FEH-ter
He was fettered by doubt, unable to move forward with his decision.
Fun Fact
Originally referring to literal chains, “fetter” has evolved to describe emotional, mental, or societal restraints—like fear, obligation, or prejudice. The word often appears in political or poetic writing as a symbol of what holds people back from freedom or progress.
glib
(adjective) Fluent and confident in speech, but shallow, insincere, or lacking thought.
His glib explanation sounded convincing, but it crumbled under basic questioning.
Mid 17th century: probably from Low German glibberig, meaning “slippery.”
Fun Fact
Glib is often used to describe people who are too quick with their words—especially when it feels rehearsed, dismissive, or disingenuous. Think of sales pitches that sound slick but empty, or politicians who talk around the truth with practiced ease. It’s not a compliment—glibness suggests style over substance, and the listener often walks away feeling talked at, not to.