A cacophony is a mixture of loud and usually harsh unpleasant sounds. Cacophony can also refer to an incongruous or chaotic mixture.

// The sounds of shouting added to the cacophony on the streets.

// A cacophony of aromas wafted through the air.

a condition that is part of an agreement

To refurbish something is to brighten or freshen it up, or to repair and make improvements to it.

// They are refurbishing the old house with the hopes of selling it for a profit.

// The store refurbishes and sells computers that can often meet the needs of those who don't need the latest technology.

Germane is a formal synonym of relevant that describes something related to a subject in an appropriate way.

// Her comments were not germane to the discussion. // While these facts about the witness may interest the jury, they are not in fact germane.

Descry is a literary word that, like discover or find out, means “to come to realize or understand something.” Descry can also mean “to catch sight of.”

// In their research, the bryologists descried an association between a moss and the iron content of the rock it typically grows on.

// From the tops of the high dunes, we could just descry the ship coming over the horizon.

Salubrious is a formal word that means “favorable to or promoting health or well-being.”

// They picked up several salubrious habits on their wellness retreat in Bali.

Proximity is the quality or state of being near or proximate. The word proximity is synonymous with closeness.

// The apartment's proximity to hiking trails is a definite plus.

Inveterate is a formal word used to describe someone who is always or often doing something specified. For instance, a person could be an inveterate liar or an inveterate prankster. Inveterate can also mean "firmly established by long persistence," as in "an inveterate tendency to overlook the obvious."

// She's an inveterate traveler who constantly searches for flight deals to her next destination.

// Carla’s inveterate optimism keeps her going during challenging times.

1. having the nature of a transitional space, phase, or experience

2. (psychology) relating to the threshold beyond which sensation cannot be perceived

Jeopardy is defined as "exposure to or imminence of death, loss, or injury"; it is synonymous with danger. In legal contexts, jeopardy refers specifically to the danger that an accused person is subjected to when on trial for a criminal offense.

// Rather than risk placing passengers in jeopardy, the pilot waited for the storm to pass before taking off.

A retinue is a group of helpers, supporters, or followers.

// The venue relies on a retinue of workers to carry out large events.

To caterwaul is to make a very loud and unpleasant sound. Caterwaul can also mean “to protest or complain noisily.”

// The woods were quiet until the sound of a chainsaw caterwauling in the distance broke the calm.

// They continue to caterwaul about having to take the blame.

Voracious describes someone who has a huge appetite. It can also be used figuratively to mean "excessively eager," as in "a voracious reader."

// It seemed like the voracious kitten was eating her weight in food every day.

// She has her voracious appetite for knowledge to thank for graduating at the top of her class.

Someone described as haggard appears tired or thin especially as if because of hunger, worry, or pain. Haggard can also describe someone who looks wild or otherwise disheveled.

// After a disastrous rafting trip, Robin emerged from the woods looking haggard but otherwise unscathed.

Something described as prestigious has the respect and admiration that someone or something gets for being successful or important.

// Chelsea’s mom often bragged about her daughter’s job at the prestigious company.

To fathom something is to understand the reason for its existence or occurrence.

// Even those close to him can't always fathom why he repeatedly risks his life to climb the world’s tallest mountains.

When you have a rapport with someone, your relationship is characterized by agreement, mutual understanding, or empathy that makes communication possible or easy.

// Once our daughter had developed a rapport with her piano teacher, she began to show some real enthusiasm for learning and practicing the piano.

a musical instrument, consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings stretched over it, that is placed on a horizontal surface and played with a plectrum and the fingertips.

Enervate is a formal word used for situations in which someone or something is being sapped of physical or mental vigor, vitality, or strength. The verb is most common in the participial forms enervated and enervating, as in "children enervated by the summer afternoon heat" and "a tedious discussion we found completely enervating."

// The person giving the lengthy toast seemed to be completely unaware of the degree to which he was enervating his audience.

Quirk refers to an unusual habit or way of behaving. It can also refer to something strange that happens by chance, as in “a quirk of fate.”

// For an icebreaker, we were each asked to share a noteworthy quirk about ourselves. Mine was that I have to make sure every square of my waffles is buttered evenly before I eat them.

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.

1. so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

2. using or containing too many words

daily.

Signet refers to a seal used officially to give personal authority to a document in lieu of a signature, or to the impression made by or as if by such a seal.

// The ring had been passed down for generations, and bore an intricate intaglio signet.

Gratuitous describes things that are not necessary, appropriate, or justified, as in "a gratuitous insult" or "a gratuitous assumption." Gratuitous can also mean "free."

// The film was criticized for its gratuitous violence.

// A local veterinary technician provides gratuitous services to the animal shelter twice a month.

Someone or something described as acquisitive is characterized by a strong desire to own or acquire more things.

// The game aims to teach middle schoolers to balance their acquisitive instincts with a consideration of what will benefit society as a whole.

Damask refers to a usually shiny, thick fabric (linen, cotton, silk, or rayon) made with patterns. The word can also be used as a synonym for Damascus steel, or for a grayish-red color.

// The old chair was upholstered in a blue silk damask which was now faded and threadbare.

Bailiwick refers to the domain or sphere in which someone has superior knowledge or authority.

// Fundraising events are his bailiwick.

To emote is to express emotion in a very dramatic or obvious way.

// He stood on the stage, emoting and gesturing wildly.

Docile is used to describe those who are easily taught, led, or managed.

// Though the professor feared a rowdy incoming class, he found that his new students were docile and eager to learn.

Someone or something described as vivacious is happy and lively in an appealing way.

// Our vivacious host’s bubbly humor and welcoming spirit quickly set everyone at ease.

Unfettered describes what is not controlled or restricted. It is a synonym of both free and unrestrained.

// The biographer has been given unfettered access to the family's collection of personal correspondence.

Two closely related meanings of the verb conflate are “to confuse,” i.e. “to fail to differentiate,” and “to blend or bring together.”

// Be careful not to conflate gossip with real news.

// The movie conflates documentary footage and dramatized reenactments so seamlessly and ingeniously that viewers may not know what is real and what is not.

a period of time when there is no electricity in a building or area

• The power outage left us in the dark for five hours. [=we did not have electrical power for five hours]

Axiomatic is a formal adjective that describes something—usually a statement—that is understood as obviously true, such that it is or should be taken for granted.

// It is axiomatic that successful athletes are not just talented, but have put in years of dedicated training.

A gargoyle is a strange or grotesque human or animal figure that sticks out from the roof of a building (such as a church) and is used to cause rainwater to flow away from the building's sides.

// Some of the exchange students were creeped out by all the gargoyles they passed during their walking tour of the old European town.