freshman 100 (1-80)

cynical

(adj.) bitter, disillusioned, believing the worst

deplore

(v.) to disapprove of

disconcerted

(adj.) confused, ruffled, having one's equilibrium thrown off

elude

(v.) to be unable to be caught or understood, to evade

scruple(s)

(n.) hesitation or doubt based on morals

culminate

(v.) to reach a final stage or end point, to climax

glower

(v.) to stare angrily or glare

heed

(v.) to pay attention to, to listen to, to follow advice or warning

taciturn

(adj.) quiet, untalkitive

trifle

(v. or n.) to treat something as if it has little worth or value

dogged

(adj.) determined, unwilling to give up, persistent

foreboding

(n. or adj.) a sense that something bad is going to happen, ominous

prudent

(adj.) cautious, exercising good judgment about practical things

recoil

(v.) to shrink back in fear or disgust

squander

(v.) to waste

appease

(v.) to calm, to bring peace or quiet, to satisfy or relieve

audacity

(n.) fearless daring

dissemble

(v.) to pretend, fake, or put on a false show

pandemonium

(n.) uproar, chaos

uncanny

(adj.) strange, eerie, almost supernatural

candor

(n.) truthfulness

dumbfounded

(adj.) astonished, shocked, surprised

haphazard

(adj.) random, without any particular order or pattern

opportune

appropriate, well-timed

rash

(adj.) acting without considering the consequences, done without careful thought, imprudent

impervious

(adj.) resistant, being able to withstand something

lull

(v.) to soothe or calm

rancor

(n.) bitter, long-lasting hatred or resentment

respite

(n.) a break or pause

strident

(adj.) loud, grating, harsh

benign

(adj.) mild, harmless, kind

earnest

(adj.) serious, sincere

elated

(adj.) joyful, over-the-moon happy

falter

(v.) to hesitate, stumble, or waver

jocular

(adj.) friendly, good-humored

coerce

(v.) to manipulate, threaten, or pressure unfairly

contempt

(n.) extreme lack of respect, looking down on something as totally worthless or disgusting

haughty

(adj.) arrogant, scornful, feeling contemptuous of others

inept

(adj.) unskilled, clumsy, incompetent

insinuate

(v.) to hint at something with a negative goal

ambiguous

(adj.) unclear, having more than one possible meaning, doubtful or uncertain

auspicious

(adj.) promising a good future or outcome

deferential

(adj.) courteous, letting other people make decisions or have their own way

ludicrous

(adj.) ridiculous, laughably absurd

pretense

(n.) a false show or exterior

anguish

(n.) extreme or severe pain or suffering

cower

(v.) to shrink back in fear

forlorn

(adj.) sad, pitiful, or pathetic, because of being abandoned or alone

incredulity

(n.) disbelief

rapt

(adj.) fascinated, completely absorbed

facetious

(adj.) being funny w/ a bit of an edge, treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor

lurk

(v.) to hide, to lie in wait

mortified

(adj.) embarrassed, humiliated

rebuff

(v.) to reject for snub, to give the cold shoulder to

shrewd

(adj.) smart/clever in a practical way, street-smart

cryptic

(adj.) ambiguous, difficult to decipher or understand

impassive

(adj.) showing no outward emotion or expression

robust

(adj.) healthy and strong, full of energy and life, hearty

sullen

(adj.) sulky, quietly, resentful

vivacious

(adj.) lively, spirited, vibrant

harried

(adj.) overwhelmed, stressed, harassed

ravage

(v.) to destroy completely

resolute

(adj.) determined, unshakable

steadfast

(adj.) resolute, unshakable, determined

tremulous

(adj.) trembling, shaking, unsteady

quizzical

(adj.) confused, puzzled

remiss

(adj.) negligent, not doing one’s duty

tactful

(adj.) considerate

temperate

(adj.) moderate, not subject to any kind of extreme

wary

(adj.) distrustful, hesitant, cautious

anarchy

(n.) disorder or confusion, lawlessness

dearth

(n.) lack of , scarcity

decrepit

(adj.) broken-down through hard use, in bad physical condition

inherent

(adj.) having a natural or innate quality, an essential part of something

scrutiny

close or careful study/observation

brazen

(adj.) shamelessly bold

goad

(v.) to taunt or push, to provoke

illustrious

(adj.) famous (in a way that’s admirable/respected)

imperious

(adj.) arrogant, feeling superior and looking down on others

sate

(v.) to fully satisfy any kind of appetite (physical or mental)