The definition for gruff is "Rough or stern in manner or speech." Used in a sentence: Heidi's grandfather was gruff, barking stern orders and hardly smiling. The definition for mediate is "to come between parties in order to reconcile.", the definition for authoritarian is "Favoring absolute obedience to authority.", and the definition for raspy is "rough, grating."

The definition for discern is "To recognize as separate as distinct." Used in a sentence: The pastry connoisseur was able to discern Swiss from Belgian chocolate. The definition for composed is "calm.", the definition for opportune is "Suitable or convenient.", and the definition for plaudits is "Enthusiastic approval."

The definition for disdain is "Feeling of contempt." Used in a sentence: The arrogant writer did not hide his disdain for his uneducated dinner companion. The definition for catastrophic is "relating to extreme misfortune.", the definition for negate is "To make invalid.", and the definition for comparable is "Similar, equivalent."

The definition for straddle is "To favor opposing sides." Used in a sentence: Kia straddled the issue, not wanting to say whether James or Tara was right. The definition for placebo is "an inactive substance used in medical testing.", the definition for servile is "Fearfully submissive.", and the definition for nurture is "To further the development of."

The definition for regurgitate is "To pour out or throw back." Used in a sentence: The teacher wanted us to examine ideas rather than to regurgitate memorized facts. The definition for inviolable is "secure from assault of trespass.", the definition for flaw is "An imperfection.", and the definition for oblivious is "Lacking awareness."