Synonyms

Traduce means to speak badly of someone, to slander, defame, or expose to contempt. 'Betray' is an acceptable synonym as traduce often involves betraying someone's reputation through slanderous speech. However, 'slander' or 'defame' would be more precise.

Obtuse means not sharp, pointed, or acute; specifically it can mean blunt in form or slow to understand in intellectual sense. 'Blunt' is a correct synonym for the physical/figurative sense of obtuse, though it doesn't capture the 'slow to understand' meaning.

Predict means to say or estimate that a specified thing will happen in the future. 'Foretell' is an excellent synonym meaning to predict or prophesy a future event. The other options (Soak, Argue, Weak) are unrelated.

Invidious means likely to arouse resentment or anger, or offensive and unfair. 'Harmful' is an acceptable synonym as invidious actions are harmful to social harmony or individual feelings, though it's not the precise definition. A better synonym would be 'offensive', 'resentful', or 'unfair'.

Bash means to strike hard, hit forcefully, or to beat. 'Strike' is an excellent synonym capturing the core meaning of hitting forcefully. The other options (End, Annoy, Old) are unrelated.

Prolific means producing much fruit, foliage, offspring or creative work - highly productive or fertile. Profuse means in great amount or abundant, making it the closest synonym among the options. Loathe means to hate, soothe means to calm, and silent means quiet - none of which relate to productivity.

Dissolute describes someone lacking moral restraint or principles, often associated with unrestrained or licentious behavior. Immoral directly means not conforming to moral principles, making it the correct synonym. The other options are unrelated: sorrow means sadness, calm means peaceful, and mock means to ridicule.

Sedentary means characterized by much sitting and little physical activity. Of the options, 'sitting' directly captures this meaning. Clerical work may be sedentary, but the word itself refers to the sitting lifestyle, not the job type.

Scrupulous means having moral integrity, being thorough, and paying great attention to details. Punctilious means showing great attention to detail, which is the closest synonym among the options. Niggling is too petty, while fault-finding and selfish don't capture the positive sense of scrupulous.

Siblings are brothers and sisters of the same parents. 'Brother or sister' directly captures this meaning. 'Blood relation' and 'relative' are too broad, while 'baby at the breast' refers specifically to an infant, not siblings in general.

Shibboleth refers to a custom, phrase, or usage that distinguishes one group of people from another. In modern usage, it often means a slogan or belief that identifies members of a particular group. 'Slogan' is the closest match among the options.

Satiated means filled to satisfaction, or supplied beyond need. 'Surfeited' means having an excessive supply of something, which is the closest synonym. Persuaded, completed, and convinced are unrelated to the meaning of satiated.

Sine qua non is a Latin phrase meaning 'without which not' - an indispensable or essential condition. 'Indispensable precondition' accurately captures this meaning. Bonus and unnecessary qualification contradict the term's essence.

Supplicate means to make a humble or earnest request, especially to someone in authority. 'Petition humbly' captures both the request aspect and the humility. 'Beg favours' is too informal, while 'request earnestly' misses the humility aspect.