Educational

sinister

[sin-uh-ster]

threatening or portending evil, harm, or trouble; ominous

miasma

[mahy-az-muh]

noxious exhalations from putrescent organic matter; poisonous effluvia or germs polluting the atmosphere

exonerate

[ig-zon-uh-reyt]

to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame; exculpate

debilitating

[duh-bi-luh-tay-tuhng]

tending to weaken or enfeeble

creak

[kreek]

to make a sharp, harsh, grating, or squeaking sound

nondescript

[non-di-skript]

of no recognized, definite, or particular type or kind

teeming

[tee-ming]

abounding or swarming with something, as with people

besmirch

[bih-smurch]

to detract from the honor or luster of

naive

[nah-eev]

having or showing a lack of experience, judgment, or information; credulous

betrothed

[bih-trohthd]

engaged to be married

exacerbate

[ig-zas-er-beyt]

to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.); aggravate

eloquent

[el-uh-kwuhnt]

having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech

innovative

[in-uh-vey-tiv]

tending to innovate, or introduce something new or different; characterized by innovation

apex

[ey-peks]

the tip, point, or vertex; summit

supercilious

[soo-per-sil-ee-uhs]

haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression

rouse

[rouz]

to bring out of a state of sleep, unconsciousness, inactivity, fancied security, apathy, depression, etc.

picturesque

[pik-chuh-resk]

(of writing, speech, etc.) strikingly graphic or vivid; creating detailed mental images

confidant

[kon-fi-dant]

a close friend or associate to whom secrets are confided or with whom private matters and problems are discussed

drowse

[drouz]

to be sleepy or half-asleep

maritime

[mar-i-tahym]

associated with the sea or waterways to the sea in relation to navigation, shipping, etc.

amass

[uh-mas]

to gather for oneself; collect as one's own

crestfallen

[krest-faw-luhn]

dejected; dispirited; discouraged

infatuation

[in-fach-oo-ey-shuhn]

foolish or all-absorbing passion or an instance of this

arbitrary

[ahr-bi-trer-ee]

based on whim or personal preference, without reason or pattern; random