1. Scruples (n.): moral
standards that inhibit action
Vilify (v.): to speak ill of;
to defame; to slander

2. Panache (n.): a grand
style; flair
Mercurial (v.): erratic;
changeable; fickle

3. Cognizant (v.): to be
aware
Evince (v.): to show
clearly; to make evident

4. Pithy (adj.): brief but
meaningful in expression; terse
Truncate (v.): to shorten
by cutting off a part; to cut
short

5. Moratorium (n.): a
suspension of activity; a stoppage
Acumen (n.): keen
insight; ability to make good
judgments and quick decisions

6. Sully (v.): to stain or tarnish;
to mar the purity of
Cursory (adj.): going
over something quickly,
without noticing details

7. Sedition (n.): rebellion
against a government
Halcyon (adj.): calm,
peaceful, and tranquil;
happy, joyful, and carefree

8. Egregious (adj.):
outstandingly bad; extraordinary
in some bad way
Assuage (v.): to make
milder or less severe; to
soothe or calm

9. Propensity (n.): a natural
tendency to act in a certain way
Proclivity (n.): a
tendency to choose or do
something regularly

10. Caveat (n.): a warning
Uncanny (adj.): eerie or
mysterious; seeming to have
a supernatural basis

11. Inculcate (v.): to teach
persistently and earnestly
Eschew (v.): to avoid; to
abstain from

12. Procure (v.): to obtain,
especially with care and effort
Conciliatory (adj.):
intended or likely to pacify

13. Debacle (n.): a complete
collapse or failure
Paradigm (n.): a typical
example or pattern of
something; a model

14. Nadir (n.): the lowest point
Jettison (v.): to cast
overboard or off of a plane;
to discard as unwanted

15. Arduous (adj.): demanding
great effort; strenuous; difficult
Visceral (adj.):
instinctive

16. Abscond (v.): to leave
quickly and secretly
Surreptitious (adj.):
secret; stealthy

17. Wanderlust (n.): a strong
desire to travel
Akin (adj.): of similar
characteristics; of the same
kind

18. Loathe (v.): to feel intense
dislike or disgust for
Loath (adj.): reluctant;
unwilling

19. Smite (v.): to strike with a
firm hit; to conquer a people or land
Tete-a-Tete (n): a
private conversation

20. Contagion (n.): the
spreading of disease from one
person to another by close contact
Epitome (n): a
summary; a person who is a
perfect example of a type

21. Harbinger (n.): a person or
thing that announces or signals
the approach of another
Wont (n): one’s
customary way of doing
something

22. Savant (n.): one with detailed
knowledge of a certain field
Erudite (adj): having or
showing great knowledge or
learning; scholarly

23. Meme (n.): an idea, behavior,
or style that is passed from one
person to another in a culture
Pedantic (adj): showing
excessive concern in
displaying academic learning

24. Quell (v.): to put an end to,
typically by the use of force
Sojourn (v.): to stay for a
short time in one place