400-425

snide

expressive of contempt, derogatory or mocking in an indirect way

autonomously

self governing, acting independently

consummate

1. supreme mastery or skill eg consummate chef=ultimate chef 2. to make perfect and complete in every respect

proponent

Proponent means someone who is in favor of something or propunds an idea, You might be a proponent of longer vacations

degrade

reduce in worth or character, usually verbally

resolve

reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation

respite

A respite is a break from something that's difficult or unpleasant. If you're cramming for exams, take an occasional walk to give yourself a respite from the intensity.

renege

go back on a promise, undertaking or contract

apprehension

1. anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen 2. understanding; grasp 3. the action of arresting someone

deter

Deter means to discourage, or literally “to frighten away.” Halloween decorations that are too scary might deter trick-or-treaters

avid

marked by an active interest or enthusiasm

disheartened

made less hopefull or enthusiastic

elusive

Things that are elusive are hard to find, pin down, or remember. They slip right out of your grasp

muted

Something muted has a softened tone or quieted sound, Muted colors don’t stand out as much as bright ones.

dearth

a lack or shortage

stolid

having or revealing little emotional or sensibility, not easily aroused or excited

thwart

hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, desires) of

impede

To impede something is to delay or block its progress or movement. Carrying six heavy bags will impede your progress if you're trying to walk across town in a hurry

ascendancy

the state that exists when one person or group has power over other; if you question a teacher's ascendancy, you might be told to go to the principal's office. In this case, you're challenging the teacher's authority

disenfranchise

Enfranchise means to give someone the right to vote. Disenfranchisemeans to take it away. The U.S. has a shameful history of disenfranchising African-American citizens through bogus laws and outright intimidation.

obdurate

unable to be persuaded or moved emotionally; stubborn

quandry

state of uncertainty or perplexity; syn: dilemma, plight, pickle

appreciable

large enough to be noticed, significant

plodding

slow, laborious and unexciting; plodding through the snow

pithy

A pithy phrase or statement is brief but full of substance and meaning. Proverbs and sayings are pithy; newspaper columnists give pithyadvice