Webster's Word Power English Thesaurus E-Book

Betty Kirkpatrick

• Herausgeber: Geddes and Grosset
• Kategorie: Bildung
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Beschreibung

Affordable, up-to-date, The Word Power Thesaurus is the easy way to improve your vocabulary and extend your knowledge of words - by looking up alternative words. Contains 150,000 alternative words (synonyms), and over 7,500 antonyms (opposites). Suitable for schools, home and office.

Leseprobe

ENGLISH THESAURUS

This book is an accessible and comprehensive 'word-finder'. It provides over 150,000 synonyms (words that have similar meanings), arranged in A–Z style.

Thesauruses are invaluable if you want to make your writing varied and interesting.

This thesaurus provides an alphabetical listing of 10,000 words with their related synonyms. Here's how to use the book: imagine you want to say that a joke is 'funny' but that you have used the word once before in your paragraph. Look up 'funny' in the thesaurus and it will tell you that you could also use the words 'amusing', 'comical', 'humorous', 'hilarious', 'entertaining', or a number of other words instead.

Many words have more than one sense or meaning. 'Funny', for example, does not only apply to things that make you laugh. It can also be applied to things or people that are rather odd, and under this meaning the thesaurus lists 'odd', 'peculiar', 'weird', 'bizarre', and so on.

funnyadj1 amusing, comic, comical, diverting, droll, entertaining, facetious, hilarious, humorous, jocose, jocular, witty. 2 farcical, laughable, ludicrous. 3 bizarre, curious, odd, peculiar, strange. • n1 jest, joke. 2 cartoon, comic.

In this book, you will find that those words that have more than one meaning have more than one list of synonyms and that these are numbered 1, 2, and so on. Thus, 'funny' meaning 'amusing' is under 1, 'funny' meaning 'deserving mockery' is under 2, and 'funny' meaning 'odd' is under 3. Some words have quite a few different synonym lists depending on the number of meanings attached to them.

Antonyms

Antonyms are the opposite of synonyms. They refer to words that have the opposite meaning. There are antonyms for some of the headwords in this book. You'll find them below the main entry, labelled with a part of speech.

abbreviatevb abridge, compress, condense, contract, cut, curtail, epitomize, reduce, retrench, shorten.

vb antonyms amplify, extend.

Other features:

Strict alphabetical order is followed. All compound words and hyphenated words are alphabetized as if they are one word.

Variant spellings appear in bold type next to the headword.

Parts of speech are indicated in italic, after the bold headword, by the abbreviations shown on the following page. Other parts of speech after the main headword are indicated by a full point (.) and •.

Different senses within parts of speech are numbered. Parts of speech are separated by full points (.) and •.

Words of different origins but with the same spelling are given separate, numbered entries.

Registers are indicated by the following labels: fml, inf, sl, derog, off.

Abbreviations

abbr

abbreviation

adj

adjective

adv

adverb

approx

approximately

aux

auxiliary

conj

conjunction

derog

derogatory, derogatorily

dial

dialect

e.g.

exempli gratis, for example

etc

etcetera, and so on

f

feminine

fml

formal

gram

grammar

hum

humorous

i.e

.

id est, that is

inf

informal

lit

literary

m

masculine

math

mathematics

med

medicine

mus

music

myth

mythology

n

noun

naut

nautical

neut

neuter

npl

noun plural

obs

obsolete

off

offensive

p

participle

pl

plural

poet

poetical

poss

possessive

prep

preposition

pron

pronoun

reflex

reflexive

sing

singular

sl

slang

usu

usually

vb

verb

zool

zoology

A

abackadv back, backward, regressively.

abandonvb1 abdicate, abjure, desert, drop, evacuate, forsake, forswear, leave, quit, relinquish, yield. 2 cede, forgo, give up, let go, renounce, resign, surrender, vacate, waive. • n careless freedom, dash, impetuosity, impulse, wildness.

vb antonyms continue, persist, support.

n antonym restraint.

abandonedadj1 depraved, derelict, deserted, discarded, dropped, forsaken, left, outcast, rejected, relinquished. 2 corrupt, demoralized, depraved, dissolute, graceless, impenitent, irreclaimable, lost, obdurate, profligate, reprobate, shameless, sinful, unprincipled, vicious, wicked.

adj antonyms cherished, restrained.

abandonmentn desertion, dereliction, giving up, leaving, relinquishment, renunciation, surrender.

abasevb1 depress, drop, lower, reduce, sink. 2 debase, degrade, disgrace, humble, humiliate.

vb antonyms elevate, honour.

abasementn abjection, debasement, degradation, disgrace, humbleness, humiliation, shame.

abashvb affront, bewilder, confound, confuse, dash, discompose, disconcert, embarrass, humiliate, humble, shame, snub.

abashmentn confusion, embarrassment, humiliation, mortification, shame.

abatevb1 diminish, decrease, lessen, lower, moderate, reduce, relax, remove, slacken. 2 allow, bate, deduct, mitigate, rebate, remit. 3 allay, alleviate, appease, assuage, blunt, calm, compose, dull, mitigate, moderate, mollify, pacify, qualify, quiet, quell, soften, soothe, tranquillize.

vb antonyms increase, strengthen.

abatementn1 alleviation, assuagement, decrement, decrease, extenuation, mitigation, moderation, remission. 2 cessation, decline, diminution, ebb, fading, lowering, sinking, settlement. 3 allowance, deduction, rebate, reduction.

abbeyn convent, monastery, priory.

abbreviatevb abridge, compress, condense, contract, cut, curtail, epitomize, reduce, retrench, shorten.

vb antonyms amplify, extend.

abbreviationn abridgment, compression, condensation, contraction, curtailment, cutting, reduction, shortening.

n antonyms expansion, extension.

abdicatevb abandon, cede, forgo, forsake, give up, quit, relinquish, renounce, resign, retire, surrender.

abdicationn abandonment, abdicating, relinquishment, renunciation, resignation, surrender.

abdomenn belly, gut, paunch, stomach, (inf) tummy.

abductvb carry off, kidnap, spirit away, take away.

abductionn carrying off, kidnapping, removal, seizure, withdrawal.

aberrantadj1 deviating, devious, divergent, diverging, erratic, rambling, wandering. 2 abnormal, anomalous, disconnected, eccentric, erratic, exceptional, inconsequent, peculiar, irregular, preternatural, singular, strange, unnatural, unusual.

adj antonyms normal, straight.

aberrationn1 departure, deviation, divergence, rambling, wandering. 2 abnormality, anomaly, eccentricity, irregularity, peculiarity, singularity, unconformity. 3 delusion, disorder, hallucination, illusion, instability.

n antonym conformity.

abetvb1 aid, assist, back, help, support, sustain, uphold. 2 advocate, condone, countenance, encourage, favour, incite, sanction.

vb antonym discourage.

abettorn1 ally, assistant. 2 adviser, advocate, promoter. 3 accessory, accomplice, associate, confederate.

abeyancen1 anticipation, calculation, expectancy, waiting. 2 dormancy, inactivity, intermission, quiescence, remission, reservation, suppression, suspension.

n antonyms activity, continuation.

abhorvb abominate, detest, dislike intensely, execrate, hate, loathe, nauseate, view with horror.

vb antonyms adore, love.

abhorrencen abomination, antipathy, aversion, detestation, disgust, hatred, horror, loathing.

abhorrentadj1 abominating, detesting, hating, loathing. 2 hateful, horrifying, horrible, loathsome, nauseating, odious, offensive, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, shocking.

adj antonym attractive.

abidevb1 lodge, rest, sojourn, stay, wait. 2 dwell, inhabit, live, reside. 3 bear, continue, persevere, persist, remain. 4 endure, last, suffer, tolerate. 5 (withby) act up to, conform to, discharge, fulfil, keep, persist in.

vb antonyms dispute, quit.

abidingadj changeless, constant, continuing, durable, enduring, immutable, lasting, permanent, stable, unchangeable.

abilityn1 ableness, adroitness, aptitude, aptness, cleverness, dexterity, efficacy, efficiency, facility, might, ingenuity, knack, power, readiness, skill, strength, talent, vigour. 2 competency, qualification. 3 calibre, capability, capacity, expertness, faculty, gift, parts.

n antonyms inability, incompetence.

abjectadj base, beggarly, contemptible, cringing, degraded, despicable, dirty, grovelling, ignoble, low, mean, menial, miserable, paltry, pitiful, poor, servile, sneaking, slavish, vile, worthless, wretched.

adj antonym exalted.

abjectnessn abasement, abjection, baseness, contemptibleness, meanness, pitifulness, servility, vileness.

abjurationn1 abandonment, abnegation, discarding, disowning, rejection, relinquishment, renunciation, repudiation. 2 disavowal, disclaimer, disclaiming, recall, recantation, repeal, retraction, reversal, revocation.

abjurevb1 abandon, discard, disclaim, disown, forgo, forswear, give up, reject, relinquish, renounce, repudiate. 2 disavow, disclaim, recall, recant, renounce, repeal, retract, revoke, withdraw.

ableadj1 accomplished, adroit, apt, clever, expert, ingenious, practical, proficient, qualified, quick, skilful, talented, versed. 2 competent, effective, efficient, fitted, quick. 3 capable, gifted, mighty, powerful, talented. 4 athletic, brawny, muscular, robust, stalwart, strong, vigorous.

adj antonyms incapable, incompetent.

ablutionn baptism, bathing, cleansing, lavation, purification, washing.

abnegationn abandonment, denial, renunciation, surrender.

n antonyms acceptance, support.

abnormaladj aberrant, anomalous, divergent, eccentric, exceptional, peculiar, odd, singular, strange, uncomfortable, unnatural, unusual, weird.

adj antonyms normal, straight.

abnormalityn abnormity, anomaly, deformity, idiosyncrasy, irregularity, monstrosity, peculiarity, oddity, singularity, unconformity.

aboardadv inside, within, on.

aboden domicile, dwelling, habitation, home, house, lodging, quarters, residence, residency, seat.

abolishvb1 abrogate, annul, cancel, eliminate, invalidate, nullify, quash, repeal, rescind, revoke. 2 annihilate, destroy, end, eradicate, extirpate, extinguish, obliterate, overthrow, suppress, terminate.

vb antonyms continue, retain.

abolitionn1 abrogation, annulling, annulment, cancellation, cancelling, nullification, repeal, rescinding, rescission, revocation. 2 annihilation, destruction, eradication, extinction, extinguishment, extirpation, obliteration, overthrow, subversion, suppression.

n antonyms continuance, retention.

abominableadj1 accursed, contemptible, cursed, damnable, detestable, execrable, hellish, horrid, nefarious, odious. 2 abhorrent, detestable, disgusting, foul, hateful, loathsome, nauseous, obnoxious, shocking, revolting, repugnant, repulsive. 3 shabby, vile, wretched.

adj antonyms delightful, desirable.

abominatevb abhor, detest, execrate, hate, loathe, recoil from, revolt at, shrink from, shudder at.

abominationn1 abhorrence, antipathy, aversion, detestation, disgust, execration, hatred, loathing. 2 contamination, corruption, corruptness, defilement, foulness, impurity, loathsomeness, odiousness, pollution, taint, uncleanness. 3 annoyance, curse, evil, infliction, nuisance, plague, torment.

n antonyms adoration, delight.

aboriginaladj first, indigenous, native, original.

aboriginen aboriginal, local, original inhabitant, native.

abortionn1 miscarriage, premature labour. 2 termination. 3 disappointment, failure.

n antonyms continuation, success.

abortiveadj1 immature, incomplete, rudimental, rudimentary, stunted, untimely. 2 futile, fruitless, idle, ineffectual, inoperative, nugatory, profitless, unavailing, unsuccessful, useless, vain.

adj antonym successful.

aboundvb1 flow, flourish, increase, swarm, swell. 2 exuberate, luxuriate, overflow, proliferate, swarm, teem.

vb antonym be in short supply.

aboutprep1 around, encircling, surrounding, round. 2 near. 3 concerning, referring to, regarding, relating to, relative to, respecting, touching, with regard to, with respect to. 4 all over, over, through. • adv1 around, before. 2 approximately, near, nearly.

aboveadj above-mentioned, aforementioned, aforesaid, foregoing, preceding, previous, prior. •adv1 aloft, overhead. 2 before, previously. 3 of a higher rank. • prep1 higher than, on top of. 2 exceeding, greater than, more than, over. 3 beyond, superior to.

adj, adv antonym below.

prep antonyms below, under.

above-boardadj candid, frank, honest, open, straightforward, truthful, upright. •adv candidly, fairly, openly, sincerely.

adj antonyms shady, underhand.

abradevb erase, erode, rub off, scrape out, wear away.

abrasionn1 attrition, disintegration, friction, wearing down. 2 scrape, scratch.

abreastadv aligned, alongside.

adv antonyms out of touch, unaware.

abridgevb1 abbreviate, condense, compress, shorten, summarize. 2 contract, diminish, lessen, reduce.

vb antonyms amplify, pad.

abridgmentn1 compression, condensation, contraction, curtailment, diminution, epitomizing, reduction, shortening. 2 abstract, brief, compendium, digest, epitome, outline, précis, summary, syllabus, synopsis. 3 deprivation, limitation, restriction.

n antonyms expansion, padding.

abroadadv1 overseas. 2 expansively, unrestrainedly, ubiquitously, widely. 3 forth, out of doors. 4 extensively, publicly.

abrogatevb abolish, annul, cancel, invalidate, nullify, overrule, quash, repeal, rescind, revoke, set aside, vacate, void.

abrogationn abolition, annulling, annulment, cancellation, cancelling, repeal rescinding, rescission, revocation, voidance, voiding.

abruptadj1 broken, craggy, jagged, rough, rugged. 2 precipitous, steep. 3 hasty, ill-timed, precipitate, sudden, unanticipated, unexpected. 4 blunt, brusque, curt, discourteous. 5 cramped, harsh, jerky, stiff.

adj antonyms ceremonious, expansive, leisurely.

abscessn boil, fester, pustule, sore, ulcer.

abscondvb bolt, decamp, elope, escape, flee, fly, retreat, run off, sneak away, steal away, withdraw.

absencen1 nonappearance, nonattendance. 2 abstraction, distraction, inattention, musing, preoccupation, reverie. 3 default, defect, deficiency, lack, privation.

n antonyms existence, presence.

absentadj1 abroad, away, elsewhere, gone, not present. 2 abstracted, dreaming, inattentive, lost, musing, napping, preoccupied.

adj antonyms aware, present.

absoluteadj1 complete, ideal, independent, perfect, supreme, unconditional, unconditioned, unlimited, unqualified, unrestricted. 2 arbitrary, authoritative, autocratic, despotic, dictatorial, imperious, irresponsible, tyrannical, tyrannous. 3 actual, categorical, certain, decided, determinate, genuine, positive, real, unequivocal, unquestionable, veritable.

adj antonyms conditional, partial.

absolutelyadv1 completely, definitely, unconditionally. 2 actually, downright, indeed, indubitably, infallibly, positively, really, truly, unquestionably.

absolutenessn1 actuality, completeness, ideality, perfection, positiveness, reality, supremeness. 2 absolutism, arbitrariness, despotism, tyranny.

absolutionn acquittal, clearance, deliverance, discharge, forgiveness, liberation, pardon, release, remission, shrift, shriving.

n antonym condemnation.

absolutismn absoluteness, arbitrariness, autocracy, despotism, tyranny.

absolvevb acquit, clear, deliver, discharge, exculpate, excuse, exonerate, forgive, free, liberate, loose, pardon, release, set free.

vb antonym charge.

absorbvb1 appropriate, assimilate, drink in, imbibe, soak up. 2 consume, destroy, devour, engorge, engulf, exhaust, swallow up, take up. 3 arrest, engage, engross, fix, immerse, occupy, rivet.

vb antonyms dissipate, exude.

absorbentadj absorbing, imbibing, penetrable, porous, receptive.

absorptionadj1 appropriation, assimilation, imbibing, osmosis, soaking up. 2 consumption, destroying, devouring, engorgement, engulfing, exhaustion, swallowing up. 3 concentration, engagement, engrossment, immersion, occupation, preoccupation.

abstainvb avoid, cease, deny oneself, desist, forbear, refrain, refuse, stop, withhold.

vb antonym indulge.

abstemiousadj abstinent, frugal, moderate, self-denying, sober, temperate.

adj antonyms gluttonous, intemperate, luxurious.

abstinencen abstemiousness, avoidance, forbearance, moderation, self-restraint, soberness, sobriety, teetotalism, temperance.

n antonym self-indulgence.

abstinentadj1 abstaining, fasting. 2 abstemious, restraining, self-denying, self-restraining, sober, temperate.

abstractvb1 detach, disengage, disjoin, dissociate, disunite, isolate, separate. 2 appropriate, purloin, seize, steal, take. 3 abbreviate, abridge, epitomize. • adj1 isolated, separate, simple, unrelated. 2 abstracted, occult, recondite, refined, subtle, vague. 3 nonobjective, nonrepresentational. • n abridgment, condensation, digest, excerpt, extract, précis, selection, summary, synopsis.

vb antonyms expand, insert.

adjantonym concrete.

abstractedadj1 absent, absent-minded, dreaming, inattentive, lost, musing, preoccupied. 2 abstruse, refined, subtle.

abstractionn1 absence, absent-mindedness, inattention, muse, musing, preoccupation, reverie. 2 disconnection, disjunction, isolation, separation. 3 abduction, appropriation, pilfering, purloining, seizure, stealing, taking.

abstruseadj abstract, attenuated, dark, difficult, enigmatic, hidden, indefinite, mysterious, mystic, mystical, obscure, occult, profound, recondite, remote, subtle, transcendental, vague.

adj antonyms concrete, obvious.

absurdadj egregious, fantastic, foolish, incongruous, ill-advised, ill-judged, irrational, ludicrous, nonsensical, nugatory, preposterous, ridiculous, self-annulling, senseless, silly, stupid, unreasonable.

adj antonyms logical, rational, sensible.

absurdityn drivel, extravagance, fatuity, folly, foolery, foolishness, idiocy, nonsense.

abundancen affluence, amplitude, ampleness, copiousness, exuberance, fertility, flow, flood, largeness, luxuriance, opulence, overflow, plenitude, profusion, richness, store, wealth.

n antonyms dearth, scarcity.

abundantadj abounding, ample, bountiful, copious, exuberant, flowing, full, good, large, lavish, rich, liberal, much, overflowing, plentiful, plenteous, replete, teeming, thick.

adj antonyms scarce, sparse.

abusevb1 betray, cajole, deceive, desecrate, dishonour, misapply, misemploy, misuse, pervert, pollute, profane, prostitute, violate, wrong. 2 harm, hurt, ill-use, ill-treat, injure, maltreat, mishandle. 3 asperse, berate, blacken, calumniate, defame, disparage, lampoon, lash, malign, revile, reproach, satirize, slander, traduce, upbraid, vilify. • n1 cruelty, ill-treatment, maltreatment, sadism. 2 desecration, dishonour, ill-use, misuse. 3 aspersion, defamation, disparagement, insult, invective, opprobrium, railing, rating, reviling, ribaldry, rudeness, scurrility, upbraiding, vilification, vituperation.

vb antonyms cherish, compliment, praise.

n antonyms attention, care.

abusiveadj1 condemnatory, insolent, insulting, offensive, opprobrious, reproachful, reviling, ribald, rude, scurrilous, vilificatory, vituperative. 2 barbaric, barbarous, brutal, cruel, harmful, injurious, inhuman, nasty, sadistic, savage, vicious.

adj antonym complimentary.

abutvb adjoin, border, impinge, meet, project.

abutmentn1 bank, bulwark, buttress, embankment, fortification. 2 abutting, abuttal, adjacency, contiguity, juxtaposition.

abuttaln adjacency, boundary, contiguity, juxtaposition, nearness, next, terminus.

abyssn abysm, chasm, gorge, gulf, pit.

academicadj collegiate, lettered, scholastic. • n academician, classicist, doctor, fellow, pundit, savant, scholar, student, teacher.

academyn college, high school, institute, school.

accedevb accept, acquiesce, agree, assent to, comply with, concur, consent, yield.

vb antonyms demur, object.

acceleratevb dispatch, expedite, forward, hasten, hurry, precipitate, press on, quicken, speed, urge on.

vb antonyms delay, slow down.

accelerationn expedition, hastening, hurrying, quickening, pickup, precipitation, speeding up, stepping up.

accentvb accentuate, emphasize, stress. • n1 cadence, inflection, intonation, tone. 2 beat, emphasis, ictus.

accentuatevb1 accent, emphasize, mark, point up, punctuate, stress. 2 highlight, overemphasize, overstress, underline, underscore.

acceptvb1 acquire, derive, get, gain, obtain, receive, take. 2 accede to, acknowledge, acquiesce in, admit, agree to, approve, assent to, avow, embrace. 3 estimate, construe, interpret, regard, value.

vb antonyms demur, reject.

acceptableadj agreeable, gratifying, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, welcome.

adj antonyms unsatisfactory, unwelcome.

acceptancen1 accepting, acknowledgment, receipt, reception, taking. 2 approbation, approval, gratification, satisfaction.

acceptationn1 construction, import, interpretation, meaning, sense, significance, signification, understanding. 2 adoption, approval, currency, vogue.

accessvb broach, enter, open, open up. •n1 approach, avenue, entrance, entry, passage, way. 2 admission, admittance, audience, interview. 3 addition, accession, aggrandizement, enlargement, gain, increase, increment.

n antonyms egress, outlet.

accessionn1 addition, augmentation, enlargement, extension, increase. 2 succession.

accessoryadj abetting, additional, additive, adjunct, aiding, ancillary, assisting, contributory, helping, subsidiary, subordinate, supplemental. • n1 abettor, accomplice, assistant, associate, confederate, helper. 2 accompaniment, attendant, concomitant, detail, subsidiary.

accidentn1 calamity, casualty, condition, contingency, disaster, fortuity, incident, misadventure, miscarriage, mischance, misfortune, mishap. 2 affection, alteration, chance, contingency, mode, modification, property, quality, state.

accidentaladj1 casual, chance, contingent, fortuitous, undesigned, unintended. 2 adventitious, dispensable, immaterial, incidental, nonessential.

adj antonyms intentional, premeditated.

acclamationn acclaim, applause, cheer, cry, plaudit, outcry, salutation, shouting.

acclimatizationn adaptation, adjustment, conditioning, familiarization, habituation, inurement, naturalization.

acclimatizevb accustom, adapt, adjust, condition, familiarize, habituate, inure, naturalize, season.

acclivityn ascent, height, hill, rising ground, steep, upward slope.

accommodatevb1 contain, furnish, hold, oblige, serve, supply. 2 adapt, fit, suit. 3 adjust, compose, harmonize, reconcile, settle.

accommodationn1 advantage, convenience, privilege. 2 adaptation, agreement, conformity, fitness, suitableness. 3 adjustment, harmonization, harmony, pacification, reconciliation, settlement.

accompanimentn adjunct, appendage, attachment, attendant, concomitant.

accompanyvb attend, chaperon, convoy, escort, follow, go with.

accomplicen abettor, accessory, ally, assistant, associate, confederate, partner.

accomplishvb1 achieve, bring about, carry, carry through, complete, compass, consummate, do, effect, execute, perform, perfect. 2 conclude, end, finish, terminate.

accomplishedadj1 achieved, completed, done, effected, executed, finished, fulfilled, realized. 2 able, adroit, apt, consummate, educated, experienced, expert, finished, instructed, practised, proficient, qualified, ripe, skilful, versed. 3 elegant, fashionable, fine, polished, polite, refined.

adj antonym inexpert.

accomplishmentn1 achievement, acquirement, attainment, qualification. 2 completion, fulfilment.

accordvb1 admit, allow, concede, deign, give, grant, vouchsafe, yield. 2 agree, assent, concur, correspond, harmonize, quadrate, tally. • n accordance, agreement, concord, concurrence, conformity, consensus, harmony, unanimity, unison.

vb antonym disagree.

nantonym discord.

accordantadj agreeable, agreeing, congruous, consonant, harmonious, suitable, symphonious.

accordinglyadv1 agreeably, conformably, consistently, suitably. 2 consequently, hence, so, thence, therefore, thus, whence, wherefore.

accostvb address, confront, greet, hail, salute, speak to, stop.

accountvb1 assess, appraise, estimate, evaluate, judge, rate. 2 (withfor) assign, attribute, explain, expound, justify, rationalize, vindicate. • n1 inventory, record, register, score. 2 bill, book, charge. 3 calculation, computation, count, reckoning, score, tale, tally. 4 chronicle, detail, description, narration, narrative, portrayal, recital, rehearsal, relation, report, statement, tidings, word. 5 elucidation, explanation, exposition. 6 consideration, ground, motive, reason, regard, sake. 7 consequence, consideration, dignity, distinction, importance, note, repute, reputation, worth.

accountableadj amenable, answerable, duty-bound, liable, responsible.

accoutrevb arm, dress, equip, fit out, furnish.

accreditvb authorize, depute, empower, entrust.

accruevb arise, come, follow, flow, inure, issue, proceed, result.

accumulatevb agglomerate, aggregate, amass, bring together, collect, gather, grow, hoard, increase, pile, store.

vb antonyms diffuse, disseminate.

accumulationn agglomeration, aggregation, collection, heap, hoard, mass, pile, store.

accuracyn carefulness, correctness, exactness, fidelity, precision, strictness.

accurateadj close, correct, exact, faithful, nice, precise, regular, strict, true, truthful.

adj antonyms inaccurate, wrong.

accusationn arraignment, charge, incrimination, impeachment, indictment.

accusevb arraign, charge, censure, impeach, indict, tax.

accustomvb discipline, drill, familiarize, habituate, harden, inure, train, use.

acen (cards, dice) 1 one spot, single pip, single point. 2 atom, bit, grain, iota, jot, particle, single, unit, whit. 3 expert, master, virtuoso. • adj best, expert, fine, outstanding, superb.

acerbityn1 acidity, acridity, acridness, astringency, bitterness, roughness, sourness, tartness. 2 acrimony, bitterness, harshness, severity, venom.

achievevb1 accomplish, attain, complete, do, effect, execute, finish, fulfil, perform, realize. 2 acquire, gain, get, obtain, win.

vb antonyms fail, miss.

achievementn1 accomplishment, acquirement, attainment, completion, consummation, performance, realization. 2 deed, exploit, feat, work.

acidadj pungent, sharp, sour, stinging, tart, vinegary.

acknowledgevb1 recognize. 2 accept, admit, accept, allow, concede, grant. 3 avow, confess, own, profess.

acmen apex, climax, height, peak, pinnacle, summit, top, vertex, zenith.

n antonym nadir.

acquaintvb1 familiarize. 2 announce, apprise, communicate, enlighten, disclose, inform, make aware, make known, notify, tell.

acquaintancen1 companionship, familiarity, fellowship, intimacy, knowledge. 2 associate, companion, comrade, friend.

acquiescevb1 bow, comply, consent, give way, rest, submit, yield. 2 agree, assent, concur, consent.

vb antonyms disagree, object.

acquirevb1 achieve, attain, earn, gain, get, have, obtain, procure, realize, secure, win. 2 learn thoroughly, master.

vb antonyms forfeit, forgo, relinquish.

acquirementn1 acquiring, gaining, gathering, mastery. 2 acquisition, accomplishment, attainment.

acquitvb absolve, clear, discharge, exculpate, excuse, exonerate, forgive, liberate, pardon, pay, quit, release, set free, settle.

vb antonym convict.

acquittaln absolution, acquittance, clearance, deliverance, discharge, exoneration, liberation, release.

acquittancen1 discharge. 2 quittance, receipt.

acridadj biting, bitter, caustic, pungent, sharp.

acrimoniousadj acrid, angry, bitter, caustic, harsh, malignant, petulant, sarcastic, severe, testy, virulent.

adj antonyms kindly, peaceable.

acrimonyn1 bitterness, churlishness, harshness, rancour, severity, spite, venom. 2 causticity, causticness, corrosiveness, sharpness.

actvb1 do, execute, function, make, operate, work. 2 enact, feign, perform, play. • n1 achievement, deed, exploit, feat, performance, proceeding, turn. 2 bill, decree, enactment, law, ordinance, statute. 3 actuality, existence, fact, reality.

actingadj interim, provisional, substitute, temporary. • n1 enacting, impersonation, performance, portrayal, theatre. 2 counterfeiting, dissimulation, imitation, pretence.

actionn1 achievement, activity, agency, deed, exertion, exploit, feat. 2 battle, combat, conflict, contest, encounter, engagement, operation. 3 lawsuit, prosecution.

activeadj1 effective, efficient, influential, living, operative. 2 assiduous, bustling, busy, diligent, industrious, restless. 3 agile, alert, brisk, energetic, lively, nimble, prompt, quick, smart, spirited, sprightly, supple. 4 animated, ebullient, fervent, vigorous.

adj antonyms dormant, inactive, inert, passive.

actualadj1 certain, decided, genuine, objective, real, substantial, tangible, true, veritable. 2 perceptible, present, sensible, tangible. 3 absolute, categorical, positive.

adj antonyms apparent, imaginary, theoretical.

actuatevb impel, incite, induce, instigate, move, persuade, prompt.

acumenn acuteness, astuteness, discernment, ingenuity, keenness, penetration, sagacity, sharpness, shrewdness.

acuteadj1 pointed, sharp. 2 astute, bright, discerning, ingenious, intelligent, keen, quick, penetrating, piercing, sagacious, sage, sharp, shrewd, smart, subtle. 3 distressing, fierce, intense, piercing, pungent, poignant, severe, violent. 4 high, high-toned, sharp, shrill. 5 (med) sudden, temporary, violent.

adagen aphorism, dictum, maxim, proverb, saw, saying.

adaptvb accommodate, adjust, conform, coordinate, fit, qualify, proportion, suit, temper.

addvb1 adjoin, affix, annex, append, attach, join, tag. 2 sum, sum up, total.

vb antonym subtract.

addictvb accustom, apply, dedicate, devote, habituate. • n1 devotee, enthusiast, fan. 2 head, junkie, user.

addictedadj attached, devoted, given up to, inclined, prone, wedded.

additionn1 augmentation, accession, enlargement, extension, increase, supplement. 2 adjunct, appendage, appendix, extra.

addressvb accost, apply to, court, direct. • n1 appeal, application, entreaty, invocation, memorial, petition, request, solicitation, suit. 2 discourse, oration, lecture, sermon, speech. 3 ability, adroitness, art, dexterity, expertness, skill. 4 courtesy, deportment, demeanour, tact.

adducevb1 advance, allege, assign, offer, present. 2 cite, mention, name.

adeptadj accomplished, experienced, practised, proficient, skilled. •n expert, master, virtuoso.

adj antonyms bungling, incompetent, inept.

nantonyms bungler, incompetent.

adequateadj able, adapted, capable, competent, equal, fit, requisite, satisfactory, sufficient, suitable.

adj antonyms inadequate, insufficient.

adherevb1 cling, cleave, cohere, hold, stick. 2 appertain, belong, pertain.

adherentadj adhering, clinging, sticking. • n acolyte, dependant, disciple, follower, partisan, supporter, vassal.

adhesionn adherence, attachment, clinging, coherence, sticking.

adhesiveadj1 clinging, sticking. 2 glutinous, gummy, sticky, tenacious, viscous. • n binder, cement, glue, paste.

adieun farewell, goodbye, parting, valediction.

adiposeadj fat, fatty, greasy, oily, oleaginous, sebaceous.

adjacentadj adjoining, bordering, conterminous, contiguous, near, near to, neighbouring, touching.

adjoinvb abut, add, annex, append, border, combine, neighbour, unite, verge.

adjournvb1 defer, delay, postpone, procrastinate. 2 close, dissolve, end, interrupt, prorogue, suspend.

vb antonym convene.

adjudgevb1 allot, assign, award. 2 decide, decree, determine, settle.

adjunctn addition, advantage, appendage, appurtenance, attachment, attribute, auxiliary, dependency, help.

adjurevb beg, beseech, entreat, pray, supplicate.

adjustvb1 adapt, arrange, dispose, rectify. 2 regulate, set right, settle, suit. 3 compose, harmonize, pacify, reconcile, settle. 4 accommodate, adapt, fit, suit.

vb antonyms derange, disarrange, upset.

administervb1 contribute, deal out, dispense, supply. 2 conduct, control, direct, govern, manage, oversee, superintend. 3 conduce, contribute.

admirableadj1 astonishing, striking, surprising, wonderful. 2 excellent, fine, rare, superb.

adj antonym despicable.

admirationn affection, approbation, approval, astonishment, delight, esteem, pleasure, regard.

n antonym contempt.

admirern1 beau, gallant, suitor, sweetheart. 2 fan, follower, supporter.

admissibleadj allowable, lawful, permissible, possible.

adj antonyms illegitimate, inadmissible.

admissionn1 access, admittance, entrance, introduction. 2 acceptance, acknowledgement, allowance, assent, avowal, concession.

n antonyms denial, exclusion.

admitvb1 give access to, let in, receive. 2 agree to, accept, acknowledge, concede, confess. 3 allow, bear, permit, suffer, tolerate.

vb antonyms exclude, gainsay.

admonishvb1 censure, rebuke, reprove. 2 advise caution, counsel, enjoin, forewarn, warn. 3 acquaint, apprise, inform, instruct, notify, remind.

admonitionn1 censure, rebuke, remonstrance. 2 advice, caution, chiding, counsel, instruction, monition.

adolescencen minority, teens, youth.

n antonym senescence.

adolescentadj juvenile, young, youthful. •n minor, teenager, youth.

adoptvb1 appropriate, assume. 2 accept, approve, avow, espouse, maintain, support. 3 affiliate, father, foster.

vb antonyms disown, repudiate.

adorevb1 worship. 2 esteem, honour, idolize, love, revere, venerate.

vb antonyms abhor, hate.

adornvb beautify, decorate, embellish, enrich, garnish, gild, grace, ornament.

adroitadj apt, dextrous, expert, handy, ingenious, ready, skilful.

adj antonyms clumsy, inept, maladroit.

adulationn blandishment, cajolery, fawning, flattery, flummery, praise, sycophancy.

adultadj grown-up, mature, ripe, ripened. •n grown-up person.

adj antonym immature.

adulteratevb alloy, contaminate, corrupt, debase, deteriorate, vitiate.

advanceadj1 beforehand, forward, leading. •vb propel, push, send forward. 2 aggrandize, dignify, elevate, exalt, promote. 3 benefit, forward, further, improve, promote. 4 adduce, allege, assign, offer, propose, propound. 5 augment, increase. 6 proceed, progress. 7 grow, improve, prosper, thrive. •n1 march, progress. 2 advancement, enhancement, growth, promotion, rise. 3 offer, overture, proffering, proposal, proposition, tender. 4 appreciation, rise.

vb antonyms impede, retard, retreat.

n antonym recession.

advancementn advance, benefit, gain, growth, improvement, profit.

advantagen1 ascendancy, precedence, pre-eminence, superiority, upper-hand. 2 benefit, blessing, emolument, gain, profit, return. 3 account, behalf, interest. 4 accommodation, convenience, prerogative, privilege.

n antonyms disadvantage, hindrance.

advantageousadj beneficial, favourable, profitable.

adventn accession, approach, arrival, coming, visitation.

adventitiousadj accidental, extraneous, extrinsic, foreign, fortuitous, nonessential.

adventurevb dare, hazard, imperil, peril, risk, venture. •n1 chance, contingency, experiment, fortuity, hazard, risk, venture. 2 crisis, contingency, event, incident, occurrence, transaction.

adventurousadj1 bold, chivalrous, courageous, daring, doughty. 2 foolhardy, headlong, precipitate, rash, reckless. 3 dangerous, hazardous, perilous.

adj antonyms cautious, chary, prudent.

adversaryn antagonist, enemy, foe, opponent.

n antonyms ally, supporter.

adverseadj1 conflicting, contrary, opposing. 2 antagonistic, harmful, hostile, hurtful, inimical, unfavourable, unpropitious. 3 calamitous, disastrous, unfortunate, unlucky, untoward.

adj antonyms advantageous, propitious.

adversityn affliction, calamity, disaster, distress, misery, misfortune, sorrow, suffering, woe.

n antonym prosperity.

advertisevb advise, announce, declare, inform, placard, proclaim, publish.

advertisementn announcement, information, notice, proclamation.

advicen1 admonition, caution, counsel, exhortation, persuasion, suggestion, recommendation. 2 information, intelligence, notice, notification. 3 care, counsel, deliberation, forethought.

advisableadj advantageous, desirable, expedient, prudent.

adj antonyms inadvisable, injudicious.

advisevb1 admonish, counsel, commend, recommend, suggest, urge. 2 acquaint, apprise, inform, notify. 3 confer, consult, deliberate.

advisern counsellor, director, guide, instructor.

advocatevb countenance, defend, favour, justify, maintain, support, uphold, vindicate. •n1 apologist, counsellor, defender, maintainer, patron, pleader, supporter. 2 attorney, barrister, counsel, lawyer, solicitor.

vb antonyms deprecate, disparage, impugn.

nantonyms critic, opponent.

aegisn defence, protection, safeguard, shelter.

aestheticadj appropriate, beautiful, tasteful.

affableadj1 accessible, approachable, communicative, conversable, cordial, easy, familiar, frank, free, sociable, social. 2 complaisant, courteous, civil, obliging, polite, urbane.

adj antonyms cool, reserved, reticent, unfriendly.

affairn1 business, circumstance, concern, matter, office, question. 2 event, incident, occurrence, performance, proceeding, transaction. 3 battle, combat, conflict, encounter, engagement, skirmish.

affairsnpl1 administration, relations. 2 business, estate, finances, property.

affectvb1 act upon, alter, change, influence, modify, transform. 2 concern, interest, regard, relate. 3 improve, melt, move, overcome, subdue, touch. 4 aim at, aspire to, crave, yearn for. 5 adopt, assume, feign.

affectationn affectedness, airs, artificiality, foppery, pretension, simulation.

affectedadj1 artificial, assumed, feigned, insincere, theatrical. 2 assuming, conceited, foppish, vain.

affectionn1 bent, bias, feeling, inclination, passion, proclivity, propensity. 2 accident, attribute, character, mark, modification, mode, note, property. 3 attachment, endearment, fondness, goodwill, kindness, partiality, love.

n antonyms antipathy, dislike.

affectionateadj attached, devoted, fond, kind, loving, sympathetic, tender.

adj antonyms cold, undemonstrative.

affiliatevb ally, annex, associate, connect, incorporate, join, unite. •n ally, associate, confederate.

affinityn1 connection, propinquity, relationship. 2 analogy, attraction, correspondence, likeness, relation, resemblance, similarity, sympathy.

affirmvb1 allege, assert, asseverate, aver, declare, state. 2 approve, confirm, establish, ratify.

affixvb annex, attach, connect, fasten, join, subjoin, tack.

afflictvb agonize, distress, grieve, pain, persecute, plague, torment, trouble, try, wound.

vb antonyms comfort, solace.

afflictionn1 adversity, calamity, disaster, misfortune, stroke, visitation. 2 bitterness, depression, distress, grief, misery, plague, scourge, sorrow, trial, tribulation, wretchedness, woe.

n antonyms comfort, consolation, solace.

affluentadj1 abounding, abundant, bounteous, plenteous. 2 moneyed, opulent, rich, wealthy.

adj antonyms impecunious, impoverished, poor.

affordvb1 furnish, produce, supply, yield. 2 bestow, communicate, confer, give, grant, impart, offer. 3 bear, endure, support.

affrayn brawl, conflict, disturbance, feud, fight, quarrel, scuffle, struggle.

affrightvb affray, alarm, appal, confound, dismay, shock, startle. •n alarm, consternation, fear, fright, panic, terror.

affrontvb1 abuse, insult, outrage. 2 annoy, chafe, displease, fret, irritate, offend, pique, provoke, vex. •n abuse, contumely, insult, outrage, vexation, wrong.

vb antonyms appease, compliment.

nantonym compliment.

afraidadj aghast, alarmed, anxious, apprehensive, frightened, scared, timid.

adj antonyms confident, unafraid.

afterprep1 later than, subsequent to. 2 behind, following. 3 about, according to. 4 because of, in imitation of. •adj1 behind, consecutive, ensuing, following, later, succeeding, successive, subsequent. 2 aft, back, hind, rear, rearmost, tail.•adv afterwards, later, next, since, subsequently, then, thereafter.

prep antonym before.

againadv1 afresh, anew, another time, once more. 2 besides, further, in addition, moreover.

againstprep1 adverse to, contrary to, in opposition to, resisting. 2 abutting, close up to, facing, fronting, off, opposite to, over. 3 in anticipation of, for, in expectation of. 4 in compensation for, to counterbalance, to match.

prep antonyms for, pro.

agevb decline, grow old, mature. •n1 aeon, date, epoch, period, time. 2 decline, old age, senility. 3 antiquity, oldness.

n antonyms salad days, youth.

agencyn1 action, force, intervention, means, mediation, operation, procurement. 2 charge, direction, management, superintendence, supervision.

agentn1 actor, doer, executor, operator, performer. 2 active element, cause, force. 3 attorney, broker, commissioner, deputy, factor, intermediary, manager, middleman.

agglomerationn accumulation, aggregation, conglomeration, heap, lump, pile.

agglutinatevb cement, fasten, glue, unite.

aggrandizevb advance, dignify, elevate, enrich, exalt, promote.

aggravatevb1 heighten, increase, worsen. 2 colour, exaggerate, magnify, overstate. 3 enrage, irritate, provoke, tease.

vb antonyms alleviate, appease, mollify.

aggravationn exaggeration, heightening, irritation.

aggregatevb accumulate, amass, collect, heap, pile. •adj collected, total. •n amount, gross, total, whole.

adj antonyms individual, particular.

aggressiveadj1 assailing, assailant, assaulting, attacking, invading, offensive. 2 pushing, self-assertive.

adj antonyms peaceable, submissive.

aggressorn assailant, assaulter, attacker, invader.

aggrievevb1 afflict, grieve, pain. 2 abuse, ill-treat, impose, injure, oppress, wrong.

aghastadj1 appalled, dismayed, frightened, horrified, horror-struck, panic-stricken, terrified. 2 amazed, astonished, startled, thunderstruck.

agileadj active, alert, brisk, lively, nimble, prompt, smart, ready.

adj antonyms clumsy, stiff, torpid.

agitatevb1 disturb, jar, rock, shake, trouble. 2 disquiet, excite, ferment, rouse, trouble. 3 confuse, discontent, flurry, fluster, flutter. 4 canvass, debate, discuss, dispute, investigate.

vb antonyms calm, tranquilize.

agitationn1 concussion, shake, shaking. 2 commotion, convulsion, disturbance, ferment, jarring, storm, tumult, turmoil. 3 discomposure, distraction, emotion, excitement, flutter, perturbation, ruffle, tremor, trepidation. 4 controversy, debate, discussion.

agnosticn doubter, empiricist, sceptic.

agonizevb distress, excruciate, rack, torment, torture.

agonyn anguish, distress, pangs.

agreevb1 accord, concur, harmonize, unite. 2 accede, acquiesce, assent, comply, concur, subscribe. 3 bargain, contract, covenant, engage, promise, undertake. 4 compound, compromise. 5 chime, cohere, conform, correspond, match, suit, tally.

vb antonyms conflict, disagree.

agreeableadj charming, pleasant, pleasing.

adj antonyms disagreeable, distasteful, incompatible, nasty.

agreementn1 accordance, compliance, concord, harmony, union. 2 bargain, compact, contract, pact, treaty.

agriculturen cultivation, culture, farming, geoponics, husbandry, tillage.

aidvb1 assist, help, serve, support. 2 relieve, succour. 3 advance, facilitate, further, promote. •n1 assistance, cooperation, help, patronage. 2 alms, subsidy, succour, relief.

vb antonyms impede, obstruct.

n antonyms impediment, obstruction.

ailmentn disease, illness, sickness.

aimvb1 direct, level, point, train. 2 design, intend, mean, purpose, seek. •n1 bearing, course, direction, tendency. 2 design, object, view, reason.

airvb expose, display, ventilate. •n1 atmosphere, breeze. 2 appearance, aspect, manner. 3 melody, tune.

aislen passage, walk.

akinadj1 allied, kin, related. 2 analogous, cognate, congenial, connected.

adj antonym alien.

alacrityn1 agility, alertness, activity, eagerness, promptitude. 2 cheerfulness, gaiety, hilarity, liveliness, vivacity.

alarmvb daunt, frighten, scare, startle, terrify. •n1 alarm-bell, tocsin, warning. 2 apprehension, fear, fright, terror.

vb antonyms calm, reassure, soothe.

nantonym composure.

alertadj1 awake, circumspect, vigilant, watchful, wary. 2 active, brisk, lively, nimble, quick, prompt, ready, sprightly. •vb alarm, arouse, caution, forewarn, signal, warn. •n alarm, signal, warning.

adj antonyms listless, slow.

alertnessn1 circumspection, vigilance, watchfulness, wariness. 2 activity, briskness, nimbleness, promptness, readiness, spryness.

alienadj1 foreign, not native. 2 differing, estranged, inappropriate, remote, unallied, separated. •n foreigner, stranger.

adj antonym akin.

nantonym native.

alienatevb (legal) 1 assign, demise, transfer. 2 disaffect, estrange, wean, withdraw.

alienationn (legal) 1 assignment, conveyance, transfer. 2 breach, disaffection, division, estrangement, rupture. 3 (med) aberration, delusion, derangement, hallucination, insanity, madness.

alikeadj akin, analogous, duplicate, identical, resembling, similar. •adv equally.

alimentn diet, fare, meat, nutriment, provision, rations, sustenance.

aliveadj1 animate, breathing, live. 2 aware, responsive, sensitive, susceptible. 3 brisk, cheerful, lively, sprightly.

adj antonyms dead, lifeless.

allayvb1 appease, calm, check, compose. 2 alleviate, assuage, lessen, moderate, solace, temper.

vb antonyms exacerbate, intensify.

allegevb1 affirm, assert, declare, maintain, say. 2 adduce, advance, assign, cite, plead, produce, quote.

allegiancen duty, homage, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, obligation.

n antonyms disloyalty, enmity.

allegoryn apologue, fable, myth, parable, story, tale.

alleviatevb assuage, lighten, mitigate, mollify, moderate, quell, quiet, quieten, soften, soothe.

vb antonym aggravate.

alliancen1 affinity, intermarriage, relation. 2 coalition, combination, confederacy, league, treaty, union. 3 affiliation, connection, relationship, similarity.

n antonyms divorce, enmity, estrangement, hostility.

allotvb1 divide, dispense, distribute. 2 assign, fix, prescribe, specify.

allowvb1 acknowledge, admit, concede, confess, grant, own. 2 authorize, grant, let, permit. 3 bear, endure, suffer, tolerate. 4 grant, yield, relinquish, spare. 5 approve, justify, sanction. 6 abate, bate, deduct, remit.

vb antonyms deny, forbid.

alludevb glance, hint, mention, imply, insinuate, intimate, refer, suggest, touch.

allurevb attract, beguile, cajole, coax, entice, lure, persuade, seduce, tempt. •n appeal, attraction, lure, temptation.

vb antonym repel.

allusionn hint, implication, intimation, insinuation, mention, reference, suggestion.

allyvb combine, connect, join, league, marry, unite. •n aider, assistant, associate, coadjutor, colleague, friend, partner.

n antonyms antagonist, enemy.

vbantonym estrange.

almightyadj all-powerful, omnipotent.

adj antonyms impotent, insignificant, weak.

almsnpl benefaction, bounty, charity, dole, gift, gratuity.

aloneadj companionless, deserted, forsaken, isolated, lonely, only, single, sole, solitary.

alongadv1 lengthways, lengthwise. 2 forward, onward. 3 beside, together, simultaneously.

aloudadv audibly, loudly, sonorously, vociferously.

altervb change, conform, modify, shift, turn, transform, transmit, vary.

vb antonym fix.

altercationn bickering, contention, controversy, dispute, dissension, strife, wrangling.

alternatingadj intermittent, interrupted.

alternativeadj another, different, second, substitute. •n choice, option, preference.

althoughconj albeit, even if, for all that, notwithstanding, though.

altituden elevation, height, loftiness.

n antonym depth.

altogetheradv completely, entirely, totally, utterly.

alwaysadv continually, eternally, ever, evermore, perpetually, unceasingly.

adv antonym never.

amalgamatevb blend, combine, commingle, compound, incorporate, mix.

vb antonym separate.

amassvb accumulate, aggregate, collect, gather, heap, scrape together.

amateurn dilettante, nonprofessional.

n antonym professional.

amazevb astonish, astound, bewilder, confound, confuse, dumbfound, perplex, stagger, stupefy.

amazementn astonishment, bewilderment, confusion, marvel, surprise, wonder.

ambassadorn deputy, envoy, legate, minister, plenipotentiary.

ambiguousadj dubious, doubtful, enigmatic, equivocal, uncertain, indefinite, indistinct, obscure, vague.

adj antonyms clear.

ambitionn aspiration, emulation, longing, yearning.

n antonyms apathy, diffidence.

ambitiousadj aspiring, avid, eager, intent.

adj antonym unassuming.

amelioratevb amend, benefit, better, elevate, improve, mend.

amenabilityn1 amenableness, responsiveness. 2 accountability, liability, responsibility.

amenableadj1 acquiescent, agreeable, persuadable, responsive, susceptible. 2 accountable, liable, responsible.

amendvb better, correct, improve, mend, redress, reform.

vb antonyms impair, worsen.

amendsnpl atonement, compensation, expiation, indemnification, recompense, reparation, restitution.

amenityn1 agreeableness, mildness, pleasantness, softness. 2 affability, civility, courtesy, geniality, graciousness, urbanity.

amiableadj attractive, benign, charming, genial, good-natured, harmonious, kind, lovable, lovely, pleasant, pleasing, sweet, winning, winsome.

adj antonyms hostile, unfriendly.

amicableadj amiable, cordial, friendly, harmonious, kind, kindly, peaceable.

amissadj erroneous, inaccurate, incorrect, faulty, improper, wrong. •adv erroneously, inaccurately, incorrectly, wrongly.

adj antonyms right, well.

amnestyn absolution, condonation, dispensation, forgiveness, oblivion.

amorousadj1 ardent, enamoured, fond, longing, loving, passionate, tender. 2 erotic, impassioned.

adj antonyms cold, indifferent.

amorphousadj1 formless, irregular, shapeless, unshapen. 2 noncrystalline, structureless. 3 chaotic, characterless, clumsy, disorganized, misshapen, unorganized, vague.

amountn aggregate, sum, total.

ampleadj1 broad, capacious, extended, extensive, great, large, roomy, spacious. 2 abounding, abundant, copious, generous, liberal, plentiful. 3 diffusive, unrestricted.

adj antonyms insufficient, meager.

amputatevb clip, curtail, prune, lop, remove, separate, sever.

amusevb1 charm, cheer, divert, enliven, entertain, gladden, relax, solace. 2 beguile, cheat, deceive, delude, mislead.

vb antonym bore.

amusementn diversion, entertainment, frolic, fun, merriment, pleasure.

n antonyms bore, boredom.

analepticadj comforting, invigorating, restorative.

analogyn correspondence, likeness, parallelism, parity, resemblance, similarity.

analysisn decomposition, dissection, resolution, separation.

anarchyn chaos, confusion, disorder, misrule, lawlessness, riot.

anatheman ban, curse, denunciation, excommunication, execration, malediction, proscription.

anatomyn1 dissection. 2 form, skeleton, structure.

ancestorn father, forebear, forefather, progenitor.

ancestryn1 family, house, line, lineage. 2 descent, genealogy, parentage, pedigree, stock.

anchorvb1 fasten, fix, secure. 2 cast anchor, take firm hold. •n1 (naut) ground tackle. 2 defence, hold, security, stay.

ancientadj1 old, primitive, pristine. 2 antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete.

adj antonym modern.

ancillaryadj accessory, auxiliary, contributory, helpful, instrumental.

angelicadj1 adorable, celestial, cherubic, heavenly, saintly, seraphic. 2 entrancing, enrapturing, rapturous, ravishing.

adj antonyms devilish, fiendish.

angervb chafe, displease, enrage, gall, infuriate, irritate, madden. •n choler, exasperation, fury, gall, indignation, ire, passion, rage, resentment, spleen, wrath.

vb antonyms appease, calm, please.

nantonym forbearance.

anglevb fish. •n1 divergence, flare, opening. 2 bend, corner, crotch, cusp, point. 3 fish-hook, hook.

angryadj chafed, choleric, exasperated, furious, galled, incensed, irritated, nettled, piqued, provoked, resentful.

adj antonyms calm, content.

anguishn agony, distress, grief, pang, rack, torment, torture.

n antonyms happiness, solace.

anileadj aged, decrepit, doting, imbecile, senile.

animadversionn1 comment, notice, observation, remark. 2 blame, censure, condemnation, reproof, stricture.

animatevb1 inform, quicken, vitalize, vivify. 2 fortify, invigorate, revive. 3 activate, enliven, excite, heat, impel, kindle, rouse, stimulate, stir, waken. 4 elate, embolden, encourage, exhilarate, gladden, hearten. •adj alive, breathing, live, living, organic, quick.

vb antonyms dull, inhibit.

adjantonyms dull, spiritless.

animosityn bitterness, enmity, grudge, hatred, hostility, rancour, rankling, spleen, virulence.

n antonym goodwill.

annalsnpl archives, chronicles, records, registers, rolls.

annexvb1 affix, append, attach, subjoin, tag, tack. 2 connect, join, unite.

annihilatevb abolish, annul, destroy, dissolve, exterminate, extinguish, kill, obliterate, raze, ruin.

annotationn comment, explanation, illustration, note, observation, remark.

announcevb advertise, communicate, declare, disclose, proclaim, promulgate, publish, report, reveal, trumpet.

vb antonym suppress.

announcementn advertisement, annunciation, bulletin, declaration, manifesto, notice, notification, proclamation.

annoyvb badger, chafe, disquiet, disturb, fret, hector, irk, irritate, molest, pain, pester, plague, trouble, vex, worry, wound.

vb antonyms gratify, please.

annulvb abolish, abrogate, cancel, countermand, nullify, overrule, quash, repeal, recall, reverse, revoke.

anointvb consecrate, oil, sanctify, smear.

anonymousadj nameless, unacknowledged, unsigned.

answervb fulfil, rejoin, reply, respond, satisfy. •n1 rejoinder, reply, response, retort. 2 confutation, rebuttal, refutation.

answerableadj accountable, amenable, correspondent, liable, responsible, suited.

antagonismn contradiction, discordance, disharmony, dissonant, incompatibility, opposition.

n antonyms rapport, sympathy.

antecedentadj anterior, foregoing, forerunning, precedent, preceding, previous. •n forerunner, precursor.

anterioradj1 antecedent, foregoing, preceding, previous, prior. 2 fore, front.

anticipatevb1 antedate, forestall, foretaste, prevent. 2 count upon, expect, forecast, foresee.

anticipationn1 apprehension, contemplation, expectation, hope, prospect, trust. 2 expectancy, forecast, foresight, foretaste, preconception, presentiment.

antidoten1 corrective, counteractive, counter-poison. 2 cure, remedy, restorative, specific.

antipathyn abhorrence, aversion, disgust, detestation, hate, hatred, horror, loathing, repugnance.

n antonyms rapport, sympathy.

antiqueadj ancient, archaic, bygone, old, old-fashioned.

anxietyn apprehension, care, concern, disquiet, fear, foreboding, misgiving, perplexity, trouble, uneasiness, vexation, worry.

n antonym composure.

anxiousadj apprehensive, restless, solicitous, uneasy, unquiet, worried.

adj antonym composed.

apartadv1 aloof, aside, separately. 2 asunder.

apatheticadj cold, dull, impassive, inert, listless, obtuse, passionless, sluggish, torpid, unfeeling.

apevb1 counterfeit, imitate, mimic. 2 affect. •n1 simian, troglodyte. 2 imitator, mimic. 3 image, imitation, likeness, type.

aperturen chasm, cleft, eye, gap, opening, hole, orifice, passage.

aphorismn adage, apothegm, byword, maxim, proverb, saw, saying.

apishadj1 imitative, mimicking. 2 affected, foppish, trifling.

aplombn composure, confidence, equanimity, self-confidence.

apocryphaladj doubtful, fabulous, false, legendary, spurious, uncanonical.

apologeticadj1 exculpatory, excusatory. 2 defensive, vindictive.

adj antonym defiant.

apologyn1 defence, justification, vindication. 2 acknowledgement, excuse, explanation, plea, reparation.

n antonym defiance.

apostateadj backsliding, disloyal, faithless, false, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, untrue. •n backslider, deserter, pervert, renegade, turncoat.

adj antonym faithful.

nantonyms adherent, convert, loyalist.

apostlen1 angel, herald, messenger, missionary, preacher. 2 advocate, follower, supporter.

apothegmn aphorism, byword, dictum, maxim, proverb, saw, saying.

appalvb affright, alarm, daunt, dismay, frighten, horrify, scare, shock.

vb antonyms encourage, reassure.

appareln attire, array, clothes, clothing, dress, garments, habit, raiment, robes, suit, trappings, vestments.

apparentadj1 discernible, perceptible, visible. 2 conspicuous, evident, legible, manifest, obvious, open, patent, plain, unmistakable. 3 external, ostensible, seeming, superficial.

adj antonyms obscure, real.

apparitionn1 appearance, appearing, epiphany, manifestation. 2 being, form. 3 ghost, phantom, spectre, spirit, vision.

appealvb address, entreat, implore, invoke, refer, request, solicit. •n application, entreaty, invocation, solicitation, suit.

appearvb1 emerge, loom. 2 break, open. 3 arise, occur, offer. 4 look, seem, show.

vb antonym disappear.

appearancen1 advent, arrival, apparition, coming. 2 form, shape. 3 colour, face, fashion, feature, guise, pretence, pretext. 4 air, aspect, complexion, demeanour, manner, mien.

n antonyms disappearance, reality.

appeasevb abate, allay, assuage, calm, ease, lessen, mitigate, pacify, placate, quell, soothe, temper, tranquillize.

vb antonym aggravate.

appellationn address, cognomen, denomination, epithet, style, title.

appendvb1 attach, fasten, hang. 2 add, annex, subjoin, tack, tag.

appendixn1 addition, adjunct, appurtenance, codicil. 2 excursus, supplement.

appetiten1 craving, desire, longing, lust, passion. 2 gusto, relish, stomach, zest. 3 hunger.

n antonym distaste.

applaudvb acclaim, cheer, clap, compliment, encourage, extol, magnify.

vb antonyms censure, disparage.

applausen acclamation, approval, cheers, commendation, plaudit.

applicableadj adapted, appropriate, apt, befitting, fitting, germane, pertinent, proper, relevant.

adj antonym inapplicable.

applicationn1 emollient, lotion, ointment, poultice, wash. 2 appliance, exercise, practice, use. 3 appeal, petition, request, solicitation, suit. 4 assiduity, constancy, diligence, effort, industry.

applyvb1 bestow, lay upon. 2 appropriate, convert, employ, exercise, use. 3 addict, address, dedicate, devote, direct, engage.

appointvb1 determine, establish, fix, prescribe. 2 bid, command, decree, direct, order, require. 3 allot, assign, delegate, depute, detail, destine, settle. 4 constitute, create, name, nominate. 5 equip, furnish, supply.

vb antonyms dismiss, reject.

apportionvb allocate, allot, allow, assign, deal, dispense, divide, share.

appositeadj apt, fit, germane, pertinent, relevant, suitable, pertinent.

appraisevb appreciate, estimate, prize, rate, value.

appreciatevb appreciate, esteem, estimate, rate, realize, value.

apprehendvb1 arrest, catch, detain, seize, take. 2 conceive, imagine, regard, view. 3 appreciate, perceive, realize, see, take in. 4 fear, forebode. 5 conceive, fancy, hold, imagine, presume, understand.

apprehensionn1 arrest, capture, seizure. 2 intellect, intelligence, mind, reason. 3 discernment, intellect, knowledge, perception, sense. 4 belief, fancy, idea, notion, sentiment, view. 5 alarm, care, dread, distrust, fear, misgiving, suspicion.

apprisevb acquaint, inform, notify, tell.

approachvb1 advance, approximate, come close. 2 broach. 3 resemble. •n1 advance, advent. 2 approximation, convergence, nearing, tendency. 3 entrance, path, way.

approbationn1 approval, commendation, liking, praise. 2 assent, concurrence, consent, endorsement, ratification, sanction.

appropriatevb1 adopt, arrogate, assume, set apart. 2 allot, apportion, assign, devote. 3 apply, convert, employ, use. •adj adapted, apt, befitting, fit, opportune, seemly, suitable.

adj antonym inappropriate.

approvevb1 appreciate, commend, like, praise, recommend, value. 2 confirm, countenance, justify, ratify, sustain, uphold.

vb antonym disapprove.

approximatevb approach, be tantamount to, border on, resemble, verge on. •adj1 approaching, proximate. 2 almost exact, inexact, rough.

adj antonym exact.

aptadj1 applicable, apposite, appropriate, befitting, fit, felicitous, germane. 2 disposed, inclined, liable, prone, subject. 3 able, adroit, clever, dextrous, expert, handy, happy, prompt, ready, skilful.

adj antonym inapt.

aptituden1 applicability, appropriateness, felicity, fitness, pertinence, suitability. 2 inclination, tendency, turn. 3 ability, address, adroitness, quickness, readiness, tact.

n antonym inaptitude.

arbitraryadj1 absolute, autocratic, despotic, domineering, imperious, overbearing, unlimited. 2 capricious, discretionary, fanciful, voluntary, whimsical.

adj antonyms circumspect, rational, reasoned.

arcaden colonnade, loggia.

arch1adj1 cunning, knowing, frolicsome, merry, mirthful, playful, roguish, shrewd, sly. 2 consummate, chief, leading, pre-eminent, prime, primary, principal.

arch2vb1 span, vault. 2 bend, curve. •n archway, span, vault.

archaicadj ancient, antiquated, antique, bygone, obsolete, old.

archivesnpl documents, records, registers, rolls.

ardentadj1 burning, fiery, hot. 2 eager, earnest, fervent, impassioned, keen, passionate, warm, zealous.

adj antonym dispassionate.

ardourn1 glow, heat, warmth. 2 eagerness, enthusiasm, fervour, heat, passion, soul, spirit, warmth, zeal.

arduousadj1 high, lofty, steep, uphill. 2 difficult, fatiguing, hard, laborious, onerous, tiresome, toilsome, wearisome.

adj antonym easy.

arean circle, circuit, district, domain, field, range, realm, region, tract.

arguevb1 plead, reason upon. 2 debate, dispute. 3 denote, evince, imply, indicate, mean, prove. 4 contest, debate, discuss, sift.

aridadj1 barren, dry, parched, sterile, unfertile. 2 dry, dull, jejune, pointless, uninteresting.

adj antonyms fertile, lively.

arightadv correctly, justly, rightly, truly.

arisevb1 ascend, mount, soar, tower. 2 appear, emerge, rise, spring. 3 begin, originate. 4 rebel, revolt, rise. 5 accrue, come, emanate, ensue, flow, issue, originate, proceed, result.

aristocracyn gentry, nobility, noblesse, peerage.

arm1n1 bough, branch, limb, protection. 2 cove, creek, estuary, firth, fjord, frith, inlet.

arm2vb1 array, equip, furnish. 2 clothe, cover, fortify, guard, protect, strengthen.

armsnpl1 accoutrements, armour, array, harness, mail, panoply, weapons. 2 crest, escutcheon.

armyn1 battalions, force, host, legions, troops. 2 host, multitude, throng, vast assemblage.

aroundprep about, encircling, encompassing, round, surrounding. •adv about, approximately, generally, near, nearly, practically, round, thereabouts.

arousevb animate, awaken, excite, incite, kindle, provoke, rouse, stimulate, warm, whet.

vb antonyms calm, lull, quieten.

arraignvb accuse, censure, charge, denounce, impeach, indict, prosecute, tax.

arrangevb1 array, class, classify, dispose, distribute, group, range, rank. 2 adjust, determine, fix upon, settle. 3 concoct, construct, devise, plan, prepare, project.

arrantadj bad, consummate, downright, gross, notorious, rank, utter.

arrayvb1 arrange, dispose, place, range, rank. 2 accoutre, adorn, attire, decorate, dress, enrobe, embellish, equip, garnish, habit, invest. •n1 arrangement, collection, disposition, marshalling, order. 2 apparel, attire, clothes, dress, garments. 3 army, battalions, soldiery, troops.

arrestvb1 check, delay, detain, hinder, hold, interrupt, obstruct, restrain, stay, stop, withhold. 2 apprehend, capture, catch, seize, take. 3 catch, engage, engross, fix, occupy, secure, rivet. •n1 check, checking, detention, hindrance, interruption, obstruction, restraining, stay, staying, stopping. 2 apprehension, capture, detention, seizure.

arrivevb attain, come, get to, reach.

vb antonyms depart.

arrogancen assumption, assurance, disdain, effrontery, haughtiness, loftiness, lordliness, presumption, pride, scornfulness, superciliousness.

n antonym humility.

arrogatevb assume, claim unduly, demand, usurp.

arrown bolt, dart, reed, shaft.

artn1 business, craft, employment, trade. 2 address, adroitness, aptitude, dexterity, ingenuity, knack, readiness, sagacity, skill. 3 artfulness, artifice, astuteness, craft, deceit, duplicity, finesse, subtlety.

artfuladj crafty, cunning, disingenuous, insincere, sly, tricky, wily.

adj antonyms artless, ingenuous, naïve.

articlen1 branch, clause, division, head, item, member, paragraph, part, point, portion. 2 essay, paper, piece. 3 commodity, substance, thing.

artificen art, chicanery, contrivance, cunning, deception, deceit, duplicity, effort, finesse, fraud, imposture, invention, stratagem, subterfuge, trick, trickery.

artificialadj1 counterfeit, sham, spurious. 2 assumed, affected, constrained, fictitious, forced, laboured, strained.

adj antonyms genuine, natural.

artlessadj1 ignorant, rude, unskilful, untaught. 2 natural, plain, simple. 3 candid, fair, frank, guileless, honest, plain, simple, sincere, truthful, unsuspicious.

adj antonym artful.

ascendvb arise, aspire, climb, mount, soar, tower.

vb antonym descend.

ascendancy, ascendencyn authority, control, domination, mastery, power, predominance, sovereignty, superiority, sway.

ascertainvb1 certify, define, determine, establish, fix, settle, verify. 2 discover, find out, get at.

ashamedadj abashed, confused.

adj antonyms defiant, shameless.

askvb1 interrogate, inquire, question. 2 adjure, beg, conjure, crave, desire, dun, entreat, implore, invite, inquire, petition, request, solicit, supplicate, seek, sue.

aspectn1 air, bearing, countenance, expression, feature, look, mien, visage. 2 appearance, attitude, condition, light, phase, position, posture, situation, state, view. 3 angle, direction, outlook, prospect.

asperityn1 ruggedness, roughness, unevenness. 2 acrimony, causticity, corrosiveness, sharpness, sourness, tartness. 3 acerbity, bitterness, churlishness, harshness, sternness, sullenness, severity, virulence.

aspersionn abuse, backbiting, calumny, censure, defamation, detraction, slander, vituperation, reflection, reproach.

n antonyms commendation, compliment.

aspirationn aim, ambition, craving, hankering, hope, longing.

aspirevb1 desire, hope, long, yearn. 2 ascend, mount, rise, soar, tower.

assailvb1 assault, attack, invade, oppugn. 2 impugn, malign, maltreat. 3 ply, storm.

assassinatevb dispatch, kill, murder, slay.

assaultvb assail, attack, charge, invade. •n1 aggression, attack, charge, incursion, invasion, onset, onslaught. 2 storm.

assemblevb1 call, collect, congregate, convene, convoke, gather, levy, muster. 2 converge, forgather.

vb antonym disperse.

assemblyn1 company, collection, concourse, congregation, gathering, meeting, rout, throng. 2 caucus, congress, conclave, convention, convocation, diet, legislature, meeting, parliament, synod.

assentvb accede, acquiesce, agree, concur, subscribe, yield. •n accord, acquiescence, allowance, approval, approbation, consent.

vb antonym disagree.

assertvb1 affirm, allege, aver, asseverate, declare, express, maintain, predicate, pronounce, protest. 2 claim, defend, emphasize, maintain, press, uphold, vindicate.

vb antonym deny.

assertionn1 affirmation, allegation, asseveration, averment, declaration, position, predication, remark, statement, word. 2 defence, emphasis, maintenance, pressing, support, vindication.

n antonym denial.

assessvb1 appraise, compute, estimate, rate, value. 2 assign, determine, fix, impose, levy.

asseveratevb affirm, aver, avow, declare, maintain, protest.

assiduousadj active, busy, careful, constant, diligent, devoted, indefatigable, industrious, sedulous, unremitting, untiring.

assignvb1 allot, appoint, apportion, appropriate. 2 fix, designate, determine, specify. 3 adduce, advance, allege, give, grant, offer, present, show.

assistvb1 abet, aid, befriend, further, help, patronize, promote, second, speed, support, sustain. 2 aid, relieve, succour. 3 alternate with, relieve, spell.

vb antonym thwart.

associatevb1 affiliate, combine, conjoin, couple, join, link, relate, yoke. 2 consort, fraternize, mingle, sort. •n1 chum, companion, comrade, familiar, follower, mate. 2 ally, confederate, friend, partner, fellow.

associationn combination, company, confederation, connection, partnership, society.

assortvb1 arrange, class, classify, distribute, group, rank, sort. 2 agree, be adapted, consort, suit.

assuagevb allay, alleviate, appease, calm, ease, lessen, mitigate, moderate, mollify, pacify, quell, relieve, soothe, tranquillize.

vb antonym exacerbate.

assumevb1 take, undertake. 2 affect, counterfeit, feign, pretend, sham. 3 arrogate, usurp. 4 beg, hypothesize, imply, postulate, posit, presuppose, suppose, simulate.

assurancen1 assuredness, certainty, conviction, persuasion, pledge, security, surety, warrant. 2 engagement, pledge, promise. 3 averment, assertion, protestation. 4 audacity, confidence, courage, firmness, intrepidity. 5 arrogance, brass, boldness, effrontery, face, front, impudence.

n antonym uncertainty.

assurevb1 encourage, embolden, hearten. 2 certify, insure, secure against loss, vouch for.

astonishvb amaze, astound, confound, daze, dumbfound, overwhelm, startle, stun, stupefy, surprise.

astuteadj acute, cunning, deep, discerning, ingenious, intelligent, penetrating, perspicacious, quick, sagacious, sharp, shrewd.

adj antonym stupid.

asylumn refuge, retreat, sanctuary, shelter.

athleticadj brawny, lusty, muscular, powerful, robust, sinewy, stalwart, stout, strapping, strong, sturdy.

adj antonym puny.

athleticsnpl aerobics, eurythmics, exercise, exercising, gymnastics, sports, track and field, workout.

atomn bit, molecule, monad, particle, scintilla.

atonevb answer, compensate, expiate, satisfy.

atonementn amends, expiation, propitiation, reparation, satisfaction.

atrocityn depravity, enormity, flagrancy, ferocity, savagery, villainy.

attachvb1 affix, annex, connect, fasten, join, hitch, tie. 2 charm, captivate, enamour, endear, engage, win. 3 (legal) distress, distrain, seize, take.

vb antonyms detach, unfasten.

attackvb1 assail, assault, charge, encounter, invade, set upon, storm, tackle. 2 censure, criticise, impugn. •n aggression, assault, charge, offence, onset, onslaught, raid, thrust.

attainvb1 accomplish, achieve, acquire, get, obtain, secure. 2 arrive at, come to, reach.

attemptvb1 assail, assault, attack. 2 aim, endeavour, seek, strive, try. •n1 effort, endeavour, enterprise, experiment, undertaking, venture. 2 assault, attack, onset.

attendvb1 accompany, escort, follow. 2 guard, protect, watch. 3 minister to, serve, wait on. 4 give heed, hear, harken, listen. 5 be attendant, serve, tend, wait.

attentionn1 care, circumspection, heed, mindfulness, observation, regard, watch, watchfulness. 2 application, reflection, study. 3 civility, courtesy, deference, politeness, regard, respect. 4 addresses, courtship, devotion, suit, wooing.

n antonyms disregard, inattention.

attentiveadj alive, awake, careful, civil, considerate, courteous, heedful, mindful, observant, watchful.

adj antonyms heedless, inattentive, inconsiderate.

attenuatevb contract, dilute, diminish, elongate, lengthen, lessen, rarefy, reduce, slim, thin, weaken.

attestvb1 authenticate, certify, corroborate, confirm, ratify, seal, vouch. 2 adjure, call to witness, invoke. 3 confess, display, exhibit, manifest, prove, show, witness.

atticn garret, loft, upper storey.

Atticadj1 delicate, subtle, penetrating, pointed, pungent. 2 chaste, classic, correct, elegant, polished, pure.

attirevb accoutre, apparel, array, clothe, dress, enrobe, equip, rig, robe. •n clothes, clothing, costume, dress, garb, gear, habiliment, outfit, toilet, trapping, vestment, vesture, wardrobe.

attituden1 pose, position, posture. 2 aspect, conjuncture, condition, phase, prediction, situation, standing, state.

attractvb1 draw, pull. 2 allure, captivate, charm, decoy, enamour, endear, entice, engage, fascinate, invite, win.

attractionn1 affinity, drawing, pull. 2 allurement, charm, enticement, fascination, magnetism, lure, seduction, witchery.

attributevb ascribe, assign, impute, refer. •n characteristic, mark, note, peculiarity, predicate, property, quality.

attritionn abrasion, friction, rubbing.

attunevb1 accord, harmonize, modulate, tune. 2 accommodate, adapt, adjust, attempt.

audacityn1 boldness, courage, daring, fearlessness, intrepidity. 2 assurance, brass, effrontery, face, front, impudence, insolence, presumption, sauciness.

n antonyms caution, reserve, timidity.

audiencen1 assemblage, congregation. 2 hearing, interview, reception.

augmentvb add to, enhance, enlarge, increase, magnify, multiply, swell.

vb antonym decrease.

augmentationn accession, addition, enlargement, extension, increase.

auguryn1 prediction, prognostication, prophecy, soothsaying. 2 auspice, forerunner, harbinger, herald, omen, precursor, portent, sign.

augustadj awe-inspiring, awful, dignified, grand, imposing, kingly, majestic, noble, princely, regal, solemn, stately, venerable.

auspiciousadj1 fortunate, happy, lucky, prosperous, successful. 2 bright, favourable, golden, opportune, promising, prosperous.

adj antonyms inauspicious, ominous.

austereadj ascetic, difficult, formal, hard, harsh, morose, relentless, rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, stiff, strict, uncompromising, unrelenting.

adj antonyms elaborate, extravagant, genial.

authenticadj1 genuine, pure, real, true, unadulterated, uncorrupted, veritable. 2 accurate, authoritative, reliable, true, trustworthy.

adj antonyms counterfeit, inauthentic, spurious.

authorityn1 dominion, empire, government, jurisdiction, power, sovereignty. 2 ascendency, control, influence, rule, supremacy, sway. 3 authorization, liberty, order, permit, precept, sanction, warranty. 4 testimony, witness. 5 connoisseur, expert, master.

authorizevb1 empower, enable, entitle. 2 allow, approve, confirm, countenance, permit, ratify, sanction.

auxiliaryadj aiding, ancillary, assisting, helpful, subsidiary. •n ally, assistant, confederate, help.

availvb assist, benefit, help, profit, use, service.

availableadj accessible, advantageous, applicable, beneficial, profitable, serviceable, useful.

adj antonym unavailable.

avaricen acquisitiveness, covetousness, greediness, penuriousness, rapacity.

n antonym generosity.

avariciousadj grasping, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious.

avengevb punish, retaliate, revenge, vindicate.

avenuen1 access, entrance, entry, passage. 2 alley, path, road, street, walk. 3 channel, pass, route, way.

avervb allege, assert, asseverate, avouch, declare, pronounce, protest, say.

averseadj adverse, backward, disinclined, indisposed, opposed, unwilling.

adj antonyms sympathetic, willing.

aversionn abhorrence, antipathy, disgust, dislike, hate, hatred, loathing, reluctance, repugnance.

n antonyms liking, sympathy.

avidadj eager, greedy, voracious.

adj antonym indifferent.

avocationn1 business, calling, employment, occupation, trade, vocation. 2 distraction, hindrance, interruption.

avoidvb1 dodge, elude, escape, eschew, shun. 2 forebear, refrain from.

avouchvb allege, assert, declare, maintain, say.

avowvb admit, acknowledge, confess, own.

awakenvb1 arouse, excite, incite, kindle, provoke, spur, stimulate. 2 wake, waken. 3 begin, be excited.

awardvb adjudge, allot, assign, bestow, decree, grant. •n adjudication, allotment, assignment, decision, decree, determination, gift, judgement.

awareadj acquainted, apprised, conscious, conversant, informed, knowing, mindful, sensible.

adj antonyms insensitive, unaware.

awayadv absent, not present. •adj1 at a distance. 2 elsewhere. 3 out of the way.

awevb cow, daunt, intimidate, overawe. •n1 abashment, fear, reverence. 2 dread, fear, fearfulness, terror.

n antonym contempt.

awfuladj1 august, awesome, dread, grand, inspired. 2 abashed, alarming, appalled, dire, frightful, portentous, tremendous.

awkwardadj1 bungling, clumsy, inept, maladroit, unskilful. 2 lumbering, unfit, ungainly, unmanageable. 3 boorish. 4 inconvenient, unsuitable.

adj antonyms amenable, convenient, elegant, graceful, straightforward.

axiomn adage, aphorism, apothegm, maxim, postulation, truism.

axisn axle, shaft, spindle.

azureadj blue, cerulean, sky-coloured.

B

babblevb blather, chatter, gibber, jabber, prate, prattle. • n chat, gossip, palaver, prate, tattle.

babeln clamour, confusion, din, discord, disorder, hubbub, jargon, pother.

babyvb coddle, cosset, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil. • adj1 babyish, childish, infantile, puerile. 2 diminutive, doll-like, miniature, pocket, pocket-sized, small-scale. • n1 babe, brat, child, infant, suckling, nursling. 2 chicken, coward, milksop, namby-pamby, sad sack, weakling. 3 miniature. 4 innocent.

backvb1 abet, aid, countenance, favour, second, support, sustain. 2 go back, move back, retreat, withdraw. •adj hindmost. •adv1 in return, in consideration. 2 ago, gone, since. 3 aside, away, behind, by. 4 abaft, astern, backwards, hindwards, rearwards. •n end, hind part, posterior, rear.

vb antonym discourage.

backbitevb abuse, asperse, blacken, defame, libel, malign, revile, scandalize, slander, traduce, vilify.

backbonen1 chine, spine. 2 constancy, courage, decision, firmness, nerve, pluck, resolution, steadfastness.

n antonyms spinelessness, weakness.

backwardadj1 disinclined, hesitating, indisposed, loath, reluctant, unwilling, wavering. 2 dull, slow, sluggish, stolid, stupid. •adv aback, behind, rearward.

adj antonyms forward, precocious.

badadj1 baleful, baneful, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, injurious, noxious, pernicious, unwholesome, vicious. 2 abandoned, corrupt, depraved, immoral, sinful, unfair, unprincipled, wicked. 3 unfortunate, unhappy, unlucky, miserable. 4 disappointing, discouraging, distressing, sad, unwelcoming. 5 abominable, mean, shabby, scurvy, vile, wretched. 6 defective, inferior, imperfect, incompetent, poor, unsuitable. 7 hard, heavy, serious, severe.

badgen brand, emblem, mark, sign, symbol, token.

badgervb annoy, bait, bother, hector, harry, pester, persecute, tease, torment, trouble, vex, worry.

bafflevb1 balk, block, check, circumvent, defeat, foil, frustrate, mar, thwart, undermine, upset. 2 bewilder, confound, disconcert, perplex.

vb antonyms enlighten, help.

baitvb harry, tease, worry. •n allurement, decoy, enticement, lure, temptation.

vbantonym disincentive

balancevb1 equilibrate, pose, (naut) trim. 2 compare, weigh. 3 compensate, counteract, estimate. 4 adjust, clear, equalize, square. •n1 equilibrium, liberation. 2 excess, remainder, residue, surplus.

vb antonyms overbalance, unbalance.

nantonyms imbalance, instability.

baldadj1 bare, naked, uncovered, treeless. 2 dull, inelegant, meagre, prosaic, tame, unadorned, vapid.

adj antonyms adorned, hirsute.

balefuladj baneful, deadly, calamitous, hurtful, injurious, mischievous, noxious, pernicious, ruinous.

adj antonyms auspicious, favorable.

balkvb baffle, defeat, disappoint, disconcert, foil, frustrate, thwart.

balln1 drop, globe, orb, pellet, marble, sphere. 2 bullet, missile, projectile, shot. 3 assembly, dance.

balmyadj aromatic, fragrant, healing, odorous, perfumed.

banvb1 anathematize, curse, execrate. 2 interdict, outlaw. •n1 edict, proclamation. 2 anathema, curse, denunciation, execration. 3 interdiction, outlawry, penalty, prohibition

vb antonym permit.

nantonyms dispensation, permission.

band1vb1 belt, bind, cinch, encircle, gird, girdle. 2 ally, associate, combine, connect, join, league. 3 bar, marble, streak, stripe, striate, vein. •n1 crew, gang, horde, society, troop. 2 ensemble, group, orchestra.

band2n1 ligament, ligature, tie. 2