Askance
with suspicion, distrust
Attenuate
to make thin and slender
Benign
gentle, kind, forgiving
Cavil
to complain, or a complaint
Charlatan
a fake, imposter, or a snake oils salesman
Decimate
to completely destroy
Foible
a weak point, failing, minor flaw
Forgo
to do without, abstain from, give up
Fraught
full of, loaded with
Inure
(v.) to toughen, harden (over time), become accustom to
Luminous
reflecting light, glowing
Obsequious
submissive, kowtowing, kiss up
Obtuse
not smart, dumb
Oscillate
to swing back and forth
Penitent
ones who are sorry for wrongdoing, mistake/regrets one's sins
Peremptory
overly demanding, unconditional
Rebuff
to drive away, a curt rejection, to repel
Reconnoiter
to scout out
Shambles
a state of total disorder or confusion
Sporadic
irregular interbusts, no set plan