List 8

acquiesce: to give in, to comply

affinity: a likeness, a natural relationship, a kinship

blasphemous: irreverent, profane

buttress: a support or prop

circumspect: careful to consider consequences, cautious, prudent

corroboration: confirmation

deplete: to use up gradually, to lessen in amount or value

despotic: ruling oppressively and absolutely; tyrannical

emaciated: very thin (usually as a result of starvation), wasting away

empirical: based on observation or experiment and not on theory

extraneous: not essential or vital

fallow: inactive, plowed but not sowed

homogeneous: of the same kind

hyperbole: obvious exaggeration

incontrovertible: indisputable

irascible: irritable, easily angered, cranky, cross

laconic: using a minimum of words; concise to the point of seeming rude

magnanimity: having a lofty, generous, and courageous spirit

obsequious: overly attentive, like a sycophant, servile

proliferation: an increase in number, multiplication

scrupulous: very principled, very careful and conscientious

sublime: exalted, noble, uplifting

surreptitious: secret, clandestine, stealthy

veracity: devotion to the truth

zeal: enthusiasm, fervor.