abate
(of something unpleasant or severe) become less intense or widespread.
abjure
solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim).
anomalous
deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.
antipathy
a deep-seated feeling of aversion.
arcane
understood by few; mysterious or secret.
arduous
involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
artless
without effort or pretentiousness; natural and simple.
ascetic
characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.
assuage
make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense.
betray
1. unintentionally reveal; be evidence of.
2. expose (one's country, a group, or a person) to danger by treacherously giving information to an enemy.
bucolic
relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
burgeon
begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.
cacophonous
involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
canonize
1. place in or regard as belonging to a canon of literary or artistic works.
2. (in the Roman Catholic Church) officially declare (a dead person) to be a saint.
censure
express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement.
chicanery
the use of deception or subterfuge to achieve one's purpose.
coalesce
come together to form one mass or whole.
cogent
(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing.
compelling
evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.
contend
1. compete with others in a struggle to achieve (something).
2. assert something as a position in an argument.
copious
abundant in supply or quantity.
cosmopolitan
1. including people from many different countries.
2. (of a plant or animal) found all over the world.
deference
polite submission and respect.
desultory
lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm.
diffident
modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.
dilatory
1. slow to act.
2. intended to cause delay.
equivocate
use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.
polarize
divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.
prodigal
1. spending money or using resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.
2. having or giving something on a lavish scale.
verbose
using or expressed in more words than are needed.