| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| germane |
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant. |
| gullible |
believing almost anything; easily tricked. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| immaculate |
not dirty; completely clean. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| obscurantism |
a deliberate lack of clarity or directness of expression, as in certain styles of art or literature. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| rapacious |
capable of capturing and eating live prey; predacious. |
| redoubtable |
inspiring fear; formidable. |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |