Umbrage refers to a feeling of being offended by what someone has said or done. It is often used in the phrase “take umbrage.”

// Some listeners took umbrage at the podcaster’s remarks about the event.

Brackish, meaning “somewhat salty,” usually describes water or bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and estuaries. The word can also mean “not appealing to the taste” or “repulsive.”

// The river becomes brackish as we approach the tidemark.

Paradox refers to something (such as a situation) that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible. It can also refer to someone who does two seemingly opposite things or who has qualities that are opposite; to a statement that seems to say two opposite things but that nonetheless may be true; or to the use of such statements in writing or speech.

// It is a paradox that computers need time-consuming updates so often, since they are meant to save people time.

// As an actor, she’s a paradox—she loves being in the spotlight but fiercely guards her privacy.

To collude is to work with others secretly, especially to do something illegal or dishonest. Collude is used as a synonym of conspire and plot.

// She is accused of colluding with known criminals.

Innocuous describes either something that is not likely to bother or offend anyone (as in “an innocuous comment”), or something that causes no injury, or is otherwise considered harmless (as in “an innocuous prank”).

// The reporter asked what seemed like an innocuous question, but it prompted the candidate to storm off, abruptly ending the press conference.

1. adjective disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved.

Synonyms: uncommunicative, quiet, taciturn

Antonyms: voluble, talkative,

2. reluctant or restrained.

Loll most often means “to droop or hang loosely.” It can also mean “to act or move in a relaxed or lazy manner.”

// We’re counting down the days until the weather will be warm enough again to laze and loll by the pool.

Marginalia is a plural noun that refers to notes or other marks written in the margins of a text, and also to nonessential matters or items.

// I loved flipping through my literature textbooks to find the marginalia left behind by former students.

// She found the documentary's treatment of not only the major events but also the marginalia of Scandinavian history fascinating.

Febrile is a medical term meaning "marked or caused by fever; feverish." It is sometimes used figuratively, as in "a febrile political climate."

// I'm finally back on my feet after recovering from a febrile illness.

// The actor delivered the monologue with a febrile intensity.

To amortize something, such as a mortgage, is to pay for it by making regular payments over a long period of time.

// If you apply extra payments directly to your loan balance as a principal reduction, your loan can be amortized sooner.

Retrospective describes something that relates to the past or to something that happened in the past.

// The museum has curated a retrospective exhibit of the artist's early works.

Nefarious is a formal word that describes something as evil or immoral.

// Authorities suspect that the recovered materials were going to be used for nefarious purposes.

A yen is a strong desire, urge, or craving for something.

// After dinner, the family went out for ice cream to satisfy their yen for something sweet.

// Students with a yen to travel should consider studying abroad.

Apropos is used as a preposition to mean "with regard to." It is frequently used in the phrase "apropos of."

// Sean interrupted our conversation about politics and, apropos of nothing, asked who we thought would win the basketball game.

As an adjective, apropos describes something that is suitable or appropriate, as in "an apropos nickname."

Grandiose is usually used disapprovingly to describe something that seems impressive or is intended to be impressive, but that is either not possible or practical.

// The long-vacant historic building has finally been purchased, and the developer has announced grandiose plans to make it the center of a new theater district.

When capitalized, Noel refers to Christmas or the Christmas season. Uncapitalized, noel refers to a Christmas carol.

// We were greeted at the door by a group of carolers singing noels.

// Every year we send our family Christmas cards with our photo enclosed wishing everyone a joyous Noel.

Harking back can be about turning back to an earlier topic or circumstance, as in "a storyteller harking back to his youth," or it can be about going back to something as an origin or source, as in "a style that harks back to the turn of the previous century."

// The dinner conversation harked back to the lunch debate over what counts as a traditional holiday meal.

Hibernaculum (plural hibernacula) refers to a shelter occupied during the winter by a dormant animal, such as an insect, snake, bat, or marmot.

// Local scientists are studying the longevity of bats who use bridges and other aboveground hibernacula versus that of bats who roost all winter in subterranean caves.

Decorous is a formal adjective used to describe an attitude or behavior characterized by propriety and good taste.

// The ceremony was conducted with a decorous solemnity.

Veracity is a formal word that can refer to truth or accuracy, or to the quality of being truthful or honest.

// The jury seemed not to doubt the veracity of the witness.

Something described as jaunty is lively in manner or appearance. Jaunty can also describe something, such as an article of clothing, that suggests a lively and confident quality.

// The server whistled a jaunty tune as she wiped the tables and set out fresh flowers in preparation for the day’s diners.

To espouse an ideology, belief, etc., is to take it up and support it as a cause. Espouse is usually encountered in formal speech and writing.

// The article explores some of the lesser-known viewpoints espoused by the charismatic leader.

Conversant, usually used in the phrase "conversant with," describes someone who has knowledge of or experience with something.

// The ideal candidate for the sommelier position will have expert knowledge of the various wines served in the restaurant and be conversant with the rich world of viniculture.

To alleviate something is to make it less painful, difficult, or severe. Alleviate can also mean "to partially remove or correct."

// There's no cure for the common cold, but there are various treatments that may alleviate some of the symptoms.

// The new tunnel should alleviate traffic congestion on the bridge.

Prithee is an old-fashioned contraction of "I pray thee," used to politely request something. First used in the 1500s, it carries a gentle, almost lyrical tone. Whether reading Shakespeare or crafting whimsical dialogue, prithee adds a touch of historic charm.

Prithee, tell me your name.

Leviathan is a word with literary flair that can refer broadly to something very large and powerful, or more narrowly to a large sea animal, or a totalitarian state having a vast bureaucracy.

// Towering leviathans of the forest, giant sequoias often reach heights of more than 200 feet.

To grift is to use dishonest tricks to illegally take money or property.

// The email scammer shamelessly grifted thousands of dollars from unwitting victims.

Something or someone described as enigmatic is mysterious and difficult to understand.

// The band’s lead singer has always been an enigmatic figure, refusing to use social media or even sit for interviews.

Bravado refers to confident or brave talk or behavior that is intended to impress other people.

// She tells the stories of her youthful exploits with enough bravado to invite suspicion that they're embellished a bit.

// The crew of climbers scaled the mountain with youthful bravado.

Sensibility is a formal word often used in its plural form to refer someone’s personal or cultural approach to what they encounter, as in “the speaker made sure to tailor his speech to the sensibilities of his audience.” Sensibility can also be used for the kind of feelings a person tends to have in general, as well as for the ability to feel and understand emotions.

// Many older cartoons feel out of line with modern sensibilities.

prosperity \ prɑˈspɛrədi \ noun

1. the condition of having good fortune

2. a state of growth with rising profits and full employment

Something described as frowsy has a messy or dirty appearance.

// The lamp, discovered in a neglected corner of a frowsy antique store, turned out to be quite valuable.

Alchemy refers to a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way.

// They practiced their alchemy in the kitchen, turning a pile of vegetables and legumes into an extravagant meal.

// The shopkeepers hoped for some sort of economic alchemy that would improve business.

To cajole someone is to use flattery or gentle urging to persuade them to do something or to give you something. Cajole can also mean “to deceive with soothing words or false promises.” It is often used with the word into.

// She cajoled her partner into going to the party with her.

// They hoped to cajole him into cooperating with local officials.

A pseudonym is a name that someone (such as a writer) uses instead of their real name.

// Bell Hooks is the pseudonym of the American writer Gloria Jean Watkins.

Something described as exculpatory serves to prove that someone is not guilty of doing something wrong.

// Their lawyer presented insurmountable exculpatory evidence at the trial.

Someone who is unabashed is not embarrassed or ashamed about openly expressing strong feelings or opinions.

// Unabashed by their booing and hissing, the artist continued with the musical performance.

Perdition refers to hell, or to the state of being in hell forever as punishment after death—in other words, damnation. It is usually used figuratively.

// Dante’s Inferno details the main character’s journey through perdition.

// It’s this kind of selfishness that leads down the road to perdition.

Amalgamate is a formal verb meaning "to unite (two or more things) into one thing."

// The school district has proposed amalgamating the two high schools.

Metonymy refers to a figure of speech in which a word that is associated with something is used to refer to the thing itself, as when crown is used to mean “king” or “queen.”

// Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and Hollywood are common examples of metonymy.

To bloviate is to speak or write in an arrogant tone and with more words than are necessary.

// The podcaster tends to bloviate endlessly on topics about which he is not particularly knowledgeable.

Gauche describes someone or something having or showing a lack of awareness about the proper way to behave. When describing a person or a behavior, gauche can mean “socially awkward” or “tactless”; when describing an object (such as a product with a vulgar image or slogan on it) it can mean “crudely made or done.”

// Some people view giving cash in lieu of a wrapped present to be terribly gauche, but I like knowing that my friends and family will be able to pick out something they truly want.

Eccentric usually describes people and things that deviate from conventional or accepted usage or behavior, especially in odd or whimsical ways.

It is also used technically to mean "deviating from a circular path" and "located elsewhere than at the geometric center."

// He's an endearingly eccentric scientist whose methods are quite inventive.

// The dwarf planet Pluto has an eccentric orbit.

A crucible, in the word’s literal use, is a pot in which metals or other substances are heated to a very high temperature or melted. But crucible is more often encountered in figurative use referring to a difficult test or challenge, or to a place or situation that forces people to change or make difficult decisions.

// The bronze was heated to 2,100 degrees in the crucible and then poured into molds designed by the artist.

// Her latest novel follows two best friends in a fantastical, battle-ravaged kingdom who

Radial describes things that are arranged or have parts arranged in straight lines coming out from the center of a circle.

// Her mosaics echo radial patterns observed in nature, from succulents to sea urchins.

Heyday refers to the period of one's greatest popularity, vigor, or prosperity. It is usually used in the singular.

// In its heyday, the circus was a major form of entertainment for the small town.