adhere
(v.) to stick to, remain attached; to be devoted or loyal as a follower or supporter
affirm
(v.) to declare to be true, state positively; to confirm
atrocity
(n.) an extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel act; something very bad or unpleasant
audition
(n.) a trial hearing for a performer
(v.) to conduct or perform such a hearing
cope
(v.) to struggle successfully against; to prove to be a match for, deal with satisfactorily
(n.) a long religious cloak; a canopy
deter
(v.) to discourage, scare off, or prevent through fear or doubt
disquieting
(adj.) causing uneasiness or worry
empower
(v.) to give power or authority to; to enable; to permit
fluent
(adj.) speaking or writing easily and smoothly, flowing gracefully
lag
(v.) to move slowly or fall behind; to bring up the rear
(n.) a falling behind; the amount by which someone or something is behind; an interval
mangle
(v.) to injure very seriously by cutting, tearing, crushing, etc.; to bring to ruin
misapprehension
(n.) a wrong idea, misunderstanding
optimist
(n.) one who expects things to turn out for the best; someone who looks on the bright side of things
prowl
(v.) to roam about stealthily in search of something
stupefy
(v.) to make stupid, dull, or groggy; to surprise or astonish
sulky
(adj.) in a bad or nasty mood, resentful; gloomy
supplement
(n.) something added to complete a thing or make up for a lack; a section added to a book or document
(v.) to provide such an addition or completion
surge
(v.) to have a heavy, violent, swelling motion (like waves)
(n.) a powerful forward rush
trait
(n.) a quality or characteristic (especially of personality); a distinguishing feature
unscrupulous
(adj.) dishonest; not guided or controlled by moral principles