2. Vindicate Clear of blame Show or prove to be right, or justified Absolve, acquit, exonerate Verb

4. Graft The acquisition of money, gain or advantage (particularly political advantage) by dishonest or illegal means Bribe, blackmail, corruption noun

6. Wrought Worked, produced or shaped by beating with a hammer, as iron or silver Made, fashioned, created verb

8. Bastion A projected, fortified portion of a rampart; anything seen as protecting or preserving some quality or condition Fortification, mainstay, bulwark noun

10. Undaunted Undismayed, not discouraged, not giving way to fear Audacious, courageous, fearless adjective

12. Revelation Something revealed or disclosed, especially something striking Disclosure, announcement, exposition, manifestation noun

14. scrutinize To examine in great detail Examine, pore over, probe, dissect verb

16. facetious Not meant to be taken seriously or literally; humorous Amusing, clever, comic, droll, frivolous, jocular, ludicrous adjective

18. Tentative Not definite or positive, unsure, uncertain; temporary or test Hesitant, provisional, speculative, testing, temporary adjective

20. Exasperate To irritate or provoke to a high degree, to annoy accutely Agitate, aggravate, anger, annoy, excite, gall, rankle verb

22. Plaintively As expressing sorrow or melancholy, Mournfully, sadly, Adverb

24. Strident Making or having a sharp sound; Having a shrill or irritating character Harsh, shrill, discordant, screeching, squeaky adjective

26. Nonplussed Utterly perplexed Confused, perplexed, at a loss, baffled adjective