Words Starting with A

to give up completely

"They abandoned the sinking ship."

to reduce in amount, degree, or severity

"The storm finally began to abate after three hours."

to shorten a word or phrase

"Please abbreviate the document."

departing from an accepted standard

"The scientist's aberrant behavior raised concerns."

a state of temporary disuse or suspension

"The project was held in abeyance until funding was secured."

possession of means or skill

"She has the ability to succeed."

extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading

"They lived in abject poverty."

to solemnly renounce a belief or claim

"He abjured his allegiance to the king."

to renounce or reject something desired

"She abnegated all worldly pleasures."

to formally put an end to

"They voted to abolish the tax."

to scrape or wear away by friction

"The rough fabric abraded his skin."

in or to a foreign country

"She studied abroad for a year."

to abolish or annul by authority

"The new law abrogated the old regulations."

to leave hurriedly and secretly

"The treasurer absconded with the company's funds."

the state of being away from a place

"His absence was noticed."

not qualified or diminished in any way

"He has absolute power."

to take in or soak up

"The sponge absorbed the water."

to restrain oneself from doing something

"She abstained from voting."

indulging only moderately in food and drink

"His abstemious lifestyle included simple meals."

existing in thought or as an idea

"Love is an abstract concept."

difficult to understand; obscure

"The professor's abstruse theories confused students."

existing in large quantities

"The region has abundant resources."

to increase in rate or speed

"The car accelerated quickly."

to consent to receive

"She accepted the gift graciously."

the means or opportunity to approach

"We have access to the building."

enthusiastic public praise

"The book received critical acclaim."

an award or privilege granted as a special honor

"She received accolades for her performance."

to provide lodging or room for

"The hotel can accommodate 200 guests."

to go somewhere with someone

"I'll accompany you to the station."

to achieve or complete successfully

"She accomplished her goal."

growth or increase by gradual addition

"The accretion of sediment formed the delta."

correct in all details

"The report was accurate."

to charge someone with an offense

"They accused him of theft."

sharp and forthright in speech or manner

"His acerbic wit made people uncomfortable."

to successfully bring about by effort

"He achieved his dream."

to accept or admit the existence of

"She acknowledged her mistake."

to make someone aware of something

"Let me acquaint you with the facts."

to accept something reluctantly

"She acquiesced to the demands."

to buy or obtain for oneself

"The company acquired new assets."

bitterness or ill feeling

"The divorce was filled with acrimony."

the ability to make good judgments

"Her business acumen led to rapid success."

refusing to be persuaded or changed

"She was adamant about her decision."

to make suitable for a new purpose

"They adapted to the new environment."

to join to something else

"Please add your name to the list."

to deal with or discuss

"We need to address this issue."

very skilled or proficient

"She is adept at problem-solving."

sufficient for a specific need

"The supplies are adequate."

to alter or move slightly to achieve fit

"Adjust the thermostat please."

to manage or supervise

"She administers the department."

to regard with respect or approval

"I admire her courage."

to confess to be true

"He admitted his error."

to warn or reprimand firmly

"The teacher admonished students for talking."

to legally take another's child

"They adopted a child from abroad."

clever or skillful

"The politician gave an adroit response."

excessive admiration or praise

"The celebrity received constant adulation."

to make impure by adding inferior substances

"They adulterated the milk with water."

to move forward

"The army advanced quickly."

one's opponent in a contest

"He faced a formidable adversary."

preventing success; harmful

"Adverse weather conditions delayed us."

to publicly recommend or support

"She advocates for environmental protection."

concerned with beauty or art

"The building has aesthetic appeal."

friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to

"The affable host made everyone comfortable."

having a great deal of money

"They live in an affluent neighborhood."

to increase power, status, or wealth

"He tried to aggrandize his role in the project."

to make a problem worse

"His comments aggravated the situation."

a whole formed by combining elements

"The aggregate of scores improved."

able to move quickly and easily

"The cat was agile and quick."

brisk and cheerful readiness

"She accepted the offer with alacrity."

to cause to feel isolated

"His behavior alienated his friends."

to claim without proof

"They allege he committed fraud."

to make suffering less severe

"The medication alleviated her pain."

to distribute for a particular purpose

"Funds were allocated to research."

to suggest or hint at indirectly

"She alluded to past mistakes."

to combine or unite

"The companies decided to amalgamate."

open to multiple interpretations

"His ambiguous response left us confused."

a strong desire to achieve something

"Her ambition drove her success."

state of having mixed feelings

"His ambivalence was apparent."

having mixed feelings

"She felt ambivalent about moving."

to make something better

"New policies ameliorated working conditions."

open and responsive to suggestion

"He was amenable to our proposal."

to make minor changes to improve

"They amended the constitution."

enough or more than enough

"There is ample time to finish."

something out of its proper time

"The sundial is an anachronism today."

comparable in certain respects

"The situation is analogous to 2008."

to examine in detail

"Scientists analyzed the data."

something or someone greatly disliked

"Violence was anathema to her beliefs."

a short amusing or interesting story

"He shared a funny anecdote."

severe mental or physical pain

"She felt deep anguish at the loss."

strong hostility

"There was animosity between the rivals."

to add explanatory notes

"Please annotate the document."

deviating from what is standard

"The anomalous results were investigated."

something deviating from the standard

"The test results showed an anomaly."

a deep-seated feeling of dislike

"There was clear antipathy between rivals."

a person or thing that is the opposite

"His style is the antithesis of mine."

lack of interest or enthusiasm

"Voter apathy led to low turnout."

to pacify by acceding to demands

"The government tried to appease protesters."

to recognize the full worth of

"I appreciate your help."

approval or praise

"The plan received widespread approbation."

to take for one's own use without permission

"He appropriated funds for personal use."

based on random choice rather than reason

"The decision seemed arbitrary."

understood by few; mysterious

"The professor discussed arcane theories."

requiring strenuous effort

"Climbing Everest is an arduous task."

able to express thoughts clearly

"She gave an articulate presentation."

without guile or deception; natural

"Her artless charm won everyone over."

characterized by severe self-discipline

"The monk led an ascetic life."

to state a fact confidently

"He asserted his innocence."

to evaluate or estimate

"We need to assess the situation."

showing great care and perseverance

"She was assiduous in her research."

to make unpleasant feelings less intense

"He tried to assuage her fears."

having sharp judgment

"She made several astute observations."

to reduce the force or value of

"The medication attenuated symptoms."

to regard as caused by

"Success is attributed to hard work."

showing willingness to take bold risks

"The audacious plan surprised everyone."

to make greater by adding to it

"She augmented her income with tutoring."

severe in manner or appearance

"The room had an austere design."

extreme greed for wealth

"His avarice led him to commit fraud."

to state or assert to be true

"She averred her innocence."

having a strong dislike or opposition

"She is averse to taking risks."