NLFD Vocab

Allusive

Containing or given to passing and casual references to something not fully expressed; symbolic

Benevolent

Characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings

Burlesque

Involving ludicrous or mocking treatment of a solemn subject

Candid

Frank; outspoken; sincere; honest; open

Compassionate

Expressing deep sorrow or sympathy for someone struck by misfortune, accompanied by a desire to alleviate the suffering; sympathetic

Complimentary

Of the nature of, conveying, or expressing a compliment or praise

Concerned

Interested, involved; troubled or anxious

Condescending

Expressing an air of superiority; stooping to a lower level or beneath oneself as a favor

Confident

Sure of oneself and one's abilities

Contemptuous

Showing or expressing strong dislike; scornful

Contentious

Characterized by argument or controversy

Cynical

Distrusting the motives of others; pessimistic

Detached

Impartial or objective; disinterested

Didactic

Teaching or intending to teach a moral lesson; instructive

Diffident

Hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence; distrustful

Disdainful

Expressing feelings that someone or something is unworthy of notice; scornful

Dramatic

Expressed with or as if with action; vivid

Effusive

Extravagantly or unduly demonstrative; overflowing

Facetious

Not meant to be taken seriously or literally; amusing; humorous

Factual

Relating to or containing facts; restricted to involving fact as opposed to theory or imagination; actual

Flippant

Frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness

Impartial

Not partial or biased; fair; just

Incisive

Clear and direct

Indignant

Expressing strong displeasure at something considered offensive or insulting

inflammatory

tending to arouse anger, hostility, or passion

informative

giving information: instructive

insipid

without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities: bland

insolent

rude, disrespectful : insulting

ironic

the meaning intended is contrary to that seemingly expressed : to say one thing and mean another

irreverent

showing lack of respect

learned

of or showing knowledge or learning: well-informed

moralistic

expressing ideas on the principles of proper conduct or on the distinction between right and wrong

objective

not influenced by personal feelings or prejudice; unbiased

lugubrious

mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an exaggerated manner

patronizing

behaving in a condescending manner

pedantic

displaying affection for learning; overemphasizing minute details

petty

having or showing narrow ideas or interests: overemphasizing

pretentious

characterized by the assumption of importance: making an exaggerated outward show

restrained

devoid of excess or extravagance : repressed

sardonic

characterized by scornful derision or bitter irony: mocking: cynical

satriric

characterized by the use of irony, sarcasm or riddicule

scornful

full of contempt or disdain: despising

sentimental

expressive or appealing to the tender emotions

somber

extremely serious: solemn: grave

sympathetic

expressing compassion or sympathy: sharing the same feelings as another

taunting

reproaching in a scornful manner: mocking: making fun of

turgid

inflated: overblown

urgent

expressed with insistencce

vibrant

pulsating with vigor and energy: lively

whimsical

displaying characteristics of playful expression: fanciful