ameliorate, dither, burgeon, circumvent, aver: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from GRE Vocabulary set 18. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. ameliorate · verb/əˈmiːl.jə.reɪt/

   to make something better or improve a situation

   The new educational policies aim to ameliorate conditions in underfunded schools.

   Synonyms: improve, enhance, better

   Origin: From Latin 'ameliorare', meaning 'to make better', from 'melior', meaning 'better'.

2. dither · noun/ˈdɪðər/

   a state of indecision or uncertainty

   After weeks of dither, the committee finally made a decision about the new policy.

   Synonyms: vacillation, wavering, indecision

   Origin: Origin unknown; possibly of imitative origin, formed from the Middle English 'dithen,' meaning to tremble or shake.

3. burgeon · verb/ˈbɜr.dʒən/

   to grow or develop quickly

   In recent years, the tech industry has begun to burgeon with innovative startups emerging every month.

   Synonyms: grow, expand, flourish

   Origin: From Middle English 'burgeon,' derived from Old French 'bourgeon,' meaning 'a bud or shoot,' which comes from the Latin 'burra' meaning 'a tuft of wool.'

4. circumvent · verb/sɜrˈkʌmˌvɛnt/

   to find a way around an obstacle or to bypass an issue

   To avoid delays, the team had to circumvent the usual approval process and move forward with the project.

   Synonyms: avoid, bypass, evade

   Origin: derived from the Latin 'circumvenire', meaning 'to come around'.

5. aver · verb/əˈvɜr/

   to state or assert to be the case

   The lawyer will aver his client's innocence during the trial.

   Synonyms: assert, declare, affirm

   Origin: from Middle French 'avérer' and Latin 'adverare', meaning 'to confirm or prove'.