Direct Hits Vocab #1-50

Someone who likes to give public speeches is likely to be diffident.

to strongly desire; to crave

Climbing Mt. Everest would require fortitude.

The Black Plague of the 1300's and the Influenza outbreak of 1918, were both _______________ .

unoriginal; commonplace; overused; clichéd

Most early California missionaries lived in austere conditions.

It is presumptuous to take someone's car without asking them first. 

a scarcity or shortage of something

The mule was so stubborn and __________ that it refused to budge.

The spies were on a(n) __________ mission, they didn't want anyone to know about it.

Starbucks and McDonalds are __________ , they are found everywhere!

to comply; to agree; to give in

Affable people are not fun to hang out with.

People who carry umbrellas are never prudent.

In a movie set in ancient Rome, if you see an airplane fly overhead you are witnessing a(n) __.

extremely careful; very exacting

If you are absolutely sure about a decision, you are ambivalent.

fearless; often recklessly daring; very bold

Most people would prefer not to be castigated.

Using cortisone and Benadryl cream may __________ the itching symptoms.

Volunteers at Drs. Without Borders, who provide relief to victims of war, exhibit __________ . 

Computers are all the rage, while typewriters are __________ .

the direct or exact opposite

to speak in a foolish manner; to babble incessantly

Babies are known to __________ on and on.

Israelis and Palestinians never seem to resolve their disagreements, they are at an __________.

Looking for a needle in a haystack is futile.

native to an area

relating to the nature of beauty, art and taste

It is plausible that the mass extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by an asteroid strike.