Civil Society and Religiosity

possessing a great amount of riches and material goods

The affluent neighborhood was characterized by its luxurious homes and upscale amenities.

a person who lives a strict life and avoids physical pleasures, particularly due to religious beliefs

As an ascetic, she rejected worldly comforts and dedicated herself entirely to prayer.

completely lacking moral or honorable purpose or character

His base actions shocked everyone at the party.

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

The disinterested third party was brought in to mediate the dispute and ensure fairness.

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

Her dispassionate analysis of the data helped her make objective decisions.

a person who believes in or advocates for the principle of equality, especially in regards to social, political, and economic affairs

As an egalitarian, she fought for equal rights across all social classes.

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

Labor unions strive to ensure workers receive equitable pay, benefits and safe working conditions.

covering a large physical area

The expansive desert stretched out as far as the eye could see.

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

The mediator remained impartial throughout the negotiations to ensure a fair outcome.

lacking the ability to arouse interest or cause excitement

The mundane task of washing dishes felt tedious and uninteresting.

acting in a shameless, overindulgent, and immoral manner

The billionaire’s profligate spending on luxury yachts and parties was widely criticized.

displaying a natural simplicity and warmth that evokes traditional rural life

The rustic inn had stone walls, wooden beams, and a cozy fireplace.

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

Her sanctimonious remarks about others' behavior were seen as insincere and patronizing.

a person who lives in or originates from the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta

The artwork depicted a Spartan in full armor.

unwilling to reveal information or offer assistance

The witness was unforthcoming during the investigation, providing vague answers to questions.

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

His public declaration of atheism was viewed as an act of apostasy by his deeply religious family.

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

The arriviste's attempts to buy favor with expensive gifts were seen as transparent and insincere.

activity indicative of belief in the superiority of men over women

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’s gaffe during the speech caused widespread embarrassment and criticism.

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

In the company hierarchy, team leaders report to managers, and managers report to directors.

a situation or something that is lacking in equality or fairness

The inequity in the distribution of resources led to significant disparities between communities.

a person who begs other people for food and money

The mendicant approached passersby, asking for spare change and food.

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

The thief gained notoriety for his string of daring bank robberies across three states.

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

She felt like a pariah at the party because of her controversial opinions on politics.

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

The parvenu quickly rose to prominence, flaunting his newfound wealth and social status.

(informal) a quick private conference

to position someone or something on a scale based on importance, quality, etc.

The competition judges will rank the dancers based on their technique and performance.

an individual who lacks morality and principle

The novel's antagonist was a reprobate, engaging in deceitful and corrupt behavior without any sense of remorse.

to be upright on one's feet

He likes to stand on the balcony to feel the breeze.

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

The school teacher, often seen as a virago, surprised everyone with her warm and supportive demeanor.

to blend different elements together to form a unified whole

The artist coalesced various colors and textures to create a captivating painting.

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

Graffiti artists often deface public buildings with their artwork.

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

Vandals desecrated the church by spray-painting graffiti on its walls.

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

Social media has become a powerful tool to disseminate news and information quickly.

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

The missionaries proselytize in various communities to spread their religious beliefs.