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.

RABID (adj)

Meaning
having very strong feelings about something and acting in an unacceptable way.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
extreme, fanatical, overzealous, violent, maniacal, wild, passionate
Antonyms
-
Usage
Rabid fanatics belonging to two religious groups indulged in arson, damaging a lot of public property in the process.

RADDLED (adj)

Meaning
looking very tired
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
haggard, gaunt, hollow-eyed, drawn, pinched, tired, fatigued, drained, exhausted, washed out, unwell
Antonyms
healthy
Usage
Although he has recovered from a bout of illness, he still looks raddled.

RAFFISH (adj)

Meaning
not very acceptable according to some social standards, but interesting and attractive.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
rakish, jaunty, dapper, dashing, sporty, flashy, unconventional, bohemian, casual, careless.
Antonyms
-
Usage
He comes across as a happy-go-lucky type of a person with a slightly raffish air.

RAMIFICATION (noun)

Meaning
complex results of an action or event
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
consequence, result, aftermath, outcome, effect, upshot, issue, sequel, complication, development, i
Antonyms
-
Usage
It is predicted that the centre's decision would have widespread social ramifications.

RAMPAGE (noun)

Meaning
a period of wild and violent behaviour
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
berserk, out of control, wild, violent, frenzied, running amuck, rioting.
Antonyms
-
Usage
The mob went on a rampage and destroyed public property.

RANCID (adj)

Meaning
tasting or smelling unpleasant
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
stale, rank, putrid, old
Antonyms
fresh
Usage
The rancid odour emanating from the dish was nauseating.

RANKLE (verb)

Meaning
cause continuing annoyance or resentment
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
annoy, upset, anger, irritate, offend, affront, displease, exasperate, infuriate, provoke, irk, vex,
Antonyms
-
Usage
His disparaging remarks rankled her.

RANT (noun)

Meaning
speak in a loud, angry and forceful way
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
tirade, harangue, diatribe, broadside, verbal onslaught
Antonyms
-
Usage
He launched into a rant against the swindler who had duped him.

RAPACIOUS (adj)

Meaning
avaricious, very greedy
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
usorious, extortionate, mercenary, materialistic
Antonyms
generous
Usage
The rapacious money lender charged a heavy interest on the money he lent to the poor and illiterate villagers.

RAPPORT (noun)

Meaning
relationship
Root of the word
port = to carry
Synonyms
bond, understanding, affinity, link, connection, empathy
Antonyms
-
Usage
He has an excellent rapport with his boss.

RAPPROCHEMENT (noun)

Meaning
a renewal of friendly relations between two countries or groups
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
reconciliation, increased understanding, agreement, cooperation, harmonization, softening
Antonyms
-
Usage
The resumption of train services between India and Pakistan is an indicator of the growing rapprochement between the two countries.

RAPT (adj)

Meaning
completely interested or absorbed in someone or something.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
fascinated, enthralled, spellbound, captivated, gripper, mesmerized, enchanted, entranced, charmed,
Antonyms
-
Usage
His audience listened to him with rapt attention.

RAPTUROUS (adj)

Meaning
feeling or expressing great pleasure or enthusiasm
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
ecstatic, joyful, joyous, elated, euphoric, transported, rhapsodic, ravished, enchanted, enthusiasti
Antonyms
bored, indifferent
Usage
His family and friends gave him a rapturous welcome when he returned to his motherland after several years of staying abroad.

RARA AVIS (noun)

Meaning
a rare person or thing.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
rare person / thing, rare bird, wonder, marvel, nonpareil, non such, one of a kind; anomaly
Antonyms
-
Usage
Finding politicians of honesty and integrity seems to be a rara avis these days.

RARING (adj)

Meaning
full of enthusiasm and a sense of urgency.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
eager, keen enthusiastic, impatient, longing, desperate, ready, willing.
Antonyms
-
Usage
She is all rejuvenated and raring to get back to work after a long holiday.

RAVAGED (verb)

Meaning
badly damaged
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
devastated, ruined, wrecked
Antonyms
-
Usage
Several maritime cities and towns were ravaged by the tsunami which occurred in the year 2004.

RAVINGS (noun)

Meaning
wild talk that makes no sense.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
gibberish, rambling, babbling, wild talk, incoherent talk, delirium.
Antonyms
-
Usage
They dismissed his utterances as the lunatic ravings of a senile old man.

RAZE (verb)

Meaning
to completely destroy a building town, etc. so that nothing is left.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
destroy, demolish, tear down, pull down, knock down, level, flatten, bulldoze, ruin, wreck.
Antonyms
-
Usage
Several houses were razed to the ground by the devastating earthquake.

RE (preposition)

Meaning
with reference to
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
about, concerning, regarding, with regard to, relating to, apropos (of), on the subject of, with res
Antonyms
-
Usage
Dear Mr. Brown, Re: your application for the post of executive, you are requested to come for an interview.

REBUFF (verb)

Meaning
reject in an abrupt or unkind way
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
reject, spurn, refuse, decline, repudiate, rebuke
Antonyms
accept, welcome
Usage
He felt humiliated when his proposal was rebuffed by the members of his architecture committee

REBUT (verb)

Meaning
claim or prove to be false
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
refute, deny, disprove, invalidate, negate
Antonyms
confirm
Usage
The bureaucrat categorically rebutted his involvement in the scam.

RECALCITRANT (adj)

Meaning
obstinately disobedient
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
defiant, rebellious, mutinous, wilful, perverse
Antonyms
amenable, docile, compliant
Usage
Psychologists aver that a recalcitrant attitude among most teenagers is nothing abnormal.

RECANT (verb)

Meaning
say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, especially one considered heretical or unorthodox
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
renounce, forswear, disavow, deny, repudiate, abjure, relinquish, abandon
Antonyms
reaffirm
Usage
When his disparaging statements were met with loud protests from some sections of society, the leader was forced to recant.

RECEPTACLE (noun)

Meaning
an object or space to contain something.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
container, holder, chest, drum, can, box, pouch, pan, basket, repository vessel, dish, bag
Antonyms
-
Usage
The terrorists were found using suitcases as bomb receptacles.

RECEPTIVE (adj)

Meaning
open-minded, alert, willing to listen to or to accept new ideas and suggestions
Root of the word
recept = receive, catch, seize
Synonyms
accessible, approachable, interested, sympathetic, friendly, open-minded, responsive, flexible, amen
Antonyms
hostile, resistant, unresponsive
Usage
The new boss is very receptive to suggestions. The receptive audience encouraged him to speak at length on his new discovery.

RECHERCHE (adj)

Meaning
rare, exotic or something precious
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
obscure, rare, esoteric, abstruse, arcane, recondite
Antonyms
commonplace
Usage
Being a recherché subject, particle physics is beyond a lay man's comprehension.

RECLUSIVE (adj)

Meaning
isolated
Root of the word
clud/clus/claus/ clois = cloister, cluster, reclusive
Synonyms
cloistered, withdrawn, ascetic, secluded, solitary
Antonyms
-
Usage
His reclusive nature is mistaken by many for arrogance.

RECONDITE (adj)

Meaning
not known or understood by many people
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
obscure, abstruse, arcane, esoteric
Antonyms
straightforward, simple, familiar
Usage
Recondite subjects like philosophy are beyond a layman's comprehension.

RECONNAISSANCE (noun)

Meaning
the activity of getting information about an area for military purposes, using soldiers, planes etc.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
preliminary survey, exploration, observation, investigation, examination, inspection, probe, scrutin
Antonyms
-
Usage
Some aircrafts were used exclusively for reconaissance operations.

RECOURSE (noun)

Meaning
possible course of action
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
option, possibility, alternative, resort, hope, remedy, choice
Antonyms
-
Usage
Corporal punishment should be resorted to as a last recourse, while discipling children.

RECRIMINATION (noun)

Meaning
an accusation in response to one from someone else
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
accusation (s), counter charge (s), counterattack (s), retaliation (s)
Antonyms
-
Usage
Constant squabbles and mutual recrimination between parents can have a detrimental effect on a child's psychology.

RECTITUDE (noun)

Meaning
righteousness
Root of the word
rect = straight
Synonyms
integrity, morality, correctness, decency
Antonyms
immorality
Usage
He has a sense of moral rectitude and hence I feel he is a rare species in these dishonest times.

RECUPERATING (adj)

Meaning
recovering from illness or tiredness
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
recovering, convalescing, improving, mending, regaining, recovering
Antonyms
-
Usage
The climate of the hill station is ideal for convalescents recuperating from an illness.

REDOLENT (adj)

Meaning
strongly suggestive of
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
evocative, suggestive, reminiscent, remindful
Antonyms
-
Usage
The rustic surroundings which were redolent of the quaint charm of his native village, stirred nostalgic memories in him.

REDOUBTABLE (adj)

Meaning
worthy of respect or fear
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
formidable, awe-inspiring, fearsome, daunting, alarming, impressive, commanding, tremendous, indomit
Antonyms
-
Usage
Mrs Indira Gandhi was a redoubtable leader who was held in awe by her followers.

REDOUND (verb)

Meaning
contribute greatly to (a person's credit)
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
contribute to, be conducive to, result in, lead to, effect, have an effect on, affect.
Antonyms
-
Usage
His excellent oratory skills might redound to his advantage.

REDUNDANT (adj)

Meaning
superfluous, unnecessary
Root of the word
unda = wave
Synonyms
unnecessary, extra, neeedless
Antonyms
necessary
Usage
The deputy chief's post is very soon going to become redundant.

REFRACTORY (adj)

Meaning
stubborn or difficult to control
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
obstinate, stubborn, mulish, bull-headed, obdurate, headstrong, wayward, wilful, perverse, recalcitr
Antonyms
obedient, manageable
Usage
The refractory labourers refused to call off their strike when the management failed to accede to their demands.

REFUTE (verb)

Meaning
prove to be wrong
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
disprove, rebut, confute, demolish, explode, debunk, discredit, invalidate
Antonyms
confirm
Usage
He refuted the accusations levelled against him by proving his innocence.

REGAL (adj)

Meaning
having to do or fit for a monarch, especially in being magnificent or dignified.
Root of the word
reg/rec = related to a king, rule
Synonyms
kingly, princely, majestic, magnificent, splendid, noble, dignified, dominant, paramount, sovereign,
Antonyms
low, poor, humble, plebian, ignoble
Usage
The tourists were thoroughly amazed to see the exquisite grandeur of the palace in all its regal splendour.

REGIME (noun)

Meaning
government
Root of the word
reg/rec = related to a king, rule
Synonyms
rule, administration, organization, management, command, system, establishment
Antonyms
-
Usage
The Nazi regime committed innumerable atrocities.

REGRESS (verb)

Meaning
return to an earlier or less advanced state
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
revert, retrogress, relapse, lapse, backslide, slip back, drift back, subside, sink back, deteriorat
Antonyms
progress, improve
Usage
The teenager's regressing to childish behaviour could probably be due to an underlying psychological problem.

REITERATE (verb)

Meaning
say again or repeatedly
Root of the word
it/iter = between, among
Synonyms
restate, recap, retell
Antonyms
-
Usage
The Minister reiterated that he was innocent and categorically denied his involvement in the scandal.

REJOINDER (noun)

Meaning
quick or witty reply
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
answer, reply, response, retort, riposte, counter, sally
Antonyms
-
Usage
He expressed his disapproval with a curt rejoinder.

REJUVENATE (verb)

Meaning
make (someone or something) look younger or more lively
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
revive, revitalize, renew, regenerate, restore.
Antonyms
enfeeble
Usage
The commander's exhortation rejuvenated the sagging morale of the soldiers.

RELAPSE (verb)

Meaning
fall back into a previous state
Root of the word
laps = slip
Synonyms
deterioration, go back to
Antonyms
-
Usage
The patient relapsed into coma yet again.

RELENT (verb)

Meaning
finally agree to something after refusing to do so initially
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
capitulate, yield, accede, acquiesce, soften, melt, weaken
Antonyms
harden
Usage
Despite all the blandishments we showered on him, he did not relent from his obstinate stance.

RELENTLESS (adj)

Meaning
never stopping or weakening
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
persistent, continuing, constant, continual, unabated, incessant
Antonyms
short-lived, irresolute, intermittent
Usage
One must relentlessly pursue one's goal in order to embrace success.

RELINQUISH (verb)

Meaning
give up
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
renounce, give up, part with, give away, hand over, turn over, lay down, let go of
Antonyms
keep, retain
Usage
To express his displeasure with the British government Rabindranath Tagore relinquished the title conferred upon him.

REMINISCE (verb)

Meaning
think or talking about the past for enjoyment
Root of the word
mnem = memory, remember
Synonyms
recall, recollect
Antonyms
-
Usage
The old soldier often reminisced about his victories and achievements of the bygone days.

REMONSTRATE (verb)

Meaning
make a strongly critical protest
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
protest, complain, expostulate, reprimand, reproach, reprove, upbraid, berate, scold
Antonyms
-
Usage
Students remonstrated against the college management for hiking the tution fee.

REMUNERATIVE (adj)

Meaning
paying a lot of money.
Root of the word
Latin-remunerate: reward, recompense
Synonyms
lucrative, well-paid, financially rewarding, paying, gainful, money-making
Antonyms
-
Usage
He relocated to Mumbai recently, when he secured a more remunerative job.

REND (verb)

Meaning
tear to pieces
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
tear apart, rip apart, split, rupture, sever, separate.
Antonyms
-
Usage
Anti-reservation slogans rent the air when the Prime Minister visited the city.

RENDEZVOUS (noun)

Meaning
a meeting at an agreed time and place.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
meeting, appointment, engagement, assignation.
Antonyms
-
Usage
We will decide the course of action during our rendezvous this evening.

RENDITION (noun)

Meaning
a performance or version of a dramatic or musical work.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
performance, rending, interpretation, presentation, execution, delivery, playing, singing, reading,
Antonyms
-
Usage
The artist's rendition of Thyagraja's devotional songs had the audience spell-bound.

RENEGADE (noun)

Meaning
person who deserts and betrays an organization, country or set of principles
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
traitor, defector, deserter, turncoat
Antonyms
loyalist
Usage
The renegade was ostracized from the community for his perfidious act.

RENEGE (verb)

Meaning
go back on a promise or contract, default on
Root of the word
Synonyms
default on, fail to honour, break, back out of, pull out of, withdraw from, retreat from, welsh on,
Antonyms
keep, honour
Usage
Most politicians renege on whatever they had promised to the electorate, once the elections are over.

REPEAL (verb)

Meaning
officially cancel (a law or act of parliament)
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
revoke, rescind, cancel, reverse, abrogate, annul, -ify, invalidate, render invalid, quash, abolish
Antonyms
introduce, enact, ratify
Usage
The government was forced to repeal the rent control act owing to protests from all quarters.

REPLENISH (verb)

Meaning
refill
Root of the word
ple = full
Synonyms
top off, restock, reload
Antonyms
deplete
Usage
Please replenish the stock immediately.

REPLETE (adj)

Meaning
sated, full
Root of the word
ple = full
Synonyms
stuffed, complete, supplied, abounding, sated
Antonyms
hungry
Usage
History is replete with instances which prove that men have always been violent.

REPREHENSIBLE (adj)

Meaning
wrong or bad and deserving condemnation.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
deplorable, disgraceful, discreditable, blameworthy, culpable, wrong, bad, shameful, dishonourable
Antonyms
creditable, praiseworthy, good
Usage
According to the law, even those guilty of abetting a crime are morally reprehensible.

REPRIMAND (verb)

Meaning
to reprove severely
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, upbraid, reprove, reproach
Antonyms
praise, commend, compliment
Usage
He was reprimanded by his superiors for failing to execute the task assigned to him.

REPRISAL (adj)

Meaning
an act of retaliation
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
retaliation, counterattack, counterstroke, comeback, revenge, vengeance, retribution, requital, recr
Antonyms
-
Usage
Militants shot dead several, hostages in reprisal for their leaders' assassination.

REPRISAL (noun)

Meaning
an act of retaliation
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
counterattack, counter-stroke, revenge, vengeance, retribution, requital, recrimination
Antonyms
-
Usage
The college-students resorted to arson in reprisal for the gunning down of some of their college-mates

REPROBATE (noun)

Meaning
a person who behaves in an immoral way
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
rogue, rascal, scoundrel, villain, wretch, rake
Antonyms
virtuoso
Usage
Overcome by penitence, the reprobate vowed to mend his ways and turn over a new leaf.

REPUTE (noun)

Meaning
the opinion generally held of someone or something
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
fame, renown, distinction, stature, eminence
Antonyms
obscurity, infamy
Usage
He is a person of ill repute and dubious credentials; he cannot be trusted with the job.

REQUITAL (noun)

Meaning
the act of repaying or retaliating.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
repayment, reward, return, payment, recompense, reparation.
Antonyms
-
Usage
I intend giving her a small gift in requital of the kindness she has shown towards me.

RESCIND (verb)

Meaning
cancel a law, order or agreement
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
abrogate, annul, countermand
Antonyms
enforce
Usage
Only the President has the authority to rescind an order which has been approved by the cabinet.

RESENT (verb)

Meaning
dislike, begrudge
Root of the word
re -back; sens/sent = feel, think
Synonyms
hate, not like, rail against, be offended by
Antonyms
like
Usage
These days even toddlers resent being howled at. I resent being talked to in a loud voice.

RESILIENT (adj)

Meaning
able to withstand and recover quickly from difficult conditions
Root of the word
re- back; suit / sal / sil / sault = resilient, exultant, salient, somersault
Synonyms
strong, hardy
Antonyms
weak
Usage
Only a resilient person can withstand the pressures of the modern corporate world. Professional sports demand a lot of mental and physical resilience.

RESPONSIVE (adj)

Meaning
to react quickly and favourably
Root of the word
spond/spons = answer
Synonyms
open, approachable, reactive, alert
Antonyms
apathetic, insensitive
Usage
The PM exhorted his cabinet colleagues to be responsive to the needs of the people.

RESTITUTION (noun)

Meaning
payment for injury or loss
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
compensation, recompense, reparation, damages, indemnity, reimbursement, repayment, remuneration.
Antonyms
-
Usage
The court ordered the management of the company to pay a lakh of rupees in restitution, to the worker who sustained injuries while at work.

RETICENT (adj)

Meaning
reserved
Root of the word
re-back; tacit / tic = silent
Synonyms
taciturn, uncommunicative, unforthcoming, restrained, quiet, silent
Antonyms
talkative, communicative
Usage
He is too reticent to take on the role of a PR executive. The actress was extremely reticent about her personal life.

RETINUE (noun)

Meaning
a group of advisers or assistants accompanying an important person
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
entourage, escort, company, attendant, staff, aides, associates.
Antonyms
-
Usage
The heroine arrived on the sets of the film with her retinue, while the director waited impatiently.

RETORT (verb, noun)

Meaning
reply angrily, angry reply
Root of the word
tors, tort = twist
Synonyms
rejoin, snap, rejoinder
Antonyms
-
Usage
The captain retorted by saying that his critics were the kind of people who had never played the sport even at club level tournaments.

RETROGRADE (adj)

Meaning
moving backward; reverting to an inferior state; retrogression
Root of the word
retro = backward; grad, gress = to step, to go
Synonyms
traditional, retrospective, conservative, nostalgic unprogressive, negative, regressive
Antonyms
forward-looking
Usage
The new law is actually a retrograde step and we will not progress by its introduction. Clamping stringent laws that curb freedom could prove to be a retrograde step.

RETROSPECTIVE (adj)

Meaning
looking back
Root of the word
spec/spic/spect = look, see
Synonyms
reflection, hindsight
Antonyms
-
Usage
It is aptly said that even a fool becomes wise in retrospect.

REVERIE (noun)

Meaning
daydream
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
daydream, trance, fantasy, vision, fancy, musing, inattention
Antonyms
-
Usage
The loud knock on the door shook me from my reverie.

REVERT (verb)

Meaning
relapse
Root of the word
vert/vers = to turn
Synonyms
regress, lapse, slip back
Antonyms
-
Usage
The teacher asked the students to revert to him in case of any confusion.

REVILE (verb)

Meaning
to criticize somebody or something in a way that shows how much you dislike them.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
criticize, censure, condemn, attack, inveigh, flay
Antonyms
praise, extol
Usage
Byron reviled against the oppressive rulers of his time in his satirical works.

RIFE (adj)

Meaning
widespread
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
general, common, universal, extensive, ubiquitous, global, omnipresent, everywhere, inescapable, ins
Antonyms
scarce, unknown
Usage
Speculation is rife among the political circles of a possible mid-term polls.

RIGMAROLE (noun)

Meaning
a lengthy and complicated process
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
lengthy process, fuss, bother, commotion, trouble, ado, pother
Antonyms
1310
Usage
I prefer approaching an authorized agent, rather than getting into the rigmarole of running from pillar to post, in order to obtain my driving licence.

RIPOSTE (noun)

Meaning
quick clever reply
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
retort, counter, rejoinder, sally, return, retaliation, answer, reply
Antonyms
-
Usage
She was taken aback by his rather cheeky riposte.

RISQUE (adj)

Meaning
indecent or rude
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
bawdy, indecent, ribald, racy, broad, spicy, suggestive, titillating, improper, naughty, indelicate,
Antonyms
-
Usage
The government should impose a ban on the display of risque billboards on roads in the interest of the general public.

RITUAL (noun)

Meaning
a religious or solemn ceremony involving a series of actions performed according to a set of orders.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
ceremony, rite, ceremonial, observance, service, sacrament, liturgy, worship, celebration, performan
Antonyms
-
Usage
People belonging to some tribal cultures are notorious for practising gory rituals.

RIVEN (adj)

Meaning
divided because of disagreements, especially in a violent way
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
split, rent, ruptured, severed, torn apart
Antonyms
united, integrated
Usage
India was riven by internal conflicts among the various kingdoms which paved the way for the British to overpower the nation.

RIVETED (verb)

Meaning
to hold someone's interest or attention so completely that they cannot look away or think of anything else
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
engrossed, captivated, enthralled, intrigued, spellbound, rapt, mesmerized, transfixed
Antonyms
bored, uninterested
Usage
As my grandmother was a good raconteur, I was riveted by the stories she told me.

ROCOCO (adj)

Meaning
relating to an elaborately ornate style of architecture, furniture etc.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
ornate, fancy, very elaborate curlicued, over elaborate, extravagant, baroque, fussy, ostentatious,
Antonyms
-
Usage
The drawing room, which was tastefully decorated with rococo furniture was, reminiscent of a Victorian manor.

ROISTER (verb)

Meaning
revel noisily, be uproarious
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
celebrate, revel, carouse, frolic, romp, have fun, make merry
Antonyms
-
Usage
The rollicking youngsters roistered at a party hosted to usher in the New Year.

ROTUND (adj)

Meaning
round
Root of the word
rota = wheel, round
Synonyms
plump, stout, fat, corpulent, curved
Antonyms
thin, skinny
Usage
The new chief is a rotund, balding man.

RUDDY (adj)

Meaning
reddish
Root of the word
rud = rough, crude
Synonyms
rosy, glowing, flushed, healthy-looking
Antonyms
pale
Usage
This winter all my friends look ruddy.

RUEFUL (adj)

Meaning
expressing regret
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
sorrowful, regretful, apologetic, sorry, remorseful, shamefaced, sheepish, contrite, repentant
Antonyms
happy, unrepentant
Usage
I could make out from the rueful expression on his face that he was penitent about his errant behaviour.

RUN-OF-THE-MILL (adj)

Meaning
ordinary, with no special or interesting features
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
ordinary, average, standard, forgettable, commonplace, humdrum, mundane, routine, boring, prosaic, u
Antonyms
remarkable, extraordinary, exceptional
Usage
Being a very dynamic person who was always ready to face challenges, she disliked her average run of the mill kind of job.

RUSE (noun)

Meaning
a way of doing something or of getting something by deceiving someone.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
ploy, stratagem, tactic, move, device, scheme, trick, gambit, manocuvre cunning plan.
Antonyms
-
Usage
She was smart enough to detect the clever ruse of her oppnents.