A–Z Index
417 entries (410 promoted).
#
- Œuvrenoun— The complete body of work produced by an artist, writer, or composer.
A
- A prioriphrase— Relating to or denoting reasoning or knowledge which proceeds from theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience.
- Abhorverb— Regard with disgust and hatred.
- Abhorrentadjective— Causing intense disgust or moral revulsion.
- Accoutrementnoun— Additional items of dress or equipment carried or worn by a person for a particular activity.
- Acrimoniousadjective— Bitter, hostile, or sharp in tone, especially during a dispute.
- Adulationnoun— Extreme or excessive admiration or flattery.
- Affordancenoun— What an environment offers individuals.
- Agglomerationnoun— A mass or collection of things; an assemblage.
- Agglutinativeadjective— (Of a language) forming words predominantly by agglutination, rather than by inflection or by using isolated elements.
- Aggrievedadjective— Feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated.
- Alacritynoun— Promptness in response; cheerful readiness.
- Amalgamnoun— A mixture or blend.
- Amalgamationnoun— The action, process, or result of combining or uniting.
- Ambivalentadjective— Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
- Ambrosianoun— Something that is pleasant or feels good.
- Amuse-bouchenoun— A French culinary term meaning 'mouth amuser'; a small complimentary appetizer offered at some restaurants.
- Anachronismnoun— Something placed in the wrong time period, either mistakenly or intentionally.
- Anachronisticadjective— Belonging to a period other than that being portrayed.
- Anathemanoun— Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes.
- Androgynynoun— The quality or state of being neither specifically feminine nor masculine; the combination of feminine and masculine characteristics.
- Antipathynoun— A deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion.
- Antitheticaladjective— Directly opposite or contrasted.
- Aphantasianoun— The inability to form mental images of objects that are not present.
- Aphorismnoun— A pithy observation that contains a general truth.
- Apotheosisnoun— The highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax; the perfect form or example of something.
- Archipelagonoun— A group of islands.
- Ardentadjective— Enthusiastic or passionate.
- Ardornoun— Enthusiasm or passion.
- Artificenoun— Clever or interesting tactics.
- Assiduouslyadverb— With great care and perseverance.
- Assuageverb— Make less intense.
- Ataraxianoun— Freedom from stress or worry.
- Atrophiedadjective— Having lost effectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect.
- Attritverb— To weaken or reduce by attrition.
- Au courantphrase— Aware of what is going on; well informed.
- Auspiciousadjective— Conducive to success; favorable; giving or being a sign of future success.
- Auteurnoun— A filmmaker whose personal influence and artistic control over a movie are so great that the filmmaker is regarded as the author of the movie.
- Autocraticadjective— Exercising absolute or highly centralized power without meaningful input from others.
- Autumnaladjective— Of, characteristic of, or occurring in autumn.
- Avant-gardenoun— New and unusual or experimental ideas, especially in the arts, or the people introducing them.
- Avant-premièrenoun— A viewing of a performance or exhibition before it opens to the public.
- Avaricenoun— Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
- Azimuthnoun— (Astronomy) The angular measurement along the horizon, measured clockwise from the north direction to specify the direction of a celestial object.
B
- Bailiwicknoun— One's sphere of operations or particular area of interest.
- Banaladjective— So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.
- Bandyverb— To casually exchange or toss around ideas, remarks, or suggestions.
- Bastionnoun— A projecting part of a fortification; a person, group, or thing that strongly defends some principle.
- Belaborverb— 1. Argue or elaborate a subject in excessive detail. 2. Attack or assault someone physically or verbally.
- Bellicositynoun— An inclination to fight or quarrel.
- Bereftadjective— Deprived of or lacking something.
- Bifurcateverb— Divide into two branches or forks.
- Blatherverb— Talk longwindedly without making much sense.
- Bombasticadjective— High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated.
- Bon vivantphrase— A person who enjoys a sociable and luxurious lifestyle.
- Brevitynoun— Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.
- Bristlyadjective— Having a stiff and prickly texture.
- Bucolicadjective— Relating to the countryside or an idealized rural life.
- Bunkum and Balderdashphrase— Nonsense.
C
- Cacophonynoun— A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
- Cajoleverb— Persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.
- Candornoun— The quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.
- Canonicaladjective— Recognized as authoritative, standard, or officially accepted.
- Cantankerousadjective— Bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.
- Capaciousadjective— Having a lot of space inside; roomy.
- Capriciousadjective— Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.
- Carouseverb— To celebrate noisily, often while drinking heavily.
- Castigateverb— To criticize or reprimand someone severely.
- Catharsisnoun— The process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
- Causticadjective— Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way.
- Censoriousadjective— Marked by or given to censure.
- Chasmnoun— A deep gap or fissure; figuratively, a profound division.
- Chideverb— To scold or mildly reprimand someone.
- Circuitousadjective— Describes a route, journey, or method that is indirect, roundabout, and not straightforward.
- Cocksureadjective— Arrogant confidence.
- Cockwomblenoun— British slang for a person, usually male, prone to outrageously stupid statements or behavior while holding a very high opinion of his own wisdom.
- Codifyverb— Arrange laws or rules into a systematic code.
- Cogentadjective— Clear, logical, and convincing.
- Compendiumnoun— A concise collection or summary of information on a subject.
- Compunctionnoun— A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.
- Concomitantadjective— Naturally accompanying or associated.
- Confectionverb— The action of mixing or compounding something.
- Conflatedverb— Combine two or more texts, ideas, etc. into one.
- Congealverb— Solidify or coagulate, especially by cooling.
- Conjecturenoun— An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.
- Conscientiousadjective— Wishing to do what is right, especially to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly. Also: conscientiousness (n).
- Conscientiousnessnoun— The personality trait of being careful and diligent; a desire to do a task well and take obligations to others seriously.
- Consiglierenoun— An adviser, especially to a crime boss.
- Constancynoun— The quality of being faithful and dependable.
- Consternationnoun— Feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.
- Contemporaneousadjective— Existing or occurring in the same period of time.
- Contraveneverb— Violate the prohibition or order of a law, treaty, or code of conduct.
- Contretempsnoun— A minor dispute or disagreement.
- Contritionnoun— The state of feeling remorseful and penitent.
- Corollarynoun— A result that is the natural consequence of something else.
- Countenancenoun— (v.) To admit or tolerate as acceptable or possible; (n.) a person's face or facial expression.
- Coup de grâcephrase— A final blow that ends something; a death blow or knockout punch.
- Credulitynoun— A tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true.
D
- Daftadjective— Silly; foolish.
- Dalliancenoun— A casual romantic or sexual relationship.
- Dauphinnoun— The eldest son of the King of France.
- De rigueurphrase— Required by etiquette or current fashion.
- Decorumnoun— Behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety.
- Demureadjective— Reserved, modest, and shy.
- Dénouementnoun— The final resolution of a story's complications or plot.
- Deridedverb— Express contempt for; ridicule.
- Derisionnoun— The use of ridicule or scorn to show contempt.
- Desultoryadjective— Aimless, half-hearted, lacking plan or purpose; from Latin desultor, a circus rider who leapt between horses.
- Détentenoun— An easing of strained or hostile relations, especially between countries.
- Deus ex Machinaphrase— Latin meaning 'god from the machine.'
- Deviousadjective— Skillfully deceitful and underhanded.
- Diagnosticadjective— Relating to the diagnosis of illness or other problems.
- Diatribenoun— A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.
- Dictumnoun— A formal pronouncement from an authoritative source.
- Diffuseverb— spread or cause to spread over a wide area or among a large number of people.
- Dilettantenoun— A person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge.
- Discerningnoun— Having or showing good judgment.
- Discernmentnoun— The ability to judge well.
- Discoursenoun— Written or spoken communication or debate.
- Disreputenoun— The state of being held in low esteem by the public.
- Diurnaladjective— Of or during the day; active in the daytime.
- Downmarketadjective— Low in quality and cheap in price; relatively inexpensive or less prestigious.
- Downtroddenadjective— Oppressed or treated badly by people in power.
- Dubiousadjective— Unsettled in opinion; doubtful.
- Duplicitousadjective— Deceitful.
E
- Edictnoun— A proclamation having the force of law.
- Efficacynoun— The ability to produce a desired or intended result.
- Effusiveadjective— Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.
- Egressverb— The action of going out or exiting; an exit or way out.
- Ein Stümperzugphrase— A beginner's move; a bungler's move (German, from chess).
- Elucidateverb— Make something clear; explain.
- Emblematicadjective— Serving as a symbol of a particular quality or concept; symbolic.
- Encomiumnoun— A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly.
- Endemicadjective— Regularly found among particular people or in a certain area.
- Ensconcednoun— establish or settle (someone) in a comfortable, safe, or secret place.
- Entre Nousphrase— Between us; in confidence.
- Entropynoun— (In information theory) a logarithmic measure of the rate of transfer of information in a particular message or language.
- Ephemeraladjective— Lasting a very short time.
- Epiphenomenaladjective— Something secondary, incidental, or a byproduct (not causally important).
- Equivocaladjective— Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.
- Eruditeadjective— Having or showing knowledge that is gained by studying.
- Esotericadjective— Designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone.
- Etherealadjective— Extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.
- Excoriateverb— Criticize someone or something very harshly.
- Exculpatoryadjective— Tending or serving to exculpate.
- Expositionnoun— A comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory.
- Extemporaneousadjective— Spoken or done without preparation.
- Extraneousadjective— Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with.
F
- Factionalizeverb— (Especially of a political party) to split into factions or groups, often causing conflict or dissension.
- Fait accompliphrase— An action completed before those affected by it can question or reverse it.
- Fancifuladjective— Overimaginative and unrealistic.
- Fastidiousadjective— Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; very concerned about matters of cleanliness.
- Fastidiousnessnoun— The quality of showing or demanding excessive delicacy or care; meticulous attention to detail.
- Fatwanoun— An Islamic legal opinion issued by a qualified religious jurist.
- Fealtynoun— A feudal tenant's or vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord.
- Fecklessadjective— Lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible.
- Felicitousadjective— Well chosen or suited to the circumstances.
- Ferventadjective— Having or displaying a passionate intensity.
- Fiefnoun— An estate of land, especially one held on condition of feudal service.
- Fiefdomnoun— An area over which someone exercises control as or in the manner of a feudal lord.
- Firmamentnoun— The heavens or the sky; a sphere or world viewed as a collection of people.
- Folksonomynoun— a user-generated system of classifying and organizing online content into different categories by the use of metadata such as electronic tags.
- Footgunnoun— a feature, tool, or action that is technically allowed but easy to misuse in a way that causes self-inflicted harm.
- Fracasnoun— A noisy disturbance or quarrel.
- Furtiveadjective— Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive.
G
- Gavotteverb— To move in a showy, pretentious, and attention-seeking manner.
- Gestaltnoun— An organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.
- Gesticulateverb— To make or use gestures, especially in an animated or excited manner with or instead of speech.
- Gregariousadjective— Fond of company; sociable; enjoying being with others.
- Gubernatorialadjective— Of or relating to a governor.
- Guilefuladjective— Crafty and deceptive.
- Guiseverb— A display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive.
- Gutturaladjective— (Of a speech sound) produced in the throat; harsh-sounding.
H
- Hackneyedadjective— Lacking in freshness or originality.
- Haranguenoun— A lengthy and aggressive speech.
- Hardscrabbleadjective— Marked by poverty, hardship, and a constant struggle to get by.
- Harpynoun— (Derogatory) A grasping, unpleasant woman.
- Hegemonicadjective— Dominant or exercising leadership and influence over others.
- Hegemonynoun— Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others. Also: hegemonic (adj).
- Heterodoxadjective— Not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs.
- Heuristicadjective— Allowing someone to learn something on their own.
- Hirelingsnoun— (Derogatory) A person employed to undertake menial work.
- Homogeneitynoun— The quality or state of being all the same or all of the same kind.
- Honorificnoun— A title or word implying or expressing high status, politeness, or respect.
- Hyperbolenoun— Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
- Hyperbolicadjective— Exaggerated; hyperbolical.
I
- Idempotencenoun— The property of an operation whereby applying it multiple times has the same effect as applying it once.
- Idempotentadjective— Denoting an element of a set which is unchanged in value when multiplied or otherwise operated on by itself.
- Illusoryadjective— Based on illusion; not real.
- Immiserateverb— Cause to become poor or impoverished.
- Immolationverb— the act of killing someone or something by burning, or by exposing something to extreme heat.
- Impecuniousadjective— Having little or no money.
- Implacableadjective— Unable to be stopped.
- Improprietynoun— A failure to observe standards or show due honesty or modesty.
- Inamoratanoun— A person's female lover.
- Inanenoun— Silly; stupid.
- Incantationnoun— A powerful, ritualistic formula of words or sounds spoken, chanted, or sung to produce a magical effect, cast a spell, or conjure spirits.
- Incipientadjective— In an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop.
- Incisiveadjective— Intelligently analytical and clear-thinking.
- Incredulousadjective— Unwilling or unable to believe something.
- Inculpatoryadjective— Implying or imputing guilt; tending to incriminate.
- Indefatigablenoun— Persisting tirelessly.
- Indicianoun— Signs, indications, or distinguishing marks.
- Indignantadjective— Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.
- Indignationnoun— Anger about a situation that you think is wrong or not fair.
- Indisposedadjective— Slightly unwell.
- Indolentadjective— Wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy.
- Inferentiallyadverb— By drawing conclusions from evidence or reasoning rather than direct observation.
- Ingénuenoun— An innocent or inexperienced young woman, especially a character in drama.
- Injunctionnoun— An authoritative warning or order.
- Insidiousadjective— Gradually and subtly harmful.
- Insolencenoun— Rude behavior that does not show respect.
- Interdictionverb— The action of prohibiting or forbidding something, especially by law or authority.
- Interoperabilitynoun— The ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of information.
- Intonationnoun— The rise and fall of the voice in speaking.
- Inureverb— Accustom someone to something, especially something unpleasant. Also: inured (adj).
- Invariantadjective— Remaining unchanged under specified conditions or transformations.
- Invidiousadjective— Likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others.
- Isomorphicadjective— Corresponding or similar in form and relations.
J
- Jejuneadjective— Naive, simplistic, and superficial.
- Joie de vivrephrase— Cheerful enjoyment of life; an exultation of spirit.
- Jouissancenoun— Intense, often transgressive enjoyment that goes beyond ordinary pleasure.
- Judiciousadjective— Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense.
K
- Kompromatnoun— Compromising information that is used to blackmail or discredit a person or group usually for political purposes.
L
- Laconicadjective— Using very few words, often in a deliberately restrained way.
- Layaboutnoun— A person who avoids work or responsibility; an idler.
- Lickspittlenoun— A person who behaves obsequiously to those in power.
- Lingua Francaphrase— A language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.
- Lucidadjective— Expressed clearly; easy to understand.
M
- Macabreadjective— Disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury.
- Machiavellianadjective— Cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics.
- Machinationnoun— A plot or scheme.
- Maelstromnoun— A situation or state of confused movements or violent turmoil.
- Magnanimousadjective— Generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person.
- Majordomenoun— A head butler or steward in a large household.
- Malaisenoun— A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify.
- Malapropismnoun— The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect.
- Malevolentadjective— Having evil intentions.
- Malignverb— (v.) Speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner; (adj.) evil in nature or effect.
- Mendaciousadjective— Untruthful and lying.
- Mendicantnoun— A beggar.
- Meritocracynoun— Government or the holding of power by people selected on the basis of their ability.
- Milieunoun— A person's social environment.
- Milquetoastnoun— A timid or feeble person.
- Mirepoixnoun— A French flavor base of slowly cooked diced vegetables, usually onion, carrot, and celery.
- Mishegossnoun— Craziness, nonsense, or absurd behavior (from Yiddish).
- Misogamynoun— A hatred of marriage.
- Modicumnoun— A small quantity of a particular thing, especially something considered desirable or valuable.
- Modus operandiphrase— A particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is characteristic or well-established.
- Monosyllabicallyadverb— Using or speaking in a way that consists of words with only one syllable, often in a very brief, curt, or terse manner.
- Moribundadjective— At the point of death.
- Myopicadjective— Lacking foresight or imagination.
N
- Nascentadjective— Just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential.
- Neologismnoun— A newly coined word or expression.
- Nescientadjective— Lacking knowledge; ignorant.
- Nexusnoun— A form or state of connection.
- Niveaunoun— A level or tier, especially of social status or achievement (from French).
- Non compos mentisphrase— Not of sound mind; not having control of one's mind.
- Non Sequiturphrase— A conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement.
- Nonplussedadjective— Surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react.
- Nouveau richephrase— Newly acquired wealth, typically those perceived as ostentatious or lacking in good taste.
O
- Obscurantismnoun— The practice of deliberately preventing the facts or full details of something from becoming known.
- Obsequiousadjective— Marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness. Also: obsequiously (adv).
- Obviateverb— to anticipate and prevent (something, such as a situation) or make (an action) unnecessary.
- Odiousadjective— Extremely unpleasant, repulsive, or deserving of hatred.
- Oeuvrenoun— The works of a painter, composer, or author regarded collectively.
- Omertànoun— A code of silence, especially against informing authorities about organized crime.
- Ontologicallyadverb— Relating to or based upon being or existence.
- Operaticadjective— Extravagantly theatrical; overly dramatic.
- Ordnancenoun— Mounted guns; artillery.
- Orthogonaladjective— At right angles; statistically independent or uncorrelated.
- Ossifyverb— To become rigid or inflexible in habits, attitudes, opinions, etc.
- Ouroborosnoun— A serpent or dragon eating its own tail, symbolizing cyclic renewal or eternity.
P
- Panaceanoun— A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.
- Panachenoun— Flamboyant confidence of style or manner.
- Panderingverb— The act of expressing views, practicing a lifestyle, or providing gratification that appeals to the specific desires, prejudices, or interests of a particular group, often with the intent of gaining a personal or political advantage.
- Pantomimenoun— A dramatic entertainment in which performers express meaning through gestures accompanied by music.
- Paragonnoun— A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality.
- Pariahnoun— An outcast.
- Parochialadjective— Having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.
- Pathologizeverb— Regard or treat someone or something as psychologically abnormal or unhealthy.
- Pathosnoun— A quality that evokes pity or sadness.
- Patoisnoun— The dialect of the common people of a region, differing from the standard language.
- Pedantadjective— Someone excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.
- Pedanticadjective— Of or like a pedant; scrupulous.
- Pejorativeadjective— Expressing contempt or disapproval.
- Penchantnoun— A strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.
- Pensiveadjective— Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought.
- Perfidiousadjective— Treacherous and untrustworthy.
- Perfunctoryadjective— Carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection.
- Perilousadjective— Full of danger or risk.
- Periodicitynoun— The quality or character of being periodic; the tendency to recur at intervals.
- Perniciousadjective— Having a harmful effect, especially gradually.
- Perseverateadjective— Repeat or prolong an action, thought, or utterance after the stimulus that prompted it has ceased.
- Persnicketyadjective— Placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy.
- Perturbationnoun— A deviation of a system from its regular or normal state, caused by an outside influence.
- Petulantadjective— Childishly irritable or sulky, especially when frustrated.
- Philistinenoun— A person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts.
- Phlegmaticadjective— Calm, composed, and not easily excited or upset.
- Phylogeneticallyadverb— In a way that relates to the evolutionary development and diversification of a species or group of organisms.
- Pied-à-terrenoun— a small apartment, house, or room kept for occasional use.
- Pithnoun— The essence of something.
- Pithyadjective— Brief but rich in meaning or insight.
- Pittancenoun— A very small or inadequate amount of money paid to someone.
- Placateverb— Make someone less angry or hostile.
- Platitudenoun— A remark or statement that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful.
- Poka-yokenoun— any mechanism in a process that helps an equipment operator to avoid mistakes and defects by preventing, correcting, or drawing attention to human errors as they occur. Japanese term meaning mistake-proofing or error prevention.
- Polemicallyadverb— Expressing or constituting a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something.
- Polycentricadjective— Having multiple centers of authority, influence, or activity.
- Potemkinadjective— Presenting a deceptive façade that conceals an inferior reality; usually in the phrase Potemkin village.
- Prattlingverb— Talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way.
- Presuppositionsnoun— Things tacitly assumed beforehand at the beginning of a line of argument or course of action.
- Proclivitiesnoun— Tendencies to choose or do something regularly; inclinations or predispositions.
- Propagateverb— Spread and promote an idea, theory, etc. widely.
- Propitiousadjective— Favorable or likely to lead to success.
- Prosaicadjective— Having the style or diction of prose; lacking poetic beauty; commonplace.
- Prosceniumnoun— The part of a theater stage in front of the curtain.
- Proselytizingverb— The action of attempting to convert someone from one religion, belief, or opinion to another.
- Puerileadjective— Childishly silly and trivial.
- Pugilistnoun— A person who fights with the fists.
- Pugnaciousadjective— Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
- Puritannoun— One who practices or preaches a more rigorous or professedly purer moral code than that which prevails.
- Pusillanimousadjective— Showing a lack of courage or determination; timid.
Q
R
- Recalcitrantadjective— Stubbornly resistant to authority, rules, or guidance.
- Recapitulateverb— Summarize and state again the main points of.
- Recidivousadjective— Tending to relapse or having relapsed.
- Reductiveadjective— Tending to present a subject or problem in a simplified form, especially one viewed as crude.
- Regaladjective— Of, resembling, or fit for a monarch, especially in being magnificent or dignified.
- Rejoindernoun— A reply, especially a sharp or witty one.
- Remunerationnoun— Money paid for work or a service.
- Renegadenoun— A person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles.
- Repudiateverb— Refuse to accept or be associated with.
- Respitenoun— A short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
- Reticentadjective— Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily.
- Retinuenoun— A group of advisers, assistants, or others accompanying an important person.
- Reverienoun— A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.
- Rictusnoun— A fixed, unnatural grin or grimace, often suggesting distress.
- Ruminationnoun— A deep or considered thought about something.
S
- Salaciousadjective— Having or conveying undue or inappropriate interest in sexual matters.
- Saliencenoun— The state or quality by which an item stands out from its neighbors.
- Salientadjective— most noticeable or important.
- Sanctimoniousadjective— Making a show of being morally superior to other people.
- Sanguineadjective— Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.
- Satiateadjective— Satisfied to the full.
- Scleroticadjective— Grown rigid or unresponsive, especially with age; unable or reluctant to adapt.
- Secular Humanismnoun— The belief that humanity is capable of morality and self-fulfillment without belief in God.
- Self-aggrandizingadjective— Promoting oneself as powerful, important, or influential, often in an exaggerated or boastful way.
- Self-immolateverb— Set fire to oneself, especially as a form of protest or sacrifice.
- Self-mythologizeverb— Create or promote an exaggerated or idealized image of oneself.
- Seminaladjective— Strongly influencing later developments.
- Sentimentalitynoun— Excessive tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia.
- Sequaciousadjective— Lacking independence or originality of thought.
- Serpentineadjective— Subtle and treacherous, snake-like.
- Shibbolethnoun— A custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people, especially a long-standing one regarded as outmoded or no longer important.
- Shuntverb— Push or pull a train or part of a train from the main line to a siding or from one track to another.
- Sievenoun— A utensil for straining solids from liquids or separating particles.
- Sine Qua Nonphrase— An essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessary.
- SMEnoun— Subject Matter Expert.
- Sojournnoun— A temporary stay somewhere; to stay briefly in a place.
- Solemnitynoun— The state or quality of being serious and dignified.
- Sophistrynoun— The use of fallacious arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving.
- Speciousadjective— Superficially plausible, but actually wrong.
- Squabbleverb— To engage in a petty quarrel.
- Squalidadjective— Extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect.
- Stolidadjective— Calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation.
- Stridencynoun— Having a shrill, irritating quality or character.
- Stridentadjective— Loud and harsh; grating.
- Stultifyverb— Cause to lose enthusiasm and initiative, especially as a result of a tedious or restrictive routine.
- Sublimateverb— Divert or modify an instinctual impulse into a culturally higher or socially more acceptable activity. Also: sublimating.
- Subterfugenoun— Deceit used in order to achieve one's goal.
- Subversiveadjective— Seeking or intended to subvert an established system or institution.
- Superfluousadjective— Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
- Supplicateverb— Ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly.
- Suppositionnoun— An uncertain belief.
- Surreptitiousadjective— Kept secret, especially because improper.
- Swarthynoun— Dark-skinned.
- Sycophantnoun— A servile self-seeking flatterer; one who praises those in power in order to gain their approval. Also: sycophantic (adj).
- Sycophanticadjective— Excessively flattering or servile in pursuit of approval or advantage.
- Syncretismnoun— The blending of different beliefs, traditions, or systems into one.
T
- Tacitadjective— Understood or implied without being stated.
- Taciturnadjective— Reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.
- Tangentialadjective— Touching lightly.
- Tautologicaladjective— Saying or expressing the same thing twice over in different words.
- Tautologynoun— The saying of the same thing twice in different words, generally considered to be a fault of style.
- Taxonomicadjective— Concerned with the classification of things, especially organisms.
- Tenableadjective— Able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.
- Terseadjective— Brief and direct, sometimes to the point of seeming abrupt.
- Tertiaryadjective— Third in order or level.
- Tessellateverb— To form into or adorn with mosaic.
- Theolatrynoun— Worship of a god.
- Transgressionnoun— An act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense.
- Treatiseverb— A written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject.
- Triteadjective— Hackneyed or boring from much use; not fresh or original.
- Turgidadjective— (Of language or style) tediously pompous or bombastic.
U
- Uncouthadjective— Lacking good manners, refinement, or grace.
- Unletteredadjective— Lacking facility in reading and writing.
- Unrequitedadjective— Not returned or reciprocated, especially affection or love.
- Untowardadjective— Difficult to guide, manage, or work with.
V
- Vacillationnoun— The inability to decide between different opinions or actions; indecision.
- Vacuousadjective— Having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless.
- Vanquishverb— Defeat thoroughly.
- Vehementadjective— Showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense.
- Velleitynoun— A wish or inclination not strong enough to lead to action.
- Verbotenadjective— Forbidden, especially by an authority.
- Verisimilitudenoun— The appearance of being true, real, or believable.
- Veritableadjective— Rare, genuine, or true.
- Vicissitudenoun— A change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.
- Vitaenoun— Resume.
- Vitriolnoun— Bitterly harsh or caustic language or criticism.
- Vitriolicadjective— Filled with bitter criticism or malice.
- Vituperativeadjective— Bitter and abusive.
- Vociferousadjective— Vehement or clamorous, especially of a person or speech.
- Volubleadjective— Speaking a lot and with ease; talkative or wordy.