Synonyms

To filch means to steal something, usually in a casual, sneaky, or petty way. It implies taking something without permission, often without violence. 'Pretend' and 'embarrass' are unrelated, while 'dirty' is an adjective describing condition, not an action of taking.

To disconcert means to confuse, unsettle, or make someone feel uncomfortable or lose their composure. It creates a state of mental uncertainty or embarrassment. The other options are unrelated - singing in harmony, pretending, or cancelling are not meanings of disconcert.

Demise primarily means death or the end of something's existence. While it can refer to termination or dismissal in some contexts, 'death' is the most direct and common meaning, especially when referring to a person. The other options (accident, act, dismissal) are not primary meanings.

Garrulous means excessively talkative, wordy, or given to talking too much. It describes someone who talks at great length, often about trivial matters. 'Laconic' is actually an antonym (using few words), while 'strangling' and 'frozen' are unrelated meanings.

Penury means extreme poverty or destitution - the state of being very poor. It refers to a lack of money or material possessions. 'Affluence' is an antonym (wealth), while 'custom' and 'numismatics' (coin collecting) are unrelated.

Saturnine means gloomy, melancholy, or sullen in temperament or appearance. It describes someone who is dark, moody, or pessimistic. Despite the reference to the planet Saturn, it means the opposite of 'hopeful.' 'Planetary' and 'astronomic' are too literal.

Indigence means poverty or neediness - the state of being extremely poor and lacking basic necessities. It's synonymous with penury (see question 176718). 'Nativity,' 'tolerance,' and 'gossiping' are unrelated meanings.

Misanthropy is hatred, dislike, or distrust of humankind and human nature. It's the opposite of philanthropy (love of humanity). While 'hatred' is the closest match, it's worth noting that misanthropy specifically refers to hatred of people, not general hatred. The other options are all positive traits.

Haggard means looking gaunt, worn, exhausted, and wild-looking, especially from fatigue, illness, or suffering. It describes a wasted or careworn appearance. 'Gaunt' is the closest synonym meaning thin and bony, especially from hunger or age. The other options don't match.

CHICANERY refers to the use of trickery or deception to achieve one's goals, often in a clever but unethical way. 'Trickery' is the closest synonym among the options. 'Foulness' refers to something dirty or offensive, 'Aroma' is a smell, and 'Chastity' means moral purity or celibacy - none of these relate to clever deception.

VINDICATIVE describes someone who seeks revenge or holds a grudge, showing a strong desire to harm others who have wronged them. 'Revengeful' is the perfect synonym. 'Triumphant' means victorious, 'Strategic' means planned carefully, and 'Bigoted' means prejudiced - none convey the sense of wanting revenge.

PEDAGOGUE refers to a teacher or educator, especially one who is formal or pedantic in their approach. 'Teacher' is the correct synonym. 'Demagogue' is a political leader who appeals to emotions, 'Peddler' is a seller, and 'Bicyclist' rides a bicycle - none relate to teaching.

STAID means sedate, sober, steady, and unadventurous in character or behavior. 'Sedate' is the closest match. 'Weary' means tired, 'Remaining' refers to what's left, and 'Afraid' means fearful - these don't capture the sense of steady and unadventurous.

INFINITE means endless, boundless, or without limits in size or extent. 'Endless' is the direct synonym. 'Verbal' means spoken, 'Indefinite' means vague or undefined, and 'Strange' means unusual - none convey the concept of having no end.

LOQUACIOUS describes someone who talks excessively or is very talkative. 'Garrulous' is a perfect synonym. 'Taciturn' is actually the opposite (quiet), 'Situated' refers to location, and 'Anti-social' means avoiding society - these don't match the meaning of talkative.

VIRAGO historically means a fierce, loud-voiced, or domineering woman, often used critically to mean shrew. 'Shrew' captures this meaning. 'Bacillus' is a type of bacteria, 'Chastity' means moral purity, and 'Wanton' means uncontrolled or immoral - only 'Shrew' fits the context of a difficult woman.

 Variegate means multicolour.

PROPLUSIVE means characterized by driving forward or pushing onward, often with force. 'Forward' captures the directional meaning best. 'Refined' means elegant, 'Yellow orange' is a color, and 'Ancient' means very old - these don't relate to pushing or driving movement.

REGIME refers to a system of government, rule, or administration. 'Rule' is the most accurate synonym among the options. 'Military group' is too specific, 'Summary' is a brief statement, and 'Estimate' is a rough calculation - none capture the concept of governance or ruling.

VESTIGE means a small trace, remnant, or sign of something that once existed. 'Trace' is the perfect synonym. 'Clothing' and 'Undergarment' relate to clothes but not to the concept of remaining evidence, while 'Hallway' is a passage - these don't capture the meaning of a remaining sign.

FASTIDIOUS means very attentive to detail, meticulous, and easily disgusted by things considered imperfect. 'Squeamish' captures the sense of being easily disgusted, which is one aspect of fastidiousness. 'Speedy' means fast, 'Precise' is close but refers to accuracy rather than the finicky nature, and 'Hungry' means needing food - none fully capture the particular sense.

RETROSPECT means looking back on or reviewing past events or situations. 'Review of the past' is exactly what retrospection means. 'Special kind of telescope' and 'Microscope' are optical instruments, while 'Prism' is a transparent optical element - these are literal objects, not the act of reviewing the past.

JUNTA refers to a small group of people, usually military or political leaders, who jointly control a government. A CLIQUE is similarly a small, exclusive group of people with shared interests or purposes. Neither junction (a point where roads meet) nor jungle (a dense forest) captures this meaning of a ruling group.

ERUDITE means having or showing great knowledge, learning, or scholarship. SCHOLARLY directly corresponds to this meaning, describing someone well-educated and learned. Rough and unpolished are opposite in meaning, while magnificent refers to grandeur rather than intellectual depth.

FEALTY historically refers to the fidelity or loyalty owed by a vassal to a feudal lord. LOYALTY is the direct modern equivalent, describing faithfulness and allegiance. Sense of touch, anger, and anxiety are unrelated to the concept of sworn fidelity.