Pedantic

Pedantic

<pen-dan-tik>

unclear; pompous; egotistic;

saying something in a confusing way to sound important.

The pedantic teacher bored me. He talked about himself for hours.

Memory trick.
We win a pendant or showy jewelry when we talk a lot.

Used at work.
Don't make the report pedantic. Keep it plain and simple.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Pernicious

Pernicious

<per-nish-ish>

damaging; bad; harmful

destructive in a sneaky and gradual way.

The pernicious waves made my sand castle vanish.

Memory trick:
pernicious reminds of permanently vicious.

Used at work:
His pernicious attitude was the reason the project failed.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Congruent

Congruent

<kon-grew-ent>

compatible; agreement; concurring;

Being harmonious in a positive way.

The congruent musicians made beautiful music.

Memory trick:
Con fluent

Used at work:
Your instructions were congruent and excellent. We knew how to use the program.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Pyrrhic

Pyrrhic

<peer-rik>

costly win, expensive victory

A win so hard to achieve- it is like a loss.

I won a pyrrhic victory over the poodle but my clothes were torn to shreds.

Memory trick:
Pyrrhic reminds of pyro or fire.
We were burned to the ground too even though we won.

Used a work:
The sales were a pyrrhic success because we got too many clients.



(c) 2015 E. Carruthers