competent; suitable; qualified
flat; level; flat (e.g. in 10 seconds flat); exactly; flat; flat
half; 50%; 5 parts; 5%; equality; equal footing
layer; stratum; class; stratum; sheaf; counter for stories (of a building)
moving tale; impressive tale
candidate (for an election)
fate; destiny (esp. as a mysterious force that binds two people together); relationship (e.g. between two people); bond; family ties; affinity; opportunity
(approximate) age; years; elderly; old; older (than); senior
old person; elderly person; senior citizen
voting; ballot; poll; vote
if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say
idealistic theory; unrealistic argument
adultery; impropriety; (an) affair; immorality
tearjerker; sob story; maudlin tale
incitement; sedition; agitation; abetting
state of the war; war situation
to buy; to purchase; to buy out
handsome man; actor in a love scene
comedian; actor who plays comic roles; figure of fun; laughing stock
abasement; fall; forfeiture; sinking (in people's estimation)
after; post; ex-; after the fact; ex post
obi (kimono sash); obi (strip of paper looped around a book, CD, etc. containing information about the product); band; belt; cingulum; radio or television program broadcast in the same time slot on all or most days
(private) secretary; treasured book; secret book
support; backing; aid; assistance
gap; break; pause; interval; cut; incision
leading figure; influential figure; mogul
stout-hearted; firm; courageous; brave; tough
to touch (a person's) heart; to impress (a person)
lecture (esp. special engagement by noted speaker); lecture meeting (event with one or more lectures)
to start (something); to start up; to launch (a business); to boot (a computer); to launch (a program)
likability; favorability; popularity
to be related; to be connected; to be joined together; to result in; to lead to; to bring about
to do exactly what one is told to do; to be subservient; to be easily controlled
basis; grounds; base (of operations); base (of a group of stones)
distortion; stretch; strained interpretation; technicality; casuistry; sophistry
report (of news); reporting; news; information; (media) coverage
being elected; winning a prize (in a lottery, raffle, etc.); being selected (for a prize, etc.)