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If you abase yourself, people respect you less because you act in a way that is beneath you; due to this behavior, you are lowered or reduced in rank, esteem, or reputation.
The word abject emphasizes a very bad situation or quality, thereby making it even worse.
If you abominate something, you hate it because you think it is extremely wrong and unacceptable.
A situation or condition that is abysmal is extremely bad or of wretched quality.
If you alleviate pain or suffering, you make it less intense or severe.
When you amend something, such as a document or your behavior, you fix it to improve it.
Something that is apposite is relevant or suitable to what is happening or being discussed.
The adjective blithe indicates that someone does something casually or in a carefree fashion without much concern for the end result; as a result, they are happy and lighthearted.
Someone in a buoyant mood is in good spirits.
A condign reward or punishment is deserved by and appropriate or fitting for the person who receives it.
If you condole with someone, you express sympathy or sorrow, usually on the death of someone dear.
A convalescent person spends time resting to gain health and strength after a serious illness or operation.
If you deprecate something, you disapprove of it strongly.
If you desecrate something that is considered holy or very special, you deliberately spoil or damage it.
If you say a person’s actions are despicable, you think they are extremely unpleasant or nasty.
If you are despondent, you are extremely unhappy because you are in an unpleasant situation that you do not think will improve.
When you enhance something, you improve it, make it better, or add to it in some way.
If something exacerbates a problem or bad situation, it makes it even worse.
When you exasperate another person, you annoy or anger them a great deal because you keep on doing something that is highly irritating.
When you extricate yourself from a difficult or unpleasant situation, you manage to escape it.
A hapless person is unlucky, so much so that a stream of unfortunate things has happened and continues to happen to them.
Something that is immutable is always the same and cannot be changed.
When something impairs someone, it weakens, harms, or lessens them in some way.
Someone who is inconsolable has been so devastated by a terrible event that no one can help them feel better about it.
When an irreversible act is done, it cannot be undone or fixed in any way.
An irrevocable action or decision is impossible to change, reverse, or stop.
If you mitigate something that causes harm, you reduce the harmful or painful effects of it.
If you mollify someone, you say or do something to make that person feel less angry or upset.
If you nettle someone, you irritate or annoy them.
If you describe people or things as odious, you think that they are extremely unpleasant.
A panacea is something that people think will solve all problems and make everything better.
A pejorative word, phrase, or expression expresses a bad opinion of someone or something.
The word squalor describes very dirty and unpleasant conditions that people live or work in, usually due to poverty or neglect.
To subvert something, such as a government, is to try to destroy or damage its power and influence; to subvert someone is to corrupt their morals, loyalty, or faith.
To taint is to give an undesirable quality that damages a person’s reputation or otherwise spoils something.
If a problem or situation is vexing, it puzzles, worries, or annoys someone.
If someone vitiates something, they make it less effective, weaker, or reduced in quality.
Verb
ameliorate
uh-MEEL-yuh-rayt
Context
By finding a part-time job, Susan was able to ameliorate or improve her household’s poor financial situation. The knowledge that she would finally be able to buy more and better necessities for her family ameliorated or relieved Susan’s concern. Susan’s best friend had helped ameliorate or ease some of her financial distress when she had been unemployed, and as things got better, Susan would repay her friend’s kindness.
Quiz:Try again!
How could you ameliorate a bad situation?
Amelia's Test Overrated I have decided to rateAmelia's test an A instead of a D, which will certainly ameliorate her low grade, but perhaps will lower my professional self-esteem.
Examples
Other recent studies have hinted that omega-3 fatty acids may also help protect against diabetes and cancer, slow the progression of early Alzheimer’s disease, and perhaps ameliorate depression and other mental disorders, including attention-deficit disorder in children.
—
The Washington Post
Rather than block it, governments need to try to ameliorate the pains which change inflicts by, for example, retraining or temporarily helping those workers who lose their jobs.
—
The Economist
An unemployment crisis is coming fast, and it will be worse than anything we’ve seen in a generation. But with decisive, bold action, we can ameliorate the economic damage to families.
—
USA Today
Results from a new study may lead to approval of what could be the first drug that ameliorates potentially deadly reactions in children with severe peanut allergies.
—
The New York Times
