Sentence completion

disparate

1. Even though the _____________ programs had no similarities, they worked toward the same goals, and that made them compatible.

embellish

10. The young girl tried to _________________________________ her handwriting by adding swirls and curls to her letters.

arrogant

11. No one wanted to be around the ________________________________ man; his proud manner bordered on rudeness.

obscure

12. Certain passages of the book were so _____ that it was difficult to get a clear understanding of exactly what the author had intended to say.

prodigal

13. The man never saved any money because of his _______ attitude; he has never been able to hold on to a dollar when it could be spent on something frivolous.

lament

15. The sounds of _______ rising from the sick room announced the death of the man.

revere

16. In a society of increasing lawlessness, it seems that young children have not been taught to _________________________ authority and law.

superfluous

17. This paper is marred by ____ details that could have been left out.

engender

18. If you show respect for a person, you are likely to a similar regard in that person to show respect for you.

laud

19. To give praise to mental laziness is difficult for me, but to students with quick minds is a pleasure.

angular

2. Her extended illness had resulted in her ___________ look; she was so gaunt and lean that none of her clothes fit well.

reticence

20. The girl's ____ was not an aset to her, indeed, her inability to speak in public was like a curse.

altruistic

3. Missionaries are considered ___________________ because they are unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others.

discern

4. On hot summer days it is difficult to _______________________________ the difference between a puddle of water and heat waves produced on the road.

innocuous

5. It was hard to believe that her feelings could be hurt over such ______________________ remarks, for nothings he said was really harmful.

ambivalent

6. I cannot understand how anyone can be so ____________________ about this project; you either support it or you don't, but this constant changing of viewpoints is beyond my comprehension.

aversion

7. Because I have a natural _____________________________ to hominy, I never eat the stuff; it is one food that I can't stand.

disparaging

8. Because of his _________________________ remarks about me, the committee gave the job to another person; he had effectively ruined my reputation.

subtle, disdain

9. I met his _________________________ remarks with _______________________; I didn't appreciate his trying to hide his feelings. He should have been forthright, open and honest.

ostentatious

A few hints of sophistication began to appear in the woman's __________________ apparel; she soon dropped the gaudy accessories and became a conservative dresser.

repudiate

Hehired a team of lawyers to ___ the charge that he had embezzled any funds from the company

insipid

The girl's _____ conversation bored him to tears; he abhorred silly, meaningless chatter.

serene

We stood before the lake and looked at the placid waters,_______ and calm.

taciturn

the ____ man said very little; he spoke only when spoken to, and even then he was direct and concise.