Vocab Sentences
discord
"__________________ " proceeds to envelop us in this exhaustive, mind-racking debate. The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson (And Tolstoy and Dickens) Samuel Fragoso October 25, 2014
decorous
A _______________ group of nine panelists presented their positions one at a time, following distinctly un-Israeli rules of etiquette. Israel's New Election Discourse Don Futterman January 7, 2013
devoid
A conspicuous person standing apart from the crowd and yet __________________ of any individuality. This Week's Best Journalism The Daily Beast May 12, 2011
apocryphal
At least half of an _________________ story known as the Ascension of Isaiah can be attributed to Christian editors. Jesus Christ, Baby Daddy? Candida Moss November 11, 2014
credulous
But instead of fighting the trend, too many of us simply capitulate—lazy, __________________ fools that we are. Walmart Lifts Black Friday's Curse James Poulos November 25, 2014
conformist
Cozens has a conscience—a _________________ conscience—and is a first-class season-ticket holder. Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 156, April 9, 1919 Various
disseminate
Each of these incidents incited the miffed woman to _____________________ mild hearsay about my sexual orientation or general oddness. Grant Stoddard: Men Have It Worse Grant Stoddard March 16, 2009
aggrandize
He cares for nothing save to _________________ his children, by fair means or foul, and this is his sole desire. The Life of Cesare Borgia Raphael Sabatini
beatify
He does also many things through angels; but only from Himself does He _________________ angels. The City of God, Volume I Aurelius Augustine
apposite
He flung a swift glance at the man as he realized that his observation was ____________________. Thrice Armed Harold Bindloss
affluence
He is the author of Taking America, The End of __________ (Random House) and The Case for Big Government. Was the New Deal a Bust? Jeff Madrick March 29, 2009
acclaim
He runs numerous charities and regularly visits U.S. troops, who __________ him as one of their own. Chuck Norris Turns 70 Sean Macaulay December 5, 2009
abase
His desire to ________himself, though it arose from a different motive, was as complete as hers. Narcissus Evelyn Scott
appropriated
His early artistic explorations had emulated and ___________________ the entire cast of European modernism. Man Ray Revealed Philip Gefter November 11, 2009
articulate
I am not the most financially literate person (I would be hard-pressed to ______________ the term "junk bond"). Can Self-Help Books Really Make a New You? Lizzie Crocker December 28, 2014
anomaly
I am tall and broad, and yet, within the fashion world, I am an __________________. Ralph Lauren Plus-Size Model Robyn Lawley: I'm Proud of My Body Robyn Lawley September 25, 2012
belittle
I ask Cupp if she thinks news editors start their meetings by asking, "How can we ___________ Christianity today?" The Right's Favorite Atheist Benyamin Cohen June 12, 2010
amiable
I watched another three episodes, thinking it might just be a slow start—but no, the ___________, purposeless loafing continues. Yes, 'Looking' Is Boring. It's the Drama Gays Deserve. Tim Teeman January 23, 2014
disseminate
I would rather keep all this in camera than ________________ it to the teeming raptors of the Internet. Norman Mailer vs. Everyone Norman Mailer February 26, 2009
comprehensive
In April, a group of William and Mary political scientists did the most ___________________ survey of Tea Party supporters yet. Mitch McConnell and John Boehner Lose Their Grip on the Republican Party Peter Beinart July 21, 2013
cite
In Canada and Germany, to ____________ just two examples, laws also require photo identification in order to vote. From Gore to Kennedy, Democrats Have Their Own Shady Voter ID Past Matt Latimer September 13, 2012
demure
She had long, wavy blonde hair and wore a _________________ black suit. Gloria Allred Takes On Herman Cain Jacob Bernstein, Jessica Bennett November 7, 2011
dispel
She knows she needs to do something to ________________ her dark thoughts and decides on a visit to the Royal Mews after luncheon. Working in The Royal Archives and Dreaming Up a Novel Tom Sykes October 15, 2012
acumen
She serves on the boards of the Sundance Institute, ________________ Fund, VDAY, and Human Rights Watch. 2012 Summit: Who's On Stage March 5, 2012
adulation
She was a fighter, a poor gal whose love of the movies propelled her into a complex life of __________ and rejection. Dead Cool: Anna May Wong Simon Doonan February 27, 2010
baleful
She will unearth more than their remains in a quest that becomes a journey of ______________ discovery and painful self-discovery. Holocaust Horrors Haunt the Films 'Ida' And 'The German Doctor' Jack Schwartz May 11, 2014
clandestine
Similarly, ____________________ foreign operations have sullied the civilian courts. Bin Laden's Real Legacy David K. Shipler May 25, 2011
affable
Since 2009, Jawad, an _________ and confident man, has been visiting Pakistan to perform surgeries on acid-attack survivors. Oscar-Winning 'Saving Face' Directors' Battle to End Horror of Acid Attacks Shakthi Jothianandan March 7, 2012
craven
Six miles from _________________ Cottage, where Fulham play their home games, is the stadium where this soccer revolution began 10 years ago. English Premier League Is Now an American Billionaires' Paradise Nico Hines July 10, 2013
augment
SmartGlass will _____________ your gaming experience in a couple of ways. What's So Smart About SmartGlass? 15 Questions Alex Klein June 4, 2012
aesthetic
Some of those young men lost their way, unable to settle on a point of view that defined their ____________________. Rodarte Channels Australia In Fall Show for New York Fashion Week Robin Givhan February 13, 2012
adherence
Some publications have claimed that Bulletproof Stockings hold women-only concerts in __________with kol isha. The Sisterhood of Bulletproof Stockings: It's Ladies' Night for Hasidic Rockers Emily Shire September 29, 2014
adroit
Sometimes, to be unmemorable is to be ________________; and tonight, Obama was deeply unmemorable—and very _________________. A Triumphantly Unmemorable Address Tunku Varadarajan January 24, 2011
credible
They need to present a _______________ front against a very powerful set of right-wing and center-right parties and movements. Whither The Israeli Left? Brent E. Sasley January 23, 2013
debunk
Those images themselves should ________________ the myths that Islam and Muslims are extreme. Meet the Muslim Ms. Marvel: Kamala Khan's Fight Against Stereotypes Rula Jebreal November 7, 2013
amenable
And one reason no one quite has is that the moment has never been as _______________ as the current one to its resonance. Michael Tomasky: Obama Finally Seizes the Moment in His Kansas Speech Michael Tomasky December 6, 2011
commerce
And remember when the Obama administration was in talks with Republican Judd Gregg to make him secretary of ____________________? Obama's Crazy Clinton Mess Eric Alterman May 27, 2010
belabor
And she chose the dinner party where he was the guest to ______________ him with this abuse. Rediscovering Richard Dawkins: An Interview J.P. O'Malley September 22, 2013
dilemma
And that is a _________________ that should worry Western leaders who have turned their back on democracy in this troubled nation. Egypt, a Nation Divided Barak Barfi July 22, 2013
coda
And then the joke in the last verse of watching Walter Cronkite deliver the ________________. Overrated/Underrated: I Do/Don't Believe in Zimmerman Michael Tomasky May 23, 2012
alacrity
And then, the ages having elapsed with some ___________, the door opens and the two subjects of discussion make their appearance. Somehow Good William de Morgan
boor
And why am I a ________________ if I do not give her my seat, while she is considered a lady if she takes it without thanking me? The Secret of a Happy Home (1896) Marion Harland
canon
And yet, if we knew this were the case, would we excise it from the __________________ ? Who's Afraid of Fake Memoirists? Ben Crair March 5, 2009
astringent
And yet, there was always an __________________, bleakly humorous honesty to the man. The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Henry Ford Richard Snow May 13, 2013
contrite
And, while _____________, she very coolly shrugged her shoulders over the whole thing. Is Reese Witherspoon's Drunken Arrest the Best Thing to Happen to Her Career? Kevin Fallon May 2, 2013
contrite
And, while ___________________, she very coolly shrugged her shoulders over the whole thing. Is Reese Witherspoon's Drunken Arrest the Best Thing to Happen to Her Career? Kevin Fallon May 2, 2013
dismissive
But on TV, Biden seemed somehow much better: impassioned rather than impatient, aggressive rather than ___________________. Ryan Solid, But One Major Mistake David Frum October 11, 2012
capricious
But that may not take into account a ______________ pope who does not necessarily play by the established rules. Pope Francis's Trip to Rio: The Security Challenge Barbie Latza Nadeau June 21, 2013
capricious
But that may not take into account a _________________ pope who does not necessarily play by the established rules. Pope Francis's Trip to Rio: The Security Challenge Barbie Latza Nadeau June 21, 2013
compliant
But the _________________ reports that Loewen was ready for action a week later. Terry Lee Loewen, the Mellow Kansas Man Who Dreamed of Jihad Michael Daly December 15, 2013
disparity
But the ___________________ in their backgrounds was obvious from the start. Ilya Yashin & Ksenia Sobchak, the Russian Opposition's Romeo & Juliet Anna Nemtsova December 16, 2012
assay
But the next afternoon, and perhaps the next, we would return to the same cruxes, and often _________________ the same options. Remembering Dmitri Nabokov, the Novelist's Son and Literary Executor Brian Boyd May 9, 2012
deleterious
But the truth is that they have real and _______________ effects on conservative politics. D'Souza's Never-Ending Right-Wing Hustle Jamelle Bouie January 26, 2014
cozen
But they cannot _________________ it: they can only cozen their neighbours. The Crown of Wild Olive John Ruskin
denuded
But when we reach the mountain, we see only a __________________ plateau of looping ring roads and gray rubble. Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco Chronicle Mining Catastrophes in West Virginia Chris Hedges, Joe Sacco June 13, 2012
contentious
CBS will be nervous that it's too _____________________, that it risks Schieffer being "Crowleyed" by Breitbartland. One Thing About the Debate I Forgot in that Previous Piece Michael Tomasky October 21, 2012
allude
Chang used silicon and metal because she wanted her device to be touch-friendly, yet ________ to jewelry. The Duet: The iPod of Vibrators? Eric V. Copage February 19, 2012
bellicose
China is clearly frustrated with its destitute, ___________________ neighbor. Hey, Obama: Keep Out of North Korea Peter Beinart April 7, 2013
curmudgeon
Chris Messina did such great work this year making a __________________ charming on The Mindy Project. Emmys 2014: Who Will and Who Should Be Nominated Kevin Fallon July 8, 2014
deferential
Chris was brilliant, ______________________, even demure, full of conviction. A Friend's Tribute to Ambassador Chris Stevens: The Diplomatic Indiana Jones Roya Hakakian September 12, 2012
audacious
Christie was quick to respond with a statement that began with a line that was __________________ even by Jersey standards. David Wildstein: A Christie Groupie Scorned? Michael Daly January 31, 2014
captious
Cicily Hamilton was inclined to be _________________ with her maid as she dressed that evening. Making People Happy Thompson Buchanan
artless
Closest as in "closest to her heart," or something clutched, or something unvarnished, _______________, some plain truth? Three Cheers for Alice Munro's Nobel Prize in Literature Malcolm Jones October 9, 2013
copious
Following her _______________ research, Watts says she walked away with a great deal of respect for the late icon. Naomi Watts on 'The Impossible,' Personal Tragedy, and Playing Princess Diana Marlow Stern December 20, 2012
burnish
For Palin, of course, Israel also offers a chance to ___________________ her famously weak foreign policy credentials. What's Palin Doing in Israel? Dan Ephron March 20, 2011
bureaucratic
For a journalist, trying to piece together the life of a Guantanamo detainee involves staring into the __________________ unknown. The Faces of Guantánamo Molly Crabapple September 2, 2013
convention
For his part, FDR went into the Democratic Party ___________________ refusing to declare his candidacy. The Revolution of 1940: America's Fight Over Entering World War II Marc Wortman June 22, 2013
allegation
For the French cops, 14 years of Fayed conspiracy campaigning has represented one enormous " _____________." Princess Diana's 50th Birthday: The 'Unanswered Questions' Martyn Gregory June 30, 2011
cerebral
For the past forty years critic James Wolcott has been a __________________ antidote to the dullness contaminating our cultural pages. The Obligation to be Interesting: James Wolcott's "Critical Mass" William Giraldi October 23, 2013
approbation
For them to take a name like that suggests not racism but _________________. Levon Helm of The Band: Obituary Malcolm Jones April 18, 2012
abstemious
For this they work most energetically; living in the most __________________ manner, in order that they may not break into their hoard. A Tramp's Wallet William Duthie
antithetical
He insists that the leading Catholic university in America ought not to bestow honors on someone of ____________________ views. Showdown at Notre Dame Christopher Buckley April 9, 2009
adroit
He is _________ and dry, and balances humor with the humanity of life. Pierce Brosnan's Life After Bond: From Action Hero to Losing His Daughter to Cancer Tim Teeman July 1, 2014
adroit
He is ________________ and dry, and balances humor with the humanity of life. Pierce Brosnan's Life After Bond: From Action Hero to Losing His Daughter to Cancer Tim Teeman July 1, 2014
contrite
He is unfailingly polite and ____________, still slightly awkward with the artifice of campaigning after all these years. South Carolina Street Fight in First District Congressional Primary John Avlon March 17, 2013
contrite
He is unfailingly polite and _________________, still slightly awkward with the artifice of campaigning after all these years. South Carolina Street Fight in First District Congressional Primary John Avlon March 17, 2013
discretion
He keeps order chiefly thanks to the patronage that he can grant and withdraw according to his _________________ and whim. Afghan Elections: The Warlords Are Back Ron Moreau, Sami Yousafzai October 15, 2013
cynical
He may just be ____________________ enough to go along, if he believes that Obama is serious—that is, a little dangerous. The Obama Doctrine on Syria: Re-Opening the Diplomatic Window Bernard Avishai September 2, 2013
celerity
He moved with a ________________ that amazed me, when I remembered how exasperatingly slow he could be, fooling with kites. Tales of Fishes Zane Grey
contrive
He must ________________ to keep his family alive as he strategizes. Turning to Tolstoy's 'Hadji Murat' as Boston Locked Down Liesl Schillinger April 21, 2013
accolade
He now becomes the thirteenth Frenchman to get the _______________, the first since 1985. If He Had to be French... Peter Stothard October 8, 2008
colleague
He paused as his former Republican __________________, Pete Domenici, slowly made his way across the room to greet him. Tea Party Victims Support Group Benjamin Sarlin December 15, 2010
denuded
He removed her beige Roger Vivier pumps and white lab coat to reveal a ________________ ballerina-pink slip dress. Tilda Swinton and Oliver Saillard Perform the Creation of Fashion in 'Eternity Dress' Sarah Moroz November 20, 2013
Abase
He saw a way to hurt her, to _______ her pride, and cut her to the very soul with shame. St. Martin's Summer Rafael Sabatini
benefactor
He used to pay $55, says Abu Omar, but wages were cut recently because the ______________ could not afford to continue at that rate. Millions of Refugees from Syria's War Are Clinging to Life In Toxic Conditions Christopher Looney April 13, 2014
apprehensive
He was a shy and ________________ boy who refused to leave the safety of his stroller in the park. When Did My 13-Year-Old Son Become a 'Player?' Laura Bennett February 28, 2009
aver
He was at the moment a graceful and silencing rebuke to those who _______________ that manner and attire be interdependent. The Spenders Harry Leon Wilson
diffident
He was charming, _________________ but above all very friendly, with no airs or graces. How John Lennon Rediscovered His Music in Bermuda The Telegraph November 2, 2013
acquiesce
He was force of nature and a force for good that eventually, they had to ____________. We Need MLK's Revolutionary Spirit Roland S. Martin January 19, 2014
abstemious
He was however naturally of an __________________ and recluse disposition. Imogen William Godwin
bombast
He was to be Iran's moderate president, reflecting public sentiment to avoid the __________________ of the erstwhile Ahmadinejad. VIDEO: What Do Israelis Wish For Iranians? Elisheva Goldberg August 4, 2013
dismissive
He's ________________ to women and unflinchingly brutal to his enemies. Conan Gets Emotional Adam Auriemma August 20, 2011
dismissive
He's _________________ to women and unflinchingly brutal to his enemies. Conan Gets Emotional Adam Auriemma August 20, 2011
chauvinist
He's defending the ________________ and imperialist Russian regime of President Vladimir Putin. Ron Paul Is Supporting Russia's Illegal Occupation of Crimea James Kirchick March 15, 2014
cursory
Hector and Felix Sanchez say they received a _________________ email from Rubenstein, with no response to any of their issues. The Latino Fight to Be Included in the Kennedy Center Honors Sandra McElwaine November 28, 2012
benefactor
Her _____________ is simply "him," "my man," and sometimes even "lover;" but not "boyfriend," and never "husband." China's Concubine Culture Lives On in Mistress Villages Brendon Hong April 13, 2014
demure
Her _________________ Cartier tiara—if a little crown of diamonds can ever be discreet—exuded youth and ease. Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress: Alexander McQueen's Royal Triumph Robin Givhan April 28, 2011
cultivate
Her mission is to _______________ personal satisfaction and healthier living through home cooking. The Secrets to Buying Olive Oil Jill Donenfeld November 30, 2009
conscientious
Her preparation sounds like normal due diligence by a ____________________ executive for the task in hand. Murdoch on the Rocks: How a Lone Reporter Revealed the Mogul's Tabloid Terror Machine Clive Irving August 24, 2014
authenticity
Her search for ______________ gets her strip-searched, high on pot, and into bar fights, among other things. This Week's Hot Reads: Jan. 7, 2013 Mythili Rao January 6, 2013
calculated
Hillary, queen of ________________ indifference, finally asserted her independence—ferociously. The Year of Women Fighting Back Rebecca Dana November 29, 2009
churlish
His __________________ attack created a media storm that the Republican Party got dragged into and which has hurt the image of the party. The Real Problem with Sandra Fluke (Hint: It has Nothing to Do with her Sex Life) Noah Kristula-Green March 5, 2012
dilatory
His ___________________ action seemed to increase the young woman's panic. A Rock in the Baltic Robert Barr
demeanor
His ____________________, in fact, strangely mimics that of his aircraft: robotic. Bad to the Drone: Amateur Flyer Appears at Harlem Wreckage Abby Haglage March 12, 2014
cerebral
Honor called the move "ballsy" and his friend shot back, " _______________ ballsy!" Craziest SXSW Band Names: Perfect Pussy, Death By Unga Bunga, and More Marlow Stern March 7, 2014
differentiate
How can we taxonomize their experience, and ___________________ it from hallucination, or psychotic break? Eben Alexander Has a GPS for Heaven Patricia Pearson October 7, 2014
assertion
How does the _____________ that the monarch rules "by the grace of Almighty God" square with the Trades Descriptions Act? Feminism Doesn't Fit the Monarchy Andrew Roberts October 28, 2011
complement
Hårdh is careful not to exaggerate expectations, calling the new device a ___________________, not a cure. Can This Bracelet Save Your Life? Nina Strochlic April 14, 2013
commend
I ________________ him for doing so, and for the immense amount of good he has done in that role. Is Dan Savage the Gay Santorum? Jay Michaelson May 2, 2012
commend
I _______________________ her for standing by her friend and going on record as a character witness. The Woody Allen Allegations: Not So Fast Robert B. Weide January 26, 2014
cryptic
I also think Damian Lewis's performance was stellar in episode after episode: vivid, ___________________, and (against all odds) believable. 'Homeland' Finale Shocker: A Death in the Family Andrew Romano December 15, 2013
avarice
I am writing it," she tells us, "and I spill it all out on my lap like very money, like riches, beyond the dreams of ___________________. Must Reads Allen Barra, Lucy Scholes, Kevin Canfield, Jane Ciabattari October 2, 2011
curmudgeon
I don't think he is a ___________________, I think he just likes challenging climatic conditions. Running Commentary from the Jubilee Pageant Tom Sykes June 2, 2012
discredit
I had no memory of the other two, and that information was used to _________________ my recollection of what had happened to me. I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything Liz Seccuro December 15, 2014
discredit
I had no memory of the other two, and that information was used to __________________ my recollection of what had happened to me. I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything Liz Seccuro December 15, 2014
acumen
I have known him for 20 years and admire his audacity, ________________, and vision. Q and A with Tina Brown The Daily Beast October 4, 2008
auspicious
I keep an ___________________ fortune cookie message in my wallet: "All your sorrows will vanish." Blake Bailey: How I Write Noah Charney March 19, 2013
cajole
I recall mentioning that in the past to others: her using her femininity to _________________, to persuade. The Margaret Thatcher I Knew Jamie Dettmer April 8, 2013
aspersion
I suspect that Obama, too—for all his personal angst over the Muslim _________________—will be with squarely with me on this one. Ignorant America Tunku Varadarajan August 29, 2010
compatible
I think that there are periods of history that are ___________________; they have insight into each other. The American Prophet of Delusion: Robert Stone in Conversation David Samuels November 14, 2013
assay
I threw it into the fuming nitrous acid to ________________ it, and there arising a little effervescence, I added distilled water thereon. Buffon's Natural History. Volume X (of 10) Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon
differentiate
I understand you have to _________________ yourself from the POTUS, but perhaps a little skepticism would be helpful? Foreign Policy Debate Live-Blog Justin Green October 22, 2012
authenticity
I wanted there to be an ______________ in this to where people were really horrified by these events. The Snowtown Murders: Australia's Gruesome Crime Saga on Film Marlow Stern March 3, 2012
dejected
I was ________________ and rejected yet again by someone who cashed my checks to tell me how to deal with dejection and rejection. My Therapist Dumped Me Lizzie Crocker April 3, 2014
deplore
I'm about to quote something pretty deplorable, but not in order to _________________ it. Why Does Michelle Malkin Hate Half Her Country? David Frum September 20, 2012
debilitating
More than merely expensive, long commutes are mentally _____________________. America's 50 Worst Commutes The Daily Beast March 7, 2011
cacophony
Most _____________ events were one-off affairs, just enough to jam the culture a bit before moving on. Before the Bros, SantaCon Was as an Anti-Corporate Protest David Freedlander December 11, 2014
alleviate
Most of them remain chained to their smartphones, scrutinizing the market to _________ deal-making withdrawal symptoms. The Hell of the Hamptons: Why the Exclusive Hotspot Is a Mind-Numbing Drag Robert Gold August 17, 2014
clandestine
Much has already been written about the recklessness inherent in any director of the CIA entering into a ____________________ relationship. David Petraeus: A Good General Is a Terrible Thing to Waste Diane Dimond November 17, 2012
camaraderie
My father regarded Senator Kennedy as an old-school politician who brought a sense of __________________ to the Senate floor. Why the Lion of the Left Was Right Meghan McCain August 30, 2009
censure
In this way, we both celebrate and _________________ women who act "like men" in order to succeed professionally. Calling Christine Quinn A Bully Isn't Sexist - It's Progress Peggy Drexler March 26, 2013
apprise
Indeed, how could she _________________ him of events which were now the talk of the court? Under the Rose Frederic Stewart Isham
complement
Indeed, text and sound not only ___________________ but enhance one another. Beguiling Books on Steroids Make Interactive Reading a Pleasure Malcolm Jones June 26, 2014
collaboration
Indeed, the only political book that Vincent has written in the first-person was done in ___________________ with McCain. Palin's Noxious Ghostwriter Max Blumenthal November 15, 2009
accessible
Names themselves on Facebook are ___________ and public information, under the service's rules. Facebook Privacy Hysteria David Kirkpatrick October 18, 2010
commensurate
Nevertheless, ____________________ reductions in greenhouse gas emissions have not been made. 30 Years to Catastrophe—Bill McKibben's Mission to Save Us Mark Hertsgaard September 26, 2013
circumscribe
No hood was placed to shelter the King's head and at the same time to hide and __________________ its fall. The Memoirs of Victor Hugo Victor Hugo
bombast
No question Chris Christie does __________________ well—arguably a little too well. GOP Still Desperate for White Knight Despite Romney's Michigan, Arizona Wins Michelle Cottle February 28, 2012
capitulate
Nor is the stubborn, shrewd prime minsiter known to _________________ easily, or to misread public sentiment. Why Did Netanyahu Release Palestinian Prisoners? Abraham Katsman August 5, 2013
decorous
Not for Rodriguez the _________________, red-carpet likes of Gwynnie, Sandra Bullock, or Tom Cruise, but "hot criminal" Jeremy Meeks. Meet the PR Guru for the 'Hot Convict,' the Octomom, and Every Other D-List Trainwreck Erin Cunningham July 16, 2014
ascetic
Not surprisingly, this did not sit well with the _______________ early Christians. Meet Krampus, the Seriously Bad Santa Jay Michaelson December 4, 2014
anachronism
Notice the ___________________ of the transfer of the medieval sport to legendary Greece. Palamon and Arcite John Dryden
coalesce
Individual tales of loss can generate mass action only if they are able to __________________ into a collective narrative. Forget Kim Jong Un—China's New Favorite Dictator Is Belarus's Aleksandr Lukashenko. Kapil Komireddi January 27, 2014
abstinence
Instead I felt envious of this earlier version of myself, unencumbered by the burden of ___________. There's a Reason That Addicts Say Yes to Drugs Megan McArdle March 6, 2013
cajole
Instead, help, ____________________, and push friendly regimes to transition peacefully toward democracy. Libya Protests: Watch Out, Barack Obama Leslie H. Gelb February 21, 2011
condescending
Instead, says Jamelle Bouie, he was __________________ and intellectually dishonest. Rand Paul at Howard Jamelle Bouie April 10, 2013
deficient
Is there something, er, __________________ about the type of guy who earns a living saving lives, succoring the sick, abetting the needy? Doctors as Doormats in the David Petraeus Scandal Kent Sepkowitz November 13, 2012
demise
Is this trend another sign of the _________________ of the middle class? RIP Loehmann's: Another Nail in the Coffin for America's Middle Class Keli Goff February 23, 2014
dispel
Israeli officials have made little effort to ____________________ such speculation. Iran's Changing Calculus: Will It Strike Inside the United States? Eli Lake January 31, 2012
attenuate
Israeli retaliation of some kind is probably inevitable, but American influence can do much to ____________________ the damage it causes. The Palestinian Choice—And Ours Hussein Ibish November 25, 2012
dearth
It cites heavy paperwork, a lack of online filing options and a _____________________ of local and foreign-language resources. The Tax Man Drives American Citizens Away Noah Kristula-Green April 18, 2012
atrophy
It hinders the immune system, causes insomnia, and speeds the ______________ of the brain, to name a few. How to Live Forever Casey Schwartz July 28, 2009
collaboration
It is about taking direct steps to create a culture of _____________________ and innovation. Yahoo Has It Backward: Why Working Remotely Is Better for Everyone Ellen Galinsky February 25, 2013
despondent
It is all too easy to be ______________ in the face of what seems like the endless capacity of evil to reinvent itself. The Catholic Philosopher Who Took on Hitler John Henry Crosby December 25, 2014
discretion
It is critical to focus on concrete and implementable options, on a low profile, ________________ and promptness. Kerry Must Hurry Yossi Beilin February 5, 2013
discretion
It is critical to focus on concrete and implementable options, on a low profile, _________________ and promptness. Kerry Must Hurry Yossi Beilin February 5, 2013
atypical
Now the _______________: My mother largely checked out of the parent role when I was 6. Why I Choose to Be Child-Free: Readers Share Their Stories Harry Siegel February 26, 2013
credible
Now, the one thing Obama has to do here is put forward—soon—a _________________ cuts-and-revenue plan. The Incompetent Party Michael Tomasky January 7, 2013
coherent
Nowadays, the last thing a politician wants is to appear in the public mind as a _______________ figure delineated by conviction. Monsters vs. Weenies Lee Siegel December 28, 2009
chary
Of such influence as he could properly exert among members of the House he was not ______________. Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II John T. Morse
contempt
On Friday, Young avoided being sent to jail on _________________ of court charges. Edwards Sex Tape Details Diane Dimond March 14, 2010
caustic
On Sept. 29, The New York Times published a _________________ diatribe against American Airlines by the novelist Gary Shteyngart. Think American Airlines Is Rotten? You Have No Idea How Good You Have It Patrick Smith October 10, 2012
arabesque
On the ____________________ in which the painting is set is a cartel inscribed with name and date. Pintoricchio Evelyn March Phillipps
cursory
On the few social occasions where I saw him, we shared nothing other than a ___________________ hello. My Father's Assassination Fatima Bhutto September 30, 2010
depict
On the opposite end of the spectrum are two other standout works, which ________________ Mary as a loving, nurturing mother. The Virgin Mary Lookbook William O'Connor December 6, 2014
critique
On the publication of its first part in ________________, "Writing Before the Letter" created a real stir in intellectual circles. Derrida's 'Of Grammatology' and the Birth of Deconstruction Benoît Peeters December 20, 2012
bereft
One about teens battling to the death, and several about ___________ middle-aged people struggling to keep it together. Whatever Happened to Great Holiday Films? Liesl Schillinger November 30, 2013
cathartic
One hopes they will lose in court, but if they settle, may the punitive clobbering be profound—and _____________________. The Hearing From Hell Tunku Varadarajan April 26, 2010
adulterate
It is more soluble in both rectified spirit and water than any of the oils used to _____________________ it. Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II Arnold Cooley
devoid
It is refreshingly—to this reader, at least— ________________ of phrases like "a new study shows" or "data now support." America's Meddlers Are Our Worst Enemies Stefan Beck October 2, 2014
appropriated
It just raised the ceiling on the amounts that may be _______________. Obamacare, Impeachment, Iran, and More Political Predictions for 2014 Michael Tomasky December 29, 2013
auspicious
It may yet live up to that hope, but it cannot be said to have begun in the most _______________ style. Europe's Soccer Championships Kick Off Amid Sideline Drama Alex Massie June 7, 2012
deplore
It quickly came to mean, to ___________________ or to disapprove in an especially morally laden way. Busted by The Language Cops David Frum April 29, 2012
apogee
It reaches its _______________ in Bodrum, since nowhere in Turkey is the produce and seafood fresher or more abundant. Into the Heart of Turkey Sophie Menin September 27, 2010
chasten
It should _________________ other countries, which can only dream of such mobility. Europe, Be Careful What You Ask For Andrew Neil November 1, 2008
convoluted
It took more than five years and 50,000 pages of ___________________ testimony for the U.N.-backed court to reach its conclusion. Liberian Nostalgia for War Criminal Charles Taylor Finlay Young April 27, 2012
abstruse
It was as if a child had suddenly propounded to an eminent mathematician some __________ problem in the higher algebra. The Adventures of Sally P. G. Wodehouse
artless
It was spoken as if by a condemned man: largely devoid of emotion, implausible, halting, _______________, and sad. Four Exes on Tiger Rebecca Dana February 18, 2010
avarice
It was the age of unbridled excess, _________________, and machismo gone haywire. Punk Rock-Feminist Pioneer Kathleen Hanna on Her SXSW Doc and More Marlow Stern March 12, 2013
captivate
It was, indeed, just the spot to __________________ a youthful and susceptible fancy. Night and Morning, Complete Edward Bulwer-Lytton
attenuate
It will _____________, at least with respect to him, the severity of simple minds. Cosmopolis, Complete Paul Bourget
canon
It would fit in the _________________ of raunchy teen comedies alongside American Pie and Road Trip. British Raunchfest 'The Inbetweeners Movie' Tries to Make Its Mark in America Kevin Fallon September 7, 2012
chronicle
It's a different sort of endeavor—less a _______________ of our times, less a monument, more a novel of ideas. Judge Me Not: Jonathan Dee's 'A Thousand Pardons' Reviewed Benjamin Lytal March 12, 2013
disdain
It's an open but dirty secret in liberal circles that their _________________ for the Tea Party movement is tinged with jealousy. Tea Party for the Left: US Uncut Ben Adler March 2, 2011
affluence
Jazz is linked in the mind of marketers with _________, but the economics of jazz have never been worse. Jazz (The Music of Coffee and Donuts) Has Respect, But It Needs Love Ted Gioia June 14, 2014
charisma
Jericho may be a charming villain, but behind his ______________________ lies a savage thug. Will Mickey Rourke Fight at WrestleMania? Mike Edison February 16, 2009
deride
Jerry may __________________ liberals Zionists as ethnic chauvinists or fantasists enthralled to an illusory peace process. Why Liberal Zionists Won't Join BDS Peter Beinart February 11, 2013
cosmopolitan
John Searles remembers his iconic boss of 15 years at _____________________. The Helen Gurley Brown I Knew John Searles August 14, 2012
dilemma
Journalist David Frum faced this ______________ when he wrote about American publisher Andrew Breitbart, who died on March 1, 2012. How to Speak of the Dead David Frum April 21, 2012
curt
Knox's father _________________, along with three of Knox's friends, were in court with her. No Mistrial for Knox Barbie Latza Nadeau September 13, 2009
diligent
Koechney also insists that the curators are ___________________ about not posting videos with bogus facts. With Upworthy, Internet Heavies Push Social Media With Significance Jamie Reno April 28, 2012
cryptic
Kurant has crafted a new, _________________ narrative in which the three redundant characters come together in a wrecking yard. CPR for Actors Killed By Tarantino and Coppola Blake Gopnik December 26, 2013
apprehensive
Last month Kelly outlined detailed security plans for a trial of KSM at a private breakfast with _______________ business leaders. Taming Haiti's Lawless Streets Lloyd Grove February 1, 2010
cohesive
Later on, he drove the point home: "Everyone seems to have a __________________ idea of what this is with the exception of you." Watch a Republican Try to Duck the Abortion Ban He Cosponsored Jack Holmes October 15, 2014
disparage
Later, you criticize his attempt at comprehensive immigration reform and _________________ his notion of compassionate conservatism. Rick Perry on the Record Andrew Romano August 11, 2011
countenance
Mandelson has not said sorry, if he had to resign again even Lazarus would not _________________ a third comeback. And You Thought U.S. Conservatives Were Out of Touch! Andrew Pierce November 6, 2008
castigate
Matt Bennett, of the Democratic group Third Way, expects Democrats to ___________________ the Tea Party as "reckless." Tea Party's Next Targets Daniel Stone, Eleanor Clift August 6, 2011
cozen
May 4th, Mr. Carpio browght me word of my Lords displeasure, conveyed and confirmed by _________ Pully his letters. The Private Diary of Dr. John Dee John Dee
amalgamate
Mercury does not __________________ with copper so readily as with gold or silver. Hittel on Gold Mines and Mining John S. Hittell
adroit
Modern circumstances require an ________ approach to the manner in which our foreign policy is being implemented. Sen. Jim Webb: Congress Must OK Military Intervention Sen. Jim Webb May 17, 2012
adept
Mohammed was an ______________ and relentless networker with a gift for small talk and instant familiarity. 9/11 Mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Finally on Trial at Guantanamo Terry McDermott May 3, 2012
adulterate
Montaigne was a Gascon, and Gasconisms _________________ the purity of his French. Classic French Course in English William Cleaver Wilkinson
calumny
One imagines that the latest pope, a Jesuit, is familiar with the centuries of __________________ that have been heaped upon his forebears. Thank God Pope Francis Is a Jesuit Jonathan Wright March 15, 2013
approbation
One of the things about elites is that they only care about the ___________________ of the members of their own elites. Charlie Wilson's CIA Adventures George Crile February 10, 2010
colleague
Only one dose of an experimental serum was available, and Brantly insisted that it go to his _______________, Nancy Writebol. Infected Ebola Doctor Kent Brantly Is an Endangered Hero Michael Daly August 2, 2014
dispassionate
Or is this ______________ killer the one Fleming first envisioned? Has Bond Lost His Balls? Matthew Oshinsky November 2, 2008
abstruse
Ordinary people may fear there is some __________ science about this. Albert Durer T. Sturge Moore
detached
Oshea: Being incarcerated for so long, you tend to get _________________ from real love from people. You Killed My Son...And I Forgive You Dave Isay October 22, 2013
antipathy
Other Freedom Watch regulars share his __________________ to the union of the states. Too Hot for Fox News Michelle Goldberg July 28, 2009
coerce
Others who have served time in Phonthong report that men try to _______________ the female prisoners into having sex. Will Her Unborn Child Save Her? Barbie Latza Nadeau May 20, 2009
culpable
Our sages would likely hold American Jews __________________ for the sins of Israeli Jews—and the reverse. For Shame Alana Suskin July 11, 2012
apotheosis
Over the course of these novels, the style becomes increasingly parsimonious, reaching its _________________ in The Golden Bowl. Henry James's 1904 Sordid Little Sex Farce Nathaniel Rich January 29, 2014
cantankerous
Paul, on the other hand, has developed a __________________ reputation as an uncompromising leader of the Tea Party. Rand Paul and Ron Wyden, Drone Odd-Couple Eli Lake February 25, 2013
complaisance
Pen and Jane looked at each other and at the two men's grins of _______________________. Still Jim Honor Willsie Morrow
disdain
People often note, sometimes with ________________, that celebrities bring their fame to bear on issues of importance to society. Naomi Campbell, Accidental Hero Eric Pape June 30, 2010
detached
Romney and Santorum are coming out of Michigan bruised—and __________________ from reality in the eyes of most voters. GOP Primary Results: A Suicidal Cage Match John Avlon February 28, 2012
censure
Still, Bergé insisted that he did not get overly involved or ___________________ the film in any way. The Making of Fashion Legend Yves Saint Laurent Sarah Moroz January 13, 2014
deride
Still, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote separately to _________________ affirmative action from his position of lived experience. Affirmative Action Isn't Oppressive, but the Roberts Court Wants to End It Anyway Mike Sacks April 22, 2014
atrophy
Still, the _______________ continued, as did the collapse of Vatican-backed dictatorships in Portugal, Spain and Latin America. Father Ted: Comedy as Liberation Tom Doran March 7, 2013
Cavalier
Subversive guys with ________________ notions about female consent are nothing new. Julian Assange, Chick Magnet? Tracy Quan December 12, 2010
auspices
Surely you could visit these places independently outside of the ___________________ of a group, I say to Lear. Adventures in Gay History With Oscar Wilde Tim Teeman June 10, 2014
consecration
Surprised to see Patrick Modiano receive the _____________________ of a Nobel Prize for Liberature? Nobel Prize Winner Modiano's Magical Musical Prose About Paris Pierre Assouline October 13, 2014
alchemy
Take Larry David, who recently walked into ____________________ restaurant in Edgartown following those rules closely. Obama Style on Martha's Vineyard Elizabeth Gates August 11, 2009
context
Taken out of ______________________, the statement offended small-business owners everywhere—many calling it "insulting" and "rude." The Nine Biggest Bogus Claims of the 2012 Presidential Campaign Abby Haglage, Lizzie Crocker November 5, 2012
archaic
Texas Red Braised Beef Short Ribs by Matt and Ted Lee In Texas, "red" is _________________ slang for chili con carne. The Perfect Braise Cookstr.com December 21, 2009
anomaly
Thankfully, academic medicine is obsessed with recording every _________________ out there. Man on Reddit Shows Off His Three Testicles. Have We Seen It All? Kent Sepkowitz March 24, 2014
cachinnate
That definition excludes women, because they giggle, or chuckle, or __________________. Punchinello, Vol. II., No. 35, November 26, 1870 Various
advocate
That is an entirely unfair way of describing those who ___________ a state founded on the principle of one person, one vote. When Peace Seems Impossible: A Response to Hussein Ibish Michael Kagan May 20, 2012
compelling
That is not to say that the focus on Cohle and Hart does not spawn two ________________ performances. 'True Detective,' Obsessive-Compulsive Noir, and 'Twin Peaks' Jimmy So March 13, 2014
aspect
That is the core problem, but the Obama administration is only dealing with one __________ of it, and in the smallest way possible. Finally, Home Care Workers Start Fighting Back Monica Potts October 18, 2014
countenance
That kind of smart person cannot ______________________ the idea of obscurity as a fate. From Smarm To Snark, We're All Soldiers In The War On Obscurity James Poulos December 6, 2013
contrive
That made me think, maybe they can _________________ to do something similar on the mandate. My Supreme Court-Health Care Prediction Michael Tomasky June 26, 2012
abate
That modern science has repeatedly affirmed their findings does little to ________________ the continuing doubt. Shanin Specter on His 50 Years With the Single Bullet Theory Shanin Specter November 7, 2013
altruism
The Ant and the Peacock is about two disagreements between Darwin and Wallace: ________ and sexual selection. What Richard Dawkins Reads: Jerry Coyne, Helena Cronin and More Josh Dzieza September 26, 2012
deprecate
The Australian is apt to ___________________ the socialism of the European p. 14or the American. Songs of the Army of the Night Francis Adams
contiguous
The Award is limited to Delta Airlines destinations within the 48 ___________________ US states and Canada. The Orbitz Business Travel Survey Sweepstakes December 13, 2012
byzantine
The Daily Pic: In Milan, circa 1490, a ______________ ruler puts on Ottoman robes. When the Romans Were Turks Blake Gopnik August 29, 2012
depict
The Israeli Police were trying to ___________________ the social justice demonstrators of 2012 as a violent mob. Freedom of Assembly Hagai El-Ad June 27, 2012
comprehensive
The Oslo process has also been undermined by its quest for a " __________________ peace" and to put in place a "permanent status." Holy Land, Forgotten People Khaled Diab November 12, 2013
catalyst
The ____________ for a new plan should be the immediate reform and recapitalization of the banking system—with a clear timeframe. Stop the Bailout: Four Better Alternatives Alan Quasha March 10, 2009
allegation
The ____________ may or may not be true, but it is not implausible. In Jerusalem Home Demolitions, the Biblical Justice of Revenge Creede Newton November 24, 2014
benign
The _____________ one, given above board and never kept in cans of Miller Lite, is corticosteroids. Where Were the Doctors to Testify at Roger Clemens's Perjury Trial? Kent Sepkowitz June 19, 2012
animosity
The _______________ between Iran and its Arab neighbors runs wide and deep. Ahmadinejad Is No Hitler Nazee Moinian June 17, 2009
assertion
The _______________ by Obama does follow a long-standing tradition for Democratic and Republican presidents. Obama Embraces Signing Statements After Knocking Bush for Using Them Eli Lake January 3, 2012
disparity
The _______________ will be on display—on the evening news, on the Internet, on Twitter—for all to see. Obama Gets Lucky in South Carolina Primary Results Andrew Romano January 21, 2012
arcane
The ________________ pair of paragraphs are packed with the sort of yawn-provoking polysyllables that only a lawyer could love. Brazil's Rich Ban Biographies Via Arcane Law Mac Margolis November 20, 2013
convoluted
The __________________ and often chaotic tangle of the taxi system was an attractive project to tackle. Cab-Hailing App Hailo Simplifies Life for Taxi Drivers and Passengers Ben Blackman July 29, 2013
catalyst
The __________________ for a new plan should be the immediate reform and recapitalization of the banking system—with a clear timeframe. Stop the Bailout: Four Better Alternatives Alan Quasha March 10, 2009
antipathy
The __________________ toward America in the Middle East continues even after the architects of the Iraq war have exited the stage. Ten Iraq War Legacies The Daily Beast August 30, 2010
cynicism
The ___________________ of the American electorate is nothing compared to that of its Italian counterpart. Berlusconi Burlesque Alex Massie September 22, 2009
celerity
The ___________________ with which they pressed on their way, astonished the Europeans. The Adventures of the Chevalier De La Salle and His Companions, in Their Explorations of the Prairies, Forests, Lakes, and Rivers, of the New World, and Their Interviews with the Savage Tribes, Two Hundred Years Ago John S. C. Abbott
austere
The architecture of the WPA had a very distinct, and very consistent, aesthetic: _____________ Art Deco, bordering on the monolithic. Obama's Building Boom: Will His Architecture Legacy Be as Lasting as FDR's? Ian Volner January 3, 2011
cabal
The arms dealer sells it to a mysterious neo-Nazi ________, which then detonates it in Baltimore. Want To Know What America Thinks of Itself? Watch Jack Ryan on Wall Street Andrew Romano January 17, 2014
cogent
The author makes a ______________ argument as to why women should consider the long-term repercussions of being on the pill. Should You Quit the Pill? Lizzie Crocker November 5, 2011
cultivate
The ban was imposed by prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in a populist effort to __________________ the religious right. Ale Under the Veil David Frum March 25, 2012
bolster
The bloody Sunday tragedy in Kandahar will ________________ calls for a pullout both in the U.S. and Afghanistan. Human-Rights Toll of U.S. Shooting in Afghanistan Heather Barr March 14, 2012
bolster
The bloody Sunday tragedy in Kandahar will __________________ calls for a pullout both in the U.S. and Afghanistan. Human-Rights Toll of U.S. Shooting in Afghanistan Heather Barr March 14, 2012
baleful
The boat which has been tethered to the weird, ____________________ shore is set free, and sails toward the glories of the morning. My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year John Henry Jowett
belie
The broad sweep of The Sleepwalkers seems at first to ____________ its central thesis. The Utterly Pointless First World War Michael F. Bishop May 21, 2013
belie
The broad sweep of The Sleepwalkers seems at first to _________________ its central thesis. The Utterly Pointless First World War Michael F. Bishop May 21, 2013
cynical
Why follow the ________________ politics of the past that led us over the cliff in the first place? A Manifesto for Young Voters Mark McKinnon, Rob Shepardson May 3, 2009
diligent
Why not let the whole thing quietly fade away for want of a ___________________ investigation? The Castration of Alan Turing, Britain's Code-Breaking WWII Hero Clive Irving November 28, 2014
abrogate
Why should the ruling classes seek to _________________ the treaties and defy foreign powers? Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No 3, September 1863 Various
disgruntled
Will the _______________ Ned, Joris, and Gruen agree to follow their scripts in the bogus filmed memorial? A Country House of Fools: Norman Rush's 'Subtle Bodies' Tom LeClair September 9, 2013
disgruntled
Will the __________________ Ned, Joris, and Gruen agree to follow their scripts in the bogus filmed memorial? A Country House of Fools: Norman Rush's 'Subtle Bodies' Tom LeClair September 9, 2013
convey
Will we be able to construct public education messages that ________________ both of these findings? The Chronic Chronicles: A History of Pot Roger Roffman July 5, 2014
apogee
Winehouse laid down the track in her attic studio in 2009, at the _______________ of her hard-partying ways. Amy Winehouse's Soul-Searing Final Album, 'Lioness: Hidden Treasures' Chris Lee December 5, 2011
charisma
They projected sexual charisma, to be sure, but it was a ______________________ that was tamed and domesticated for their youngest female fans. What Made the Beatles So Big? Diagnosing 'Beatlemania' John McMillian October 30, 2013
condescending
They seem very mean and __________________ towards the characters. Q&A With James Gray Rachel Syme February 14, 2009
apocryphal
They wondered about the temperament of K-12 Jesus and wrote a number of _______________ stories about his childhood years. Was Baby Jesus A Holy Terror? Candida Moss December 20, 2014
affable
This ___________ gent will take you on a customized walk, hike, or boar hunt around town. Gal With a Suitcase Jolie Hunt February 19, 2010
diatribe
This ___________________ against the pitiful Washington Redskins summed it all up for their fans. The Best Columns of the Year John Avlon December 30, 2013
augury
This incident of his infancy was accepted as an ________________ of his maturity, and he did not belie it. The Lives of the Saints, Volume II (of 16): February Sabine Baring-Gould
digression
This is a __________________ from the main point, and yet it brings me to what I was going to say.' Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit Charles Dickens
abstract
This is not question that can be convincingly answered by __________ reasoning, or by information collected under prohibition. The Public Health Case Against Pot David Frum December 26, 2012
churlish
This is the thin-skinned Gucci model Franco who hurls tweeted insults with the ________________ gusto of Kanye West. The James Franco Backlash Chris Lee March 22, 2011
antithetical
This kind of attitude should be _________________ to feminist thought because it is infantilizing to women. What Do Dems Have Against Women? Kirsten Powers October 7, 2010
disconsolate
This last answer tore that ____________________ mother's heart till it bled. Hanover; Or The Persecution of the Lowly David Bryant Fulton
chauvinist
This massive undertaking, to turn faltering Arab armies into ____________________ counter-insurgents, is named "Operation Suleimani." Iran's Top Spy Is the Modern-Day Karla, John Le Carré's Villainous Mastermind Michael Weiss July 1, 2014
capitulate
This meant that even if Saddam sought to ___________________, it would not suffice. Sanctions Make War More Likely Trita Parsi March 22, 2012
deficient
This view might have been considered rather tame than otherwise, _____________ in what landscape painters call "life." David's Bookclub: Bartleby the Scrivener David Frum November 25, 2012
definitive
This was the most __________________ language used by Benton on a call laced with caveats. What Does Ron Paul Have Against Gary Johnson? Ben Jacobs May 14, 2012
belie
Those questions are what ____________ the real problem with effort. 'Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse' Review: We. We Are Underwhelmed Kevin Fallon May 26, 2014
belie
Those questions are what ______________ the real problem with effort. 'Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse' Review: We. We Are Underwhelmed Kevin Fallon May 26, 2014
adept
Through the years he became just as ________ at politics as he was on horseback. The Cowboy Sheriff of Las Vegas Rides Into 'Mob Museum' John L. Smith June 7, 2014
commerce
Tied by geographic proximity, __________________, communities, and security, the Americas are indelibly linked. Latin America's Secret Success Story Shannon K. O'Neil July 15, 2013
cantankerous
To Chicago he was still two-fisted, hard-drinking, _____________________. The Stacks: John Schulian's Classic Profile of Newspaper Columnist Mike Royko John Schulian January 4, 2014
belabor
To _____________ the comparison a bit, the same could be said for the American Dream. Scotland's 'Yes' Campaign and the Myth of Scottish Equality Noah Caldwell September 17, 2014
abjure
To persuade Iran to ________________ weapons, the United States will have to make some kind of deal. Obama Sure Sounds Like He's Bluffing Iran David Frum March 2, 2012
compromised
True: His bigotry was too pure to be ___________________ by rationality. Carter's Charge Is a Distraction Stanley Crouch September 16, 2009
aberrant
Turmeric could have important abilities in healing and preventing brain damage—or this could be an ___________________ finding. Fish Oil, Turmeric, and Ginseng, Oh My! Are 'Brain Foods' B.S.? Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD October 9, 2014
disposition
Twin and adoption studies have revealed that a ______________________ toward suicidal behavior is partially heritable. Is There a Suicide Gene? Casey Schwartz March 23, 2009
burgeon
Unless a writer feels free, things will not come to him, he cannot ________________ on any subject whatsoever. Guide to Life and Literature of the Southwest J. Frank Dobie
burgeon
Unless a writer feels free, things will not come to him, he cannot __________________ on any subject whatsoever. Guide to Life and Literature of the Southwest J. Frank Dobie
complaisance
Varney gave his largesse with an affectation of ___________________ and humility. Kenilworth Sir Walter Scott
amalgamate
We buy up and __________________ all the leading manufactures of temperance drinks throughout the kingdom. The Prude's Progress Jerome K. Jerome
discern
We said, OK: a fair way to _________________ that would be to put the book on trial. Terry Jones: How the Mad Pastor Oozed Back Leon Dische Becker April 1, 2011
cosset
Well would the King, to save his soul, placate and ________________ his wife. The Fifth Queen Crowned Ford Madox Ford
coherent
Well, President Obama "mixed in" in Syria two years ago without the semblance of a __________________ strategy. Syria: What Have We Learned? Leslie H. Gelb September 11, 2013
constraint
Well, the other ________________ is the amount of information available. The Other Social Network David Kirkpatrick September 28, 2010
candid
Were you ________________ in your testimony when you said there has not been any serious disagreement about the program? Bush's Lawyers Strike Back Dan Abrams May 2, 2009
camaraderie
What ___________________ with Putin entails can now be easily gleaned from the fresh bash of diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks. Berlusconi and Putin Pillow Talk Julia Ioffe December 1, 2010
behemoth
What a demon, a ___________________, evil just seems to be seeping through him. 13 Celebrities Who Dissed Justin Bieber Kevin Fallon August 6, 2014
animated
What happens when celebrities pose on the red carpet beside the real-life versions of ______________ movie characters? Stars & Characters Awkward Red-Carpet Moments The Daily Beast March 31, 2011
abstract
What the Nazis did not care for was largely contemporary and __________ art, the likes of Chagall and Dufy and Klee, to name a few. Nazi Art Hoard Just the Tip of the Iceberg for Lost Art Noah Charney November 12, 2013
catalyst
When an exile lasts little more than a four-day weekend, the end result is even blurrier than its ____________________-. Keith Olbermann Is No Journalist Meghan McCain November 6, 2010
catalyst
When an exile lasts little more than a four-day weekend, the end result is even blurrier than its _________________________. Keith Olbermann Is No Journalist Meghan McCain November 6, 2010
discrimination
When asked about what appears to be a rising tide of _____________________ against women in Israel, Livni was equally blunt. Livni on Iran: Let's Hope Sanctions Work R.M. Schneiderman March 8, 2012
accessible
When celebrities step outside, they face high expectations to be both fashionable and ___________ to the middle class. The Tricky Traveling Wardrobe Robin Givhan July 18, 2011
augury
When he ended Vieux Carré with the stage direction, "The house is empty now," Lahr somberly terms it "an _________________ and an epitaph." John Lahr's Biography Perfectly Captures Tennessee Williams' Tortured Greatness Wendy Smith September 24, 2014
ambivalent
When it comes to elitism and everyman, we have a complicated, _____________, and often nonsensical relationship to both. The Tricky Traveling Wardrobe Robin Givhan July 18, 2011
alacrity
When it comes to nuns, though, the church is somehow able to act with ___________________. Rebel Nuns Michelle Goldberg May 20, 2010
bleak
When people come to ___________ House, I have a very hefty horror section, for sure, but the biggest section is comedy. Guillermo Del Toro on 'Cabinet of Curiosities,' Collaborating with Kanye West, and More Marlow Stern November 7, 2013
dejected
Whenever I feel bored or _________________, I take asylum in my imaginations. I Had a Fake Girlfriend, Too! In Defense of Manti Te'o The Daily Beast January 16, 2013
amenable
Which they would, because the Democratic caucus is already heterogeneous enough to be _________________ to compromise. Michael Tomasky on Obama's Delusions About the GOP's 'Fever' Breaking Michael Tomasky June 6, 2012
cacophony
While casting less vision in the _____________, it still is in contrast to the lack of vision for an Obama second term. Brett O'Donnell: Obama Won on Points, But Romney's Got the Edge Brett O'Donnell October 16, 2012
allude
While doing so, she gets to _______ to her political platform in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Inside Palin's Reality Show Shushannah Walshe November 9, 2010
coalesce
While the opposition to Graham has yet to ________________ around a single opponent, he could be in real trouble if it does. South Carolina Court Decision Looms Large For 2016 Ben Jacobs August 27, 2013
depravity
The word was first coined in 1640 by a French physician to mean not only, "love madness," but a " __________________ of the imagination." Hollywood's Stalker Fetish Doreen Orion April 24, 2009
connoisseur
Then, under the eyes of the 18th-century _________________, the status of drawings changed; they became primordial visual expression. The Best of Brit Lit Peter Stothard July 8, 2010
connoisseur
Then, under the eyes of the 18th-century ___________________, the status of drawings changed; they became primordial visual expression. The Best of Brit Lit Peter Stothard July 8, 2010
contiguous
There are only 22 million people in an area about the size of the __________________ 48 States of the United States. Deadly Boat Disaster Rattles Australia's Conscience Raymond Bonner December 15, 2010
assiduous
There has been _________________ woo-ing of the political establishment too. Camilla Will Never Be Queen: Prince Charles Capitulates On Website FAQ Tom Sykes November 11, 2012
dearth
There is a ____________________ of evidence that Swift himself plotted to kill King. Did the Klan Kill MLK? A New Book Argues Wide Conspiracy R.M. Schneiderman April 3, 2012
assuage
There is also the related question of how far he might go to _____________ them. Romney and the Right-Wing Shakedown Michael Tomasky March 19, 2012
assuage
There is also the related question of how far he might go to ____________________ them. Romney and the Right-Wing Shakedown Michael Tomasky March 19, 2012
archaic
There was one daunting, _________________ elevator, and a flight of stairs with no lights. The Model Diaries: Show Me Your Best 'Racist' Anonymous December 7, 2013
anachronism
These days, says another former top studio executive, puts are an _________________. Murdoch's Next Move Kim Masters February 23, 2009
benign
These four strains also cause the ___________ cervical changes that result in abnormal Pap tests. HPV Vaccine's Tricky Ethics Sharon Begley September 13, 2011
autonomy
These people, like those in the breakaway regions of Georgia, wanted independence and _____________, not Russian rule. Why America Must Stop Comparing Ukraine To World War II Will Cathcart March 9, 2014
astringent
These protagonists want something just out of reach, and end up being the unintentional authors of their own __________________ tragedies. Chinelo Okparanta: Champion of the Stifled Mythili Rao August 18, 2013
apotheosis
These triumphs were seen as the ___________________ of human enterprise and might. The 2013 Novel of the Year Is... Nathaniel Rich December 29, 2013
aesthetic
These were men of their time, and their ___________ interest in the ancient world was throttled by Christian prudery. The Importance of Adult Classifieds Hazlitt September 5, 2014
aesthetic
These were men of their time, and their ____________________ interest in the ancient world was throttled by Christian prudery. The Importance of Adult Classifieds Hazlitt September 5, 2014
disparage
They ________________ his trip to a Navy shipbuilder as a "road show." Behind John Boehner's Bluster as He Shifts Blame for the Sequester Eleanor Clift February 26, 2013
banal
a _________________ and sophomoric treatment of courage on the frontier.
assuage
Remind me again, how is that supposed to _________________ the irritation of recently laid-off employees? The $1 Club Paul Kedrosky January 30, 2009
candid
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) called it "a _______________ exchange." What Feud? CBC and Obama Make Up, for Now Patricia Murphy February 6, 2014
arrogant
The network excoriates its fired anchor by painting him as an _________ and uncooperative slacker. Current TV Files a Blistering Countersuit Against Fired Anchor Keith Olbermann Howard Kurtz April 5, 2012
chimera
After the war, ________________ was edited by poet Barbara Howes and Ximena de Angulo. Remembering Jacques Barzun Remembering Robert Pitney Paul Devlin October 29, 2012
calumniate
"Do not ________________ yourself, sir," replied the Pre Longuemare. The Gods are Athirst Anatole France
ardent
"Eurozone Deal Leaves Britain Isolated" trumpets the Financial Times, for many years an __________ proponent of monetary union. Niall Ferguson: Great Britain Saves Itself by Rejecting the EU Niall Ferguson December 9, 2011
anachronistic
"His films are brassy, __________________," says Rex Roberts, associate editor with Film International. 'Great Gatsby' Reviewers Divided: Is Baz Luhrmann a Good Director? Kevin Fallon May 8, 2013
assuage
Remind me again, how is that supposed to ___________ the irritation of recently laid-off employees? The $1 Club Paul Kedrosky January 30, 2009
dismissive
But on TV, Biden seemed somehow much better: impassioned rather than impatient, aggressive rather than _________________. Ryan Solid, But One Major Mistake David Frum October 11, 2012
concise
All commanders will state that my report writing was always clear, __________________, and impeccable. Rogue L.A. Cop's Facebook Manifesto: 'You Will Now Live the Life of Prey' The Daily Beast February 7, 2013
conformist
"I find myself and my peers thinking, 'This current generation is so corporate, so ___________________, so apolitical,'" Wolf says. Who Invented the 'Teenager'? Nina Strochlic March 13, 2014
austere
"It looks spare and _____________, but we spent 1,000 hours creating these," Snoeren said. Viktor & Rolf's Return to Couture for Fall 2013: Going Zen Liza Foreman July 2, 2013
captious
"That canoe may not belong to the cutter," said the _________________ seaman. The Pathfinder James Fenimore Cooper
abrogate
"The government cannot just _________________ contracts," Larry Summers said yesterday. Give the Bonuses Back—Or Else Matt Miller March 15, 2009
ambiguous
"The subject area in question is subjective and _____________," he wrote. Fired From Los Alamos for Pushing Obama's Nuclear Agenda Center for Public Integrity July 30, 2014
Cavalier
"There is a cost to such a _______________ attitude," said Aparício, the former Bolivian ambassador to Washington. Is Edward Snowden Bound for Bolivia? Evo Morales Sure Seems to Hope So Eli Lake, Mac Margolis July 1, 2013
advocate
"We do not _________ mass deportation," says FAIR spokesman Dustin Carnevale. Immigration's New Poster Child Terry Greene Sterling June 11, 2010
crestfallen
"We really wanted stainless," says the _____________________ pair, and trudge back out the door. Beyond Stainless Megan McArdle October 18, 2012
convey
"You are in the dance," Wenders says of the immediacy he hoped to _________________. Wim Wenders Talks About His 3-D Pina Bausch Documentary Stephen Farber December 22, 2011
apathetic
"[The sheriff's] attitude was _____________, unconcerned and uninterested from the start," adds Sutton. The Malibu Murder Mystery Christine Pelisek November 4, 2010
conjecture
And it is _________________, based on the sketchy bits of evidence we possess. Is Brooklyn Becoming Unsafe for Gays? It Depends On Which Ones Jay Michaelson October 17, 2014
coerce
A fellow justice also accused McCaffery of attempting to __________________ him into opposing Castille. Judges Behaving Badly: A Great American Tradition Asawin Suebsaeng October 29, 2014
arrogant
A kid who comes across as _________ or nasty or ill-informed about the college can trigger a negative interview report. Do College Interviews Count? Steve Cohen, Mike Muska October 5, 2011
amiable
A knock at the door interrupted him, and his face resumed its ____________ expression. Read 'The King in Yellow,' the 'True Detective' Reference That's the Key to the Show Robert W. Chambers February 19, 2014
contentious
A new study released today in Obstetrics & Gynecology could close this __________________ question for good. Abortion Complications Are Rare, No Matter What the Right Says Samantha Allen December 7, 2014
compliant
A synonym given for submissive is " __________________," and among those given for submit is "yield" and "defer." Is Michele Bachmann Submissive? Leslie Bennetts August 11, 2011
conscientious
Adolf Hitler, despite being the most evil force ever to befoul mankind, was also a kind and ________________ employer. Secrets of Nazi Secretaries Andrew Roberts August 29, 2011
demise
After Bear's _________________ last March, newly retired CEO Jimmy Cayne blamed Goldman Sachs, among others, for hastening its death. Does Goldman Sachs Really Rule the World? William D. Cohan October 7, 2008
conjecture
After all, the innermost sexual longings of presidents, both living and dead, have long been the stuff of rumor and ___________________. Fifty Shades of Presidential FanFiction Amy Zimmerman August 1, 2014
copious
After cleaning up the _________________ amount of blood on my body in a bathroom, I found my clothing and got dressed. I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything Liz Seccuro
crestfallen
Also attending was Regan, who told investigators the president had been "_________________" at hearing about the diversion. How the Reagan White House Bungled Its Response to Iran-Contra Revelations Malcolm Byrne November 2, 2014
byzantine
American multinational companies may be best known today for their ________________ strategies to minimize their U.S. taxes. America's Economy Is Outperforming Rivals Because the U.S. Is Excelling at Globalization Robert Shapiro June 7, 2013
cohesive
Among those patterns is a tendency for attacks to be "bottom-up," that is, not organized by the leader of a ______________________ group. Trying to Identify the Next Far-Right Extremist Before He Shoots Eliza Shapiro August 9, 2012
astute
An ____________ politician would say something outlandish but easily dismissed by outsiders. Voting for Slavery? Jim Wheeler Gets Into Hot Water Jamelle Bouie October 29, 2013
aspersion
And Tobin, by somehow completely ignoring the definition of the word " ________________," said this wasn't one. Commentary Mag Defends Bigoted Smears Against Palestinian NFL Player Ali Gharib July 16, 2013
credulous
And another story today at the Jewish Press, under a ______________ headline, admitted the story might not be right in its lede. How Israeli Government Officials Fueled A Conspiracy Website Story About Iran Ali Gharib January 27, 2013
credulous
And another story today at the Jewish Press, under a _______________ headline, admitted the story might not be right in its lede. How Israeli Government Officials Fueled A Conspiracy Website Story About Iran Ali Gharib January 27, 2013
apathetic
But is privacy for public figures good for a place as ________________ as L.A.? Mate the Press Joe Mathews June 10, 2009
conventional
Armed with new research (PDF), proponents are challenging that ____________________ wisdom. What Does an Increase in the Minimum Wage Do to the Economy? Brandy Zadrozny December 8, 2013
burgeon
As I drained the glass now, new life seemed to ______________ within me. Right Ho, Jeeves P. G. Wodehouse
burgeon
As I drained the glass now, new life seemed to ___________________ within me. Right Ho, Jeeves P. G. Wodehouse
bureaucratic
As I fought for services, I felt I was dealing with ____________________ indifference bordering on malevolence. The Real Juvenile Offenders Daniela Drake June 21, 2013
ascetic
As ___________________ as Aries is, you delight in luxuries now, indulging any urge to splurge. Zodiac Beast: April 24-30 Starsky + Cox April 22, 2011
chary
As a rule, I am __________ about doling out diagnoses unless there is a clear indication to do so. Daydreaming Is Not a Disorder Russell Saunders October 3, 2014
chasten
As many as I love, I rebuke and _________________; be zealous, therefore, and repent. Walks and Words of Jesus M. N. Olmsted
accolade
As of now, it is the only hotel that can boast this ____________________. How to Get the VIP Treatment in Moscow Jolie Hunt February 26, 2010
apostate
At first, he was sentenced to execution for being an ____________________. Wife of Jailed Saudi Blogger: My Husband Is a Victim of the Thought Police Ensaf Haidar, Advancing Human Rights October 19, 2014
anecdote
At least by ____________, they are less common now in an era hyperconscious of harassment. Early Signs of General Petraeus's Extramarital Affair John Barry November 10, 2012
deferential
At speechwriting meetings, Michel was ____________________ but quick with answers, just as the president liked. Bush's Ghostwriter Bryan Curtis March 8, 2010
convention
At their ____________________ this weekend, Sarah Palin and her fans bashed big banks—and the idea of regulating them. The Tea Partiers' Phony Populism Peter Beinart February 7, 2010
contemporary
But no __________________ exception is quite so striking, in breadth, variety, and quality, as the written work of Winston Churchill. Churchill Would Be Famous Today on the Strength of His Writing Alone Anthony Paletta June 15, 2014
admonish
Beard does ________________ the tendency of both academics and popular authors to present speculation as historical truth. The Classics are Dead! Long Live the Classics! Mary Beard's New Book Nick Romeo September 19, 2013
aesthetic
Because it is a poor idea of art to reduce it to an __________. Treasures From the Pinault Collection Bernard-Henri Lévy June 11, 2009
apostate
Because my passion so far has been exposing government-funded sacred cows and disrupting statist narratives, I am an ___________________. James O'Keefe in Defense of Taping Mitch McConnell, and Everyone Else James O'Keefe April 14, 2013
beleaguer
Before God can make her in truth His own, make her verify her name, He will have to __________________ and reduce her. The Book of Isaiah, Volume I (of 2) George Adam Smith
capricious
Beholden to a base that, like a _________________ autocrat, will turn against them at the slightest provocation. Ted Cruz is Still Not Here to Make Friends Jamelle Bouie February 25, 2014
capricious
Beholden to a base that, like a __________________ autocrat, will turn against them at the slightest provocation. Ted Cruz is Still Not Here to Make Friends Jamelle Bouie February 25, 2014
admonish
Betty wastes no time in yanking Sally away from the table to _________________ her. A Mother's Struggles with Her Teen Hannah Seligson September 7, 2010
chronicle
Brown told the ___________________ that he helped some of the women out of the limo but was unable to reach the women in the back. Still No Explanation for Horrific Limo Fire Christine Pelisek May 5, 2013
concede
But I will ___________________ that store-bought canisters are for disenfranchised kids—real (as opposed to kidult-size) teens. Demi Moore's Poignant Fall Tracy Quan February 14, 2012
calculated
But Johnston says she thinks this is more a ____________________ ploy for publicity than a groundbreaking move. 'Blurred Lines,' Robin Thicke's Summer Anthem, Is Kind of Rapey Tricia Romano June 16, 2013
diatribe
But Klein has now unleashed a very public Facebook _________________ against the board. Michael Jackson Dermatologist Arnold Klein Under Investigation Diane Dimond December 4, 2011
contemporary
But Richard never had any interest in the modest new ambitions of the __________________ media. Richard Ben Cramer Dies at 62 Justin Green January 7, 2013
augment
But Sex Box, with its ridiculous guinea pigs screwing conceit, will only ___________ our cultural hang-ups about sex. 'Sex Box,' a Reality TV Show Where Couples Have Sex in a Box and Discuss It, Is Coming to America Marlow Stern August 20, 2014
acerbic
But Tom Boswell makes it all look easy, gliding between the seasons with appreciation and __________________ wit. The Best Columns of the Year John Avlon December 30, 2013
behemoth
But Weill put together this __________________ anyway and went about masterminding the repeal of Glass-Steagall, which happened in 1999. Which Bank Is the Worst? Gary Rivlin October 24, 2011
daunting
But ________________ obstacles—like Ohio and Georgia—remain in his path. Michael Tomasky: No Rest for Romney After a Win in the Michigan Primary Michael Tomasky February 28, 2012
assiduous
But despite her allure, her ________________ assault on New York produced no results. How Desiree Landed Her Gig Sandra McElwaine August 10, 2010
aver
But doth he ______________ that his people were used to plant fish with the corn? Standish of Standish Jane G. Austin
culpable
But in this case, police and protesters alike are _________________ for the mayhem on the streets. Occupy Oakland's Violent Turn Proves the Movement Has Lost Its Way Christopher Haugh January 29, 2012
credulous
But instead of fighting the trend, too many of us simply capitulate—lazy, ____________________ fools that we are. Walmart Lifts Black Friday's Curse James Poulos November 25, 2014
compatible
Dajani and Barghouthi each share a vision that is ___________________ with the core values of the United States. Give Palestinian Third Parties a Chance Michael Sharnoff July 25, 2012
dilatory
Decision making is slow, acquisition processes are _________________, and maintenance of the equipment bought is poor. India's Tryst with Terror Kanwal Sibal September 8, 2011
denounce
Did he __________________ the involvement of organized crime in the abduction and disappearance of 43 students in the nearby city of Iguala? Mexico's Priests Are Marked for Murder Jason McGahan January 6, 2015
anecdote
Dobbs was unavailable for comment, his spokesman said, but Labe confirmed the _____________. Is Lou Dobbs Too Mean to Be President? Lloyd Grove December 2, 2009
alacrity
Down under, people endearingly call boxes of wine "goons," and they drink them with ___________. Taking Boxed Wine Seriously: It's Not Just for Hobos and Teenagers Anymore Jordan Salcito March 14, 2014
alacrity
Down under, people endearingly call boxes of wine "goons," and they drink them with ________________. Taking Boxed Wine Seriously: It's Not Just for Hobos and Teenagers Anymore Jordan Salcito March 14, 2014
deleterious
Drugs are becoming more powerful with prescription painkillers used to enhance effect and prolong a __________________ pleasure. Heroin: America's Silent Assassin Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Robert M. Lober, MD, PhD February 2, 2014
caustic
During a visitation on August 14, a _____________ and angry Casey reared her head and jurors were seen taking notes. Casey Anthony Speaks Diane Dimond June 2, 2011
debilitating
Each of them has distinctive and _________________ flaws in the eyes of Republican power brokers. Why the GOP Needs a Return to the Bush Leagues Robert Shrum April 20, 2014
arcane
Elections make sense; central-bank announcements replete with jargon, ________________ policies, and acronyms do not stir souls. Mario Draghi May Become the Man Who Saved Europe—and the World Zachary Karabell September 6, 2012
conventional
Energy saving technologies and hybrid cars may cost more than __________________ ones to purchase. The Bond Market Goes Green The Daily Beast May 26, 2014
apposite
Even Balder made remarks which seemed to be regarded as _________________. The Market-Place Harold Frederic
discredit
Even before she could descend to tell her story, rumors were spreading to ________________ her. Breaking Mount Everest's Glass Ceiling Amanda Padoan, Peter Zuckerman March 29, 2014
diffident
Every study ever performed has shown that the fit and lean outlive the dumpy and _______________ every time. Cool It on the CrossFit: What's Rhabdomyolysis? Kent Sepkowitz October 10, 2013
articulate
Everyone knows Obama is intelligent, visionary and ________________. The Runaway Senate Matt Miller November 19, 2009
curt
Excerpted from Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi with ________________ Gentry copyright (c) 1974 by curt Gentry and Vincent Bugliosi. My Battle With Manson Vincent Bugliosi August 6, 2009
chicanery
Fans of today adore the cheaters of the past, precisely because of their ___________________. Alex Rodriguez Suspension Is a Sad Moment for Baseball Michael Brendan Dougherty August 4, 2013
discord
Fans were delighted, but within the band there were signs of boredom and ____________________. The Pixies Talk About Their Reunion, New Music and a Missing Band Member Andrew Romano September 19, 2013
definitive
Fashion tends to settle on a __________________ look and find one black guy and one black woman for the moment. J. Crew Model Armando Cabral: Fashion's Exotic Boy-Next-Door Robin Givhan November 26, 2012
craven
Film stars and politicians are still bussed in to sell their products, in the most ___________________ way possible. Which Stephen Colbert Will We See on CBS? Tim Teeman April 9, 2014
anathema
Fire aboard an airplane is ____________________ to airplane designers and airlines. Planes in Flames: Why Does It Keep Happening? Clive Irving July 14, 2013
dispassionate
First, it reminded us of how ___________________ the world of finance is. Warren Buffett's Cancer Decoded Kent Sepkowitz April 18, 2012
antagonistic
First, we enjoy a denial so implausible it verges on the _______________, then a grudging acknowledgment of the facts of the matter. What Tiger's Mom Saw Lizzie Skurnick December 4, 2009
discern
Fox News has a security guard stationed in front of its TV booth, and as best I can _________________, no other network has any. RNC Diary: The Most Nervous Name In News David Frum August 28, 2012
abstinence
Furthermore, for those thinking about marriage, or even about improving a cohabiting relationship, ____________ is irrelevant. Rick Santorum's Phony Marriage Attack on Obama Michelle Goldberg January 17, 2012
despondent
Gazing at the pro-Palestinian protestors, Silverglad was ____________________. Twin Protests Jacob Silverman November 15, 2012
context
Getting down and dirty in this _________________ means calling in the armed angels. Can God Save Health Care? James Carroll August 20, 2009
castigate
Gingrich also scored points with the media elite that he loves to ____________________. Newt Gingrich Doubles Down in Defending Stance on Illegal Immigration Howard Kurtz November 23, 2011
boor
God curse the day you sent me to Calais, a gentleman's son, to be beat by a ________________!' Privy Seal Ford Madox Ford
daunting
Gov. Perry joined the GOP run for the White House with a __________________ disadvantage. Perry Tries Lighting a Fire Mark McKinnon October 13, 2011
anathema
Government regulations were not __________________ to the market but requisite. Obamacare Is as American as the Founding Fathers Sally Kohn March 31, 2014
constraint
Gravity is transformed from the ________________ that holds us dully to Earth into the power that lets us fly. Skiing is Love at First Swoosh David Frum March 15, 2013
discrimination
Grothman says companies are being bombarded with false accusations of __________________. Wisconsin's Repeal of Equal Pay Rights Adds to Battles for Women Michelle Goldberg April 6, 2012
denounce
Hamas spokesmen stand by the hospital gates and ____________________ the attack on Al Shejaiya as a massacre and vow to fight on. Palestinians Fleeing Israeli Bombardment in Gaza Have 'Nowhere Left to Run' Jesse Rosenfeld July 19, 2014
belittle
Hand it off to a hen-pecked husband or a put-upon assistant and it can demean or ____________. The Language of Margaret Thatcher's Handbags Robin Givhan April 7, 2013
abjure
Haqqani invests great hope that a decision by Pakistan's military to ________________ politics may correct these trends. David's Book Club: Pakistan, Between Mosque and Military David Frum April 22, 2012
bolster
Having a major movie backing up the program can only ________________ its relationship with MLB. The Aftermath of Disney's 'Million Dollar Arm' Alex Suskind May 15, 2014
bolster
Having a major movie backing up the program can only ___________________ its relationship with MLB. The Aftermath of Disney's 'Million Dollar Arm' Alex Suskind May 15, 2014
compromised
If Tiger were under the influence of these drugs, his driving would certainly be ________________. The Tiger Coverup Steve Helling May 2, 2010
aggrandize
If the Guises were French princes, their interest would be to ________________ France. Chicot the Jester Alexandre Dumas, Pere
concede
If you want Bush to ___________________ medium to minor errors, you will find that in this book. A Democrat's Guide to Bush's Book Bryan Curtis November 9, 2010
dismissive
Impatient and ___________________, punctuated by forced, faked little laughs and peevish demands for more airtime. Ryan Solid, But One Major Mistake David Frum October 11, 2012
antagonistic
In Canada, relations between the federal system and the provincial system are much more fraught — often ___________. Why Doesn't Canada Have a Two Party System? David Frum October 5, 2012
animated
In a Japanese _____________ series, the Merry Men presented a strong pro-environmental message. Robin Hood's Amazing Run Allen Barra May 11, 2010
demeanor
In her _____________________, Rebekah Brooks would seem to be a new phenomenon—a person unable to conceal the depths of her self-satisfaction. How British Tabloids Lost Their Way Howard Jacobson July 21, 2011
beleaguer
In his tragedy of Ezelino, after the tyrant's downfall, a captain is sent to ________________ Treviso, and reduce Ezelino's garrison. The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the first Count Carlo Gozzi
chimera
In the Iliad, a __________________ is a grotesque animal jumble, "lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle." Delegitimizing Israel Makes Peace Harder to Achieve Gil Troy February 27, 2013
boisterous
In the capitol of Kampala, Ssempa is known for his ___________________ crusading. Rick Warren's Africa Problem Max Blumenthal January 6, 2009
depravity
In the film, there are plenty of other opportunities for Aniston to underscore the ___________________ of her character. Aniston's F-Word Moment Ramin Setoodeh July 5, 2011
compelling
Perhaps the most ___________________ way is through family history, as David Laskin does in his fascinating new book. History Broke Us: One Jewish Family's 20th Century James McAuley November 28, 2013
abate
Perhaps, under different circumstances, with other kinds of modern Jewish women, their anger might start to ___________________. Talking to Women of the Wall's Ultra-Orthodox Teenage Protesters Elisheva Goldberg November 5, 2013
ambiguous
Peter Jukes on his __________ legacy of bloodletting and self-preservation. The Gray Lady's Shotgun Wedding: Mark Thompson Joins The New York Times Peter Jukes August 14, 2012
altruism
Policy makers must face the fact that ________ alone isn't enough. Take My Kidney, Please Sally Satel January 7, 2009
alleviate
Practicing yoga, studies show, can __________ symptoms of depression and anxiety. 9 Ways to Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder DailyBurn December 4, 2014
adherence
President Obama told Ukrainians "neither the United States nor Europe are perfect in ____________ to our ideals." President Obama's Belgian Waffle Stuart Stevens March 26, 2014
bleak
Preston was an impoverished and ____________ place—so much so that Charles Dickens based his novel Hard Times on the city. Mitt Romney's British Mormon Ancestors Mike Giglio January 30, 2012
connoisseur
Sallust is ruthless and charming, a _________________ of rare wines and rare women. The Novelist Who Spied: How Dennis Wheatley Helped Defeat the Nazis Tina Rosenberg August 7, 2012
connoisseur
Sallust is ruthless and charming, a ____________________ of rare wines and rare women. The Novelist Who Spied: How Dennis Wheatley Helped Defeat the Nazis Tina Rosenberg August 7, 2012
burnish
Sandoval has also managed to _________________ his image with a patina of integrity in the scandal-scarred Silver State. Nevada Guv Faces Fans and Foes in Reelection Lloyd Green March 17, 2014
alchemy
Sarah Norris on the __________________ of being young and literary and finding your way in New York. All the Happy/Sad Young Literary Women Sarah Norris June 14, 2010
cosmopolitan
Seventeen magazine is the ________________ for teens, dishing out one wild—and unbelievable—piece of advice after another. 17 Terrible Pieces of Advice from 'Seventeen's' Ultimate Guide to Guys Erin Cunningham January 29, 2014
bellicose
She contrasted its timidity with a _________________ anti-Hagel salvo from the Christian-right group Concerned Women for America. The GOP's Steep Descent Into Extreme Politics and Doctrine Peter Beinart February 27, 2013
boisterous
She grew up in upstate New York, the youngest and by far the most _________________ of three children. The Barbara Walters of Fox News? Rebecca Dana April 26, 2010
cabal
Silicon Valley has its own weaknesses: the ________________ of successful investors is small and insular. Don't De-Friend Facebook Yet: Its IPO Might Not Mean Trouble Ahead Zachary Karabell May 18, 2012
bereft
So Rangel, _______________ of that narrative, chose instead to question the intelligence of a pesky, inquisitorial journalist. Charlie Rangel Is Toast Tunku Varadarajan July 22, 2010
adulation
So here Obama is, craving security and _____________, but being denied both. The Sprawling, Dimming Age of Obama Lloyd Green June 29, 2013
acquiesce
So many wish to suppress this history, and it's good to see Coulter refusing to __________. Three Cheers for Ann Coulter David Frum February 1, 2012
didactic
So she has chosen the path as her literary heroes, Charles Dickens and George Orwell: the entertaining but ___________________ novel. Join Caitlin Moran's Riotous Feminist Revolution Lizzie Crocker September 28, 2014
cite
Some _________________ elevated rates of obesity and rising maternal age, which both increase the C-section risk. Home Birth: Increasingly Popular, But Dangerous Michelle Goldberg June 24, 2012
anachronistic
State government involvement in public schools is " _____________________ "? Rick Santorum Faces a Grilling at CNN Debate Howard Kurtz February 21, 2012
calumny
The climax of _______________ was reached in a decree of the Parliament of Paris, issued on August 6, 1762. The Jesuits, 1534-1921 Thomas J. Campbell
atypical
The details of his emerging campaign infrastructure are as ____________ as the man himself. Ben Carson's Bizarrely Serious, Seriously Bizarre Campaign Crew Olivia Nuzzi November 11, 2014
auspices
The discussion was held under the ________________ of two Members of Knesset, Tamar Zandberg and Dov Henin. Toward a WMD-Free Zone in the Middle East Hillel Schenker October 27, 2013
commensurate
The effort invested in "getting it right" should be _____________________ with the importance of the decision. Daniel Kahneman Talks Intuition and Optimism With Sam Harris Sam Harris November 29, 2011
decry
The fast of the Ninth of Av is not intended to _______________ only past pain (though that too) but present political misdeeds. Today's Lamentations Aryeh Cohen July 28, 2012
coda
The film, opening on December 17, has turned out to be a __________________ to the man's incarceration. Kevin Spacey on Casino Jack Kevin Sessums December 13, 2010
ambivalent
The films were moderate successes, especially for an American market that has always been ______________ toward foreign cinema. A Comprehensive History of Toho's Original Kaiju (and Atomic Allegory) Godzilla Rich Goldstein May 17, 2014
disposition
The first is conscientiousness, which entails a ___________________ to be diligent, organized, and responsible. How to Live Forever Casey Schwartz July 28, 2009
circumscribe
The first step to be taken must be to endeavour to ___________________ their limits. Beric the Briton G. A. Henty
calumniate
The hired advocate may ____________________ as he will, but he can show no collusion or connivance on your part. The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II) Charles James Lever
dismay
The humility of Joseph to accept this news when most would have responded with incredulity and ________________. The True Gifts of Christmas Are Life, Love, and the Mystery of God Joshua DuBois December 24, 2013
critique
The identical twins who sued Zuckerberg ________________ and nitpick The Social Network. Social Network Reading List The Daily Beast October 1, 2010
aspect
The immensely strong hold of the Bible Belt culture transcends nearly every ___________ of lesbian life in southern Mississippi. Mississippi Is Hell for These Lesbians Emily Shire August 7, 2014
cosset
The last time I was over there the ___________ lamb came into the kitchen to ask for milk. A Northern Countryside Rosalind Richards
complacent
The more people are comfortable and _______________, the more it plays into things that are destroying the world. Julian Casablancas Enters the Void: On the Strokes' Friction, Why He Left NYC, and Starting Over Marlow Stern October 8, 2014
debunk
The more we can reinforce good fear—and ___________________ bad fear—the more we can enhance those chances even further. The Year of Bad Fear—and How to End It in 2013 Jaimal Yogis December 30, 2012
cogent
The senator was, even more than usual, passionate, _______________, and earnest in his criticisms. Republican Debate: Gingrich's Grandiosity Withstands Santorum's Attacks Michelle Cottle January 19, 2012
ardent
The pathetic dives and writhing on the field is a turn off to the most _________ American fan. What Hillary Clinton Can Learn From Portugal, Costa Rica, and England in the World Cup Nathan Daschle June 30, 2014
corrigible
The power and _______________ authority of this lies in our wills. Curiosities of Medical Experience J. G. (John Gideon) Millingen
corrigible
The power and __________________ authority of this lies in our wills. Curiosities of Medical Experience J. G. (John Gideon) Millingen
animosity
The result created quite a bit of " _____________ and bad blood." How Eric Cantor Sabotaged Himself Ben Jacobs, Tim Mak June 10, 2014
cathartic
The show offers no _____________ "gotcha" moments, no easy answers, and no rapid-fire dialogue. Stop Everything and Go Watch 'Rectify' Jason Lynch June 18, 2014
autonomy
The statements were viewed as a frontal assault on the _____________ and independence of the criminal-justice system. Obama v. the Justice Department Scott Horton April 21, 2009
adulation
The thing I worry about is that he likes giving good speeches, he likes the __________ and he likes to make people happy. The Times Has It Wrong on Obama Eric Alterman April 19, 2009
adulation
The thing I worry about is that he likes giving good speeches, he likes the _________________ and he likes to make people happy. The Times Has It Wrong on Obama Eric Alterman April 19, 2009
concise
The trick with policy is to communicate complex ideas in ______________, common-sense terms. Clint Eastwood Chrysler Super Bowl Ad Shows Obama Messaging Is Weak John Avlon February 6, 2012
complacent
The unofficial rules that had kept Democrats in the majority with a __________________ Republican minority were changing. The Speaker Who Spoke for the Whole House Eleanor Clift October 17, 2013
disconsolate
The various theories of ___________________ liberals all suffer from a failure to compare Obama with any plausible baseline. The Hillary Fantasy Howard Kurtz November 20, 2011
deprecate
The verb "to ___________________ " entered the English language in the 17th century. Busted by The Language Cops David Frum April 29, 2012
aberrant
With an inhuman disregard of caste and custom, the __________________ shadows of the passers-by met and mingled one into another. Phases of an Inferior Planet Ellen Glasgow
digression
Without apologising for this _________________, we return to the thread of our tale. The Pirate City R.M. Ballantyne
dismay
Women are a force behind the Tea Party movement, and are marching away from the Democrats in _____________________. Time for Palin to Embrace Her Gender Amy Siskind April 3, 2010
decry
Woodson went on to _______________ those "corrupt" black politicians who were responsible for this as "moral traitors." Comedy of Errors at the Republicans' March on Washington Celebration Ben Jacobs August 26, 2013
audacious
Yet such a move would almost certainly be widely seen as an __________________ display of ingratitude. AIG May Sue the Government For An Insufficiently Generous Bailout Megan McArdle January 7, 2013
captivate
You are enamored of them; they __________________ you with their uncouth glamors; towards them you are drawn, eh? The Wolf Cub Patrick Casey
contempt
You are the first attorney general in the history of the United States to be held in _________________ of Congress. An Open Letter to Attorney General Eric Holder: It's Not About Race Ron Christie July 16, 2014
apprise
You are then to _________________ the President of the Haarlem Society. The Black Tulip Alexandre Dumas (Pere)
disgruntled
You would need metal detectors in case a _________________ student tried to smuggle in a weapon. After Newtown, Can We Make Our Schools Safe? Lauren Ashburn December 17, 2012
disgruntled
You would need metal detectors in case a ___________________ student tried to smuggle in a weapon. After Newtown, Can We Make Our Schools Safe? Lauren Ashburn December 17, 2012
acclaim
___________ ensued (then-New York magazine critic John Simon called it "unforgettable") but no Broadway transfer. Michael Cera Brings 'This Is Our Youth' to Broadway After 18 Years Tom Teodorczuk September 11, 2014
astute
____________ piece from Jonathan Mahler at Bloomberg View today on why football is not likely to go the way of boxing. Why Spectators Sports Thrive or Die Michael Tomasky February 14, 2013
cynicism
________________ is so much more predictable and easier to deal with. Take a Bow, London: The Olympics Were a Triumph Peter Jukes August 12, 2012
didactic
________________ teaching has come at the expense of play, which some say is no longer tolerated even for the youngest of students. Let Preschoolers Play! Joyce C. Tang April 4, 2011
arabesque
_________________ focuses on Turkey, Morocco and Lebanon, with the added bonus of a beautiful design and great photos. Fresh Picks Jody Adams April 26, 2010
chicanery
__________________ in the blood, one might imagine, has to be worked out. Paul Kelver Jerome Klapka, AKA Jerome K. Jerome
