CLB 9 to 10 flashcards
Definition: To reduce in degree, intensity, or amount; to lessen or diminish.
Word: Abate (?-‘bat)
Example 1: The storm finally began to abate after several hours of heavy rain.
Example 2: The noise from the construction site will abate once the workers leave for the day.
Definition: To shorten by omitting parts without sacrificing the core content.
Word: Abridge (?-‘brij)
Example 1: The editor abridged the lengthy novel to make it more readable.
Example 2: The company offers an abridged version of the report for quick review.
Definition: To free from guilt, responsibility, or obligation.
Word: Absolve (?b-‘zälv)
Example 1: The court absolved him of all charges.
Example 2: She was absolved from blame after the investigation.
Definition: To gather or pile up, often gradually over time.
Word: Accumulate (?-‘kyü-m(y)?-?lat)
Example 1: Over the years, she accumulated a vast collection of books.
Example 2: Dust has accumulated on the shelves since the last cleaning.
Definition: To stick firmly to something; to remain loyal or attached.
Word: Adhere (ad-‘hir)
Example 1: The glue will adhere to most surfaces easily.
Example 2: She adheres to her principles despite societal pressures.
Definition: To warn or reprimand someone gently but firmly.
Word: Admonish (ad-‘mä-nish)
Example 1: The teacher admonished the students for their unruly behavior.
Example 2: He was admonished by his friend for making hasty decisions.
Definition: Excessive praise or admiration.
Word: Adulation (?a-j?-‘la-sh?n)
Example 1: The actor was overwhelmed by the adulation of his fans.
Example 2: Her performance earned her adulation from both critics and audiences.
Definition: Harmful or unfavorable; acting against or in opposition.
Word: Adverse (‘ad-?v?rs)
Example 1: The adverse weather conditions forced the cancellation of the event.
Example 2: He suffered from an adverse reaction to the medication.
Definition: To publicly support or recommend a particular cause or policy.
Word: Advocate (‘ad-v?-k?t)
Example 1: She advocates for better healthcare for children.
Example 2: He is an advocate for environmental conservation.
Definition: Relating to beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
Word: Aesthetic (es-‘the-tik)
Example 1: The aesthetic appeal of the building was undeniable.
Example 2: She has a keen aesthetic sense, especially in interior design.
Definition: To have an influence on; to produce a change.
Word: Affect (?-‘fekt)
Example 1: The new tax laws will affect small businesses the most.
Example 2: The drought has severely affected the crops in the region.
Definition: Having a great deal of wealth; prosperous.
Word: Affluent (‘a-flü-?nt)
Example 1: They live in an affluent neighborhood with luxurious homes.
Example 2: His affluent lifestyle allows him to travel frequently.
Definition: To make something less severe; to relieve.
Word: Alleviate (?-‘le-ve-?at)
Example 1: The medication helped to alleviate her pain.
Example 2: Efforts are being made to alleviate the housing crisis.
Definition: To distribute resources or duties for a specific purpose.
Word: Allocate (‘a-l?-?kat)
Example 1: The company allocated funds for the new project.
Example 2: The government allocated additional resources to healthcare.
Definition: Open to more than one interpretation; unclear or vague.
Word: Ambiguous (am-‘bi-gy?-w?s)
Example 1: His answer was ambiguous, leaving everyone confused.
Example 2: The ending of the movie was purposefully ambiguous.
Definition: To make changes to a document, policy, or law in order to improve it.
Word: Amend (?-‘mend)
Example 1: The committee voted to amend the constitution.
Example 2: The teacher amended the rules to better suit the students’ needs.
Definition: Having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor.
Word: Amicable (‘a-mi-k?-b?l)
Example 1: They reached an amicable agreement after hours of negotiation.
Example 2: The divorce was amicable, and they remained on good terms.
Definition: More than enough; plentiful.
Word: Ample (‘am-p?l)
Example 1: The room had ample space for all the guests.
Example 2: There is ample evidence to support the claims.
Definition: Strong hostility or opposition.
Word: Animosity (?a-n?-‘mä-s?-te)
Example 1: There is a long history of animosity between the two countries.
Example 2: He felt a deep animosity towards his rival.
Definition: To cause someone to become hostile; to irritate or provoke.
Word: Antagonize (an-‘ta-g?-?niz)
Example 1: His remarks only served to antagonize the audience.
Example 2: Don’t antagonize your sister by teasing her.
Definition: A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.
Word: Antithesis (an-‘ti-th?-s?s)
Example 1: Love is the antithesis of hate.
Example 2: His actions were the antithesis of what he claimed to believe.
Definition: Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
Word: Apathy (‘a-p?-the)
Example 1: The voter turnout was low, reflecting widespread apathy.
Example 2: There was an alarming sense of apathy among the students.
Definition: Anxious or fearful that something bad will happen.
Word: Apprehensive (?a-pri-‘hen-siv)
Example 1: She was apprehensive about the upcoming exam.
Example 2: He felt apprehensive as he waited for the results.
Definition: Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
Word: Arbitrary (‘är-b?-?trer-e)
Example 1: The decision seemed arbitrary and lacked a clear explanation.
Example 2: The manager made an arbitrary ruling without consulting anyone.
Definition: Very old or old-fashioned; no longer in common use.
Word: Archaic (är-‘ka-ik)
Example 1: The museum displayed archaic tools used by early humans.
Example 2: His views on gender roles are considered archaic by today’s standards.
Definition: Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
Word: Arduous (‘är-j?-w?s)
Example 1: Climbing the mountain was an arduous task, but they were determined.
Example 2: The team faced an arduous journey through the desert.
Definition: Able to express thoughts and feelings clearly and effectively.
Word: Articulate (är-‘ti-ky?-l?t)
Example 1: She is an articulate speaker who captivates her audience.
Example 2: He was unable to articulate his thoughts during the heated debate.
Definition: To find out or learn with certainty.
Word: Ascertain (?a-s?r-‘tan)
Example 1: The detective tried to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Example 2: We need to ascertain the facts before making a decision.
Definition: To have a strong desire or ambition to achieve something.
Word: Aspire (?-‘spi(-?)r)
Example 1: She aspires to become a world-renowned scientist.
Example 2: Many students aspire to gain admission to prestigious universities.
Definition: The expression of approval or agreement.
Word: Assent (?-‘sent)
Example 1: He nodded in assent when asked if he agreed with the proposal.
Example 2: The mayor gave his assent to the new policy.
Definition: To state or declare confidently and forcefully.
Word: Assert (?-‘s?rt)
Example 1: He asserted his right to speak at the meeting.
Example 2: She asserted that she was innocent of all charges.
Definition: A useful or valuable thing, person, or quality.
Word: Asset (‘a-?set)
Example 1: Her communication skills are a great asset to the team.
Example 2: His ability to remain calm under pressure is a valuable asset.
Definition: To achieve or reach something through effort.
Word: Attain (?-‘tan)
Example 1: She worked hard to attain a high level of proficiency in the language.
Example 2: He finally attained his dream of becoming an architect.
Definition: To provide clear evidence of something; to testify.
Word: Attest (?-‘test)
Example 1: His achievements attest to his hard work and dedication.
Example 2: The documents attest to the authenticity of the artifact.
Definition: A quality or characteristic regarded as an inherent part of something or someone.
Word: Attribute (‘a-tr?-?byüt)
Example 1: Her creativity is one of her strongest attributes.
Definition: To prevent or turn away something undesirable.
Word: Avert (?-‘v?rt)
Example 1: She averted her eyes during the gruesome scene in the movie.
Example 2: The government took steps to avert a financial crisis.
Definition: To give a false impression of; to contradict.
Word: Belie (bi-‘li)
Example 1: His calm demeanor belied the nervousness he felt inside.
Example 2: Her youthful appearance belies her age.
Definition: Well-meaning and kindly; generous.
Word: Benevolent (b?-‘ne-v?-l?nt)
Example 1: The benevolent organization provided food and shelter to the homeless.
Example 2: He has a benevolent attitude toward all of his employees.
Definition: Gentle and kind; not harmful.
Word: Benign (bi-‘nin)
Example 1: The tumor was found to be benign and not life-threatening.
Example 2: She had a benign smile that comforted those around her.
Definition: To support or strengthen something.
Word: Bolster (‘bol-st?r)
Example 1: The coach’s encouragement bolstered the team’s confidence.
Example 2: They used additional funds to bolster the project.
Definition: Conciseness; the quality of being brief and to the point.
Word: Brevity (‘bre-v?-te)
Example 1: The speech was appreciated for its brevity and clarity.
Example 2: In the interest of brevity, I’ll summarize the key points.
Definition: A feeling of trust and friendship among a group of people.
Word: Camaraderie (?kä-m?-‘rä-d(?-)re)
Example 1: The camaraderie among the team members was evident during the trip.
Example 2: The soldiers formed a strong camaraderie during their time together.
Definition: Honest and straightforward in speech or expression.
Word: Candid (‘kan-d?d)
Example 1: His candid remarks about the project were appreciated.
Example 2: The journalist’s interview with the actress was refreshingly candid.
Definition: Having a lot of space; roomy.
Word: Capacious (k?-‘pa-sh?s)
Example 1: The capacious suitcase could hold all of their belongings.
Example 2: The hall was capacious enough to host the large event.
Definition: To surrender or give in, often after negotiation.
Word: Capitulate (k?-‘pi-ch?-?lat)
Example 1: The army had to capitulate after weeks of intense fighting.
Example 2: The company capitulated to the union’s demands after the strike.
Definition: To find a way around an obstacle or to avoid something by using clever means.
Word: Circumvent (?s?r-k?m-‘vent)
Example 1: They found a way to circumvent the rules to their advantage.
Example 2: The software was designed to circumvent security restrictions.
Definition: Mercy or leniency shown toward an offender.
Word: Clemency (‘kle-m?n-se)
Example 1: The governor granted clemency to the prisoner.
Example 2: The judge showed clemency in sentencing due to the defendant’s circumstances.
Definition: Logical and consistent; clearly expressed.
Word: Coherent (ko-‘hir-?nt)
Example 1: The argument was coherent and well-supported by evidence.
Example 2: His speech was not coherent, making it difficult to follow.
Definition: Forming a united whole; sticking together.
Word: Cohesive (ko-‘he-siv)
Example 1: The team became more cohesive after the team-building exercises.
Example 2: The glue made the papers cohesive and less likely to fall apart.
Definition: To work together with others to achieve a common goal.
Word: Collaborate (k?-‘la-b?-?rat)
Example 1: The scientists collaborated on the groundbreaking research project.
Example 2: Artists from different genres collaborated to create a new musical piece.
Definition: To praise formally or officially.
Word: Commend (k?-‘mend)
Example 1: The firefighter was commended for his bravery during the rescue.
Example 2: The teacher commended the students for their hard work.
Definition: The ability to do something successfully or efficiently.
Word: Competence (‘käm-p?-t?ns)
Example 1: His competence in the field of research is well-recognized.
Example 2: The competence of the surgeon was clear during the operation.
Definition: Self-satisfied and unaware of possible dangers or problems.
Word: Complacent (k?m-‘pla-s?nt)
Example 1: She became complacent after receiving praise for her previous work.
Example 2: His complacent attitude toward his health led to problems later on.
Definition: Willing to conform to rules or follow orders; yielding.
Word: Compliant (k?m-‘pli-?nt)
Example 1: The company was compliant with all safety regulations.
Example 2: The new software is compliant with industry standards.
Definition: Thorough and all-inclusive; covering a wide range of subjects.
Word: Comprehensive (?käm-pri-‘hen-siv)
Example 1: The report provides a comprehensive overview of the issue.
Example 2: The course offers a comprehensive introduction to biology.
Definition: An agreement or settlement of a dispute reached by each side making concessions.
Word: Compromise (‘käm-pr?-?miz)
Example 1: They reached a compromise after hours of negotiation.
Example 2: Both parties were willing to compromise to avoid further conflict.
Definition: To admit something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it; to surrender or yield.
Word: Concede (k?n-‘sed)
Example 1: After a long argument, he conceded that she was right.
Example 2: The candidate conceded the election when it became clear he would not win.
Definition: Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief but comprehensive.
Word: Concise (k?n-‘sis)
Example 1: The teacher’s instructions were clear and concise.
Example 2: He wrote a concise summary of the report.
Definition: To agree or be of the same opinion.
Word: Concur (k?n-‘k?r)
Example 1: I concur with your assessment of the situation.
Example 2: The committee members all concurred with the decision to move forward.
Definition: To accept or allow behavior that is morally wrong or offensive to continue.
Word: Condone (k?n-‘don)
Example 1: The school does not condone cheating under any circumstances.
Example 2: He refused to condone his friend’s illegal activities.
Definition: To discuss something with someone in order to make a decision.
Word: Confer (k?n-‘f?r)
Example 1: The committee members will confer before making a final decision.
Example 2: She conferred with her lawyer before signing the contract.
Definition: Pleasant or agreeable because it suits one’s taste or disposition.
Word: Congenial (k?n-‘je-ne-?l)
Example 1: The hotel staff was very congenial, making the stay enjoyable.
Example 2: She found a congenial environment to work in after moving to a new company.
Definition: To severely restrict the scope, extent, or activity of something.
Word: Constrain (k?n-‘stran)
Example 1: The tight budget constrained their ability to expand the business.
Example 2: His injury constrained him from participating in the game.
Definition: To look at or think about something for a long time in a thoughtful way.
Word: Contemplate (‘kän-t?m-?plat)
Example 1: He spent hours contemplating the meaning of life.
Example 2: She contemplated whether to accept the job offer.
Definition: Showing contempt; scornful or disdainful.
Word: Contemptuous (k?n-‘temp-ch?-w?s)
Example 1: She gave him a contemptuous look when he suggested something ridiculous.
Example 2: His contemptuous attitude made it clear that he didn’t respect her opinions.
Definition: Feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt.
Word: Contrite (k?n-‘trit)
Example 1: He offered a contrite apology for his earlier mistakes.
Example 2: The defendant appeared contrite in court after the verdict was read.
Definition: To come together from different directions and meet at one point.
Word: Converge (k?n-‘v?rj)
Example 1: All the paths converge at the center of the park.
Example 2: The two teams’ ideas began to converge during the meeting.
Definition: Extremely complex and difficult to follow; intricate.
Word: Convoluted (‘kän-v?-?lü-t?d)
Example 1: The plot of the movie was so convoluted that many people couldn’t understand it.
Example 2: His explanation was convoluted, making it hard to follow his reasoning.
Definition: To confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding.
Word: Corroborate (k?-‘rä-b?-?rat)
Example 1: The witness’s testimony corroborated the defendant’s alibi.
Example 2: The research data corroborated the theory that climate change is accelerating.
Definition: To reach a climax or point of highest development.
Word: Culminate (‘k?l-m?-?nat)
Example 1: The months of hard work culminated in a successful presentation.
Example 2: The festival will culminate in a grand fireworks display.
Definition: To weaken or reduce the strength of something.
Word: Debilitate (de-‘bi-l?-?tat)
Example 1: The illness debilitated him, leaving him bedridden for weeks.
Example 2: The economic crisis debilitated the country’s financial system.
Definition: Showing respectful submission or yielding to the judgment or opinion of others.
Word: Deferential (?de-f?-‘ren(t)-sh?l)
Example 1: He was always deferential to his mentor’s advice.
Example 2: The staff was deferential to the company’s senior management.
Definition: Demonstrating skill and cleverness.
Word: Deft (deft)
Example 1: The artist’s deft brushstrokes brought the painting to life.
Example 2: She deftly handled the challenging situation at work.
Definition: Done consciously and intentionally; careful and unhurried.
Word: Deliberate (di-‘li-b?-r?t)
Example 1: His actions were deliberate and calculated to achieve a specific goal.
Example 2: They engaged in a deliberate discussion before making their decision.
Definition: Outward behavior or bearing.
Word: Demeanor (di-‘me-n?r)
Example 1: Her calm demeanor helped to reassure the team during the crisis.
Example 2: His friendly demeanor made him popular among his peers.
Definition: To publicly declare something to be wrong or evil.
Word: Denounce (di-‘nau?ns)
Example 1: The politician was quick to denounce corruption in the government.
Example 2: Activists denounced the company’s environmental practices.
Definition: To use up the supply or resources of something.
Word: Deplete (di-‘plet)
Example 1: The long journey depleted their energy.
Example 2: Continuous deforestation will deplete the Earth’s natural resources.