1.

brusque

(adj.) abrupt, blunt, with no formalities

2.

demagogue

(n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power

3.

cajole

(v.) to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises

4.

ennui

(n.)weariness and discontent from lack of occupation or interest, boredom

5.

anomalous

(adj.) abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual

6.

contrive

(v.) to plan with ingenuity, invent; to bring about as the result of a scheme or plan

7.

disabuse

(v.) to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking

8.

arbiter

(n.) one having power to decide a matter at issue; a judge, umpire

9.

bizarre

(adj.) extremely strange, unusual, atypical

10.

castigate

(v.) to punish severely; criticize severely

11.

aspersion

(n.) a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming

12.

vouchsafe

(v.) to give or furnish condescendingly; to grant

13.

megalomania

(n.) a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality

14.

surreptitious

(adj.) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud

15.

transmute

(v.) to change from one nature, substance, or form to another; to transform

16.

immutable

(adj.) not subject to change, constant

17.

transgress

(v.) to go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law

18.

heinous

(adj.) very wicked, offensive, hateful

19.

insurgent

(n.) one who rebels or rises against authority; (adj.) rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority; surging or rushing in or on

20.

fetter

(n.) a chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural); anything that confines or restrains; (v.) to chain  or shackle; to render helpless or impotent

21.

sinecure

(n.) a position requiring a little or no work; an easy job

22.

vicarious

(adj.) performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another