Synonyms

Dadle is an informal term meaning to waste time or procrastinate, which is synonymous with dilly dally. Expedite means to speed up (opposite meaning), agile means quick-moving, and adroit means skillful.

Decrepit means worn out or damaged due to age or long use, which matches battered. Hearty and vigorous are opposites (meaning strong and healthy). All of the above cannot be correct since A is the only synonym.

Deign means to do something that one considers to be beneath one's dignity, which matches condescend. Ascent means to go up, respect is a noun showing esteem, and arise means to get up - none capture the reluctant lowering aspect of deign.

Delirious can mean in an excited state, which can include joyful excitement. Intellectual relates to mental ability, profligate means wasteful, and all of the above is incorrect since B and C are not synonyms.

Damnation means eternal punishment or condemnation, which matches doom. Gaiety and jauntiness mean cheerfulness (opposites), prosperity means success, and all of the above is incorrect.

Defile means to make something dirty or impure, which matches contaminate. Cleanse and purify are opposites (meaning to clean), and distil means to extract essence by heating.

Culpable means deserving blame or responsible for a wrong, which matches blameworthy. Innocent is the opposite, exonerate is a verb meaning to clear of blame, and balmy means silly or eccentric (unrelated).

Demure means modest and shy in behavior or appearance, which matches reticent (reserved or quiet). Verbose, talkative, and garrulous all mean talkative (opposites of demure).

Jettison means to throw away or get rid of something that is no longer needed or is burdensome. Option B correctly captures this meaning of discarding something superfluous or encumbering.

Jabber means to talk rapidly, excitedly, or in a confused way. Option A 'talk excitedly' is the closest match to this meaning. The other options contradict the actual meaning.

Jibe means to agree or be in accord with something. Option D correctly identifies this meaning. The other options (respect, decent, honest) are unrelated to the word's actual meaning.

Lachrymose means tearful or tending to cause tears. Option C 'tearful' is the correct synonym. Options A, B, and D refer to fear, laughter, and mimicry respectively, which are unrelated.

Judicious means having or showing good judgment or sense. Option A 'sound in judgment' is the correct meaning. Options B, C, and D (unwise, insensible, lawless) are antonyms or unrelated to the word's meaning.

Lackluster describes something lacking shine, brilliance, or vibrancy, making 'dull' the correct synonym. 'Shine' and 'luster' are antonyms, while 'praiseworthy' doesn't relate to the visual quality implied by lackluster.

Jocular refers to something done for amusement or in a joking manner. 'Meant as a joke' captures this directly, while 'jovial' relates more to a cheerful mood than to the intent of joking.