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 derelict is "Abandoned." Used in a sentence: The derelict house was condemned as a public hazard.

The definition for parity is "Equality." Used in a sentence: Hilda, to avoid squabbles, aimed for parity in the slices of birthday cake.

The definition for pretense is "False intention or purpose." Used in a sentence: The jewel thief entered the mansion under the pretense of fixing a leaky faucet.

The definition for straddle is "To favor opposing sides." Used in a sentence: Kia straddled the issue, not wanting to say whether James or Tara was right.