| A | B |
|---|
| abate | to make or become less in amount or intensity --We waited for the storm to abate before we went outside. Synonyms: lessen, decrease Antonyms: increase, amplify |
| abnormal | not normal Kane is a nice guy, but he has some really abnormal habits. Synonyms: unusual, unique |
| abrupt | sudden or unexpected We made an abrupt change of plans when we realized we had no money. |
| accelerate | to speed up, or to cause to speed up You can accelerate a plant’s growth by using fertilizers. Antonyms: decelerate Other forms: A car with good acceleration (noun) can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. If you want to learn another language quickly, you can take an accelerated (adj) class |
| affliction | the cause of serious pain and suffering, or a state of such suffering Some people consider blindness an affliction, but to others it is just a challenge. Other forms: Melanie was afflicted (verb) with a rare bone disease. |
| flabbergast | to surprise or amaze people into a state of shock Nina was flabbergasted to learn that her bus driver was actually 104 years old. Synonyms: astound Antonyms: bore |
| grim | gloomy, harsh, and frightening War is a grim business. Synonyms: dreadful, savage, frightful Antonyms: mild, delightful |
| incredulous | not willing to believe something I tried to tell Becky about my 8-foot-tall boyfriend, but she was incredulous and didn’t think I was telling the truth . Synonyms: cynical, skeptical Antonyms: credulous, gullible |
| notify | to let someone know; to inform When we lost our dog, we went from house to house and notified all the neighbors. Other forms: I was sad when my family received official notification (noun) that we would have to leave our home. |
| perceive | to become aware of through any of the senses, especially sight or hearing Gazing through the mist, the elf could just barely perceive the enemy army marching toward him. Synonyms: discern, spot Other forms: If you are perceptive (adj) and show a lot of perception (noun), you demonstrate that you are fully aware of what’s going on |
| robust | strong or healthy The third little pig was the smartest because he built a robust house made out of bricks. Antonyms: weak, soft |
| rupture | 1. (verb) to break or burst 2. (noun) the act of breaking or bursting 1. He had to go to the hospital because he ruptured his appendix. 2. The storm caused a big rupture in the dam. |
| throb | to pound or beat rapidly or violently; to pulsate or vibrate I had a terrible headache and my head started to throb. Other forms: At the dance club, I was overwhelmed by the smoke and the bright, throbbing (adj) lights. |
| trivia | of very little importance or value Stop asking trivial questions and ask me something that matters! Synonyms: insignificant, commonplace Antonyms: valuable, worthwhile |
| wince | to move back suddenly as though in pain or fear Having cut his arm pretty badly, Wade winced whenever he accidentally touched it. Synonyms: flinch, recoil |
