frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

analogous, figurative, symbolic, referential, parabolic(al),
metonymic, metonymous, tropological: I meant 'filthy' in a
metaphoric, not a literal, sense.
mete v. Usually, mete out. deal (out), apportion, distribute, dole
(out), allot, assign, allocate, parcel out, share (out), ration
(out), measure out, dispense, hand out, give out, pass out,
Colloq dish out: Punishment was meted out to those who deserved
it.
meteoric adj. 1 brief, short-lived, temporary, transitory, transient,
ephemeral, evanescent, impermanent, fleeting, momentary, swift,
overnight: She enjoyed a meteoric rise as a singer, but after
two years at the top she disappeared without a trace. 2
brilliant, dazzling, flashing, spectacular, sensational: His
meteoric career was launched in 1974.
method n. 1 way, means, procedure, approach, route, avenue, road,
mode, manner, technique, process, routine, modus operandi; plan,
scheme, programme, course, routine, practice, pattern, system,
methodology; Colloq US M.O.: What method was used to arrive at
the answer? 2 arrangement, order, system, structure,
organization, design, pattern, orderliness, neatness,
regularity, discipline: There is a discernible, underlying
method to what seems superficially chaotic.
methodical
adj. organized, ordered, systematic, structured, businesslike,
orderly, neat, tidy, regular, routine, balanced, disciplined,
painstaking, meticulous, deliberate, paced, laborious, plodding,
laboured: The weaver resumed his methodical throwing of the
shuttle, back and forth, back and forth.
meticulous
adj. careful, precise, accurate, exact, fastidious, scrupulous,
thorough, particular, painstaking, punctilious, fussy, finicky,
demanding, strict, critical, exacting, perfectionist: His work
is noted for its meticulous attention to detail.
metropolis
n. capital, (capital) city; metropolitan area, urban sprawl,
megalopolis, municipality: Street crime has become a problem in
every major metropolis.