Building a Better Vocabulary

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Badinage (noun)

Light, playful banter; raillery.

z Badinage comes from the French word badiner, meaning “to jest, joke.”

It refers to good-natured teasing between people, as in the following:

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were known for their witty repartee and charming badinage.”

z Synonyms for badinage include banter, EDFNDQGIRUWK, give-

DQGWDNH, raillery, and repartee. A related word is riposte, which

means “a quick, witty comeback; a sharp reply in speech or action;

a counterstroke.” Riposte comes from fencing, where it refers to a

quick thrust following a parry of an opponent’s lunge.

Panegyric (noun)

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offers praise.

z Panegyric refers to lofty, formal praise, such as that given in

a speech. For example: “The general’s panegyric for his fallen

soldiers moved everyone to tears.”

z Synonyms and words related to panegyric include accolade,

commendation, homage, tribute, and encomium.

z Panegyric is derived from two Greek roots: pan (“all”) and agora

(“marketplace”). The combination of the two yields the image of a

formal speech of praise delivered to all those assembled in a public

meeting place.

Paean (noun)

1. A joyous song or hymn of praise, thanksgiving, or triumph.


2. Speech or writing that expresses enthusiastic praise.