abate (v)
to reduce in intensity or amount
antecedent (n)
preceding a cause
arid (adj)
very dry
baneful (adj)
a source of harm or destruction; harmful, destructive
beleaguer (v)
to harass
contempt (n)
scorn, extreme dislike or disdain
cynical (adj)
given to faultfinding, sneering, and sarcasm; exhibiting mocking disbelief
dexterous (adj)
skillful and active with the hands; manually adroit and skillful
dour (adj)
sullen, stern, harsh
exalt (v)
to glorify, to praise, to raise in rank
felicitous (adj)
happy or delightful
impeccable (adj)
free from fault or blame
imperturbable (adj)
marked by extreme calm, impassivity, assurance and steadiness
malleable (adj)
capable of being shaped, influenced, or altered; tractable
mortify (v)
to humiliate, to wound pride, to experience shame
obdurate (v)
extremely stubborn, unwilling to accept advice
platitude (n)
trite remark, banal statement
profligate (n)
a wasteful person; extremely wasteful, given to licentiousness
pugnacious (adj)
looking for a fight, combative, belligerent
savory (adj)
appetizing
spurn (v)
to reject or to refuse with hostility
supercilious (adj)
haughty, vain and arrogant
trite (adj)
overused, commonplace, hackneyed
vociferous (adj)
clamorous; boisterous (suggests a vehement outcry)
vulgarity (n)
something offensive to good taste and refinement