SESSION 1: PRAISE/ RESPECT/FLATTER

1. PRAISE:

S.NO Word Meaning Antonyms

1 ENCOMIUM a formal expression of praise demerit criticism, disparagement,
(Encomiastic) insult, libel, slander
2 PANEGYRIC Formal or elaborate praise. demerit, condemnation, damning,
(Panegyrize) defamation, vilification
3 EULOGY High praise or commendation. condemnation, damning,
(Eulogize) defamation, vilification
4 ACCLAIM To praise enthusiastically and often boos, heckles, jeers, vituperation
(Acclamation) publicly; applaud.
5 ADULATION To show excessive admiration or abuse, criticism
devotion to; flatter or admire
6 PAEAN Any song of praise, joy, or triumph. condemnation, damning,
defamation, vilification
7 COMMEND Praise censure, criticize, disparage,
(Commendation) rebuke, reprimand, smear
8 PLAUDIT An enthusiastic expression of denigration, disapproval, hisses,
approval: hissing, rejection
9 EXALT Make higher in status, power, dignity, condemn, criticize, debase,
(Exaltation) honor, wealth, etc. ; praise highly degrade, humiliate, put down,
ridicule
10 LAUD Praise condemn, criticize
(Laudatory
Laudable)
11 TOUT Advertise in strongly positive terms; conceal, hide
12 KUDOS Praise; a statement of praise or berate, boo, denounce, disapprove,
approval; accolade; compliment: reject, vituperate
13 TRIBUTE Evidence attesting to some accusation, blame, criticism
praiseworthy quality or characteristic
14 EXTOL Praise condemn, criticize, decry, discredit,
disparage, put down
15 RAVE To speak or write with wild condemn, criticize
enthusiasm:
16 ACCOLADE An expression of approval; praise. criticism

*Alternative forms of words(Verb, Noun or Adjective) are given in the brackets.

*Easy Synonyms for Praise: admire, adore, aggrandize, applaud, appreciate, approve,
bless, boost, cheer, clap, commend, compliment, dignify, elevate, endorse, ennoble,
flatter, glorify, hail, honor, pay homage, pay tribute, recommend, , sanction,

2. RESPECT

S.NO Word Meaning Antonyms

1 VENERATE To regard with high respect, abhor, condemn, despise, detest,
(Veneer, Venerate, disrespect, hate,
Venerable)
2 REVERE Respect or praise. abhor, despise, detest, disrespect,
(Reverent, hate, loathe, look down on, scorn
Reverence)
3 DEFERENCE Respectful or courteous regard: disrespect, opposition, rebellion
4 ESTEEM To regard highly or favorably; regard abhor, abominate, despise, disdain,
with respect or admiration: dislike, disrespect, hate, insult,

5 HOMAGE
6 IDOLIZE
(Idolatry)
7 HALLOW
8 DUTIFUL
scorn
Devotion; abhorrence, despising, disgust,
disrespect,
Worship vilify
To make or set apart as holy. To condemn, curse, damn
respect or honor greatly; revere.
respectful; obedient disobedient, disrespectful,
irresponsible, undutiful, unfaithful

*Alternative forms of words (Verb, Noun or Adjective) are given in the brackets.

Easy Synonyms for Respect: adoration, appreciation, approbation, awe, courtesy,

dignity, favor, fear, honor, ovation, regard, reverence, testimonial, tribute, worship, abide
by, comply with, follow, heed, honor, obey, pay attention, show consideration, show
courtesy.

3. FLATTER
(Praise someone by artful talk; Negative tone in praising)

S.NO Word Meaning Antonyms

1 FAWN To seek notice or favor by servile despise, domineer, ignore, insult
(Fawning) demeanor; Flatter
2 CAJOLE to persuade by flattery or promises; belittle, bully, criticize, force, insult
(Cajolery)
3 COAX Respectful or courteous regard: bully, compel, dissuade, force,
discourage
4 BLANDISHMENT flattery or cajolery, insult, offense
(Blandish)
5 WHEEDLE To influence (a person) by smooth, belittle, bully, criticize, force, insult
flattering, or beguiling words or acts
6 INVEIGLE To entice, lure, or ensnare by flattery deter, discourage, dissuade,
or artful talk or inducements prevent, repel, threaten, turn off,
warn
7 SYCOPHANCY The fawning behavior of a sycophant; abuse, criticism
(Sycophant) servile flattery.
8 TOADY Servile Flatterer intimidate, stand tall, domineer,
ignore, insult
9 CRINGING Servile or fawning deference. arrogant, authoritative,
domineering, forthright

Easy Synonyms for Flatter: adulate, bootlick*, butter up*, court, glorify, massage, oil*,
over praise, puff, sell, soften up, sweet-talk*, toady*, work over*

SESSION 2: IRRITATE/ IRRITABLE/IRRITATING

1 TO IRRITATE (Verb form)

* To irritate, bother, harass, trouble, disturb, annoy, tease, make angry, enrage
* Note: Some of the meanings have secondary definitions. They may appear in other
groups also
S.NO Word Meaning Antonyms
1. GALL To vex or irritate greatly; bitterness appease, calm, gladden, humor,
of spirit; deep resentment. make happy, mollify, pacify
2. INCENSE Make angry; enrage. make happy, pacify, placate,
please, soothe, tickle
3 IRK To irritate, annoy, or exasperate: please
(Irksome)
4 VEX 1. To irritate; annoy; provoke 2. to
torment; trouble; distress; aid, assist, help, soothe
5 CHAFE Annoy, Irritate appease, calm, make happy,
molify, pacify
6 GRATE 1. To irritate or annoy persistently. gladden, humor, make happy,
2. to sound harshly mollify, pacify
7 PESTER To bother persistently with petty appease, calm, gladden, humor,
annoyances; trouble: make happy
8 FESTER To be or become an increasing 1.calm, quiet, soothe;2.
source of irritation or poisoning; decrease, diminish, dissipate,
rankle; To form an ulcer; lessen, soothe
9 FLUSTER To put into a state of agitated calm; not bother, pacify, placate,
confusion; quiet, soothe
Upset; disturb
10 RANKLE To continue to cause keen irritation make happy, pacify, placate,
or bitter resentment within the please, soothe, tickle
mind; fester; be painful.
11 NETTLE To irritate, annoy, or provoke. appease, calm, gladden, humor,
make happy, mollify, pacify
12 RILE To irritate or vex. conciliate, please, soothe
13 ROIL 1.to disturb or disquiet; irritate; 1.delight, make happy, please,
vex: satisfy;
2. To make (a liquid) muddy or
cloudy by stirring up sediment
14 FRET 1.to torment; irritate, annoy, or appease, calm, make happy,
(Fretting) vex; molify, pacify
2. an irritated state of mind;
annoyance;
15 BESET 1.To trouble persistently; harass aid, comfort, help, relieve, take
2. annoy continually care of, champion, support
16 UPSET To distress or perturb mentally or delight, make happy, please
emotionally; to bother
17 BADGER Annoy persistently assuage, please
19 HARRY To harass, annoy, or prove a leave in peace; aid, comfort,
nuisance to by or as if by repeated help, relieve
attacks; worry:
20 PROVOKE 1.To anger, enrage, exasperate, or 1.allay, appease, calm, gladden,
vex. humor, make happy, mollify,
2. to incite or stimulate (a person, pacify2. deter, discourage,
animal, etc.) to action. dissuade, frustrate, hinder,
impede, obstruct, prevent,
prohibit, thwart
21 PIQUE 1. To cause to feel resentment or 1.appease, calm, gladden,
indignation.2. To provoke; arouse: humor, make happy, mollify,
pacify
22 HARROW To disturb keenly or painfully; comfort, console, reassure
distress the mind, feelings, etc.,
23 BAIT 1. Harass; tease. 2. Lure, trap 1.make happy, pacify, placate,
please, soothe, tickle 2. deter,
discourage,
24 CHAGRIN To vex by disappointment or 1. delight, make happy, please
humiliation; To shame;
25 PERTURB 1. To disturb greatly; make uneasy gratify, make happy, please,
or anxious; 2. To throw into great soothe;
confusion.
26 EMBITTER To make bitter; cause to feel calm, comfort, pacify
bitterness
To arouse bitter feelings in
 27 AFFLICT To distress with mental or bodily aid, comfort, help, relieve, take
pain; trouble greatly or grievously; care of
vex, harass,
28 TANTALIZE 1. tease or harass by arousing 1.aid, help, please
expectations that are repeatedly 2. disenchant, repulse, turn off
disappointed.2. Harass with ,disgust, repel, repulse, turn
persistent criticism or carping 3. away, turn off
tempt, allure
27 EXACERBATE To increase the severity, bitterness, appease, assuage, calm, ease,
or violence of (disease, ill feeling, mitigate, mollify, pacify, placate,
etc.); aggravate. soften, soothe
28 EXASPERATE To irritate or provoke to a high appease, calm, mollify, pacify,
degree; annoy extremely; To make placate, please, soothe
very angry
30 AGGRAVATE Annoy; to make something worse appease, calm, gladden, humor,
make happy, mollify, pacify
29 TORMENT 1.To worry or annoy excessively contentment, happiness
2. To annoy, pester, or harass;
distress
30 EXCRUCIATE 1. to cause mental anguish to; console, exalt, solace
irritate greatly.2. to inflict severe
pain upon;
31 TAUNT 1. To reproach in a mocking, compliment, praise, respect
insulting, or contemptuous manner
2. to tease in a sarcastic, insulting,
or jeering manner;
mock.3.Provocation
32 BELEAGUER 1. To harass, pester, badger, aid, assit, help, support
bother, vex, annoy, plague, and
hector 2. To surround with troops;
besiege
33 HECTOR 1. to act in a blustering, assist, help, leave alone
domineering way; be a bully.2.
Torture, badger, harass.
34 ABRADE 1. To make weary through constant gratify, make happy, please,
irritation; wear down spiritually.2.To soothe
wear down or rub away by friction;
erode.
35 PERSECUTE To pursue with harassing or cherish, coddle, defend, dote on,
oppressive treatment, esp. because help, nurture, pamper, preserve,
of religion, race, or beliefs; harass protect, respect
persistently.
36 HARASS annoy by repeated attacks make happy, please, soothe
37 RUFFLE 1. To disturb, vex, or irritate 2. to calm, smooth
destroy the smoothness or
evenness of
38 INFURIATE To make furious; enrage. please, soothe
39 ENRAGE To make extremely angry; put into calm, compose, pacify, placate,
a rage; infuriate please, soothe
40 INFLAME 1. To make more violent; intensify calm, dampen
2. To arouse to passionate feeling
or action
41 SEETHE To be violently excited or agitated: make happy, pacify, placate,
boil vigorously; please, soothe, tickle
42 MIFF To cause to become offended or please
annoyed.
*Easy Synonyms TO irritate, bother, annoy: anger, annoy, bother, bug*, burn*,
confuse, distemper, disturb, enrage, madden, needle*, offend, pain, rasp, rattle, rile, roil,
sour, vex, nag, agitate, arouse, boil*, egg on*, excite, get mad, goad, incense, irritate,
outrage, raise hell*, rant, seethe, steam up*, stew, stir up*,
 2. IRRITATING PERSON OR THING (Noun form)
1 GADFLY A persistently annoying person; blessing, help
animal-biting fly
2 CURMUDGEON a bad-tempered, difficult, complimenter
cantankerous person.
2 PEST Troublesome or annoying person charmer, exciter
3 HECKLER Person who verbally harasses blessing, help;
others; someone who tries to
embarrass you with gibes and
questions and objections ;
4 FIREBRAND Hothead; troublemaker; pacifier, peacemaker
5 KIBITZER A giver of uninvited or unwanted One who doesn’t meddle;
advice.
6 INCENDIARY 1. One who creates or stirs up pacifier, peacemaker
factionalism or sedition; an
agitator.2. An arsonist.
*Alternative forms of words (Verb, Noun or Adjective) are given in the
paranthesis.
*Easy Synonyms for Irritating person or a thing: bad egg, besetment, blister, bore,
bother, botheration, bum*, bummer, flat tire, foul ball, frump, headache*, inconvenience,
infliction, insect*, irritant, irritation, louse, nag*, nudge*, offense, pain, pest, pester,
pesterer, plague, poor excuse*, problem, trouble, vexation

3. IRRITABLE (Adj. form)/ IRRITATING (Adj. form)

1. *Irritable: easily irritated or annoyed; readily excited to impatience or anger.

2. *The words given below express the characteristics of an irritating, angry and
quarrelsome personality.
3. *The man with “rude/rough/ character words have also been included.

1 BILIOUS 1. Peevish; irritable; cranky.2. 1.Healthy, robust 2. civil,

extremely unpleasant or
distasteful
2 SPLENETIC Irritable; peevish; spiteful.
3 CHOLERIC Extremely irritable or easily
angered; irascible
4 GRUMPY Angry
5 CRABBY Ill-natured; irritable; peevish
(Crabbed)
6 GROUCHY Sullenly discontented; sulky;
morose; ill-tempered.
7 CANTANKEROUS Ill-tempered and quarrelsome;
disagreeable:
8 BELLIGERENT Warlike character; aggressively
hostile; Inclined or eager to
fight; hostile or aggressive.
9 BELLICOSE Aggressively hostile;
belligerent; pugnacious.
kind, kindly, peaceable,
sweet
civil, kind, kindly,
peaceable, sweet
calm, content, euphoric,
gleeful, happy, joyful,
joyous,
good-humored
amiable, good-humored,
good-natured, happy,
pleasant, sweet
complimenting; cheerful,
easygoing, good-humored,
good-natured, happy, nice,
Cheerful, easygoing, good-
humored, good-natured,
happy, nice, pleasant
kind, nice, pacific, passive,
peaceful
calm, easygoing, mild,
passive, peaceful
10 PUGNACIOUS Inclined to quarrel or fight friendly, peaceable
readily; quarrelsome;
belligerent; combative.
11 CONTENTIOUS quarrelsome friendly, peaceable
12 ANTAGONISTIC hostile; unfriendly. acting in agreeable, caring, eager,
opposition; opposing, esp. sympathetic, willing
mutually.
13 PEEVISH 1. Irritable 2. showing good-humored, good-
(peeve) annoyance, irritation, or bad natured, happy, nice,
mood pleasant
14 TESTY Irritable; Irritably impatient; happy, pleasant
touchy.
15 TOUCHY Irritable easy-going, laid-back,
unflappable
16 CROTCHETY Irritable; given to odd notions, good-humored, good-
whims, grouchiness, etc. natured, happy, nice,
pleasant, sweet
17 FUSSY 1.Easily upset; given to bouts of 1.accepting, approving,
ill temper:2.Paying great or complimentary, praising;
excessive attention to personal 2. careless, inattentive,
tastes and appearance;
fastidious:
18 CRANKY Ill-tempered; grouchy; cross: cheerful, good-humored,
happy, pleasant, sweet
19 PETULANT 1. Unreasonably irritable or ill- affable, good-humored
(petulance) tempered;
peevish.2.Contemptuous in
speech or behavior.
20 TRUCULENT Aggressively hostile; agreeable, compromising,
(truculence) belligerent. fierce; cruel; eager pacifistic, passive,
to fight; peaceful;
21 IRASCIBLE very irritable; characterized or cheerful, easygoing ,civil,
(Irate, Ire) produced by anger; kind, kindly, peaceable,
sweet
22 QUERULOUS Grouchy, full of complaints; cheerful, good-humored,
complaining.; peevish happy, pleasant
23 SNAPPY 1. Impatient or irritable, as a 1.good-natured, peaceable
person or a reply.2. Informal. 2. slovenly
crisp, smart, lively,
24 FRACTIOUS 1. Refractory or unruly:2. amiable, good-humored
readily angered; peevish;
irritable; quarrelsome:
25 REFRACTORY Obstinately resistant to authority agreeable, complaisant,
or control; unruly; fractious concordant, harmonious
26 PETTISH Petulantly peevish; Ill- cheerful, good-humored,
tempered; peevish. happy, pleasant
27 WASPISH 1. Irascibly or petulantly cheerful, good-humored,
spiteful:2. quick to resent a happy, pleasant
 trifling affront or injury;
snappish.3. Having a slight or
slender build.
28 CROSS Angry and annoyed; ill- cheerful, good-humored,
humored; snappish happy, pleasant
29 BRISTLING rising like bristles; showing consoling, flattering, kind,
irritation pleasant
30 RANCOROUS Bitter, long-lasting resentment; gentle, pleasant
deep-seated ill will; enmity
31 CRUSTY Irritable cheerful, easygoing, good-
natured, happy, pleasant
32 PRICKLY very irritable; Causing trouble affable, easygoing
or vexation; thorny
RUDE/ROUGH/ CHARACTER
1 SURLY churlishly rude or bad- gentle, pleasant
tempered; unfriendly or hostile;
menacingly irritable;
2 CHURLISH Having a bad disposition; surly; agreeable, civil, nice,
rude and boorish ; pleasant, polite
3 GRUFF rough, brusque, or surly courteous, friendly
4 BRUSQUE Abrupt in manner; blunt; rough: considerate, courteous,
gracious, kind, polite
5 CURT 1. Rudely brief in speech or courteous, gracious,
abrupt in manner.2. Brief; lengthy, loquacious, polite,
concise; terse; laconic. voluble
*Alternative forms of words (Verb, Noun or Adjective) are given in the
parenthesis.

SESSION 3: GLOOMY/SAD/UNHAPPY/SORROW/

* Note: Some of the meanings have secondary definitions. They may appear in other
groups also
S.NO Word Meaning Antonyms
1 ABJECT 1. Utterly hopeless, miserable, 1. cheerful, elated,
humiliating, or wretched; encouraged, euphoric,
2.contemptible; despicable; base- happy, joyous 2.
spirited admirable, admired,
honorable, respectable,
worthy
2 AFFLICTION a state of pain, distress, or grief; bliss, euphoria, pleasure
misery
3 ANGUISH excruciating or acute distress, euphoria, happiness, joy,
suffering, or pain joyfulness, pleasure
4 BEMOAN to express distress or grief over; express joy, giggle, laugh,
lament: snicker, titter
5 BLEAK Without hope or encouragement; bright, cheery,
depressing; dreary: Gloomy and encouraging, hopeful,
somber sunny
6 CONDOLE express sympathetic sorrow be indifferent, turn away
7 CRESTFALLEN Dejected; dispirited; discouraged. cheered, elated, euphoric,
happy, inspirited, joyful, up
8 DEJECTED depressed in spirits; disheartened; cheerful, elated,
 low-spirited: encouraged, euphoric,
happy, joyous
9 DEPLORE to regret deeply or strongly; lament; be happy, celebrate, exult,
to feel or express deep grief gloat, laugh
10 DESOLATION→ 1.Unhappiness;sadness resulting cheer, happiness, joy
from being forsaken or abandoned .
DESOLATE→ 1. cheerful, comforted,
1. Dreary; dismal; gloomy;2.
solitary; lonely happy2. crowded,
inhabited, mobbed,
populated
11 DESPAIR Loss of hope; hopelessness. cheer, cheerfulness,
happiness, hope,
hopefulness, joy, joyfulness
12 DESPERATE having no hope; giving in to despair hopeful, optimistic,
promising
13 DESPONDENT feeling or showing profound cheerful, elated, euphoric,
hopelessness, dejection, happy, hopeful, joyful,
discouragement, or gloom optimistic
14 DINGY 1. of a dark, dull, or dirty color or bright, cheerful, happy,
aspect; lacking brightness or light, lively, pleasant,
freshness.2. Shabby; dismal. sunny, uplifting
15 DIRGE a funeral song or tune, or one joy
expressing mourning in
commemoration of the dead.
sorrowful poem;
16 DISCONSOLATE Unhappy, sad cheerful, euphoric, happy,
joyous
17 DOLEFUL sorrowful; mournful; melancholy: cheerful, cheery, elated,
euphoric, glad, gleeful,
happy
18 DOLOROUS full of, expressing, or causing pain cheerful, cheery, happy,
or sorrow; grievous; mournful hopeful, upbeat

19 DOUR Sullen; gloomy: Silently ill- beaming, bright, cheerful,

humored; cheery, happy
20 DOWNCAST Unhappy; dejected in spirit; cheerful, cheery, elated,
depressed. happy, joyous, up,
vivacious
21 DRAB dull; lacking color; cheerless bright, brilliant, colorful,
vivid, lively, spirited
22 DREARY Sorrowful; sad. dull; boring. bright, cheerful, cheery,
clear, light, pleasant, sunny
23 DYSPHORIA abnormal depression and happiness
discontent; unhappiness
24 ELEGY a mournful, melancholy, or plaintive joy
poem
25 FORLORN desolate or dreary; unhappy or cheerful, hopeful
miserable
26 FUNEREAL sad; solemn cheerful, light-hearted
27 GLUM Sullen; sullenly or silently gloomy; gay, happy, joyful, joyous,
dejected. upbeat
28 HAPLESS Unfortunate; unlucky; luckless; fortunate, lucky
Miserable;
29 INCONSOLABLE brokenhearted elated, euphoric, happy,
joyous, lighthearted
30 JEREMIAD a prolonged lamentation or mournful joy; praise
complaint
31 LACHRYMOSE 1. suggestive of or tending to cause cheerful, happy
tears; mournful.
 2.given to shedding tears readily;
tearful.
32 LAMENT to feel or express sorrow or regret joy
for
33 LUGUBRIOUS mournful, dismal, or gloomy cheerful, elated,
encouraged, euphoric,
exhilarated, happy
34 MELANCHOLY Depressed, sad cheerful, happy
35 MOODINESS fits of depression or gloom euphoria, glee, happiness,
joy
36 MORBID given to unwholesome thought; cheerful
gloomy
37 MOROSE Pessimistic; Gloomily or sullenly ill- cheerful, happy
humored; moody, sour, sulky, surly
38 MOURNFUL sorrowful bright, cheerful, hopeful,
optimistic
39 MURKINESS darkness; gloom light (Psychologically ---
cheerful); (Physically-----
clear)
40 PATHETIC causing sadness, compassion, pity; comical, unfeeling
touching
41 PATHOS Tender to sorrow; pity; quality in art cheer, happiness, joy
or literature that produces these
feelings.
42 PENSIVE 1.expressing or revealing cheerful, happy
thoughtfulness, usually marked by
some sadness
43 PESSIMISM belief that life is basically bad or optimism
evil; gloominess; unhappiness
44 PLAINTIVE Expressing sorrow or melancholy; gratified, pleased, satisfied,
mournful: gleeful, happy
45 POIGNANT 1. keenly distressing to the feelings 1. good, happy, joyous,
2. keen or strong in mental appeal wonderful 2. mild,
moderate
46 REQUIEM mass for the dead; dirge; joy
47 RUEFUL regretful; sorrowful; dejected cheerful, cheery, elated,
euphoric, glad, gleeful,
happy
48 SATURNINE Having the temperament of one born under the happy
supposed astrological influence of Saturn;
Melancholy or sullen.
49 SOBER 1. marked by seriousness, gravity, solemnity, bright, cherry, frivolous,
etc., as of demeanor, speech, etc.: 2: not sunny, warm
intoxicated or drunk.3. Quiet or sedate in
demeanor, as persons.
50 SOLEMN Serious; grave, sober, or unsmiling; as a light-hearted
person, the face, speech, tone, or mood:
51 SOMBER gloomy, depressing, or dismal; extremely cheerful
serious; grave:
52 SULKY Sullen; gloomy or dull; good-humored, good-
natured; calm, content,
euphoric, gleeful, happy,
joyful,
53 SULLEN Showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy cheerful
silence or reserve.
54 THROES A condition of agonizing struggle or trouble bliss, euphoria, pleasure
55 TRIBULATION Grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering. happiness, peace
Unhappiness
56 ULULATE To lament loudly joy
57 WAIL To lament or mourn bitterly. to utter a joy
prolonged, inarticulate, mournful cry,
58 WISTFUL 1. Characterized by melancholy; longing; cheerful, happy
yearning. 2. Pensive, esp. in a melancholy
way.
59 WRETCHED 1. Very unfortunate in condition or 1.elated, euphoric, happy,
circumstances; miserable; pitiable2. joyous, lighthearted 2.
despicable, contemptible, or mean admirable, admired,
honorable, respectable,
worthy

*Easy Synonyms for GLOOMY/SAD/ILL-HUMORED/UNHAPPY : blue*, cheerless,

depressed, dismal, distressed, down, gloomy, grief-stricken, grieved, heartbroken,
heartsick, heavy-hearted, hurting, in doldrums*, in grief, low, low-spirited, sorrowful,
sorry, troubled, weeping, woebegone , woeful, , low spirits