Since I don't like people who play favorites in the office, I have frequently _____ against such behavior with my superiors.

Various insects have a marvelous capacity to protect themselves by _____ the appearance of twigs and other objects in their environment.

In the question-and-answer session, we tried to _____ from the candidates some definite indication of how they proposed to reduce the national debt.

I feel that, as an old friend, I have the _____ of criticizing your actions without arousing resentment.

It will be hard to win a congressional seat if you do not have a ________ of people standing behind you.

Although we tried to express our sympathy, we knew that mere words could do nothing to _____ her grief.

Their tastes have been so _____ by luxurious living that they seem incapable of enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

Of course you have a right to ask the waiter for a glass of water, but is there any need to use the _____ tone of a spoiled child?

His confidence grew as he received clear signs of the _____ of his superiors.

During the brief _____ in the music, someone's ringing cell phone split the air.

I take no _____ at your personal remarks, but I feel you would have been better advised not to make them.

The midnight fire in our apartment building cast a _____, unearthly light on the faces of the firefighters struggling to put it out.

The issue of good faith that your conduct raises far _____ the specific question of whether or not you are responsible for the problem.

If you cannot meet the college's entrance requirements, it will be futile to have someone _____ on your behalf.

If you take pride in expressing yourself with force and originality, you should not use so many _____ phrases.

Because I grew up in an orphanage run by nuns, I have a very _____ outlook on life and tend to prefer the simple things.

The manager expressed her unfavorable opinion of the job applicant by _____ rather than by direct statement.

Uninfluenced by the _______ of modern times, the nuns of that order continue to follow their religious commandments to the letter.

Forever humbling himself and flattering others, Dickens' Uriah Heep is famously _____.