A Flashcards
Abandon
Total lack of inhibition
Synonyms: Exuberance, enthusiasm
Abase
To humble, to disgrace
Synonyms: Demean, humiliate
Abate
To decrease, to reduce
Synonyms: Dwindle, ebb, recede
Abbreviate
To make shorter
Synonyms: decrease
Abdicate
To give up position, right, or power
Synonyms: Cede, quit, relinquish, resign, yield
Aberrant
Deviating from what is normal or expected
Synonyms: Abnormal, anomalous, deviant, divergent
Aberration
Something different from the usual
Synonyms: abnormality, anomaly, deviation, irregularity
Abet
To aid, to act as an accomplice
Synonyms: help, succor, assist
Abeyance
Temporary suppression or suspension
Synonyms: deferral, delay, dormancy, postponement, remission
Abhor
To loathe, detest
Synonyms: dislike, hate, despise
Abject
Miserable, pitiful
Synonyms: lamentable, pathetic, sorry
Abjure
To renounce under oath, to abandon forever, to abstain from
Synonyms: renounce, disavow
Abnegate
To give up, to deny to oneself
Synonyms: abjure, surrender, renounce
Abortive
Ending without results
Synonyms: fruitless, futile, unsuccessful
Abrasive
Harsh and rough in manner
Synonyms: uncompromising, rude, coarse
Abridge
To condense, shorten
Synonyms: reduce, abbreviate
Abrogate
To annul, to abolish by authoritative action
Synonyms: nullify, revoke, repeal
Abrupt
Sudden, curt
Synonyms: unexpected, hasty, quick
Abscond
To leave quickly in secret
Synonyms: slip, sneak, flee
Absolve
To forgive, free from blame
Synonyms: pardon, clear
Absorb
To soak up, to occupy completely
Synonyms: consume
Abstain
To choose not to do something
Synonyms: forbear, refrain, withhold
Abstemious
Done sparingly, consuming in moderation
Synonyms: Moderate, sparing, abstinent
Abstruse
Difficult to comprehend
Synonyms: Complex, ecosteric, profound
Abyss
An extremely deep hole
Synonyms: chasm, void
Accede
To express approval, to agree to
Synonyms: consent, concur
Accelerate
To cause to develop or progress more quickly
Synonyms: Increase speed, pick up the pace
Accentuate
To stress or emphasize, intensify
Synonyms: Emphasize, highlight
Accessible
Attainable, available
Synonyms: Approachable
Acclivity
An incline or upward slope, the ascending side of a hill
Synonyms: Ascent, upgrade
Accomplice
An associate in wrongdoing
Synonyms: accessory, assistant, collaborator
Accord
To bestow upon
Synonyms: award, present
Accretion
A growth in size, an increase in amount
Synonyms: Buildup, accumulation
Acerbic
Bitter, sharp in taste or temper
Synonyms: biting, caustic, cutting,tart
Acidulous
Sour in taste or manner
Synonyms: acerbic, acetose, biting, piquant, pungent, tart
Acme
The highest level or degree attainable
Synonyms: apex, peak, summit
Acquiesce
To agree, to comply quietly
Synonyms: accede, consent, submit
Acquire
To gain possession of
Synonyms: obtain, get, gain
Acrimony
Bitterness, animosity
Synonyms: animosity, hostility, unfriendliness
Actuate
To put into motion, to activate, to motivate or influence to activity
Acuity
Sharp vision or perception characterized by the ability to resolve fine detail
Synonyms: acuteness, sharpness
Acumen
Sharpness of insight, mind, and understanding, shrewd judgment
Synonyms: discernment, shrewdness
Adamant
Stubbornly unyielding
Synonyms: inflexible, obdurate, inexorable
Adept
Extremely skilled
Synonyms: Quick, masterful
Adjourn
To postpone
Synonyms: recess, suspend
Adjudicate
To hear and settle a matter, to act as a judge
Synonyms: arbitrate, mediate
Adjunct
Something or someone associated with another but in a supplementary position
Synonyms: accessory
Adjure
To appeal to
Synonyms: beg, please
Admonish
To caution or warn gently in order to correct something
Synonyms: berate, rebuke
Adorn
To enhance or decorate
Synonyms: embellish, beautify, garnish
Adroit
Skillful, accomplished, highly competent
Synonyms: dexterous, proficient
Adulation
Excessive flattery or admiration
Synonyms: fawning, buttering up
Adulterate
To corrupt or make impure
Synonyms: contaminate, dilute
Adumbrate
To give a hint or indication of something to come
Synonyms: foreshadow, suggest
Advantageous
Favorable, useful
Synonyms: beneficial, helpful, valuable
Adversary
Opponent, enemy
Synonyms: rival, foe, challenger
Adversity
A state of hardship or misfortune
Synonyms: difficulty, harsh conditions, hard times
Advocate
To speak in favor of
Synonyms: back, champion, support
Aerate
Expose to air
Synonyms: freshen, let breathe
Aerie
A nest built high in the air, an elevated, often secluded, dwelling
Synonyms: perch, stronghold
Aesthetic
Pertaining to beauty or art
Synonyms: artistic, tasteful
Affable
Pleasantly easy to get along with, warm and friendly
Synonyms: easygoing, amiable, gracious
Affectation
Pretension, false display
Synonyms: exaggeration, showing off
Affected
Phony, artificial
Synonyms: insincere, pretentious, put-on
Affiliation
An association with a group or organization
Synonyms: relationship, connection, membership
Aggrandize
To make larger or greater in power
Synonyms: advance, elevate, exalt, glorify, magnify
Aghast
Overcome by surprise, disgust, or amazement
Synonyms: afraid, shocked
Agile
Well-coordinated, nimble
Synonyms: supple, lively, sprightly
Agitate
Upset, disturb
Synonyms: excite, rouse, work up
Alacrity
Cheerful willingness, eagerness, speed
Synonyms: briskness, celerity, dispatch