PRESSAGE
(verb)
Pronunciation: pres·age
Syllabication: /ˈpresij,prəˈsāj/
Origin: via French from Latin praesagium, from
praesagire ‘forebode,’ from prae
‘before’ + sagire ‘perceive keenly.’
Meaning: a sign or warning that something,
typically something bad, will happen;
an omen or portent.
Synonyms: augur, auspicate, betoken, bode,
forecast, foreshadow,
Antonyms: make sure, settle, calculate,
determine, insure, prove.
STOLID
(adjective)
Pronunciation: stol·id
Syllabication: /ˈstäləd/
Origin: French, late 16th century: from obsolete
French stolide or Latin stolidus
(perhaps related to stultus ‘foolish’).
Meaning: (of a person) calm, dependable, and
showing little emotion or animation.
Synonyms: impassive, phlegmatic,unemotional,
cool, calm, placid, unexcitable.
Antonyms: emotional, lively, imaginative.
WILY
(adjective)
Pronunciation: wil·y
Syllabication: /ˈwīlē/
Origin: Middle English word dating back to
1250-1300
Meaning: quick to think of things, having a very
good understanding of situations and
possibilities, and often willing to use
tricks to achieve an aim:
Synonyms: shrewd, clever, sharp, sharp-witted,
astute, canny, smart.
Antonyms: naïve.
VICISSITUDE
(noun)
Pronunciation: vi·cis·si·tude
Syllabication: / vəˈsisəˌt(y)o͞od/
Origin: early 17th century (in the sense
‘alternation’): from French, or from
Latin vicissitudo, from vicissim ‘by
turns,’ from vic- ‘turn, change.’
Meaning: a change of circumstances or fortune,
typically one that is unwelcome or
unpleasant.
Synonyms: change, alteration, shift, reversal,
twist, turn, downturn, variation
Antonyms: immutableness, immutability
UMBRAGE
(noun)
Pronunciation: um·brage
Syllabication: /ˈəmbrij/
Origin: late Middle English (sense 2): from Old
French, from Latin umbra ‘shadow.’ An
early sense was ‘shadowy outline,’
giving rise to ‘ground for suspicion,’
whence the current notion of ‘offense
Meaning: offense or annoyance, shady
branches
Synonyms: anger, fury, rage
Antonyms: calmness, cheer, comfort
TEEM
(verb)
Pronunciation: teem
Syllabication: /tēm/
Origin: Old English tēman, tīeman, of Germanic
origin; related to team. The original
senses included ‘give birth to,’ also ‘be
or become pregnant,’ giving rise to ‘be
full of’ in the late 16th century.
Meaning: be full of or swarming with.
Synonyms: be full of, be filled with, be alive
with, be brimming with, abound in,
Antonyms: retreat, fail lack, need
 PRECARIOUSLY
(adverb)
Pronunciation: pre·car·i·ous·ly
Syllabication: /prəˈkerēəslē/
Origin: First recorded in 1640-50, precarious is
from the Latin word precārius
“obtained by entreaty or mere favor”
(hence uncertain)
Meaning: in a way that is not securely in
position and is likely to fall or collapse.
Synonyms: uncertain, insecure, unpredictable,
risky, parlous,
Antonyms: safe
UNDULATE
(verb)
Pronunciation: un·du·late
Syllabication: /ənjəˌlāt/
Origin: mid 17th century: from late Latin
undulatus, from Latin unda ‘a wave.’
Meaning: move with a smooth wavelike
motion, have a wavy form or outline.
Synonyms: surge, swell, heave, ripple, billow
Antonyms: rough, jolting, jolty, jumpy, bumpy,
Rocky
GLOWER
(verb)
Pronunciation: glow·er
Syllabication: /ˈɡlou(ə)r/
Origin: 1350-1400; Middle English (Scots)
glowren to glower; akin to Middle Low
German glūren to be overcast, Middle
Dutch gloeren to leer
Meaning: have an angry or sullen look on one's
face; scowl.
Synonyms: scowl, glare, look daggers, frown,
lower
Antonyms: grin, ignore, overlook, smile
MURKY
(adjective)
Pronunciation: murk·y
Syllabication: /ˈmərkē/
Origin: First recorded in 1300-50, murky is from
the Middle English word mirky.
Meaning: dark and gloomy, especially due to
thick mist., dark and dirty; not clear
Synonyms: dark, gloomy, gray, leaden, dull,
dim, overcast.
Antonyms: bright, sunny, clear
OMINOUS
(adjective)
Pronunciation: om·i·nous
Syllabication: /ˈämənəs/
Origin: late 16th century: from Latin ominosus,
from omen, omin- ‘omen.’
Meaning: giving the impression that something
bad or unpleasant is going to happen;
threatening; inauspicious.
Synonyms: threatening, menacing, baleful,
forbidding.
Antonyms: promising, auspicious
BANTER
(noun)
Pronunciation: ban·ter
Syllabication: /ˈban(t)ər/
Origin: late 17th century: of unknown origin
Meaning: the playful and friendly exchange of
teasing remarks.
Synonyms: repartee, witty conversation,
raillery, wordplay,
Antonyms: flattery, praise, work
 SCURRY
(verb)
Pronunciation: scur·ry
Syllabication: /ˈskərē/
Origin: early 19th century: abbreviation of
hurry-scurry, reduplication of hurry
Meaning: (of a person or small animal) move
hurriedly with short quick steps.
Synonyms: hurry, hasten, run, rush, dash;
Antonyms: amble
SAUNTER
(VERB)
Pronunciation: saun·ter
Syllabication: /ˈsôn(t)ər/
Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘to
muse, wonder’): of unknown origin. The
current sense dates from the mid 17th
century.
Meaning: walk in a slow, relaxed manner,
without hurry or effort.
Synonyms: stroll, amble, wander, meander,
drift, walk;
Antonyms: run
ATTENUATE
(verb)
Pronunciation: at·ten·u·ate
Syllabication: / əˈtenyəˌwāt/
Origin: mid 16th century: from Latin attenuat-
‘made slender,’ from the verb
attenuare, from ad- ‘to’ + tenuare
‘make thin’ (from tenuis ‘thin’).
Meaning: reduce the force, effect, or value of.
Synonyms: weakened, reduced, lessened,
decreased, diminished,
Antonyms: strengthened
INEPT
(adjective)
Pronunciation: in·ept
Syllabication: / iˈnept/
Origin: mid 16th century (in the sense ‘not apt,
unsuitable’): from Latin ineptus, from
in- ‘not’ + aptus
Meaning: having or showing no skill; clumsy.
Synonyms: incompetent, unskillful, unskilled
inexpert, amateurish
Antonyms: competent, skillful
PLAIT
(noun)
Pronunciation: plait
Syllabication:/ plāt,plat/
Origin: late Middle English: from Old French
pleit ‘a fold,’ based on Latin plicare ‘to
fold.’ The word was formerly often
pronounced like “plate,” which is the
usual American pronunciation; since
late Middle English there has arisen an
alternative spelling plat, to which the
current alternative pronunciation
corresponds.
Meaning: a single length of hair or other flexible
material made up of three or more
interlaced strands; a braid.
Synonyms: crease, flute, fold, interweave, knit
Antonyms: unravel, untangle, unbraid, resolve
FAUX
(adjective)
Pronunciation: faux
Syllabication: /fō/
Origin: French, literally ‘false.’, not genuine;
fake or false.
Meaning: made in imitation; artificial.
Synonyms: fake, imitative, imitation.
Antonyms: authentic, genuine, real
 ABHOR MAR
(verb) (verb)

Pronunciation: ab·hor Pronunciation: mar

Syllabication: /abˈhôr,əbˈhôr/
Origin: late Middle English: from Latin
abhorrere, from ab- ‘away from’ +
horrere ‘to shudder.’
Meaning: regard with disgust and hatred.
Synonyms: detest, hate, loathe, despise,
Execrate.
Antonyms: love, admire
Syllabication: /mär/
Origin: Old English merran ‘hinder, damage,’ of
Germanic origin; probably related to
Dutch marren ‘loiter.’
Meaning: impair the appearance of; disfigure,
impair the quality of; spoil.
Synonyms: spoil, impair, disfigure.
Antonyms: enhance

SODDEN MEANDER
(adjective) (verb)

Pronunciation: sod·den Pronunciation: me·an·der

Syllabication: /ˈsädn/ Syllabication: /mēˈandər/
Origin: Middle English (in the sense ‘boiled, Origin: late 16th century (as a noun): from Latin
cooked by boiling’): archaic past maeander, from Greek Maiandros, the
participle of seethe. name of a river
Meaning: saturated with liquid, especially Meaning: (of a river or road) follow a winding,
water; soaked through. (of a person) wander at random.
Synonyms: soaking, soaked (through), wet Synonyms: zigzag, wind, twist, turn, curve, curl.
(through), Antonyms: straighten ,stay, untwist
Antonyms: dry, arid

EBB BOISTEROUS
(noun) (adjective)

Pronunciation: ebb Pronunciation: bois·ter·ous

Syllabication: / eb/
Origin: Old English ebba (noun), ebbian (verb);
related to Dutch ebbe (noun), ebben
(verb), and ultimately to of, which had
the primary sense ‘away from.’
Meaning: the movement of the tide out to sea.
Synonyms: receding, retreat, subsiding
Antonyms: increase, flow, incline
Syllabication: /ˈboist(ə)rəs/
Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘rough,
stiff’): variant of earlier boistuous
‘rustic, coarse, boisterous,’ of unknown
origin.
Meaning: (of a person, event, or behavior)
noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy,
(of wind, weather, or water) wild or
stormy.
Synonyms: lively, animated, exuberant, spirited,
rambunctious;
Antonyms: restrained, quiet
 OGLE OSTENTATIOUS
(verb) (adjective)

Pronunciation: o·gle Pronunciation: os·ten·ta·tious

Syllabication: /ˈōɡəl/
Origin: late 17th century: probably from Low
German or Dutch; compare with Low
German oegeln, frequentative of oegen
‘look at.’
Meaning: stare at in a lecherous manner.
Synonyms: leer at, stare at, eye, make eyes at.
Antonyms: ignore, overlook, look away, neglect
Syllabication: /ˌästənˈtāSHəs/
Origin: First recorded in 1650-60; ostentat(ion)
+ -ious
Meaning: characterized by vulgar or
pretentious display; designed to
impress or attract notice.
Synonyms: showy, pretentious, conspicuous,
flamboyant,
Antonyms: calm, moderate ,modest, plain

VEER OMNIPRESENT
(verb) (adjective)

Pronunciation: veer Pronunciation: om·ni·pres·ent

Syllabication: / vir/
Origin: late 16th century: from French virer,
perhaps from an alteration of Latin
gyrare
Meaning: change direction suddenly, suddenly
change an opinion, subject, type of
behavior, etc.
Synonyms: turn, swerve, curve, swing, sheer,
career
Antonyms: stay, straighten, keep to
Syllabication: /ˌämnəˈpreznt/
Origin: early 17th century: from medieval Latin
omnipraesent- .
Meaning: widely or constantly encountered;
common or widespread.
Synonyms: pervasive, ubiquitous, everywhere
Antonyms: limited

TINGE VERBOSE
(verb) (adjective)

Pronunciation: tinge Pronunciation: ver·bose

Syllabication: /tinj/ Syllabication: /vərˈbōs/
Origin: late 15th century: from Latin tingere ‘to Origin: late 17th century: from Latin verbosus,
dip or color.’ The noun dates from the from verbum ‘word.’
mid 18th century. Meaning: using or expressed in more words
Meaning: color slightly, a slight trace of a than are needed.
feeling or quality. Synonyms: wordy, loquacious, garrulous,
Synonyms: tint, color, stain, shade, wash Talkative.
Antonyms: information, white Antonyms: succinct, laconic
 PALLID LITHE
(adjective) (adjective)

Pronunciation: pal·lid
Syllabication: /ˈpaləd/
Origin: late 16th century: from Latin pallidus
‘pale’ (related to pallere ‘be pale’).
Meaning: (of a person's face) pale, typically
because of poor health, feeble or
insipid.
Synonyms: pale, white, pasty, wan, colorless,
Anemic.
Antonyms: healthy, hearty, strong
Pronunciation: lithe
Syllabication: / līT͟H/
Origin: Old English līthe ‘gentle, meek,’ also
‘mellow,’ of Germanic origin; related to
German lind ‘soft, gentle.
Meaning: (especially of a person's body) thin,
supple, and graceful.
Synonyms: agile, graceful, supple, limber
Antonyms: clumsy

GAWK BURLY
(verb) (adjective)

Pronunciation: gawk Pronunciation: bur·ly

Syllabication: / ɡôk/
Origin: late 17th century (as a noun): perhaps
related to obsolete gaw ‘to gaze,’ from
Old Norse gá ‘heed.’
Meaning: stare openly and stupidly.
Synonyms: gape, goggle, gaze, ogle, stare.
Antonyms:
Syllabication: /ˈbərlē/
Origin: Middle English (in the sense ‘dignified,
imposing’): probably from an
unrecorded Old English word meaning
‘stately, fit for the bower’
Meaning: (of a person) large and strong;
heavily built.
Synonyms: strapping, well built, sturdy, brawny
Antonyms: puny

PRATTLE OPAQUE
(verb) (adjective)

Pronunciation: prat·tle Pronunciation: o·paque

Syllabication: /ˈpradl/
Origin: mid 16th century: from Middle Low
German pratelen, from praten
Meaning: talk at length in a foolish or
inconsequential way.
Synonyms: Blubbering, burble, chatter,
chit-chat
Antonyms: sense
Syllabication:/ ōˈpāk/
Origin: late Middle English opake, from Latin
opacus ‘darkened.’ The current spelling
(rare before the 19th century) has been
influenced by the French form.
Meaning: not able to be seen through; not
transparent. , (especially of language)
hard or impossible to understand;
unfathomable.
Synonyms: nontransparent, cloudy, filmy,
blurred
Antonyms: transparent, translucent, clear.
 INCREDULOUSLY
(adverb)
Pronunciation: in·cred·u·lous·ly
Syllabication: / inˈkrejələslē,iNGˈkrejələslē/
Origin: Latin incredulus, from in- + credulous
credulous
Meaning: in a manner indicating disbelief.
Synonyms: disbelieving, distrustful, doubting
Antonyms: credulous, gullible (also gullable),
trustful,
BEDLAM
(noun)
Pronunciation: bed·lam
Syllabication: /ˈbedləm/
Origin: late Middle English: early form of
Bethlehem, referring to the hospital of
St. Mary of Bethlehem in London, used
as an institution for the insane.
Meaning: a scene of uproar and confusion.,
an institution for the care of mentally ill
people.
Synonyms: uproar, pandemonium, commotion,
mayhem
Antonyms: calm
DERISION
(noun)
Pronunciation: de·ri·sion
Syllabication: /dəˈriZHən/
Origin: late Middle English: via Old French from
late Latin derisio(n-), from deridere
‘scoff at.’
Meaning: contemptuous ridicule or mockery.
Synonyms: mockery, ridicule, jeers, sneers
Antonyms: flattery, praise, admiration
CHAGRIN
(noun)
Pronunciation: cha·grin
Syllabication: /SHəˈɡrin/
Origin: mid 17th century (in the sense
‘melancholy’): from French chagrin
(noun), literally ‘rough skin, shagreen,’
chagriner (verb), of unknown origin.
Meaning: distress or embarrassment at having
failed or been humiliated.
Synonyms: annoyance, irritation, vexation,
exasperation
Antonyms: delight
BROUCH
(verb)
Pronunciation: broach
Syllabication: /brōCH/
Origin: Middle English: from Old French
brochier, based on Latin brocchus,
broccus ‘projecting.’ The earliest
recorded sense was ‘prick with spurs,’
part of the general meaning ‘pierce
with something sharp,’ from which
sense 2 arose in late Middle English.
Sense 1, a figurative use of this, dates
from the late 16th century.
Meaning: raise (a sensitive or difficult subject)
for discussion., pierce (a cask) to draw
liquor.
Synonyms: bring up, raise, introduce, talk
about,
Antonyms: close,deny,dissuade
 BEFUDDLED
(verb)
Pronunciation: be·fud·dle
Syllabication: / bəˈfədl/
Origin: First recorded in 1885-90; be- + fuddle
Meaning: make (someone) unable to think
clearly.
Synonyms: confused, muddled, addled
Antonyms: clear
PARIAH
(noun)
Pronunciation: pa·ri·ah
Syllabication: /pəˈrīə/
Origin: early 17th century: from Tamil paṛaiyar,
plural of paṛaiyan ‘(hereditary)
drummer,’ from paṛai ‘a drum’ (pariahs
not being allowed to join in with a
religious procession).
Meaning: an outcast., a member of a low caste
in southern India.
Synonyms: persona non grata, leper,
undesirable,
Antonyms: bane, bugbear, detestation
STOIC
(noun)
Pronunciation: sto·ic
Syllabication: /ˈstōik/
Origin: late Middle English: via Latin from Greek
stōïkos, from stoa (with reference to
Zeno's teaching in the Stoa Poikilē or
Painted Porch, at Athens).
Meaning: a person who can endure pain or
hardship without showing their feelings
or complaining.
a member of the ancient philosophical
school of Stoicism.
Synonyms: aloof, apathetic, detached ,
impassive
Antonyms: caring, concerned, emotional
FURTIVE
(adjective)
Pronunciation: fur·tive
Syllabication: /ˈfərdiv/
Origin: early 17th century: from French furtif,
-ive or Latin furtivus, from furtum
‘theft.’
Meaning: attempting to avoid notice or
attention, typically because of guilt or a
belief that discovery would lead to
trouble; secretive.
Synonyms: secretive, secret, surreptitious,
clandestine,
Antonyms: open
AMORPHOUS
(adjective)
Pronunciation: a·mor·phous
Syllabication: /əˈmôrfəs/
Origin: mid 18th century: from modern Latin
amorphus, from Greek amorphos
‘shapeless’ (from a- ‘without’ + morphē
‘form’) + -ous.
Meaning: without a clearly defined shape or
form., (of a solid) noncrystalline; having
neither definite form nor apparent
structure.
Synonyms: shapeless, formless, structureless
Antonyms: definite, distinct, distinctive
NADIR
(noun)
Pronunciation: na·dir
Syllabication: /ˈnādər,ˈnādir/
Origin: late Middle English (in the astronomical
sense): via French from Arabic naẓīr
(as-samt ) ‘opposite (to the zenith).’
Meaning: the lowest point in the fortunes of a
person or organization.
Synonyms: lowest point, lowest level,
Antonyms: zenith
 DOUR
(adjective)

Pronunciation: dour
Syllabication: /do͝or,ˈdou(ə)r/
Origin: late Middle English (originally Scots):
probably from Scottish Gaelic dúr ‘dull,
obstinate, stupid,’ perhaps from Latin
durus ‘hard.
Meaning: relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy
in manner or appearance
Synonyms: stern, unsmiling, unfriendly, severe,
forbidding
Antonyms: cheerful, friendly

ANACHRONISTIC
(adjective)

Pronunciation: a·nach·ro·nis·tic
Syllabication: / əˌnakrəˈnistik/
Origin: First recorded in 1765-75; anachron(ism)
+ -istic
Meaning: belonging or appropriate to an earlier
period, especially so as to seem
conspicuously old-fashioned.
Synonyms: antiquated, archaic, out-of-date
Antonyms: current, modern

CLAMOR
(noun)

Pronunciation: clam·or
Syllabication: /klamər/
Origin: late Middle English: via Old French from
Latin clamor, from clamare ‘cry out.’
Meaning: a loud and confused noise, especially
that of people shouting vehemently.
Synonyms: din, racket, rumpus,
Antonyms: calm, order, peace