Unit 11: Completing the Sentence

Unless you can produce witnesses to __________ your claim that you stopped at the red light, the mere assertion will have little or no effect on the jury.

corroborate

The stubborn refusal to give me a chance to compete for the scholarship on the same basis as everyone else is a(n) ________ injustice to the whole idea of fair play.

palpable

I don't like to criticize your behavior, but I feel obligated to tell you that your discourtesy to that confused tourist was highly __________.

censurable

Is there any need for me to describe at length _________ effects of smoking?

pernicious

A(n) _________ characteristic of every great athlete is the ability to perform at maximum efficiency under extreme pressure.

salient

The old fellow did indeed look like a typical ________ of the racetrack as described in Damon Runyon's famous stories.

denizen

Though this may not be the most stylish blouse I own, I thought to myself, at least it doesn't make me look ______!

dowdy

No honest mechanic will try to ______ inferior replacement parts on his customers.

foist

If you wish to seal in the juices and bring out the flavor of your pot roast, _____ it briefly in a hot pan before you pit it in the oven.

sear

His talk on world affairs was so unorganized and _________ that is left us more confused than ever.

discursive

If I had the time, I could point out many flaws in the ______ arguments you find so impressive.

specious

since we wished to have some say in the town council's final decision, we sent a small ________ of our most persuasive speakers to the hearings.

contingent

The purpose of this program is to __________ throughout the community information about job-training opportunities for young people.

disseminate

Eudora Welty is considered one of the most ________ and insightful American writers of her time.

perceptive

When I referred to her favorite singer ad an "untalented, overpaid, and conceitied lout" she looked at me in shock, as thought I had been guilty of ___________

heresy

It is hard to believe that people coming from such a refined social milieu could actually be so __________ and boorish.

gauche

After the long summer vacation, I was ________ with loafing and eager to return to school!

satiated

Psychologists tell us that the years of early childhood are the best time to _______ basic concepts of right and wrong.

inculcate

Among all those pale and sallow people her highly _______complexion stood out like a beacon

florid

Her good health in old age is due in large part to the __________ habits of her younger years.

abstemious