Vocab 12 Choosing the Right Word
she sang a ___ little ditty about a man
plaintive
Although fate has decreed that he make his living as a stockbroker, his main interests and talents are definitely ____
aesthetic
In the Poetics and Metaphysics, Aristotle discusses the purpose of art and identities important ____ principles
aesthetic
though few of us today stand on ceremony to quite the extent that our ancestors did, common courtesy is by no means ___
defunct
The sternness of my boss's expression so ____ me that at first I had difficulty responding to the question
discomfited
In our desire to improve the quality of life in America, we should not be too quick to ___ an idea simply because it is new
espouse
it is one thing to be concerned about discipline; it is quite another to make a ___ of it
fetish
prehistoric peoples banded together into tribes, not only for protection, but also to satisfy their _____ instincts
gregarious
One of the best known figures of American folklore is the lean, tough, ___ cowboy.
hapless
when the scandal broke, the man found himself the ___ victim of other people's misdeeds
hapless
Her sense of tact is so ____ and unerring that she can handle the most trying situation as if it were mere child's play
impeccable
IDK which is more painful--to have to ask someone for a favor or to have some unfortunate ___ one for help
importune
the whiny toddler ___ his mother for a snack
importuned
Many scholars believe that Beaumont or Fletcher ____ a scene or two into the present text of a play.
interpolated
a diplomat must always proceed on the assumption that no rupture between nations, no matter how serious is ___
irreparable
Though i left the house feeling "as fit as a fiddle" my spirits began to ____ after only five minutes in that withering heat.
languish
after the death of his wife, a grieving Mr. Johnson ___ in their quiet apartment
languished
"Despite taking an oath to tell the truth, Laurie offered clearly ___ testimony," complained the frustrated defense attorney
mendacious
fortunately, our lawyer was able to produce documents that disproved the ___ assertions of our former partner
mendacious
One of the comforting things about reaching the ___ of one's career is that only place to go from there is up
nadir
The _____ threat of nuclear holocaust that characterized the Cold war era
omnipresent
faced with a tight deadline, the exhausted editor gave the young reporter's article a hurried and ___ edit
perfunctory
perhaps we should be overjoyed that the great man condescended to give us a(n) _____ nod as we passed by
perfunctory
I hope to ___ my parents for all the care they have shown me.
requite
the legal adage "Silence implies consent" meant that not objecting to an action that concerns you is ___ to approving it
tantamount