- a stir: trouble, unrest
- blistering: very fast, so fast it creates heat (= very hot)
- candid: open and honest
- deteriorate: get worse, decline
- devise: make, create
- dilemma: difficult problem / problem with two choices
- dispute: argument, disagreement
- feted: honored, given a lot of respect
- gloomy: sad, depressing, negative
- intrepid: brave
- outspoken: speaks out, often gives opinion publicly, especially when opinion is opposite to the government or some important people
- sugarcoat: make something seem nice
- to opt: decide to do, choose to do
- violate: break (a rule), go against
- watchdog: an organisation that supervises others