+ Vocab: Week 2 ambiguous - asylum
Feb 23, 2016
+
Vocab: Week 2ambiguous - asylum
+11. ambiguousambiguously (adv); ambiguity (n) Definition: unclear; open to more than one
interpretation Sample Sentence: “Your question is
ambiguous—could you rephrase it?” Part of Speech: adjective Synonyms: debatable, vague Antonyms: clear
+12. ameliorate ameliorative (adj) Definition: to improve Sample Sentence: “The city reform did
much to ameliorate living standards for the working class.”
Part of Speech: verb Synonyms: help, enhance Antonyms: worsen
+13. amicableamicably (adv); amicability (n) Definition: characterized by friendship and
good will Sample Sentence: “After hours of arguing
we reached an amicable solution.” Part of Speech: adjective Synonyms: cooperative, harmonious Antonyms: unfriendly
+14. anomaly Definition: something that deviates from
what is standard, normal, or expected Sample Sentence: “With his quiet nature, he
was an anomaly in his loud family.” Part of Speech: noun Synonyms: aberration, abnormality Antonyms: standard
+15. apathy Definition: lack of interest, enthusiasm, or
concern Sample Sentence: “The student’s apathy
toward schoolwork was clear after looking at his report card.”
Part of Speech: noun Synonyms: unconcern Antonyms: interest, concern
+16. arid aridly (adv); aridity (noun) Definition: having little or no rain; too dry to
support vegetation Sample Sentence: “The hot and arid
conditions were enough to drive someone mad.”
Part of Speech: adjective Synonyms: dry, scorched Antonyms: wet, fertile
+17. ascetic ascetically (adv); asceticism (n) Definition: characterized by severe self-
discipline; without indulgence or luxuries Sample Sentence: “The monk dedicated
himself to an ascetic life of prayer, fasting, and hard labor.”
Part of Speech: adjective Synonyms: self-denying, simple Antonyms: indulgent
+18. assuage assuagement (n) Definition: to relieve or reduce pain; to
satisfy or soothe Sample Sentence: “The nurse worked
tirelessly to assuage the soldier’s pain.” Part of Speech: verb Synonyms: relieve, ease, alleviate Antonyms: intensify
+19. astuteastutely (adv); astuteness (n) Definition: having an ability to accurately
assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage
Sample Sentence: “He was an astute business man.”
Part of Speech: adjective Synonyms: clever, intelligent, insightful Antonyms: stupid
+20. asylum Definition: a shelter from danger or hardship Sample Sentence: “The country granted
asylum to the political refugees.” Part of Speech: noun Synonyms: refuge, shelter,
protection Antonyms: n/a