askance
(adv) with suspicion, distrust, and disapproval
attenuate
(v) to make thin; to weaken or lessen in force, intensity, or value
benign
(adj) gentle, kind; forgiving, understanding; harmless
cavil
(v) to find fault in a petty way
(n) trivial objection or criticism
charlatan
(n) one who feigns knowledge or ability; a pretender
decimate
(v) to kill or destroy a large part of
foible
(n) a weak point, failing, minor flaw
forgo
(v) to do without
fraught
(adj) full or loaded with
inure
(v) to toughen or harden; to acclimate
luminous
(adj) emitting or reflecting light; illuminating
obsequious
(adj) marked by slavish attentiveness; excessively submissive, often for purely self-interested reasons
obtuse
(adj) blunt; slow or dull in understanding
oscillate
(v) to swing back and forth in a steady rhythm
penitent
(adj/n) regretful for one’s sins or mistakes
peremptory
(adj) offensively self-assured, dictatorial
rebuff
(v) to snub; to drive away
reconnoiter
(v) to engage in reconnaissance; to make a preliminary inspection
shambles
(n) a place of mass bloodshed; a mess
sporadic
(adj) occurring at irregular intervals; having no set plans