English Literary Devices and Vocabulary: Sound Devices & Tone Words

Litany

(n.) a prayer consisting of short appeals to God recited by the leader alternating with responses from the congregation; any repetitive chant; a long list

Ostentatious

showy, pretentious

Vehement

showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense

Lament

to mourn

Contentious

quarrelsome, inclined to argue

Incongruous

out of place

Illicit

illegal

Fervor

intense and passionate feeling

Crass

coarse, unfeeling; stupid

Piety

religious devotion

Bellicose

warlike

Discourse

written or spoken communication or debate

Vacillate

to waver; to sway indecisively

Profound

deep

Superficial

near the surface

Strident

loud and harsh

Idyllic

naturally peaceful

Sublime

of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe

Reprieve

(n) a temporary relief or delay; (v) to grant a postponement

Approbation

(n.) the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds

Consonance

Repetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity.

Cacophany

discordant, unpleasant noise

Euphony

pleasant, harmonious sound