{ "earlier":{ "so as to precede something in order of time":{ "antonyms":[ "after", "afterward", "afterwards", "later" ], "examples":[ "he had arrived earlier to take care of some preliminary matters" ], "near antonyms":[ "behind", "by and by", "next", "subsequently" ], "related":[ "a priori", "early", "prematurely", "first", "first off", "now", "before long", "erelong", "presently", "shortly", "soon" ], "synonyms":[ "afore", "ahead", "already", "antecedently", "anteriorly", "before", "beforehand", "formerly", "preliminarily", "previously" ] }, "type":[ "adverb" ] }, "earmarked":{ "to keep or intend for a special purpose":{ "antonyms":[], "examples":[ "the earnings from my second job have been earmarked for a down payment on a car" ], "near antonyms":[ "ignored", "neglected", "misapplied", "misused" ], "related":[ "blessed", "blest", "hallowed", "sanctified", "committed", "confided", "consigned", "entrusted", "intrusted", "applied", "bestowed", "employed", "used" ], "synonyms":[ "allocated", "consecrated", "dedicated", "devoted", "gave up (to)", "reserved", "saved", "set by" ] }, "type":[ "verb" ] }, "earmarking":{ "to keep or intend for a special purpose":{ "antonyms":[], "examples":[ "the earnings from my second job have been earmarked for a down payment on a car" ], "near antonyms":[ "ignoring", "neglecting", "misapplying", "misusing" ], "related":[ "blessing", "hallowing", "sanctifying", "committing", "confiding", "consigning", "entrusting", "intrusting", "applying", "bestowing", "employing", "using" ], "synonyms":[ "allocating", "consecrating", "dedicating", "devoting", "giving up (to)", "reserving", "saving", "setting by" ] }, "type":[ "verb" ] }, "earned":{ "to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment)":{ "antonyms":[], "examples":[ "you've earned the afternoon off after all that hard work" ], "near antonyms":[], "related":[ "entitled", "qualified" ], "synonyms":[ "deserved", "merited", "rated" ] }, "to receive as return for effort":{ "antonyms":[ "forfeited", "lost" ], "examples":[ "during my teen years I earned pocket money by mowing lawns" ], "near antonyms":[ "accorded", "gave", "granted", "paid", "gave up", "handed over", "parted (with)", "relinquished", "surrendered", "yielded" ], "related":[ "cleared", "grossed", "netted", "accomplished", "achieved", "notched (up)", "scored", "accumulated", "amassed", "racked up", "caught", "picked up", "annexed", "occupied", "took over", "reacquired", "reattained", "recaptured", "regained", "remade" ], "synonyms":[ "acquired", "attained", "bagged", "brought in", "came by", "captured", "carried", "drew", "gained", "garnered", "got", "knocked down", "landed", "made", "obtained", "procured", "pulled down", "realized", "reaped", "secured", "won" ] }, "type":[ "verb" ] }, "earnest":{ "a mental state free of jesting or trifling":{ "antonyms":[ "facetiousness", "flightiness", "flippancy", "frivolity", "frivolousness", "levity", "lightheartedness", "lightness", "play", "unseriousness" ], "examples":[ "I am in deadly earnest about this marriage proposal" ], "near antonyms":[ "lightness", "shallowness", "superficiality", "dalliance", "dilettantism", "cheerfulness", "gaiety", "gayety", "glee", "high-spiritedness", "merriment", "mirth" ], "related":[ "gravitas", "humorlessness", "decisiveness", "deliberation", "determination", "firmness", "purposefulness", "resoluteness", "resolve", "absorption", "attentiveness", "concentration", "engrossment", "enthrallment", "immersion", "intensity" ], "synonyms":[ "earnestness", "graveness", "gravity", "intentness", "serious-mindedness", "seriousness", "soberness", "sobriety", "solemnity", "solemnness", "staidness" ] }, "not joking or playful in mood or manner":{ "antonyms":[ "facetious", "flip", "flippant", "humorous", "jesting", "jocular", "joking", "kittenish", "ludic", "playful" ], "examples":[ "I'll accept only an earnest apology from you" ], "near antonyms":[ "antic", "comic", "comical", "droll", "farcical", "funny", "hilarious", "hysterical", "hysteric", "laughable", "light", "light-headed", "ludicrous", "ridiculous", "riotous", "risible", "screaming", "sidesplitting", "uproarious", "featherbrained", "flighty", "frivolous", "goofy", "harebrained", "lighthearted", "puerile", "scatterbrained", "absurd", "asinine", "balmy", "brainless", "cockeyed", "crazy", "cuckoo", "daffy", "daft", "dotty", "fatuous", "foolish", "half-witted", "insane", "jerky", "kooky", "kookie", "loony", "looney", "lunatic", "mad", "nonsensical", "nutty", "preposterous", "sappy", "screwball", "senseless", "silly", "unwise", "wacky", "whacky", "weak-minded", "witless", "zany" ], "related":[ "harsh", "stern", "strict", "businesslike", "professional", "dignified", "distinguished", "elevated", "serious-minded", "gloomy", "grim" ], "synonyms":[ "grave", "humorless", "no-nonsense", "po-faced", "sedate", "serious", "severe", "sober", "sobersided", "solemn", "staid", "uncomic", "unsmiling", "weighty" ] }, "type":[ "adjective", "noun" ] }, "earnestness":{ "a mental state free of jesting or trifling":{ "antonyms":[ "facetiousness", "flightiness", "flippancy", "frivolity", "frivolousness", "levity", "lightheartedness", "lightness", "play", "unseriousness" ], "examples":[ "practiced the art of acting with great earnestness" ], "near antonyms":[ "lightness", "shallowness", "superficiality", "dalliance", "dilettantism", "cheerfulness", "gaiety", "gayety", "glee", "high-spiritedness", "merriment", "mirth" ], "related":[ "gravitas", "humorlessness", "decisiveness", "deliberation", "determination", "firmness", "purposefulness", "resoluteness", "resolve", "absorption", "attentiveness", "concentration", "engrossment", "enthrallment", "immersion", "intensity" ], "synonyms":[ "earnest", "graveness", "gravity", "intentness", "serious-mindedness", "seriousness", "soberness", "sobriety", "solemnity", "solemnness", "staidness" ] }, "type":[ "noun" ] }, "earthborn":{ "having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven":{ "antonyms":[ "heavenly", "nontemporal", "unearthly", "unworldly" ], "examples":[ "turned away from earthborn concerns during the High Holidays" ], "near antonyms":[ "celestial", "Elysian", "empyreal", "empyrean", "supernal", "metaphysical", "devotional", "divine", "religious", "sacred", "spiritual", "utopian", "ethereal", "supernatural", "transcendent", "transcendental" ], "related":[ "animal", "bodily", "corporal", "corporeal", "physical", "daily", "diurnal", "unspiritual", "anthropic", "anthropical", "anthropocentric" ], "synonyms":[ "carnal", "earthbound", "earthly", "fleshly", "material", "mundane", "sublunary", "temporal", "terrene", "terrestrial", "worldly" ] }, "relating to or characteristic of human beings":{ "antonyms":[ "nonhuman" ], "examples":[ "he claims to be above such earthborn concerns as material comfort" ], "near antonyms":[ "angelic", "angelical", "divine", "godlike", "preternatural", "superhuman", "supernatural", "supernormal", "immortal", "omnipotent", "omniscient", "animal", "beastly", "bestial", "brute", "infrahuman", "inhuman", "robotic", "subhuman" ], "related":[ "anthropoid", "creatural", "hominid", "humanlike", "humanoid" ], "synonyms":[ "human", "mortal", "natural" ] }, "type":[ "adjective" ] }, "earthly":{ "having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven":{ "antonyms":[ "heavenly", "nontemporal", "unearthly", "unworldly" ], "examples":[ "a sermon against our obsession with earthly pursuits" ], "near antonyms":[ "celestial", "Elysian", "empyreal", "empyrean", "supernal", "metaphysical", "devotional", "divine", "religious", "sacred", "spiritual", "utopian", "ethereal", "supernatural", "transcendent", "transcendental" ], "related":[ "animal", "bodily", "corporal", "corporeal", "physical", "daily", "diurnal", "unspiritual", "anthropic", "anthropical", "anthropocentric" ], "synonyms":[ "carnal", "earthborn", "earthbound", "fleshly", "material", "mundane", "sublunary", "temporal", "terrene", "terrestrial", "worldly" ] }, "type":[ "adjective" ] }, "earthwork":{ "a raised bank or wall made of soil \u2014 usually plural":{ "antonyms":[], "examples":[ "prehistoric earthworks" ], "near antonyms":[], "related":[], "synonyms":[] }, "type":[ "noun" ] }, "eased":{ "as in":{ "antonyms":[], "examples":[], "near antonyms":[], "related":[], "synonyms":[] }, "to free from obstruction or difficulty":{ "antonyms":[ "complicated" ], "examples":[ "measures intended to ease the flow of traffic during rush hour" ], "near antonyms":[ "hindered", "impeded", "retarded", "aggravated", "worsened", "perplexed", "sophisticated" ], "related":[ "accelerated", "expedited", "hastened", "hurried", "quickened", "rushed", "sped", "speeded", "advanced", "forwarded", "furthered", "promoted", "abetted", "aided", "assisted", "helped", "improved", "disentangled", "straightened (out)", "untangled", "simplified", "streamlined" ], "synonyms":[ "facilitated", "greased", "loosened (up)", "smoothed", "unclogged" ] }, "to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually":{ "antonyms":[ "accumulated", "ballooned", "built", "burgeoned", "bourgeoned", "enlarged", "escalated", "expanded", "grew", "increased", "intensified", "mounted", "mushroomed", "picked up", "rose", "snowballed", "soared", "swelled", "waxed" ], "examples":[ "new investments in the region have eased since the rise in interest rates" ], "near antonyms":[ "appeared", "emerged", "showed up", "blew up", "distended", "elongated", "lengthened" ], "related":[ "compressed", "condensed", "constricted", "contracted", "evaporated", "faded (away)", "frittered (away)", "gave out", "melted (away)", "petered (out)", "tailed (off)", "vanished", "slackened", "slowed (down)", "alleviated", "relaxed", "flagged", "sank", "sunk", "weakened", "caved (in)", "collapsed", "deflated" ], "synonyms":[ "abated", "declined", "decreased", "de-escalated", "died (away or down or out)", "diminished", "drained (away)", "dropped (off)", "dwindled", "ebbed", "fell", "fell away", "lessened", "let up", "lowered", "moderated", "palled", "phased down", "ratcheted (down)", "racheted (down)", "receded", "relented", "remitted", "shrank", "shrunk", "subsided", "tapered", "tapered off", "waned" ] }, "to make less taut":{ "antonyms":[ "strained", "stretched", "tensed", "tensioned", "tightened" ], "examples":[ "the rock climber eased the rope a little so that his fellow climber had room to maneuver" ], "near antonyms":[ "attached", "bound", "fastened", "tied", "constrained", "restrained" ], "related":[ "detached", "freed", "unbound", "undid", "unfastened", "untied" ], "synonyms":[ "loosened", "relaxed", "slacked", "slackened" ] }, "to make more bearable or less severe":{ "antonyms":[ "aggravated", "exacerbated" ], "examples":[ "grandmother's firm belief that there are few ailments that chicken soup won't ease" ], "near antonyms":[ "harmed", "hurt", "impaired", "injured", "heightened", "intensified", "sharpened" ], "related":[ "abated", "lightened", "moderated", "softened", "tempered", "cured", "healed", "remedied", "amended", "corrected", "emended", "fixed", "mended", "rectified", "reformed", "repaired", "ameliorated", "bettered", "enhanced", "enriched", "improved", "meliorated", "perfected", "refined" ], "synonyms":[ "allayed", "alleviated", "assuaged", "helped", "mitigated", "mollified", "palliated", "relieved", "soothed" ] }, "to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent":{ "antonyms":[ "aggrandized", "amplified", "augmented", "boosted", "enlarged", "escalated", "expanded", "increased", "raised" ], "examples":[ "the chairman of the Federal Reserve has promised to ease interest rates" ], "near antonyms":[ "blew up", "dilated", "distended", "inflated", "swelled", "elongated", "extended", "lengthened", "prolonged", "protracted", "added (to)", "complemented", "supplemented", "enhanced", "heightened", "intensified", "redoubled" ], "related":[ "compressed", "condensed", "constricted", "contracted", "abbreviated", "abridged", "clipped", "cropped", "curtailed", "cut", "cut back", "cut down", "docked", "nicked", "pared", "pruned", "retrenched", "shortened", "slashed", "trimmed", "truncated", "whittled", "deflated", "shrank", "shrunk", "minimized", "moderated", "modified", "modulated", "qualified" ], "synonyms":[ "abated", "decreased", "de-escalated", "dented", "depleted", "diminished", "downscaled", "downsized", "dropped", "dwindled", "knocked down", "lessened", "lowered", "reduced" ] }, "type":[ "adjective", "verb" ] }, "easily":{ "type":[ "adverb" ], "without any question":{ "antonyms":[], "examples":[ "we easily have enough people to get the project under way" ], "near antonyms":[], "related":[ "conceivably", "likely", "perhaps", "possibly", "probably", "obviously", "unmistakably" ], "synonyms":[ "all right", "alright", "assuredly", "certainly", "clearly", "definitely", "doubtless", "forsooth", "hands down", "inarguably", "incontestably", "incontrovertibly", "indeed", "indisputably", "plainly", "really", "so", "sure", "surely", "truly", "unarguably", "undeniably", "undoubtedly", "unquestionably" ] }, "without difficulty":{ "antonyms":[ "arduously", "hardly", "laboriously", "strenuously" ], "examples":[ "a skater who easily executes even the most difficult jumps" ], "near antonyms":[ "awkwardly", "clumsily", "gracelessly", "ham-handedly", "ineptly", "maladroitly", "unskillfully", "meticulously", "painfully", "painstakingly", "thoroughly", "assiduously", "diligently", "indefatigably", "industriously", "intensely", "intently", "mightily", "sedulously", "tirelessly" ], "related":[ "ably", "adeptly", "adroitly", "competently", "deftly", "dexterously", "efficiently", "expertly", "masterfully", "proficiently", "skillfully", "instinctively", "intuitively", "naturally", "spontaneously" ], "synonyms":[ "easy", "effortlessly", "facilely", "fluently", "freely", "handily", "hands down", "lightly", "painlessly", "readily", "smoothly", "well" ] } }, "easy":{ "involving minimal difficulty or effort":{ "antonyms":[ "arduous", "demanding", "difficult", "exacting", "formidable", "grueling", "gruelling", "hard", "herculean", "killer", "labored", "laborious", "murderous", "rough", "severe", "stiff", "strenuous", "toilful", "toilsome", "tough" ], "examples":[ "a minor problem with an easy solution" ], "near antonyms":[ "burdensome", "exhausting", "onerous", "oppressive", "painful", "stressful", "taxing", "troublesome", "abstruse", "complex", "complicated", "intricate", "involved", "knotty", "problematic", "problematical", "recondite" ], "related":[ "idiotproof", "mindless", "quick", "straightforward", "unchallenging", "uncomplicated", "apparent", "clear", "clear-cut", "distinct", "evident", "manifest", "obvious", "open-and-shut", "palpable", "patent", "perspicuous", "plain", "transparent", "unambiguous", "unequivocal", "unmistakable" ], "synonyms":[ "cheap", "downhill", "effortless", "facile", "fluent", "fluid", "hands-down", "light", "painless", "ready", "royal", "simple", "smooth", "snap", "soft" ] }, "providing physical comfort":{ "antonyms":[ "uncomfortable" ], "examples":[ "my favorite easy chair for watching TV" ], "near antonyms":[ "hard", "harsh", "severe", "inhospitable", "uninviting", "unpleasant" ], "related":[ "easeful", "relaxing", "reposeful", "restful", "gem\u00fctlich", "genial", "hospitable", "inviting", "pleasant", "commodious", "roomy", "spacious", "homelike", "homely", "homey", "homy", "intimate" ], "synonyms":[ "comfortable", "comfy", "cozy", "cushy", "snug", "soft" ] }, "readily taken advantage of":{ "antonyms":[], "examples":[ "senior citizens who are easy prey for scam artists" ], "near antonyms":[ "critical", "cynical", "mistrustful", "skeptical", "suspicious", "wary", "sophisticated", "clear-eyed", "clear-sighted", "hardheaded", "shrewd", "street-smart", "streetwise" ], "related":[ "credulous", "overcredulous", "trustful", "uncritical", "unsuspecting", "unsuspicious", "artless", "genuine", "guileless", "innocent", "simple", "unsophisticated", "unworldly", "fictile", "malleable", "pliable", "pliant", "deceivable", "acquiescent", "agreeable", "amiable", "obliging", "yielding" ], "synonyms":[ "dewy-eyed", "exploitable", "gullible", "gullable", "naive", "na\u00efve", "susceptible", "trusting", "unwary", "wide-eyed" ] }, "tolerant and kind in the judgment of and expectations for others":{ "antonyms":[ "hard", "harsh", "severe", "stern", "strict" ], "examples":[ "despite her easy approach to discipline, she had a remarkably well-behaved class" ], "near antonyms":[ "demanding", "uncharitable", "unforgiving", "inflexible", "intolerant", "unbending", "uncompromising", "unyielding" ], "related":[ "accommodating", "acquiescent", "amenable", "obliging", "easygoing", "laid-back", "undemanding" ], "synonyms":[ "charitable", "clement", "indulgent", "soft" ] }, "type":[ "adjective", "adverb" ], "without difficulty":{ "antonyms":[ "arduously", "hardly", "laboriously", "strenuously" ], "examples":[ "we can make the trip in four hours easy" ], "near antonyms":[ "awkwardly", "clumsily", "gracelessly", "ham-handedly", "ineptly", "maladroitly", "unskillfully", "meticulously", "painfully", "painstakingly", "thoroughly", "assiduously", "diligently", "indefatigably", "industriously", "intensely", "intently", "mightily", "sedulously", "tirelessly" ], "related":[ "ably", "adeptly", "adroitly", "competently", "deftly", "dexterously", "efficiently", "expertly", "masterfully", "proficiently", "skillfully", "instinctively", "intuitively", "naturally", "spontaneously" ], "synonyms":[ "easily", "effortlessly", "facilely", "fluently", "freely", "handily", "hands down", "lightly", "painlessly", "readily", "smoothly", "well" ] } }, "eating (up)":{ "to receive or accept gladly or readily":{ "examples":[ "predictably, moviegoers ate up the sequel to last summer's blockbuster" ], "synonyms":[ "drinking (in)", "embracing", "lapping (up)", "welcoming" ], "related":[ "adopting", "espousing", "taking up", "greeting", "hailing", "enjoying", "liking", "preferring", "cherry-picking", "choosing", "culling", "deciding (on)", "electing", "handpicking", "naming", "opting (for)", "picking", "selecting", "singling (out)", "taking" ], "near antonyms":[ "balking (at)", "declining", "passing up", "refusing", "rejecting", "spurning", "throwing over", "turning down", "demurring (to)", "objecting (to)" ], "antonyms":[] }, "to destroy all trace of":{ "examples":[ "the surf created by a powerful hurricane could really eat up what's left of the island's eastern beach" ], "synonyms":[ "consuming", "devouring" ], "related":[ "gutting", "depleting", "draining", "exhausting", "expending", "spending", "using up", "annihilating", "decimating", "demolishing", "desolating", "devastating", "doing in", "pulverizing", "razing", "ruining", "shattering", "smashing", "tearing down", "wasting", "wrecking", "annihilating", "blotting out", "eradicating", "exterminating", "extinguishing", "extirpating", "obliterating", "removing", "rubbing out", "stamping (out)", "wiping out" ], "near antonyms":[ "conserving", "preserving", "protecting", "saving", "building", "constructing", "erecting", "putting up", "raising" ], "antonyms":[] }, "type":[ "verb" ] }, "eatables":{ "substances intended to be eaten":{ "examples":[ "the buffet table aboard the cruise ship always had a tempting array of eatables" ], "synonyms":[ "bread", "chow", "chuck", "comestibles", "eats", "edibles", "fare", "food", "foodstuffs", "grub", "meat", "provender", "provisions", "table", "tucker", "viands", "victuals", "vittles" ], "related":[ "commissary", "rations", "supplies", "aliment", "nutriment", "diet", "nourishment", "nurture", "sustenance", "mess", "pap", "ensilage", "feed", "fodder", "forage", "silage", "slop", "swill", "feast", "meal", "refreshments", "regale", "repast", "spread", "board", "dish", "plate", "platter", "serving", "finger food", "natural food" ], "near antonyms":[ "bane", "poison", "toxin", "venom" ], "antonyms":[] }, "type":[ "plural noun" ] }, "earsplitting":{ "marked by a high volume of sound":{ "examples":[ "the earsplitting noise coming from the jackhammers at the construction site" ], "synonyms":[ "blaring", "blasting", "booming", "clamorous", "clangorous", "deafening", "loud", "piercing", "plangent", "resounding", "ringing", "roaring", "slam-bang", "sonorous", "stentorian", "thundering", "thunderous" ], "related":[ "brazen", "dinning", "discordant", "noisy", "obstreperous", "raucous", "rip-roaring", "vociferous", "grating", "harsh", "overloud", "sharp", "shrill", "squealing", "strident" ], "near antonyms":[ "dead", "quiet", "silent", "still", "stilly", "ultraquiet", "calm", "dreamy", "peaceful", "restful", "serene", "soothing", "tranquil", "hushed", "muffled", "muted", "softened", "toned (down)" ], "antonyms":[ "gentle", "low", "soft" ] }, "type":[ "adjective" ] }, "early":{ "relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period":{ "examples":[ "early birds of the Jurassic period" ], "synonyms":[ "ancient", "primal", "primeval", "primitive", "primordial" ], "related":[ "budding", "embryonic", "germinal", "infant", "aged", "age-old", "antediluvian", "antiquated", "antique", "dateless", "hoary", "old", "prehistoric", "prehistorical", "obsolete", "outmoded", "out-of-date", "pass\u00e9" ], "near antonyms":[ "advanced", "complex", "developed", "evolved", "high", "higher", "full-blown", "full-fledged", "full-scale" ], "antonyms":[ "late" ] }, "occurring before the usual or expected time":{ "examples":[ "we had an early dinner so as not to miss the concert" ], "synonyms":[ "inopportune", "precocious", "premature", "unseasonable", "untimely" ], "related":[ "unanticipated", "unexpected", "unforeseen", "unlooked-for", "abrupt", "sudden" ], "near antonyms":[ "behindhand", "belated", "delinquent", "latish", "overdue", "slow", "tardy", "anticipated", "expected", "delayed", "detained", "postponed" ], "antonyms":[ "late" ] }, "before the usual or expected time":{ "examples":[ "that year spring arrived early" ], "synonyms":[ "beforehand", "inopportunely", "precociously", "prematurely", "unseasonably" ], "related":[ "immediately", "instantly", "presently", "promptly", "pronto", "punctually", "apropos", "betimes", "seasonably" ], "near antonyms":[], "antonyms":[ "belatedly", "late", "tardily" ] }, "type":[ "adjective", "adverb" ] }, "eats":{ "substances intended to be eaten":{ "examples":[ "there are some good eats at the buffet table" ], "synonyms":[ "bread", "chow", "chuck", "comestibles", "eatables", "edibles", "fare", "food", "foodstuffs", "grub", "meat", "provender", "provisions", "table", "tucker", "viands", "victuals", "vittles" ], "near synonyms":[ "commissary", "rations", "supplies", "aliment", "nutriment", "diet", "nourishment", "nurture", "sustenance", "mess", "pap", "ensilage", "feed", "fodder", "forage", "silage", "slop", "swill", "feast", "meal", "refreshments", "regale", "repast", "spread", "board", "dish", "plate", "platter", "serving", "finger food", "natural food" ], "near antonyms":[ "bane", "poison", "toxin", "venom" ], "antonyms":[] }, "to take in as food":{ "examples":[ "having gone all day without food, we greedily ate the hamburgers" ], "synonyms":[ "consumes", "ingests", "partakes (of)", "puts away", "puts down", "tucks (away or in)" ], "near synonyms":[ "digests", "downs", "mouths (down)", "swallows", "bolts", "chows (down on)", "devours", "gluts (on)", "gobbles (up or down)", "gorges", "gulps", "scoffs", "slops", "snarfs (down)", "swills", "wolfs", "chews", "gnaws (at or on)", "gums", "laps", "licks", "nibbles (on)", "nurses", "picks (at)", "relishes", "savors", "savours", "tastes", "banquets", "dines", "fares", "feasts", "gormandizes", "pigs out", "regales", "dispatches", "polishes off", "breakfasts", "lunches", "sups", "munches", "noshes", "snacks" ], "near antonyms":[], "antonyms":[] }, "to consume or wear away gradually":{ "examples":[ "the pot's protective coating was eaten away by the acid" ], "synonyms":[ "bites (at)", "corrodes", "erodes", "frets", "gnaws", "nibbles" ], "near synonyms":[ "breaks down", "breaks up", "decomposes", "disintegrates", "dissolves", "decimates", "destroys", "devastates", "ruins", "wastes", "wrecks" ], "near antonyms":[ "freshens", "recreates", "refreshens", "refreshes", "regenerates", "rejuvenates", "renews", "restores", "revitalizes", "revives" ], "antonyms":[] }, "to take a meal":{ "examples":[ "where's the best place to eat in this town?" ], "synonyms":[ "dines", "fares", "feeds", "partakes", "refreshes", "victuals" ], "near synonyms":[ "banquets", "feasts", "repasts", "chows (down)", "digs in", "gluts", "gorges", "gormandizes", "overeats", "overfeeds", "pigs out", "grazes", "nibbles", "noshes", "picks", "snacks", "boards", "dines out", "messes", "breakfasts", "lunches", "sups", "picnics" ], "near antonyms":[ "diets", "fasts" ], "antonyms":[] }, "to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts":{ "examples":[ "it really eats me the way people go to national parks to enjoy nature\u2014and then leave their litter behind" ], "synonyms":[ "aggravates", "annoys", "bothers", "bugs", "burns (up)", "chafes", "exasperates", "frosts", "galls", "gets", "grates", "gripes", "hacks (off)", "irks", "irritates", "itches", "narks", "nettles", "peeves", "persecutes", "piques", "puts out", "rasps", "riles", "ruffles", "spites", "vexes" ], "near synonyms":[ "hassles", "heckles", "nags", "inflames", "enflames", "provokes", "rouses", "badgers", "baits", "bullyrags", "ballyrags", "devils", "hagrides", "harasses", "harries", "pesters", "plagues", "teases", "angers", "antagonizes", "enrages", "incenses", "infuriates", "maddens", "rankles", "roils", "agitates", "discomforts", "discomposes", "disquiets", "distresses", "exercises", "freaks (out)", "frets", "perturbs", "undoes", "unhinges", "unsettles", "upsets", "worries", "affronts", "insults", "miffs", "offends", "outrages" ], "near antonyms":[ "appeases", "conciliates", "mollifies", "obliges", "pacifies", "placates", "propitiates", "delights", "gladdens", "gratifies", "pleases", "satisfies", "assures", "cheers", "comforts", "consoles", "contents", "quiets", "reassures", "solaces", "soothes" ], "antonyms":[] }, "type":[ "plural noun", "verb" ] }, "eases":{ "to free from obstruction or difficulty":{ "examples":[ "measures intended to ease the flow of traffic during rush hour" ], "synonyms":[ "facilitates", "greases", "loosens (up)", "smooths", "smoothes", "unclogs" ], "near synonyms":[ "accelerates", "expedites", "hastens", "hurries", "quickens", "rushes", "speeds", "advances", "forwards", "furthers", "promotes", "abets", "aids", "assists", "helps", "improves", "disentangles", "straightens (out)", "untangles", "simplifies", "streamlines" ], "near antonyms":[ "hinders", "impedes", "retards", "aggravates", "worsens", "perplexes", "sophisticates" ], "antonyms":[ "complicates" ] }, "to make less taut":{ "examples":[ "the rock climber eased the rope a little so that his fellow climber had room to maneuver" ], "synonyms":[ "loosens", "relaxes", "slackens", "slacks" ], "near synonyms":[ "detaches", "frees", "unbinds", "undoes", "unfastens", "unties" ], "near antonyms":[ "attaches", "binds", "fastens", "ties", "constrains", "restrains" ], "antonyms":[ "strains", "stretches", "tenses", "tensions", "tightens" ] }, "to make more bearable or less severe":{ "examples":[ "grandmother's firm belief that there are few ailments that chicken soup won't ease" ], "synonyms":[ "allays", "alleviates", "assuages", "helps", "mitigates", "mollifies", "palliates", "relieves", "soothes" ], "near synonyms":[ "abates", "lightens", "moderates", "softens", "tempers", "cures", "heals", "remedies", "amends", "corrects", "emends", "fixes", "mends", "rectifies", "reforms", "repairs", "ameliorates", "betters", "enhances", "enriches", "improves", "meliorates", "perfects", "refines" ], "near antonyms":[ "harms", "hurts", "impairs", "injures", "heightens", "intensifies", "sharpens" ], "antonyms":[ "aggravates", "exacerbates" ] }, "to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent":{ "examples":[ "the chairman of the Federal Reserve has promised to ease interest rates" ], "synonyms":[ "abates", "decreases", "de-escalates", "dents", "depletes", "diminishes", "downscales", "downsizes", "drops", "dwindles", "knocks down", "lessens", "lowers", "reduces" ], "near synonyms":[ "compresses", "condenses", "constricts", "contracts", "abbreviates", "abridges", "clips", "crops", "curtails", "cuts", "cuts back", "cuts down", "docks", "nicks", "pares", "prunes", "retrenches", "shortens", "slashes", "trims", "truncates", "whittles", "deflates", "shrinks", "minimizes", "moderates", "modifies", "modulates", "qualifies" ], "near antonyms":[ "blows up", "dilates", "distends", "inflates", "swells", "elongates", "extends", "lengthens", "prolongs", "protracts", "adds (to)", "complements", "supplements", "enhances", "heightens", "intensifies", "redoubles" ], "antonyms":[ "aggrandizes", "amplifies", "augments", "boosts", "enlarges", "escalates", "expands", "increases", "raises" ] }, "to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually":{ "examples":[ "new investments in the region have eased since the rise in interest rates" ], "synonyms":[ "abates", "declines", "decreases", "de-escalates", "dies (away or down or out)", "diminishes", "drains (away)", "drops (off)", "dwindles", "ebbs", "falls", "falls away", "lessens", "lets up", "lowers", "moderates", "palls", "phases down", "ratchets (down)", "rachets (down)", "recedes", "relents", "remits", "shrinks", "subsides", "tapers", "tapers off", "wanes" ], "near synonyms":[ "compresses", "condenses", "constricts", "contracts", "evaporates", "fades (away)", "fritters (away)", "gives out", "melts (away)", "peters (out)", "tails (off)", "vanishes", "slackens", "slows (down)", "alleviates", "relaxes", "flags", "sinks", "weakens", "caves (in)", "collapses", "deflates" ], "near antonyms":[ "appears", "emerges", "shows up", "blows up", "distends", "elongates", "lengthens" ], "antonyms":[ "accumulates", "balloons", "builds", "burgeons", "bourgeons", "enlarges", "escalates", "expands", "grows", "increases", "intensifies", "mounts", "mushrooms", "picks up", "rises", "snowballs", "soars", "swells", "waxes" ] }, "reduction of or freedom from pain":{ "examples":[ "the sunburn medication brought me instant ease" ], "synonyms":[ "alleviations", "comforts", "releases", "reliefs" ], "near synonyms":[ "appeasements", "assuagements", "decreases", "diminishments", "mitigations", "moderations", "mollifications" ], "near antonyms":[ "discomforts", "agonies", "anguishes", "miseries", "sufferings", "torments", "tortures", "aches", "pains", "pangs", "pricks", "smarts", "stings", "stitches", "throes", "tingles", "twinges" ], "antonyms":[] }, "type":[ "noun", "verb" ] }, "earthworks":{ "a raised bank or wall made of soil":{ "examples":[ "prehistoric earthworks" ], "synonyms":[], "near synonyms":[ "breastworks", "bulwarks", "ramparts", "dams", "dikes", "embankments", "heads", "levees", "breakwaters", "jetties", "seawalls", "canals", "channels", "ditches", "gutters", "troughs", "locks", "barricades", "barriers", "blocks", "floodgates", "sluices", "barrages", "milldams", "stanks", "weirs" ], "near antonyms":[], "antonyms":[] }, "type":[ "noun" ] } }