convoluted

intricate; complex

The directions were so convoluted that we drove all around the city and got lost.

cryptic

difficult to comprehend

The writing on the walls of the crypt was cryptic; none of the scientists understood it.

futile

having no useful purpose; pointless

It is futile to try to explain the difference between right and wrong to your pet.

impede

to slow the progress of

The retreating army constructed barbed-wire fences and destroyed bridges to impede the advance of the enemy.

obscure

(adj.) relatively unknown

Scott constantly makes references to obscure cult films, and no one ever gets his jokes.

obscure

(v.) to conceal or make indistinct

The man in front of me was so tall that his head obscured my view of the movie.

quandary

a state of uncertainty or perplexity

Ann was in a quandary because she had no soap with which to do her laundry.

indolent

lazy

Mr. Lan said his students were indolent because they had not done their homework.

insipid

uninteresting; unchallenging

That insipid movie was so boring and predictable.

listless

lacking energy

Since he is accustomed to an active lifestyle, Mark feels listless when he has nothing to do.

torpor

laziness; inactivity; dullness

The hot and humid day filled everyone with an activity-halting torpor.

alienated

removed or disassociated from (friends, family, or homeland)

Rudolf felt alienated from the other reindeer because they never let him join in their reindeer games.

alliance

a union of two or more groups

The two countries formed an alliance to stand against their common enemy.

disparity

inequality in age, rank, or degree; difference

There is a great disparity between rich and poor in many nations.

servile

submissive; like a servant

Cameron’s servile behavior finally ended when he decided to stand up to his older brother.

suppressed

subdued; kept from being circulated

The author’s book was suppressed because the dictator thought it was too critical of the regime.