| Term | Definition |
| derogatory | disapproving, degrading |
| desiccate | to dry out |
| despondent | extremely depressed, full of despair |
| despot | an absolute ruler, an autocrat |
| destitute | extremely poor, utterly lacking |
| desultory | without a plan or purpose, disconnected, random |
| dialectical | relating to discussions, relating to the rules of methods or reasoning, approaching truth in the middle of opposing extremes |
| dictum | a maxim, proverb |
| didactic | intended to teach, morally instructive |
| diffident | timid, lacking in self-confidence |
| digress | to stray from the main subject |
| dilettante | someone with superficial knowledge of the arts, an amateur, a dabbler |