Literary Devices And Themes

adjective relating to the Roman god Bacchus or his worship; characterized by wild and drunken revelry

• The bacchic rituals of ancient Greece were dedicated to the god of wine, Dionysus.
• The party last night had a bacchic vibe, with everyone dancing and drinking.
• The music festival turned into a bacchic frenzy as the night went on.
• Her laughter was like a bacchic celebration, infectious and carefree.

noun a state of perfect happiness or joy

• The newlyweds were in a state of pure bliss as they danced at their wedding reception.
• I feel absolute bliss when I'm lying on the beach with a good book.
• Eating my favorite pizza gives me total bliss.
• The artist found bliss in the act of creating, losing themselves in the process.

noun a purgative medicine; a substance that promotes purging of the bowels; a cathartic agent

adjective providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions; causing catharsis

• The act of journaling can be cathartic and help individuals process their emotions.
• Crying can be really cathartic sometimes, you know?
• Watching that movie was so cathartic, I felt all my stress melt away.
• Cleaning out my closet was cathartic, it felt like I was letting go of the past.

noun a word that functions as the name of a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

adverb a word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb

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

• The new regulations will come into effect next month.
• I heard that the new boss will come into the office later today.
• I can't believe how much money he came into after winning the lottery.
• The sun started to set, casting a warm glow as we came into the evening.

adjective relating to or affected by consumption, especially tuberculosis

• The consumptive patient was advised to rest and follow a strict diet.
• My consumptive friend is always tired and needs to take better care of herself.
• I heard that girl is consumptive, she should probably see a doctor.
• The company's consumptive spending habits are causing financial strain.

adjective disabled or impaired, especially in a way that makes movement difficult

• The accident left him with a crippled leg, requiring months of physical therapy.
• She felt like a crippled mess after staying up all night studying for the exam.
• He was so drunk last night, he was practically crippled.
• The lack of funding has crippled our ability to make any progress on the project.

noun a belief that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism

adjective cynical

• The politician's cynicism towards the new policy was evident in his speech.
• Her cynicism about relationships made her hesitant to trust anyone.
• I can't stand his constant cynicism about everything, it's so annoying.
• The artist's work was a reflection of the cynicism he felt towards society.

adjective a term used to describe someone who is mentally ill or insane

• The psychiatrist diagnosed the patient with a demented state of mind.
• I heard he's been acting demented lately, talking to himself and forgetting things.
• She's completely demented if she thinks she can get away with that.
• The demented idea of quitting his job and traveling the world consumed his thoughts.

noun a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage

• The patient's despondency was evident in his lack of interest in activities he once enjoyed.
• She couldn't shake off the feeling of despondency after receiving the bad news.
• I'm feeling major despondency about failing my exam.
• The dark clouds of despondency hung over her like a heavy weight.

noun belief in or worship of devils; devilish conduct or practices; devilry

• The accused was charged with diabolism for allegedly practicing witchcraft.
• I heard rumors about the diabolism happening in that abandoned house.
• Don't mess with that guy, he's known for his diabolism antics.
• The diabolism of his actions left a lasting impact on those around him.

adjective a word that describes a noun or pronoun, in this case, disbelieving describes a person or their actions of not believing something

• The scientist looked at the evidence with a disbelieving expression.
• She raised an eyebrow in a disbelieving manner.
• I was totally disbelieving when I heard the news.
• His disbelieving eyes told a different story than his words.

noun a ghostly double or counterpart of a living person

• The concept of a doppelganger in literature often symbolizes a character's inner conflict.
• I swear I saw my doppelganger at the mall yesterday, it was so weird!
• Dude, you look like my doppelganger! It's like we could be twins!
• Her constant need for validation is like a doppelganger that follows her everywhere.

noun a slight or invisible exhalation or vapor, especially one that is disagreeable or noxious

• The effluvium emitted from the factory's smokestacks was a cause for concern among nearby residents.
• The effluvium coming from the sewer was absolutely disgusting.
• I couldn't stand the effluvium wafting from the dumpster behind the restaurant.
• The effluvium of negativity surrounding him was palpable.

verb to deprive of strength, vigor, or power; weaken

adjective having been deprived of strength, vigor, or power; weakened

• The king felt emasculated when he was unable to defend his kingdom.
• John felt emasculated when his girlfriend outperformed him in the competition.
• Jake's friends teased him, saying he was emasculated after losing the arm-wrestling match.
• The new policy emasculated the power of the board members, leaving them feeling powerless.

• The castle was protected by a high stone wall encircling the entire property.
• The hiking trail loops around the lake, encircling it completely.
• We drove in circles for hours, just encircling the city without actually finding our destination.
• Her warm smile seemed to encircle everyone in the room, making them feel welcome and at ease.

adjective a term used to describe a person who is no longer close or affectionate with someone; alienated or separated

• The siblings had been estranged for many years before finally reconciling.
• I heard that Sarah and her best friend are now estranged.
• I can't believe they're still estranged after all this time.
• The artist's use of color and light creates an estranged feeling in the painting.

noun a power or agency that predetermines and orders the course of events

• The concept of the Fates in Greek mythology is often discussed in literature classes.
• Have you ever wondered about the Fates and their role in shaping destinies?
• The Fates are like the ultimate decision-makers in life, you know?
• Sometimes it feels like the Fates are playing a game with us, moving us around like chess pieces.

noun a behavior or act that shows a playful romantic or sexual interest in someone

• The subtle flirtation between the two colleagues was noticed by their coworkers.
• I saw some flirtation going on between those two at the party last night.
• They were totally vibing, it was a serious flirtation happening.
• The flirtation between the sun and the clouds created a beautiful sunset.

verb to abandon or leave someone or something in a difficult situation, typically out of neglect or disregard

• The forsaken village was left in ruins after the war.
• She felt forsaken by her friends when they didn't invite her to the party.
• I can't believe he forsaken his own brother like that.
• The abandoned house looked forsaken, with its boarded up windows and overgrown garden.

verb past tense of harrow, which means to cause distress to

adjective causing distress or worry; distressed or perturbed

• The farmer harrowed the field before planting the crops.
• I feel harrowed after dealing with all these difficult customers today.
• I was so harrowed after that horror movie, I couldn't sleep all night.
• His harrowed expression told me that he had been through a lot recently.

noun a place of safety or refuge

verb to provide a safe place or refuge

• The haven provided by the embassy ensured the safety of the refugees.
• The cozy cabin in the woods was our haven for the weekend.
• This coffee shop is my haven for studying and relaxing.
• The library was a haven of knowledge and learning for the curious students.

noun A deceptive or fraudulent act or scheme

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• The man was accused of committing an imposture by pretending to be a doctor.
• I can't believe she tried to pull off that imposture at the party last night.
• That imposture was so obvious, everyone could see through it.
• The imposture of perfection is often used to hide insecurities.

noun A person's true or spiritual self; one's deepest thoughts and feelings

• It is important to nourish the inner man through self-reflection and meditation.
• Sometimes you just need to listen to your inner man and trust your instincts.
• I always follow my inner man when making tough decisions.
• His inner man was at peace with the difficult choice he had to make.

noun inner nature - the essential qualities or character of a person or thing that are not apparent on the surface

• It is important to understand the inner nature of a person before making judgments.
• You really need to get to know someone's inner nature before deciding if you like them or not.
• Dude, you gotta dig deep and figure out their inner nature before you can trust them.
• Just like the layers of an onion, a person's inner nature can be complex and multifaceted.

noun A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'Janus' is a proper noun referring to the Roman god mentioned above.

adjective An adjective describes a noun or pronoun. 'Janus like' describes something that is similar to Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions who is depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions.

• The artist's Janus-like sculpture represents both the past and the future.
• She has a Janus-like personality, always changing her mind.
• His Janus-like behavior is really getting on my nerves.
• The politician's Janus-like actions have left the public feeling betrayed.

noun goods or materials thrown overboard from a ship to lighten its load in an emergency

• The coast guard collected the jetsam that washed ashore after the storm.
• I found some cool jetsam on the beach during my morning walk.
• Let's see if we can find any valuable jetsam in this area.
• His mind was filled with jetsam of memories from his past.

noun generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others

adjective generous in giving gifts or money

• The nobleman was known for his generous largess towards the less fortunate in the community.
• She always shows such largess by treating her friends to dinner whenever they go out.
• I can't believe the largess of that company's holiday bonus this year!
• The artist's largess of creativity knows no bounds, as she continues to produce stunning works of art.

noun money, especially when regarded as sordid or distasteful or gained in a dishonest way

• The businessman was solely focused on acquiring lucre, often at the expense of ethics.
• She's always chasing after the lucre, trying to make a quick buck.
• Some people will do anything for that sweet lucre.
• In the pursuit of lucre, he lost sight of what truly mattered in life.

noun a disease or ailment

adjective relating to or characteristic of a disease

• The doctor diagnosed the patient with a rare malady that required immediate treatment.
• She's been feeling under the weather lately, must be some kind of malady.
• I heard that new virus going around is a real malady, so make sure to wash your hands often.
• The malady of greed had taken hold of the once honest businessman, leading him down a dark path.

noun a point in time that marks the middle of the night; 12 o'clock at night

• The event is scheduled to end at midnight.
• Let's meet at the park at midnight.
• We're going to sneak out at midnight.
• The idea struck me like a bolt of lightning at midnight.

noun an instance of being mortified or embarrassed

• The public humiliation and mortification of the accused was evident in the courtroom.
• She felt a deep sense of mortification when she realized she had forgotten her lines on stage.
• I could see the mortification on his face when he spilled his drink all over himself.
• The defeat of their team was a source of mortification for the fans.

noun A person who commits murder, the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.

• The jury found the defendant guilty of being a murderer.
• Everyone in town knows he's a murderer.
• That guy is a straight-up murderer.
• His betrayal was like a dagger in the back, making him a murderer of trust.

noun serious and immediate danger

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• The ship was in grave peril as it sailed through the stormy seas.
• We're in serious peril if we don't finish this project on time.
• Dude, we're in deep peril if we get caught skipping class again.
• His reckless behavior put his reputation in peril.

noun a disease characterized by pustules or eruptions on the skin, such as smallpox or chickenpox

• The pox outbreak in the city has caused widespread panic among the residents.
• I heard there's a pox going around, so make sure to wash your hands regularly.
• Stay away from him, he's got the pox and you don't want to catch it.
• The corruption within the government is like a pox on society, spreading its negative effects everywhere.

noun an expression of strong disapproval or objection

• Her protestation against the new policy was well-articulated and backed by thorough research.
• Despite his protestation, he eventually agreed to attend the family gathering.
• I don't buy her protestation that she didn't know about the surprise party.
• His protestation of innocence fell on deaf ears as the evidence against him was overwhelming.

adjective relating to or characteristic of purgatory, a place or state of suffering where souls are purified before entering heaven

• The purgatorial process is a necessary step in the journey towards spiritual enlightenment.
• I feel like I'm stuck in a purgatorial state of indecision.
• This waiting room is like purgatorial torture.
• The endless paperwork felt like a purgatorial punishment.

noun a sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a captive

• The kidnappers demanded a ransom for the safe return of the child.
• The thieves want money as a ransom for the stolen goods.
• The hackers are asking for a ransom to unlock the encrypted files.
• His obsession with the new video game was like a ransom on his productivity.

noun a feeling of deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed

• The defendant showed no signs of remorse during the trial.
• He didn't feel any remorse for what he did.
• She's got no remorse for her actions.
• The artist painted a picture of remorse on the subject's face.

noun irreverent or disrespectful treatment of something considered sacred

• Committing sacrilege in a place of worship is considered a serious offense.
• Some people believe that not recycling is a sacrilege against the environment.
• Dude, skipping your grandma's birthday party would be a total sacrilege!
• To some, painting over a historic mural is seen as a sacrilege to the community's heritage.

noun a vehicle mounted on runners for use on snow or ice, typically drawn by horses or reindeer

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• The horse-drawn sleigh glided gracefully through the snow-covered fields.
• We're going to take the sleigh out for a ride in the winter wonderland.
• Let's hop on the sleigh and hit the slopes for some fun!
• Her laughter was like the jingle of sleigh bells on a crisp winter morning.

noun a prostitute who solicits customers on the streets

• The police arrested a suspected streetwalker for soliciting on the corner.
• I heard there's a streetwalker who hangs out near the bus stop at night.
• Watch out for that streetwalker, she's been causing trouble in the neighborhood.
• In the world of business, some people refer to aggressive negotiators as streetwalkers.

noun a verb used to describe the action of pushing something to the side forcefully

adverb modifies the verb 'thrust' by indicating the manner in which something is pushed aside

• The security guard thrust aside the protestors to clear a path for the dignitaries.
• She just thrust aside all the clutter on the table to make space for her laptop.
• He just thrust aside all the haters and kept on doing his thing.
• Despite facing many obstacles, she thrust aside her doubts and pursued her dreams.

adjective An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'unexpressed' describes something that has not been communicated or conveyed.

• The unexpressed emotions of the protagonist added depth to the novel.
• She kept her unexpressed feelings bottled up inside.
• He's always holding onto his unexpressed thoughts, man.
• The unexpressed potential of the team finally came to light in the championship game.

verb to deprive of manly qualities or attributes; to weaken or undermine the courage or strength of

• The sight of blood did not unman the experienced surgeon.
• Don't let a little bit of failure unman you.
• He was unmannin' it when he saw the spider.
• The overwhelming task seemed to unman him, but he pushed through.

noun a feeling of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried

adjective causing annoyance, frustration, or worry

• The constant delays in the project were a source of vexation for the team.
• It's really starting to annoy me, all this vexation over such a small issue.
• I'm so over this vexation, it's driving me crazy.
• Her constant criticism was like a never-ending vexation on my soul.

adjective describing someone who lacks courage or determination

• She was often described as weakhearted due to her tendency to avoid confrontations.
• Don't be so weakhearted, just speak up for yourself!
• Stop acting so weakhearted, grow a backbone!
• His weakhearted approach to challenges held him back from reaching his full potential.

noun a person or thing that rips, such as a tool or machine for tearing or cutting materials

adjective used to describe something as excellent, exciting, or impressive

• The ripper was used to cut through thick layers of fabric with precision.
• I borrowed my friend's ripper to fix a tear in my jeans.
• That new song is an absolute ripper, I can't stop listening to it!
• The documentary exposed the ripper behind the corruption scandal.

adjective relating to or characteristic of a zombie; zombie-like

• The scientist conducted research on the zombic behavior of infected individuals.
• I heard that movie has a lot of zombic creatures in it.
• I can't believe how zombic that party was last night!
• The dull expression on his face made him look almost zombic.

verb to release from slavery or servitude; to set free

• The slave owner decided to manumit his slaves after years of contemplation.
• The master finally set his slaves free, he manumitted them.
• The boss let go of his employees, he manumitted them.
• She felt liberated after she manumitted herself from toxic relationships.

noun a small piece of luggage typically used for carrying clothing and personal items during travel

• She packed her belongings neatly into her valise before leaving for her business trip.
• I just threw some clothes in my valise and headed out for the weekend.
• I'll just grab my valise and bounce, I'll see you later.
• His valise of memories was filled with moments from his travels around the world.

noun the quality or state of being capable of being transmuted or transformed

• The scientist conducted experiments to study the transmutability of elements.
• I read an article about the ability of transmutability in chemistry.
• Dude, did you know about the crazy transmutability stuff going on in the lab?
• The artist's transmutability of ideas into stunning works of art is truly impressive.

adjective describing something as devilish or wicked

• The diabolica scheme was uncovered by the forensic accountants.
• She's always up to some diabolica plan to prank her friends.
• That movie was diabolica, I couldn't sleep for days after watching it.
• The diabolica storm wreaked havoc on the small town.

verb to cause pain or suffering to; affect or trouble

• The disease afflicting the population has caused widespread concern among healthcare professionals.
• I heard about the illness afflicting many people in our town.
• The bug going around is really afflicting a lot of folks.
• The dark cloud of despair seemed to be afflicting her heart.