demote
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C1 verb /dɪˈmoʊt/

demote

Meaning
to reduce to a lower rank or position
Example
The manager decided to demote the employee for poor performance.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsiːtfəl/

deceitful

Meaning
Deliberately misleading or dishonest.
Example
She gave a deceitful answer to hide the truth.
C1 noun ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən

degradation

Meaning
The condition or process of degrading or being degraded.
Example
Soil degradation due to overuse is a growing issue.
C1 noun /dɪˈluːʒən/

delusion

Meaning
A false belief or impression maintained despite being contradicted by reality.
Example
He lived under the delusion that he was invincible.
C1 noun /draɪ fɪʃ/

Dry fish

Meaning
fish that has been preserved by drying in the sun or by other dehydration methods
Example
Dry fish is a popular preserved food in many coastal regions.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈdʒɔɪntɪd/

disjointed

Meaning
Lacking order, coherence, or connection; disconnected.
Example
The movie felt disjointed and hard to follow.
C1 noun dɪˌlɪb.əˈreɪ.ʃən

deliberation

Meaning
Long and careful consideration or discussion.
Example
The agreement was finalized after much deliberation.
C1 noun/verb /dɪsˈkwaɪət/

disquiet

Meaning
A feeling of worry or unease; to make someone feel anxious or uneasy.
Example
The strange silence filled the room with disquiet.
C1 adjective /dɪˈrɒɡətɔːri/

derogatory

Meaning
Showing a critical or disrespectful attitude.
Example
The article contained derogatory comments about the politician.
C1 noun /ˌdez.ɪɡˈneɪ.ʃən/

Designation

Meaning
the action of choosing someone for a position; a name, title, or official status
Example
His designation as team leader came with additional responsibilities and authority.
C1 noun ˌdep.əˈzɪʃ.ən

deposition

Meaning
The action of depositing something; the laying down of matter by a natural process.
Example
River deposition leads to the formation of new landmasses.
C1 noun /dɪˈmaɪz/

demise

Meaning
Death or end of something, especially the end of an institution or system.
Example
The sudden demise of the company shocked investors.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈkɔːrdənt/

discordant

Meaning
disagreeing or clashing; harsh and jarring in sound
Example
The discordant notes of the band hurt our ears.
C1 verb /dɪˈstɪl/

distill

Meaning
To purify a liquid by heating and cooling; to extract the essential meaning or most important aspects.
Example
The factory distills water to make it safe for drinking.
C1 verb /daɪˈluːt/

dilute

Meaning
To make a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent.
Example
You should dilute the juice with water before serving it to children.
C1 adjective /dɪˈlæpɪˌdeɪtɪd/

dilapidated

Meaning
Fallen into disrepair or ruin due to neglect or age.
Example
The family lived in a dilapidated house at the edge of town.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈɪntrəstɪd/

disinterested

Meaning
not influenced by personal interest; impartial or neutral
Example
The judge remained disinterested in the case.
C1 noun /deɪˈbɑː.kəl/

debacle

Meaning
A sudden and ignominious failure; a fiasco.
Example
The company's poor management led to a financial debacle.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsɜːrnɪŋ/

discerning

Meaning
having good judgment or insight; able to distinguish well
Example
He is a discerning reader who notices subtle details.
C1 verb /dɪˈsɛnt/

dissent

Meaning
To hold or express opinions that are different from those officially accepted.
Example
Several members dissented from the majority decision.
C1 noun /dɪˈpɑːzətɔːri/

depository

Meaning
a place where things are stored or deposited, especially financial assets
Example
The national depository safeguards all government bonds.
C1 noun /ˈdeɪ.li.ə/

Dahlia

Meaning
a garden plant with brightly colored flowers that bloom in summer and autumn
Example
She planted colorful dahlias in her garden last summer.
C1 noun /djʊˈrɛs/

duress

Meaning
threats, violence, or pressure used to force someone to do something
Example
She signed the contract under duress.
C1 verb /dɪsˈpruːv/

disprove

Meaning
to show that something is false or wrong
Example
The scientist worked hard to disprove the old theory.
C1 noun dɪˈfleɪʃən

deflation

Meaning
Reduction of the general level of prices in an economy.
Example
Deflation often leads to decreased consumer spending.
C1 adjective /dɪˈspɪkəbl/

despicable

Meaning
Deserving hatred and contempt; vile or shameful.
Example
His despicable actions shocked the entire community.
C1 adjective /ˈdaɪ.si/

dicey

Meaning
Risky or unpredictable; potentially dangerous.
Example
Investing in that company looks pretty dicey right now.
C1 verb /dɪsˈpleɪs/

displace

Meaning
to force someone or something out of their usual or original position; to replace or substitute
Example
The new technology will displace many traditional manufacturing jobs.
C1 adjective /ˈdɪzməl/

Dismal

Meaning
gloomy; depressing; causing sadness or despair
Example
The weather was dismal with heavy rain and dark clouds.
C1 phrase ˌdɪp.ləˈmæt.ɪk rɛz.əˈluː.ʃən

diplomatic resolution

Meaning
A peaceful solution to conflicts through negotiation and diplomatic channels.
Example
A diplomatic resolution is necessary for peace.
C1 verb /dɪsˈlɒdʒ/

dislodge

Meaning
To remove or force out from a position, especially one that is fixed or hard to move.
Example
The troops dislodged the enemy from the hill.
C1 noun /dɪsˈɪntrəst/

disinterest

Meaning
lack of interest or concern
Example
His disinterest in the project was obvious.
C1 verb /druːp/

droop

Meaning
to bend or hang downward; to become weak or tired
Example
The flowers began to droop in the heat.
C1 verb /dʌb/

dub

Meaning
to give a name or label to something; to add a soundtrack to a film or recording
Example
The movie was dubbed into several languages for international release.
C1 adjective draʊt rɪˈzɪs.tənt

drought-resistant

Meaning
Able to survive and grow despite limited water availability or drought conditions.
Example
Drought-resistant crops can survive in arid conditions.
C1 noun /ˌdɛrɪˈveɪʃən/

derivation

Meaning
The origin or development of something from a source.
Example
The derivation of the word comes from Latin.
C1 noun /dɪsˈsɜːrvɪs/

disservice

Meaning
A harmful action; something that does damage rather than help.
Example
Spreading false information is a disservice to the community.
C1 noun /dɪˈmiːnər/

demeanour

Meaning
a person's outward behavior or appearance
Example
Her calm demeanour impressed everyone during the meeting.
C1 noun dɪˈskrep.ən.siz

discrepancies

Meaning
Differences between things that should be the same
Example
Discrepancies in regulations delay progress.
C1 adjective /ˈdaʊ.ər/

dour

Meaning
relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance
Example
His dour expression made the meeting uncomfortable.
C1 noun /ˈdrɪz.əl/

Drizzle

Meaning
light rain falling in very fine drops; a very light rainfall
Example
The gentle drizzle continued throughout the morning, making everything misty.
C1 verb /dɪˈsɛləˌreɪt/

decelerate

Meaning
to reduce speed; to slow down
Example
The car began to decelerate as it approached the traffic light.
C1 noun /ˌdaɪəˈrɑːmə/

diorama

Meaning
a three-dimensional model representing a scene, often with miniature figures
Example
The museum displayed a diorama of an ancient village.
C1 adjective /dɪˈbɪl.ɪ.teɪ.tɪŋ/

debilitating

Meaning
Making someone or something weak and infirm.
Example
The disease had a debilitating effect on his health.
C1 verb /ˈdæmpən/

dampen

Meaning
to make something slightly wet; to make something less strong, active, or intense
Example
The rain dampened the excitement of the outdoor concert.
C1 verb /diːˈfɒrɪst/

deforest

Meaning
to clear an area of trees, usually on a large scale
Example
The region has been heavily deforested for agriculture.
C1 adjective /ˈdesələt/

Desolate

Meaning
deserted; lonely; barren
Example
The abandoned village looked desolate and empty.
C1 noun /ˈduːmz.deɪ/

Doomsday

Meaning
the last day of the world's existence; a time of catastrophic destruction
Example
The preacher spoke about doomsday and the importance of preparing spiritually.
C1 noun/verb /dɛnt/

dent

Meaning
a small hollow mark on the surface of something; to make a small hollow mark
Example
The accident left a dent in the car door.
C1 verb /dɪˈfɔːrm/

deform

Meaning
to change the shape or form of something, especially in a way that makes it ugly or damaged; to distort
Example
The intense heat began to deform the plastic container.
C1 noun ˌdiːˌrɛɡ.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən

deregulation

Meaning
The removal or reduction of government regulations in an economic sector.
Example
Deregulation has increased competition in the telecommunications sector.
C1 verb /daɪˈvʌldʒ/

divulge

Meaning
to make known something private, secret, or previously unknown
Example
She refused to divulge the source of her information.
C1 verb /dɪsˈmæntəl/

dismantle

Meaning
to take apart; to remove or destroy the parts of
Example
Workers will dismantle the old bridge next month.
C1 noun /dɪˈkɔː.rəm/

Decorum

Meaning
behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety; dignified and appropriate conduct
Example
The diplomat maintained perfect decorum throughout the heated negotiations.
C1 noun /ˈdjuːplɛks/

duplex

Meaning
A house or apartment divided into two separate residences.
Example
They live in a duplex near the city center.
C1 noun /dɪˈspɜːrʒən/

dispersion

Meaning
The action or process of distributing things or people over a wide area.
Example
The dispersion of seeds by the wind helps plants reproduce.
C1 noun /ˈdaɪəˌlɛkt/

dialect

Meaning
A particular form of a language spoken in a specific region or by a specific group.
Example
He speaks a dialect of Bengali that is common in rural areas.
C1 noun /ˌdɪs.kʌl.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

discoloration

Meaning
The process of changing or losing color; fading.
Example
Sun exposure causes discoloration of fabrics.
C1 verb /dɪˈbɑːr/

debar

Meaning
To officially prevent someone from doing something.
Example
He was debarred from entering the competition due to cheating.
C1 verb /ˈdæŋɡəl/

dangle

Meaning
to hang loosely or swing freely
Example
The keys dangled from his belt.
C1 verb /dɪˈspɜːrs/

disperse

Meaning
To scatter or spread widely in different directions.
Example
The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
C1 noun /ˈdaʊri/

dowry

Meaning
Property or money brought by a bride to her husband at marriage.
Example
The dowry tradition is still followed in some cultures.
C1 adjective /ˈdwɪndlɪŋ/

dwindling

Meaning
Gradually reducing in number, size, or strength.
Example
The villagers relied on dwindling water supplies.
C1 noun /dɪˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/

denunciation

Meaning
the public condemnation or accusation of someone or something
Example
The journalist's article was a strong denunciation of corruption.
C1 adjective /ˈdɛkədənt/

decadent

Meaning
Characterized by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline; excessively self-indulgent.
Example
The party was filled with decadent luxury and excess.
C1 noun /ˌdɛməˈlɪʃən/

demolition

Meaning
the act or process of destroying a building or structure
Example
The demolition of the old factory took several weeks.
C1 adjective /ˈdɑːsəl/ or /ˈdəʊsaɪl/

docile

Meaning
easily managed, taught, or controlled; submissive
Example
The docile puppy quickly learned new tricks.
C1 noun /daɪˈsɛkʃən/

dissection

Meaning
the act of cutting apart or analyzing something in detail, especially a body or structure
Example
The dissection of the specimen revealed important details about its structure.
C1 noun /ˌdɜːrməˈtɑːlədʒi/

dermatology

Meaning
The branch of medicine concerned with the skin and its diseases.
Example
He studied dermatology at medical school.
C1 noun /ˌdiːpɔːrˈteɪʃən/

deportation

Meaning
The act of expelling a foreigner from a country.
Example
The deportation of hundreds of workers sparked international criticism.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsɜːrnəbl/

discernible

Meaning
able to be seen, recognized, or understood
Example
There was a discernible change in his behavior.
C1 noun /dɪˌsem.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

dissemination

Meaning
The action or fact of spreading something, especially information, widely.
Example
The dissemination of false information is a major issue.
C1 noun /diːˈkrɪp.ʃən/

decryption

Meaning
The process of converting encrypted data back into its original form so it can be understood.
Example
Hackers attempted decryption of classified data.
C1 verb /diːˈhaɪdreɪt/

dehydrate

Meaning
to remove water from something; to lose water or body fluids
Example
Running in the heat can quickly dehydrate you.
C1 verb /dɪˈluːd/

delude

Meaning
To mislead someone into believing something that is not true.
Example
He deluded himself into thinking he could win the race without training.
C1 adjective /ˈdraʊ.zi/

Drowsy

Meaning
feeling sleepy and lethargic; half asleep; tired
Example
I felt drowsy after the heavy meal.
C1 verb /dɪˈmiːn/

demean

Meaning
to cause someone to lose dignity or respect
Example
The manager demeaned his employees with rude remarks.
C1 noun /ˌdev.əˈtiː/

Devotee

Meaning
a person who is very interested in and enthusiastic about someone or something
Example
As a devotee of classical music, she attended every concert in the city.
C1 noun /dɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/

Deficiency

Meaning
a lack or shortage of something; inadequacy or insufficiency
Example
The doctor diagnosed a vitamin D deficiency in the patient's blood test.
C1 adjective /dɪˈlɪriəs/

delirious

Meaning
in an extremely disturbed or excited state of mind, often due to illness or emotion
Example
He was delirious with fever and kept muttering nonsense.
C1 noun /ˈdɑːsieɪ/

dossier

Meaning
A collection of documents about a particular person, event, or subject.
Example
The lawyer presented a dossier of evidence to the court.
C1 noun /ˈdaɪnəˌmoʊ/

dynamo

Meaning
A machine that generates electricity; a person with great energy and enthusiasm.
Example
She is the real dynamo behind the success of the company.
C1 adjective /dɪˈstrɔːt/

distraught

Meaning
extremely upset and anxious, often to the point of being unable to think clearly
Example
She was distraught after losing her pet.
C1 verb /diːˈfjuːz/

defuse

Meaning
To make a situation less dangerous, tense, or explosive; to remove a fuse from a bomb.
Example
The negotiator helped defuse the tense situation.
C1 verb /ˈdæb.əl/

dabble

Meaning
To take part in an activity in a casual or superficial way.
Example
He dabbled in painting during his college days.
C1 verb /dɪˈmɔrəˌlaɪz/

demoralize

Meaning
to cause someone to lose confidence or hope
Example
The constant criticism demoralized the young athlete.
C1 adjective /ˈdæʃ.ɪŋ/

Dashing

Meaning
stylish and confident; lively and energetic; attractive and charming
Example
He looked dashing in his new suit.
C1 verb /daɪˈvɜːrdʒ/

diverge

Meaning
to separate and go in different directions; to differ
Example
The two paths diverge at the fork in the road.
C1 noun /dɪˈprɛsənt/

depressant

Meaning
A drug that reduces functional or nervous activity in the body.
Example
Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system.
C1 adjective /ˈdeɪnti/

dainty

Meaning
Delicately small, pretty, and often considered elegant.
Example
She wore a dainty necklace made of pearls.
C1 noun /ˌdɪsəˈluːʃən/

dissolution

Meaning
the act of formally ending or breaking apart something, such as an organization or marriage
Example
The dissolution of the company was announced yesterday.
C1 adjective /ˈdestatəʊt/

Destitute

Meaning
extremely poor; without money or possessions
Example
Many families became destitute after the economic collapse.
C1 noun /dɪsˈlɛksiə/

dyslexia

Meaning
A learning disorder characterized by difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and decoding words.
Example
The teacher used special methods to help the student with dyslexia.
C1 noun /dɪˈten.ʃən/

Detention

Meaning
the action of detaining someone or being detained in official custody
Example
The student received detention for repeatedly disrupting the class.
C1 noun dɪˌtɪə.ri.əˈreɪ.ʃən

deterioration

Meaning
The process of becoming progressively worse; decline in quality, condition, or strength.
Example
Poor maintenance leads to material deterioration.
C1 verb ˈdwɪn.dl

dwindle

Meaning
To diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength; to become progressively smaller.
Example
His savings dwindled due to unexpected expenses.
C1 noun /dɪˈvɪnɪti/

divinity

Meaning
The quality or state of being divine; a deity.
Example
The priest spoke about the divinity of the soul.
C1 verb /ˌdɪsɪmˈbɑːrk/

disembark

Meaning
To leave a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
Example
The passengers disembarked from the plane after landing.
C1 noun ˈdɪl.ɪ.dʒəns

diligence

Meaning
Careful and persistent work or effort.
Example
Success requires patience and diligence.
C1 adjective /dræb/

drab

Meaning
Dull, lacking brightness or interest; monotonous.
Example
The room looked drab with its gray walls and dim lighting.
C1 noun ˈdɛf.ər.əns

deference

Meaning
Humble submission and respect.
Example
He showed deference to his elderly mentor.
C1 adjective daɪˈvɜː.dʒənt

divergent

Meaning
Tending to be different or develop in different directions
Example
Divergent policies create challenges in collaboration.
C1 noun /ˈdɒɡmə/

dogma

Meaning
A principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.
Example
The religious leader strictly adhered to traditional dogma.
C1 noun ˌdaɪvɜːsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən

diversification

Meaning
The practice of spreading investments across various assets or sectors to reduce risk.
Example
Diversification helps to reduce investment risk.
C1 verb /dɪˈɡreɪd/

degrade

Meaning
To lower in dignity, quality, or value; to treat with disrespect or to deteriorate.
Example
Harsh words can degrade a person's confidence.
C1 noun /drɑːft/ (UK), /dræft/ (US)

draught

Meaning
a current of cool air in a room or another confined space; also a portion of liquid, especially beer, served from a barrel or cask
Example
She closed the window to keep out the cold draught.
C1 noun/adjective /dɪˈtɜː.rənt/

deterrent

Meaning
A thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something.
Example
A strict law serves as a deterrent to crime.
C1 noun /ˈdɪs.ə.nəns/

dissonance

Meaning
Disagreement, lack of harmony, conflict between ideas or beliefs.
Example
The cultural dissonance created misunderstandings.
C1 noun ˈdɪk.ʃən

diction

Meaning
The style of pronunciation and word choice in speaking or writing.
Example
A strong diction enhances communication skills.
C1 verb /ˌdɪsəˈsɛmbəl/

disassemble

Meaning
To take apart something into its separate pieces.
Example
He had to disassemble the computer to repair it.
C1 adverb /ˈduːli/

Duly

Meaning
in accordance with what is required or appropriate; at the proper time
Example
The documents were duly signed and submitted.
C1 noun /ˈdeɪ.ə.ti/

deity

Meaning
a god or goddess
Example
The temple is dedicated to a Hindu deity.
C1 verb /dɪˈpoʊz/

depose

Meaning
to remove someone from office or power, especially suddenly and forcefully
Example
The rebels managed to depose the dictator after years of unrest.
C1 noun /ˈdɛljuːdʒ/

deluge

Meaning
A severe flood; an overwhelming quantity of something.
Example
The town was hit by a deluge of rain in just a few hours.
C1 adjective /dɪˈpreɪvd/

depraved

Meaning
morally corrupt or wicked
Example
The film depicts the life of a depraved criminal.
C1 verb /ˈdɪs.ɪ.peɪt/

dissipate

Meaning
To disappear or cause to disappear gradually.
Example
The tension in the room slowly dissipated.
C1 noun /dɜːrθ/

dearth

Meaning
A scarcity or lack of something.
Example
There was a dearth of food during the famine.
C1 noun /daɪˈvɜː.ʃən/

Diversion

Meaning
the action of turning something aside from its course; an activity that diverts the mind
Example
The road closure forced a diversion through the countryside for all travelers.
C1 verb diːˈsɛn.sɪ.taɪz

desensitize

Meaning
To make someone less sensitive or reactive to something through repeated exposure.
Example
Constant exposure to violence can desensitize people.
C1 adjective /dɪˈspɜːrst/

dispersed

Meaning
Scattered or spread across a wide area.
Example
The dispersed population made it difficult to provide public services.
C1 noun ˌdɪm.ɪˈnjuː.ʃən

diminution

Meaning
A reduction in the size, extent, or importance of something; decrease.
Example
There has been a diminution in air pollution.