Vocabulary and Synonyms

Retrograde means moving backward or declining to a worse state. Egregious means outstandingly bad, diligence is careful effort, and vigor refers to physical strength and energy.

A hoax is a humorous or malicious deception, often presented as a practical joke. Alias is a false identity, expurgate means to remove offensive material, and hone means to sharpen.

Redundant means superfluous or unnecessarily repetitive, especially in speech. Welter is a confused mixture, aristocracy is elite rule, and decoy is a misleading lure.

A miscreant is a person who behaves badly or breaks the law. Affluence means wealth, carnal relates to physical desires, and contingent means dependent on circumstances.

Ebb means to gradually decrease or recede, like the tide going out. Insularity is narrow-mindedness, latent means hidden, and regal means royal.

Propagate means to multiply, spread, or disseminate widely. Jargon is specialized terminology, staid means sedate, and tribulation means suffering or trouble.

Detraction is the act of disparaging or slandering someone's reputation. Verge means to border on, consonance is harmony, and dissection is detailed analysis.

Sanguinary is a formal term meaning attended with bloodshed or relating to blood, directly synonymous with 'bloody' in the sense of violence or bloodshed. Dissertation is a long essay, poseur is someone who pretends to be something they're not, and contest is a competition.

Advent specifically refers to the coming or arrival, particularly of something significant or anticipated. Emetic means causing vomiting, overbearing means domineering, and manifesto is a public declaration - none related to arrival.

Antipathy means a deep-seated feeling of dislike or aversion, perfectly matching both parts of the clue. Amass means to gather, foolhardy means recklessly bold, and pallid means pale - unrelated to dislike.

Unwarranted means unjustified or lacking a good reason, matching both parts of the clue. Corporeal means physical, precursor means something that comes before, and embellish means to decorate - unrelated.

Stodgy means dull, boringly conventional, or lacking originality - matching 'stuffy' and 'boringly conservative'. Braggart is a boastful person, propinquity means nearness, and degenerate means declining in quality.

Livid means pale or grayish in color, but also specifically means black-and-blue or bruised-colored. Defeatist means expecting failure, sectarian means related to a sect, and canvass means to solicit opinions.

Askance means with a sideways or disapproving look, directly matching the clue. Requite means to repay or make return, prototype is an original model, and indemnify means to compensate for damage.

Intimidation means the act of frightening or intimidating someone, directly matching 'fear'. Canter is a horse's gait, astral relates to stars, and unfaltering means steady - none related to fear.