Synonyms

An aspersion is a damaging or disparaging remark, a slanderous charge or accusation. "Slander" directly captures this meaning of damaging someone's reputation through false claims. "Distinguished" and "reputed" are positive descriptors.

Assuage means to make an unpleasant feeling less intense, to soothe, calm, or satisfy. "Alleviate" best captures this meaning of relieving or reducing something painful or distressing. "Aggravate" and "distress" are opposites.

Astringent means sharp, severe, or harsh in manner or tone; it can also mean binding or constricting. "Harsh" best captures this meaning among the options. "Mild," "compassionate," and "soft" are all opposites.

Assiduous means showing great care, perseverance, and attention to detail - hardworking and diligent. "Persistent" best captures this quality of steady, diligent effort. "Complacent" and "idle" are opposites.

Assent means to express approval or agreement, to concur or agree. "Agree" is the direct synonym. "Disagree," "disapprove," and "discourage" are all antonyms.

Lethal and deadly are synonymous meaning 'ability to kill'.

Applaud means to praise, express approval of, or show appreciation for something. 'Praise' is the most direct synonym - to express approval or admiration. 'Congratulate' is similar but more specific to achievement, 'adore' means to love or worship, 'flatter' implies insincere praise.

Prolific means producing much fruit, foliage, or offspring; highly productive or fertile. 'Fertile' is the closest synonym, directly relating to the ability to produce abundantly. 'Predominant' means most common or influential, 'plenty' is a noun, not an adjective.

Tepid means moderately warm, lukewarm, or showing little enthusiasm. 'Warm' is the closest match among the options, meaning moderately hot. The word specifically refers to temperature between hot and cold, not extreme temperatures like boiling.

Rabble means a disorderly crowd, mob, or the common people regarded as lacking refinement. 'Mob' is the direct synonym - a large disorderly crowd. 'Noise' and 'roar' are associated but don't mean the crowd itself, 'rubbish' is completely unrelated.

 When we condone a wrongful act, we generally are forgiving of that person doing the deed. Hence, forgive is correct.

The word is 'PARADOX' (misspelled as PARDOX in the question). A paradox is a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement that may actually be true. 'Contradiction' is the closest synonym - something that conflicts or opposes. Exaggeration is unrelated to paradox.

Exorbitant means exceeding bounds of custom, propriety, or reason; excessive or unreasonably high. 'Excessive' is the direct synonym - more than is necessary or normal. 'Ridiculous' can mean absurd but doesn't specifically mean exceeding reasonable limits.

Mediocre means of only average quality, moderate, or inferior to what is expected. 'Average' is the closest match - of middle quality or rank. 'Dull' suggests boring rather than merely average, 'common' means ordinary but not necessarily average in quality.

Bounty means generosity in giving, or something given generously; a gift or reward. 'Gift' is the closest match among options - something given voluntarily. 'Pleasure' is a feeling, not a thing given. The word specifically relates to generous giving or rewards.