Lesson 196/202 · 21 words · 0 learned

B2 · Everyday actions (1)

1
engage(verb)
/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/
to succeed in attracting and keeping somebody’s attention and interest
He engaged us in a fascinating discussion about current business law
The engagement begins at 7:30
Synonymsinvolveparticipateemployoccupyattractenticehireretain
Antonymsdisengageignorerepeldismissrejectexclude
2
failure(noun)
/ˈfeɪljər/
lack of success in doing or achieving something
The mission ended in failure when the rocket exploded shortly after launch.
Synonymsdeficiencyomissionderelictionfaultlackdefaultinefficacy
Antonymssuccessachievementtriumphaccomplishment
3
expose(verb)
/ɪkˈspəʊz/
to show something that is usually hidden
He did not want to expose his fears and insecurity to anyone.
Mergers require that employees be exposed to different business practices
Synonymsrevealuncoverdiscloseunmaskdivulge
Antonymshideconcealcoverprotectshield
4
contribute(verb)
/kənˈtrɪbjuːt/
to give something, especially money or goods, to help achieve or provide something
Make sure your boss is aware of the work you contributed to the project
Synonymsdonategiveprovidesupplyaddofferinputpitch in
Antonymsdetractsubtracthinderimpedewithholdremoveobstruct
5
maintain(verb)
/meɪnˈteɪn/
to make something continue at the same level, standard, etc.
I've been maintaining a list of office supplies that are in greatest demand
Trying to maintain two different stockrooms is too much work
Synonymspreserveconserveupholdsustainkeepretainsupportcontinue
Antonymsneglectabandondiscontinuedestroyabolishignore
6
enhance(verb)
/ɪnˈhæns/
to increase or further improve the good quality, value or status of somebody/something
Good lighting can greatly enhance the quality of product photos.
Synonymsimproveboostaugmentintensifyenrichupgrade
Antonymsdecreasediminishworsenreducedegrade
7
acquire(verb)
/əˈkwaɪər/
to obtain something by buying it or being given it
The museum acquired a Van Gogh during heavy bidding
The sculptor acquired metalworking skills after much practice
Synonymsobtaingetgainprocuresecureattainreceive
Antonymsloseforfeitrelinquishsurrendergive up
8
ensure(verb)
/ɪnˈʃʊr/
to make sure that something happens or is definite
Please ensure (that) all lights are switched off.
Victory ensured them a place in the final.
Synonymsguaranteeassuresecuremake sureverifyconfirmcertify
Antonymsdoubtquestiondisproveinvalidateuncertain
9
attempt(verb)
/əˈtempt/
to make an effort or try to do something, especially something difficult
I will attempt to answer all your questions.
The prisoners attempted an escape, but failed.
Synonymstryendeavorseekstriveundertakeventureeffort
Antonymsabstainavoidneglectignoreshunforgo
10
alter(verb)
/ˈɔːltər/
to become different; to make somebody/something different
This incident altered the whole course of events.
He had altered so much I scarcely recognized him.
Synonymschangemodifyadjusttransformconvertrevisevary
Antonymsmaintainpreservekeepretainconservestabilizefix
11
enable(verb)
/ɪˈneɪbl/
to make it possible for somebody/something to do something
a new programme to enable older people to study at college
The software enables you to create your own DVDs.
Synonymsauthorizeallowempowerfacilitatepermit
Antonymsdisablepreventhinderimpederestrict
12
arise(verb)
/əˈraɪz/
to happen; to start to exist
A storm arose during the night.
Children should be disciplined when the need arises(= when it is necessary).
Synonymsemergeoriginatebeginstartdevelopspring upoccur
Antonymsdisappearendceasevanishdescendterminate
13
grab(verb)
/ɡræb/
to take or hold somebody/something with your hand suddenly or roughly
She grabbed the child's hand and ran.
Don't grab—there's plenty for everyone.
Synonymsseizesnatchclutchgrasppluckcapture
Antonymsreleasedroplet gorelinquish
14
adapt(verb)
/əˈdæpt/
to change your behaviour in order to deal more successfully with a new situation
It took her a few months to adapt to life in the big city.
Synonymsadjustmodifyalteraccommodateconformtailorrevisereshape
Antonymsremainpersiststagnateresistrejectopposemisfitimmovable
15
collapse(verb)
/kəˈlæps/
to fall down or fall in suddenly, often after breaking apart
Several old buildings collapsed during the earthquake last night.
Synonymsfall apartbreak downcrumblefailimplodesuccumbcave in
Antonymsthrivesucceedstandendurebuildflourish
16
launch(verb)
/lɔːntʃ/
to start an activity, especially an organized one
The company will launch a new advertising campaign next month.
Synonymsstartinitiatebegincommenceset offdischargedeployment
Antonymsendfinishcompletionconclusionhalttermination
17
means(noun)
/miːnz/
an action, an object or a system by which a result is achieved; a way of achieving or doing something
The telephone is a means of communication.
We needed to get to London but we had no means of transport.
Synonymsmethodwaymannerinstrumentvehicleresourcetoolmedium
Antonymsendresultoutcome
18
distribute(verb)
/dɪˈstrɪbjuːt/
to give things to a large number of people; to share something between a number of people
The money was distributed among schools in the area.
The organization distributed food to the earthquake victims.
Synonymsallocatedispensesharedivideapportioncirculate
Antonymscollectgatheraccumulatewithholdkeepcentralize
19
modify(verb)
/ˈmɑːdɪfaɪ/
to change something slightly, especially in order to make it more suitable for a particular purpose
The software we use has been modified for us.
Synonymsalterchangeadjustadaptreviseamendtransform
Antonymsmaintainpreserveconserveretainkeepleave
20
creation(noun)
/kriˈeɪʃn/
the act or process of making something that is new, or of causing something to exist that did not exist before
It was the development of farms that led to creation of the world's first great civilisations.
Synonymsgenesisformationgenerationinventionorigination
Antonymsdestructionannihilationdemolitiondissolutionruin
21
dig(verb)
/dɪɡ/
to make a hole in the ground or to move soil from one place to another using your hands, a tool or a machine
The dog loves to dig in the garden.
Synonymsexcavateburrowtrench
Antonymscoverburyfill