Say it better – letters D-H

This page contains words that begin with “D” to words that begin with “H”. The list is part of a project entitled, Say it better.


demure  – adj. (of a woman or her behaviour) reserved, modest, and shy

denude – v. strip (something) of its covering, possessions, or assets

deprecate – v. express disapproval of

desecrate – v. treat (a sacred place or thing) with violent disrespect; spoil (something which is valued or respected)

despoil – v. steal or violently remove valuable possessions from; plunder

despondent/despondency – adj. in low spirits from loss of hope or courage | n. low spirits from loss of hope or courage; dejection

dichotomy – n. a division or contrast between two things that are, or are represented as being, opposed or entirely different

disingenuous – adj. not straightforward or sincere; pretending that one knows less about something than one really does

dissonance – n. lack of agreement or harmony between people or things

dyspeptic – adj. having indigestion or a consequent air of irritable bad temper

dystopian – adj. opposite of utopian; describes an imaginary society that is as dehumanizing and as unpleasant as possible; a place where life is harsh and people are usually sad and unhappy

effeminate – adj. (derogatory) (of a man) having characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; unmanly

elucidate – v. make (something) clear; explain

emasculate – v. deprive (a man) of his male role or identity; make (someone or something) weaker or less effective

emphatic/emphatically – adj. something expressed forcibly and clearly | adv. in a forceful way; without doubt; clearly

eponymous – adj. (of a person) giving their name to something; (of a thing) named after a particular person or group

erudite/erudition – adj. having or showing great knowledge or learning | n. the quality of having or showing great knowledge or learning; scholarship

ethereal – adj. extremely delicate and light in a way that seems not to be of this world

exacerbate – v. make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse

excoriate – v. criticize (someone) severely

exculpate/exculpatory – v. show or declare that (someone) is not guilty of wrongdoing | adj. clearing of guilt or blame

facetious – adj. treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humour; flippant

facile – 1.adj. (esp. of a theory or argument) appearing neat and comprehensive only by ignoring the true complexities of an issue; superficial. 2. adj.(of success, esp. in sports) easily achieved; effortless.

fallacious – adj. based on a mistaken belief

fatuous – adj. silly and pointless

flummox – v. perplex (someone) greatly; bewilder

foolhardy – adj. recklessly bold or rash

frugal – adj. simple and plain and inexpensive; sparing or economical

garish – adj. obtrusively bright and showy

gentrification – n. the process of buying and renovating houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by wealthier individuals, which usually improves property values but also can displace low-income families and small businesses

goad – v. provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction

haughty – adj. arrogantly superior and disdainful

hegemony – n. political, economic, and/or military predominance or control of one state or group over others

hubris – n. excessive pride or self-confidence


A – C »» D – H »» I – M »» N – R »» S – Z

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