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The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms INTRO ...

The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms INTRO ...

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modifying, transformation, transforming, metamorphosis,<br />

metamorphosing, transmutation, transmuting, transfiguration,<br />

transfiguring, evolution, evolving, variation, varying: For<br />

years he studied the mutation <strong>of</strong> the sweet pea. 2 variant,<br />

variation, deviation, deviant, mutant, anomaly, departure: <strong>The</strong><br />

mutations exhibited marked differences over the generations.<br />

mute adj. 1 silent, dumb, speechless, voiceless, wordless,<br />

tight-lipped, taciturn, tacit, reserved, quiet, Colloq mum:<br />

Though I persisted in asking his name, he remained mute. 2<br />

unspoken, unsaid, tacit, silent: <strong>The</strong> stain on the floor was a<br />

mute reminder <strong>of</strong> the crime.<br />

--v. 3 deaden, silence, muffle, stifle, dampen, damp, subdue,<br />

suppress, quiet or Brit also quieten, hush, s<strong>of</strong>t-pedal, turn<br />

down, tone down: <strong>The</strong> carpet muted her footsteps as she crept up<br />

behind him.<br />

mutilate v. 1 maim, disfigure, mangle, cripple, lame, butcher, disable;<br />

dismember, amputate, hack <strong>of</strong>f, cut <strong>of</strong>f, lop <strong>of</strong>f, tear <strong>of</strong>f, rip<br />

<strong>of</strong>f: Formerly, the hands <strong>of</strong> thieves were mutilated as an<br />

example to others. 2 spoil, mar, ruin, damage, deface,<br />

vandalize, destroy: As the book had been mutilated, he had to<br />

buy the library a replacement.<br />

mutinous adj. 1 rebellious, revolutionary, subversive, seditious,<br />

insurgent, insurrectionary: <strong>The</strong> mutinous crew was finally<br />

subdued and clapped in irons. 2 recalcitrant, refractory,<br />

contumacious, obstinate, defiant, insubordinate, disobedient,<br />

unruly, unmanageable, ungovernable, uncontrollable: Whenever we<br />

told Clare to work harder at school she became mutinous.<br />

mutiny n. 1 revolt, rebellion, revolution, subversion, subversiveness,<br />

insurgency, insurgence, insurrection, uprising: <strong>The</strong> crew are<br />

threatening a mutiny.<br />

--v. 2 rebel, rise up (against), strike, revolt; disobey,<br />

subvert, agitate (against): <strong>The</strong> crew <strong>of</strong> the Bounty mutinied and<br />

set Captain Bligh adrift.<br />

mutter v. 1 mumble, murmur, grunt: He was muttering something to<br />

himself that I didn't catch. 2 grumble, complain, Colloq<br />

grouch, grouse, Brit chunter: She has been muttering about cuts

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