| Term | Definition |
| Tortuous | Not direct or straightforward |
| Retort | To respond critically or sarcastically |
| Extort | To wrongly or illegaly force someone to comply with a demand |
| Voluble | Talkative |
| Convoluted | Having too many twists and turns; overly complicated |
| Evolve | To unfold; to develop or change gradually |
| Inflexible | Too unchangeable in character or purpose |
| Deflect | To cause to turn aside or away |
| Inflection | Change in pitch or tone or voice |
| Adverse | Not helpful; harmful |
| Revert | To fall back into an old condition |
| Subvert | to undermine; to corrupt |