Category: Word of the Day

Definition: (adjective) Having or emitting fragrance.

Synonyms: aromatic.

Usage: The whole atmosphere was redolent with the savory fumes of roast meat.

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Definition: (adjective) Releasing heat.

Synonyms: heat-releasing, exothermal.

Usage: Scientists use a calorimeter to measure the amount of heat released during an exothermic reaction.

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Definition: (noun) A defeat in a game where one side fails to score.

Synonyms: skunk.

Usage: The coach knew that if his team could score just one point, it would avoid the humiliation of a shutout.

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Definition: (noun) A sound thrashing or defeat.

Synonyms: debacle, drubbing, thrashing, trouncing, whipping, slaughter.

Usage: The tournament was an embarrassment, with our team receiving a thorough walloping from the opponent.

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Definition: (noun) A state of extreme poverty or destitution.

Synonyms: indigence, penury, need.

Usage: Two children begged for money on the subway, and their pauperism weighed heavily on the minds of the train’s passengers.

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Definition: (noun) Abandonment of one’s religious faith, a political party, one’s principles, or a cause.

Synonyms: defection, renunciation.

Usage: He had been very devoted to his cause, so when he declared his apostasy to the crowd, there was an audible gasp.

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Definition: (noun) A visible trace, evidence, or sign of something that once existed but exists or appears no more.

Synonyms: tincture, trace, shadow.

Usage: He was so deadly pale—which had not been the case when they went in together—that no vestige of color was to be seen in his face.

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Definition: (adjective) Demanding great effort or labor; difficult.

Synonyms: backbreaking, grueling, laborious, toilsome, punishing, hard, heavy.

Usage: The roofer’s work was so arduous that he was forced to take numerous medications to relieve the pain in his back.

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Definition: (adjective) Being independent in thought and action or exhibiting such independence.

Synonyms: unorthodox, irregular.

Usage: He was a maverick politician and refused to align himself with any of the established parties.

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Definition: (noun) A pleasant and affable disposition.

Synonyms: affability, affableness, amiableness, geniality, amiability.

Usage: The good humor and bonhomie called up by this last evening amongst his old friends had disappeared.

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