1.

staunch

Actors playing President Kennedy often struggle with his staunch Boston accent.

A staunch believer in free markets, the senator fought any legislation introducing federal subsidies to special groups.

He was the proverbial "stuffed shirt," and his staunchness made it difficult for him to make small talk at social events.

2.

avid

My roommate is so avid about classical music she complains whenever I play it.

A couple of beers make him avid and unable to concentrate.

He claimed to be an avid reader but could not remember when he read his last book.

3.

credulous

My all-too credulous grandmother believes every tall tale I tell her.

The witness was able to back up every statement with facts and came across as a completely credulous person.

Parachuting is not for the credulous who get dizzy just when they stand on a high stepladder.

4.

proficient

Cramming is a proficient way to prepare for an exam.

His proficient sense of humor made the talk-show host an audience favorite.

It takes lots of practice to become proficient at playing soccer.

5.

morose

The morose are always the life of the party.

The obvious moroseness of the tour guide instilled confidence in his charges from the start.

Each failure makes my cousin more morose.

6.

pretentious

The guest's pretentious manner endeared him greatly to his hosts.

My friend's pretentiousness got worse after her return from France because she now peppers her speech with French words and phrases.

Given the wealth of the family, I was surprised how pretentious their house was; I had expected a much grander mansion.

7.

staid

Her dress was a little too staid for my taste and made her look much older than she was.

A staid supporter of the death penalty will regret the current debate on its merits.

After a long day of working in the fields, he was so staid that he fell asleep as soon as he hit the sheets.

8.

pious

He was so pious that he never went to the gym without a bottle of water.

Although pious herself, she showed great tolerance when she met nonbelievers.

Church attendance is up, which goes to show that piety is in serious decline these days.

9.

reticent

He was such a reticent liar that he didn't tell the truth even if it would have helped him.

I did not expect my usually reticent brother to become so shy when he met the woman of his dreams.

My usually talkative friend became reticent when I brought up the subject of his girlfriend.

10.

convivial

The Supreme Court ruled that sex between convivial adults cannot be prosecuted.

The convivial negotiator was able to gain the trust of each party involved in the talks.

News of the break-in made the store owner convivial with anger.