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10 matching synonym questions
Etymology: [probably from parakonan (Greek), "to rub against a whetstone"; from para, "against" + akone (Greek), "whetstone." In other words, philologically speaking, a paragon is one who will stand up when tried by a touchstone or a standard of comparison.]
a model of excellence or perfection
In the nineteenth century English scholars were paragons of accuracy and painstaking scholarship.
Synonyms: model, exemplar, pattern
What a piece of work is man! how noble in reason!,
how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how
express and admirable! in action how like an angel!
in apprehension how like a God! the beauty of the world!
the paragon of animals.
Etymology: [dis (Latin), "away" + pellere (Latin), "to push"]
to drive away by scattering
The president addressed the nation in an attempt to dispel the people's apprehensions.
Synonyms: disperse, dissipate, diffuse
Antonyms: amass, gather, concentrate
Etymology: [origin unknown]
comical; odd
We could tell that Henry was only jesting by the quizzical smile on his face.
Synonyms: odd, teasing
Antonyms: serious
Etymology: [phobos (Greek), "fear"]
an irrational fear of an object; a morbid dread
His avoidance of dogs amounts to a phobia.
Synonyms: aversion
NOTE: Many abstract nouns describing morbid fears are formed by combining phobia or phobe with another word or word root. Some of these are:
hydrophobia — a morbid dread of water
claustrophobia — a morbid dread of being confined in closed rooms or narrow spaces
Russophobe — one who dreads things Russian
neophobe — one irrationally opposed to anything new
Etymology: [pertinax (Latin), "clinging persistently"; from per, "completely" + tenax, "tenacious"]
the state or quality of clinging doggedly to a purpose or an opinion
The congressman's pertinacity succeeded in delaying action on a bill he didn't support.
Synonyms: obduracy, perseverance, doggedness, persistency
Antonyms: tractableness, pliability, flexibility, complaisance
Etymology: [a (Greek), "not" + gnostic (English); from gignoskein (Greek), "to know"]
a person who believes that the existence and the nature of God are not known or knowable
The scientist pointed out that he had not denied the existence of God; he is an agnostic, not an atheist.
Synonyms: skeptic, unbeliever, "doubting Thomas," disbeliever
NOTE: Observe the difference in meaning between agnostic and each of the following words:
freethinker — one whose opinions are formed independently of traditional authority
infidel — one who does not accept the tenets of the religion of the dominant group — thus, in Christian countries, a non-Christian; in Muslim countries, a non-Muslim
atheist — one who denies the existence of a Supreme Being
Etymology: [nocere (Latin), "to harm"; from noxa, "harm"]
destructive; harmful to health of body or mind
Noxious gases escaped from the live crater.
Synonyms: deadly, pernicious, injurious, detrimental
Antonyms: salutary, salubrious, beneficial
Etymology: [imperium (Latin), "command, empire"]
pertaining to an emperor or an empire; befitting an emperor
Sir Thomas Overbury was committed to the Tower of London by imperial command.
Synonyms: sovereign, majestic, regal, royal
Antonyms: common, plebeian
Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay.
Etymology: [lugubris (Latin) from lugere, "to mourn"]
mournful
We could tell by Mary's lugubrious expression that something serious had occurred at home.
Synonyms: doleful, melancholic, sorrowful, depressed
Antonyms: lively, gay, sprightly, gladsome, jocund, joyous, blithe
Etymology: [origin unknown]
to check or destroy growth; to depress (as of spirits or hope)
Negative publicity blighted all Congressman Smith's hopes of reelection.
Synonyms: wither, frustrate, dash, curb
Antonyms: invigorate, engender, enliven, encourage, nourish
NOTE: Blight is also used as a noun, meaning "anything that checks growth or causes destruction."