English Vocabulary - Archives

For each word, you will get the meaning and the root of the word and synonyms and antonyms for the word. For each word, you will also get a simple sentence which uses the word. These sentences help you understand the usage of the words.

DAPPER (adj)

Meaning
(of a man) neat in dress and appearance
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
smart, spruce, trim, debonair, neat, tidy, crisp, well-dressed, well-turned, well-groomed, elegant,
Antonyms
-
Usage
The dapper young man charmed everyone at the party with his impeccable manners.

DASTARDLY (adj)

Meaning
wicked and cruel
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
wicked, evil, iniquitous, heinous, villainous, diabolical, fiendish
Antonyms
noble, praiseworthy
Usage
The terrorist attack, in which several people lost their lives, was condemned as an inhuman and dastardly act.

DAUNT (verb)

Meaning
cause to feel nervous or discouraged
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
alarm, depress, deter, discourage, dishearten, dismay, intimidate
Antonyms
encourage
Usage
The intrepid traveller was not daunted by the hardships involved in the long and arduous journey.

DAUNTLESS (adj)

Meaning
fearless and determined
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
indomitable, intrepid, doughty, plucky
Antonyms
timorous, timid
Usage
Despite the many hardships she had to endure, the dauntless young woman went ahead in pursuing her goal.

DE RIGUEUR (adj)

Meaning
required by etiquette or current fashion
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
fashionable, in fashion, voguish, in vogue, modish, trendsetting, latest, smart, chic
Antonyms
fashionable
Usage
A formal suit is de riguer in the Boardroom today.

DEBACLE (noun)

Meaning
a complete failure or disaster
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
fiasco, failure, catastrophe, disaster, disintegration, mess, wreck, ruin, downfall, collapse, defea
Antonyms
-
Usage
Although his maiden attempt at directing a film was a sheer debacle, he gradually became a director of repute.

DEBILITATE (verb)

Meaning
enfeeble, enervate
Root of the word
de = down, out, away, apart
Synonyms
weaken, encumber, hinder, incapacitate, hamper
Antonyms
energise
Usage
A bout of viral fever has left me debilitated.

DECAPITATE (verb)

Meaning
to behead; capitulate…to yield, to surrender
Root of the word
capt/capit = head
Synonyms
execute, guillotine, cut off somebody's head
Antonyms
-
Usage
The notorious criminal was decapitated.

DECIMATE (verb)

Meaning
destroy a large proportion of
Root of the word
dec = ten, tenth
Synonyms
wipe out, kill
Antonyms
-
Usage
More people are decimated on the roads of Delhi than in a war.

DECLAIM (verb)

Meaning
to express something with a strong feeling, especially in a loud voice or with forceful language.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
speak out, make a protest, make a stand, rail, inveigh, fulminate, rage, thunder, rant about, condem
Antonyms
-
Usage
The writer declaimed against the evils of terrorism.

DECLAMATORY (adj)

Meaning
expressing feelings or opinions in a strong way in a speech or a piece of writing
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
rhetorical, oratorical, elaborate, ornate, bold, extravagant, flowery, florid, dramatic, theatrical,
Antonyms
-
Usage
The rebel tried to instigate the youth with his strong declamatory speech.

DECOY (noun)

Meaning
a person or thing used to mislead or lure someone into a trap.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
lure, bait, red herring, enticement, inducement, temptation, attraction, allurement, draw, ensnareme
Antonyms
-
Usage
The enemy troops planted a decoy to divert the attention of their rivals.

DECRY (verb)

Meaning
publicly declare to be wrong, express strong disapproval
Root of the word
DE = away, apart, down
Synonyms
condemn, run down, complain about, criticize, belittle, deprecate, disparage
Antonyms
praise, approve
Usage
The opposition decried the government's position on globalisation. The minister strongly decried the lack of proper rehabilitation programmes for the victims of the earthquake.

DEDUCE (verb)

Meaning
arrive at (an opinion) by reasoning
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
conclude, reason, work out, gather, infer, glean, divine, intuit, extrapolate, understand, conjectur
Antonyms
-
Usage
I could deduce from his silence that he was not in favour of the decision.

DEFACE (verb)

Meaning
spoil the appearance of
Root of the word
de = down, out, away, apart
Synonyms
mar, spoil, despoil, vandalize, ruin, disfigure, mutilate
Antonyms
beautify
Usage
Vandals defaced the great leader's statue.

DEFAMATORY (adj)

Meaning
spoiling the good reputation
Root of the word
de = down, out, away, apart
Synonyms
offensive, libellous, derogatory, insulting, slanderous
Antonyms
complimentary
Usage
The bureaucrat announced his decision to sue the newspaper for publishing defamatory remarks against him.

DEFECTION (noun)

Meaning
the act of abandoning one's country or cause in favour of an opposing one.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
desertion, abandoning, decamping, flight, apostasy, recantation, secession, treason, betrayal.
Antonyms
-
Usage
The defection of a big chunk of MLAs to the ruling party came as a big blow to the opposition.

DEFLECTION (noun)

Meaning
a sudden change in the direction that some thing is moving in, usually after it has hit something.
Root of the word
de = away
Synonyms
turning aside, turning, diversion, drawing away, deviation, divergence, declination, aberration.
Antonyms
-
Usage
Astronomers are studying if there has been any deflection in the path of the comet.

DEFUNCT (adj)

Meaning
no longer in existence
Root of the word
de = down, out, away, apart
Synonyms
invalid, obsolete, useless, non-operational, outdated, redundant, out of use
Antonyms
working, extant
Usage
The abacus is more or less defunct these days.

DEFUSE (verb)

Meaning
to stop a possibly dangerous or difficult situation from developing especially by making people less angry or nervous.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
reduce, lessen, diminish, lighten, relieve, ease, alleviate, allay, moderate, mitigate.
Antonyms
aggravate, heighten, intensify.
Usage
She tried to defuse the highly charged atmosphere in the room by cracking jokes.

DEGENERATE (adj)

Meaning
having neglected the high qualities of mankind
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
corrupt, decadent, dissolute, dissipated, debauched, rakish, reprobate, profligate, depraved, perver
Antonyms
moral
Usage
The doctor was shocked to find the degenerate attitude prevalent among some of his colleagues.

DEGRADATION (noun)

Meaning
the action of being broken down or made worse
Root of the word
grad, gress = to step, to go
Synonyms
baseness, disgrace, dishonour, debasement, dismissal
Antonyms
honour, exaltation, praise
Usage
Environmental degradation is attributed to ecological imbalance, which is perpetrated by human activity.

DEGRADED (adj)

Meaning
not worthy of any respect
Root of the word
grad = to step, to go
Synonyms
humiliated, demeaned, debased, cheapened
Antonyms
proud, dignified
Usage
Do not degrade people merely because they belong to a 'lower' class.

DEIFY (verb)

Meaning
making into or worship as a god.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
worship, revere, venerate, reverence, extol, exalt, adore, immortalize
Antonyms
demonize
Usage
Illiterate people, particularly in rural India, deify politicians and film stars and build temples in their name.

DELIBERATION (noun)

Meaning
the process of carefully considering or discussing something.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
thought, thinking, consideration, reflection, contemplation, cogitation, pondering, weighing up, mus
Antonyms
-
Usage
He gave his consent after a lot of deliberation.

DELIMIT (verb)

Meaning
to make or describe the limits of something.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
determine, establish, set, fix, mark demarcate, bound, define, delineate.
Antonyms
-
Usage
The powers given to the bureaucrats are delimited by the respective ministries.

DELUGE (noun)

Meaning
torrential rain
Root of the word
lav/lau/lu = wash
Synonyms
flood, rush, overwhelm, inundate,
Antonyms
-
Usage
There was a deluge of people for buying tickets for the one-day international.

DEMENTED (adj)

Meaning
behaving in a crazy way because of being extremely upset or worried
Root of the word
ment = mind
Synonyms
crazy, uncontrolled, manic, frenzied, frantic
Antonyms
calm
Usage
She was nearly demented with worry and ran from pillar to post to trace her lost child.

DEMOTIC (adj)

Meaning
(of language) used by ordinary people.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
popular, vernacular, colloquial, idiomatic, vulgar, common, informal, everyday, non-literary
Antonyms
formal
Usage
The pedestrian theme and demotic language of the play came in for criticism.

DEMUR (noun)

Meaning
the action of raising objections
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
objection, protest, protestation, complaint, dispute, dissent, carping, cavilling, recalcitrance
Antonyms
-
Usage
They accepted the treatment meted out to them, by their superiors, without demur.

DEMURE (adj)

Meaning
shy
Root of the word
de = down, out, away, apart
Synonyms
sedate, modest, retiring, diffident, reserved, shy, decorous
Antonyms
bold
Usage
The renowned actress played the role of a demure bride, to perfection.

DENIGRATE (verb)

Meaning
to say that someone or something is not good or important.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
disparage, belittle, diminish, deprecate, cast aspersions on, decry, criticize unfairly, attack
Antonyms
extol
Usage
The author of the novel was castigated because he denigrated the beliefs of a particular religious group.

DEPICT (verb)

Meaning
to represent by or as if by painting; portray; delineate
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
describe, detail, relate, narrate, recount, unfold
Antonyms
-
Usage
In his novels Thomas Hardy depicts man as a victim of the vagaries of fate.

DEPLETING (adj)

Meaning
reduce in quantity or numbers
Root of the word
de = down, out, away, apart
Synonyms
exhaust, reduce, diminish, use up, run down, lessen, drain
Antonyms
augmenting, increasing
Usage
Environmentalists are concerned about the depleting ground water level.

DEPLORABLE (adj)

Meaning
very bad and unacceptable, often in a way that shocks people.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
disgraceful, shameful, dishonourable, disreputable
Antonyms
admirable
Usage
The principal severely rebuked the students for their deplorable behaviour and warned them to mend their ways.

DEPORTMENT (noun)

Meaning
manner
Root of the word
port = to carry
Synonyms
posture, bearing, behavior, carriage, demeanor, mien
Antonyms
-
Usage
His etiquette and deportment could not be faulted.

DEPRECATE (verb)

Meaning
to feel and express strong disapproval of something
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
deplore, abhor, despise, execrate, criticize, censure, condemn
Antonyms
praise
Usage
The opposition deprecated the decision taken by the ruling party claiming that it was detrimental to the interest of the nation.

DEPREDATION (noun)

Meaning
acts that cause harm or damage.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
plunder, looting, pillaging, robbery, raiding, ravaging, ransacking, devastation, ravages.
Antonyms
-
Usage
The drain on the country's economic resources was due to the depredation caused by foreign invasions.

DERIDE (verb)

Meaning
ridicule
Root of the word
rid/ris = laugh
Synonyms
mock, taunt, scoff, sneer, slur, gibe
Antonyms
encourage, advise, guide, cheer, inspire, stimulate, incite
Usage
Deriding the suggestions made by youngsters is bound to discourage them.

DEROGATORY (adj)

Meaning
disparaging
Root of the word
roga/rogat = ask
Synonyms
insulting, offensive, critical, belittling
Antonyms
complimentary
Usage
Politicians using derogatory comments against their adversaries is a very common phenomenon.

DESCRY (verb)

Meaning
catch sight of
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
discern, detect, comprehended
Antonyms
miss out
Usage
At times, children can descry things, which we don't even notice.

DESECRATE (verb)

Meaning
damage, despoil
Root of the word
sacr/sanct = sacred, holy
Synonyms
vandalize, lay waste to
Antonyms
consecrate
Usage
The invaders desecrated the holy shrines. The miscreants desecrated the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

DESIDERATUM (noun)

Meaning
something that is needed or wanted.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
requirement, prerequisite, need, indispensable thing, desired thing, needed thing, essential requisi
Antonyms
-
Usage
Puntuality is a desideratum for the smooth functioning of any organization.

DESIST (verb)

Meaning
to stop doing something
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
abstain, refrain, forbear, hold back, keep, stop, cease, discontinue, suspend, give up, quit, break
Antonyms
continue, persist in.
Usage
As he is a hypertensive, he was advised to desist from smoking.

DESPERADO (noun)

Meaning
a desperate or reckless criminal.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
bandit, criminal, outlaw, renegade, marauder, raider, robber, lawbreaker, villain, thug, ruffian
Antonyms
-
Usage
The police managed to capture the fugitive desperado when he surfaced from his hideout last week.

DESPERATE (adj)

Meaning
causing or involving anxiety
Root of the word
sper = hope
Synonyms
distracted, anxious, worried, distressed, fraught, frantic, reckless, hopeless, serious
Antonyms
calm
Usage
As he is getting older, the actor seems to be desperate to get as many roles as possible.

DESPICABLE (adj)

Meaning
very unpleasant or bad, causing strong feelings of dislike.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
contemptible, loathsome, hateful, detestable, reprehensible, abhorrent, admirable, awful, heinous, o
Antonyms
-
Usage
All nations of the world denounced the terrorist attack as the most despicable of human crimes.

DESPOILATION (noun)

Meaning
making a place less attractive, valuable, or important by taking things away from it or by destroying it
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
devastation, destruction, ruin, ruination, vandalism, depredation, despoilment, plunder
Antonyms
-
Usage
The despoliation of the pristine hill stations by tourists is a cause for serious concern.

DESTINY (noun)

Meaning
the events that will happen to a person, seen as impossible to be changed.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
fate, providence, predestination, divine decree, god's will, kismet, fortune, chance
Antonyms
-
Usage
Escaping unhurt, despite being in the jaws of death after encountering a ghastly accident, is sheer destiny.

DESULTORY (adj)

Meaning
aimless
Root of the word
suit/sal/sil/sault = resilient, exultant, salient, somersault, desultory, assault
Synonyms
unfocused, random, indiscriminate, half-hearted, haphazard
Antonyms
methodical
Usage
He is weak at studies mainly because his reading habits are desultory.

DETENTION (noun)

Meaning
custody
Root of the word
tain/ten/tent/tin = hold, twist
Synonyms
imprisonment, arrest, incarceration, locking up, confinement
Antonyms
release
Usage
Many freedom fighters wrote their autobiographies during the period of their detention.

DETER (verb)

Meaning
discourage from doing something; prevent
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
discourage, dissuade, warn, caution, dishearten, demoralize
Antonyms
encourage
Usage
The exorbitant price of branded clothes does not deter the fashion-conscious youth of today.

DETEST (verb)

Meaning
hate
Root of the word
testa = witness
Synonyms
abominate, despise, loathe, dislike intensely
Antonyms
love
Usage
I detest people who tell lies.

DETRIMENTAL (adj)

Meaning
causing harm or damage
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
harmful, damaging, injurious, hurtful, inimical, deleterious, pernicious, ill, bad
Antonyms
benign, beneficial
Usage
Medical practitioners across the world aver that a sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to one's health.

DETRITUS (noun)

Meaning
debris or waste material.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
debris, discarded matter, refuse, rubbish, litter, scrap, lumber, rubble, wreckage, flotsam and jets
Antonyms
-
Usage
In the morning after Diwali, the streets were littered with the detritus of the previous night's fireworks.

DEVIOUS (adj)

Meaning
skilful in using underhand tactics
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
underhand, deceitful, dishonest, dishonourable, disreputable, unprincipled, unethical
Antonyms
above board
Usage
The venal politician amassed a lot of wealth through devious means.

DEVOLVE (verb)

Meaning
transfer (power) to a lower level
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
delegate, pass (down/on), hand down/over/on, depute, transfer, transmit, commit, assign, consign, co
Antonyms
centralize, retain
Usage
The Central Government has devolved the responsibility of implementing security measures to the states.

DEVOUR (verb)

Meaning
eat greedily, overwhelm
Root of the word
vor = eat
Synonyms
demolish, consume, gulp down, overcome
Antonyms
-
Usage
He devours books by the dozen.

DEVOUT (adj)

Meaning
deeply religious
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
dedicated, devoted, committed, loyal, faithful, staunch, genuine, firm, steadfast, resolute, zealous
Antonyms
apathetic
Usage
She was a devout and God fearing person who never swayed from the path of righteousness.

DIATRIBE (noun)

Meaning
a long and angry speech or piece of writing attacking and criticizing somebody or something
Root of the word
dia = across
Synonyms
attack, criticism, invective, tirade, denunciation
Antonyms
-
Usage
He launched into a diatribe against corruption.

DICTION (noun)

Meaning
pronunciation, the way that somebody pronounces words
Root of the word
dic/dict = to say
Synonyms
enunciation, articulation, elocution, locution, pronunciation, speech, intonation, inflection, deliv
Antonyms
-
Usage
He could be a good orator if he improves his diction. Clear diction and a stentorian voice made him an orator par excellence.

DICTUM (noun)

Meaning
a formal statement from an authoritative source; a short statement that expresses a general truth or principle
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
pronouncement, proclamation, direction, injunction, assertion, statement, dictate, command, mandate
Antonyms
-
Usage
The General's dictum was received with evident resentment by the soldiers. He fimly believed in the dictum, 'Neither a borrower nor a lender be'.

DIDACTIC (adj)

Meaning
intended to teach or give moral instruction
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
instructive, instructional, educative, educational, informative, informational
Antonyms
-
Usage
Didactic literature does not appeal to a majority of today's youth.

DIFFIDENCE (noun)

Meaning
shyness
Root of the word
fid = faith, trust
Synonyms
reserve, hesitancy, reticence, quietness, timidity
Antonyms
confidence
Usage
She gradually overcame her initial diffidence and began to feel at home in the new surroundings.

DILATORY (adj)

Meaning
slow to act
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
slow, unhurried, tardy, unpunctual, lax, slack, sluggish, sluggardly, slothful
Antonyms
quick, expeditious, fast
Usage
The government was criticized by the opposition for its dilatory approach in providing relief measures to the flood ravaged villages.

DILETTANTE (noun)

Meaning
a person who dabbles in a subject for enjoyment but without serious study.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
dabbler, potterer, tinkerer, trifler
Antonyms
professional
Usage
The dilettante painter was pleasantly surprised when someone offered to buy his painting.

DIMUNITIVE (adj)

Meaning
extremely or unusually small
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
tiny, small, little, petite, minute, miniature, mini, minuscule, microscopic, compact, toy, midget
Antonyms
enormous
Usage
The petite young lady was a diminutive figure beside her burly husband.

DIRE (adj)

Meaning
extremely serious or urgent.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
terrible, dreadful, appalling, frightful, awful, horrible, atrocious, grim, unspeakable, distressing
Antonyms
-
Usage
His untimely death left his family in dire straits.

DISBURSEMENT (noun)

Meaning
pay out (money from a fund).
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
payment, disbursal, paying out, laying out, spending, expenditure, disposal, outlay, doling out.
Antonyms
-
Usage
The philanthropic trust, which is involved in the disbursement of funds for charitable activities, was extolled by people.

DISCERN (verb)

Meaning
recognize or be aware of
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
perceive, make out, detect, recognize, notice, observe, identify, determine, distinguish
Antonyms
overlook, miss
Usage
I could discern a tinge of sarcasm in his tone.

DISCERNING (adj)

Meaning
having or showing good judgement
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
discriminating, selective, judicious, tasteful, refined, cultivated, cultured, sophisticated
Antonyms
undiscerning, indiscriminate
Usage
The discerning audience rated the musician's performance as mediocre.

DISCORD (noun)

Meaning
lack of agreement or harmony
Root of the word
cord/card = heart
Synonyms
confusion, disturbance, dissension, strife, clash
Antonyms
harmony, peace, concord, agreement, corporation
Usage
The couple decided to opt for a divorce because of marital discord.

DISCOURSE (noun)

Meaning
written or spoken communication or debate
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
essay, treatise, dissertation, paper, study, critique, monograph, disquisition, tract, lecture, addr
Antonyms
-
Usage
The spiritual discourse aroused the philosopher in me.

DISCREET (adj)

Meaning
careful not to attract attention or give offence
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
careful, cautious, chary, circumspect, considerate, delicate, diplomatic, guarded
Antonyms
indiscreet
Usage
They made a few discreet enquiries before clinching the deal.

DISCRETE (adj)

Meaning
individually separate and distinct
Root of the word
dis = apart, away
Synonyms
separate, distinct, individual
Antonyms
connected
Usage
Although they look similar, they are as discrete as chalk and cheese.

DISCRETIONARY (adj)

Meaning
decided according to the judgement of a person in authority about what is necessary in each particular situation.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
optional, non-compulsory, voluntary, non-mandatory elective; open, unrestricted
Antonyms
compulsory, obligatory
Usage
The employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus.

DISCRIMINATE (verb)

Meaning
make a distinction between
Root of the word
crim/crit = judge, accuse, separate, criminal, incriminate, discriminate, criterion, critical, critic
Synonyms
tell apart, separate, classify, single out, differentiate, distinguish
Antonyms
equate
Usage
Death does not discriminate between the rich or poor, old or new, man or woman.

DISDAIN (verb)

Meaning
to think that something or someone is not good enough to gain your respect or attention
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
scorn, deride, contempt, belittle, undervalue, slight, despise
Antonyms
respect, value
Usage
Being an overly haughty person, he showed disdain her advice.

DISGORGE (verb)

Meaning
pour forth, discharge
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
discharge, eject, emit, expel, evacuate, empty, spew out, belch, spout, regurgitate
Antonyms
retain
Usage
The pristine waters of the lake were polluted by factories disgorging their chemical wastes into the lake.

DISMEMBER (verb)

Meaning
to cut or tear the dead body of a person or an animal into pieces
Root of the word
dis = apart, away; membrum = limb
Synonyms
disjoint, cut the limbs of, pull apart, cut up, chop up, break up, dissect, divide, segment, mutilat
Antonyms
-
Usage
In the name of rituals, people in primitive societies used to dismember animals and humans.

DISPARATE (adj)

Meaning
(of two or more things) so different from each other that they cannot be compared
Root of the word
dis = apart, away
Synonyms
contrasting, different, differing, dissimilar, unlike, varying, various.
Antonyms
complimentary
Usage
Although the two sisters look alike they are as disparate as chalk and cheese as far as their attitudes are concerned.

DISPASSIONATE (adj)

Meaning
not influenced by strong emotion, not influenced by strong emotion; rational and impartial
Root of the word
dis-not, apart, away; passionate = romantic
Synonyms
unemotional, unsentimental, unruffled, unperturbed, impassive, non-emotional, emotionless, nonchalan
Antonyms
emotional
Usage
Despite being struck by a grave tragedy, she remained dispassionate and took things in her stride in a highly practical manner. If you view the situation as a dispassionate observer, you will be able to express an unbiased opinion.

DISPENSE (verb)

Meaning
give out
Root of the word
spers/spar = scatter
Synonyms
bestow, allot, hand out, distribute, dole out, mete out
Antonyms
withhold
Usage
It is alarming to note that criminals are holding parallel courts and dispensing justice.

DISQUIET (noun)

Meaning
unrest
Root of the word
quie = quiet
Synonyms
uneasiness, anxiety, concern, worry, foreboding, alarm
Antonyms
calmness
Usage
There was a lot of disquiet among the technical people about the launch of the new product.

DISSEMBLE (verb)

Meaning
hide or disguise one's motives or feelings, hedge
Root of the word
dis = not; simu/simi = same, similar
Synonyms
dissimulate, pretend, deceive, feign, act, masquerade, sham, fake, bluff, counterfeit, pose, posture
Antonyms
-
Usage
Being an honest and straightforward person she could not dissemble her actual feelings. She is an upright individual not prone to dissemble.

DISSEMINATE (verb)

Meaning
distribute, to spread information, knowledge etc. to many people
Root of the word
dis = apart, away, not; sem = seed
Synonyms
broadcast, spread, publish, publicize, circulate, distribute, propagate, proclaim, disperse, dissipa
Antonyms
gather
Usage
The purpose of teaching is not merely to disseminate information but to instil a love for learning. Information about AIDS must be widely disseminated to control its spread.

DISSENT (noun)

Meaning
lack of agreement
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
disagreement, argument, dispute, demur, disapproval, objection.
Antonyms
agreement, acceptance
Usage
Dissent within the members of the political party led to its devastating fall.

DISSERVICE (noun)

Meaning
a harmful action.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
unkindness, bad turn, ill turn, disfavour, mischief, injury, harm, hurt, damage, offence.
Antonyms
favour
Usage
You will be doing a great disservice to the organization by revealing confidential information to a rival.

DISSIPATE (verb)

Meaning
waste (money, energy or resources)
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
squander, misspend, waste, throw away, lavish, expend, run through, go through
Antonyms
-
Usage
Having dissipated all his ancestral inheritance, he is now bankrupt.

DISSOLUTE (adj)

Meaning
degenerate (lacking moral restraint or discipline)
Root of the word
dis - not; solu / solv = loosen, free
Synonyms
immoral, depraved, debauched, dissipated
Antonyms
upright, ascetic, pious
Usage
Most of the critics of the pop singer consider him to be a dissolute man. His dissolute behaviour shocked all his acquaintances.

DISSONANCE (noun)

Meaning
discord
Root of the word
son = sound
Synonyms
disagreement, dissension, conflict, difference
Antonyms
harmony
Usage
The dissonance at the meeting makes me feel that we are not heading towards peace.

DISTORT (verb)

Meaning
deform, misrepresent
Root of the word
tors, tort = twist
Synonyms
warp, disfigure, twist, bend, alter
Antonyms
represent
Usage
Politicians distorting facts to suit their needs is no news now a days.

DITHER (verb)

Meaning
a state of agitation or indecision
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
hesitate, falter, waver, vacillate, oscillate, temporize
Antonyms
-
Usage
Do not waste your time in dithering lest the opportunity should slip out of your hands.

DIURNAL (adj)

Meaning
at rest during night and active during the day.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
active during the day, non-nocturnal, daytime.
Antonyms
-
Usage
Unlike some animals, all birds are diurnal.

DIVERT (verb)

Meaning
redirect, alter
Root of the word
vert/vers = to turn
Synonyms
deflect, switch, reroute, sidetrack, avert
Antonyms
focus
Usage
The traffic was diverted as a new flyover was being constructed.

DIVEST (verb)

Meaning
strip
Root of the word
vest = clothing
Synonyms
rid, deny, deprive, rob
Antonyms
invest with
Usage
The Minister was divested of all powers.

DOCTRINAIRE (adj)

Meaning
very strict in applying beliefs or principles
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
dogmatic, rigid, inflexible, uncompromising, unyielding, adamant, insistent, pontifical, authoritari
Antonyms
liberal, flexible
Usage
Although people respect him for his knowledge and intelligence, most resent his doctrinaire attitude.

DOGGED (adj)

Meaning
showing determination, not giving up easily
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
determined, resolute, purposeful persistent, persevering
Antonyms
hesitant, half-hearted
Usage
Despite the obstacles which came his way, he pursued his goal with dogged tenacity and emerged successful.

DOLDRUMS (pl.noun)

Meaning
a state of inactivity or depression
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
depression, melancholy, gloom, glumness, downheartedness, dejection, despondency, heartache, unhappi
Antonyms
happiness
Usage
He has been in the doldrums ever since he was fired from his job.

DOLEFUL (adj)

Meaning
sad or depressing
Root of the word
dol = pain, sorrow; ful = quantity that fills
Synonyms
mournful, woeful, sad, unhappy, miserable, dejected
Antonyms
cheerful
Usage
She had a doleful expression on her face after she witnessed the tragic scene. A doleful atmosphere prevailed across the nation when the news of the President's death spread like wildfire.

DONNISH (adj)

Meaning
serious and concerned with academic rather than practical matters.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
scholarly, studious, academic, scholastic, bookish, book-loving, intellectual, erudite, educated
Antonyms
-
Usage
She is a very meticulous person who has a donnish air about her.

DOSSIER (noun)

Meaning
a set of documents relating to a person, event or case
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
file, report, case history, case study, case book, account, notes, document (s), documentation, data
Antonyms
-
Usage
His name figures prominently in the criminal dossier.

DOUBLE-CROSS (verb)

Meaning
to cheat or deceive somebody who trusts you
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
betray, cheat, defraud, trick, hoodwink, mislead, deceive, swindle, break one's promise, to be dislo
Antonyms
be loyal, play it straight
Usage
We were shocked to realize that we were double-crossed by an old servant, who served our family for several years and whom we trusted implicitly.

DOUGHTY (adj)

Meaning
brave and resolute
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
fearless, dauntless, determined, resolute, indomitable
Antonyms
timid
Usage
The feminist's doughty campaign to put an end to the atrocities committed against women earned her national acclaim

DOUR (adj)

Meaning
very severe or stern
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
unfriendly, forbidding, morose, sour, gruff, dismal
Antonyms
cheerful, friendly
Usage
The new teacher who looked dour and sullen failed to make a favourable impression on her students.

DOVETAIL (verb)

Meaning
fit together easily or conveniently.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
fit in, go together, be consistent, agree, accord, concur, coincide, match, fit, be in agreement, co
Antonyms
-
Usage
His tastes and interests dovetailed well with that of his spouse.

DOWN AT HEEL (adj)

Meaning
shabby because of lack of money
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
rundown, dilapidated, in disrepair, neglected, uncared-for, unmaintained, depressed, seedy, insalubr
Antonyms
-
Usage
The public park has become very down at heel due to sheer negligence by the municipal authorities.

DRABNESS (noun)

Meaning
The state of being dull and uninteresting
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
dullness, boringness, tedium, monotony, dreariness, lifelessness, barrenness, mediocrity, mundanenes
Antonyms
excitement
Usage
Being an adventure loving person, she resented the drabness of her life and craved to do something exciting.

DRACONIAN (adj)

Meaning
harsh
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
cruel, oppressive, drastic
Antonyms
lenient, considerate
Usage
POTA is considered to be a draconian law by some people.

DRAGOON (verb)

Meaning
forced into doing something
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
coerce, pressure, constrain, lean on, press, push, compel, impel, oblige, squeeze, hound, harass, na
Antonyms
-
Usage
The boisterous lad dragooned his friends into committing the offence.

DREARY (adj)

Meaning
bleak and depressing
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
dull, drab, uninteresting, flat, dry, banal, bland, insipid, colourless, lifeless, sterile, tedious
Antonyms
exciting
Usage
Having led a very active life while in service, he now finds his retired life dreary and monotonous.

DULCET (adj)

Meaning
sweet and soothing
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
mellifluous, euphonious, soothing, mellow
Antonyms
harsh, cacophonous
Usage
The bawling baby calmed down as soon as she heard her mother's dulcet voice.

DUMBFOUNDED (adj)

Meaning
greatly astonished
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
astonished, astounded, amazed, staggered, surprised, startled, stunned, confounded, nonplussed, stup
Antonyms
-
Usage
I was completely dumbfounded for a couple of minutes when I was declared the winner.

DURESS (noun)

Meaning
threats or violence used to force a person to do something
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
coercion, compulsion, force, pressure, intimidation, threats, constraint, enforcement
Antonyms
free will
Usage
The witness was forced to sign the document under duress.

DYSPEPTIC (adj)

Meaning
bad-tempered
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
short-tempered, irritable, snappish, testy, tetchy, crabby, crotchety. grouchy, cantankerous.
Antonyms
-
Usage
People resented his dyspeptic nature and avoided his company.