Tier

Acolyte

A devoted follower or helper.

• Example: Wherever the famous chef went, his young acolyte was right behind him, carrying his knives and watching his every move.

Bibulous

Very fond of alcoholic drinks.

• Example: After his third beer, his bibulous tendencies became obvious as he started telling long, loud stories to everyone at the bar.

Coalesce

To come together and merge into one whole thing.

• Example: The scattered rain droplets on the window began to coalesce, forming a single stream of water.

Covert

Hidden, secret, or not openly shown.

• Example: The spy exchanged a covert signal with his partner, a simple scratch of the nose that no one else would notice.

Declaim

To speak dramatically, like you're performing for an audience.

• Example: He didn't just answer the question; he stood up and declaimed his answer to the entire room, waving his arms for emphasis.

Delineate

To describe something precisely or to mark its exact edges.

• Example: The teacher used a thick red marker to delineate the country's borders on the map.

Demagogue

A leader who uses people's fears and emotions to gain power, rather than facts.

• Example: The demagogue didn't offer a real plan; he just blamed a minority group for the city's problems and promised to make them pay.

Encomium

A speech or piece of writing that gives very high praise.

• Example: The award ceremony was filled with encomiums, as each speaker listed the winner's incredible achievements.

Obdurate

Stubbornly refusing to change your mind.

• Example: Even after we showed him the map, he remained obdurate, insisting he knew a shortcut.

Prescience

The ability to know what will happen in the future.

• Example: Packing an umbrella seemed like an act of prescience when, an hour later, the sky opened up and it began to pour.

Protagonist

The main character in a story.

• Example: In the Harry Potter books, Harry is the protagonist; the entire story revolves around him.

Sedulous

Showing careful and persistent effort.

• Example: Through sedulous studying for two hours every night, she went from failing the class to getting an A.

Trenchant

Sharp, direct, and perceptive (used for criticism or analysis).

• Example: The manager's trenchant feedback was hard to hear, but it was accurate and helped me improve my work immediately.

Utopia

An imaginary, perfect world where everything is right.

• Example: In her utopia, there would be no war, no hunger, and everyone would have a comfortable home.

Valedictory

Related to saying goodbye, especially a farewell speech.

• Example: At the end of the party, she gave a valedictory wave from the car window as she drove away.