verbal advantage

Low-priced ribbons, for instance, are generally flimsy, tawdry, of ugly figures, and vulgar colours,—soon fading, and soon "getting into a string." Leslie, Eliza

Photos of him lying in a hospital bed showed his face, which sustained multiple fractures, bruised, swollen and lacerated beyond recognition.

Cantankerous Alaska congressman Don Young, known as “Mr. Pork,” has seemingly been ostracized from the beard community. Slate (Apr 19, 2012)

Where, in all history, can an instance be found of a single reformation from guilt, by any other than gentle and clement means? Reynolds, John N.

Rudd said that the prime minister had failed to repudiate attacks on him.

In all likelihood, these students did not eat more because their haggard brains desperately needed more fuel; rather, they were stress eating. Scientific American (Jul 18, 2012)

Children growing up in foster care or in orphanages have been reported to exhibit abnormal diurnal rhythms of the stress hormone, cortisol. Scientific American (Jun 28, 2011)

The mother “chewed my head off,” Dr. Gordon said, but was somewhat mollified after he explained the reason. New York Times (Oct 26, 2011)

Though Newman sought to reduce his punishment, he did not deny having made an error and expressed contrition throughout.

Reports of economic miracles under the AKP have, as everyone now understands, been exaggerated by statistical legerdemain. Wall Street Journal (Mar 13, 2010)

Not many Americans have seen Queen Elizabeth II in this light: relaxed with heads of government, plainly conversant with great issues, slyly witty. Wall Street Journal (Jun 2, 2012)

"Otherwise the court and counsel can be engaged in chasing chimeras." Seattle Times (Jun 4, 2012)

Valcke later said he was surprised by Brazil's reaction to his criticism, calling it "puerile." Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012)

He wrote droll little man-about-town newspaper features on, for instance, his trepidation getting “a free shave” at a barber training school. Slate (Mar 16, 2012)

Its strength lies in its vaporous quality; like an odourless but deadly gas, pervasive but impalpable.

But it was not acceptable, he felt and still feels, to allow these feelings to transmute into hatred for an entire people.

Not all the fun was in good spirits, however; the play somewhat nastily describes Lopokova as "an exquisite but not altogether ethereal nymph".

America at that time was beyond dispute inchoate, amorphous, and ugly in all senses, and Moore's instincts were anything but democratic. Gwynn, Stephen Lucius

Dante’s reputation has passed through many vicissitudes, and much trouble has been spent by critics in comparing him with other poets of established fame. —Various We speak of the vicissitudes of daily life, the vicissitudes of the stock market, or of a business surviving the vicissitudes of twenty turbulent years.

In its jaunty and insouciant way, this is actually pretty subversive: a film about strikers who are not evil, or deluded, or indeed defeated?

In the meantime, she said, cities are forced to pay contractors to mow unkempt lawns, drain fetid swimming pools and board up broken windows.

Through the same clear mirror La Fayette saw the sun of freedom reflecting its refulgent rays over Columbia's prolific land. Judson, L. Carroll

There are seven fulgent cadences, and different forms in the paintings switch on different ones. New York Times (Mar 19, 2010)

Nepotism is a widespread problem in Italian academic institutions, according to a statistical analysis of professors' last names. Nature (Aug 18, 2011)

It was a raucous evening in which people ended up on strangers’ laps, chanted ribald phrases, found themselves onstage doing unseemly things. New York Times (Dec 1, 2011)

the manager is inexorable when it comes to giving his employees a day off; then inexorable hands of fate; the inexorable voice of necessity; the inexorable drifting of the sands of time, the inexorable winds of war

No sooner have the twins taken up their abode in this magic palace, than they begin to act like parvenus and nouveaux riches. Gozzi, Carlo

This running gag no doubt felt deliciously racy in 1933 but now just feels kind of, well, icky. New York Times (Jul 14, 2012)

In attacking Mr. Obama’s stewardship of the economy, Mr. Romney has engaged in hyperbole at times — as with this claim. New York Times (Jun 20, 2012)

Fowler getting in first anticipated all his objections; met them with benevolent alacrity that disarmed hostility. Various

you cross a busy street, complete a project, or run from danger with celerity; you meet a challenge, or return a telephone message, however, with alacrity

As that mordant moralist La Rochefoucauld had it: "No one would fall in love if they hadn't heard it talked about."

He is a thoroughly dextrous man—sagacious, subtle, scheming, and indefatigable. Various

Devoid of people, Dargan's acerbic wit has mellowed in these paintings.

Q: After 15 years and a couple of kids, has time mellowed out the energetic Will Smith?

And the colors, too, at this season, are charmingly variegated. Thwaites, Reuben Gold

He rejects the notion that somehow sick people are being denied succor. New York Times (Nov 3, 2011)

His comedy is political, trenchant, delivered in an easy style that probes sensitive subject matter without being overtly confrontational. Newsweek (Jun 18, 2012)

Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling. Webster, Noah

Kid critics are the latest trend; even the normally caustic eater.com has commissioned some.

As the long lines grew more intense, Ms. Voigt’s tone sometimes turned wavering and acidulous. New York Times (Jun 11, 2011)

However, the ageing duo are not even on speaking terms after a second acrimonious split last year.

And then the men in this case were police—a palliating circumstance! Caine, Hall, Sir

He's now a wizened 74-year-old, retired after serving 40 years as chief of his village.

He grew by degrees less civil, put on more the airs of master, frequently found fault, was captious, and seemed ready for an outbreaking. Franklin, Benjamin

But please, let us hear no more carping, because resistance seems increasingly futile.

Yet this was what it amounted to,—their way of cavilling at those who did not belong to their set. Reed, Helen Leah

The parliament, described by the New York Times as “powerful and truculent,”  is the sole source of legislation in Kuwait.

Aggressively attacked by a super PAC supporting Newt Gingrich, Mr. Romney stands accused of being a rapacious capitalist intent on destroying jobs for personal gain. New York Times (Jan 19, 2012)

Being an iconic classic, however, hasn’t protected “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from being banned, bowdlerized and bleeped. New York Times (Jan 7, 2011)

He truly believes that he keeps the basic, feral side of human nature at bay. New York Times (Jul 19, 2012)

Lindsay Lohan showed up in a demure, long-sleeved white dress. Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012)

The Indian was timorous, but after a few moments' thought he agreed to accompany his master. Strang, Herbert

All of which I concluded were spurious intellectual ponderings wrapped up in brilliant literature.

The plan is intended to foil sham "consultants" who frequently prey upon immigrant communities by offering untrustworthy legal advice, often at inflated prices.

When the couple discovered their original tickets were bogus, Mrs Smith said: "My husband's just devastated - he was crying yesterday."

Later that day, the United States State Department spokeswoman played down those reports, saying he entered the consulate but left “of his own volition.” New York Times (Feb 10, 2012)

He was now taken into favor; his Epistles were revised, interpolated, toned down, and accepted as canonical. Westbrook, Richard B.

Let the teacher adduce some of the many striking instances in which men in apparently desperate straits have been saved by presence of mind. Adler, Felix

Spain's economy is in dire straits and economists see no signs of improvement any time soon.

The look on the miscreant's features was positively astounding when he found his former companion in captivity revealed in his true colours. Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

He was an incorrigible heretic whom the Church could no longer hope to win over. Lea, Henry Charles

He didn't seem to like addled eggs much, Jimmy says, and he called Faithful an animal. Various

Inside, light fittings hang loose and the half-finished futuristic buildings are surrounded by a graffiti-covered corrugated iron fence.

American officials have struggled at times to assuage Afghan fears of abandonment. New York Times (Jul 7, 2012)

Until now Gletsos was better known for his roles in seamy TV soap operas.

In saying this we may well be proud but not vainglorious. Various

He lived a penurious life, eating little, avoiding luxury and dressing in threadbare clothing that he often bought at the Salvation Army and Goodwill. New York Times (Jun 3, 2011)

United Nations experts say Rwanda is supporting a Congolese rebellion that has displaced 260,000 people. New York Times (Jul 28, 2012)

Egypt’s senior generals have remade the ruling coalition by using centralized authority to neutralize newly included political forces and divide the increasingly marginalized protesters. New York Times (Jun 30, 2012)

Foreign carmakers are pouring into Russia, building new factories and refurbishing old ones, as demand for cars booms.

The president opened the séance by an "invocation to the good spirits." Flammarion, Camille

Even the fierce midday sun does not wholly dispel it: the air remains thick, opalescent, like water slightly clouded by milk. Wharton, Edith

Yahoo is now commonly described as "struggling" and "beleaguered".

The boys asked a few guarded questions, but gained no information whatever, their questions being parried in every instance. Mears, James R.

The Australian Olympic Committee played down the furor, saying allowing the couple to share would inconvenience other female athletes.

Late in the year, Europe tried again to find a way out of its financial morass, and may have done a better job. New York Times (Dec 31, 2011)

But then, Newt Gingrich — quixotic or not — is running no conventional campaign. New York Times (Jan 9, 2012)

Enlightened, self-governing people, all striving for the greater good just seems like a utopian fantasy. Forbes (Jul 31, 2012)

This arises from some contusion or injury to the head, which produces a swelling that eventually suppurates. Allen, Richard L.

In the more open spaces jugglers and mountebanks, usually accompanied by performing animals, went through all sorts of gambols and antics. Spence, Lewis

At another station, each student encountered a pile of intermingled weapons’ parts — a jumble of bolts, springs, barrels, firing pins, stocks, hand-guards and other components. New York Times (Jul 9, 2012)

To clean out cobwebs in the attics of the brain, aging baby boomers have turned to brain fitness programs, diet nostrums and other enhancers. Wall Street Journal (Jul 26, 2011)

Man no longer bows to an angry God, nor needs a mediator to propitiate him. Helleberg, C. G. (Carl Gustaf)

She said “drilling in the Arctic Ocean is tantamount to ‘Mission Impossible.’ ” Washington Post (Nov 9, 2011)

“Just as Mother Teresa cared for the most persecuted human beings in India, Rita cared for the pariah primates of Africa,” Ms. McGreal said. New York Times (Aug 1, 2012)

A few considerations germane to this discussion will illustrate the danger of forming hasty judgments regarding questions like the one under discussion. Zahm, John Augustine

I found myself thinking vaguely about things that were not at all apropos to the situation. Stockley, Cynthia

Jimmy looked at her, and, finding no very apposite rejoinder, nodded. Bindloss, Harold

He was incensed that his boss could pursue a libertine lifestyle yet envisage running for president.

Himself inspired by Ingres, Vallotton produced a weird, frankly lubricious classicism that Modernist critics could only view as an academic dead end. New York Times (Feb 12, 2010)

Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt condemned the attacks as showing "wanton disregard" for international law.

So the gorgeously attired men and dashing, voluptuous young women danced on. Various

One spring passes by like a dull, vapid game, because he himself just then happens to be dull and vapid. Sudermann, Hermann

Swanson's report, released April 24, accused Accretive Health of using overly aggressive and unsavory tactics to squeeze payments from patients in Fairview's seven Minnesota hospitals.

So a narrative, devoid of all circumstances, must be very jejune, confused, and unsatisfactory.  Evans, Evan

But befitting his trademark crotchety nature, he voiced one parting complaint: He doesn't like being famous, nor does he like being bothered by fans. Seattle Times (Oct 3, 2011)

But one may grow verbose and expatiate too much in metre as well: the matter rests entirely with the author. Mordell, Albert

In the midst of this somewhat unconventional childhood, he developed first an affection for rap music, and later a predilection for hard drugs.

Mr. Chen became the center of an international imbroglio after he escaped 19 months of home confinement in a daring nighttime breakout. Wall Street Journal (May 20, 2012)

Probably his stolid nature wanted passion to excite it—some nature’s, like deep waters, are only to put in motion by a storm. Holyoake, George Jacob

He said some "oafs use them to prove the strength of their personalities with bone-crushers". BBC (Jan 29, 2010)

But it took Wall Street chief executives, a bunch of feckless dolts, to light the bonfire. New York Times (Apr 17, 2010)

He urges small neighbourhood shops to "kick out the louts", set up "savvy" services and "restore local pride".

Companies are getting savvier about social media, if a recent survey is any indication.

"Lithe and muscle-honed," he writes, "their movement at times balletic".

The lissome cheetah, meanwhile, is bullied and often killed by bigger carnivores such as lions. Slate (Sep 28, 2011)

“Strawberry, mousse, and chocolate are too cloying,” Milly remarked meditatively. Champney, Elizabeth W. (Elizabeth Williams)