Unit 3 Vocabulary Flashcards
Alleviate
☺ (əˈlēvēˌāt) v. to make easier to endure; lessen
Synonyms: mitigate, palliate, assuage, relieve
Example: “When I applied an ice pack to my badly bruised arm, the chill alleviated the swelling, but it took days for the discoloration from the bruise to disappear.
Captivate
☺ (ˈkaptəˌvāt) v. to attract or hold the interest of
Synonyms: enthrall, mesmerize, beguile, bewitch, charm Example: “When Amanda spotted the Statue of Liberty from the airplane window, she was captivated by her sheer size as she stood majestically guarding the harbor.”
Bolster
☺ (ˈbōlstər) v. to support or hold up
Synonyms: boost; buoy; shore up, prop up
Example: “The fall in interest rates is starting to bolster confidence in the real estate market.”
Circumscribe
± (ˈsərkəmˌskrīb) v. to draw a line around or enclose; to constrict the range or activity of definitely and clearly
Synonyms: encircle, delineate
Example: “If the President does not agree with a bill being proposed by Congress, he will do everything in his power to circumscribe the passing of related legislation.”
Deprecate
☹ (ˈdeprəˌkāt) v. to criticize or express disapproval Synonyms: belittle, denounce, disapprove, reject
Example: “Great coaches understand how to guide and encourage and even correct their athletes without deprecating and humiliating them.”
Exploit
☹ (ikˈsploit) v. to use selfishly for profit; to use manipulate to one’s own advantage
Synonyms: capitalize, abuse, misuse, treat unfairly
Example: “In order to build a profitable business, it is not necessary to exploit others.”
Obfuscate
☹ (ˈäbfəˌskāt) v. to confuse or bewilder; to render unclear or unintelligible
Synonyms: blur, muddle, complicate, cloud
Example: “Dr. Smith’s quick explanations of the highly complex mathematical formulas tended to obfuscate and consequently frustrate his students rather than helping them understand.”
Disseminate
± (dəˈseməˌnāt) v. to scatter or spread widely Synonyms: disperse, dispel, distribute, promulgate, circulate
Example: “The key to winning a political election is often the candidate’s ability to effectively disseminate articulate answers about important issues.”
Evoke
± (əˈvōk) v. to call up or produce; to recall to the conscious mind Synonyms: suggest, elicit, conjure up, kindle, call forth
Example: “This book was apparently designed to evoke an interest in ancient Roman architecture.”
Adumbrate
± (ˈadəmˌbrāt, əˈdəmˌbrāt) - v. to describe roughly or give the main points of; to give to understand
Synonyms: summarize, outline, sketch; insinuate, intimate
Example: “James Madison adumbrated the necessity that the Senate be somewhat insulated from public passions.”
Expurgate
± (ˈekspərˌɡāt) – v. to edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
Synonyms: censor, bowdlerize, sanitize, tame
Example: “Many current musical groups create two different versions of the lyrics for their songs since they often need to expurgate the original lyrics before releasing their music to the general public.
Cavort
☺ (kəˈvôrt) - v. to play boisterously; to jump or dance around excitedly Synonyms: skip, dance, romp, jig, gambol, prance, frolic
Example: “When baby goats cavort around the barnyard, nobody can avoid feeling just a little bit happier.”
Expunge
± (ikˈspənj) - v. to remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
Synonyms: delete, erase, excise, scratch, strike
Examples: “The President has the power to expunge any person’s criminal record, and such decisions are often perceived as sociopolitical statements.”
Arrogate
☹ (ˈerəˌɡāt) - v. to seize and take control without authority Synonyms: appropriate, seize, usurp, commandeer
Example: “According to eminent domain, the government can arrogate your property when it’s necessary to protect or develop national interests.”
Abscond
☹ (əbˈskänd) - v. to run away secretly and hurriedly, often taking something or somebody along
Synonyms: flee, escape, bolt, decamp,
Example: “Do you think she intends to abscond with the plans for our secret, newly designed product?”
