NDF
DNeil Darren Fancourt
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Descriptive qualities and states. Here’s a collection of fascinating words that have caught my attention—descriptive qualities and states that range from emotions and personal traits to abstract concepts and physical characteristics. This glossary isn’t just a reference; it’s a celebration of language’s ability to capture the nuances of life, offering a deeper way to understand and express the world around us.
Difficult to understand; obscure.
The professor's abstruse lecture on quantum mechanics left most students bewildered.
Sharp and forthright in tone or taste; biting.
The critic's acerbic review of the film left the director feeling deeply wounded.
Angry and bitter, typically in speech or debate.
The divorce proceedings became increasingly acrimonious as both parties fought over custody.
Overcome with anger; extremely indignant.
The senator was apoplectic when he discovered the budget cuts to his favorite program.
Relating to trees or living in trees.
Monkeys and sloths are examples of arboreal animals that spend most of their lives in trees.
Harshness of tone or manner.
The teacher's asperity when correcting mistakes made students afraid to ask questions.
To reduce the force, effect, or value of something.
The thick walls helped attenuate the noise from the construction site next door.
Hostile and aggressive.
The belligerent customer demanded a full refund while shouting at the store manager.
A sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior.
On a whim and caprice, she decided to dye her hair bright purple before the job interview.
Swiftness of movement.
The firefighters responded with remarkable celerity, arriving at the scene within minutes.
Absolute certainty or conviction.
She spoke with such certitude about the outcome that no one dared to question her prediction.
Longer than the most direct way; roundabout.
We took a circuitous route through the countryside to avoid the highway traffic.
Wary and unwilling to take risks.
The circumspect investor carefully researched every stock before making any purchases.
Roomy and comfortable.
The family was delighted to find such a commodious apartment in the heart of the city.
Containing or presenting the essentials in a concise way.
The study guide provided a compendious overview of all the key concepts for the exam.
Present from birth, especially of a disease or condition.
The child was born with a congenital heart defect that required immediate surgery.
Something that is needed or wanted.
A reliable internet connection has become a desideratum for remote workers everywhere.
Drained of energy or vitality.
After working three double shifts in a row, she felt completely enervated and exhausted.
Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
The artist's enigmatic smile in the painting has puzzled viewers for centuries.
Intended for or understood by only a small group.
The professor's esoteric knowledge of medieval poetry impressed his colleagues but confused his students.
Requiring immediate action or attention.
The exigent circumstances of the natural disaster required an immediate evacuation of the area.
Very small in size or amount.
Despite their exiguous budget, the startup managed to create an innovative product.
Silly and pointless.
His fatuous remarks during the serious meeting made everyone question his judgment.
Causing cold or freezing.
The frigorific winds from the Arctic made stepping outside nearly unbearable.
Just begun and not fully formed; rudimentary.
Her inchoate ideas for the novel were promising, but she needed more time to develop them.
Not in keeping with good taste or propriety; improper.
His indecorous behavior at the formal dinner embarrassed his entire family.
Too great or extreme to be expressed in words.
The beauty of the sunset over the mountains was ineffable and left us speechless.
Unable to be erased or forgotten.
The trauma of the accident left ineffaceable memories that haunted him for years.
Not harmful or offensive.
What seemed like an innocuous comment actually revealed deep-seated prejudices.
Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.
The insidious spread of misinformation on social media gradually eroded public trust.
Never to be broken, infringed, or dishonored.
The right to free speech is considered an inviolable principle in democratic societies.
In a way that cannot be changed or reversed.
The treaty was signed, irrevocably binding both nations to the peace agreement.
Tearful or prone to weeping.
The lachrymose protagonist in the melodrama seemed to cry in every single scene.
Mournful, dismal, or gloomy.
The lugubrious tone of the funeral dirge reflected the deep sorrow of all who attended.
Speaking in a grand or pompous manner.
The politician's magniloquent speech was full of flowery language but lacking in substance.
Open to debate or irrelevant to the current situation.
Whether the old policy was effective became a moot point after the new regulations were implemented.
Causing irritation or annoyance.
The nettlesome neighbor constantly complained about even the smallest noise from next door.
Noisy and difficult to control.
The obstreperous children disrupted the library's peaceful atmosphere with their loud games.
Expressing scorn or criticism.
The newspaper's opprobrious editorial attacked the mayor's handling of the crisis.
Excessive display intended to impress others.
The millionaire's ostentation was evident in his gold-plated car and diamond-studded watch.
So intense as to seem almost tangible.
The tension in the courtroom was palpable as the jury prepared to announce their verdict.
Relating to or consisting of money.
The lawsuit sought pecuniary damages for the financial losses caused by the company's negligence.
Expressing contempt or disapproval.
The term "politician" has become increasingly pejorative in recent years among disillusioned voters.
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
The pernicious influence of social media on young people's self-esteem is becoming increasingly apparent.
Boldly forward in speech or behavior; lively.
The child's pert response to the teacher's question showed both intelligence and mild impertinence.
Holding firmly to an opinion or course of action.
The pertinacious researcher continued her experiments despite years of failed attempts.
Having a dreamlike or fantastical appearance.
The phantasmagorical imagery in the surrealist painting defied all logic and reason.
Existing at or from the beginning of time.
Scientists study primordial rocks to understand the Earth's earliest geological history.
Lacking imagination or originality; ordinary.
After reading epic fantasy novels, the prosaic details of daily life seemed incredibly dull.
Intended to prevent disease or problems.
The doctor recommended prophylactic antibiotics before the surgery to prevent infection.
In a state of inactivity or dormancy.
The volcano had been quiescent for decades before suddenly showing signs of renewed activity.
Exceedingly idealistic and unrealistic.
His quixotic plan to end world hunger in five years was admirable but completely impractical.
Excessively sweet or sentimental.
The movie's saccharine ending felt forced and unrealistic after such a dark storyline.
Having or conveying undue or inappropriate interest in sexual matters.
The tabloid's salacious headlines exploited the celebrity scandal for maximum shock value.
Health-giving; pleasant or beneficial.
The mountain air was considered salubrious for patients recovering from respiratory illnesses.
Involving or causing much bloodshed.
The historian described the sanguinary battle that changed the course of the war.
The state of being serious and dignified.
The solemnity of the memorial service was broken only by the sound of gentle weeping.
Tending to induce sleep.
The professor's soporific lecture on tax law had half the class nodding off.
Superficially plausible but actually wrong.
The defendant's specious argument failed to convince the jury of his innocence.
Extremely loud and powerful in sound.
The coach's stentorian voice could be heard across the entire football field.
Excessive pride or arrogance.
His superbity made it impossible for him to admit when he was wrong.
Exceeding the required or expected number.
The company hired supernumerary staff during the busy holiday season.
Expressing or intending to promote a particular point of view, especially a controversial one.
The documentary was criticized for its tendentious portrayal of the political situation.
Very weak or slight.
The connection between the suspect and the crime scene was tenuous at best.
Present or appearing everywhere.
Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society, found in nearly every pocket.
Unable to be attacked, questioned, or defeated.
The scientist's reputation for integrity was unassailable throughout her long career.
Absolute or complete, often used negatively.
The project was an unmitigated disaster from start to finish.
Provoking loud laughter or noisy excitement.
The comedian's uproarious performance had the entire audience in stitches.
Boasted about or praised excessively.
The restaurant's vaunted five-star cuisine turned out to be quite disappointing.
The appearance of being true or real.
The novel's verisimilitude made readers believe the fictional events could have actually happened.
Causing annoyance or worry.
The vexatious delays at the airport left passengers frustrated and exhausted.
Experienced through the actions of another.
She lived vicariously through her daughter's successful athletic career.
Relating to deep inward feelings rather than intellect.
His visceral reaction to the injustice motivated him to become an activist.
Expressing opinions loudly and forcefully.
The vociferous protesters demanded immediate action from the government officials.