1. Hot Words #2

2. 1. Alienate (v.) To turn away the normal feelings of fondness toward anyone; to estrange To turn away the normal feelings of fondness toward anyone; to estrange Rory admonished his son by saying that continued lateness would alienate his boss. Rory admonished his son by saying that continued lateness would alienate his boss.

3. 2. Alleviate (v.) To make easier to endure; to relieve; to diminish To make easier to endure; to relieve; to diminish Nothing tends to alleviate my headaches better than simple aspirin. Nothing tends to alleviate my headaches better than simple aspirin.

4. 3. Aloof (adj.) Indifferent; unsympathetic; not interested; apart Indifferent; unsympathetic; not interested; apart She was adamant about remaining aloof from family problems. She was adamant about remaining aloof from family problems.

5. 4. Altruistic (adj.) Thoughtful of the welfare of others. Thoughtful of the welfare of others. Scrooge’s new altruistic attitude redeemed him for Dicken’s readers. Scrooge’s new altruistic attitude redeemed him for Dicken’s readers.

6. 5. Ambiguous (adj.) Permitting more than one interpretation; not clearly defined. Permitting more than one interpretation; not clearly defined. Politicians are often fond of ambiguous statements which won’t alienate blocs of voters. Politicians are often fond of ambiguous statements which won’t alienate blocs of voters.

7. 6. Ambivalence (n.) Condition of having conflicting attitudes. Condition of having conflicting attitudes. Senator Todd changed her mind so often that she became notorious for her ambivalence. Senator Todd changed her mind so often that she became notorious for her ambivalence.

8. 7. Ameliorate (v.) To make better or more tolerable; to improve. To make better or more tolerable; to improve. In an effort to ameliorate the marriage relationship, the alcoholic agreed to a one-year period of abstinence. In an effort to ameliorate the marriage relationship, the alcoholic agreed to a one-year period of abstinence.

9. 8. Analogous (adj.) Similar in certain qualities; comparable. Similar in certain qualities; comparable. The auto mechanic said that the engine was analogous to the human heart. The auto mechanic said that the engine was analogous to the human heart.

10. 9. Animosity (n.) Active dislike; ill will. Active dislike; ill will. My animosity toward boxing is a result of my pacifist upbringing. My animosity toward boxing is a result of my pacifist upbringing.

11. 10. Anonymity (n.) Condition of being nameless or unknown. Condition of being nameless or unknown. Some philanthropists crave the spotlight, but Edith preferred anonymity for her altruism. Some philanthropists crave the spotlight, but Edith preferred anonymity for her altruism.