28. WPME p. 197
disparage
play down
equivocate
purposely talk in such a way as to be
vague and misleading
titilate
tickle; stimulate pleasurably
adulate
flatter lavishly
prosccribe
prohibit
obviate
make unnecessary
militate
work against
malign
slander
condone
forgive
placate
change hostility to friendliness
Do you normally disparage something you admire?
No
Do you equivocate if you think it unwise to take a definite stand?
yes
Do pleasant things titillate you?
yes
Do emotionally mature people need constant adulation?
no
Is sugar proscribed for diabetics?
yes
Does a substantial fortune obviate financial fears?
yes
Does a worker’s inefficiency often militate against his keeping his job?
yes
Do people enjoy being maligned?
no
Do we generally condone the faults of those we love?
yes
Can you sometimes placate a person by apologizing?
yes
You’ve been asked to take a stand on a certain issue, but you don’t have the courage to
be either definitely for or against.
you equivocate
You spread around an unpleasant story that you know will blacken someone’s reputation.
you malign that person.
Your friend is justifiably angry—you asked him to go to a party with you, ignored him all evening, and then finally left with someone else. What must you do if you wish to
restore the relationship?
you must try to placate him
You virtually worship your therapist. You express your admiration in lavish flattery; you praise her in such excessive terms that she appears devoid of all human frailty.
you adulate her
You are crowding 260 on the scales, so your doctor warns against high-calorie meals, rich desserts, second helpings, excessive carbohydrates, et
the doctor proscribes these foods
Your child Johnnie has smacked the neighbor’s kid—entirely without provocation, you
are forced to admit. But after all, you think, tomorrow the other kid will, with equal
lack of provocation, probably smack Johnnie.
you condone johnnie's behaviour
When your son, understandably expecting praise, mentions the three B’s and two A’s he
earned in his courses, you respond, callously, “Is that the best you can do? What stopped you from getting all A’s?”
you disparage his accomplishment
You have run out of cash and plan to go to the bank to make a withdrawal; then unexpectedly you discover a twenty-dollar bill you secreted in your desk drawer months ago.
your find obviates a trip to the bank
You are the soul of honesty, but unfortunately, you have a sneaky, thievish, sinister look—and no one ever trusts you.
your appearance militates against you
The centerfold of Playboy or Playgirl provides a mild and agreeable stimulation
the centerfold titillates you
change hostility into friendliness
placate
make unnecessary
obviate
belittle
disparage
overlook or forgive a transgression
condone
tickle; delight; stimulate pleasurably
titillate
spread malicious rumors about
malign
purposely use language susceptible of opposite interpretations
equivocate
act to disadvantage of
militate (against)
forbit
proscribe
worship; flatter fulsomely
adulate