At the movies...
In The Matrix, certain parts are real but other parts ________ reality.
simulate
v. to protest, to complain
expostulate
a ref, a mediator, or a hostage negotiator
intercede
n. a special right or privilege
prerogative
Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, and even Jaws were too _____ for little kids to watch.
lurid
to surpass
transcend
a pacifier, a fever medicine, or a nanny who pats the baby's back
assuage
adj. trying too hard to seem sincere
unctuous
The robbers from Home Alone would describe little Kevin as ____ because he is troublesome and irritating.
petulant
narrow-minded
provincial
an interrogator, a cop, or an investigator
elicit
adj. wearied, worn out
jaded
The Wolf of Wall Street shows the ____ of the financial industry with all of the rampant drug and alcohol use among other things.
decadence
insinuation, intimation
innuendo
a tree, an umbrella, or even the brim of a hat
umbrage
n. praise, official approval
approbation
In the HBO series The White Lotus, these people are supposed to enjoy their _____ at the Hawaiian resort, but it's not actually a break for them.
hiatus
praise-worthy, commendable
meritorious
a union organizer, a team builder, or unifier
coalition
adj. used so often as to lack freshness or originality
hackneyed