Vocab 5

Anyone who refers to my job as a \___ should spend just one day in my place!

sinecure

At the very outset of the term, I urged you to \___ yourself of the idea that you can pass this course without hard, regular work.

disabuse

I welcome honest criticism, but I deeply resented their \____ on my sincerity and good faith.

aspersions

Since he had always been quiet and retiring, we were amazed when he stood up at the meeting and \_____ the chairperson for failing to give everyone a chance to speak.

castigated

The \___ way in which they planned the undertaking shows that they were aware of its illegal character.

surreptitious

The Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln once and for all broke the \___ that bound African Americans to a life of servitude.

fetters

Is there any other crime in history as \____ as the attempt of the Nazis to annihilate so-called "inferior" racial groups?

heinous

In his determination to be blunt and honest, he has \____ the limits of good taste.

transgressed

His conceit is so great and so immune to the lessons of experience that this must be considered a kind of \____.

megalomania

Although the \____ were defeated by the government's forces, a small group escaped into the mountains, where they kept the spirit of rebellion alive.

insurgent

I find it hard to understand how they were able to \___ such an elaborately underhanded scheme in so short a time.

contrive

The alchemists of the Middle Ages, who were both skilled magicians and primitive chemists, hoped to \____ base metals into gold.

transmute

The one fact about nature that seems completely \____ is that everything is subject to change.

immutable

Wearing \_____ masks at Halloween is a tradition that goes back many centuries.

bizarre

His endless talk about himself and his interests is truly unexcelled for producing \____ in others.

ennui

Resorting to rather farfetched promises, I finally \____ Tina into going to the prom with me.

cajoled

Can you imagine anything as \___ as a successful drama coach who has never acted on the stage?

anomolous

The speaker's blatant appeal to the emotions of the crowd smacked more of the \___ than of a true leader of the people.

demagogue

Rude questions call for \_____ answers, and mine is "No!"

brusque

Although most of us lead a quiet, humdrum sort of life, we can all get a \____ thrill from the achievements of our astronauts.

vicarious