Abate
To reduce in amount, degree, or severity
Abscond
To leave secretly
Abstain
To choose not to do something
Abyss
An extremely deep hole
Adulterate
To make impure
Advocate
To speak in favor of
Aesthetic
Concerning the appreciation of beauty
Aggrandize
To increase in power, influence, or reputation
Amalgamate
To combine; to mix together
Ameliorate
To make better; improve
Anachronism
Something out of place in time
Analogous
Similar or alike in some way
Anomaly
Deviation from what is normal
Antagonize
To annoy or provoke to anger
Antipathy
Extreme dislike
Apathy
Lack of interest or emotion
Arbitrate
To judge a dispute between 2 opposing parties
Archaic
Ancient, old-fashioned
Ardor
Intense and passionate feeling
Articulate
Able to speak clearly and expressively
Assuage
To make something unpleasant less severe
Attenuate
To reduce in force or degree; to weaken
Audacious
Fearless and daring
Austere
Severe or stern in appearance; undecorated
Banal
Predictable, clich�d, boring
Bolster
To support; to prop up
Bombastic
Pompous in speech and manner
Cacophony
Harsh, jarring noise
Candid
Impartial and honest in speech
Capricious
Changing one's mind quickly and often
Castigate
To punish or criticize
Catalyst
Something that brings about a change in something else
Caustic
Biting in wit
Chaos
Great disorder or confusion
Chauvinist
Someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs
Chicanery
Deception by means of craft or guile
Cogent
Convincing and well reasoned
Condone
To overlook, pardon, or disregard
Convoluted
Intricate and complicated
Corroborate
To provide supporting evidence
Credulous
To trusting; gullible
Crescendo
Steadily increasing volume or force
Decorum
Appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety
Deference
Respect, courtesy
Deride
To speak of or treat with contempt; to mock
Desiccate
To dry out thoroughly