abate (neu)
(v.) to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit
adulation (neg)
(n.) praise or flatter that is excessive
anathema (neg)
(n.) an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article)
astute (pos)
(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom
avarice (neg)
(n.) a greedy desire, particularly for wealth
culpable (neg)
(adj.) deserving blame, worth of condemnation
dilatory (neg)
(adj.) tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt; intended to delay or postpone
egregious (neg)
(adj.) conspicuous, standing out from the mass (used particularly in an unfavorable sense)
equivocate (neg)
(v.) to speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague or ambiguous
evanescent (neu)
(adj.) vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy
irresolute (neg)
(adj.) unable to make up one's mind, hesitating
nebulous (neg)
(adj.) cloudlike, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color, not transparent; vague, confused, indistinct
novice (neu)
(n.) one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience (also used adjectivally)
penury (neg)
(n.) extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency
pretentious (neg)
(adj.) done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on one's skill or abilities, ambitious
recapitulate (neu)
(v.) to summarize; to repeat briefly
resuscitate (neu)
(v.) to revive, bring back to consciousness or existence
slovenly (neg)
(adj.) untidy, dirty, careless
supposition (neu)
(n.) something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence
Torpid (neg)
(adj.) inactive, sluggish, dull