Wordmasters words

foible

A minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character.

accede

To agree to a request or demand.

contentious

Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

disavowal

A denial of any responsibility or support for something.

mollify

To appease the anger or anxiety of someone.

frenetic

Wildly excited or active; frenzied.

cavil

To make petty or unnecessary objections.

gull

To deceive or cheat.

jocose

Characterized by joking; humorous or playful.

platitude

A remark or statement that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful.

drub

To defeat decisively.

implacable

Unable to be placated; relentless.

marauder

One who marauds; a raider.

truss

To tie up tightly; to secure.

dilatory

Slow to act; intended to cause delay.

scapegrace

A mischievous or wayward person.

desecrate

To treat (a sacred place or thing) with violent disrespect.

pesky

Causing annoyance; bothersome.

dilettante

A person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge.

pillage

To violently rob (a place) using weapons.

invincible

Too powerful to be defeated or overcome.

scapegoat

A person who is blamed for the wrongdoings of others.

browbeat

To intimidate someone into doing something.

morose

Sullen and ill-tempered.

Chicanery

The use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose.

patron

A person who gives financial or other support to a person or organization.

blandish

To coax or persuade someone to do something.

pious

Devoutly religious.

duplicity

Deceitfulness; deception.

entrance

To fill with delight or wonder; to charm.

diminutive

Extremely or unusually small.

gall

Bold, impudent behavior.

harry

To persistently carry out attacks on.

expedient

Convenient and practical, although possibly improper.

treachery

Breach of faith or trust; betrayal.

decimate

To kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage of.

repugnant

Extremely distasteful; unacceptable.

disarray

A state of disorganization or untidiness.

plumb

To measure the depth of something (typically water); also, to understand deeply.

unassuming

Not pretentious or arrogant; modest.

aesthetics

The branch of philosophy dealing with beauty and taste.

flag

To become tired or weaker; to decline.

beleaguered

In a difficult situation; harassed.

lassitude

A state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy.

lag

To fall behind.

innocuous

Not harmful or offensive.

lackey

A servant; someone who is obsequiously willing to obey.

disconcert

To disturb the composure of; unsettle.

obeisant

Showing respect or submission.

Largess

Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others.

presentiment

A feeling that something, especially something unpleasant, is about to happen.

disgruntle

To make dissatisfied or discontent.

rife

Widespread, especially of something undesirable or harmful.

nicety

A fine detail or distinction.

curtail

To reduce in extent or quantity.

tortuous

Full of twists and turns; not straightforward.

accrual

The accumulation of something over time.

berate

To scold or criticize someone angrily.

munificent

More generous than is usual or necessary.

conundrum

A confusing or difficult problem or question.

placate

To make someone less angry or hostile.

effusive

Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.

sham

Something that is not what it purports to be; a fraud.

truncate

To shorten by cutting off a part.

highhanded

Using power or authority without considering the feelings or opinions of others.

assertion

A confident and forceful statement of fact or belief.

burgeon

To begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.

tenable

Able to be maintained or defended against attack.

nuance

A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.

efface

To erase or remove from a surface.

languorous

Weak or tired; characterized by a lack of energy.

rue

To bitterly regret something.

fathom

To understand a difficult problem or an enigmatic person after much thought.

toothsome

Temptingly tasty or delicious.

nostrum

An ineffective remedy for a problem; a solution that is unlikely to work.