After being overthrown and abased, the deposed 

leader offered to bow down to his conqueror.

 to humiliate, degrade

ə-ˈbās

verb

The rain poured down for a while, then abated.

 to reduce, lessen

ə-ˈbāt

verb

In 1918, the Boston Red Sox won 

the World Series, but the success turned out to be an aberration, and the Red Sox 

have not won a World Series since.

 something that differs from the norm

a-bə-ˈrā-shən

noun

The spy succeeded only because he had a friend on the 

inside to abet him.

to aid, help, encourage 

ə-ˈbet

verb

  Because he always wound up kicking himself in the head 

when he tried to play soccer, Oswald began to abhor the sport.

to hate, detest

əb-ˈhȯr

verb