| cantankerous |
irritable, stubborn, and quarrelsome. |
| cognizant |
aware; informed (usually followed by "of"). |
| concur |
to share the same opinion; agree. |
| denigrate |
to deny the worth of; sneer at; belittle. |
| expound |
to discuss or explain in detail (usually followed by "on" or "upon"). |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| indurate |
to make hard in texture; harden. |
| ineptitude |
incompetence; lack of skill. |
| insipid |
having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless. |
| neologism |
a new word, phrase, or usage. |
| neophyte |
a beginner or novice at any activity. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| proselytize |
to convert or try actively to convert (others) to one's own beliefs or religion. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |