Likes and Dislikes: English Vocabulary List

easy to approach, and pleasant to talk to

"The host is affable."

"The affable host greeted every guest with a warm smile and a handshake and he made everyone feel welcome at the party."

showing or having a likable and friendly personality

"She is very amiable."

"The amiable shopkeeper always greeted customers with a warm smile and helpful advice."

so in love with someone or something that prevents one from thinking properly

"He is besotted with her."

"The young artist was so besotted with his muse that his creative output became entirely focused on her image."

having a strong liking or admiration for something

"She is enamored with him."

"She is enamored with him and cannot stop thinking about his smile and kind words."

unwilling to do something due to a lack of will, motivation, or consent

"I am loath to go."

"She was loath to admit that she had made a mistake but she knew that apologizing was the right thing to do."

not expected, normally inconvenient or unpleasant

"Nothing untoward occurred."

"Despite the stormy weather and the remote location, nothing untoward happened during their adventurous expedition."

to hate a behavior or way of thought, believing that it is morally wrong

"I abhor violence in any form."

"I absolutely abhor any form of animal cruelty and believe that people who harm innocent creatures should be punished severely."

to provoke and anger someone so much that they start to hate and oppose one

"Do not antagonize your coworkers unnecessarily."

"The politician's rude comments antagonized many voters and caused him to lose support from key demographics."

to hold or display extreme hatred toward something or someone

"They execrate the dictator."

"The citizens of the occupied nation would often execrate the occupying forces for their cruelty and oppression."

words or feelings that are filled with anger or bitterness

"The argument had acrimony."

"The long-standing dispute between the neighbors was characterized by such acrimony that communication had completely broken down."

readiness or willingness that is quick and enthusiastic

"She agreed with alacrity."

"When offered the opportunity to lead the new project, he accepted with alacrity, eager to prove his capabilities."

strong hostility, opposition, or anger

"There is no animosity between the former rivals."

"Deep animosity existed between the two rival families for many generations."

a strong feeling of hatred, opposition, or hostility

"She felt a strong antipathy toward spicy food."

"She felt strong antipathy toward the dishonest politician after the scandal was revealed."

someone who dislikes, distrusts, or hates other human beings

"The old misanthrope lived alone in the woods."

"He declared himself a misanthrope who preferred solitude over human company most of the time."

a strong tendency to do something or a fondness for something

"Strong penchant for collecting."

"She has a strong penchant for collecting rare books from around the world."

the activity of helping people, particularly financially

"He practices philanthropy."

"He practices philanthropy by giving money and time to support education and health projects around the world."

the establishment of harmony and friendly relations between two groups or countries after a period of ill relations

"They sought rapprochement."

"The signing of the peace treaty marked a significant rapprochement between the two nations after years of conflict."

to get angry or feel upset, particularly because of being insulted

"She took umbrage at his comment."

"She took umbrage at his comment even though he did not mean to offend her at all."

to make someone angry or upset, usually by offending them

"He gave umbrage to them."

"His rude remarks gave umbrage to everyone who was listening to the conversation at the party."

to captivate someone completely

"The story enthralled the young listeners."

"The storyteller's exciting tales enthralled the young children who listened with wide eyes and open mouths."

lacking interest or emotional involvement

"He seems detached."

"The detached observer watched the argument without getting involved and he took notes on the behavior of both parties."

(of ideas and suggestions) pleasing and acceptable

"The idea was palatable."

"While the initial proposal was controversial, the revised plan was more palatable to the majority of the committee members."

liking someone or something, or having an interest in them

"She was partial."

"She was partial to chocolate cake and ate it every day."

filled with strong emotions and being passionate especially when it comes to sexual love

"Their torrid affair."

"The novel's plot was driven by the torrid romance between the two main characters."

something that is gravely hated and disapproved of

"Heresy was anathema to the church."

"The idea of raising taxes was anathema to the conservative voters who had elected the candidate specifically to cut government spending."

a general lack of interest, concern, or enthusiasm toward things in life

"His apathy worried everyone greatly."

"Public apathy toward environmental problems delayed meaningful political reforms for decades."

a prejudice, bitter, and hostile attitude or state

"He viewed it with jaundice."

"The reporter's article was written with such jaundice that it presented a completely one-sided and unfair portrayal of the events."

a great enthusiasm directed toward achieving something

"She worked with great zeal to finish the project before the deadline."

"He pursued his dream of becoming a chef with incredible zeal and determination."