Vocabulary and Synonyms

Proscribe means to forbid, prohibit, or condemn something. It is the opposite of prescribe, which means to recommend or authorize. Banish best captures the meaning of forbidding or exiling. Allow and advance are opposite in meaning to proscribe.

Obfuscation means making something unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand. It is the act of deliberately confusing or obscuring meaning. Confusing others best captures this definition. To darken is the literal meaning but the figurative meaning is more common.

Vituperate means to criticize or abuse someone in a harsh, angry, and bitter way. It involves using abusive language. Abuse is the closest meaning. Encourage, appraise, and appreciate are all opposite in meaning to vituperate.

Intrepid means brave, fearless, or bold. It describes someone who shows no fear in dangerous or difficult situations. Fearless is the correct definition. Ugly, selfish, and coward are all opposite or unrelated meanings.

Compunction means a feeling of guilt, regret, or remorse for doing something wrong. It is an uneasy feeling caused by conscience. Regret is the closest match. Appreciate, wonder, and anger are different emotional states.

Deplete means to use up, consume, or exhaust resources, supplies, or energy. To exhaust is the correct definition. Take away is incomplete, while fill and make greater are opposite meanings. When something is depleted, it is significantly reduced or emptied.

Obstreperous means noisy, difficult to control, and aggressively boisterous. It describes unruly behavior. Noisy best captures this meaning, though obstinate is also related. Cheerful and calm are opposite meanings.

Sozzled is an informal British term meaning drunk or intoxicated. It describes someone who has consumed too much alcohol. Drunk is the correct meaning. Cultured, moderate, and burning are unrelated to being intoxicated.

Osmosis literally refers to the movement of fluid through a membrane, but figuratively means gradual absorption, acceptance, or learning without conscious effort. Gradual acceptance best captures the metaphorical meaning, as in learning by osmosis. Slow recovery, abrupt ending, and crowded are unrelated.

Fiasco means a complete and humiliating failure or disaster. It describes something that goes wrong in an embarrassing way. Failure is the correct definition. Strength, success, and hope are all opposite meanings.

Perspicacious means having keen discernment or sharp insight. 'Shrewd' is the correct match as it describes someone with astute judgment and keen perception.

Ostracise means to exclude someone from a community or group. 'Cut off' accurately captures this sense of exclusion or banishment from society.

Spew means to eject or discharge something forcefully and in large quantities. 'To come forth in a flush' captures this sense of forceful expulsion.

Repugnance means strong aversion, disgust, or dislike. 'Disinclination' best represents this feeling of reluctance or disgust toward something.