clicktivism
noun: The use of the Internet to signal support for a cause.
Category: Today’s Word
Today’s Word
effulgence
Definition: (noun) A brilliant radiance. Synonyms: refulgence, shine, radiance. Usage: It is another sun—an entirely different sun—that casts its eternal noonday effulgence upon the face …
mousy
adjective: 1. Like a mouse in appearance, color, smell, etc. 2. Timid or shy. 3. Quiet or stealthy. 4. Dull or drab. 5. Infested with …
demagogue
Definition: (noun) A leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace. Synonyms: rabble-rouser. Usage: The seditious …
rat race
noun: A repetitive competitive activity, such as the modern working life in which one constantly struggles to attain wealth, status, etc.
despotism
Definition: (noun) Rule by or as if by a despot; absolute power or authority. Synonyms: authoritarianism, Caesarism, dictatorship, monocracy, one-man rule, totalitarianism, tyranny, absolutism. Usage: …
mouse potato
noun: Someone who lives a sedentary life, spending large amounts of leisure time playing computer games, surfing the net, streaming videos, etc.
freebooter
Definition: (noun) Someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war). Synonyms: looter, pillager, plunderer, raider. Usage: He was a genial freebooter, living off the …
myology
noun: 1. The study of muscles. 2. The muscular anatomy of a person or an animal.
mawkish
Definition: (adjective) Excessively and objectionably sentimental. Synonyms: bathetic, hokey, maudlin, schmaltzy, sentimental, mushy, drippy. Usage: His pathos is often exaggerated until it passes into mawkish …
macrocosm
Definition: (noun) The entire world; the universe. Synonyms: cosmos, universe, world, existence, creation. Usage: Astrophysicists are concerned with the macrocosm, while nuclear physicists focus their …
cajolery
Definition: (noun) Flattery intended to persuade. Synonyms: blandishment, palaver. Usage: She used every possible means of cajolery to persuade her father to take her to …
extrality
noun: Exemption from local laws: the privilege of living in a foreign country, but subject only to the home country’s jurisdiction.
inchoate
Definition: (adjective) Only partly in existence; imperfectly formed. Synonyms: incipient. Usage: Dave looked at Mr. James Ward wonderingly, until that gentleman broke his train of …
zounds
interjection: Used to express surprise or indignation.
chagrin
Definition: (noun) A keen feeling of mental unease, as of annoyance or embarrassment, caused by failure, disappointment, or a disconcerting event. Synonyms: mortification, humiliation. Usage: …
blitz
noun: 1. A swift, sudden military attack, especially aerial bombardment. 2. An intense campaign, for example, an ad blitz. verb tr.: To attack, destroy, conquer, …
mendacious
Definition: (adjective) Lying; untruthful. Synonyms: dishonest, deceptive, deceitful, duplicitous. Usage: She was more upset with the mendacious child for his dishonesty than his initial misbehavior. …
lackadaisical
adjective: Lacking enthusiasm; indifferent; lazy.
remonstrance
Definition: (noun) An expression of protest, complaint, or reproof, especially a formal statement of grievances. Synonyms: expostulation, objection. Usage: M'Lellan turned a deaf ear to …
bolshie
adjective: 1. Rebellious; uncooperative; combative. 2. Politically radical. noun: 1. Someone who is rebellious, uncooperative, combative, etc. 2. A politically radical person.
abscond
Definition: (verb) To leave quickly and secretly and hide oneself, often to avoid arrest or prosecution. Synonyms: go off, run off, decamp, bolt. Usage: Just …
bumptious
Definition: (adjective) Crudely or loudly assertive. Synonyms: cocky, forward, arrogant, brash, swaggering, vaunting, pushy. Usage: I could hardly believe that the bumptious young suitor I …
glorify
Definition: (verb) To honor with praise, admiration, or worship. Synonyms: exalt, extol, laud, proclaim. Usage: People glorify all sorts of bravery except the bravery they …
Simple Simon
noun: A simpleton.
copious
Definition: (adjective) Yielding or containing plenty; affording ample supply. Synonyms: plenteous, ample, rich. Usage: I brought copious provisions for our camping trip, so even if …
sukey
noun: A tea-kettle.
aegis
Definition: (noun) Protection. Synonyms: auspices. Usage: Bandits dare not approach me on the roads, as I am under the imperial aegis. Discuss
Mother Hubbard
noun: A loose shapeless dress for a woman.
panacea
Definition: (noun) A remedy for all diseases, evils, or difficulties. Synonyms: cure-all. Usage: Here the glib politician crying his legislative panaceas, and here the peripatetic …
anathema
Definition: (noun) A person or thing detested or loathed. Synonyms: bete noire. Usage: Because of what he did to Sam, he is anathema to me …
Humpty Dumpty
noun: 1. A short, rotund person. 2. Something or someone broken beyond repair.
piquant
Definition: (adjective) Having an agreeably pungent taste. Synonyms: spicy, zesty. Usage: When I feel like spicing things up at dinner, I pour a little of …
percutaneous
Definition: (adjective) Passed, done, or effected through the skin. Synonyms: transdermal. Usage: I simply apply the ointment to my arm, and the medication makes its …
pyrite
noun: 1. A shiny yellow mineral of iron disulfide. Also known as iron pyrites and fool’s gold. 2. Something that appears valuable but is worthless.
aimless
Definition: (adjective) Devoid of direction or purpose. Synonyms: random, wayward, goalless, haphazard, vagrant, directionless, unguided. Usage: After several hours of aimless driving, we were getting …
golden parachute
noun: An agreement to pay generous compensation to a company executive if dismissed.
materfamilias
Definition: (noun) A female head of a family or tribe. Synonyms: matriarch. Usage: As materfamilias, my grandmother calls the shots on holidays like Thanksgiving, and …
midas
noun: 1. One with the ability to easily turn anything profitable. 2. One who is extremely wealthy.
byword
Definition: (noun) A condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people. Synonyms: adage, proverb, saw. …