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synopsis (n)
- DEFINITION: A brief summary of the major points of a thesis, theory, story, or literary work
- SENTENCE: If anyone has ever asked you to summarize a movie, you’ve provided them with a synopsis or brief summary.
- SYNONYMS: a condensed version, epitome, abstract, abridgment, précis
- ANTONYMS: drawn-out, wordy
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simile (n)
- DEFINITION: A figure of speech that uses "like" or "as" to compare two unlike things
- SENTENCE: An example of a simile: "You're as pretty as a peach."
- SYNONYMS: comparison, parallel, allusion
- ANTONYMS: N/A
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metaphor (n)
- DEFINITION: A figure of speech in which a comparison is made between two unrelated objects (without "like" or "as")
- SENTENCE: An example of a metaphor: "You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I just 'do' things. I'm a wrench in the gears."
- SYNONYMS: comparison, parallel, allusion
- ANTONYMS: N/A
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personification (n)
- DEFINITION: A figure of speech in which an inanimate object is given human qualities/abilities
- SENTENCE: An example of personification: "The sun smiled down on me."
- SYNONYMS: N/A
- ANTONYMS: N/A
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irony (n)
- DEFINITION: A form of speech in which what we say or write conveys the opposite of its literal meaning
- SENTENCE: An example of irony: In "Star Wars", Han Solo tells Jabba the Hutt that he is a "wonderful human being." Jabba is neither wonderful nor a human being.
- SYNONYMS: N/A
- ANTONYMS: N/A
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satire (n)
- DEFINITION: A work that ridicules human vices and follies; comic criticism
- SENTENCE: The TV show "The Office" provides a satire of unmotivated cubicle workers and clueless bosses.
- SYNONYMS: banter, mockery, parody
- ANTONYMS: N/A
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hyperbole (n)
- DEFINITION: First, this word is pronounced high-PER-bo-lee. A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect; extreme exaggeration
- SENTENCE: An example of hyperbole: "I'm so tired I could sleep for a year."
- SYNONYMS: amplification, distortion, enlargement
- ANTONYMS: understatement
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caricature (n)
- DEFINITION: A representation in which the subject's distinctive features are deliberately exaggerated for comic effect
- SENTENCE: Modern cartoonists often caricature Jay Leno by exaggerating his already prominent chin.
- SYNONYMS: cartoon, imitation, parody
- ANTONYMS: N/A
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epic (n)
- DEFINITION: A long narrative POEM written in a grand style to celebrate the feats of a hero
- SENTENCE: "The Odyssey" is one of the world's most famous epics.
- SYNONYMS: legend, saga, tale
- ANTONYMS: short poem
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saga (n)
- DEFINITION: A long narrative STORY; a heroic tale
- SENTENCE: The Star Wars films are part of a well-known saga.
- SYNONYMS: epic, chronicle, legend
- ANTONYMS: short story
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euphony (n)
- DEFINITION: Soothing or pleasant sounds; harmonious
- SENTENCE: Alyssa's voice always fills a room with euphony.
- SYNONYMS: melody, rhythm
- ANTONYMS: cacophony
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cacophony (n)
- DEFINITION: Pronounced kuh-CAW-fo-nee. Harsh clashing sounds; jarring; grating
- SENTENCE: Eminem's harsh grating words and rhythm create a cacophonous sound.
- SYNONYMS: discord, harshness, noise
- ANTONYMS: silence, harmony
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osmosis (n)
- DEFINITION: A gradual, often unconscious process of assimilation (think about the scientific process; here, this word is applied for everyday use)
- SENTENCE: You can't learn vocab words by osmosis; you must study hard.
- SYNONYMS: absorbtion, assimilation, diffusion, passage
- ANTONYMS: N/A
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sedentary (adj)
- DEFINITION: Settled and therefore accustomed to sitting or doing little exercise
- SENTENCE: You guys should stop being so sedentary and go to the gym.
- SYNONYMS: idle, inactive, seated, settled, stationary, torpid
- ANTONYMS: activated, active, energetic, mobile moving
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virulent (adj)
- DEFINITION: Describing language that is bitterly hostile, hateful, and antagonistic. It can also mean poisonous
- SENTENCE: The snake's virulent venom killed the little girl.
- SYNONYMS: baneful, injurioius, malign, toxic, poisonous
- ANTONYMS: harmless, healthy, nonpoisonous
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tepid (adj)
- DEFINITION: moderately warm; lacking in passion, force, or zest
- SENTENCE: The film was only mediocre; it received tepid reviews from critics.
- SYNONYMS: Lukewarm; mild; apathetic
- ANTONYMS: passionate, fervent, enthusiastic
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scintillating (adj)
- DEFINITION: Sparkling; shining; brilliantly clever
- SENTENCE: The scintillating performance that Max gave was captivating in every sense of the word.
- SYNONYMS: dazzling, exciting, glimmering
- ANTONYMS: dull, humdrum, uninspiring
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sanguine (adj)
- DEFINITION: Cheerfully confident; optimistic
- SENTENCE: The sanguine girl hoped for the best even in the most grave circumstances.
- SYNONYMS: hopeful, upbeat, enthusiastic
- ANTONYMS: pessimistic, gloomy, sad
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guile (n)
- DEFINITION: Treacherous cunning; skillful deceit
- SENTENCE: The con artist managed to scam hundreds of people with his crafty guile.
- SYNONYMS: trickery, ruse, dishonesty
- ANTONYMS: frankness, sincerity, truthfulness
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ostentatious (adj)
- DEFINITION: Showy; intended to attract notice; pretentious
- SENTENCE: The ostentatious diva both captured and demanded everyone’s attention at all times.
- SYNONYMS: extravagant, flamboyant, glittery
- ANTONYMS: plain, humble, modest
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fecund (adj)
- DEFINITION: Intellectually productive or inventive
- SENTENCE: The fecund author wrote one successful novel per year.
- SYNONYMS: fruitful, prolific, lush
- ANTONYMS: barren, unproductive, unfruitful
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supercilious (adj)
- DEFINITION: Haughty disdainful; arrogantly superior
- SENTENCE: The supercilious Max told Cynthia that she was stupid, giggling to himself afterwards.
- SYNONYMS: fruitful, prolific, lush
- ANTONYMS: humble, modest, unpretentious
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hiatus (n)
- DEFINITION: An interruption in time or continuity; a break
- SENTENCE: The Broadway star took a hiatus from his career to join the Peace Corps.
- SYNONYMS: break, lapse, gap
- ANTONYMS: continuation
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eclectic (adj)
- DEFINITION: Choosing or using a variety of sources
- SENTENCE: We have quite an eclectic group of kids here at camp.
- SYNONYMS: potpourri, diverse, mixed
- ANTONYMS: uniform, unvaried, similar
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venerate, revere (v)
- DEFINITION: To respect and admire
- SENTENCE: The aspiring scientists greatly revered the Nobel Prize winner’s work on stem cell research.
- SYNONYMS: cherish, exalt, idolize
- ANTONYMS: condemn, dishonor, disrespect
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