(n.) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure; (v.) to waste away

s: degeneration, deterioration, wither

a: growth, development, mature, develop

(n.) a fortified place, stronghold

s: citadel, rampart, bulwark, parapet

(n.) a state of agreement, harmony, unanimity; a treaty, pact, covenant

a: disagreement, strife, discord

consummate

(adj.) complete or perfect in the highest degree; (v.) to bring to a state of completion or perfection

s: masterful, clinch, conclude

a: launch, initiate, begin, kick off

(n.) disorder, confusion; (v.) to throw into disorder

s: disorganization, dishevel, mess up

a: organization, order, tidiness

(n., often pl.) urgency, pressure; urgent demand, pressing need; an emergency

s: requirement, crisis

(n.) floating debris; homeless, impoverished people

s: floating wreckage

(adj.) frenzied, highly agitated

s: frantic, overwrought

 a: calm, controlled, relaxed, leisurely

(v.) to gather bit by bit; to gather small quantities of grain left in a field by reapers

s: collect, cult, pick up

(n.) a type of game bird; a complaint; (v.) to complain, grumble

s: gripe, kvetch, bellyache

(v.) to imprison, confine, jail

s: intern, immure

a: liberate, release, free

incumbent

(adj.) obligatory, required; (n.) one who holds a specific office at the time spoken of

s: mandatory, necessary

a: optional, unnecessary

(adj.) humorous, jesting, jolly, joking

s: waggish, facetious, droll, witty

a: humorless, solemn, grave, earnest, grim

(adj.) ridiculous, laughable, absurd

s: risible, preposterous

a: heartrending, poignant, pathetic

(adj.) biting or caustic in thought, manner, or style; sharply or bitterly harsh

s: acrimonious, acidulous, sardonic, scathing

a: bland, mild, gentle, soothing

(n.) a prickly or stinging plant; (v.) to arouse displeasure, impatience or anger, to vex or irritate severely

s: peeve, annoy, incense, gall, irk

a: please, delight, soothe, pacify

(adj.) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money

s: monetary, financial

(adj.) contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited

s: craven, lily-livered

a: stouthearted, courageous, daring

(adj.) in a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of one sleeping or resting

s: prone, prostrate, supine, inactive

a: erect, upright, energetic, dynamic

(n.) a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end

s: ruse, trick, ploy, subterfuge