| adversity |
a condition of trouble or difficulty. |
| demagogue |
a leader, especially a speaker or politician, who attempts to persuade and to gain a following by appealing to the emotions and prejudices of the public, rather than by rational argument. |
| fledgling |
a young bird that has just grown flight feathers or learned to fly. |
| frugal |
small in amount or cost; meager. |
| hedonistic |
adhering to or characterized by the principle that pleasure should be the primary aim in life. |
| nuance |
a subtle quality or difference in tone, meaning, color, or the like; shade. |
| ostentatious |
done or designed with the intention of impressing others and consequently overly showy or grandiose; pretentious. |
| patronize |
to act in an offensively superior manner toward. |
| reverent |
characterized by, showing, or feeling great respect and awe mingled with love. |
| revile |
to speak about or speak to with hostile insults; disparage or abuse. |
| temerity |
reckless or foolish boldness; rash disregard of danger. |
| tortuous |
changing direction frequently; twisting, winding, or crooked, as a path. |
| touchstone |
a test or standard by which to evaluate the worth of something. |
| underscore |
to emphasize by, or as if by, drawing a line beneath. |
| vacuous |
characterized by lack of intelligence or serious intent; devoid of ideas or emotion. |