4. Atenuate: ( at·ten·u·ate)- Verb
To stretch out; prolong. To weaken or reduce in force, intensify, effect, quantity, or value.
Synonyms: Abate, constrict, contract, cripple, debilitate, deflate, disable, extenuate, lessen.
Antonyms: Expand, fortify, increase, intensify, strengthen
Desultorily: (des·ul·to·ry)- Adverb
(Lexicon says Adverb, Dictionary.com says Adjective) ?
Lacking steadiness, fixity, regularity, or continuity. Lacking in consistency, or visible order, disconnected; fitful. Digressing from or disconnecting from the main subject; random.
Synonyms: None found
Antynonyms: None found
Sentence- "However desultory, his father always kept in touch with him, and the more easily his son grew older, and the two, although apart, did not grow apart" (From Lexicon)