abashed
(adj., part.) embarrassed, ashamed, or nonplussed
antonyms: unembarrassed, unashamed
I was thoroughly abashed by the foolish mistake that I made at the dinner party.
Stop singing,
"I gotta be
me!"
aloof
(adj.) withdrawn, standing apart
from others (usually as a matter
of choice)
synonyms: distant, cold
antonyms: involved, sociable
In almost every office or business, there are some people who keep
decidedly aloof from their coworkers.
anguish
(n.) great mental suffering, distress, or
pain; (v.) to be deeply tormented by pain
or sorrow
synonyms: misery, woe, torment
antonyms: joy, delight, peace of mind
The child's disappearance anguished every member of the community.
articulate
(v.) to pronounce distinctly; to express
well in words; to fit together in a system;
(adj.) able to use language effectively;
expressed clearly and forcefully
synonym: enunciate, expound, glib eloquent
antonym: tongue-tied, mumbled, incoherent
To be successful as a professional lecturer, a person must,
of necessity, be articulate.
bask
(v.) to be in, or expose oneself to,
pleasant warmth; to take pleasure in
or derive enjoyment from
synonyms: wallow, revel
Because they are cold-blooded creatures, lizards and other reptiles
must bask in the sun to regulate their body temperature.
defect
(n.) an imperfection, flaw, or blemish of some kind; (v.) to desert
a cause or arganization
There is no one who does not have at least one serious character defect.
In 1948 the Dixiecrats defected from the Democratic Party and held their
own presidential nominating convention.
finesse
(n.) delicate skill; tact and cleverness; (v.) to
accomplish something by cleverness, good
judgment, or skillful evasion
synonym: delicacy, subtlety
antonym: clumsiness, awkwardness
To become a champion, a tennis player needs to combine power with
finesse.
Skilled politicians know how to finesse their answers to embarrassing
questions from reporters.
flaunt
(v.) to wave or flutter showily; to display
in a conceited, offensive way
synonym: show off, parade
antonym: hide, downplay
Some people seem to need to flaunt their wealth
and good fortune in life.
(adj.) frank, direct, straightforward
forthright
synonym: candid, blunt
antonym: indirect, evasive, two-faced, deceitful
I appreciate the forthright way in which you express your opinions,
even when they do not agree with my own.
genial
(adj.) cordial, pleasantly cheerful or warm
synonym: friendly, amiable
antonym: cold, unfriendly, unsociable
The genial host and hostess made each party guest feel especially welcome.
instill
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(v.) to add gradually, to introduce or
cause to be taken in
synonym: implant, infuse, inculate
antonym: root out, eradicate, extirpate
How can parents best instill in their children a love for reading?
ostracize
(v.) to exclude from a group, banish, send away
synonym: cast out, expel, blackball, snub
antonym: fraternize with, associate with
Come on guys!
I said I was
sorry!!!
Society ostracizes those who
commit treason.
premonition
(n.) forewarning or foreboding of
a future event
synonym: presentiment
I felt a vague premonition of danger as I entered the abandoned building.
Batman or Bruce Wayne?
pseudonym
(n.) a pen name, a name assumed by a writer
synonym: nom de plume
It is wise to use a pseudonym to protect
your privacy when you chat on the
Internet.
purge
(v.) to wash away impurities, clean up;
(n.) the process of getting rid of
something or someone decisively
synonym: cleanse, purify
antonym: pollute, contaminate, defile
A soaking rainstorm will usually purge the air of pollutants.
The change of government was achieved through a peaceful election
rather than a brutal purge.
rehabilitate
(v.) to make over in good form; to restore
to good condition or to former position
synonym: reclaim, rebuild, reform
Over the years government agencies have spent a good deal of
money trying to rehabilitate run-down inner-city neighborhoods.
repercussion
repercussion
repercussion
(n.) an effect or consequence of some action or
event, result; an echo or reverberation
antonym: cause, source
The repercussions of the 1929 stock market crash
were felt all over the world.
resolute
(adj.) bold, determined; firm
synonym: steadfast, unflinching
antonym: weak, spineless, indecisive
Commencement-day speakers generally urge
new graduates to be resolute in pursuit of their
dreams.
retentive
(adj.) able to hold, keep, or
recall;retaining knowledge easily
antonym: porous, forgetful
A retentive memory is a great asset for any actor, especially
one who performs on stage.
scapegoat
(n.) a person or thing carrying the blame
for others
synonym: fall guy, whipping boy
In ancient times, a messenger who brought bad news was often made
the scapegoat for it and killed.