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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