abate

to become less active, less intense, or less in amount

abysmal

extremely bad

adept

having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area)

advent

the arrival or creation of something

aggravate

to worsen or intensify.

aggregate

collect, form/group into a cluster

allude

to make a secretive mention of something

ambiguity

uncertainty or multiple interpretations.

unambiguous

clear, not open to more than one interpretation

ambivalence

mixed or conflicting feelings.

ameliorate

to improve or make better.

alleviate

make something less severe/bad

analogous

similar but not identical

anomaly

something different from the norm

antecedent

a preceding event or condition.

antipathy

a strong feeling of dislike

apex

the highest point of something

arcane

mysterious or known by few.

arduous

difficult and requiring effort.

austere

extremely plain stern and forbidding relating to self-denial

benevolent

kind, generous

buttress

to support or strengthen.

candid

direct, blunt

concede

to admit or yield.

conflated

combined in a misleading way.

conspicuous

easily noticed or standing out.

contentious

causing disagreement or debate.

contingent

dependent on something else.

contrived

artificial or overly planned.

cordially

warm and friendly

corroborate

provide evidence for; to back up (a claim)

demarcate

to set boundaries or distinguish.

desultory

lacking a clear plan or enthusiasm.

disconcerting

causing discomfort or confusion.

discretion

the ability to make responsible choices.

disparage

to belittle or speak negatively about.

disparate

essentially different or unconnected.

earnest

serious and sincere.

eclipse

to overshadow or surpass.

epitomizing

perfect example of, representing

eloquent

having refined or expressive communication skills (in speaking or writing)

exacerbate

to make a problem worse.

exactitude

the quality of being precise or accurate.

explicable

able to be explained.

extraneous

unrelated or unnecessary.

expound

present and explain in detail

evince

to make evident

eschew

deliberately avoid using; abstain from

homogeneous

uniform or similar throughout.

impartial

fair and not biased.

imperceptible

very slight or difficult to notice.

inconspicuous

not being easily seen or noticed.

indifference

lack of interest or concern.

indisputable

unable to be challenged or denied.

indistinct

not clear or sharply defined.

inexplicable

unable to be explained.

inhibit

to hinder or restrain.

innocuous

harmless or inoffensive.

insensible

unaware or indifferent.

latent

present but not active.

misanthropic

disliking people or society.

malign

evil in nature or effect; malevolent speak about (someone) in a spitefully critical manner

notional

existing only in theory.

novel

new or original.

nuanced

having subtle differences.

obligate

to compel or require.

omnipotent

almighty and all powerful

operative

functioning or having effect.

ornamental

decorative rather than functional.

oust

to remove or force out of (usu. a position or office)

outstrip

to surpass or exceed.

paramount

predominant, superior, most important

paucity

a scarcity or lack.

perceive

to become aware of something.

peripheral

on the edge or outer part of something.

postulate

to assume or propose a theory.

pragmatic

practical and realistic.

precarious

uncertain or unstable.

preclude

to prevent from happening.

predetermined

decided in advance.

premeditated

planned beforehand.

profusion

a large quantity of something.

prudent

care/thought for the future

ramify

to split into two or more branches

recalcitrant

stubbornly resistant to authority.

recant

to take back a previous statement.

reciprocate

to give in return.

rectify

to correct or fix something.

redress

to set right or remedy.

reprieve

a temporary relief or delay.

repudiate

to reject or disown.

rousing

exciting or stirring.

rudimentary

basic or simple.

sanction

to authorize or approve.

sanguine

optimistic or hopeful.

spurious

false or deceptive.

stark

very plain; devoid of any details or features

stymie

to hinder or block

superficial

shallow or lacking depth

surmise

to infer or guess

tentative

uncertain or not fully decided

tenuous

weak or insubstantial

thwart

prevent (someone) from accomplishing something

ubiquitous

present everywhere

verisimilitude

the appearance of being true or real

veritable

used to emphasize truth

vigilance

the action of keeping careful watch

warranted

justified or necessary