Week 38

smooth of speech

The charlatan was able to wheedle money out of the naive audience with a glib talk on the medicine that would expunge pain

same or uniform

While they started out as individuals, they became a homogeneous group whom he could motivate as he willed.

capable of being shaped or formed

He ingratiated himself into their confidence, and the malleable crowd was shaped into a subjugated mass.

sleight of hand, deceptive adroitness

They were engrossed as an ill man was "cured" before their eyes; some of the more urbane said it was legerdemain.

general direction

They could not follow the trend of his ideas, but his verbal dexterity galvanized the gullible listeners.

motionless, dull, inactive

The iconoclast has the propensity for reproaching those who feel complacent with leading a stagnant existence.

deadly, disastrous

To the consternation of the distraught parents they learned their son was accused if using the lethal weapon on that fatal occasion.

outmoded, old-fashioned

We wish for halcyon days when the warlike solutions will have become passe.

delay, put off

We all tend to procrastinate when faced with an unsavory task.

one side or view of a person or situation

Edna recalled with nostalgia many facets of her school days.

pass off slyly, pass as genuine

They are dubious of such an artist and accuse him of trying to foist as a work of art a rudimentary exercise.

to mark with disgrace

It was an asinine thing to do--to stigmatize his opponent as a bigot and thus exacerbate an already bitter campaign.

surrender, make terms

Despite tenacious resistance, they were ousted from the strongpoint and had to capitulate to the enemy.

boldness, daring

It is common to hear people disparage those who paint in the modern genre; they speak about the audacity of the artist who submits a high white canvas with a black border as a serious work.

tease or torment by offering something good, but not deliver

It is reprehensible to tantalize a young child with a promise of a reward for being good when you have no intention of giving it.

to answer, reply

He refused to retort to the rash question about his propensity for imbibing.

silent or reserved

Most politicians are reticent when asked to divulge their ambitions.

understood, implied, not stated.

His egregious behavior brought a tacit reproach to his mother's eyes.

trickery, underhandedness

The reporter divulged the blatant chicanery involved in the awarding of the contract.

easy to manage

Even the most docile person may become fractious when he gets only a pittance for his hard labor.