disdain
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C1 noun/verb /dɪsˈdeɪn/

disdain

Meaning
The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect; to regard with contempt.
Example
She looked at the messy room with open disdain.
C1 adjective dɒɡˈmæt.ɪk

dogmatic

Meaning
Being inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true; characterized by arrogant assertion of unproven principles.
Example
His dogmatic approach to politics made discussions difficult.
C1 noun /diːˌtɒksɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

detoxification

Meaning
The process of removing toxic substances from a living organism.
Example
Detoxification helps to cleanse the body of harmful substances.
C1 noun /ˌdɪs.əˈreɪ/

disarray

Meaning
A state of disorganization or untidiness; confusion or disorder.
Example
His desk was in complete disarray.
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 noun /dɪˈfen.dənt/

Defendant

Meaning
an individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law
Example
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him.
C1 verb /dɪˈnəʊt/

denote

Meaning
To be a sign of; to indicate or mean something.
Example
A red flag denotes danger.
C1 verb /dɪˈflɛkt/

deflect

Meaning
to cause something to change direction; to avoid answering directly
Example
The shield deflected the incoming arrow.
C1 verb /dɪˈfaɪl/

defile

Meaning
to pollute, corrupt, or make dirty
Example
The river was defiled by industrial waste.
C1 verb /ˌdiːˈbʌŋk/

debunk

Meaning
Expose the falseness or hollowness of (a myth, idea, or belief).
Example
Scientists debunked the myth that vaccines cause autism.
C1 noun ˌdiː.sen.trə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

decentralization

Meaning
The transfer of authority from central to local government.
Example
Decentralization promotes regional autonomy.
C1 noun /deɪˈtɑːnt/

detente

Meaning
the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries
Example
The two nations worked toward detente after decades of conflict.
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 verb /dɪsˈkleɪm/

disclaim

Meaning
to deny responsibility or connection with something
Example
The company disclaimed responsibility for the accident.
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 /ˈdæʃ.ɪŋ/

Dashing

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

delineate

Meaning
To describe or portray something precisely
Example
The artist delineated the scene in intricate detail.
C1 noun dɪˈsʌɪsɪvnɪs

decisiveness

Meaning
The ability to make decisions quickly and effectively.
Example
His decisiveness during the crisis saved the company.
C1 noun /ˌdɪs.ɪˈluː.ʒən.mənt/

disillusionment

Meaning
A feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be.
Example
Many people experience disillusionment after unrealistic expectations.
C1 verb, noun /ˌdɪsɪˈluːʒən/

disillusion

Meaning
to cause someone to realize that something is not as good as they believed
Example
The scandal disillusioned many voters.
C1 adjective /daɪər/

Dire

Meaning
extremely serious; urgent; terrible
Example
The country is facing a dire economic crisis.
C1 adjective /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl/

differential

Meaning
Relating to or showing a difference; involving a distinction.
Example
There is a differential treatment between the two groups.
C1 noun ˈdɛf.ər.əns

deference

Meaning
Humble submission and respect.
Example
He showed deference to his elderly mentor.
C1 noun /daɪˈvɜː.dʒəns/

divergence

Meaning
The process or state of diverging; a difference or deviation between two or more things.
Example
The divergence in their opinions led to a heated debate.
C1 adjective /ˈdɑːsəl/ or /ˈdəʊsaɪl/

docile

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

disinterest

Meaning
lack of interest or concern
Example
His disinterest in the project was obvious.
C1 noun dɪˈtætʃ.mənt

detachment

Meaning
The state of being objective or aloof; not being emotionally involved.
Example
Buddhist philosophy encourages detachment from material desires.
C1 noun ˌdɪs.ɪnˈfek.ʃən

disinfection

Meaning
The process of destroying harmful microorganisms to prevent infection.
Example
Kitchen appliances require frequent disinfection.
C1 noun /ˌdɛfəˈmeɪʃən/

defamation

Meaning
the act of damaging someone's reputation by making false statements
Example
The newspaper was sued for defamation of character.
C1 verb /ˈdrɪbəl/

dribble

Meaning
to let liquid flow slowly in drops or to move a ball skillfully with repeated small kicks or bounces
Example
The baby dribbled milk on his shirt.
C1 verb /dɪˈraɪd/

deride

Meaning
to mock or ridicule someone or something
Example
The critics derided the new movie for its poor script.
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 adjective /ˈdaʊ.ər/

dour

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

digress

Meaning
To leave the main subject temporarily in speech or writing.
Example
The professor began to digress from the main topic of the lecture.
C1 verb /dɪˈplɔːr/

deplore

Meaning
to feel or express strong disapproval of something; to regret deeply
Example
Many people deplore the violence shown on television.
C1 verb /dɪˈtrækt/

detract

Meaning
To reduce or take away the worth or value of something.
Example
His rude behavior will detract from his good reputation.
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 noun ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən

degradation

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

demoralize

Meaning
to cause someone to lose confidence or hope
Example
The constant criticism demoralized the young athlete.
C1 noun /ˈdaʊn.pɔːr/

Downpour

Meaning
a heavy fall of rain; a sudden heavy rainfall
Example
The sudden downpour caught everyone off guard and soaked the outdoor event.
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 adjective /ˈdrɪəri/

dreary

Meaning
dull, bleak, and lifeless; depressing
Example
The long, dreary winter made everyone feel gloomy.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsɜːrnəbl/

discernible

Meaning
able to be seen, recognized, or understood
Example
There was a discernible change in his behavior.
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 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 /dɪˈfɔː.mə.ti/

Deformity

Meaning
a distorted or unnatural shape or form; physical malformation
Example
The accident caused a permanent deformity in his left hand.
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 /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 verb /dɪˈpɔːrt/

deport

Meaning
To expel a foreigner from a country, usually for legal or political reasons.
Example
The government decided to deport the illegal immigrants.
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 /djʊˈrɛs/

duress

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

disprove

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

debase

Meaning
to reduce the quality, value, or dignity of something
Example
Corruption can debase the values of a society.
C1 noun /ˌdiːˈmer.ɪt/

Demerit

Meaning
a fault or disadvantage; a mark given for a fault or offense
Example
The student received a demerit for arriving late to class repeatedly.
C1 noun /ˈdeɪtəm/ or /ˈdætəm/

datum

Meaning
a single piece of information; a fact used as a basis for reasoning or calculation
Example
Each datum in the survey was carefully analyzed.
C1 noun /ˈdɪs.ə.nəns/

dissonance

Meaning
Disagreement, lack of harmony, conflict between ideas or beliefs.
Example
The cultural dissonance created misunderstandings.
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 verb /ˈdɛnɪˌɡreɪt/

denigrate

Meaning
to criticize unfairly; to belittle or disparage someone or something
Example
He was quick to denigrate the achievements of his colleagues.
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 adjective dɪ ˈskrɛʃ.ən.er.i

discretionary

Meaning
Available for use at the discretion of the user; not required or mandatory.
Example
He set aside some discretionary income for travel.
C1 noun /dɪˌpriː.ʃiˈeɪ.ʃən/

depreciation

Meaning
A reduction in the value of an asset with the passage of time, due to wear and tear.
Example
The car's depreciation rate is high after five years.
C1 adjective /ˈdjuːbiəs/

dubious

Meaning
Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon.
Example
She gave him a dubious look after hearing his excuse.
C1 noun /dɜːrθ/

dearth

Meaning
A scarcity or lack of something.
Example
There was a dearth of food during the famine.
C1 noun dɪˈspær.ə.ti

disparity

Meaning
A great difference or inequality.
Example
Disparity between countries must be reduced.
C1 verb /dɪˈzɪst/

desist

Meaning
to stop doing something, especially an action considered wrong or undesirable
Example
The judge ordered the company to desist from unfair practices.
C1 verb /ˈdræm.ə.taɪz/

dramatize

Meaning
to present a story in a dramatic way, or to exaggerate something
Example
The novel was dramatized into a popular TV series.
C1 noun /ˌdɪspɛnˈseɪʃən/

dispensation

Meaning
An exemption from a rule or usual requirement; a system of order, government, or control.
Example
The school granted him a special dispensation to skip the exam due to illness.
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 adjective /dɪˈskrɪmɪˌneɪtɪŋ/

discriminating

Meaning
Having refined taste or good judgment; able to recognize subtle differences.
Example
She is known for her discriminating taste in art.
C1 verb /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːrt/

disconcert

Meaning
To unsettle, confuse, or disturb the composure of someone.
Example
The sudden change of plans disconcerted the team.
C1 adjective /ˈdek.stər.əs/

dexterous

Meaning
Showing or having skill, especially with the hands; mentally adroit and skillful.
Example
A dexterous programmer can write complex codes effortlessly.
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 noun ˈdɪskɔrd

discord

Meaning
Disagreement or conflict between people or ideas.
Example
Discord among people disrupts societal stability.
C1 adjective /ˈdjuːtɪfəl/

Dutiful

Meaning
conscientiously fulfilling one's duty; obedient; respectful
Example
She is a dutiful daughter who always helps her parents.
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 adjective /dɪˈfɛnsəbəl/

defensible

Meaning
Capable of being protected against attack or criticism; justifiable.
Example
Her decision was legally defensible.
C1 noun dɛkˈstɛr.ɪ.ti

dexterity

Meaning
Skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands; mental skill or adroitness.
Example
His dexterity in playing the piano amazed the audience.
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 verb /drɛntʃ/

drench

Meaning
to make someone or something completely wet
Example
The sudden rain drenched the players on the field.
C1 adjective /dɪˈmɒnstrətɪv/

demonstrative

Meaning
openly showing feelings, especially affection or emotion
Example
She was very demonstrative with her affection towards her friends.
C1 adjective /dɪˈfɪʃənt/

Deficient

Meaning
not having enough of a specified quality or ingredient; lacking or inadequate
Example
His diet was deficient in essential vitamins.
C1 verb /diːm/

deem

Meaning
to regard or consider in a specified way
Example
The project was deemed a success by the board.
C1 noun ˌdɪs.æmˌbɪɡ.juˈeɪ.ʃən

disambiguation

Meaning
The removal of ambiguity by making something clear and unambiguous.
Example
The AI system applies disambiguation to refine text understanding.
C1 adjective /dɪˈbeɪst/

debased

Meaning
having lost quality, value, or moral character
Example
The debased currency lost the trust of the people.
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 verb /dɪˈsweɪd/

dissuade

Meaning
To persuade someone not to do something.
Example
She tried to dissuade him from quitting his job.
C1 noun /dɪˈrɪʒən/

derision

Meaning
Contemptuous ridicule or mockery.
Example
His ideas were greeted with derision by the audience.
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 /ˈdɛsɪˌbɛl/

decibel

Meaning
a unit used to measure the intensity of sound
Example
The noise level in the factory exceeded 90 decibels.
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 dɪˈdʒɛnəˌreɪtɪv dɪˈzizɪz

degenerative diseases

Meaning
Medical conditions that involve the deterioration or progressive decline of tissues, organs, or functions
Example
Degenerative diseases are common in an aging population.
C1 adjective /ˈdeɪnti/

dainty

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

disingenuous

Meaning
not candid or sincere; giving a false appearance of honesty or openness
Example
She gave a disingenuous excuse for missing the meeting.
C1 verb /dɪsˈɡrʌntl/

disgruntle

Meaning
to make someone dissatisfied or discontented
Example
The unfair treatment disgruntled the workers.
C1 verb /dɪˈdjuːs/

deduce

Meaning
to reach a conclusion by reasoning or inference
Example
From the evidence, the detective deduced that the suspect was lying.
C1 noun /ˈdɛməɡɒɡ/

demagogue

Meaning
A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.
Example
The crowd was swayed by the fiery speeches of the demagogue.
C1 verb /dɪˈfrɔːd/

defraud

Meaning
to illegally take money or valuables from someone by deception
Example
The company was accused of trying to defraud investors.
C1 noun /ˌdɪsərˈteɪʃən/

dissertation

Meaning
A long piece of writing on a particular subject, usually written for a university degree.
Example
She spent two years writing her doctoral dissertation.
C1 verb /dɪˈvɒlv/

devolve

Meaning
To pass power, responsibility, or duties to another person or group.
Example
The responsibility will devolve on the new manager.
C1 noun /dɪˈfɛkʃən/

defection

Meaning
The act of abandoning one’s country, cause, or group in favor of another.
Example
The politician’s defection shocked his supporters.
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 verb dɪˈsaɪ.fɚ

decipher

Meaning
To convert something written in code into normal language; to succeed in understanding the meaning of something.
Example
It took hours to decipher the ancient script.
C1 adjective /ˈdesələt/

Desolate

Meaning
deserted; lonely; barren
Example
The abandoned village looked desolate and empty.
C1 verb /daɪˈleɪt/

dilate

Meaning
To make wider, larger, or more open.
Example
The doctor used drops to dilate the patient's pupils.
C1 noun ˈdaɪ.nə.sti

dynasty

Meaning
A line of hereditary rulers of a country; a succession of people from the same family who play a prominent role in business, politics, or another field.
Example
The Ming dynasty ruled China for centuries.
C1 noun /ˌdiː.kɒmpəˈzɪʃən/

decomposition

Meaning
the process of decaying or breaking down into simpler parts
Example
The decomposition of leaves enriches the soil.
C1 verb /ˈdɪsləkeɪt/

dislocate

Meaning
To disturb the normal position of something, especially a joint in the body.
Example
He dislocated his shoulder while playing football.
C1 noun /ˈdaɪhɑːrd/

diehard

Meaning
A person who strongly resists change and remains loyal to a belief or cause.
Example
He is a diehard fan of classic rock music.
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.
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 adjective /dɪˈvaʊt/

devout

Meaning
Deeply religious or sincere.
Example
He is a devout believer who prays every day.
C1 noun /ˈdel.ɪ.kə.si/

Delicacy

Meaning
fineness of texture or structure; a choice or expensive food; sensitivity in handling
Example
The chef prepared a local delicacy that was famous throughout the region.
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 verb /dɪˈmoʊt/

demote

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

detonation

Meaning
The act of exploding or causing something to explode.
Example
The sudden detonation shook the entire building.
C1 adjective /ˈdɒdʒi/

Dodgy

Meaning
suspicious; questionable; unreliable; risky or dangerous
Example
That deal sounds dodgy to me.
C1 noun /ˈdɪɡnɪˌtɛri/

dignitary

Meaning
a person considered to be important because of high rank or office
Example
Several foreign dignitaries attended the state banquet.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈsɪmɪlər/

dissimilar

Meaning
Not alike; different.
Example
Though they are twins, their personalities are dissimilar.
C1 verb /daɪˈvɛst/

divest

Meaning
to strip away possessions, rights, or assets; to rid oneself of
Example
The company decided to divest its unprofitable division.
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.