To meander is to follow a winding or intricate course—that is, one with a lot of turns and curves—or to walk slowly without a specific goal, purpose, or direction.

// We spent the afternoon meandering around the seaside town.

// The river meanders through the canyon.

Immutable is a formal adjective used to describe something that is unable to be changed.

// It is hardly an immutable fact that cats and dogs are sworn enemies; over the years our golden retriever has grown both fond and protective of her tabby housemate.

Calculus refers to an advanced branch of mathematics that deals mostly with rates of change and with finding lengths, areas, and volumes. The word can also be used more broadly for the act of calculating—that is, estimating something by using practical judgment, or solving or probing the meaning of something.

// By my calculus the more efficient air conditioner will have paid for itself within a span of five years.

Ramshackle describes things that are in a very bad condition and need to be repaired, or that are carelessly or loosely constructed.

// Toward the back of the property stood a ramshackle old shed.

// The book had a ramshackle plot that was confusing and unbelievable.

To stipulate is to demand or require something as part of an agreement.

// The rules stipulate that players must wear uniforms.

A behemoth is something of monstrous size, power, or appearance. Behemoth (usually capitalized) is also the name of a mighty animal described in the biblical book of Job.

// The town will be voting on whether or not to let the retail behemoth build a store on the proposed site.

Winsome describes people and things that are cheerful, pleasant, and appealing.

// Though a relative newcomer to acting, Maya won the casting directors over with her winsome charm, which was perfect for the role of the plucky young superhero.

// Our winsome guide put us at ease immediately.

To adjudicate a dispute between two parties is to make an official decision about which party is right; to adjudicate a case or claim is to settle it judicially. Adjudicate is also used to mean “to act as judge.”

// The case will be adjudicated in the state courts.

// The property title cannot be transferred until a case concerning the affected rights of way is adjudicated.

Contentious describes something that is likely to cause people to argue or disagree or that involves a lot of arguing. When used of a person, contentious describes someone likely or willing to argue.

// I think it’s wise to avoid such a contentious topic at a dinner party.

// After a contentious debate, members of the committee finally voted to approve the funding.

// The dispute involves one of the region’s most contentious leaders.

A tapestry is a heavy textile characterized by complicated pictorial designs and used for hangings, curtains, and upholstery. In figurative use, tapestry may refer to anything made up of different things, people, colors, etc.

// The walls were adorned with handwoven tapestries.

// They enjoyed the rich tapestry of life in the city.

Palimpsest in its original use refers to writing material (such as a parchment manuscript) used one or more times after earlier writing has been erased; the underlying text is said to be “in palimpsest.” Palimpsest in extended use refers to something that has usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface.

// Scholars believe the motive for making palimpsests was often economic—reusing parchment was cheaper than preparing a new skin.

// The ancient city is an architectural palimpsest.

To dissociate is to separate oneself from association or union with someone or something; in contexts relating to psychology, it has to do specifically with mentally detaching from one's physical or emotional experiences. In chemistry, dissociate means "to separate a chemical compound into its constituent parts especially through the application of heat or a solvent."

// The director has tried to dissociate herself from her earlier films.

A doppelgänger is someone who looks very much like another person. In literary use, doppelgänger refers to a ghost that closely resembles a living person.

// I saw your doppelgänger at the movies yesterday and almost waved hello before I realized they weren’t you.

// In one of the creepiest parts of the story, the main character is haunted by a doppelgänger.

Brouhaha is a synonym of both uproar and hubbub that refers to great excitement or concern about something.

// A brouhaha erupted over the bill, even though the opposing party stood to gain just as much from its passage.

A panacea is something that is regarded as a cure-all—that is, something that will make everything about a situation better.

// The new program should help with the city’s housing crisis, but it’s no panacea.

When you jettison something, you get rid of it either because it is not needed or because it is impeding your progress or otherwise weighing you down.

// Now that the purchase of the building has been finalized, we'll revamp what we want to keep and jettison the rest.

// The approach of the storm forced them to jettison their vacation plans.

Hubris is a formal and literary word that refers to a great or foolish amount of pride or confidence.

// The project's failure was predictable, given the inexperience and unbridled hubris of those leading the effort.

To devise is to invent or plan something that is difficult or complicated in some way.

// The siblings devised a plan to clean the house from top to bottom with hopes of getting their parents to let them go to the concert.

Fugitive refers to a person who runs away to avoid being captured or arrested.

// The FBI regularly updates and circulates its list of most wanted fugitives, and asks communities where they might be seen to be careful and on the lookout.

Abject usually describes things that are extremely bad or severe. It can also describe something that feels or shows shame, or someone lacking courage or strength.

// Happily, their attempts to derail the project ended in abject failure.

// The defendants were contrite, offering abject apologies for their roles in the scandal that cost so many their life savings.

// The author chose to cast all but the hero of the book as abject cowards.

Contrite is a formal adjective used to describe someone who feels regret for their bad behavior, or something, such as an apology, that shows such regret.

// Although the mayor appeared contrite about the most recent scandal plaguing city hall, many constituents remained unpersuaded.

Impunity, usually used in the phrase "with impunity," refers to exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss.

// They mistakenly believe that they can break the camp's rules with impunity.

To rescind something, such as a law, contract, agreement, etc., is to end it officially. Rescind can also mean “to take back; to cancel.”

// Given the appeal court’s recent decision, it is likely that the law will be rescinded.

// The company later rescinded its offer.

Boffo is an informal word that describes things that are extremely good or successful.

// The most recent film in the long-running franchise has done boffo business at the box office, a testament to the series’ enduring popularity.

A simulacrum is a superficial likeness of something, usually as an imitation, copy, or representation. The plural of simulacrum is either simulacrums or simulacra.

// The surprise still succeeded, thanks to the simulacrum of confusion expressed by two guests when they were spotted before the big moment.

To procrastinate is to be slow or late about doing something that should be done, or about doing or attending to things in general.

// Tickets to the event are selling swiftly, so don't procrastinate—buy yours today.

// Not one to procrastinate, Harry set to work on the project immediately.

Antic refers to an attention-drawing, often wildly playful or funny act or action. It is usually used in its plural form, and is often used disapprovingly.

// It wasn't clear which students were ultimately responsible for the antics that unfolded in the cafeteria that day.

A cantankerous person is often angry and annoyed, and a cantankerous animal or thing is difficult or irritating to deal with.

// Although the former postman was regarded by some townspeople as a scowling, cantankerous old coot, he was beloved by neighborhood children, to whom he would regularly hand out butterscotch candies from his front stoop with a twinkle in his eye.

Yankee can refer broadly to anyone born or living in the U.S., more narrowly to only those in the northern U.S., or even more narrowly to only those in the states of New England.

The broadest use is especially common outside the U.S.

// It took the children some time to adjust to being the only Southerners in a classroom full of Yankees.

// After years of international travel, he'd grown accustomed to living as a Yankee abroad.

Desultory is a formal word used to describe something that lacks a plan or purpose, or that occurs without regularity. It can also describe something unconnected to a main subject, or something that is disappointing in progress, performance, or quality.

// After graduation, I moved from job to job in a more or less desultory manner before finding work I liked.

// The team failed to cohere over the course of the season, stumbling to a desultory fifth place finish.

Someone described as verbose tends to use many words to convey their point. Verbose can also describe something, such as a speech, that contains more words than necessary.

// The article documenting their meeting presented an odd exchange between a verbose questioner and a laconic interviewee.

To expunge something is to remove it completely, whether by obliterating it, striking it out, or marking it for deletion. Expunge is most commonly applied in cases in which documentation of something is removed from an official record.

// Due to an error, the charges were expunged from their record.

To expunge something is to remove it completely, whether by obliterating it, striking it out, or marking it for deletion. Expunge is most commonly applied in cases in which documentation of something is removed from an official record.

// Due to an error, the charges were expunged from their record.

Restive can describe a person or group feeling impatience or uneasiness, or it can describe someone who is stubbornly resistant to control.

// The audience grew increasingly restive as the speaker droned on and on.

// The school's focus on artistic expression helps restive youths stay engaged in their learning.

Sumptuous is used to describe things that are very expensive, rich, luxurious, or magnificent.

// The celebratory meal was a sumptuous feast of dishes from our host’s homeland.

Flotsam refers to the floating pieces that remain after a shipwreck, or more broadly to any floating debris or wreckage. It is also used figuratively to refer to miscellaneous or unimportant material, often in the phrase "flotsam and jetsam."

// Driftwood and other flotsam washed onto the beach.

// Their apartment was adorned with the flotsam and jetsam of thrift stores and yard sales.

Noisome is a formal and literary word used to describe things that are very unpleasant or disgusting; it is used especially to describe offensive smells. Noisome can also mean “highly obnoxious or objectionable” as in “we were put off by their noisome habits.”

// The noisome odor of a trash can in the alley was so strong that even diners seated inside the adjacent restaurant complained to staff.

Wherewithal refers to the means, skills, resources, or money that is needed to get or do something.

// The company does not have the financial wherewithal to expand into other markets at this time.

If you are bemused by something, you are confused or bewildered by it, and often also somewhat amused.

// The contestant seemed somewhat bemused by the question, but gave the correct answer.

Convivial means "relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company."

// A convivial atmosphere filled the gallery, with good food in abundance, and wine and conversation both flowing freely.

// The guests' convivial chatter filled the hall.

Emancipation refers to the act of freeing someone from the restraint, control, or power of another. It is used especially for the act of freeing someone from slavery.

// Jomo Kenyatta played a key role in the emancipation of Kenya from European rule in the 1960s and became the first president of the newly independent nation.