| denigrate |
to deny the worth of; sneer at; belittle. |
| deter |
to stop or discourage from some action by creating doubt or fear. |
| disingenuous |
not candid or sincere. |
| erudite |
having or showing a high level of scholarly knowledge; learned. |
| fledge |
to grow flight feathers. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| idyllic |
charmingly simple and natural, as a scene or experience; suggestive of peaceful countryside. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| nonfeasance |
in law, failure to perform a required duty, as by a public official. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| repose2 |
to put or place (confidence, hope, or the like) in someone or something. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| splenetic |
ill-tempered or spiteful. |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |