Aesthetic
characterized by a sensitivity to beauty in art and taste.
Conventional
customary; conforming to established practices.
Mitigate
to make less severe or harsh; to moderate; to lessen.
Pragmatic
a practical, realistic approach to solving problems.
Nostalgia
a bittersweet longing for something in the past.
Diffident
timid; shy; lacking self-confidence; shy and reserved especially in social gatherings.
Reconcile
to restore a friendship of condition of harmony.
Revere
to show great respect for a person, idea, or symbol; to venerate.
Subtle
gradual and therefore not obvious.
Profound
characterized by deep and insightful thinking.
Anecdote
a short story told to illustrate a point
Simile
a figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by like or as.
Metaphor
a figure of speech in which two unrelated objects are compared.
Personification
a figure of speech in which inanimate objects are endowed with human qualities.
Paradox
a seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true.
Allusion
a reference to a person, place, or thing, historical or literary, that adds to the reader's understanding of the subject.
Irony
saying one thing and implying something else, usually the opposite of the expressed meaning
Satire
use of wit, irony, and sarcasm to make fun of human follies and vices.
Parallel Structure
the repetition of words, phrases, or sentences that are similar in meaning and structure.
Parenthetical Expression
an expression inserted into the flow of thought and set off by parentheses.
skeptical
characterized by an attitude of doubt or a lack of faith; dubious.
Ambivalent
characterized by mixed feelings about a person, object, or course of action.
Indifferent
characterized by a lack of interest or concern.
Indignant
characterized by outrage caused by something perceived as unjust or wrong.
Wistful
sadly thoughtful;pensively reflective
Emphatic
marked by great conviction; forceful and clear; unambiguous.
Nonchalant
marked by an air of casual unconcern.
Sardonic
very sarcastic; scornful, mocking, and derisive.
Didactic
designed or intended to teach and instruct; serving to enlighten and inform.
Flippant
characterized by a casual disrespectful attitude especially in situations that call for a serious response.
Qualify
to limit, modify, or restrict.
Concede
to acknowledge or admit.
Rebut
to attempt to prove that an accusation or theory is false.
Refute
to disprove an accusation or theory.
Undermine
to weaken; subvert; hinder
Underscore
to emphasize; to draw special attention to a fact, idea, or situation.
Coherent
marked by an orderly, logical, and clear relationship.
Bias
a mental tendency or inclination; especially an unfair preference for a person or group; not objective.
Criterion
a standard of judging something.
Conjecture
a hypothesis formed from incomplete evidence; a deduction.
Hedonist
a person who is devoted to seeking sensual pleasure.
Reprobate
a person who is depraved, unprincipled, and wicked.
Interloper
a person who intrudes where he or she is not wanted; an uninvited guest.
Acolyte
a person who is a devoted fan or follower of someone famous.
Iconoclast
a person who attacks cherished ideas, traditions, and institutions.
Mentor
a person who acts as a wise and trusted advisor.
Benefactor
a person who helps people or institutions.
Innovator
a person who creates new inventions, ideas, or ways of doing things.
Proponent
a person who fights for a cause, idea, or movement; a champion.
Sage
a person who is renowned for his or her wisdom and sagacity.
Analogy
a comparison of an unfamiliar idea or object to a simple, familiar one.
Analogous
characterized by a parallel similarity that permits the drawing of an analogy.
Elusive
hard to pin down; skillful at eluding capture.
Futile
ineffectual; producing no result; vain.
Chaotic
disorganized; lacking visible order or organization.
Obsolete
no longer produced or used; antiquated; out-of-date.
Disparity
the condition of being unequal; a noticeable difference in age, income, or rank.
Antecedent
an event or occurrence that precedes something similar in time; a forerunner.
Somber
characterized by being dark, gloomy, and depressed.
Augment
to make something greater; to increase.
Stodgy
dull, boring, and unimaginative.
Abstemious
characterized by moderation in eating and drinking.
Digress
to stray from a topic in writing, speaking, or thinking; to go off on a tangent.
Misnomer
an incorrect or inappropriate name.
Anguish
characterized by great mental and emotional distress.
Solicitous
characterized by being overly attentive and caring; excessively concerned.
Intrepid
fearless and daring; bold.
Affable
friendly and pleasant; gracious.
Fundamental
a belief, skill or component that is essential and basic.
Scenario
a sequence of possible events that may occur.