palliate
to ease without curing; to alleviate; to make (a crime or offense) appear less serious; to lessen the intensity of something
assail
to attack violently; to assault; to attack with arguments, words, or questions
altercation
an angry argument
phalanx
a formation of massed soldiers; a closely united group
predecessor
a person who precedes another in an office or a position
acquiesce
to give in to or consent to without protest and without enthusiasm
deprecate
to express strong disapproval of something; to plead against; to belittle
beleaguer
to besiege or surround with troops; to beset; to harass
brunt
the main shock or force of a blow or attack; the heaviest part of an accusation or attack
redress
a correction; a reparation; a relief; v. to set something right; to remedy