Vague Not clearly stated or expressed lacking definite

Vague Not clearly stated or expressed; lacking definite shape, form, or character Adjective Hazy, obscure, indistinct, ambiguous

Falter To hesitate in action, purpose, or intent Verb Stumble, hesitate

Agitated Having been severely excited or disturbed; deeply unsettled Adjective Seething, frantic, hysterical

erratic Having no fixed course Wandering, subject to change Unpredictable Adjective

defiance

Indictment An accusation of wrong-doing or a formal complaint accusing a person of a crime filed in court noun

Neurotic A person suffering from an emotional disorder Sick person Adjective or noun

Sullen Showing a brooding ill-humor Darkened by clouds Dour, glowering Adjective

Assimilation The social process of absorbing one cultural group into another When people of different backgrounds come to see themselves as part of a national “family” Acculturation, absorption Noun

acutely Experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course Knifelike, critical adverb

Incredulity Doubt about the truth of something Disbelief, skepticism noun

Insinuate Introduce or insert oneself in a subtle manner To give the impression of understanding Intimate, introduce verb

Beseech Ask for, request earnestly Press, entreat Verb (beseechingly: in an imploring manner, pleadingly: adverb)

Ominous Threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments; Presaging ill fortune Threatening, sinister Adjective

Deferred To put off an action or event to a later time. postpone, delay Verb (past tense)

Contradiction A combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another. disagreement, inconsistency, mismatch Noun

Diminish To make or become less decrease, lessen, decline, fade Verb

Vindicate Clear of blame Show or prove to be right, or justified Absolve, acquit, exonerate Verb

Graft The acquisition of money, gain or advantage (particularly political advantage) by dishonest or illegal means Bribe, blackmail, corruption noun

Wrought Worked, produced or shaped by beating with a hammer, as iron or silver Made, fashioned, created verb

Bastion A projected, fortified portion of a rampart; anything seen as protecting or preserving some quality or condition Fortification, mainstay, bulwark noun

Undaunted Undismayed, not discouraged, not giving way to fear Audacious, courageous, fearless adjective

Revelation Something revealed or disclosed, especially something striking Disclosure, announcement, exposition, manifestation noun

scrutinize To examine in great detail Examine, pore over, probe, dissect verb

facetious Not meant to be taken seriously or literally; humorous Amusing, clever, comic, droll, frivolous, jocular, ludicrous adjective

Tentative Not definite or positive, unsure, uncertain; temporary or test Hesitant, provisional, speculative, testing, temporary adjective

Exasperate To irritate or provoke to a high degree, to annoy accutely Agitate, aggravate, anger, annoy, excite, gall, rankle verb

Plaintively As expressing sorrow or melancholy Mournfully, sadly Adverb

Strident Making or having a sharp sound; Having a shrill or irritating character Harsh, shrill, discordant, screeching, squeaky adjective

Nonplussed Utterly perplexed Confused, perplexed, at a loss, baffled adjective