The definition for abate is "Become less in amount or intensity." Used in a sentence: Just when it seemed the rain would never stop, the storm suddenly began to abate.

The definition for gruff is "Rough or stern in manner or speech." Used in a sentence: Heidi's grandfather was gruff, barking stern orders and hardly smiling.

The definition for intricate is "Having complex and interrelated parts." Used in a sentence: The intricate poem baffled most readers with its numerous obscure metaphors.

The definition for retroactive is "effective as of a prior time or condition." Used in a sentence: The retroactive law made even past infractions punishable.

The definition for revoke is "To cancel by taking back." Used in a sentence: After Kal's father revoked his allowance, he had no money for the movies.