pontificate

express one's opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic

He was pontificating about art and history.

dicey

unpredictable and potentially dangerous

The lot of a wanderer is always dicey.

irreparable

(of an injury or loss) impossible to rectify or repair

They were doing irreparable damage to my heart and lungs.

tack

n. a small, sharp, broad-headed nail

v. fasten or fix in place with tacks

long-term savings plans with some life insurance tacked on.

mighty

extremely

This is mighty early to be planning a presidential campaign.

attribution

a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something

resigned

accepting that something undesirable cannot be avoided

a resigned smile

merit

v. deserve or be worthy of

The results have been encouraging enough to merit further investigation.

morose

sullen and ill-tempered

a morose frown

smashingly

excellently; wonderfully

shout something from the rooftop

talk about something openly and jubilantly, esp. something that is personal or has previously been kept secret

malign

evil in nature or effect; malevolent

She had a strong and maligne influence.

speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner

Don't you dare malign her in my presence.

meanie

(informal) a mean or small-minded person

undercut

offers goods or services at a lower price than a competiter; undersell

These industries have been undercut by more efficient foreign producers.

mogul

a mogul is an important, rich, and powerful businessman

smackdown

the act of knocking down or bringing down an opponent

mariner

/'meriner/

cut someone some slack

allow someone some leeway in their conduct

Should we cut song writers the same grammatical slack we cut poets?

demure

1. (of a woman or her behavior) reserved, modest, and shy

a demure little wife who sits at home minding the house

Old photos of Maggie show her young and demure.

2. (of clothing) lending such an appearance

a demure white dress

nymph

a mythological spirit of nature imagined as a beautiful maiden inhabiting rivers, woods, or other locations.

Demure nymph

chalk something up to

ascribe something to a particular cause

I chalked my sleeplessness up to nerves.