sycophant: people pleaser
pernicious: harmful
ubiquitous: everywhere
non sequitur: random statement
diatribe: rant
slipshod: sloppy
nefarious: evil
precursor: earlier version
impregnable: unbreakable
demure: shy
jingoistic: overly patriotic
implacable: hard to please
affinity: natural liking
harangue: lecture
bemoan: complain
misogynist: woman-hater
abhor: hate
placid: calm
facetious: joking
contrite: sorry
erudite: smart
anomaly: exception
noxious: poisonous
bilk: cheat
replete: full
blasphemy: religious disrespect
absolution: forgiveness
cantankerous: bad-tempered
deride: mock
debacle: disaster
temerity: nerve
ennui: boredom
abstain: avoid
haughty: snobby
tenacious: determined
acquiesce: agree
lampoon: make fun of
curmudgeon: grumpy person
gregarious: outgoing
augment: add
insidious: sneaky
engender: cause
nuance: slight difference
covert: secret
renown: fame
tangent: digression
kismet: fate
exonerate: clear
altruism: selfless help
myopic: narrow view
galvanize: inspire
gauche: awkward
zenith: peak
futile: useless
ruminate: think
acrimony: harsh feelings
solace: comfort
insipid: boring
pedestrian: ordinary
visceral: gut feeling
inept: clumsy
mitigate: ease
vacillate: waver
incendiary: fire-starting (can mean literal or causing conflict)
depravity: moral evil