militate
Pronunciation: [ˈmɪlɪteɪt]
Part of speech: verb
Structure: to militate against something
Definition: to have the effect of preventing something
Example: Her shyness strongly militates against her success in this competitive environment.
Usage note: formal word
See also: Verbs, M Words, Formal Words
militate
Friday, February 6, 2009
saccharine
Thursday, February 5, 2009
saccharine
Pronunciation: [ˈsækəri:n]
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: excessively sweet or sentimental
Example: I enjoy reading love stories but not saccharine ones that make one wants to vomit.
Usage note: derogatory word
See also: Adjectives, S Words, SAT Words
decadence
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
decadence
Pronunciation: [ˈdekədəns]
Part of speech: noun (uncountable)
Definition: fall to a lower level, specially in morals
Example: Many pessimists see the decadence of society as a threat to the existence of mankind itself.
Usage note: derogatory word
-> decadent [ˈdekədənt] (adjective)
See also: Nouns, D Words
recondite
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
recondite
Pronunciation: [ˈrekəndaɪt]
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: not known about or understood by many people
Example: He refused to major in the subject, rejecting it as recondite and incapable of giving him a bright future.
Usage note: formal word
See also: Adjectives, R Words, Formal Words, GRE Words
exonerate
Monday, February 2, 2009
exonerate
Pronunciation: [ɪgˈzɒnəreɪt]
Part of speech: verb
Structure: to exonerate someone (from something)
Definition: to free someone (from something)
Example: He was exonerated from all responsibility for the murder.
-> exoneration [ɪgˌzɒnəˈreɪʃn] (noun)
See also: Verbs, E Words, GRE Words