1. Intrepid- brave, adventurous

Synonym: fearless, bold, daring

Antonym: fearful, cowardly

Sentence: The intrepid character persevered through the steep cliff to get the treasure.

2. Balk- hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking

Synonym: resist, recoil, refuse

Antonym: accept, 

Sentence: The congressman balked at the new bill trying to be passed. 

3. Gaunt- extremely thin and bony, as in suffeig from hunger or illness

Synonym: lean, scrawny, lanky

Antonym: plump, burly, husky, bulky

Sentence: The homeless dog could be seen looking gaunt when he crossed the street.

4. Persnickety- placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details

Synonym: fussy, difficult, finicky

Antonym: easygoing, laid-back

Sentence: The persnickety coach made the team practice until the dance was done correctly.

5. Whet- to sharpen the point of something

Synonym: hone, grind, edge

Antonym: blunt

Sentence: Loud commotions always whet fear.

6. Brusque- slightly rude in speech or manner

Synonym: curt, blunt, sharp

Antonym: polite

Sentence: Her reply was brusque and to the point.

7. Hone- to make more pointed (could be used for skills)

Synonym: whet, file

Antonym: blunt

Sentence: The rocket was honing in on its target.

8. Espouse- adopt or support

Synonym: embrace, back, accept

Antonym: reject, oppose

Sentence: The new theory has been espoused by many leading scientists. 

9. Odious- arousing or deserving hatred 

Synonym: revolting, repulsive, repugnant

Antonym: delightful, pleasant, charming

Sentence: The Grinch is known for being an odious character for stealing Christman

10. Posterity- all future generations

Synonym: breed, descendants, lineage, offspring

Antonym: forerunner, ascendant. Predecessor

Sentence: The posterity of the family remembered the laughs they had with their great grandmother before she left.