Set 28

quibble

a slight criticism about a trivial matter; adverse comment; nitpicking

gauche

lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward; inelegant; ungainly

wily

skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully; clever; shrewd, crafty

sophistry

the use of fallacious arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving; specious arguments; fallacious argument; sophism; casuistry

agitated

feeling or appearing troubled or nervous; perturbed; flustered; unnerved; ruffled; rattled

quarantined

isolated

coy

(especially with reference to a woman) making a pretense of shyness or modesty that is intended to be alluring; reluctant to give details, especially about something regarded as sensitive; arch; simpering; demure; modest

hysterical

deriving from or affected by uncontrolled extreme emotion; overwrought; unrestrained; frenzied; (informal) extremely funny

recant

say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, especially one considered heretical; disavow; forswear; change one's mind; retract

quandary

a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation; a practical dilemma; impasse; stalemate

affront

an action or remark that causes outrage or offense; insult; offense; slight; snub; slur

endemic

(of a disease or social condition) found particularly in a specific area or group; (of a plant or animal) native and restricted to a certain place

abstract

consider (something) theoretically or separately from something else; extract or remove (something); used euphemistically to say that stolen something; (abstract oneself) withdraw

burnish

polish up; buff up; enhance or perfect (something such as a reputation or a skill)

disperse

break up; split up; dissipate; scatter; go into different direction

enmity

the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something; animosity; antipathy; animus; feud; discord; acrimony

retiring

shy and fond of being on one's own; diffident, shrinking; self-effacing; unassuming

ravage

lay waste; devastate; leave in ruins; wreak havoc on; leave desolate; pillage

inchoate

beginning; rudimentary; confused or incoherent

impudent

not showing due respect for another person; impertinent; brazen; cheeky; presumptuous

redoubtable

(of a person) formidable, especially as an opponent; fearsome; awe-inspiring

shrill

high-pitched; piercing; screeching

deprecate

express disapproval of; frown on; object to

disdain

scorn; deride; regard with contempt; sneer at; spurn; rebuff

quash

reject or void, especially by legal procedure; cancel; rescind; suppress; put to an end; stamp out

distend

swell or cause to swell by pressure from inside; bulge; enlarge; puff out/up; blow up/out

penchant

liking; fondness; preference; inclination; bent; predilection; proclivity

abeyance

a state of suspension; a state of dormancy; a state of latency; pending; deferred; put off; postponed

august

respected and impressive; distinguished; eminent; venerable; hallowed; illustrious; esteemed; exalted; of distinction; of repute; aristocratic; imposing

substantiate

prove; show to be true; give substance to; support; justify; vindicate; corroborate; endorse; give credence to; vouch for, attest to