 | Term | Definition |
| |
Abhor |
To loathe, hate, detest, dislike |
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Abrasive |
Harsh and rough in manner |
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Abridge |
To condense, shorten |
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Abrupt |
Sudden, curt |
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Absolve |
To forgive, free from blame, pardon |
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Accelerate |
To cause to develop or progress more quickly |
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Accentuate |
To stress or emphasize; intensify (make stronger), highlight |
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Accessible |
Attainable, available, approachable |
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Accomplice |
An associate in wrongdoing, partner in crime |
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Accord |
To bestow (give) upon |
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Acquire |
To gain possession of, obtain |
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Acrimony |
Bitterness, animosity, spite, unfriendliness |
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Adept |
Very skilled, proficient |
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Adorn |
To enhance, decorate, embellish, beautify |
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Adulation |
Excessive flattery, adoration |
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Advantageous |
Favorable, useful, beneficial |
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Adversary |
Opponent, challenger, enemy |
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Adversity |
A state of hardship, difficulty or misfortune (bad luck, trouble) |
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Aerate |
Expose to air |
| |
Aesthetic |
Pertaining to beauty or art, artistic |
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Affectation |
Pretension, false display |
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Affiliation |
An association with a group or organization, relationship |
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Agile |
Well-coordinated, nimble (lively) |
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Agitate |
Upset, disturb |
| |
Alacrity |
Cheerful willingness, eagerness; speed |
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Allegation |
Claim without proof |
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Alleviate |
Relieve, improve partially, ease, lessen |
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Amalgamation |
Consolidation of smaller parts, join up, merger |
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Ambiguous |
Uncertain, subject to multiple interpretations, unclear |
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Ambivalent |
Uncertain, emotionally conflicted, undecided |
| |
Amiable |
Friendly, pleasant, likable |
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Amicable |
Friendly, agreeable |
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Amorphous |
Having no definite from, formless |
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Amplify |
Increase, intensify |
| |
Anachronistic |
Outdated |
| |
Anarchist |
One who aims for the overthrow of government |
| |
Anecdote |
Short, usually funny account of an event |
| |
Antagonist |
Foe, adversary, opponent, enemy |
| |
Anthology |
Collection of literary works, collected work |
| |
Anthropocentrism |
Interpreting reality entirely based on human values |
| |
Antidote |
A remedy, cure, an agent used to counteract |
| |
Apathetic |
Indifferent, uninterested, unconcerned |
| |
Appalling |
Causing dismay (disappointment), awful, frightful |
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Appraise |
Evaluate, estimate the value |
| |
Arable |
Suitable for cultivation |
| |
Arbitration |
Settlement of a dispute by an outside party |
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Archaic |
Antiquated (old-fashioned), from an earlier time; outdated |
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Archetypal |
An ideal example of a type, typical, model |
| |
Archive |
To place into storage |
| |
Ardor |
Great emotion or passion |
| |
Arid |
Extremely dry or deathly boring |
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Ascetic |
Self-denying, abstinent (sober), and austere (strict) |
| |
Assertion |
Declaration, usually without proof |
| |
Assess |
To establish a value |
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Assiduous |
Diligent, persistent, hardworking |
| |
Assurance |
Guarantee, pledge |
| |
Astute |
Having good judgment |
| |
Asylum |
A place offering protection and safety |
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Attain |
To accomplish, gain |
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Atypical |
Unusual, irregular, uncommon |
| |
Audacious |
Bold, daring, fearless, brave |
| |
Augment |
To expand, extend, enlarge |
| |
Auspicious |
Having favorable prospects, promising |
| |
Authoritarian |
Demanding absolute obedience to authority, controlling |
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Autonomous |
Separate, independent |
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Avant-garde |
Radically new or original |
| |
Avian |
Of, or relating to, birds |
| |
Awe |
Reverence, respect, wonder |
| |
Assiduous |
Hard-working |
| |
Acquired |
Developed or learned; not naturally occurring |
| |
Affable |
easy-going, friendly, pleasant |
| |
Amenable |
responsive, agreeable, willing |
| |
Austere |
without decoration, strict, severe, stern |
| |
Abstract |
not applied to actual objects, theoretical |
| |
Apparatus |
equipment; a group of machines |
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