Definitions
Temporary; for the time being
provisional
The contract was _____ until final approval was granted.
provisional
Is the article lurid or opaque
It exaggerates shocking details for attention
lurid
The agreement was provisional because it was dishonest.
provisional means temporary, not deceptive.
A CEO calmly answers tough questions during a crisis
aplomb
Sensational or shockingly graphic
lurid
The politician tried to _____ angry voters after the scandal.
propitiate
Is the leader truculent or craven
He backs down immediately out of fear
craven
The teacher gave a perfunctory speech full of energy and passion.
perfunctory means mechanical and lacking enthusiasm.
A student suddenly understands a math concept after struggling
epiphany
Self assurance under pressure
aplomb
She delivered her speech with remarkable _____.
élan or aplomb depending on explanation
Is the comment perfunctory or enthusiastic
It sounds routine and mechanical
perfunctory
The law was opaque because it was immoral.
opaque means unclear, not immoral.
A corporation includes unnecessary details in a report
superfluous / extraneous
Deliberately deceptive
duplicitous
The explanation was so _____ that no one understood it.
opaque
Is the official venal or duplicitous
He accepts bribes for favors
venal
He was venal because he was afraid to speak up.
craven or base.
A fighter is aggressively eager to argue with everyone
truculent / pugnacious / belligerent
A sudden moment of realization
epiphany
The executive lived a _____ lifestyle, spending money recklessly.
profligate
Is the behavior licentious or noxious
It is morally offensive and indecent
licentious
The budget included profligate expenses that were necessary.
superfluous or extraneous if unnecessary.
A corrupt official secretly accepts bribes while pretending to act ethically
venal and possibly duplicitous if explained