disengage
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C1 verb /ˌdɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/

disengage

Meaning
To release or detach oneself from something; to withdraw.
Example
He tried to disengage from the heated argument.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈrɛpjətəbl̩/

disreputable

Meaning
having a bad reputation; not considered respectable or trustworthy
Example
The journalist avoided staying in the disreputable part of town.
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 verb /dɪˈnəʊt/

denote

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

disprove

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

despicable

Meaning
Deserving hatred and contempt; vile or shameful.
Example
His despicable actions shocked the entire community.
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 /ˈdʊr.i.ən/

Durian

Meaning
a large spiky tropical fruit known for its strong smell and creamy custard-like flesh
Example
Durian is known as the king of fruits in Southeast Asia despite its pungent odor.
C1 verb /dɪˈfaɪl/

defile

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

disallow

Meaning
to refuse to allow or accept something
Example
The referee disallowed the goal for offside.
C1 noun /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪˈeɪʃən/

differentiation

Meaning
The action or process of differentiating or distinguishing between things.
Example
Differentiation from competitors can create a unique market position.
C1 adjective /dɪˈplɔːrəbl/

deplorable

Meaning
deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad in quality
Example
The refugees were living in deplorable conditions.
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 adjective /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl/

differential

Meaning
Relating to or showing a difference; involving a distinction.
Example
There is a differential treatment between the two groups.
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 adjective /dæft/

daft

Meaning
Silly or foolish.
Example
It was a daft idea to go hiking without water.
C1 noun dɪˈsʌɪsɪvnɪs

decisiveness

Meaning
The ability to make decisions quickly and effectively.
Example
His decisiveness during the crisis saved the company.
C1 verb /dɪˈfjuːz/

diffuse

Meaning
to spread over a wide area or among a large number of people
Example
The smell of fresh bread diffused through the entire house.
C1 adjective /dɪˈskriːt/

discrete

Meaning
individually separate and distinct
Example
The course is divided into three discrete modules.
C1 noun dɪˌlɪb.əˈreɪ.ʃən

deliberation

Meaning
Long and careful consideration or discussion.
Example
The agreement was finalized after much deliberation.
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 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 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 adjective /ˈdwɪndlɪŋ/

dwindling

Meaning
Gradually reducing in number, size, or strength.
Example
The villagers relied on dwindling water supplies.
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, verb /dɪsˈɑːnər/

dishonor

Meaning
a state of shame or loss of respect; to bring shame upon someone or something
Example
The soldier felt he had brought dishonor to his family.
C1 noun /dʌsk/

Dusk

Meaning
the period of the day when daylight is fading; twilight
Example
They walked along the beach during dusk, watching the sunset.
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 verb /ˌdɪsɪnˈtæŋɡl/

disentangle

Meaning
To free something or someone from a tangle or complication.
Example
She tried to disentangle her hair from the branches.
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 verb /ˈduːdəl/

doodle

Meaning
To draw or scribble absentmindedly, often while thinking about something else.
Example
She doodled flowers in the corner of her notebook during class.
C1 noun /dɪˈsɜːn.mənt/

discernment

Meaning
The ability to judge well or understand something correctly; keen insight.
Example
His discernment in business decisions made him successful.
C1 adjective /ˈdɪs.ə.plɪ.ner.i/

Disciplinary

Meaning
relating to discipline; intended to correct behavior
Example
The company took disciplinary action against the employee.
C1 adjective /dɪˈmɛntɪd/

demented

Meaning
behaving irrationally due to mental illness or extreme excitement
Example
He looked demented after hearing the shocking news.
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 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 /ˈdɛdlɒk/

deadlock

Meaning
a situation in which progress is impossible because of disagreement
Example
Negotiations reached a deadlock after neither side agreed to compromise.
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 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 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 /dɪˈmɔrəˌlaɪz/

demoralize

Meaning
to cause someone to lose confidence or hope
Example
The constant criticism demoralized the young athlete.
C1 noun dɪˈspær.ə.ti

disparity

Meaning
A great difference or inequality.
Example
Disparity between countries must be reduced.
C1 noun ˌdjʊə.rəˈbɪl.ə.ti

durability

Meaning
The ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing.
Example
The durability of materials affects performance.
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 adjective /ˈdaʊ.ər/

dour

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

dreary

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

disown

Meaning
to refuse to acknowledge or accept responsibility for someone or something
Example
He decided to disown his reckless brother.
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 verb /dɛlv/

delve

Meaning
To investigate deeply; to dig into a subject or area.
Example
The researcher delved into ancient manuscripts to find clues.
C1 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl/

diabolical

Meaning
Wicked, cruel, or outrageously bad; resembling the devil.
Example
The dictator’s diabolical rule brought misery to the nation.
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 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 adjective /dɪsˈpæʃənət/

dispassionate

Meaning
not influenced by strong emotion; impartial
Example
The judge remained dispassionate throughout the trial.
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 /ˈdɛsɪˌbɛl/

decibel

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

diffusion

Meaning
the spreading of something more widely or the movement of particles from high to low concentration
Example
The diffusion of information on social media is rapid.
C1 adjective /diːˈsɛntrəlaɪzd/

decentralized

Meaning
Controlled by several local offices or authorities rather than one single one.
Example
The decentralized system allowed for more control at local levels.
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 noun daɪˈkɒtəmi

dichotomy

Meaning
A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
Example
The dichotomy between tradition and modernity is often debated.
C1 adjective /ˈdɒdʒi/

Dodgy

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

disbeliever

Meaning
a person who does not believe in something, especially a religion or idea
Example
He was called a disbeliever for rejecting the traditional faith.
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 adjective /ˈdɪzməl/

Dismal

Meaning
gloomy; depressing; causing sadness or despair
Example
The weather was dismal with heavy rain and dark clouds.
C1 adjective /daɪˈvɜːrsɪfaɪd/

diversified

Meaning
Made or having variety in form, nature, or content.
Example
The company adopted a diversified business strategy to reduce risks.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsiːtfəl/

deceitful

Meaning
Deliberately misleading or dishonest.
Example
She gave a deceitful answer to hide the truth.
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 adjective /dɪˈʃɛvəld/

disheveled

Meaning
Untidy, messy, or in disorder, especially of hair or clothing.
Example
He arrived with disheveled hair and wrinkled clothes.
C1 noun /ˈdɪs.ə.nəns/

dissonance

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

decode

Meaning
to convert a coded message into a readable form; to interpret meaning
Example
The software can decode the hidden message within seconds.
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 /ˈdɛspɒt/

despot

Meaning
a ruler with absolute power, often ruling in a cruel or oppressive way
Example
The despot ruled the nation with fear and violence.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsɜːrnəbl/

discernible

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

Destitute

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

distortion

Meaning
the action of twisting, changing, or misrepresenting the shape, sound, or truth of something
Example
There was a distortion in the radio signal.
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 noun /dɜːrθ/

dearth

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

depletion

Meaning
The gradual reduction or exhaustion of a resource or substance.
Example
Overuse of groundwater leads to depletion of water resources.
C1 adjective /dɪˈfɛnsəbəl/

defensible

Meaning
Capable of being protected against attack or criticism; justifiable.
Example
Her decision was legally defensible.
C1 verb /ˌdɪsɪmˈbɑːrk/

disembark

Meaning
To leave a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
Example
The passengers disembarked from the plane after landing.
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 adjective /dɪˈbeɪst/

debased

Meaning
having lost quality, value, or moral character
Example
The debased currency lost the trust of the people.
C1 noun /ˈdɑː.mə.saɪl/

domicile

Meaning
A person's legal residence or permanent home.
Example
He declared Canada as his legal domicile.
C1 noun /dɪˈmiːnər/

demeanor

Meaning
a person's outward behavior or appearance
Example
Her calm demeanor impressed everyone at the meeting.
C1 noun /ˌdɛrɪˈveɪʃən/

derivation

Meaning
The origin or development of something from a source.
Example
The derivation of the word comes from Latin.
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 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 /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 /ˌdiː.viˈeɪ.ʃən/

Deviation

Meaning
the action of departing from an established course; a departure from usual standards
Example
Any deviation from the established procedure must be reported immediately.
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 adjective /dɪsˈhɑːrtənd/

Disheartened

Meaning
discouraged; feeling dejected; losing hope or confidence
Example
She felt disheartened after failing the exam twice.
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 /daʊs/

douse

Meaning
to pour liquid over; to extinguish a fire or light
Example
Firefighters doused the flames with water.
C1 adjective /dɪˈklærətɪv/

declarative

Meaning
relating to a statement that declares something; in grammar, a sentence that makes a statement
Example
A declarative sentence simply states a fact or opinion.
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 verb /ˈdiːmɑːrˌkeɪt/

demarcate

Meaning
to set the boundaries or limits of something
Example
The land was demarcated with fences to avoid disputes.
C1 verb /dɪˈraɪd/

deride

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

docile

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

disinfection

Meaning
The process of destroying harmful microorganisms to prevent infection.
Example
Kitchen appliances require frequent disinfection.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsɪd.ju.əs/

deciduous

Meaning
Referring to trees that shed their leaves seasonally, typically in autumn.
Example
Oak and maple trees are deciduous, shedding leaves in autumn.
C1 adjective /daɪər/

Dire

Meaning
extremely serious; urgent; terrible
Example
The country is facing a dire economic crisis.
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 noun /ˌdep.rɪˈveɪ.ʃən/

deprivation

Meaning
The damaging lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities in a society.
Example
Sleep deprivation affects cognitive function.
C1 noun /ˈdɑːrwɪnɪzəm/

darwinism

Meaning
the theory of biological evolution developed by Charles Darwin, emphasizing natural selection
Example
Darwinism revolutionized the way scientists understood the origin of species.
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 /dɪsˈdʒɔɪntɪd/

disjointed

Meaning
Lacking order, coherence, or connection; disconnected.
Example
The movie felt disjointed and hard to follow.
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 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 /dɪsˈkɔːrdənt/

discordant

Meaning
disagreeing or clashing; harsh and jarring in sound
Example
The discordant notes of the band hurt our ears.
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 noun ˈdɛf.ər.əns

deference

Meaning
Humble submission and respect.
Example
He showed deference to his elderly mentor.
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.