leading; foremost; preeminent; outstanding; one of the best
in the same way; like; likewise; similarly
to put up (a notice, sign, etc.); to hang out (e.g. a banner); to hold up high; to raise overhead; to tout (a principle, plan, etc.); to herald; to publish
before; prior to; ago; the past; before; previously
to compete; to contest; to quarrel; to argue; to deny (e.g. evidence)
great rival; powerful enemy; archenemy
wave; billow; ups and downs; (something) advancing step by step; (something) surging forward inopposably; tendency
weeding out; elimination (e.g. of unneeded employees); culling; selection
imperial government; imperialism; monarchical rule
to; for; from the standpoint of; as far as ... is concerned
anyone; anybody; everyone; everybody; whoever
state of things; state of affairs; situation; conditions; circumstances
detailed; full; minute; knowing very well; knowledgeable (about); well-acquainted (with)
diligent; hardworking; healthy; well; faithful; honest
(doing things at) one's own pace; (doing things) one's own way (esp. in an inconsiderate manner)
people; men and women; each person; everybody
long (time); longstanding; for a long time
finally; after; following; at the end (of)
to win; to achieve; to gain; to obtain; to secure
starting late; late departure
to shave off; to scrape off
position; situation; viewpoint; standpoint; point of view
reversal (of a situation); turnaround; turnabout; reversal (of direction of rotation)
to come down in the world; to fall low; to be ruined; to be reduced to poverty; to fall on hard times
independence; self-reliance; independence (e.g. of a nation); freedom; separation; isolation
rivalry; feud; conflict; dispute; struggle; strife
to stay on; to remain; to hold out; to stop (doing); to give up
meaning; significance; sense
even so; all the same; nevertheless; yes, but ...
sympathy; compassion; pity
ban (e.g. on smoking); prohibition
declaration of war; proclamation of war
attack under the cover of darkness; surprise attack; sneak attack
just like; (virtually) no different from; (almost) the same as; as good as (e.g. dead, settled)
to invade; to raid; to infringe; to encroach; to harm; to afflict
heavy blow; major blow; severe blow; serious damage
town; block; downtown; main street; street; road
occupying; having (an area) all to oneself; military occupation; possession; capture