| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Ad Hominem Argument | Attacks the opposing speaker or another person rather than addressing the issues at hand |
| Allegory | Fictional work in which the characters represent ideas or concepts |
| Alliteration | The repetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginning of words |
| Allusion | A reference, usually oblique or faint, to another thing, idea, or person |
| Ambiguity | Uncertain or indefinite; subject to more than one interpretation |
| Analogy | The correspondence or resemblance between two things that are essentially different |
| Anecdote | A short story used to illustrate a point the author is making |
| Antecedent | Every pronoun refers back to a previous noun or pronoun |
| Antithesis | An opposition or contrast of ideas that is often expressed in balanced phrases or clauses |
| Apostrophe | A figure of speech in which an absent person or personified object is addressed by a speaker |
| Appositive | A word or phrase that follow a noun or pronoun for emphasis or clarity |
| Assonance | A type of internal rhyming in which vowel souds are repeated |
| Asyndeton | When the conjunctions (such as "and" or "but") that would normally connect a string of words, phrases, or clauses are omitted from a sentence |
| Atmosphere | The emotional feeling -or mood- of a place, scene, or event |
| Attitude | The feelings of a particular speaker or piece of writing toward a subject, person, or idea |
| Contrast | Oppositions |
| Colloquial Language | Slang or common language that is informal |
| Connotative | The interpretive level of a word based on associated images rather than the literal meaning |
| Deductive Argument | The process of moving from a general rule to a specific example |
| Diction | An author's choice of words |
| Didactic | Writing which has the purpose of teaching or instructing |
| Elegy | A work that expresses sorrow |
| Ellipses | Indicated by a series of three periods; shows that words have been omitted |
| Ethos | Refers to generally ethics, or values |
| Euphemism | A mild or pleasant sounding expression that substitutes for a harsh, indelicate, or simply less pleasant idea |
| Exposition | Writing or speech that is organized to explain |
| Figurative Language | All uses of language that imply an imaginative comparison |
| Foreshadowing | A purposeful hint placed in a work of literature to suggest what may occur later in the narrative |
| Hyperbole | A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used to achieve emphasis |
| Imagery | A mental picture that is conjured by specific words and associations |
| Inductive Argument | Creating a case by providing specific examples and drawing a conclusion based on the evidence they provide |
| Irony | When a situation produces and outcome that is the opposite of what is expected |
| Juxtaposition | When two contrasting things are placed next to each other for comparison |
| Logos | The use of reason as a controlling principle in an argument |
| Metaphor | A figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared directly |
| Metonymy | A figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it |
| Mood | The prevailing or dominant feeling of a work, scene, or event |
| Onomatopoeia | An effect created by words that have sounds that reinforce their meaning |
| Oxymoron | Two contradictory words in one expression |
| Paradox | A seeming contradiction that in fact reveals some truth |
| Parallelism | A literary technique that relies on the use of the same syntactical structures |
| Parody | An effort to ridicule or make fun of a literary work or an author by writing a comic imitation of the work |
| Pathos | A sympathetic feeling of pity or compassion evoked by an artistic work |
| Periodic Sentence | Presents the main clause at the end of the sentence, for emphasis |
| Persona | The character created by the voice and narration of the speaker of a text |
| Personification | A figure of speech in which ideas or objects are described as having human qualities or personalities |
| Point of View | The particular perspective from which a story is told |
| Pun | A play on words |
| Repetition | The reiteration of a word or phrase for emphasis |
| Rhetoric | The art and logic of a written or spoken argument to persuade, to analyze, or to expose |
| Rhetorical Strategy | The way an author organizes words, sentences, and overall argument in order to achieve a particular purpose |
| Rhetorical Devices | The specific language tools that an author uses to carry out a rhetorical strategy (diction, imagery, or syntax) |
| Rhetorical Question | A question that is asked for the sake of argument |
| Satire | To ridicule or mock ideas, persons, events, or doctrines |
| Selection of Detail | The specific words, incidents, images, or events the author uses to create a scene or narrative |
| Simile | A commonly used figure of speech that compares one thing with another using the words "like" or "as" |
| Speaker | The narrator of a story, poem, or drama |
| Syllogism | A form of deductive reasoning in which pieces of evidence are used to create a new conclusion |
| Symbol | Something that stands for something else |
| Synonym | A word that has the same, or nearly the same, meaning as another word |
| Syntax | The way words are arranged in a sentence |
| Tension | A feeling excitement and expectation the reader or audience feels because of the conflict, mood, or atmosphere of the work |
| Theme | The central idea |
| Tone | Attitude |
| Understatement | When an author assigns less significance to an event or thing than it deserves |
| Zeugma | When a word is used with two adjacent words in the same construction, but only makes literal sense with one of them |
| abase | (v.) - to lower, demean, degrade |
| abate | (v.) - to lessen, to reduce in severity |
| abbreviate | (v.) - to shorten, reduce |
| abduct | (v.) - to kidnap |
| aberration | (n.) - a deviation from the expected course |
| abhor | (v.) - to hate, loathe |
| abide | (v.) - to put up with, tolerate |
| abject | (adj.) - of the most miserable or contemptible kind |
| abort | (v.) - to give up unfinished |
| abridge | (v.) - to shorten, cut down |
| abrogate | (v.) - to abolish, often by authority |
| abscond | (v.) - to sneak away and hide |
| abundant | (adj.) - in great numbers |
| accede | (v.) - to agree |
| accentuate | (v.) - to emphasize, to highlight |
| accommodating | (adj.) - obliging, helpful |
| accost | (v.) - to approach or confront aggressively |
| acumen | (n.) - keen insight |
| acute | (adj.) - sharp, severe |
| affable | (adj.) - friendly, amiable |
| affluent | (adj.) - rich, wealthy |
| aggrandize | (v.) - to increase or make greater |
| aggregate | (v.) - to gather, amass |
| aghast | (adj.) - struck by amazement or terror |
| agoraphobia | (n.) - an abnormal fear of open or public places |
| akimbo | (adj.) - with hands on hips and elbows extending outward |
| alacrity | (n.) - speed, readiness |
| algid | (adj.) - frigid, cold |
| allay | (v.) - to sooth, assuage |
| alleviate | (v.) - to relieve |
| aloof | (adj.) - reserved, distant |
| altercation | (n.) - an argument, dispute |
| amalgamation | (n.) - a union, a merger |
| ambivalent | (adj.) - having contradictory feelings |
| amble | (v.) - to stroll, walk |
| ameliorate | (v.) - to improve, to make better |
| amend | (v.) - to change for the better, improve |
| amiable | (adj.) - friendly, affable |
| amorous | (adj.) - relating to or showing love |
| amorphous | (adj.) - without shape or borders |
| anomaly | (n.) - something that does not fit into the normal order |
| antechamber | (n.) - a waiting room |
| anxiety | (n.) - uneasiness |
| aphorism | (n.) - a short saying |
| apocalypse | (n.) - total devastation, the end of the world |
| apparitional | (adj.) - ghostly, spectral |
| arbitrator | (n.) - one who settles controversy between two sides |
| ascetic | (n.) - one who practices restraint as a means of self-discipline, usually religious |
| assuage | (v.) - to ease, pacify |
| atone | (v.) - to apologize, make amends |
| audacious | (adj.) - excessively bold |
| augment | (v.) - to increase or make larger |
| austere | (adj.) - very bare, bleak, simple |
| baleful | (adj.) - harmful, threatening |
| bard | (n.) - a poet, often a singer as well |
| battery | (n.) - an assault or an array of similar things intended for use together |
| belligerent | (adj.) - contentious, ready to fight |
| benevolent | (adj.) - kind, good, caring |
| benign | (adj.) - non-threatening, innocuous |
| berate | (v.) - to scold severely |
| bereft | (adj.) - without, devoid of |
| bide | (v.) - to wait, or remain in a condition |
| bilk | (v.) - to cheat, to swindle |
| blandish | (v.) - to coax through flattery |
| bloated | (adj.) - swollen, bigger than desired |
| boisterous | (adj.) - loud, energetic |
| bourgeois | (adj.) - middle class |
| brash | (adj.) - hasty or lacking in sensitivity |
| brazen | (adj.) - excessively bold, brash |
| brumal | (adj.) - wintry, relating to winter |
| brusque | (adj.) - short, abrupt, dismissive |
| buffet | (n.) - a spread of food involving choices |
| buffet | (v.) - to hit or strike |
| burgeon | (v.) - to come forth, blossom |
| cacophony | (n.) - noise, discordant sound |
| cadence | (n.) - rhythm |
| cajole | (v.) - to urge, coax |
| callous | (adj.) - harsh, cold, unfeeling |
| calumny | (n.) - an attempt to defame another's reputation |
| camaraderie | (n.) - cheerful unity among a group |
| canvas | (n.) - a piece of cloth on which an artist paints |
| capricious | (adj.) - impulsive, unpredictable, subject to whim |
| captivate | (v.) - to hold the interest of, to gain the attention of |
| carouse | (v.) - to revel, to party |
| cavity | (n.) - a hole |
| cavort | (v.) - to frolic, leap, prance |
| celestial | (adj.) - relating to the sky or the heavens |
| chastise | (v.) - to criticize, to scold |
| choreographed | (adj.) - arranged, as in dance |
| circumlocution | (n.) - indirect language |
| circumspect | (adj.) - cautious |
| clairvoyant | (adj.) - able to see things that others cannot |
| claustrophobia | (n.) - an abnormal fear of closed or crowded spaces |
| cliché | (n.) - a trite, overused expression |
| coalesce | (v.) - to combine into one |
| cogent | (adj.) - intelligent, viable |
| collusion | (n.) - a conspiracy, a secret agreement |
| colossus | (n.) - an enormous structure |
| comatose | (adj.) - lethargic |
| commendable | (adj.) - worthy of praise |
| commodious | (adj.) - spacious, roomy |
| compel | (v.) - to force |
| complicit | (adj.) - being an accomplice in a wrongful act |
| compliment | (n.) - an expression of esteem or approval |
| concede | (v.) - to give in, to accept |
| conciliatory | (adj.) - agreeable, friendly |
| concoct | (v.) - to make up or invent |
| concord | (n.) - agreement |
| conduit | (n.) - a pipe, passage, channel |
| confluence | (n.) - a convergence, a coming together |
| confound | (v.) - to frustrate |
| connotation | (n.) - a meaning or association suggested by a word beyond its definition |
| contusion | (n.) - bruise, injury |
| convalescence | (n.) - the gradual return to health after illness |
| copious | (adj.) - abundant, plentiful |
| corpulent | (adj.) - very fat |
| cosmopolitan | (adj.) - worldly, sophisticated |
| credulity | (n.) - readiness to believe |
| cursory | (adj.) - brief to the point of being superficial |
| daft | (adj.) - insane, foolish |
| daunting | (adj.) - intimidating |
| dearth | (n.) - a lack, scarcity |
| defame | (v.) - to destroy the reputation of |
| deft | (adj.) - skilled, adept |
| defunct | (adj.) - no longer used or existing |
| deleterious | (adj.) - harmful |
| delude | (v.) - to deceive, to mislead |
| deluge | (n.) - a great flood or something that overwhelms like a flood |
| derelict | (adj.) - run-down, abandoned |
| desolate | (adj.) - deserted, lifeless |
| despondent | (adj.) - discouraged, hopeless, depressed |
| destitute | (adj.) - impoverished |
| diaphanous | (adj.) - transparent, light, airy |
| dictate | (v.) - to pronounce, command, prescribe |
| differentiate | (v.) - to distinguish, to make different |
| dilapidated | (adj.) - in a state of disrepair |
| diligent | (adj.) - careful, showing care |
| diminish | (v.) - to decrease or make smaller |
| diminutive | (adj.) - miniature, small |
| discreet | (adj.) - prudent or inconspicuous |
| discrete | (adj.) - separate, distinct, individual |
| disparage | (v.) - to criticize, degrade, belittle |
| dissonance | (n.) - lack of harmony or agreement |
| divergent | (adj.) - different, deviating, contrary |
| diverse | (adj.) - varied |
| divisive | (adj.) - causing conflict, opposition |
| domicile | (n.) - a residence, a home |
| doppelganger | (n.) - a ghostly double of a living person |
| douse | (v.) - to drench, saturate |
| dutiful | (adj.) - careful to fulfill obligations |
| dynamic | (adj.) - characterized by continuous change or activity |
| elocution | (n.) - the art of public speaking |
| elucidate | (v.) - to clarify |
| empathetic | (adj.) - feeling another's pain as one's own |
| empathy | (n.) - the experience of another's feelings as one's own |
| enervate | (v.) - to weaken, make weary |
| enervated | (adj.) - lacking energy, weakened, exhausted |
| entity | (n.) - something that exists as a discrete unit |
| entomology | (n.) - the study of insects |
| envious | (adj.) - jealous |
| erect | (v.) - to construct, to raise |
| erroneous | (adj.) - mistaken, incorrect |
| espouse | (v.) - to support, or to marry |
| espy | (v.)– - catch sight of, glimpse |
| ethereal | (adj.) - heavenly, exceptionally delicate or refined |
| euphoric | (adj.) - elated, overjoyed |
| exacerbate | (v.) - to make more violent, intense |
| excursion | (n.) - a trip, an outing |
| exemplary | (adj.) - serving as an example |
| exigent | (adj.) - critical, urgent |
| existential | (adj.) - relating to existence |
| exorbitant | (adj.) - excessive |
| extol | (v.) - to praise |
| extravagant | (adj.) - excessive, over-the-top |
| fabricate | (v.) - to invent, make-up, concoct |
| fabulist | (n.) - a teller of fables; a liar |
| facile | (adj.) - easy |
| fallacious | (adj.) - incorrect, misleading |
| familial | (adj.) - relating to family |
| fatuous | (adj.) - silly, foolish |
| fecund | (adj.) - fertile, fruitful |
| feign | (v.) - to fake or pretend to |
| feral | (adj.) - savage, wild, untamed |
| fetter | (v.) - to restrain, chain, tie |
| fey | (adj.) - magical |
| fickle | (adj.) - characterized by changeableness, whimsical |
| figurative | (adj.) - symbolic |
| firmament | (n.) - the sky, the heavens |
| flabbergasted | (adj.) - astounded, stupefied |
| flaccid | (adj.) - limp |
| flattery | (n.) - compliments, sycophancy |
| flout | (v.) - to scorn, ignore, show contempt for |
| fluctuate | (v.) - to vary irregularly |
| flux | (n.) - a state of constant change or a flow |
| forage | (v.) - to rummage, scavenge, graze for food |
| forestall | (v.) - to delay, impede |
| forlorn | (adj.) - lonely, hopeless |
| formidable | (adj.) - arousing fear or alarm |
| forsake | (v.) - to abandon, forget |
| fortify | (v.) - to strengthen |
| fortitude | (n.) - strength, bravery |
| fortuitous | (adj.) - lucky, occurring by chance |
| foster | (v.) - to stimulate, promote, encourage |
| frenetic | (adj.) - frenzied, hectic, frantic |
| gape | (v.) - to open the mouth and stare stupidly |
| gay | (adj.) - happy, cheery, or homosexual |
| gluttonous | (adj.) - insatiable in appetite |
| goad | (v.) - to urge, to provoke into action |
| gourmand | (n.) - one who likes eating and drinking |
| grandiose | (adj.) - extraordinary, grand in scope |
| gregarious | (adj.) - sociable, outgoing |
| grotto | (n.) - a small cave or cavern |
| guile | (n.) - deceitful actions or behavior |
| hail | (v.) - to come from |
| hapless | (adj.) - unlucky |
| harmony | (n.) - agreement, often of sound |
| harrowing | (adj.) - agonizing, distressing |
| hedonist | (n.) - one whose primary pursuit is pleasure |
| henchman | (n.) - a trusted follower, goon |
| hiatus | (n.) - an interruption in continuity, a break |
| hiemal | (adj.) - wintry, relating to winter |
| hierarchy | (n.) - a ranking system of groups or individuals |
| histrionic | (adj.) - excessively dramatic or emotional |
| idolatrous | (adj.) - worshiping excessively an object or person |
| illusory | (adj.) - deceptive, produced by an illusion |
| immaculate | (adj.) - impeccably clean, spotless, pure |
| immutable | (adj.) - not susceptible to change |
| impecunious | (adj.) - excessively poor |
| impervious | (adj.) - unable to be penetrated, unaffected |
| impudent | (adj.) - rude, improper |
| incessant | (adj.) - without interruption |
| incisive | (adj.) - clear, sharp, direct |
| inclement | (adj.) - stormy, bad, severe |
| inclination | (n.) - a tendency, propensity |
| indictment | (n.) - accusation of wrongdoing |
| indignation | (n.) - anger due to an unfair situation |
| inextricable | (adj.) - hopelessly confused or tangled |
| infuse | (v.) - to inject |
| ingenious | (adj.) - marked by special intelligence |
| inimical | (adj.) - hostile, threatening |
| iniquity | (n.) - a wicked act, a sin |
| innate | (adj.) - inborn, native, inherent |
| innocuous | (adj.) - harmless |
| inquisitor | (n.) - someone who asks questions or makes an inquiry |
| inundate | (v.) - to flood |
| invariable | (adj.) - not susceptible to change |
| invective | (n.) - a verbal attack |
| inveterate | (adj.) - habitual, natural |
| irascible | (adj.) - easily angered |
| jubilant | (adj.) - joyful, happy |
| judicious | (adj.) - of sound judgment |
| juvenile | (adj.) - young or immature |
| juxtapose | (v.) - to put next to each other |
| labyrinthine | (adj.) - intricate, maze-like |
| laceration | (n.) - a cut, a rip |
| lachrymose | (adj.) - tearful |
| latent | (adj.) - present but hidden |
| laud | (v.) - to applaud or praise |
| laudatory | (adj.) - admiring, praising |
| lavish | (adj.) - extravagant |
| lethargic | (adj.) - sluggish, weary, apathetic |
| lewd | (adj.) - vulgar, offensive, rude |
| libel | (n.) - a statement that gives an unjust or unfavorable representation of a person or thing |
| licentious | (adj.) - amoral, lawless, lewd |
| limber | (adj.) - bending or flexing readily, pliable |
| limpid | (adj.) - clear, easily understood |
| linchpin | (n.) - something that holds separate things together |
| lithe | (adj.) - graceful, flexible, supple |
| loquacious | (adj.) - talkative |
| lull | (n.) - a relatively calm interval, as in a storm |
| luminescence | (n.) - light from non-thermal sources |
| magnanimous | (adj.) - generous, noble |
| malaise | (n.) - vague feeling of discomfort |
| malevolent | (adj.) - having intent to harm others |
| malicious | (adj.) - malevolent, harmful |
| malign | (v.) - to slander, to smear, to libel, to defame, to speak evil of |
| malleable | (adj.) - easily shaped or formed |
| mandatory | (adj.) - required, not optional |
| manifest | (v.) - to show clearly |
| manifold | (adj.) - many |
| masticate | (v.) - to chew |
| matrimony | (n.) - marriage |
| maudlin | (adj.) - sentimental |
| maxim | (n.) - a common saying of advice or virtue |
| meager | (adj.) - lacking in quality stature |
| mediate | (v.) - to intervene, to arbitrate, to sort out |
| melodramatic | (adj.) - exaggeratedly emotional or sentimental; histrionic |
| mendacious | (adj.) - inclined to lie or mislead |
| mercurial | (adj.) - quick and changeable in temperament |
| meritorious | (adj.) - deserving of praise or merit |
| metamorphosis | (n.) - a change of form, shape, substance |
| mimic | (v.) - to imitate, to copy |
| misogyny | (n.) - hatred of women |
| modicum | (n.) - a small amount of something |
| mollify | (v.) - to soften in temper |
| monogamy | (n.) - having only one spouse at a time |
| mores | (n.) - moral attitudes |
| morose | (adj.) - gloomy or sullen |
| munificent | (adj.) - generous, benevolent |
| mutability | (n.) - capability of change |
| myopic | (adj.) - short-sighted |
| myriad | (adj.) - consisting of a very great number |
| narrate | (v.) - to tell a story |
| nebulous | (adj.) - indistinct, hazy |
| nefarious | (adj.) - horribly villainous |
| neologism | (n.) - the creation of new words, or a new word |
| neonate | (n.) - a newborn baby |
| noisome | (adj.) - foul, offensive, particularly to the sense of smell |
| notoriety | (n.) - infamy, known in bad regard |
| novel | (adj.) - strikingly new, unusual, or different |
| noxious | (adj.) - harmful, toxic |
| obdurate | (adj.) - unyielding to persuasion or moral influences |
| obfuscate | (v.) - to render incomprehensible |
| obsequious | (adj.) - excessively compliant or submissive |
| odious | (adj.) - meriting strong displeasure |
| officious | (adj.) - offering unwanted help or service |
| olfactory | (adj.) - relating to the sense of smell |
| ominous | (adj.) - foreboding or foreshadowing evil, portentous |
| oration | (n.) - a dignified and formal speech |
| ostracize | (v.) - to exclude from a community |
| pacify | (v.) - to sooth, ease |
| paragon | (n.) - model of perfection |
| pariah | (n.) - an outcast |
| parody | (n.) - a satirical imitation |
| patent | (adj.) - clear, apparent |
| pedagogue | (n.) - a schoolteacher |
| pellucid | (adj.) - clear |
| penchant | (n.) - a tendency, partiality, preference |
| peregrinate | (v.) - to travel from place to place on foot |
| perfunctory | (adj.) - showing little enthusiasm, done as duty |
| permeate | (v.) - to spread out, to pervade |
| persevere | (v.) - to persist, remain constant |
| pertinacious | (adj.) - stubbornly persistent, holding to a belief or position |
| peruse | (v.) - to examine carefully |
| pervasive | (adj.) - to spread throughout |
| petulance | (n.) - irritability, impoliteness |
| physiognomy | (n.) - the art of judging human character from facial features |
| pique | (v.) - to provoke or to cause indignation |
| pithy | (adj.) - succinctly meaningful |
| pittance | (n.)– - very small amount |
| placate | (v.) - to soothe, appease |
| placid | (adj.) - calm, tranquil |
| plethora | (n.) - a great number, an abundance |
| pliable | (adj.) - flexible, bendable |
| poach | (v.) - to hunt or fish illegally |
| poised | (adj.) - balanced, readied |
| polygamy | (n.) - having more than one spouse at a time |
| portentous | (adj.) - foreboding or foreshadowing evil, ominous |
| portly | (adj.) - fat, chubby, round |
| precarious | (adj.) - dangerously lacking in security or stability |
| predestination | (n.) - the concept of destiny or fate |
| premonition | (n.) - a presentiment of the future |
| preponderance | (n.) - a great amount or frequency |
| presage | (n.) - an omen |
| prestidigitation | (n.) - a sleight of hand |
| presumptuous | (adj.) - disrespectfully bold |
| profane | (adj.) - indecent, blasphemous |
| profuse | (adj.) - abundant, lavish, prolific |
| propensity | (n.) - an inclination, preference |
| propriety | (n.) - decency, state of being proper |
| protean | (adj.) - readily taking on various shapes or forms |
| prudent | (adj.) - cautious, careful |
| puerile | (adj.) - immature |
| pugnacious | (adj.) - belligerent |
| pulchritude | (n.) - physical beauty |
| punctilious | (adj.) - eager to follow rules |
| pungent | (adj.) - having a sharp, strong quality especially related to smell |
| purport | (v.) - to present an intention that is often FALSE |
| putrid | (adj.) - rotten, rancid, foul |
| quaint | (adj.) - old-fashioned |
| quid | pro - (n., latin) – a mutually beneficial exchange |
| quotidian | (adj.) - daily, everyday |
| radiant | (adj.) - bright, beaming |
| rancid | (adj.) - rotten, spoiled, disgusting in smell or taste |
| ratiocinate | (v.) - to think, contemplate |
| raze | (v.) - to demolish |
| recalcitrant | (adj.) - defiant |
| recalibrate | (v.) - to readjust or make corrections to |
| recapitulate | (v.) - to repeat, reiterate |
| rectify | (v.) - to set right, correct |
| redact | (v.) - to revise, edit |
| redoubtable | (adj.) - formidable, commanding respect |
| redress | (v.) - to set right or remedy |
| reel | (v.) - to be thrown off balance or feel dizzy |
| refrain | (v.) - to hold oneself back, forbear |
| reiterate | (v.) - to repeat |
| relish | (v.) - to take zestful pleasure in, enjoy the flavor of |
| remiss | (adj.) - negligent, exhibiting carelessness |
| render | (v.) - to say, or to make |
| renovate | (v.) - to restore, return to original state |
| repose | (n.) - rest, sleep |
| reprehensible | (adj.) - deserving criticism |
| repudiate | (v.) - to reject, turn down |
| repulse | (v.) - to cause disgust or distaste, or to drive back, repel |
| requisition | (n.) - a demand for goods, often by an authority |
| restitution | (n.) - compensation, reimbursement |
| retaliation | (n.) - revenge, punishment |
| retract | (v.) - withdraw |
| retribution | (n.) - vengeance, revenge, payback |
| revel | (v.) - to enjoy |
| rife | (adj.) - abundant |
| ruddy | (adj.) - having a healthy, reddish color |
| ruse | (n.) - a trick |
| rustic | (adj.) - relating to country life |
| saccharine | (adj.) - overly sweet |
| sacrosanct | (adj.) - sacred, holy |
| sagacious | (adj.) - shrewd, showing sound judgment |
| salient | (adj.) - significant, conspicuous |
| salutation | (n.) - a greeting |
| sanguine | (adj.) - cheery, optimistic, hopeful |
| sate | (v.) - to satisfy (an appetite) fully. |
| satiate | (v.) - to satisfy excessively |
| savor | (v.) - to appreciate fully, enjoy |
| scathing | (adj.) - hurtful, critical |
| scourge | (n.) - a plague |
| scurrilous | (adj.) - crude, vulgar |
| sedate | (v.) - to calm, soothe |
| sedentary | (adj.) - sitting |
| seer | (n.) - a fortune teller |
| seminal | (adj.) - original, ground-breaking |
| serendipity | (n.) - the act of finding things not sought, luck |
| slander | (n.) - a FALSE statement to damage the reputation of another |
| sobriety | (n.) - moderation from excess, calm, tranquility |
| somnolent | (adj.) - sleepy |
| soothsayer | (n.) - a fortune teller |
| sordid | (adj.) - dirty |
| spectral | (adj.) - ghostly |
| spurious | (adj.) - FALSE but intended to seem believable or possible |
| stagnant | (adj.) - still, not flowing |
| stagnate | (v.) - to be idle, to be still |
| static | (adj.) - not moving, being at rest |
| steadfast | (adj.) - fixed or unchanging |
| strenuous | (adj.) - requiring tremendous strength or energy |
| strife | (n.) - conflict |
| stupefy | (v.) - to astound |
| submissive | (adj.) - easily yielding to authority |
| subsist | (v.) - to live, exist |
| succinct | (adj.) - marked by compact precision |
| suffice | (v.) - to meet needs |
| supplant | (v.) - to displace and substitute for another |
| surfeit | (n.) - an excess, a surplus, an overabundance |
| surmise | (v.) - to guess, infer, suppose |
| surreptitious | (adj.) - done in a secret, or stealthy way |
| swarthy | (adj.) - of dark color or complexion |
| sybarite | (n.) - someone devoted to pleasure and luxury, a voluptuary |
| sycophant | (n.) - a self-serving flatterer |
| sympathetic | (adj.) - compassionate |
| sympathy | (n.) - an expression of pity for another, compassion |
| synopsis | (n.) - a summary |
| taciturn | (adj.) - not inclined to talk |
| tantamount | (adj.) - equivalent in value or significance |
| tedious | (adj.) - boring, dull |
| telepathic | (adj.) - capable of reading minds |
| tenuous | (adj.) - having little substance or strength |
| terrestrial | (adj.) - relating to the land |
| terse | (adj.) - abrupt, short, brief |
| timorous | (adj.) - fearful, timid |
| tome | (n.) - a large book |
| toothsome | (adj.) - delicious, luscious |
| torpid | (adj.) - lazy, lethargic, moving slowly |
| torrid | (adj.) - giving off intense heat, passionate |
| tortuous | (adj.) - winding, twisted |
| tragedy | (n.) - a disastrous event, or a work of art in which the hero meets a terrible fate |
| tranquil | (adj.) - calm, serene, peaceful |
| travesty | (n.) - a grossly inferior imitation |
| trek | (v.) - to walk, travel by foot |
| trite | (adj.) - overused, hackneyed |
| truculent | (adj.) - eager to fight, violent |
| ubiquitous | (adj.) - existing everywhere, widespread |
| ultimate | (n.) - the last part, or a fundamental element |
| umbrage | (n.) - anger, offense, resentment |
| uncanny | (adj.) - of supernatural character or origin |
| undulate | (v.) - to move in a smooth wavelike motion |
| uniform | (adj.) - unvarying, conforming to one principle |
| unilateral | (adj.) - having only one side |
| unique | (adj.) - being the only one of its kind |
| upbraid | (v.) - to criticize, scold, reproach |
| vacillate | (v.) - to sway from one side to another |
| variance | (n.) - a difference between what is expected and what actually occurs |
| variegate | (v.) - to diversify |
| vast | (adj.) - enormous, immense |
| veneer | (n.) - a superficial or deceptively attractive appearance, façade |
| veracious | (adj.) - honest, truthful |
| verbose | (adj.) - wordy |
| vicarious | (adj.) - experienced through another's actions |
| vicissitudes | (n.) - the unexpected changes and shifts often encountered in one's life |
| vigor | (n.) - vitality and energy, vim. |
| vim | (n.) - and energy, vigor. |
| vivacious | (adj.) - lively, spirited, full of life |
| vocation | (n.) - one's work or professional calling |
| volition | (n.) - a conscious choice or decision |
| voluminous | (adj.) - large, ample |
| voluptuary | (n.) - someone devoted to sensory pleasure and luxury, a sybarite |
| wane | (v.) - to decrease gradually in size or degree |
| wax | (v.) - to increase gradually in size or degree |
| weather | (v.) - to withstand or survive a situation |
| whet | (v.) - to make more keen, stimulate |
| winsome | (adj.) - charming, attractive |
| Zeitgeist | (n.) - the spirit of the time |
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