World Lit WOW Words
Edify: to instruct or improve someone morally and intellectually
Synonym: educate/instruct
Antonym: confuse
Felicity: joyfulness; happiness
Synonym: cheerfulness/delight
Antonym: sorry/misery
Veracity: state of being truthful and straightforward
Synonym: trustworthiness/honesty
Antonym: deceit/dishonesty
Paragon: a perfect example of something
Synonym: epitome/model
Antonym: imperfection/flaw
Kitsch: low quality with a style people find amusing in an ironic way
Synonym: tackiness/campiness
Antonym: sophistication
Cognizant: being aware of something
Synonym: conscious/knowing
Antonym: ignorant/unknowing
Ethereal: extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world
Synonym: angelic/airy
Antonym: substantial/earthy
Ephemeral: lasting a very short time
Synonym: momentary/fleeting
Antonym: permanent/enduring
Decry: publicly denounce or criticize
Synonym: condemn/vilify
Antonym: praise/compliment
Fetter: to restrain or chain
Synonym: restrict/shackle
Antonym: free/release
Demagogue: a leader who seeks support by appealing to prejudice rather than reason
Synonym: agitator
Antonym: mediator
Largesse: generosity in giving money or large gifts
Synonym: altruism/philanthropy
Antonym: selfishness/greed
Wane: to decrease in vigor, power, or size
Synonym: diminish/ebb
Antonym: grow/increase
Bombastic: high level language that holds little meaning
Synonym: inflated/overwrought
Antonym: reserved
Levity: humor/frivolity when discussing a serious matter
Synonym: lightheartedness/cheer
Antonym: seriousness/gloom
Prodigious: impressively great in extent, size, degree
Synonym: immense/huge
Antonym: small/meager
Reverent: feeling or showing deep, solemn respect
Synonym: admiring/devout
Antonym: disrespectful/rude
Insolvent: unable to pay one’s debt
Synonym: broke/bankrupt
Antonym: rich/wealthy
Savant: an especially intelligent person
Synonym: genius/scholar
Antonym: dolt/simpleton
Spurn: to reject with hatred
Synonym: scorn/rebuff
Antonym: welcome/accept