Combo with "Vocab 12 Choosing the Right Word" and 1 other
sporadic
Although ther had been some ______ fighting earlier, the real battles of the Civil War did not begin until Bull Run in July, 1861
luminous
Althought the moon appears to be a(n) ________ body the fact is that it only reflects light received fromt eh sun.
charlatan
Any "investmeant counselor" who promises to double your money overnight must be regarded as a(n) __________ or a crook.
oscillated
As all kinds of wild rumors ran rampant through the besieged city, the mood of the populace ______ between hope and despair
obsequious
During imperial times, the Roman Senate was little more than a collection of _________ yes-men , intent upon preserving their own lives by gratifying the emperor's every whim.
decimating
During the 14th century, the Black Death suddenly swept across Europe, _________ the population and paralyzing everyday life
____ schools of art are typical of a period when there is little original inspiration or bold experimentation.
Eclectic
peremptory
Good supervisors know that they can get more cooperation from their staff by making polite requests than by issuing ________ orders
obtuse
His statements have been so uniformly __________ that I get the impression that he is wearing a permanent pair of mental blinders.
benign
I was relieved to learn that the tumor on my arm was _______ and my worst fears groundless
rebuffed
I was totally taken aback when they ________ my kind offers of assistance so rudely and nastily
fraught
In a typical James Bond movie, Agent 007 has a series of adventures that are _____ with tongue-in-cheek peril
inured
Life on the family farm has ________ me to hard physical labor and long hours of unremitting toil.
____ and other forms of witchcraft were punishable by death during the Middle Ages.
Necromancy
penitent
No doubt he's very sorry he got caught, but that does not mean that he's at all __________ about what he did
reconnoiter
The general sent scouts on ahead of the army to ______ the area for a suitable site to pitch camp.
foibles
The man's personality was a strange mixture of strengths and weaknesses, fortes and ________
shambles
The riot converted the quiet streets of that suburban community into a ghastly _________
caviled
Though critics _______ at minor faults in the new Broadway show, the general public loved it.
attenuated
Though my childhood recollections have been _______ by the passage of time, they have not been totaly effaced from my memory.
forgo
Unless the title Special Aide to the Assistant Section Manager involves a salary increase, I would just as soon _______ it
askance
We look ________ at any program that makes it harder for the city dwellers to get out and enjoy the beauties of nature
At the slightest sound of thunder, my dog Rover dives under the bed in a state of _____________ terror.
abject
Only an (intermittent, abject) coward would stand idly by wile a defenseless old woman was mugged in the street.
abject
Only an _____________ coward would stand idly by while a defenseless old woman was mugged in the street.
abject
No on, however powerful or dominant, can ____ the basic moral laws on which civilization rests.
abrogate
Once the senator's nomination became a certainty, all opposition to him evaporated, and he was named by ____.
acclamation
Since Lucy had expected no more than polite applause, she was delighted by the _________ she received from the audience
acclamation
The nobleman was_____by beggars on his way to the castle
accost
As the defendant left the courtroom, he was ( gambited, accosted)by a group of reporters seeking his reaction to the verdict.
accosted
Aristotle had such a/an (tenable, acquisitive) mind that his writings are a veritable gold mine of odd and interesting info.
acquisitive
In an _________ society, there is a great deal of emphasis on buying and selling
acquisitive
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
Several theology professors have given provocative reviews of the new book by Mr. Stuart, who readily admits he is an (effigy, agnostic).
agnostic
Since he neither affirms nor denies the existence of God, I'd classify him as an _____________ rather than an atheist.
agnostic
Though the book was written by an avowed (agnostic, derelict), it enjoyed a certain popularity with religious types
agnostic
Though the book was written by an avowed _____________, it enjoyed a certain popularity with the faithful.
agnostic
Effective coaches are able to (allay, embellish) the doubts of their players.
allay
Nothing we could say seemed to (demur, allay) her grief over the loss of her dog.
allay
Recend developments in that part of the world have intensified rather than ______ our fears of a renewed conflict
allayed
The men now being held in police custody are __________ to have robbed eight supermarkets over the last year.
alleged
she excused herself from lending me the money i so desperately needed by (conciliating, alleging) that she had financial troubles of her own
alleging
As we sat in the locker room after our heartbreaking loss, the ____ gloom was so thick you could almost cut it.
ambient
I certainly do not claim that my preformance in office was beyond criticism, but I deeply resent (animadversions, maelstroms) on my honesty.
animadversion
The inexperience filmmaker was disheartened by the ___ of the film critic.
animadversion
"It seems to me that such __________ hypocrisy is indicative of a thoroughly opportunistic approach to running for office," I said sadly
arrant
only an (arrant, macabre) knave would be capable of devising such an incredibly underhanded and treacherous scheme
arrant
the defense attorney succeeded in portraying the genial witness as an (arrant, saturnine) liar whose testimony was never credible.
arrant
The Constitution is uniquely designed to provide protection against those who might seek to (substantiate, arrogate) undue power to themselves.
arrogate
The ambitious noblemen will put the young king under house arrest and ______ royal privileges to themselves.
arrogate
The assembly speaker couldn't be understood because he mumbled his words instead of _________ them clearly
articulate
When I found that people I admired were looking _____ at my unconventional clothing, I resolved to remedy the situation.
askance
As one veteran aptly observed, aa soldier had to be hardy to cope with the ____ of life in the trenches during World War I.
asperities
The _____ of the stones in the patio hurt the soles of my feet.
asperity
Almost every case of muscle or tissue ________ is the result of disease prolonged disuse, or changes in cell nutrition
atrophy
The huge influx of wealth that resulted from foreign conquests led in part to the physical and moral (atrophy, flotsam) of the Roman ruling class.
atrophy
We must never allow our passion for justice to be ___ to mere half-hearted goodwill.
attenuated
After years of failure to sell a single story, the young writer described himself bitterly as "a(n) (pejorative, avid) collector of rejection slips."
avid
Most writers are also _____ readers who have loved books since childhood
avid
The seriousness of the matter under discussion left no room for the type of lighthearted __________ encountered in the locker room
badinage
his attempts at casual (badinage, echelon) did not conceal the fact that he was acutely embarrassed by his blunder
badinage
In that moment of greif, the conventional expresions of sympathy I had always considered (tenable, banal) were surprisingly comforting.
banal
The new play's________dialogue made it seem more like a soap opera than a serious drama
banal
The high ground east of the river formed a natural ____________ which we decided to defend with all the forces at our disposal
bastion
I have always regarded our schools and colleges as citadels of learning and (bastions, stratagems) against ignorance and superstition.
bastions
His tendency to _________ the small points often make him miss the big picture
belabor
Suddenly a band of ruffians set upon us and began to (congeal, belabor) us with blows and curses.
belabor
Was it Juan's gentle stroking of the frightened dog's neck that produced a ____ change in the animal's mood?
benign
We believe that classes taught by teachers with specialized training will have a ____ effect on the troubled children.
benign
The atrocities committed by the (garish, bestial) commanders of such concentration camps as Auschwitz appalled the civilized world.
bestial
The man's features suddenly contorted into a(n) ___________ mask, more reminiscent of a hobgoblin than a human being
bestial
Instead of imbibing the (brackish, suppliant) waters of superstition, let us refresh ourselves with long drafts of pure, clean, common sense.
brackish
The shipwrecked passengers adrift on the lifeboat became ill after drinking ____ water
brackish
Perhaps he would be less lyrical about the delights of the ___ life if, like me, he had grown up on a farm in Kansas.
bucolic
The painting shows a restfully ________ scene, with some cows grazing placidly in a meadow as their shepherd dozes under a bush
bucolic
"Did you use a cotton or a velvet cloth to ____ the antique mirror?" Bryan inquired.
burnish
The ____ helmets and breastplates of the warriors gleamed and twinkled in the morning sunlight.
burnished
What appeared to be an informal study group was in reality a highly organized ____ determined to overthrow the establishment.
cabal
Since Lincoln is now considered a great national hero, it is hard to believe that he was bitterly _______ when he was President
calumniated
The senate candidate claimed that her opponent's most recent television ad ____ her husband and children.
calumniated
It has been known that some twisted and unhappy people derive a kind of satisfaction from ____ others.
calumniating
After the editor read the story, he returned it to the author with only a few (carping, coherent) criticisms of minor faults penciled in the margin.
carping
The trainee resigned after a week rather than put up with the ________complaints of the sales manager
carping
although the judge offered two minor ___ about our choreography, our dance troupe won first place
cavils
When Bill was told that he had made the varsity wrestling team he began to _______ around the gym like a young colt
cavort
From the deck of out luxurious liner, we occasionally caught sight of schools or porpoise _____ playfully in the waves
cavorting
Although the heavy snowfall was no expected, the highway department resounded with surprising ____.
celerity
Walt tends to react slowly, but when he feels that his own interests are at stake he can move with striking (celerity, myopia).
celerity
Imagine the general disappointment when the so called "miracle cure" was exposed as a fraud promoted by a ___
charlatan
Because my teacher is usually so ____ of giving compliments, I felt really good when she spoke well of my essay.
chary
I have learned from long experience to be extemely ______ about offering advice when it has not been requested
chary
The physics teacher gave a surprisingly_____ description of quantum physics
coherent
The poor woman was in such a state of shock after the accident that she couldnt give a (coherent, taciturn) account of what had happened.
coherent
The contractor wa suspected of having acted in ______ with a state official to fix the bids on certain public works contracts.
collusion
The gambler's predictions of the game scores were so incredibly accurate that we suspected some form of ____.
collusion
How can I be accused of (indictment, complicity) in that plot when I did not even know the conspirators?
complicity
How can I be accused of _____________ in that plot when I did not even know the conspirators.
complicity
Those who saw the young woman being assulted and did nothing to help her were guilty of _____________ in the crime.
complicity
Her friendly manner and disarming smiled helped to __________ those who opposed her views on the proposal
conciliate
the views of the two parties involved in this dispute are so diametrically opposed that it will be almost impossible to (conciliate, saturate) them
conciliate
Before the ceremony began, we all bowed our heads and hoped for unity, peace, and (concord, atrophy) among all nations
concord
Peace is not just the absence of war but a positive state of _______ among the nations of the world
concord
If you do not wash your dishes right away, the food of them will_______________.
congeal
The mood of easy cordiality with which we began the meeting soon (congealed, temporized) into icy politeness.
congealed
All that I needed to (consummate, nettle) the most important deal of my career was her significant on the dotted line.
consummate
As soon as he struck the opening chords of the selection, we realized that we were listening to a(n) _______ master of piano
consummate
To anyone as fond of horses as I am, the stable and the tack room provides as (indigent, convivial) an atmosphere as one could wish for.
convivial
Who wouldn't have had fun amoung such a(n) _____ group of people?
convivial
As the rock star's popularity began to skyrocket, what had been a small (coterie, raiment) of admirers became an unruly mob.
coterie
Ralph Waldo Emerson and a(n) (coterie,effrontery) of like-minded friends led the American transcendentalism movement in the mid-nineteenth century.
coterie
The " Old 400" was a ery small and exclusive ____ of prominent families that dominated East Coast society for decades
coterie
the authority of the student council is not absolute because the principal can (countermand, exacerbate) any of its decisions
countermand
No sooner had the feckless tsar decreed a general mobilization than he __________ his order, only to reissue it a short time later
countermanded
At the Casablanca Conference in 1943, President Roosevelt and his military aides met with their British ________ to map military strategy for the Western Allies.
counterpart
Often the antonym of a given English word is not so much its opposite as its (embellishment, counterpart)- for example, actor and actresses.
counterpart
An educated citizenry will not give _______ to wild charges of extremists seeking to undermine our political and economic system
credence
Despite all the reports of "miraculous" cure, you would be well advised to withhold _____ until the drug has been fully tested
credence
During the civil war the ranks of both armies were ____ as much by disease as by enemy action.
decimated
The investigating committee (decried, dissembled) the use of substandard materials and slovenly workmanship in the housing project.
decried
The new chairman _______ what she called the "deplorable tendency of so many Americans to try to get something for nothing
decry
though few of us today stand on ceremony to quite the extent that our ancestors did, common courtesy is by no means ___
defunct
Despite our prodding, Aunt Eileen would not disclose the secret ingredients that makes her marinara sauce so _____.
delectable
I am flattered that you want me to chair the meeting, but I must (demur, embellish) on the grounds of my youth and inexperience
demur
Since we all agreed that the proposal seemed to offer the best solution to our problem, it was accepted without ______
demur
It is one thing to ____human follies and pretensions; it is quite another to correct them.
deprecate
I would be _____________ in my duty to you if I did not warn you against the bad effects of smoking cigarettes.
derelict
The sleeping security guard was (derelict, plenary) in his duties
derelict
Bag ladies and other homeless (neophytes, derelicts) roam our streets in increasing numbers.
derelicts
Since archaeologists spend a lot of time rummaging through the ____ of vanished civilizations, they bear a triking resemblance to junk collectors and ragpickers.
detritus
The unconventional artist like to incorporate glass shards, plastic strips, pieces of string, and assorted ___ into his sculptures.
detritus
His methods were so complicated and his purposes so (devious, avid) that we were not sure if he was spying on the enemy or us.
devious
The interrogator used ___ methods to try to get the suspect to incriminate himself.
devious
All of a sudden, a strange young man rushed onto the speaker's platform and launched into a (travesty, diatribe) against "big government".
diatribe
All of a sudden, a strange young man rushed onto the speaker's platform and launched into a _____________ against "big government."
diatribe
Every time we did something to anger him, he delivered an intemperate _____________ lambasting our "hopeless irresponsibility."
diatribe
She may hve great musical talents, but she will get nowhere so long as she has the casual attitude of the __________
dilettante
The same difficulties that serve as a challenge to the true professional will be a crushing discouragement to the typical ____.
dilettante
The affairs of our city are in such (disarray, flotsam) that the state may have to intervene to restore some semblance of order.
disarray
The defeated army fled in such______ that before long it had become little more than a uniformed mob
disarray
the undisciplined puppy (disarrayed, consummated) the boxes in the garage.
disarrayed
The sternness of my boss's expression so ____ me that at first I had difficulty responding to the question
discomfited
An accomplished hypocrite usually finds it very easy to (dissemble, decry) his or her true feelings as circumstances dictate.
dissemble
Though I prefer to be as open and aboveboard as possible, I have learned that it is sometimes wiser or more tactful to _______
dissemble
(Exhumed, Distraught) with grief, they sat motionless for hours, staring blankly into space.
distraught
When news of the school fire ran through town _______ parents rushed to the scene of the blaze
distraught
Any political party that is ____ with petty jealousies and backbiting can never hope to present a united front in an election.
ebullient
The charm of this musical comedy lies in its slam-bang pacing, its sprightly music, and its generally ____ good cheer.
ebullient
over the years, hard work and unstinting devotion to duty have raised me from one (echelon, paucity) of company management to the next
echelon
The breaking news story concerned corruption among the highest __________ of politics
echelons
According to the village's custom, one can get rid of an enemy by making a tiny (effigy, motif) of him and sticking it full of pins.
effigy
According to voodoo belief, one can get rid of an enemy by making a tiny _____________ of him and sticking it full of pins.
effigy
The overthrown dictator was hanged in _____________ before a vast throng in the town square.
effigy
"You mean you had the (effrontery, demur) to ask for a raise when everyone knows you've been goofing off lately?" I asked in amazement.
effrontery
He had the _______ to come into my own home to tell me what I should do to help him.
effrontery
In the Victorian era, designers _____ women
embellish
When the facts of a matter speak so plainly for themselves, we shouldn't seek to (embellish, jettison) them.
embellish
Most beginning writers try to ____________ a great writer and later develop their own individual styles
emulate
Even a very imperfect human being may sometimes have virtues of mind or character that are worthy of (carping, emulation).
emulation
On Veterans Day, the President delivered a heartfelt ________ to those who died for their country
encomium
The speech was so filled with (encomiums, reconnaissance) that I found it hard to believe that the subject of all this acclain was plain old me.
encomiums
An emotion so fickle and (ephemeral, pertinacious) does not deserve to be categorized as "love.
ephemeral
Many a now-forgotten "movie great" has discovered to his or her chagrin that fame may indeed be as __________ as a passing shower
ephemeral
Not surprisingly, my sister's solomnly made commitment to daily clarinet practice for one month was (garish, ephemeral) lasting only five days.
ephemeral
"Simple _____________ demands that we distribute the tax burden as fairly as possible among the populace," the Senator remarked.
equity
Because she is a fair-minded woman, I'm sure she will present both sides of the controversy with admirable (equity, effigy))
equity
Since she is a fair-minded woman, I'm sure she will present both sides of the controversy with admirable _____________.
equity
In out attempt to improve the quality of life in America, we should not be too quick to ______ old ideas simply because they are old.
eschew
The young athletes promised the coach that they would train vigorously and __________ bad habits.
eschew
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
Every Memorial Day the Mayor delivers a(n) __________ extolling the selfless devotion of those who have died in defense of this country
eulogy
Not surprisingly, the address was a notably evenhanded affair in which the speaker cleverly mixed ____ with admonition
eulogy
Even at an early age, my sister _______ a strong interest in studying medicine
evince
The extraordinary musical talents of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (evinced, dissembled) themselves at an amazingly early age.
evinced
Though some "home remedies" appear to alleviate the symptoms of a disease, they may in fact __________the condition
exacerbate
by denying your guilt without offering any explanation of your actions, you will only (recant, exacerbate) an already bad situation
exacerbate
the dog's owner (exacerbated, razed) the situation when he flagrantly encouraged the terrier to romp in the neighbor's petunias.
exacerbated
When new evidence turned up in the case, the court ordered the coroner to _______ the victim's body and reexamine it
exhume
Though the work hadn't seen the light of day for over a century, a daring impresario (cavorted, exhumed) and staged it to great public acclaim.
exhumed
A born leader is someone who can rise to the (incumbents, exigencies) of an crisis that he or she may be confronted with.
exigencies
The _______ of my present financial situation demand that I curtail all unnecessary expenses for at least a month
exigency
After he made that absurd remark a(n) __________ grin of self-congratulation spread like syrup across the lumpy pancake of his face
fatuous
not surprisingly, the committee's final report was an incongruous mixture of the astute and the (irrefutable, fatuous)
fatuous
In the hands of our hopelessly _______ producer, what should have been a surefire hit turned into a resounding fiasco
feckless
The (feckless, piquant) efforts of our new quarterback caused the team to lose.
feckless
When life was easy he was all dash and confidence, but in times of trouble his essentially ____ character came to the force
feckless
I can always come up with the crushing rejoinder, the dazzling witticism, or the (furtive, felicitous)
felicitous
Though I don't consider myself much of a diplomat, I think I handled that delicate situation in a particulary ________ manner.
felicitous
To celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, my grandfather described the (felicitous, indigent) choice he made to ask my grandmother for a first date.
felicitous
it is one thing to be concerned about discipline; it is quite another to make a ___ of it
fetish
Writing that is so full of cliches, gummy sentence structure, and excessive wordiness can best be described as ____.
flaccid
In the shelter, I saw for the first time people who'd been beaten and discouraged by life --the so-called derelicts and (flotsam, incumbents) of the great city
flotsam
The _____ that we observed here and there in the harbor bore mute testimony to the destructive power of the storm.
flotsam
Since he didn't want to give me credit for having done a good job, he took refuge in endless _____ about my work.
foibles
do you want to be a ballet dancer enough to ____ all other activities
forgo
Their relationship has been so ___ with strife and malice that I don't see how they can ever patch things up.
fraught
People who are used to the unhurried atmosphere of a county town often find it hard to cope with the _________ pace of big-city life
frenetic
We were fascinated by the (mordant, frenetic) scene on the floor of the stock exchange as brokers struggled to keep up with sudden price changes.
frenetic
The ______ manner in which he sidled into the room and tried to avoid being noticed actually drew attention to his presence.
furtive
When I returned to the office earlier than expected, I caught the little snoop (felicitously, furtively)
furtively
"I realize that this kind of financial (gambit, sacrilege) has its risks," she said, "but I expect it to pay off handsomely in the end."
gambit
Asking an interesting stranger about his or her job is a popular party ____.
gambit
The ______ movie palaces of an earlier era have given way to smaller theaters, decorated in a simpler, more austere style
garish
The kind of (garish, picayune) theatrical makeup used by circus clowns is not suitable for an elegant fashion model.
garish
Bringing up examples from the past is not____ to the present discussion
germane
Though next to nothing is known about Homer, historians have been able to _______ a few odd facts about him from studying his works
glean
We were able to (consummate, glean) only a few shreds of useful information from his long, pretentious speech.
glean
prehistoric peoples banded together into tribes, not only for protection, but also to satisfy their _____ instincts
gregarious
During the 19th century, it was fashionable to spend a few weeks in the fall hunting (grouse, nettles), pheasants, and other game birds.
grouse
I have yet to meet an adult who did not_______ about the taxes he or she had to pay
grouse
Although most of diners' comments were favorable, several (grouses, concords) about the soggy salads dismayed the chef
grouses
Nary a ripple disturbed the (halcyon, brackish) calm of the sea on that glorious summers afternoon.
halcyon
The teacher read the legend of the _____, a my thing bird that nested in calm sea.
halcyon
The woman often spoke of the ____ days of her childhood
halcyon
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
After the young actor's audition, the casting directors delivered a harsh evaluation of his overly (histrionic, undulating) monologue.
histrionic
Although all politicians must have some ability to dramatize themselves, it is very easy to overdo the (proprieties, histrionics).
histrionic
Upon receiving his award, the young actor gave a ____ speech.
histrionic
A good deal of sad experience has taught me that my youthful hopes of getting something for nothing are entirely _____
illusory
If installment buying is not carefully controlled, the benefits that can accrue from it may prove wholly (illusory, inordinate)
illusory
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
Though she entered this country as a(n) ____ child, she eventually made a fortune in the garment industry.
impecunious
I thought I was unexcitable, but she is as ________ as teh granite lions in front of the public library
impertubable
I'm not sure if Tom's ____ spirit is due to toughness or to an inability to understand the dangers of the situation.
imperturbable
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
It was such an _____________ remark that I couldn't keep myself from laughing derisively when I heard it.
inane
The awkward pause in the conversation became even more painful when he interjected his ( plenary, inane) attempts at humor.
inane
The awkward pause in the conversation became even more painful when he interjected his _____________ attempts at humor.
inane
Even critics of our penal system admit that so long as hardened criminals are _______ they can't commit further crimes
incarcerate
In Victorian times, fashionable ladies (disarrayed, incarcerted) their waist in tight corsets to achieve a chic "hourglass" figure.
incarcerated
As reported on several online news sites, the (incendiary, gambit) accused in the destructive forest fires has admitted his guilt.
incendiary
His reckless words have an (incendiary, overt) effect on the already excited crowd, and large-scale rioting resulted.
incendiary
The arsonist planted an ____ device in the basement of the store
incendiary
The radical ___ was sentence to life imprisonment
incendiary
Not satisfied with the slow ___ of his savings in a bank account, he turned to speculation in the stock market.
increment
Every time I sign a new lease on my apartment, my rent goes up, though the ________ are not usually very large.
increments
It is ______ on all of us to do whatever we can to help our community overcome this crisis
incumbent
Of the ten Congressional seats in our state, only one was won by a new member; all the other winners were (incumbents, bastions)
incumbent
His disgraceful behavior since he left college is in itself a(n) (indictment, surveillance) of the lax, overindulgent upbringing he received.
indictment
His disgraceful behavoir since he left college is in itself an _____________ of the lax, overindulgent upbringing he received.
indictment
The fact that so many released prisoners return to a life of crime is in itself a terrifying _____________ of our penal system.
indictment
The disastrous stock market crash of 1929 left many a wealthy speculator as _____ as the proverbial church mouse.
indigent
Thought the federal government does much to help the (indigent, illusory), private charities play no small part in their welfare.
indigent
Though some writers have emphasized Jefferson's human weaknesses, his greatness is also an _____________ part of the historic record.
indubitable
What qualities will he have to fall back on when his (indubitable, testy) charm and good looks begin to wear thin?
indubitable
What qualities will he have to fall back on when his _____________ charm and good looks begin to wear thin?
indubitable
"The ____ march of the years," said the aged speaker, "decrees that this is the last time I will address you."
inexorable
THe film critic complained that some of the ____ tension in the original film has been lost in this year's milder remake.
inexorable
He is entitled to reasonable compensation for the damage to his car, but the demand he has made are totally _______
inordinate
Sadly, in our celebrity-obsessed culture, professional athletes make (pertinacious, inordinate) amounts of money while professional educators make little.
inordinate
The presidency is the "toughest job in the world" because it makes such (bestial, inordinate) demands on a person's time, energy, and ingenuity.
inordinate
His figure bears witness to his ______, appetite for that pleasure of the table.
insatiable
People with an_____appetite for gossip often do not have compelling stories of their own.
insatiable
For years, we carried on a _____________ correspondence, sometimes allowing months to pass before a letter was answered.
intermittent
Today's forecast calls for variable cloudiness with (abject, intermittent) periods of rain.
intermittent
Today's forecast calls for variable cloudiness with _____________ periods of rain.
intermittent
Many scholars believe that Beaumont or Fletcher ____ a scene or two into the present text of a play.
interpolated
I am proud to have it said of me that I am stubborn and (invidious, intransigent) when genuine moral issues are invloved.
intransigent
Little will get accomplished if the legislators of both parties maintain their __________ attitudes.
intransigent
Even though my experiences in battle have ___ me to scenes of suffering, I was horrified by the devastation wrought by the tornado
inured
"That word has such _____ connotations in modern american parlance," I said, "that I would hesitate to use it even in jest."
invidious
Teachers should avoid making ________comparisons between their students.
invidious
At first I thought it would be easy to shoot holes in their case, but I soon realized that their arguments were practically __________
irrefutable
his debating technique is rooted in the firm belief that anything bellowed in a loud voice is absolutely (saturnine, irrefutable)
irrefutable
a diplomat must always proceed on the assumption that no rupture between nations, no matter how serious is ___
irreparable
Every dynamic and successful society must be able to (allay,jettison) ideas and institutions that have outlived their usefulness
jettison
the crew of the freighter _______ most of its cargo in a desperate effort to keep the sinking ship afloat
jettisoned
Do you really think that those (jocular, recumbent) remarks are appropriate on such a solemn occasion?
jocular
It was pleasant to see the usually quiet and restrained Mr. Baxter in such a(n) __________ and expasive mood
jocular
On the western front in August 1914, the French army steeled itself against the oncoming (badinage, juggernaut) that was the German Second Army
juggernaut
The enemy's lines crumpled before the mighty __________ of our attack like so much wheat before a harvester
juggernaut
with incredible unconcern, the nobles of Europe immersed themselves in social frivolities as the fearful (juggernaut, litany) of World War I steamrolled ineluctable toward them
juggernaut
You are not going to do well in your job if you continue to work in such a(n) __________ and desultory manner
lackadaisical
our excitement at visiting the world famous ruins was dampened by the (lackadaisical, arrant) attitude of the bored and listless guide
lackadaisical
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
After I mowed the lawn for an hour, he gave me a whole dollar with the air of a feudal lord bestowing (largesse, intransigence) on a grateful serf.
largesse
The university was the fortunate beneficiary of the_________of many of its graduates.
largesse
The service in honor of the miners trapped in the underground collapse included prayers and __________
litanies
i never ask anyone "How are you?" anymore because i am afraid i will be treated to an endless (litany, badinage) of symptoms and ailments
litany
Since I had had only one year of high-school French, my attempts to speak that language on my trip to Paris were pretty _________
ludicrous
There are a few things in life as (frenetic, ludicrous) as an unqualified person trying to assume the trappings of authority
ludicrous
Why did my grandparents feel it necessary to show the (pecuniary, ludicrous) photo of me dressed as a chicken
ludicrous
Only someone ith a truly __________ sense of humor would decide to use a hearse as the family car or a coffin as a bed
macabre
Stephen King's book Danse (Macabre, Lackadaisical) surveys popular and obscure horror fiction of the 20th century
macabre
Many innocent people caught in the ____ of the revolution lost their lives and property
maelstrom
She was buffeted about in a veritable (gambit, maelstrom) of emotion, caused mainly by her own dissatisfaction with herself.
maelstrom
"The overwhelming victory I have won at the polls, " the Governor-elect said, "has given me a clear ______ to carry out my program."
mandate
The phrase "We the people" in the Constitution indicates that the ultimate ____ of our government comes from the popular will.
mandate
"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
Jonathan Swift so came to loathe human folly, vie, and hypocrisy that he died a virtual ___________
misanthrope
She has neither the starry-eyed optimism of the idealist nor the mordant cynicism of the (misanthrope, coterie).
misanthrope
How can you call that a _____________ question when it is quite clearly a simple matter of right and wrong?
moot
"I vetoed that idea when it was first (mooted, indicted) years ago," the governor said, "and i have never regretted my decision."
mooted
"I vetoed that idea when it was first _____________ years ago," the Governor said, "and I have never regretted my decision."
mooted
I noticed with approval that his (pecuniary, mordant) remarks were intended to deflate the pompous and unmask the hypocritical
mordant
Shakespeare's Timon of Athens is disillusioned misanthrope who spends his time hurling _______ barbs at the rest of mankind
mordant
Though skeptics insist that patriotism is ____ in America, I believe that it is alive and well in the hearts of the people.
moribund
Human and animal forms carved in stucco and stone are a common (motif, neophyte) in ancient Aztec art.
motif
My studies have convinced me that the one dominant (motif, diatribe) in American history has been the expansion of democracy.
motif
My studies have convinced me that the one dominant _____________ in American history has been the expansion of democracy.
motif
In Wagner's operas, brief musical _____________ associated with the characters or their actions recur again and again.
motifs
From the bridge, the rescue team could just make out the blurred image of a car beneath the (murky, unwonted) waters of the river.
murky
How could we draw any clear ideas from a talk that was so disorganized, confused in language and generally _______?
murky
In the age when the US has truly global responsibilites, we can ill afford leaders with (myopic, pejorative) points of view
myopic
The ____ foreign policy of that last administration has lead to serious problems with out allies
myopic
One of the comforting things about reaching the ___ of one's career is that only place to go from there is up
nadir
The NCAA has in recent years craacked down hard on such _____ practices as "shaving points"
nefarious
The United States is cooperating with the other nations of the world in an effort to check the (feckless, nefarious) trade in narcotics.
nefarious
After over 30 years in Congress, he retains the idealism of the (agnostic, neophyte) but has gained the practical wisdom of the veteran.
neophyte
After over 30 years in Congress, he retains the idealism of the _____________ but has gained the practical wisdom of the veteran.
neophyte
How could a mere _____________ in the teaching profession question the judgment of so experienced an educator?
neophyte
I regret that Nancy was _______ by my unfavorable review of her short stroy, but I had to express my opinion honestly
nettle
It has been said that the only way to handle a (nettle, stratagem), or any difficult problem, without being stung is to grasp is to grasp it firmly and decisively.
nettle
Recent polls confirm a widespread (atrophy, nettle) in small business owner's abilities to secure bank loans at reasonable rates.
nettle
At an autocrat's court, free speech is usually replaced by the ____ twaddle of flunkies and toadies.
obsequious
the play feat. the stereotypical _____ butler who treated his employer's family with excessive and artificial politeness
obsequious
all angles are classified as acute, right, ___, or straight.
obtuse
over the year, her ____ descriptions and scintillating wit have helped her students master the difficult subject she taught
obtuse
The _____ threat of nuclear holocaust that characterized the Cold war era
omnipresent
The old adage that "one man's meat is another man's poison" simply means that what is considered ____ is often quite subjective.
onerous
Though the presidency confers great powers on the person who holds the office, it also saddles that person with ____ responsibilities,
onerous
A grandfather clock works by gravity; when the pendulum ____, it moves a system of weights attached to the clock's hands.
oscillates
Since he is not guided by firm principles, he _____ between the rival factions, looking for support from both of them.
oscillates
"His acts of defiance have been so (myopic, overt) and premeditated that I have no choice but to fire him," she said sadly.
overt
In order for Congress to declare was, the President must demonstrate an ____ threat
overt
How do you have the nerve to offer such a(n) ____ sum for the magnificent "antique" car!
paltry
I had expected a decent tip fromt eh party of six that I waited on early that evening, but all I got was a(n) ________ two bucks!
paltry
____ attendance on opening night caused a financial crisis.
paltry
A ____ of indignation flashed though the community, and the streets filled with angry people ready to protest the proposal.
paroxysm
Seized by a(n) __________ of rage, he began to beat the bars of his cell with his bare hands.
paroxysm
His four disastrous years in office were marked by a plenitude of promises and a(n) ____________ of performance
paucity
we have many capable and well meaning people in our organization, but it seems to me that there is a (paucity, juggernaut) of real leadership
paucity
Despite all their highfalutin malarky about helping the poor, I suspect that their interest in the project is purely _________
pecuniary
The only way we'll really be able to increase productivity is to offer our employees a few solid (frenetic, pecuniary) incentives to work harder.
pecuniary
Isn't it sheer ___ on his part to use terms like Proustian and Kafkaesque when he knows they mean nothing to his audience?
pedantry
It is sheer _______ to insist upon applying the rules of formal literary composition to everyday speech and writing.
pedantry
Because the word "appeasement" is associated with disasterous concessions to Adolf Hitler, it has aquired a(n) (pejorative, overt) connotation.
pejorative
The lawyer was accused of making a ____ remark when referring to the defendant's background
pejorative
The _____ youths agreed to work without pay until they could make restitution for the damage their carelessness had caused.
penitent
the ___ young woman begged her mother for forgiveness
penitent
During our family's recent ____ to the New Orleans French Quarter, we attended several jazz concerts.
peregrination
During the course of my ____ through the world of books, I have picked up all kinds of useful information.
peregrinations
In my various ____________ through that vast metropolis, I ran across many curious old buildings that the ordinary tourist never sees
peregrinations
Though the small nation was always ready to settle a conflict peacefully, it was not afraid to use ____ force when necessary.
peremptory
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
The _____________ of her analysis not only clarified the nature of the problem but also suggested its most promising solution.
perspicacity
The historian had long been noted for the soundess of his scholarship and the _____________ of his judgment.
perspicacity
The historian had long been noted for the soundness of his scholarship and the (complicity, perspicacity) of his judgement.
perspicacity
"If at first you don't succeed, try , try again" seems to be the motto of that _________ young woman
pertinacious
The famous sleuth pursued his investigation with all the (pertinacity, conviviality) of a lion stalking its dinner.
pertinacity
A busy administrator in today's high-pressure business world just doesn't have time to deal with such ______ concerns as making coffee
picayune
The proofreader didn't notice any significant flaws in the writing, but he did find a few (ephemeral, picayune) errors in the punctuation.
picayune
Far from being unpleasant, her slight foreign accent added an extra dash of spice to her already ____ personality
piquant
In my opinion, the columnist's observations about contemporary media and popular culture are humorous and wonderfully (piquant, viscous)
piquant
Such spices as red pepper make many of the sauces used in Cajun cooking delightfully _________
piquant
she sang a ___ little ditty about a man
plaintive
As he sat before the fire absentmindedly puffing on his pipe, Grandfather seemed the very epitome of _____________ contentment.
plenary
As he sat before the fire reading his newspaper, Grandfather seemed the very epitome of (plenary, sylvan) contentment
plenary
During the emergency, the mayor assumed _____________ authority and did whatever was needed to provide essential services.
plenary
Ms. Ryan's warning to the class to "review thoroughly" seemed to me to __________ a test tomorrow.
portend
economists believed that the drop in automobile sales and steep production (countermands, portends) serious problems for business in the future
portend
a plunge in atmospheric pressure (conciliates, portends) an oncoming storm
portends
I believe there is an overall design to the universe that has been visible ever since the first thing crawled out of the _________ ooze
primordial
The behavior of armies in wartime often evinces the (murky, primordial) blood lust that civilized people have not yet fully overcome.
primordial
Given my birthday's (eulogy, propinquity) to July 4th, my mother customarily decorated my wrapped gifts with red, white, and blue ribbons.
propinquity
Since my apartment is in such close _______ to my office, I usually walk to work
propinquity
The (credence, propinquity) of our ideas on handling the problem made it very easy for my colleague and me to produce the report in record time.
propinquity
He is the kind of person who is concerned not with real moral values but simply with appearances and (propriety, celerity).
propriety
The social worker questioned the ____ of the police's request to see confidential record
propriety
Most people regarded the governemt's attempt to avert a war by buying off the aggressor as not only shameful but__________
pusillanimous
To feel fear in difficult situations is natural, but to allow one's conduct to be governed by fear is (jocular, pusillanimous).
pussillanimous
When Charles V retired to a Spanish monastery, he exchanged the costly ____ of a king for the simple habit of a monk
raiment
Somehow, it depresses me to think that with the approach of winter this magnificent old tree will surrender all its leafy (ralment, effrontery)
ralment
it is a good deal easier to (raze, allege) an old building than it is to destroy a time-honored social institution
raze
We object to the policy of __________ historic old buildings to make way for unsightly parking lots
razing
How could you have the heart to ____ those people's piteous appeals for aid?
rebuff
Though I admire the woman's strong points, I friend her ___ comic.
rebuffs
However much it may cost me, I will never __________ the principles to which I have devoted my life.
recant
in earlier times, people whose views conflicted with "received opinion" often had to (recant, portend) their ideas or face the consequences
recant
Aeiral (reconnaissance, encomium) of the enemy's positions provided the general with the info he needed to plan his attack.
reconnaissance
The field officer required a thorough_____before ordering an troop movements.
reconnaissance
bank robbers often spend a good deal of time ____ the neighborhood where the bank they intend to rob is located
reconnoitering
Comfortably (recumbent, frenetic) in the shade of the elm tree, I watched the members of the football teams go through a long, hard workout.
recumbent
I get my best ideas while lying down; the _____ position seems to stimulate my brain
recumbent
In his 1907 paint The Sick Child, Edvard Munch's depiction of a (jocular, recumbent) adolescent creates a mood of despair.
recumbent
Many of the most well-known paintings of Grandma Moses portray rural scenes that are ____ of her childhood in upstate New York.
redolent
Since she comes from a rural area, she expresses herself in language that is ____ of the farm and of country life in general.
redolent
The scene may seem ordinary to you, but I find it _______ with memories of happy summers spent in these woods
redolent
Clad in the ____ armor of moral rectitude, he sallied forth to do battle with the forces of evil
refulgent
s a(n) __________ summer sun sank slowly in the west, the skies were ablaze with color.
refulgent
I hope to ___ my parents for all the care they have shown me.
requite
Anyone who has the slightest aquaintance with the ___ of economic theory understands that we cannot solve our financial problems simply by borrowing more and more money.
rudiments
The adoring fan regarded my negative comments about his favorite singer as tantamount to (maelstrom, sacrilege).
sacrilege
The anthropologist was accused of committing a ___ when she disturbed an ancient burial ground
sacrilege
My shirt became so __________ with perspiration on that beastly day that I had to change it more than once during the match
saturated
what possible purpose will be served by setting up yet another hamburger stand in an area already (saturated, sloughed) with fast food shops?
saturated
"I find it terribly depressing to be around people whose dispositions are so __________ and misanthropic", I remarked
saturine
someone with such a (fatuous, saturnine) outlook on life doesn't make an agreeable traveling companion, especially on a long journey
saturnine
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., once observed that he did not wish to lead a(n) ____ life far from the conflicts of his times.
sequestered
Somehow or other, a bull got into the china shop and turned it into a complete ____
shambles
The Pledge of Allegiance is no mere ________ to be recited mechanically and without understanding like some advertising jingle
shibboleth
Are we to try to make a realistic analysis of our alternatives or let ourselves be distracted by slogans and ____.
shibboleths
ever a bit of a melancholic, Mr. Smithers sank into (litany, slough) in the wintertime
slough
by (portending, sloughing) off the artificiality of her first book, the novelist arrived at a style that was simple, genuine, and highly effective
sloughing
As a snake __________ off its old skin, so he hoped to rid himself of his weaknesses and develop a new and better personality
sloughs
I have learned that ____ sessions of intense "cramming" can never take the place of a regular study program.
sporadic
The purpose of our ______ was to draw in the safety so that Tom could get behind him to receive a long pass
stratagem
What we need to cope with this crisis is not cute (grouses, stratagems) but a bold, realistic plan and the courage to carry it out.
stratagems
The prospector was unable to______ his claim to the land where the gold was found.
substantiate
What evidence can you offer to (substantiate, eschew) the assertion that capital punishment does not deter potential murderers?
substantiate
Because the playwright had hurried trough her first draft, she had to make (substantive, nefarious) change as she revised the dialogue
substantive
Members of Congress were relieved to learn that the current peace negotiations involve (murky, substantive) discussion of key issues.
substantive
As soon as there was evidence of criminal wrongdoing, the official was ___ ousted from his post
summarily
To the delight of the impatient graduates, the university president offered her comments at the commencement ceremony (summarily, brackishly).
summarily
Without even considering the new evidence that I was prepared to present, they (deviously, summarily) denied my appeal to reopen the case.
summarily
He made a ____ address to the parole
suppliant
My (myopic, suppliant) request for a later curfew proved successful.
suppliant
Stranded in the deserted city of Moscow, Napoleon had to turn to Czar not as a conqueror but as a ____.
suppliant
The infatuated schoolboy, in one of his more restrained expressions, described himself as a (sacrilege, suppliant) at the altar of love.
suppliant
Observers on the ground keep close (surveillance, equity) on air traffic at a busy airport by means of various electronic devices, such as radar.
surveillance
Observers on the ground keep close _____________ on air traffic at a busy airport by means of various electronic devices, such as radar.
surveillance
Throughout the period that the spy thought he had gone undetected, he was actually under close _____________ by the CIA.
surveillance
In her garland of leaves and acorns, the child looked very much like some _____________ spirit from an Arthurian myth.
sylvan
The picture shows the three Graces dancing in a forest clearing, while nymphs, satyrs, and other (sylvan, indubitable) creatures cavort among the trees.
sylvan
The picture shows the three Graces dancing in a forest clearing, while nymphs, satyrs, and other _____________ creatures cavort among the trees.
sylvan
To some readers, the dark and (intermittent, sylvan) setting of Hawthorne's short story "Young Goodman Brown" symbolizes the unknown.
sylvan
Abraham Lincoln has the reputation of having a dour and ________presonality
taciturn
Famous for his monosyllabic replies to questions and a somber and (taciturn, germane) nature, prez coolidge had the nicname silent cal
taciturn
The new batting champion in our softball league is a/am (insatiable, taciturn) young man who prefers to let his bat do the talking for him.
taciturn
He regaurded his Phi Beta Kappa key as a(n) (talisman, animadversion) that would open all doors and win him universal acceptance.
talisman
Most people do not believe that rabbit's feet and other ____ actually bring good luck
talisman
in ancient Egypt, (talismans, scrileges) with the image of a scarab beetle were considered sacred and believed to have healing and protective powers.
talismans
the legal adage "Silence implies consent" meant that not objecting to an action that concerns you is ___ to approving it
tantamount
For most of Shakespeare's greatest tragedy, the protagonist Hamlet chooses to ________ rather than act.
temporize
Ethelred the Unready was so reluctant to face the Vikings who invaded his kingdom that in effect he (arrogated, temporized) himself off the throne.
temporized
The researchers put forth a _______ theory, but their conclusion would be reviewed carefully by others.
tenable
When the evidence of his misconduct became irrefutable, he saw that his position was not _____ and resigned.
tenable
I'd say that the phrase "having a short fuse" aptly describes my boss's decidedly _____________ disposition.
testy
Though I can sometimes be as (testy, derelict) as an irate wasp, I normally do not lose my temper very easily.
testy
Though I can sometimes be as _____________ as an irate wasp, I normally do not lose my temper very easily.
testy
We laughed at Grandmother's confession that she can be (testy, moot) before she has er morning cup of coffee
testy
His extraordinary ability to (moot, travesty) the works of popular writers is largely due to his keen eye for the ridiculous
travesty
His extraordinary ability to _____________ the works of popular wrtiers is largely due to his keen eye for the ridiculous.
travesty
Since the accused was never really given a chance to defend himself, his so-called "trial" was nothing but a _____________ of justice.
travesty
Although Martin thinks he is an expert software developer, many of his dissatisfied clients view him as merely a ____.
tyro
Although he has been in this business for 20 years, he still has the sublime innocence of the most helpless ____.
tyro
Even the merest _____ in the use of firearms knows that a gun should never be pointed at another person.
tyro
The baseballs fans began to ___ as they cheered, so that they appeared to move in a wave
undulate
John's poem "Sea Fever" has an (avid, undulating) rhythm that actually gives one the feeling of being on a rolling ship.
undulating
However long and hard the struggle, we must be _________ in our efforts to wipe out racism in this country
unremitting
It is easy to criticize him, but how can we overlook the fact that for 20 years he has worked ____ to help the homeless?
unremittingly
His (viscous, unwonted) interest in the state of my finances strengthened my suspicions that he was about to ask for a loan.
unwonted
I have always regarded the man as something of a daredevil, but on this occasion he approached the problem with_______ caution
unwonted
Plato's (utopian, verdant) description of the ideal society and its politics in "The Republic" exerted great influence on later philosophers like Aristotle.
utopian
Sadly the _______ schemes of high-minded idealists usually founded on the rocks of practical realities
utopian
The new mayor is a curious mixture of the hardheaded pragmatist and the ____ reformer.
utopian
If we ____ now at adopting a tough energy policy, we may find ourselves in a desperate situation in the future.
vacillate
As we waited through the long night for the arrival of the rescue party, we _________ between hope and despair
vacillated
He clothes his puny ideas in such highfalutin ________ that they resemble gnats in top hats in tails
verbiage
The book has an interesting plot, but the author has practically smothered it in endless ____.
verbiage
For as far as the eye could see, ________ fields of unripe corn swayed gently in teh morning breeze
verdant
Unfortunately, the (nefarious, verdant) hopes and aspirations of my youth have been somewhat blighted by the icy blasts of reality.
verdant
Though diesel fuels are not as thick as motor oil, they are a good deal more ________ than regualr gasoline
viscous
Trying to read your (viscous, utopian) prose is just like trying to swim upstream through custard.
viscous
I am perfectly willing to listen to a reasonable complaint, but I will not put up with that kind of ____ backbiting.
vituperative
In a series of searing orations, filled with the most _______ language, Cicero launched the full battery of plitical invective against the hapless Mark Antony.
vituperative
The investigating commitee spent long hours trying to ____ fact from fiction in the witnesses' testimony.
winnow
