Index of Word Meanings
1.
autopsy
An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, is a specialized surgical procedure used to determine the cause and manner of death. The cause of death is the medical reason explaining why a patient passed.
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2.
insuperable
/ɪnˈs(j)uːp(ə)rəbl/
adjective
adjective: insuperable
(of a difficulty or obstacle) impossible to overcome.
"insuperable financial problems"
Similar:
insurmountable
unconquerable
invincible
unassailable
overwhelming
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3.
fumble
/ˈfʌmbl/
See definitions in:
all
sport
sex · informal
verb
verb: fumble; 3rd person present: fumbles; past tense: fumbled; past participle: fumbled; gerund or present participle: fumbling
do or handle something clumsily.
"she fumbled with the lock"
Similar:
grope
feel about
search blindly
scrabble around
muddle around
fish
delve
cast about for
cast round for
cast around for
grabble for
move clumsily in various directions using the hands to find one's way.
"he fumbled about in the dark but could not find her"
Similar:
stumble
blunder
flounder
lumber
bumble
stagger
totter
lurch
move clumsily
move awkwardly
feel one's way
grope one's way
use the hands clumsily to move (something) as specified.
"she fumbled a cigarette from her bag"
(in ball games) fail to catch or field (the ball) cleanly.
"have you ever seen him fumble a ball?"
Similar:
fail to catch
miss
drop
mishandle
handle awkwardly
misfield
express oneself or deal with something clumsily or nervously.
"Michael had fumbled for words"
Similar:
botch
bungle
mismanage
mishandle
spoil
blunder
make a mistake
make a mess of
make a hash of
fluff
muff
screw up
foul up
blow
louse up
make a pig's ear of
make a muck of
cock up
flub
noun
noun: fumble; plural noun: fumbles
an act of doing or handling something clumsily.
"just one fumble during a tyre change could separate the winners from the losers"
informal
an act of fondling someone for sexual pleasure.
"a quick fumble in a downtown tavern"
h
Similar:
fondle
grope
caress
hug
embrace
cuddle
feel-up
(in ball games) an act of failing to catch or field the ball cleanly.
"he recovered a fumble after a bad exchange"
Similar:
slip
miss
drop
mishandling
misfielding
mistake
error
gaffe
fault
botch
slip-up
boo-boo
howler
foul-up
fail
cock-up
boob
clanger
an act of managing or dealing with something clumsily.
"we are not talking about subtle errors of judgement, but major fumbles"
Origin
late Middle English: from Low German fommeln or Dutch fommelen .
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4.
co-opt
/ˌkəʊˈɒpt/
verb
gerund or present participle: co-opting
appoint to membership of a committee or other body by invitation of the existing members.
"the committee may co-opt additional members for special purposes"
divert to or use in a role different from the usual or original one.
"social scientists were co-opted to work with the development agencies"
adopt (an idea or policy) for one's own use.
"the green parties have had most of their ideas co-opted by bigger parties"
Origin
mid 17th century: from Latin cooptare, from co- ‘together’ + optare ‘choose’.
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5.
formidable
/ˈfɔːmɪdəbl,fəˈmɪdəbl,fɔːˈmɪdəbl/
adjective
adjective: formidable
inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable.
"a formidable opponent"
Similar:
intimidating
forbidding
redoubtable
daunting
alarming
frightening
terrifying
petrifying
horrifying
chilling
disturbing
disquieting
dreadful
brooding
awesome
fearsome
ominous
foreboding
sinister
menacing
mean-looking
threatening
dangerous
spooky
scary
creepy
direful
bodeful
onerous
arduous
taxing
difficult
hard
heavy
laborious
burdensome
strenuous
vigorous
back-breaking
stiff
uphill
relentless
Herculean
monumental
colossal
demanding
trying
tough
challenging
exacting
overwhelming
exhausting
wearying
fatiguing
tiring
punishing
gruelling
grinding
killing
no picnic
knackering
toilsome
exigent
capable
able
proficient
adept
adroit
accomplished
impressive
strong
powerful
mighty
terrific
tremendous
great
indomitable
invincible
seasoned
skilful
skilled
gifted
talented
masterly
virtuoso
expert
knowledgeable
qualified
trained
efficient
good
excellent
brilliant
outstanding
first-class
first-rate
mean
wicked
deadly
nifty
crack
ace
stellar
wizard
magic
crackerjack
badass
compleat
habile
View 1 vulgar slang word
h
Opposite:
pleasant-looking
comforting
easy
weak
Origin
late Middle English: from French, or from Latin formidabilis, from formidare ‘to fear’.
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6.
reverberation
/rɪˌvəːbəˈreɪʃn/
noun
plural noun: reverberations
1.
prolongation of a sound; resonance.
"electronic effects have been added, such as echo and reverberation"
Similar:
resonance
echo
echoing
re-echoing
resounding
pulsation
vibration
ringing
peal
boom
booming
rumble
rumbling
roll
pound
pounding
thump
thumping
drumming
thrumming
repercussions
ramifications
consequence
result
effect
upshot
outcome
out-turn
by-product
aftermath
fallout
footprint
backlash
ripple
shock wave
2.
a continuing effect; a repercussion.
"the attack has had reverberations around the world"
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7.
obtuse
/əbˈtjuːs,ɒbˈtjuːs/
See definitions in:
all
geometry
biology
adjective
adjective: obtuse
1.
annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.
"he wondered if the doctor was being deliberately obtuse"
h
Similar:
stupid
dull
slow-witted
slow
dull-witted
unintelligent
witless
half-baked
half-witted
doltish
lumpish
blockish
imperceptive
uncomprehending
bovine
stolid
crass
insensitive
thick-skinned
dim
dense
thick
thickheaded
dim-witted
slow on the uptake
dumb
dopey
dead from the neck up
boneheaded
blockheaded
lamebrained
chuckleheaded
dunderheaded
wooden-headed
pig-ignorant
log-headed
muttonheaded
divvy
dozy
glaikit
dumb-ass
chowderheaded
dof
dotish
hebete
h
Opposite:
clever
astute
shrewd
bright
difficult to understand, especially deliberately so.
"some of the lyrics are a bit obtuse"
2.
(of an angle) more than 90° and less than 180°.
"an obtuse angle of 150°"
3.
not sharp-pointed or sharp-edged; blunt.
"it had strange obtuse teeth"
Origin
late Middle English (in obtuse (sense 3)): from Latin obtusus, past participle of obtundere ‘beat against’ (see obtund).
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8.
clout
/klaʊt/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: clout; plural noun: clouts
1.
informal
a heavy blow with the hand or a hard object.
"a clout round the ear"
h
Similar:
smack
slap
thump
punch
blow
hit
knock
bang
cuff
box
spanking
spank
tap
clip
whack
wallop
clobbering
sock
2.
informal
influence or power, especially in politics or business.
"I knew she carried a lot of clout"
h
Similar:
influence
power
pull
weight
sway
leverage
control
say
mastery
dominance
domination
advantage
authority
prestige
standing
stature
rank
teeth
beef
muscle
3.
archaic
a piece of cloth or article of clothing.
4.
Archery
a target twelve times the usual size, placed flat on the ground with a flag marking its centre and used in long-distance shooting.
a long-distance shot that hits a clout.
5.
short for clout nail.
verb
verb: clout; 3rd person present: clouts; past tense: clouted; past participle: clouted; gerund or present participle: clouting
1.
informal
hit (someone or something) hard.
"I clouted him round the head"
h
Similar:
hit
strike
punch
smack
slap
cuff
thump
beat
batter
pound
pummel
thrash
rap
spank
buffet
hammer
bang
knock
box someone's ears
wallop
belt
whack
clobber
sock
clip
bop
biff
swipe
tan
lay one on
2.
archaic
mend with a patch.
"he helps the women clout their pans"
Phrases
ne'er cast a clout till May be out — do not discard your winter clothes until summer has fully arrived.
Origin
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9.
debacle
/deɪˈbɑːk(ə)l/
noun
noun: debacle; plural noun: debacles
a sudden and ignominious failure; a fiasco.
"the only man to reach double figures in the second-innings debacle"
Similar:
fiasco
failure
catastrophe
disaster
disintegration
mess
wreck
ruin
downfall
collapse
defeat
rout
overthrow
conquest
trouncing
foul-up
screw-up
hash
botch
washout
fail
cock-up
pig's ear
car crash
snafu
View 2 vulgar slang words
Origin
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10.
nimble
/ˈnɪmbl/
adjective
adjective: nimble; comparative adjective: nimbler; superlative adjective: nimblest
quick and light in movement or action; agile.
"with a deft motion of her nimble fingers"
Similar:
agile
lithe
sprightly
acrobatic
light-footed
nimble-footed
light
light on one's feet
fleet-footed
spry
lively
active
quick
quick-moving
graceful
supple
limber
lissom
flexible
skilful
deft
dexterous
adroit
nippy
zippy
twinkle-toed
fleet
lightsome
h
Opposite:
stiff
clumsy
lumbering
(of the mind) able to think and understand quickly.
"her mind was so nimble and she was so quick to learn"
h
Similar:
quick-thinking
quick-witted
quick
nimble-witted
alert
alive
lively
wide awake
ready
quick off the mark
observant
astute
perceptive
perspicacious
penetrating
discerning
shrewd
sharp
sharp-witted
intelligent
bright
clever
gifted
able
brainy
brilliant
smart
on the ball
on one's toes
quick on the uptake
genius
whip-smart
h
Opposite:
dull
Origin
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11.
ruefully
/ˈruːfʊli,ˈruːfəli/
adverb
adverb: ruefully
in a way that expresses sorrow or regret, especially in a wry or humorous manner.
"the actor ruefully remarked that you are only as good as your last film"
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12.
dovetail
/ˈdʌvteɪl/
noun
noun: dovetail; plural noun: dovetails; noun: dovetail joint; plural noun: dovetail joints
a joint formed by one or more tapered projections (tenons) on one piece which interlock with corresponding notches or recesses (mortises) in another.
a tenon used in a dovetail joint, typically wider at its extremity.
verb
verb: dovetail; 3rd person present: dovetails; past tense: dovetailed; past participle: dovetailed; gerund or present participle: dovetailing
1.
join together by means of a dovetail.
Similar:
joint
join
fit together
link
interlock
splice
mortise
tenon
2.
fit or cause to fit together easily and conveniently.
"plan to enable parents to dovetail their career and family commitments"
Similar:
fit in
go together
be consistent
agree
accord
concur
coincide
match
fit
be in agreement
conform
equate
harmonize
fall in
be in tune
correlate
correspond
tally
square
jibe
quadrate
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13.
tandem
/ˈtandəm/
noun
noun: tandem; plural noun: tandems; noun: tandem bicycle; plural noun: tandem bicycles
a bicycle with seats and pedals for two riders, one behind the other.
a carriage driven by two animals harnessed one in front of the other.
a group of two people or machines working together.
"the Giants had the greatest pitching tandem in baseball history"
adverb
adverb: tandem
with two or more horses harnessed one behind another.
"I rode tandem to Paris"
alongside each other; together.
adjective
adjective: tandem
having two things arranged one in front of the other.
"a tandem trailer"
Phrases
in tandem — alongside each other.
"a tight fiscal policy working in tandem with a tight foreign exchange policy"
Origin
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14.
balk
/bɔː(l)k/
Learn to pronounce
See definitions in:
all
riding
sports
farming
verb
verb: balk; 3rd person present: balks; past tense: balked; past participle: balked; gerund or present participle: balking; verb: baulk; 3rd person present: baulks; past tense: baulked; past participle: baulked; gerund or present participle: baulking
hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking.
"he balked at such a drastic solution"
h
Similar:
eschew
resist
refuse to
be unwilling to
draw the line at
be reluctant to
draw back from
flinch from
shrink from
shy from
recoil from
quail at
demur from
hesitate over
scruple to
take exception to
not like to
hate to
jib at
scorn
disdain
h
Opposite:
accept
thwart or hinder (a plan or person).
"he raised every objection he could to balk this plan"
h
Similar:
impede
obstruct
thwart
hinder
prevent
check
stop
curb
halt
bar
block
forestall
frustrate
stall
baffle
foil
defeat
beat
counteract
head off
h
Opposite:
assist
prevent a person or animal from having (something).
"a tiger balked of its prey"
archaic
miss or refuse (a chance or invitation).
"it's got to be done, so why balk it?"
(with reference to a horse) refuse or cause to refuse to go on.
"he balked, both forefeet thrust stiffly in front of him"
noun
noun: balk; plural noun: balks; noun: baulk; plural noun: baulks
1.
a roughly squared timber beam.
"a balk of timber"
2.
the area on a billiard table between the balk line and the bottom cushion, within which in some circumstances a ball is protected from a direct stroke.
3.
Baseball
an unlawful action made by a pitcher that may deceive a base runner.
4.
a ridge left unploughed between furrows.
Origin
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15.
obscure
/əbˈskjʊə/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: obscure; comparative adjective: obscurer; superlative adjective: obscurest
1.
not discovered or known about; uncertain.
"his origins and parentage are obscure"
h
Similar:
unclear
uncertain
unknown
in doubt
doubtful
dubious
mysterious
hazy
vague
indeterminate
concealed
hidden
not important or well known.
"a relatively obscure actor"
h
Similar:
little known
unknown
unheard of
undistinguished
insignificant
unimportant
inconsequential
inconspicuous
unnoticed
nameless
anonymous
minor
humble
lowly
unrenowned
unsung
unrecognized
unhonoured
inglorious
forgotten
h
Opposite:
famous
renowned
2.
not clearly expressed or easily understood.
"obscure references to Proust"
h
Similar:
abstruse
recondite
arcane
esoteric
recherché
occult
enigmatic
mystifying
puzzling
perplexing
baffling
ambiguous
cryptic
equivocal
Delphic
oracular
riddling
oblique
opaque
elliptical
unintelligible
uninterpretable
incomprehensible
impenetrable
unfathomable
inexplicable
unexplained
as clear as mud
h
Opposite:
clear
plain
hard to define; vague.
"I feel an obscure resentment"
h
Similar:
indistinct
faint
vague
ill-defined
unclear
blurred
blurry
misty
hazy
foggy
veiled
cloudy
clouded
nebulous
fuzzy
dark
dim
unlit
black
murky
sombre
gloomy
shady
shadowy
dusky
tenebrous
darkling
crepuscular
caliginous
Cimmerian
h
Opposite:
distinct
dark or dim.
"the obscure light of dawn"
verb
verb: obscure; 3rd person present: obscures; past tense: obscured; past participle: obscured; gerund or present participle: obscuring
keep from being seen; conceal.
"grey clouds obscure the sun"
h
Similar:
hide
conceal
cover
veil
shroud
screen
mask
cloak
cast a shadow over
shadow
envelop
mantle
block
block out
blank out
obliterate
eclipse
overshadow
enshroud
bedim
benight
obnubilate
adumbrate
h
Opposite:
reveal
make unclear and difficult to understand.
"the debate has become obscured by conflicting ideological perspectives"
h
Similar:
confuse
complicate
obfuscate
cloud
blur
muddy
muddy the waters
becloud
befog
h
Opposite:
clarify
illuminate
keep from being known.
"none of this should obscure the skill and perseverance of the workers"
Origin
late Middle English: from Old French obscur, from Latin obscurus ‘dark’, from an Indo-European root meaning ‘cover’.
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16.
fellatio
/fɛˈleɪʃ(ɪ)əʊ/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: fellatio
oral stimulation of a man's penis.
Origin
late 19th century: modern Latin, from Latin fellare ‘to suck’.
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17.
precocious
/prɪˈkəʊʃəs/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: precocious
(of a child) having developed certain abilities or inclinations at an earlier age than is usual or expected.
"a precocious, solitary boy"
h
Similar:
advanced
old beyond one's years
forward
ahead of one's peers
mature
prematurely developed
ahead
gifted
talented
clever
intelligent
quick
smart
rathe-ripe
h
Opposite:
backward
slow
(of behaviour or ability) having developed at an earlier age than is usual or expected.
"a precocious talent for computing"
(of a plant) flowering or fruiting earlier than usual.
Origin
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18.
conduit
/ˈkɒnd(w)ɪt,ˈkɒndjʊɪt/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: conduit; plural noun: conduits
1.
a channel for conveying water or other fluid.
"nearby springs supplied the conduit which ran into the brewery"
a person or organization that acts as a channel for the transmission of something.
"as an actor you have to be a conduit for other people's words"
2.
a tube or trough for protecting electric wiring.
"the gas pipe should not be close to any electrical conduit"
h
Similar:
channel
duct
pipe
tube
gutter
groove
furrow
trough
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19.
smite
/smʌɪt/
Learn to pronounce
verb
verb: smite; 3rd person present: smites; past tense: smote; gerund or present participle: smiting; past participle: smitten
1.
literary
strike with a firm blow.
"he smites the water with his sword"
archaic
defeat or conquer (a people or land).
"he may smite our enemies"
(especially of disease) attack or affect severely.
"various people had been smitten with untimely summer flu"
2.
be strongly attracted to someone or something.
"she was smitten with the boy"
nounarchaic
noun: smite; plural noun: smites
a heavy blow or stroke with a weapon or the hand.
"the kirk rang with slaps and smites"
Origin
Old English smītan ‘to smear, blemish’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch smijten and German schmeissen ‘to fling’.
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20.
conflagration
/ˌkɒnfləˈɡreɪʃn/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: conflagration; plural noun: conflagrations
an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property.
"tinder-dry conditions sparked fears of a conflagration in many drought-devastated communities"
h
Similar:
fire
blaze
flames
inferno
firestorm
holocaust
Origin
late 15th century (denoting consumption by fire): from Latin conflagratio(n- ), from the verb conflagrare, from con- (expressing intensive force) + flagrare ‘to blaze’.
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21.
disarray
/ˌdɪsəˈreɪ/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: disarray; plural noun: disarrays
a state of disorganization or untidiness.
"her grey hair was in disarray"
h
Similar:
disorder
confusion
chaos
untidiness
dishevelment
mess
muddle
clutter
jumble
mix-up
tangle
hotchpotch
shambles
omnishambles
disorganization
lack of order
discomposure
disunity
indiscipline
unruliness
h
Opposite:
tidiness
orderliness
verb
verb: disarray; 3rd person present: disarrays; past tense: disarrayed; past participle: disarrayed; gerund or present participle: disarraying
1.
throw into a state of disorganization or untidiness.
"the inspection disarrayed the usual schedule"
h
Similar:
disarrange
make untidy
bring/throw into disarray
bring/throw into disorder
disorganize
turn upside-down
unsettle
dishevel
tousle
rumple
h
Opposite:
tidy
organize
2.
literary
undress (someone).
"attendant damsels to help to disarray her"
Origin
late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French dissairay .
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22.
vile
/vʌɪl/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: vile; comparative adjective: viler; superlative adjective: vilest
extremely unpleasant.
"he has a vile temper"
h
Similar:
foul
nasty
unpleasant
bad
disagreeable
horrid
horrible
dreadful
abominable
atrocious
offensive
obnoxious
odious
unsavoury
repulsive
off-putting
repellent
revolting
repugnant
disgusting
distasteful
loathsome
hateful
nauseating
sickening
base
low
mean
wretched
disgraceful
appalling
shocking
ugly
vulgar
sorry
shabby
shameful
dishonourable
execrable
heinous
abhorrent
deplorable
monstrous
wicked
evil
dark
dirty
vicious
iniquitous
sinful
corrupt
sordid
depraved
perverted
debased
reprobate
degenerate
debauched
dissolute
contemptible
despicable
reprehensible
diabolical
diabolic
devilish
fiendish
hellish
damnable
yucky
sick-making
gut-churning
icky
gross
godawful
low-down
rotten
sick
beastly
bogging
lousy
vomitous
noisome
scurvy
disgustful
loathly
egregious
flagitious
View 1 vulgar slang word
h
Opposite:
pleasant
morally bad; wicked.
"as vile a rogue as ever lived"
archaic
of little worth or value.
"all the feasts that thou hast shared erewhile, to mine shall be but vile"
Origin
Middle English: via Old French from Latin vilis ‘of low value’.
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23.
lacuna
/ləˈkjuːnə/
Learn to pronounce
noun
plural noun: lacunae
1.
an unfilled space; a gap.
"the journal has filled a lacuna in Middle Eastern studies"
a missing portion in a book or manuscript.
2.
Anatomy
a cavity or depression, especially in bone.
Origin
mid 17th century: from Latin, ‘pool’, from lacus ‘lake’.
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24.
roughhouse
informal•North American
verb
verb: roughhouse; 3rd person present: roughhouses; gerund or present participle: roughhousing; past tense: roughhoused; past participle: roughhoused; verb: rough-house; 3rd person present: rough-houses; past tense: rough-housed; past participle: rough-housed; gerund or present participle: rough-housing
/ˈrʌfhaʊs/
act in a boisterous, violent manner.
"they roughhouse on street corners"
handle (someone) roughly or violently.
"he had them roughhoused by his servants"
noun
noun: roughhouse; plural noun: roughhouses; noun: rough house; plural noun: rough houses
/ˈrʌfhaʊs/
a violent disturbance.
"I shouldn't like to be up against you in a roughhouse"
---
25.
acclimate
/ˈaklɪmeɪt/
Learn to pronounce
verbNorth American
3rd person present: acclimates
acclimatize.
"this should help new students acclimate to college life"
technical
respond physiologically or behaviourally to a change in an environmental factor under controlled conditions.
Botany•Horticulture
harden off (a plant).
Origin
late 18th century: from French acclimater, from a- (from Latin ad ‘to, at’) + climat ‘climate’.
---
26.
runt
/rʌnt/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: runt; plural noun: runts
1.
a small pig or other animal, especially the smallest in a litter.
derogatory
View definition
2.
a pigeon of a large domestic breed.
3.
a small ox or cow, especially one of various Scottish Highland or Welsh breeds.
Origin
early 16th century (in the sense ‘old or decayed tree stump’): of unknown origin.
Translate runt to
Use over time for: runt
---
27.
malice
/ˈmalɪs/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: malice
the desire to harm someone; ill will.
"I bear no malice towards anybody"
h
Similar:
spitefulness
spite
malevolence
maliciousness
animosity
hostility
ill will
ill feeling
hatred
hate
bitterness
venom
vindictiveness
vengefulness
revenge
malignity
malignance
evil intentions
animus
enmity
devilment
devilry
bad blood
backbiting
gall
rancour
spleen
grudge
bitchiness
cattiness
maleficence
h
Opposite:
benevolence
Law
wrongful intention, especially as increasing the guilt of certain offences.
Origin
Middle English: via Old French from Latin malitia, from malus ‘bad’.
---
28.
misanthropy
/mɪˈsanθrəpi/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: misanthropy
a dislike of humankind.
"the streak of misanthropy in his nature"
h
Similar:
hatred of mankind
antisocial behaviour
cynicism
scepticism
reclusiveness
Origin
mid 17th century: from Greek misanthrōpia, from miso- ‘hating’ + anthrōpos ‘man’.
---
29.
incongruously
/ɪnˈkɒŋɡrʊəsli/
Learn to pronounce
adverb
adverb: incongruously
in a way that is not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something.
"there is a basketball hoop hanging incongruously near the front of the stage"
---
30.
shrink
/ʃrɪŋk/
Learn to pronounce
verb
verb: shrink; 3rd person present: shrinks; past tense: shrank; past participle: shrunk; past participle: shrunken; gerund or present participle: shrinking
1.
become or make smaller in size or amount.
"the workforce shrank to a thousand"
h
Similar:
get smaller
become/grow smaller
contract
diminish
lessen
reduce
decrease
dwindle
narrow
shorten
slim
decline
fall off
drop off
condense
deflate
shrivel
wither
make smaller
truncate
abbreviate
slim down
pare down
concentrate
abridge
compress
squeeze
h
Opposite:
expand
increase
(of clothes or material) become smaller as a result of being immersed in water.
"she wore a sweater which had shrunk slightly"
fit something tightly on or on to another object by expanding it with heat and then cooling it rapidly after positioning.
"the metal is unsuitable for shrinking on to wooden staves"
2.
move back or away, especially because of fear or disgust.
"she shrank away from him, covering her face"
h
Similar:
draw back
recoil
jump back
spring back
jerk back
pull back
start back
back away
retreat
withdraw
flinch
shy away
blench
start
wince
cringe
cower
quail
be averse to or unwilling to do (something difficult or unappealing).
"I don't shrink from my responsibilities"
h
Similar:
recoil
shy away
hang back
demur
flinch
have scruples about
scruple about
have misgivings about
have qualms about
be loath to
be reluctant to
be unwilling to
be disinclined to
be indisposed to
be sorry to
be averse to
be slow to
be chary of
fight shy of
not be in favour of
be against
be opposed to
be hesitant to
be diffident about
be bashful about
be shy about
be coy about
be ashamed to
be afraid to
hesitate to
hate to
not like to
not have the heart to
drag one's feet/heels over
waver about
vacillate about
think twice about
balk at
quail at
mind doing something
boggle at
disrelish something
h
Opposite:
confront
be eager to
become withdrawn.
nouninformal
noun: shrink; plural noun: shrinks
a psychiatrist.
"you should see a shrink"
Origin
Old English scrincan, of Germanic origin; related to Swedish skrynka ‘to wrinkle’. The noun (1960s) is shortened from headshrinker.
---
31.
sneer
/snɪə/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: sneered; past participle: sneered
smile or speak in a contemptuous or mocking manner.
"she had sneered at their bad taste"
h
Similar:
curl one's lip
smile disparagingly
smile contemptuously
smile smugly
smile conceitedly
smile cruelly
smile mirthlessly
smirk
snicker
snigger
scoff at
scorn
be contemptuous of
treat with contempt
hold in contempt
disdain
mock
jeer at
gibe at
ridicule
deride
taunt
insult
make cutting remarks about
slight
affront
slur
jive
Origin
late Middle English: probably of imitative origin.
---
32.
colicky
/ˈkɒlɪki/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: colicky
experiencing or denoting severe pain in the abdomen (colic) due to wind or intestinal obstruction.
"she was a colicky baby"
---
33.
billow
/ˈbɪləʊ/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: billow; plural noun: billows
a large undulating mass of something, typically cloud, smoke, or steam.
h
Similar:
cloud
mass
archaic
a large sea wave.
h
Similar:
wave
roller
breaker
verb
verb: billow; 3rd person present: billows; past tense: billowed; past participle: billowed; gerund or present participle: billowing
(of fabric) fill with air and swell outwards.
"her dress billowed out around her"
h
Similar:
puff up/out
balloon (out)
swell
fill out
bulge out
belly out
(of smoke, cloud, or steam) move or flow outward with an undulating motion.
"smoke was billowing from the chimney"
h
Similar:
pour
flow
swirl
spiral
roll
undulate
rise and fall
eddy
Origin
mid 16th century: from Old Norse bylgja .
---
34.
recidivism
/rɪˈsɪdɪvɪz(ə)m/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: recidivism
the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.
"the prison has succeeded in reducing recidivism"
---
35.
din
/dɪn/
See definitions in:
all
printing
photography
electrical
noun
noun: din; plural noun: dins
a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise.
"the fans made an awful din"
h
Similar:
uproar
racket
loud noise
confused noise
commotion
cacophony
babel
hubbub
tumult
fracas
clangour
crash
clatter
clash
shouting
yelling
screaming
caterwauling
babble
babbling
clamour
outcry
brouhaha
fuss
disturbance
ado
pandemonium
bedlam
chaos
confusion
stramash
hullabaloo
rumpus
ruction
row
vociferation
ululation
charivari
h
Opposite:
silence
quiet
verb
verb: din; 3rd person present: dins; past tense: dinned; past participle: dinned; gerund or present participle: dinning
1.
make (someone) learn or remember an idea by constant repetition.
"a runner-up, he dinned into them, was a loser"
h
Similar:
instil
drive
drum
hammer
drill
implant
ingrain
inculcate
teach over and over again
indoctrinate
brainwash
2.
make a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise.
"the sound dinned irritatingly into Marian's head"
h
Similar:
blare
blast
clang
clatter
crash
clamour
Origin
---
36.
jury-rigged
adjective
adjective: jury-rigged
(of a ship) having temporary makeshift rigging.
North American
makeshift; improvised.
"jury-rigged classrooms in gymnasiums"
Origin
late 18th century: jury perhaps based on Old French ajurie ‘aid’.
---
37.
brusque
/brʊsk,bruːsk,brʌsk/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: brusque
abrupt or offhand in speech or manner.
"she could be brusque and impatient"
h
Similar:
curt
abrupt
blunt
short
sharp
terse
brisk
crisp
clipped
monosyllabic
peremptory
gruff
bluff
caustic
tart
abrasive
outspoken
plain-spoken
indelicate
tactless
undiplomatic
discourteous
impolite
rude
uncivil
offhand
snappish
snappy
churlish
h
Opposite:
polite
verbose
Origin
mid 17th century: from French, ‘lively, fierce’, from Italian brusco ‘sour’.
---
38.
stymie
/ˈstʌɪmi/
Learn to pronounce
verbinformal
past tense: stymied; past participle: stymied
prevent or hinder the progress of.
"the changes must not be allowed to stymie new medical treatments"
h
Similar:
impede
interfere with
hamper
hinder
obstruct
inhibit
frustrate
thwart
foil
spoil
stall
shackle
fetter
stop
check
block
cripple
handicap
scotch
put paid to
put the kibosh on
snooker
scupper
h
Opposite:
assist
help
Origin
mid 19th century (originally a golfing term, denoting a situation on the green where a ball obstructs the shot of another player): of unknown origin.
---
39.
coven
/ˈkʌvɪn/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: coven; plural noun: covens
a group or meeting of witches.
often derogatory
View definition
Origin
mid 17th century: variant of covin.
Translate coven to
Tip
Similar-sounding words
coven is sometimes confused with covin
---
40.
contentious
/kənˈtɛn(t)ʃəs/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: contentious
causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.
"a contentious issue"
h
Similar:
controversial
disputable
debatable
disputed
contended
open to question/debate
moot
vexed
ambivalent
equivocal
unsure
uncertain
unresolved
undecided
unsettled
borderline
controvertible
h
Opposite:
uncontroversial
involving heated argument.
"the socio-economic plan had been the subject of contentious debate"
h
Similar:
heated
vehement
fierce
violent
intense
impassioned
committed
h
Opposite:
calm
(of a person) given to provoking argument.
h
Similar:
argumentative
quarrelsome
disputatious
disputative
confrontational
captious
factious
cavilling
pugnacious
combative
ready for a fight
defiant
hostile
antagonistic
bellicose
belligerent
militant
warring
fighting
battling
threatening
litigious
irascible
cantankerous
irritable
petulant
truculent
fiery
quick-tempered
hot-tempered
ill-tempered
bad-tempered
choleric
bickering
wrangling
stroppy
scrappy
h
Opposite:
peaceable
Law
relating to or involving differences between contending parties.
Origin
late Middle English: from Old French contentieux, from Latin contentiosus, from content- ‘striven’, from the verb contendere .
---
41.
sweep
/swiːp/
Learn to pronounce
Filter definitions by topic
See definitions in:
all
hairdressing
sports
geography
telecommunications
military
verb
past tense: swept; past participle: swept
1.
clean (an area) by brushing away dirt or litter.
"I've swept the floor"
h
Similar:
brush
clean
scrub
wipe
mop
dust
scour
scrape
rake
buff
vacuum
hoover
do
move or remove (dirt or litter) by brushing it away.
"she swept the tea leaves into a dustpan"
h
Similar:
remove
wash away
expel
dispose of
eliminate
get rid of
brush
clean
clear
whisk
move or push (someone or something) with great force.
"I was swept along by the crowd"
h
Similar:
carry
pull
drag
drive
brush (hair) back from one's face or upwards.
"long hair swept up into a high chignon"
Cricket
hit (the ball) on the leg side by bringing the bat across the body from a half-kneeling position; hit a ball delivered by (a bowler) with such a stroke.
2.
move swiftly and smoothly.
"a large black car swept past the open windows"
h
Similar:
glide
sail
dash
charge
rush
streak
speed
fly
zoom
swoop
whizz
hurtle
tear
cause to move swiftly and smoothly.
"he swept his hand round the room"
(of a person) move in a confident and stately manner.
"she swept magnificently from the hall"
h
Similar:
glide
sail
stride
breeze
stroll
sally
swagger
drift
flit
flounce
affect (an area or place) swiftly and widely.
"the rebellion had swept through all four of the country's provinces"
h
Similar:
engulf
overwhelm
flood
flow across
surge over
race
hurtle
streak
spread like lightning
tear
whip
(of a geographical or natural feature) extend continuously in a particular direction, especially in a curve.
"green forests swept down the hillsides"
North American
win all the games in (a series); take each of the winning or main places in (a contest or event).
"we knew we had to sweep these three home games"
3.
search (an area) for something.
"the detective swept the room for hair and fingerprints"
h
Similar:
search
probe
check
explore
hunt through
look through
delve in
go through
sift through
scour
comb
leave no stone unturned in
examine (a place or object) for electronic listening devices.
"the line is swept every fifteen minutes"
cover (an entire area) with a gun.
"they were trying to get the Lewis gun up behind some trees from where they would sweep the trench"
Origin
---
42.
plaudit
/ˈplɔːdɪt/
Learn to pronounce
noun
plural noun: plaudits
an expression of praise or approval.
"the network has received plaudits for its sports coverage"
h
Similar:
praise
acclaim
acclamation
commendation
congratulations
encomiums
approval
approbation
accolades
compliments
cheers
tributes
salutes
bouquets
a pat on the back
kudos
good press
applause
a round of applause
a standing ovation
a (big) hand
laudation
h
Opposite:
condemnation
criticism
the applause of an audience.
"the plaudits for the winner died down"
Origin
early 17th century: shortened from Latin plaudite ‘applaud!’ (said by Roman actors at the end of a play), imperative plural of plaudere .
---
43.
recuse
/rɪˈkjuːz/
Learn to pronounce
verbNorth American
past tense: recused; past participle: recused
challenge (a judge, prosecutor, or juror) as unqualified to perform legal duties because of a potential conflict of interest or lack of impartiality.
"he was recused when he referred to the corporation as ‘a bunch of villains’"
(of a judge) excuse oneself from a case because of a potential conflict of interest or lack of impartiality.
"it was the right of counsel to ask a judge to recuse himself from continuing to hear a case because of bias"
Origin
late Middle English (in the sense ‘reject’, specifically ‘object to a judge as prejudiced’): from Latin recusare ‘to refuse’, from re- (expressing opposition) + causa ‘a cause’. The current sense dates from the early 19th century.
---
44.
flimsy
/ˈflɪmzi/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
comparative adjective: flimsier
insubstantial and easily damaged.
"a flimsy barrier"
h
Similar:
insubstantial
slight
light
fragile
breakable
frail
shaky
unstable
wobbly
tottery
rickety
ramshackle
makeshift
jerry-built
badly built
thrown together
cheap
shoddy
gimcrack
h
Opposite:
sturdy
(of clothing) very light and thin.
"the flimsy garment fell from her"
h
Similar:
thin
light
lightweight
fine
ultra-fine
diaphanous
sheer
delicate
insubstantial
floaty
filmy
silken
chiffony
gossamer
gossamer-thin
gossamer-like
gossamery
gauzy
gauze-like
cobwebby
feathery
translucent
transparent
see-through
transpicuous
translucid
h
Opposite:
thick
(of a pretext or account) weak and unconvincing.
"a pretty flimsy excuse"
h
Similar:
weak
feeble
poor
inadequate
insufficient
thin
unsubstantial
unconvincing
implausible
unsatisfactory
paltry
trifling
trivial
shallow
h
Opposite:
sound
Origin
---
45.
quackery
/ˈkwak(ə)ri/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: quackery; plural noun: quackeries
dishonest practices and claims to have special knowledge and skill in some field, typically medicine.
"a website dedicated to exposing medical quackery"
---
46.
titrate
/tʌɪˈtreɪt,ˈtʌɪtreɪt/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: titrated; past participle: titrated
Chemistry
ascertain the amount of a constituent in (a solution) by measuring the volume of a known concentration of reagent required to complete a reaction with it, typically using an indicator.
"the sample is titrated at a pH near 10 with EDTA solution"
Medicine
continuously measure and adjust the balance of (a physiological function or drug dosage).
"each patient received intravenous diazepam and pethidine, the doses being titrated according to the response"
Origin
late 19th century: from French titrer (from titre in the sense ‘fineness of alloyed gold or silver’) + -ate3.
---
47.
minion
/ˈmɪnjən/
Learn to pronounce
noun
plural noun: minions
a follower or underling of a powerful person, especially a servile or unimportant one.
"he gets oppressed minions like me to fob them off"
h
Similar:
underling
henchman
flunkey
lackey
hanger-on
follower
camp follower
servant
hireling
vassal
stooge
creature
toady
sycophant
flatterer
fawner
lickspittle
myrmidon
yes-man
bootlicker
brown-nose
poodle
dogsbody
gofer
suck-up
chamcha
View 3 vulgar slang words
h
Opposite:
peer
Origin
late 15th century: from French mignon, mignonne .
---
48.
strenuously
/ˈstrɛnjʊəsli/
Learn to pronounce
adverb
adverb: strenuously
in a way that requires great physical exertion.
"drink more if you're exercising strenuously"
with great effort and determination.
"he strenuously denied any wrongdoing"
---
49.
railroad
/ˈreɪlrəʊd/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: railroaded; past participle: railroaded
informal
rush or coerce (someone) into doing something.
"she hesitated, unwilling to be railroaded into a decision"
h
Similar:
coerce
force
compel
pressure
pressurize
badger
hustle
pester
hound
harass
nag
harry
urge
goad
prod
spur
browbeat
bludgeon
bulldoze
steamroller
dragoon
prevail on
strong-arm
bounce
fast-talk
cause (a measure) to be passed or approved quickly by applying pressure.
"the Bill had been railroaded through the House"
North American
send (someone) to prison without a fair trial.
"they know I was railroaded and falsely accused"
---
50.
surreal
/səˈrɪəl/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: surreal
having the qualities of surrealism; bizarre.
"a surreal mix of fact and fantasy"
h
Similar:
unreal
bizarre
unusual
weird
strange
freakish
unearthly
uncanny
dreamlike
phantasmagorical
Origin
1930s: back-formation from surrealism.
---
51.
endogenous
/ɛnˈdɒdʒɪnəs/
Learn to pronounce
See definitions in:
all
biology
psychology
sociology
adjective
adjective: endogenous
having an internal cause or origin.
"the expected rate of infection is endogenous to the system"
Biology
growing or originating from within an organism.
"endogenous gene sequences"
Psychiatry
(of a disease or symptom) not attributable to any external or environmental factor.
"endogenous depression"
confined within a group or society.
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