Literary Themes And Motifs

adjective causing pain or suffering

• The afflictive symptoms of the disease caused great distress to the patient.
• Dealing with afflictive situations can be really tough.
• Man, that afflictive experience was a real downer.
• The afflictive burden of guilt weighed heavily on her conscience.

adjective related by blood

• The two research studies are akin in their methodology and findings.
• Their fashion styles are quite akin, both favoring a minimalist aesthetic.
• Our taste in music is so akin, we always end up at the same concerts.
• Their friendship is akin to a strong bond that cannot be broken.

noun the state or quality of being animal-like; the animal nature or instincts of humans

• The scientist studied the concept of animality in various species.
• I never knew much about animality until I took that biology class.
• Some people just can't handle the animality of nature.
• His anger brought out the animality in him, causing him to act on instinct rather than reason.

noun extreme cruelty or brutality

• The historian described the act of burning down the village as a brutal display of barbarism.
• The way they treated their employees was pure barbarism, no wonder everyone quit.
• That movie was straight up barbarism, I couldn't even watch it.
• The pollution of the river is a form of environmental barbarism that must be stopped.

noun a person who has been physically attacked or defeated in a competition

verb past participle of the verb 'beat', which means to strike or hit repeatedly

adjective showing the action of being defeated or overcome

• The suspect was severely beaten by the police during the interrogation.
• I heard that guy got beaten up pretty bad in the street fight.
• I can't believe he got beat down like that in the basketball game.
• Despite facing many challenges, she refused to be beaten and continued to pursue her dreams.

adjective having the qualities or characteristics of a child, such as innocence, playfulness, or naivete

• The artist's paintings often evoke a sense of childlike wonder and innocence.
• She has a childlike enthusiasm for all things Disney.
• He's got such a childlike vibe, always goofing around and making jokes.
• The melody had a childlike simplicity that was both charming and haunting.

noun a strong inclination towards something, especially of a sensual nature

• The theologian discussed the concept of concupiscence in relation to sin.
• She couldn't resist the concupiscence she felt towards her crush.
• His concupiscence for fast cars was obvious to everyone.
• The artist's concupiscence for creating beautiful paintings was unmatched.

noun a lack of courage or bravery; timidity

• His act of running away in the face of danger showed his cowardice.
• He chickened out at the last minute, revealing his cowardice.
• Don't be such a wimp, show some courage instead of cowardice.
• The decision to stay silent in the face of injustice is a form of cowardice.

noun a female child or offspring

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse (e.g., I, you) or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse (e.g., she, it, this)

• The daughter of the CEO is expected to take over the company one day.
• My daughter is always asking for the latest gadgets.
• My daughter is totally obsessed with TikTok.
• The new law is like a strict parent to its daughter, the citizens.

verb to feel uncertain about something; to have doubts

adjective feeling uncertain or unsure about something

• She was doubting the authenticity of the research findings.
• I'm doubting whether I should go to the party or not.
• I'm seriously doubting his ability to finish the project on time.
• Doubting her own worth, she struggled to find confidence in her abilities.

adjective without a father; lacking a father

• The young girl grew up fatherless after her father passed away when she was just a baby.
• He's been living fatherless since his dad left the family when he was a teenager.
• She's part of the fatherless crew at school, but they stick together like a family.
• The abandoned building stood tall and fatherless, a reminder of better days long gone.

adjective relating to a funeral or mournful occasion

• The atmosphere at the funeral was undeniably funereal, with mourners dressed in black and somber expressions.
• The mood in the room was so funereal that even a joke couldn't lighten the mood.
• The vibe at the cemetery was straight up funereal, man.
• The end of the era marked a funereal moment for the company, as they said goodbye to their long-time CEO.

noun the state of being idle; laziness or inactivity

• Idleness is often seen as a waste of time and resources in the workplace.
• Stop your idleness and start being productive!
• Quit your idleness and get off your butt!
• Idleness is like a stagnant pond, breeding mosquitoes of laziness and complacency.

noun a judicial or legal process

• The inquisition was a period of intense questioning and investigation by the church.
• The inquisition was a time when the church grilled people with a lot of questions.
• The inquisition was like when the church went all detective mode on people.
• The inquisition of my actions by my parents was thorough and relentless.

noun lack of moderation or restraint

• The intemperance of his drinking habits led to his downfall.
• Her intemperance at the party last night was quite embarrassing.
• His intemperance with junk food is really starting to show.
• The intemperance of his anger was like a storm brewing inside him.

adjective relating to conflict within a group or organization, especially involving physical violence

• The internecine conflict between the two factions led to widespread destruction.
• The internecine feud within the family caused a lot of tension during the holiday dinner.
• The internecine drama between the two friends was getting out of hand.
• The internecine battle between his heart and mind made it difficult for him to make a decision.

adjective describes a feeling of sadness or isolation when alone

• The elderly woman felt lonely in her big house after her children moved away.
• I always feel lonely when my friends are busy and I have nothing to do.
• I hate being the third wheel, it's so lonely.
• The abandoned house stood lonely on top of the hill, covered in vines and memories.

noun a person who is wandering or searching for purpose or meaning in life

• The psychologist worked tirelessly to help the lost soul find their way back to a sense of purpose.
• I heard that guy at the bar talking about being a lost soul, not sure what he meant though.
• She's always been a bit of a lost soul, never really knowing what she wants in life.
• In the vast city, she felt like a lost soul wandering aimlessly among the towering buildings.

noun extremely foolish behavior; folly; insanity

• The madness of the situation was evident in the chaotic scenes that unfolded.
• It's pure madness to think we can finish this project by tomorrow.
• The party last night was absolute madness, everyone was going wild.
• The madness of love can make us do irrational things we never thought possible.

noun the act of killing one's own mother

• The act of matricide is considered one of the most heinous crimes in society.
• I can't believe he committed matricide, that's just unforgivable.
• She was arrested for pulling off a matricide last night.
• Betraying your own mother is like committing matricide in terms of emotional impact.

noun A person who holds a false belief or disbelief

verb To hold a false belief or disbelief

• It is important to correct any misbeliefs that may arise in the scientific community.
• Don't misbelieve everything you hear on the internet.
• I used to misbelieve that rumor, but now I know the truth.
• Her misbelief in her own abilities held her back from reaching her full potential.

noun a rebellion against authority, especially by sailors or soldiers against their officers

verb to rebel against authority, especially by sailors or soldiers

• The captain worked hard to prevent any mutiny among the crew.
• The sailors were talking about mutiny, but I don't think they'll actually go through with it.
• If the crew goes through with the mutiny, they'll be in big trouble.
• The employees were on the brink of mutiny after the new policies were implemented.

noun the Americas, especially when regarded in the context of their colonization by Europeans

• The discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492 marked a significant turning point in world history.
• Have you ever thought about what life would be like if we lived in the New World instead of the Old World?
• I heard that the New World is where all the cool kids hang out these days.
• Starting a new job can feel like stepping into a whole new world of possibilities.

noun the condition of being an outlaw or the practice of living as an outlaw

• Outlawry was a common punishment in medieval England for serious crimes.
• Back in the day, outlawry meant you were basically banished from society.
• If you keep causing trouble, you're gonna end up in outlawry.
• In modern times, some consider tax evasion to be a form of financial outlawry.

verb to cast a shadow over; to obscure or dominate by superior height or power

• The success of the new product launch overshadowed any previous marketing efforts.
• Her talent for singing overshadowed everyone else at the talent show.
• His flashy car always overshadows his lack of personality.
• The dark cloud of doubt overshadowed her joyous news.

noun the act of killing one's father, mother, or other close relative

• The man was charged with parricide after murdering his own father.
• I can't believe he committed parricide, that's just messed up.
• Dude, that guy is a total parricide, he killed his own family member.
• Betraying your own principles is a form of intellectual parricide.

noun the act of killing one's father

• The man was arrested and charged with patricide after evidence linked him to his father's murder.
• I can't believe he committed patricide, that's just unthinkable.
• He was caught red-handed for patricide, dude's messed up.
• The company's decision to shut down the project was seen as patricide by many employees.

noun an abnormal or immoral behavior or practice

• The psychologist studied the roots of sexual perversion in his patient.
• I can't believe he's into that kind of perversion.
• That movie was so twisted, full of perversion!
• The perversion of justice in that case was evident to all.

noun A person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.

adjective Relating to pilgrims or their journeys.

• The pilgrim embarked on a journey to visit holy sites.
• The pilgrim set off on a trip to explore new places.
• The pilgrim hit the road to check out some cool spots.
• As a writer, I see myself as a pilgrim on a quest for inspiration.

noun a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something

• She had a predilection for classical music, often attending symphony performances.
• He has a predilection for action movies, always choosing them over any other genre.
• I've got a predilection for spicy food, the hotter the better!
• His predilection for adventure led him to travel to exotic locations around the world.

adjective able to be recognized or identified; distinctive

• The logo of the company is very recognizable and easy to identify.
• That actress is so famous, she's totally recognizable wherever she goes.
• The street artist's work is so dope, it's super recognizable in the neighborhood.
• The melody of the song is so catchy, it's instantly recognizable even after just one listen.

noun the action of killing a king

• The act of regicide is considered a heinous crime against the monarchy.
• I can't believe they're making a movie about regicide, that's crazy!
• Regicide is a total no-no in the royal world.
• Betraying your boss is like committing regicide in the corporate world.

noun the action of remembering something; the ability to remember past events or people

• The ceremony was a solemn remembrance of those who had sacrificed their lives for their country.
• Every year on their anniversary, they have a little remembrance for their first date.
• Let's have a remembrance for all the good times we had together.
• The old photographs were a remembrance of a time long past.

noun Wealth or valuable resources, especially in the form of money, property, or assets

• The businessman amassed great riches through his successful investments.
• She's always flaunting her riches on social media.
• I wish I had his kind of riches, I'd be set for life.
• The real riches in life come from experiences and relationships, not material possessions.

noun the combination of sadism and masochism, in particular the deriving of pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting or submitting to physical or emotional pain

• The psychology professor discussed the concept of sadomasochism in great detail during the lecture.
• I heard that some people are into sadomasochism, but I don't really understand it.
• I can't believe they're into that freaky sadomasochism stuff.
• Their relationship was like a sadomasochism dance, with one always in control and the other always submitting.

noun a period in later life when a person behaves in a childlike manner, typically as a result of old age or dementia

• As people age, some may experience a 'second childhood' characterized by a return to childlike behaviors and interests.
• My grandmother seems to be going through a second childhood, she's been playing with toys and coloring all day.
• I feel like I'm in my second childhood whenever I binge-watch cartoons and eat junk food all weekend.
• After retiring, he seemed to enter a second childhood, spending his days carefree and full of joy.

noun a wrecked or destroyed ship

verb None

adjective None

adverb None

pronoun None

preposition None

conjunction None

interjection None

article None

• The shipwreck was discovered by a team of marine archaeologists.
• Did you hear about the shipwreck off the coast?
• That shipwreck was a total disaster, man.
• After the business deal fell through, their partnership was like a shipwreck.

noun the state of being a spinster, an unmarried woman who is beyond the usual age for marriage

• Many women in the Victorian era faced societal pressure to avoid spinsterhood and marry young.
• My aunt always jokes about how she's embracing her spinsterhood with her cats and knitting hobby.
• She's totally owning her spinsterhood and living her best life.
• The old mansion stood as a symbol of spinsterhood, untouched by time and love.

noun a person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar

adjective not previously known; unfamiliar

• The stranger approached me with a polite smile.
• I saw a stranger hanging out by the park.
• I don't trust that stranger, they give me bad vibes.
• Change can sometimes feel like a stranger in familiar surroundings.

noun the act of moving from one place to another; especially, the passage of a soul to another body after death

• The concept of transmigration of souls is a central belief in many Eastern religions.
• I heard that book is about transmigration, where the character's soul travels through different bodies.
• I can't wrap my head around the idea of transmigration, it just seems too out there for me.
• The transmigration of ideas from one culture to another can lead to a rich exchange of knowledge and creativity.

noun arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power

• The citizens revolted against the tyranny of the oppressive government.
• We can't let the tyranny of our boss ruin our workplace.
• Don't be a victim of relationship tyranny, stand up for yourself.
• The tyranny of perfectionism can be detrimental to one's mental health.

verb to support or strengthen from below; to provide a foundation or basis for

• The research study was undergirded by a strong theoretical framework.
• The success of the project was undergirded by teamwork and dedication.
• His confidence was undergirded by his new haircut.
• The principles of democracy undergird the foundation of our society.

adjective not fully understood or explored; mysterious or puzzling

• The depths of the ocean remain unfathomed by human exploration.
• Her talent for painting is truly unfathomed by others in our group.
• The mystery surrounding that old house is unfathomed, dude.
• The unfathomed potential of our team is just waiting to be unleashed.

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

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate time, place, manner, or degree

• Many people choose to retire and live up country for a quieter and more peaceful life.
• My grandparents have a little cottage up country where they go to relax on weekends.
• Let's take a road trip and explore some of the cool spots up country.
• The author's writing style takes readers on a journey up country, experiencing the beauty and simplicity of rural life.

noun a bathroom cabinet that is covered with a sink and a countertop

• Her vanity was evident in the way she spent hours in front of the mirror perfecting her makeup.
• She's always checking herself out in every mirror she passes, such vanity!
• She's so full of herself, always flaunting her vanity on social media.
• His vanity blinded him to the reality of the situation, causing him to make poor decisions.

noun a religious cult practiced in the Caribbean and the southern US, combining elements of Roman Catholic ritual with traditional African magical and religious rites, and characterized by sorcery and spirit possession

• Voodooism is a religion practiced in certain parts of the world.
• Some people believe in the power of voodooism to bring luck or curse others.
• I heard she's into voodooism, always carrying around those strange charms.
• The politician's opponents accused him of using voodooism to manipulate the voters.

noun a raised mark on the skin, especially a welt

• The government's main concern is the economic weal of its citizens.
• Let's work together for the common weal of our community.
• We're all in this together, let's hustle for the greater weal!
• His actions were driven by a desire for personal weal rather than the well-being of others.

noun the state or condition of being an adult human female

• The transition into womanhood is marked by various biological and social changes.
• She's really embracing her womanhood and taking charge of her life.
• She's been through some tough stuff, but she's come out the other side with a real sense of womanhood.
• In the world of business, she's showing true womanhood by standing up for herself and demanding equal treatment.

noun the fondness or love for men

• The study of philandry in different cultures reveals interesting patterns of behavior.
• She accused him of philandry after discovering his numerous affairs.
• I heard she's into philandry, always flirting with different guys.
• His philandry towards different hobbies makes it hard for him to commit to just one.

adjective relating to or governed by women

• The society was organized in a gynocratic system where women held the highest positions of power.
• In this gynocratic society, women are the ones who make all the important decisions.
• I heard that company operates in a gynocratic way, with all the top bosses being women.
• The novel portrayed a gynocratic world where women ruled with strength and wisdom.

adjective relating to or characteristic of Satan or Satanism

• The cult was accused of engaging in satanistic rituals.
• I heard they dabble in some satanistic stuff over there.
• That party was so satanistic, it was wild!
• The company's cutthroat tactics were described as satanistic by their competitors.

noun the act of faking one's own death

• The act of faking one's own death is known as pseudocide.
• I heard he tried to pull off a pseudocide to escape his debts.
• She's planning to do a pseudocide to start fresh.
• Sometimes we need to metaphorically commit pseudocide to leave our past behind.

noun excessive desire for more than is needed or deserved

• The CEO's greediness led to the downfall of the company.
• Her greediness for dessert knows no bounds.
• I can't stand his greediness when it comes to money.
• His greediness was like a black hole, consuming everything in its path.

noun a belief or practice that reflects a mother's influence or authority

• The sociologist studied the prevalence of motherism in various cultures.
• Some people believe in the concept of motherism, which places mothers on a pedestal.
• Don't listen to him, he's just spouting motherism to get what he wants.
• In the world of politics, motherism can be seen as a strategy to appeal to family values.

verb A verb is a word that expresses an action or a state of being. In this case, 'abandons' is a verb that indicates the action of leaving someone or something behind.

• The company abandons its old manufacturing plant to move to a more modern facility.
• He always abandons his plans at the last minute.
• She abandons her diet every weekend and indulges in junk food.
• When faced with challenges, she never abandons hope and keeps pushing forward.

noun a feeling of repulsion; disgusted loathing

adjective abhorrent (related adjective)

• The abhorrence of violence is a common sentiment among civilized societies.
• I can't stand the abhorrence I feel towards mushrooms, they just gross me out.
• I have a total abhorrence for that guy, he's just so annoying.
• The artist's use of dark colors in the painting symbolizes the abhorrence of war.

noun Actaeon can also refer to a genus of flowering plants in the buttercup family.

• Actaeon was a famous figure in Greek mythology who was turned into a stag by the goddess Artemis.
• Have you heard the story of Actaeon and how he was transformed into a deer?
• Actaeon got totally deer-ed by Artemis in that myth.
• Being caught snooping through someone's personal belongings is like pulling an Actaeon.

noun a Latin phrase meaning 'at one's discretion' or 'according to one's judgment'

• The decision was made ad arbitrium by the board of directors.
• They just chose randomly, ad arbitrium.
• They went with whatever, ad arbitrium.
• She felt like she was living life ad arbitrium, without any direction or purpose.

noun a dog's life

• Some people believe that owning a dog means living a dog's life.
• Having a dog is like living a dog's life, but in a good way.
• Man, I wish I could live a dog's life and just sleep all day.
• Working at that job felt like living a dog's life, with no freedom or joy.