Vocab

Attenuate

to reduce the strength, intensity, or effectiveness of something

Auspicious

suggesting favorable circumstances or future success

Chauvinism

an exaggerated or prejudiced loyalty toward one’s own group or cause

Churlish

rude, ungracious, or lacking basic courtesy

Contempt

a strong feeling of disrespect or disdain for someone or something

Delirious

affected by a state of extreme confusion or uncontrolled emotion

Delude

to mislead someone into believing something false

Enigmatic

difficult to understand or interpret; mysterious

Erudite

possessing extensive knowledge, especially from academic study

Frivolous

lacking seriousness or importance; trivial

Hedonistic

focused on the pursuit of pleasure as a primary goal

Indignant

feeling anger or resentment at something perceived as unfair

Inexorable

impossible to stop or prevent

Morose

gloomy, sullen, or persistently unhappy

Obsequious

excessively submissive or eager to please

Strident

harsh, loud, or forceful in tone

Colloquial

characteristic of informal, everyday language

Didactic

intended to instruct or teach, often in a moralizing way

Diatribe

a forceful and bitter verbal attack

Pedantic

excessively concerned with minor details or rules

Reportorial

written in a factual, journalistic style

Acquiesce

to accept something reluctantly without protest

Belligerent

hostile or aggressive in behavior or attitude

Callous

emotionally insensitive or unfeeling toward others

Censure

to formally criticize or express strong disapproval

Equivocal

deliberately unclear or ambiguous

Invective

harsh or abusive language used to criticize

Pretentious

attempting to impress by claiming greater importance than is deserved

Supercilious

behaving as if one is superior to others

Vindictive

motivated by a desire for revenge

Wrought

carefully formed or shaped with great effort

Avant-Garde

favoring experimental or innovative ideas, especially in art

Belie

to contradict or fail to give a true impression of

Blithe

carefree and unconcerned

Crass

lacking sensitivity, refinement, or tact

Epigram

a brief, witty statement that expresses an idea

Equanimity

mental calmness and composure under stress

Magnanimous

generous or forgiving toward others