Letter A Flashcards

Question

Alleviate

Answer 1

to lessen the burden, make easier Her calm support did much to alleviate his difficulties with the task. Synonyms: allay, ease, lighten, relieve

Answer 2

a mixture of two or more different things; literally, a mixture of two or more metals or of a metal and nonmetal Even sterling silver is actually an alloy of silver with another metal, usually copper. Synonyms: blend, combination, composite, compound

Answer 3

(v.) to attract Only the possibility that his favorite singer might perform could allure him to attend the concert. Synonyms: charm, entice, tempt (n.) that which attracts Easily nauseated, she could not see the allure of a roller coaster. Synonyms: appeal, charm

Answer 4

To mix or combine into one body The plan to amalgamate the two high schools was not well thought out, and the students did not easily unite into one school. Synonyms: blend, incorporate, integrate, merge

Answer 5

ill-defined or uncertain; possible to be understood in different ways Her habitual sarcasm rendered her statement ambiguous; no one could tell if she really meant what she said. Synonyms: cryptic, enigmatic, indefinite, indeterminate

Answer 6

uncertainty; the state of having two or more contradictory feelings about something at the same time His ambivalence about playing the piano went on for years, and he thought about quitting every day until he enrolled at the conservatory. Synonyms: doubt, indecision, uncertainty

Answer 7

To get or make better Her illness was ameliorated by the fact that it permitted her finally to rest and get enough sleep. Synonyms: alleviate, improve, relieve

Answer 8

agreeable, willing, or submissive; answerable or legally responsible; able to be examined or tested Even though it would require him to redo much of the work he had done so far, he was amenable to the change in plans. Synonyms: cooperative, manageable; accountable

Answer 9

the quality of being agreeable; a feature that increases value or comfort He had become so used to the general amenity of the community that the rudeness of the grocery store clerk shocked him. Synonyms: charm, pleasantness; advantage, convenience

Answer 10

A person or thing that is out of place in time Her floor-length skirts and elaborately done up hair were anachronisms that she nevertheless pulled off with grace. Synonym: misplacement

Answer 11

Comparable in such a way that an analogy can be drawn Freud viewed the mind as analogous to a steam engine, whereas today we are more likely to compare it to a computer. Synonyms: alike, corresponding

Answer 12

Lack of government; complete disorder When the teacher was called out of the classroom, the children erupted into gleeful anarchy. Synonyms: chaos, confusion, turmoil

Answer 13

someone or something that is cursed or disliked intensely; a curse Except for carrots, vegetables were anathema to the toddler. Synonyms: abomination, pariah

Answer 14

Something that comforts; a medicine that relieves pain The music of Bach was an anodyne to her through the months of mourning. Synonyms: balm; painkiller

Answer 15

Something different, irregular His late submission was an anomaly; he was known for meeting his deadlines. Synonyms: aberration, exception, irregularity, oddity

Answer 16

dislike, feeling against He could not overcome his antipathy for dogs, even to date a woman who had a poodle as a pet. Synonyms: aversion, disgust, loathing

Answer 17

one who renounces a previous loyalty, such as to a religion, nation, or party Though she had many disagreements with the party, she had no plans to become an apostate. Synonyms: defector, dissenter, heretic, nonconformist

Answer 18

the highest point; literally, the point at which an orbiting body is farthest from Earth Finalizing the deal that spring was the apogee of her career thus far. Synonyms: apex, climax, summit, zenith

Answer 19

To bring to a state of peace Only singing her favorite song could appease the distressed child. Synonyms: calm, pacify, soothe

Answer 20

To inform He kept the radio on at all times, to be sure he was kept apprised of the latest weather report. Synonyms: advise, enlighten, notify

Answer 21

formal approval Make art to express yourself, not to win the approbation of others. Synonyms: approval, commendation, endorsement, recognition

Answer 22

to set apart for a specific use; to take for oneself The army appropriated all vehicles in the region for military use. Synonyms: confiscate, seize, steal, usurp

Answer 23

of the past; extremely old or out of date Students think that the language of Shakespeare is archaic until they encounter the work of Chaucer, who lived about two centuries earlier. Synonyms: ancient, obsolete, old-fashioned

Answer 24

extremely difficult; requiring much energy or effort Running a marathon is arduous enough in itself; I can’t imagine doing it as the last leg of a triathlon. Synonyms: exhausting, grueling, strenuous

Answer 25

natural, simple, and without artificiality; without knowledge or skill The child artlessly won over even the crankiest adults simply by smiling at them. Synonyms: genuine, straightforward, unaffected, uncultured

Answer 26

strictly self-denying, often for spiritual purposes The ascetic practices of a monk are certainly not for everyone. Synonyms: austere, disciplined, strict

Answer 27

severity of tone, manner, or temper; roughness The asperity with which she spoke revealed her anger about the situation. Synonyms: harshness, sharpness

Answer 28

A false accusation intended to do harm He cast aspersions on his rival, but everyone could see that his wild claims were not true. Synonyms: defamation, slander

Answer 29

characterized by persistent and careful attention or effort An assiduous student, she earned the highest grades despite her learning disability. Synonyms: attentive, constant, persevering

Answer 30

to decrease the intensity or severity of Nothing but time could assuage their grief after they lost their home. Synonyms: calm, ease, relieve

Answer 31

harsh, caustic, strict He was the only employee unafraid of the boss’s astringent tongue. Synonyms: biting, bitter, cutting, sharp

Answer 32

a place or state of shelter and protection; a place for the care of the ill or insane The refugees found asylum at the monastery. Synonyms: refuge, retreat, sanctuary

Answer 33

to make thin or weak Her enthusiasm was attenuated by the length of the event; she did not like to be kept awake so late. Synonyms: debilitate, lessen, weaken

Answer 34

daring, recklessly brave; inventive, unconventional I am hardly audacious enough to go scuba diving, let alone sky diving! Synonyms: adventurous, bold, rash

Answer 35

somber, strict, or stern in manner or appearance The house was plain and blended into the austere winter landscape. Synonyms: ascetic, rigorous, serious, solemn

Answer 36

independent There are many who wish that the city government were more autonomous and did not have to abide by the decisions made at the distant state capital. Synonyms: self-governing, self-ruling, sovereign

Answer 37

a greed for wealth that cannot be satisfied His avarice was a source of great discontent; he could not be happy with what he already had. Synonyms: covetousness, greed, rapacity

Answer 38

to declare or prove to be true I can aver that her story is true, because I was there and saw it happen myself. Synonyms: affirm, assert, claim, verify

Answer 39

an occupation pursued for enjoyment She pursued her avocation of designing jewelry in the evenings after returning home from her day job. Synonyms: diversion, hobby, pastime

Answer 40

taken as an axiom, or self-evident truth Until Copernicus showed otherwise, it was taken as axiomatic that the Earth was the center of the universe. Synonyms: accepted, fundamental, given, obvious