| A | B |
|---|
| CONTENTIOUS | adj. 1. Given to argument; quarrelsome. See Synonyms at argumentative, belligerent. 2. Involving or likely to cause discord; controversial: "a central and _____ element of the book" (Tim W. Ferguson). |
| AUSPICIOUS | adj. Attended by favorable circumstances; propitious: a(n) _____ time to ask for a raise in salary. See Synonyms at favorable. |
| PROPENSITY | n. An innate inclination; a tendency. See Synonyms at predilection. |
| FRIVOLOUS | adj. 1. Unworthy of serious attention; trivial: a _____ novel. 2. Inappropriately silly: a _____ purchase. |
| INFALLIBLE | adj. 1. Incapable of erring: a(n) _____ guide; a(n) _____ source of information. 2. Incapable of failing; certain: a(n) _____ antidote; a(n) _____ rule. 3. Roman Catholic Church Incapable of error in expounding doctrine on faith or morals. |
| ACRIMONIOUS | adj. Bitter and sharp in language or tone; rancorous: a(n) _____ debate between the two candidates. |
| FURTIVE | adj. 1. Characterized by stealth; surreptitious. 2. Expressive of hidden motives or purposes; shifty. See Synonyms at secret. |
| SQUALOR | n. A filthy and wretched condition or quality. |
| MITIGATE | v.tr. To moderate (a quality or condition) in force or intensity; alleviate. See Synonyms at relieve. |
| TEMERITY | n. reckless boldness. |
| COUNTENANCE | n. Appearance, especially the expression of the face: The question left him with a puzzled _____. v.tr. To give sanction or support to; tolerate or approve: The college administration will not _____ cheating |
| EXPUNGE | v.tr. 1. To erase or strike out: "I have corrected some factual slips, _____ some repetitions" (Kenneth Tynan). 2. To eliminate completely; annihilate. See Synonyms at erase. |
| ADAMANT | adj. Impervious to pleas, appeals, or reason; stubbornly unyielding. See Synonyms at inflexible. |
| ASCERTAIN | v.tr. 1. To discover with certainty, as through examination or experimentation. See Synonyms at discover. |
| ELUCIDATE | v.tr. To make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify. |
