| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| attune |
to adjust so as to be harmonious. |
| chary |
not dispensing freely. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| decedent |
in law, one who has died. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| intersperse |
to place or scatter among other things. |
| minatory |
presenting a threat; menacing. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| repine |
to express or feel unhappiness; complain; fret. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| splenetic |
ill-tempered or spiteful. |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |