Something that is biased has or shows bias, defined as a particular tendency, trend, inclination, feeling, or opinion. A bias may be favorable or unfavorable: bias in favor of or against an idea. The synonym tendentious is more blatant, describing things (often writing) that have or show a definite tendency, bias, or purpose: arguments, articles, and interpretations deemed tendentious tend to promote controversial points of view.

When two things dovetail, they join or fit together compactly or harmoniously. This verb is often used to talk about ideas, plans, or pieces of information that are complementary or that seem to reinforce one another. This sense of the word comes from woodworking, where a dovetail is a type of joint formed of one or more tenons, or projections, fitting tightly within corresponding mortises, or notches. The joint is so named for its resemblance to (you guessed it!) a dove’s tail.

Taken literally, the adjective laughable means exactly what you might expect: causing laughter. But the term is not usually used appreciatively to describe funny movies or clever jokes; instead, laughable is usually used of things that provoke laughter for their preposterousness or improbability. The synonym ludicrous is more pointed still. Something that is ludicrous causes laughter because of its absurdity, or worse, it provokes or deserves derision. Related to the adjective ludic, “playful in an aimless way,” ludicrous entered English emphasizing triviality and playfulness. But nowadays the term is reserved for the illogical and outrageous.