Meaning: To behave in a showy or affected manner.

Part of speech: phrasal verb

Example: He likes to ponce around in his new suit.

Category: Social

Synonyms:

• strut
• show off

Meaning: Affectedly elegant or stylish, often in a pretentious way.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The restaurant had a poncey atmosphere.

Category: Social

Synonyms:

• pretentious
• snobby

Meaning: Slow and clumsy due to weight or size.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The ponderous elephant moved through the forest.

Category: Nature

Synonyms:

• heavy
• awkward

Antonyms:

• light
• graceful

Meaning: The Pope or a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The pontiff addressed the crowd from the balcony.

Category: Religion

Synonyms:

• Pope
• bishop

Meaning: To express opinions in a dogmatic way.

Part of speech: verb

Example: He tends to pontificate about politics without considering other views.

Category: Communication

Synonyms:

• preach
• lecture

Meaning: A flat-bottomed boat or floating structure used for support.

Part of speech: noun

Example: They used a pontoon to cross the river.

Category: Transportation

Synonyms:

• boat
• raft

Meaning: Having a large population.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: China is the most populous country in the world.

Category: Geography › Demographics

Synonyms:

• crowded
• dense

Antonyms: sparsely populated

Meaning: The quality of being porous, having tiny holes.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The porosity of the rock affects its water retention.

Category: Science › Geology

Synonyms: permeability

Meaning: To indicate or warn of a future event.

Part of speech: verb

Example: Dark clouds can portend a storm.

Category: Science › Meteorology

Synonyms:

• foretell
• predict

Meaning: A sign or warning that something significant is about to happen.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The earthquake was seen as a portent of disaster.

Category: Science › Meteorology

Synonyms:

• omen
• sign

Meaning: Indicating that something important or bad is going to happen.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: His portentous tone made everyone uneasy.

Category: Literature › Writing Style

Synonyms:

• ominous
• foreboding

Meaning: To put forward an idea or suggestion.

Part of speech: verb

Example: She decided to posit a new theory about climate change.

Category: Science › Theories

Synonyms:

• propose
• suggest

Meaning: The practice of favoring individuals belonging to groups known to have been discriminated against.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Positive discrimination aims to create equal opportunities.

Category: Politics

Synonyms:

• affirmative action
• preferential treatment

Meaning: A philosophical theory stating that only scientific knowledge derived from empirical evidence is of real value.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Positivism emphasizes observation and experimentation.

Category: Philosophy

Synonyms:

• empiricism
• scientific realism

Meaning: A postal service allowing mail to be held at a post office for collection.

Part of speech: noun

Example: He used poste restante to receive his letters while traveling.

Category: Business

Synonyms: general delivery

Meaning: All future generations of people.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The monument was built in honor of posterity.

Category: History

Synonyms:

• future generations
• descendants

Meaning: Relating to a movement that reflects on or critiques feminism.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: Post-feminist literature often explores gender roles.

Category: Gender Studies

Synonyms: postmodern feminist

Meaning: Occurring after a person's death.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: He received a posthumous award for his bravery.

Category: General

Synonyms:

• post-mortem
• after death

Meaning: Relating to a society or economy that has moved beyond industrialization.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: Post-industrial cities often focus on technology and services.

Category: Economics

Synonyms: post-industrialized

Meaning: Relating to a style or movement that reacts against modernism.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: Post-modern architecture often features unconventional designs.

Category: Arts

Synonyms:

• contemporary
• avant-garde

Meaning: A movement in art, architecture, and criticism that reacts against modernism.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Post-modernism challenges traditional forms and conventions.

Category: Arts

Synonyms: postmodernity

Meaning: An artist or thinker associated with post-modernism.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The post-modernist questioned the validity of established narratives.

Category: Arts

Synonyms: postmodern artist

Meaning: An examination of a body after death; an analysis of an event after it has occurred.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The post-mortem revealed the cause of death.

Category: Medicine

Synonyms:

• autopsy
• after-action review

Meaning: The phase of filmmaking that occurs after shooting is completed.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Post-production includes editing and sound design.

Category: Arts › Film

Synonyms: editing phase

Meaning: Relating to the psychological effects following a traumatic event.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Category: Medicine

Synonyms: after trauma

Meaning: A condition characterized by extreme fatigue following a viral infection.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Post-viral fatigue syndrome can last for months.

Category: Medicine

Synonyms: chronic fatigue syndrome

Meaning: The strength or effectiveness of something, especially a drug.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The potency of the medication was increased.

Category: Medicine

Synonyms:

• strength
• effectiveness

Antonyms: weakness

Meaning: A person who possesses great power or authority.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The potentate ruled over the vast empire.

Category: Politics

Synonyms:

• ruler
• sovereign

Meaning: A situation where people cannot escape poverty due to various barriers.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The poverty trap makes it hard for families to improve their situation.

Category: Society

Synonyms:

• cycle of poverty
• economic trap

Meaning: A group or organization that provides support or influence.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The politician built a strong power base in the community.

Category: Politics

Synonyms:

• support group
• influence network

Meaning: A person who influences political decisions.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The power broker played a key role in the election.

Category: Politics

Synonyms:

• influencer
• political strategist

Meaning: A situation where individuals or groups compete for power.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The power game in politics can be very intense.

Category: Politics

Synonyms:

• political maneuvering
• influence struggle

Meaning: A strategic move to gain power or advantage.

Part of speech: noun

Example: His power play surprised everyone in the meeting.

Category: Politics

Synonyms:

• maneuver
• strategy

Meaning: A political arrangement where power is shared among different groups.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Power-sharing can help maintain peace in divided societies.

Category: Politics

Synonyms:

• coalition
• joint governance

Meaning: An elite unit of the Roman army that served as personal bodyguards to the emperor.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The praetorian guard was known for its loyalty to the emperor.

Category: History › Ancient Rome

Meaning: The study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning in language.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Pragmatics helps us understand how language is used in different situations.

Category: Linguistics › Language Studies

Synonyms: contextual language study

Meaning: A philosophical approach that evaluates theories or beliefs based on their practical applications.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Pragmatism emphasizes the importance of practical consequences.

Category: Philosophy

Synonyms:

• practicality
• realism

Antonyms:

• idealism
• theory

Meaning: A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The precept of honesty is important in our society.

Category: Ethics

Synonyms:

• principle
• rule

Meaning: A district or area marked off for administrative purposes.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The police patrol the precinct to ensure safety.

Category: Geography › Urban Planning

Synonyms:

• district
• zone

Meaning: A rare, naturally occurring metallic element of high economic value.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Gold is a precious metal used in jewelry.

Category: Economics › Metals

Synonyms: noble metal