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.