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175 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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bring about (phrasal verb)
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to cause to happen; produce an effect
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Ex.: The creation of a national railroad system brought about big changes in the economy of the Midwest and west.
Related: cause, lead to, result in |
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acute (adj)
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having the characteristics of being very serious or intense; reaching the point of crisis
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Ex.: Natural disasters often produce acute needs for medicine, food and water.
Related: critical, crucial, desperate |
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apparent (adj)
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easily seen or perceived; easily understood
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Ex.: The apparent failure of dinosaurs to adjust to changes in the weather caused their extinction.
Related: clear-cut, evident, obvious |
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attribute (noun)
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an identifying characteristic or feature of something
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Ex.: One of Thomas Edison's most famous attributes was his persistence.
Related: aspect, trait, quality |
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dwelling (noun)
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a building where one resides
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Ex.: The Hopi Indians carved their dwellings into large stone cliffs.
Related: abode, home, lodging |
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encompass (verb)
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to contain or include certain parts
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Ex.: The field of linguistics encompasses the areas of social, applied and theoretical language study.
Related: consist of, contain, embody |
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every so often (adverb exp)
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referring to events that occur occasionally or at no specific time
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Ex.: Every so often the Colima volcano in Mexico sends huge clouds of smoke into the air.
Related: every now and then, once in a while, now and again |
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contrast (verb)
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to point out differences between two or more things or people by comparing the characteristics of each
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Ex.: In the 1960s, suburban growth, contrasted with that of urban areas, showed a movement away from cities.
Related: balanced against, compared to, distinguished from |
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get rid of (verb)
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discard, to cast aside, reject
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Ex.: Medieval authorities generally got rid of the belief that the world was round.
Related: dispose of, throw away, discard |
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indicative of (adj)
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serving as proof or a symbol of something
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Ex.: The students's lab results were indicative of the high quality of their research methods and their creative problem-solving strategies.
Related: evidence of, representative of, verification of |
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melt (verb)
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to change from a solid state to a liquid state
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Ex.: Water melts at temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Related: liquefy, thaw |
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heyday (noun)
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the high point of power, success or popularity
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Ex.: The West experienced its nineteenth century economic heyday during the famous California gold rush of the 1840s.
Related: apex, pinnacle, zenith |
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portray (verb)
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to describe someone or something in a specific way
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Ex.: Some historians portray the development of the Internet as one of the most important scientific advancements of the twentieth century.
Related: depict, render, represent |
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put on the back burner (exp)
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to postpone to a future time
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Ex.: Due to lack of funding, the transportation project was put on the back burner.
Related: defer, delay, suspend |
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recover (verb)
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to rebuild or return to a previous condition or state
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Ex.: The economy recovered its strength after a long period of poor economic growth.
Related: recoup, recuperate, regain |
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slender (adj)
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the quality of being thin
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Ex.: Snakes have long, slender bodies.
Related: slim, skinny |
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staple (adj)
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a principal ingredient or major element of something
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Ex.: Corn, beans and squash were staple foods of the Hopi Indian diet.
Related: chief, essential, prime |
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take on (phrasal verb)
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to take the first steps in doing something
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Ex.: Because of the doctor's busy schedule, she is not sure if she should take on another research project.
Related: initiate, commence, undertake |
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user-friendly (adj)
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referring to something that is easy to use, learn or operate
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Ex.: User-friendly computer programs are the most popular in today's software marketplace.
Related: simple, uncomplicated |
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broaden (verb)
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to increase a person's knowledge, experience or interests
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Ex.: The transcontinental railway system, completed in 1869, broadened the possibility for economic growth in all parts of the country.
Related: enlarge, expand, widen |
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check out (phrasal verb)
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to determine if something is correct or true; to examine carefully
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Ex.: During a trip to Pery, archaeologist Johan Reinhard discovered a frozen female mummy while checking out what he thought was a mountain climber's backpack.
Related: examine, investigage, research |
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adjacent to (prep)
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very close to something; near or next to
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Ex.: Many home buyers prefer houses that are adjacentto park lands
Related: adjoining, nearby, neighboring |
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deny (verb)
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to insist that something is not true; to not allow something to happen
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Ex.: Opponents of the "greenhouse effect" theory deny that human activity could cause a major change in the Earth's climate.
Related: rebuff, refute, reject |
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dim (adj)
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not bright; lacking light; being weak
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Ex.: The dim light of the setting sun gave a peaceful feeling to the evening.
Related: faint, soft, weak |
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easygoing (adj)
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not easily bothered; peaceful
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Ex.: The engineer's easygoing personality makes him an ideal team leader.
Related: carefree, relaxed, laid-back |
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factor in (phrasal verb)
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to consider or include information used to make conclusions
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Ex.: The price of raw material and the costs of production and transportation are factored in to the store price of an item.
Related: add in, include, incorporate |
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gather (verb)
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to collect or come together
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Ex.: On August 28, 1963, more than 100,000 citizens gathered in Washington to demonstrate their support for civil rights.
Related: assemble, congregate, meet |
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life span (noun)
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the amount of time that a living thing is expected to live
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Ex.: The average life span of people born in the twenty-first century is more than double that of people who were born in the nineteenth century.
Related: lifetime, natural life |
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minuscule (adj)
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being of very small size
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Ex.: Camels require only minuscule amounts of water, with many living up to six months in cooler seasons without taking a drink.
Related: diminutive, minute, tiny |
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radical (adj)
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fundamental; basic change that results in something very different from the original thing or idea
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Ex.: In general, human beings dislike radical changes.
Related: complete, thorough, total |
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render (verb)
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to cause something to change or develop in a certain way
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Ex.: Pure ice is completely clear, but if air bubbles are present, they render it cloudy.
Related: cause to be, develop into, make |
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run into (phrasal verb)
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to meet, sometimes unexpectedly
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Ex.: Scientists have run into many challenges in their efforts to produce an alternative to the gas-powered automobile motor.
Related: come across, encounter, meet |
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sole (adj)
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the only one of its kind
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Ex.: At his death in 1959, Walter Williams, who was 117 years old, was the sole survivor of the four million soldiers who fought in the US Civil War.
Related: exclusive, lone, single |
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worthwhile (adj)
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having value or being of benefit
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Ex.: While preparing for the TOEFL, it is worthwhile to work on building a large English vocabulary.
Related: meaningful, useful, valuable |
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stem from (phrasal verb)
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to have its origins in; to develop from a specific condition or situation
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Ex.: Cancun, Mexico is a famous resort city whose popularity among tourists stems from its ideal climate and beautiful beaches.
Related: arise form, develop from, originate from |
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surpass (verb)
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to exceed expectations; to become greater or better
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Ex.: It is a goal of most teachers to develop students whose knowledge and skills will one day surpass their own abilities.
Related: better, exceed, go beyond |
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take up (phrasal verb)
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to start a new activity or project
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Ex.: Health experts often suggest taking up activities that reduce stress and improve physical condition.
Related: embark on, engage in, start |
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stamina (noun)
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mental or physical strength spent over a long period of time
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Ex.: Among the important goals of long-distance runners are those of developing both mental and physical stamina.
Related: endurance, resistance, staying power |
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take after (phrasal verb)
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to look or behave like someone else
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Ex.: The popularity of gorilla exhibits at zoos is due to the fact that their behavior so closely takes after that of human beings.
Related: be similar to, look like, resemble |
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outspoken (adj)
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expressing honest opinions directly despite the negative effects they may have on other people
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Ex.: African-American journalist William Monroe Trotter was an outspoken supporter of civil rights in the early twentieth century.
Related: blunt, candid, forthright |
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procure (verb)
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to obtain something; usually something hard to find
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Ex.: A strong password, which cannot be procured by others, should be used to protect important computer files.
Related: acquire, attain, obtain |
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recognition (noun)
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praise or appreciation of a person's work or achievements
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Ex.: Vicent van Gogh's paintings did not receive the recognition that they deserved until well after his death.
Related: acknowledgment, credit, gratitude |
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nourish (verb)
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to give the food or encouragement necessary to grow
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Ex.: Governments tend to nourish a feeling of national identity, but people more often identify with their region than with their country.
Related: encourage, nurture, support |
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foster (verb)
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to encourage the development of an idea or policy
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Ex.: Respect for the law fosters peace and security in a society.
Related: advance, promote, further |
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inasmuch as (conj)
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in a limited way, something is true
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Ex.: Thomas Edison was persistent, inasmuch as he conducted more than one thousand experiments to create the electric lightbulb until he was successful.
Related: because of the fact that, insofar as, since |
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due to (exp)
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as a result of
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Ex.: New York City's success as a center of world commerce and finance is due to its perfect location on the east coast.
Related: a consequence of, because of, an account of |
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enhance (verb)
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to increase in value or strength
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Ex.: The young teacher's pleasant personality enhanced her ability to manage her classes.
Related: develop, enrich, improve |
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conspicuous (adj)
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easy to observe because it is different or unusual
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Ex.: The conspicuous absence of rainfall caused farmers to worry about their crops.
Related: evident, obvious, noticeable |
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diminish (verb)
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to make less important or smaller
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Ex.: New methods of communication will probably diminish the need to use communication devices such as the telephone.
Related: decrease, lessen, reduce |
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bold (adj)
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showing courage or lack of fear
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Ex.: The bold leadership style of the president changed the mood of the county's people.
Related: courageous, gallant, valiant |
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attach importance (exp)
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to believe that something is important or deserves attention
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Ex.: At first, the residents of Pompei did not attach much importance to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Related: attribute, ascribe, confer |
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beneath (prep)
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under
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Ex.: Modern submarines can remain beneath the ocean's surface for months at a time.
Related: below, under, underneath |
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collaborate (verb)
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to work together to achieve a certain goal or objective
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Ex.: Since 1990, large numbers of scientists have collaborated in the recording of the human genome.
Related: join forces, pool resources, work together |
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aim (noun)
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the act of setting a mission, goal or objective
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Ex.: One aim of public health care organizations is to offer education programs to the public.
Related: endeavor, goal, intention |
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ascertain (verb)
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to discover through an investigation; to find out something
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Ex.: Before the Hublle space telescope was sent into space on April 24, 1990, scientists could not ascertain if black holes actually existed.
Related: determine, establish, verify |
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decay (noun)
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to be destroyed by natural processes; to become less important
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Ex.: It is a well-known fact that foods high in sugar can cause tooth decay.
Related: atrophy, decomposition, deterioration |
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devise (verb)
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to make a plan designed to achieve a goal or serve a purpose
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Ex.: Data from the Mesopotamia civilization show that people had already devised mathematical rules by the year 3100 B.C.
Related: develop, formulate, plan |
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exert (verb)
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to make a strong effort to influence; to cause to happen
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Ex.: Newspapers and magazines exert a lot of influence on a person's views of world events.
Related: apply, exercise, put forth |
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shift (noun)
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changes in the way people think or do things
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Ex.: Recently, there has been a shift away from hard-wired telephone systems to wireless cellular telephones.
Related: alteration, change, modification |
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outburst (noun)
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a sudden and powerful action or expression of emotion
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Ex.: Security removed the man whose outbursts of disapproval disturbed the meeting.
Related: eruption, explosion, outbreak |
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pinpoint (verb)
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to find the precise location of something
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Ex.: The newest Doppler radar systems can pinpoint the location of bad weather.
Related: identify, isolate, locate |
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provided that (exp)
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if one event is to happen, then another must also happen
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Ex.: Teachers may work in any state provided that they meet the license requirements set by that state.
Related: only if, on condition that, providing |
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nevertheless (adv)
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despite what has been mentioned or what has occurred
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Ex.: Nursing schools have waiting lists. Nevertheless, a shortage of health care workers is predicted through the year 2020.
Related: all the same, nonetheless, on the other hand |
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fond of (verb)
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to like very much
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Ex.: Americans are especially fond of three sports: baseball, football and basketball.
Related: attached to, like, partial to |
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harvest (verb)
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to collect or gather, especially a crop or seafood
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Ex.: The blue crap is harvested from the Chesapeake Bay from early spring to late fall.
Related: collect, gather, reap |
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in the event (exp)
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what someone should do in case a specific unexpected event occurs
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Ex.: In the event of rain, the game will be postponed.
Related: in case |
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uphold (verb)
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to defend or support law, principle or policy
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Ex.: The Supreme Court either upholds or rejects lower court decisions.
Related: defend, support, sustain |
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whereas (adv)
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although something is not true of one thing, it is true of another
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Ex.: Most liquids contract when frozen, whereas water expands.
Related: but, on the other hand, while |
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stable (adj)
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not likely to change; steady
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Ex.: The stable economic growth of the 1990s created thousands of new jobs across the country.
Related: constant, firm, steady |
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succinct (adj)
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clearly explained with a small number of words
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Ex.: The professor gave a succinct explanation of the Aztec civilization's influence on Mexican Spanish vocabulary
Related: brief, concise, to the point |
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symbolic (adj)
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representing something else by an association
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Ex.: A county's national flag is symbolic of its culture and people.
Related: illustrative, representative |
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thanks to (exp)
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because of
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Ex.: Thanks to increased spending in drug research, many new medicines and treatments have been developed.
Related: as a result of, due to, on account of |
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unravel (verb)
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to separate the parts from a whole to make something clear
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Ex.: Scientists have just begun to unravel the mysteries of the human body.
Related: resolve, solve, sort out |
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vanish (verb)
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to disappear
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Ex.: Experts cannot agree on why some ships vanish while passing through the Bermuda Triangle.
Related: fade away, perish |
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source (noun)
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the place from which something comes
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Ex.: Close, positive family relationships are an important source of happiness in life.
Related: origin, fount, root |
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struggle (noun)
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an arduous fight or effort
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Ex.: The Boston Tea Party was a key event in the USA' struggle for independence from England.
Related: battle, effort, labor |
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proficient (adj)
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thoroughly skilled in doing an activity
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Ex.: Language experts believe that learning a third language is easier after becoming proficient in a second language.
Related: capable, competent, skillful |
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scattered (adj)
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spread out over a large area; not found in all places
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Ex.: Areas of scattered showers usually arrive long before a hurricane reaches land.
Related: dotted, spread out |
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haphazard (adj)
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done with little or no thought or attention
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Ex.: Some cities grow haphazardly because of improper planning.
Related: arbitrarily, carelessly, randomly |
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long for (exp)
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to want something very much
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Ex.: During the economic depression of the 1930s, many people longed for a return to the successful years of the 1920s.
Related: crave, desire, yearn for |
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moist (adj)
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a little wet
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Ex.: The fern is a plant that typically grows best under shady, moist conditions.
Related: damp, humid, wet |
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emerge (verb)
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to come from somewhere or someone
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Ex.: The sport of soccer emerged from England during the 1830s.
Related: appear, become known, materialize |
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exceed (verb)
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to be greater than an expected number or amount
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Ex.: The number of professors at the meeting exceeded everyone's expectations.
Related: go above, go beyond, surpass |
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firsthand (adj)
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directly from the original source
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Ex.: Although knowledge of facts and procedures is very important, there is no substitute for firsthand experience.
Related: direct, personal |
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advocate (verb)
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to support or defend a certain way of doing something
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Ex.: Automobile safety groups have advocated seat belt use so successfully that now almost every state has a seat belt law.
Related: promote, support, to back |
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barely (adv)
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almost not existing or happening
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Ex.: Most people who went looking for gold in California during the 1840s found barely enough to meet their living expenses.
Related: hardly, just, scarcely |
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conceal (verb)
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to prevent from being known or seen
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Ex.: The insects known as Walking Sticks use their similarity to tree branches to conceal themselves from predators.
Related: cover-up, hide, mask |
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be prone to (exp)
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having a natural tendency or likelihood to do something
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Ex.: Many people are prone to misunderstand the difficulty of learning a second language.
Related: have a tendency to, be inclined to, likely to |
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cohesive (adj)
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closely joined; being together in harmony
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Ex.: Team sports require cohesive groups of people who are willing to work together to reach a common goal.
Related: consistent, unified, united |
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confidence (noun)
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the act of having faith in a person's ability to do something
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Ex.: Athletes must have confidence in their ability to reach their training goals.
Related: belief, faith, trust |
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against one's will (exp)
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to be forced to do something that you do not want to do
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Ex.: The early colonists paid taxes to England against their will.
Related: forced, involuntarily, unwillingly |
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ascent (noun)
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the act of going up or rising
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Ex.: Davy Crockett's popularity made a fast ascent due to his successes as a war hero and politician for the common citizen.
Related: ascension, climb, rise |
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encounter (verb)
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to meet something or someone unexpectedly
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Ex.: When Christopher Columbus encountered native Americans, he believed that he was in India and that the natives were Indian.
Related: come across, find, meet |
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exclude (verb)
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to keep out or leave out; to omit
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Ex.: All bacteria must be excluded from the operating rooms of hospitals to reduce the possibility of infection.
Related: eliminate, keep out, shut out |
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flourish (verb)
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to grow in a healthy way; to be active and vigorous
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Ex.: Hong Kong is an international center of business and finance where free trade flourishes.
Related: burgeon, prosper, thrive |
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device (noun)
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a machine or tool
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Ex.: Guglielmo Marconi invented a device known as a spark transmitter, which led to the invention of modern radio communication
Related: apparatus, implement, instrument |
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mixed bag (exp)
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a variety
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Ex.: Encyclopedias provide a mixed bag of information on a variety of subjects.
Related: assortment, combination, variety |
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on the spot (exp)
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being at the right place at the exact moment of need
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Ex.: When an emergency situation arises on US highways, help usually arrives on the spot within a short time.
Related: at once, immediately, instantly |
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overlook (verb)
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to notice or see, but to pretend not to see
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Ex.: Many managers overlook the mistakes of younger, less experienced employees.
Related: ignore, excuse, forgive |
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harsh (adj)
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causing excessive pain or suffering; being extremely difficult to deal with
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Ex.: Researches have studied the effects of harsh climatic conditions and high altitudes on the human body.
Related: difficult, severe |
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interference (noun)
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an act of involvement, usually unwanted
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Ex.: Solar activity sometimes causes interference in radio communications.
Related: obstruction, obstacle |
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soaring (adj)
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rising very quickly
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Ex.: During periods of rising costs, salaries seldom keep up with soaring prices for life's necessities.
Related: elevated, high, lofty |
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prominent (adj)
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very visible or noticeable; standing out from others
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Ex.: The North Star, Polaris, is one of the most prominent stars in the northern sky.
Related: eye-catching, famous, well-known |
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realm (noun)
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a world or area of activity
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Ex.: Ants can carry up to fifty times their weight, making them the superstar weightlifters of their realm.
Related: dominion, empire, world |
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subscribe to (exp)
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to agree with a principle or idea
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Ex.: The writers of the Declaration of Independence subscribed to the idea that all people are created equal.
Related: accept, agree with, join |
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swift (adj)
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fast
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Ex.: Jet airplanes provide a means of swift, efficient travel over long distances.
Related: fast, rapid, quick |
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threatening (adj)
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having the characteristic of possibly causing destruction or damage
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Ex.: Threatening clouds and lightning are factors that require the postponement of field sporting events.
Related: foreboding, frightening, ominous |
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think little of (exp)
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to give almost no credit or respect to an idea or person
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Ex.: Most people living in the 1800s thought little of the idea that humans might someday create a flying machine.
Related: fail to appreciate, undervalue, underrate |
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turmoil (noun)
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a situation where there is much trouble, conflict, or worry
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Ex.: The end of slavery in 1860s brought about much turmoil in the economy of the southern states.
Related: chaos, confusion, disorder |
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vast (adj)
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extremely large
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Ex.: Mount Saint Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, creating a vast cloud of ashes that covered a large part of the USA.
Related: enormous, gigantic, huge |
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subject to (exp)
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to be most probably affected by something else
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Ex.: Farming is always subject to the influence of weather conditions during the growing season.
Related: conditional on, dependent on |
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float (verb)
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to discuss an idea among a group of people to get their reactions to the idea
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Ex.: Lawmakers floated the idea of the tax increase among their colleagues to get their opinions on the matter.
Related: propose, suggest, promote |
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hardship (noun)
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something that makes a person's life difficult, such as health problem or lack of money
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Ex.: The United States' social security system is designed to reduce the financial hardships of citizens during their retirement years.
Related: adversity, difficulty, suffering |
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minute (adj)
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extremely small or unimportant
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Ex.: A minute amount of poison from the Fierce Snake of Australia is enough to kill more than fifty adult humans.
Related: insignificant, minuscule, tiny |
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distinguish (verb)
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to notice the difference between two similar things or people
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Ex.: It is difficult for some people to distinguish the colors red, blue and green.
Related: discern, identify, recognize |
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empower (verb)
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to give someone the authority or the right to do something
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Ex.: Modern computers have empowered people to organize their lives and discover new ways to solve problems.
Related: allow, authorize, sanction |
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excel (verb)
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to do something very well; to do something much better than most people
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Ex.: In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel Prizes are awarded to professionals who excel in economics, literature, chemistry, physics and medicine.
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courageous (adj)
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showing no fear; not afraid
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Scientist Charles Darwin is known for the courageous theory on the evolution of human beings.
Related: brave, bold, daring |
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crude (adj)
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not refined, advanced or very well developed
|
Ex.: The first cotton gin, which was a crude machine used to separate cotton from its seeds, was invented by Ely Whitney in 1793.
Related: basic, rough, simple |
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barter (verb)
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to exchange goods or services for other goods or services without using money
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Ex.: Before the invention of paper money by the Chinese in the eighth century, people bartered to get what they needed.
Related: bargain, swap, trade |
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afford (verb)
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to be able to give or provide
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Ex.: Modern day vaccines afford protection from diseases that just thirty years ago caused many people to suffer
Related: allow, give, offer |
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arrange (verb)
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to put a group of people or things in a special order or position
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Ex.: The Dewey Decimal System arranges library books by dividing all knowledge into ten areas, each with its own specific identifying number.
Related: coordinate, organize, set up |
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strain (noun)
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a difficultly that is caused by too much stress or excessive demands
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Ex.: Many airports are not prepared to handle the strain of increased passenger traffic.
Related: burden, pressure, stress |
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surplus (noun)
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having more of something than is required or needed
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Ex.: The school system's budget surplus was used to increase teacher salaries.
Related: excess, extra, spare |
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take advantage of (exp)
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a situation or condition that benefits you
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Ex.: It is necessary for a country to have an educated work force in order to take advantage of modern technology.
Related: exploit, profit from, make the most of |
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undertake (verb)
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to begin a project or a job for which you are responsible
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Ex.: The automobile industry has undertaken studies to find out if hydrogen powered cars can be built and sold at a profit.
Related: assume, commence, start |
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yield (verb)
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to produce something
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Ex.: A typical beehive can yield up to fifty-five pounds of honey every year.
Related: bear, furnish, generate |
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prized for (exp)
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used to refer to the characteristics of something that make it important and valuable
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Ex.: A diamond is prized for its brilliance, clarity and color.
Related: recognized, valued, well-known |
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rampant (adj)
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out of control; affecting a large area
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Ex.: Rampant price increases cause economic hardships.
Related: uncontrolled, unchecked, widespread |
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rescue (verb)
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to save from danger
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Ex.: The rescue of the crew of the Apollo 13 moon mission was one of the most dramatic in the history of the space program.
Related: liberate, set free |
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saturate with (verb)
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to make something wet; to be completely full of something
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Ex.: Dew occurs when warm air, which is fully saturated with water, cools, leaving drops of water on grassy areas.
Related: douse, drench, soak |
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somewhat (adv)
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a little; just slightly
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Ex.: The rules of many card games differ somewhat from country to country.
Related: a bit, to some extent |
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halt (verb)
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to stop
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Ex.: Jonas Salk developed the first vaccine against poliomyelitis, which halted the spread of the serious disease in 1950s.
Related: discontinue, finish, freeze |
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inhabitant (noun)
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a person who lives in a specific area
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Ex.: Among the most important early inhabitants of western Alaska were the Eskimo.
Related: dweller, occupant, resident |
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linger (verb)
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to remain in a place longer than usual
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Ex.: Even in the summer, snow frequently lingers on the tops of Hawaii's highest mountains.
Related: hang back, remain, stay behind |
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misgiving about (noun)
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a feeling of uncertainty or fear that something will not happen as planned or expected
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Ex.: As Vice President under Ronald Reagan, George Bush did not discuss his misgivings about the President's economic plan.
Related: doubt, hesitation, worry |
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cosmetic (adj)
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something done very quickly, with little attention to quality or detail
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Ex.: Many home owners make cosmetic repairs to their homes before selling them.
Related: hasty, rapid, superficial |
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feasible (adj)
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likely to happen; possible and probable
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Ex.: The use of rubber wheels was not feasible until 1839, when Charles Goodyear invented a process that made rubber stronger.
Related: realistic, reasonable, viable |
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boost (noun)
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something that causes growth or improvement
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Ex.: The landing of a manned spacecraft on the moon in 1969 gave a boost to the United States space program during the 1970s.
Related: enhance, improve, increase |
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burst (noun)
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an unexpected short period of intense or increased activity
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Ex.: Dolphins can swim at speeds of up to thirty miles per hour, with occasional bursts of up to forty miles per hour.
Related: eruption, spurt, surge |
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chore (noun)
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an activity that is performed regularly especially around the house
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Ex.: Before Florence Nightingale improved the image of nursing, the jobs of nurses were considered simple chores for women with little or no education.
Related: duty, job, task |
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blend (noun)
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a mixture
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Ex.: The population of the USA is a blend of people, language and cultures from all over the world.
Related: assortment, combination, mixture |
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cease (verb)
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to stop
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Ex.: Many scientists agree that the destruction of tropical rain forests must cease in order to protect the earth's most important producers of oxygen.
Related: conclude, end, finish |
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come across (exp)
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to find, usually unintentionally
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Ex.: While exploring the Grand Canyon National Park, tourists come across one astounding view after another.
Related: come upon, encounter, fall upon |
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acclaim (noun)
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something that deserves praise for its high quality or standing
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Ex.: Albert Einstein received international acclaim after his theory of relativity was accepted by the Royal Society of London in 1919.
Related: applause, approval, commendation |
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astounding (adj)
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very surprising; unbelievable
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Ex.: The amount of water flowing over Niagara Falls is an astounding 600,000 gallons of water per second.
Related: amazing, astonishing, surprising |
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deliberately (adv)
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done on purpose; done with a prior plan
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Ex.: By using genetic engineering, genes can be deliberately changed to produce new types of fruits and vegetables.
Related: by design, intentionally, purposely |
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diligent (adj)
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hard-working; paying attention to details
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Ex.: Bertrand Russell was a diligent mathematician and philosopher.
Related: conscientious, meticulous, thorough |
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drawback (noun)
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a disadvantage
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Ex.: One drawback of electric-powered cars is their short battery life.
Related: downside, problem, shortcoming |
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engage in (exp)
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to participate in an activity
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Ex.: To be well prepared for college, a student should not earn good grades but also engage in after-school activities.
Related: take part in, undertake |
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map (verb)
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to produce a plan, usually involving many steps
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Ex.: In order for students to be successful in their studies, they should map out strategies that will lead them to academic success.
Related: chart, plot |
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noticeably (adj)
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something that is easily seen or understood
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Ex.: After summer thunderstorms, the air temperature is noticeably cooler.
Related: clearly, evidently, visibly |
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forefront of (noun)
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something in the first or highest position
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Ex.: Japanese auto makers are in the forefront of developing cars that operate on both gas and electricity.
Related: front, head, vanguard |
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hence (adv)
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as a result; therefore
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Ex.: The flowers and leaves of a plant found in Eurasia produce a spray that can be burned; hence the names "gas plant" and "burning bush" were given to the plant/.
Related: consequently, thus |
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reveal (verb)
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to show; to make something known to others
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Ex.: As fall approaches and trees stop producing chlorophyll, their leaves reveal their true colors: yellow, orange, purple and gold.
Related: disclose, expose, make public |
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set off (verb)
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to cause a series of actions to start
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Ex.: The government's tax cut set off strong consumer spending, hence improving the nation's economy.
Related: begin, cause, trigger |
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shortage of (noun)
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something that is not found in sufficient quantities; a lack
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Ex.: In many areas of the world there is a shortage of clean drinking water.
Related: deficiency, dearth, scarcity |
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outcome of (noun)
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the result of an action or activity
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Ex.: One of the outcomes of the United States Civil War was the end to slavery.
Related: consequence, effect, end result |
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recall (verb)
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to remember; to bear in mind
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Ex.: People who suffer from amnesia cannot recall events of the past.
Related: call to mind, recollect, remind |
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tangible (adj)
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something that is real; can be sensed
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Ex.: The tangible results of a daily exercise program are increased energy, more flexibility and improved strength.
Related: actual, concrete, substantial |
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urge (verb)
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to strongly encourage someone to follow a suggestion or advice
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Ex.: The professor urged his students not to wait until the last minute to complete their laboratory work.
Related: compel, drive, push |
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wholesome (adj)
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something that is healthy or good for someone
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Ex.: A wholesome lifestyle improves a person's quality of life in his or her latter years.
Related: clean, decent, moral |
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ample (adj)
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having more than enough of something; sufficient
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Ex.: Because farming families of the early 1900s were large, their houses had to have ample living space for all family members.
Related: abundant, plentiful, substantial |
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apply in (verb)
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something that is important to or appropriate for a situation
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Ex.: English rules of grammar cannot be applied in all cases due to the fact that there are many exceptions to the rules.
Related: be relevant, pertain to, relate to |
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discreetly (adv)
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something done in a quiet, private way with great skill
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Ex.: When a manager must tell an employee that his job has been eliminated, the situation must be handled discreetly.
Related: cautiously,prudently, tactfully |
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eager (verb)
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to be excited about doing something
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Ex.: Harriet Tubman, founder of Underground Railroad, was eager to help slaves escape from their owners and lead them to freedom
Related: enthusiastic, ready, willing |
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landmark (adj)
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an important change, discovery, or event
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Ex.: The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence was a landmark historical event.
Related: breakthrough, innovative, milestone |
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grasp (verb)
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to come to an understanding
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Ex.: It is very difficult to grasp the enormous size of the galaxy.
Related: comprehend, follow |
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hinder (verb)
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to block or interfere with a process
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Ex.: The unplanned growth of cities often hinders the development of public roads and transportation systems.
Related: hamper, interfere, obstruct |
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put up with (exp)
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to tolerate; to accept a bad situation without complaining
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Ex.: Immigrants must often put up with difficult adjustments to life in their new land.
Related: bear, endure, suffer |
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ominous (adj)
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being of the feeling that something bad is going to happen
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Ex.: One of the ominous signs that a forest is under attack by an insect is the appearance of large groups of dead trees.
Related: foreboding, menacing, threatening |
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turn into (phrasal verb)
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to become; to turn out to be
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Ex.: After a butterfly pupa breaks out of its cocoon, it turns into a beautiful butterfly.
Related: convert into, develop into, grow to be |
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withstand (verb)
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to successfully endure a condition; to accept
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Ex.: Modern jet engines, which can withstand long periods of operation, make trans-Pacific air travel possible.
Related: survive, tolerate |
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stature (noun)
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a certain high standing among other people or things
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Ex.: John Steinbeck earned stature as a great American author for his ability to describe the real lives of ordinary people of the early 1900s.
Related: prominence, rank, status |
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take to (phrasal verb)
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to like something or someone, usually right away
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Ex.: Although life was difficult for the early settlers of the West, they quickly took to their homeland and its lifestyle.
Related: become fond of, enjoy, take pleasure in |
