Combo with "Completing the Sentence Unit 12 Vocab" and 1 other - Flashcards

Q: discomfiting

Last night, Central High\'s Netnicks captured the basketball championship by _________ the South High Slammers, 61 to 44

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omnipresent

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No matter where candidates for high political office go these days, the ________ eye of the TV camera seems focused on them

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interpolate

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As his irrepressible flow of reminiscences continued without a letup, I tried in vain to ________ a few observations of my own.

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mendacious

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To say taht he is _______ does not even begin to convey just how alienated he is from any regard for the truth

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fetishes

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One wall of the museum was filled with charms and _________ designed to ward off everything from hangnail to the evil eye

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perfunctory

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They claim to have made a thorough search of the premises, but I suspect that their efforts were no more than ____________

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discomfiting

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Last night, Central High's Netnicks captured the basketball championship by _________ the South High Slammers, 61 to 44

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languish

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I thought our state legislators would consider the proposal at the earliest opportunity buy they let it ___________ in committee for months

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plaintive

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Responding to the melancholy note in the song of the nightingale, Keats wrote of its "__________ anthem"

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importuning

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Suddenly I was surrounded by a mob of street urchins loudly ___________ me for a handout

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irreparable

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I was greatly relieved to learn taht the accident I had with my car last week didn't do any _______ damage to the motor

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hapless

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The _______ creature had somehow gotten its foot caught in the grate and could not extricate it without help

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laconic

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When asked what terms he would offer the Confederate army, General Grant made a ______ reply, "Unconditional surrender!"

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defunt

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I felt a little foolish when the librarian told me that I was asking for the current issue of a magazing that had long been _________

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nadir

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Every general seems to have one defeat that marks the ________ of his military fortunes- for example, Lee at Gettysbury, or Grant at Cold Harbor

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espouse

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It's easy enough to back a popular program, but it takes real courage to _________ a cause that most people oppose

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gregarious

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Since extroverts are _________ by nature, they usually prefer not to live alone

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impeccable

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Never once has the least whiff of a scandal or impropriety tained the man's __________ reputation as an upstandiing member of this agency

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requited

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"Dont you think its alittle foolish to pursue the young lady when your warm feelings for her ar clearly not _________?" I asked

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aesthetic

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From a(n) __________ point of view, the painting didn't appeal to me, but I kept it because it was a memento of my childhood

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tantamount

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When you get more experience on the job, you will learn that a "request" from your employer is ________ to an order

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One of the best known figures of American folklore is the lean, tough, ___ cowboy.

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hapless

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I hope to ___ my parents for all the care they have shown me.

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requite

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Although fate has decreed that he make his living as a stockbroker, his main interests and talents are definitely ____

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aesthetic

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Though i left the house feeling "as fit as a fiddle" my spirits began to ____ after only five minutes in that withering heat.

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languish

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Her sense of tact is so ____ and unerring that she can handle the most trying situation as if it were mere child's play

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impeccable

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The sternness of my boss's expression so ____ me that at first I had difficulty responding to the question

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discomfited

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Many scholars believe that Beaumont or Fletcher ____ a scene or two into the present text of a play.

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interpolated

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One of the comforting things about reaching the ___ of one's career is that only place to go from there is up

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nadir

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perhaps we should be overjoyed that the great man condescended to give us a(n) _____ nod as we passed by

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perfunctory

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though few of us today stand on ceremony to quite the extent that our ancestors did, common courtesy is by no means ___

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defunct

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prehistoric peoples banded together into tribes, not only for protection, but also to satisfy their _____ instincts

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gregarious

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she sang a ___ little ditty about a man

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plaintive

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The _____ threat of nuclear holocaust that characterized the Cold war era

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omnipresent

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a diplomat must always proceed on the assumption that no rupture between nations, no matter how serious is ___

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irreparable

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the legal adage "Silence implies consent" meant that not objecting to an action that concerns you is ___ to approving it

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tantamount

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In our desire to improve the quality of life in America, we should not be too quick to ___ an idea simply because it is new

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espouse

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when the scandal broke, the man found himself the ___ victim of other people's misdeeds

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hapless

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it is one thing to be concerned about discipline; it is quite another to make a ___ of it

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fetish

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IDK which is more painful--to have to ask someone for a favor or to have some unfortunate ___ one for help

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importune

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fortunately, our lawyer was able to produce documents that disproved the ___ assertions of our former partner

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mendacious

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faced with a tight deadline, the exhausted editor gave the young reporter's article a hurried and ___ edit

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perfunctory

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In the Poetics and Metaphysics, Aristotle discusses the purpose of art and identities important ____ principles

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aesthetic

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after the death of his wife, a grieving Mr. Johnson ___ in their quiet apartment

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languished

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"Despite taking an oath to tell the truth, Laurie offered clearly ___ testimony," complained the frustrated defense attorney

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mendacious

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the whiny toddler ___ his mother for a snack

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importuned

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Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., once observed that he did not wish to lead a(n) ____ life far from the conflicts of his times.

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sequestered

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Though she entered this country as a(n) ____ child, she eventually made a fortune in the garment industry.

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impecunious

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"The ____ march of the years," said the aged speaker, "decrees that this is the last time I will address you."

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inexorable

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The old adage that "one man's meat is another man's poison" simply means that what is considered ____ is often quite subjective.

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onerous

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The charm of this musical comedy lies in its slam-bang pacing, its sprightly music, and its generally ____ good cheer.

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ebullient

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What appeared to be an informal study group was in reality a highly organized ____ determined to overthrow the establishment.

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cabal

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Though the presidency confers great powers on the person who holds the office, it also saddles that person with ____ responsibilities,

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onerous

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It is one thing to ____human follies and pretensions; it is quite another to correct them.

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deprecate

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The ____ helmets and breastplates of the warriors gleamed and twinkled in the morning sunlight.

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burnished

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No on, however powerful or dominant, can ____ the basic moral laws on which civilization rests.

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abrogate

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Writing that is so full of cliches, gummy sentence structure, and excessive wordiness can best be described as ____.

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flaccid

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____ schools of art are typical of a period when there is little original inspiration or bold experimentation.

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Eclectic

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Since archaeologists spend a lot of time rummaging through the ____ of vanished civilizations, they bear a triking resemblance to junk collectors and ragpickers.

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detritus

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Though skeptics insist that patriotism is ____ in America, I believe that it is alive and well in the hearts of the people.

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moribund

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The investigating commitee spent long hours trying to ____ fact from fiction in the witnesses' testimony.

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winnow

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As we sat in the locker room after our heartbreaking loss, the ____ gloom was so thick you could almost cut it.

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ambient

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Any political party that is ____ with petty jealousies and backbiting can never hope to present a united front in an election.

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ebullient

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____ and other forms of witchcraft were punishable by death during the Middle Ages.

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Necromancy

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As one veteran aptly observed, aa soldier had to be hardy to cope with the ____ of life in the trenches during World War I.

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asperities

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Anyone who has the slightest aquaintance with the ___ of economic theory understands that we cannot solve our financial problems simply by borrowing more and more money.

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rudiments

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Despite our prodding, Aunt Eileen would not disclose the secret ingredients that makes her marinara sauce so _____.

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delectable

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THe film critic complained that some of the ____ tension in the original film has been lost in this year's milder remake.

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inexorable

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The unconventional artist like to incorporate glass shards, plastic strips, pieces of string, and assorted ___ into his sculptures.

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detritus

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"Did you use a cotton or a velvet cloth to ____ the antique mirror?" Bryan inquired.

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burnish

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The _____ of the stones in the patio hurt the soles of my feet.

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asperity

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inured

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Life on the family farm has ________ me to hard physical labor and long hours of unremitting toil.

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reconnoiter

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The general sent scouts on ahead of the army to ______ the area for a suitable site to pitch camp.

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sporadic

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Although ther had been some ______ fighting earlier, the real battles of the Civil War did not begin until Bull Run in July, 1861

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forgo

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Unless the title Special Aide to the Assistant Section Manager involves a salary increase, I would just as soon _______ it

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shambles

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The riot converted the quiet streets of that suburban community into a ghastly _________

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luminous

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Althought the moon appears to be a(n) ________ body the fact is that it only reflects light received fromt eh sun.

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oscillated

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As all kinds of wild rumors ran rampant through the besieged city, the mood of the populace ______ between hope and despair

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peremptory

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Good supervisors know that they can get more cooperation from their staff by making polite requests than by issuing ________ orders

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foibles

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The man's personality was a strange mixture of strengths and weaknesses, fortes and ________

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rebuffed

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I was totally taken aback when they ________ my kind offers of assistance so rudely and nastily

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penitent

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No doubt he's very sorry he got caught, but that does not mean that he's at all __________ about what he did

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charlatan

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Any "investmeant counselor" who promises to double your money overnight must be regarded as a(n) __________ or a crook.

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attenuated

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Though my childhood recollections have been _______ by the passage of time, they have not been totaly effaced from my memory.

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fraught

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In a typical James Bond movie, Agent 007 has a series of adventures that are _____ with tongue-in-cheek peril

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obtuse

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His statements have been so uniformly __________ that I get the impression that he is wearing a permanent pair of mental blinders.

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caviled

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Though critics _______ at minor faults in the new Broadway show, the general public loved it.

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benign

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I was relieved to learn that the tumor on my arm was _______ and my worst fears groundless

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askance

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We look ________ at any program that makes it harder for the city dwellers to get out and enjoy the beauties of nature

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decimating

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During the 14th century, the Black Death suddenly swept across Europe, _________ the population and paralyzing everyday life

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obsequious

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During imperial times, the Roman Senate was little more than a collection of _________ yes-men , intent upon preserving their own lives by gratifying the emperor's every whim.

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In an _________ society, there is a great deal of emphasis on buying and selling

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acquisitive

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The ambitious noblemen will put the young king under house arrest and ______ royal privileges to themselves.

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arrogate

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The new play's________dialogue made it seem more like a soap opera than a serious drama

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banal

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His tendency to _________ the small points often make him miss the big picture

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belabor

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The trainee resigned after a week rather than put up with the ________complaints of the sales manager

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carping

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The physics teacher gave a surprisingly_____ description of quantum physics

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coherent

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If you do not wash your dishes right away, the food of them will_______________.

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congeal

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Most beginning writers try to ____________ a great writer and later develop their own individual styles

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emulate

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On Veterans Day, the President delivered a heartfelt ________ to those who died for their country

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encomium

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The young athletes promised the coach that they would train vigorously and __________ bad habits.

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eschew

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Bringing up examples from the past is not____ to the present discussion

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germane

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People with an_____appetite for gossip often do not have compelling stories of their own.

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insatiable

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Little will get accomplished if the legislators of both parties maintain their __________ attitudes.

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intransigent

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Teachers should avoid making ________comparisons between their students.

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invidious

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The university was the fortunate beneficiary of the_________of many of its graduates.

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largesse

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The field officer required a thorough_____before ordering an troop movements.

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reconnaissance

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The prospector was unable to______ his claim to the land where the gold was found.

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substantiate

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Abraham Lincoln has the reputation of having a dour and ________presonality

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taciturn

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For most of Shakespeare's greatest tragedy, the protagonist Hamlet chooses to ________ rather than act.

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temporize

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The researchers put forth a _______ theory, but their conclusion would be reviewed carefully by others.

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tenable

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Famous for his monosyllabic replies to questions and a somber and (taciturn, germane) nature, prez coolidge had the nicname silent cal

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taciturn

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In that moment of greif, the conventional expresions of sympathy I had always considered (tenable, banal) were surprisingly comforting.

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banal

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I am proud to have it said of me that I am stubborn and (invidious, intransigent) when genuine moral issues are invloved.

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intransigent

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Ethelred the Unready was so reluctant to face the Vikings who invaded his kingdom that in effect he (arrogated, temporized) himself off the throne.

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temporized

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What evidence can you offer to (substantiate, eschew) the assertion that capital punishment does not deter potential murderers?

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substantiate

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Even a very imperfect human being may sometimes have virtues of mind or character that are worthy of (carping, emulation).

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emulation

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Suddenly a band of ruffians set upon us and began to (congeal, belabor) us with blows and curses.

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belabor

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Aristotle had such a/an (tenable, acquisitive) mind that his writings are a veritable gold mine of odd and interesting info.

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acquisitive

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The mood of easy cordiality with which we began the meeting soon (congealed, temporized) into icy politeness.

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congealed

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The poor woman was in such a state of shock after the accident that she couldnt give a (coherent, taciturn) account of what had happened.

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coherent

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The new batting champion in our softball league is a/am (insatiable, taciturn) young man who prefers to let his bat do the talking for him.

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taciturn

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The speech was so filled with (encomiums, reconnaissance) that I found it hard to believe that the subject of all this acclain was plain old me.

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encomiums

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"That word has such _____ connotations in modern american parlance," I said, "that I would hesitate to use it even in jest."

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invidious

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His figure bears witness to his ______, appetite for that pleasure of the table.

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insatiable

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In out attempt to improve the quality of life in America, we should not be too quick to ______ old ideas simply because they are old.

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eschew

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When the evidence of his misconduct became irrefutable, he saw that his position was not _____ and resigned.

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tenable

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After the editor read the story, he returned it to the author with only a few (carping, coherent) criticisms of minor faults penciled in the margin.

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carping

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The Constitution is uniquely designed to provide protection against those who might seek to (substantiate, arrogate) undue power to themselves.

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arrogate

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Aeiral (reconnaissance, encomium) of the enemy's positions provided the general with the info he needed to plan his attack.

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reconnaissance

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After I mowed the lawn for an hour, he gave me a whole dollar with the air of a feudal lord bestowing (largesse, intransigence) on a grateful serf.

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largesse

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The nobleman was_____by beggars on his way to the castle

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accost

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The inexperience filmmaker was disheartened by the ___ of the film critic.

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animadversion

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Most writers are also _____ readers who have loved books since childhood

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avid

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The shipwrecked passengers adrift on the lifeboat became ill after drinking ____ water

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brackish

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Although the heavy snowfall was no expected, the highway department resounded with surprising ____.

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celerity

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The interrogator used ___ methods to try to get the suspect to incriminate himself.

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devious

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Asking an interesting stranger about his or her job is a popular party ____.

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gambit

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The teacher read the legend of the _____, a my thing bird that nested in calm sea.

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halcyon

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The woman often spoke of the ____ days of her childhood

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halcyon

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Upon receiving his award, the young actor gave a ____ speech.

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histrionic

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The arsonist planted an ____ device in the basement of the store

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incendiary

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The radical ___ was sentence to life imprisonment

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incendiary

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Many innocent people caught in the ____ of the revolution lost their lives and property

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maelstrom

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The ____ foreign policy of that last administration has lead to serious problems with out allies

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myopic

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In order for Congress to declare was, the President must demonstrate an ____ threat

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overt

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The lawyer was accused of making a ____ remark when referring to the defendant's background

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pejorative

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The social worker questioned the ____ of the police's request to see confidential record

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propriety

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The anthropologist was accused of committing a ___ when she disturbed an ancient burial ground

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sacrilege

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As soon as there was evidence of criminal wrongdoing, the official was ___ ousted from his post

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summarily

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He made a ____ address to the parole

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suppliant

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Stranded in the deserted city of Moscow, Napoleon had to turn to Czar not as a conqueror but as a ____.

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suppliant

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Most people do not believe that rabbit's feet and other ____ actually bring good luck

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talisman

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The baseballs fans began to ___ as they cheered, so that they appeared to move in a wave

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undulate

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in ancient Egypt, (talismans, scrileges) with the image of a scarab beetle were considered sacred and believed to have healing and protective powers.

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talismans

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The infatuated schoolboy, in one of his more restrained expressions, described himself as a (sacrilege, suppliant) at the altar of love.

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suppliant

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"I realize that this kind of financial (gambit, sacrilege) has its risks," she said, "but I expect it to pay off handsomely in the end."

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gambit

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"His acts of defiance have been so (myopic, overt) and premeditated that I have no choice but to fire him," she said sadly.

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overt

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John's poem "Sea Fever" has an (avid, undulating) rhythm that actually gives one the feeling of being on a rolling ship.

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undulating

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Walt tends to react slowly, but when he feels that his own interests are at stake he can move with striking (celerity, myopia).

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celerity

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Although all politicians must have some ability to dramatize themselves, it is very easy to overdo the (proprieties, histrionics).

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histrionic

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The adoring fan regarded my negative comments about his favorite singer as tantamount to (maelstrom, sacrilege).

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sacrilege

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Without even considering the new evidence that I was prepared to present, they (deviously, summarily) denied my appeal to reopen the case.

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summarily

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She was buffeted about in a veritable (gambit, maelstrom) of emotion, caused mainly by her own dissatisfaction with herself.

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maelstrom

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He regaurded his Phi Beta Kappa key as a(n) (talisman, animadversion) that would open all doors and win him universal acceptance.

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talisman

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He is the kind of person who is concerned not with real moral values but simply with appearances and (propriety, celerity).

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propriety

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Nary a ripple disturbed the (halcyon, brackish) calm of the sea on that glorious summers afternoon.

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halcyon

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Instead of imbibing the (brackish, suppliant) waters of superstition, let us refresh ourselves with long drafts of pure, clean, common sense.

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brackish

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Because the word "appeasement" is associated with disasterous concessions to Adolf Hitler, it has aquired a(n) (pejorative, overt) connotation.

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pejorative

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His reckless words have an (incendiary, overt) effect on the already excited crowd, and large-scale rioting resulted.

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incendiary

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As the defendant left the courtroom, he was ( gambited, accosted)by a group of reporters seeking his reaction to the verdict.

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accosted

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I certainly do not claim that my preformance in office was beyond criticism, but I deeply resent (animadversions, maelstroms) on my honesty.

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animadversion

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After years of failure to sell a single story, the young writer described himself bitterly as "a(n) (pejorative, avid) collector of rejection slips."

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avid

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In the age when the US has truly global responsibilites, we can ill afford leaders with (myopic, pejorative) points of view

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myopic

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His methods were so complicated and his purposes so (devious, avid) that we were not sure if he was spying on the enemy or us.

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devious

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As reported on several online news sites, the (incendiary, gambit) accused in the destructive forest fires has admitted his guilt.

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incendiary

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To the delight of the impatient graduates, the university president offered her comments at the commencement ceremony (summarily, brackishly).

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summarily

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After the young actor's audition, the casting directors delivered a harsh evaluation of his overly (histrionic, undulating) monologue.

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histrionic

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My (myopic, suppliant) request for a later curfew proved successful.

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suppliant

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The extraordinary musical talents of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (evinced, dissembled) themselves at an amazingly early age.

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evinced

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From the deck of out luxurious liner, we occasionally caught sight of schools or porpoise _____ playfully in the waves

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cavorting

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Far from being unpleasant, her slight foreign accent added an extra dash of spice to her already ____ personality

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piquant

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The new mayor is a curious mixture of the hardheaded pragmatist and the ____ reformer.

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utopian

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Not surprisingly, the address was a notably evenhanded affair in which the speaker cleverly mixed ____ with admonition

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eulogy

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When life was easy he was all dash and confidence, but in times of trouble his essentially ____ character came to the force

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feckless

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Unfortunately, the (nefarious, verdant) hopes and aspirations of my youth have been somewhat blighted by the icy blasts of reality.

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verdant

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Trying to read your (viscous, utopian) prose is just like trying to swim upstream through custard.

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viscous

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Because the playwright had hurried trough her first draft, she had to make (substantive, nefarious) change as she revised the dialogue

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substantive

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His (viscous, unwonted) interest in the state of my finances strengthened my suspicions that he was about to ask for a loan.

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unwonted

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The book has an interesting plot, but the author has practically smothered it in endless ____.

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verbiage

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Despite all the reports of "miraculous" cure, you would be well advised to withhold _____ until the drug has been fully tested

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credence

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(Exhumed, Distraught) with grief, they sat motionless for hours, staring blankly into space.

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distraught

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An accomplished hypocrite usually finds it very easy to (dissemble, decry) his or her true feelings as circumstances dictate.

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dissemble

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The behavior of armies in wartime often evinces the (murky, primordial) blood lust that civilized people have not yet fully overcome.

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primordial

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The United States is cooperating with the other nations of the world in an effort to check the (feckless, nefarious) trade in narcotics.

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nefarious

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The (credence, propinquity) of our ideas on handling the problem made it very easy for my colleague and me to produce the report in record time.

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propinquity

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The investigating committee (decried, dissembled) the use of substandard materials and slovenly workmanship in the housing project.

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decried

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From the bridge, the rescue team could just make out the blurred image of a car beneath the (murky, unwonted) waters of the river.

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murky

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Though the work hadn't seen the light of day for over a century, a daring impresario (cavorted, exhumed) and staged it to great public acclaim.

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exhumed

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In my opinion, the columnist's observations about contemporary media and popular culture are humorous and wonderfully (piquant, viscous)

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piquant

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Members of Congress were relieved to learn that the current peace negotiations involve (murky, substantive) discussion of key issues.

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substantive

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Given my birthday's (eulogy, propinquity) to July 4th, my mother customarily decorated my wrapped gifts with red, white, and blue ribbons.

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propinquity

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Plato's (utopian, verdant) description of the ideal society and its politics in "The Republic" exerted great influence on later philosophers like Aristotle.

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utopian

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The (feckless, piquant) efforts of our new quarterback caused the team to lose.

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feckless

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The assembly speaker couldn't be understood because he mumbled his words instead of _________ them clearly

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articulate

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For as far as the eye could see, ________ fields of unripe corn swayed gently in teh morning breeze

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verdant

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An educated citizenry will not give _______ to wild charges of extremists seeking to undermine our political and economic system

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credence

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How could we draw any clear ideas from a talk that was so disorganized, confused in language and generally _______?

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murky

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Sadly the _______ schemes of high-minded idealists usually founded on the rocks of practical realities

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utopian

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Such spices as red pepper make many of the sauces used in Cajun cooking delightfully _________

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piquant

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I believe there is an overall design to the universe that has been visible ever since the first thing crawled out of the _________ ooze

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primordial

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In the hands of our hopelessly _______ producer, what should have been a surefire hit turned into a resounding fiasco

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feckless

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When new evidence turned up in the case, the court ordered the coroner to _______ the victim's body and reexamine it

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exhume

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Though diesel fuels are not as thick as motor oil, they are a good deal more ________ than regualr gasoline

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viscous

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Though I prefer to be as open and aboveboard as possible, I have learned that it is sometimes wiser or more tactful to _______

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dissemble

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When Bill was told that he had made the varsity wrestling team he began to _______ around the gym like a young colt

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cavort

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The NCAA has in recent years craacked down hard on such _____ practices as "shaving points"

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nefarious

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He clothes his puny ideas in such highfalutin ________ that they resemble gnats in top hats in tails

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verbiage

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The new chairman _______ what she called the "deplorable tendency of so many Americans to try to get something for nothing

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decry

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Even at an early age, my sister _______ a strong interest in studying medicine

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evince

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When news of the school fire ran through town _______ parents rushed to the scene of the blaze

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distraught

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Every Memorial Day the Mayor delivers a(n) __________ extolling the selfless devotion of those who have died in defense of this country

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eulogy

question

Since my apartment is in such close _______ to my office, I usually walk to work

answer

propinquity

question

I have always regarded the man as something of a daredevil, but on this occasion he approached the problem with_______ caution

answer

unwonted

question

In Victorian times, fashionable ladies (disarrayed, incarcerted) their waist in tight corsets to achieve a chic "hourglass" figure.

answer

incarcerated

question

During the 19th century, it was fashionable to spend a few weeks in the fall hunting (grouse, nettles), pheasants, and other game birds.

answer

grouse

question

Comfortably (recumbent, frenetic) in the shade of the elm tree, I watched the members of the football teams go through a long, hard workout.

answer

recumbent

question

The affairs of our city are in such (disarray, flotsam) that the state may have to intervene to restore some semblance of order.

answer

disarray

question

Before the ceremony began, we all bowed our heads and hoped for unity, peace, and (concord, atrophy) among all nations

answer

concord

question

We were fascinated by the (mordant, frenetic) scene on the floor of the stock exchange as brokers struggled to keep up with sudden price changes.

answer

frenetic

question

I have always regarded our schools and colleges as citadels of learning and (bastions, stratagems) against ignorance and superstition.

answer

bastions

question

Do you really think that those (jocular, recumbent) remarks are appropriate on such a solemn occasion?

answer

jocular

question

In the shelter, I saw for the first time people who'd been beaten and discouraged by life --the so-called derelicts and (flotsam, incumbents) of the great city

answer

flotsam

question

The only way we'll really be able to increase productivity is to offer our employees a few solid (frenetic, pecuniary) incentives to work harder.

answer

pecuniary

question

We were able to (consummate, glean) only a few shreds of useful information from his long, pretentious speech.

answer

glean

question

Of the ten Congressional seats in our state, only one was won by a new member; all the other winners were (incumbents, bastions)

answer

incumbent

question

There are a few things in life as (frenetic, ludicrous) as an unqualified person trying to assume the trappings of authority

answer

ludicrous

question

The huge influx of wealth that resulted from foreign conquests led in part to the physical and moral (atrophy, flotsam) of the Roman ruling class.

answer

atrophy

question

What we need to cope with this crisis is not cute (grouses, stratagems) but a bold, realistic plan and the courage to carry it out.

answer

stratagems

question

All that I needed to (consummate, nettle) the most important deal of my career was her significant on the dotted line.

answer

consummate

question

To feel fear in difficult situations is natural, but to allow one's conduct to be governed by fear is (jocular, pusillanimous).

answer

pussillanimous

question

I noticed with approval that his (pecuniary, mordant) remarks were intended to deflate the pompous and unmask the hypocritical

answer

mordant

question

It has been said that the only way to handle a (nettle, stratagem), or any difficult problem, without being stung is to grasp is to grasp it firmly and decisively.

answer

nettle

question

A born leader is someone who can rise to the (incumbents, exigencies) of an crisis that he or she may be confronted with.

answer

exigencies

question

Why did my grandparents feel it necessary to show the (pecuniary, ludicrous) photo of me dressed as a chicken

answer

ludicrous

question

Although most of diners' comments were favorable, several (grouses, concords) about the soggy salads dismayed the chef

answer

grouses

question

Recent polls confirm a widespread (atrophy, nettle) in small business owner's abilities to secure bank loans at reasonable rates.

answer

nettle

question

In his 1907 paint The Sick Child, Edvard Munch's depiction of a (jocular, recumbent) adolescent creates a mood of despair.

answer

recumbent

question

the undisciplined puppy (disarrayed, consummated) the boxes in the garage.

answer

disarrayed

question

I get my best ideas while lying down; the _____ position seems to stimulate my brain

answer

recumbent

question

It was pleasant to see the usually quiet and restrained Mr. Baxter in such a(n) __________ and expasive mood

answer

jocular

question

The _____ that we observed here and there in the harbor bore mute testimony to the destructive power of the storm.

answer

flotsam

question

Since I had had only one year of high-school French, my attempts to speak that language on my trip to Paris were pretty _________

answer

ludicrous

question

The high ground east of the river formed a natural ____________ which we decided to defend with all the forces at our disposal

answer

bastion

question

I regret that Nancy was _______ by my unfavorable review of her short stroy, but I had to express my opinion honestly

answer

nettle

question

Almost every case of muscle or tissue ________ is the result of disease prolonged disuse, or changes in cell nutrition

answer

atrophy

question

The _______ of my present financial situation demand that I curtail all unnecessary expenses for at least a month

answer

exigency

question

It is ______ on all of us to do whatever we can to help our community overcome this crisis

answer

incumbent

question

Even critics of our penal system admit that so long as hardened criminals are _______ they can't commit further crimes

answer

incarcerate

question

Despite all their highfalutin malarky about helping the poor, I suspect that their interest in the project is purely _________

answer

pecuniary

question

The purpose of our ______ was to draw in the safety so that Tom could get behind him to receive a long pass

answer

stratagem

question

The defeated army fled in such______ that before long it had become little more than a uniformed mob

answer

disarray

question

As soon as he struck the opening chords of the selection, we realized that we were listening to a(n) _______ master of piano

answer

consummate

question

Though next to nothing is known about Homer, historians have been able to _______ a few odd facts about him from studying his works

answer

glean

question

Shakespeare's Timon of Athens is disillusioned misanthrope who spends his time hurling _______ barbs at the rest of mankind

answer

mordant

question

Peace is not just the absence of war but a positive state of _______ among the nations of the world

answer

concord

question

I have yet to meet an adult who did not_______ about the taxes he or she had to pay

answer

grouse

question

Most people regarded the governemt's attempt to avert a war by buying off the aggressor as not only shameful but__________

answer

pusillanimous

question

People who are used to the unhurried atmosphere of a county town often find it hard to cope with the _________ pace of big-city life

answer

frenetic

question

Human and animal forms carved in stucco and stone are a common (motif, neophyte) in ancient Aztec art.

answer

motif

question

Though the book was written by an avowed (agnostic, derelict), it enjoyed a certain popularity with religious types

answer

agnostic

question

As he sat before the fire reading his newspaper, Grandfather seemed the very epitome of (plenary, sylvan) contentment

answer

plenary

question

Because she is a fair-minded woman, I'm sure she will present both sides of the controversy with admirable (equity, effigy))

answer

equity

question

Though I can sometimes be as (testy, derelict) as an irate wasp, I normally do not lose my temper very easily.

answer

testy

question

Today's forecast calls for variable cloudiness with (abject, intermittent) periods of rain.

answer

intermittent

question

My studies have convinced me that the one dominant (motif, diatribe) in American history has been the expansion of democracy.

answer

motif

question

Bag ladies and other homeless (neophytes, derelicts) roam our streets in increasing numbers.

answer

derelicts

question

The awkward pause in the conversation became even more painful when he interjected his ( plenary, inane) attempts at humor.

answer

inane

question

All of a sudden, a strange young man rushed onto the speaker's platform and launched into a (travesty, diatribe) against "big government".

answer

diatribe

question

After over 30 years in Congress, he retains the idealism of the (agnostic, neophyte) but has gained the practical wisdom of the veteran.

answer

neophyte

question

His disgraceful behavior since he left college is in itself a(n) (indictment, surveillance) of the lax, overindulgent upbringing he received.

answer

indictment

question

What qualities will he have to fall back on when his (indubitable, testy) charm and good looks begin to wear thin?

answer

indubitable

question

His extraordinary ability to (moot, travesty) the works of popular writers is largely due to his keen eye for the ridiculous

answer

travesty

question

The picture shows the three Graces dancing in a forest clearing, while nymphs, satyrs, and other (sylvan, indubitable) creatures cavort among the trees.

answer

sylvan

question

According to the village's custom, one can get rid of an enemy by making a tiny (effigy, motif) of him and sticking it full of pins.

answer

effigy

question

Observers on the ground keep close (surveillance, equity) on air traffic at a busy airport by means of various electronic devices, such as radar.

answer

surveillance

question

Only an (intermittent, abject) coward would stand idly by wile a defenseless old woman was mugged in the street.

answer

abject

question

The historian had long been noted for the soundness of his scholarship and the (complicity, perspicacity) of his judgement.

answer

perspicacity

question

"I vetoed that idea when it was first (mooted, indicted) years ago," the governor said, "and i have never regretted my decision."

answer

mooted

question

How can I be accused of (indictment, complicity) in that plot when I did not even know the conspirators?

answer

complicity

question

To some readers, the dark and (intermittent, sylvan) setting of Hawthorne's short story "Young Goodman Brown" symbolizes the unknown.

answer

sylvan

question

We laughed at Grandmother's confession that she can be (testy, moot) before she has er morning cup of coffee

answer

testy

question

Several theology professors have given provocative reviews of the new book by Mr. Stuart, who readily admits he is an (effigy, agnostic).

answer

agnostic

question

The sleeping security guard was (derelict, plenary) in his duties

answer

derelict

question

Though some writers have emphasized Jefferson's human weaknesses, his greatness is also an _____________ part of the historic record.

answer

indubitable

question

Since he neither affirms nor denies the existence of God, I'd classify him as an _____________ rather than an atheist.

answer

agnostic

question

During the emergency, the mayor assumed _____________ authority and did whatever was needed to provide essential services.

answer

plenary

question

It was such an _____________ remark that I couldn't keep myself from laughing derisively when I heard it.

answer

inane

question

"Simple _____________ demands that we distribute the tax burden as fairly as possible among the populace," the Senator remarked.

answer

equity

question

How can you call that a _____________ question when it is quite clearly a simple matter of right and wrong?

answer

moot

question

I would be _____________ in my duty to you if I did not warn you against the bad effects of smoking cigarettes.

answer

derelict

question

Since the accused was never really given a chance to defend himself, his so-called "trial" was nothing but a _____________ of justice.

answer

travesty

question

The overthrown dictator was hanged in _____________ before a vast throng in the town square.

answer

effigy

question

Those who saw the young woman being assulted and did nothing to help her were guilty of _____________ in the crime.

answer

complicity

question

At the slightest sound of thunder, my dog Rover dives under the bed in a state of _____________ terror.

answer

abject

question

In her garland of leaves and acorns, the child looked very much like some _____________ spirit from an Arthurian myth.

answer

sylvan

question

Throughout the period that the spy thought he had gone undetected, he was actually under close _____________ by the CIA.

answer

surveillance

question

For years, we carried on a _____________ correspondence, sometimes allowing months to pass before a letter was answered.

answer

intermittent

question

Every time we did something to anger him, he delivered an intemperate _____________ lambasting our "hopeless irresponsibility."

answer

diatribe

question

In Wagner's operas, brief musical _____________ associated with the characters or their actions recur again and again.

answer

motifs

question

The fact that so many released prisoners return to a life of crime is in itself a terrifying _____________ of our penal system.

answer

indictment

question

How could a mere _____________ in the teaching profession question the judgment of so experienced an educator?

answer

neophyte

question

I'd say that the phrase "having a short fuse" aptly describes my boss's decidedly _____________ disposition.

answer

testy

question

The _____________ of her analysis not only clarified the nature of the problem but also suggested its most promising solution.

answer

perspicacity

question

Today's forecast calls for variable cloudiness with _____________ periods of rain.

answer

intermittent

question

Only an _____________ coward would stand idly by while a defenseless old woman was mugged in the street.

answer

abject

question

All of a sudden, a strange young man rushed onto the speaker's platform and launched into a _____________ against "big government."

answer

diatribe

question

After over 30 years in Congress, he retains the idealism of the _____________ but has gained the practical wisdom of the veteran.

answer

neophyte

question

As he sat before the fire absentmindedly puffing on his pipe, Grandfather seemed the very epitome of _____________ contentment.

answer

plenary

question

According to voodoo belief, one can get rid of an enemy by making a tiny _____________ of him and sticking it full of pins.

answer

effigy

question

My studies have convinced me that the one dominant _____________ in American history has been the expansion of democracy.

answer

motif

question

The picture shows the three Graces dancing in a forest clearing, while nymphs, satyrs, and other _____________ creatures cavort among the trees.

answer

sylvan

question

"I vetoed that idea when it was first _____________ years ago," the Governor said, "and I have never regretted my decision."

answer

mooted

question

The awkward pause in the conversation became even more painful when he interjected his _____________ attempts at humor.

answer

inane

question

His extraordinary ability to _____________ the works of popular wrtiers is largely due to his keen eye for the ridiculous.

answer

travesty

question

What qualities will he have to fall back on when his _____________ charm and good looks begin to wear thin?

answer

indubitable

question

Though the book was written by an avowed _____________, it enjoyed a certain popularity with the faithful.

answer

agnostic

question

How can I be accused of _____________ in that plot when I did not even know the conspirators.

answer

complicity

question

Observers on the ground keep close _____________ on air traffic at a busy airport by means of various electronic devices, such as radar.

answer

surveillance

question

Though I can sometimes be as _____________ as an irate wasp, I normally do not lose my temper very easily.

answer

testy

question

The historian had long been noted for the soundess of his scholarship and the _____________ of his judgment.

answer

perspicacity

question

His disgraceful behavoir since he left college is in itself an _____________ of the lax, overindulgent upbringing he received.

answer

indictment

question

Since she is a fair-minded woman, I'm sure she will present both sides of the controversy with admirable _____________.

answer

equity

question

Ralph Waldo Emerson and a(n) (coterie,effrontery) of like-minded friends led the American transcendentalism movement in the mid-nineteenth century.

answer

coterie

question

Thought the federal government does much to help the (indigent, illusory), private charities play no small part in their welfare.

answer

indigent

question

To anyone as fond of horses as I am, the stable and the tack room provides as (indigent, convivial) an atmosphere as one could wish for.

answer

convivial

question

I can always come up with the crushing rejoinder, the dazzling witticism, or the (furtive, felicitous)

answer

felicitous

question

When I returned to the office earlier than expected, I caught the little snoop (felicitously, furtively)

answer

furtively

question

The presidency is the "toughest job in the world" because it makes such (bestial, inordinate) demands on a person's time, energy, and ingenuity.

answer

inordinate

question

Nothing we could say seemed to (demur, allay) her grief over the loss of her dog.

answer

allay

question

If installment buying is not carefully controlled, the benefits that can accrue from it may prove wholly (illusory, inordinate)

answer

illusory

question

The atrocities committed by the (garish, bestial) commanders of such concentration camps as Auschwitz appalled the civilized world.

answer

bestial

question

As the rock star's popularity began to skyrocket, what had been a small (coterie, raiment) of admirers became an unruly mob.

answer

coterie

question

I am flattered that you want me to chair the meeting, but I must (demur, embellish) on the grounds of my youth and inexperience

answer

demur

question

The famous sleuth pursued his investigation with all the (pertinacity, conviviality) of a lion stalking its dinner.

answer

pertinacity

question

The kind of (garish, picayune) theatrical makeup used by circus clowns is not suitable for an elegant fashion model.

answer

garish

question

Often the antonym of a given English word is not so much its opposite as its (embellishment, counterpart)- for example, actor and actresses.

answer

counterpart

question

"You mean you had the (effrontery, demur) to ask for a raise when everyone knows you've been goofing off lately?" I asked in amazement.

answer

effrontery

question

The proofreader didn't notice any significant flaws in the writing, but he did find a few (ephemeral, picayune) errors in the punctuation.

answer

picayune

question

When the facts of a matter speak so plainly for themselves, we shouldn't seek to (embellish, jettison) them.

answer

embellish

question

She has neither the starry-eyed optimism of the idealist nor the mordant cynicism of the (misanthrope, coterie).

answer

misanthrope

question

Every dynamic and successful society must be able to (allay,jettison) ideas and institutions that have outlived their usefulness

answer

jettison

question

Somehow, it depresses me to think that with the approach of winter this magnificent old tree will surrender all its leafy (ralment, effrontery)

answer

ralment

question

Not surprisingly, my sister's solomnly made commitment to daily clarinet practice for one month was (garish, ephemeral) lasting only five days.

answer

ephemeral

question

An emotion so fickle and (ephemeral, pertinacious) does not deserve to be categorized as "love.

answer

ephemeral

question

Sadly, in our celebrity-obsessed culture, professional athletes make (pertinacious, inordinate) amounts of money while professional educators make little.

answer

inordinate

question

To celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, my grandfather described the (felicitous, indigent) choice he made to ask my grandmother for a first date.

answer

felicitous

question

Effective coaches are able to (allay, embellish) the doubts of their players.

answer

allay

question

A busy administrator in today's high-pressure business world just doesn't have time to deal with such ______ concerns as making coffee

answer

picayune

question

Recend developments in that part of the world have intensified rather than ______ our fears of a renewed conflict

answer

allayed

question

He is entitled to reasonable compensation for the damage to his car, but the demand he has made are totally _______

answer

inordinate

question

The " Old 400" was a ery small and exclusive ____ of prominent families that dominated East Coast society for decades

answer

coterie

question

When Charles V retired to a Spanish monastery, he exchanged the costly ____ of a king for the simple habit of a monk

answer

raiment

question

the crew of the freighter _______ most of its cargo in a desperate effort to keep the sinking ship afloat

answer

jettisoned

question

A good deal of sad experience has taught me that my youthful hopes of getting something for nothing are entirely _____

answer

illusory

question

Who wouldn't have had fun amoung such a(n) _____ group of people?

answer

convivial

question

In the Victorian era, designers _____ women

answer

embellish

question

Since we all agreed that the proposal seemed to offer the best solution to our problem, it was accepted without ______

answer

demur

question

The disastrous stock market crash of 1929 left many a wealthy speculator as _____ as the proverbial church mouse.

answer

indigent

question

Though I don't consider myself much of a diplomat, I think I handled that delicate situation in a particulary ________ manner.

answer

felicitous

question

The ______ manner in which he sidled into the room and tried to avoid being noticed actually drew attention to his presence.

answer

furtive

question

"If at first you don't succeed, try , try again" seems to be the motto of that _________ young woman

answer

pertinacious

question

Jonathan Swift so came to loathe human folly, vie, and hypocrisy that he died a virtual ___________

answer

misanthrope

question

At the Casablanca Conference in 1943, President Roosevelt and his military aides met with their British ________ to map military strategy for the Western Allies.

answer

counterpart

question

The man's features suddenly contorted into a(n) ___________ mask, more reminiscent of a hobgoblin than a human being

answer

bestial

question

The ______ movie palaces of an earlier era have given way to smaller theaters, decorated in a simpler, more austere style

answer

garish

question

Many a now-forgotten "movie great" has discovered to his or her chagrin that fame may indeed be as __________ as a passing shower

answer

ephemeral

question

He had the _______ to come into my own home to tell me what I should do to help him.

answer

effrontery

question

On the western front in August 1914, the French army steeled itself against the oncoming (badinage, juggernaut) that was the German Second Army

answer

juggernaut

question

not surprisingly, the committee's final report was an incongruous mixture of the astute and the (irrefutable, fatuous)

answer

fatuous

question

by (portending, sloughing) off the artificiality of her first book, the novelist arrived at a style that was simple, genuine, and highly effective

answer

sloughing

question

what possible purpose will be served by setting up yet another hamburger stand in an area already (saturated, sloughed) with fast food shops?

answer

saturated

question

our excitement at visiting the world famous ruins was dampened by the (lackadaisical, arrant) attitude of the bored and listless guide

answer

lackadaisical

question

the authority of the student council is not absolute because the principal can (countermand, exacerbate) any of its decisions

answer

countermand

question

it is a good deal easier to (raze, allege) an old building than it is to destroy a time-honored social institution

answer

raze

question

i never ask anyone "How are you?" anymore because i am afraid i will be treated to an endless (litany, badinage) of symptoms and ailments

answer

litany

question

his debating technique is rooted in the firm belief that anything bellowed in a loud voice is absolutely (saturnine, irrefutable)

answer

irrefutable

question

the views of the two parties involved in this dispute are so diametrically opposed that it will be almost impossible to (conciliate, saturate) them

answer

conciliate

question

only an (arrant, macabre) knave would be capable of devising such an incredibly underhanded and treacherous scheme

answer

arrant

question

in earlier times, people whose views conflicted with "received opinion" often had to (recant, portend) their ideas or face the consequences

answer

recant

question

Stephen King's book Danse (Macabre, Lackadaisical) surveys popular and obscure horror fiction of the 20th century

answer

macabre

question

over the years, hard work and unstinting devotion to duty have raised me from one (echelon, paucity) of company management to the next

answer

echelon

question

she excused herself from lending me the money i so desperately needed by (conciliating, alleging) that she had financial troubles of her own

answer

alleging

question

by denying your guilt without offering any explanation of your actions, you will only (recant, exacerbate) an already bad situation

answer

exacerbate

question

economists believed that the drop in automobile sales and steep production (countermands, portends) serious problems for business in the future

answer

portend

question

his attempts at casual (badinage, echelon) did not conceal the fact that he was acutely embarrassed by his blunder

answer

badinage

question

we have many capable and well meaning people in our organization, but it seems to me that there is a (paucity, juggernaut) of real leadership

answer

paucity

question

someone with such a (fatuous, saturnine) outlook on life doesn't make an agreeable traveling companion, especially on a long journey

answer

saturnine

question

with incredible unconcern, the nobles of Europe immersed themselves in social frivolities as the fearful (juggernaut, litany) of World War I steamrolled ineluctable toward them

answer

juggernaut

question

ever a bit of a melancholic, Mr. Smithers sank into (litany, slough) in the wintertime

answer

slough

question

the defense attorney succeeded in portraying the genial witness as an (arrant, saturnine) liar whose testimony was never credible.

answer

arrant

question

the dog's owner (exacerbated, razed) the situation when he flagrantly encouraged the terrier to romp in the neighbor's petunias.

answer

exacerbated

question

a plunge in atmospheric pressure (conciliates, portends) an oncoming storm

answer

portends

question

However much it may cost me, I will never __________ the principles to which I have devoted my life.

answer

recant

question

No sooner had the feckless tsar decreed a general mobilization than he __________ his order, only to reissue it a short time later

answer

countermanded

question

Though some "home remedies" appear to alleviate the symptoms of a disease, they may in fact __________the condition

answer

exacerbate

question

Ms. Ryan's warning to the class to "review thoroughly" seemed to me to __________ a test tomorrow.

answer

portend

question

The men now being held in police custody are __________ to have robbed eight supermarkets over the last year.

answer

alleged

question

Her friendly manner and disarming smiled helped to __________ those who opposed her views on the proposal

answer

conciliate

question

The service in honor of the miners trapped in the underground collapse included prayers and __________

answer

litanies

question

We object to the policy of __________ historic old buildings to make way for unsightly parking lots

answer

razing

question

You are not going to do well in your job if you continue to work in such a(n) __________ and desultory manner

answer

lackadaisical

question

The enemy's lines crumpled before the mighty __________ of our attack like so much wheat before a harvester

answer

juggernaut

question

As a snake __________ off its old skin, so he hoped to rid himself of his weaknesses and develop a new and better personality

answer

sloughs

question

My shirt became so __________ with perspiration on that beastly day that I had to change it more than once during the match

answer

saturated

question

After he made that absurd remark a(n) __________ grin of self-congratulation spread like syrup across the lumpy pancake of his face

answer

fatuous

question

"I find it terribly depressing to be around people whose dispositions are so __________ and misanthropic", I remarked

answer

saturine

question

The breaking news story concerned corruption among the highest __________ of politics

answer

echelons

question

Only someone ith a truly __________ sense of humor would decide to use a hearse as the family car or a coffin as a bed

answer

macabre

question

"It seems to me that such __________ hypocrisy is indicative of a thoroughly opportunistic approach to running for office," I said sadly

answer

arrant

question

The seriousness of the matter under discussion left no room for the type of lighthearted __________ encountered in the locker room

answer

badinage

question

At first I thought it would be easy to shoot holes in their case, but I soon realized that their arguments were practically __________

answer

irrefutable

question

His four disastrous years in office were marked by a plenitude of promises and a(n) ____________ of performance

answer

paucity

question

Many of the most well-known paintings of Grandma Moses portray rural scenes that are ____ of her childhood in upstate New York.

answer

redolent

question

Because my teacher is usually so ____ of giving compliments, I felt really good when she spoke well of my essay.

answer

chary

question

Isn't it sheer ___ on his part to use terms like Proustian and Kafkaesque when he knows they mean nothing to his audience?

answer

pedantry

question

Although he has been in this business for 20 years, he still has the sublime innocence of the most helpless ____.

answer

tyro

question

Not satisfied with the slow ___ of his savings in a bank account, he turned to speculation in the stock market.

answer

increment

question

Are we to try to make a realistic analysis of our alternatives or let ourselves be distracted by slogans and ____.

answer

shibboleths

question

Once the senator's nomination became a certainty, all opposition to him evaporated, and he was named by ____.

answer

acclamation

question

Perhaps he would be less lyrical about the delights of the ___ life if, like me, he had grown up on a farm in Kansas.

answer

bucolic

question

The gambler's predictions of the game scores were so incredibly accurate that we suspected some form of ____.

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collusion

question

The same difficulties that serve as a challenge to the true professional will be a crushing discouragement to the typical ____.

answer

dilettante

question

I'm not sure if Tom's ____ spirit is due to toughness or to an inability to understand the dangers of the situation.

answer

imperturbable

question

Since she comes from a rural area, she expresses herself in language that is ____ of the farm and of country life in general.

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redolent

question

During the course of my ____ through the world of books, I have picked up all kinds of useful information.

answer

peregrinations

question

Clad in the ____ armor of moral rectitude, he sallied forth to do battle with the forces of evil

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refulgent

question

I am perfectly willing to listen to a reasonable complaint, but I will not put up with that kind of ____ backbiting.

answer

vituperative

question

It has been known that some twisted and unhappy people derive a kind of satisfaction from ____ others.

answer

calumniating

question

The phrase "We the people" in the Constitution indicates that the ultimate ____ of our government comes from the popular will.

answer

mandate

question

If we ____ now at adopting a tough energy policy, we may find ourselves in a desperate situation in the future.

answer

vacillate

question

How do you have the nerve to offer such a(n) ____ sum for the magnificent "antique" car!

answer

paltry

question

A ____ of indignation flashed though the community, and the streets filled with angry people ready to protest the proposal.

answer

paroxysm

question

It is easy to criticize him, but how can we overlook the fact that for 20 years he has worked ____ to help the homeless?

answer

unremittingly

question

Although Martin thinks he is an expert software developer, many of his dissatisfied clients view him as merely a ____.

answer

tyro

question

The senate candidate claimed that her opponent's most recent television ad ____ her husband and children.

answer

calumniated

question

During our family's recent ____ to the New Orleans French Quarter, we attended several jazz concerts.

answer

peregrination

question

____ attendance on opening night caused a financial crisis.

answer

paltry

question

As we waited through the long night for the arrival of the rescue party, we _________ between hope and despair

answer

vacillated

question

However long and hard the struggle, we must be _________ in our efforts to wipe out racism in this country

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unremitting

question

She may hve great musical talents, but she will get nowhere so long as she has the casual attitude of the __________

answer

dilettante

question

The painting shows a restfully ________ scene, with some cows grazing placidly in a meadow as their shepherd dozes under a bush

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bucolic

question

I had expected a decent tip fromt eh party of six that I waited on early that evening, but all I got was a(n) ________ two bucks!

answer

paltry

question

The scene may seem ordinary to you, but I find it _______ with memories of happy summers spent in these woods

answer

redolent

question

Since Lincoln is now considered a great national hero, it is hard to believe that he was bitterly _______ when he was President

answer

calumniated

question

The contractor wa suspected of having acted in ______ with a state official to fix the bids on certain public works contracts.

answer

collusion

question

"The overwhelming victory I have won at the polls, " the Governor-elect said, "has given me a clear ______ to carry out my program."

answer

mandate

question

s a(n) __________ summer sun sank slowly in the west, the skies were ablaze with color.

answer

refulgent

question

In a series of searing orations, filled with the most _______ language, Cicero launched the full battery of plitical invective against the hapless Mark Antony.

answer

vituperative

question

Every time I sign a new lease on my apartment, my rent goes up, though the ________ are not usually very large.

answer

increments

question

I thought I was unexcitable, but she is as ________ as teh granite lions in front of the public library

answer

impertubable

question

Even the merest _____ in the use of firearms knows that a gun should never be pointed at another person.

answer

tyro

question

Since Lucy had expected no more than polite applause, she was delighted by the _________ she received from the audience

answer

acclamation

question

The Pledge of Allegiance is no mere ________ to be recited mechanically and without understanding like some advertising jingle

answer

shibboleth

question

In my various ____________ through that vast metropolis, I ran across many curious old buildings that the ordinary tourist never sees

answer

peregrinations

question

I have learned from long experience to be extemely ______ about offering advice when it has not been requested

answer

chary

question

Seized by a(n) __________ of rage, he began to beat the bars of his cell with his bare hands.

answer

paroxysm

question

It is sheer _______ to insist upon applying the rules of formal literary composition to everyday speech and writing.

answer

pedantry

question

Since he didn't want to give me credit for having done a good job, he took refuge in endless _____ about my work.

answer

foibles

question

Though the small nation was always ready to settle a conflict peacefully, it was not afraid to use ____ force when necessary.

answer

peremptory

question

We must never allow our passion for justice to be ___ to mere half-hearted goodwill.

answer

attenuated

question

I have learned that ____ sessions of intense "cramming" can never take the place of a regular study program.

answer

sporadic

question

Somehow or other, a bull got into the china shop and turned it into a complete ____

answer

shambles

question

Since he is not guided by firm principles, he _____ between the rival factions, looking for support from both of them.

answer

oscillates

question

During the civil war the ranks of both armies were ____ as much by disease as by enemy action.

answer

decimated

question

When I found that people I admired were looking _____ at my unconventional clothing, I resolved to remedy the situation.

answer

askance

question

The _____ youths agreed to work without pay until they could make restitution for the damage their carelessness had caused.

answer

penitent

question

How could you have the heart to ____ those people's piteous appeals for aid?

answer

rebuff

question

A grandfather clock works by gravity; when the pendulum ____, it moves a system of weights attached to the clock's hands.

answer

oscillates

question

At an autocrat's court, free speech is usually replaced by the ____ twaddle of flunkies and toadies.

answer

obsequious

question

We believe that classes taught by teachers with specialized training will have a ____ effect on the troubled children.

answer

benign

question

Though I admire the woman's strong points, I friend her ___ comic.

answer

rebuffs

question

over the year, her ____ descriptions and scintillating wit have helped her students master the difficult subject she taught

answer

obtuse

question

Even though my experiences in battle have ___ me to scenes of suffering, I was horrified by the devastation wrought by the tornado

answer

inured

question

Their relationship has been so ___ with strife and malice that I don't see how they can ever patch things up.

answer

fraught

question

all angles are classified as acute, right, ___, or straight.

answer

obtuse

question

Imagine the general disappointment when the so called "miracle cure" was exposed as a fraud promoted by a ___

answer

charlatan

question

bank robbers often spend a good deal of time ____ the neighborhood where the bank they intend to rob is located

answer

reconnoitering

question

do you want to be a ballet dancer enough to ____ all other activities

answer

forgo

question

although the judge offered two minor ___ about our choreography, our dance troupe won first place

answer

cavils

question

the play feat. the stereotypical _____ butler who treated his employer's family with excessive and artificial politeness

answer

obsequious

question

Was it Juan's gentle stroking of the frightened dog's neck that produced a ____ change in the animal's mood?

answer

benign

question

the ___ young woman begged her mother for forgiveness

answer

penitent

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