lambent
Definition: (adjective) Softly bright or radiant. Synonyms: aglow, lucent, luminous. Usage: Lady Ruth lifted her eyes to his, and their lambent fires were suddenly rekindled. …
Category: Today’s Word
Today’s Word
annihilative
Definition: (adjective) Wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction. Synonyms: withering, devastating. Usage: The possession of annihilative power has not slowed down the drive toward …
vicissitude
noun: A change in circumstances, typically one that is unwelcome.
powdery
Definition: (adjective) Consisting of fine particles. Synonyms: fine-grained, pulverized, small-grained. Usage: He scooped up a handful of dry powdery earth and let it slowly slip …
domesticate
Definition: (verb) Adapt (a wild plant or unclaimed land) to the environment. Synonyms: tame, cultivate, naturalize. Usage: New World peoples domesticated a cornucopia of plants. …
commiserate
Definition: (verb) To feel or express sympathy or compassion. Synonyms: sympathize. Usage: Several friends called to commiserate when they found out that I had not …
tase
verb tr.: To incapacitate or subdue by delivering an electric shock using a stun gun.
refurbish
Definition: (verb) To make clean, bright, or fresh again. Synonyms: freshen up, renovate. Usage: We refurbished the offices in the hopes that a new look …
incent
verb tr.: To provide a reward or benefit to induce action.
hard-hitting
Definition: (adjective) Characterized by or full of force and vigor. Synonyms: trenchant. Usage: After her hard-hitting report on conditions in the tent cities of Haiti's …
insurrect
verb intr.: To rise in revolt against a government or other authority.
pucker
Definition: (verb) To gather something into small wrinkles or folds. Synonyms: cockle, rumple, crumple, knit. Usage: She puckered her lips and kissed him on the …
ablute
verb tr., intr.: To bathe or to wash a part of the body.
self-assured
Definition: (adjective) Showing poise and confidence in your own worth. Synonyms: self-confident. Usage: He's a self-assured negotiator, and his confidence helps him make sales that …
lase
verb tr.: To expose or process with a laser (e.g. to target an object or cut a material). verb intr.: To give off coherent light.
extortionate
Definition: (adjective) Greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation. Synonyms: exorbitant, usurious, outrageous, steep, unconscionable. Usage: The extortionate price of designer clothes makes them all …
shenanigan
Definition: (noun) Reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others. Synonyms: mischief, devilment, roguery, devilry, mischievousness, rascality. Usage: Mr. Jones had had …
rejuvenate
Definition: (verb) Return to life; get or give new life or energy. Synonyms: restore, regenerate. Usage: He was advised that the Italian climate would rejuvenate …
feet of clay
noun: A hidden weakness or flaw in someone otherwise strong and admired.
debonair
Definition: (adjective) Having a sophisticated charm. Synonyms: suave. Usage: Like other girls she had her dreams of a possible Prince Charming, young and handsome and …
writing on the wall
noun: A clear sign of impending decline or disaster.
frugal
Definition: (adjective) Practicing or marked by economy, as in the expenditure of money or the use of material resources. Synonyms: sparing, stinting, economical. Usage: My …
salt of the earth
noun: A person or group considered to be among the finest of humanity.
terrify
Definition: (verb) To inspire fear or dread in; frighten greatly. Synonyms: terrorize. Usage: The thought of a slow, painful death terrifies me. Discuss
mess of pottage
noun: Something trivial accepted in return for something of great value, especially when done for immediate gratification.
leave-taking
Definition: (noun) The act of departing politely. Synonyms: parting, farewell. Usage: Captain Rawdon himself was much more affected at the leave-taking than the resolute little …
Adam and Eve
noun: 1. A beginning. 2. A set of ancestors or founders.
earsplitting
Definition: (adjective) Loud and shrill enough to hurt the ears. Synonyms: deafening, thunderous. Usage: When the little boy throws a tantrum, he lets loose with …
baseless
Definition: (adjective) Having no basis or foundation in fact. Synonyms: groundless, unfounded, unwarranted, idle, wild. Usage: The governor has released a statement calling the reports …
incarcerate
Definition: (verb) Lock up or confine, in or as in a jail. Synonyms: immure, imprison, jail, jug, put behind bars, remand, lag, put away. Usage: …
versicolored
adjective: 1. Having many colors; variegated. 2. Having a color that changes in appearance; iridescent.
carrel
Definition: (noun) A partially partitioned nook in or near the stacks in a library, used for private study. Synonyms: cubicle, stall. Usage: There are too …
verdazurine
adjective: Bluish-green; sea-green.
insufferable
Definition: (adjective) Difficult or impossible to endure; intolerable. Synonyms: impossible, unacceptable. Usage: We both agreed he was the most insufferable bore and that we would …
spadiceous
adjective: 1. Of a reddish-brown color. 2. Relating to a spadix, the floral spike usually enclosed in a spathe.
festucine
adjective: Of a pale yellow or straw-like color.
compendious
Definition: (adjective) Containing or stating briefly and concisely all the essentials. Synonyms: succinct, summary, compact. Usage: It was a sort of hand-book for women with …
fulvous
adjective: Tawny; brownish-yellow or orange.
backfire
Definition: (verb) Come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect. Synonyms: backlash, recoil. Usage: Your comments may backfire and cause you …
unbending
Definition: (adjective) Incapable of adapting or changing to meet circumstances. Synonyms: rigid, inflexible. Usage: Indeed there may be generally observed in him an unbending, unyielding, …