Hot Words #9

1. Deprecate (v.) To express strong disapproval of. To express strong disapproval of. If you continually deprecate Jeremy’s efforts, thereby deflating his self- confidence, he may stop trying. If you continually deprecate Jeremy’s efforts, thereby deflating his self- confidence, he may stop trying.

2. Derogatory (adj.) Tending to lower in estimation; degrading. Tending to lower in estimation; degrading. In a sharp denunciation, filled with derogatory criticism, the dean attacked the faculty rebels. In a sharp denunciation, filled with derogatory criticism, the dean attacked the faculty rebels.

3. Desecrate (v.) To treat with disrespect. To treat with disrespect. Vietnam veterans chastised the protesters for their attempt to desecrate the war memorial. Vietnam veterans chastised the protesters for their attempt to desecrate the war memorial.

4.Despot (n.) Monarch with unlimited power. Monarch with unlimited power. When the kids actually delineated their father’s demeanor, they realized he was far from being a despot. When the kids actually delineated their father’s demeanor, they realized he was far from being a despot.

5. Deter (v.) To discourage; to keep someone from doing something. To discourage; to keep someone from doing something. They deserve acclaim for refusing to allow their handicaps to deter them from competing in the marathon. They deserve acclaim for refusing to allow their handicaps to deter them from competing in the marathon.

6. Devious (adj.) Not straightforward; lying; roundabout. Not straightforward; lying; roundabout. Earl was upset because I refused to condone his devious ways. Earl was upset because I refused to condone his devious ways.

7. Devoid (adj.) Entirely without; lacking. Entirely without; lacking. The devious Kingsley was devoid of moral principals. The devious Kingsley was devoid of moral principals.

8. Diatribe (n.) A denunciation; bitter verbal attack. A denunciation; bitter verbal attack. In a lengthy diatribe, the governor succeeded in deprecating her predecessor’s record. In a lengthy diatribe, the governor succeeded in deprecating her predecessor’s record.

9. Didactic (adj.) Intended to instruct. Intended to instruct. Our teacher was relentless in his affinity for didactic stories. Our teacher was relentless in his affinity for didactic stories.

10. Diffuse (adj.) Spread out; wordy. Spread out; wordy. The rambling diatribe was ineffective because of its diffuse nature. The rambling diatribe was ineffective because of its diffuse nature.