Grammar Clinic

Meaning: To reach a climax or point of highest development Synonyms: Peak, climax, crown, cap, top Example: His long music career culminated when he won the Grammy award

Meaning: The quality of being wise or able to make good decisions. Synonyms: Wisdom, intelligence, sense, insight, wit. Example: It cannot be possible that a man of that sagacity should be engaged in such a shallow discussion.

Meaning: An angry or bad-tempered expression. Synonyms: Frown, glower, glare. Example: She stamped into the room with a scowl on her face.

Meaning: Engage in plots and intrigues, scheme. Synonyms: Plan, engineer, devise Example: Tammy will machinate the overthrow of his father.

Meaning: Not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection Synonyms: Baseless, invalid, illogical, unsound. Example: This argument is clearly untenable.

Meaning: Combine two or more texts, ideas etc. into one. Synonyms: Converge, fuse, unify. Example: John will conflate our ideas in a way that will not be helpful.

Meaning: Rough and bad-mannered; coarse. Synonyms: Rude, discourteous, coarse, impolite. Example: His boorish behaviour was unacceptable to the directors.

Meaning: Feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant. Synonyms: Remorseful, apologetic, contrite, repentant. Example: After the robbery, the thief was penitent and returned the property.

Meaning: Having characteristics of both sexes or no characteristics of either sex, of indeterminate sex. Synonyms: sexless, neuter, androgynous. Example: clothing fashions are becoming increasingly epicene.

Meaning: Sweet or musical, pleasant to hear. Synonyms: Dulcet, mellow, sweet-toned, melodious. Example: Sandra has a mellifluous voice.