By Ryan Traynor, Assistant Editor
Rather than having words related to our theme this month, here is a list of some interesting words that you may be able to use. Have fun learning them and impressing your friends.
Abolish (verb) – do away with
President Lincoln decided to abolish slavery in the United States.
Alleviate (verb) – provide physical relief, as from pain; make easier.
The nurse provided him with aspirin to alleviate his headache.
Bungle (verb) – spoil by behaving clumsily or foolishly; make a mess of, destroy or ruin.
The magician bungled his act when the wind blew up the curtain and revealed the lever.
Candid (adjective) – openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness; informal or natural.
His candid responses to the questioning shocked the jury.
Converge (verb) – come together so as to form a single product; move or draw together at a certain location.
The two lanes converged to cause a backup on the freeway exit.
Corrupt (adjective) – lacking in integrity.
The corrupt policeman was seen taking money from the mobster.
Cursory (adjective) – hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
He took a cursory glance around the room before deciding to enter.
Docile (adjective) – easily handled or managed; ready and willing to be taught.
The docile prisoner did not need handcuffs before placing him in the police car.
Enhance (verb) – increase; make better or more attractive.
The makeup on the actress was used to enhance her features for the magazine cover.
Famished (adjective) – extremely hungry.
After an 11 inning baseball game, the boys were famished.
Hinder (verb) – put at a disadvantage.
The soldiers acted to hinder their enemy by putting up barbed wire around their compound.
Jeopardize (verb) – to expose to danger or risk.
The student jeopardized his standing in the class by skipping the final exam.
Precise (adjective) – sharply exact or accurate.
The handyman measured the space twice so that he could make a precise cut on the board.
Wary (verb) – on guard, cautious, watchful.
The little girl was wary of the man offering her candy because she had been taught to never talk with strangers.
