to speak in favor of

The vegetarian advocated a diet containing no meant.

extreme dislike

The antipathy between the French and the English regularly erupted into open warfare.

to support, to prop up

The presence of giant footsteps bolstered the argument that Sasquatch was in the area.

harsh, jarring noise

The junior high orchestra created an almost unbearable cacophony as they tried to tune their instruments.

to speak or treat (someone) with contempt, to mock

The awkward child was often derided by his cooler peers.

a harsh and disagreeable combination, often of sounds

Cognitive dissonance is the inner conflict produced when long-standing beliefs are contradicted by new evidence.

to reduce in strength

Kriptonite enervated Superman's superpowers.

speech in praise of someone

His best friend gave the eulogy, outlining his many achievements and talents.

tending to talk a lot

The garrulous parakeet distracted its owner with it continuous talking.

showing innocence or childlike simplicity

She was so ingenuous that her friends feared that her innocence and trustfulness would be exploited in the competitive music world.

acting in an indifferent or slow, sluggish manner

The clerk was so lethargic that, even when the store was slow, he always had a long line.

capable of being shaped

Gold is the most malleable of precious metals.

a person who dislikes others

The character of Scrooge in a Christmas Carol is such a misanthrope that even the thought of philanthropy makes him angry.

hardened in feeling, resistant to persuasion

The president was completely obdurate on the issue, and no amount of persuasion would change his mind.

excessive showiness

The ostentation of Lady Gaga is evident in her lavish sets and costumes, and why she is so famous.

a contradiction or dilemma

It is a paradox, that those most in need of medical attention are often those least able to afford it.

charity, a desire, or effort to promote goodness

New York's Met Museum of Art owes much of its collection to the philanthropy of private collectors who willed their estates to become museum.

to lie or deviate from the truth

Rather than admit that he had overslept, Jose prevaricated and claimed that heavy traffic had prevented him from arriving at work on time.

to respect deeply

In a traditional Confucian society, the young venerate their elders, deferring to the elders' wisdom and experience.

to fluctuate between choices

If you waver too long before making a decision about which testing day to register for, you may not get your first choice.