Cynicism
the belief that people are motivated purely by self-interest; similar to skepticism or pessimism
Void
not valid or legally binding
Viscous
having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid
Festering
(of a wound or sore) becoming rotten or infected
Belligerence
aggressive or warlike behavior
Ajar
partially open
Conciliatory
intended or likely to placate or pacify
Earnestly
steadily and wholeheartedly
Scenario
a potential sequence of events
Fetal
a curled-up posture, emulating a fetus
Exception
a person or thing that is excluded from something or does not follow a rule
Huddling
crowded together or nestled closely
Pummel
to strike repeatedly, usually with the fists
Enthusiasm
eager enjoyment or interest
Intensify
to become more intense or greater in magnitude
Tendril
a slender threadlike appendage, often curly or curled
Jilt
to suddenly reject or abandon; often to abandon a lover
Futile
pointless or fruitless
Mismatch
to match people or things incorrectly or unsuitably
Variation
a change or difference in condition, amount of level; a different form of something
