(v): to give up with the intent of never claiming a right or interest in; to withdraw protection, support, or help.

Synonyms: relinquish, forsake, desert

The captain was the last person to abandon the sinking ship.

(n): a thorough yielding to natural impulses.

Synonyms: enthusiasm, exuberance.

She danced with great abandon as the rock band played.

(v): to make ashamed or ill at ease.

Synonyms: disconcert, embarrass

His wife's belittling comments abashed him before the assembled dignitaries.

(v): to surrender or repudiate (a right, responsibiltiy, etc.); to give up formally a throne, high office, responsibility, or function

Synonyms: renounce, abandon, relinquish

Dan abdicated his right to take the test when he was caught cheating.

By refusing to provide food and shelter for his child, the father abdicated his parental responsibility.

(v): to encourage or support; to urge on in the achievement of a purpose; to help especially in wrongdoing

Synonyms: sanction, assist

Antonyms: deter, foil, thwart

Benedict Arnold treacherously abetted the enemy.

Abridge

(v): to shorten in duration or extent; to shorten by omission of words without sacrificing the sense of the text.

Synonyms:curtail, condense

Antonyms: protract, amplify

The dignitary abridged his lengthy speech because he was late for his scheduled appearance.

(v): to cancel or repeal a law, treaty, etc., by authoritative action.

Synonyms: abolish, annul, rescind, invalidate

The new tax law abrogates several propositions of the old one.

(adj.): moderate especially in the use of food or drink

Synonyms: temperate

An athlete must be abstemious in his habits in order to stay in top physical condition.

(adj.): pertaining to formal study; theoretical, speculative.

Synonyms: scholastic, hypothetical

 The students' questions about changing the test date were academic, because the final testing dates had been established by the office.

(v): to agree to; to give in

Synonyms: assent, acquiesce, concur

Antonyms: decline, oppose, reject

The boy acceded to the teacher's request to stop talking.

(n): a ceremony marking the recognition of special merit; an award or salute

Synonyms: a testimonial; sign of approval

Antonyms: dissension, discord

The Nobel Prize for literature is the most cherished accolade a writer can receive.

(n): agreement or harmony

Synonyms: concord, concurrence

Antonyms:  dissension, discord

The victim was in full accord with the guilty verdict reached by the jury.

Synonyms: caustic, biting

Antonyms: civil, affable, courteous

The lawyer, stung by his colleague's acrimonious remark, made a quick rebuttal to defend himself.

(n): keenness in quickness of mind

Synonyms: perception, astuteness, shrewdness

Mr. Jones achieved the "Top Salesman Award" because of his exceptional business acumen.

(v): to warn or criticize mildly

Synonyms: caution, reprimand, chide

The teacher admonished the child's unruliness by reviewing appropriate classroom behavior.

(n): an opponent

Synonyms: antagonist, enemy

 The political candidate finally met his adversary in a bitter debate.