English vocabulary

innate

inborn; natural

self-effacing

not claiming attention for oneself; retiring and modest

ingratiaing

intended to gain approval or favor, sycophantic

mocking

making fun of someone or something in a cruel way; derisive.

cultivated

refined and well educated

Ambivalent

having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

Unwarranted

not justified or authorized

Admonition

an act or action of admonishing; authoritative counsel or warning.

Aesthetic

concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty

Innuendo

an allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one

Monotony

no variation; tedious repetition and routine

exuberance

overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness

Disavow

to deny responsibility for or support for

Self-deprecating

modest about or critical of oneself, especially humorously so

Meddling

intrusive or unwarranted interference

Reproachful

expressing disapproval or disappointment

Objective

not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts

Subjective

based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions

Wry

using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor

Bolster

support; prop up

Transformative

causing a marked change in someone or something.

Pedantic

tending to show off one's learning

Melodramatic

exaggeratedly emotional or sentimental

Disdain

the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt.

Reverential

of the nature of, due to, or characterized by reverence

Brash

self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way

Omnipotent

almighty, having unlimited power or authority

Indignant

in a manner indicating anger or annoyance at something perceived as unfair

Empirical data

Information obtained through observation and experimentation.

Condemnation

an expression of strong disapproval

Intangible

something that cannot be touched, not having physical presence

Undermine

to weaken; lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of, especially gradually or insidiously

Implicit

implied though not plainly expressed

Explicit

clearly stated or shown; leaving no room for confusion or doubt

Moralize

comment on issues of right and wrong, typically with an unfounded air of superiority

Reprehensible

deserving blame or punishment

Candor

truthfulness; sincere honesty

Refutation

the action of proving a statement or theory to be wrong or false

Incredulity

the state of being unwilling or unable to believe something

Whim

a sudden desire or change of mind, especially one that is unusual or unexplained

Indiscretion

behavior or speech that is indiscreet or displays a lack of good judgment

Domesticity

home or family life

Concrete

specific; physical form

Abstract

existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.

Mystical

a spiritual sense beyond human understanding

Jargon

special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.

Speculative

not based on fact or investigation

Ad hominem argument

an argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue

Preposition

A word that shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word

Adverb

A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner, cause

Antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.