Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
20 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
bombastic
(bom•bas•tik) (adj.) |
speaking pompously, with inflated self-importance.
Ahmed was shocked that a renowned and admired humanitarian could give such a bombastic keynote address. |
|
censure
(sen•shu˘r) (n.) |
an expression of strong criticism or disapproval; a rebuke or condemnation.
After the Senator was found guilty of taking bribes, Congress unanimously agreed to censure him. |
|
derisive
(di•r¯•siv) (adj.) |
scornful, expressing ridicule; mocking, jeering.
In order to ensure a positive environment, derisive comments were forbidden in the classroom. |
|
disparage
(di•spar•ij) (v.) |
to speak of in a slighting or derogatory way; to belittle.
Comedians often disparage politicians as part of their comedic routines. |
|
effusive
(i•fyoo•siv) (adj.) |
expressing emotions in an unrestrained or exces-sive way; profuse, overflowing, gushy.
Anne’s unexpected effusive greeting made Tammy uncomfortable. |
|
eloquent
(el•o˘•kwe˘nt) (adj.) |
expressing strong emotions or arguments in a powerful, fluent, and persuasive manner.
Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is considered one of the most eloquent speeches ever given by a U.S. president. |
|
gainsay
(ayn•say) (v.) |
to deny, contradict, or declare false; to oppose.
Petra would gainsay all accusations made against her. |
|
harangue
(ha•ran) (n.) |
a long, often scolding or bombastic speech; a tirade.
Members of the audience began to get restless during the senator’s political harangue. |
|
importune
(im•por•toon) (v.) |
1. to ask incessantly, make continuous requests.
2. to beg persistently and urgently. Children can’t help but importune during the holidays, constantly nagging for the irresistible toys they see advertised on tel-evision. |
|
malapropism
(mal•a˘•prop•iz•e˘m) (n.) |
comical misuse of words, especially those that are similar in sound.
The politician’s malapropisms may make us laugh, but they will not win our votes. |
|
mince
(mins) (v.) |
1. to cut into very small pieces.
2. to walk or speak affect-edly, as with studied refinement. 3. to say something more delicately or indirectly for the sake of politeness or decorum. Please don’t mince your words—just tell me what you want to say. |
|
opprobrious
(o˘•proh•bri•u˘s) (adj.) |
1. expressing contempt or reproach; scornful, abusive.
2. bringing shame or disgrace. It was inappropriate to make such opprobrious remarks in front of everybody. |
|
oxymoron
(oks•i•moh•ro˘n) (n.) |
a figure of speech containing a seemingly contradictory combination of expressions, such as friendly fire.
The term “non-working mother” is a contemptible oxymoron. |
|
platitude
(plat•i•tood) (n.) |
a trite or banal statement, especially one uttered as if it were new.
Matthew offered me several platitudes but no real advice. |
|
remonstrate
(ri•mon•strayt) (v.) |
1. to say or plead in protest, objection, or opposition.
2. to scold or reprove. The children remonstrated loudly when their mother told them they couldn’t watch that movie. |
|
repartee
(rep•a˘r•tee) (n.) |
1. a quick, witty reply.
2. the ability to make witty replies. He wasn’t expecting such a sharp repartee from someone who was normally so quiet. |
|
sardonic
(sahr•don•ik) (adj.) |
sarcastic; mocking scornfully.
I was hurt by his sardonic reply. |
|
sententious
(sen•ten•shu˘s) (adj.) |
1. expressing oneself tersely; pithy.
2. full of maxims and proverbs offered in a self-righteous manner. I was looking for your honest opinion, not a sententious reply. |
|
solecism
(sol•e˘•siz•e˘m) (n.) |
1. a mistake in the use of language.
2. violation of good manners or etiquette; impropriety. Frank’s solecism caused his debate team much embarrassment. |
|
voluble
(vol•yu˘•be˘l) (adj.) |
1. talking a great deal and with great ease; language marked by great fluency; rapid, nimble speech.
2. turning or rotating eas-ily on an axis. Your new spokesperson is very voluble and clearly comfortable speak-ing in front of large audiences. |