| adversity |
a condition of trouble or difficulty. |
| connive |
to join secretly in a plot; conspire. |
| contentious |
inclined to argue; quarrelsome; belligerent. |
| derogatory |
having the purpose or effect of detracting; disparaging. |
| emulate |
to try to be the same as or better than (another person), especially by imitating. |
| inconsequential |
having no significant effect or result; not important. |
| induce |
to persuade or influence, as to a course of action. |
| naysayer |
a person who refuses, denies, or opposes, especially because of cynicism or pessimism. |
| nonpartisan |
not influenced or determined by the policies or interests of a political party. |
| putrid |
of, concerning, or exhibiting rot or decomposition. |
| reciprocate |
to give (feelings or things) in return. |
| renunciation |
the act or an instance of giving up or rejecting something, usually as a sacrifice; renouncing. |
| truism |
a self-evident statement; platitude. |
| voluptuous |
full of or characterized by sensual pleasures. |
| wince |
to draw suddenly back or away from something painful or frightening. |