balk
v. to be unwilling to do something or become involved in something because it is difficult, dangerous, etc.
bedlam
n. a scene full of noise and confusion
beguile
v. to trick someone into doing something, especially by being nice to them
benevolent
adj. kind, helpful, and generous
besmirch
v. to damage the opinion that people have of someone or something
bigot
n. a person who has very strong, unreasonable beliefs or opinions about race, religion, or politics, and who will not listen to or accept the opinions of anyone who disagrees
blandishments
n. pleasant things that you say to someone or do for them to try to persuade them to do something
bogus
adj. pretending to be real or genuine
boor
n. a rude, unpleasant person
brittle
adj. hard but easily broken
bulwark
n. a person or thing that protects or defends something
burgeon
v. to begin to grow or develop rapidly
buttress
n. a structure built against a wall or building to give support and strength
v. to support
cache
n. a hiding place especially for concealing and preserving provisions or implements
v. to place or store (something) in a hidden or secure place for safety or concealment
cacophony
n. harsh or jarring sound
cajole
v. to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance
callow
adj. lacking adult sophistication
calumny
n. the act of uttering false charges or misrepresentations maliciously calculated to harm another's reputation
candor
n. unreserved, honest, or sincere expression
cant
n. the insincere use of pious words
capitulate
v. to cease resisting
capricious
adj. governed or characterized by sudden, impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notions or actions
carp
v. to find fault or complain querulously
castigate
v. to subject to severe punishment, reproof, or criticism
catalyst
n. an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action
celerity
n. rapidity of motion or action
chagrin
n. disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure
chauvinism
n. an attitude of superiority toward another party
chimerical
adj. existing only as the product of unchecked imagination : fantastically visionary
circumlocation
n. the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea
circumvent
v. to manage to get around especially by ingenuity or stratagem
cogent
adj. appealing forcibly to the mind or reason; convincing
cognizant
adj. knowledgeable of something especially through personal experience
comely
adj. having a pleasing appearance : not homely or plain
commodious
adj. comfortably or conveniently spacious
compunction
n. anxiety arising from awareness of guilt