vocabulary words, definitions, and antonyms and synonyms
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adulterate
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(verb) to corrupt,make worse by the addition of something of lesser value Example: hospitals take strict precautions to assure that nothing adulterates the blood supply. Synonyms: contaminate,pollute, sully, Antonyms:purify, purge, expurgate
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ambidextrous
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(adjective) able to use both hands equally well; very skillful; deciteful; hypocritical Example: occasionally a teacher will come across a child who displays ambidextrous abilities when taught to write. Synonyms: versatile,facile Antonyms: clumsy, all thumbs, maladroit
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augment
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(verb) to make larger, increase Example: many couples have to augment their income in order to pay the mortgage on a new home. Synonyms: enlarge, supplement, amplify Antonyms: decrease, diminish
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bereft
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(adjective) deprived of; made unhappy through a loss. Example: individuals who live to be very old may eventually find themselves completely bereft of friends and family. Synonyms: bereaved Antonyms: replete, well provided
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deploy
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(verb) to position or arrange; to utilize; to form up. Example: a bugle call is a signal used to deploy troops for inspection,parade,or battle. Synonyms: station, organize
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dour
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(adjective) stern,unyielding, gloomy, ill-humored. Example: Dickens's Mr. Gradgrind in the novel hard times is an example of a character with a dour and sullen disposition. Synonyms: harsh, bleak,forbidding, saturnine Antonyms: cheery, inviting, genial
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fortitude
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(noun) courage in facing difficulties. The residents of the Mississippi delta showed remarkable fortitude during and after the flood that destroyed their homes and businesses. Synonyms: resolve, steadfastness, mettle Antonyms: fearfulness, timidity, faintheartedness
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gape
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(verb) to stare with open mouth; to open mouth wide;to open to gape at the spectacular first-time visitors to Niagara falls can be expected to gape at the spectacular sights of nature has provided for them. Synonyms: gawk, ogle
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gibe
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(verb) to utter taunting words: (noun) an expression of scorn. the recruits rushed into battle so that no one could gibe at them for cowardice. voters may reject a candidate who resorts to personal gibe instead of discussing the issues. Synonyms: ridicule, mock, deride, jeer Antonyms: compliment, praise
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guise
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(noun) an external appearance, cover, mask the thieves gained entry to the home by presenting themselves in the guise of police officers. Synonyms: costume, semblance, pretense
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insidious
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(adjective) intended to deceive or entrap; sly, treacherous the investigators uncovered an insidious scheme to rob people of their life savings Synonyms: cunning, underhanded, perfidious Antonyms: frank, ingenious, aboveboard
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intimation
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(noun) a hint, indirect suggestion they were to proud to give any intimation of their financial difficulties Synonyms: clue, indication, inkling
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opulent
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(adjective) wealthy, luxurious, ample, grandiose the tour guide showed us the opulent living quarters of the royal family. Synonyms: rich, lavish, plentiful, abundant Antonyms: poverty-stricken,wretched, destitute
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pliable
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(adjective) easily bent, flexible; easily influenced spools of pliable copper wire are standard equipment for many kinds of maintance workers, including electricians. Synonyms: supple, adaptable, resilient, Antonyms: rigid, inflexible,recalcitrant
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reiterate
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(verb) to say again, repeat effective speakers often reiterate an important statement for emphasis Synonyms: restate, rehash, recapitulate
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stolid
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(adjective) no easily moved mentally or emotionally;dull,unresponsive stolid people can generally be expected to take most things in stride. Synonyms: impassive, phlegmatic Antonyms: emotional, oversensitive,high-strung
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tentative
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(adjective) experimental in nature; uncertain hesitant negotiators have come up with a tentative agreement that will keep both sides at the bargaining table past the strike deadline Synonyms:provisional, inconclusive Antonyms: definite, conclusive, confirmed
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unkempt
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(adjective) not combed;untidy,not properly maintained; unpolished,rude according to my parents, the latest fashions make me and my friends look unkempt. Synonyms: sloppy,disheveled, disordered, rough Antonyms: well-groomed, tidy, neat,natty
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verbatim
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(adjective.,adverb) word for word;exactly as written or spoken newspapers often publish the verbatim text of an important political speech. at the swearing-in ceremony the chief justice reads each line of the oath of office and the new president repeats it verbatim. Synonyms:exact,precisely Antonyms: paraphrased
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warily
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(adverb) cautiously, with great care the hikers made their war warily up the steep and rocky trail. Synonyms: carefully, prudently, gingerly Antonyms: recklessly, heedlessly, incautiously
