Persist

To continue stubbornly

When the child again asked to go the movies, his mom said, "Must you persist in trying to convince me!"

Direct and without emotion;

matter of fact

"He wanted to understand what happened in Vietnam, but instead they gave him a dry history of the war."

To get stuck; break down; stumble

"His words ran until he foundered, until he could say no more."

Having no power to move or act;

lifeless

"...his hands ...were folded, inert on the table."

A rock is an inert object.

Something sung or spoken in a rhythmic monotone

" 'You cannot know this, his father repeated.' It was almost a chant."

Disturbance

The loud talking in the theater really caused a commotion.

Doubtful, Cautious, Wary

Terry became suspicious when everyone began moving toward the hardware store.