5x5

chiasmus

a rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form "Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you."

polysyndeton

a stylistic device in which several coordinating conjunctions are used in succession in order to achieve an artistic effect "Let the whitefolks have their money and power and segregation and sarcasm and big houses and schools and lawns like carpets, and books, and mostly-mostly-let them have their whiteness."

chides

scold or rebuke "She chided him for not replying to her letters."

anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses "My life is my purpose. My life is my goal. My life is my inspiration."

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa "Cleveland won by six runs."

wrathful

full of or characterized by intense anger "Natural calamities seemed to be the work of a wrathful deity."

elegiac

having a mournful quality "The movie score is a somber effort, elegiac in its approach."

perspicacious

having a ready insight into and understanding of things "It offers quite a few facts to the perspicacious reporter."

astute

having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage "A brave soldier, an experienced and astute general, he was never happier than when engaged in war."

sagacious

having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment "They were sagacious enough to avoid any outright confrontation."

shrewd

having or showing sharp powers of judgment "Billy was a shrewd man of the world, with a natural aptitude for business."

judicious

having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense "Pesticides require efficient and judicious use."

jovial

hearty conviviality and good cheer "She was in a jovial mood, noted by the big smile on her face."

somber

oppressively solemn or sober in mood "The night skies were somber and starless."

demurs

raise doubts or objections or show reluctance "Normally she would have accepted the challenge, but she demurred."

simpers

smile or gesture in an affectedly coquettish, coy, or ingratiating manner "She simpered, looking pleased with herself."

bleats

speak or complain in a weak, querulous, or foolish way "He bleated incoherently about the report."

surmises

suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it "He surmised that something must be wrong."

crucial

synonym for important "Confidentiality is crucial in this case."

noteworthy

synonym for important "It is noteworthy that no one at the bank has accepted responsibility for the failure."

vital

synonym for important "It is vital that action be taken soon."

asyndeton

the omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence "This is the villain among you who deceived you, who cheated you, who meant to betray you completely."

facetious

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor "There is no single quick answer, apart from the slightly facetious 'your mom.'"

prominent

synonym for important "She was a prominent member of the city council."

consequential

synonym for important "This is perhaps the most consequential discovery of the eighteenth century."