- BYZANTINE (Adjective)
Meaning: complex; hard to comprehend.
Synonyms: daedal, complicated, convoluted, devious
Antonyms: plain, simplified, uncomplicated.
Usage: Using the byzantine instructions, it was hard for me to make the cake. - GERMANE (Adjective)
Meaning: relevant to a subject under consideration.
Synonyms: relevant, pertinent, applicable, apposite
Antonyms: irrelevant
Usage: Since we were running out of time, our professor asked us to limit our questions to those germane to today’s lecture. - VEST (Verb)
Meaning: confer or bestow (power, authority, property, etc.) on someone.
Synonyms: endow, lodge, lay, place
Antonyms: refuse, take, dislodge
Usage: Parliament is vested with the power of making laws. - STYMIE (Verb)
Meaning: prevent or hinder the progress of; to stand as an obstacle.
Synonyms: hamper, hinder, obstruct, inhibit,
Antonyms: assist, help
Usage: Since my parents were unhappy about my college choice, they tried to stymie my decision by withholding their financial assistance. - REINVIGORATE (Verb)
Meaning: give new energy or strength to; to refresh.
Synonyms: enliven, rejuvenate, renew, revitalize
Antonyms: destroy, ruin
Usage: A free lunch was held for staff to reinvigorate moral and refresh company unity. - UNLEASHING (Verb)
Meaning: release (a dog) from a leash.
Synonym: set free, release
Antonym: restrain
Sentence: Freedom is about what you can unleash. - ENCUMBRANCE (Noun)
Meaning: an impediment or burden.
Synonym: hindrance, obstruction
Antonym: help, asset
Sentence: They have no benches or chairs, and thus they get rid of the encumbrance of much furniture. - ALIENATED (Adjective)
Meaning: to make an individual feel unwanted or removed from a group or relationship.
Synonym: disaffect, disgruntle
Antonym: endear, ingratiate
Sentence: The restaurant owner hesitates to change his menu because he does not want to alienate his regular customers. - UNHINDERED (Adjective)
Meaning: not hindered or obstructed.
Synonym: straight, non-stop
Antonym: Incomplete, indirect
Sentence: He was able to pass unhindered through several military checkpoints. - CASTIGATED (Verb)
Meaning: to criticize someone or something severely.
Synonym: reprimand, rebuke
Antonym: praise, commend
Sentence: My mother was a cruel woman who never missed an opportunity to castigate my father. - IDIOMS
Corridors of power
Meaning: the higher levels of government officials where important decisions are made.
Sentence: The new policies and procedures regarding public employment opportunities are in the corridors of power at the present time.Pull strings
Meaning: Used in a context when someone takes the help of influential people in order to obtain an advantage.
Sentence: Sheena finally found a job she wanted. Her father just pulled a few strings.A bit beyond one’s ken
Meaning: Used in a context when something is beyond one’s ability to understand the mater or task.
Sentence: The stuff they’re teaching in this advanced mathematics class is a bit beyond my ken.
