Literary Criticism Terms

noun praise or approval, especially when it is given publicly

verb to praise or approve of someone or something publicly

• The artist's latest painting received critical acclaim from art critics.
• The new restaurant has been getting a lot of acclaim from foodies in the area.
• That movie got so much hype and acclaim, it's a must-watch!
• Her innovative approach to problem-solving has earned her much acclaim in the office.

noun excessive admiration or praise

• The renowned artist received adulation from critics for his latest masterpiece.
• She basked in the adulation of her fans after winning the championship.
• The singer was soaking up all the adulation from the crowd at the concert.
• The politician's adulation for power blinded him to the needs of his constituents.

noun a formal curse by a pope or a council of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine

• The use of profanity in public speeches is considered anathema to many politicians.
• For some people, eating pineapple on pizza is anathema.
• Wearing socks with sandals is anathema to fashion trends.
• Innovation is often seen as anathema to traditional ways of thinking.

noun a critical or censorious remark or comment

• The scholar's animadversion on the research methodology raised important questions.
• I heard your animadversion on the new company policy during the meeting.
• I can't believe the animadversion she made about his outfit, so rude!
• Her animadversion cut through the silence like a sharp knife.

noun a strongly worded critical attack

adjective involving full use of all resources or elements; comprehensive and intense

• The company issued a broadside against their competitors in the industry.
• The boss went on a broadside rant about the new project deadline.
• The team member hit them with a broadside during the meeting.
• The politician's speech was a broadside against corruption in government.

adjective critical; expressing harsh or unfavorable judgments

• The critic's review was full of censorious remarks about the film's lack of depth.
• She can be quite censorious when it comes to other people's fashion choices.
• I can't stand that censorious attitude of hers, always judging everyone.
• The dark clouds seemed to take on a censorious tone as they loomed over the city.

adjective describing someone or something as lacking distinct characteristics or qualities

• The characterless design of the building did not reflect the rich history of the neighborhood.
• The characterless new restaurant in town has been getting mixed reviews.
• That movie was so characterless, I fell asleep halfway through.
• Her characterless personality made it difficult for others to connect with her.

verb to treat with contempt; scorn; disdain

• The judge contemned the defendant for his repeated offenses.
• She contemns anyone who doesn't follow the rules.
• I can't believe he contemned his own brother like that.
• She contemned the idea of compromise, sticking firmly to her beliefs.

adjective deserving of contempt; despicable

• His contemptible behavior towards his colleagues was not tolerated in the professional environment.
• I can't believe he would do something so contemptible to his own friends.
• That guy is just straight up contemptible, I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him.
• The dark clouds looming over the city seemed to cast a contemptible shadow on the once vibrant streets.

noun A person who judges the merits of literary, artistic, or musical works, especially one who does so professionally.

• The critic provided a thorough analysis of the film, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses.
• The movie critic said the film was just okay, nothing special.
• That music critic is always throwing shade at new artists.
• She was a harsh critic of her own work, never satisfied with the final product.

adjective involving or exercising careful judgment or evaluation

• It is critical to thoroughly review the data before making any decisions.
• It's super important to double-check everything before deciding.
• It's absolutely crucial to check all the info before you make a move.
• Like a puzzle piece, each decision is critical in completing the big picture.

noun the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes

• Constructive criticism is essential for personal growth and improvement.
• I appreciate your feedback, but please try to keep your criticism constructive.
• I can't deal with all the haters and their constant criticism.
• Her words were like sharp criticism, cutting through his defenses.

noun a detailed analysis or assessment of something, especially a literary, philosophical, or artistic work

verb to evaluate or analyze something in a detailed and critical way

• The professor provided a detailed critique of the student's research paper.
• I appreciate your critique of my presentation, it helps me improve.
• I can't believe she critiqued my outfit like that, so rude.
• His critique of the political system was like a breath of fresh air in the stagnant debate.

adjective describing something as deserving condemnation or punishment

• The judge described the defendant's actions as damnable and deserving of severe punishment.
• I can't believe you would do such a damnable thing!
• That was a totally damnable move, dude.
• The consequences of his decision were truly damnable, leading to a chain of unfortunate events.

verb present participle of the verb 'damn'

adjective serving to condemn or criticize harshly

• The evidence presented in court was damning against the defendant.
• The teacher's comments on my essay were pretty damning.
• The reviews for that new restaurant were absolutely damning.
• His silence on the matter was more damning than any words could have been.

adjective open to discussion or argument; not settled or decided

• The issue of climate change is highly debatable among scientists.
• Whether pineapple belongs on pizza is a debatable topic among friends.
• His fashion choices are definitely debatable.
• The interpretation of the painting is debatable among art critics.

noun the act of speaking damagingly of someone or something

• The detraction of his character was unwarranted and baseless.
• Don't pay attention to the detraction, it's just gossip.
• I can't believe the detraction she spread about him.
• The detraction of the painting's value only made it more desirable to collectors.

noun a person who delivers a speech or lecture

• The discourser presented a well-reasoned argument during the debate.
• The discourser really knows how to make a compelling case.
• That discourser is a real smooth talker.
• The discourser's words were like a soothing balm for the troubled minds of the audience.

noun the female side of a family

• The inheritance was passed down through the distaff side of the family.
• Most of the family heirlooms come from the distaff side.
• My grandma's jewelry all comes from the distaff side - it's so cool!
• The distaff side of the business is where all the creativity comes from.

verb make or become less sharp, intense, or distinct

adjective lacking interest or excitement; not bright, intense, or clear

• The lecture was quite dull, lacking any engaging content.
• I find history class so dull, I can barely stay awake.
• This movie is so dull, I'd rather watch paint dry.
• His personality is as dull as a rusty blade, lacking any spark or excitement.

verb to make something clear or explain in detail

• The professor asked the student to elucidate the complex theory during the presentation.
• Can you please explain in more detail so I can understand better?
• Break it down for me, I'm not following.
• She used vivid examples to elucidate her point and make it clearer.

noun a severe criticism or denunciation

verb to criticize or berate severely; to flay or remove the skin from

• The critic proceeded to excoriate the author's latest novel in a scathing review.
• She really excoriated him for forgetting her birthday.
• The players were excoriated by the coach for their poor performance on the field.
• Her words seemed to excoriate his soul, leaving him feeling raw and exposed.

noun the quality of being scanty or meager

• The exiguity of resources in the rural areas has led to a decline in agricultural productivity.
• The exiguity of snacks at the party left many guests hungry.
• I can't believe the exiguity of parking spaces in this area!
• Her exiguity of patience was evident as she tapped her foot impatiently.

noun a short introductory section in a book, typically written by someone other than the author

• The foreword of the book provided a detailed introduction to the author's background and inspiration for writing.
• I always skip the foreword of a book and go straight to the first chapter.
• I didn't bother reading the foreword because it seemed like a bunch of extra stuff.
• The foreword of life is often written by our past experiences and memories.

adjective unwarranted or uncalled for; given or done free of charge

• The gratuitous violence in the movie was unnecessary and excessive.
• I can't stand all the gratuitous ads on this website.
• That movie had way too many gratuitous explosions, it was over the top.
• Her gratuitous compliments were thinly veiled attempts to gain favor.

noun the central point or essence of a matter

• The gravamen of the lawsuit is the alleged breach of contract.
• The main gravamen of the argument was about who should do the dishes.
• I don't want to deal with the gravamen of this issue right now.
• The gravamen of her sadness was the loss of her beloved pet.

adjective describing someone or something as greedy or selfish, like a hog

• The CEO's hoggish behavior led to resentment among the employees.
• Don't be so hoggish with the snacks, leave some for others.
• She's always been a bit hoggish when it comes to sharing her stuff.
• The hoggish nature of the politician's policies left many citizens struggling to make ends meet.

noun a style of theatrical performance or writing that is exaggerated or melodramatic; nonsense or foolishness

• The article was filled with hokum and lacked any credible sources.
• I can't believe they expect us to buy into that hokum.
• That movie was just a bunch of hokum, don't waste your time watching it.
• His promises were nothing but hokum, they never came true.

adjective excessively critical; overly judgmental

• The professor was known for being hypercritical of his students' work.
• My mom can be so hypercritical about how I dress.
• Some people are just way too hypercritical for their own good.
• Her hypercritical attitude was like a dark cloud hanging over the office.

noun a person who is excessively devoted to something or someone

• The idolater was devoted to worshiping multiple gods.
• I heard that guy is a total idolater, always praying to his idols.
• Don't be such an idolater, it's just a silly superstition.
• She was an idolater when it came to her favorite celebrity, always following their every move.

adjective not appropriate or well-suited for a particular situation; inappropriate or awkward

• The speaker's choice of words was infelicitous and caused confusion among the audience.
• Her infelicitous comment made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
• That was a really infelicitous thing to say, dude.
• His infelicitous actions led to a chain reaction of negative consequences.

noun a person who is highly educated or has an exceptional intellect

adjective relating to the intellect or mental capacity

• She is known for her intellectual pursuits in the field of philosophy.
• He's a really smart guy, always talking about intellectual stuff.
• That book is so deep, it's like on a whole other intellectual level.
• The artist's work is intellectually stimulating, provoking deep thoughts and reflection.

noun A metaphorical term used to describe a place or situation that is isolated or detached from the practicalities and realities of everyday life.

• The professor spent most of his time in his ivory tower, focused on his research.
• She's always up in her ivory tower, never wanting to socialize with the rest of us.
• Why does he act like he's in an ivory tower, thinking he's better than everyone else?
• Living in an ivory tower can sometimes isolate you from the realities of the world.

noun a particular way in which a piece of literature is written

adjective relating to the style or manner in which a piece of literature is written

• The author's literary style is characterized by intricate sentence structures and rich symbolism.
• I really dig the way this writer's literary style flows, it's so easy to get lost in the story.
• Yo, have you checked out that new book? The author's literary style is straight fire.
• Her literary style is like a beautiful tapestry, weaving together different elements to create a vivid picture for the reader.

adjective showing authority or dignity

• The professor delivered a magisterial lecture on the history of economics.
• The boss gave a magisterial speech at the company meeting.
• The celebrity's magisterial presence at the event made everyone starstruck.
• Her magisterial control over the situation impressed everyone.

noun a metrical line or verse

adjective relating to or characteristic of meter or poetic meter

• The poet carefully crafted the metrical structure of the sonnet.
• I struggled to understand the metrical patterns in the poem.
• I'm not a fan of the metrical stuff in poetry.
• The metrical heartbeat of the music resonated with the audience.

verb to quote incorrectly or inaccurately

• The journalist misquoted the CEO in the article, causing confusion among readers.
• I think the newspaper misquoted you in that interview.
• Don't worry, the tabloids always misquote celebrities to create drama.
• His actions misquoted his true intentions, leading to misunderstandings.

adjective arousing or deserving hatred or repugnance

• The odious behavior of the defendant was evident to all in the courtroom.
• I can't stand that odious guy who always interrupts everyone.
• That dude is seriously odious, I can't even be around him.
• The stench of his odious lies filled the room, making it hard to breathe.

adverb as a whole; overall

preposition indicating the whole extent or duration of something

article used before a noun to indicate that the noun is being considered as a whole and in general

• On the whole, the research findings suggest a positive correlation between exercise and mental health.
• On the whole, I think the party was a success. Everyone seemed to have a good time.
• On the whole, the concert was lit. The band really brought the energy.
• On the whole, life is like a rollercoaster with its ups and downs, twists and turns.

verb to express an opinion

• It is important to opine on matters of public policy in order to contribute to informed decision-making.
• Feel free to opine on which movie you think is the best.
• I'm not sure why everyone feels the need to opine on everything these days.
• As the sun set, the old man would often opine about the days of his youth.

adjective relating to or characteristic of a system of society or government controlled by men

• The patriarchal society placed men in positions of power and authority.
• I don't like how patriarchal my workplace is, always favoring the male employees.
• The whole system is so patriarchal, it's like they don't even care about equality.
• The patriarchal mindset is like a heavy weight holding back progress towards gender equality.

noun a person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts, or who has no understanding of them

adjective hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts, or lacking in understanding of them

• The philistine attitudes of the critics towards modern art were evident in their scathing reviews.
• I can't believe he called me a philistine just because I don't appreciate classical music.
• Stop acting like such a philistine and open your mind to new ideas.
• Her philistine approach to literature left her unable to appreciate the beauty of poetry.

noun a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful

noun A person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules

• The precisian meticulously examined every detail of the contract before signing it.
• Don't be such a precisian about grammar, just enjoy the story.
• The precisian is always nitpicking about the smallest things.
• She was a precisian when it came to organizing her thoughts before speaking.

noun the action of showing disrespect or contempt for sacred things

• The profanation of sacred artifacts is considered a serious offense in many cultures.
• I can't believe someone would commit such a profanation in a place of worship.
• That guy's actions were a total profanation of everything we hold dear.
• The graffiti on the historical monument was a profanation of our shared history.

adjective having or encouraging an excessive interest in sexual matters

• The court found the defendant's prurient interest in the victim's personal life to be disturbing.
• I don't want to hear about your prurient fantasies, keep them to yourself.
• That movie is so prurient, it's practically softcore porn.
• His prurient curiosity led him down a dark path of obsession.

noun the state or quality of being childishly silly or immature

• The puerility of his behavior was evident in the way he refused to take responsibility for his actions.
• His puerility really showed when he started throwing a tantrum over not getting his favorite dessert.
• I can't believe the level of puerility he displayed when he started a fight over a video game.
• The puerility of their arguments was like watching children squabble over toys.

adjective relating to or characteristic of the Puritans, or their strict moral or religious beliefs

• The puritanical beliefs of the early settlers greatly influenced the laws and customs of the new colony.
• She grew up in a puritanical household where strict rules were enforced at all times.
• Some people think her puritanical attitude is a bit too much, like chill out, dude.
• His puritanical approach to diet and exercise borders on obsession.

verb To criticize or complain angrily or forcefully about someone or something

• She would often rail at the government's lack of transparency.
• He likes to rail at his boss when he's in a bad mood.
• The kids always rail at their teacher for giving them too much homework.
• The wind seemed to rail at the windows, trying to break through.

• The board will conduct a thorough review of the company's financial statements.
• I need to write a review for that new restaurant I tried last week.
• I heard the new movie got a terrible review from critics.
• Before making a decision, it's important to review all the facts and figures.

noun A person who is highly educated or has an aptitude for study and learning; a learned or erudite person.

• The scholar presented a groundbreaking theory at the academic conference.
• The scholar shared some interesting insights during the discussion.
• That scholar really knows their stuff.
• She is a scholar of life, always learning and growing.

noun a person who writes scholia (explanatory notes or comments) on ancient authors or their works

• The scholiast provided detailed annotations on the ancient text.
• The scholiast really knows their stuff when it comes to interpreting old writings.
• That scholiast is a real bookworm, always buried in ancient texts.
• As a scholiast of life, she carefully analyzed every situation before making a decision.

noun a harsh or critical comment or review

verb to criticize harshly

• The judge slammed the gavel down to signal the end of the trial.
• She slammed the door in frustration after the argument.
• I heard he got slammed with a hefty fine for speeding.
• The criticism from her peers felt like a slam to her confidence.

noun a person who believes that their tastes in a particular area are superior to those of others

verb none

adjective snobbish

adverb none

pronoun none

preposition none

conjunction none

interjection none

article none

• She was often seen as a snob due to her exclusive taste in fashion.
• Don't be such a snob, just try the new restaurant with us.
• He acts like a total snob when it comes to music.
• The old building stood tall and proud, like a snob among the modern skyscrapers.

verb past tense of 'stilt', meaning to raise or support on or as if on stilts

adjective having a formal, unnatural, or stiff manner of expression

• The speech delivered by the politician sounded stilted and rehearsed.
• The conversation at the party felt a bit stilted, like no one really knew each other.
• The dialogue in that movie was so stilted, it was cringeworthy.
• Her emotions seemed stilted, as if she was holding back from truly expressing herself.

noun a person or thing that is considered to be unpleasant or of poor quality

• The movie was widely panned by critics as a real stinker.
• I can't believe you actually enjoyed that stinker of a movie.
• That movie was a total stinker, dude.
• Her plan turned out to be a real stinker, causing more harm than good.

adjective describing someone or something as resembling or characteristic of a pig; behaving in a rude or greedy manner

• The swinish behavior of the guests at the gala was quite appalling.
• I can't believe how swinish some people can be when it comes to sharing food.
• Those swinish dudes at the party were totally out of control.
• His swinish attitude towards the environment is a reflection of his lack of empathy.

noun an impressive or outstanding achievement

• The ballet performance was a true tour de force of skill and artistry.
• That movie was a total tour de force, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.
• The new album is a total tour de force, it's going to blow everyone away.
• Her ability to juggle multiple tasks at once is a real tour de force in the office.

noun showy but worthless finery; nonsense or rubbish

adjective showy but worthless; delusive or shallow

• The museum curator refused to include any trumpery in the new exhibit.
• I can't believe she bought all that trumpery at the store.
• That trumpery is so tacky, why would anyone want to wear it?
• His promises were nothing but trumpery, with no real substance behind them.

adjective having a greasy or oily quality

• The politician's unctuous speech failed to convince the audience of his sincerity.
• I can't stand how unctuous she acts around important people.
• He's so unctuous, always trying to butter up the boss.
• Her unctuous smile hid a deeper sense of betrayal.

noun verbal abuse or censure

• The politician faced intense vituperation from his opponents during the debate.
• She couldn't handle the vituperation from her coworkers and decided to quit.
• The online comments were full of vituperation towards the celebrity's new hairstyle.
• The artist's bold painting received vituperation from traditional art critics.

adjective describing someone or something as resembling or characteristic of a prostitute; immoral or promiscuous

• The actress received backlash for her whorish portrayal of a seductive character in the movie.
• I can't believe she wore that dress, it looks so whorish.
• She's always dressing in such a whorish way, it's embarrassing.
• His whorish behavior at the party made everyone uncomfortable.

noun the goal or practice of creating an ideal society

• Utopianism is a philosophical concept that envisions an ideal society with perfect laws and governance.
• Some people believe in utopianism and strive to create a better world through their actions.
• Utopianism is like aiming for the stars when it comes to societal perfection.
• His belief in utopianism was so strong that he dedicated his life to social activism and change.

adjective relating to or characteristic of the poetry and personality of Lord Byron, typically described as dark, brooding, and passionate

• The protagonist in the novel exhibited Byronic traits such as brooding and rebelliousness.
• He's got that whole Byronic hero thing going on, with his dark and mysterious demeanor.
• That dude over there is totally Byronic, like a modern-day bad boy.
• Her turbulent love life mirrored that of a Byronic character in a tragic novel.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific object or set of objects, such as living creatures, places, actions, qualities, states, or ideas

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun, and in some languages extending to volume or numerical scope

• The concept of justice can be understood in the sense that it involves fairness and impartiality.
• I think he meant it in the sense that he was trying to help, even though it didn't come across that way.
• She was just messing with you, not in the sense that she was being mean, but in a playful way.
• His words cut deep, not in the sense that they were hurtful, but because they were brutally honest.

noun a group of people or things of low social status or quality

• The ragtag and bobtail group of volunteers worked tirelessly to clean up the park.
• The ragtag and bobtail crew managed to pull off a successful surprise party.
• That ragtag and bobtail band sure knows how to rock the house!
• The team may seem like a ragtag and bobtail bunch, but they always deliver exceptional results.

noun a noun referring to a lack of courage or determination; cowardice

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• His pusillanimosity was evident in his reluctance to take on any challenges.
• She showed her pusillanimosity by always avoiding confrontations.
• His pusillanimosity was so annoying, he never stood up for himself.
• The team's pusillanimosity was like a dark cloud hanging over their chances of success.

verb to permit or enable something

preposition used to indicate the possibility or opportunity for something

• The strict rules of the organization do not allow of any exceptions.
• The teacher's instructions do not allow of any late submissions.
• My parents don't allow of me going out on weekdays.
• The limited resources do not allow of any wastage.

adverb in a learned or knowledgeable manner

• The professor learnedly explained the complex theory to the students.
• She learnedly shared her knowledge about the topic with her friends.
• He learnedly schooled his buddies on the latest trends in technology.
• The author learnedly wove together various themes in his novel.

verb to officially revoke or abolish a law, agreement, or custom

• The new law was aimed at abrogating outdated regulations that hindered economic growth.
• They are abrogating the rule that requires us to wear uniforms to work.
• I heard they're abrogating the curfew for the weekend.
• By abrogating the toxic relationships in her life, she found peace and happiness.

noun complex or obscure things, ideas, or language

• The professor's lecture was filled with abstrusities that left the students feeling confused.
• I couldn't understand a word of what the speaker was saying, it was all abstrusities to me.
• That book is full of abstrusities, I couldn't make heads or tails of it.
• His mind was a labyrinth of abstrusities, making it hard for others to understand his thought process.

verb to summon or cite someone to appear in court or to attend a hearing

• The lawyer accited several witnesses to testify in court.
• I accited my friends to join me at the concert.
• She accited her crew to come over for a party.
• The leader accited the team to strive for excellence in their work.

verb to give or grant something to someone, typically in a formal or legal manner

• The employee was accorded a promotion for his exceptional performance.
• She was accorded VIP treatment at the event because of her celebrity status.
• The cool kids were accorded front row seats at the concert.
• Respect should be accorded to all individuals regardless of their background.

noun A female accuser or a woman who brings accusations or charges against someone.

• The accusatrix presented compelling evidence against the defendant in court.
• The accusatrix was really going after that guy in the trial.
• The accusatrix was on a mission to take down the suspect.
• She was like an accusatrix, always pointing fingers and assigning blame.

adjective sour or bitter in taste; harsh or severe in manner or tone

• The acerb criticism from the professor left the students feeling dejected.
• Her acerb wit always keeps us on our toes during meetings.
• I can't stand his acerb attitude, he's always so negative.
• The acerb taste of the lemonade made her wince.

adjective describing something that lacks context or is not related to a specific context

• The research findings were presented in an acontextual manner, devoid of any real-world application.
• The teacher's explanation was so acontextual, I had no idea how to apply it in real life.
• The meme was completely acontextual, making it hard to understand the joke.
• His speech was acontextual, like a puzzle missing its pieces.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• The theory admits of multiple interpretations based on the evidence presented.
• The recipe admits of a few substitutions if you don't have all the ingredients.
• His excuse admits of no further discussion, it's just plain ridiculous.
• The artwork admits of various emotional responses from viewers.

noun a concluding section in a book, typically written by the author and providing additional information or commentary

• The author included an afterword in the book to provide additional context for the readers.
• Did you read the afterword at the end of the book? It was really interesting.
• I usually skip the afterword in books, but this one was actually worth reading.
• In life, the afterword is often where we find the most important lessons and reflections.