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Vocab: Week 2
ambiguous - asylum
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11. ambiguous
ambiguously (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
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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
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13. amicable
amicably (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
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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
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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
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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
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17. ascetic
ascetically (adv); asceticism (n)
 Definition: characterized
by severe selfdiscipline; 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
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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
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19. astute
astutely (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
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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