words in context Flashcards
abate
As the hurricane’s force ABATED, the winds dropped and the sea became calm.
to reduce in amount, degree, or severity
abscond
The patron ABSCONDED from the restaurant without paying his bill by sneaking out the back door. 
to leave secretly
abyss
The submarine drove into the ABYSS to chart the previously unseen depths. 
an extremely deep hole
aggrandize
The supervisor sought to AGGRANDIZE herself by claiming that the achievements of her staff were actually her own.
to increase in power, influence, and reputation
amalgamate
Giant Industries AMALGAMATED with Mega Products to form Giant-Mega Products Inc.
to combine; to mix together
ameliorate
The doctor was able to AMELIORATE the patient suffering using painkillers.
to make better; to improve
anachronism
The aged hippie used ANACHRONISTIC phrases, like “groovy” and “far out,” that had not been popular for years.
something out of place in time
anomaly
The near-boiling river in Peru called Shanay-Timpishka is a geological ANOMALY: it is the only naturally heated body of water that is not heater by its proximity to a volcano
deviation from what is normal
antagonize
The child discovered that he could ANTAGONIZE the cat by pulling its tail.
to annoy or provoke to anger
antipathy
The ANTIPATHY between the French and English regularly erupted into open warfare.
extreme dislike
apathy
The APATHY of voters is so great that less than half the people who are eligible to vote actually bother to do so.
lack of interest or emotion
arbitrate
Since the couple could not come to an agreement, a judge was forced to ARBITRATE their divorce proceedings.
to judge a dispute between two opposing parties
ardor
Bishop’s ARDOR for the landscape was evident even he passionately described the beauty of the scenic Hudson Valley.
intense and passionate feeling
assuage
Serena used aspirin to ASSUAGE her pounding headache.
to make something unpleasant less severe
attenuate
The Bill of Rights ATTENUATED the traditional power of governments to change laws at will.
to reduce in force or degree; to weaken
audacious
Her AUDACIOUS nature allowed her to fulfill her dream of skydiving.
fearless and daring
austere
 The lack of decoration makes military barracks seem AUSTERE to the civilian eye
severe or stern in appearance; undecorated
banal
He used BANAL phrases like “have a nice day” and “another day, another dollar.”
predictable, clichéd, boring
bombastic
The ranting of the radio talk-show host was mostly BOMBASTIC; his boasting and outrageous claims had no basis in fact.
pompous in speech and manner
cacaphony
The junior high orchestra created an almost unbearable CACOPHONY as they tried to tune their instruments.
harsh, jarring noise
capricious
Queen Elizabeth I was quite CAPRICIOUS; her courtiers could never be sure which of the number would catch her fancy.
changing one’s mind quickly and often
castigate
Many Americans are amazed at how harshly the authorities in Singapore CASTIGATE perpetrators of what would be considered minor crimes in the United State.
to punish or criticize harshly
catalyst
The imposition of harsh taxes was the CATALYST that finally brought on the revolution.
something that brings about a change in something else
