jer-MAYN
(adjective) Relevant or appropriate to the subject at hand.
The volcano remains quiescent, but scientists are watching closely.
Fun Fact
Quiescent is often used in science and medicine—describing dormant cells, inactive phases, or sleeping systems. But it also applies metaphorically to ideas, conflicts, or people in a pause—quiet, but not dead. In stories, a quiescent moment often comes just before something big happens.
dawg-MAT-ik
(adjective) Asserting opinions or beliefs in an arrogant, rigid, and often unyielding way.
His dogmatic approach left no room for compromise or alternative ideas.
Mid 17th century: from late Latin dogmaticus, from Greek dogmatikos, from dogma ‘opinion, tenet’.
Fun Fact
Dogmatic is often used in politics, academia, or religion—anywhere someone clings to a belief system so tightly that opposing views are dismissed outright. It doesn’t necessarily mean the belief is wrong—just that it’s inflexibly held. In leadership or conversation, being called dogmatic is rarely a compliment; it suggests stubborn conviction without curiosity or tolerance.