| bellicose |
easily incited to quarrel or fight; belligerent. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| dissimulate |
to hide one's true feelings, intentions, or the like by pretense or hypocrisy. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| expiation |
the act or the means of making amends, as for a sin or crime. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| foible |
a minor flaw or weakness in personality, character, or behavior. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| minatory |
presenting a threat; menacing. |
| noisome |
offensive or disgusting, especially in smell; foul. |
| opiate |
something that induces relaxation, calm, or stupor. |
| penury |
severe poverty; pennilessness. |
| pliant |
easily flexed; supple. |