a red herring

something that diverts attention from the main issue

afflict

to torture, to trouble greatly, to distree

ascend

to rise, to climb, to mount

~ (to sth)

besiege

to surround, hem in, siege, blockage

emaciated

abnormally thin, wasted away, undernourished, underfed

excruciating

agonizing, torturing

fretful

worrisome, irritable, petulant, peevish, restless

harbinger

a forerunner, advanced notice

~ (of sth)

malignant

likely to cause death, malevolent

malnutrition

faulty or inadequate diet

privation

lack of necessities, hardship

remote

distant, hidden away

respite

an interval of relief, delay, reprieve, postpone, put off

reverberating

reechoing, resounding

sanctuary

shelter, reserve

sinister

evil, ominous, threatening

sour grapes

to disparage something that you can't have

succumb

to give away, yield

~ (to sth)

surge

to rush suddenly, sweep

thwart

to hinder, defeat, foil, frustrate

to cool one's heels

to be kept waiting

to swap horses in midstream

to vote against a candidate running for reelection, to change one's mind

tranquil

quiet, serene, peaceful

ubiquitous

being everywhere at the same time