arrogate
to claim without right
banal
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
coherent
capable of thinking and expressing yourself in a clear and consistent manner
emulate
strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
encomium
a formal expression of praise
germane
relevant and appropriate
intransigent
refusing to compromise
reconnaissance
survey made for military purposes; any kind of preliminary inspection or examination
substantiate
to establish by evidence, prove; to give concrete or substantial form to
temporize
draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time
acquisitive
eager to acquire and possess things, especially material possessions or ideas; able to retain info
belabor
to work at or to absurd length
carping
tending to find fault, especially in a petty, nasty, or hairsplitting way
congeal
to change from liquid to solid, thicken; to make inflexible or rigid
eschew
to shun/avoid
insatiable
so great or demanding as not to be satisfied
invidious
offensive, hateful; tending to cause bitterness or resentment
largesse
generosity in giving; lavish or bountiful contributions
taciturn
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
tenable
capable of being held or defended