oppressive
harsh, crushing, overpowering
inscrutable
impossible to understand or interpret
vicissitudes
a (typically unwelcome) change of circumstances
furtive
secretive
tacit
understood without being stated
blatant
very obvious
implications
conclusions that can be drawn without being stated
malevolently
in a manner showing vicious ill will or hatred
speculation
the forming of a theory without firm evidence
ineffectual
powerless