a rich mass of ore in a mine; something very valuable, profitable, or rewarding; a source of wealth or prosperity; a very large amount; sudden profit or gain
bonanza
lacking politeness or good manners; lacking sensitivity; difficult to work with or deal with; rude
churlish
a fortress that overlooks and protects a city; any stronger or commanding place
citadel
to work with, work together
collaborate
an order having the force of law; to issue such an order; to command firmly or forcefully
decree
to make impossible, prevent, shut out
preclude
disagreeable in sound, jarring; lacking in harmony
discordant
to develop gradually; to rise to a higher level
evolve
a passage taken from a book, article, etc.; to take such a passage; to quote
excerpt
to feel about hesitantly with the hands; to search blindly and uncertainly
grope
to float or hang suspended over; to move back and forth uncertainly over or around
hover
to make or force one's way by pushing or elbowing; to bump, brush against; to compete for
jostle
a person who moves slowly or falls behind; falling behind; slow to move, act, or respond
laggard
applause; enthusiastic praise or approval
plaudits
to return, go back
revert
broken stone or bricks; ruins
rubble
of or relating to a slave; behaving like or suitable for a slave or a servant, menial; lacking spirit or independence, abjectly submissive
servile
a watch, especially at night; any period of watchful attention
vigil
to quarrel or argue in a noisy, angry way; to obtain by argument; to herd; a noisy quarrel
wrangle
ridiculous and unpredictable behavior or actions
antics
declared openly and without shame, acknowledged
avowed
to exchange playful remarks, tease; talk that is playful and teasing
banter
giving freely, generous; plentiful, given abundantly
bountiful
overcrowded, filled or occupied to excess
congested
harm or loss; injury, damage; a disadvantage; a cause of harm, injury, loss, or damage
detriment
sturdy, not easily worn out or destroyed; lasting for a long time; consumer goods used repeatedly over a series of years
durable
energetic, willing and able to start something new; showing boldness and imagination
enterprising
economical, avoiding waste and luxury; scanty, poor, meager
frugal
with extreme care or caution
gingerly
to provide more than is needed or wanted; to feed or fill to the point of overstuffing; an oversupply
glut
in a disguised state, under an assumed name or identity; the state of being disguised; a person in disguise
incognito
to make valueless, take away all force or effect
invalidate
described in well-known stories; existing in old stories (legends) rather than in real life
legendary
to cripple, disable, injure, mar, disfigure, mutilate
maim
to make as small as possible, make the least of; to make smaller than before
minimize
slanting or sloping; not straightforward or direct
oblique
to change direction or course suddenly, turn aside, shift
veer
to regard with reverence, look up to with great respect
venerate
reckless; heartless, unjustifiable; loose in morals; a spoiled, pampered person; one with low morals
wanton
to assign or distribute in shares or portions
allot
to bring together, collect, bather especially for oneself; to come together, assemble
amass
debold, adventurous, recklessly daring
audacious
to yield to a request or command
comply
not having or using, lacking
devoid
the choice part of a group of people or things; superior
elite
an iron hook used to grab and hold; to come to grips with, wrestle or fight with
grapple
to deprive of strength or ability; to make legally ineligible
incapacitate
to urge on; to stir up, start, incite
instigate
long life, long duration, length of life
longevity
in very great numbers; a very great number
myriad
a point of view or general standpoint from which different things are viewed, physically or mentally; the appearance to the eye of various objects at a given time, place, or distance
perspective
to trouble, make uneasy; to disturb greatly; to throw into confusion
perturb
immense; extraordinary in bulk, size, or degree
prodigious
connected with or related to the matter at hand
relevant
extremely nervous and easily frightened; shy or timid; extremely cautious; unstable, undependable
skittish
a rope or chain used to fasten something to a fixed object; the outer limit of strength or resources; to fasten with a rope or chain
tether
a sounding together; agreement or accord
unison
to compete; to strive for victory or superiority
vie
stubbornly self-willed; done on purpose, deliberate
willful
to reduce to nothing; to make ineffective or inoperative; to declare legally invalid or void
annul
indifferent, bored as a result of having enjoyed many pleasures; apathetic
blase (accent marks not shown)
to support, give a boost to; a long pillow or cushion; a supporting post
bolster
to feel or express regret or disapproval
deplore
of little importance, not worthy of serious attention; not meant seriously
frivolous
to bring together for service or battle; to gather or summon; to amount to, comprise, include; a list of military personnel; a gathering, accumulation
muster
a person or thing of no importance
nonentity
to trouble, haunt, or fill the mind
obsess
elaborately decorated; showily splendid
ornate
to remove, drive out of a position or place
oust
to read thoroughly and carefully
peruse
full of tiny holes; able to be penetrated by air or water
porous
a high point of land extending into water
promontory
lying face down; inclined, likely
prone
a pang of conscience, uneasiness, misgiving, or doubt; a feeling of faintness or nausea
qualm
a person or thing turned to for help or advice; the act of seeking help or protection
recourse
a remainder, that which remains when a part has been used up or removed
residue
showing concern or care; fearful or anxious about someone or something
solicitous
serious and dignified; quiet or subdued in character or conduct
staid
to support, nourish, keep up; to suffer, undergo; to bear up under, withstand; to affirm the validity of
sustain
a thing that is added; an appendix or addition to a book or written document
addendum
filled with amazement, disgust, fear, or terror
aghast
more than enough, large, spacious
ample
a ghost or ghostly figure; an unexplained or unusual appearance
apparition
wastefully extravagant; lavishly or generously abundant; one who is wasteful and self-indulgent
prodigal
to declare or state as truth, maintain or defend, put forward forcefully
assert
to crouch or shrink away in fear or shame
cower
to look upon with scorn; to refuse scornfully; a feeling of contempt
disdain
a brief statement written on a tomb or gravestone
epitaph
having to do with morals, values, right and wrong; in accordance with standards of right conduct; requiring a prescription for purchase
ethical
humorous, not meant seriously
facetious
not able to be heard
inaudible
common, vulgar; belonging to the lower class; a common person, member of the lower class
plebeian
without restraint or control; unselective
indiscriminate
crafty dealings, underhanded plotting; to form and carry out plots; to puzzle or excite the curiosity
intrigue
an area of authority or control; the right to administer justice
jurisdiction
appearing true, reasonable, or fair
plausible
nearness, closeness
proximity
to grind or pound to a powder or dust; to destroy or overcome (as though by smashing into fragments)
pulverize
highly changeable, fickle; tending to become violent or explosive; changing readily from the liquid to the gaseous state
volatile
embarrassed, ashamed, or nonplussed
abashed
withdrawn, standing apart from others by choice
aloof
great mental suffering, distress, or pain; to cause deep pain or sorrow
anguish
to pronounce distinctly; to express well in words; to fit together into a system; able to use language effectively; expressed clearly and forcefully
articulate
to be in, or expose oneself to, pleasant warmth; to take pleasure in or derive enjoyment from
bask
an imperfection, flaw, or blemish of some kind; to desert a cause or organization
defect
delicate skill; tact and cleverness; to accomplish something by cleverness, good judgment, or skillful evasion
finesse
to wave or flutter showily; to display in a conceited, offensive way
flaunt
frank, direct, straightforward
forthright
cordial, pleasantly cheerful or warm
genial
to add gradually; to introduce or cause to be taken in
instill
to exclude from a group, banish, send away
ostracize
forewarning or foreboding of a future event
premonition
a pen name, name assumed by a writer
pseudonym
to wash away impurities, clean up; the process of getting rid of something or someone decisively
purge
to make over in good form; to restore to good condition or to a former position
rehabilitate
an effect or consequence of some action or event, result; an echo or reverberation
repercussion
bold, determined; firm
resolute
able to hold, keep, or recall; retaining knowledge easily
retentive
a person or thing carrying the blame for others
scapegoat
the highest point
acme
a quality or characteristic belonging to or associated with someone or something; to assign to, credit with; to regard as caused by or resulting from
attribute
to make something appear smaller than it is; to refer to in a way that suggests lack of importance or value
belittle
to transport; to transmit; to communicate, make known; to transfer ownership or title to
convey
a belief, principle or teaching; a system of such beliefs or principles; a formulation of such beliefs or principles
doctrine
to remove by cutting; an indirect tax on the manufacture, sale, or distribution of a commodity or service
excise
foreign, charmingly unfamiliar or strikingly unusual
exotic
thin, pale, and careworn as a result of worry or suffering; wild-looking
haggard
lively, easy, and carefree in manner; smart or trim in appearance
jaunty
a joining together; the point at which two things are joined; any important point in time
juncture
lowly, humble, lacking importance or dignity; a person who does the humble and unpleasant tasks
menial
to ward off, fend off, evade, avoid; a defensive movement in fencing and other sports
parry
preying on, plundering, or piratical
predatory
to destroy, lay waste, ruin; ruinous damage, destruction
ravage
a way of holding the body; an attitude or position on an issue
stance
showy and flashy but lacking in good taste
tawdry
a person who switches to an opposing side or party
turncoat
not putting on airs, unpretentious; modest
unassuming
to roll about in a lazy clumsy, or helpless way; to overindulge in; to have in abundance; a wet muddy, or dusty area used by animals as a sort of bath; a state of moral or physical collapses
wallow
to move to and fro, become unsteady; to show lack of firmness or decision
waver
to join at one end or be next to; to support, prop up
abut
clothes, apparel, garb
attire
to be of use or benefit to; to make use of; to take advantage of; to profit or benefit; use benefit, or value
avail
a very close friend, chum, buddy
crony
puzzling, mystifying, or enigmatic
cryptic
going in different directions; different from each other; departing from convention, deviant
divergent
hatred, ill-will
enmity
very earnest, emotional, passionate; extremely hot
fervent
thin and bony, starved looking; bare, barren
gaunt
to pass through or gain entrance to gradually or stealthily
infiltrate
to make of no value or consequence, cancel, wipe out
nullify
capable of being grasped by the senses or mind
perceptible
to plunge straight down; a weight fastened to a line
plummet
to declare publicly or officially
proclaim
an agent, substitute; a written permission allowing one person to act in another's place
proxy
to cause anger, irritation, or bitterness (with the suggestion that the pain grows worse with time)
rankle
a person who collects or removes usable items from waste materials; an animal that feeds on refuse or dead bodies
scavenger
to limit, be sparing or frugal; a limit or restriction; a fixed share of word or duty; a period of activity
stint
self-controlled, not showing feeling in response to pleasure or pain
stoical
tireless, continuing with vigor
unflagging
suitable, fitting, likely; quick to learn
apt
in a turned or twisted position or direction; wrong, out of the right or hoped-for course
awry
a short club used as a weapon; to strike with a heavy club; to use force or strong arguments to gain some point
bludgeon
to end resistance, give up, throw in the towel
capitulate
to warm by rubbing; to wear sore by rubbing; to feel
chafe
to make unclean or dirty, destroy the purity of; to march in a single line or in columns; a narrow passage; gorge canyon
defile
dreadful, causing fear or suffering; warning of trouble to come; demanding immediate action to avoid disaster
dire
charming, tending to soften unfriendliness or suspicion
disarming
in bad humor, discontented, annoyed
disgruntled
to advance beyond the usual or proper limits, trespass
encroach
to furnish, equip, provide with funds or some other desirable thing or quality
endow
to ward off, resist; to get along, manage
fend
freedom from punishment
impunity
air, manner; appearance; expression
mien
having to do with punishment
penal
related to the matter at hand, to the point
pertinent
the greatest in strength or power; most common
predominant
something wonderful or marvelous; an unusual feat; a child or young person with extraordinary ability or talent
prodigy
a person who leads a life shut up or withdrawn from the world
recluse
fame, glory
renown
agreement, harmony; to agree, be in harmony or bring into harmony; to grant bestow on
accord
an exchange in trade; to exchange goods
barter
short, rudely brief
curt
to think out, plan, figure out, invent, create
devise
skillful in the use of hands or body; clever
dexterous
to occupy the complete attention of, absorb fully
engross
to put a burden on, impose, involve; to restrict ownership of property by limiting inheritance; such a restriction
entail
a kind of weasel; to search or hunt out
ferret
to become used to; to cause to become used to
habituate
about to happen, hanging over in a menacing way
impending
pleasing in appearance or personality, attractive
personable
to regret, be sorry for; a feeling of regret
rue
to make fun of; to show contempt for
scoff
a change from one state or condition to another
transition
fear, fright, trembling
trepidation
to blame, scold, find fault with
upbraid
actual, true, real
veritable
to annoy, anger, exasperate; to confuse, baffle
vex
strength, energy; the capacity to live and develop; the power to endure or survive
vitality
subject to odd ideas, notions, or fancies; playful; unpredictable
whimsical
to make calm, soothe; to relieve, satisfy; to yield to
appease
late, tardy
belated
causing great misfortune
calamitous
to quote; to mention; to summon to appear in court; to commend, recommend
cite
in line with accepted ideas or standards; trite
conventional
to lure into a trap; a person or thing used to lure into a trap
decoy
to dig; to search deeply and thoroughly into
delve
to follow in order, come immediately after, and as a result
ensue
heroic courage; respect and courtesy; an act or statement marked by a high level of courtesy
gallantry
to make known, tell; to give, pass something on
impart
using or showing good judgment, wise, sensible
judicious
to bring about an agreement between persons or groups, act as a go-between; occupying a middle position; indirect, acting through an intermediary
a stain or spot; a mark of corruption or dishonor; to stain or contaminate
taint
to resign, formally give up an office or a duty; to disown, discard
abdicate
to give as a gift; to provide with lodgings
bestow
able to hold much, roomy
capacious
able to burn or eat away by chemical action; biting, sarcastic
caustic
a strong movement to advance a cause or idea; to campaign, work vigorously
crusade
to injure or destroy the surface or appearance of; to damage the value, influence, or effect of; to face down, outshine
deface
an order forbidding the trade in or movement of commercial goods; any restraint or hinderance; to forbid to enter or leave port; to forbid trade with
embargo
a false notion or belief; an error in thinking
fallacy
a lack of seriousness or earnestness, especially about things that should be treated with respect; buoyancy, lightness in weight
levity
beggar; depending on begging for a living
mendicant
to make sick to the stomach; to fill with disgust
nauseate
to nullify, deny, bring to nothing
negate
vitally important, essential
pivotal
one who receives; receiving; able or willing to receive
recipient
an action designed to confuse or mislead, a trick
ruse
to become filled to overflowing; to be present in large quantities
teem
an opinion, belief, or principle held to be true
tenet
easily managed, easy to deal with; easily wrought, malleable
tractable
clumsy, awkward; unwieldy
ungainly
having a huge appetite, greedy, ravenous; excessively eager
voracious
to adjust or change to suit conditions
adapt
to bear witness, affirm to be true or genuine
attest
to fit together exactly; to connect so as to form a whole; a carpentry figure resembling a dove's tail
dovetail
the quality of exceeding all moral bounds; an exceedingly evil act; huge, size, immensity
enormity
to hesitate, stumble, lose courage; to speak hesitatingly; to lose drive, weaken, decline
falter
a warning or feeling that something bad will happen; marked by fear, ominous
foreboding
totally abandoned and helpless; sad and lonely; wretched or pitiful; almost hopeless
forlorn
chillingly proud and scornful
haughty
a physical defect; a hindrance, obstacle
impediment
necessary, urgent; a form of a verb expressing a command; that which is necessary or required
imperative
to linger in an aimless way, hang around, dawdle
loiter
to pretend illness to avoid duty or work, lie down on the job
malinger
short but full of meaning
pithy
to rob by force, especially during wartime; to seize wrongfully; property stolen by force
plunder
to smile or speak in a silly, forced way; a silly forced smile
simper
firmly fixed; constant, not moving or changing
steadfast
much boasted about in a vain or swaggering way
vaunted
to abuse or belittle unjustly or maliciously
vilify
a person (usually a child) without a home or friend; a stray person or animal; something that comes along by chance; a stray bit
waif
twisted, turned to one side; cleverly or grimly humorous
wry
to make stronger, larger, greater, louder, or the like
amplify
a temporary peace, halt in fighting
armistice
haughty, too convinced of one's own importance
arrogant
gentle, soothing, mild; lacking interest or taste
bland
to deny interest in or connection with; to give up all claim to
disclaim
a distinct period of time, age
epoch
to drift apart or become unfriendly; to cause such a separation; to remove or keep at a distance
estrange
to please, satisfy; to indulge or humor
gratify
exceedingly great, inexhaustible, without limit, endless; (preceded by "the") an incalculable number, the concept of infinity; a name for God (with a capital "I")
infinite
easily made angry, hot-tempered
irascible
a person's relatives; a family relationship; related by blood; like, similar
kindred
innocent, unsophisticated, showing lack of worldly knowledge and experience
naive
a decorative recess in a wall; a suitable place or position for a person or thing
niche
to blot out completely, destroy utterly
obliterate
appearing ready to collapse, loose and shakey
ramshackle
able to meet one's financial obligations; having the power to dissolve other substances; a liquid used to dissolve other substances; something that solves, explains, eliminates, or softens
solvent
to search or examine thoroughly; to rob, plunder
ransack
unthinking routine or repetition, a fixed or mechanical way of doing something; based on a mechanical routine
rote
long and tiresome
tedious
a person who sells something
vendor
a deep or bottomless pit
abyss
to happen, occur; to happen to
befall
of supreme importance, decisive, critical
crucial
the last remaining part; the part of least worth
dregs
to give form to; to incorporate, include; to personify
embody
to irritate, annoy, or anger
exasperate
the complete collapse or failure of a project
fiasco
to adorn or decorate, especially food; an ornament or decoration, especially for food
garnish
an inheritance; a birthright
heritage
lifeless, unable to move or act; slow, inactive
inert
acting or working for self-gain only; a hired soldier, a soldier of fortune
mercenary
marked by carelessness or indifference; failing to do what should be done
negligent
forgetfulness, disregard; a state of being forgotten; an amnesty, general pardon
oblivion
an impressive piece of work, especially a musical composition or other work of art
opus
pale, lacking color; weak and lifeless
pallid
a short narrative designed to teach a moral lesson
parable
based on reasoning; able to make use of reason; sensible or reasonable
rational
shared; involving give-and-take between two persons or things; working in both directions; a number that, when multiplied by another number, gives 1
reciprocal
a limitation or restriction; a criticism; (medicine) a narrowing of a passage in the body
stricture
a thin outer layer; a surface appearance or decoration; to cover with a thin layer