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Synonym of the day

Synonym of the day

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Tuesday, December 29, 2020

synonym for adapt

accommodate

verb [ uh-kom-uh-deyt ]

accommodate is another word for adapt

Adapt and accommodate both mean to adjust or modify, or to make suitable to requirements or conditions. For instance, you might say you've adapted your behavior to a new country by learning the language and customs. You might also say you've accommodated yourself to your new country by learning the language and customs. The key difference between these verbs is that with this meaning, the direct object for adapt cannot be a person, while for accommodate, it can be a person as well as an inanimate object. Thus one cannot adapt other people, but one can accommodate them, adjusting oneself to do them a favor or meet their needs or wants in some way. Accommodate is also an elevated way for hotels or service providers to say they can host you or take care of you.

Commonly found as

accommodate the needs
The deluxe tour company put in writing that they would accommodate the needs of their clients, regardless of the expense.
easily accommodate
Even though she was busy, she wanted visitors; so she said she could easily accommodate her friends and family.

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Dec 30 wane
Dec 28 cantankerous

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Synonym of the day

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Monday, December 28, 2020

synonym for grumpy

cantankerous

adjective [ kan-tang-ker-uhs ]

cantankerous is another word for grumpy

Every once in a while, we can all be a bit grumpy, which means “ill-tempered or grouchy.” When someone is grumpy on a more regular basis or in a particularly argumentative way, they could be described as cantankerous. Cantankerous means “disagreeable to deal with; contentious.” Being four syllables, cantankerous is a loftier-sounding word than grumpy, which is an expressive word akin to a grunt and has its origins in the phrase “humps and grumps.” Cantankerous was probably formed from a Middle English word that meant “quarrel” or “contention.” A machine can be personified humorously as cantankerous if it does not operate smoothly, and similarly, so can an animal that displays opposition or irritableness.

Commonly found as

old + cantankerous
There was little surprise that it was the old, cantankerous shopkeeper who had complained about the parade. 
notoriously cantankerous
Llamas and mules, although good pack animals, are notoriously cantankerous companions.

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Dec 29 accommodate
Dec 27 squander

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Sunday, December 27, 2020

synonym for waste

squander

verb [ skwon-der ]

squander is another word for waste

It’s been said that a mind is a terrible thing to waste! To waste something can be to fail to use it, or to consume, spend, or employ it uselessly or without adequate return. Waste may be used with physical objects or with something more abstract, such as time, effort, or even one’s mind. When seeking a verb that captures an intentionally reckless use of one’s resources (including monetary), squander may be more apt. Squander means to spend or use (money, time, etc.) wastefully or extravagantly, and suggests willfully foolish expenditure, as in, “Instead of honoring his parents’ legacy, he squandered their money on parties and fancy cars.”

Commonly found as

squander away
Even though she had time off, she squandered it away scanning social media and watching silly cat videos.
squander opportunity
The team squandered several opportunities to score, but luckily their defense stepped up and saved the game.

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Dec 28 cantankerous
Dec 26 reciprocal

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Saturday, December 26, 2020

synonym for mutual

reciprocal

adjective [ ri-sip-ruh-kuhl ]

reciprocal is another word for mutual

Something mutual is held in common or experienced between two parties, as in mutual friends. Similarly, reciprocal indicates a balanced relationship between two or more people, in which an act, thing, or feeling is given in return for another. Unlike mutual, reciprocal also carries the meaning of “matching or equivalent.” So a reciprocal promise may be made to ensure that both parties will maintain confidentiality about a matter. Often used in math, navigation, and grammar, reciprocal has a more technical implication of being one-for-one or the exact opposite or inverse of something, whereas mutual features in the world of finance or insurance when assets are shared (e.g., mutual funds). 

Commonly found as

reciprocal relationship
Mentors and mentees must build a strong and respectful reciprocal relationship for success.
reciprocal + between
The leaders developed reciprocal agreements between their two neighboring countries to ensure safe and unrestricted travel for all their people.

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Dec 27 squander
Dec 25 mirthful

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Friday, December 25, 2020

synonym for jolly

mirthful

adjective [ murth-fuhl ]

mirthful is another word for jolly

Someone who is jolly is lively or merry. The figure most associated with the adjective jolly may be Jolly Old Saint Nick, or Santa Claus, often depicted belly-laughing with a merry twinkle in his eye. Mirthful, on the other hand, evokes mischievousness rather than the hearty “ho, ho, ho” of jolly. Mirthful, while less common than jolly, may be used to describe one’s mood, smile, or laughter itself, all containing a hint of being entertained by some secret silliness.

Commonly found as

mirthful laughter
Before entering the boisterous party, they could hear mirthful laughter emanating from the main hallway.
mirthful mood
Thinking of the surprise he had planned for his brother, the usually somber man was in a more mirthful mood lately.

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Dec 26 reciprocal
Dec 24 largess

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Thursday, December 24, 2020

synonym for generosity

largess

noun [ lahr-jes, lahr-jis ]

largess is another word for generosity

Generosity refers to a readiness or liberality in giving, and sometimes to an overall spirit of kindness. Another way to name generous giving, when it involves gifts or money, is with the noun largess. Largess can also refer to the gifts themselves. At the root of largess is the word "large," so one way to think about it is that those who show largess are characterized by the largeness of their contributions, monetary or otherwise. Most commonly, you will see largess used in the public works sense, denoting a sense of superiority or higher rank on the part of the one or ones bestowing it.

Commonly found as

government largess
Many organizations, including universities, depend on government largess to be able to operate.
benefit from largess
During the holidays, food banks benefit from the community’s largess, and can provide meals and small gifts for those in need.

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Dec 25 mirthful
Dec 23 bauble

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Wednesday, December 23, 2020

synonym for trinket

bauble

noun [ baw-buhl ]

bauble is another word for trinket

We may be searching last minute for those trinkets to stuff a stocking with or to decorate our homes right now. A trinket is a small ornament or piece of jewelry, often of little value. When the trinket is showy or cheaply made, and typically round, it may be called a bauble. Bauble originally referred to the staff or scepter that a court jester carried, and later to something pleasing to a child, like a toy. Bauble can simply be used to refer to a small, spherical ornament that is hung from the branches of a Christmas tree. So gather your trinkets, doodads, gewgaws, trifles, and baubles, and start decorating!

Commonly found as

shiny bauble
Hanging from the snow queen’s ears were two bright, shiny baubles that reflected the falling snow.
decorate + bauble
For the holiday show, the crew decorated the trees with white lights and silver baubles.

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Dec 24 largess

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Dec 30 wane
Dec 28 cantankerous

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