As adjectives the difference between dreary and depressing

is that dreary is grievous, dire; appalling while depressing is causing depression or sadness.

As a verb depressing is

present participle of lang=en.

Excruciating is a related term of hateful.

As adjectives the difference between excruciating and hateful

is that excruciating is causing great pain or anguish, agonizing while hateful is evoking a feeling of hatred.

As adjectives the difference between esoteric and confidential

is that esoteric is intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle while confidential is (meant to be) kept secret within a certain circle of persons; not intended to be known publicly.

As adjectives the difference between ghastly and loathsome

is that ghastly is like a ghost in appearance; deathlike; pale; pallid; dismal while loathsome is highly offensive; sickening, abominable.

As an adverb ghastly

is in a ghastly manner.

As nouns the difference between scion and line

is that scion is a descendant, especially a first-generation descendant while line is a path through two or more points (compare ‘segment’); a continuous mark, including as made by a pen; any path, curved or straight.

As a verb line is

to place (objects) into a line (usually used with "up"); to form into a line; to align.

Imitation is a related term of mimeograph.

As nouns the difference between imitation and mimeograph

is that imitation is imitation while mimeograph is an invention of thomas a edison, a machine for making printed copies, using typed stencil, ubiquitous until the 1990s when photocopying became competitive (if not cheaper), and considerably easier to use.

As a verb mimeograph is

to make mimeograph copies.

Unflagging is a related term of earnest.

As an adjective unflagging

is never tiring or lacking energy; without rest; without slowing.

As a proper noun earnest is

, an occasional spelling variant of ernest.

Gale is a synonym of tumult.

As nouns the difference between gale and tumult

is that gale is (label) (ship propelled primarily by oars) while tumult is tumult, ruckus, row.

Engagement is a related term of betrothing.

As a noun engagement

is engagement.

As a verb betrothing is

.

As nouns the difference between apology and pretext

is that apology is an expression of remorse or regret for having said or done something that harmed another: an instance of apologizing (saying that one is sorry) while pretext is a false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.

As a verb pretext is

to employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.