Given to or marked by deliberate deceptiveness in behavior or speech. “They warned him not to trust the duplicitous telemarketer.”

Expressing contempt or ridicule; mocking or scornful. “A derisive laugh.”

Remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree. “Her prodigious sales performance resulted in a promotion.”

Stubborn, often defiant of authority; difficult to manage or control. “After months of recalcitrant behavior, the employee was terminated.”

Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected. “The marketing department could not explain the anomalous sales performance.”

1. Quarrelsome or combative in nature; belligerent. 2. Expressing an argument or opinion very forcefully. “Rather than maintaining a calm demeanor, his boss was quite pugnacious.”

Of or relating to the pleasant aspects of country life. “He retired to a more bucolic life on his farm.”

To appease or pacify; make (someone) less angry or hostile. “The customer service representative tried to placate the dissatisfied customer.”

Not conforming to type; unusual or irregular. Deviating from what is usual or common or to be expected; often somewhat odd or strange. “The strong sales were atypical of the normally weak market.”

Being or seeming to be everywhere, or in all places, at the same time; omnipresent. “Ubiquitous cell phones.”