allege
(v.) to assert without proof or confirmation
arrant
(adj.) thoroughgoing, out-and-out, shameless, blatant
echelon
(n.) one of a series of grades in an organization or field of activity; an organized military unit; a steplike formation or arrangement
exacerbate
(v.) to make more violent, severe, bitter, or painful
irrefutable
(adj.) impossible to disprove; beyond argument
juggernaut
(n.) a massive and inescapable force or object that crushes whatever is in its path
lackadaisical
(adj.) lacking spirit or interest; halfhearted
litany
(n.) a prayer consisting of short appeals to God recited by the leader alternating with responses from the congregation; any repetitive chant; a long list
macabre
(adj.) grisly, gruesome; horrible, distressing; having death as a subject