Counterintuitive is an adjective that is used to describe something that is not what you would expect. For example, you might say that the decision to go on the trip was counterintuitive, because it was very cold outside.
To whittle something is to reduce it gradually or to make it smaller and weaker. You might whittle down a tree with a saw, or you might whittle away at your argument with a friend.
To shatter something is to break it into pieces. When you shatter a glass, you cause a lot of damage.
To say that something is classically is to say that it is traditional or typical. When people say that classical music is beautiful, they are saying that it is a type of music that is often used in formal ceremonies or performances.
To canvass is to go around and ask people if they would be interested in voting for or supporting a particular candidate or idea. You usually canvass in order to find out what people think about the candidate or idea.
A tiebreaker is a play or match that is used to decide the winner when two teams are tied. In a tiebreaker, each team plays one more game.
To decisively something is to reach a definite conclusion about something. When you decisively win a game, you win by scoring more points than your opponent.