1. Hot Words #10

2. 1. Diminution (n.) A lessening A lessening Out of deference to the inventor of the catalytic converter, the government admitted there had been a diminution in the pollution. Out of deference to the inventor of the catalytic converter, the government admitted there had been a diminution in the pollution.

3. 2. Discerning (adj.) Keenly perceptive; shrewd. Keenly perceptive; shrewd. When it came to selecting the correct investments, Paul was quite discerning. When it came to selecting the correct investments, Paul was quite discerning.

4. 3. Disdain (n.) A feeling of contempt for anything that is regarded as unworthy; scorn. A feeling of contempt for anything that is regarded as unworthy; scorn. Having nothing but disdain for his rival, Joseph found it easy to deprecate the man’s ability. Having nothing but disdain for his rival, Joseph found it easy to deprecate the man’s ability.

5. 4. Dismantle (v.) To pull down; to take apart. To pull down; to take apart. Exterminators practically had to dismantle the chimney before cajoling the raccoon into leaving. Exterminators practically had to dismantle the chimney before cajoling the raccoon into leaving.

6. 5. Disparage (v.) To discredit; to belittle To discredit; to belittle In bizarre fashion, Norma went out of her way to disparage everything her sister did. In bizarre fashion, Norma went out of her way to disparage everything her sister did.

7. 6. Disparity (n.) Lack of equality; difference Lack of equality; difference Birth certificates corroborated the wide disparity in the couple’s ages. Birth certificates corroborated the wide disparity in the couple’s ages.

8. 7. Disperse (v.) To send off in different directions. To send off in different directions. I waited for the reporters to disperse, then approached the senator with complete composure. I waited for the reporters to disperse, then approached the senator with complete composure.

9. 8. Disposition (n.) Nature; tendency Nature; tendency The melancholy foreman has disdain for any worker with a cheery disposition. The melancholy foreman has disdain for any worker with a cheery disposition.

10. 9. Dissipated (adj.) Indulging excessively in sensual pleasures. Indulging excessively in sensual pleasures. The legislator was disparaged in the press after the news of his dissipated lifestyle leaked out. The legislator was disparaged in the press after the news of his dissipated lifestyle leaked out.

11. 10. Distraught (adj.) In a state of mental conflict and confusion; distracted In a state of mental conflict and confusion; distracted Ophelia’s distraught brother flung himself into her grave and uttered a bombastic challenge to Hamlet. Ophelia’s distraught brother flung himself into her grave and uttered a bombastic challenge to Hamlet.