Words
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10 matching synonym questions
Etymology: [re (Latin), "back" + scindere, "to cut"]
to withdraw or cancel
The candidate rescinded his previous declaration.
Synonyms: annul, abrogate, repeal, nullify
Antonyms: reinforce
Etymology: [adventus (Latin), "arrival"; from ad, "to" + venire, "come"]
arrival, coming
The advent of spring is hailed in many countries with ceremonies and festivities.
Synonyms: approach
Antonyms: recession, withdrawal, departure
Etymology: [origin unknown]
of various colors; of mixed ingredients
The court jester in medieval days was wont to wear a motley garment as his distinctive dress.
Synonyms: parti-colored, variegated, diverse
NOTE 1: Motley is also a noun, meaning a woolen fabric of mixed colors; a garment made from this material; a mixture of colors.
NOTE 2: Mottled is derived from motley and means "marked with spots or blotches of varied colors."
Etymology: [calumnia (Latin), "deception," "slander"]
a false accusation maliciously made to injure another's reputation
Senator Bachelor was defeated in the election as a result of calumny spread by yellow journals in the county that cared more for the political machine than for the truth.
Synonyms: slander, defamation, aspersion, vilification
Antonyms: flattery, blandishment, cajolery, adulation, sycophancy
NOTE: Please review the following distinctions among the more common synonyms of calumniate:
"To calumniate is to invent and circulate lies about another.
"To slander is to repeat and help to spread whatever lies or evil reports are already in circulation, especially behind the back of the person concerned.
"To defame is publicly to speak or write serious accusations against the character and reputation of another.
"To asperse is to cast reflections upon another's goodness or good name by insinuating things to his discredit."
Etymology: [praeludere (Latin), from prae, "before" + ludere, "to play"]
1. something done, written, or said to prepare the way for a more important matter
A series of firm notes exchanged between the two countries was the prelude to a declaration of war.
2. in music, a movement introducing the theme; a piece, especially an organ solo, played at the beginning of a service
We got to the wedding just in time: as the taxi pulled up at the church the organist began playing the prelude.
Synonyms: overture, preface, introduction, prologue
Antonyms: postlude, epilogue
Etymology: [re (French), "again, back," + allier, "to join"; from ad (Latin), "to," + ligare, "to bind"]
1. (verb) to bring back into a state of order; to bring together for a common purpose; to come back to order; to come to help; to recover health and strength; to rise on the stock market; to begin to regain losses in a game
The captain rallied his troops as they began to run.
He rallied all his strength for a final effort.
The defeated men rallied and counterattacked.
Tom rallied to his friend's cause.
The patient rallied after an attack of pneumonia.
Stocks rallied after initial losses.
Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again!
The Yanks rallied with three runs in the ninth inning.
2. (noun) a recovery; coming together of persons for a mass meeting
The home team's rally left them one short of a tie.
There will be a rally of all interested in helping the victims of the flood.
Synonyms: (verbs) revive, reassemble, arouse; (nouns) assembly, gathering; upsurge
Etymology: [erudire (Latin), "to bring out of the rough; hence, to instruct"; from e, "out of" + rudis, "rude"]
of profound learning
Lord Chesterfield advised his son never to appear more erudite than the company he was in: he might have great learning but he should refrain from displaying it unless those around him were also learned.
Synonyms: scholarly, learned
Antonyms: ignorant, unlettered, superficial
Etymology: [gala (Italian), "finery, enjoyment"]
(a) (adjective) in the manner and spirit of a holiday
Commencement is always a gala occasion in the life of a high school student.
(b) (noun) a festival; a celebration
We plan to hold a gala on New Year's Eve and invite everyone we know.
Synonyms: (adjective) festive; (noun) festivity
Antonyms: (adjectives) solemn, dismal, doleful
Etymology: [explicare (Latin), "to unfold"; from ex, "out" + plicare, "to fold"]
(a) (noun) a deed or heroic act
The country commemorated the hero's exploit by erecting a monument in the center of the capital city.
(b) (verb) to utilize; to use (usually unfairly) for one's own benefit
The legislation was intended to prevent unscrupulous employers from exploiting slave labor.
Synonyms: (nouns) feat, achievement; (verb) utilize
Etymology: [parler (French), "to speak"; from parabolare (Late Latin), "to speak," derived from parabole (Greek) and parabola (Latin), "a comparison, a parable"]
a conversation or conference about a subject; a talk with an enemy, in order to arrange a truce
The heads of the opposing countries met at a parley to discuss their differences.
Synonyms: conference, discussion
NOTE: Parley may also be used as a verb, meaning "to confer orally."