renege

renege on an agreement / promise / deal

to not do something that one has agreed to do

Example: George Bush Sr. reneged on his promise to help the rebels.

dereliction

dereliction

intentional neglect

Example: To believe something absurd just because one doesn't have an explanation for something is intellectual dereliction.

deference

out of deference to

to do something out of respect for someone's opinions

Example: Many people go to church out of deference to their parents wishes.

scoff

scoff

to mock someone or someone's idea by laughing or talking in a way that shows your contempt

Example: He scoffed at the idea that he should take someone's help.

frantic

frantic

desperate

Example: As her car was sinking in the lake, she frantically tried to open the door.

exception

take exception to something

to take offense at something

Example: He took exception to the comments made by the speaker about his daughter.

predatory

predatory

using someone's weakness for one's own benefit

Example: Microsoft has a history of engaging in predatory pricing.

wince

wince

to change the expression on one's face in reaction to mental or physical pain

Example: When she mentioned his divorce, he winced.

Example: She winced when she caught sight of him approaching her.

bat

bat

right off the bat

to do something immediately

Example: The lecturer began discussing Electronics right off the bat.

like a bat out of hell

to move very fast

Example: When he heard that his wife was in the hospital he ran like a bat out of hell.

not bat an eyelid

to seem not to be shocked or embarrassed

Example: When question about the corruption scandal, the hardened politician didn't bat an eyelid.

strident

strident

of a sound, harsh and irritating

criticizing harshly or offensively

Example: A critic of religion is often characterized as strident.

harangue

harangue

a ranting speech or writing

Example: It can sometimes be flattering to be the subject of someone's harangue.

snide

snide

unkind in a clever way

Example: It is sometimes fun to engage with the snide commentators in an audience.

affect

affect

to produce an affect

Examples: The economic downturn has negatively affected the real estate market.

to move someone emotionally

Example: I was deeply affected by her story.

to assume; to pretend to be

Example: When people affect a foreign accent, they usually annoy people.

narrative

narrative

the representation in art of an event or story

Example: Books like God is Not Great have created a contraversial narrative of religion.

discourse

discourse

a lengthy piece of writing or spoken discussion of something

communication of thought by words

Example: Relgion is a topic that should not excluded from social discourse.

umbrage

umbrage

to take umbrage at something is to take offense without good reason

Example: He took umbrage at the questions raised about his religious beliefs.

kowtow

kowtow

to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground, as done in ancient China

to be too eager to obey or to be too polite to authority

Example: I have a strong dislike for people who kowtow to their bosses.

highbrow

highbrow

difficult to understand

Example: I don't enjoy some of the highbrow comedy shows on TV.

someone with intellectual or cultural pretensions

Example: Why do we get annoyed with highbrows?

wrath

wrath

fierce anger

Example: Anyone who didn't obey him a hundred percent faced his wrath.

steward, stewardship

steward

someone who takes care of something and is responsible for it

Example: Daniel Dennett is like a chief steward of the Bright movement

stewardship

the control and protection of something by someone

Example: Under the stewardship of Mr. Smith, the school flourished.