2nd Try (1)

Question 1

cumbrous

Answer 1

adj. Cumbersome.

Question 2

overt

Answer 2

adj. Open and observable; not hidden, concealed, or secret: overt hostility; overt intelligence gathering.

This is certainly in overt conflict with what the White House wants all Federal agencies to be doing so as to be “transparent” and “open”.

Question 3

plodding

Answer 3

adj. Progressing slowly and laboriously.

Question 4

sadistic

Answer 4

adj. Delighting in or feeling pleasure from the pain of others.
adj. Of behaviour which gives pleasure in the pain of others.

Question 5

provocation

Answer 5

n. The act of provoking or inciting.

n. Something that provokes.

Question 6

bristle

Answer 6

verb – react in an offended or angry manner

verb – rise up as in fear

Question 7

vitriol

Answer 7

n. Bitterly abusive feeling or expression.

Question 8

inextricably

Answer 8

adv. In an inextricable manner

NEW YORK - It’s a name inextricably linked with Sept. 11, with huge, catastrophic loss - Cantor Fitzgerald.

Question 9

obliterate

Answer 9

v. To do away with completely so as to leave no trace. See Synonyms at abolish.
v. To wipe out, rub off, or erase (writing or other markings).

Question 10

obviate

Answer 10

VERB 动词消除；排除；使成为不必要 To obviate something such as a problem or a need means to remove it or make it unnecessary.

Question 11

proscribe

Answer 11

v. To denounce or condemn.
v. To prohibit; forbid. See Synonyms at forbid.
v. To banish or outlaw (a person).
v. To publish the name of (a person) as outlawed.

Question 12

recapitulate

Answer 12

v. To make a summary.

v. To repeat in concise form.

Question 13

cavil

Answer 13

v. To find fault unnecessarily; raise trivial objections. See Synonyms at quibble.

Question 14

gloat

Answer 14

v. To feel or express great, often malicious, pleasure or self-satisfaction: Don’t gloat over your rival’s misfortune.

Question 15

stymie

Answer 15

v. To thwart; stump: a problem in thermodynamics that stymied half the class.
n. An obstacle or obstruction.

Question 16

execrate

Answer 16

v. To declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce.

v. To feel loathing for; abhor.

Question 17

sanction

Answer 17

v. To penalize, especially for violating a moral principle or international law.
n. Support or encouragement, as from public opinion or established custom.

Question 18

subversive

Answer 18

adj. Intended or serving to subvert, especially intended to overthrow or undermine an established government: “Sex and creativity are often seen by dictators as subversive activities” ( Erica Jong).

Question 19

plight

Answer 19

n. A situation, especially a bad or unfortunate one. See Synonyms at predicament.

Question 20

boorish

Answer 20

adj. Resembling or characteristic of a boor; rude and clumsy in behavior.