| adulterate |
to make worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| clout |
(informal) influence or power to persuade. |
| egoism |
the tendency to evaluate everything in relation to one's own interests; self-centeredness. |
| heartrending |
causing or expressing deep sorrow or anguish. |
| infatuate |
to cause a foolish and irrational passion or attachment in (someone). |
| monumental |
massive, imposing, or extremely conspicuous. |
| pinnacle |
the highest point or part of anything; apex; summit. |
| piquant |
of food, having a deliciously sharp or spicy taste. |
| plurality |
the largest proportion of votes in an election, especially when it is less than half the total, or the margin of votes separating the victor from the person who came second. |
| poignant |
deeply touching; arousing strong emotion, especially sadness or sympathy; piercing; penetrating. |
| presumptuous |
excessively bold or forward. |
| recalcitrant |
stubbornly disobedient; refractory. |
| stratagem |
a plan or trick to deceive, surprise, or outwit an opponent, especially as a military maneuver. |
| tincture |
an alcohol solution containing a medicinal substance. |
| unworldly |
lacking sophistication; naive; provincial. |