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adjective

primal - Relating to very basic emotions or conditions

The book The Primal Scream deals with deep, essential emotions that are at the core of every human being.

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adjective

smug - Having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements

Silvio was very smug after winning the election his opponents claimed he would lose.

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adjective

stingy - Unwilling to give or spend; ungenerous

Terry was so stingy with his money that he refused to lend it to anybody.

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adjective

flippant - Not showing a serious or respectful attitude

Quincy's flippant attitude towards his coworkers and supervisors made him the most likely person to be fired next.

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adjective

uppity - Self-important; arrogant

Mac acted very uppity after winning the sales contest, refusing to even talk to those he considered inferior.

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reticent - Describing someone who is inclined to keep their thoughts, feelings, or personal matters to themselves, not expressing them freely.

He was reticent about discussing his past, thinking that there were details that she might not react well too.

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virtual - Almost or nearly as described, but not completely; something is so nearly true that for most purposes it can be regarded as true; something that exists in essence but not in actuality.

During the pandemic, Zoom created a virtual sense of togetherness.

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verb

putter - To do things in a relaxed way, without rushing

When Ed retired, he loved to putter in his basement workshop, building toys for his grandchildren.

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adjective

staid - Sedate, respectable, and unadventurous

Jill liked Bob, but she really wanted someone more dynamic and exciting, and Jill just couldn't see herself spending the rest of her life with someone so staid and kind of boring.

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adjective

prim - Stiffly formal and respectable; feeling or showing disapproval of anything regarded as improper

In Victorian England, women were very prim and proper, never engaging in unladylike behavior.

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pretentious - Trying to appear more important or clever than you are

During the annual meeting, the CEO gave a long-winded pretentious speech that talked about unrealistic goals, and most people were bored and even fell asleep.

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inhibitions - A feeling of self-consciousness or restraint that prevents someone from acting freely; a psychological or social barrier that limits a person’s behavior or expressions.

His inhibitions kept him from speaking up during the meeting, even though he had great ideas.