amnesty

Many political prisoners were freed under the amnesty granted by the new regime.

amnesty

(n.) a general pardon for an offense against a government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution

axiomatic

One should not accept the idea that a camera never lies as an axiomatic truth.

axiomatic

(adj.) self-evident, expressing a universally accepted principle or rule

synonym: taken for granted antonyms: questionable, dubious,

controversial

caveat

The well known Latin phrase “caveat emptor” means “Let the buyer beware.”

caveat

(n.) a warning or caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior

synonyms: admonition, words to the wise

equitable

He did more work, so a sixty-forty split of the profits seemed an equitable arrangement

equitable

(adj.) fair, just, embodying principles of justice

synonyms: right, reasonable, evenhanded

antonyms: unjust, unfair, one-sided, disproportionate

filch

If you filch pennies from the cash drawer, you are unlikely, after a white to be satisfied with only pennies.

filch

(v.) to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in pretty amounts

synonyms: pilfer, purloin, swipe

flout

She chose to ignore my advice, not because she wanted to flout my beliefs, but because she had strong opinions of her own

flout

(v.) to mock, treat with contempt

synonyms: scoff at, sneer at, snicker at, scorn

antonyms: obey, honor, revere, uphold

fractious

It seems as if we even the smoothest-running organizations contain one or two fractious elements

fractious

(adj.) tending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable

synonyms: refractory, recalcitrant, peevish

antonyms: docile, tractable, cooperative

precept

Many of the religions follow the precept that it is important to treat others as you, yourself, would like to be treated.

precept

(n.) a rule of conduct or action

synonyms: principle, maxim

salutary

The cute new puppy had a salutary effect on her health.

salutary

(adj.) beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome

synonyms: salubrious, curative

antonyms: detrimental, deleterious, pernicious

scathing

Sometimes a carefully reasoned discussion does more to change people’s minds than a scathing attack.

scathing(adj.) bitterly severe, withering,

causing a great harm.

synonyms: searing, harsh, ferocious, savage

antonyms: bland, mild

soporific

He claimed that the musical, despite, its energy, was soporific and that he had slept through the entire second act.

Shakespeare’s Juliet drinks a soporific so as to appear to be dead - a trick she is so soon to regret.

soporific

(adj.) tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness

synonyms: irritable, testy, waspish

antonyms: even-tempered, placid, serene, amiable