| bland |
without interest, spirit, or excitement; dull; indifferent. |
| brazen |
shameless; bold. |
| celibate |
abstaining from sexual relations, especially because of having taken a vow. |
| contentious |
inclined to argue; quarrelsome; belligerent. |
| diminution |
the act, process, or result of decreasing or declining. |
| epithet |
a word or phrase attached to, or used in place of, a given name. |
| iconoclastic |
attacking or breaking away from established traditions, beliefs, or values. |
| mercenary |
interested only in money and material gain. |
| rigorous |
showing strictness or sternness. |
| stigma |
a long-lasting mark or stain on one's character or reputation, especially of disgrace or reproach. |
| suppress |
to stop the activities or progress of, especially by force. |
| surveillance |
a close watch or observation, especially of a person or group of people under suspicion. |
| vignette |
a brief written or musical sketch, or brief film scene, that describes or characterizes a person, incident, situation, or the like. |
| vouch |
to promise to be true, real, or correct (usually followed by "for"). |