Disobliging

Disobliging (dis-uh-blahyj-ing) adj. - (of a person) inconvenient, rude, unaccommodating

To be used in place of "inconsiderate," "bad-mannered," etc.

The guests were well-behaved with the exception of one disobliging newcomer. 

Antediluvian

Antediluvian (an-tee-di-loo-vee-uhn) adj. - very old

Literally belonging to a time before the Flood ('diluvian' is Latin for 'deluge').  To be used in place of "ancient," "antique," "antiquated," "very old," etc.

The professors wore tweed and taught from antediluvian leather-bound books that smelled musty. 

Fabulist

Fabulist (fab-yuh-list) n. - a liar

Literally a person who invents fables.  To be used in place of "liar," "fabricator," etc.

His campaign painted him as an honest man, but in reality he was a fabulist and a fanatic. 

Garish

Garish (gair-ish) adj. - showy

To be used in place of "showy," "flamboyant," etc.  

She thought the shirt drab and the shoes garish.  
Elton John is a hero to my father but a garish hack to my mother.  
 

Sundry

Sundry (suhn-dree) adj. - various; diverse

To be used in place of "various," "all sorts of," etc.  The plural "sundries" is used in stores to indicate miscellaneous items.  

Sundry races and creeds were represented at the convention.  
The treaty addressed sundry trade interests.

Smattering

Smattering (smat-er-ing) n. - a superficial knowledge of something; a small amount

To be used in place of "bit," "tiny bit," "little bit," "a little," etc.  Also consider "modicum" (This apology had only a modicum of genuine goodwill). 

Spanish 101 only gave him a smattering of the language, which wasn't useful abroad. 
Though partisan zeal was at its height, only a smattering of politicians proposed real action.  

Bespeak

Bespeak (bih-speek) v. - suggest; be evidence of

To be used in place of "suggestive of," "indicative of," and the overworked "symbolizes."  Also consider "betoken" and "betray" (her manners betrayed a reluctance to cooperate).

Their parted hair and Harvard sweatshirts bespoke a Kennedy pedigree.
He shrinks from pain or labor in any of its shapes. His very attitude bespeaks this. - Thomas Carlyle on Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Anatomize

Anatomize (uh-nat-uh-mahyz) v. - to examine in great detail

To be used in place of (and for greater emphasis), "probe," "scrutinize,"  "examine," "pick apart," etc.

The jury anatomized the heap of evidence before them.   
Then let them anatomize Regan; see what breeds / about her heart. - King Lear

Augur

Augur (aw-ger) v. - to predict or divine; bode

To be used in place of "bode," "signify," "foreshadow," etc., often with "well" or "ill," e.g.:

I think this speech augurs well for his political prospects.
The news augurs ill for any sustained relationship between the two.   

Patina

Patina (pat-n-uh) n. - an impression or appearance of something; a gloss

Literally the green coating that appears on oxidized bronze.  To be used in place of "guise," "disguise," "pretense," "facade," etc.   

He never failed to show a patina of refinement when arriving at a party.  
Their views would not have been permitted had they not carried a patina of reason.  

Nettle

Nettle (net-l) v. - to irritate; provoke

To be used in place of "annoy."

The CEO was nettled by this abrupt interruption. 
The rise in gas prices won't provoke a revolution, but they'll certainly nettle the average American.

Limpid

Limpid (lim-pid) adj. - clear; cogent; plain

To be used along with "lucid" (and in place of "transparent," and "simple") to describe someone's writing, thought process, etc. 

Her prose is accessible and limpid.  
Though my body was weary my mind was limpid.

Drubbing

Drubbing (druhb-ing) n. - a sound beating; a thorough defeat

To be used in place of "beating" (n.) and other bland alternatives.  Before: The President was crushed in the first debate.  After: The President took a drubbing in the first debate.


I hope we shall give them a thorough drubbing this summer, and then change our tomahawk into a golden chain of friendship. - Thomas Jefferson

Actuate

Actuate (ak-choo-eyt) v. - to move to action; impel; motivate

To be used in place of "incite," "impel," "kindle," "foment," etc.  "Actuate" sounds very similar to the more common "motivate."  Since the two words also have similar meanings, the use of "actuate" won't bewilder the virgin ear. 

The firemen, hitherto idly chatting, were actuated by the alarm.  
Only a crisis would actuate this gridlocked Congress.