1. STULTIFY
Meaning: cause to lose enthusiasm and initiative, especially as a result of a tedious or restrictive routine.
Synonyms: hamper, impede, obstruct, thwart, suppress, smother, repress, counteract, trammel, restrain.
Antonyms: consolidate, augment, glorify, exacerbate, exalt, stir, elevate, accentuate, strengthen.
Usage: By referencing actual statistics, he was able to stultify his opponent’s argument.
Meaning: cause to lose enthusiasm and initiative, especially as a result of a tedious or restrictive routine.
Synonyms: hamper, impede, obstruct, thwart, suppress, smother, repress, counteract, trammel, restrain.
Antonyms: consolidate, augment, glorify, exacerbate, exalt, stir, elevate, accentuate, strengthen.
Usage: By referencing actual statistics, he was able to stultify his opponent’s argument.
2. NIHILISM
Meaning: the rejection of all religious and moral principles, in the belief that life is meaningless.
Synonyms: cynicism, rejection, repudiation, abnegation, disbelief, skepticism.
Antonyms: belief, faith, approval, discipline, ratification.
Usage: The rebels urged the people to grab hold of nihilism and remove all government officials from office.
Meaning: the rejection of all religious and moral principles, in the belief that life is meaningless.
Synonyms: cynicism, rejection, repudiation, abnegation, disbelief, skepticism.
Antonyms: belief, faith, approval, discipline, ratification.
Usage: The rebels urged the people to grab hold of nihilism and remove all government officials from office.
3. BADINAGE
Meaning: humorous or witty conversation.
Synonyms: banter, chaff, jesting, repartee, barb, gambit.
Antonyms: bullying, criticism, argument, fight.
Usage: The president was in a good mood as he walked through the crowd and made several voters laugh with his witty badinage.
Meaning: humorous or witty conversation.
Synonyms: banter, chaff, jesting, repartee, barb, gambit.
Antonyms: bullying, criticism, argument, fight.
Usage: The president was in a good mood as he walked through the crowd and made several voters laugh with his witty badinage.
4. MELLOW
Meaning: (especially of a sound, flavour, or color) pleasantly smooth or soft; free from harshness.
Synonyms: dulcet, euphonious, melodious, mellifluous, mellifluent.
Antonyms: rugged, abrading, gruff, abrasive, harsh.
Usage: His mellow voice and his qualitative speech made everyone applaud him.
Meaning: (especially of a sound, flavour, or color) pleasantly smooth or soft; free from harshness.
Synonyms: dulcet, euphonious, melodious, mellifluous, mellifluent.
Antonyms: rugged, abrading, gruff, abrasive, harsh.
Usage: His mellow voice and his qualitative speech made everyone applaud him.
5. EXCORIATE
Meaning: to criticize harshly and usually publicly.
Synonyms: assail, castigate, lambaste, vituperate, imprecate.
Antonyms: acclaim, laud, praise, glorify, admire, exalt.
Usage: The stern judge will excoriate the behavior of the repeat offender by sentencing him to thirty years in prison.
Meaning: to criticize harshly and usually publicly.
Synonyms: assail, castigate, lambaste, vituperate, imprecate.
Antonyms: acclaim, laud, praise, glorify, admire, exalt.
Usage: The stern judge will excoriate the behavior of the repeat offender by sentencing him to thirty years in prison.
