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Litotes: alternatives and connections

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Litotes

A diminution or softening of statement for the sake of avoiding censure or increasing the effect by contrast with the moderation shown in the form of expression; as, " a citizen of no mean city," that is, of an illustrious city.

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44 useful connections shown 2 reviewed relationships and 42 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Broader term 1

Understatement 76% connected

The act of understating, or the condition of being understated; that which is understated; a statement below the truth.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Synonym 1

Meiosis 92% connected

Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a thing as being less than it really is.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

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Words from the same subject

These terms belong to the same specialist field or topic. They help you explore the subject, but they are not automatically synonyms.

Allocution noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) a formal or authoritative address that advises or exhorts

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Exordium noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) the introductory section of an oration or discourse

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Narration noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) the second section of an oration in which the facts are set forth

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Parenesis noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) exhortation; admonition.; "In Deuteronomy it is often impossible to separate parenesis from history."

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Peroration noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) the concluding section of an oration; "he summarized his main points in his peroration"

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Ploce noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) repetition to gain special emphasis or extend meaning

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Tapinosis noun · 78% connection

(rhetoric) A figure of speech whereby something is given less importance by the name given it than it merits.; "The last and perhaps t…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Counterargument noun · 78% connection

an argument offered in opposition to another argument

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Rhetorical device noun · 78% connection

a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Rhetorical question noun · 78% connection

a statement that is formulated as a question but that is not supposed to be answered; "he liked to make his points with rhetorical que…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Analogy noun · 78% connection

the religious belief that between creature and creator no similarity can be found so great but that the dissimilarity is always greate…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Anaphora noun · 78% connection

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Antithesis noun · 78% connection

exact opposite; "his theory is the antithesis of mine"

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Chiasmus noun · 78% connection

inversion in the second of two parallel phrases

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Commiseration noun · 78% connection

a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others; "the blind are too often objects of pity"

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Correspondence noun · 78% connection

similarity by virtue of corresponding

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Doctrine of analogy noun · 78% connection

the religious belief that between creature and creator no similarity can be found so great but that the dissimilarity is always greate…

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
Definition Compare
Epanaphora noun · 78% connection

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Used in the same subject area: Rhetoric, Literature and rhetoric.
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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Animadvert verb · 78% connection

To consider or remark by way of criticism or censure; to express censure; -- with on or upon.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
Definition Compare
Blame verb · 78% connection

An expression of disapprobation fir something deemed to be wrong; imputation of fault; censure.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
Definition Compare
Brief adjective · 78% connection

An abridgment or concise statement of a client's case, made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law. This word is applied…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
Definition Compare
Budget noun · 78% connection

The annual financial statement which the British chancellor of the exchequer makes in the House of Commons. It comprehends a general v…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
Definition Compare
Complain verb · 78% connection

To give utterance to expression of grief, pain, censure, regret. etc.; to lament; to murmur; to find fault; -- commonly used with of.…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
Definition Compare
Complaint noun · 78% connection

Expression of grief, regret, pain, censure, or resentment; lamentation; murmuring; accusation; fault-finding.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
Definition Compare
Contradiction noun · 78% connection

(logic) a statement that is necessarily false; "the statement ‘he is brave and he is not brave’ is a contradiction"

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
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Contradiction in terms noun · 78% connection

(logic) a statement that is necessarily false; "the statement ‘he is brave and he is not brave’ is a contradiction"

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
Definition Compare
Contrast noun · 78% connection

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared; "in contrast to"; "by contrast"

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
Definition Compare
Crescendo a. & adv. · 78% connection

With a constantly increasing volume of voice; with gradually increasing strength and fullness of tone; -- a direction for the performa…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
Definition Compare
Decrial noun · 78% connection

A crying down; a clamorous censure; condemnation by censure.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
Definition Compare
Demulcent adjective · 78% connection

Softening; mollifying; soothing; assuasive; as, oil is demulcent.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diminution, softening, statement, sake, avoiding.
Definition Compare
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