TODAY'S WORD
nugatory
adjective | /nugatory/
- of no value or importance; useless or futile
Example:
"The court found the contract clause nugatory and unenforceable."
clandestine
done in a private or secret way, especially because illicit
Example:
"They held clandestine meetings to plan the takeover."
unwitting
not aware of what is really happening; not intended or planned
Example:
"He was an unwitting accomplice in the fraud scheme."
jingoism
extreme patriotism or nationalism marked especially by aggressive foreign policy
Example:
"The government's jingoism alarmed neighboring countries."
eschew
to avoid something, especially for moral or practical reasons
Example:
"She chose to eschew alcohol during training."
epistolary
relating to or written in the form of letters
Example:
"The novel is epistolary, composed entirely of letters between the characters."
ambivalent
having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone
Example:
"She felt ambivalent about moving to a new city."
assumption
something that is accepted as true without proof; the act of taking responsibility or power
Example:
"Her assumption about his motives was wrong."
histrionic
overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style
Example:
"Her histrionic performance won attention but divided critics."
quaff
to drink a large amount of (something) quickly
Example:
"He quaffed the cold water after the marathon."
ravage
cause severe and extensive damage to something
Example:
"The hurricane ravaged the coastal villages, leaving few houses standing."
puerile
silly or childish, showing a lack of seriousness
Example:
"His puerile jokes were out of place at the formal dinner."
delinquent
a (usually young) person who regularly performs illegal or immoral acts
Example:
"The program aims to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents."
conflagration
an extensive fire that destroys a great deal of land or property
Example:
"The forest was destroyed in a massive conflagration."
trundle
to move slowly and heavily, typically with a rattling or rumbling sound; to push or pull something on wheels
Example:
"The old, wooden cart began to trundle down the cobblestone road, its wheels protesting loudly with every rotation."
dissolution
the breaking up or dismissal of an assembly or organization; the process of disintegrating or decomposing
Example:
"The dissolution of the partnership was negotiated amicably."
stymie
to stop (someone) from doing something or to stop (something) from happening
Example:
"Competitors stymied our efforts to expand into the new market."
junket
a trip made by a government official and paid for by the public
Example:
"The committee's overseas junket sparked debate over public spending."
ostracize
to avoid someone intentionally; to exclude from a group by common consent
Example:
"After the scandal he was ostracized by former friends."