abate

We stood on the dock on that moonless night, waiting for the storm to abate.

abate

(v.) to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit

synonyms: diminish, decrease, subside, let up

antonyms: intensify, increase, magnify, wax

astute

The astute management of money is a valuable skill but may not by itself make a good executive.

astute

(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom

synonyms: shrewd, acute, sagacious judicious, wily

antonyms: obtuse, doltish, empty-headed, dumb

culpable

It was the inspectors’ culpable neglect of duty that left such old busses in service.

culpable

(adj.) deserving blame, worthy of condemnation

synonyms: guilty, delinquent, peccant, blameworthy

antonyms: blameless, innocent, laudable, meritorious

egregious

Whoever allowed that man on stage is guilty of an

egregious blunder.

egregious

(adj.) conspicuous, standing out from the mass (used particularly in an unfavorable sense

synonyms: glaring, flagrant, blatant

antonyms: unnoticeable, paltry, piddling

equivocate

I won’t soon give my vote to a candidate who shows such a marked tendency to equivocate.

equivocate

(v.) to speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague or ambiguous

synonyms: to talk out of both sides of one’s mouth, palter, hedge

antonyms: to speak one’s mind plainly

recapitulate

Don’t bother to recapitulate the plot of the book; instead, tell me if you liked it.

recapitulate

(v.) to review a series of facts; to sum up

synonyms: review, summarize, sum up, go over

torpid

We all felt torpid after that long, dull lecture.

torpid

(adj.) inactive, sluggish, dull

synonyms: sluggish, lethargic, otiose, languid

antonyms: energetic, dynamic, vigorous