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Word of the day

Kafkaesque

[ kahf-kuh-esk ] [ ˌkɑf kəˈɛsk ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

marked by a senseless, disorienting, often menacing complexity

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Why Dictionary.com chose Kafkaesque

More about Kafkaesque

EXAMPLES OF KAFKAESQUE

  • The movie’s Kafkaesque plot, with its dark, surreal twists and overwhelming sense of dread, left the audience unsettled.
  • The endless bureaucracy and confusing paperwork at the government office felt truly Kafkaesque.
20240103
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Word of the day

levity

[ lev-i-tee ] [ ˈlɛv ɪ ti ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

lack of appropriate seriousness or earnestness

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Why Dictionary.com chose levity

More about levity

  • First used between 1555–65.
  • From the Latin levitās, “lightness, frivolity,” equivalent to levi(s), light + tās, -ty2.

EXAMPLES OF LEVITY

  • The professor frowned upon any levity in the classroom when discussing serious topics.
  • During the tense meeting, his joke brought a moment of levity that eased the atmosphere.
20240103
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Word of the day

banish

[ ban-ish ] [ ˈbæn ɪʃ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to expel from a country or place by authoritative decree

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Why Dictionary.com chose banish

More about banish

  • First recorded between 1275–1325.
  • From Middle English banisshen, from Anglo-French, Old French baniss-, (long stem of banir), from unrecorded Frankish bannjan, “to proclaim,” akin to ban1.

EXAMPLES OF BANISH

  • The council voted to banish the rebel leader to a remote island as punishment.
  • The dictator threatened to banish all citizens who spoke out against his regime.
20240103
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