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[chapter] Best C100 Candid | Honest, frank | syno: frank, honest, sincere, forthright | anto: deceitful, dishonest, evasive, secretive Candor | Honesty | syno: frankness, openness, sincerity, honesty | anto: deceit, dishonesty, secrecy, duplicity Capable | Competent | syno: competent, skilled, able, proficient | anto: incompetent, incapable, unskilled, inept Capability | Ability | syno: ability, capacity, competence, skill | anto: inability, incapacity, incompetence, weakness Captivate | Attract, fascinate | syno: fascinate, enchant, charm, entrance | anto: bore, repel, disgust, deter Captious | Fault-finding | syno: critical, carping, faultfinding, hypercritical | anto: complimentary, approving, uncritical, appreciative Capricious | Unpredictable, impulsive | syno: fickle, erratic, whimsical, volatile | anto: steady, consistent, stable, reliable Capitulate | Surrender | syno: surrender, submit, yield, concede | anto: resist, defy, fight, persevere Cardinal | Most important | syno: principal, chief, primary, fundamental | anto: minor, secondary, trivial, unimportant Carefree | Without worry | syno: untroubled, lighthearted, easygoing, relaxed | anto: anxious, worried, troubled, burdened Carnage | Mass killing | syno: slaughter, massacre, bloodshed, butchery | anto: peace, harmony, safety, mercy Carnal | Physical, worldly | syno: bodily, fleshly, sensual, physical | anto: spiritual, chaste, virtuous, pure Carve | Cut, shape | syno: sculpt, chisel, engrave, hew | anto: demolish, smash, join, merge Cascade | Waterfall, flow down | syno: waterfall, torrent, cataract, flow | anto: trickle, drip, stop, stagnate Castigate | Criticize severely | syno: rebuke, chastise, reprimand, censure | anto: praise, commend, compliment, applaud Casualty | Victim, loss | syno: victim, fatality, sufferer, loss | anto: survivor, beneficiary, winner, gain Cataclysm | Violent disaster | syno: disaster, calamity, catastrophe, upheaval | anto: boon, blessing, calm, stability Catalyst | Something that speeds change | syno: trigger, stimulus, spur, accelerator | anto: hindrance, deterrent, inhibitor, obstacle Catastrophe | Great disaster | syno: disaster, calamity, tragedy, cataclysm | anto: triumph, success, blessing, boon Categorize | Classify | syno: classify, sort, group, arrange | anto: jumble, disorganize, confuse, mix Cater | Provide for | syno: provide, supply, furnish, serve | anto: deprive, withhold, neglect, ignore Caustic | Harsh, sarcastic | syno: sarcastic, biting, scathing, acerbic | anto: kind, gentle, mild, soothing Cease | Stop | syno: stop, halt, end, discontinue | anto: continue, start, begin, persist Celebrated | Famous | syno: famous, renowned, illustrious, eminent | anto: unknown, obscure, unnoticed, ordinary Censure | Strong disapproval | syno: condemn, criticize, reprimand, denounce | anto: praise, approve, commend, endorse Cerebral | Intellectual | syno: intellectual, mental, cognitive, rational | anto: physical, instinctive, emotional, bodily Certify | Officially confirm | syno: confirm, validate, verify, attest | anto: deny, invalidate, refute, disclaim Chagrin | Embarrassment, disappointment | syno: embarrassment, disappointment, humiliation, mortification | anto: delight, satisfaction, pride, pleasure Champion | Support strongly | syno: advocate, support, defend, back | anto: oppose, undermine, abandon, discourage Chaotic | Disorderly | syno: disorderly, confused, turbulent, unruly | anto: orderly, organized, systematic, calm Characteristic | Typical feature | syno: trait, feature, attribute, quality | anto: anomaly, exception, oddity, irregularity Charisma | Personal charm | syno: charm, magnetism, appeal, allure | anto: repulsiveness, dullness, unattractiveness, awkwardness Charitable | Generous | syno: generous, benevolent, philanthropic, kind | anto: stingy, selfish, miserly, uncharitable Chastise | Punish, scold | syno: punish, rebuke, scold, discipline | anto: praise, reward, commend, approve Chide | Rebuke mildly | syno: scold, reprimand, admonish, reprove | anto: praise, commend, compliment, encourage Chronic | Long-lasting | syno: persistent, lingering, prolonged, enduring | anto: temporary, short-lived, brief, occasional Chronicle | Record events | syno: record, account, history, narrative | anto: omit, ignore, forget, disregard Circumspect | Cautious | syno: cautious, wary, prudent, careful | anto: careless, reckless, rash, impulsive Circumvent | Avoid cleverly | syno: bypass, evade, avoid, dodge | anto: confront, face, comply, follow Cite | Quote as evidence | syno: quote, mention, reference, invoke | anto: ignore, omit, disregard, overlook Civil | Polite | syno: polite, courteous, respectful, cordial | anto: rude, impolite, discourteous, uncivil Clamor | Loud demand | syno: uproar, outcry, din, commotion | anto: silence, calm, quiet, stillness Clarify | Make clear | syno: explain, elucidate, illuminate, clear up | anto: confuse, obscure, muddle, complicate Clash | Conflict | syno: conflict, collision, dispute, confrontation | anto: agreement, harmony, accord, peace Clause | Part of a sentence | syno: provision, article, section, stipulation | anto: whole, entirety, complete, entire Clandestine | Secret | syno: secret, covert, furtive, hidden | anto: open, public, overt, obvious Clarity | Clearness | syno: clearness, transparency, lucidity, precision | anto: confusion, ambiguity, vagueness, obscurity Classical | Traditional | syno: traditional, conventional, timeless, established | anto: modern, contemporary, innovative, unconventional Clemency | Mercy | syno: mercy, leniency, compassion, forgiveness | anto: cruelty, harshness, severity, ruthlessness Cliché | Overused expression | syno: platitude, truism, stereotype, banality | anto: originality, novelty, freshness, innovation Coalesce | Come together | syno: merge, unite, combine, fuse | anto: separate, divide, disperse, split Coarse | Rough | syno: rough, harsh, crude, unrefined | anto: smooth, fine, refined, delicate Coax | Persuade gently | syno: persuade, cajole, entice, wheedle | anto: force, coerce, compel, intimidate Coerce | Force someone | syno: force, compel, pressure, intimidate | anto: persuade, invite, encourage, allow Cogent | Convincing | syno: convincing, persuasive, compelling, sound | anto: unconvincing, weak, ineffective, dubious Cognition | Knowledge, thinking | syno: perception, understanding, reasoning, thought | anto: ignorance, unawareness, misunderstanding, confusion Cohere | Stick together | syno: unite, bond, adhere, stick | anto: separate, disintegrate, scatter, disconnect Cohesive | United | syno: united, unified, integrated, connected | anto: divided, disunited, fragmented, disjointed Coincide | Occur together | syno: correspond, align, concur, synchronize | anto: differ, diverge, conflict, clash Collaborate | Work together | syno: cooperate, team up, join forces, partner | anto: compete, oppose, obstruct, hinder Collapse | Fall down | syno: fall, crumble, cave in, break down | anto: stand, rise, endure, strengthen Colleague | Co-worker | syno: coworker, associate, partner, teammate | anto: rival, competitor, stranger, opponent Colossal | Huge | syno: huge, enormous, immense, gigantic | anto: tiny, minute, small, minuscule Combat | Fight | syno: fight, battle, conflict, clash | anto: peace, truce, surrender, ceasefire Combination | Mixture | syno: mixture, blend, fusion, amalgamation | anto: separation, division, isolation, segregation Commemorate | Honor by remembrance | syno: honor, memorialize, celebrate, observe | anto: forget, ignore, disregard, neglect Commence | Begin | syno: begin, start, initiate, launch | anto: end, finish, conclude, terminate Commend | Praise | syno: praise, applaud, compliment, laud | anto: criticize, condemn, censure, denounce Commensurate | Corresponding in degree | syno: proportionate, equivalent, corresponding, comparable | anto: disproportionate, unequal, incommensurate, mismatched Compassion | Sympathy | syno: sympathy, empathy, kindness, mercy | anto: indifference, cruelty, callousness, apathy Compel | Force | syno: force, coerce, oblige, pressure | anto: persuade, discourage, dissuade, allow Competent | Skilled | syno: skilled, capable, proficient, qualified | anto: incompetent, unskilled, inept, incapable Compile | Collect together | syno: gather, assemble, collect, compose | anto: scatter, disperse, dismantle, separate Complacent | Self-satisfied | syno: self-satisfied, smug, contented, unconcerned | anto: dissatisfied, ambitious, anxious, discontented Complement | Complete something | syno: complete, supplement, enhance, accompany | anto: clash, contrast, detract, contradict Complex | Complicated | syno: complicated, intricate, convoluted, elaborate | anto: simple, straightforward, plain, uncomplicated Compliance | Obedience | syno: obedience, conformity, agreement, submission | anto: defiance, resistance, rebellion, disobedience Complicate | Make difficult | syno: confuse, entangle, muddle, convolute | anto: simplify, clarify, ease, streamline Compose | Create, write | syno: write, create, produce, formulate | anto: destroy, dismantle, erase, demolish Composure | Calmness | syno: calmness, poise, equanimity, serenity | anto: agitation, anxiety, distress, panic Comprehensive | Complete, thorough | syno: thorough, complete, extensive, exhaustive | anto: partial, incomplete, limited, superficial Compromise | Mutual agreement | syno: agreement, settlement, concession, arrangement | anto: dispute, disagreement, conflict, stalemate Conceal | Hide | syno: hide, disguise, mask, cover | anto: reveal, expose, disclose, uncover Concede | Admit | syno: admit, acknowledge, accept, yield | anto: deny, refuse, contest, dispute Conceive | Imagine | syno: imagine, envisage, devise, formulate | anto: disregard, ignore, misunderstand, forget Concise | Brief and clear | syno: brief, succinct, terse, compact | anto: verbose, lengthy, wordy, rambling Conclusive | Final, decisive | syno: decisive, definitive, final, unequivocal | anto: inconclusive, uncertain, doubtful, ambiguous Condemn | Express strong disapproval | syno: denounce, criticize, censure, rebuke | anto: praise, approve, commend, endorse Condescend | Behave as if superior | syno: patronize, stoop, deign, look down on | anto: respect, esteem, honor, revere Conduct | Behavior; manage | syno: behavior, manage, direct, supervise | anto: mismanage, neglect, misbehave, disorganize Confer | Discuss, grant | syno: discuss, consult, deliberate, bestow | anto: withhold, deny, refuse, ignore Confide | Trust someone | syno: entrust, disclose, reveal, divulge | anto: conceal, withhold, distrust, suspect Confine | Restrict | syno: restrict, limit, restrain, imprison | anto: free, release, liberate, expand Confirm | Verify | syno: verify, validate, corroborate, affirm | anto: deny, refute, contradict, invalidate Conflict | Disagreement | syno: disagreement, dispute, clash, discord | anto: agreement, harmony, peace, accord Conform | Follow rules | syno: comply, adhere, obey, follow | anto: rebel, deviate, defy, resist Confront | Face boldly | syno: face, challenge, encounter, tackle | anto: avoid, evade, retreat, dodge Congenial | Pleasant, friendly | syno: friendly, agreeable, pleasant, amiable | anto: unfriendly, hostile, disagreeable, unpleasant Conscientious | Careful, diligent | syno: diligent, meticulous, careful, thorough | anto: careless, negligent, sloppy, irresponsible Consensus | General agreement | syno: agreement, unanimity, accord, harmony | anto: disagreement, discord, dissent, conflict [chapter] 23 june 2026 Agitation | Restlessness or annoyance | The announcement caused agitation among workers. | Restlessness, Anxiety, Disturbance Alleviate | To reduce suffering or difficulty | Government measures alleviated unemployment. | Ease, Relieve, Mitigate Allay | To reduce fear or concern | The minister tried to allay public fears. | Ease, Relieve, Calm Ameliorate | To improve a difficult situation | New reforms ameliorated living conditions. | Improve, Better, Enhance Antihistamines | Drugs used to treat allergies | Antihistamines reduce sneezing and itching. | Allergy medicines, Anti-allergic drugs Arbitrary | Based on personal choice rather than reason | The manager made an arbitrary decision. | Random, Capricious, Dictatorial Assuage | To make an unpleasant feeling less intense | Nothing could assuage her grief. | Relieve, Soothe, Ease Benevolent | Kind and helpful | The benevolent donor funded the school. | Kind, Charitable, Generous Bourgeoisie | The middle class of society | The bourgeoisie played a major role in the French Revolution. | Middle class, Conventional class Bronchodilators | Medicines that widen air passages | Bronchodilators help asthma patients breathe easily. | Airway expanders, Respiratory medicines Calamitous | Causing great damage or disaster | The flood had a calamitous effect on the village. | Catastrophic, Ruinous, Cataclysmic Candid | Honest and straightforward | She gave a candid opinion about the project. | Frank, Honest, Open Cataclysmic | Involving a violent upheaval | The war brought cataclysmic changes. | Catastrophic, Calamitous, Devastating Catastrophic | Extremely damaging | The earthquake was catastrophic. | Calamitous, Devastating, Ruinous Cocktails | Mixtures of different substances | The medicine contained a cocktail of chemicals. | Mixtures, Blends, Combinations Collude | Secretly cooperate for wrongdoing | The companies colluded to fix prices. | Connive, Conspire, Cooperate Complacent | Self-satisfied and unaware of dangers | Success made the team complacent. | Smug, Self-satisfied, Content Complicity | Involvement in wrongdoing | His complicity in the crime was proven. | Connivance, Collaboration, Participation Conceited | Excessively proud of oneself | She is too conceited about her looks. | Vain, Egotistical, Narcissistic Condescending | Treating others as inferior | Her condescending tone offended the students. | Patronizing, Superior, Snobbish Connive | Secretly cooperate in wrongdoing | Officials were accused of conniving with smugglers. | Collude, Conspire, Accomplice Console | To comfort someone in distress | Friends consoled her after the loss. | Comfort, Soothe, Solace Conspire | Plan secretly for unlawful purposes | They conspired against the king. | Plot, Collude, Scheme Contamination | Making something impure by adding harmful substances | Water contamination is a major health concern. | Pollution, Tainting, Impurity Credible | Believable and trustworthy | She provided a credible explanation for the incident. | Reliable, Trustworthy, Convincing Debility | Physical weakness | Illness caused severe debility. | Weakness, Frailty, Infirmity Decongestants | Medicines that relieve nasal blockage | The doctor prescribed decongestants for his cold. | Nasal relievers, Congestion reducers De facto | Existing in reality though not officially recognized | He became the de facto leader of the group. | In practice, In reality, Actual Depraved | Morally corrupt or wicked | The court condemned his depraved actions. | Corrupt, Immoral, Degenerate Defensive | Intended to protect oneself | He became defensive when questioned about the mistake. | Protective, Guarded, Self-protective [chapter] 22 june 2026 Divulge | To reveal secret information | He refused to divulge confidential details. | Reveal, Disclose, Unveil Domineering | Overly controlling | He has a domineering personality. | Bossy, Authoritarian, Overbearing Dormant | Inactive for a period of time | The volcano has remained dormant for centuries. | Inactive, Sleeping, Latent Entrenched | Firmly established and difficult to change | Corruption has become entrenched in the system. | Deep-rooted, Embedded, Established Fragility | Easily broken or damaged | The fragility of glass requires care. | Delicacy, Frailty, Weakness Frailty | Weakness | Old age often brings physical frailty. | Debility, Fragility, Infirmity Futile | Useless or pointless | It was futile to argue with him. | Pointless, Vain, Ineffective Glint | A brief flash or sparkle of light | A glint of sunlight reflected from the mirror. | Gleam, Shimmer, Sparkle, Twinkle Grandiose | Impressive in appearance but unrealistic | The politician made a grandiose promise to eradicate poverty in a month. | Magniloquent, Pretentious, Magnificent, Ostentatious Haughty | Arrogantly superior | The haughty officer ignored the staff. | Arrogant, Proud, Disdainful Imperious | Commanding and arrogant | The imperious queen expected obedience. | Domineering, Authoritarian, Overbearing Infirmity | Physical or mental weakness | Age brought many infirmities. | Frailty, Weakness, Debility Magniloquent | Using lofty language | The speech was magniloquent but meaningless. | Grandiose, Pompous, Pretentious Mitigate | To make less severe | Steps were taken to mitigate the damage. | Reduce, Ease, Alleviate Muckraking | Exposing corruption or scandals | The journalist became famous for muckraking reports on government fraud. | Whistleblowing, Exposé, Investigative reporting Narcissistic | Excessively self-admiring | His narcissistic behavior drove people away. | Self-obsessed, Conceited, Vain Obscurantism | Deliberate suppression of knowledge or truth | Obscurantism prevents people from thinking critically. | Anti-intellectualism, Secrecy, Suppression Ostentatious | Designed to impress others | They lived in an ostentatious mansion. | Showy, Flashy, Pretentious Palliate | To lessen the severity of something | The medicine helped palliate the pain. | Relieve, Ease, Mitigate Palliation | Relief from pain without curing the cause | The treatment provided palliation rather than a cure. | Relief, Mitigation, Alleviation Palpitations | Rapid or irregular heartbeats | Excess caffeine can cause palpitations. | Heart pounding, Heart fluttering Paradoxical | Opposite to what is expected | His success had a paradoxical effect on his happiness. | Contradictory, Inconsistent, Unexpected Pacify | To calm someone down | The mother pacified the crying child. | Calm, Soothe, Appease Patronizing | Appearing kind but showing superiority | His patronizing remarks irritated everyone. | Condescending, Superior, Snobbish Pretentious | Trying to impress by appearing important | His pretentious lifestyle attracted criticism. | Grandiose, Pompous, Ostentatious Propitiate | To appease or win favor | The king offered gifts to propitiate the angry nobles. | Appease, Placate, Conciliate, Mollify Reprieve | Temporary postponement of punishment | The prisoner received a reprieve before execution. | Respite, Delay, Suspension Resplendent | Attractive and impressive; shining brilliantly | She looked resplendent in her wedding attire. | Magnificent, Splendid, Dazzling, Gorgeous Ruinous | Leading to destruction | The policy had ruinous consequences. | Destructive, Calamitous, Catastrophic Sedation | State of calmness or sleep induced by drugs | The patient was kept under sedation during surgery. | Drowsiness, Tranquilization, Sleepiness [chapter] 21 june 2026 Shoddy | Poor in quality or workmanship | The contractor used shoddy materials for construction. | Inferior, Cheap, Defective, Substandard Singled out | Chosen individually from others | The teacher singled out Ravi for praise. | Selected, Picked, Chosen Smug | Excessively pleased with oneself | He looked smug after winning. | Self-satisfied, Conceited, Complacent Snooty | Showing excessive pride | The waiter seemed snooty and unfriendly. | Snobbish, Arrogant, Superior Snobbish | Looking down on others | Her snobbish attitude annoyed everyone. | Arrogant, Elitist, Conceited Solace | Comfort in sorrow | Music gave him solace during difficult times. | Comfort, Relief, Consolation Supercilious | Behaving as if superior to others | He gave a supercilious smile. | Condescending, Arrogant, Patronizing Suppressants | Substances that reduce symptoms or urges | The doctor advised cough suppressants. | Inhibitors, Reducers, Dampeners Swaggering | Walking or behaving arrogantly | The swaggering gangster entered the room. | Boastful, Arrogant, Cocky Self-satisfied | Pleased with oneself excessively | She seemed self-satisfied after the praise. | Smug, Complacent, Conceited Tremors | Involuntary shaking movements | The patient experienced tremors in his hands. | Shaking, Vibrations, Quivering Undermined | Weakened gradually | Corruption undermined public trust in the system. | Weakened, Eroded, Impaired Unveil | To make something known publicly | The company unveiled its new product. | Reveal, Introduce, Disclose Vain | Excessively concerned about appearance | He is vain about his hairstyle. | Conceited, Narcissistic, Proud Vainglorious | Excessively boastful | The vainglorious athlete praised himself constantly. | Boastful, Conceited, Arrogant [chapter] 20 june 2026 Whittle | reduce gradually; diminish, lessen | The company tried to whittle down its expenses over several years. | often used as "whittle down" or "whittle away" Wilt | become limp; droop, wither | The flowers wilted under the scorching sun. | commonly used for plants Windfall | unexpected gain; bonanza, jackpot | Winning the lottery was a huge windfall for him. | usually refers to unexpected money or profit Winnow | separate useful from useless; sift, filter | The panel winnowed hundreds of applications to select the best candidates. | originally means separating grain from husk Woe | great sorrow; grief, misery | The old man's tale of woe moved everyone to tears. | phrase: "tale of woe" Wrangle | argue angrily; quarrel, dispute | The members wrangled over the budget proposal for hours. | often implies a prolonged argument Wreath | decorative ring of flowers or leaves | A wreath was laid at the memorial to honor the soldiers. | common in ceremonies and funerals Wreckage | damaged remains; debris, ruins | Rescuers searched the wreckage of the crashed aircraft. | used after accidents or disasters Wriggle | twist and move; squirm, twist | The child wriggled free from his mother's grip. | think of a worm moving Waybill | document accompanying transported goods; shipping document, consignment note | The truck driver showed the waybill at the checkpoint. | contains details of sender, receiver, goods, and route Yearning | intense longing; desire, craving | She felt a deep yearning to see her hometown again. | strong emotional desire Yoke | wooden harness; burden, bond | The oxen were joined together by a yoke. | figuratively means burden or oppression Zealot | fanatical follower; fanatic, extremist | The zealot refused to listen to any opposing opinions. | derived from "zeal" (excessive enthusiasm) Yardstick | standard for comparison; benchmark, criterion | The literacy rate is often used as a yardstick for development. | figuratively means a measure or standard Wry | dryly humorous; ironic, sarcastic | He gave a wry smile after hearing the excuse. | often used for humor mixed with criticism Wrench | pull violently; jerk, yank | She tried to wrench the door open. | can also mean sudden emotional pain Wreak | cause; inflict, bring about | The cyclone wreaked havoc across the coastal areas. | common phrase: "wreak havoc" Wraith | ghost; phantom, specter | The old castle was said to be haunted by a wraith. | literary word for ghost Worn | exhausted; tired, fatigued | After the long journey, he felt completely worn out. | phrase: "worn out" Wobble | move unsteadily; sway, totter | The bicycle began to wobble on the rough road. | indicates instability Wistful | longing; nostalgic, yearning | She looked wistful while talking about her childhood. | sadness mixed with longing Whirl | spin rapidly; rotate, twirl | The dancer began to whirl across the stage. | can also mean confusion or busy activity Whinny | neigh; neighing sound of a horse | The horse let out a loud whinny. | specific sound made by horses Voluminous | large; extensive, massive | He submitted a voluminous report on the project. | refers to great size or volume Wager | bet; stake, gamble | He placed a wager on the cricket match. | both noun and verb Wallow | indulge excessively; revel, luxuriate | Don't wallow in self-pity after a failure. | often used negatively Wander | roam; meander, drift | Tourists wandered through the ancient streets. | can also mean lose focus mentally Wastrel | spendthrift; squanderer, prodigal | The rich wastrel wasted his inheritance on luxuries. | person who wastes money or opportunities Welter | confused mass; chaos, jumble | The room was in a welter of books and papers. | can also mean a state of confusion Whine | complain; grumble, moan | Stop whining about the weather and focus on your work. | can also mean a high-pitched sound made by a machine or animal [chapter] synonyms top 100 Abate|decrease, diminish|The storm suddenly abated.|to become less intense Aberration|deviation, anomaly|They described the outbreak of violence in the area as an aberration.|a departure from what is normal Abject|wretched, miserable|Both of them died in abject poverty.|experienced or present to the maximum degree Abortive|futile, vain|He made an abortive attempt to swim the channel.|failing to produce the intended result Absolve|acquit, exonerate|The pardon absolved them of any crimes.|declare someone free from guilt Abundant|plentiful, copious|There was abundant evidence to support the theory.|existing or available in large quantities Accolade|award, honor|The ultimate official accolade of a visit by the president.|an award or privilege granted as a special honor Accord|agreement, harmony|The governments signed a peace accord.|give or grant someone power or recognition Acme|pinnacle, zenith|Physics is the acme of scientific knowledge.|the point at which someone or something is best Acrimonious|bitter, harsh|An acrimonious dispute about wages.|angry and bitter Acumen|awareness, brilliance|Business acumen is required to succeed.|the ability to make good judgments Adamant|stubborn, inflexible|He is adamant that he is not going to resign.|refusing to be persuaded Adherent|follower, supporter|He was a strong adherent of monetarism.|someone who supports a particular party or set of ideas Admonish|reprimand, scold|She admonished me for appearing at breakfast unshaven.|warn or reprimand someone firmly Adroit|skillful, adept|He was adroit at tax avoidance.|clever or skillful in using the hands or mind Adulation|flattery, worship|He found it difficult to cope with the adulation of the fans.|obsequious flattery Adversity|misfortune, hardship|Resilience in the face of adversity.|difficulties or misfortune Affable|friendly, amiable|An affable and agreeable companion.|friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to Alacrity|eagerness, readiness|She accepted the invitation with alacrity.|brisk and cheerful readiness Alleviate|reduce, ease|He couldn't prevent her pain, only alleviate it.|make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe Altruistic|unselfish, philanthropic|It was an entirely altruistic act.|showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others Amalgamate|combine, merge|He amalgamated his company with another.|combine or unite to form one organization or structure Ambiguous|unclear, obscure|The election result was ambiguous.|open to more than one interpretation Ameliorate|improve, amend|The reform did much to ameliorate living standards.|make something bad or unsatisfactory better Amiable|friendly, pleasant|An amiable, unassuming fellow.|having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner Animosity|hostility, friction|He no longer felt any animosity toward her.|strong hostility Anomalous|abnormal, irregular|An anomalous situation arose.|deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected Antipathy|hostility, aversion|His fundamental antipathy to capitalism.|a deep-seated feeling of dislike Apathy|indifference, unconcern|Widespread apathy among students.|lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern Appalling|shocking, horrific|His conduct was appalling.|awful or terrible Appease|pacify, conciliate|Amendments have been added to appease local pressure groups.|pacify or placate someone by acceding to their demands Apposite|appropriate, fitting|An apposite quotation.|apt in the circumstances or in relation to something Apprehend|arrest, capture|A warrant was issued but he has not been apprehended.|arrest someone for a crime Arbitrary|random, chance|His mealtimes were entirely arbitrary.|based on random choice or personal whim Arcane|mysterious, secret|Modern math and its arcane notation.|understood by few, mysterious or secret Archaic|obsolete, old-fashioned|Prisons are run on archaic methods.|very old or old-fashioned Arduous|difficult, laborious|An arduous journey.|involving or requiring strenuous effort Articulate|eloquent, fluent|An articulate account of their experiences.|having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently Ascetic|austere, self-denying|An ascetic life of prayer.|characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline Assuage|relieve, alleviate|The letter assuaged the fears of most members.|make an unpleasant feeling less intense Astute|shrewd, clever|An astute businessman.|having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations Audacious|bold, daring|A series of audacious takeovers.|showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks Augment|increase, expand|He augmented his summer income by painting houses.|make something greater by adding to it Auspicious|favorable, promising|It was not the most auspicious moment to hold an election.|conducive to success, favorable Austere|severe, strict|An austere man, with a rigidly puritanical outlook.|severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance Avarice|greed, cupidity|He was rich beyond the dreams of avarice.|extreme greed for wealth or material gain Banal|trite, hackneyed|Songs with banal, repeated words.|so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring Belligerent|hostile, aggressive|A bull-necked, belligerent old man.|hostile and aggressive Benevolent|kind, charitable|A benevolent smile.|well meaning and kindly Benign|harmless, gentle|Her face was calm and benign.|gentle and kindly Bleak|bare, desolate|A bleak and empty landscape.|lacking vegetation and exposed to the elements Blunder|mistake, error|She stopped, finally aware of the terrible blunder she had made.|a stupid or careless mistake Boisterous|lively, exuberant|The boisterous conviviality associated with taverns.|noisy, energetic, and cheerful Brazen|bold, shameless|He went about his illegal business with a brazen assurance.|bold and without shame Brevity|conciseness, shortness|The staff will edit manuscripts with a view to brevity and clarity.|concise and exact use of words in writing or speech Bucolic|rustic, rural|The church is lovely for its bucolic setting.|relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside Cacophony|din, racket|A cacophony of deafening alarm bells.|a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds Cajole|coax, persuade|He hoped to cajole her into selling the house.|persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery Callous|cruel, heartless|His callous comments about the murder made me shiver.|showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others Candid|frank, honest|His responses were remarkably candid.|truthful and straightforward, frank Capricious|fickle, unpredictable|A capricious and often brutal administration.|given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior Castigate|reprimand, rebuke|He was castigated for not setting a good example.|reprimand someone severely Catastrophe|disaster, calamity|A national economic catastrophe.|an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering Censure|condemn, criticize|A judge was censured for injudicious conduct.|express severe disapproval of someone or something Chauvinism|jingoism, prejudice|Public opinion was easily moved to chauvinism and nationalism.|exaggerated or aggressive patriotism Chivalrous|gallant, polite|Shall I be chivalrous and offer you my coat?|courteous and gallant, especially toward women Clandestine|secret, covert|She deserved better than these clandestine meetings.|kept secret or done secretively Coerce|force, compel|They were coerced into silence.|persuade an unwilling person to do something by using force or threats Cogent|convincing, logical|They put forward cogent arguments for the membership.|clear, logical, and convincing Collusion|conspiracy, complicity|The armed forces were working in collusion with drug traffickers.|secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy Colossal|huge, massive|A colossal amount of mail.|extremely large Commensurate|proportional, equal|Salary will be commensurate with experience.|corresponding in size or degree, in proportion Complacent|smug, self-satisfied|You cannot afford to be complacent about security.|showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one achievements Conciliate|appease, pacify|Concessions were made to conciliate the peasantry.|stop someone from being angry or discontented Condone|overlook, forgive|The college cannot condone any behavior that involves illicit drugs.|accept and allow behavior that is considered morally wrong Conducive|favorable, helpful|The harsh lights were hardly conducive to a relaxed atmosphere.|making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible Conflagration|fire, inferno|Tinder-dry conditions sparked fears of a conflagration.|an extensive fire that destroys a great deal of land or property Consensus|agreement, harmony|A consensus of opinion among judges.|a general agreement Conspicuous|noticeable, clear|He was very conspicuous by his absence.|standing out so as to be clearly visible Contraband|smuggled, illegal|The police looked for drugs, guns, and other contraband.|goods that have been imported or exported illegally Contrite|remorseful, repentant|A broken and a contrite heart.|feeling or expressing remorse or penitence Corpulent|fat, obese|A short, somewhat corpulent man.|fat Corroborate|confirm, verify|The witness had corroborated the boy's account of the attack.|confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding Credulous|gullible, naive|A ceremony staged for credulous tourists.|having or showing too great a readiness to believe things Cryptic|mysterious, enigmatic|He found his boss utterances too cryptic.|having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure Culpable|guilty, blameworthy|Sometimes you are just as culpable when you watch something happen.|deserving blame Cumbersome|bulky, awkward|Cumbersome diving suits.|large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use Cursory|hasty, brief|A cursory glance at the figures.|hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed Dearth|lack, scarcity|There is a dearth of evidence.|a scarcity or lack of something Debilitate|weaken, enfeeble|A bout of the flu had debilitated her.|make someone weak and infirm Decimate|destroy, annihilate|The project would decimate the fragile wetland wilderness.|kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage or part of Decorum|propriety, decency|You exhibit remarkable modesty and decorum.|behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety Deference|respect, reverence|He addressed her with the deference due to age.|humble submission and respect Deleterious|harmful, damaging|Divorce is assumed to have deleterious effects on children.|causing harm or damage Delineate|describe, outline|The law should delineate and prohibit behavior that is socially abhorrent.|describe or portray something precisely Deluge|flood, inundation|This may be the worst deluge in living memory.|a severe flood Demeanor|behavior, manner|A quiet, somber demeanor.|outward behavior or bearing Derogatory|disparaging, belittling|She tells me I am fat and is always making derogatory remarks.|showing a critical or disrespectful attitude Despicable|contemptible, awful|A despicable crime.|deserving hatred and contempt Desultory|casual, perfunctory|A few people were left, dancing in a desultory fashion.|lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm [chapter] A WORDS Abnegation | Abstinence, Rejection, Denial, Sacrifice, Refusal, Renouncement | His abnegation of luxuries impressed everyone. | abnegation = self-denial Aplomb | Composure, Calmness, Self-Assurance, Equanimity, Confidence, Poise | She answered the tough questions with aplomb. | aplomb = self-confidence Abnormal | Atypical, Irregular, Unnatural, Deviant, Anomalous, Unusual | The abnormal heat this summer is concerning. | abnormal = not normal Aroma | Odour, Smell, Fragrance, Bouquet, Scent, Perfume | The aroma of fresh bread was irresistible. | aroma = pleasant smell Agitated | Restless, Perturbed, Upset, Troubled, Anxious, Disturbed | He became agitated waiting for the results. | agitated = nervous and restless Adapt | Tailor, Accommodate, Modify, Alter, Conform, Adjust | We must adapt to changing circumstances. | adapt = adjust to fit Accredit | Authenticate, Sanction, Certify, Endorse, Authorize, Validate | The board will accredit the new course. | accredit = officially approve Afraid | Apprehensive, Frightened, Scared, Timid, Terrified, Fearful | The child is afraid of the dark. | afraid = feeling fear Abettor | Partner, Accessory, Conspirator, Accomplice, Associate, Collaborator | The abettor helped plan the heist. | abettor = one who helps a criminal Amorous | Affectionate, Romantic, Lustful, Erotic, Loving, Passionate | He wrote her an amorous letter. | amorous = showing romantic love Aloof | Standoffish, Detached, Indifferent, Reserved, Distant, Cold | The new manager remained aloof from staff. | aloof = emotionally distant Abrogate | Cancel, Repeal, Nullify, Revoke, Abolish, Annul | The government plans to abrogate the outdated law. | abrogate = officially cancel Abode | Domicile, Dwelling, Habitat, Shelter, Lodging, Residence | Welcome to my humble abode. | abode = a place of residence Allege | Declare, Contend, Charge, Maintain, Assert, Claim | The police allege he stole the car. | allege = claim without proof Angry | Infuriated, Irate, Enraged, Livid, Furious, Incensed | The unfair decision made him angry. | angry = feeling strong displeasure Antipathy | Hatred, Repugnance, Aversion, Loathing, Dislike, Hostility | They share a mutual antipathy. | antipathy = deep dislike Attain | Obtain, Secure, Reach, Gain, Accomplish, Achieve | He worked hard to attain his goals. | attain = succeed in achieving Abuse | Exploit, Scorn, Maltreat, Misuse, Mistreat, Harm | It is wrong to abuse animals. | abuse = treat badly Awry | Amiss, Distorted, Crooked, Off-Course, Askew, Crookedly | All our plans went awry due to rain. | awry = not according to plan Appalling | Horrifying, Terrible, Dreadful, Shocking, Alarming, Horrific | The living conditions were appalling. | appalling = shocking and disgusting Afflict | Burden, Plague, Distress, Trouble, Torment, Annoy | Many diseases afflict the poor. | afflict = cause suffering to Abort | Terminate, Halt, Discontinue, Stop, Cancel, End | The mission had to abort due to bad weather. | abort = stop prematurely Altruist | Patron, Giver, Philanthropist, Donor, Benefactor, Humanitarian | The altruist donated his fortune to charity. | altruist = unselfish person Astute | Perceptive, Insightful, Clever, Sharp, Keen, Shrewd | He is an astute businessman. | astute = sharp-minded Appraise | Estimate, Gauge, Rate, Assess, Judge, Evaluate | The jeweler will appraise the diamond. | appraise = assess the value of Alteration | Revision, Change, Transformation, Amendment, Modification, Adjustment | The tailor made a minor alteration to the shirt. | alteration = a change Assertive | Bold, Self-Assured, Decisive, Domineering, Forceful, Confident | You need to be more assertive in meetings. | assertive = confident and firm Anodyne | Inoffensive, Harmless, Mild, Bland, Soothing, Benign | It was a fairly anodyne remark. | anodyne = inoffensive and mild Anticipate | Envision, Forecast, Await, Expect, Foresee, Predict | We anticipate a large crowd at the event. | anticipate = expect beforehand Adept | Skilled, Competent, Proficient, Capable, Expert, Able | She is adept at solving complex problems. | adept = highly skilled Admonition | Rebuke, Advice, Caution, Warning, Counsel, Reprimand | He received a stern admonition for being late. | admonition = a firm warning Amusement | Recreation, Diversion, Fun, Pleasure, Enjoyment, Entertainment | We watched the comedy show with great amusement. | amusement = enjoyment and fun Apex | Zenith, Summit, Acme, Pinnacle, Peak, Top | He reached the apex of his career. | apex = the highest point Accurate | Faultless, True, Correct, Exact, Faithful, Precise | The report must be completely accurate. | accurate = exactly correct Accused | Suspected, Blamed, Indicted, Arraigned, Implicated, Charged | The accused pleaded not guilty in court. | accused = blamed for a crime Advantageous | Useful, Constructive, Profitable, Beneficial, Helpful, Favourable | The deal is advantageous to both parties. | advantageous = helpful and beneficial Amaze | Stun, Dumbfound, Bewilder, Astonish, Astound, Surprise | The magician's tricks never fail to amaze. | amaze = greatly surprise Abysmal | Dreadful, Dire, Terrible, Dismal, Appalling, Bottomless | The team's performance was abysmal. | abysmal = extremely bad Artful | Sly, Crafty, Cunning, Wily, Clever, Shrewd | The artful thief escaped unnoticed. | artful = cleverly deceitful Auspicious | Bright, Encouraging, Fortunate, Promising, Propitious, Favourable | The ceremony began at an auspicious time. | auspicious = favourable and promising Apathy | Disinterest, Lethargy, Torpor, Passivity, Indifference, Inertia | Voter apathy is a major concern. | apathy = lack of interest Apathetic | Detached, Unconcerned, Indifferent, Passive, Listless, Uninterested | The students seemed apathetic about the lesson. | apathetic = showing no interest Attribute | Hallmark, Trait, Feature, Property, Quality, Characteristic | Patience is a fine attribute. | attribute = a quality or feature Aversion | Revulsion, Dislike, Antipathy, Loathing, Hatred, Repugnance | She has a strong aversion to snakes. | aversion = strong dislike Anomalous | Irregular, Abnormal, Eccentric, Atypical, Deviant, Peculiar | The test results were anomalous. | anomalous = different from normal Anthology | Treasury, Repertoire, Compendium, Assortment, Compilation, Collection | She published an anthology of short stories. | anthology = a collection of works Abortive | Failed, Ineffectual, Futile, Fruitless, Vain, Unsuccessful | The rescue mission proved abortive. | abortive = failing to achieve result Actuate | Stimulate, Activate, Drive, Motivate, Move, Prompt | Greed actuated his betrayal. | actuate = cause to act Anguish | Distress, Grief, Torment, Agony, Sorrow, Ache | She cried out in anguish. | anguish = extreme pain or sorrow Admonish | Reprove, Scold, Warn, Rebuke, Caution, Reprimand | The teacher admonished the noisy students. | admonish = warn firmly Ablution | Purification, Rinsing, Scrubbing, Washing, Cleansing, Bathing | He performed his morning ablutions. | ablution = washing oneself Abruptly | Hastily, Precipitously, Unexpectedly, Brusquely, Sharply, Suddenly | The meeting ended abruptly. | abruptly = suddenly and unexpectedly Amiable | Cordial, Friendly, Pleasant, Affable, Good-Natured, Genial | She is an amiable host. | amiable = friendly and pleasant Amend | Fix, Improve, Correct, Revise, Rectify, Alter | The law needs to be amended. | amend = make changes to improve Apparently | Outwardly, Visibly, Ostensibly, Supposedly, Evidently, Seemingly | Apparently, he missed the train. | apparently = as it seems Aggregate | Combined, Entirety, Sum, Collective, Total, Whole | The aggregate score was 450 runs. | aggregate = total sum Abolition | Eradication, Annulment, Revocation, Elimination, Termination, Cancellation | Abolition of slavery was a landmark reform. | abolition = official ending Absorbing | Engrossing, Enthralling, Gripping, Riveting, Fascinating, Captivating | The novel was deeply absorbing. | absorbing = very interesting Accountable | Culpable, Obligated, Answerable, Subject, Liable, Responsible | Officials must be accountable for their actions. | accountable = required to take responsibility Ambiguous | Obscure, Unclear, Vague, Cryptic, Equivocal, Indefinite | His reply was intentionally ambiguous. | ambiguous = unclear in meaning Acknowledge | Concede, Admit, Recognize, Affirm, Accept, Confirm | She acknowledged her mistake. | acknowledge = accept or admit Aisle | Lane, Path, Corridor, Gangway, Walkway, Passage | She walked down the aisle at her wedding. | aisle = a passage between rows Astonishment | Disbelief, Shock, Surprise, Awe, Amazement, Wonder | He stared in astonishment. | astonishment = great surprise Adverse | Negative, Detrimental, Hostile, Contrary, Unfavourable, Opposing | The drug has adverse side effects. | adverse = harmful and unfavourable Amalgam | Composite, Alloy, Blend, Mixture, Combination, Fusion | The city is an amalgam of cultures. | amalgam = a mixture Allay | Calm, Mitigate, Relieve, Pacify, Ease, Soothe | The doctor tried to allay her fears. | allay = reduce or calm Appreciate | Value, Recognize, Esteem, Cherish, Treasure, Admire | I really appreciate your help. | appreciate = recognize the value of Appease | Placate, Mollify, Soothe, Calm, Satisfy, Pacify | They offered a gift to appease the angry customer. | appease = calm by giving in Augment | Boost, Expand, Intensify, Magnify, Increase, Amplify | He took a second job to augment his income. | augment = increase or add to Acquaint | Brief, Apprise, Familiarise, Notify, Inform, Introduce | Please acquaint me with the facts. | acquaint = make familiar with Adeptly | Skillfully, Proficiently, Competently, Expertly, Ably, Capably | She adeptly handled the crisis. | adeptly = in a skilled manner Anger | Ire, Indignation, Wrath, Rage, Fury, Displeasure | His injustice sparked public anger. | anger = strong feeling of displeasure Adore | Revere, Cherish, Worship, Venerate, Idolize, Admire | I absolutely adore my grandparents. | adore = love deeply Agony | Misery, Torment, Distress, Suffering, Pain, Anguish | The injured animal was in agony. | agony = extreme physical or mental pain Accessories | Additions, Supplements, Attachments, Accoutrements, Extras, Appurtenances | She bought a purse and matching accessories. | accessories = extra items added Aim | Intent, Ambition, Goal, Objective, Target, Purpose | His aim is to become a doctor. | aim = a goal or purpose Affront | Snub, Disrespect, Outrage, Slight, Insult, Offend | His rude remark was an affront to the guests. | affront = an open insult Advocate | Uphold, Back, Champion, Endorse, Promote, Support | We advocate for clean energy. | advocate = publicly support Annihilate | Eradicate, Exterminate, Destroy, Demolish, Obliterate, Eliminate | The army was ordered to annihilate the enemy. | annihilate = destroy completely Ascription | Credit, Imputation, Reference, Designation, Assignment, Attribution | The ascription of this quote to him is wrong. | ascription = the act of attributing something Antagonist | Rival, Enemy, Adversary, Nemesis, Foe, Opponent | The hero defeated the antagonist. | antagonist = an opponent or enemy Acquiescent | Submissive, Agreeable, Controllable, Compliant, Yielding, Tractable | He was acquiescent to their demands. | acquiescent = ready to accept without protest Avert | Forestall, Preclude, Deflect, Prevent, Avoid, Ward Off | The driver swerved to avert an accident. | avert = prevent or turn away Abide | Tolerate, Endure, Obey, Remain, Conform, Stick | You must abide by the rules. | abide = accept or obey Ability | Skill, Talent, Competence, Aptitude, Proficiency, Capacity | She has the ability to sing beautifully. | ability = the power to do something Accurately | Faithfully, Correctly, Perfectly, Truly, Exactly, Precisely | Measure the ingredients accurately. | accurately = without error Assertion | Proclamation, Contention, Statement, Declaration, Claim, Affirmation | His assertion about the moon landing is false. | assertion = a confident statement Atrocity | Outrage, Barbarity, Savagery, Cruelty, Brutality, Violence | The war was marked by numerous atrocities. | atrocity = an extremely cruel act Alarm | Dread, Terror, Fright, Alert, Panic, Warning | The smoke set off the fire alarm. | alarm = a warning of danger Accoutrements | Equipment, Gear, Paraphernalia, Furnishings, Apparatus, Trappings | The soldier packed his accoutrements. | accoutrements = items of equipment Adequate | Acceptable, Satisfactory, Enough, Competent, Suitable, Sufficient | The facilities were barely adequate. | adequate = sufficient enough Amusing | Comic, Humorous, Entertaining, Delightful, Funny, Laughable | He told an amusing story. | amusing = causing laughter or entertainment Adjust | Calibrate, Regulate, Tune, Adapt, Align, Modify | Please adjust the volume. | adjust = alter slightly to fit Arduous | Taxing, Exhausting, Laborious, Difficult, Grueling, Strenuous | The journey through the mountains was arduous. | arduous = involving great effort Assess | Measure, Appraise, Judge, Estimate, Rate, Evaluate | The damage needs to be assessed. | assess = evaluate or estimate the nature of Austere | Severe, Spartan, Ascetic, Unadorned, Stern, Strict | The monk lived an austere life. | austere = strict and simple Adhere | Follow, Stick, Observe, Conform, Abide, Comply | You must adhere to the guidelines. | adhere = stick firmly to rules Appeased | Placated, Soothed, Calmed, Satisfied, Mollified, Pacified | The toddler was appeased with a toy. | appeased = calmed down Alluring | Tempting, Bewitching, Seductive, Enticing, Captivating, Attractive | The idea of traveling the world is alluring. | alluring = powerfully attractive Arbitrary | Erratic, Inconsistent, Subjective, Whimsical, Capricious, Random | The choice seemed completely arbitrary. | arbitrary = based on random choice Advent | Beginning, Dawn, Emergence, Appearance, Arrival, Coming | The advent of the internet changed everything. | advent = the arrival of something important Anticipated | Projected, Foreseen, Expected, Awaited, Envisioned, Predicted | The movie was highly anticipated. | anticipated = eagerly expected Allow | Consent, Grant, Sanction, Permit, Authorize, Approve | The museum does not allow photography. | allow = give permission Apology | Regret, Pardon, Excuse, Expiation, Penitence, Amends | He offered a sincere apology for his mistake. | apology = expression of regret Affectionate | Caring, Loving, Devoted, Tender, Warm, Sympathetic | She is an affectionate mother. | affectionate = showing love and care Ancestor | Progenitor, Patriarch, Predecessor, Antecedent, Forebear, Forefather | My ancestors came from Ireland. | ancestor = a person from whom one is descended Adjustment | Regulation, Balancing, Modification, Correction, Alteration, Adaptation | The mechanic made a quick adjustment to the engine. | adjustment = a small change to fix something Assemble | Muster, Collect, Convene, Congregate, Gather, Amass | The students assemble in the hall every morning. | assemble = gather together Adulterated | Corrupted, Diluted, Tainted, Debased, Impure, Contaminated | They were selling adulterated ghee. | adulterated = made impure by adding inferior substances Annoying | Vexing, Aggravating, Irritating, Bothersome, Exasperating, Disturbing | The buzzing sound was very annoying. | annoying = causing irritation Answer | Rejoinder, Retort, Rebuttal, Response, Reply, Acknowledgement | Please answer my question directly. | answer = a reply to a question Accrue | Increase, Amass, Gather, Build Up, Collect, Accumulate | Interest will accrue on the savings account. | accrue = accumulate over time Absolute | Unconditional, Complete, Total, Utter, Entire, Unqualified | The ruler had absolute power. | absolute = total and unrestricted Awe | Veneration, Esteem, Wonder, Reverence, Respect, Admiration | The Grand Canyon filled us with awe. | awe = a feeling of deep respect mixed with wonder Acclaim | Approval, Accolade, Applause, Recognition, Commendation, Praise | The film received critical acclaim. | acclaim = enthusiastic public praise Application | Practice, Employment, Implementation, Utilization, Exercise, Use | The application of this theory is difficult. | application = the act of putting something into use Avenge | Repay, Requite, Revenge, Vindicate, Punish, Retaliate | He swore to avenge his father's death. | avenge = inflict harm in return for a wrong Autocratic | Domineering, Tyrannical, Absolute, Authoritarian, Despotic, Dictatorial | Employees resented his autocratic management style. | autocratic = ruling without others' input Addicted | Obsessed, Dependent, Habituated, Inclined, Devoted, Hooked | He is addicted to social media. | addicted = physically or mentally dependent on something Ablative | Removed, Separative, Subtractive, Detached, Withdrawing, Taken Away | The ablative coating wore away during re-entry. | ablative = tending to be removed Arbitrate | Mediate, Adjudicate, Judge, Intercede, Decide, Conciliate | A neutral party was called to arbitrate the dispute. | arbitrate = settle a dispute officially Annul | Void, Revoke, Cancel, Nullify, Abolish, Invalidate | They decided to annul the marriage. | annul = declare legally invalid Amplify | Augment, Expand, Increase, Boost, Magnify, Intensify | The microphone will amplify your voice. | amplify = increase the volume or intensity of Amble | Stroll, Wander, Roam, Saunter, Meander, Walk | We ambled along the beach at sunset. | amble = walk at a slow, relaxed pace Announce | Proclaim, Herald, Broadcast, Publish, Declare, Advertise | The principal will announce the results tomorrow. | announce = make a public statement Adversary | Competitor, Foe, Rival, Antagonist, Opponent, Enemy | He faced his adversary in the final round. | adversary = an opponent or enemy August | Illustrious, Majestic, Eminent, Noble, Dignified, Grand | The august presence of the king commanded silence. | august = respected, impressive, and grand Ablate | Erode, Remove, Wear Away, Diminish, Strip, Cut Away | The heat shield is designed to ablate slowly. | ablate = remove by erosion or melting Affable | Genial, Pleasant, Friendly, Amiable, Courteous, Cordial | The hotel manager was warm and affable. | affable = good-natured and easy to talk to Assent | Agreement, Consent, Approval, Compliance, Accord, Acceptance | The president gave his assent to the bill. | assent = express approval officially Achieve | Fulfill, Succeed, Complete, Realize, Attain, Accomplish | She worked tirelessly to achieve her dream. | achieve = successfully reach a goal Appeal | Entice, Implore, Request, Charm, Petition, Attract | The charity launched an appeal for funds. | appeal = a serious or urgent request Adventurous | Daring, Bold, Rash, Brave, Audacious, Intrepid | He is an adventurous traveler who loves risk. | adventurous = willing to take risks Active | Lively, Industrious, Vigorous, Busy, Dynamic, Energetic | She remains active even at the age of eighty. | active = engaged in physical movement Ablaze | Furious, Alight, Blazing, Ignited, Flaming, Burning | The entire building was set ablaze. | ablaze = burning fiercely Avengeful | Vindictive, Retaliatory, Revengeful, Spiteful, Vengeful, Malicious | He had an avengeful attitude after the betrayal. | avengeful = seeking revenge Appear | Surface, Emerge, Arise, Come Across, Seem, Look | Ghostly figures appear to float in the mist. | appear = become visible or noticeable Antique | Historic, Old, Aged, Archaic, Ancient, Vintage | She collects antique furniture. | antique = a valuable object of considerable age Adequately | Sufficiently, Competently, Satisfactorily, Acceptably, Suitably, Enough | He was paid adequately for the work. | adequately = to a satisfactory extent Acute | Sharp, Intense, Keen, Severe, Critical, Piercing | The patient was in acute pain. | acute = extremely severe or sharp Abate | Diminish, Subside, Decrease, Lessen, Decline, Wane | The storm began to abate by evening. | abate = become less intense Accost | Confront, Approach, Hail, Greet, Challenge, Waylay | A stranger accosted him in the street. | accost = approach and address aggressively Affirm | Declare, Confirm, Assert, Uphold, State, Avow | The court affirmed the previous ruling. | affirm = state firmly as true Acrimonious | Bitter, Caustic, Harsh, Rancorous, Acerbic, Hostile | The divorce proceedings were acrimonious. | acrimonious = angry and bitter in tone Absolute | Certain, Definite, Unquestionable, Positive, Decisive, Conclusive | This is an absolute necessity, not a luxury. | absolute = definite and unconditional Abbreviate | Truncate, Shorten, Compress, Contract, Abridge, Condense | It is common to abbreviate long words in notes. | abbreviate = shorten a word or phrase Absolutely | Completely, Entirely, Definitely, Unconditionally, Certainly, Utterly | I absolutely agree with your point. | absolutely = without any doubt Alter | Revise, Transform, Amend, Change, Adjust, Modify | She decided to alter the dress to fit better. | alter = change something Abstruse | Obscure, Esoteric, Recondite, Cryptic, Perplexing, Complex | The professor's lecture on quantum physics was abstruse. | abstruse = difficult to understand Amass | Gather, Accumulate, Collect, Stockpile, Hoard, Assemble | Over the years, he managed to amass a huge fortune. | amass = gather a large quantity of Aura | Atmosphere, Radiance, Glow, Halo, Ambience, Aura | The holy man had an aura of peace around him. | aura = a distinctive quality surrounding a person Adorn | Decorate, Embellish, Ornament, Beautify, Bedeck, Garnish | They adorn the hall with flowers for the festival. | adorn = make more beautiful Avarice | Rapacity, Covetousness, Cupidity, Acquisitiveness, Voracity, Greed | The king's avarice led to heavy taxes on the poor. | avarice = extreme greed for wealth Apprehend | Seize, Detain, Capture, Nab, Arrest, Catch | The police managed to apprehend the thief. | apprehend = arrest a criminal Assert | Declare, Maintain, Claim, Affirm, State, Contend | You must learn to assert your rights. | assert = state a fact confidently Astonish | Bewilder, Dumbfound, Surprise, Stun, Amaze, Astound | The magician's final trick will astonish you. | astonish = surprise or impress greatly Ascend | Rise, Climb, Soar, Mount, Escalate, Scale | The hot air balloon began to ascend slowly. | ascend = go up or climb Abduct | Kidnap, Snatch, Seize, Carry Off, Capture, Take | The criminals planned to abduct the businessman. | abduct = take someone away illegally Accord | Agreement, Harmony, Concurrence, Unanimity, Consensus, Concord | The two nations signed a peace accord. | accord = an official agreement or treaty Astonishing | Amazing, Stunning, Breathtaking, Incredible, Astounding, Surprising | The view from the summit was astonishing. | astonishing = extremely surprising or impressive Abide | Tolerate, Bear, Endure, Put Up With, Accept, Suffer | I cannot abide such rude behavior. | abide = tolerate or accept Abridge | Shorten, Condense, Summarize, Curtail, Truncate, Compress | The publisher decided to abridge the novel for students. | abridge = shorten without losing core meaning Acumen | Shrewdness, Insight, Keenness, Astuteness, Perspicacity, Sagacity | Her business acumen saved the company from bankruptcy. | acumen = the ability to make good judgments Aversion | Antipathy, Loathing, Revulsion, Dislike, Hatred, Repugnance | He has an aversion to waking up early. | aversion = a strong dislike Abdicate | Vacate, Resign, Relinquish, Surrender, Renounce, Abandon | The king decided to abdicate the throne. | abdicate = formally give up power Bewilderment | Disorientation, Bafflement, Puzzlement, Mystification, Perplexity, Confusion | He stared at the complex puzzle in bewilderment. | bewilderment = a feeling of being completely confused