Adumbrate

(v.) to sketch out in a vague way (The coach _______ a game plan, but none of the players knew precisely what to do.)

Burnish

(v.) to polish, shine (His mother asked him to ________ the silverware before setting the table.)

Clemency

(n.) mercy (After he forgot their anniversary, Martin could only beg Maria for ________

Desecrate

(v.) to violate the sacredness of a thing or place (They feared that the construction of a golf course would _______ the preserved wilderness.)

Egregious

(adj.) extremely bad (The student who threw sloppy joes across the cafeteria was punished for his ________ behavior.)

Fastidious

(adj.) meticulous, demanding, having high and often unattainable standards (Mark is so _______ that he is never able to finish a project because it always seems imperfect for him.)

Imperious

(adj.) commanding, dominating ( The _________ nature of your manner led me to dislike you at once.)

Limpid

(adj.) clear, transparent (Mr. Johnson's _________ writing style greatly pleased readers who disliked complicated novels.)

Manifold

(adj.) diverse, varied (The popularity of Dante's Inferno is partly due to the fact that the work allows for _________ interpretations.)

Obtuse

(adj.) lacking quickness of sensibility or intellect (Political opponents warned that the prime minister's _______ approach to foreign policy would embroil the nation in mindless war.)

Pejorative

(adj.) derogatory, uncomplimentary (The evening's headline news covered an international scandal caused by a ________ statement the famous senator had made in reference to a foreign leader.)

Recalcitrant

(adj.) defiant, unapologetic (Even when scolded, the __________ young girl simply stomped her foot and refused to finish her lima beans.)