Riposte
Retaliation, Counter
Suborn
Bribe, Tamper
Strident
Fast, Nimble
Entrench
Wall, Invigorate
Chauvinism
Bias, Discrimination
Fractious
Combative, Quarrellous
Expediency
Benefit, Advantage
Aver
Asseverate, Prove
Incipient
Preliminary, Elementary
Cohort
Clan, Squad
Baleful
Detrimental, Harmful
Abjure
Forsake, Reject