Vindicate

Clear of blame Show or prove to be right, or

justified

Absolve, acquit, exonerateVerb

Graft

The acquisition of money, gain or advantage (particularly

political advantage) by dishonest or illegal means

Bribe, blackmail, corruptionnoun

Wrought

Worked, produced or shaped by beating with a hammer, as iron

or silver

Made, fashioned, createdverb

Bastion

A projected, fortified portion of a rampart; anything seen as

protecting or preserving some quality or condition

Fortification, mainstay, bulwarknoun

Undaunted

Undismayed, not discouraged, not giving way to fear

Audacious, courageous, fearlessadjective

Revelation

Something revealed or disclosed, especially something striking

Disclosure, announcement, exposition, manifestation

noun

scrutinize

To examine in great detail

Examine, pore over, probe, dissectverb

facetious

Not meant to be taken seriously or literally; humorous

Amusing, clever, comic, droll, frivolous, jocular, ludicrous

adjective

Tentative

Not definite or positive, unsure, uncertain;

temporary or test

Hesitant, provisional, speculative, testing, temporary

adjective

Exasperate

To irritate or provoke to a high degree, to annoy accutely

Agitate, aggravate, anger, annoy, excite, gall, rankle

verb

Plaintively

As expressing sorrow or melancholy,

Mournfully, sadly, Adverb

Strident

Making or having a sharp sound;Having a shrill or irritating

character

Harsh, shrill, discordant, screeching, squeaky

adjective

Nonplussed

Utterly perplexed

Confused, perplexed, at a loss, baffled

adjective