dispute; strife; quarrel; dissension; conflict; rivalry
cares; ill feeling; reserve
to compete; to contest; to quarrel; to argue; to deny (e.g. evidence)
present condition; existing state; status quo; current state
to suit the convenience of; to accommodate
stability; steadiness; equilibrium
power balance; balance of power
declaration of independence
independence; self-reliance; independence (e.g. of a nation); freedom; separation; isolation
interested person; volunteer; supporter
to come; to go; to be (somewhere); to be (doing)
good impression; favorable impression
approximate age; apparent age; marriageable age (esp. of a woman); age of maturity; appropriate age (to ...); old enough (to ...)
to shoot out (lights, window, etc.)
aspiration; volunteering; desire; application
recruitment; invitation; raising (funds, donations, etc.); collection; flotation (of shares, loans, etc.)
autograph; signature; sign; signal; indication
the big two...; two major...; two main...
leader; magnate; big head
placement; fixed position; mapping out; location
rank; ranking order; hierarchy
peers; friends; fellow workers; comrades
to pour water (into); to dilute with water; to hinder; to hamper; to throw cold water on
firmly; solidly; sturdily; strongly; toughly
to withdraw from (a deal); to wash one's hands of; to lead by the hand
light blue; pale blue; aqua
trespassing; intrusion; to barge into; to burst into; to trespass
to be degraded; to come down in the world; to lose status; to be ruined; to fall low
unhappiness; sorrow; misfortune; death (usu. of a relative); bereavement
critical (touch and go) situation; explosive situation
in an instant; instantly; in a moment; instantaneously; in the twinkling of an eye
just now; a little while back; a short time ago
immediately; instantly; with nary a pause; without a moment's delay
seed (e.g. of a plant); pip; material (e.g. for an article); matter (e.g. of a story); ingredient; leaven (bread); cause
displeasure; discomfort; unpleasantness; indisposition; ailment
large number (of); many; majority
minimum; (very) least; at least some (comfort, etc.); only (consolation, saving grace, etc.); sole
(for) self-defense; (for) self-protection
short sword; dagger; stiletto; hour hand (of a clock)
malice; malicious intent; intent to kill
advance arrangements; preparatory meeting; overlap (of a coat, etc.); (arch.) making something match exactly