Sentence:  Like most human activities, ballooning has sponsored heroes and <WSD>hucksters</WSD> and a good deal in between. For every dedicated scientist patiently recording atmospheric pressure and wind speed while shivering at high altitudes, there is a carnival barker with a bevy of pretty girls willing to dangle from a basket or parachute down to earth. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A mean, deceptive person.