500 Words

ABANDON: To give up completely - abandoned the sinking ship.
Synonyms: relinquish, forgo, forsake
ABASH: To lose self-confidence; to confuse, put to shame – abashed before the assembled dignitaries.
Synonyms: fluster, disconcert, discomfit, discompose
Antonym: (adj.) self-possessed
ABDICATE: To give up claim to - abdicated the throne
Synonyms: renounce, abandon, relinquish
ABET: Toencourage -or support - treacherously abetted the enemy.
Synonyms: spur, incite
Antonym: deter
ABRIDGE: To shorten - abridged his lengthy speech.
Synonyms: curtail, diminish, retrench
Anthonyms: protract, elongate, amplify
ABROGATE: To abolish or render void - a treaty abrogated by mutual consent.
Synonyms: annul, nullify, rescind, void
ABSTEMIOUS: Moderate in the use of food or drink- abstemious in his habits.
Synonym: temperate
ACADEMIC: Pertaining to school; theoretical academic interests; an academic discussion, with no practical implications.
Synonym: scholastic
ACCEDE: To agree to -accede to a request.
Synonym: assent
Antonym: demur
ACCELERATE: - To quicken, speed tip - took an accelerated course in order to graduate early.
Synonym: expedite (adj. expeditious)
Antonym:retard
ACCOLADE: An award or salute - a tremendous accolade for a returning hero.
Synonyms: tribute, ovation
ACCORD: Agreement or harmony - in full accord with his view.
Synonyms: concord, concurrence
Antonyms:dissension, discord
ACRIMONIOUS: Sharp or harsh in language or temper - stung by the acrimonious remark.
Synonyms:caustic, acerb, pungent, tart, mordant, acrid; (noun) asperityAntonyms:suave, affable
ACUMEN: Keenness of mind or insight - showing exceptional business acumen.
Synonyms:perspicacity, discernment, perception
Antonym:obtuseness
ADMONISH (noun: ADMONITION): To warn or find fault gently - admonishing the unruly child.
Synonyms:chide, caution, reprimand, reprehend, reproach
ADVERSARY: (adj.: ADVERSE): An opponent - his adversary in a bitter debate.Synonym:antagonist
Antonyms:cohort, confederate, ally, accomplice
ADVERSITY: Misfortune - calm in the face of adversity.
Synonyms:affliction, mischance, reverses
AESTHETIC: Pertaining to the beautiful - interested in aesthetic values rather than in purely practical affairs.
AFFABLE: Sociable, courteous, and agreeable in manner a much admired, affable gentleman.
Synonyms: civil, complaisant, benign,gracious, genial, urbane, cordial
Antonyms:curt, brusque, rude, boorish, surly
AFFLUENT: Prosperous, flourishing; copious - a large bequest from an affluent grandfather.
Synonyms:opulent, profuse
Antonyms:destitute, impecunious
AGGRESSIVE (noun: AGGRESSION. an unprovoked attack): self-assertive; attacking, offensive - annoyed people by hisaggressive attitude;
Synonyms:bumptious, officious,obtrusive
Antonyms:meek, humble, retiring, diffident
ALACRITY: Eagerness; cheerful promptness - responded to the flattering offer with alacrity.
Synonyms:celerity, briskness, energy, animation
Antonyms:apathy, nonchalance, sluggishness, lethargy, phlegmatism
ALIENATE: To estrange - altenated by his gruff manner.
ALLAY: To calm; to lessen in severity - at ease now that his fears have been allayed.Synonyms:appease, alleviate, pacify, assuage, abate, mitigate, propitiate, mollify, placate
Antonyms:intensify, aggravate
ALLUDE (noun: ALLUSION): To refer to indirectly - alluded quite subtly to his friend's misfortune.
Synonyms:insinuate, intimate, imply
Antonyms:refer, cite
ALLURE: To tempt by flattery or an attractive offer - allured by the prospect of a new job.
Synonyms:lure, decoy,inveigle, entice, seduce, wheedle, beguile, cajole
Antonym:repel
AMBIGUOUS: Uncertain, vague, capable of being inter- in more than one way - puzzled by the ambiguous statement.
Synonyms:hazy, obscure, equivocal, dubious, nebulous
Antonyms:explicit, unquestionable
AMENABLE: Obedient; willing to submit - amenable to the suggestion.
Synonyms:tractable, docile, responsive
Antonyms:intractable,...