Set 3

abate

(of something unpleasant or severe) become less intense or widespread.

abjure

solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim).

anomalous

deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.

antipathy

a deep-seated feeling of aversion.

arcane

understood by few; mysterious or secret.

arduous

involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.

artless

without effort or pretentiousness; natural and simple.

ascetic

characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.

assuage

make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense.

betray

1. unintentionally reveal; be evidence of.

2. expose (one's country, a group, or a person) to danger by treacherously giving information to an enemy.

bucolic

relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.

burgeon

begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.

cacophonous

involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.

canonize

1. place in or regard as belonging to a canon of literary or artistic works.

2. (in the Roman Catholic Church) officially declare (a dead person) to be a saint.

censure

express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement.

chicanery

the use of deception or subterfuge to achieve one's purpose.

coalesce

come together to form one mass or whole.

cogent

(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing.

compelling

evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.

contend

1. compete with others in a struggle to achieve (something).

2. assert something as a position in an argument.

copious

abundant in supply or quantity.

cosmopolitan

1. including people from many different countries.

2. (of a plant or animal) found all over the world.

deference

polite submission and respect.

desultory

lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm.

diffident

modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.

dilatory

1. slow to act.

2. intended to cause delay.

equivocate

use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.

polarize

divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.

prodigal

1. spending money or using resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.

2. having or giving something on a lavish scale.

verbose

using or expressed in more words than are needed.