1. Defiance = open resistance; bold disobedience.
2. Simmer = (of water or food that is being heated) stay just below boiling point while bubbling gently.
3. Brewing = make (beer) by soaking, boiling, and fermentation.
4. Blatant = (of bad behaviour) done openly and unashamedly.
5. Beleaguered = put in a very difficult situation.
6. damning = (of a circumstance or piece of evidence) strongly suggesting guilt or error.
7. Throttle = a device controlling the flow of fuel or power to an engine.
8. patriotism = the quality of being patriotic; vigorous support for one's country.
9. Substantial = of considerable importance, size, or worth.
10. Rebuttal = an instance of rebutting evidence or an accusation. Counter-argument, countering, invalidation, negation,contradiction;
11. Fracas = a noisy disturbance or quarrel.
12. Fray = (of a fabric, rope, or cord) unravel or become worn at the edge, typically through constant rubbing.
13. Ramifications = a complex or unwelcome consequence of an action or event.
14. Portfolio = a large, thin, flat case for loose sheets of paper such as drawings or maps.
15. Credence = belief in or acceptance of something as true.
16. Incensed = very angry; enraged.
17. prudent = acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
18. Assert = state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.