Chapter 10: The Toughest Words I

Question 1

LAMBASTE

Answer 1

Denounce; strongly criticize

Question 2

QUIESCENT

Answer 2

Marked by inactivity; in a state of quiet repose

Question 3

PROVISIONAL

Answer 3

Tentative; temporary; for the time being (like a PROVISIONAL

driver’s license)

Question 4

LURID

Answer 4

Sensational; shocking; ghastly

Question 5

TRUCULENT, PUGNACIOUS, BELLIGERENT

Answer 5

Defiantly aggressive; eager to fight

Question 6

PROPITIATE

Answer 6

To appease; to conciliate; to regain the favor or goodwill of

Question 7

ÉLAN

Answer 7

A vigorous spirit; great enthusiasm

Question 8

PERFUNCTORY

Answer 8

Something performed in a spiritless, mechanical, and routine manner

Question 9

APLOMB

Answer 9

Self-assurance; confident composure; admirable poise under pressure

Question 10

OPAQUE

Answer 10

Hard to understand; impenetrably dense and obscure

Question 11

CRAVEN

Answer 11

Cowardly; CONTEMPTIBLY faint-hearted

Question 12

VENAL

Answer 12

Corrupt; dishonest; open to bribery

Question 13

LICENTIOUS

Answer 13

Immoral; DISSOLUTE; debauched

Question 14

NOXIOUS

Answer 14

Harmful; injurious to physical, mental, or moral health

Question 15

SUPERFLUOUS, EXTRANEOUS

Answer 15

Unnecessary; extra

Question 16

DUPLICITOUS

Answer 16

Deliberately deceptive in behavior or speech

Question 17

PROFLIGATE

Answer 17

Wasteful; SQUANDERING time and money by living for the moment

Question 18

EPIPHANY

Answer 18

A sudden realization; an insightful moment

Question 19

INSIDIOUS

Answer 19

Causing harm in a subtle or stealthy manner; devious

Question 20

VACUOUS, INANE

Answer 20

Empty; lacking serious purpose; VAPID

Question 21

HARBINGER, PORTENT, PRESAGE

Answer 21

Indications or omens that something important

or calamitous is about to occur

Question 22

BELEAGUER

Answer 22

To beset; to surround with problems

Question 23

BURGEON

Answer 23

To grow rapidly; to expand

Question 24

IMPERIOUS

Answer 24

Domineering and arrogant; haughty

Question 25

PETULANT

Answer 25

Peevish, irritable

Question 26

COMPLAISANT

Answer 26

Agreeable; marked by a pleasing personality; AFFABLE; | AMIABLE

Question 27

FAWN

Answer 27

Behaving in a SERVILE, OBSEQUIOUS, or SUBSERVIENT manner

Question 28

OBDURATE, INTRANSIGENT

Answer 28

Very stubborn; obstinate; unyieldingly persistent; | inflexible; INTRACTABLE

Question 29

REDOLENT

Answer 29

Exuding fragrance; full of a specified smell; suggestive of

Question 30

CHICANERY

Answer 30

Deception by subterfuge; deliberate trickery

Question 31

CONUNDRUM

Answer 31

A difficult problem; a dilemma with no easy solution

Question 32

SLIGHT

Answer 32

To treat in a disparaging manner; to deliberately ignore

Question 33

CAPITULATE

Answer 33

To surrender; to comply without protest

Question 34

DISHEARTENING

Answer 34

Very discouraging; dismaying; dispiriting

Question 35

APOCRYPHAL

Answer 35

Of doubtful authenticity; false; SPURIOUS

Question 36

MAGISTERIAL

Answer 36

Learned and authoritative

Question 37

PLASTIC, MALLEABLE, PLIABLE

Answer 37

Flexible; easily shaped, especially by outside | influences or forces

Question 38

CHAGRIN

Answer 38

The feeling of distress caused by humiliation, failure, or embarrassment

Question 39

OBSTREPEROUS

Answer 39

Noisily and stubbornly defiant; unruly; boisterous

Question 40

IDYLLIC

Answer 40

Charmingly simple and carefree

Question 41

DILAPIDATED

Answer 41

Having fallen into a state of disrepair; broken-down; in deplorable condition

Question 42

EXTEMPORIZE, IMPROVISE

Answer 42

To lecture or speak without notes

Question 43

MYRIAD

Answer 43

Many; numerous

Question 44

UNGAINLY

Answer 44

Awkward; clumsy; NOT graceful

Question 45

DILATORY

Answer 45

Habitually late; tardy

Question 46

VITUPERATIVE

Answer 46

Characterized by verbal abuse and bitter criticism

Question 47

DISCORDANT

Answer 47

Not in harmony; incompatible; at variance with, as in a | DISCORDANT detail that doesn’t fit a pattern

Question 48

PERFIDIOUS

Answer 48

Treacherous; traitorous; deceitful

Question 49

PROLIFERATE

Answer 49

To increase rapidly

Question 50

INDOMITABLE, RESOLUTE

Answer 50

Very determined; unwavering

Question 51

MORIBUND

Answer 51

Approaching death; about to become obsolete

Question 52

NUANCE

Answer 52

A SUBTLE shade of meaning or feeling; a slight degree of difference

Question 53

FLIPPANT, FACETIOUS

Answer 53

Treating serious matters with lighthearted humor or lack of | respect

Question 54

CREDULOUS

Answer 54

Easily convinced; tending to believe too readily; GULLIBLE;

Question 55

INCREDULOUS

Answer 55

Disbelieving, SKEPTICAL

Question 56

FLORID

Answer 56

Flowery in style; very ORNATE

Question 57

EXCORIATING, SCATHING

Answer 57

Expressing strong disapproval; condemning; loudly | DECRYING

Question 58

INTERLOPER

Answer 58

An intruder; a gatecrasher

Question 59

CEREBRAL

Answer 59

Intellectual rather than emotional;

Question 60

VISCERAL

Answer 60

Instinctive rather than | rational

Question 61

NONPLUSSED, CONFOUNDED

Answer 61

Utterly PERPLEXED; completely puzzled; totally | bewildered

Question 62

IGNOMINIOUS

Answer 62

Humiliating; shameful; disgraceful

Question 63

EUPHONY

Answer 63

Soothing or pleasant sounds; harmony;

Question 64

CACOPHONY

Answer 64

Harsh, clashing, jarring, grating sounds; disharmony

Question 65

OBSEQUIOUS

Answer 65

Promptly obedient, submissive; marked by or exhibiting FAWNING attentiveness

Question 66

TIMOROUS

Answer 66

Showing nervousness or fear