Refractory- Rejecting authority

Assiduous- Diligent

Dejected- Depressed 

Indifferent- Apathetic; not caring one way or the other

Conservation- Saving; not squandering or wasting a resource

Husbandry- Cultivation of agriculture or Careful use of a resource

Improvisation- Making it up as you go along

Partisanship- Sticking to one side (political)

Gruff- Rough in speech or manner

Efface- To eliminate or wear away the surface [Self effacing means to reject flattery from other people]

Unblemished- Not tarnished

Ornery- Irritable

Vexing- Perplexing, hard to understand

Convivial- Festive, fond of partying

Debilitate- To become weaker/to make weaker

Congeal- To change state from liquid to solid

Euphony- Sweet sounding (opposite of cacophony!)

Rant- A prolonged, bossy speech

Saccharine- Relating to sweetness or sugar