English vocab

Cynical

evil

Deplore

strongly dislike

disconcerted

unsettled

elude

evade or to escape from

scruples

doubt or hesitation based on morals/beliefs

culminate

to reach a climax or the highest point of develop

glower

have an angry or sullen look on one’s face

heed

pay attention to, take notice of

taciturn

timid, reserved, quiet

trifle

a thing of little value or importance

dogged

tenacity persistence determined

forboding

a feeling that something bad will happen

recoil

flinch back in fear, horror or disgust

squander

to waste something (usually time or money)

appease

to relive or satisfy to please

audacity

bravery, willingness to bold risks

dissemble

to conceal one’s true motives, feelings or beliefs

pandemonium

wild and noisy uproar

uncanny

eerie, supernatural, unsettling in a strange way

candor

being open and honest

dumbfounded

greatly astonished, awed, dumbstruck

haphazard

random, without any particular order or reason

opportune

a well chosen time that is particularly favorable

rash

proceeding with a lack of consideration of possible consequences

impervious

unable to be affected by

lull

a temporary interval of calm or quiet

rancor

long lasting bitterness or resentfulness

respite

a period of rest or relief from something difficult/unplesant

strident

loud and harsh grating

benign

not harmful

earnest

sincereness

elated

ecstatically happy

falter

start to lose strength or momentum

jocular

joking, humorous, playful

coerce

to persuade an unwilling person to do something by using force or threats

contempt

feeling scorn and disdain towards something

haughty

arrogantly superior and disdainful

inept

having no skill, being clumsy

insinuate

suggest or hint at something negative

ambiguous

unclear; having more than one possible meaning; doubtful or uncertain. 

auspicious

promising a good future or outcome. 

differential

courteous; letting other people make decisions or have their own way. We are often deferential to those who are in need or who have a higher position of authority. 

ludicrous

ridiculous; laughably absurd.  

pretense

a false show or exterior. 

anguish

Extreme or severe pain or suffering—usually mental or emotional.  

cower

to shrink back in fear.  

forlorn

sad, pitiful, or pathetic because of being abandoned or alone.  

incredulity

disbelief.  

rapt

fascinated; completely absorbed.

prudent

being careful and thoughtful