by Damon Suede
Historical
Representative Authors and Titles
• Dorothy Dunne, Niccolò Rising
• Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose
• Robert Graves, I Claudius,
• Toni Morrison, Beloved
• Patrick Suskind, Perfume
• Gore Vidal, Creation
• Sarah Waters, Fingersmith
-abandon, abdicate, abduct, abet, abjure, abolish, abrogate, absolve, abuse, accentuate, acclaim, accommodate, accuse, ace, acquaint, actualize, address, adjust, administer, admonish, adopt, adorn, adulate, afford, aid, alienate, alleviate, allocate, allow, alter, amaze, amend, amuse, anchor, annex, annul, antagonize, appease, appraise, appropriate, arouse, arrange, arrogate, assail, assassinate, assign, assist, attend, attest, attract, avenge, axe
baby, backhand, bait, bandy, banish, bankroll, bankrupt, bathe, battle, beat, beatify, beautify, bed, bedeck, beggar, beguile, behead, bellow, bend, bequeath, beseech, besmirch, bestow, betray, betroth, better, bid, bind, blackguard, blackmail, blandish, block, blockade, bolster, bootleg, borrow, bowdlerize, brave, bridge, broaden, broker, browbeat, brush, budget, buffalo, build, bulletin, bungle, burden, burke, burnish, bury, butcher, buttonhole, buttress, buy
cadge, call, canonize, capture, castigate, caution, celebrate, cement, censure, chafe, chair, challenge, champion, chance, chaperone, charm, chart, chase, chasten, chastise, chauffeur, cheat, cherish, chide, civilize, claim, cleanse, cloak, cloister, coarsen, coax, coddle, coerce, coin, collect, colonize, combat, command, commandeer, commission, commodify, compel, compensate, complicate, compose, compromise, conceal, concentrate, condemn, confer, configure, confine, confiscate, confront, congest, conserve, console, consolidate, constrain, construct, construe, consummate, contact, contemn, content, contest, contract, convert, correct, corrode, corrupt, cosset, costume, counsel, countenance, court, cozen, crab, credit, crib, critique, cross, crown, crush, cuddle, cudgel, cure, curse
dam, damage, dampen, dandify, deacon, debase, debauch, deceive, decipher, decorate, decry, deep-six, defeat, defend, defer, defile, deflower, defray, defy, delegitimize, deliver, demand, demean, denunciate, -deny, depict, depopulate, deport, depose, deprave, desecrate, destroy, dethrone, devise, devour, dignify, disadvantage, disaffect, disallow, discern, discipline, disclaim, discomfit, discomfort, discountenance, discover, disenfranchise, disgrace, disguise, dish, dishevel, dishonor, dislodge, disobey, -disown, disparage, dispatch, dispel, displease, dispute, dissipate, distort, divert, divide, divine, divorce, document, dog, dole, domesticate, domineer, donate, dower, draft, drizzle, duel, dupe
earmark, earn, eclipse, educate, emancipate, embellish, embezzle, embroider, emulate, endanger, endow, endure, enervate, enforce, enhance, enlarge, ennoble, enrage, enrich, enshrine, enslave, ensnare, entertain, enthrall, enthrone, entice, entitle, envelop, eradicate, erect, escort, establish, esteem, estrange, etherize, euchre, -evade, evaluate, evangelize, evict, exacerbate, exalt, exasperate, exceed, excite, -exclude, excuse, execute, exhaust, exile, exonerate, expel, expiate, exploit, explore, expose, expound, extinguish, extirpate, extort, exude
fabricate, falsify, famish, fashion, fault, favor, feature, feign, fence, festoon, fetter, fight, filch, filter, finance, finesse, flannel, flatter, flaunt, flavor, flimflam, flounce, flout, foil, foist, follow, foment, fool, -forbid, forecast, forfeit, forge, fortify, foster, found, frame, fuel, fulminate, furnish, further
gamble, garner, garrison, gate-crash, gauge, gentrify, gird, gladden, glad-hand, glamorize, glean, glitz, govern, grant, grasp, grieve, groom, gross, guard, guillotine, gussy
habituate, hamper, hang, harbor, harm, harness, hazard, heal, heave, help, hide, hijack, hitch, hoard, honor, hoodwink, host, humble, humbug, husband, hustle
ignite, imitate, impart, impersonate, impoverish, impress, imprison, impugn, inaugurate, incommode, increase, incriminate, indenture, index, indispose, indulge, infect, inflict, inherit, inspect, inspire, install, institute, instruct, insulate, insult, intern, interrupt, intimidate, intoxicate, introduce, invade, invalidate, inveigle, investigate
jade, jeopardize, jilt, judge
keelhaul, kidnap, knight
label, lambaste, lavish, learn, leech, legalize, legislate, legitimate, lend, lessen, level, leverage, levy, libel, liberate, limn, lionize, litigate, loan, lobby, locate, loose, lynch
machine, malnourish, manage, manhandle, manicure, manipulate, manufacture, manumit, map, maraud, marginalize, maroon, marry, martyr, mask, master, measure, melt, memorialize, menace, mentor, midwife, misdiagnose, mishandle, misjudge, mismanage, misrule, moderate, modernize, modulate, monetize, monopolize, moralize, mortify, motorize, muckrake
name, navigate, needle, -negate, negotiate, nettle, nobble, nominate, notarize, notch, notify, nourish, number, nurse, nurture
obey, obfuscate, offset, oil, operate, oppose, orchestrate, ordain, ornament, orphan, -ostracize, oust, outbid, outlast, outlaw, overextend, overpay, oversee, overspend, overtake, overthrow, overwhelm
pacify, paint, pall, palliate, pamper, panhandle, parade, pardon, parry, patent, patrol, pause, pave, peddle, penalize, penetrate, persecute, persuade, pervert, petition, pilfer, pillage, pillory, pimp, pioneer, pirate, place, plague, plan, plant, plaster, plead, pledge, plot, plow, plunder, poison, polish, pomade, pooh-pooh, portray, postpone, praise, preach, predict, prejudice, prepossess, present, preserve, pressure, pretend, primp, prize, procure, profit, -prohibit, promise, propel, propose, prosecute, prostitute, protect, protest, provoke, prune, punish, purge, purloin, puzzle
quaff, quarantine, quash, quell, quench, quiet, -quit
raid, railroad, rally, rank, rankle, rate, ratify, ravage, ravish, raze, rebuke, recommend, recompense, reconcile, record, recoup, recover, rectify, redeem, refine, reform, refurbish, refute, regain, regulate, reimburse, -reject, relaunch relegate, relinquish, relocate, -renounce, renovate, repair, repay, repel, repent, reprimand, reproach, reproduce, -rescind, rescue, research, reshape, resist, restimulate, restore, restrain, restrict, restructure, retard, retort, retract, retrench, reunite, revenge, revere, reverse, revile, revitalize, revoke, revolutionize, reward, ridicule, risk, roast, roleplay, romance, romanticize, rope, roust, rout, rue, ruffle, ruin, rule, rumple, rush
sack, safeguard, salute, sanitize, satirize, scalp, scandalize, scapegoat, scar, scathe, scavenge, scold, -scorn, scour, scourge, scout, scrounge, scupper, scuttle, seal, second, secure, seduce, seek, segregate, seize, sentence, sentimentalize, separate, serve, service, shackle, shame, shave, shine, shortchange, simplify, situate, skimp, slam, slander, slap, slate, slaughter, slay, -slight, smash, smear, smite, smooth, snatch, snow, -snub, solve, sophisticate, source, spoil, sponge, sponsor, -spurn, squander, stabilize, stain, stale, stalk, steal, steam, steward, stigmatize, stipulate, stitch, stock, stoke, storm, straiten, strike, strong-arm, structure, study, subdue, subjugate, submit, sucker, suckle, sully, sunder, supplant, surrender, surround, sustain, sweeten
tailor, taint, tarnish, task, tatter, tax, tempt, tender, test, testify, -thwart, topple, torture, touch, trade, train, translate, treasure, trick, trim, trounce, trumpet, twist, tyrannize
uncover, undercut, underestimate, underpin, unfetter, unhorse, unlock, unseal, untangle, unveil, upbraid, upgrade, uplift, uproot, usurp
validate, value, vanquish, varnish, veil, venerate, vex, vilify, vindicate, violate, vitiate, vomit, vouchsafe, vow, vulgarize
wager, wallop, ward, waste, waylay, weaponize, weather, wed, welcome, whore, winnow, withdraw, withhold, woo, worship, wound, wreak, wrestle, wrong
yield, yoke
Horror
Representative Authors and Titles
• Clive Barker, The Hellbound Heart
• Poppy Z. Brite, Drawing Blood
• William Hjortsberg, Falling Angel
• Steven King, Misery
• Ira Levin, Rosemary’s Baby
• Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House
• Bram Stoker, Dracula
-abandon, abase, abridge,
abuse, accrue, adulterate, advance, agitate, agonize, aid, allege, alleviate, amalgamate, amplify, amputate, anesthetize, anguish, annihilate, anticipate, ape, appall, approach, archive, arouse, articulate, ascertain, asphyxiate, assault, assemble, assimilate, assist, assure, astound, atomize, attaint, attenuate, -avert, await, awaken, awe
bag, ban, banish, baptize, bar, bathe, bear, bedevil, befoul, beget, beguile, behead, belch, beleaguer, bemoan, bereave, besmear, bestialize, betray, better, bind, bite, blast, bleed, blemish, blight, bludgeon, blunt, blur, botch, bother, brainwash, brandish, brave, break, brew, bring, broach, bruise, brutalize, bug, bully, burden, burn, burst, bury, butcher, buttress
cage, camouflage, canker, cannibalize, capture, caress, carve, castrate, catalyze, catch, cauterize, caution, chagrin, chaperone, charm, chill, chip, chronicle, clamp, clarify, claw, cleanse, cleave, climb, cloak, clone, clothe, cloud, club, coagulate, coat, codify, coerce, commingle, compel, compress, conceive, concern, concuss, condemn, condone, confound, confuse, conjecture, conjure, conquer, consecrate, consternate, constrict, consult, consume, contain, contaminate, contort, contrive, control, convince, corner, corroborate, corrode, corrupt, couch, cover, covet, cozen, crack, create, cripple, crisp, cross, crossbreed, crucify, crumple, crush, cultivate, culture, cure, curse
damage, damn, dangle, darken, dash, daunt, deadbolt, deaden, debase, debauch, debilitate, decant, decay, deceive, decimate, deconstruct, decontaminate, deduce, deepen, deface, defeat, defend, defile, deform, degrade, dehumanize, deify, delouse, delude, dement, demolish, demonstrate, demystify, denounce, -deny, depersonalize, deplete, deprave, depredate, depress, deprive, deprogram, desecrate, -desert, design, desolate, destabilize, destroy, detain, detect, -deter, deteriorate, devastate, develop, devise, devour, dig, digest, dirty, disable, disappoint, disarticulate, disbelieve, discard, discompose, disconcert, disconnect, -discount, discourage, disembowel, disentangle, disfigure, disgorge, disgrace, disgust, disintegrate, disjoint, dismantle, dismember, dismiss, disorient, display, disprove, disqualify, -disregard, dissect, disseminate, dissolve, dissuade, distress, disturb, doctor, dominate, doom, dose, double-talk, downplay, drag, draggle, drain, dread, drink, drown, drug, dumbfound
ease, eclipse, educe, efface, elevate, eliminate, emasculate, embalm, embrace, empty, encase, enclose, encompass, encourage, encrypt, endure, enfeeble, enfold, engross, engulf, enlighten, enmesh, ensconce, enslave, ensnare, ensoul, entangle, entice, entomb, entrap, envelop, erode, -escape, evince, eviscerate, evoke, examine, excavate, excise, excoriate, excruciate, execrate, execute, exert, exhibit, exhume, exorcise, expect, expiate, exploit, explore, express, expunge, exterminate, externalize, extinguish, eye
facilitate, falsify, farm, father, fertilize, fetishize, film, finish, fissure, fixate, flay, flood, fluster, fondle, force, forward, fossilize, foster, foul, fracture, fragment, freeze, frighten, fumigate, fuse
gag, gain, garland, gash, gaslight, generate, gestate, glamour, glorify, gnaw, goad, gobble, gore, gouge, graft, grant, grapple, grasp, gravel, grind, grip, groom, grope, gut
hallow, hamper, hamstring, handicap, harass, harbinger, harm, harness, harpoon, harvest, hasten, haunt, heal, hector, help, hew, hobble, hollow, hone, honey, horrify, hospitalize, host, hound, humiliate, humor, hunt, hurt, hush, hypnotize
idealize, -ignore, illuminate, imagine, immerse, immobilize, immolate, impair, impale, impersonate, implant, implore, impose, impregnate, imprison, inactivate, incapacitate, incense, incinerate, incorporate, incubate, incur, indict, indoctrinate, infantilize, infect, infest, infiltrate, inflict, ingest, ingratiate, inhale, inject, injure, innovate, insert, institutionalize, integrate, intensify, interbreed, internalize, interrogate, intimate, intimidate, inundate, inure, invade, invalidate, invent, investigate, involve, irk, irritate, isolate
jam, jar, jeopardize, jilt, jinx, jolt, juice
kill, knife, knit, knot
lace, lacerate, lame, lament, lance, leach, lead, leech, lick, limit, liquefy, lobotomize, lock, lure
maim, maledict, manacle, mangle, mar, mash, mask, massacre, maul, mechanize, medicate, melt, menace, mend, metabolize, midwife, mine, mirror, misinform, misrepresent, mistreat, mitigate, mock, modify, moisten, mold, molest, mollify, monitor, mortify, mother, mount, mourn, multiply, mummify, murder, mutate, mutilate
nauseate, -negate, -neglect, nonplus, normalize, numb
obey, obliterate, obscure, obsess, obstruct, occlude, open, oppose, oppress, originate, orphan, outrage, outthink, -overlook, overpower, overturn, overwhelm
palsy, panic, paralyze, pass, paw, peel, peg, pen, penetrate, perfect, perforate, permeate, pervert, petrify, pierce, pin, pinch, pinion, pity, plague, plot, plug, plumb, poison, poke, pollute, possess, pound, power, preoccupy, prepare, presell, preserve, press, probe, process, prod, profane, -prohibit, proliferate, prolong, prophesy, propitiate, proselytize, prostrate, prove, prowl, pull, pulp, pulverize, puncture, punish, purify, pursue, quell
quicken
ram, rape, rarefy, ration, rationalize, rattle, ravage, razor, reactivate, read, ready, reanimate, reap, rear, -rebuff, rebuild, rebut, recreate, rectify, recycle, reference, -refuse, refute, regenerate, regret, reinvestigate, -reject, rejuvenate, relax, relish, remedy, remove, rend, repair, repel, replace, replicate, represent, repress, -repudiate, repulse, rescue, resolve, resurrect, resuscitate, retrace, reveal, revolt, rile, rinse, rip, risk, ritualize, rivet, ruffle, ruin, rule, rupture
sacrifice, sadden, sanctify, sanction, sandbag, sanitize, sap, satisfy, saturate, savage, scald, scalp, scar, scare, scatter, scent, scour, scratch, screen, screw, script, scrub, sculpt, seal, sear, seclude, secrete, sedate, seduce, seize, sensationalize, sermonize, sever, shackle, shadow, shake, shame, sharpen, shatter, shed, shelter, shield, shock, shred, shrivel, shroud, -shun, shunt, sicken, sift, signify, simulate, singe, skin, slash, slaughter, slay, slice, slit, smash, smell, smother, snare, soil, soothe, sorrow, sound, span, spare, spawn, spice, spike, splatter, splinter, split, spoof, spook, squander, squash, squelch, stab, stagger, stagnate, stain, stake, stale, stalk, stamp, starve, stash, steel, steep, sterilize, stiffen, stigmatize, stimulate, sting, stint, stomach, store, stow, straightjacket, strangle, study, stun, stunt, subdue, subjugate, submerge, subtract, subvert, suck, suffer, suffocate, suffuse, sully, summon, suppress, surface, surrender, survive, suss, suture, swallow, swamp, synthesize
taboo, taint, tangle, tantalize, taste, teach, tend, terrify, terrorize, thrash, threaten, throttle, throw, thump, tie, tighten, torch, torment, torpefy, torture, trample, transfix, trap, traumatize, trouble, twist, tyrannize
ulcerate, unbalance, unbury, undercut, underwrite, unearth, unfold, unhinge, unmask, unnerve, unravel, unseal, unsex, untangle, untidy, untie, unveil, uplift, upset, utilize
vaccinate, vamp, vandalize, vanquish, vaporize, veil, venture, verify, vet, victimize, violate, vitiate, vivisect, -void, vomit
wake, ward, warn, warp, wash, weaken, wean, weave, weed, weight, welcome, wet, whammy, wither, withstand, witness, wizen, worry, worship, wound, wrack, wrangle, wrap, wreak, wreck, wrench, wrinkle, wrong
zone
Humor
Representative Authors and Titles
• Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
• Carl Hiaasen, Native Tongue
• Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians
• Anita Loos, Gentlemen Prefer Blonds
• Christopher Moore, Island of the Sequined Love Nun
• Terry Pratchett, The Color of Magic
• P.G. Wodehouse, The Code of the Woosters
abase, abash, abdicate, accelerate, accent, accommodate, accost, accrue, achieve, adapt, add, addle, address, adopt, adulate, advance, advertise, advise, affront, aggravate, alarm, alibi, allay, allege, allow, ambush, amplify, amuse, anger, animate, antagonize, ape, appall, appease, applaud, apply, appraise, arouse, assuage, assume, astonish, attach, attain, audition, automate, axe
baby, badger, badmouth, baffle, bait, bake, ballyhoo, bamboozle, bankroll, bankrupt, barbecue, barter, bastardize,
bat, bed, befriend, befuddle, beggar, believe, belittle, bemuse, benefit, bestow, bet, betray, bewilder, bilk, blackmail, blame, blandish, blast, blindside, blister, block, bluff, boast, bogart, boggle, boink, bombard, book, bore, borrow, botch, brainstorm, breach, brew, broker, browbeat, brownnose, bruise, budget, buffalo, buffer, bug, bully, bungle, buzz
cadge, cajole, call, -cancel, candy-coat, caricature, castigate, catch, censor, censure, chafe, chaff, chagrin, challenge, chance, channel, chasten, cheapen, cheat, check, cherish, chide, choreograph, churn, circulate, claim, clear, clinch, clock, clog, cloud, clutch, clutter, coach, coax, collect, combine, commercialize, comp, compact, compartmentalize, compensate, complicate, compliment, con, conceal, concoct, condemn, condense, confess, confide, conflate, confound, confuse, conquer, consign, console, constipate, consume, contradict, contrast, contribute, contrive, convulse, coopt, copy, correct, corrupt, cost, costume, couple, court, cow, cram, cramp, crash, crave, critique, cross-examine, crumble, crumple, crush, cue, curb, cushion
dampen, debase, debate, deceive, declare, decorate, defame, defeat, defer, deflate, deflect, defraud, defy, degrade, deliver, delude, demand, demean, demonize, demote, denigrate, dent, -deny, derail, deride, -desert, -despise, despoil, devise, dichotomize, dictate, diddle, discombobulate, discomfort, discredit, -disdain, disenchant, disgrace, disguise, dishevel, dismay, disobey, disparage, dispirit, displease, disqualify, -disregard, disrespect, diss, dissatisfy, dissipate, distort, distress, disturb, -ditch, divine, divorce, divulge, dizzy, -dodge, douse, downplay, dramatize, draw, drench, dress, drill, drizzle, dull, dump, dupe, duplicate
earn, edit, eject, elaborate, elbow, elevate, emasculate, embarrass, embellish, embrace, embroider, emphasize, encourage, endear, energize, engulf, enjoy, enlarge, ensnare, entertain, enthrall, entice, entrap, espouse, -evade, exacerbate, exaggerate, exasperate, exceed, exchange, exhaust, exhilarate, expand, expense, exploit, expose, extend, extol, eyeball