Impresario
one who presents cultural series, organizer
The eminent IMPRESARIO throughout many cultural spectacles to our shores.
Extortion
getting money by threats
When the business manager was accused of EXTORTION, his colleagues sought to oust him from the firm.
Adverse
unfavorable, harmful
It was excruciatingly painful for the actors to read the ADVERSE reviews that their performances had received.
Asset
a valuable thing to have
President Clinton hoped to be an ASSET in his wife’s campaign for the U.S. Senate position.
Bigot
a narrow-minded, prejudiced person
Attacked by irate crowd, the BIGOT asked the police for sanctuary.
Blatant
disagreeable loud, very showy, flagrant, obvious
With BLATANT discourtesy the reporters continued to harass the bereaved family.
Entourage
group of attendants
The visiting dictator’s ubiquitous ENTOURAGE of bodyguards disturbed our tranquil city.
Virulent
full of hate, harmful
Europe’s population was AFFLICTED by a VIRULENT plague known as the Black Death.
Venom
poison, spite, malice
Clym Yeobright’s mother succumbed to the VENOM of a snake bite.
Spew
throw up, vomit, eject
From each candidate’s headquarters acrimonious charges would SPEW forth daily.
Loath
unwilling, reluctant
Since we felt that the ruling was arbitrary, we were LOATH to obey it.
Solicit
to beg, seek earnestly
Daily the volunteers went out to SOLICIT funds for the indigent families.
Astute
keen, shrewd
My neighbor was ASTUTE enough to discern the adverse features of the mortgage.
Advocate
to be in favor of, to support
The general was sure to ADVOCATE that we give the enemy no respite from the bombings.
Ineffectual
not effective
The play was so blatantly bad that the impresario fired its INEFFECTUAL director.
Scrutinize
examine closely
No sooner did the lawyer SCRUTINIZE the extortion notes than she called the police.
Nefarious
villainous, vicious
We were distraught upon hearing the VENOM spewed forth by the NEFARIOUS bigot.
Amicable
friendly, peaceful
Our AMICABLE relation with Latin America used to be an asset to hemispheric trade.
Vexatious
annoying
The VEXATIOUS buzzing of the mosquitoes as they surged about our head nearly drove us insane.
Malady
any illness, sickness
Once the VIRULENT MALADY had run its course, my temperature dropped.
To Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth
to be critical of a present
Although I didn’t have much use for Uncle Roy’s present, I took it with a big smile since I have been taught to never LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH.
