ameliorate \a-MEL-yuh-rayt, uh-MEE-lee-\ (verb tr., intr.) - To make or grow better; to improve; also meliorate.

"After an extended hospital stay, the tedium, discomfort, and confinement of Susan's extended illness was ...Read More

resile \ri-ZYL\ (verb intr.) - 1 : To rebound or recoil. 2 : To shrink, withdraw, or retreat.

"Once the needless threats of financial destruction were taken off the table, both parties could finally engage in a meaningful...Read More

zugzwang \TSOOK-tsvahng\ (noun) - A position where one is forced to make an undesirable move.

"Alan's company suddenly found itself in zugzwang, where every move it made worsened its position against an invisible opponent...Read More

lollygag \LOL-ee-gag\ (verb intr.), also lallygag - 1 : To fool around, waste time, or spend time lazily. 2 : To neck.

"Bryan was wont to spend his days lollygagging around while surfing the Internet, accomplishing very...Read More

crabwise \KRAB-wyz\ (adjective) - 1 : Sideways. 2 : In a cautious or roundabout manner.

"Always cautious and slow to move in new directions, Esther's company was moving crabwise towards modernity."

From the sideways ...Read More

gadfly \GAD-fly\ (noun) - 1 : One who persistently annoys. 2 : Any of the various types of flies that bite livestock.

"Despite his stern image, Frederic loved gossip and bawdy, silly jokes and became close friends with ...Read More