of the gemstones
[154]
grotesque (aesthetic ! grotesque)
153
K grotesque
[153]
aesthetic (aesthetic ! grotesque)
H grotesque
very strange or ugly in a way that is not normal or natural; extremely diferent from what is
expected or usual
of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the grotesque: as
fanciful, bizarre
absurdly incongruous
departing markedly from the natural, the expected, or the typical
The actors wore dark capes and grotesque masks.
a grotesque distortion of the facts
a style of decorative art characterized by fanciful or fantastic human and animal forms often
interwoven with foliage or similar fgures that may distort the natural into absurdity,
ugliness, or caricature
a piece of work in this style
one that is grotesque
sans serif
<a gallery of grotesques from some sicko horror movie>
K ambivalent
H ambivalent
simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward
an object, person, or action
continual fuctuation (as between one thing and its opposite)
uncertainty as to which approach to follow
K antecedent
H antecedent
earlier in time
prior
<Id like to follow up on an antecedent question from another reporter.>
grammar; a word or phrase that is represented by another word (such as a pronoun); something
that came before something else and may have infuenced or caused itantecedents; the people
in a family who lived in past times
a substantive word, phrase, or clause whose denotation is referred to by a pronoun (as
John in Mary saw John and called to him); broadly R a word or phrase replaced by a
substitute
the conditional element in a proposition (as if A in if A, then B)
154
the frst term of a mathematical ratio
a preceding event, condition, or cause
the signifcant events, conditions, and traits of ones earlier life
predecessor; especially R a model or stimulus for later developments
ancestors, parents
Johnis the antecedent of the pronoun himin Mary saw John and thanked him.
<what are the antecedents of the American Revolutionary War?>
K antithesis
H antithesis
the exact opposite of something or someone; the state of two things that are directly opposite
to each other
the rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or
sentences (as in action, not wordsor they promised freedom and provided slavery)
opposition, contrast <the antithesis of prose and verse>
the second of two opposing words, clauses, or sentences that are being rhetorically con-
trasted
the direct opposite <her temperament is the very antithesis of mine>
the second stage of a dialectic process
<true love for another is the antithesis of the desire to control that persons life>
In urban areas, middle schools often became the antithesis of what reformers had intended.
Instead of warm incubators of independence and judgment, they became impersonal,
oppressive institutions. Claudia Wallis, Time, 8 Aug. 2005
Yet the newest residential rage in Dallas is the antithesis of the traditional neighborhood:
the gated community. Depending on your income and level of anxiety, these private en-
claves may contain golf courses, health clubs and equestrian centers Paul McFedries,
Word Spy, 2004
Cato, who dosed his family on cabbage soup, derided Greek physicians as the antithesis
of Roman virtue: they were frauds who cheated patients and have sworn to kill all
barbarians with their drugs. Roy Porter, The Greatest Beneft to Mankind, 1997
K appropriation, subsidy
H appropriation
an act or instance of appropriating
something that has been appropriated; specifcally R money set aside by formal action for
a specifc use
the appropriation of funds to repair the bridge
The economy has been weakened by the appropriation of the countrys resources by
corrupt ofcials.
155
H subsidy
money that is paid usually by a government to keep the price of a product or service low or
to help a business or organization to continue to function
a grant or gift of money: as
a sum of money formerly granted by the British Parliament to the crown and raised by
special taxation
money granted by one state to another
a grant by a government to a private person or company to assist an enterprise deemed
advantageous to the public
The city is increasing subsidies for public transit.
<government subsidies for farmers in case of crop failure>
K attorney
H attorney
one who is legally appointed to transact business on anothers behalf; especially R lawyer
<talked to the counts attorney about buying land from his estate>
<fnished law school and became an attorney>
K audacious
H audacious
very confdent and daring; very bold and surprising or shocking
intrepidly daring R adventurous <an audacious mountain climber>
recklessly bold R rash <an audacious maneuver>
contemptuous of law, religion, or decorum R insolent
marked by originality and verve <audacious experiments>
They have audacious plans for the new school.
This is her most audacious flm so far.
She made an audacious decision to quit her job.
Whatever made him think his audacious fction would sellespecially after a lifetime of
literary marginalizationis a mystery, but he has certainly been vindicated. With a
rush of work that he did not begin publishing until he was in his forties, he won literary
fame in Europe and Latin America. Valerie Sayers, Commonweal, 13 July 2007
This is an audacious claim, and Kramer anticipates, even encourages, the controversy it
might provoke. Gary Greenberg, Harpers, August 2005
Morgan Pressel, the top-ranked female amateur in the country, has charted a less
audacious course. A 17-year-old scrapper who gained prominence by tying for second at
the U.S. Womens Open in June, Pressel is satisfed with taking on and whipping her
own kind. E.M. Swift, Sports Il lustrated, 8 Aug. 2005
156
he owns and operates a seductively spacious jazz club. But thats his day job, his cover.
He executes his audacious midnight burglaries outside of the city, working solo, mapping
out every detail so that nothing can go wrong, then returning like a phantom. Owen
Gliberman, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2001
K audacity
H audacity
a confdent and daring quality that is often seen as shocking or rude; an audacious quality
the quality or state of being audacious: as
intrepid boldness
bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints <had the audacity to defy his boss>
an audacious act usually used in plural <her worst audacities did not seem to surprise
him Edith Wharton>
I could not believe their audacity.
He had the audacity to suggest that it was all my fault.
K autonomy
H autonomy
the state of existing or acting separately from others; the power or right of a country, group,
etc., to govern itself
the quality or state of being self-governing; especially R the right of self-government
self-directing freedom and especially moral independence
a self-governing state
a teacher who encourages individual autonomy
The territory has been granted autonomy.
The Catalans take the matter of their language very seriously; it is an outward indication
of their autonomy, of their distinction from the rest of Spain. Polly Evans, Its Not
About the Tapas, 2006
The term empire implies more than simple cultural dominance or preeminent military
power. It applies to states that use force to occupy and control a group of other states
or regions. The conquered states, robbed of autonomy and political independence, be-
come colonies, provinces, or territories of the imperial power. Taxes are levied, laws are
imposed, soldiers are conscripted, governors are installedall without the consent of the
subjugated state. Michael J. Glennon, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 2002
The social payof of the new knowledge would be new technology, then new industries
and new jobs. Compton got nowhere with the administration, partly because he was
an anti-New Dealer, partly because the government was unwilling to grant scientists the
autonomy that they claimed, and partly because his program represented a trickle-down
approach to economic recovery. Daniel J. Kevles, New Republic, 30 Sept. 2002
157
Usually, Americans think of freedom as a condition of personal autonomy, independence
from the will of others. This way of thinking refects just the kind of distinctionbetween
oneself and the rest of the group of which one is a partthat Dewey considered false.
Louis Menand, The Metaphysical Club, 2001
[158]
predilection (autonomy predilection)
K predilection
[157]
autonomy (autonomy predilection)
H predilection
a natural liking for something; a tendency to do or to be attracted to something
an established preference for something
<a young lad with a predilection for telling tall tales>
Its true that black audiences have always had a predilection for talking back at perfor-
mances. But more than that is going on in this theatre: the intensity of engagement is
palpable. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New Yorker, 3 Feb. 1997
The predilection of certain upper-class Englishmen toward eccentricity and playacting lent
itself well to this endeavor. Robert D. Kaplan, The Arabists, 1993
Even seated in the witness chair, he did not remove the light-colored, belted raincoat
that, in common with knee-high boots, is a predilection of the Nazi-minded and that,
in his case, was nearly identical to the raincoat Hitler habitually wore. Kay Boyle,
Preface from the Smoking ,1950, in Words that Must Somehow be Said: Selected
Essays of Kay Boyle 19271984, 1985
K beguile
H beguile
to trick or deceive (someone); to attract or interest someone
to lead by deception
hoodwink
to while away especially by some agreeable occupation; ALSO: divert 2
to engage the interest of by or as if by guile
to deceive by wiles
She was cunning enough to beguile her classmates into doing the work for her.
They were beguiled into thinking theyd heard the whole story.
Almost everything in the quaint little town beguiles, from its architecture to its art to its
people.
He beguiled the audience with his smooth and seductive voice.
K brevity
H brevity
158
the use of few words to say something; the quality or fact of lasting only for a short period of
time
shortness of duration; especially R shortness or conciseness of expression
The books major faw is its brevity.
<the best quality a graduation speech can have is brevity>
Mike Espy resigned under pressure as Secretary of Agriculture yesterday at a news con-
ference remarkable for its brevity and general absence of whining. New York Times, 4
Oct. 1994
Lincoln was able to achieve the loftiness, ideality, and brevity of the Gettysburg Address
because he had spent a good part of the 1850s repeatedly relating all the most sensitive
issues of the day to the Declarations supreme principle. Garry Wills, Lincoln At
Gettysburg, 1992
The books brevity is its major defect. Admittedly, readers of military history have been
smothered by portentous tomes of a thousand pages or more. But 365 pages are too few
to tell the Normandy story. Drew Middleton, New York Times Book Review, 15 Aug.
1982
Maudie, Im sure I dont know what you mean,said Mrs. Merriweather. Im sure you
do,Miss Maudie said shortly. She said no more. When Miss Maudie was angry, her
brevity was icy. Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960
K chaos
H chaos
complete confusion and disorder; a state in which behavior and events are not controlled by
anything; the state of the universe before there was any order and before stars and planets
were formed
chasm, abyss
a state of things in which chance is supreme; especially R the confused unorganized state
of primordial matter before the creation of distinct forms compare cosmos
the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a complex natural system (as the atmo-
sphere, boiling water, or the beating heart)
a state of utter confusion <the blackout caused chaos throughout the city>
a confused mass or mixture <a chaos of television antennas>
The loss of electricity caused chaos throughout the city.
When the police arrived, the street was in total chaos.
The country had descended into economic chaos.
K chronology
H chronology
the order in which a series of events happened; a record of the order in which a series of events
happened; a science that deals with measuring time and fnding out when events happened
159
the science that deals with measuring time by regular divisions and that assigns to events
their proper dates
a chronological table, list, or account
an arrangement (as of events) in order of occurrence <reconstruct the chronology of the
trip>
We tried to reconstruct the chronology of the accident.
The book provides a chronology of the events leading up to the American Civil War.
K circumscribe
H circumscribe
to limit the size or amount of (something); to draw a shape around (another shape)
to constrict the range or activity of defnitely and clearly <his role was carefully circum-
scribed>
to defne or mark of carefully <a study of plant species in a circumscribed area>
to draw a line around
to surround by or as if by a boundary <felds circumscribed by tall trees>
to construct or be constructed around (a geometrical fgure) so as to touch as many points
as possible
The circle is circumscribed by a square.
<circumscribed his enthusiasm so as not to make the losing side feel worse>
K clandestine, surreptitious
H clandestine
done in a private place or way; done secretly
marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy R surreptitious <a clandestine love afair>

The clandestine meetings, the passing back and forth of messages between Lodge and
the plotters, the coaxing along of the generals, all had the emotional lift of a strong
amphetamine. Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988
The CIAs great innovation has been to concentrate in peacetime on covert actionthat
is, the use of clandestine means to challenge policies and regimes in other countries.
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986
And Pym was in London for a conferenceno, he wasnt, he was attending a three-day
course on the latest methods of clandestine communication in a beastly little training
house of Smith Square. John le Carr, A Perfect Spy, 1986
H surreptitious
done in a secret way
done, made, or acquired by stealth R clandestine
160
acting or doing something clandestinely R stealthy <a surreptitious glance>
She had a surreptitious relationship with her employee.
<a private investigator adept at taking surreptitious pictures of adulterous couples>
The letter didnt ofer up the jewels, only shadowy suggestions about their disappearance,
claiming that [heiress, Carolyn] Skelly, in a surreptitious trading of parcels with a man
in an ankle-length tweed overcoat,had left a bag full of jewelry on the foor at J.F.K.
Mark Seal, Vanity Fair, December 2001
In the early evening as we gathered in the lobby beneath mounted elk heads and bear
skins, the lights of the chandelier fickered mysteriously. But the teacher and I both spied
the surreptitious action of the desk clerk, whose sheepish smile acknowledged that one
brief hotel mystery had been solved. Other signs of pranking there included a ghost
photo (displayed in a lobby album) that the clerk confded to me was staged, and some
pennies, placed on the back of a mens room toilet, that from time to time would secretly
become rearranged to form messageslike the word why?that I encountered. Joe
Nickell, Skeptical Inquirer, September/October 2000
The next week ofered [FBI agent] Wiser the opportunity he had been waiting for. Ames
was leaving the country, going to Ankara for a weeklong international conference on
drugs. Wiser went to Bryant for permission to run a surreptitious search of Ames
garbage. But the chief was dead set against it. Tim Weiner et al., Rolling Stone, 29
June 1995
[161]
overt (clandestine ! overt)
K overt
[160]
clandestine, surreptitious (clandestine ! overt)
H overt
easily seen; not secret or hidden
open to view R manifest <overt hostility>
K clarity, transparency
H clarity
the quality of being easily understood; the quality of being expressed, remembered, under-
stood, etc., in a very exact way; the quality of being easily seen or heard
the quality or state of being clear R lucidity
The essays are edited for clarity.
There is a lack of clarity in many legal documents.
She remembered what happened that day with surprising clarity.
Im looking for greater clarity about what is expected of our students.
The clarity of the photographs was amazing.
The DVD has excellent clarity of sound.
161
the clarity of the lakes water
The vitamin is believed to improve skin clarity.
H transparency
something transparent; especially R a picture (as on flm) viewed by light shining through
it or by projection
the quality or state of being transparent
the transparency of a piece of glass
the transparency of their motives
He says that there needs to be more transparency in the way the government operates.
The professor used transparencies and an overhead projector during her lectures.
K cognitive
H cognitive
of, relating to, or involving conscious mental activities (such as thinking, understanding,
learning, and remembering)
of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (as thinking, reasoning,
or remembering) <cognitive impairment>
based on or capable of being reduced to empirical factual knowledge
K conjecture, reckon
H conjecture
to form an opinion or idea without proof or sufcient evidence
to arrive at or deduce by surmise or guesswork R guess <scientists conjecturing that a
disease is caused by a defective gene>
to make conjectures (see 1conjecture)as to <conjecture the meaning of a statement>
to form conjectures(see 1conjecture)
Some have conjectured that the distant planet could sustain life.
We only conjecture about his motives.
It is fashionable now to conjecture that the Big Bang was caused by a random quantum
fuctuation in a vacuum devoid of space and time. Martin Gardner, Skeptical Inquirer,
November/December 1998
their traces left for future archaeologists to rediscover and perhaps to wonder or con-
jecture over. Jane Jacobs, Cities and the Wealth of Nations, 1984
I am anxious to conjecture beforehand what may be expected from the sowing turneps
[sic] in jaded ground, how much from the acre, & how large they will be? Thomas
Jeferson, letter, 29 Dec. 1794
Despairing of assistance and protection from below (as they foolishly conjecture) they
talk of capitulating and coming upon terms with the French and Indians George
Washington, 24 Apr. 1776, in The Papers of George Washington, 1984
162
an opinion or idea formed without proof or sufcient evidence
interpretation of omens
supposition
inference from defective or presumptive evidence
a conclusion deduced by surmise or guesswork
a proposition (as in mathematics) before it has been proved or disproved
The biography includes conjectures about the writers earliest ambitions.
a conjecture about the extent of the injury
Most of the book is conjecture, not fact.
Whether Columbus brought syphilis to the New Worldor to the Old Worldhas been
the subject of conjecture for at least 500 years. Carl Zimmer, Science, 11 May 2001
their voices rose in a chorus of conjecture and alarm, repeating the selfsame remark:
What is she going to do? I mean, is Betty going to faint?Edna OBrien, New Yorker,
1 Jan. 1990
The reason why the French with superior man-power and American resources were doing
so poorly was not beyond all conjecture. Barbara W. Tuchman, The March of Folly,
1984
Peculiar features of early maps, which may have been nothing but a draftsmans whimsy,
have inspired pages of vain conjecture. Samuel Eliot Morison, The European Discovery
of America, 1971
H reckon
to think or suppose (something); to believe that (something) is true or possible; to calculate
or guess (an amount, number, value, etc.); to have or form a general idea about (something);
to think of (someone or something) as being something specifed
count <reckon the days till Christmas>
estimate, compute <reckon the height of a building>
to determine by reference to a fxed basis <the existence of the United States is reckoned
from the Declaration of Independence>
to regard or think of as R consider
think, suppose 
to settle accounts
to make a calculation
judge
suppose, think
to accept something as certain R place reliance 
to take into consideration
to fail to consider R ignore
I reckon that well have to leave early.
163
Do you reckon youll be able to go to the grocery store after work?
Well have to leave early, I reckon.
They reckoned that they would reach their destination by noon.
Losses were reckoned to be over a million dollars.
K conjure
H conjure
to make (something) appear or seem to appear by using magic; to make you think of (some-
thing); to create or imagine (something)
to charge or entreat earnestly or solemnly
to summon by or as if by invocation or incantation
to afect or efect by or as if by magic
imagine, contrive often used with up <we conjure up our own metaphors for our own
needs R. J. Kaufmann>
to bring to mind <words that conjure pleasant images>often used with up <conjure
up memories>
to summon a devil or spirit by invocation or incantation
to practice magical arts
to use a conjurers tricks R juggle
to treat or regard as important <Victor Hugo is a name to conjure with Peter France>
a magician who conjures live doves from silk scarves
The students conjured a clever scheme to raise the money they needed.
K connotation
H connotation
an idea or quality that a word makes you think about in addition to its meaning
the suggesting of a meaning by a word apart from the thing it explicitly names or describes
something suggested by a word or thing R implication <the connotations of comfort that
surrounded that old chair>
the signifcation of something <that abuse of logic which consists in moving counters
about as if they were known entities with a fxed connotation W. R. Inge>
an essential property or group of properties of a thing named by a term in logic compare
denotation
a word with negative connotations
For many people, the word fathas negative connotations.
The word childlikehas connotations of innocence.
Miuccia Prada, a connoisseur of vintage jewelry, has a collection of tiaras and subverts
their formal connotations by wearing them for the day. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, March
1997
164
Suddenly, Hsun-ching brightened. So this is propaganda?Alison did not know that, in
Chinese, the word for propaganda literally means to spread information, and does not
carry any negative connotations. Mark Salzman, The Laughing Sutra, 1991
The word evolution,with its connotation of unrolling, of progressive development, was
not favored by Darwin; he preferred the bleak phrase descent with modifcationfor his
theory. John Updike, New Yorker, 30 Dec. 1985
K consummate
H consummate
very good or skillful; very bad
complete in every detail R perfect
extremely skilled and accomplished <a consummate liar><a consummate professional>
of the highest degree <consummate skill><consummate cruelty>
He plays the piano with consummate skill.
<consummate cabinetmakers, they produced desks and chests of drawers that are now
regarded as masterpieces of American furniture>
How dare you!Natalie screamed, in consummate frustration Joseph Wambaugh,
The Black Marble, l978
Berg, the consummate schmoozer, was the perfect spy for the job. Dick Teresi, New
York Times Book Review, 24 July 1994
To thrive in science, you must be both a consummate collaborator and a relentless com-
petitor. Natalie Angier, New York Times Book Review, 6 Nov. 1988
The rest of his life (he lived for a few more years) was one great consummate silence.
R. K. Narayan, Under the Banyan Tree,in The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann
Charters, 1987
to make (a marriage or romantic relationship) complete by having sex; to make (something)
perfect or complete
fnish, complete <consummate a business deal>
to make perfect
achieve
to make (marital union) complete by sexual intercourse <consummate a marriage>
to become perfected
The bargaining process went on for a few days, but the deal was never consummated.
Their happiness was consummated when their son was born.
In part she had loved him for that, loved the tender understanding with which he had
acquiesced to her wish not to consummate their relationship out of wedlock. Dorothy
West, The Wedding, 1995
Once the sale was consummated, a thorough housecleaning took place in the advertising
department Brendan Gill, New York Times Book Review, 4 Oct. 1987
165
By prolonging the suspense and terror, he was needlessly delaying the reconciliation he
himself was yearning so dearly to consummate. Joseph Heller, God Knows, 1984
K contrivance
H contrivance
something that causes things to happen in a story in a way that does not seem natural or
believable; the use of contrivances in a story; a machine or piece of equipment made with
skill and cleverness
a thing contrived; especially R a mechanical device
an artifcial arrangement or development
the act or faculty of contriving R the state of being contrived
The story is flled with plot contrivances that do not ft the ending.
He told the story honestly and without contrivance.
a contrivance to get out of doing the work
He convinced her to go without using contrivance.
K conventional, orthodox, prevalent
H 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
formed by agreement or compact
according with, sanctioned by, or based on convention
lacking originality or individuality R trite
ordinary, commonplace
nonnuclear 1 <conventional warfare>
according with a mode of artistic representation that simplifes or provides symbols or
substitutes for natural forms
of traditional design
of, resembling, or relating to a convention, assembly, or public meeting
The number sign is the conventional symbol for labeling something measured in pounds.
While microwaves heat up food more quickly, most food tastes better when it is cooked
in a conventional oven.
Most of her books are conventional detective stories.
His views on dating are more conventional than those of some of his friends.
H orthodox
accepted as true or correct by most people; supporting or believing what most people think is
true; accepting and closely following the traditional beliefs and customs of a religionOrtho-
dox; of or relating to the Orthodox Church
166
conforming to established doctrine especially in religion
conventional
of, relating to, or constituting any of various conservative religious or political groups: as
eastern orthodox
of or relating to Orthodox Judaism
He took an orthodox approach to the problem.
She believes in the benefts of both orthodox medicine and alternative medicine.
He is a very orthodox Muslim.
I attend an Eastern Orthodox church.
My grandmother is Russian Orthodox.
one that is orthodox
a member of an Eastern Orthodox church
H prevalent
accepted, done, or happening often or over a large area at a particular time; common or
widespread
powerful
being in ascendancy R dominant
generally or widely accepted, practiced, or favored R widespread
a custom that was once prevalent here
Those teaching methods are still prevalent at some schools.
a fashion that is prevalent among teenagers
Sweden is known as a nation ridden by suicide and alcoholism, but those problems are
no more prevalent here than in most European countries. John Harris, Rolling Stone,
14 Nov. 2002
Teams seem to him better coached, players more skilled, the strategy even more defensive,
the opportunities less prevalent, the game less ripe. Alec Wilkinson, ESPN, 16 Apr.
2001
So prevalent were grave robberies that the pharaohs loyal retainers often spirited away
their masters remains for reinterment in secret graves. Paul Martin, National Geo-
graphic Traveler, March 1999
Throughout the Mediterranean culture, which was the matrix of our own, the tree was
a prevalent embodiment of the Mother Goddess; Francis DuPlessix Gray, UTNE
Reader, November/December 1987
[167]
ubiquitous (conventional ubiquitous)
K ubiquitous
[166]
conventional, orthodox, prevalent (conventional ubiquitous)
167
H ubiquitous
seeming to be seen everywhere
existing or being everywhere at the same time R constantly encountered R widespread <a
ubiquitous fashion>
The companys advertisements are ubiquitous.
<by that time cell phones had become ubiquitous, and people had long ceased to be
impressed by the sight of one>
Hot dogs are the ideal road trip foodinexpensive, portable, ubiquitous. Paul Lucas,
Saveur, June/July 2008
Shawarma is the new street meat. Both a late night favourite and a quick lunch classic,
the Middle Eastern dish is now ubiquitous on the streets of Toronto. Chris Dart,
Torontoist, 8 Feb. 2007
In major league locker rooms, ice packs are ubiquitous appendages for pitchers, who wrap
their shoulder or elbow or both, the better to calm muscles, ligaments and tendons that
have been stressed by the unnatural act of throwing a baseball. Tom Verducci, Sports
Illustrated, 26 Mar. 2007
It was before the day of the ubiquitous automobile. Given one of those present adjuncts
to farm life, John would have ended his career much earlier. As it was, they found him
lying by the roadside at dawn one morning after the horses had trotted into the yard
with the wreck of the buggy bumping the road behind them. Edna Ferber, Farmer
in the Dell,1919, in One Basket, 1949
[168]
inimitable (ubiquitous " inimitable)
K inimitable
[167]
ubiquitous (ubiquitous " inimitable)
H inimitable
impossible to copy or imitate
not capable of being imitated R matchless <her own inimitable style>
<an inimitable performer of violin solos>
K conversant
H conversant
able to talk in a foreign language
having frequent or familiar association
concerned, occupied
having knowledge or experience used with with
Shes conversant in several languages.
<a world traveler who is highly conversant with the customs of foreign cultures>
168
[169]
oblivious (conversant " oblivious) (conversant ! oblivious)
K oblivious
[168]
conversant (conversant " oblivious)
H oblivious
not conscious or aware of someone or something
lacking remembrance, memory, or mindful attention
lacking active conscious knowledge or awareness usually used with of or to
<the out-of-state motorist claimed to be oblivious of the local speed limit, even though
the signs must have been hard to miss>
They were pushing and shouting and oblivious to anyone not in their group. P. J.
ORourke, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 1996
Prentice looked up from his food, which he had been steadily shovelling in, completely
oblivious of everyone. Antonya Nelson, New Yorker, 9 Nov. 1992
Oblivious of any previous decisions not to stand together , the three stood in a tight
group Doris Lessing, The Good Terrorist, 1985
Father was oblivious to the mans speculative notice of his wife. E. L. Doctorow,
Ragtime, 1974
She rested now, frankly and fairly, in the shelter of his arms, and both were oblivious to
the gale that rushed past them in quicker and stronger blasts. Jack London, Burning
Daylight, 1910
(conversant ! oblivious)
K cynicism
H cynicism
cynical beliefs; beliefs that people are generally selfsh and dishonest
the doctrine of the Cynics
cynical attitude or quality; ALSO: a cynical comment or act
Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
K dearth, paucity
H dearth
the state or condition of not having enough of something
scarcity that makes dear; specifcally R famine
an inadequate supply R lack <a dearth of evidence>
<there was a dearth of usable frewood at the campsite>
<the dearth of salesclerks at the shoe store annoyed us>
169
It may also be a respite for booksellers, who have been grumbling for several years about
sluggish sales and a dearth of dependable blockbuster fction. Julie Bosman, New York
Times, 19 Oct. 2006
Earnhardt has recently hinted that a company-wide dearth of talent is the core reason
his Chevy simply isnt as fast in 2005 as its been in the past. Lars Anderson, Sports
Illustrated, 11 Apr. 2006
AirNet, which hauls bank checks and other time-critical freight, used to require that its
pilots have at least 1,200 hours of fight experience. Then, faced with a dearth of expe-
rienced applicants, it dropped the requirement to 500 hours. Now, it has no minimum.
Scott McCartney, Wall Street Journal, 10 Aug. 2000
H paucity
a small amount of something; an amount that is less than what is needed or wanted
smallness of number R fewness
smallness of quantity R dearth
<a paucity of useful answers to the problem of trafc congestion at rush hour>
If you had one of those Yugoslav names with a paucity of vowels, you might sprinkle in a
few Calvin Trillin, Time, 22 May 2000
For my part, I fnd increasingly that I miss the simplicity, the almost willful paucity, of
the English way of doing things. Bill Bryson, Im a Stranger Here Myself, 1999
This relative paucity of freeloaders and deadbeats means that rookie Americans, as a
group, more than pay their way. Jaclyn Fierman, Fortune, 9 Aug. 1993
[170]
plethora, surfeit (dearth " surfeit) (paucity " plethora)
K plethora, surfeit
[169]
dearth, paucity (paucity " plethora)
H plethora
a very large amount or number; an amount that is much greater than what is necessary
a bodily condition characterized by an excess of blood and marked by turgescence and a
forid complexion
excess, superfuity; ALSO: profusion, abundance
A plethora of books have been written on the subject.
<a biology textbook that is helpfully illustrated with a plethora of excellent illustrations>
There has been a plethora of plays in recent years whose claim to modernity is based on
indicated rather than felt emotion. Arthur Miller, Harpers, March 1999
The plethora of short-lived ceasefres in the Balkans and the Caucasus constitute proof
that we are no longer in a world where the old rules of state warfare apply. Robert D.
Kaplan, Atlantic, February 1994
170
In their view, there are the very few hard-pressed good guys losing the landscape to a
plethora of bad guys. Carol Bly, Letters from the Country, 1981
served at the long plank table in the banquet hut, amid a plethora of toasts to progress,
amity, and the overthrow of imperialismthe meal passed in a blur. John Updike,
Trust Me, (1962) 1987
[169]
dearth, paucity (dearth " surfeit)
H surfeit
an amount that is too much or more than you need
an overabundant supply R excess
an intemperate or immoderate indulgence in something (as food or drink)
disgust caused by excess
<ended up with a surfeit of volunteers who simply got in each others way>
to feed, supply, or give to surfeit
to indulge to satiety in a gratifcation (as indulgence of the appetite or senses)
<having surfeited ourselves on raw oysters, we had to decline the rest of the restaurants
oferings>
K decipherable
H decipherable
to fnd the meaning of (something that is difcult to read or understand)
decode 1a
depict
to make out the meaning of despite indistinctness or obscurity
to interpret the meaning of
I couldnt decipher his sloppy handwriting.
<we deciphered the hidden message to fnd out when we were supposed to meet>
K defy
H defy
to refuse to obey (something or someone); to make (something) very difcult or impossible;
to resist or fght (something)
to challenge to combat
to challenge to do something considered impossible R dare
to confront with assured power of resistance R disregard <defy public opinion>
to resist attempts at R withstand <the paintings defy classifcation>
She defed her parents and dropped out of school.
The group has continued to defy all eforts to stop them.
171
challenge, defance
[172]
demise, succumb (defy " succumb)
K demise, succumb
[171]
defy (defy " succumb)
H succumb
to stop trying to resist something; to die
to yield to superior strength or force or overpowering appeal or desire <succumb to
temptation>
to be brought to an end (as death) by the efect of destructive or disruptive forces
They will pressure you, and you must try not to succumb.
<he fnally succumbed and let his wife get rid of his dilapidated easy chair>
Lepanto occupies a curious military fault line between ancient and modern. It was fought
with galleys almost identical to those that had clashed in this same gulf sixteen centuries
before, when the ships of Antony and Cleopatra succumbed to those of Octavian at the
Battle of Actium. Colin Thubron, New York Times Book Review, 9 Apr. 2009
Last spring, the Knight Ridder chain succumbed to pressure from its largest private in-
vestor and sold of its entire lineup of 32 papers to the McClatchy Co. for more than $4
billion. Eric Klinenberg, Mother Jones, March/April 2007
Yet after Paul died in 1978 and his successor John Paul I succumbed to a heart attack
only 34 days into his papacy, Wojyla was so oblivious to his impending fate that he spent
the frst day of the new papal conclave nonchalantly browsing through a quarterly review
of Marxist theory. David Van Biema, Time, 11 Apr. 2005
Interviews with cadets, police ofcers and investigators trying to crack down on crime
inside Mexico Citys 80,000-ofcer force revealed that even the most earnest cops often
succumb to the temptations that are both plentiful and low risk. Alan Zarembo,
Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2000
H demise
an end of life; the end of something that is thought of as being like a death
the conveyance of an estate
transfer of the sovereignty to a successor
death
a cessation of existence or activity
a loss of position or status
She had no property at the time of her demise.
The musician met an untimely demise.
We have not had truly local news coverage since the town newspapers demise three years
ago.
172
Losing this game will mean the teams demise.
invited visitors to play a game in which points are awarded to those who predict the
demise of yet another overhyped dot-com. Jef Goodell, Rolling Stone, 14 Sept. 2000
This elegant little book is essential reading for anyone interested in the demise, the
terminal silliness, of our culture. John Irving, New York Times Book Review, 6 Apr.
1997
Like books, board games appear headed for imminent demise at the hands of cathode-ray
terminals. Will Manley, Booklist, 1 Mar. 1995
to convey (as an estate) by will or lease
convey, give
to transmit by succession or inheritance
die, decease
to pass by descent or bequest <the property has demised to the kings heirs>
<our much beloved, recently demised leader>
K deride, jibe
H deride
to talk or write about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way; to say that
(someone or something) is ridiculous or has no value
to laugh at contemptuously
to subject to usually bitter or contemptuous ridicule
<my brothers derided our eforts, but were forced to eat their words when we won frst
place>
H jibe
to shift suddenly and forcibly from one side to the other used of a fore-and-aft sail
to change a vessels course when sailing with the wind so that as the stern passes through
the eye of the wind the boom swings to the opposite side
to cause to jibe
to be in accord R agree
[173]
sanction (deride " sanction)
K sanction
[173]
deride, jibe (deride " sanction)
H sanction
to ofcially accept or allow (something)
to make valid or binding usually by a formal procedure (as ratifcation)
173
to give efective or authoritative approval or consent to
The government has sanctioned the use of force.
His actions were not sanctioned by his superiors.
an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international
laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that
country, etc.; ofcial permission or approval
a formal decree; especially R an ecclesiastical decree
a solemn agreement R oath
something that makes an oath binding
the detriment, loss of reward, or coercive intervention annexed to a violation of a law as
a means of enforcing the law
a consideration, principle, or infuence (as of conscience) that impels to moral action or
determines moral judgment
a mechanism of social control for enforcing a societys standards
explicit or ofcial approval, permission, or ratifcation R approbation
an economic or military coercive measure adopted usually by several nations in concert
for forcing a nation violating international law to desist or yield to adjudication
The country acted without the sanction of the other nations.
Their policy has legal sanction.
K derivative
H derivative
made up of parts from something else; not new or original; formed from another word
formed by derivation <a derivative word>
made up of or marked by derived elements
lacking originality R banal
A number of critics found the flm derivative and predictable.
His style seems too derivative of Hemingway.
a word formed from another word; something that comes from something else; a substance
that is made from another substance
a word formed by derivation
something derived
the limit of the ratio of the change in a function to the corresponding change in its
independent variable as the latter change approaches zero
a chemical substance related structurally to another substance and theoretically derivable
from it
a substance that can be made from another substance
174
a contract or security that derives its value from that of an underlying asset (as another
security) or from the value of a rate (as of interest or currency exchange) or index of
asset value (as a stock index)
The word childishis a derivative of child.
Tofu is one of many soybean derivatives.
Petroleum is a derivative of coal tar.
[175]
prototype (derivative " prototype)
K prototype
[174]
derivative (derivative " prototype)
H prototype
an original or frst model of something from which other forms are copied or developed;
someone or something that has the typical qualities of a particular group, kind, etc.; a frst
or early example that is used as a model for what comes later
an original model on which something is patterned R archetype
an individual that exhibits the essential features of a later type
a standard or typical example
a frst full-scale and usually functional form of a new type or design of a construction (as
an airplane)
They tested the prototype of the car.
He is developing a prototype for his invention.
He is the prototype of a conservative businessman.
The Sherlock Holmes stories are the prototypes of modern detective stories.
K devoid
H devoid
being without a usual, typical, or expected attribute or accompaniment used with of
<an argument devoid of sense><a landscape devoid of life>
<the so-called comedy is totally devoid of intelligence, originality, and even laughs>
<the picnic jug was completely devoid of juice after only a few minutes>
K didactic, sententious
H didactic
designed or intended to teach people somethingused to describe someone or something that
tries to teach something (such as proper or moral behavior) in a way that is annoying or
unwanted
designed or intended to teach
intended to convey instruction and information as well as pleasure and entertainment
<didactic poetry>
175
making moral observations
<the poets works became increasingly didactic after his religious conversion>
Slaves related human as well as animal trickster tales; they told Bible stories, explanatory
tales, moralistic and didactic tales, supernatural tales and legends. Lawrence W.
Levine, The Unpredictable Past, 1993
For two decades, many Americans, including some early advocates of the Vietnam inter-
vention, have been relentlessly didactic, extracting cautionary lessons from Vietnam.
George F. Will, Newsweek, 22 May 1989
the trappings, one might sayof a didactic and resolutely pious Victorian sensibility
in the service of an anarchic imagination. Joyce Carol Oates, The Profane Art, 1983
H sententious
having or expessing strong opinions about what people should and should not do
given to or abounding in aphoristic expression
given to or abounding in excessive moralizing
terse, aphoristic, or moralistic in expression R pithy, epigrammatic
a smug and sententious writer
<a sententious crank who has written countless letters to the editor about the decline in
family values>
[176]
redundant, superfuous (sententious " redundant)
K redundant, superfuous
[175]
didactic, sententious (sententious " redundant)
H redundant
repeating something else and therefore unnecessaryused to describe part of a machine,
system, etc., that has the same function as another part and that exists so that the entire
machine, system, etc., will not fail if the main part fails ; dismissed from a job because you
are no longer needed
exceeding what is necessary or normal R superfuous
characterized by or containing an excess; specifcally R using more words than necessary
characterized by similarity or repetition <a group of particularly redundant brick build-
ings>
no longer needed for a job and hence laid of
profuse, lavish
serving as a duplicate for preventing failure of an entire system (as a spacecraft) upon
failure of a single component
He edited the paper and removed any redundant information or statements.
Avoid redundant expressions in your writing.
176
Some people say that since all adages are old, the phrase old adageis redundant.
The drone had originally been designed to go places the Blackbird could not, but it had
become redundant on discovery of the fact that there was nowhere the SR-71 could not
go in safety Tom Clancy, The Cardinal of the Kremlin, 1989
Undoubtedly in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred a witness to an occurrence is someone
who has seen it. Therefore, some editors have said, eyewitness is a redundant word and
it should be consigned to the dustbin. Theodore M. Bernstein, Mrs. Thistlebottoms
Hobgoblins, 1971
There they sat, grounded upon the ground, silent, uncomplaining, with bowed heads, a
pathetic sight. And by hideous contrast, a redundant orator was making a speech to
another gathering not thirty steps away Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King
Arthurs Court, 1889
H superfuous
beyond what is needed; not necessary
exceeding what is sufcient or necessary R extra
not needed R unnecessary
marked by wastefulness R extravagant
<cleared of all the superfuous stuf on his desk to make room for the new computer>
In the Imagist model, the writer is a sculptor. Technique consists of chipping away
everything superfuous in order to reveal the essential form within. It took you ninety-
seven words to do it,Pound is reported to have remarked to a young literary aspirant
who had handed him a new poem. I fnd it could have been managed in ffty-six.
Louis Menand, New Yorker, 9 & 16 June 2008
Oddly, despite the preponderance of superfuous words, the book has no glossary, which
is a must for an introductory audience. Dorothy Merritts, Eos, 3 Oct. 2000
Twenty years ago, baby boomers were written about as if every one of them had as a life
goal making enough money to accumulate the same superfuous material objects that
everyone else had. Calvin Trillin, Time, 6 Sept. 1999
K dilatory, lethargic, sluggish, torpid
H dilatory
causing a delay; tending to be late; slow to do something
tending or intended to cause delay <dilatory tactics>
characterized by procrastination R tardy <dilatory in paying bills>
<the homeowner is claiming that local frefghters were dilatory in responding to the call>
H lethargic
feeling a lack of energy or a lack of interest in doing things
177
of, relating to, or characterized by laziness or lack of energy R feeling or afected by lethargy
R sluggish
indiferent, apathetic
The patient is weak and lethargic.
<a big meal always makes me feel lethargic and sleepy>
Youll need to move your lure as slowly as possible to tempt the lethargic fsh into feeding
Lenny Rudow, Boating, December 1997
became a drifter and for a time an alcoholic and fnally lapsed into lethargic self-
abasement. Stanley Karnow, New York Times Book Review, 14 Oct. 1984
The audience was cold and lethargic. It is true there were about ffty-seven applauses,
but they were not roars of enthusiasm by any means. Lady Bird Johnson, 12 Jan.
1966, in A White House Diary,1970
H sluggish
moving slowly or lazily
averse to activity or exertion R indolent; ALSO: torpid
slow to respond (as to stimulation or treatment)
markedly slow in movement, fow, or growth
economically inactive or slow
The game picked up after a sluggish start.
<the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome>
H torpid
having or showing very little energy or movement; not active
having lost motion or the power of exertion or feeling R dormant, numb
sluggish in functioning or acting <a torpid frog><a torpid mind>
lacking in energy or vigor R apathetic, dull
<a torpid sloth that refused to budge of its tree branch>
<my tongue and throat remained torpid for a time following the endoscopy>
[178]
indolent (sluggish indolent) (torpid indolent)
K indolent
[177]
dilatory, lethargic, sluggish, torpid (sluggish indolent)
H indolent
not liking to work or be active
causing little or no pain
slow to develop or heal <indolent tumors><indolent ulcers>
averse to activity, efort, or movement R habitually lazy
178
conducive to or encouraging laziness <indolent heat>
showing an inclination to laziness <an indolent sigh>
She is indolent and irresponsible.
<an indolent boy who had to be forced to help out with the chores>
Perhaps Henry Jamess idea of the taste for art in England as a tribute to propriety
holds perversely true, with the indolent taste for scandal and celebrity having taken hold
as a bizarre new form of etiquette. Sebastian Smee, Prospect, July 2003
At home, however, theres something indolent about listening to a record that ofers no
hope for the unexpected. John Milward, Rolling Stone, 1125 July 1991
Air-conditioning is for the weak and indolent. This isnt the Ritz, you know. Be thankful
for a little breeze. It was luxuries like A/C that brought down the Roman Empire.
Garrison Keillor, Lake Wobegon Days, (1985) 1986
(torpid indolent)
K dilemma
H dilemma
a situation in which you have to make a difcult choice
an argument presenting two or more equally conclusive alternatives against an opponent
a usually undesirable or unpleasant choice <faces this dilemma: raise interest rates and
slow the economy or lower them and risk serious infation>
a situation involving such a choice <here am I brought to a very pretty dilemma; I
must commit murder or commit matrimony George Farquhar>; broadly R predicament
<lords and bailifs were in a terrible dilemma G. M. Trevelyan>
a problem involving a difcult choice <the dilemma of liberty versus orderJ. M.
Burns>
a difcult or persistent problem <unemployment the great central dilemma of our
advancing technology August Heckscher>
The countrys decision to go to war has caused a major dilemma for its allies.
Were facing a terrible dilemma.
I dont know what to do; its a real dilemma.
When it comes to the boss, there is a real dilemma. Youre caught between a career-
limiting rejection of virtual friendship or a career-limiting access to photos of yourself
glassy-eyed at a party. Jared Sandberg, Wall Street Journal, 10 July 2007
Whats a pampered 20-something to do when her rich fanc goes on a business trip and
comes back married to someone else? Thats the dilemma facing Elle Medina in Nicholss
delightfully silly, vivacious debut. Publishers Weekly, 28 June 2004
Both authors are prepared to dwell as long on the savor of a ripe melon as on the sig-
nifcance of a moral dilemma. Roger Shattuck, New York Review of Books, 13 June
2002
179
K diminution
H diminution
the act or process of becoming less
the act, process, or an instance of diminishing R decrease
<a diminution of 60 percent over the course of the month>
K discrete
H discrete
separate and diferent from each other
constituting a separate entity R individually distinct <several discrete sections>
consisting of distinct or unconnected elements R noncontinuous
taking on or having a fnite or countably infnite number of values <discrete probabili-
ties><a discrete random variable>
<several discrete sections to this vast medical complex, including a college of pharmacol-
ogy and a research center>
The idea is to disconnect the memory from the reactions to the memory, so that although
the memory of the traumatic event remains, the everyday things that can trigger fear and
panic, such as trash blowing across the interstate or a car backfring are restored to
insignifcance. The trauma thus becomes a discrete event, not a constant, self-replicating,
encompassing condition. Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 19 May 2008
Eliminating stress entirely is not an option. If there are discrete sources of stress in your
lifea relationship, a job, a health problemyou can and should take action to try to
mitigate them. But my experience is that we all are subject to a kind of conservation
law of stress. If stress recedes in one area, it seems to increase in another. Time, 17
Oct. 2005
The newer, digital phones broadcast their communications in discrete bursts of energy,
whereas analog devices employ continuous signals. Janet Ralof, Science News, 12 Feb.
2000
K discretionary
H discretionary
available to be used when and how you decide; done or used when necessary
left to discretion R exercised at ones own discretion
available for discretionary use <discretionary purchasing power>
<discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year>
[180]
indispensable (discretionary " indispensable)
K indispensable
180
[180]
discretionary (discretionary " indispensable)
H indispensable
extremely important and necessary
not subject to being set aside or neglected <an indispensable obligation>
absolutely necessary R essential <an indispensable member of the staf>
<fully aware that he was an indispensable assistant, he decided that it was high time that
he be paid what he was worth>
K disingenuous
H disingenuous
not truly honest or sincere; giving the false appearance of being honest or sincere
lacking in candor; ALSO: giving a false appearance of simple frankness R calculating
Her recent expressions of concern are self-serving and disingenuous.
Its had nine murders since 1937about the same as you would get in many small towns.
This was correct, but a wee disingenuous. The AT [Appalachian Trail] had no murders
in its frst thirty-six years and nine in the past twenty-two. Bill Bryson, A Walk in the
Woods, 1999
and he egged Badger on, asking a disingenuous question about the antivivisection rally
in Cleveland, and as Badger took the thought up and chewed it over, the Doctor made
as if to excuse himself. T. Coraghessan Boyle, The Road to Wellvil le, 1993
he has a disingenuous way of resorting to slang when he wants to make a big point but
is afraid of sounding pretentious. Karen Schoemer, New York Times Book Review, 31
Oct. 1993
Unity is at best an ideal, at worst a disingenuous political slogan. Salman Rushdie,
The Independent on Sunday, 25 Nov. 1990
K disparate
H disparate
diferent from each other
containing or made up of fundamentally diferent and often incongruous elements
markedly distinct in quality or character
<disparate notions among adults and adolescents about when middle age begins>
First during the nineteen-seventies, but with increasing momentum during the eighties, a
loose community of physics researchers had begun to postulate that the disparate small
particles that we learned about in high-school science classelectrons, for instance
were actually the varied vibrations of tiny open and closed looped strings. Benjamin
Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 21 July 2008
The American border with Mexico is among the most economically disparate intersections
in the world, but the cities on either side of the port looked almost identicala spread
181
of humble brick and cinder-block homes dotting a blanket of brown hills. Cecilia Balli,
I made the French lemon cream tart that Greenspan credits to Herm and got disparate
reactions. An American friend loved its creaminess and felt it had a comfortingly familiar
texture; a British friend said he missed the traditional sharp, gel-like custard.
Tamasin Day-Lewis, Saveur, November 2006
Like these imagined cities, identical twins are identical only in their blueprints. By the
time they are born, they are already disparate in countless neurological and physiological
ways that mostly we cannot see. Frank J. Sulloway, New York Review, 30 Nov. 2006
The plan, as near as anybody outside Yahoo can make out, is to stitch all those disparate
organizations into one huge Frankensteins monster of a search engine that will strike
terror into the hearts of all who behold it. Lev Grossman, Time, 22 Dec. 2003
K disperse
H disperse
to go or move in diferent directions; to spread apart
to cause to break up <police dispersed the crowd>
to cause to become spread widely
to cause to evaporate or vanish <sunlight dispersing the mist>
to spread or distribute from a fxed or constant source: as
disseminate
to subject (as light) to dispersion
to distribute (as fne particles) more or less evenly throughout a medium
to break up in random fashion <the crowd dispersed on request>
to become dispersed
dissipate, vanish <the fog dispersed toward morning>
Police ordered the crowd to disperse.
<the crowd dispersed once the show ended>
K ebullient
H ebullient
lively and enthusiastic
boiling, agitated
characterized by ebullience R having or showing liveliness and enthusiasm <ebul lient per-
formers>
K efcacious
H efcacious
having the power to produce a desired result or efect
182
having the power to produce a desired efect <an efcacious remedy>
<taking a cookie break while studying is one of the most efcacious ways of rejuvenating
the mind that I have ever discovered>
[183]
futile (efcacious " futile) (efcacious ! futile)
K futile
[182]
efcacious (efcacious " futile)
H futile
having no result or efect; pointless or useless
serving no useful purpose R completely inefective <eforts to convince him were futile>
occupied with trifes R frivolous
All our eforts proved futile.
a futile and foolish gesture
In a digitized land of national ID cards, dropping out will be impossible, and dreaming
about it will be futile. Walter Kirn, Atlantic, May 2002
After Redemption and disfranchisement destroyed black political infuence, open chal-
lenges to white supremacy were futile and dangerous. Adam Fairclough, Journal of
American History, June 2000
In some futile bid for gentility, the management has barred employees from using the
front door, so my frst day I enter through the kitchen Barbara Ehrenreich, Harpers,
January 1999
In 1845 explorer Charles Sturt led an expedition through these parts on a futile search
for an inland sea. Thomas ONeill, National Geographic, April 1997
(efcacious ! futile)
K efcacy
H efcacy
the power to produce a desired result or efect
the power to produce an efect
<questioned the efcacy of the alarms in actually preventing auto theft>
In the planners view, Rumsfeld had two goals: to demonstrate the efcacy of precision
bombing and to do the war on the cheap.Seymour M. Hersh, New Yorker, 7 Apr.
2003
Vaccines exist, but their efcacy against aerosolized plague is unknown. Sharon Begley
et al., Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2001
efcacy does not have to be demonstrated before homeopathic products are marketed.
Alison Abbott et al., Nature, 26 Sept. 1996
K egalitarian
183
H egalitarian
aiming for equal wealth, status, etc., for all people
asserting, promoting, or marked by egalitarianism
egalitarian policies for the redistribution of wealth
K elicit, evoke
H elicit
to get (a response, information, etc.) from someone
to draw forth or bring out (something latent or potential) <hypnotism elicited his hidden
fears>
to call forth or draw out (as information or a response) <her remarks elicited cheers>
Shes been trying to elicit the support of other committee members.
My question elicited no response.
Shes been unable to elicit much sympathy from the public.
If ever there was a two-way pleasure street, its the delight a baby takes in being tickled
and the joy the parent experiences in the tumble of laughter it elicits. Jefrey Kluger,
Time, 17 Jan. 2005
Gingrich elicits perhaps the greatest sympathy when he talks about the challenge of
graduating from a rabble-rousing backbencher in the House minority to presiding over
(and trying to control) the frst Republican majority in 40 years. Richard L. Berke,
New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1998
In a wild, captive wolf that is not socialized to man, approach will elicit fight and, if
the wolf is cornered, a defensive reaction may be triggered, which is termed the critical-
distance reaction. Michael W. Fox, The Soul of the Wolf, 1980
H evoke
to bring (a memory, feeling, image, etc.) into the mind; to cause (a particular reaction or
response) to happen
to call forth or up: as
conjure 2a <evoke evil spirits>
to cite especially with approval or for support R invoke
to bring to mind or recollection <this place evokes memories>
to re-create imaginatively
The old house evoked memories of his childhood.
His photographs evoke the isolation and solitude of the desert.
K eloquent
H eloquent
184
having or showing the ability to use language clearly and efectively; clearly showing feeling
or meaning
marked by forceful and fuent expression <an eloquent preacher>
vividly or movingly expressive or revealing <an eloquent monument>
His success serves as an eloquent reminder of the value of hard work.
<an eloquent writer and speaker, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the founders of the
womens rights movement>
He [H. L. Mencken] relished the vagaries of vernacular speech and paid eloquent homage
to them in The American Language. Jackson Lears, New Republic, 27 Jan. 2003
Samuel Johnson is palmed of in classrooms as a harmless drudge of a lexicographer,
yet open the Dictionary anywhere and fnd precision and eloquent plainness. Guy
Davenport, The Geography of the Imagination, (1954) 1981
There was a burst of applause, and a deep silence which was even more eloquent than the
applause. Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge, 1886
[185]
loquacious (eloquent loquacious)
[185]
voluble (eloquent voluble)
K loquacious
[184]
eloquent (eloquent loquacious)
H loquacious
liking to talk and talking smoothly and easily
full of excessive talk R wordy
given to fuent or excessive talk R garrulous
a loquacious and glib politician
the loquacious host of a radio talk show
long-cultivated dislikes and resentments, combined with a general expectation of coming
apocalypse. He talked about these topics in a manner that managed to be tight-lipped
and loquacious at the same time. Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 22 & 29 Dec. 2003
the faw of the genre is not in betraying the loquacious John Williams and the chatty
Father Foucquet, but in failing to schedule an interview with the reticent Eunice Williams
and the tongue-tied John Hu. Jill Lepore, Journal of American History, June 2001
With a wonderful memory for detail, this talkative womanwho my father said never
forgets anythingbecame truly loquacious. Joseph A. Amato, Dust, 2000
K voluble
[184]
eloquent (eloquent voluble)
H voluble
talking a lot in an energetic and rapid way
185
easily rolling or turning R rotating
characterized by ready or rapid speech R glib, fuent
K emulate
H emulate
to try to be like (someone or something you admire)
to strive to equal or excel
imitate; especially R to imitate by means of an emulator
to equal or approach equality with
She grew up emulating her sports heroes.
artists emulating the style of their teachers
If you are talking to someone younger, do not condescend. If you are talking to someone
older, back up feelings with facts and never be in such a rush to make your point that you
forget the art of listening. And please, no one try to emulate the histrionic, discursive
style of any talking heads you see on television. William Norwich, Vogue, 9 Sept. 2008
Although some schools are postponing new projects because of the faltering economy,
others are forging ahead with plans to emulate freshman programs that have long existed
at some of the nations oldest colleges. Jeninne Lee-St. John, Time, 27 Oct. 2008
I started out emulating Chandler in that frst book, maybe the frst book and a half,
because I was in my novitiate, and whenever I wasnt clear on what to do I would
actively think about Chandler and what Marlow would have done. Robert B. Parker
et al., Col loquium on Crime, 1986
emulous 1b <pricked on by a most emulate pride Shakespeare>
K endemic, indigenous
H endemic
growing or existing in a certain place or region; common in a particular area or feld
belonging or native to a particular people or country
characteristic of or prevalent in a particular feld, area, or environment <problems en-
demic to translation><the self-indulgence endemic in the flm industry>
restricted or peculiar to a locality or region <endemic diseases><an endemic species>
<the fsh is not an endemic species of the lake, and it is rapidly devouring the native
trout population>
Divorce has become so endemic in our society that a whole lore has risen up around it:
that divorce is a temporary crisis; that so many children have experienced their parents
divorce that children nowadays do not worry much about it; that in fact it makes things
easier, and it is itself a mere rite of passage; that if the parents feel better, so will the
children. Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn, New Republic, 6 May 2002
186
The rap performers I enjoy are those who emphasize production values, songcraft and
that quality of playfulness endemic to all good pop. Francis Davis, Atlantic, October
1993
Situated only 250 miles of the coast of Africa, Madagascar is biologically unique. Not
only does it have a rich animal and plant life, it also houses a huge number of endemic
species found nowhere else on earth. Jim Milliot et al., Publishers Weekly, 15 May
2000
an organism that is restricted or peculiar to a locality or region R an endemic organism
H indigenous
produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region or environment
produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment
<indigenous plants><the indigenous culture>
innate, inborn
There are several indigenous groups that still live in the area.
<the culture of the indigenous people of that country>
Viking invaders quickly subdued the indigenous population, known as the Picts. Jared
M. Diamond, Collapse, 2005
Unlike France, Italy relies on dozens of indigenous regional grape varieties for its prodi-
gious range of wines. Gerald Asher, Gourmet, September 2002
Though Gilded Age architecture was not indigenous to America, at least it was borrowed
from belle epoque Europe, from which much of Americas late-nineteenth-century culture
evolved. Robert D. Kaplan, An Empire Wilderness, 1988
K epitome
H epitome
a perfect example; an example that represents or expresses something very well
a summary of a written work
a brief presentation or statement of something
a typical or ideal example R embodiment <the British monarchy itself is the epitome of
tradition Richard Joseph>
brief or miniature form usually used with in
<the golden rule is often cited as the epitome of moral conduct: Do unto others as you
would have them do unto you>
<the prestigious prep school prides itself on being widely regarded as the epitome of
tradition and old-fashioned values>
Terns, nicknamed sea swallows by fshermen, are superb fying machines, the epitome of
beauty on the wing. E. Vernon Laux, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2001
187
Manchester, then known as Cottonopolisand perceived throughout the world as the epit-
ome of the whirling ferceness of the industrial revolution. Roy Jenkins, Gladstone,
(1995) 1997
Hamilton thought the bank was a fait accompli, but he had not reckoned on Thomas
Jeferson and James Madison. Jeferson, the lover of rural virtues, had a deep, almost
visceral hatred of banks, the epitome of all that was urban. John Steele Gordon,
American Heritage, July/August 1990
I didnt tell him that, at the time, I thought the place to be the epitome of bourgeois
comfort; in those days I thought that there was some connection between creative talent
and penury. Ishmael Reed, August Wilson,1987, in Writin Is Fightin, 1988
K equanimity
H equanimity
calm emotions when dealing with problems or pressure
evenness of mind especially under stress <nothing could disturb his equanimity>
right disposition R balance <physical equanimity>
<an Olympic diver who always displays remarkable equanimity on the platform>
Those who are doomed to become artists are seldom blessed with equanimity. They are
tossed to drunken heights, only to be brought down into a sludge of headachy despair;
their arrogance gives way to humiliation at the next curve of the switchback. Patrick
White, Flaws in the Glass, (1981) 1983
Shes heading straight for ushe thought. And his uneasiness grew by the recollection
of the forty tons of dynamite in the body of the Ferndale; not the sort of cargo one thinks
of with equanimity in connexion with a threatened collision. Joseph Conrad, Chance,
(1913) 1924
K espouse
H espouse
to express support for (a cause, belief, etc.)
marry
to take up and support as a cause R become attached to
The new theory has been espoused by many leading physicists.
Those espousing unpopular views were often excluded.
K ethereal
H ethereal
in heaven; resembling heaven; seeming to belong to another world; very delicate
of or relating to the regions beyond the earth
celestial, heavenly
188
unworldly, spiritual
lacking material substance R immaterial, intangible
marked by unusual delicacy or refnement <this smallest, most ethereal, and daintiest of
birds William Beebe>
suggesting the heavens or heaven
relating to, containing, or resembling a chemical ether
The windows give the church an ethereal glow.
<that ethereal attribute that every performer should havecharisma>
K expedite
H expedite
to cause (something) to happen faster
to execute promptly
to accelerate the process or progress of R speed up
issue, dispatch
Theyve asked the judge to expedite the lawsuits.
Well do what we can to expedite the processing of your insurance claim.
During the fre season they wear a semblance of uniform intended to expedite the rush
when the siren howls Tom Harpole, Air & Space, August/September 1993
Overnight he found himself coordinating the train and ship schedules and expediting the
loading and unloading of 15,000 ofcers and men Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining
Lie, 1988
This fnal phase was never actually completed because of the need to expedite an airmobile
force to Vietnam. Shelby L. Stanton, Anatomy of a Division, 1987
After the war its leaders were stigmatized as collaborators and accused of helping to
expedite the murderous work of the Nazis. Bernard Wasserstein, New York Times
Book Review, 24 May 1987
K fabricate
H fabricate
to make or build (something); to create or make up (something, such as a story) in order to
trick people
invent, create
to make up for the purpose of deception <accused of fabricating evidence>
construct, manufacture; specifcally R to construct from diverse and usually standardized
parts
Only the largest parts were fabricated at the factory.
Their plan is to fabricate the house out of synthetic materials.
a story fabricated to sell magazines
189
She was accused of fabricating data.
K fecund, fertile
H fecund
producing or able to produce many babies, young animals, or plants
fruitful in ofspring or vegetation R prolifc
intellectually productive or inventive to a marked degree <a fecund imagination>
a fecund breed of cattle
<the Franklin stove, bifocals, and the lightning rod are just a few of the inventions that
we owe to the fecund creativity of Benjamin Franklin>
H fertile
producing many plants or crops; able to support the growth of many plants; producing a large
amount of something; producing many ideas
producing or bearing fruit in great quantities R productive
characterized by great resourcefulness of thought or imagination R inventive <a fertile
mind>
plentiful
capable of sustaining abundant plant growth <fertile soil>
afording abundant possibilities for growth or development <damp bathrooms are fertile
ground for fungi Consumer Reports><a fertile area for research>
capable of growing or developing <a fertile egg>
capable of producing fruit
containing pollen
developing spores or spore-bearing organs
capable of breeding or reproducing
capable of being converted into fssionable material <fertile uranium 238>
an area that is a fertile breeding ground for political extremism
This subject remains a fertile feld for additional investigation.
He has a fertile mind.
K fuctuate
H fuctuate
to change level, strength, or value frequently
to shift back and forth uncertainly
to ebb and fow in waves
to cause to fuctuate
His popularity has fuctuated during his term in ofce.
In the desert, the temperature fuctuates dramatically.
190
K forbearance
H forbearance
the quality of someone who is patient and able to deal with a difcult person or situation
without becoming angry
a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is
due
the act of forbearing R patience
the quality of being forbearing R leniency
He showed great forbearance in his dealings with them.
<we thank you for your forbearance while we attend to the technical difculties inter-
rupting the TV program>
K frugal
H frugal
careful about spending money or using things when you do not need to; using money or
supplies in a very careful way; simple and plain
characterized by or refecting economy in the use of resources
a frugal meal of bread and cheese
<by being frugal, the family is able to stretch its monthly budget>
His meals are the frugal fare of the poor: tea, bread, yogurt, a bit of cheese, vegetables.
Johanna McGeary, Time, 25 Oct. 2004
Like frugal cooks everywhere, Cajun cooks from generations past found plenty of ways to
use every part of the animals they raised. Jeremy Sauer, Cooks Country, June 1995
In a frugal white frame house of tiny rooms that shook with every passing freight train,
fve boys of German immigrant background had grown up at the turn of the twentieth
century. Robert D. Kaplan, An Empire Wilderness, 1988
[191]
parsimonious (frugal parsimonious)
K parsimonious
[191]
frugal (frugal parsimonious)
H parsimonious
very unwilling to spend money
exhibiting or marked by parsimony; especially R frugal to the point of stinginess
sparing, restrained
<a parsimonious woman who insists that charity beginsand endsat home>
A society that is parsimonious in its personal charity (in terms of both time and money)
will require more government welfare. William J. Bennett, The Death of Outrage, 1998
191
Their merchant princes were supposed to be parsimonious and austere: fustian in apparel
and coarse in diet. Simon Schama, The Embarrassment of Riches, 1988
With saints, Dante is apathetic. They are written with a dry pen, and parsimonious
vision. Robert Lowell, Col lected Prose, 1987
K hierarchy
H hierarchy
a group that controls an organization and is divided into diferent levels; a system in which
people or things are placed in a series of levels with diferent importance or status
a division of angels
a ruling body of clergy organized into orders or ranks each subordinate to the one above
it; especially R the bishops of a province or nation
church government by a hierarchy
a body of persons in authority
the classifcation of a group of people according to ability or to economic, social, or
professional standing; ALSO: the group so classifed
a graded or ranked series <a hierarchy of values>
The church hierarchy faced resistance to some of their decisions.
He was at the bottom of the corporate hierarchy.
a rigid hierarchy of social classes
he wrote a verse whose metaphors were read somewhere in the Baathist hierarchy as
incitement to Kurdish nationalism. Geraldine Brooks, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec.
2001
Whereas the monkeys normally hew to strict hierarchies when it comes to who gets the
best food and who grooms whom, there are no obvious top or rotten bananas in the
sharing of millipede secretions. Natalie Angier, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2000
The idea that social order has to come from a centralized, rational, bureaucratic hierarchy
was very much associated with the industrial age. Francis Fukuyama, Atlantic, May
1999
K hodgepodge
H hodgepodge
a mixture of diferent things
a heterogeneous mixture R jumble <a hodgepodge of styles>
<the exhibit was a hodgepodge of mediocre art, bad art, and really bad art>
K hyperbole
H hyperbole
language that describes something as better or worse than it really is
192
extravagant exaggeration (as mile-high ice-cream cones)
<enough food to feed a whole armyis a common example of hyperbole>
Four decades later were all blabbermouths, adrift on a sea of hyperbole, shouting to be
heard. Steve Rushin, Sports Il lustrated, 1 Apr. 2002
balanced on the razor edge of anachronism, creating a rich stew of accepted and invented
history, anecdote, myth and hyperbole. T. Coraghessan Boyle, New York Times Book
Review, 18 May 1997
Even if we discount the hyperbole evident in such accounts, they were far from inventions.
Lawrence W. Levine, The Unpredictable Past, 1993
K iconoclastic
H iconoclastic
a person who criticizes or opposes beliefs and practices that are widely accepted
a person who destroys religious images or opposes their veneration
a person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions
<notorious as an iconoclast, that music critic isnt afraid to go after sacred cows>
K impeccable
H impeccable
free from fault or error
not capable of sinning or liable to sin
free from fault or blame R fawless <spoke impeccable French>
She has impeccable taste in music.
<the etiquette expert was celebrated for her absolutely impeccable manners>
Grandfather found a reason to slip in every fve minutes. The empty soda cans had to be
removed, the bowl of potato chips refreshed. He was sure that he moved unnoticed, like
an impeccable waiter of the old school Darryl Pinckney, High Cotton, 1992
His English was impeccable but halting, like a well-tooled but slightly rusted machine.
John Updike, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 1987
In order to ensure that at least one verifable Spaniard participate in this critical venture,
Mendoza asked Bishop Zumrraga to nominate as second-in-command a younger friar
with impeccable credentials, and the cleric selected a Fransiscan in whom he had great
faith James A. Michener, Texas, 1985
K improvise
H improvise
to speak or perform without preparation; to make or create (something) by using whatever is
available
to compose, recite, play, or sing extemporaneously
193
to make, invent, or arrange ofhand
to make or fabricate out of what is conveniently on hand <improvise a meal>
to improvise something
If you forget any of your lines, try to improvise.
Good jazz musicians know how to improvise.
He had to improvise his opening speech when he forgot his notes.
The trumpet player performed an improvised solo.
I wasnt expecting guests, so I had to improvise a meal with what I had in my refrigerator.
K incisive
H incisive
very clear and direct; able to explain difcult ideas clearly and confdently
impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation) <an incisive analysis><an
incisive unsentimental writer>
Shes known for her incisive mind and quick wit.
K insurmountable
H insurmountable
of a problem, difculty, etc.; impossible to solve or get control of; impossible to overcome
incapable of being surmounted R insuperable <insurmountable problems>
They were faced with several insurmountable obstacles.
<the familiar story of the underdog who ultimately triumphs despite insurmountable
odds>
[194]
susceptible, vulnerable (insurmountable ! vulnerable) (insurmountable " susceptible)
K susceptible, vulnerable
[194]
insurmountable (insurmountable " susceptible)
H susceptible
easily afected, infuenced, or harmed by something; capable of being afected by a specifed
action or process
capable of submitting to an action, process, or operation <a theory susceptible to proof>
open, subject, or unresistant to some stimulus, infuence, or agency <susceptible to pneu-
monia>
impressionable, responsive <a susceptible mind>
The virus can infect susceptible individuals.
<some people are more susceptible to depression during the winter because of reduced
exposure to sunlight>
194
Researchers at the University of South Carolina say that a chemical found abundantly in
red wine, apples and onions helps protect against infuenza, especially after a rigorous
respiratory workout, when the body is more susceptible to infection. Kim Marcus et
al., Wine Spectator, 31 May 2009
Women were especially susceptible to his charm, and he maintained dozens of rela-
tionships simultaneously. When he was fnally being tried for his crimes, 20 women sat
together in the courthouses public galleries, weeping: mistresses, lovers and admirers,
all convinced of Unterwegers innocence. Robert MacFarlane, New York Times Book
Review, 13 Jan. 2008
He grew up during the heyday of the Hegelian philosophy, which sought to explain all
things in terms of historical development, but conceived this process as being ultimately
not susceptible to the methods of empirical investigation. Isaiah Berlin, The Hedgehog
and the Fox, (1953) 1978
[194]
insurmountable (insurmountable ! vulnerable)
H vulnerable
easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally; open to attack, harm, or damage
capable of being physically or emotionally wounded
open to attack or damage R assailable <vulnerable to criticism>
liable to increased penalties but entitled to increased bonuses after winning a game in
contract bridge
He was very vulnerable after his divorce.
The troops were in a vulnerable position.
The fort was undefended and vulnerable.
K integrity, probity, veracity
H integrity
the quality of being honest and fair; the state of being complete or whole
frm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values R incorruptibility
an unimpaired condition R soundness
the quality or state of being complete or undivided R completeness
Hes a man of the highest integrity.
I admire her artistic integrity.
She had the integrity to refuse to compromise on matters of principle.
Without music, the flm loses its integrity.
They are trying to preserve the cultural integrity of the community.
The earthquake may have damaged the buildings structural integrity.
Many were tempted by a piece of the equity action and compromised their integrity.
Bruce Nussbaum, Business Week, 28 Jan. 2002
195
By September, Gorbachev had told his aides that with Eastern Europe and Germany
lost, the task was to defend the integrity of the Soviet Union itself. Condoleezza Rice,
Newsweek, 22 Nov. 1999
But it is stunning to hear self-appointed watchdogs of public integrity shrug their shoul-
ders at standardprosecutorial practice Wendy Kaminer, New York Times Book
Review, 22 Mar. 1998
a hundred-and-one-year-old Jewish philanthropist donated two and a quarter million
dollars to the Archdiocese to purchase the property and preserve the integrity of the
landmark. Brendan Gill, New Yorker, 10 June 1991
H probity
the quality of a person who is completely honest
adherence to the highest principles and ideals R uprightness
<a person of indisputable probity must head the disciplinary panel>
<the defense attorney questioned the probity of the witness>
H veracity
truth or accuracy; the quality of being truthful or honest
devotion to the truth R truthfulness
power of conveying or perceiving truth
conformity with truth or fact R accuracy
something true <makes lies sound like veracities>
We questioned the veracity of his statements.
The jury did not doubt the veracity of the witness.
What gives the book its integrity are the simplicity and veracity of these recipes and
the small touchesbits of history, discovery and personal refection. Harvey Steiman,
Wine Spectator, 31 Mar. 1998
The trial began with a furry of motions and questions challenging the judges authority
and veracity. The defendants earlier had called the judges authority into question when
jurors were selected two weeks ago. Chris Bird, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Jan.
1996
some documentary photographers supported the photographers right to fnd essential
rather than literal truths in any situation, while others insisted on absolute veracity,
maintaining that for images to be true to both medium and event, situations should be
found, not reenacted. Naomi Rosenblum, A World History of Photography, 1989
[196]
profigacy (integrity " profigacy) (probity " profigacy)
K profigacy
[195]
integrity, probity, veracity (integrity " profigacy)
196
H profigacy
the quality or state of being profigate
<a religious leader who railed against the profigacy of the nations decadent aristocrats>
(probity " profigacy)
K intuitive
H intuitive
having the ability to know or understand things without any proof or evidence; having or
characterized by intuition; based on or agreeing with what is known or understood without
any proof or evidence; known or understood by intuition; agreeing with what seems naturally
right
known or perceived by intuition R directly apprehended <had an intuitive awareness of
his sisters feelings>
knowable by intuition <intuitive truths>
based on or agreeing with intuition <intuitive responses><makes intuitive sense>
readily learned or understood <software with an intuitive interface>
knowing or perceiving by intuition
possessing or given to intuition or insight <an intuitive mind>
She has an intuitive mind.
a doctor with an intuitive awareness of his patients concerns
The argument makes intuitive sense.
The software has an intuitive interface.
The controls of an airplane are intuitive. Push to nose down, pull to nose up, turn left,
turn right. Stephan Wilkinson, Popular Science, December 2002
Galileo had made an intuitive jump to what we now call Newtons frst law of motion: a
body in motion tends to remain in motion. Leon Lederman et al., The God Particle,
1993
but most of the literature was political rather than scientifc, more interested in ex-
alting the irrational and intuitive over the rational and quantifable. Paddy Chayefsky,
Artifcial Paradises, (1978) 1999
K invasive
H invasive
tending to spreadmedical; involving entry into the body by cutting or by inserting an instru-
ment
of, relating to, or characterized by military aggression
tending to spread; especially R tending to invade healthy tissue <invasive cancer cells>
tending to infringe
197
involving entry into the living body (as by incision or by insertion of an instrument)
<invasive diagnostic techniques>
K irenic
H irenic
favoring, conducive to, or operating toward peace, moderation, or conciliation
K jaded
H jaded
feeling or showing a lack of interest and excitement caused by having done or experienced too
much of something
fatigued by overwork R exhausted
made dull, apathetic, or cynical by experience or by surfeit <jaded network viewers><jaded
voters>
He became jaded from years of work as a police ofcer.
a public jaded by political scandals
Oh, yes, mate, theyre all jaded here nowtheir last gasps of innocence sucked out of
them by Olympic pharaohs who at frst played a blatant game of bait-and-switch with
Games tickets, furtively putting aside vast quantities of the best seats to sell to fat cats
at higher prices. Gary Smith, Sports Il lustrated, 11 Sep. 2000
Im jaded with the pulls on me that I cant answer to. Ive made up my mind that with
a few people to abet me I wont do one single thing in verse or out of it or with it till I
God damn please for the rest of my natural life. Robert Frost, letter, 12 Aug. 1924
K lament
H lament
to express sorrow, regret, or unhappiness about something
to mourn aloud R wail
to express sorrow, mourning, or regret for often demonstratively R mourn
to regret strongly
She lamented over the loss of her best friend.
Ive lost my best friend!she lamented.
an expression of sorrow; especially; a song or poem that expresses sorrow for someone who
has died or something that is gone
a crying out in grief R wailing
dirge, elegy
complaint
The poem is a lament for a lost love.
<the national lament that was heard when President Kennedy was assassinated>
198
K latitude, leeway
H latitude
distance north or south of the equator measured in degrees up to 90 degrees; an imaginary
line that circles the Earth at a particular latitude and that is parallel to the equator; freedom
to choose how to act or what to do
extent or distance from side to side R width
angular distance from some specifed circle or plane of reference: as
angular distance north or south from the earths equator measured through 90 degrees
angular distance of a celestial body from the ecliptic
a region or locality as marked by its latitude
scope, range
the range of exposures within which a flm or plate will produce a negative or positive of
satisfactory quality
freedom of action or choice <students are allowed considerable latitude in choosing courses>
a map of the world showing lines of latitude and longitude
located at a latitude of 40 degrees north
Madrid and New York City are on nearly the same latitude.
islands located at diferent latitudes
We werent given much latitude in deciding how to do the job.
The judge has wide latitude to reject evidence for the trial.
H leeway
freedom to do something the way you want to do it
of-course lateral movement of a ship when under way
the angle between the heading and the track of an airplane
an allowable margin of freedom or variation R tolerance
They give their students leeway to try new things.
<you will be given some leeway in choosing how to carry out the project>
K legislature
H legislature
a group of people with the power to make or change laws
a body of persons having the power to legislate; specifcally R an organized body having
the authority to make laws for a political unit
Our legislature passed a law requiring people to wear safety belts.
Each state has its own legislature.
K litigation
199
H litigation
law; to make (something) the subject of a lawsuit; to cause (a case, an issue, etc.) to be
decided and settled in a court of law
to carry on a legal contest by judicial process
dispute
to contest at law <litigate a claim>
They agree to litigate all disputes in this court.
The companys unwillingness to make a deal increased her desire to litigate.
K lucrative
H lucrative
producing money or wealth
producing wealth R proftable
The business has proved to be highly lucrative.
<the hired guns mission was to turn the failing store into a lucrative operation>
Clubs take care of their star and other best players frst, paying them lucrative salaries.
By the time they get to the bottom half of the roster, they would not have enough money
left to pay veterans worthwhile salaries Murray Chass, New York Times, 16 Aug.
1994
Since the health care industry is lucrative and largely insulated from the usual disciplines
of the marketplace, it has been able to absorb an ever-growing fraction of the gross
domestic product. Marcia Angell, New England Journal of Medicine, 17 June 1993
The learned profession of the law was certainly not behind any other learned profession
in its Bacchanalian propensities; neither was Mr. Stryver, already fast shouldering his
way to a large and lucrative practice, behind his compeers in this particular, any more
than in the drier parts of the legal race. Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859
Their success has given Gladwell an active, and extremely lucrative, second career as a
public speaker. Much in demand, he is paid in the neighborhood of $40,000 per lecture.
Rachel Donadio, New York Times Book Review, 5 Feb. 2006
K magnanimous
H magnanimous
having or showing a generous and kind nature
showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit <the irreproachable lives and mag-
nanimous suferings of their followers Joseph Addison>
showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind <too sincere for dissim-
ulation, too magnanimous for resentment Ellen Glasgow>
She was too magnanimous to resent all the things others had said to her.
<a magnanimous donation to the towns animal shelter>
200
No problem,I dismissed his concerns with a magnanimous fick of the wrist. Tom
Perrotta, Joe Col lege, 2000
and many of them retain a respectful Eisenhower-or-Kennedy-era view of America as
Japans usually magnanimous elder brother. James Fallows, Atlantic, August 1989
with the of-duty cops downing them as fast as he could pour, Leery could aford to be
magnanimous and play the jukebox for the boys and girls. Joseph Wambaugh, The
Delta Star, 1983
Levesque was magnanimous in victory, immediately reassuring English-speaking Quebe-
cers that they were still welcome in the province, an integral part of its history.
Mordecai Richler, Atlantic, June 1983
[201]
venerable (magnanimous venerable)
[202]
mercenary (magnanimous " mercenary)
K venerable
[200]
magnanimous (magnanimous venerable)
H venerable
old and respected; valued and respected because of old age, long use, etc.
deserving to be venerated used as a title for an Anglican archdeacon or for a Roman
Catholic who has been accorded the lowest of three degrees of recognition for sanctity
made sacred especially by religious or historical association
calling forth respect through age, character, and attainments <a venerable jazz musi-
cian>; broadly R conveying an impression of aged goodness and benevolence <encouraged
by the venerable doctors head-nodding>
impressive by reason of age <under venerable pines>
<the venerable old man was a cherished source of advice and wisdom for the villagers>
<a venerable tradition that colleges have been maintaining for centuries>
[Julie] Powell never met Julia Child (who died last year), but the venerable chefs spirit
is present throughout, and Powell imaginatively reconstructs episodes from Childs life
in the 1940s. Her writing is feisty and unrestrained, especially as she details killing
lobsters, tackling marrowbones and cooking late into the night. Publishers Weekly, 13
June 2005
Under her stewardship, the onetime boardinghouse came to be heralded as the Souths
most venerable family restaurant, a reliquary of old-fashioned cookingcollard greens
enriched with fatback, creamed corn straight from the cob, fried chicken with a pepper-
fecked crustwhere the tables groaned beneath the weight of a quintessential midday
repast, and history stood still on the plate for all to admire. John T. Edge, Gourmet,
January 2003
The lower the P/E, as a rough rule of thumb, the cheaper the stock. Though this guide
to value has lots of exceptions, it remains a venerable market benchmark. Jonathan
Weil, Wall Street Journal, 21 Aug. 2001
201
I then descended to the Courts of justice, over which the judges, those venerable sages
and interpreters of the law, presided, for determining the disputed rights and properties
of men, as well as for the punishment of vice, and protection of innocence. Jonathan
Swift, Gul livers Travels, 1726
K mercenary
[200]
magnanimous (magnanimous " mercenary)
H mercenary
hired to fght; caring only about making money
serving merely for pay or sordid advantage R venal; ALSO: greedy
hired for service in the army of a foreign country
His motives in choosing a career were purely mercenary.
<they were a mercenary couple, who defned themselves not by what they were but by
what they owned>
a soldier who is paid by a foreign country to fght in its army; a soldier who will fght for any
group or country that hires him
one that serves merely for wages; especially R a soldier hired into foreign service
an army of foreign mercenaries
K moribund, outmoded
H moribund
no longer active or efective; close to failure; very sick; close to death
being in the state of dying R approaching death
being in a state of inactivity or obsolescence
an actor who is trying to revive his moribund career
The peace talks are moribund.
H outmoded
no longer useful or acceptable; not modern or current
not being in style
no longer acceptable, current, or usable <outmoded customs>
<outmoded computers that can be recycled>
K nostalgia
H nostalgia
pleasure and sadness that is caused by remembering something from the past and wishing
that you could experience it again
the state of being homesick R homesickness
202
a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or
irrecoverable condition; ALSO: something that evokes nostalgia
A wave of nostalgia swept over me when I saw my childhood home.
He was flled with nostalgia for his college days.
To dwell even ftfully on the past, for James, was to risk crippling nostalgia; the past was
the shadow side of will and therefore must be rejected. Jackson Lears, Nation, 26 Feb.
2007
My own feelings were that since Id jettisoned employment, marriage, nostalgia and
swampy regret, I was now rightfully a man aquiver with possibility and purpose
Richard Ford, Independence Day, 1995
the script is written in advance, around the uplifting themes of our civic religion:
reconciliation, patriotism, self-sacrifce, the bond of leader and little guy, nostalgia for
what is inevitably called a simpler time.Katha Pollitt, Nation, 22 May 1995
Nevertheless, if one understands the nostalgia for war which marked these years of his
break with America, it still remains a nostalgia that is empyreal and histrionic. Only
once in his career did MacArthur lead as small a body of men as a companyone
somehow feels that the idea of MacArthur, even as a boy, in command of anything less
than a division verges on the ludicrous William Styron, MacArthur,8 Oct. 1964,
in William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other Writings, 1982
K nuance
H nuance
a very small diference in color, tone, meaning, etc.
a subtle distinction or variation
a subtle quality R nicety
sensibility to, awareness of, or ability to express delicate shadings (as of meaning, feeling,
or value)
He listened to the subtle nuances in the song.
a poem of little depth and nuance
Between the lines of lexicographical nuance and quotation, Johnson was paying old debts
and seeking out wisdom about himself and his adopted city, as well as compiling perhaps
the greatest commonplace book in the history of mankind. Andrew OHagan, New
York Review, 27 Apr. 2006
In every silky statement from General Musharraf about the need for a shortin other
words: limitedwar, and in every nuance of the Pakistani ofcial posture, I was sure
I detected the local version of Schadenfreude. Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair,
January 2002
To La Farge, eccentricity meant convention; a mind really eccentric never betrayed it.
True eccentricity was a tonea shadea nuanceand the fner the tone, the truer the
eccentricity. Henry Adams, The Education of Henry Adams, 1907
203
K nullify
H nullify
to make (something) legally null; to cause (something) to lose its value or to have no efect
to make null; especially R to make legally null and void
to make of no value or consequence
The law has been nul lifed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The penalty nul lifed the goal.
K opportunistic
H opportunistic
taking advantage of opportunities as they arise: as
exploiting opportunities with little regard to principle or consequences <a politician con-
sidered opportunistic>
feeding on whatever food is available <opportunistic feeders>
being or caused by a usually harmless microorganism that can become pathogenic when
the hosts resistance is impaired <opportunistic infections>
K oracular
H oracular
resembling an oracle (as in solemnity of delivery)
of, relating to, or being an oracle
K overarching
H overarching
including or infuencing every part of something
forming an arch overhead
dominating or embracing all else <overarching goals>
Computer downtime is an overarching problem in all departments.
K overlap
H overlap
to lie over the edge of (something); to cover part of the edge of (something); to happen at the
same time as something else; to have parts that are the same as parts of something else
to extend over or past and cover a part of
to have something in common with
to occupy the same area in part
to have something in common
The roof shingles overlap each other.
204
Baseball season overlaps football season in September.
Some of your duties overlap his.
K paradigmatic
H paradigmatic
a model or pattern for something that may be copied; a theory or a group of ideas about how
something should be done, made, or thought about
example, pattern; especially R an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype
an example of a conjugation or declension showing a word in all its infectional forms
a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientifc school or discipline within which
theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in support of them
are formulated; broadly R a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind
Her recent book provides us with a new paradigm for modern biography.
the Freudian paradigm of psychoanalysis
a new study that challenges the current evolutionary paradigm
And the paradigm of a thing to be philosophical about is death. Jim Holt, New York
Times Book Review, 15 Feb. 2009
Such problems drive home a critical faw in the paradigm of energy independencenamely,
that energy isnt a zero-sum game anymore. Paul Roberts, Mother Jones, May/June
2008
That the biomedical paradigm of single cause and single disease was a chimera was well
understood by even its most vigorous advocates. Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette
Century, 2007
K paradox
H paradox
something (such as a situation) that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impos-
sible but is actually true or possible; someone who does two things that seem to be opposite
to each other or who has qualities that are opposite; a statement that seems to say two
opposite things but that may be true
a tenet contrary to received opinion
a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is per-
haps true
a self-contradictory statement that at frst seems true
an argument that apparently derives self-contradictory conclusions by valid deduction
from acceptable premises
one (as a person, situation, or action) having seemingly contradictory qualities or phases
It is a paradox that computers need maintenance so often, since they are meant to save
people time.
205
As an actor, hes a paradoxhe loves being in the public eye but also deeply values and
protects his privacy.
a novel full of paradox
For the actors, the goal was a paradox: real emotion, produced on cue. Claudia Roth
Pierpont, New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2008
Again and again, he returns in his writing to the paradox of a woman who is superior
to the men around her by virtue of social class though considered inferior to them on
account of her gender. Terry Eagleton, Harpers, November 2007
She was certainly far from understanding him completely; his meaning was not at all times
obvious. It was hard to see what he meant for instance by speaking of his provincial side
which was exactly the side she would have taken him most to lack. Was it a harmless
paradox, intended to puzzle her? or was it the last refnement of high culture? Henry
James, The Portrait of a Lady, 1881
Mr. Guppy propounds for Mr. Smallweeds consideration the paradox that the more
you drink the thirstier you are and reclines his head upon the window-sill in a state of
hopeless languor. Charles Dickens, Bleak House, 1852-53
K patron
H patron
a person who gives money and support to an artist, organization, etc.; a person who buys the
goods or uses the services of a business, library, etc.
a person chosen, named, or honored as a special guardian, protector, or supporter
a wealthy or infuential supporter of an artist or writer
a social or fnancial sponsor of a social function (as a ball or concert)
one that uses wealth or infuence to help an individual, an institution, or a cause
one who buys the goods or uses the services ofered especially by an establishment
the holder of the right of presentation to an English ecclesiastical benefce
a master in ancient times who freed his slave but retained some rights over him
the proprietor of an establishment (as an inn) especially in France
the chief male ofcer in some fraternal lodges having both men and women members
She is a well-known patron of the arts.
<the wealthy philanthropist is one of the citys most generous patrons of its symphony
orchestra>
K pejorative
H pejorative
insulting to someone or something; expressing criticism
having negative connotations; especially R tending to disparage or belittle R depreciatory
a word with pejorative connotations
206
<the reviewer used the pejorative word versiferto refer to the writer, whose poems had
struck a responsive chord with the general public>
Children born with an extra chromosome 21 are healthy, conspicuously happy and des-
tined to live for many years. But they are not considered, in that pejorative word,
normal. Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999
The word barbarian was used by the Greeks, to designate an alien, and therefore, by
defnition, someone inferior in culture to a Hellene. The Romans applied this in the
pejorative sense to the people who came to live along the Rhine-Danube frontier.
Norman F. Cantor, The Civilization of the Middle Ages, 1993
On occasion they expressed a preference for the terms Latino or Hispanic if that would
assist them in escaping from the term Puerto Rican, which became, at times, almost
pejorative. John Hope Franklin, The Land of Room Enough,1981, in Race and
History, 1989
a word or phrase that has negative connotations or that is intended to disparage or belittle
R a pejorative word or phrase
K perception
H perception
the way you think about or understand someone or something; the ability to understand or
notice something easily; the way that you notice or understand something using one of your
senses
a result of perceiving R observation (see perceive)
a mental image R concept
consciousness
awareness of the elements of environment through physical sensation <color perception>
physical sensation interpreted in the light of experience
quick, acute, and intuitive cognition R appreciation
a capacity for comprehension
<a writer of considerable perception, she remembers how it feels to be confused and
insecure>
<a growing perception of the enormity of the problem>
It is ironic that the impact of smoking on nonsmokers, rather than on smokers themselves,
is what fnally transformed the regulation and cultural perception of the cigarette.
Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, 2007
Some drugs cause blurred vision and changes in color perception, or increased tears.
Sallie Tisdale, Harpers, June 2007
The urge of these acolytes is not dramatic but mercantileto traduce all personal history,
to subvert all perception or insight, into gain, or the hope of gain. David Mamet, Jafsie
and John Henry Essays, 1999
207
Everything is research for the sake of erudition. No one is taught to value himself for nice
perception and cultivated taste. Robert Frost, letter, 2 Jan. 1915
K perpetuate
H perpetuate
to cause (something that should be stopped, such as a mistaken idea or a bad situation) to
continue
to make perpetual or cause to last indefnitely <perpetuate the species>
He perpetuates the myth that his house is haunted.
Fears about an epidemic are being perpetuated by the media.
K pragmatic
H pragmatic
dealing with the problems that exist in a specifc situation in a reasonable and logical way
instead of depending on ideas and theories
busy
ofcious
opinionated
relating to matters of fact or practical afairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or
artistic matters R practical as opposed to idealistic <pragmatic men of power have had
no time or inclination to deal with social morality K. B. Clark>
relating to or being in accordance with philosophical pragmatism(see pragmatism)
His pragmatic view of public education comes from years of working in city schools.
<a pragmatic man, not given to grand, visionary schemes>
their pragmatic successors like Benjamin Franklin were concerned with lightnings
power but not its thrilling scenic value. John Updike, New York Review of Books, 15
Aug. 2002
NASA has two coexisting personae with vastly distinct characters: the somewhat ro-
mantically motivated manned space program, and the rather more pragmatic unmanned
program. David H. Freedman, Discover, July 1994
pragmatic enough to have held on to their day jobs for years after they were putting
out records. Chris Mundy, Rolling Stone, 16 Sept. 1993
and her mysticism never failed to exasperate her pragmatic, mountain-climbing daugh-
ter. Salman Rushdie, The Satanic Verses, 1989
K presage
H presage
to give or be a sign of (something that will happen or develop in the future)
to give an omen or warning of R foreshadow
208
foretell, predict
to make or utter a prediction
Many investors are worried that the current slowdown could presage another recession.
events that presaged the civil rights movement
something that foreshadows or portends a future event R omen
an intuition or feeling of what is going to happen in the future
prognostication
warning or indication of the future

<the sight of the frst robin is always a welcome presage of spring>
K prescient
H prescient
the ability to know what will or might happen in the future
foreknowledge of events:
divine omniscience
human anticipation of the course of events R foresight
He predicted their response with amazing prescience.
Her prescience as an investor is impressive.
K prestige
H prestige
the respect and admiration that someone or something gets for being successful or important
standing or estimation in the eyes of people R weight or credit in general opinion
commanding position in peoples minds
Her career as a diplomat has brought her enormous prestige.
The job has low pay and low prestige.
The family has wealth and social prestige.
K pristine
H pristine
in perfect condition; completely clean, fresh, neat, etc.; not changed by people; left in its
natural state
belonging to the earliest period or state R original <the hypothetical pristine lunar atmo-
sphere>
not spoiled, corrupted, or polluted (as by civilization) R pure <a pristine forest>
fresh and clean as or as if new <used books in pristine condition>
My ofce is a mess but her ofce is always pristine.
209
He was wearing a pristine white shirt.
K provenance
H provenance
the origin or source of something
origin, source
the history of ownership of a valued object or work of art or literature
Has anyone traced the provenances of these paintings?
The artifact is of unknown provenance.
K quantify
H quantify
to fnd or calculate the quantity or amount of (something)
to limit by a quantifer
to bind by prefxing a quantifer
to make explicit the logical quantity of
to determine, express, or measure the quantity of
It is difcult to quantify intelligence.
Doctors have quantifed the risks of smoking cigarettes.
It is impossible to quantify the number of Web sites on the Internet.
K relic, vestige
H relic
something that is from a past time, place, culture, etc.; an object (such as a piece of clothing
or the bone of a saint) that is considered holy
an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr
souvenir, memento
remains, corpse
a survivor or remnant left after decay, disintegration, or disappearance
a trace of some past or outmoded practice, custom, or belief
<a crude stone ax and other relics of the Neanderthals>
<in my grandparents attic are many groovyrelics from the 1960s>
H vestige
the last small part that remains of something that existed before; the smallest possible amount
of something
a trace, mark, or visible sign left by something (as an ancient city or a condition or
practice) vanished or lost
the smallest quantity or trace
210
footprint 1
a bodily part or organ that is small and degenerate or imperfectly developed in comparison
to one more fully developed in an earlier stage of the individual, in a past generation, or
in closely related forms
<a few strange words carved on a tree were the only vestige of the lost colony of Roanoke>
<the fossilized vestige of a dinosaur that traversed that muddy landscape millions of years
ago>
K reticence
H reticence
the quality or state of being reticent R reserve, restraint
an instance of being reticent
reluctance 1
<the publishers reticence to make content available online for free>
[211]
vacillation (reticence vacillation)
K vacillation
[211]
reticence (reticence vacillation)
H vacillation
an act or instance of vacillating
inability to take a stand R irresolution, indecision
<the president was soundly criticized for his vacil lation before responding to the crisis>
K reverent
H reverent
showing a lot of respect; very respectful
expressing or characterized by reverence R worshipful
a reverent crowd of worshippers
a reverent tone of voice
K rhetoric
H rhetoric
language that is intended to infuence people and that may not be honest or reasonable; the
art or skill of speaking or writing formally and efectively especially as a way to persuade or
infuence people
the art of speaking or writing efectively: as
the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times
the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion
211
skill in the efective use of speech
a type or mode of language or speech; ALSO: insincere or grandiloquent language
verbal communication R discourse
a college course in rhetoric
<the mayors promise to fght drugs was just rhetoric, since there was no money in the
city budget for a drug program>
The media almost never discuss what the sweeping dismantling of public services inherent
in the rhetoric of the antigovernment movement would mean in practice. E. J. Dionne,
Jr., Commonweal, 20 Nov. 2009
What they are in reality are the romantic words of a man who needs glorious rhetoric to
cover up murderous reality. Pete Hamill, Cosmopolitan, April 1976
No speech could have been more thoroughly honest in its intention: the frigid rhetoric at
the end was as sincere as the bark of a dog, or the cawing of an amorous rook. George
Eliot, Middlemarch, 1872
Otherwise he might have been a great general, blowing up all sorts of towns, or he might
have been a great politician, dealing in all sorts of parliamentary rhetoric; but as it was,
he and the Court of Chancery had fallen upon each other in the pleasantest way, and
nobody was much the worseCharles Dickens, Bleak House, 1852-53
K ruthless
H ruthless
having no pity; cruel or merciless
having no pity R merciless, cruel <a ruthless tyrant>
The journalist was ruthless in his criticism.
<an ofce supervisor with a ruthless disregard for others feelings>
K sacrosanct
H sacrosanct
too important and respected to be changed, criticized, etc.
most sacred or holy R inviolable
treated as if holy R immune from criticism or violation <politically sacrosanct programs>
the governments most sacrosanct institutions
The tradition is regarded as sacrosanct.
K sanguine
H sanguine
confdent and hopeful
bloodred
consisting of or relating to blood
212
bloodthirsty, sanguinary
ruddy
having blood as the predominating bodily humor; ALSO: having the bodily conformation
and temperament held characteristic of such predominance and marked by sturdiness,
high color, and cheerfulness
confdent, optimistic
She has a sanguine disposition.
He is sanguine about the companys future.
He has been strangely sanguine about this, blandly ignoring the mounting evidence that
dissident elements in the police are stirring trouble Allister Sparks, Washington Post,
915 Mar. 1992
How could a man of his caliber be this sanguine about a war we had barely begun to
fght? He gave me the McNamara look, eyes focusing boldly through rimless glasses.
Every quantitative measurement we have shows that were winning this war,he said.
Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988
Yet if there were sanguine expectations of war profts and unlimited booty from the
Spanish empire, those hopes were dramatically confounded Simon Schama, The
Embarrassment of Riches, 1988
He does not pretend to be sanguine about our prospects. History itself, he reminds us,
provides few examples of cultures as debilitated as ours which were not destroyed by the
very forces they set in motion. Gertrude Himmelfarb, The New History and the Old,
1987
a moderate to strong red
K satire
H satire
a way of using humor to show that someone or something is foolish, weak, bad, etc.; humor
that shows the weaknesses or bad qualities of a person, government, society, etc.; a book,
movie, etc., that uses satire
a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn
trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly
His movies are known for their use of satire.
The movie is a political satire.
By contrast, Martials friend, Juvenal, learned to transmute Martials epigrammatic wit
into savage satire. Juvenals ferce, if occasionally obscene, tirades against immorality
ft easily into the propaganda of the new era. G. W. Bowersock, New York Review of
Books, 26 Feb. 2009
Unlike late-night talk shows that trafc in Hollywood interviews and stupid pet tricks,
The Daily Showis a fearless social satire. Not many comedy shows would dare do fve
213
minutes on the intricacies of medicare or a relentlessly cheeky piece on President George
W. Bushs Thanksgiving trip to Iraq Marc Peyser, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2003 - 5 Jan.
2004
Saturday Night Live alum Bill Murray stars in this flm about Army basic training, and it
features Second City TV veterans John Candy and Harold Ramis. Director Ivan Reitman
co-produced Animal House. Do not, however, expect a devastating satire on the military;
this flm is so innocuous that the Defense Department let Reitman use Fort Knox, Ky.
to make it. People, 27 July 1981
K schematic
H schematic
showing the main parts of something usually in the form of a simple drawing or diagram
of or relating to a scheme or schema
a schematic diagram of their business model
a schematic drawing or diagram
K somnolent, soporifc
H somnolent
tired and ready to fall alseep; causing a person to fall asleep; very boring
of a kind likely to induce sleep <a somnolent sermon>
inclined to or heavy with sleep R drowsy
sleepy 2 <somnolent rivers>
<trying to teach somnolent students on a very hot day>
<the somnolent hum of insects in the grass>
H soporifc
causing a person to become tired and ready to fall asleep
causing or tending to cause sleep <soporifc drugs>
tending to dull awareness or alertness
of, relating to, or marked by sleepiness or lethargy
the soporifc heat of summer
<this medication is soporifc, so do not drive after taking it>
a soporifc agent; specifcally R hypnotic 1
K strew
H strew
to spread or scatter things over or on the ground or some other surface; to lie on or cover
(something)
to spread by scattering
214
to cover by or as if by scattering something <strewing the highways with litter>
to become dispersed over as if scattered
to spread abroad R disseminate
She strewed the birdseed on the ground.
<sidewalks strewed with trash left by the parade watchers>
K subversive
H subversive
the act of subverting R the state of being subverted; especially R a systematic attempt to
overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working secretly
from within
a cause of overthrow or destruction
K supersede, supplant
H supersede
to take the place of (someone or something that is old, no longer useful, etc.); to replace
(someone or something)
to cause to be set aside
to force out of use as inferior
to take the place or position of
to displace in favor of another
This edition supersedes the previous one.
Former stars were being superseded by younger actors.
Fortunately, the scientifc enterprise has its own self-correcting mechanisms that eventu-
ally sort things out. Studies that are wrong will be superseded by better studies with
diferent results. Studies that are right will be corroborated by other good studies.
Harriet Hall, Skeptic, 2007
The ancient human carriers of information and understandingelders, priests, bards,
teachers, and community members are superseded by a more durable and efcient
medium, the printed word. M. Rex Miller, The Mil lennium Matrix, 2004
Upgrading Americas too-old, too-slow telephone network, which took about a century
to build, is a massive task. But if you believe predictions that the Internet will one
day supersede the telephone as the worlds primary means of communications, these
companies will be road kill if they simply sit by the wayside. Bethany McLean,
Fortune, 6 Dec. 1999
H supplant
to take the place of (someone or something that is old or no longer used or accepted)
to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery
215
uproot
to eradicate and supply a substitute for <eforts to supplant the vernacular>
to take the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence
or power
<old traditions that were fading away and being supplanted by modern ways>
K sway
H sway
to move slowly back and forth; to cause (someone) to agree with you or to share your opinion
to swing slowly and rhythmically back and forth from a base or pivot
to move gently from an upright to a leaning position
to hold sway R act as ruler or governor
to fuctuate or veer between one point, position, or opinion and another
to cause to sway R set to swinging, rocking, or oscillating
to cause to bend downward to one side
to cause to turn aside R defect, divert
wield
govern, rule
to cause to vacillate
to exert a guiding or controlling infuence on
to hoist in place <sway up a mast>
branches swaying in the breeze
He swayed a moment before he fainted.
The lawyer tried to sway the jury.
She persisted in her argument, but I wouldnt let her sway me.
a slow movement back and forth; a controlling force or infuence
the action or an instance of swaying or of being swayed R an oscillating, fuctuating, or
sweeping motion
an inclination or defection caused by or as if by swaying
a controlling infuence
sovereign power R dominion
the ability to exercise infuence or authority R dominance
the sway of the ship
the sexy sway of her hips
He has come under the sway of terrorists.
The ancient Romans held sway over most of Europe.
K synonymous
216
H synonymous
having the same meaning; strongly suggesting a particular idea, quality, etc.; very strongly
associated with something
having the character of a synonym; ALSO: alike in meaning or signifcance
having the same connotations, implications, or reference <to runners, Boston is synony-
mous with marathon Runners World>
K tactic
H tactic
an action or method that is planned and used to achieve a particular goaltactics; the activity
or skill of organizing and moving soldiers and equipment in a military battle
a device for accomplishing an end
a method of employing forces in combat
an efective tactic for solving crimes
We may need to change tactics.
a specialist in naval tactics
of or relating to arrangement or order
K tantamount
H tantamount
equal to something in value, meaning, or efect
equivalent in value, signifcance, or efect <a relationship tantamount to marriage>
His statement was tantamount to an admission of guilt.
They see any criticism of the President as tantamount to treason.
K tenacity
H tenacity
the quality or state of being tenacious
K tendentious
H tendentious
strongly favoring a particular point of view in a way that may cause argument; expressing a
strong opinion
marked by a tendency in favor of a particular point of view R biased
He made some extremely tendentious remarks.
K tortuous
H tortuous
having many twists and turns; complicated, long, and confusing
217
marked by repeated twists, bends, or turns R winding <a tortuous path>
marked by devious or indirect tactics R crooked, tricky <a tortuous conspiracy>
circuitous, involved <the tortuous jargon of legal forms>
a tortuous path up the mountain
<a tortuous mountain road marked by numerous hairpin turns>
K trajectory
H trajectory
the curved path along which something (such as a rocket) moves through the air or through
space
the curve that a body (as a planet or comet in its orbit or a rocket) describes in space
a path, progression, or line of development resembling a physical trajectory <an upward
career trajectory>
the trajectory of the missile
K transience
H transience
the quality or state of being transient
<wary of the transience of popular enthusiasms, the writers of the U.S. Constitution
made changing the document a long and difcult process>
K trepidation
H trepidation
a feeling of fear that causes you to hesitate because you think something bad or unpleasant
is going to happen
a tremulous motion R tremor
a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain agitation R apprehension <trepidation about start-
ing a new job>
He had some trepidation about agreeing to their proposal.
<shaking with trepidation, I stepped into the old abandoned house>
In the frst minutes, hours, or even days of feldwork most researchers feel trepidation
about being an outsider, a stranger on the scene Marie D. Price, Geographical
Review, January-April 2001
This was an ambitious project, and a number of us felt some trepidation about the possible
results. Brian Phillips, New Republic, 13 Dec. 1999
I came aboard the 319 with trepidation, to join the lives of utter strangers, a man untried
by the circumstances they had known. Henry G. Bugbee, Jr., Naval History,in
Authors at Sea, Robert Shenk, ed., 1997
K turbulent
218
H turbulent
moving in an irregular or violent way; full of confusion, violence, or disorder; not stable or
steady
causing unrest, violence, or disturbance <a set of mischievous, turbulent rebels Anne
Brnte>
characterized by agitation or tumult R tempestuous <a turbulent marriage>
exhibiting physical turbulence <turbulent air>
Turbulent waters caused the boat to capsize.
The sixties were a turbulent period in American history.
K turmoil
H turmoil
a state of confusion or disorder
a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion
The country has been in turmoil for the past 10 years.
a period of political turmoil
His life has been in a constant turmoil.
K ubiquity
H ubiquity
presence everywhere or in many places especially simultaneously R omnipresence
K unwarranted
H unwarranted
not R in-, non- in adjectives formed from adjectives <unambitious><unskilled>or par-
ticiples <undressed>, in nouns formed from nouns <unavailability>, and rarely in verbs
formed from verbs <unbe>sometimes in words that have a meaning that merely
negates that of the base word and are thereby distinguished from words that prefx
in- or a variant of it (as im-) to the same base word and have a meaning positively
opposite to that of the base word <unartistic><unmoral>
opposite of R contrary to in adjectives formed from adjectives <unconstitutional><ungraceful><unmannered>or
participles <unbelieving>and in nouns formed from nouns <unrest>
do the opposite of R reverse (a specifed action) R de- 1a, dis- 1a in verbs formed from
verbs <unbend><undress><unfold>
deprive of R remove (a specifed thing) from R remove in verbs formed from nouns
<unfrock><unsex>
release from R free from in verbs formed from nouns <unhand>
remove from R extract from R bring out of in verbs formed from nouns <unbosom>
cause to cease to be in verbs formed from nouns <unman>
219
completely <unloose>
K whim
H whim
a sudden wish, desire, decision, etc.
a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind R fancy <quit his job
on a whim>
a large capstan that is made with one or more radiating arms to which a horse may be
yoked and that is used in mines for raising ore or water
Its hard to predict voters whims.
<on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream>
220
Word Index
abet, 9
abstemious, 150
abstruse, 46
absurd, 62
accentuate, 11
acclaim, 10
accommodate, 145
acerbic, 82
acquaintance, 150
acquiescence, 144
acrimony, 151
adroit, 152
adulate, 144
adulterate, 92
aesthetic, 153
afability, 84
alienate, 127
alleviate, 125
ambiguous, 46
ambivalent, 154
ameliorate, 16
amiable, 33
amplify, 11
anomalous, 61
antecedent, 154
antithesis, 155
apathetic, 35
apathy, 36
appease, 126
appropriation, 155
arcane, 47
arduous, 41
arrogant, 60
assuage, 126
astute, 71
attorney, 156
audacious, 156
audacity, 157
augment, 11
auspicious, 40
austere, 41
authentic, 90
authoritarian, 42
autonomy, 157
avert, 122
banal, 80
befuddle, 130
beguile, 158
belabor, 25
benign, 112
biased, 30
blatant, 100
bleak, 39
blithe, 39
bolster, 147
boon, 118
brevity, 158
buttress, 147
camoufage, 49
candid, 35
canny, 72
capricious, 65
censure, 22, 23
chaos, 159
chronology, 159
circumscribe, 160
circumspect, 75
circumvent, 131
civility, 151
clandestine, 160
clarity, 161
cognitive, 162
commendation, 27
compelling, 94
complacent, 37
compliment, 25
compound, 12
comprehensive, 101
compromise, 18
conceal, 47
conciliatory, 145
condemn, 23, 24
conformity, 97
confound, 130
conjecture, 162
conjure, 164
connotation, 164
conspicuous, 99
conspiracy, 132
constrain, 119
consummate, 165
contentious, 28
contradict, 137
contrivance, 166
controversial, 28
conventional, 166
conversant, 168
convivial, 118
convoluted, 105
cordial, 83
courteous, 33
cryptic, 47
cumulative, 68
curb, 119
cursory, 74
curtail, 146
cynical, 106
cynicism, 169
dearth, 169
deceptive, 86
decipherable, 171
deference, 143
defy, 171
deleterious, 113
deliberate, 70
demise, 172
deride, 173
derivative, 174
deteriorate, 18
devoid, 175
didactic, 175
dilatory, 177
dilemma, 179
diminish, 17
diminution, 180
disavow, 137
disclose, 51
discrete, 180
discretionary, 180
disdain, 142
221
disingenuous, 181
dismissal, 144
disparage, 17
disparate, 181
disparity, 97
disperse, 182
dispute, 138
distort, 148
diversity, 98
divert, 133
divulge, 51
dominant, 59
downplay, 149
dubious, 116
dwindle, 17
ebb, 20
ebullient, 182
eccentric, 63
eclectic, 107
eclipse, 20
edify, 13
efcacious, 182
efcacy, 183
efusive, 107
egalitarian, 184
egotism, 144
egregious, 100
elicit, 184
eloquent, 184
elusive, 110
empathetic, 141
empirical, 91
emulate, 186
endemic, 186
endorse, 10
engender, 121
ephemeral, 111
epitome, 187
equanimity, 188
erratic, 64
escalate, 13
eschew, 133
esoteric, 48
espouse, 188
ethereal, 188
evade, 133
evanescent, 110
evenhanded, 34
evocative, 96
evoke, 184
exacerbate, 128
exacting, 42
exalt, 13
exasperate, 128
excoriate, 25
exhilarate, 149
expedient, 72
expedite, 189
extinguish, 121
extol, 14
extraneous, 95
fabricate, 189
fallacious, 87
fastidious, 42
fecund, 190
feign, 50
fertile, 190
fckle, 65
fnicky, 43
fuctuate, 190
fuid, 66
forbearance, 191
forestall, 123
foster, 135
fraudulent, 88
frugal, 191
futile, 183
galvanize, 149
genuine, 90
germane, 95
grim, 40
grotesque, 154
hamper, 122
haphazard, 65
hazardous, 115
heterogeneous, 107
hierarchy, 192
hinder, 122
hodgepodge, 192
homogeneous, 108
hostile, 31
humility, 144
hyperbole, 192
hypocritical, 90
iconoclastic, 193
idiosyncratic, 97
illuminate, 14
immutable, 69
impair, 21
impartial, 34
impeccable, 193
impede, 122
impediment, 140
impenetrable, 48
imperturbable, 56
impetuous, 74
implacable, 112
implausible, 99
improvise, 193
imprudent, 74
impulsive, 75
incisive, 194
inclusive, 102
inconsequential, 86
incontrovertible, 92
incremental, 68
indiferent, 34
indigenous, 187
indispensable, 181
indolent, 178
indulgence, 118
inexplicable, 109
infame, 129
ingenious, 152
ingratiating, 103
inimical, 32
inimitable, 168
innocuous, 113
inscrutable, 49
insipid, 81
insouciant, 37
insurmountable, 194
integrity, 195
intensify, 14
intransigent, 112
intricate, 104
intrigue, 132
intuitive, 197
invasive, 197
invective, 27
inveterate, 111
irascible, 118
irenic, 198
jaded, 198
jejune, 79
jibe, 173
lambaste, 24, 25
lament, 198
latitude, 199
laud, 14
leeway, 199
legislature, 199
legitimate, 89
lethargic, 177
limpid, 52
litigation, 200
loquacious, 185
lucid, 53
lucrative, 200
lugubrious, 39
magnanimous, 200
222
magnify, 15
malleable, 56
manifest, 53
mawkish, 107
mediocre, 37
mendacious, 93
mercenary, 202
mercurial, 66
meretricious, 101
meticulous, 76
misanthropic, 106
mitigate, 127
mockery, 143
mollify, 124
monolithic, 109
moribund, 202
mundane, 78
nebulous, 49
negligible, 86
nostalgia, 202
nuance, 203
nugatory, 87
nullify, 204
obedient, 57
obfuscate, 131
oblivious, 169
obscure, 45
obsequious, 103
obstacle, 140
obviate, 123
ofset, 134
ominous, 115
onerous, 43
opaque, 44
opportunistic, 204
oracular, 204
orthodox, 166
ostentatious, 61
outmoded, 202
overarching, 204
overlap, 204
overt, 161
palpable, 55
panacea, 151
panegyric, 27
paradigmatic, 205
paradox, 205
parsimonious, 191
partisan, 31
patron, 206
patronize, 9
paucity, 170
pedestrian, 80
pejorative, 206
perception, 207
perfunctory, 38
pernicious, 114
perpetuate, 208
perplex, 130
pertinent, 94
phlegmatic, 38
placate, 124
placid, 55
plethora, 170
poignant, 82
polemical, 28
pragmatic, 208
precarious, 115
preclude, 123
predilection, 158
presage, 208
prescient, 209
prestige, 209
pretentious, 60
prevalent, 167
pristine, 209
probity, 196
profigacy, 197
prophetic, 117
prosaic, 78
proscribe, 136
prototype, 175
protract, 146
provenance, 210
provocative, 96
prudent, 72
pugnacious, 29
punctilious, 56
quantify, 210
quell, 136
rebel, 102
reckon, 163
redundant, 176
refute, 137
relic, 210
reminiscent, 96
repudiate, 136
resilient, 103
restraint, 120
reticence, 211
retrograde, 21
reverent, 211
revile, 26
rhetoric, 211
rudimentary, 109
ruthless, 212
sacrosanct, 212
salient, 101
salutary, 116
sanction, 173
sanguine, 212
satire, 213
schematic, 214
scrupulous, 77
sententious, 176
shrewd, 70
singular, 62
sluggish, 178
solicitous, 117
somnolent, 214
sophisticated, 105
soporifc, 214
specious, 87
spontaneous, 76
spur, 140
spurious, 93
spurn, 138
staunch, 69
steadfast, 69
stife, 120
stilted, 56
strew, 214
subordinate, 58
subsidy, 156
subversive, 215
subvert, 21
succumb, 172
superfcial, 52
superfuous, 177
supersede, 215
supplant, 215
surfeit, 171
surreptitious, 160
susceptible, 194
sway, 216
synonymous, 217
synthesis, 15
tactic, 217
tantamount, 217
taxing, 43
tedious, 80
tenacity, 217
tendentious, 217
terrestrial, 79
thwart, 135
torpid, 178
tortuous, 217
tractable, 57
trajectory, 218
transcend, 22
transience, 218
transitory, 111
223
transparency, 162
transparent, 55
trepidation, 218
trifing, 86
trite, 81
trivial, 85, 87
truculent, 29
turbulent, 219
turmoil, 219
ubiquitous, 168
ubiquity, 219
unalloyed, 92
undercut, 148
undermine, 147
unethical, 77
unfathomable, 51
unprecedented, 84
unsettle, 129
untenable, 99
unwarranted, 219
vacillation, 211
validate, 139
venerable, 201
venom, 151
veracity, 196
vestige, 210
vindicate, 139
vitiate, 22
vociferously, 100
volatile, 67
voluble, 185
vulnerable, 195
wane, 18
whim, 220
224

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GRE ( 2014 8 6 ) : http://gre.hepreps.

GRE Verbal Section 38 11

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