.DEARTH: Scarcity - a dearth of news, brought about by censorship

Antonyms: plethora, abundance

DEFERENCE: Submitting to the wishes or judgment of another - yielded out of deference to the old man

Synonyms: respect, complaisance, veneration

Antonym: recalcitrance

.DEITY: A god -The sun was a deity to ancient peoples

Synonym: divinity

.DELECTABLE: Very pleasing - a delectable meal, tastefully prepared

.DELETE: To erase or cancel, take out or remove - deletedan offensive phrase

Synonyms: expunge, censor, efface, eradicate

.DELINEATE: To sketch or portray - striking features, delineated by a master artist

.DELINQUENT (noun): An offender - found to be a delinquent by the court

adj: Failing to fulfill an obligation - too many people who are delinquent in meeting their civic duties

Synonym: derelict

.DELUGE: A great flood; downpour - a spring deluge which caused the river to overflow

DEMAGOGUE: A leader who tries to stir the passions of people for his own purposes - the mob roused by an unprincipled demagogue

.DEMEANOR: Behavior; bearing - carrying himself with a proud demeanor

Synonyms: deportment, mien

.DEMURE: Affectedly or falsely modest or prim; serious demure as a Victorian maiden

Synonyms: sedate, staid, decorous, prudish, coy

Antonyms: immodest, frivolous

.DENOUNCE (noun: DENUNCIATION): To speak against - denounced by the press as a traitor

Synonyms: stigmatize, censure, reprehend, castigate

Antonyms: laud, eulogize

.DEPLETE: To empty or to use up - depleted the public treasury by vast building programs

Synonyms: exhaust, drain

Antonyms: replenish; (adj.) replete

.DEPLORE: To express sorrow or grief over - a lamentable situation deplored by all parties

Synonyms: lament, decry, grieve

.DEPRAVED: Of low morals; corrupt - a depraved mind, devising evil

Synonyms: debased, wicked, vicious, perverted

DEPRECATE: To plead or argue against a certain course of action - deprecated the proposal severely

Synonyms: remonstrate, protest, decry, expostulate

Antonym: sanction

.DEPRECIATE: To belittle or speak slightingly of - depreciated John's acting ability

Synonyms: disparage, derogate (adj). derogatory

Antonyms: enhance, magnify, extol, laud, eulogize

.DEVASTATION: Widespread ruin - the city left in utter devastation by war

Synonyms: destruction, desolation

.(1)DEVIOUS: Winding; indirect - took a devious, rather than the direct way home

 Synonym: circuitous

(2).Straying from the right course - used devious means to attain his wicked ends

Synonyms: crooked, erring

.DEVOID: Lacking in; not possessing - a speech devoid of even a trace of ill-will

Synonym: destitute

Antonyms: abounding, prevalent

.DEVOUT: Devoted to religious observances - devout in his regularity of attendance at worship

Synonyms: pious, religious

Antonym: impious

DICTUM: Art authoritative statement; a saying-an imperial dictum demanding instant compliance

.DIDACTIC: Designed to teach, imparting a lesson - a poem with a didactic purpose

Synonym: pedagogical

.DIFFIDENT: Lacking in self-confidence- too diffident to lead a group

Synonyms: shy, timid, reserved, reticent, retiring

Antonyms: forward, aggressive

DILEMMA: A situation calling for a choice between two equally difficult alternatives; hence, a difficult or perplexing situation - faced with a dilemma defying solution

Synonyms: predicament, quandary, plight

DILETTANTE: One who dabbles in the fine arts for amusement only and without concentrated study - a doctor by profession, a dilettante in art

Synonyms: amateur, connoisseur

.DISCONCERT: To confuse; to embarrass - disconcerted by his suspicious stare

Synonyms: perturb, discomfit, discompose, abash, disquiet, fluster

DISCONSOLATE: Depressed; without hope or possibility of consolation - made disconsolate by abject poverty

Synonyms: inconsolable, dejected

Antonyms: blithesome, carefree

DISCOURSE: To converse or talk; to discuss - discoursed at length on the rise of political parties

.DISCRETE: Separate - two discrete issues, totally unrelated

.DISCURSIVE: Rambling from one subject to another - a discursive letter, covering many topics

Synonyms: desultory, digressive

DISPARITY (adj.: DISPARATE): Inequality; difference in image, quantity, character, or rank - great disparity between promise and performance

DISPASSIONATE: Free from feeling or partiality - coldly dispassionate as the chairman of the meeting

Synonyms: palm, impartial

Antonym: partial

.DISPATCH (verb): To do speedily; to send off - dispatched with remarkable promptness

Synonym: expedite

.noun: A speedy performance; the sending off of something - done with all possible dispatch

Synonyms: celerity, alacrity

.DISPEL: To drive away; to scatter - dispelled a doubt that had lingered

Synonyms: dissipate, disperse, diffuse

DISSENT (noun: DISSENSION): To disagree; to differ in opinion - He dissented violently, rejecting compromise

DISSOLUTE: Living loosely; unrestrained in conduct or morals - his life wasted by dissolute conduct

Synonyms: debauched, dissipated, profligate

.DISTRAUGHT: Mentally distressed; distracted - distraught by trials and tribulations

Synonym: harassed

DIVERSE: (verb: DIVERSIFY; noun: DIVISIBILITY) : Varied; different - two diverse characters; one candid, the other insincere

Synonym: multifarious

.DIVERTING: Entertaining - a diverting one of the most amusing I've ever seen

.DIVULGE: To make public or reveal - refused to divulge his source of information

Synonyms: disclose, impart

DOGMATIC: Positive in expressing an opinion; asserting an opinion as though it were an undisputed fact - spoken dogmatically, as if the speaker considered himself infallible

Synonyms: overbearing, opinionated, peremptory, dictatorial

.DOLOROUS: Sorrowful; mournful - a dolorous song full of sorrow for past joys

Synonyms: doleful, lugubrious, grievous

Antonyms: jocund, blithe, mirthful

.DYNAMIC: Forceful - possessed dynamic energy, tireless and powerful

Synonym: energetic

Antonyms: static, inert, dormant, torpid, sluggish, quiescent

CABAL: A small group of persons engaged in plotting - a cabal of prominent persons united to overthrow the government.

Synonyms: junto, faction

CACOPHONOUS: Unharmonious sounding - a cacophonous blare of trumpets, noisy and discordant.

Synonyms: dissonant, discordant, blatant, strident, raucous Antonyms: mellifluous, euphonious, dulcet

CADAVEROUS: Corpselike; hence, haggard, pale -His face appeared cadaverous from long imprisonment.

Synonyms: ghastly, gaunt, pallid (noun: pallor), wan, ashen

Antonyms: rubicund, florid

.CALLOUS: Unfeeling or insensitive - made callous by long suffering

Synonyms: insensible, obdurate

CALUMNIATE: To accuse falsely or maliciously in order to injure another's reputation; slander - calumniated his political opponent by spreading false rumors.

Synonyms: asperse, vilify, defame, scandalize

CANDID (noun: CANDOR): Frank, outspoken; impartial a candid reply that could hardly be more forthright.

Synonyms: artless, ingenuous, unbiased

Antonyms: guileful, evasive

.CANTANKEROUS: Ill-natured; quarrelsome – showed a cantankerous and sullen disposition

Synonyms: petulant, peevish, contentious, pugnacious, testy, choleric, fretful

Antonyms: amiable, affable, equable

CAPRICIOUS: Inclined, through some whim or fancy change the mind, purpose, or actions suddenly - a capricious person, undependable in mood or temper.

Synonyms: fickle, fitful, changeable, erratic, inconstant, crotchety, whimsical, mercurial

Antonyms: steadfast, constant, even-tempered

.CAPTIOUS: Quick to find fault about trifles- a captious critic pouncing on slight laws

Synonyms: hypercritical, carping, carviling, censorious

CARICATURE: A picture or other description of a person which exaggerates ludicrously one or more of his distinctive features - not a realistic portrait but a malicious caricature.

CASTIGATE: To punish or criticize severely - castigated for using improper language.

Synonyms: reprove, upbraid, reprehend, censure, reprimand, chasten

Antonyms: commend, eulogize, laud

.CELESTIAL: Pertaining to the sky; heavenly-a celestial pageant of bright stars

Synonyms: ethereal; (noun) firmament

.CHAUVINIST: An extreme patriot-a chauvinist with most pride in his country

Synonym: jingoist

.CHICANERY: Trickery, deception,- practised chicanery all his shady dealings

Synonyms: duplicity, craft, stratagem, wile, subterfuge

.CHRONIC: Continuing a long time; habitual-a. chronic complaint, persisting for years

Synonyms: persistent, unremitting, inveterate, incessant, constant

Antonyms: intermittent, sporadic, infrequent

.CIRCUMSPECT: Cautious - looked about him circumspectly

Synonyms: prudent, vigilant, discreet, wary

Antonyms: rash, indiscreet, reckless, precipitate, foothardy, temerarious, headstrong

CIRCUMVENT: To gain an advantage by the use of trick to evade by the use of deception; to go around - circumvented the law by evasive practices.

Synonyms: thwart, balk, outwit, delude

.CIVIL: Of or having to do with citizens or the state - We I civil duties as well as civil liberties

.Polite, courteous - answered in a civil fashion

Synonyms: respectful, gracious

.CLAMOROUS: Loud and noisy - a clamorous outburst the crowd outside

Synonyms: vociferous, obstreperous, blatant, raucous, strident

Antonyms: muted, quiet

.CLANDESTINE: Secret; stealthy - a clandestine meeting known only to a few

Synonyms: furtive, covert, surreptitious

Antonyms: overt, manifest, above-board

.CLEMENT: Merciful; gentle - a clement judge who tempered justice with leniency

Synonyms: compassionate, forbearing

Antonyms: relentless, ruthless

COALITION (verb: COALESCE): Alliance; merging of various units into one unit - three parties forming a coalition to rule the country.

Synonyms: amalgamation, consolidation, fusion

COERCION: Compelling a person by physical force or other means to do something against his will - rendered his services without the slightest coercion.

Synonyms: constraint, restraint, impelling

COGENT: Having the force to compel, usually by appealing to reason - persuaded by cogent arguments.

Synonym: persuasive

COLLUSION: Working together secretly for an evil purpose - acted in collusion to overthrow the government.

Synonyms: collaboration, conspiracy, conniving, machination

.COMMODIOUS: Roomy - a commodious apartment

Synonyms: spacious, capacious, ample

COMPATIBLE: Harmonious; able, to get along together parted company because they were not compatible.

Synonyms: congruous, consistent

Antonyms: incongruous, discordant, incompatible

COMPENDIUM (adj.: COMPENDIOUS) : A brief summary of the main ideas of a larger work - a compendium of chemistry in a slim volume.

Synonyms: synopsis, digest, precis, abstract, epitome

.COMPENSATION: Payment for services - just compensation for his labor

Synonyms: stipend, remuneration, recompense, emolument

.COMPLACENT: Self-satisfied - looked on his own performance with a complacent smile

Synonym: smug

.COMPUNCTION: Regret for wrongdoing - displayed slight compunction for his misdeed

Synonyms: contrition, penitence, atonement, remorse, qualm

.CONCEDE: To yield; to admit as true; to grant - conceded victory to a superior force

Synonyms: acquiesce, capitulate

CONDIGN: Well-deserved (applied chiefly to punishment) - received condign punishment for his crime.

CONDOLE (noun: CONDOLENCE): To express sympathy with another in sorrow, pain, or misfortune - condoled with each other in their grief.

Synonyms: commiserate, show compassion, solace

CONDONE: To forgive or overlook (an offense) - condoned the deed, in view of the offender's age.

Synonyms: extenuate, palliate, mitigate, gloss

CONFEDERATE (noun): A person allied with others for a special purpose (frequently a bad one) - joined his confederate in secret enterprise.

Synonyms: collaborator, accomplice

.adj: United or allied in a conspiracy - two confederate groups hurrying to their rendezvous

CONGENIAL: (1) Possessing similar interests and tastes; able to get on well with others - congenial people with similar backgrounds.

Synonym: compatible

.(2) Agreeable - congenial to his taste

.CONJECTURE: To guess - Without facts, we can only conjecture about his guilt

Synonyms: surmise, presume

CONSECRATE: (1) To set apart as sacred - consecrate the battlefield with a monument to the dead heroes. Synonyms: hallow, sanctify

Antonym: desecrate

.(2) To devote or dedicate to some aim - consecrated his life to teaching

CONSENSUS: General agreement - The consensus of the committee was that no action should be taken.

Synonym: accord

CONSTERNATION: Amazement; lack of courage caused by fearful prospect - The threat struck deep consternation into John.

Synonyms: dismay, bewilderment

CONSTRUE (noun: CONSTRUCTION) : To interpret, explain the sense of, or analyze - construed the statement to his own advantage.

CONSUMMATE (adj.): Perfect or highly accomplished - achieved with consummate skill.

Antonyms: botched. bungled, inept

.verb: To complete, bring to perfection - consummated the deal without delay

CONTEMPTUOUS: Expressive of contempt (an emotion involving anger and disgust) - cast a contemptuous look at his subordinate.

Synonyms: supercilious, scornful, disdainful, contumelious

.CONVIVIAL: Festive; gay - a convivial party

Synonyms: jovial, jocund, mirthful

Antonyms: lugubrious, dolorous, mirthless

.COPIOUS: Plentiful - shed copious tears at the bad news

Synonyms: profuse, bountiful, abundant

Antonyms: meager, scant

.CORPULENT: Fat - corpulent due to excessive eating

Synonyms: obese, portly

Antonyms: gaunt, lank, emaciated, peaked

COSMOPOLITAN (noun): One who is at home in all countries - A cosmopolitan can feel at ease anywhere in the world.

.adj: Free from local prejudices - a world-wide traveler, cosmopolitan in tastes and attitudes

Synonyms: Catholic

Antonyms: parochial, provincial

.COTERIE: A group of people joined by common interests a coterie of select friend

Synonym: clique

.COUNTENANCE (noun): A face - His countenance expressed his complete disgust

Synonym: visage

.verb: To approve - refused to countenance disrespectful conduct

Synonym: sanction

.CRASS: Coarse and stupid - displayed crass ignorance

Synonym: gross

.CRAVEN (noun): Coward - the deed of a craven, motivated by fear

Synonym: Poltroon

adj: Cowardly - a craven act which shocked the world

.Synonyms: pusillanimous, dastardly

Antonyms: stalwart, intrepid, valiant, stout-hearted

.CREDENCE: Trust or belief - gave little credence to the rumor

Synonym: conviction

Antonym: skepticism

.CREDIBLE: Worthy of belief - a credible story, true to life

Antonym: incredible

CREDITABLE: Deserving or reflecting Credit or honor - applauded for his creditable performance

Synonyms: praiseworthy, meritorious, commendable

Antonyms: discreditable, infamous, opprobrious, ignominious

CREDULOUS: Inclined to believe anything; easily imposed upon - a credulous fool whom anyone can dupe.

Synonym: gullible

Antonyms: incredulous, skeptical

.CRINGE: To shrink in fear - cringing before superior force

Synonyms: cower, flinch, fawn, truckle, wince

.CRUCIAL: Decisive or critical; difficult - the crucial event that decided the outcome

CRYPTIC: Containing hidden meaning - a cryptic message, difficult to decipher.

Synonyms: occult, enigmatic

Antonyms: palpable, manifest

.CULPABLE: Deserving blame or censure - removed from office for culpable negligence

Synonyms: censurable, reprehensible

.CUMBROUS: Burdensome and clumsy - a cumbrous knapsack, impeding his march

Synonyms: cumbersome, unwieldy, bulk

.CURB: To control, check, or restrain - forcibly curbed the people's protest

Synonyms: repress, subdue

.CURSORY: Hurried; hence, superficial - Time permitted only a cursory examination

Antonyms: painstaking, meticulous

.CURT: Rudely abrupt -offended by the curt response

Synonyms: blunt, brusque, bluff

Antonyms: affable, civil

CYNICAL: Sneeringly distrustful of the good motives or conduct of others - belittled the hero with a cynical remark.

Synonyms: sarcastic, surly

.BANAL: Lacking in freshness, originality, or vigor-bored by his banal remarks

Synonyms: commonplace, hackneyed, prosaic, trite, stereotyped, vapid

Antonyms: racy, original, vivid

BANEFUL (noun: BANE: poison; source of harm): Destructive, poisonous - a baneful effect, causing serious injury

Synonyms: deleterious, pernicious, virulent, noxious, toxic

Antonym: beneficent

BANTER: Good-natured teasing or ridicule-The two wits I exchanged banter, to the amusement of the audience

Synonyms: raillery, chaff

.BATON: A stick or staff - The conductor wielded his baton gracefully

BELIE: To give a false idea of - His gracious manner belled his. evil purpose

Synonym: misrepresent

.BELLICOSE: Inclined to quarrel; warlike - His bellicose attitude often got John into fights

Synonyms: pugnacious, contentious, disputatious

Antonyms: pacific, conciliatory

.BELLIGERENT: Engaged in war - two belligerent nations warring fiercely

.BENEVOLENT: Kindly; charitable - like a benevolent monarch, bestowing many favors

Synonyms: benign, benignant, gracious, magnanimous

Antonyms: malevolent, malignant

.BEREAVE: To deprive or leave desolate by loss - a widow just bereaved of her husband

.BESMIRCH: To soil or dirty - besmirched his opponent's good name with vile epithets

Synonyms: stilly, defile, smirch, bespatter

.BIASED: Prejudiced - misled by a biased point of view

Synonyms: bigoted, arbitrary, partial, partisan

Antonyms: disinterested, equitable

.BIBLIOPHILE: A lover of books - The bibliophile fingered the old book fondly

Antonym: bibliophobe

.BIZARRE: Queer; unusual in appearance- bizarre clothes, outlandish in the extreme

Synonyms: odd, fantastic, grotesque, eccentric

BLAND: Gentle; polite; agreeable - a bland diet, without irritating foods.

Synonyms: mild, suave (affable or persuasive in manner), soothing, non-irritating

Antonyms: piquant, tart, racy, caustic, acrid, pungent

.BLANDISHMENT: A flattering speech or act - attracted people by his blandishments

BLEMISH (verb): To scar or spoil - Bad associates blemished his character

noun: A disfigurement, defect - a character without a blemish

.BLIGHT: To ruin or decay - the rotting wheat-, blighted by incessant rain

Synonyms: wither, blast

.BLITHE: Gay and light-hearted in spirit or mood - spread cheer with her blithe spirit

Synonyms: jocund, merry, joyous

Antonyms: dejected, forlorn, abject

.BOG: A swamp - sank into the spongy bog

Synonyms: morass, fen, quagmire, mire

BOMBASTIC (noun: BOMBAST): High-sounding; pretentious in language - a bombastic speech, inflated with meaningless high-flown words

Synonyms: ranting, pompous, fustian

BOORISH: Unrefined in speech or manners - exhibited the boorish manners of a backwoodsman

Synonyms: churlish, uncouth. uncultured, crass

Antonym: suave

.BUCOLIC: Pertaining to the country - a bucolic poem de- the joys of the shepherd

Synonyms: pastoral, rustic, rural

.BUFFOON: A clown - acting like a buffoon, full of ludicrous tricks

Synonym: harlequin

BULWARK:An embankment used as a fortification - a lofty bulwark for defense

Synonym: rampart

BUMPTIOUS: Obnoxiously conceited or self-assertive - a bumptious monitor, puffed up with his own importance,

Synonyms: aggressive, arrogant, contumelious, overbearing

ABANDON: To give up completely - abandoned the sinking ship

Synonyms: relinquish, forgo, forsake

ABASH: To lose self-confidence; to confuse, put to shame – abashed before the assembled dignitaries

Synonyms: fluster, disconcert, discomfit, discompose

Antonym: (adj.) self-possessed

ABDICATE: To give up claim to - abdicated the throne

Synonyms: renounce, abandon, relinquish

.ABET: To encourage -or support - treacherously abetted the enemy

Synonyms: spur, incite

Antonym: deter

.ABRIDGE: To shorten - abridged his lengthy speech

Synonyms: curtail, diminish, retrench

Anthonyms: protract, elongate, amplify

.ABROGATE: To abolish or render void - a treaty abrogated by mutual consent

Synonyms: annul, nullify, rescind, void

.ABSTEMIOUS: Moderate in the use of food or drink - abstemious in his habits

Synonym: temperate

ACADEMIC: Pertaining to school; theoretical academic interests; an academic discussion, with no practical implications

Synonym: scholastic

.ACCEDE: To agree to -accede to a request

Synonym: assent

Antonym: demur

.ACCELERATE: - To quicken, speed tip - took an accelerated course in order to graduate early

Synonym: expedite (adj). expeditious

Antonym: retard

.ACCOLADE: An award or salute - a tremendous accolade for a returning hero

Synonyms: tribute, ovation

.ACCORD: Agreement or harmony - in full accord with his view

Synonyms: concord, concurrence

Antonyms: dissension, discord

.ACRIMONIOUS: Sharp or harsh in language or temper - stung by the acrimonious remark

Synonyms: caustic, acerb, pungent, tart, mordant, acrid; (noun) asperity

Antonyms: suave, affable

.ACUMEN: Keenness of mind or insight - showing exceptional business acumen

Synonyms: perspicacity, discernment, perception

Antonym: obtuseness

.ADMONISH (noun: ADMONITION): To warn or find fault gently - admonishing the unruly child

Synonyms: chide, caution, reprimand, reprehend, reproach

.ADVERSARY: (adj.: ADVERSE): An opponent - his adversary in a bitter debate

Synonym: antagonist

Antonyms: cohort, confederate, ally, accomplice

ADVERSITY: Misfortune - calm in the face of adversity

Synonyms: affliction, mischance, reverses

AESTHETIC: Pertaining to the beautiful - interested in aesthetic values rather than in purely practical affairs

Synonyms: civil, complaisant, benign, gracious, genial, urbane, cordial

Antonyms: curt, brusque, rude, boorish, surly

.AFFLUENT: Prosperous, flourishing; copious - a large bequest from an affluent grandfather

Synonyms: opulent, profuse

Antonyms: destitute, impecunious

AGGRESSIVE (noun: AGGRESSION. an unprovoked attack): self-assertive; attacking, offensive - annoyed people by his aggressive attitude;

Synonyms: bumptious, officious, obtrusive

Antonyms: meek, humble, retiring, diffident

ALACRITY: Eagerness; cheerful promptness - responded to the flattering offer with alacrity.

Synonyms: celerity, briskness, energy, animation

Antonyms: apathy, nonchalance, sluggishness, lethargy, phlegmatism

ALIENATE: To estrange - altenated by his gruff manner

.ALLAY: To calm; to lessen in severity - at ease now that his fears have been allayed

Synonyms: appease, alleviate, pacify, assuage, abate, mitigate, propitiate, mollify, placate

Antonyms: intensify, aggravate

.ALLUDE (noun: ALLUSION): To refer to indirectly - alluded quite subtly to his friend's misfortune

Synonyms: insinuate, intimate, imply

Antonyms: refer, cite

.ALLURE: To tempt by flattery or an attractive offer - allured by the prospect of a new job

Synonyms: lure, decoy, inveigle, entice, seduce, wheedle, beguile, cajole

Antonym: repel

AMBIGUOUS: Uncertain, vague, capable of being inter- in more than one way - puzzled by the ambiguous statement

Synonyms: hazy, obscure, equivocal, dubious, nebulous

Antonyms: explicit, unquestionable

.AMENABLE: Obedient; willing to submit - amenable to the suggestion

Synonyms: tractable, docile, responsive

Antonyms: intractable, refractory, recalcitrant

.AMIABLE: Good-natured; friendly - attracted friends by his amiable disposition

Synonym: complaisant

ANACHRONISM: A thing placed or occurring out of its normal time - A machine gun at the Battle of Yorktown would be an anachronism

ANALOGY (adj.: ANALOGOUS): A relation between two things shown in the resemblance not of the things themselves but of their characteristics- He indicated points of analogy between the two situations

Synonyms: correspondence, affinity

Antonym: anomaly (a deviation from the general rule

.ANARCHY: State of confusion or lawlessness - a country brought to utter anarchy by civil war

Synonyms: chaos, pandemonium

.ANIMUS: A feeling of hatred-felt no animus, even against the enemy

Synonyms: enmity, rancor, malevolence, animosity

Antonym: amity

.ANNALS: Historical records - in the annals of literature

.ANONYMOUS: Of unknown authorship-an anonymous publication

.ANTHOLOGY: A collection of choice literary works – an anthology of modern poetry

ANTITHESIS (adj.: ANTITHETICAL) : Contrast; the direct opposite - His selfish attitude seemed to me the antithesis o patriotism

APATHY (adj.: APATHETIC): Lack of feeling, emotion, or interest - attributed his failure to apathy, rather than lack of ability

Synonyms: torpor, lethargy, sluggishness, listlessness, languor, lassitude, dispassion; (verb) languish

Antonyms: zeal, animation

APPREHENSIVE (verb: APPREHEND): Fearful - Being unprepared, John is apprehensive of the examination

.APPRISE: To inform -apprisedhis lieutenants of the new situation

.APPROBATION: Approval; praise -a plan that met with hearty approbation

Synonyms: sanction, commendation

Synonyms: sanction, commendation

Antonym: disapprobation

APT (noun): APTITUDE, APTNESS

(1) Likely; inclined or disposed - apt to succeed.

Synonym: prone

(2) Fit, suitable - an apt remark

Synonyms: appropriate, felicitous

(3) Skillful, expert - apt at woodcarving

Synonyms: deft, dextrous, adept. Antonym: inept

ARBITER: A person who has authority to decide matters in dispute - a fair decision rendered by the arbiter

Synonyms: mediator, arbitrator

ARCHETYPE: An original pattern - copies reproduced from the archetype

Synonym: prototype

Antonyms: Stereotype, facsimile, replica

.ARID: Dry; barren - the arid desert land

Synonyms: jejune, parched

Antonyms: arable, fertile

ARISTOCRACY: Government by the best people; a privileged class -special privileges enjoyed by the aristocracy

Synonym: oligarchy

Antonym: democracy

.ARMISTICE: A temporary suspension of hostilities. The armistice halted the war

Synonym: truce

.ARTFUL: Sly; crafty - attained his mean objective by artful measures

Synonyms: cunning, wily, adroit, ingenious, guileful

Antonyms: guileless, ingenuous, artless

ARTICULATE (verb): To speak clearly or distinctly - articulated slowly so that he could not be misunderstood

adj: Capable of speech; distinct, clear – an articulate man, always ready to give his views

.ASCETIC: Rigorously self-denying - pursued the ascetic life of a monk

Synonyms: austere, abstinent

Antonyms: wanton, self-indulgent

.ASKANCE: With distrust - looked askance at the forged signature

.ASSEVERATE: To declare positively; to confirm - asseverated his views with conviction

Synonyms: assert, avouch, aver, avow, allege

Antonyms: gainsay, controvert, recant, rescind, abjure, disavow

.ASSIDUOUS: Industrious - an assiduous worker, toiling long hours

Synonyms: sedulous, attentive, diligent, indefatigable

Antonyms: indolent, slothful

.ASYLUM: A place offering shelter and retreat -found asylum from persecution

Synonyms: sanctuary, refuge

ATHEIST: One who denies that God exists - The atheist declared, "There is no God

Synonyms: infidel, agnostic, skeptic

ATTRIBUTE (verb): Assign -attributed his success to bard work

Synonym: ascribe

noun: An inherent quality -Generosity was his outstanding attribute

AUGMENT: To increase or enlarge - an army augmented by numerous enlistments

Synonyms: enhance, amplify - Antonyms: abate, curtail

.AUSPICIOUS: Indicating a happy outcome - The prospect for this project appears auspicious

Synonyms: propitious, fortunate

Antonyms: ominous, foreboding

.AUTHENTIC: Genuine -proved to be an authentic document

Synonyms: veritable, bona fide

Antonyms: apocryphal, counterfeit, spurious, bogus

.AUTOCRATIC: Despotic - feared by the masses as an autocratic ruler

Synonym: tyrannical

Antonym: benevolent

.AVARICE: Excessive greed - a fortune accumulated by avarice and miserliness

Synonyms: covetousness, cupidity, avidity

Antonym: magnanimity

.AWRY: Unsymmetrical; not straight - the picture, hanging awry on the wall

Synonym: askew