Murmurs of fear and consternation alike arose from the gallery and the back of the hall.

consternation most likely means...

The sea fisheries w ere defunct several years ago; the few fish they have now are from fish farms, and taste muddy.

defunct most likely means...

The street was as black, as threatening, as enigmatic as before.

enigmatic most likely means...

Max Rupert wasn’t some feckless slacker, adrift and confused, racked by existential despair.

feckless most likely means...

The country was mutinous; the factory workers galled; inflation ran amok.

amok most likely means...

I looked up into his eyes, became befuddled, and, as usual, blurted out the truth.

Twilight

befuddled most likely means...

• “I’m surprised! A well-behaved girl like you. What would your mother say if she knew you had been impertinent to your teacher?”

  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Impertinent most likely means...

If you're scrupulous, you probably pay your friends back right away when they loan you money and never try to return clothing you've already worn.

scrupulous most likely means...

• Our parents are dubious as they listen, their mouths tighten: it could be that we are losing.

  Cat's Eye

• dubious most likely means...