19/07/20(RC: 38-53;5lb) Flashcards
cynical
- ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as cynical, you mean they believe that people always act selfishly.
…his cynical view of the world.
Synonyms: sceptical, mocking, ironic, sneering
conviction
- COUNTABLE NOUN [usu N that]
A conviction is a strong belief or opinion.
It is our firm conviction that a step forward has been taken.
Their religious convictions prevented them from taking up arms.
Synonyms: belief, view, opinion, principle
injudicious
ADJECTIVE
If you describe a person or something that they have done as injudicious, you are critical of them because they have shown very poor judgment.
[formal, disapproval]
He blamed injudicious comments by bankers for last week’s devaluation.
Synonyms: unwise, foolish, rash, hasty
retrospective
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A retrospective is an exhibition or showing of work done by an artist over many years, rather than his or her most recent work.
The actress will preside over a retrospective of her films.
They honoured him with a retrospective exhibition in 1987.
Synonyms: review, revision, another look, reassessment - ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Retrospective feelings or opinions concern things that happened in the past.
Afterwards, retrospective fear of the responsibility would make her feel almost faint.
retrospectively ADVERB [ADVERB with verb]
Retrospectively, it seems as if they probably were negligent.
To ascribe opinions retrospectively is of course very dangerous. - ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Retrospective laws or legal actions take effect from a date before the date when they are officially approved.
Bankers are quick to condemn retrospective tax legislation.
shore up
PHRASAL VERB
If you shore up something that is weak or about to fail, you do something in order to strengthen it or support it.
The democracies of the West may find it hard to shore up their defences.
electorate
COUNTABLE NOUN [with singular or plural verb]
The electorate of a country or area is all the people in it who have the right to vote in an election.
He has the backing of almost a quarter of the electorate.
…the Maltese electorate.
aloof
- ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
Someone who is aloof is not very friendly and does not like to spend time with other people.
[disapproval]
He seemed aloof and detached.
Synonyms: distant, cold, reserved, cool
skittish
squeamish
- ADJECTIVE
If you describe a person or animal as skittish, you mean they are easily made frightened or excited.
The declining dollar gave heart to skittish investors.
Synonyms: nervous, lively, excitable, jumpy
ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you are squeamish, you are easily upset by unpleasant sights or situations.
I’m terribly squeamish. I can’t bear gory films.
I am not squeamish about blood.
exuberant
- ADJECTIVE
If you are exuberant, you are full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness.
…an exuberant young girl who decided to become a screen actress.
undue
ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe something bad as undue, you mean that it is greater or more extreme than you think is reasonable or appropriate.
This would help the families to survive the drought without undue suffering.
It might give the Commission undue influence over the coming negotiations.
It is unrealistic to put undue pressure on ourselves by saying we are the best.
Synonyms: excessive, too much, inappropriate, extreme
naysayer
NOUN
someone who opposes something or says no to it
He ignored naysayers in his party and decided to run for election.
insurmountable
ADJECTIVE
A problem that is insurmountable is so great that it cannot be dealt with successfully.
The crisis doesn’t seem like an insurmountable problem.
Synonyms: insuperable, impossible, overwhelming, hopeless
exposure
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Exposure to something dangerous means being in a situation where it might affect you.
Exposure to lead is known to damage the brains of young children. [+ to]
…the potential exposure of people to nuclear waste.
Synonyms: vulnerability, subjection, susceptibility, laying open - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [usually with poss]
The exposure of a well-known person is the revealing of the fact that they are bad or immoral in some way.
…the exposure of stars in so-called morally compromising situations. [+ of]
Their sporting reputation has suffered enormously from Johnson’s exposure. - VARIABLE NOUN
In photography, the exposure is the amount of light that is allowed to enter a camera when taking a photograph.
[technical]
A tripod also lets you shoot long exposures at night.
…an exposure of 1/18sec at f/11.
Against a deep blue sky or dark storm-clouds, you may need to reduce the exposure.
assemblage
COUNTABLE NOUN
An assemblage of people or things is a collection of them.
[formal]
He had an assemblage of old junk cars filling the backyard. [+ of]
Synonyms: group, company, meeting, body
bizarre
ADJECTIVE
Something that is bizarre is very odd and strange.
The game was also notable for the bizarre behaviour of the team’s manager.
You know, that book you lent me is really bizarre.
Synonyms: strange, odd, unusual, out there [slang]