-
sublime
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
-
subjugate
make subservient; force to submit or subdue
-
subjective
taking place within the mind and modified by individual bias
-
subdue
put down by force or intimidation
-
subaltern
a British commissioned army officer below the rank of captain
-
suavity
the quality of being bland and gracious or ingratiating in manner
-
stymie
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
-
Stygian
dark and dismal as of the rivers Acheron and Styx in Hades
-
sturdy
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
-
stupor
marginal consciousness
-
stupefy
make dull or stupid or muddle with drunkenness or infatuation
-
stun
hit something or somebody as if with a sandbag
-
stumble
miss a step and fall or nearly fall
-
stultify
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
-
studied
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
-
strut
to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
-
stringent
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
-
stricture
severe criticism
-
strew
spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
-
stratified
deposited or arranged in horizontal layers
-
stratagem
an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade
-
stoop
bend one's back forward from the waist on down
-
stoke
stir up or tend; of a fire
-
stoic
seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive
-
stockade
fortification consisting of a fence made of a line of stout posts set firmly for defense
-
stock
a supply of something available for future use
-
stipend
a sum of money allotted on a regular basis; usually for some specific purpose
-
stint
supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
-
stilted
artificially formal
-
stigma
a symbol of disgrace or infamy
-
stifle
impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
-
stickler
someone who insists on something
-
sterile
incapable of reproducing
-
stereotype
a conventional or formulaic conception or image
-
stentorian
used of the voice
-
stud farm
a farm where horses are bred
-
stem
cylinder forming a long narrow part of something
-
stellar
being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars
-
steep
having a sharp inclination
-
stealth
avoiding detection by moving carefully
-
steadfast
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
-
statute
an act passed by a legislative body
-
static
not in physical motion
-
stanza
a fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem
-
stampede
a wild headlong rush of frightened animals (horses or cattle)
-
stammer
speak haltingly
-
stamina
enduring strength and energy
-
stalemate
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
-
staid
characterized by dignity and propriety
-
stagnant
not growing or changing; without force or vitality
-
staccato
separating the notes; in music
-
squelch
suppress or crush completely
-
squeamish
excessively fastidious and easily disgusted
-
squat
sit on one's heels
-
squash
any of numerous annual trailing plants of the genus Cucurbita grown for their fleshy edible fruits
-
squander
spend thoughtlessly; throw away
-
squalor
sordid dirtiness
-
squabble
a quarrel about petty points
-
spurn
reject with contempt
-
spurious
plausible but false
-
spry
moving quickly and lightly
-
spruce
any coniferous tree of the genus Picea
-
sprout
produce buds, branches, or germinate
-
sprightly
full of spirit and vitality
-
sportive
given to merry frolicking
-
spontaneity
the quality of being spontaneous and coming from natural feelings without constraint
-
spoilsport
someone who spoils the pleasure of others
-
splice
join the ends of
-
spin
revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
-
spendthrift
someone who spends money prodigally
-
spectral
resembling or characteristic of a phantom
-
speck
a very small spot
-
specious
plausible but false
-
spatial
pertaining to or involving or having the nature of space
-
spate
a sudden forceful flow
-
spat
a quarrel about petty points
-
spasmodic
occurring in spells and often abruptly
-
spartan
unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment
-
sparse
not dense
-
spare
more than is needed, desired, or required
-
spangle
adornment consisting of a small piece of shiny material used to decorate clothing
-
sovereign
a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
-
sour
one of the four basic taste sensations; like the taste of vinegar or lemons
-
sordid
foul and run-down and repulsive
-
soporific
sleep inducing
-
South America
a continent in the western hemisphere connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama
-
sophisticated
having or appealing to those having worldly knowledge and refinement and savoir-faire
-
sophist
someone whose reasoning is subtle and often specious
-
sonorous
full and loud and deep
-
sonnet
a verse form consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme
-
sonic
(of speed) having or caused by speed approximately equal to that of sound in air at sea level
-
somnolent
inclined to or marked by drowsiness
-
somnambulist
someone who walks about in their sleep
-
somber
grave or even gloomy in character
-
somatic
affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
-
solvent
capable of meeting financial obligations
-
soluble
(of a substance) capable of being dissolved in some solvent (usually water)
-
solstice
either of the two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator
-
solitude
a state of social isolation
-
soliloquy
speech you make to yourself
-
solicitous
full of anxiety and concern
-
solicit
make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently
-
solemnity
a trait of dignified seriousness
-
solecism
a socially awkward or tactless act
-
solace
comfort in disappointment or misery
-
sojourn
a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)
-
sober
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
-
soar
rise rapidly
-
snub
refuse to acknowledge
-
snip
sever or remove by pinching or snipping
-
sneak
to go stealthily or furtively
-
smug
marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
-
smother
deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
-
smelt
extract (metals) by heating
-
smear
make a smudge on; soil by smudging
-
smattering
a slight or superficial understanding of a subject
-
smart
characterized by quickness and ease in learning
-
slur
utter indistinctly
-
sluice
conduit that carries a rapid flow of water controlled by a sluicegate
-
slough
a hollow filled with mud
-
sloth
a disinclination to work or exert yourself
-
slither
to pass or move unobtrusively or smoothly
-
slipshod
marked by great carelessness
-
slink
walk stealthily
-
slight
(quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with `a') at least some
-
slick
made slick by e.g. ice or grease
-
sleigh
a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
-
sleeper
a rester who is sleeping
-
sleek
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
-
sleazy
morally degraded
-
slapdash
marked by great carelessness
-
slap
a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
-
slander
words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
-
slake
satisfy (thirst)
-
slag
the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals
-
slack
not tense or taut
-
skulk
avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill
-
skittish
unpredictably excitable (especially of horses)
-
skirmish
a minor short-term fight
-
skinflint
a selfish person who is unwilling to give or spend
-
skimp
work hastily or carelessly; deal with inadequately and superficially
-
skim
remove from the surface
-
skiff
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
-
skeptic
someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
-
sinecure
an office that involves minimal duties
-
simplistic
characterized by extreme and often misleading simplicity
-
simile
a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with `like' or `as')
-
silt
mud or clay or small rocks deposited by a river or lake
-
sift
move as if through a sieve
-
sidetrack
wander from a direct or straight course
-
sibylline
resembling or characteristic of a prophet or prophecy
-
sibling
a person's brother or sister
-
shunt
a conductor having low resistance in parallel with another device to divert a fraction of the current
-
shun
avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
-
shuffle
walk by dragging one's feet
-
shrivel
wither, as with a loss of moisture
-
shrewd
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
shrew
small mouselike mammal with a long snout; related to moles
-
shove
come into rough contact with while moving
-
shoot
fire a shot
-
shoddy
of inferior workmanship and materials
-
shimmer
shine with a weak or fitful light
-
shift
move very slightly
-
sheer
so thin as to transmit light
-
shed
cause or allow (a solid substance) to flow or run out or over
-
sheathe
enclose with a sheath
-
shear
cut or cut through with shears
-
sheaf
a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing
-
shaving
a thin fragment or slice (especially of wood) that has been shaved from something
-
shard
a broken piece of a brittle artifact
-
shambles
a condition of great disorder
-
sham
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
-
shade
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
-
shack
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
-
sextant
a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant
-
severity
excessive sternness
-
sever
set or keep apart
-
servitude
state of subjection to an owner or master or forced labor imposed as punishment
-
serrated
notched like a saw with teeth pointing toward the apex
-
serpentine
resembling a serpent in form
-
serenity
the absence of mental stress or anxiety
-
serendipity
good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries
-
sere
(used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture
-
sequester
keep away from others
-
sepulcher
a chamber that is used as a grave
-
septic
of or relating to or caused by putrefaction
-
sentinel
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
-
sentimental
given to or marked by sentiment or sentimentality
-
sentient
endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
-
sententious
concise and full of meaning
-
sensuous
taking delight in beauty
-
sensitization
(psychology) the process of becoming highly sensitive to specific events or situations (especially emotional events or situations)
-
seminal
pertaining to or containing or consisting of semen
-
semblance
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
-
self-righteous
excessively or hypocritically pious
-
self-indulgence
an inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires
-
seine
a large fishnet that hangs vertically, with floats at the top and weights at the bottom
-
seethe
foam as if boiling
-
seep
pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
-
seemly
according with custom or propriety
-
seedy
full of seeds
-
sedition
an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government
-
sedentary
requiring sitting or little activity
-
sedate
characterized by dignity and propriety
-
sectarian
of or relating to or characteristic of a sect or sects
-
secrete
generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
-
seclusion
the act of secluding yourself from others
-
secession
formal separation from an alliance or federation
-
seasonable
in keeping with the season
-
sear
become superficially burned
-
seamy
morally degraded
-
scurvy
a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
-
scurry
to move about or proceed hurriedly
-
scurrilous
expressing offensive reproach
-
scrutinize
examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification
-
scrupulous
characterized by extreme care and great effort
-
scruple
an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action
-
scrappy
full of fighting spirit
-
scowl
frown with displeasure
-
scourge
something causing misery or death
-
scotch
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
-
scorch
burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color
-
scoff
laugh at with contempt and derision
-
scintillate
emit or reflect light in a flickering manner
-
scenario
an outline or synopsis of a play (or, by extension, of a literary work)
-
scavenge
clean refuse from
-
scapegoat
someone who is punished for the errors of others
-
scanty
lacking in amplitude or quantity
-
scale
an ordered reference standard
-
scad
any of a number of fishes of the family Carangidae
-
scabbard
a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet
-
savory
pleasing to the sense of taste
-
savor
the taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth
-
savant
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
-
saunter
walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
-
satyr
one of a class of woodland deities; attendant on Bacchus; identified with Roman fauns
-
saturnine
bitter or scornful
-
satirical
exposing human folly to ridicule
-
satiate
fill to satisfaction
-
satellite
any celestial body orbiting around a planet or star
-
sate
fill to satisfaction
-
sartorial
of or relating to a tailor or to tailoring
-
sarcasm
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
-
sanguinary
accompanied by bloodshed
-
sanctuary
a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept
-
sanction
official permission or approval
-
sanctimonious
excessively or hypocritically pious
-
sallow
unhealthy looking
-
saline
containing salt
-
salient
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
-
salacious
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
-
sage
a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
-
sadistic
deriving pleasure or sexual gratification from inflicting pain on another
-
sacrosanct
must be kept sacred
-
sacrilegious
grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
-
saboteur
someone who commits sabotage or deliberately causes wrecks
-
ruthless
without mercy or pity
-
rustle
make a dry crackling sound
-
rusticate
live in the country and lead a rustic life
-
rustic
characteristic of rural life
-
ruse
a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
-
runic
relating to or consisting of runes
-
run-down
worn and broken down by hard use
-
ruminative
deeply or seriously thoughtful
-
ruminate
reflect deeply on a subject
-
ruminant
any of various cud-chewing hoofed mammals having a stomach divided into four (occasionally three) compartments
-
rumble
to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds
-
ruffian
a cruel and brutal fellow
-
rue
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
-
rudimentary
being in the earliest stages of development
-
ruddy
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
-
rubble
the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
-
rout
an overwhelming defeat
-
rousing
capable of arousing enthusiasm or excitement
-
rotundity
the roundness of a 3-dimensional object
-
rote
memorization by repetition
-
rostrum
a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
-
roster
a list of names
-
rooster
adult male chicken
-
romp
play boisterously
-
rolling
propelling something on wheels
-
roil
make turbid by stirring up the sediments of
-
rococo
having excessive asymmetrical ornamentation
-
robust
sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
-
rivulet
a small stream
-
riveting
capable of arousing and holding the attention
-
rivet
heavy pin having a head at one end and the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces that are fastened together
-
rigid
incapable of or resistant to bending
-
righteous
morally justified
-
rig
equip with sails or masts
-
rift
a narrow fissure in rock
-
rife
excessively abundant
-
rider
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
-
rickety
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
-
ribald
humorously vulgar
-
rhetoric
study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking)
-
rhapsodize
say (something) with great enthusiasm
-
revulsion
intense aversion
-
revoke
cancel officially
-
revert
go back to a previous state
-
reverie
an abstracted state of absorption
-
reverent
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
-
reverberate
ring or echo with sound
-
retrograde
moving or directed or tending in a backward direction or contrary to a previous direction
-
retrieve
get or find back; recover the use of
-
retrench
tighten one's belt; use resources carefully
-
retort
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
-
retiring
of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office
-
retentive
having the capacity to retain something
-
retard
cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate
-
retaliate
make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil
-
resuscitate
cause to regain consciousness
-
resurrect
cause to become alive again
-
resurge
rise again
-
resumption
beginning again
-
restitution
the act of restoring something to its original state
-
responsiveness
the quality of being responsive; reacting quickly; as a quality of people, it involves responding with emotion to people and events
-
respiration
a single complete act of breathing in and out
-
resound
emit a noise
-
resort
have recourse to
-
resonant
characterized by resonance
-
resolve
find the solution
-
resignation
the act of giving up (a claim or office or possession etc.)
-
residue
matter that remains after something has been removed
-
reserve
hold back or set aside, especially for future use or contingency
-
resentment
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
-
requite
make repayment for or return something
-
requisition
the act of requiring; an authoritative request or demand, especially by a military or public authority that takes something over (usually temporarily) for military or public use
-
repulsion
the act of repulsing or repelling an attack; a successful defensive stand
-
repulse
force or drive back
-
repugnance
intense aversion
-
repudiate
refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
-
reprobation
severe disapproval
-
reprobate
a person without moral scruples
-
reproach
express criticism towards
-
reprise
repeat an earlier theme of a composition
-
reprisal
a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime
-
reprimand
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
repository
a facility where things can be deposited for storage or safekeeping
-
replicate
reproduce or make an exact copy of
-
replica
copy that is not the original; something that has been copied
-
replete
filled to satisfaction with food or drink
-
replenish
fill something that had previously been emptied
-
repine
express discontent
-
repellent
serving or tending to repel
-
repeal
cancel officially
-
repast
the food served and eaten at one time
-
reparation
something done or paid in expiation of a wrong
-
reparable
capable of being repaired or rectified
-
renown
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
-
renovate
restore to a previous or better condition
-
renounce
turn away from; give up
-
renege
fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
-
renegade
someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw
-
rendition
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
-
rendezvous
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
-
render
give or supply
-
remunerative
for which money is paid
-
remote
located far away spatially
-
remorse
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
-
remittance
a payment of money sent to a person in another place
-
remediable
capable of being remedied or redressed
-
relish
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
-
relinquish
turn away from; give up
-
relic
an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
-
relapse
deteriorate in health
-
rehabilitate
help to readapt, as to a former state of health or good repute
-
regiment
army unit smaller than a division
-
regent
someone who rules during the absence or incapacity or minority of the country's monarch
-
regale
provide with choice or abundant food or drink
-
regal
belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
-
refuse
show unwillingness towards
-
refulgent
radiating or as if radiating light
-
refrain
resist doing something
-
refractory
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
refectory
a communal dining-hall (usually in a monastery)
-
reek
give off smoke, fumes, warm vapour, steam, etc.
-
reduce
make smaller
-
redress
make reparations or amends for
-
redoubtable
inspiring fear
-
recuperate
restore to good health or strength
-
recumbent
lying down; in a position of comfort or rest
-
rectitude
righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
-
rectify
make right or correct
-
recreant
having deserted a cause or principle
-
recount
narrate or give a detailed account of
-
reconcile
come to terms
-
recluse
one who lives in solitude
-
recline
move the upper body backwards and down
-
reckon
make a mathematical calculation or computation
-
recite
repeat aloud from memory
-
reciprocal
concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return
-
recidivism
habitual relapse into crime
-
recess
a state of abeyance or suspended business
-
recast
cast again
-
recapitulate
summarize briefly
-
recant
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
rebuttal
the speech act of refuting by offering a contrary contention or argument
-
rebuke
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
rebuff
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
-
reactionary
extremely conservative
-
raze
tear down so as to make flat with the ground
-
ravine
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
-
ravenous
extremely hungry
-
ravel
disentangle
-
ravage
cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly
-
raucous
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
rationalize
think rationally; employ logic or reason
-
rationale
(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
-
ration
a fixed portion that is allotted (especially in times of scarcity)
-
ratiocination
the proposition arrived at by logical reasoning (such as the proposition that must follow from the major and minor premises of a syllogism)
-
raspy
unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
-
rasp
scrape with a rasp
-
rarefied
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
-
rapture
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
-
rapt
feeling great rapture or delight
-
ransack
search thoroughly
-
rankle
gnaw into; make resentful or angry
-
anomaly
deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
-
equivocal
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
-
lucid
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
precipitate
hurl or throw violently
-
assuage
provide physical relief, as from pain
-
erudite
having or showing profound knowledge
-
opaque
not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight
-
prodigal
recklessly wasteful
-
enigma
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
-
placate
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
zeal
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
-
audacious
disposed to venture or take risks
-
abstain
choose not to consume
-
homogenous
all of the same or similar kind or nature
-
ephemeral
anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form
-
laconic
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
-
mitigate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
vacillate
be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
-
adulterate
corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
-
capricious
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
-
desiccate
lacking vitality or spirit; lifeless
-
gullible
naive and easily deceived or tricked
-
laudable
worthy of high praise
-
pragmatic
concerned with practical matters
-
volatile
a volatile substance; a substance that changes readily from solid or liquid to a vapor
-
corroborate
give evidence for
-
apathy
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
-
engender
make children
-
pedant
a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
-
loquacious
full of trivial conversation
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propriety
correct or appropriate behavior
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advocate
a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
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cacophony
loud confusing disagreeable sounds
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enervate
weaken mentally or morally
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ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness
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misanthrope
someone who dislikes people in general
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paradox
(logic) a statement that contradicts itself
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venerate
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
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antipathy
a feeling of intense dislike
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deride
treat or speak of with contempt
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eulogy
a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
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lethargic
deficient in alertness or activity
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obdurate
stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
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philanthropic
of or relating to or characterized by philanthropy
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waver
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
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bolster
support and strengthen
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dissonance
disagreeable sounds
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garrulous
full of trivial conversation
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malleable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
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with ostentation
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prevaricate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information