Synonyms Flashcards
inconsistent
=in conflict with
1. If two statements, etc. are inconsistent, or one is inconsistent with the other, they cannot both be true because they give the facts in a different way
Ex: These findings are inconsistent with those of previous studies.
2. not staying the same in behaviour or quality
Ex: The teacher said that Alex’s schoolwork was very inconsistent.
in agreement with
to have the same opinion, or to have made the same decision
Ex: We are all in agreement that Mr. Ross should resign.
in conflict with
mâu thuẫn, không ăn khớp
sporadic
(=occassional)
happening only occasionally or at intervals that are not regular
Ex: sporadic fighting/gunfire/violence/outbreaks of the disease
outburst
a sudden strong expression of an emotion
Ex: He was alarmed by his violent outburst.
(an outburst of)
constraint (=restriction)
-a thing that limits something, or limits your freedom to do something
(constraints of time/money/space, financial/economic/legal/political constraints)
-constraint on something
- strict control over the way that you behave or are allowed to behave
Ex: At last we could relax and talk without constraint.
-place constraints on
Ex: Constraints on spending have forced the company to rethink its plans.
implication (=consequence)
-a possible effect or result of an action or a decision
( implication (of something) for something)
Ex: The development of the site will have implications for the surrounding countryside.
-by implication (something that is suggested or indirectly stated)
Ex: He criticized the Director and, by implication, the whole of the organization.
-implication (of somebody) (in something) the fact of being involved, or of involving somebody, in something, especially a crime
Ex: He resigned after his implication in a sex scandal.
determinant
a factor that decides whether or how something happens
Ex: Interest rates are a major determinant of currency trends.
in the belief that
-because you think that something is true
Ex: She wrote to him in the belief that he would help her.
welfare (=well-being)
-the general health, happiness and safety of a person, an animal or a group
Ex: We are concerned about the child’s welfare.
-practical or financial help that is provided, often by the government, for people or animals that need it
Ex: (child/social welfare, welfare provision/services/work)
-money that the government pays regularly to people who are poor, unemployed, sick, etc.
Ex: (on welfare) They would rather work than live on welfare.
repeal
-the act of repealing a law (= making it no longer a law)
Ex: the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846
arbitrary (=preposterous)
-(of an action, a decision, a rule, etc.) not seeming to be based on a reason, system or plan and sometimes seeming unfair
Ex: The choice of players for the team seemed completely arbitrary.
-using power without limits and without considering other people
Ex: the arbitrary powers of officials
sensible
-(of people and their behaviour) able to make good judgements based on reason and experience rather than emotion; practical
Ex: ( sensible about something, it is sensible for somebody to do something)
-useful rather than fashionable
-aware of something
Ex: I am sensible of the fact that mathematics is not a popular subject.
rational
-(of behaviour, ideas, etc.) based on reason rather than emotions
Ex: rational argument/choice/decision/analysis/thought
-(of a person) able to think clearly and make decisions based on reason rather than emotions
unconstitutional
-not allowed by the constitution of a country, a political system or an organization
Ex: The judges declared the decision unconstitutional.
subsidiary (=additional)
-connected with something but less important than it
Ex: subsidiary information/matter/subject (= one that is not studied in as great depth as a main subject).
-(of a business company) owned or controlled by another company
specify
-to state something, especially by giving an exact measurement, time, exact instructions, etc.
Ex: Remember to specify your size when ordering clothes.
initiative (=plan)
-a new plan for dealing with a particular problem or for achieving a particular purpose
Ex: (policy/peace/launch/support/new initiatives, initiative to do/for/by something)
The money was intended to support initiatives in bilingual education.
- the ability to decide and act on your own without waiting for somebody to tell you what to do
Ex: She did it on her own initiative (= without anyone telling her to do it).
-the power or opportunity to act and gain an advantage before other people do
Ex: seize/regain/take the initiative
-(in some states of the US) a process by which ordinary people can suggest a new law by signing a petition (a written document signed by a large number of people that asks somebody in a position of authority to do or change something)
Ex: a ballot initiative to establish a local minimum wage
-ballot: the system of voting in writing and usually in secret; an occasion on which a vote is held
provide insight into
=provide understanding of
disregard for
-the fact of showing no care or respect for something:
Ex: What amazes me is her complete disregard for anyone else’s opinion.
concern about
worry about
sympathy for
orchestrate
-to arrange a piece of music in parts so that it can be played by an orchestra
-to organize a complicated plan or event very carefully or secretly
Ex: The group is accused of orchestrating violence at demonstrations.
enormous (far-reaching)
likely to have a lot of influence or many effects
Ex: far-reaching consequences/implications/changes/reforms
far-fetched
-very difficult to believe
Ex: The whole story sounds very far-fetched.
far-flung
-a long distance away
Ex: expeditions to the far-flung corners of the world
-spread over a wide area
Ex: a newsletter that helps to keep all our far-flung graduates in touch
far-sighted
-having or showing an understanding of the effects in the future of actions that you take now, and being able to plan for them.
Ex: a far-sighted decision
-not able to see things that are close to you clearly
economical
=efficient
valueless
-without value or worth
Ex: Her shares in the company have become valueless.
pricey
-expensive
Ex: The menu may seem pricey, but it’s actually good value for money.
scheme
=programme ( a plan or system for doing or organizing something)
Ex: scheme for doing/to do something, under a scheme
introduce/launch/run a scheme
-an area of social housing (= houses or flats for people to rent or buy at low prices)
Ex: I’m from Glasgow and grew up in a scheme.
cement
-to make something such as an agreement or friendship stronger:
Ex: The university’s exchange scheme has cemented its links with many other academic institutions.
uncanny (=mysterious)
-strange and difficult to explain
Ex: I had an uncanny feeling I was being watched.
innate
(of a quality, feeling, etc.) that you have when you are born
Ex: He never lost his innate sense of fun.
not bat an eyelid
to show no surprise or concern when something unusual happens
Ex: She didn’t bat an eyelid when I told her my news.
classify (=categorize)
diversify
-to develop a wider range of products, interests, skills, etc. in order to be more successful or reduce risk
Ex: Farmers are being encouraged to diversify into new crops.
-to change or to make something change so that there is greater variety
Ex: Patterns of family life are diversifying.
on the ground
-in the place where something is happening and among the people who are in the situation, especially a war
Ex: On the ground, there are hopes that the fighting will soon stop.
manipulate (=control)
- to control or influence somebody/something, often in a dishonest way so that they do not realize it
Ex: (manipulate somebody into something/into doing something) They managed to manipulate us into agreeing to help.
inhibit
-to prevent something from happening or make it happen more slowly or less frequently than normal
Ex: A lack of oxygen may inhibit brain development in the unborn child.
-inhibit somebody (from something/from doing something) to make somebody nervous or embarrassed so that they are unable to do something
Ex: The managing director’s presence inhibited them from airing their problems.
denounce (=criticize)
-to strongly criticize somebody/something that you think is wrong, illegal, etc.
Ex: The project was denounced as a scandalous waste of public money.
-to tell the police, the authorities, etc. about somebody’s illegal political activities
Ex: Many people denounced their neighbours to the secret police.
scandalous
-shocking and unacceptable
-containing talk about the very bad or wrong things that people have done or are thought to have done
mediocre (=average)
-not very good; of only average standard
Ex: I thought the play was only mediocre.
moronic
very stupid
diligent
showing care and effort in your work or duties
discourtesy (=rudeness)
in the company of others
being together with someone
Ex: I felt nervous being in the company of such important people.
sneak into (=go secretly)
-to enter or leave a place quietly and secretly, with great caution
ajar
(of a door) slightly open
Ex: I’ll leave the door ajar.
well marked
(of a path, trail, landmark, etc) clearly indicated or signposted
reboard
-to get onto a boat, train, aircraft, etc. again after having got off
Ex: I was escorted off the train and forced to buy a ticket before I was allowed to reboard.
fleeting (=brief)
-lasting only a short time
Ex: fleeting glimpse/smile/visit/moment
benevolent
-(especially of people in authority) kind, helpful and generous
Ex: benevolent smile/attitude/dictatorship
-used in the names of some organizations that give help and money to people in need
virtue (=goodness)
-behaviour or attitudes that show high moral standards
Ex: She was certainly no paragon of virtue (= her moral standards were very far from perfect).
wickedness
-the fact of being morally bad; behaviour that is morally bad
Ex: He blames his problems on the world’s wickedness.
-the fact of being attractive although you know something is slightly bad or wrong
Ex: the sheer wickedness of a chocolate muffin
indecency
-behaviour that is thought to be morally or sexually offensive
Ex: He was appalled by the indecency of their songs.
barbarism
-a state of not having any education, respect for art, etc.
Ex: the long, slow descent of the Roman Empire into barbarism
-cruel or violent behaviour
Ex: the barbarism of war
spick and span
clean and tidy
at the drop of a hat
immediately; without hesitating
Ex: The company can’t expect me to move my home and family at the drop of a hat.
put on an act
-to behave or speak in a false or artificial way
Ex: He’s just putting on an act for the boss’s benefit.
get the hang of something
-to learn how to do or to use something; to understand something
Ex: It’s not difficult once you get the hang of it.
edible
fit or suitable to be eaten; not poisonous
Ex: The food at the hotel was barely edible.
substitute (=replace)
susceptible (=vulnerable)
-very likely to be influenced, harmed or affected by something
Ex: He’s highly susceptible to flattery.
-susceptible (of something) (formal): allowing something; capable of something
Ex: Is this situation not susceptible of improvement by legislation?
the apple of one’s eye
the person someone loves the most
take the initiative
-to be the first one to do something, esp. to solve a problem:
Ex: Don’t be afraid to take the initiative and say what you think.
unparalleled (=incomparable)
-used to emphasize that something is bigger, better or worse than anything else like it
Ex: It was an unparalleled opportunity to develop her career.
compatible
-(of machines, especially computers, or software) able to be used together
Ex: The new system will be compatible with existing equipment.
-(of ideas, methods or things) able to exist or be used together without causing problems
Ex: Are measures to protect the environment compatible with economic growth?
-if two people are compatible, they can have a good relationship because they have similar ideas, interests, etc.
Ex: She found a compatible partner through a computer dating agency.
inconclusive
-not leading to a definite decision or result
Ex: inconclusive evidence/results/tests/conclusion
make out (=understand)
-used to ask if somebody managed well or was successful in a particular situation
Ex: How did he make out while his wife was away?
-to manage to see somebody/something or read or hear something
Ex: I could just make out a figure in the darkness.
-to say that something is true when it may not be
Ex: She’s not as rich as people make out.
-to write out or complete a form or document
Ex: He made out a cheque for €100.
synthesis (=combination)
-the act of combining separate ideas, beliefs, styles, etc.; a mixture or combination of ideas, beliefs, styles, etc.
Ex: synthesis of A with/and B
- the natural chemical production of a substance in animals and plants
- the artificial production of a substance that is present naturally in animals and plants
-the production of sounds, music or speech by electronic means
uphold (=support)
-to support something that you think is right and make sure that it continues to exist
Ex: We have a duty to uphold the law.
- to agree that a previous decision was correct or that a request is reasonable
Ex: to uphold a conviction/an appeal/a complaint
penalize (=punish)
- to punish somebody for breaking a rule or law by making them suffer a disadvantage
Ex: You will be penalized for poor spelling.
He was penalized for time-wasting.
-to put somebody at a disadvantage by treating them unfairly
Ex: The new law appears to penalize the poorest members of society.
foul
done against the rules of a sport
Ex: Harper was penalized for a foul tackle.
wholesale
in large quantities, especially so they can be sold again to make a profit
Ex: We buy the building materials wholesale.
uphill
-sloping upwards
Ex: an uphill climb/slope
-uphill battle, struggle, task, etc: an argument or a struggle that is difficult to win and takes a lot of effort over a long period of time
Ex: He faces an uphill struggle to be fit in time for the championships.
role model
someone that others admire and follow
universal (=shared)
-one by or involving all the people in the world or in a particular group
Ex: Such problems are a universal feature of old age.
universal suffrage (= the right of all the people in a country to vote)
-true or right at all times and in all places
Ex: universal facts about human nature
be entitled to
-to give someone the right to do or have something
Ex: Being unemployed entitles you to free medical treatment.
commercials (=advertisements)
in striking contrast to/with
very different from
Ex: The warm, indirect light produced by the mirror creates a striking contrast to the rather cool concrete/glass architecture.
advocate
-a person who supports or speaks in favour of somebody or of a public plan or action
Ex: advocate for/of something/somebody
-to publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something
Ex: She advocates taking a more long-term view.
escalation of tension
worsen the situation
hazardous
-involving risk or danger, especially to somebody’s health or safety
Ex: a list of products that are potentially hazardous to health
bridge the gap/gulf/divide (between A and B)
-to reduce or get rid of the differences that exist between two things or groups of people
Ex: The new degree course aims to bridge the gulf between education and industry.
upland
an area of high land that is not near the coast
in its infancy
-something that is in its infancy has only just started to develop
Ex: Tourism on the island is still very much in its infancy.
underway
in progress (beginning to exist or is happening now)
Ex: Economic recovery is already under way.
single-handed
done on your own with nobody helping you
scourge (of somebody/something)
=affliction (a person or thing that causes trouble, difficulty or mental pain)
dazzle
-to impress somebody a lot with your beauty, skill, etc.
-if a strong light dazzles you, it is so bright that you cannot see for a short time
be confined to somewhere/something
=restricted to (to exist only in a particular area or group of people)
fragmentary
made of small parts that are not connected or complete
depict
=represent
deform
to change or damage the usual or natural shape of something; to become changed in shape
by the advent of
=by the arrival of: the time when a new idea, product etc is first used or discovered
sensorimotor
Sensorimotor stage typically takes place within the first two years of a child’s life. It is marked by the child discovering the difference between themselves and their environment. At that point, they will use their senses to learn things about both themselves and their environment.
primitive
=basic
proximal
located towards the centre of the body
conclusive
=definite (proving something in a way that is certain and allows no doubt)
impacted
An impacted tooth cannot grow in the right way, usually because it is growing against another tooth below the gum.
plethora
=excess (an amount that is greater than is needed or can be used)
sediment
-the solid material that settles at the bottom of a liquid
- sand, stones, mud, etc. carried by water or wind and left, for example, on the bottom of a lake, river, etc.
extract
=remove
biochemist
a scientist who studies the chemistry of living things
strive
=try (to try very hard to achieve something)
-strive for/against/towards/after/to do something
scurvy
a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C from not eating enough fruit and vegetables
pellagra
a disease caused by eating food that lacks certain nutrients (= substances important for health) that leads to problems with the skin, digestive system and brain
rickets
a disease of children caused by a lack of good food that makes the bones become soft and badly formed, especially in the legs
beriberi
a disease that affects the nerves and heart, caused by a lack of vitamin B
blow one’s top
=lose one’s temper
legitimate
-allowed and acceptable according to the law
-born when its parents are legally married to each other
endeavour
an attempt to do something, especially something new or difficult
- in an endeavour to do something
sunken
=underwater
hollow
having a hole or empty space inside
courtship
- the time when two people have a romantic relationship before they get married; the process of developing this relationship
-the special way animals behave in order to attract a mate (= sexual partner)
-courtship (of somebody/something) (formal) the process or act of attracting a business partner, etc.
perilous
=dangerous (very dangerous)
peculiar
-strange or unusual, especially in a way that is unpleasant or makes you worried
-peculiar (to somebody/something) belonging or relating to one particular place, situation, person, etc., and not to others
predispose somebody to something
-incline (to influence somebody so that they are likely to think or behave in a particular way)
-to make it likely that you will have a particular illness or condition
in mint condition
new or as good as new; in perfect condition
emission
=release
nurture
=foster
acupuncture
a method of treating pain and illness using special thin needles that are pushed into the skin in particular parts of the body
devote
=dedicate
