Imperturbable describes someone or something marked by extreme calm; such a person or thing is very hard to disturb or upset.

// The imperturbable captain did not panic when the boat sailed into the path of a violent storm.

// Nothing disrupted the contestant's imperturbable focus.

An emollient is something, such as a lotion, that softens or soothes.

// She keeps a number of oils in the bathroom—argan, almond, and coconut—to use as emollients.

Draconian describes something (often a law, policy, restriction, etc.) that is very severe or cruel.

// The editorial criticizes the draconian measures being taken by city hall to rein in spending.

Transpire is a formal verb that means “to happen,” or in other words “to take place or occur.” It can also mean “to come to light” or “to become known,” as in “It transpired that they had met previously.” In botany, to transpire is to give off or exude watery vapor especially from the surfaces of leaves.

// The monument will ensure that posterity will not soon forget the historic events that transpired on that day.

A factoid is a brief and usually unimportant or trivial fact. Factoid may also refer to an invented fact believed to be true because it appears in print.

// The book is really just a collection of interesting factoids.

To doff a hat or other piece of clothing is to take it off.

// They doffed their coats when they came inside the house.

An ignoramus is an utterly ignorant or stupid person.

// I can't believe they let an ignoramus like that run the company.

Quip can refer to a clever, usually taunting remark, or to a witty or funny observation or response usually made on the spur of the moment.

To tousle something is to dishevel it—that is, to make it untidy or unkempt. Tousle is usually, though not always, used specifically when a person’s hair is being so treated.

// Vic stood in front of the mirror and tousled his hair, trying to get a cool, disheveled look.

certainly

Jabberwocky refers to meaningless speech or writing.

// When the character gets angry or flustered, she talks in a sort of agitated jabberwocky that is really quite comical.

To flounder is to struggle, whether that struggle is about moving or obtaining footing (as in “horses floundering through deep snow”) or about knowing what to do or say.

// Caught off-guard by the reporter’s question, the mayor floundered for a few moments before remembering the talking points he had rehearsed.

To pertain to someone or something is to relate, refer, or have a connection to that person or thing.

// That law pertains only to people who live in this state.

migratory

Someone or something described as gallant is very courageous and brave. Gallant is also sometimes used to mean “large and impressive” (as in “a gallant ship”), or to describe someone who has or shows politeness and respect for women.

// Though they failed to reach the summit, the mountaineering team made a gallant attempt.

 a massive inexorable force that seems to crush, have power over or influence everything in its way

To ruminate is to think carefully and deeply about something.

// We ruminated over the implications of our decision.

Canard refers to a false report or story, or to a belief or rumor that isn't true. It can also refer to a kind of airplane as well as to a kind of small airfoil.

// The book unfortunately repeats some of history's oldest canards.

Sarcophagus refers to a coffin, and specifically a stone coffin.

// The crypt under the abbey church contains the sarcophagus of the monastery's founding abbot.

To presage something is to give or be a sign that it will happen in the future. Presage is a formal synonym for foreshadowing, foretelling, and prediction.

// The sudden gloom and ominous dark clouds clearly presaged a nasty storm.

Disputatious is a formal word used to describe someone who often disagrees and argues with other people (in other words, someone inclined to dispute). It can also describe something marked or characterized by arguments or controversies, or something that provokes debate or controversy.

// The podcast is hosted by a disputatious pair whose sparring has drawn legions of listeners.

To encroach is to gradually move or go into an area that is beyond the usual or desired limits, or to gradually take or begin to use or affect something that belongs to, or is being used by, someone else. Encroach is often followed by on or upon.

// Conflicts between people and bears increase as humans continue to encroach on bear territory.

// They argue that the law would encroach on states' authority.

An audition is a short performance to show the talents of someone (such as an actor or a musician) who is being considered for a role in a play, a position in an orchestra, etc.

// Auditions will be held next week for the spring musical.

// She had an audition for a small part but ended up landing a starring role.

Sward is a literary word that refers to an area of land covered with grass.

// The hikers emerged from the forest to find a green sward dotted with yellow and purple flowers stretching out before them.

To edify someone is to teach them in a way that improves their mind or character.

// The commencement speaker hoped that her words would edify the graduates, and give them hope and encouragement.

If something—such as a path, route, or journey—is described as circuitous, it is not straight, short, and direct, but rather takes a circular or winding course. Circuitous can also describe speech or writing that is not said or done simply or clearly.

// He took a circuitous route to town, stopping at several of his favorite shops even though it added minutes and miles to his trip.

// While either method will yield the correct answer, one is far less circuitous and therefore considered superior.

Something false or inauthentic is spurious. Don't trust spurious ideas and stories. Spurious statements often are lies, just as a spurious coin is a counterfeit coin — a fake.

Divers is an adjective meaning "numbering more than one."

// The tri-county fair offers divers amusements for the whole family.

To opine is to express an opinion about something.

// Many people opine that social media platforms should be better regulated.

A gourmand is a person who loves and appreciates good food and drink. Gourmand can also refer to someone who enjoys eating and drinking to excess.

// He was a gourmand who retired to New Orleans to live close to the cuisine he loved best.

Virtuoso is used broadly to refer to a person who does something very skillfully, and is often used specifically to refer to a very skillful musician.

// He’s a real virtuoso in the kitchen, whipping up gourmet dishes for his family not just on holidays but on regular weeknights.

// Although the violin was her first instrument, she eventually proved to be a virtuoso on the harp.

To parlay something is to use or develop it in order to get something else of greater value. Parlay is often used with the word into.

// He hoped to parlay his basketball skills into a college scholarship.

// She parlayed $5,000 and years of hard work into a multimillion-dollar company.

Something is considered hackneyed when it is not interesting, funny, etc., because of being used too often; in other words, it's neither fresh nor original.

// The new crime drama's characters are shallow stereotypes who engage one another in hackneyed dialogue.

Cerulean describes things whose blue color resembles the blue of a clear sky.

// The painting depicts leafless trees bordering a cerulean lake.

Secular describes things that are not spiritual; that is, they relate more to the physical world than the spiritual world. The word also carries the closely related meaning of "not religious."

// Each year, Ian directed his charitable giving toward secular concerns like affordable housing and arts programming for teens.

// In her autobiography, the actor mentions that her education in parochial school was not so different from that of secular institutions.

To cozen someone is to deceive, win over, or induce them to do something by coaxing or trickery.

// The organization cozened scores of people by persuading them to participate in a fraudulent investment scheme.

Something, such as a position, excuse, or situation, that is described as untenable cannot be defended against attack or criticism.

// The scientists considered their colleague's theory to be bold but ultimately untenable.