1. tenacious
   ephemeral
2. venerable
   formidable

Someone who is "tenacious" clings fiercely to what they believe or want to do. It can also refer to a substance that is particularly clingy or difficult to separate into parts.

1. to argue over minor things
   to kiss
2. to express jealousy about a third party
   to engage in a test of wits

It can also describe evasive wording meant to avoid the heart of an argument, and to focus instead on minor grievances. A quibble is often a silly, small argument.

1. conditional
   divergent
2. integrity
   camaraderie

"Camaraderie" is frequently used when describing the relationships within groups of friends, a close-knit unit of troops, and other such congregations. It's been in use since the mid-1800s.

1. bombastic
   deleterious
2. hilarious
   futile

"Bombastic" is an explosive word, used to describe someone who exaggerates and rants, filling their speech with important-sounding but empty words. While it's tempting to think it's an extension of the word "bomb," it's actually derived from a word that described cotton stuffing.

1. something shabby
   something old and worn
2. something fabulously rich
   something tired

A person is "opulent" if that person is exceedingly wealthy and/or glamorous; a place or thing is opulent if it's decorated expensively. The word is most often used in reference to objects that are showy and clearly costly.

1. cryptic
   regressive
2. circuitous
   hackneyed

A path that doubles back on itself could be described as "circuitous," just as a fuzzy line of reasoning or evasive argument could be described as "circuitous."

1. abashed
   happy
2. delusional
   indecorous

"Abashed" refers to a person's demeanor when they are ashamed or embarrassed by their actions or by a situation. A child caught red-handed in the cookie jar, for example, might be abashed.

1. calm
   stormy
2. windy
   weary

This word comes from the Greek for "kingfisher." It was believed that a halycon could bring calm seas during nesting, which is why the adjective describes conditions that are calm and peaceful.

1. impetuous
   imponderable
2. diffident
   scintillating

The adjective "scintillating" describes something that is delightfully clever, witty, or interesting. Its earliest known use dates from the late 1700s.

1. being argumentative
   joking around
2. dead serious
   very upset

A facetious statement is meant as a joke or as sarcasm. It can also be used to describe an insensitive statement spoken as though to be humorous.

1. to make a final decision
   to use evasive language
2. to skip an important event

Someone who equivocates uses noncommittal language and pushes off a decision. It may be done deceptively, or the person might just have a hard time making decisions.

1. a type of festival
   a dinner including asparagus
2. a false charge
   a remedy for colds

An "aspersion" is a falsehood told about someone in order to harm their reputation. The root word means "to sprinkle" or "to scatter," so "aspersion" is also used to describe the sprinkling of water in religious ceremonies.

1. isn't afraid to buck longstanding traditions
   is a very serious worshipper
2. really loves celebreties
   is antisocial

The term comes from a movement to destroy icons, the religious images used by Eastern Christians. Now, it also refers to someone who challenges established beliefs and practices.

1. a type of cow
   the year before the turn of a millenium
2. the look and feel of a place
   a frustrated person

The Moulin Rouge is a classic example of a milieu, which is a specific place and atmosphere where something takes place. It can also refer to the social setting; for example, a milieu could describe the favorite "hangout" for a bunch of hipster teenagers.

1. madly in love
   unattached
2. curious
   frightened

Someone who is dispassionate is not moved by personal feelings or is relatively unattached with regard to a certain subject. Judges, for example, are expected to be dispassionate during the cases over which they preside.

1. cursory
   grandiose
2. flotsam
   mellifluous

The word "mellifluous" comes from the Latin words for "honey" and "flow." It can be used to describe someone's voice, or as an adjective for food.

1. a heroic story
   an ordinary existence
2. a series of great misfortunes
   a storybook existence

Anything prosaic is boring, bland or just plain ordinary. Historically, "prosaic" was simply used to distinguish between texts that were not poetry (prosaic) and texts that were poetic.

1. something that lasts forever
   something smelly
2. something that quickly disappears
   something radiant

Something evanescent is something that vanishes (often without a trace) in a short period of time. Smoke, a light morning fog and a mirage are all examples of evanescent phenomena.

1. fervent
   florid
2. visceral
   ineffable

The adjective "florid" is typically used to describe writing or a style that is particularly flowery and fancy. It's also used to describe something red; someone red in the face would have a "florid" complexion, for example.

1. querulous
   impetuous
2. docile
   stringent

Due to its similarity to the word "quarrelsome," it's tempting to think that "querulous" describes someone who gets into arguments. However, someone who is querulous just whines a lot.

1. a bratty know-it-all
   a perceptive teacher
2. a frail old man
   an intrepid adventurer

Someone "sagacious" often understands people's motives and makes sound judgments when needed. Surprisingly, the word sagacious is not closely related to the word "sage," which means "wise."

1. slimy
   lard-filled
2. dismal
   pleasing

The word "lugubrious" describes something that is mournful or dismal and dark, especially if it is arranged in a showy way. You might describe a group of goths as lugubrious.

1. rapid and unpredictable
   slow and arduous
2. facilitated by family wealth
   solely due to musical talent

"Mercurial" can describe anything that is changeable and unpredictable, from someone's temperament to the stock market. This word comes from the Greek god of thievery and travelers, Mercury.

1. umbrella
   clothing
2. tarp
   door cover

"Raiment" has a straightforward meaning: it describes your clothing! Garb, apparel and attire are also suitable synonyms.

1. rude
   angry
2. inspiring
   self-doubting

Someone who is "diffident" tends to refrain from or pause before speech and actions because of self-doubt or second-guessing. Such a person may be insecure and hesitant.

1. mendicancy
   subterfuge
2. erudition
   hodgepodge

Spies frequently engage in "subterfuge." It comes from Latin words which meant underneath and to flee, so the meaning has evolved a bit over time.

1. convivial
   funerary
2. mercenary
   churlish

The word "convivial" comes from the Latin "convivium," which means "banquet." A convivial person is usually outgoing and loves having people over.

1. to have an air of indifference
   to be upset
2. to be in pain
   to be whistling

Someone who is "nonchalant" might be whistling in a carefree way, but the indifferent attitude is characteristic of being nonchalant. The word comes from the French "nonchaloir," which means "to disregard."

1. perfidious
   ingenius
2. naive
   sedulous

Someone who is "perfidious" is someone who engages in deceptive, traitorous behavior; such a person is disloyal.

1. inauthentic
   spur of the moment
2. reckless
   jovial

"Spurious reasoning" is false or poor reasoning, and something which is "spurious" is misleading or insincere. Spurious does not refer to something that comes up at the last minute or is suggested on a whim.

1. inappropriate
   unoriginal
2. classy
   exciting

Something "banal" is trite, overused and not at all novel. It comes from a French word, "ban," that refers to a call to arms.

1. to make obvious
   to make necessary
2. to anticipate and prevent
   to require

To "obviate" something is to make it unnecessary or obsolete. For example, a measles vaccine should obviate the need to treat measles.

1. a jail
   a sanctuary
2. a home
   a forum

While the word "asylum" might conjure up images of white walls and straitjackets, the term actually refers to a safe space. Many have sought asylum, or refuge, in times of need.

1. careful
   hasty
2. deceptive
   seductive

Someone who is "sedulous" is diligent and earnest in their undertakings. The Latin phrase, "se dolus," meaning, "without guile," eventually transformed into the word we use today.

1. reconcile
   antagonize
2. censure
   renege

In use since the mid-1500s, the word "renege" means going back on a promise or duty, such as failing to pay up when you lose a bet or violating a treaty. Reneging on your loans, for example, would mean failing to pay back your loans.