Allay (v) – to calm or pacify, set to rest; to lessen or relieveSyn: reduce alleviate, moderateAnt: aggravate, exacerbate, intensify**alleviate, lay down/calm down

Bestial (adj) – beastlike; beastly, brutal; subhuman in intelligence and sensibilitySyn: animal, depraved, loathsomeAnt: human, virtuous, upright**beastlike

Convivial (adj) – festive, sociable, having fun together, genialSyn: fun-loving, jovial, merryAnt: dour, grim, sullen, unsociable***carnivals are festive

Coterie (n) – a circle of acquaintances; a close-knit, often exclusive, group of people with common interest

Syn: clique, set***co- together

Counterpart (n) – a person or thing closely resembling or corresponding to another a complement

Syn: match***complement, part of pair

Demur (v) to object or take exception to; (n) an objection

Syn: (v) protest, object toAnt: (v) assent to, consent to, accept*** “Darn U R wrong!”

Effrontery (n) – shameless boldness, impudence

Syn: gall, chutzpah, nerveAnt: shyness, diffidence, timidity***come to the front and offend

Embellish (v) - to decorate, adorn, touch up; to improve by adding details

Syn: ornament, garnishAnt: strip, mar, disfigure***adding BELLS embellishes

Ephemeral (adj) – lasting only a short time, short-lived

Syn: fleeting, transient, evanescent, transitoryAnt: durable, long-lasting, permanent*** a funeral – life is too short

Felicitous (adj) – appropriate, apt, well chosen; marked by well-being or good fortune, happy

Syn: fortunate, well-putAnt: inappropriate, inept, graceless, unhappy***feliz means happy/merry in Spanish

Furtive (adj) – done slyly or stealthily, sneaky, secret, shifty; stolenSyn: clandestine, covert, surreptitiousAnt: forthright, aboveboard, open***if you are “flirtive” with someone it is often sneaky

Garish (adj) – glaring; tastelessly showy or over decorated in a vulgar or offensive way

Syn: gaudy, flashy, tawdryAnt: subdued, muted, understated, quiet***gaudy, too many garnishes

Illusory (adj) – misleading, deceptive; lacking in or not based on realitySyn: specious, fanciful, imaginaryAnt: actual, real, factual, objective***illusion

Indigent (adj) – needy, impoverished

Syn: penniless, destituteAnt: wealthy, affluent, prosperous***leading an indecent existence

Inordinate (adj) – far too great, exceeding reasonable limits, excessiveSyn: exorbitant, extravagantAnt: moderate, reasonable, equitable*** out of ordinary

Jettison (v) – to cast overboard, get rid of as unnecessary or burdensomeSyn: cast off, discard, dump, junk, abandonAnt: conserve, retain, hold on to, keep***throw something from the jet

Misanthrope (n) – a person who hates or despises peopleSyn: people-hater***mis (bad) anthropology (study of people)

Pertinacious (adj) – very persistent; holding firmly to a course of action or a set of beliefs; hard to get rid of

Syn: stubborn, dogged, determined***persistent

Picayune (adj) – of little value or importance, paltry, measly; concerned with trifling matters

Syn: inconsequential, piddling, triflingAnt: important, significant, huge, gigantic***picky amount or point

raiment (n) – clothing, garmentsSyn: apparel, attire***garment