adverse
difficult, trying
arid
waterless, parched, boring, unimaginative
assailant
assaulter, mugger
billow
(n) breaker
(v) surge, bulge, balloon
confront
face, encounter
constrain
pressure, confine, limit
contemporary
(adj) present-day, modern, current
(n) peer
depict
sketch, draw, picture, illustrate
disinterested
impartial, unbiased, apathetic
encompass
surround, envelop, comprise
groundless
baseless, unsupported
hypocrite
phony, charlatan, fraud
incomprehensible
baffling, confusing, bewildering
manipulate
work, maneuver, exploit, influence
maximum
highest, utmost
mimic
(n) copycat, impersonator
(v) parrot, impersonate
ruffle
(v) disturb
(n) frill
serene
composed, fair, august
sheepish
shamefaced, meek
stamina
endurance