Words of the Alphabet
by Collin Wynter
I was briefly a member of Toastmasters, a club designed to improve one’s presentation and speaking skills. I believe that it has merit and one should explore their programs. Alas, time was not on my side. One aspect I enjoyed, from the few classes attended, was the word of the day. The member who was the Toastmaster for that session, would present a word, and the definition, to the group. It would be a challenge to see who could use the word the most in the session.
Since then, I have begun collecting words; what I do not normally use in my day to day lexicon. I find it fun to have my own dictionary to spice up my verbiage. To be concise, rather than to bloviate, in my writing makes it more efficient and less haphazard, being able to get my point across more transparently. There is always the danger of using too many words that are not ubiquitous, as it may come across as pretentious. (You might have noticed, I have been using some of the words listed below in this paragraph. It was intentional, to be a little silly, rather than to be obnoxious).
I have only included one word from each letter of the english alphabet with a definition, used it in a sentence, and provided a synonym and antonym (if applicable). Many of these words have more than one definition (not included), in the sense that they are malleable and may be used in different formats. Some words even have archaic use that may mean the opposite of how they are used today! The words are all linked to Merriam-Webster online dictionary so you can go there and click on the sound button to hear how they are pronounced. Although some of the definitions below match quite closely to the online dictionary, some may not. I recommend using a hard copy dictionary prior to 2010 (or at the very least, prior 2020) to actually learn the definitions of words. (You can also learn the etymology of words). Online material has a tendency to be of lesser quality. An ersatz, one might say. This was just a fun little project with a desire to stimulate people into thinking about word use, and explore language. Language has depth, breadth and meaning. Learn and enjoy!
Anodyne– deliberately inoffensive
The speech was anodyne in tone.
Synonym: Innocuous– not likely to bother, offend or be noticed
Antonym: Detrimental– causing damage or injury
Bloviate– speaking with too many words
The expert sure did bloviate in the news interview.
Synonym: Bluster– to speak aggressively
Antonym: Concise– using few words or unnecessary information
Chicanery– deception by artful subterfuge
The chicanery in politics is quite evident.
Synonym: Skullduggery– underhand, unscrupulous behaviour
Antonym: Transparency– open and evident
Defenestration– a swift dismissal or removal from a position of authority
Defenestration is an aspect of cancel culture.
Synonym: Expulsion– ejected, removed
Antonym: Platformed– being placed into a position of authority
Ersatz– an inferior substitution
Social media is an ersatz to social interactions.
Synonym: Artificial– humanly contrived
Antonym: Genuine– actual, real
Fiat– an official order given by someone in authority
A judicial fiat was made to summon the man to court.
Synonym: Decree– an order backed by force or law
*no relevant antonym
Germane– being relevant and appropriate
Discussing flowers was germane to the topic.
Synonym: Apropos– suitable, appropriate
Antonym: Extraneous– not relevant
Hyperbole– providing an overtop the top exaggeration
The politician was full of hyperbole.
Synonym: Overstatement– to state too strongly
Antonym: Understatement– to state weakly
Inimical– being hostile or malevolent, a disposition of an enemy
He was inimical to the proposed situation.
Synonym: Adversarial– antagonism between persons or systems
Antonym: Hospitable– welcoming and willing to assist, friendly
Jeremiad– a prolonged lamentation or complaint
The jeremiad by the philosopher was extremely nihilistic.
Synonym: Diatribe– a prolonged discourse of a strong personal perspective
*no relevant antonym
Kludge– a haphazard solution assembled to solve a problem
A kludge will not fix the computer software.
*no relevant synonyms or antonyms
Lacuna– an empty space that can be filled, physically, psychologically, metaphorically
There was a lacuna in the thesis to be filled.
Synonym: Paucity– a lack of quantity or of quality
Antonym: Fill– to supply
Magnanimous– a generous, benevolent and kind nature
He was magnanimous in face of defeat.
Synonym: Gallant– chivalrous, self sacrificing
Antonym: Ignoble– baseness, lowness, meanness
Nonpareil– having no equal
Her photography was nonpareil.
Synonym: Incomparable– eminent beyond comparison
Antonym: Mediocre– average quality
Obsequious– eagerness to obey
The cult followers were obsequious in their behaviour.
Synonym: Servile– cravenly submissive
Antonym: Obstinate– refusing to change behaviour
Pernicious– subtle encroachment and erosion doing harm
The ideology was pernicious in its effects on the institution.
Synonym: Deleterious– harmful in a subtle manner
Antonym: Benign– mild, hamrless
Quixotic– foolishly impractical in the pursuit of ideals
The hopes and the dreams of the man was quixotic in nature.
Synonym: Idealistic– a preferred state of being
Antonym: Practical– not theoretical, realistic
Rapacious– excessively grasping, covetous
Being rapacious is a sign of moral weakness.
Synonym: Esurient– greedy
Antonym: Restraint– to restrict
Shambolic– obviously disorganized or confused
The class was a shambolic mess.
Synonym: Haphazard– an unorganized accumulation of parts
Antonym: Efficient– able to complete a task with minimal waste
Tendentious– a favoured, or promotion, of a contentious topic
The tendentious hypothesis stirred emotions.
Synonym: Biased– unfair tendency to believe in certain things
Antonym: Nonpartisan– lack of favouritism towards one side
Ubiquitous– seemingly to be found everywhere
Advertising is ubiquitous in society.
Synonym: Quotidian– commonplace, regularly occurring
Antonym: Unique– very special, unusual
Vociferous– vehement insistent outcry
The vociferous howl of the prisoners echoed in the jail.
Synonym: Caterwaul– complain noisily
*no relevant antonym
Whimsical– erratic behaviour, unpredictable change
A drunkard’s whimsical behaviour is quite unappealing.
Synonym: Caprice– impulsive action
Antonym: Steadfast– firmly fixed in place
Xenophobe– one who is fearful of other cultures and persons
Because he was a xenophobia, he did not travel to any other country.
Synonym: Prejudiced– bias, possibly against another person or culture
Antonym: Egalitarianism– a belief in human equality
Yoga– a Hindu philosophy
His yoga practice included meditation and prayer.
*no relevant synonyms or antonyms
Zeitgeist– cultural beliefs in a certain time and place
The youth’s zeitgeist seemed foreign to the older adults.
*no relevant synonyms or antonyms