| acrimonious |
filled with bitterness or rancor. |
| contraband |
goods banned by law from being imported or exported. |
| cynicism |
an attitude of doubt or mistrust toward human nature and the possibility of good or selfless motives. |
| deficit |
The amount by which something is less than what is needed. A deficit of money is caused by spending more than has been taken in. |
| diffuse |
in the physical sciences, to flow toward regions of lower concentration. |
| knave |
an unscrupulous person; evildoer. |
| modulate |
to vary the loudness, pitch, intensity, or tone of; especially soften or tone down. |
| novice |
a person with little or no experience at a particular job or activity. |
| paradox |
a statement that contradicts or seems to contradict itself, yet often expresses a truth, such as "Less is more". |
| paucity |
smallness of number or amount; scarcity. |
| perturb |
to cause great disturbance in (the mind); agitate or worry. |
| pitfall |
an unexpected or hidden danger. |
| sacrilege |
the violation, profane treatment, or destruction of some place or thing that is considered to be holy. |
| senile |
showing certain characteristics of old age, especially a deterioration of mental faculties or emotional control. |
| vapid |
lacking spirit, life, or flavor; dull; uninteresting. |