Sequester = To isolate

Austere = Serious/severe

Egregious = Very bad

Withstand = To handle hardship

Thaw = To defrost

Opine = To give an opinion on

Mitigate = To lessen

Proclaim = To state strongly

Pragmatic = Practical

Skeptical = Questioning

Dubious = Doubtful

Egregious = Very bad

Systemic = Affecting an entire system

Entrenched = Established solidly

Resigned = Given up to something

Blatant = Obviously stated

Scapegoat = One person is unfairly blamed for a problem

Brusque = Shortness/Rudeness

Brash = Offensively bold