Departure from what is normal, proper, right, expected ** deviation Aberration (n) Departure from what is normal, proper, right, expected ** deviation
for this specific purpose; improvised syn: makeshift Ad hoc (adj) for this specific purpose; improvised syn: makeshift
Bane (n) The source or cause of fatal injury, death, destruction, or ruin; poison syn: spoiler **rain
syn: mawkishness, mush, schmaltz Bathos (n) Intrusion of commonplace or trite material into a context whose tone is lofty or elevated; exaggerated sentimentality syn: mawkishness, mush, schmaltz
Cantankerous (adj) Ill-tempered, quarrelsome; difficult to get along or deal with syn: cranky, testy, peevish, irascible, ornery **cranky tank
syn: sophistry, quibbling Casuistry (n) The determination of right and wrong in questions of conduct or conscience by the application of general ethical principles; specious argument syn: sophistry, quibbling
Syn: in actuality, in point of fact De facto (adj) Actually existing or in effect, although not legally required or sanctioned; (adv) in reality, actually Syn: in actuality, in point of fact ** the facto is…
***a predator would plunder Depredation (n) The act of preying upon or plundering Syn: looting, pillage, outrage ***a predator would plunder
Syn: sympathy, compassion Empathy (n) A sympathetic understanding of or identification with the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of someone or something else Syn: sympathy, compassion **sympathy
A fore runner, herald; (v)to herald the approach of Syn: (n) precursor Harbinger (n) A fore runner, herald; (v)to herald the approach of Syn: (n) precursor
syn: pleasure seeking, sensuality Hedonism (n) The belief that the attainment of pleasure is life’s chief aim; devotion to the pursuit of pleasure syn: pleasure seeking, sensuality ***enjoy-ism
Lackluster (adj) Lacking brilliance or vitality; dull syn: vapid, insipid, drab, flat **lacking luster/shine
Malcontent (adj) discontented with or in open defiance of prevailing conditions; (n) such a person **not content
Mellifluous (adj) Flowing sweetly or smoothly; honeyed syn: euphonious, musical **fluidity
Nepotism (n) Undue favoritism to or excessive patronage of one’s relatives **favoritism
Pander (v) To cater to or provide satisfaction for the low tastes or vices of others; (n) a person who does this Syn: to indulge **pamper
A minor sin or offense; a trifling fault or shortcoming Peccadillo (n) A minor sin or offense; a trifling fault or shortcoming syn: indiscretion ***petty misdeed
Piéce de résistance (n) The principal dish of a meal; the principal event, incident, or item; and outstanding accomplishment syn: chief d’oeuvre ***centerpiece
Remand (v) To send or order back; in law, to send back to jail or to a lower court ** remit, return
**symptoms may point to …. Syndrome (n) A group of symptoms or signs that collective characterize or indicate syn: complex, pattern **symptoms may point to ….