probity

noun: integrity, strong moral principles

The ideal politician would have the probity to lead, but reality gravely falls short of the ideal of morally upright leaders.

hagiographic

adjective: excessively flattering toward someone's life or work

Most accounts of Tiger Woods's life were hagiographic, until, that is, his affairs made headlines.

impute

verb: attribute (responsibility or fault) to something

He imputed his subpar performance on the test to a combination of stress and poor sleep.

litany

noun: any long and tedious account of something

Mr. Rogers spoke to a Senate committee and did not give a litany of reasons to keep funding the program, but instead, appealed to the basic human decency of all present.

moribund

adjective: being on the point of death; declining rapidly losing all momentum in progress

Whether you like it or not, jazz as a genre is moribund at best, possibly already dead.

maunder

verb: wander aimlessly

Max liked to maunder down by the seaside and pick up whatever sea shells he would stumble upon.

verb: speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly

After drinking two espressos each, the animated couple would maunder loudly, annoying the other patrons in the coffee shop.

epiphany

noun: a sudden revelation or moment of insight

Gary one day had an epiphany that he was a people person; he promptly quit his factory job and began working as a salesman.

grandiloquent

adjective: puffed up with vanity

The dictator was known for his grandiloquent speeches, puffing his chest out and using big, important-sounding words.

sinecure

noun: an office that involves minimal duties

The position of Research Director is a sinecure: the job entails almost no responsibilities, nor does the person in that position have to answer to anyone.

unforthcoming

adjective: uncooperative, not willing to give up information

The teacher demanded to know who broke the window while he was out of the room, but the students understandably were unforthcoming.