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Definition
(n.) wealth, riches, prosperity; great abundance, plenty
Education, hard work, and a very strong desire to succeed can raise a person from poverty to affluence.
SYNONYMS: opulence
ANTONYMS: poverty, want, destitution, scarcity |
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(n. pl.) unpaid or overdue debts; an unfinished duty
Bad spending habits and unexpected expenses left my aunt in arrears.
SYNONYMS: in default, in the red, late, overdue |
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(n.) a steep, narrow waterfall; something falling or rushing forth in quantity; (v.) to flow downward (like a waterfall)
We were thrilled when we hit the jackpot, which produced a cascade of loudly jangling coins.
I watched the clear, sparkling water cascade down the mountainside.
SYNONYMS: (v.) plunge, rush, tumble
ANTONYMS: (n.) drip, drop; (v.) trickle, ooze |
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Definition
(v.) to shrink back or hide in fear or submissiveness
My father told me to be a brave and not to cringe when the doctor vaccinated me.
SYNONYMS: flinch, duck, cower, fawn
ANTONYMS: strut, swagger |
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(adj.) cranky, ill-tempered; full of odd whims
It is unfortunate that the teacher asked me to work with the most crotchety partner in the class.
SYNONYMS: grumpy, grouchy, crabby, disagreeable
ANTONYMS: sociable, friendly, agreeable amiable |
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Definition
(n.) the size, shape, or arrangement of something
The clear format of the website makes it easy for users to find its key features.
SYNONYMS: layout, design |
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Definition
(adj.) not movable; not moving
Models must remain immobile for a long time in order for an artist to draw or paint them accurately.
SYNONYMS: fixed, stationary, unmoving, rooted
ANTONYMS: movable, portable, nimble, agile |
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(adj.) blocked so that nothing can go through
Fallen trees formed an impassable barrier across the highway after the storm.
SYNONYMS: closed, impenetrable
ANTONYMS: unblocked, clear, open, fit for a travel |
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Definition
(n.) something new, a change; the act of introducing a new method, idea, device, etc.
Our furnace has an energy-saving innovation that turns the heat on and off at certain intervals.
SYNONYMS: novelty, modernization, new wrinkle |
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(adj.) good-humored, in high spirits; merry
My jovial friend is very entertaining and is always the life of the party.
SYNONYMS: jolly, cheerful, festive
ANTONYMS: gloomy morose, melancholy, cheerless |
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Definition
(n., usually pl.) a handcuff, anything that chains or confines; (v.) to chain or restrain (as with handcuffs)
The kidnappers clamped manacle on their hostages.
The guards were told to manacle the prisoner to the chair.
SYNONYMS: (v.) put in chains, fetter
ANTONYMS: unchain, set free, emancipate, release |
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Definition
(adj.) warlike, fond of fighting; relating to war, the army, or military life
The army band plays martial music as the troops formally march past the visiting general
SYNONYMS: military, hostile, bellicose
ANTONYMS: peace-loving, peaceable, pacific, unwarlike |
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Definition
(n.) the smallest possible amount; (adj.) the lowest permissible or possible
I need to sleep a minimum of seven hours every night. Sixteen is the minimum age to get a driver's license in this state.
SYNONYMS: (adj.) least
ANTONYMS: maximum (adj.) highest, most |
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Definition
(adj.) quick and skillful in movement, agile; clever
As the nimble climber scaled Mount Everest, it looked as if she was barely exerting any energy at all.
SYNONYMS: lively, keen, flexible
ANTONYMS: awkward, clumsy, stiff, inflexible |
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Definition
(n.) the beginning, start (especially of something violent and destructive); am attack assault
At the onset of the heavy storm, frightened people ran to find shelter.
SYNONYMS: outset, commencement
ANTONYMS: conclusion, close, end |
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Definition
(n.) something that divides (such as a wall); the act of dividing something into parts or sections; (v.) to divide or subdivide into parts or shares
A cloth partition in the study gave each of us some privacy.
We can partition the backyard into four separate play areas.
SYNONYMS: (n.) divider separation
ANTONYMS: (v.) join, combine, consolidate, merge |
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Definition
(adj.) likely to spoil or decay
You should keep the perishable foods chilled or it will spoil.
SYNONYMS: short-lived, fleeting
ANTONYMS: long-lasting, durable, undying, permanent |
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(v.) to find and bring back, get back; to put right, make good
I enjoy playing tennis, but I don't relish having to retrieve tennis balls every time you hit them over the fence!
SYNONYMS: recover, regain, fetch, remedy, rectify |
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(adj.) appearing evil or dangerous; threatening evil or harm
A sinister message left on our answering machine made us wonder if we were safe at home.
SYNONYMS: frightening, menacing, ominous
ANTONYMS: cheering, encouraging, reassuring, benign |
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(adj.) tightly drawn, tense; neat, in good order
A taut chain kept the curious dog away from the swimming pool.
SYNONYMS: tight, strained, orderly, shipshape
ANTONYMS: loose, slack, drooping, messy, sloppy |
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