How to Tell a Story Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from How to Tell a Story

gravely (adverb)

In a serious, solemn, and earnest manner, without any show of amusement.

pathetic (adjective)

Arousing pity, sadness, or contempt; pitifully inadequate.

disjointed (adjective)

Lacking a coherent sequence or connection; disconnected and hard to follow.

divert (verb)

To turn something aside from its course or intended focus; to distract.

belated (adjective)

Coming or happening later than expected; delayed in understanding or reacting.

slur (verb)

To pass over quickly and carelessly; to gloss over without emphasis.

renounce (verb)

To formally give up or reject something, often a practice or belief.

anecdote (noun)

A short, entertaining account of a real or fictional incident.

sustained (verb)

Suffered or experienced, especially something unwelcome such as an injury or loss.

forsooth (adverb)

An archaic exclamation meaning "in truth" or "indeed," often used to express surprise or indignation.

dispossessed (verb)

Removed or relieved oneself of something in one's possession.

perplexity (noun)

A state of being puzzled or confused, especially by something difficult to understand.

suffocatings (noun)

Episodes of being unable to breathe, here used humorously to describe extreme, uncontrollable laughter.

tedious (adjective)

Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome and monotonous.

retard (verb)

To slow down or delay the progress of something.

conscientiously (adverb)

In a thorough and careful manner, driven by a desire to do what is right or proper.

placidly (adverb)

In a calm, peaceful manner, showing little emotion or disturbance.

simulated (verb)

Imitated or reproduced so as to appear genuine; convincingly faked.

compass (verb)

To succeed in achieving or accomplishing something difficult.

incongruities (noun)

Things that are out of place or incompatible; elements that do not fit together logically.

soliloquizing (adjective)

Speaking one's thoughts aloud to oneself, as if unaware of any audience.

treacherous (adjective)

Hazardous and unpredictable; likely to betray trust or expectations.

divine (verb)

To discover or guess something through intuition or insight rather than direct evidence.

ejaculation (noun)

A sudden, exclamatory utterance; an abrupt exclamation.

plaintively (adverb)

In a manner expressing sorrow or melancholy; with a sad, mournful quality.