Nettle

His campaign manager could only watch as the personal attacks continued to nettle his candidate, jab after jab, until no one could focus on the real issues.

Brogue

Mary knew that she had to take chances with her fashion choices during the week of Sandy's visit. So instead of typical footwear like high heels or other slender shoes, she picked out a pair of brogues, to really anchor down her look.

Bellwether

The ice cream store was sold out of vanilla before it's resupply shipment for the past two weeks - a bellwether for the blanching of consumer's tastes overall. Simpler, more neutral and humble purchases will rise.

Mugwump

When the town needed to settle an issue without politics getting thrown into the mix, it was Old Benjamin Radowski they'd find, the stalwart mugwump.

Ignominious

George entered the office for the first time since his ignominious expulsion last month. Walking by his coworkers, seeing how they avoided him, he knew he had some redemption to build up to.

Rugose

Alone, tired, and terrified of the open world and the limitless hazards of walking through the city park at night, Sandra had no calm this evening. Passing a bench she,, jumped at the sound of movement as a sack of blankets turned to leer at her, revealing an ancient face so rugose she imagined spelunking in its crevices.

Dross

Though the children's drawings graced the featured position on the fridge, Mary looked at the artistic dross and knew that her offspring had likely inherited her own poor artistic genes.

Alacrity

You couldn't ask for a better expedition leader. The alacrity with which Gerald marches off into the unknown is only matched by his enthusiasm at the dinner table.