vilify - VIL-ih-FIE, VIL-ih-fih-KAY-shun - speak or write about in an unpleasant manner, put down, castigate

Example: "The Week magazine attempted an analysis of Sarah Palin's amazing rise in popularity with the publishing of her book, despite harsh vilification by the general press."

foment - FOH-MENT - stir up, incite, instigate, arouse, egg on

Example: "On NPR's morning news it was announced that a partisan plan has begun, to foment blame on the present administration for what the President called a 'systemic failure' in airline security."

censorious - sen-SOAR-ih-US - severely critical

Example: "Sexual liberation has reached the military; in her censorious portrayal of sexual accosts while serving in Iraq, Capt. Margaret H. White declared her biggest threat came from her fellow soldiers."

laud - LAHD - praise, esp. in a public context

Example: "Both the administration & the press have lauded the passengers on the Christmas flight from Amsterdam to Detroit for overcoming the Nigerian who planned to blow up the plane, and subsequently, prevent a terrorist attack."

rime (sometimes "rime ice") - RIME - a kind of icy frost that coats things, usually due to humid air or moisture freezing when temperature drops

Example: "The local weather forecast in Lower Michigan predicts that the recent drizzle will result tomorrow in a coating of rime ice if temperatures drop to the freezing point."

grandiloquent - grand-ILL-oh-KWENT - pompous or extravagant in language, style or manner, especially to impress

Example: "An ethnic cook on a local talk show raved grandiloquently about the curative powers of her chicken soup, particularly with regard to colds or the flu."

dormant - DORE-MANT - in a deep sleep or, as with animals, falling into a period with functions slowed down

Example: "After 30 years of slowdown, the dormant nuclear industry seems to be swinging back, with 104 plants now running and sharply raising their output, and with more expected to be completed soon."