Civil Society and Religiosity: English Vocabulary List

possessing a great amount of riches and material goods

"They live in an affluent neighborhood."

"The affluent neighborhood is filled with large houses expensive cars and private schools where wealthy families send their children."

not being involved in a situation or benefiting from it, thus able to act fairly

"The judge was disinterested."

"A truly disinterested observer can provide unbiased feedback on the situation without personal bias."

not letting one's emotions influence one's judgment and decisions, thus able to stay rational and fair

"She gave a dispassionate analysis."

"She gave a dispassionate analysis of the situation without letting her emotions affect her judgment."

ensuring fairness and impartiality, so everyone gets what they rightfully deserve

"The system is equitable."

"The equitable distribution of resources ensured that every school received enough funding to provide a quality education for students."

not favoring a particular party in a way that enables one to act or decide fairly

"The judge is impartial."

"The impartial judge listened carefully to both sides before making a fair decision that respected the law."

lacking the ability to arouse interest or cause excitement

"The task is mundane."

"The mundane tasks of daily life like washing dishes and folding laundry bored her."

attempting to showcase how one believes to be morally or religiously superior

"His sanctimonious tone is annoying."

"His sanctimonious tone is annoying because he acts as if he is morally superior to everyone else."

unwilling to reveal information or offer assistance

"The witness was unforthcoming."

"The witness was unforthcoming and refused to answer the police officer's questions."

the act of abandoning a religious or political belief that one used to hold

"The church punished him for apostasy."

"In some conservative religious communities apostasy is punished severely including complete shunning by family members."

an individual who is either new to a higher society or trying to get into it, and is looking for their approval

"The arriviste tried hard to fit in with high society."

"The old money families looked down upon the arriviste who had only recently acquired his wealth through technology stocks."

the extreme belief in the superiority of one's gender, race, country, or group

"His chauvinism offended his female colleagues."

"Excessive national chauvinism can lead to hostility toward other countries and an inability to acknowledge foreign achievements."

a thing that was done or said in a social or public situation that is considered to be an embarrassing or tactless mistake

"The politician apologized for his gaffe."

"The politician committed a major gaffe when she forgot the name of the country she was visiting."

a situation or something that is lacking in equality or fairness

"The law created social inequity."

"The report highlighted the gross inequity in educational funding between wealthy and poor school districts across the state."

a person who begs other people for food and money

"The mendicant begged for food."

"The mendicant monk wandered from town to town relying entirely on the charity of strangers for food."

the state of having a widespread negative reputation due to a bad or disapproving behavior or characteristic

"The criminal gained notoriety."

"He gained sudden notoriety after his controversial video spread quickly on social media platforms."

an individual who is avoided and not liked, accepted, or respected by society or a group of people

"The traitor became a social pariah."

"After the scandal the once popular politician became a social pariah and no one wanted to be seen with him."

a low-born individual who has gained quick and unexpected power, success, or wealth

"The parvenu bought a mansion to show off his wealth."

"The parvenu tried desperately to imitate the manners of the upper class but his efforts seemed awkward and fake."

a traditional ceremony of Native Americans in which they gather, dance, and sing

"They had a powwow."

"The tribal leaders held a powwow to discuss the preservation of their ancestral lands from industrial development."

having a strong and unpleasant taste or smell

"The socks are rank."

"The rank smell of the locker room made her gag and she held her breath as she walked past the door quickly."

an individual who lacks morality and principle

"The old reprobate was known for his wild behavior."

"The old reprobate spent his days gambling and drinking much to the dismay of his respectable family members."

a woman who is loud, ill-tempered, and aggressive

"The old virago shouted at the children."

"The novel's antagonist was a virago whose cruel treatment of servants made readers despise her intensely."

to ruin or damage something's appearance, particularly by writing or sketching on it

"Vandals deface public property with graffiti."

"Vandals used spray paint to deface the beautiful mural on the side of the public library building."

to spread information, ideas, or knowledge to a wide audience

"Disseminate the news quickly."

"The organization uses social media and email newsletters to disseminate important information to its members quickly and efficiently."

to attempt to persuade a person into accepting one's beliefs, particularly political or religious ones

"They proselytize door to door weekly."

"The missionaries traveled to remote villages to proselytize and try to convert the local people to their religion."

following a strict lifestyle where one practices self-discipline and denies oneself of any form of pleasure, particularly due to religious reasons

"An ascetic lifestyle is strict."

"The monk lived an ascetic life, dedicating himself to prayer and abstaining from all worldly comforts."

completely lacking moral or honorable purpose or character

"His actions were base."

"The betrayal was a base act, completely devoid of any redeeming qualities or honorable intentions."

supporting the notion that all humans are equal and should be given equal rights

"She is an egalitarian leader."

"The organization promoted egalitarian principles, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees."

having a generous and friendly personality with a willingness to engage in conversations

"He is expansive."

"Known for his expansive personality, the host made every guest feel welcome and engaged in lively conversation."

acting in a shameless, overindulgent, and immoral manner

"He was profligate with money."

"The profligate heir squandered his entire inheritance on frivolous pursuits and lavish parties."

displaying a natural simplicity and warmth that evokes traditional rural life

"The cabin is rustic."

"The cabin is rustic with wooden furniture and a stone fireplace and no modern appliances."

characterized by strict self-discipline, frugality, or simplicity

"The room was spartan and clean."

"His spartan lifestyle, devoid of luxuries, was a testament to his unwavering commitment to self-discipline."

the grouping of people into different levels or ranks according to their power or importance within a society or system

"The company has hierarchy."

"Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory that human motivation is driven by a five-tier pyramid of increasingly complex and self-fulfilling needs."

(plural) the people who collectively form a particular group or organization

"The whole rank was present."

"The entire rank of officers was assembled to receive their commendations for bravery."

a person's reputation, status, or position within a system, society, or organization

"She is a person of high standing in the community."

"Her standing in the scientific community was so high that her endorsement guaranteed research funding from major institutions."

to come together in order to achieve a common goal

"The groups coalesce into one united organization."

"The small groups of protesters began to coalesce into one large crowd as they marched toward the government building."

to insult or damage something that people greatly respect or consider holy, particularly a place

"Do not desecrate the grave."

"To desecrate a sacred monument is an act of profound disrespect towards its cultural significance."