Asperity
Harsh-tempered nature
Assiduous
Painstaking, thorough
Attenuate
Moderate, Weaken
Au Courant
Up-to-date
Austere
Stern, serious
Banal
Unsophisticated
Besmirch
Smear, tarnish
Bulwark
Pillar
Cacophony
Din, racket, dissonance
Callow
Rookie, inexperienced
Canard
rumor
Candor
honesty
Capricious
Spontaneous, flighty
Castigate
scold
Caustic
Burning, harsh, insulting
Chagrin
embarrassment
Chicanery
Trickery, conning.
Cogent
Clear-minded
Cognizant
aware
Commodious
spacious