Meaning
Usage

intimidating, causing one to lose courage 

Example: He kept delaying the daunting act of asking for a promotion.

a disastrous failure, disruption 

Example: The elaborately designed fireworks show turned into a debacle when the fireworks started firing in random directions.

to corrupt by means of sensual pleasures 

Example: An endless amount of good wine and cheese debauched the traveler.

socially proper, appropriate 

Example: The appreciative guest displayed decorous behavior toward his host.

to ruin or injure something’s appearance 

Example: The brothers used eggs and shaving cream to deface their neighbor’s mailbox.

to postpone something; to yield to another’s wisdom 

Example: Ron deferred to Diane, the expert on musical instruments, when he was asked about buying a piano.

to make unclean, impure 

Example: She defiled the calm of the religious building by playing her banjo.

"Defunct" - (adjective) 

no longer used or existing 

Example: They planned to turn the defunct schoolhouse into a community center.

harmful 

Example: She experienced the deleterious effects of running a marathon without stretching her muscles enough beforehand.

to describe, outline, shed light on 

Example: She neatly delineated her reasons for canceling the project’s funding.

a leader who appeals to a people’s prejudices 

Example: The demagogue strengthened his hold over his people by blaming immigrants for the lack of jobs.

to lower the status or stature of something 

Example: She refused to demean her secretary by making him order her lunch.

to belittle, diminish the opinion of 

Example: The company decided that its advertisements would no longer denigrate the company’s competitors.

to feel or express sorrow, disapproval 

Example: We all deplored the miserable working conditions in the factory.

to belittle, depreciate 

Example: Always over-modest, he deprecated his contribution to the local charity.

to laugh at mockingly, scorn 

Example: The bullies derided the foreign student’s accent.

to violate the sacredness of a thing or place 

Example: They feared that the construction of a golf course would desecrate the preserved wilderness.

deserted, dreary, lifeless 

Example: She found the desolate landscape quite a contrast to the hustle and bustle of the overcrowded city.

one who has total power and rules brutally 

Example: The despot issued a death sentence for anyone who disobeyed his laws.

to discourage, prevent from doing 

Example: Bob’s description of scary snakes couldn’t deter Marcia from traveling in the rainforests.