cruel
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A2 adjective /ˈkruːəl/

cruel

Meaning
Willfully causing pain or suffering to others, or feeling no concern about it.
Example
It was cruel to make fun of the injured boy.
B2 noun /tsuːˈnɑː.mi/

tsunami

Meaning
a large sea wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption
Example
The tsunami devastated the coastal town, leaving thousands homeless.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsæprəˈbeɪʃən/

disapprobation

Meaning
strong disapproval, typically on moral grounds
Example
The policy was met with widespread disapprobation.
B2 adjective aɪˈkɒnɪk

iconic

Meaning
Very famous or popular, especially being considered to represent particular opinions or a particular time.
Example
The line "It was the best of times..." is iconic.
B1 noun /ˌɡrædʒ.uˈeɪ.ʃən/

graduation

Meaning
the act of receiving a degree or diploma after completing a course of study
Example
Her parents attended her graduation ceremony with pride.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪpəθi/

antipathy

Meaning
a deep-seated feeling of dislike or aversion toward something or someone
Example
There was a mutual antipathy between the two rival companies.
B1 adjective /rʌf/

Rough

Meaning
having an uneven surface; not smooth; harsh
Example
The rough surface of the rock hurt my hands.
C2 adjective /ˌsɒfəˈmɒrɪk/

sophomoric

Meaning
showing immaturity and overconfidence, like a sophomore
Example
His sophomoric behavior embarrassed his friends.
C2 adjective /ˈkwɛrʊləs/

querulous

Meaning
Complaining in a whining or irritable manner.
Example
The querulous customer kept finding fault with every detail.
B2 noun /roʊˈteɪʃən/

Rotation

Meaning
the action of rotating around an axis or center; a single turn
Example
The Earth's rotation takes 24 hours to complete.
C1 noun /kənˈfɛdərəsi/

confederacy

Meaning
a group of states, people, or organizations united for a common purpose
Example
The southern states formed a confederacy during the civil war.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈwel.kəm/

Unwelcome

Meaning
not wanted or accepted; not invited or pleasant
Example
The unwelcome news ruined their vacation plans.
A2 adjective /ˈplɛzənt/

pleasant

Meaning
giving a sense of happiness, enjoyment, or satisfaction
Example
We had a pleasant evening at the park.
B2 noun (plural) /ˈɑːrtɪˌfæks/

artifacts

Meaning
objects made by humans, often of historical or cultural importance
Example
Archaeologists discovered valuable artifacts in the ruins.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrləns/

parlance

Meaning
a particular way of speaking or using words, common to a group
Example
In legal parlance, the term has a different meaning.
B2 verb /ɡrænt/

grant

Meaning
to give or allow someone to have; to admit or agree
Example
The university granted him a scholarship.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈkɒnsələt/

disconsolate

Meaning
very unhappy and unable to be comforted
Example
She was disconsolate after hearing the bad news.
C2 noun /juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛəriənɪzəm/

utilitarianism

Meaning
The ethical theory that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of the majority.
Example
Utilitarianism suggests that we should act to maximize overall happiness.
B2 adjective /əˈtɒm.ɪk/

Atomic

Meaning
relating to atoms or atomic energy; extremely small
Example
The atomic structure of hydrogen is the simplest.
B2 verb /dʌmp/

dump

Meaning
to drop or dispose of something carelessly; to end a relationship suddenly
Example
He dumped all the trash into the bin.
C2 verb /kənˈtɛm/

contemn

Meaning
to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt
Example
He would never contemn honest work, no matter how humble.
B1 verb /ɪkˈspænd/

expand

Meaning
To increase in size, number, or importance.
Example
The company plans to expand its operations into new markets.
C1 adjective /ˌaɪdiəˈlɪstɪk/

Idealistic

Meaning
pursuing high principles or ideals; unrealistically optimistic
Example
She has an idealistic view of changing the world.
C2 noun /ˈɒksɪdənt/

occident

Meaning
The countries of the West, especially Europe and America.
Example
The Occident has a long history of philosophical thought.
B2 noun /ˈspɔːrtsmən/

sportsman

Meaning
A person who is skilled in sports or enjoys participating in athletic activities.
Example
He is a true sportsman, always fair and respectful to his opponents.
C2 noun /ˈɡlʌt.ən/

Glutton

Meaning
a person who regularly eats or drinks more than is necessary; someone who has an excessive appetite
Example
He was known as a glutton who could finish three large pizzas in one sitting.
C1 adjective /ˈdʒuː.bɪ.lənt/

jubilant

Meaning
feeling or expressing great happiness and joy
Example
The team was jubilant after winning the championship.
C1 noun /ˈmaʊθ.fʊl/

mouthful

Meaning
the amount of food or drink that fills the mouth, or a long and difficult word or phrase
Example
He took a big mouthful of water after the run.
B2 noun rɪˈkruːt.mənt

recruitment

Meaning
The action of finding new people to join an organization or support a cause.
Example
Recruitment strengthens the workforce.
B2 noun /ˌɛkspɜːˈtiːz/

expertise

Meaning
Expert knowledge or skill in a particular area.
Example
His expertise in graphic design is widely recognized.
C2 adverb /ʌnˈɜːrɪŋli/

unerringly

Meaning
Without making any mistakes; always accurate
Example
The archer aimed unerringly at the target.
A1 adjective /blæk/

Black

Meaning
having the darkest color; the opposite of white
Example
She wore a beautiful black dress to the party.
C1 verb /ˈkriːmeɪt/

cremate

Meaning
to burn a dead body to ashes as a funeral rite
Example
According to his wishes, they cremated his body after the funeral.
B1 noun /ˈɒnɪsti/

honesty

Meaning
the quality of being truthful and sincere
Example
Honesty is the best policy in all situations.
B2 adjective /suːˈpriːm/

Supreme

Meaning
highest in rank, authority, or quality; greatest; most important
Example
The Supreme Court made the final decision.
C1 noun /ˈpɔː.pəs/

Porpoise

Meaning
a small toothed whale with a low triangular dorsal fin and a blunt rounded snout
Example
The porpoise jumped gracefully out of the water.
B2 verb /stɪtʃ/

stitch

Meaning
to sew with needle and thread; to join pieces of fabric
Example
She will stitch the torn dress carefully.
B2 verb /ˈrɛnəˌveɪt/

renovate

Meaning
to restore something old to a good state or to improve it
Example
They decided to renovate the old house before moving in.
C1 noun /brɪˈɡeɪd/

brigade

Meaning
A large group of people organized for a specific purpose, especially a military unit.
Example
The fire brigade arrived quickly to put out the flames.
A1 adjective strɒŋ

strong

Meaning
Having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
Example
A strong defense secures victory.
C2 noun /ˈmʌrɪn/

murrain

Meaning
An infectious disease that affects cattle and other animals, often fatal.
Example
The farmer lost many cows during the outbreak of murrain.
B1 noun /ˈmʌðər ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/

mother language

Meaning
the first language a person learns from childhood; native language
Example
Children learn best when they are taught in their mother language.
B2 verb /əˈpɔɪnt/

appoint

Meaning
to choose someone for a job or position
Example
The board will appoint a new director.
C1 verb rɪˈlɪŋ.kwɪʃ

relinquish

Meaning
To give up any authority, responsibility, or property.
Example
He decided to relinquish his position as CEO.
A1 noun /laɪt/

Light

Meaning
the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible; electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength
Example
Turn on the light, it's getting dark.
C2 adjective /ˈmjuːtɪnəs/

mutinous

Meaning
refusing to obey authority; rebellious
Example
The soldiers grew mutinous after months without pay.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪnəri/

finery

Meaning
expensive or elaborate clothes, decorations, or accessories
Example
She attended the party in her finest finery.
A2 noun /seɪf/

Safe

Meaning
secure container for storing valuables; protection from danger
Example
He kept his important documents in the office safe.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈtru/

Untrue

Meaning
not true; false; incorrect
Example
His statement about the incident was completely untrue.
B1 adverb /ˈhaɪli/

highly

Meaning
to a great degree; very
Example
She is highly respected in her field.
B2 verb /kənˈtɛnd/

contend

Meaning
to strive or compete for something; to assert earnestly
Example
Athletes from around the world contend for the championship.
C2 noun /liː/

lea

Meaning
An open area of grassy or arable land; a meadow.
Example
The cottage was surrounded by a quiet lea.
C2 verb /ˌɛvəˈnɛs/

evanesce

Meaning
To disappear gradually; to fade away.
Example
The mist began to evanesce as the sun rose higher.
C2 noun /ˈpɒl.i.mæθ/

polymath

Meaning
a person with knowledge of many different subjects
Example
Leonardo da Vinci was a true polymath, excelling in art, science, and engineering.
C2 verb /ˈdʌmfaʊnd/

dumbfound

Meaning
to greatly astonish or shock someone so they are temporarily speechless
Example
The magician's trick dumbfounded the audience.
B2 adjective /ˈstɑːrtəld/

startled

Meaning
suddenly shocked or surprised by something unexpected
Example
She was startled by the loud noise outside.
B1 noun /ˈplʌm.ər/

plumber

Meaning
a person who installs or repairs water pipes
Example
The plumber fixed the leaking pipe in the kitchen.
B1 adjective /ʃeɪpt/

shaped

Meaning
having a particular form or appearance
Example
The sculpture was shaped like a human figure.
C1 adjective /rɪˈvoʊltɪŋ/

revolting

Meaning
extremely unpleasant or disgusting
Example
The smell of the garbage was revolting.
B2 adjective /ˈaʊtˌɡoʊɪŋ/

outgoing

Meaning
Friendly and sociable; inclined to mix with others.
Example
He is an outgoing person who loves meeting new people.
A2 noun /ˈrʌnɪŋ/

running

Meaning
the action or sport of running
Example
Running every morning keeps me healthy.
B2 adjective /ɪˈlɛktərəl/

electoral

Meaning
related to elections or voting
Example
The electoral process in the country has been reformed in recent years.
C1 adjective /ˈpleɪntɪv/

plaintive

Meaning
expressing sadness or sorrow
Example
He raised a plaintive cry for help.
A2 verb /səkˈsiːd/

succeed

Meaning
to achieve the desired aim or result; to do well
Example
She worked hard to succeed in her career.
C1 verb /dɪˈmoʊt/

demote

Meaning
to reduce to a lower rank or position
Example
The manager decided to demote the employee for poor performance.
B2 adjective /ˈmæskjəlɪn/

masculine

Meaning
having qualities traditionally associated with men
Example
He has a deep, masculine voice.
C1 noun /ˌɪnfɪˈdɛləti/

infidelity

Meaning
the act of being unfaithful to a spouse or partner
Example
Their marriage ended due to his infidelity.
C1 noun /ˈtrɛtʃəri/

treachery

Meaning
Betrayal of trust; deceptive action or nature.
Example
His treachery was revealed when he sided with the enemy.
B2 adjective /ˈɪnfɪnɪt/

infinite

Meaning
limitless or endless in space, extent, or number
Example
The universe is often described as infinite.
B2 noun /ˈɪn.vɔɪs/

Invoice

Meaning
a list of goods sent or services provided, with a statement of the sum due for these
Example
The company sent an invoice for the office supplies delivered last week.
C1 adjective /ˈtɛmpərət/

temperate

Meaning
showing moderation or self-restraint; also describing mild climate.
Example
He is known for his temperate behavior even in stressful situations.
C2 noun /ˌɪnəməˈrɑːtə/

inamorata

Meaning
A woman with whom someone is in love; a female lover.
Example
He wrote a poem dedicated to his inamorata.
C1 adjective /əˈbreɪsɪv/

abrasive

Meaning
harsh, rough, or capable of wearing down by rubbing
Example
His abrasive tone made everyone uncomfortable.
C1 verb /ɪnˈkrəʊtʃ/

encroach

Meaning
to gradually take over or intrude on someone’s rights, territory, or space
Example
The buildings began to encroach on the protected forest land.
C2 noun /ˈhɒɡz.hɛd/

hogshead

Meaning
A large cask or barrel, traditionally used for storing liquids like wine or beer.
Example
The cellar was filled with hogsheads of ale.
B2 adjective /sɔːr/

sore

Meaning
painful or aching, usually in a specific part of the body
Example
After the long run, my legs were sore.
B1 noun /stiːl/

steel

Meaning
a strong, hard metal made of iron and carbon
Example
The building was made from steel to ensure its durability.
A1 adverb /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

also

Meaning
in addition; too
Example
She sings beautifully and also plays the guitar.
A1 adjective /ˈmɛni/

many

Meaning
a large number of
Example
Many students attended the lecture.
C2 adjective /ˈkɔːpjʊlənt/

corpulent

Meaning
fat or obese; having a large bulky body
Example
The corpulent man struggled to fit into the small chair.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːrkən/

hearken

Meaning
To listen attentively; to give heed.
Example
He would hearken to his mentor’s advice before making decisions.
C1 adjective /ˈhiːdləs/

heedless

Meaning
showing a reckless lack of care or attention
Example
He drove with heedless disregard for the rules.
C2 adjective /ˈpæsɪbəl/

passible

Meaning
capable of feeling or suffering; susceptible to sensation or emotion (often theological)
Example
In some traditions, deities are described as passible, sharing human emotions.
C1 verb /ɡʌʃ/

gush

Meaning
to flow out suddenly and forcefully, or to express something enthusiastically
Example
Tears began to gush from her eyes.
C1 adjective /ˈtɜːrbjələnt/

turbulent

Meaning
Characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not stable or calm.
Example
The country went through a turbulent period of political change.
C2 noun ˌæɡ.roʊ.iˈkɒl.ə.dʒi

agroecology

Meaning
A scientific discipline that studies agricultural systems by applying ecological concepts and principles.
Example
Agroecology promotes eco-friendly farming.
A1 adverb /haʊ/

how

Meaning
in what way or manner; by what means
Example
How do you solve this problem?
C2 adjective /ˈθrɛdˌbɛr/

threadbare

Meaning
Worn out and thin from too much use; shabby.
Example
His threadbare coat could not keep him warm in winter.
B2 adjective /ɡroʊs/

gross

Meaning
extremely unpleasant or disgusting; total before deductions
Example
He thought the food looked gross, but it tasted fine.
A1 noun /miːt/

Meat

Meaning
animal flesh used as food
Example
We bought fresh meat from the butcher shop.
A2 noun /ˈhɒki/

hockey

Meaning
a sport played with sticks and a ball or puck on ice or a field
Example
He plays hockey for the national team.
C1 adjective /ˈwɒn.tən/

Wanton

Meaning
deliberate and unprovoked; sexually immodest or promiscuous
Example
The vandals caused wanton destruction to the public property.
C1 noun /ˈʌndərˌstʌdi/

understudy

Meaning
An actor who learns another's role to act as a replacement if needed.
Example
The understudy performed when the lead actor fell ill.
C1 adjective ˈek.wɪ.tə.bəl

equitable

Meaning
Fair and impartial
Example
Equitable AI ensures fairness in technology use.
B2 noun /ˈvɛtərən/

veteran

Meaning
a person who has long experience in a particular field or an ex-member of the armed forces
Example
He is a veteran of the software industry.
C2 noun /ˈmʌɡwʌmp/

mugwump

Meaning
a person who remains independent from party politics or remains aloof from disputes
Example
He was called a mugwump for refusing to join either political side.
C1 verb /rɪˈtreɪs/

retrace

Meaning
to go back over a path or route; to recall and repeat steps taken earlier
Example
She retraced her steps to find her lost keys.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrdʒəri/

forgery

Meaning
the crime of making fake documents, money, or artworks
Example
The bank detected a forgery in the signature on the cheque.
C2 noun /ɛmˈpɔːriəm/

emporium

Meaning
A large retail store selling a wide variety of goods.
Example
They visited the new emporium to buy furniture and home decor.
C1 noun /ˈɛksələnsɪ/

excellency

Meaning
a title of honor for people of high rank, especially ambassadors or governors
Example
His Excellency the Ambassador attended the ceremony.
C1 verb /ˌʌndərˈlaɪ/

underlie

Meaning
to be the hidden cause or basis of something
Example
Strong cultural traditions underlie the community's practices.
A2 noun /fraɪd raɪs/

Fried rice

Meaning
a dish of cooked rice that has been stir-fried in a wok or frying pan
Example
We ordered chicken fried rice from the Chinese restaurant.
C1 noun dəˌmɛstɪˈkeɪʃən

domestication

Meaning
The process of taming an animal and keeping it as a pet or for farm produce.
Example
Domestication of animals has been crucial for human survival.
C2 noun /ˈpɛntəˌɡræm/

pentagram

Meaning
A five-pointed star often used as a symbol in magic, mysticism, or religion.
Example
The wizard drew a pentagram on the floor as part of the ritual.
C2 adjective /heɪl/

hale

Meaning
strong and healthy, especially of an elderly person
Example
Despite his age, the man remained hale and active.
B2 noun /ˈkʌm.pəs/

Compass

Meaning
an instrument for finding direction with a magnetic needle pointing to magnetic north
Example
The hiker used a compass to find the right direction.
C1 noun /ˈtɛnəmənt/

tenement

Meaning
a large building divided into separate apartments, often in poor condition
Example
The family lived in a crowded tenement in the city.
C2 noun /ˌɪnkænˈteɪʃən/

incantation

Meaning
a series of words used as a magic spell or charm
Example
The wizard chanted an incantation to summon the spirits.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈwɪtɪŋ/

unwitting

Meaning
Not aware of what is happening; done without realizing.
Example
She became an unwitting participant in the scam.
C2 noun /ˈrɪɡməˌroʊl/

rigmarole

Meaning
a long, complicated, and confusing process or story
Example
Getting a visa was such a rigmarole of paperwork and interviews.
B1 adjective ɪkˈstriːm

extreme

Meaning
Reaching a high or the highest degree; very great.
Example
Extreme weather patterns disrupt ecosystems.
B2 noun /heɪl/

Hail

Meaning
pellets of frozen rain that fall in showers from cumulonimbus clouds; a greeting or acclaim
Example
The sudden hailstorm damaged many cars in the parking lot with large ice pellets.
B2 adjective ɔːrˈɡæn.ɪk

organic

Meaning
Produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents.
Example
Organic farming improves soil health and reduces pollution.
C1 verb /ɔːɡˈmɛnt/

augment

Meaning
To increase or strengthen something.
Example
The company plans to augment its workforce.
B2 noun /ɪnˈsɪstəns/

insistence

Meaning
the act of demanding something firmly or repeatedly
Example
At his insistence, we stayed longer.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpaɪ.ə.ti/

Impiety

Meaning
lack of piety or reverence, especially for a god; disrespect or irreverence toward religious matters
Example
His impiety shocked the religious community when he mocked their sacred ceremonies.
C2 noun /prəˈfʌn.dɪ.ti/

profundity

Meaning
Deep insight; great depth of knowledge or thought.
Example
The profundity of his words left a lasting impact.
C1 noun /ˈmɪmɪkri/

mimicry

Meaning
The act of imitating someone or something, often for humor or learning.
Example
The comedian’s mimicry of celebrities made the audience laugh.
C1 noun ˌsɛn.trə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

centralization

Meaning
The concentration of control and decision-making power in a central authority.
Example
Excessive centralization can slow down decision-making.
B2 adjective /ˈslɪp.ər.i/

Slippery

Meaning
smooth and difficult to hold; causing sliding or slipping
Example
The wet floor was very slippery after cleaning.
A2 noun /ˈdrɔːər/

drawer

Meaning
a box-shaped storage compartment that slides in and out of furniture
Example
She kept her jewelry in the top drawer of the dresser.