- adversary: opponent
- affirmation: positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath
- apprehension: fear
- belie: contradict; give a false impression
- censorious: critical
- censure: blame; criticize
- coercion: use of force to get someone to obey
- complacency: self-satisfaction
- concede: admit; yield
- condone: overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse
- confound: confuse; puzzle
- contend: struggle; compete; assert earnestly
- contentious: quarrelsome
- conviction: judgement that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly held belief
- curtail: shorten; reduce