Innocuous
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.
Reticent
1. adjective disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved.
Synonyms: uncommunicative, quiet, taciturn
Antonyms: voluble, talkative,
2. reluctant or restrained.
Loll
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
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
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.
Amortize
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
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
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.
Yen
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
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."