defame

link: rename

"When the good name of William Bonney was defamed, reporters renamed him 'Billy the Kid'." 

to libel or slander; take away a good name

curvilinear

link: curvy lines

"The skater's curvy lines outlined her curvilinear skating program."

formed, bound, or characterized by curved lines

elapse

link: collapse

"Ted ran the mile in the elapsed time of three minutes, forty-seven seconds, and then collapsed."

to pass or go by (said of time)

veer

link: pier

"Vern, I told you to veer at the end of the pier."

change in direction

karma

link: harm-a

"No harm-a will come if you have good karma."

fate, destiny; to detect good or bad vibrations from something or someone

astute

link: suit

"Larry thought a new suit would make him appear more astute for his job interview."

quick in discernment; shrewd, clever, keen

misnomer

link: Miss Homer

"What a misnomer, our little Miss Homer struck out five times in a row."

an incorrect or inappropriate name

resurgent

link: sergeant

"a resurgent sergeant"

a rise after defeat

artisan

link: art in sand

"Little Jimmy was a sand castle artisan."

a worker skilled in craft

draconian

link: dracula

"Count Dracula often behaved in a draconian manner."

hard,  severe, cruel