I hate this

abrasive

irritating

adage

wise saying, proverb

alleviate

to make less hard to bear

analogy

reasoning based on similarity

apprehensive

fearful, expecting harm

ascetic

practicing severe self-denial

autonomy

independence

burnish

make brilliant/shining

callow

immature

champion

to act as a militant supporter of/defend

circumvent

to get around or evade

cognizant

aware

commemorate

to recognize the memory

concede

to grant or yield

crafty

sly, clever

cryptic

having secret meaning

deplore

to express regret for

deter

to discourage or prevent

digression

departure from subject

discern

to perceive and comprehend