Category: Word of the Day

Definition: (adjective) Capable of soothing or eliminating pain.

Synonyms: analgesic, analgetic.

Usage: She was in intense pain following the surgery and wondered whether the anodyne properties of her medication would be sufficient.

Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Bitterly denunciatory; harshly critical.

Synonyms: vituperative.

Usage: This scathing remark caused the Prince to hide his face for shame, and Steve to erect his head in the proud consciousness that this shot was not meant for him.

Discuss

Definition: (noun) A quality, as of an experience or a work of art, that arouses feelings of pity, sympathy, tenderness, or sorrow.

Synonyms: poignancy.

Usage: The documentary film captured the pathos of the refugee’s situation, and there was not a dry eye in the theater when the movie ended.

Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Retired or ineffective because of advanced age.

Synonyms: over-the-hill, overaged.

Usage: The company has a pension plan that provides financial assistance to some of its superannuated employees.

Discuss

Definition: (noun) A superiority in numbers or amount.

Synonyms: prevalence, extensiveness.

Usage: The preponderance of the evidence strongly supports his guilt.

Discuss

Definition: (noun) The act of resting or the state of being at rest.

Synonyms: ease, relaxation, rest.

Usage: The vacationer took his repose beside the swimming pool.

Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Having or showing great emotion or zeal.

Synonyms: ardent, fervid, fiery, impassioned, perfervid, torrid.

Usage: She was a fervent opponent of the death penalty and organized a monthlong hunger strike to protest the practice.

Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Resembling a labyrinth in form or complexity.

Synonyms: mazy.

Usage: A labyrinthine maze of sculpted bushes surrounded the estate.

Discuss

Definition: (noun) The projecting upper edge of a steep place.

Synonyms: top, summit, peak, edge, tip, crown, verge, brink, rim, crest, brim.

Usage: The sun set behind the brow of the distant hills.

Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Not disconcerted or embarrassed; poised

Synonyms: unembarrassed.

Usage: And on this evening success stood at his back, patting him on the shoulder and telling him that he was making good, so that he could afford to laugh…and remain unabashed.

Discuss