{"id":3879,"date":"2026-10-09T12:04:56","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T17:04:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/?p=3879"},"modified":"2026-10-09T15:08:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T20:08:36","slug":"word-of-the-week-235-allegory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/?p=3879","title":{"rendered":"<a><\/a><a><strong>WORD OF THE WEEK &nbsp;#235 \u2013 allegory<\/strong><\/a>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>\u201cMy last trip to Costco was an <strong>allegory<\/strong> about temptation: I went in for a hot dog and came out with a 77-inch TV.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An <strong>allegory <\/strong>(noun) is a story in which the characters and events represent ideas beyond the story itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, a tale about animals taking over a farm can also be about political power and how it can be abused. You can enjoy the tale on its own, while also reading it for that larger meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<em>The poem is an <strong>allegory<\/strong> of love and jealousy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3881\" width=\"605\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image.png 801w, https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-768x562.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 605px) 100vw, 605px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are two well-known novels that work as allegories:<br><br><strong><em>Animal Farm<\/em> by George Orwell:<\/strong> Farm animals overthrow their owner, then find that their new leaders become oppressive. It is an allegory about the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalin.<br><br><strong><em>Lord of the Flies<\/em> by William Golding:<\/strong> Boys stranded on an island form a society that turns violent. Their story explores civilization, power, and human nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A short story with a good allegory is Tolstoy\u2019s <em><strong>\u201cHow Much Land Does a Man Need?\u201d<\/strong><\/em> A man is offered all the land he can walk around in a single day. Eager to claim as much as possible, he walks farther and farther. He makes it back\u2014but the effort kills him. In the end, the only land he needs is enough for his grave.&nbsp; It\u2019s an <strong>allegory<\/strong> about greed and the trouble with never having enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine a man in today\u2019s world carefully putting together a retirement fund that allows him to live well but somewhat modestly for the rest of his life\u2026.but that is not enough.&nbsp; He wants to live large, so he takes bigger and bigger risks and ends up bagging groceries at Publix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pronounced \u201cAL uh gory\u201d<strong>.<\/strong>  Understand the word and use it well and you\u2019ll sound intelligent without a hint of pretension.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about this great word and to hear it pronounced correctly go to:&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/allegory\">https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/allegory<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Word of the Week Revisited\u2026.#197 &#8211; caprice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3882\" width=\"543\" height=\"362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-1.png 731w, https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-1-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 543px) 100vw, 543px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<em>The&nbsp;caprice&nbsp;of teenagers.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Quote of the Week\u2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Question on Meet the Press: <em>Is AI powerful enough to end all of humanity?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Answer:<strong> &nbsp;<em>\u201cAI is certainly powerful enough to drive events that could cause a billion deaths, but it\u2019s pretty hard to get to 100%.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A comforting message from Bill Gates<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3883\" width=\"429\" height=\"308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-2.png 531w, https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-2-300x215.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 429px) 100vw, 429px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m getting a feeling that the world is just a couple weeks away from total chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"882\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3884\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-3.png 882w, https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-3-300x133.png 300w, https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-3-768x341.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 882px) 100vw, 882px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Hack of the Week\u2026\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As I mentioned, I was hacked.&nbsp; It started on August 24 when I opened an E-Invite from one of my loyal readers.&nbsp; I thought I was logging into my email.&nbsp; Instead, my login information went to the bad guys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I soon received an email informing me that my email password had been changed. Ooops,  I had been really dumb and screwed up big time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I asked ChatGPT <em>\u201cwhat should I should do\u201d<\/em>?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In three seconds it sent me the phone number for fraud at AOL and within a rather short period of time I got my email back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, that short period of time was enough.&nbsp; First, I got a message that my password on my Coinbase (bitcoin) account had been changed.&nbsp; Chat sent me the phone number. I immediately reported the fraud and froze the account. No loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then I heard from PayPal that they had decided on their own to send Lillian Waters $549. Who the hell is she? &nbsp;I was refunded the money because it was obvious fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then the chain of events continued.\u00a0 Bank of America, UBS, Fifth Third, Schwab all were attacked and most were entered.\u00a0 They just blew right past Schwab\u2019s two-step authorization and entered a Pennsylvania address on my account.  $100K wire transfers were requested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Weeks later I received an email that the password on my Gmail account had been changed.&nbsp; Thanks to ChatGPT I got that back right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our land-line phone number was simply stolen.&nbsp; No notice given to me by Comcast. I only discovered the theft two weeks later when they tried to put it on an investment account.&nbsp; I thought \u201cwhy would they do that\u201d.&nbsp; Then it occurred to me that I may no longer have control of that number.&nbsp; Sure enough\u2026it was (and remains) a goner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s now been about six weeks since this started, and just a few days ago I received a letter from a bank thanking me for opening a savings account, but first they had a few questions.\u00a0 WHAT? I called them and told them I never applied\u2026that it was fraud.\u00a0 If that had gone through who knows how they would have used it\u2026drug money\u2026.in my account?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today&#8217;s update:  I had thought I had locked down Paypal and cut off any links to my credit cards and bank accounts.  Wrong.  I just got notice that the link to my bank account had been re-opened but needed my confirmation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the  beat goes on.  The good news is no money lost\u2026.yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What I learned:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I learned that these crooks are very very good.  If it happens to you, use artificial intelligence. ChatGPT was amazing.&nbsp; It would answer me &#8211; <em>\u201cTake a screen shot, send it to me, and I will tell you what to do\u201d<\/em>.&nbsp; I must have done that a hundred times.&nbsp; Or it would quickly send me the phone number of whom to call.<br><br>Make sure to freeze your accounts at all three credit agencies.&nbsp; You do not need to open an account.&nbsp; Just call them. It\u2019s easy to unfreeze if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Experian &#8211; 888-397-3742<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Equifax &#8211; 888-298-0045<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Transunion &#8211; 800-916-8800<br><br>Freeze your social security number &#8211; myaccount.uscis.gov\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Important!\u00a0 Freeze your cell phone number to prevent it from being transferred to a bad guy (or girl).\u00a0 Go to account settings then account security. That works on Verizon. I spoke to a friend just yesterday whose wife had her cell number stolen.\u00a0 It took her two weeks to get it back. If that happens, instead of you, the crooks get your two-step authorization code, and your ass is grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use lengthy passwords and save them to a secure app such as msecure. Do not use the same password.&nbsp; The crooks figure that out right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use two-step verification on everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I think the crooks are becoming experts at using AI\u2026.and unfortunately this is just the beginning.&nbsp; You will need AI to fight AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>\u201cThere has never been a weapon as powerful as the combination of people of ill intent using the latest AI tools.\u201d &#8211; <\/em>Bill Gates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Caption Contest\u2026..<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3888\" width=\"510\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-6.png 680w, https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-6-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Entry from our publisher:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cI\u2019ll give you a few minutes to look over your options. You have eternity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As always\u2026.send me your best.&nbsp; <strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>And Finally\u2026..<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"703\" height=\"691\" src=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3885\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-4.png 703w, https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-4-300x295.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 703px) 100vw, 703px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And don\u2019t forget\u2026.next Saturday is National Grouch Day.&nbsp; A good time to celebrate the curmudgeon in you. Hey, that might be a good Word of the Week.<br><br>And until next week\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don \u201cGramps\u201d Cummins<br><br>You may send comments (compliments only) or you may join the thousands of happy readers already on our mailing list\u2026.write to our publisher at cmmns@administrator<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>235 Great Words\u2026<\/strong><br>1 \u2013&nbsp; &nbsp;exacerbate \u2013 to make worse&nbsp;<em>\u201cYour input just exacerbates an already difficult situation.\u201d<\/em><br>2-&nbsp;&nbsp; assuage \u2013 to make a situation or feeling less intense.&nbsp;<em>\u201cI pray our Heavenly Father may assuage you of the anguish of your grief.\u201d<\/em><br>3 \u2013&nbsp; &nbsp;force majeure\u2019 \u2013&nbsp;&nbsp;unforeseeable circumstance that prevents someone from fulfilling a contract.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe tenant will not be required to pay rent due to the force majeure\u2019 clause.<\/em><br>4 \u2013&nbsp; &nbsp;sanguine&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.&nbsp;<em>\u201cI\u2019m trying to be&nbsp;sanguine&nbsp;about this, but I see a major roadblock\u201d<\/em><br>5 \u2013&nbsp; &nbsp;segue \u2013 (seg way)&nbsp;proceed to what follows without pause.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cShe has the skill to easily&nbsp;segue from political conversations into subjects less controversial.\u201d<\/em><br>6 \u2013&nbsp; &nbsp;bifurcate \u2013&nbsp;to cause to divide into two branches or parts. \u201c<em>We have decided to bifurcate this large project.\u201d<\/em><br>7 \u2013&nbsp; &nbsp;indolent \u2013&nbsp;habitually lazy \u2013&nbsp;<em>\u201cHis failure in life may stem from his indolent ways as a youth\u201d.<\/em><br>8 \u2013&nbsp; &nbsp;ameliorate \u2013&nbsp;to make better or more tolerable&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cthis drug should ameliorate your pain\u201d<\/em><br>9&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;&nbsp;truncate \u2013 to shorten by or as if by cutting off \u2013&nbsp;<em>\u201cA truncated version of this report is on the web.\u201d<\/em><br>10 \u2013 nascent \u2013 coming or having recently come into existence&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cHis nascent idea for a business turned into a goldmine\u201d<\/em><br>11 \u2013 b\u00e9chamel \u2013 a rich white sauce \u2013&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe made a lump-free b\u00e9chamel for her, and, in return, she gave him her love.\u201d<\/em><br>12 \u2013 anarchy \u2013&nbsp; absence of government \u2013&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe revolution began when anarchy took root in just one city\u201d.<\/em><br>13 \u2013 rhetorical question \u2013 a question not intended to require an answer.&nbsp;<em>\u201cIs this a beautiful day or what?\u201d<\/em><br>14 \u2013 milieu \u2013&nbsp;the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops.-&nbsp;\u201cHis discipline is a result of growing up as part of the military milieu\u201d<br>15 \u2013 nadir \u2013 the lowest point \u2013 \u201c<em>The stock market reached its current nadir in March\u201d<\/em><br>16 \u2013 black swan event \u2013 comes as a surprise and has a major effect.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThis pandemic is considered by many to be a black swan event.\u201d<\/em><br>17 \u2013 myopic \u2013&nbsp;narrow in perspective and without concern for broader implications.&nbsp; \u201c<em>Your myopic view of this project is disturbing\u201d.<\/em><br>18 \u2013 quixotic \u2013&nbsp;foolishly impractical&nbsp;especially in the pursuit of ideals \u2013<em>&nbsp;\u201cHis quixotic pursuit for her affection was quite simply foolish<\/em><br>19 \u2013 prescience \u2013&nbsp;human anticipation of the course of events \u2013 foresight.&nbsp; \u201c<em>His intuitive prescience helped to make him a success\u201d<\/em><br>20 \u2013 laconic and laconic riposte \u2013 use of a minimum of words, and a short clever response to an insult or challenge. In response to a demand to immediately surrender the general sent back the following:&nbsp;<em>\u201cNuts\u201d<\/em><br>21 \u2013 protean \u2013 ability to change, versatile.&nbsp; \u201c<em>The coronavirus is protean in its ability to either make you sick or not.\u201d<\/em><br>22 \u2013 ephemeral \u2013 lasting a very short time or perhaps only one day.&nbsp;<em>\u201cCuster was chasing an ephemeral Indian city.\u201d<\/em><br>23 \u2013 catch-22 \u2013&nbsp;a dilemma or difficult&nbsp;circumstance from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions.&nbsp; From the novel \u201cCatch-22\u201d.<br>24 \u2013 arrogate \u2013&nbsp;to take or claim something without justification.&nbsp;<em>\u201cIn order to accomplish his dream he arrogated to himself controversial powers\u201d.<\/em><br>25 \u2013 obtuse \u2013 difficult to understand, lacking intellect.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe responses to his remarks this week were even more obtuse.\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><br>26 \u2013&nbsp;purloin \u2013&nbsp;to appropriate wrongfully (steal), often pertaining to a theft that is a breach of trust.&nbsp;<em>&nbsp;\u201cWhen she opened her new office she purloined one of my listings\u201d.<\/em><br>27 \u2013 salience \u2013&nbsp;the quality of being particularly&nbsp;noticeable&nbsp;or important.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cIt is not clear that raising the electoral salience of the Supreme Court will work to the president\u2019s advantage.<\/em><br>28 \u2013 confabulate \u2013 to talk normally or to hold a discussion.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe likes to confabulate.\u201d<\/em><br>29 \u2013 animus \u2013 a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill will.&nbsp;<em>\u201cI have no animus or agenda for the Affordable Care Act.\u201d<\/em><br>30 \u2013 puerile \u2013 to act or communicate in a juvenile, silly or childish manner.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHis puerile ways are giving a poor impression at his job interviews\u201d.<\/em><br>31 \u2013 regnant \u2013 having the greatest influence \u2013&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe regnant belief\u201d.<\/em><br>32 \u2013 roil \u2013 to be agitated or chaotic \u2013&nbsp;<em>\u201cthe politics of slavery was roiling the United States\u201d.<\/em><br>33 \u2013 sonder \u2013 The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.<br>34 \u2013 inculcate \u2013 To instill or teach someone an attitude, idea, or habit by persistent instruction.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThey will try to inculcate you with a respect for culture.\u201d<\/em><br>35 \u2013 mendacity \u2013 untruthfulness, lying.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe blew the whistle on the mendacity of the politician.\u201d<\/em><br>36 \u2013 pejorative \u2013 Expressing contempt or disapproval.&nbsp; Having negative connotations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cPermissiveness is often used a pejorative term\u201d.<\/em><br>37 \u2013 dystopian \u2013 A world or society in which people lead wretched, dehumanized fearful lives, often associated with a totalitarian government or an environmentally degraded world. \u201cThe dystopian future of a society bereft of reason\u201d.<br>38 \u2013 Occam\u2019s razor \u2013 The simplest answer may be the preferred answer.<br>39 \u2013 execrate or execrable \u2013 very bad \u2013&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe execrable hotel food.\u201d<\/em><br>40 \u2013 immutable \u2013 unchangeable \u2013&nbsp;<em>\u201cDo not make the mistake of assuming that public opinion is immutable.&nbsp;\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><br>41 \u2013 prurient \u2013 having or encouraging an excessive or unwholesome interest in matters of sex.&nbsp;\u201c<em>She\u2019d been the subject of much prurient curiosity\u201d.<\/em><br>42 \u2013 obsequious \u2013 exhibiting fawning attentiveness. Exaggerated deference of manner.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cWaiters who are obsequious in the presence of celebrities.\u201d<\/em><br>43 \u2013 iconoclast \u2013&nbsp; a person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions \u201c<em>He was a prolific writer with a reputation for iconoclastic insight and irreverent prose.\u201d<\/em><br>44 \u2013 oblique \u2013 something not parallel nor at a right angle to a specified or implied line \u2013 slanting.&nbsp;<em>\u201cWe sat on the settee oblique to the fireplace.<\/em>\u201d Or something done in an indirect way such as&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe issued an oblique attack on the president\u201d.<\/em><br>45 \u2013 profligate \u2013 wasteful \u2013 wildly extravagant.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe has always been a profligate spender, which is why he is broke.\u201d<\/em><br>46 \u2013 raconteur \u2013 a good teller of stories.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cWe always invite her to dinner because she is a fine raconteur\u201d.<\/em><br>47 \u2013 taciturn \u2013 a person who is reserved or uncommunicative in speech\u2026saying little.&nbsp; It usually connotes unsociability.<em>&nbsp;\u201cNothing bothered the&nbsp;taciturn&nbsp;Hogan more that excessive praise.\u201d<\/em><br>48 \u2013 fungible \u2013 capable of mutual substitution: interchangeable.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe court\u2019s postulate is that male and female jurors must be regarded as&nbsp;fungible.\u201d<\/em><br>49 \u2013 filibuster \u2013 The use of tactics in an attempt to delay or prevent action especially in a legislative assembly. This currently requires a 60 vote Senate majority.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThey stopped the bill from coming to a vote by the use of a filibuster\u201d.<\/em><br>50 \u2013 hegemony \u2013 preponderant influence or authority over others: Domination.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThey battled for hegemony in Asia.\u201d<\/em><br>51 \u2013 de facto \u2013 being such in effect though not formally recognized or contrary to established law \u201c<em>a de facto state of war\u201d&nbsp;<\/em>for a war that has not been officially declared.<br>52 \u2013 blockchain \u2013 an open, distributed leger that can record transactions between two parties efficiently and in a verifiable and permanent way.<br>53 \u2013 b\u00eate noire \u2013 A person or thing one particularly dislikes or is strongly detested.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe abuse of women was a b\u00eate noire for Lincoln.\u201d<\/em><br>54 \u2013 evince -to constitute outward evidence of\u2026.to display clearly: reveal.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe evinced a depraved mind.\u201d<\/em><br>55 \u2013 virago \u2013 a loud overbearing woman.&nbsp; Domineering, violent, or bad tempered.&nbsp;<em>\u201cDemocrats, on the other hand, saw Jessie as a Republican virago.\u201d<\/em><br>56 \u2013 metonym \u2013 &nbsp;a name, or expression used as a substitute for something else with which it is closely associated. \u201c<em>Washington&nbsp;is a metonym for the federal government of the US.\u201d<\/em><br>57 \u2013 felicitous is an adjective defined as&nbsp;&nbsp;well chosen or suited to the circumstances such as&nbsp;<em>\u201ca felicitous phrase\u201d.<\/em><br>58 \u2013 ennui \u2013 a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe succumbed to ennui and despair\u201d<\/em><br>59 \u2013 imprimatur \u2013 a noun meaning sanction or approval. \u201c<em>He gave the book his imprimatur.\u201d<\/em><br>60 \u2013 fiat \u2013 A command or act of will that creates something without further effort.&nbsp; An authoritative determination. \u201c<em>He runs the company by fiat.\u201d<\/em><br><em>61&nbsp;<\/em>\u2013 salient<em>&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;<\/em>meaning most notable or important.&nbsp; Of notable significance.&nbsp;<em>\u201cIt succinctly covered all the salient points of the case.\u201d<\/em><br><em>62 \u2013<\/em>&nbsp;meme \u2013 an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe band encouraged fans to make&nbsp;memes to advertise the U.S. release of their EP.\u201d<\/em><br><em>63 \u2013&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em>delectation&nbsp;<em>\u2013&nbsp;<\/em>delight or enjoyment.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHere are some chocolates for your delectation.\u201d<\/em><br>64 \u2013 feckless \u2013 acting in an irresponsible, weak, or cowardly manner. Inept, incompetent. \u201c<em>feckless leadership.\u201d<\/em><br>65 \u2013 ignominious \u2013 deserving or causing public disgrace or shame. despicable,&nbsp;<em>\u201cHis was an ignominious withdrawal.\u201d<\/em><br>66 \u2013 mollify \u2013 to soothe in temper or disposition.&nbsp;<em>\u201c<\/em>He mollified his staff with promises of future raises.\u201d<br>67 \u2013 prosaic \u2013 dull, unimaginative, commonplace.&nbsp;<em>\u201cprosaic advice.\u201d<\/em><br>68 \u2013 diaspora \u2013 a noun meaning the dispersion of any people from their original homeland. \u201c<em>A diaspora of thousands of Afghans has arrived in the United States.\u201d<\/em><br>69 \u2013 t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate \u2013 a private conversation between two people.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThey had a t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate last night over a quiet dinner.<\/em>\u201c<br>70 \u2013 fatuous \u2013 silly and pointless. inanely foolish,&nbsp;<em>\u201cA fatuous comment.\u201d<\/em><br>71 \u2013 ineffable \u2013 indescribable.&nbsp;<em>\u201cineffable joy\u201d<\/em><br>72 \u2013 putative -generally considered or reputed to be.&nbsp; Assumed to exist or to have existed.&nbsp;\u201c<em>His putative conversation had a big impact on the events of my life.\u201d<\/em><br>73 \u2013 ineluctable \u2013 unable to be resisted or avoided.&nbsp; inescapable.&nbsp; \u201c<em>the ineluctable facts of history.\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><br>74 \u2013 redolent \u2013 exuding fragrance, aromatic, scented. \u201c<em>The air is redolent of seaweed.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 or evocative, suggestive. strongly reminiscent of.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cnames&nbsp;redolent of history and tradition.\u201d<\/em><br>75 \u2013 excoriate \u2013 a verb that means to censure or severely criticize.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe papers that had been excoriating him were now lauding him.\u201d<\/em><br>76 \u2013 straw-man \u2013 an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent\u2019s real argument. A weak or imaginary opposition (such as an argument or adversary) set up only to be easily confuted.<br>77 \u2013 \u00e9lan or elan \u2013 a noun defined as vigorous spirit or enthusiasm. style, energy.&nbsp;\u201c<em>Big and muscular, he exuded a natural elan.\u201d<\/em><br>78 \u2013 repartee \u2013 a conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies, amusing. light sparring with words.<em>\u201c He had a quick mind and a splendid gift for repartee.\u201d<\/em><br>79 \u2013 louche is an adjective meaning disreputable or sordid often in a rakish or appealing way.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe louche world of the theater.\u201d<\/em><br>80 \u2013 transgender \u2013 an adjective meaning of, relating to, or being a person whose&nbsp;gender identity&nbsp;differs from the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth.&nbsp;<em>\u201cA transgender American\u201d<\/em>.<br>81 \u2013 shambolic \u2013 an adjective meaning obviously chaotic, disorganized, confused or mismanaged.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe department\u2019s shambolic accounting department.\u201d<\/em><br>82 \u2013 minion \u2013 a noun defined as a follower or underling of a powerful person, especially a servile or unimportant one. A subordinate or petty official.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe\u2019s one of the boss\u2019 minions.\u201d<\/em><br>83 \u2013 militia \u2013 a noun meaning a military force that is raised from the civilian population to supplement a regular army in an emergency.&nbsp;\u201c<em>Creating a militia was no answer to the army\u2019s manpower problem.\u201d<\/em><br>84 \u2013 evince \u2013 a verb meaning revealing the presence of (a quality or feeling)\u201d&nbsp; To constitute outward evidence of or to display clearly.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHis letters evince the excitement he felt at undertaking this journey.\u201d<\/em><br>85 \u2013 egregious \u2013 outstandingly bad, shocking, flagrantly bad, conspicuously bad.&nbsp;<em>Putin\u2019s egregious war on Ukraine.<\/em><br>86 \u2013 sycophant \u2013 a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage. A servile self-seeking flatterer. \u201c<em>She mistook sycophants for true friends.\u201d<\/em><br>87 \u2013 desultory is an adjective defined as lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm.&nbsp;\u201c<em>Another desultory day of shopping.\u201d<\/em><br>88 \u2013 misanthrope \u2013 a person that hates or distrusts humankind, human behavior, or human nature.&nbsp; One who avoids human society. \u201c<em>A streak of misanthropy&nbsp;<\/em><strong><em>is<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;in his nature\u201d<\/em><br>89 \u2013 euphemism \u2013 a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. \u201c<em>My mother passed away\u201d<br><\/em>90 \u2013 insouciance \u2013&nbsp; lighthearted unconcern, nonchalance.&nbsp;<em>\u201cShe wanderedinto the meeting with complete insouciance to the fact that she was late.\u201d<\/em><br>92 \u2013 erudite \u2013 &nbsp;It is an adjective used to describe someone who has or shows great knowledge or learning. \u201c<em>Ken could turn any conversation into an erudite discussion,\u201d<\/em><br>93 \u2013 ostensibly \u2013 purported to be true but not necessarily true.&nbsp; \u201cH<em>is series is&nbsp;ostensibly&nbsp;about a single family tearing itself apart.<\/em>\u201c<br>94 \u2013 exigency (or often the plural exigencies) means a state of affairs that makes urgent demands or needs.&nbsp;\u201c<em>They better be quick in responding to the&nbsp;exigencies&nbsp;of a hurricane.\u201d<\/em><br>95 \u2013 inexorable or inexorably meaning impossible to stop, unrelenting&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe seemingly inexorable march of new technology<\/em>\u201c.<br>96 \u2013 torpor is a noun meaning \u201ca state of physical and mental inactivity. Lethargy, apathy, dullness.\u201d&nbsp;<em>\u201cThey veered between apathetic torpor and hysterical fanaticism.\u201d<\/em><br>97 \u2013 existential \u2013 of, or relating to, or affirming existence.&nbsp;<em>\u201cAn existential threat to control of Congress.<\/em><br>98 \u2013 non-sequitur is a response that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said.&nbsp;<em>\u201cWe were talking about the new restaurant when she threw in some&nbsp;non sequitur&nbsp;about her dog.\u201d<\/em><br>99 \u2013 endemic is an adjective meaning a disease or condition regularly found among particular people or in a certain area.&nbsp;<em>\u201cComplacency is&nbsp;endemic&nbsp;in&nbsp;industry today\u201d<\/em>.<br>100 \u2013 bespoke is an adjective meaning custom-made articles. \u201c<em>He always wore<\/em>&nbsp;a<em>&nbsp;bespoke suit\u201d.<\/em><br>101 \u2013 omnibus \u2013 an omnibus bill is a law that covers a number of diverse or unrelated topics, or a book containing a collection of works by one author or several authors, often related by a common theme.<br>102- archetype is a typical example of.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe is the archetype of a successful business man\u201d<\/em><br>103 \u2013 alacrity denotes physical quickness coupled with eagerness or enthusiasm.&nbsp;<em>\u201cShe accepted the invitation with alacrity\u201d.<\/em><br>104 \u2013 aberration is a noun defined as \u201ca departure from what is normal, usual, or expected,&nbsp;typically one that is&nbsp;unwelcome.\u201d&nbsp;<em>\u201cThey described the outbreak of violence as an aberration\u201d.<\/em><br>105 \u2013 rectitude \u2013 a noun that means moral integrity, the quality or state of being correct in judgment or procedure. \u201c<em>The governor\u2019s rectitude allowed him to makedifficult decisions.\u201d<\/em><br>106 \u2013 occidental \u2013 an adjective meaning countries of the west.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThere is an Asian challenge to the occidental dominance\u201d<\/em><br>107 \u2013 banal \u2013 an adjective meaning dull, boring. \u201c<em>The presentation was banal and way too long.<\/em>\u201c<br>108 \u2013 conjointly \u2013 an adverb meaning being together or in collaboration with another person or thing.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe project was completed conjointly between two teams.\u201d<\/em><br>109 \u2013 nexus \u2013 a noun that refers to a connection or link between two or more things. It can also refer to a central point or junction where things come together.&nbsp;<em>The bookstore has become something of a nexus for the downtown neighborhood.\u201d<\/em><br>110 \u2013 incurious \u2013 an adjective meaning without curiosity. \u201c<em>The politician\u2019s incurious nature was troubling.\u201d<\/em><br>111 \u2013 invidious \u2013 an adjective defined as an action or situation likely to arouse or incur resentment of anger in others.&nbsp; \u201c<em>She put herself in an invidious position.\u201d<\/em><br>112 \u2013 meme \u2013 noun, pronounced meem. It is an image or phrase, that is spread virally from one person to another through the internet and social media platforms. YOLO is an example.<br>113 \u2013 trope \u2013 a noun defined as a commonly used theme or device in literature, art, or other forms of media.<br>114 \u2013 anodyne \u2013 an adjective that refers to something that is not likely to provoke disagreement or offense. \u201c<em>They tried to ease the tension by engaging in anodyne conversation, avoiding controversial topics.<\/em>\u201c<br>115 \u2013 sagacious \u2013 an adjective used to describe someone who possesses keen discernment and sound judgment.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHer sagacious insights into human nature allowed her to give excellent advice to her friends<\/em>.\u201d<br>116- invective \u2013 used to describe strong, abusive, or severely critical language that expresses blame, anger, or disapproval.&nbsp;<em>\u201cAs the election nears, political ad campaigns are increasingly utilizing invective to vilify their opponents<\/em>.<br>117 \u2013 malfeasance \u2013 a noun, is a legal term that refers to the commission of an illegal or wrongful act, especially by someone holding public office or a position of trust.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe politician\u2019s&nbsp;malfeasance&nbsp;finally came to light<\/em>.\u201d<br>118 \u2013 doyenne is a noun that refers to a woman who is the most experienced, respected, or prominent person in her field.&nbsp;<em>\u201cAs the doyenne of modern architecture, her legacy continues to influence urban design&nbsp;<\/em>\u201c<br>119 \u2013 Pyrrhic is an adjective most commonly used in the phrase \u201cPyrrhic victory\u201d, which refers to a victory or success that comes at such a great cost that it essentially equals defeat.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe won the battle but that eventually proved to be a Pyrrhic victory, as he lost the war.\u201d<\/em><br>120 \u2013 vignette is a noun defined as a brief incident or scene in a play, movie or conversation. \u201c<em>\u201cThe article on environmental conservation dons a&nbsp;vignette&nbsp;of stunning wildlife photography<\/em>.\u201d<br>121 \u2013 supine is an adjective meaning either lying on one\u2019s back \u201c<em>The patient was in a supine position\u201d<\/em>, or a condition of being inactive, passive, or indifferent. \u201c<em>The worker\u2019s supine attitude was not helpful\u201d.<\/em><br>122 \u2013 nominal \u2013 an adjective meaning either a small price to play or&nbsp;a role that exists in name only. The person does not have a legitimate title.&nbsp;\u201c<em>He is the nominal<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>head of his party.\u201d<\/em><br>123 \u2013 adjudicate \u2013&nbsp;a verb that means to make a formal decision or judgment in a dispute. \u201c<em>The Supreme Court is set to adjudicate<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>on the election dispute.\u201d<\/em><br>124 \u2013 sartorial \u2013 an adjective that relates to tailoring, clothes or style of dress.&nbsp; \u201c<em>sartorial elegance<\/em>\u201c.<br>125 \u2013 halcyon \u2013 an adjective typically referring to a period of peace, tranquility, and prosperity.&nbsp;\u201c<em>The<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>halcyon days of youth<\/em>.\u201d<br>126 \u2013 inchoate \u2013 an adjective that suggests a state of incompleteness, uncertainty, or potentiality.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe startup presented an inchoate business model that needed further refinement.\u201d<\/em><br>127 \u2013 nefarious \u2013 an adjective used to describe someone or something that is extremely wicked, villainous, or evil in nature. \u201c<em>Hamas was condemned for its&nbsp;<\/em>nefarious<em>&nbsp;terror attacks on civilians\u201d<\/em><br>128 \u2013 euphonious \u2013&nbsp;an adjective describing sounds that are pleasing, melodious, or pleasant to the ear.&nbsp;\u201c<em>She has a wonderful euphonious voice that is a pleasure to listen to.\u201d<\/em><br>129 \u2013 glean or gleaned is a verb meaning to gather information, knowledge, or insights from various sources.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe police used old-fashioned detective work to&nbsp;glean&nbsp;his whereabouts.\u201d<\/em><br>130 \u2013 fiduciary can be an adjective or noun meaning relating to, or involving a confidence or trust such as \u201c<em>a fiduciary&nbsp;relationship\u201d.<\/em><br>131 \u2013 recompense can be a noun or verb \u2013 to make amends to someone for loss or harm suffered.&nbsp; To compensate. \u201c<em>Offenders should&nbsp;<\/em>recompense<em>&nbsp;their victims.\u201d<\/em><br>132 \u2013 inimical is an adjective meaning tending to obstruct or harm.&nbsp;<em>\u201cactions inimical or our interests.\u201d<\/em><br>133 \u2013 abdicate is a verb used to describe someone avoiding responsibility by deliberately stepping aside or shirking their duties.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe abdicated his responsibility allowing him to blame others.\u201d<\/em><br>134 \u2013 turpitude is a noun that refers to inherent baseness, vileness or depravity in a person\u2019s character, actions or behavior. \u201c<em>He was found guilty of moral turpitude.\u201d<\/em><br>135 \u2013 tropism is a noun defined as the turning of all or part of an&nbsp;organism&nbsp;in a particular direction in response to an external&nbsp;stimulus.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe doesn\u2019t have a tropism toward intellectual content\u2026.\u201d<\/em><br>136 \u2013 lexicon is a noun, defined as the vocabulary of a language, an individual speaker or group of speakers, or a subject.&nbsp;<em>The fabulous Word of the Week is developing a lexicon<\/em><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><em>of useful words selected to make you appear intelligent (even if you are not), but not pretentious.\u201d &nbsp;<\/em><br>137 \u2013 sanctimonious is&nbsp;an adjective defined as making a show of being morally superior to other people.&nbsp;<em>\u201cWhat happened to all the sanctimonious talk about putting his family first?\u201d<\/em><br>138 \u2013 Umbra is an adjective defined as the conical part of the shadow of a celestial body. \u201c<em>During a solar eclipse observers located within the&nbsp;umbra&nbsp;experience a complete blocking of the sun by the moon.\u201d<\/em><br>139 \u2013 purchase \u2013 a verb with an alternate definition,&nbsp;an advantage (such as a firm hold or position) used in applying one\u2019s power.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe clutched the steering wheel for more&nbsp;purchase.\u201d<\/em><br>140 \u2013 effete is an&nbsp;adjective often us to describe someone who appears weak or lacking in vitality.&nbsp;<em>\u201ca good-humored,&nbsp;effete&nbsp;boy brought up by aunts.\u201d<\/em><br>141- cudgel is a noun defined as a short club but is also often used to imply&nbsp;a forceful approach to argument or persuasion.&nbsp;\u201c<em>She used her quick wit as a cudgel to vanquish her opponents.\u201d<\/em><br>142 \u2013 attenuate is a verb. To attenuate something is to diminish its intensity or strength. \u201c<em>The company implemented measures to attenuate the negative impact of the economic downturn.\u201d<\/em><br>143 \u2013 averred is a verb and is the past tense of the verb \u201caver\u201d.&nbsp; It means to assert or affirm confidently; to declare or state positively. \u201c<em>He averred that he was innocent.<\/em>\u201c<br>144 \u2013 pedantic is an adjective (pedant the noun) that refers to a person who is overly concerned with minor details and rules and tends to show off their knowledge in a boastful or condescending manner.\u201d&nbsp;<em>The essays are long, dense, and too pedantic to hold great appeal.\u201d<\/em><br>145 \u2013 diktat is a noun and is defined as an order or command that is given with the expectation of strict obedience. \u201c<em>His campaign immediately trashed the rule as a diktat<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>that will force Americans<\/em>\u2026.\u201d<br>146 \u2013 conflate is a verb that means to combine or blend different elements into one entity.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe politician\u2019s speech consistently&nbsp;<\/em>conflated<em>&nbsp;facts and opinions<\/em>.\u201d<br>147 \u2013 errant is an adjective that is used to describe someone or something that is wandering or straying from the correct or accepted path. \u201c<em>The teacher blamed the problem on errant students.\u201d<\/em><br>148 \u2013&nbsp;entropy is a noun defined as a process of degradation or a gradual&nbsp;decline into disorder.&nbsp;&nbsp;\u201c<em>It isa marketplace where entropy reigns supreme.\u201d<\/em><br>149 \u2013 internecine is an adjective that refers to conflict or warfare within a group or organization.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe party shrank from its responsibility in fear of internecine strife.\u201d<\/em><br>150 \u2013 temporal is an adjective that refers to something relating to time as temporary or existing only for a certain period of time as opposed to eternity. \u201c<em>The temporal limitations of our physical bodies remind us of our mortality.\u201d<\/em><br>151 \u2013 munificent is an adjective that refers to the quality or action of being extremely generous, often involving a considerable donation or gift. \u201c<em>The community center was built thanks to the munificence of a local benefactor<\/em>.\u201d<br>152 \u2013 circumscribe is a verb defined as to constrict the range of activity definitely and clearly.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cHis role was carefully circumscribed.\u201d<\/em><br>153-&nbsp;bereft is an adjective that means deprived or lacking something, especially a non-material asset or quality.&nbsp;\u201c<em>Her room was stark and bereft of color\u201d.<\/em><br>154 \u2013 dialectic \u2013 a noun that means a method of examining and discussing opposing ideas in order to find the truth, or an intellectual exchange of ideas. \u201c<em>To make the dialectic between two families a fair fight, he has some theatrical heavy lifting to do.\u201d<\/em><br>155 \u2013 polemic \u2013 a noun that is a strong written or spoken argument that is intended to criticize or refute a specific idea.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHer book is a fierce polemic against the inequalities in our society.\u201d<\/em><br>156 \u2013 expiation \u2013 a noun defined as the act of making amends or reparation for guilt&nbsp;or&nbsp;wrongdoing \u2013 atonement.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHis self-imposed suffering was an act of public expiation\u201d<\/em><br>157 \u2013 venal \u2013 an adjective that describes someone that is corrupt, willing to do dishonest or unethical things in exchange for some form of reward. \u201c<em>He was a venal politician.\u201d<\/em><br>158 \u2013 devoid \u2013 an adjective that means completely lacking or empty of a particular quality or substance. \u201c<em>Lisa kept her voice devoid of emotion\u201d<\/em><br>159 \u2013 meritocracy \u2013 a&nbsp;noun defined as a system in which people are chosen and moved into positions based on their demonstrated abilities or quantifiable achievements.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe country was founded theoretically on principles of&nbsp;meritocracy\u201d<\/em><br>160 \u2013 au contraire \u2013 borrowed from the French it is an adverb&nbsp;defined simply as \u201con the contrary\u201d.&nbsp;\u201c<em>They claimed the film was boring; au contraire, it received rave reviews.<\/em>\u201c<br>161 \u2013 entreaty is a noun defined as a plea or&nbsp;earnest&nbsp;or humble request.&nbsp;<em>\u201cPlease, I make this earnest entreaty ; stop the killing.\u201d<\/em><br>162 \u2013 deign \u2013 a verb that means to do something that one considers to be beneath one\u2019s dignity or status. \u201c<em>He deigned to come out from behind the counter\u201d.<\/em><br>163 \u2013 discursive \u2013&nbsp;a verb defined as moving from topic to topic without order&nbsp;<strong>:&nbsp;<\/strong>Rambling, unfocused.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe gave a&nbsp;discursive&nbsp;lecture.\u201d<\/em><br>164 \u2013&nbsp;ambient \u2013 either an adjective or a noun and defined as existing or present on all sides, encompassing.&nbsp;<em>The bright ambient light of the room\u201d<\/em>.<br>165 \u2013&nbsp;penury \u2013 a noun defined as extreme poverty; destitution.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe died in a state of virtual penury.\u201d<\/em><br>166 \u2013 enervate \u2013 can be either an adjective or a verb and defined as to cause someone to feel drained of energy or vitality; weaken.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe election process has enervated us all.\u201d<\/em><br>167 \u2013 parse \u2013 a verb defined as to examine in a minute way: to analyze critically; to carefully go through.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cEconomists parsed the census data\u201d.<\/em><br>168 \u2013 pogrom \u2013 a noun defined as an organized massacre of helpless people that is localized and spontaneous.<em>&nbsp;\u201c Her mother had escaped from Russia as a toddler fleeing the&nbsp;pogroms\u201d.<\/em><br>169- expiate \u2013&nbsp;a verb meaning &nbsp;to make amends for\u2026.to atone\u2026. to extinguish guilt.&nbsp;\u201c<em>permission to&nbsp;expiate&nbsp;their offences by their assiduous labours.<\/em>\u201d\u2014Francis Bacon<br>170 \u2013 perdition \u2013 a noun defined as eternal damnation.&nbsp; It can also be used to describe utter destruction.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe path he is following is a path to perdition.\u201d<\/em><br>171 \u2013 oligarchy \u2013 a noun defined as government by a few.&nbsp; \u201c<em>A military oligarchy was established in the country.\u201d<\/em><br>172 \u2013 brain rot \u2013 a noun meaning that consuming too much online content can harm a person\u2019s mental state.&nbsp; \u201c<em>Non-stop binge-watching left me with a bad case of&nbsp;<\/em><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><em>brain rot.<strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/em><br>173 \u2013 presage \u2013 either a noun or a verb defined as something that foreshadows or portends a future event.&nbsp;\u201c<em>The sight of the first robin is always a welcome&nbsp;presage&nbsp;of spring.\u201d<\/em><br>174 \u2013 vestigial \u2013&nbsp;an adjective defined as a very small&nbsp;remnant&nbsp;of something that was once much larger or more&nbsp;noticeable.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe felt a vestigial flicker of anger from last night.\u201d<\/em><br>175 \u2013 abide \u2013 a verb that generally means to accept, tolerate, or endure something. It can also refer to remaining or staying in a particular condition.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThat I cannot abide.\u201d \u201cWe abide in peace\u201d.<\/em><br>176 \u2013 extirpate \u2013 a verb meaning to completely remove or eradicate something. \u201c<em>The use of every legal measure to&nbsp;extirpate&nbsp;this horrible evil from the land\u201d.<\/em><br>177- dilatory \u2013 an adjective that describes a tendency to delay or procrastinate.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe can\u2019t be blamed for the agency\u2019s&nbsp;dilatory&nbsp;response to problems at the plant.<\/em>\u201c<br>178- parse \u2013 a verb meaning to examine something in detail. \u201c<em>The Herald is&nbsp;parsing<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>through the nearly two hours of footage and will report the contents<\/em>.\u201d<br>179- situationship \u2013 a romantic or sexual relationship whose members have not formally defined it or officially committed to it. \u201cSarah<em>&nbsp;and the man she was in a situationship<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>with had stayed at each other\u2019s apartments<\/em>.\u201d<br>180 \u2013 gaslighting \u2013 a verb meaning psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time. \u201c<em>Her friends finally recognized the gaslighting she had been experiencing in her relationship<\/em>.\u201d<br>181 \u2013 inscrutable \u2013 an adjective defined as not readily interpreted or undeerstood: mysterious.&nbsp;<em>\u201cShe has&nbsp;an&nbsp;inscrutable&nbsp;smile\u201c<\/em><br>182 \u2013 dissonance \u2013 a noun that refers to a lack of harmony or agreement between elements. \u201c<em>\u201cThe vivid colors of the abstract painting created a beautiful dissonance<\/em>.\u201d<br>183 \u2013 riven \u2013 is an adjective and means to be split or torn apart, often violently or forcefully.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe nation is riven by discord.\u201d<\/em><br>184 \u2013 hubris \u2013 a noun defined as exaggerated pride or self-confidence. \u201c<em>The ancient Greeks considered hubris to be a dangerous character flaw\u201d.<\/em><br>185 \u2013 ineradicable is an adjective that describes something that cannot be eradicated, removed, or eliminated.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u201cHer&nbsp;<\/em>ineradicable<em>&nbsp;belief in justice drove her to fight against corruption tirelessly.\u201d<\/em><br>186 \u2013 clarion \u2013an adjective that conveys a sense of urgency or importance.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe&nbsp;clarion&nbsp;call of the siren echoed through the night, signaling an urgent warning.\u201d<\/em><br>187 \u2013 agentic is an adjective that describes&nbsp;someone or something capable of acting autonomously such as agentic AI. \u201c<em>The development of agentic AI poses significant risks.\u201d<\/em><br>188- devolution is a noun that refers to a decline or deterioration in quality, effectiveness or function. \u201c<em>It was a gradual devolution that led from a thriving community to a drug-ridded slum.<\/em><br>189 \u2013 cajones is a Spanish slang term that, in a figurative sense, means \u201cto have balls\u201d.&nbsp;<em>\u201cIt took a lot of cajones to give that order.\u201d<\/em><br>190 \u2013 congenital is an adjective that refers to conditions or traits that are present at birth. \u201c<em>He suffered from congenital heart disease.\u201d<\/em><br>191 \u2013 edify is a verb that means to instruct or improve someone morally or intellectually. \u201c<em>Artificial intelligence can edify society<\/em>\u2026.\u201d<br>192 \u2013 non sequitur is a noun defined as a statement that does not logically follow from the previous statement. \u201c<em>Calling debt \u2018free money\u2019 is a non sequitur.\u201d<\/em><br>193 \u2013 anicdotal is an adjective defined as: \u201cbased on personal accounts, observation or stories rather than systematic research, facts or reliable evidence.\u201d<em>The doctor dismissed the treatment as anecdotal since no clinical studies supported it.\u201d<\/em><br>194 \u2013 exact \u2013 a verb and means to demand and enforce payment, obedience or retribution. \u201c<em>The betrayed general exacted revenge on his rival by overthrowing him.\u201d<\/em><br>195 \u2013 fascism \u2013 an authoritarian political ideology and system of government characterized by dictatorial power, suppression of opposition, suppression of democracy. \u201c<em>Nazism was a form of fascism.\u201d<\/em><br>196 \u2013 antithetical \u2013 an adjective defined as directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible, unequivocal opposition. \u201c<em>Freedom of speech is antithetical to censorship.\u201d<\/em><br>197 \u2013 caprice \u2013&nbsp;a noun defined as a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior, whimsical.&nbsp;\u201c<em>the&nbsp;caprices&nbsp;of the electorate.\u201d<\/em><br>198 \u2013 factotum \u2013&nbsp;a noun defined as a person who does all kinds of work.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe was employed as the general factotum\u201d<\/em><br>199- epigram \u2013a noun defined as a concise poem dealing pointedly and often satirically with a single thought.&nbsp;<em>\u201cEarly to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealth and wise.\u201d<\/em><br>200 \u2013 paradox \u2013a noun defined as a statement that appears to contradict itself or common sense yet might still be true.&nbsp;<em>\u201cLess is more\u201d.<\/em><br>201 \u2013 the Singularity \u2013 a noun defined as a time when our future will be determined by AI.<em>\u201cThe Singularity is the moment when artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence<\/em>.\u201d<br>202 \u2013 &nbsp;Sentient is an adjective defined as capable of sensing or feeling. \u201c<em>We are&nbsp;<strong>sentient&nbsp;<\/strong>beings.\u201d<\/em><br>203 \u2013 organic \u2013 an adjective defined as something that develops on its own through shared behavior and culture rather than by design.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe idea spread in an organic way, from the ground up through conversation.\u201d<\/em><br>204 \u2013 aphorism \u2013 a noun defined as a short, concise statement that expresses a general truth, principle, or observation about life.&nbsp;<em>\u201cActions speak louder than words.\u201d<\/em><br>205 \u2013 enigmatic \u2013&nbsp;an adjective meaning mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to interpret..&nbsp;<em>\u201cHer smile was enigmatic\u2014warm, but holding a secret she didn\u2019t yet want to share.\u201d<\/em><br>206 \u2013 ukase (ukases) is a noun defined as an edict or an&nbsp;arbitrary&nbsp;command.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe was defying the publisher in the very building from which he had issued his ukase\u201d<\/em><br>207 \u2013 coterie -a noun defined as a small, close-knit group of people who share a common interest.&nbsp;<em>\u201cA coterie of advisors surrounded the president, shaping policy behind the scenes.\u201d<\/em><br>208 \u2013 diaphanous \u2013 an adjective defined as something that &nbsp;is very light, delicate, and translucent.<em>\u201cShe wore a diaphanous shawl that fluttered in the breeze.\u201d<\/em><br>209 \u2013 recidivist \u2013 a noun defined as a person who relapses into repeated criminal behavior.&nbsp;<em>\u201cDespite multiple opportunities for rehabilitation, he remained a recidivist.\u201d<\/em><br>210 \u2013 fabulist \u2013 a noun defined as one who invents&nbsp;stories, embellishes facts, or distorts reality.&nbsp;<em>\u201cHe was exposed as a fabulist after falsely claiming to have served in combat.\u201d<\/em><br>211 \u2013 au contraire means \u201con the contrary\u201d and is used to politely \u2013 but&nbsp;<strong>firmly<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 express that the opposite of what was just said is true. \u201c<em>Au contraire, he loves being the center of attention.\u201d<\/em><br>212 \u2013 coda is a noun defined as a concluding section of a piece of music, speech, literary work, or event.&nbsp;\u201c<em>In the coda of his presidency, he sought reconciliation rather than victory.\u201d<\/em><br>213 \u2013 immiseration is a noun and refers to the process of becoming poorer, more deprived, or more miserable.&nbsp;<em>\u201cRising housing costs and stagnant wages have led to the immiseration of many working families\u201d.<\/em><br>214 \u2013 confit \u2013 a noun (pronounced konFEE) is a French cooking method in which food is slow-cooked in fat at a low temperature.&nbsp;<em>Confit: where time, fat, and good judgment quietly do all the work.\u201d<\/em><br>215 \u2013 sycophant \u2013 a noun defined as a person who flatters, agrees with, or supports someone in power for personal advantage rather than genuine belief. \u201c<em>It must be right \u2013 he said it<\/em>.\u201d<br>216 \u2013 deleterious is an adjective defined as causing harm or damage \u2013&nbsp; especially over time.&nbsp;<em>\u201cProlonged stress can have a deleterious impact on the body.\u201d<\/em><br>217 \u2013 panache -a noun defined as a distinctive and confident flair; a stylish, spirited way of doing something that makes it memorable.&nbsp;<em>\u201cShe completed her task with great panache\u201d<\/em><br>218 \u2013 dispositive \u2013 an adjective defined as having the power to settle, decide, or resolve a matter conclusively. \u201c<em>The fingerprint on the weapon was dispositive\u2014it tied him directly to the crime.\u201d<\/em><br>219 \u2013 intransigent \u2013 a noun and means refusal to change one\u2019s position often principled unwillingness to compromise. \u201c<em>The negotiation failed due to his intransigence.\u201d<\/em><br>220 \u2013 sovereign \u2013 a noun is a person or body that holds ultimate authority.&nbsp;<em>\u201cYou have violated our sovereign airspace.\u201d<br><\/em>221 \u2013 inalienable<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>\u2013 an adjective and means something that cannot be taken away\u2014it is permanent and inherent.&nbsp;<em>\u201cInalienable rights to privacy.\u201d<\/em><br>222- pique&nbsp;\u2013 a verb meaning to stimulate interest, curiosity, or attention.&nbsp;<em>\u201cThe waiter\u2019s description of the special piqued my interest more than the menu did.\u201d<\/em><br>223 \u2013 propitious \u2013 a verb meaning favorable, promising, or indicating a good chance of success. \u201c<em>The project got off to a propitious start.\u201d<\/em><br>224 \u2013 pugnatious \u2013 an adjective meaning combative, argumentative, or eager to fight \u2014 either physically or verbally.&nbsp;<em>\u201cA pugnacious senator\u201d<\/em><br>225 \u2013 anathema \u2013 a noun defined as something that is intensely disliked, hated, or rejected.&nbsp;<em>\u201cRacial hatred was anathema to her.\u201d<\/em><br>226 \u2013 recursive is an adjective defined as a process where the output of one step becomes the input for the next step.&nbsp;<em>\u201cNo one knows where the recursive process will take us.\u201d<\/em><br>227 \u2013 irony is a noun defined as a situation in which the outcome is the opposite of what one would expect.&nbsp;<em>\u201cIt is an irony that the firehouse burned down.\u201d<\/em><br>228 \u2013 indefatigable is an adjective that means unable to be tired out; showing relentless persistence, energy, and determination. \u201c<em>He is an indefaigable retiree\u201d<\/em><br>229 \u2013 canard is a noun meaning a false story,or widely repeated misconception that people continue to believe. \u201c<em>One&nbsp;canard&nbsp;about immigrants is that many come for the comforts of the welfare state<\/em>.\u201d<br>230- De rigueur is&nbsp;an djective meaning required by custom, fashion, or accepted social practice<em>\u201c. At a formal dinner, a jacket and tie were considered de rigueur.\u201d<\/em><br>231 \u2013 generative is an adjective describing something that has the ability to create something new.&nbsp;<em>\u201cIt can write a poem, paint a masterpiece, or compose a symphony<\/em>.\u201d<br>232 \u2013 entryism, a noun, is a strategy by which an organized group enters a larger &nbsp;established organization with the intention of gaining influence. <em>\u201cChange came to our HOA when a small group organized from within and replaced the entire board.<\/em><br>233 \u2013 A harbinger is something that signals the arrival of something else. <em>\u201cA robin is a harbinger of spring.\u201d<\/em><br>234 \u2013 A pragmatist (noun) is a person who is guided more by practical considerations than by theories or ideals. <em>\u201cHardheaded pragmatists firmly rooted in the real world\u201d<\/em><br>235-Allegory (noun) is a story in which the characters and events represent ideas beyond the story itself.\u201c<em>The poem is an allegory of love and jealousy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cMy last trip to Costco was an allegory about temptation: I went in for a hot dog and came out with a 77-inch TV.\u201d An allegory (noun) is a story in which the characters and events represent ideas beyond the story itself. For example, a tale about animals taking over a farm can also be &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/?p=3879\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\"><a><\/a><a><strong>WORD OF THE WEEK &nbsp;#235 \u2013 allegory<\/strong><\/a><\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3879"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3879"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3879\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3897,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3879\/revisions\/3897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3879"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3879"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3879"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}