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Synonym of the day

cantankerous

cantankerous is a synonym of grumpy

adjective [ kan-tang-ker-uhs ]

cantankerous is another word for grumpy

Every once in a while, we can all get a bit grumpy. When someone is grumpy on a regular basis or in a particularly argumentative way, they could be described as cantankerous. Cantankerous folks are disagreeable and often contentious. Being four syllables, cantankerous is a loftier-sounding word than grumpy, an expressive word akin to a grunt with origins in the phrase “humps and grumps.” Cantankerous, on the other hand, was probably formed from a Middle English word that meant “quarrel” or “contention.” A machine can be personified humorously as cantankerous if it does not operate smoothly, and similarly, so can an animal that displays opposition or irritableness.

Commonly found as

old + cantankerous
There was little surprise that it was the old, cantankerous shopkeeper who had complained about the parade. 
notoriously cantankerous
Llamas and mules, although good pack animals, are notoriously cantankerous companions.

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largess

largess is a synonym of generosity

noun [ lahr-jes, lahr-jis ]

largess is another word for generosity

Generosity refers to a readiness or liberality in giving, and sometimes to an overall spirit of kindness. Generous giving, when it involves gifts or money, can be called largess. Largess can also refer to the gifts themselves. At the root of largess is the word "large," so one way to think about it is that those who show largess are characterized by the largeness of their contributions, monetary or otherwise. Most commonly, you will see largess used in the public works sense, denoting a sense of superiority or higher rank on the part of those bestowing it.

Commonly found as

government largess
Many organizations, including universities, depend on government largess to be able to operate.
benefit from largess
During the holidays, food banks benefit from the community’s largess, and can provide meals and small gifts for those in need.

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aspire

aspire is a synonym of hope

verb [ uh-spahyuhr ]

aspire is another word for hope

To hope for something is to desire it with only some expectation that it will happen. The verb aspire nudges desire toward action, implying an eagerness and drive to make it so. The work that goes into making an aspiration real may even leave you breathless. After all, aspire comes from the Latin verb meaning "to breathe upon" or "to pant after." Consider the lofty aspirations of the dog who pants after the squirrel; much like Fido, when we aspire to something, we are working to attain it.

Commonly found as

aspire to become
The young man aspired to become a professional interior designer someday, so he took an internship to gain relevant experience.
aspire to greatness
Many young artists aspire to greatness, emulating the masters in their technique and honing their own personal style.

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