1. Given or granted without return or recompense; unearned. 2. Unnecessary or unwarranted; unjustified: A gratuitous remark.

Self-confident assurance, skill, and poise – especially in difficult or challenging circumstances.

1. Worldly rather than spiritual. 2. Not specifically relating to religion or to a religious body. “A secular book.”

1. Direct contrast; opposition. 2. The direct or exact opposite. “Hope is the antithesis of despair.”

A phrase in which two words of contradictory meaning are used together for special effect, for example, “wise fool” or “to make haste slowly.”

Stubborn, extremely willful, obstinate. “He became quite pervicacious in his old age.”

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region. An idiomatic word, phrase, or expression. The idiom of a particular trade or profession: “In the legal vernacular.”

 Additional items of dress or equipment, carried or worn by a person or used for a particular activity. The General dressed for battle in shining accoutrements.”

A typical example or pattern of something; a model. “The economic paradigm was flawed.”

the protection granted by a state to someone who has left their home country as a political refugee

the quality or state of being ravenous or insatiable

Vexatious adj. 1. Full of annoyance or distress; harassed. 2. Causing or creating vexation; annoying. “Her ex-husband put her in a vexatioussituation.”

Assiduous adj. 1. Constant in application or attention; diligent: “An assiduous worker who strove for perfection.” 2. Unceasing; persistent: “Assiduous cancer research.”

Expensive, ostentatious clothing and jewelry.

Guile n. Treacherous cunning; skillful deceit. Particular skill and cleverness in tricking or deceiving people. “Considerable guile was involved in the transaction.”

Intrepid adj. 1. Resolutely courageous; fearless. Persistent in the pursuit of something. “A team of intrepid explorers.”

Acrimonious adj. 1. Bitter and sharp in language or tone; rancorous: “An acrimonious debate between the two candidates.”

 Modest and reserved in manner or behavior. “Despite her demure appearance, she is an accomplished mountain climber.”

 Creating dissension or discord; Causing disagreement or hostility within a group so that it is likely to split. “Divisive politics.”

Pervasive adj. Having the quality or tendency to pervade or permeate. “The pervasive odor of garlic.”

1. Charitable: performing good or charitable acts and not seeking to make a profit.
2. Characterized by or suggestive of doing good; showing kindness or goodwill.

Garish adj. 1. Marked by strident color or excessive ornamentation; gaudy. 2. Loud and flashy. “Garish makeup.”

In a way that causes great damage.

Systemic adj. Relating to or common to a system. A problem, risk, or change that is a basic one, experienced by the whole of a system or organization and not just particular parts of it. “The systemic risks of the 

 Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance. 2. A strong belief in a person’s own importance. “He was disciplined for his hubris.”

Precipitous adj. Done rashly: acting too quickly and without sufficient thought. “Excessive spending caused the precipitous demise of the company.”

1. The condition or state of being specific rather than general. “His input added a desirable note of specificity to the discussion.”

a rumbling noise heard occasionally in some parts of the world, probably caused by seismic activity.

Productive: Producing abundant works or results. “A prolific artist.” “A prolific writer.”

Cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident: “A sanguinedisposition;” “Sanguine expectations.”

1. Careless and irresponsible. “The kids were feckless during spring break.” 2. Lacking purpose or vitality; feeble or ineffective – unlikely to be successful. “It was a feckless attempt to make the company a success.”

1. Having no adverse effect; harmless. 2. Not likely to offend or provoke to strong emotion; insipid. “The innocuous looking e-mail actually contained a virus.”

 1. Independent in mind or judgment; self-directed. 2. Not controlled by others or by outside forces; independent: “The business divisions operate autonomously.”

1. Quick and changeable in temperament; volatile: “His mercurialtemperament made him difficult to work for.”

 Contemptuous in speech or behavior. 2. Unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; rude. “She was fired over her petulant attitude to our customers.”

 A superabundance; an excessive amount or number: “Upon returning from the trip, she had a plethora of calls to make.”

1. Lasting for a markedly brief time: “The ephemeral nature of fashion trends.” 2. Living or lasting only for a day, as with certain plants or insects.

Constituting a very large, indefinite number; innumerable: “The myriadsnowflakes in the winter.”

1. Expressing rigid opinions; Prone to expressing strongly held beliefs and opinions. “A dogmatic speech.” 2. Asserting opinions in a doctrinaire or arrogant manner; opinionated.

Characterized by or subject to whim; impulsive and unpredictable. “He’s such a capricious boss I never know how he’ll react.”

1. Seeking and enjoying the company of others; sociable. “She is a gregarious, outgoing person.”

1. Instinctual: proceeding from instinct rather than from reasoned thinking or intellect. “A visceral business decision.” 2. Emotional: characterized by or showing crude or elemental emotions.

Marked by success; prosperous. Suggesting a positive and successful future. “An auspicious time to purchase the stock.”

Deeply, often wistfully or dreamily thoughtful. Expressive of melancholy thoughtfulness. “She was feeling pensive after seeing an old boyfriend.”

 1. Having the ring of truth or plausibility but actually fallacious. “A specious argument.” 2. Deceptively attractive.

1. Idealistic without regard to practicality; impractical. 2. Impulsive: tending to act on whims or impulses. “It was clearly a quixotic case against the defendant.”

1. Skeptical; disbelieving. “Most people are incredulous of stories about flying saucers.” 2. Expressive of disbelief. “An incredulous stare.”

Extremely unpleasant; repulsive. Deserving of hatred or repugnance. “The detective said it was the most odious crime she had ever seen.”

Sharp or biting, as in character or expression. “The director occasionally allowed an acerbic tone to an otherwise subtle dialogue.”

1. Difficult to understand; abstruse. 2. Not publicly disclosed; confidential. 3. Of rare, special, or unusual interest. “Her software’s success was based on an esoteric programming language.”