Chapter 19 — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter 19

condescending (adjective)

Showing a feeling of patronizing superiority; acting as though one is more important or knowledgeable than others

pretentious (adjective)

Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed

psychoanalyst (noun)

A therapist who uses psychoanalysis, a method of treating mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind

self-sabotage (noun)

Behavior that creates problems in one's life and interferes with long-standing goals; unconsciously undermining one's own success or relationships

foil (noun)

A character whose qualities or actions serve to highlight those of another character by contrast

intimacy (noun)

Close familiarity or friendship; a close, familiar, and usually affectionate personal relationship, including physical closeness

detachment (noun)

The state of being objective, aloof, or emotionally uninvolved

bravado (noun)

A bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate; false display of courage

alienate (verb)

To cause someone to feel isolated or estranged; to make unfriendly or hostile

morose (adjective)

Sullen and ill-tempered; gloomy and withdrawn

irony (noun)

A contrast between expectation and reality, or between what is said and what is meant; a literary device used to create layers of meaning

vulnerability (noun)

The quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally

superficiality (noun)

Lack of depth in character, meaning, or substance; concern only with surface appearances rather than genuine qualities

foreshadowing (noun)

A literary device in which an author hints at events or developments that will occur later in the story

compulsive (adjective)

Resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge, especially one that goes against one's conscious wishes

escalation (noun)

An increase in the intensity or seriousness of something; a rapid increase or rise