ameliorate

A hot meal can ameliorate the discomforts of even the coldest day.

ameliorate

(v.) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

synonyms: amend, better

antonyms: worsen, aggravate, exacerbate

callow

They entered the army as callow recruits.

callow

(adj.) Without experience; immature synonyms: green, raw, unfledged

antonyms: mature, grown-up

drivel

Knowing that his time was nearly up, we kept silence and let him drivel on.

drivel

(n.) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; aimless talking or thinking; nonsense; (v) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense; to waste away foolishly

synonyms: balderdash, hogwash

exhort

With dramatic gestures, our fans vigorously exhort the team to play harder.

“text short”

exhort

(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly

synonyms: entreat, implore

antonyms: discourage, advise against

infringe

If you continue to infringe on my responsibilities, will you also take the blame for any mistakes?

infringe

(v.) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds

synonyms: encroach, impinge, intrude

antonyms: stay in bounds

ingratiate

It’s not a good idea to ingratiate oneself by paying cloying compliments.

ingratiate

(v.) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor by others

synonyms: cozy up to, curry favor with

antonyms: alienate, humiliate oneself

interloper

The crowd was so eager to see the band perform that they resented the opening singer as an interloper.

interloper

(n.) one who moves in where he is not wanted

synonyms: trespasser, meddler

intrinsic

It had been my father’s favorite book when he was my age, but for me it held little intrinsic interest.

intrinsic

(v.) belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent

synonyms: immanent, organic

antonyms: extrinsic, external, outward

lassitude

On some days I am overcome by lassitude at the thought of so many years of schooling.

lassitude

(n.) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy

synonyms: fatigue, lethargy, languor

antonyms: energy, vitality, animation

occult

One need not rely on occult knowledge to grasp why things disappear in a house where two cats live.

occult

(adj.) mysterious, magical, supernatural (v.) to hide, conceal (n.) matters involving the supernatural

synonym: supernatural, esoteric

antonym: mundane, common, public

precipitate

Scholars often disagree over which event or events precipitate an historic moment.

I admit that my outburst was precipitate.

precipitate

(v.) to fall as moisture; to cause about suddenly; to hurl down from great height (adj.) characterized by excessive haste (n.) moisture

synonyms: (v.) provoke, produce; (adj.) reckless , impetuous

antonyms: wary, cautious

stringent

Some argue that more stringent laws against speeding will make our streets safer.

stringent

(adj.) strict, severe; sharp or bitter to the taste

synonyms: stern, rigorous, tough

antonyms: lenient, mild, lax

surmise

I cannot be sure, but I surmise that she wouldn’t accept my apology, even if I made it on bended knee.

The police had no proof, nothing to go on but a suspicion, a mere surmise.

surmise

(v) to think or believe without supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (n.) likely idea that lacks definite proofSynonyms: (v.) infer, gather; (n.) inference, presumption