anything of immense size and power

To insinuate something (especially something bad or insulting) is to say it in a subtle or indirect way. Insinuate can also mean "to gradually make (oneself) a part of a group, a person's life, etc., often by behaving in a dishonest way."

// When the teacher questioned the students about their identical test answers, they knew she was insinuating that they had cheated.

// They have managed to insinuate themselves into the city's most influential social circles.

Behest can refer either to an authoritative order or an urgent prompting.

// The committee met again at the senator’s behest.

// At the behest of her friends, Marcie read the poem aloud.

To mollify someone is to make them less angry. Mollify can also mean "to reduce in intensity."

// The celebrity's statement was intended to mollify critics.

// Time mollified her anger.

Something described as trivial is of little worth or importance.

// Although her parents initially dismissed her love of pop music as a trivial matter, it became clear as she applied to colleges with strong popular music programs that much of her life was going to be dedicated to it.

Something described as trivial is of little worth or importance.

// Although her parents initially dismissed her love of pop music as a trivial matter, it became clear as she applied to colleges with strong popular music programs that much of her life was going to be dedicated to it.

Epitome means "a perfect example." It is usually used in the phrase "the epitome of," as in "the epitome of elegance."

// In his tailored suit and fashionable haircut, he was the very epitome of style.

Incisive means "impressively direct and decisive." It is generally applied to either something communicated in a way that is very clear and direct, or to a person who is able to explain difficult ideas clearly and confidently.

// The columnist is known for her incisive commentary on local politics.

Diminution is a formal word that refers to the act or process of becoming less.

// The company is committed to seeing that efforts to scale up production do not result in a diminution of quality.

Nebulous is a formal word used to describe something that is difficult to see, understand, or describe—in other words, something indistinct or vague.

// A lot of philosophical concepts can seem nebulous at first, but a good instructor can cut through the jargon and help students see how they apply to day-to-day life.

Undulant describes things that rise and fall in waves, or things that have a wavy form, outline, or surface.

// The exhibit featured a painting with beautiful green strokes that resembled undulant hills.

Something may be described as flagrant if it is conspicuously bad—that is, too bad to be ignored.

// In a flagrant violation of the family's code of ethics, someone finished the ice cream and left the empty container in the freezer.

To validate something is to show that it is real or correct. Validate can also mean “to state or show that something is legal or official,” “to put a mark on something to show that it has been checked and is official or accepted,” and “to show that someone’s feelings, opinions, etc., are fair and reasonable.”

// The company’s claims about its latest product are yet to be validated.

// You can get discounted parking by having your parking garage ticket validated at the museum's ticket desk.

// The decline in sales only validated our concerns about the menu changes.

Something described as salient is very important or noticeable.

// The assignment was to write down the most salient points made in the article.

// One salient feature of the band's music is the variety of different genres it incorporates into a singular sound.

A euphemism is a mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive.

// The HR department advises using the euphemism “let go” instead of saying that someone was fired.

Ostentatious describes someone or something that displays wealth, knowledge, power, etc., in a way that is meant to attract attention, admiration, or envy. Things that are ostentatious tend to stand out as overly elaborate or conspicuous.

// The resort town is famous for its extravagantly expensive summer homes, which some tourists view as impressive and others merely ostentatious.

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.