Alacrity
briskness, lively action
The waiter moved with ALACRITY because he perceived they were big tippers.
Disdain
contempt
When the curtain came down, the critic´s face registered the DISDAIN she felt for the lackluster play.
Belligerent
warlike, aggressive
His BELLIGERENT manner caused him to lose one friend after another.
Intimidate
to overawe, frighten
Y2K concerns of the January 1, 2000 problems with computers failed to INTIMIDATE our company.
Feint
a false attack
The Germans were duped by the Allies´ FEINT toward the South, leaving the way open for the Normandy invasion.
Pugnacious
quarrelsome, arguing
Since everyone can outpunch my cousin, he cannot afford to be PUGNACIOUS.
Promulgate
to make known officially
We implored the faculty advisor to PROMULGATE the requirements for the presidency of the club.
Brash
impudent, lack of respect
My mother liked the salesman´s BRASH personality, but he irritated most people.
Scoff
to sneer at
I don´t understand modern art, but I neither loath nor SCOFF at it.
Belittle
to make seem less important, in an insulting way
Although Ralph can´t play, he doesn´t hesitate to BELITTLE the efforts of our football team.
Tangible
having actual form
Mr. Dixon belittled our request for TANGIBLE proof of his loyalty.
Laceration
cut in the skin
The medic reached into his kit to find a bandage for the ugly LACERATION.
Castigate
to correct by punishing
The kindly foreman was too reticent to openly CASTIGATE the clumsy new worker.
Sordid
Dirty, base, scandalous
Stories of their SORDID youth poured forth from the unhappy felons.
Octogenarian
person in his/hers eighties(80´s)
When the teenager announced her engagement to the OCTOGENARIAN, the public suspected it to be a publicity stunt
Solace
easing of grief
In trying to offer SOLACE to the pilot´s wife, the reporter inadvertently made the situation worse
Aspirant
candidate for high position, aspirations, hard work
The publisher scoffed at the reports that he was an ASPIRANT for the job of Secretary.
Dregs
most worthless part
At the bottom of the beautiful wine bottle, only the DREGS remained.
Frenzy
wild fit
In a FRENZY, the teenager overturned every drawer while searching for the car keys.
Scurrilous
coarse, vulgar, inappropriate
Vigilant censors protect the public from listening to SCURRILOUS language on television.
