21. connive
(v.) to plot, scheme (She connived to get me to give up my plans to start up a new business.)
22. cumulative
(adj.) increasing, building upon itself (The cumulative effect of hours spent using the World English website was a vast improvement in his vocabulary and general level of English.)
23. debase
(v.) to lower the quality or esteem of something (The large raise that he gave himself debased his motives for running the charity.)
24. decry
(v.) to criticize openly (Andrzej Lepper, the leader of the Polish Self Defence party decried the appaling state of Polish roads.)
25. deferential
(adj.) showing respect for another’s authority (Donata is always excessively deferential to any kind of authority figure.)
26. demure
(adj.) quiet, modest, reserved (Though everyone else at the party was dancing and going crazy, she remained demure.)
27. deride
(v.) to laugh at mockingly, scorn (The native speaker often derided the other teacher’s accent.)
28. despot
(n.) one who has total power and rules brutally (The despot issued a death sentence for anyone who disobeyed his laws.)
29. diligent
(adj.) showing care in doing one’s work (The diligent researcher made sure to double check her measurements.)
30. elated
(adj.) overjoyed, thrilled (When he found out he had won the lottery, the postman was elated.)
