My broad hint that I had paid for the lessons myself brought smiles of approbation from all the judges at the piano recital.

Approbation Synonyms: commendation, sanction Latin: approbation- "an approval,"from ad- "to" + probare "to try, test something (to find if it is good)," from probus "honest, genuine" (see prove). (noun) the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval Synonyms: commendation, sanction

Her eyes told me that more than a few well-chosen words would be needed to assuage her hurt feelings.

Assuage ad- "to" (see ad-) + suavis "sweet, agreeable" (verb) to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench Synonyms: mitigate, alleviate, slake, allay

The various community organizations formed a coalition to lobby against parking laws.

Coalition Late Latin coalitus "fellowship," originally past participle of Latin coalescere (see coalesce (noun) a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose Synonyms: alliance, league, federation, combine

Some characterized her love of chocolate as decadence because she ate at least two candy bars a day.

Decadence Latin de- "apart, down" (see de-) + cadere "to fall" (Noun) decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay; excessive self-indulgence Synonyms: degeneration, corruption

My attempt to elicit information over the phone was met with a barrage of irrelevant recording.

Elicit ex- "out" (see ex-) + -licere, comb. form of lacere "to entice, lure, deceive" (verb) to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person) Synonyms: call forth, evoke, extract, educe Antonyms: repress, quash, squelch, stifle

Shakespeare’s Hamlet finds it useless to expostulate with his mother for siding with his stepfather.

Expostulate from ex- "from" (see ex-) + postulare "to demand" (verb) to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning Synonyms: protest, remonstrate, complain

The Great Gatsby tells a universal story without being marred by hackneyed prose.

Hackneyed hack in special sense of "one who writes anything for hire." (adjective) used so often as to lack freshness of originality Synonyms: banal, trite, commonplace, corny Antonyms: new, fresh, novel, original

I was awakened not by a sudden sound but by a hiatus in the din of traffic.

Hiatus hiatus "opening, aperture, rupture, gap," (noun) a gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing) Synonyms: pause, lacuna Antonyms: continuity, continuation

Those lacking the facts or afraid of reprisals often tarnish an enemy’s reputation by use of innuendo.

Innuendo innuere "to mean, signify," literally "to nod to," from in- "at" + nuere "to nod" (noun) a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense) Synonyms: insinuation, intimation Antonyms: direct statement

She will intercede in the dispute between the two children, and soon they will be playing happily again.

Intercede from inter- "between" (see inter-) + cedere "go" (verb) to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement Synonyms: intervene, mediate

The wilted handclasp and the fast-melting smile mark the jaded refugee from too many parties.

Jaded (adjective) wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence) Synonyms: sated, surfeited, cloyed Antonyms: unspoiled, uncloyed

Bright, sensational, and often lurid some old-time movie posters make today’s newspaper ads look tame.

Lurid Lurid luridus "pale yellow, ghastly," (adjective) causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint Synonyms: gruesome, gory, grisly, baleful, ghastly Antonyms: pleasant, attractive, appealing, wholesome

Many years of meritorious service could not dissuade him from feeling that he had not chosen work that he liked.

Meritorious (adjective) worthy, deserving recognition and praise merere "to earn" (adjective) worthy, deserving recognition and praise Synonyms: praiseworthy, laudable, commendable Antonyms: blameworthy, reprehensible, discreditable

An overworked parent may be unlikely to indulge the complaints of a petulant child.

Petulant petere "to attack, assail; strive after; ask for, beg, beseech" (Adjective) peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset Synonyms: irritable, testy, waspish Antonyms: even-tempered, placid, serene, amiable

She seemed to feel that a snooze at her desk was not an annoying habit but the prerogative of a veteran employee.

Prerogative prae- "before" (see pre-) + rogare "to ask" (noun) a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence. Synonyms: perquisite, perk

The banjo, once thought to be a provincial product of the Southern Hills, actually came here from Africa. And is awesome: The Devil Makes Three

Provincial (adjective) pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward; of simple, plain design that originated in the countryside; (noun) a person with narrow point of view; a person from an outlying area Synonyms: narrow-minded, parochial, insular, naive Antonyms: cosmopolitan, catholic, broad-minded

Some skilled actors can simulate emotions they might never have felt in life.

Simulate (verb) to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of Synonyms: feign, pretend, affect

A great work of art may be said to transcend time, and it is remembered for decades, or even centuries.

Transcend (Verb) to rise above or beyond, exceed from trans- "beyond" (see trans-) + scandere "to climb" (Verb) to rise above or beyond, exceed Synonyms: surpass, outstrip

She hesitated to offer her opinion, fearing that they would take umbrage at her criticism.

Umbrage Latin umbraticum "of or pertaining to shade; being in retirement," (noun) shade cast by trees; foliage giving shade; an overshadowing influence or power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion. Synonyms: irritation, pique, annoyance Antonyms: pleasure, delight, satisfaction

Her constant inquiring about the health of my family at first seemed friendly, later merely unctuous.

Unctuous Latin unguentem "ointment," (adjective) excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable Synonyms: mealy-mouthed, servile, fawning, greasy Antonyms: gruff, blunt