ameliorate
/əˈmiːli.əɹeɪt/
Group 2Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To make something bad or unsatisfactory better GRE
Example in Context
The new housing initiative aims to ameliorate conditions in neighborhoods that have suffered decades of neglect and disinvestment.
Synonyms
improvebetterenhance
Etymology
To make something better or improve it.
- melior (Latin) — better
Memory Aid
🍽️Sounds like “a meal your rate”
If you RATE a MEAL poorly, you’d want to AMELIORATE it by adding chocolate!
Visual Association
🍫A chef dramatically pouring chocolate sauce over a bland dish, transforming it into a gourmet meal.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “ameliorate” mean on the GRE?
ameliorate (verb) means “To make something bad or unsatisfactory better”. The new housing initiative aims to ameliorate conditions in neighborhoods that have suffered decades of neglect and disinvestment.
How to remember “ameliorate” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “ameliorate” sounds like “a meal your rate”. If you RATE a MEAL poorly, you’d want to AMELIORATE it by adding chocolate!
What are synonyms for “ameliorate”?
Common synonyms: improve, better, enhance.