stymie
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C1 verb /ˈstaɪmi/

stymie

Meaning
to prevent or hinder the progress of something
Example
The new regulations could stymie small businesses.
C1 verb /ˌʌndərˈsteɪt/

understate

Meaning
To describe something as being less important or serious than it really is.
Example
He tends to understate his achievements.
C1 adjective /məˈləʊ.di.əs/

Melodious

Meaning
having a pleasant musical sound; tuneful
Example
Her melodious voice captivated the entire audience.
C1 adjective /ˈblaɪtɪd/

blighted

Meaning
Spoiled, damaged, or destroyed.
Example
The blighted neighborhood was abandoned by most residents.
C1 noun/verb /tæk/

tack

Meaning
a small sharp nail; or to change direction in sailing or approach something differently
Example
She used a tack to pin the paper on the wall.
C1 noun /ˈfeɪvərɪtɪzəm/

favoritism

Meaning
the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group
Example
The manager was accused of favoritism towards certain employees.
C1 adjective /ˈskænti/

Scanty

Meaning
small in size or amount; insufficient; barely adequate
Example
The refugee camp had scanty food supplies.
C1 noun /ˈkɜːr.i liːvz/

Curry Leaves

Meaning
aromatic leaves from the curry tree used in South Asian cooking
Example
Fresh curry leaves add authentic flavor to Indian dishes.
C1 verb /ɔːrˈdeɪn/

ordain

Meaning
To officially make someone a priest or minister; to decree or order something officially.
Example
The bishop will ordain three new priests this Sunday.
C1 adjective /ˈprɒdɪɡəl/

prodigal

Meaning
spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant
Example
The prodigal son returned home after wasting his inheritance.
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 /ˌɪndɪˈdʒɛstʃən/

indigestion

Meaning
Discomfort or pain in the stomach associated with difficulty in digesting food.
Example
He avoided spicy food because it often gave him indigestion.
C1 adjective /ˈtrænzvɜːrs/

transverse

Meaning
situated or lying across something
Example
The transverse road connects two highways.
C1 adverb /ˈfeɪ.təl.i/

Fatally

Meaning
in a way that causes death; with deadly consequences; critically
Example
The accident fatally injured two passengers.
C1 adjective /ˈædʒɪteɪtɪd/

Agitated

Meaning
disturbed; anxious; restless; excited in a negative way
Example
He became agitated when he heard the bad news.
C1 noun /mɪˈsɑːdʒəni/

misogyny

Meaning
Hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women.
Example
The novel has been criticized for promoting misogyny.
C1 verb /ˌʌn.dəˈtʃɑːrdʒ/

undercharge

Meaning
To charge less than the correct or fair amount.
Example
The shopkeeper accidentally undercharged me for the groceries.
C1 verb /ɪˈlæps/

elapse

Meaning
to pass or go by, usually referring to time
Example
Several hours elapsed before he finally returned home.
C1 verb /ˈɡælvənaɪz/

galvanize

Meaning
to shock or excite someone into taking action; to coat iron or steel with a protective layer of zinc
Example
The speech galvanized the crowd into action.
C1 adjective /ˌsaɪkəˈpæθɪk/

psychopathic

Meaning
Relating to or affected by psychopathy; showing chronic mental disorder with abnormal or violent behavior.
Example
The film portrayed a psychopathic killer with no sense of empathy.
C1 noun /baɪl/

Bile

Meaning
a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion and is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
Example
The liver produces bile to help digest fats.
C1 noun /ˌdʒæm.bəˈriː/

Jamboree

Meaning
a large celebration or party; a gathering with entertainment; a festive event
Example
The scout jamboree brought together thousands of young people from around the world.
C1 verb, noun /ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃ/

brainwash

Meaning
to manipulate someone into adopting certain beliefs by repeated pressure or propaganda; the act or process of such manipulation
Example
The group tried to brainwash new members with constant propaganda.
C1 noun /wɪk/

Wick

Meaning
a cord or strand of cotton that burns to provide light in a candle or lamp
Example
The candle wick needs to be trimmed for better burning.
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, verb /ˈfɜːrloʊ/

furlough

Meaning
temporary leave of absence from work, especially that granted to an employee or soldier
Example
Many workers were placed on furlough during the crisis.
C1 noun kɒɡˈnɪʃ.ən

cognition

Meaning
The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
Example
Cognition plays a key role in learning.
C1 verb /siːp/

seep

Meaning
to flow or leak slowly through small openings or pores
Example
Water began to seep through the cracks in the wall.
C1 noun /ˈreɪ.vən/

Raven

Meaning
a large, black bird with a thick bill and harsh croaking voice
Example
The raven perched on the old oak tree and cawed loudly.
C1 adjective /ɪˈledʒ.ə.bəl/

illegible

Meaning
Not clear enough to be read; unreadable.
Example
The doctor’s handwriting was almost illegible.
C1 verb /ˈnʌrɪʃ/

nourish

Meaning
To provide with food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition
Example
Good books nourish the mind.
C1 adjective /dʒəˈnɛrɪk/

generic

Meaning
characteristic of or relating to a whole group or class; not specific
Example
This medicine is available in generic form.
C1 adjective /ˌɪmprɪˈsaɪs/

imprecise

Meaning
Not exact or accurate; vague.
Example
His explanation was too imprecise to be helpful.
C1 verb /ɡloʊt/

gloat

Meaning
To take pleasure in someone else's misfortune or to show smug satisfaction.
Example
He couldn't help but gloat over his rival's failure.
C1 adjective /ˈskrɔːni/

scrawny

Meaning
very thin and bony, often looking unhealthy
Example
The scrawny boy could barely lift the heavy bag.
C1 adjective /ˈædəmənt/

Adamant

Meaning
একগুঁয়ে; জেদী; দৃঢ়সংকল্প; অনমনীয়;
Example
She was adamant about her decision to leave the company.
C1 noun /ˈtrævɪsti/

travesty

Meaning
A false, absurd, or distorted representation of something.
Example
The trial was a travesty of justice.
C1 adjective /rɪˈpʌɡ.nənt/

Repugnant

Meaning
extremely distasteful; unacceptable; causing disgust or strong dislike
Example
The idea of lying to his parents was repugnant to him.
C1 noun /ˈef.ɪ.dʒi/

Effigy

Meaning
a sculpture or model of a person, especially one made as a protest
Example
The protesters burned an effigy of the corrupt politician in the square.
C1 noun /ˈɔːtəkræt/

autocrat

Meaning
A ruler with absolute power.
Example
The autocrat controlled the country with an iron fist.
C1 noun /ˈpɑːr.keɪ/

parquet

Meaning
A floor made of wooden blocks arranged in a geometric pattern.
Example
The old mansion had a beautiful parquet floor.
C1 adjective ˌɜː.ɡəˈnɒm.ɪk

ergonomic

Meaning
Designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment; user-friendly and reducing strain.
Example
The chair has an ergonomic design for better posture.
C1 verb /ɪnˈsɜːrkəl/

encircle

Meaning
to form a circle around something
Example
The protesters encircled the building in a human chain.
C1 noun /təˈbuː/

taboo

Meaning
a social or cultural prohibition against certain practices or discussions
Example
Talking about money is considered a taboo in some cultures.
C1 adjective /əˈmiːnəbl/

amenable

Meaning
willing to cooperate or be influenced; open to suggestions
Example
She was amenable to the idea of working longer hours.
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 /ɪnˈtaɪtəlmənt/

entitlement

Meaning
the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment; a right to benefits
Example
The program provides entitlement to health care.
C1 noun /ˈmætɪneɪ/

matinee

Meaning
A performance, especially a play or movie, that takes place in the afternoon.
Example
We bought tickets for the Sunday afternoon matinee.
C1 noun /rɪdʒ/

ridge

Meaning
a long, narrow hilltop, mountain range, or raised strip
Example
We walked along the mountain ridge.
C1 verb /ˈkɒnfɪskeɪt/

confiscate

Meaning
to take something away officially, often as a punishment
Example
The teacher confiscated the student's phone during class.
C1 adjective /ɪˈrɛvərənt/

irreverent

Meaning
showing a lack of respect for people or things that are usually respected
Example
The comedian’s irreverent jokes offended some of the audience.
C1 verb /pərˈsɑːnɪfaɪ/

personify

Meaning
To represent or embody a quality, idea, or concept in human form.
Example
She personifies kindness and generosity.
C1 adjective /ˈrez.ə.luːt/

Resolute

Meaning
determined; having a firm decision; unwavering
Example
She remained resolute in her decision to pursue her dreams.
C1 noun /plæsˈtɪsəti/

plasticity

Meaning
the quality of being easily shaped or molded; adaptability
Example
The brain's plasticity allows it to adapt after injury.
C1 noun /ɪˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/

elaboration

Meaning
the process of adding more detail or expanding on something
Example
The teacher appreciated the student's elaboration of the topic.
C1 noun ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən ˈstrætədʒiz

mitigation strategies

Meaning
Plans and actions designed to reduce the severity or impact of problems or risks.
Example
Governments must adopt mitigation strategies for climate change.
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 noun /juːnəˈnɪməti/

Unanimity

Meaning
complete agreement among all members of a group
Example
The committee reached unanimity on the new policy.
C1 noun /saɪˈteɪʃən/

citation

Meaning
a quotation from or reference to a book, paper, or author
Example
The research paper included a citation from Shakespeare.
C1 verb ɪˈræd.ɪ.keɪt

eradicate

Meaning
To destroy completely; to put an end to something undesirable.
Example
Vaccination programs help eradicate infectious diseases.
C1 adjective /ɪˈneɪn/

inane

Meaning
lacking sense, meaning, or significance; silly or pointless
Example
The movie was criticized for its inane dialogue.
C1 adjective + noun ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd ˈnɒlɪdʒ

unprecedented knowledge

Meaning
Information or understanding that has never been obtained or achieved before.
Example
Artemis will provide unprecedented knowledge about the solar system.
C1 noun /ˈken.əl/

Kennel

Meaning
a small shelter for a dog; an establishment for the breeding or boarding of dogs
Example
The dog slept comfortably in his wooden kennel in the backyard.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈpæʃənət/

dispassionate

Meaning
not influenced by strong emotion; impartial
Example
The judge remained dispassionate throughout the trial.
C1 noun /ˈplʌn.dər.ər/

Plunderer

Meaning
a person who steals goods, especially during war or civil disorder
Example
The plunderers ransacked the village after the battle.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsəʊʃəl/

unsocial

Meaning
not enjoying the company of others; avoiding social interaction; contrary to social norms
Example
He prefers unsocial hours so he can work alone without interruptions.
C1 adjective /ˈmænɪfoʊld/

Manifold

Meaning
many and of several different types; multiple; various
Example
The project has manifold benefits for the community.
C1 adjective /ɔːˈstɪə/

austere

Meaning
Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance; plain and simple.
Example
The monk lived an austere life in the mountains.
C1 noun /ˈpɪt.əns/

pittance

Meaning
a very small or inadequate amount of money
Example
She worked long hours for a mere pittance.
C1 adjective ˌæv.ɒ̃ˈɡɑːd

avant-garde

Meaning
New and experimental; characterized by departure from or rejection of accepted standards.
Example
Avant-garde designs redefine the dining experience.
C1 adjective vəˈreɪ.ʃəs

voracious

Meaning
Having a very eager approach to an activity; wanting or devouring great quantities of food or having an insatiable appetite.
Example
He has a voracious appetite for knowledge.
C1 noun /ˈkɒntrəbænd/

contraband

Meaning
goods that are illegal to import, export, or possess
Example
The police seized a shipment of contraband cigarettes.
C1 verb /hoʊn/

hone

Meaning
To sharpen a blade or to improve a skill through practice.
Example
She honed her presentation skills before the big meeting.
C1 verb /iːk/

eke

Meaning
to make a small amount of something last longer by using it sparingly
Example
The family tried to eke out their savings during the tough months.
C1 adjective /ɪɡˈzuːbərənt/

exuberant

Meaning
full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness
Example
The children were exuberant after winning the game.
C1 noun ˈrəʊvə

rover

Meaning
A vehicle for driving over rough terrain, especially one driven by remote control over extraterrestrial terrain.
Example
The rover landed on Mars to begin its exploration.
C1 adjective /ˈrep.jə.tə.bəl/

Reputable

Meaning
having a good reputation; respected and trusted
Example
She works for a reputable law firm in the city.
C1 verb /paʊt/

pout

Meaning
to push one's lips forward as an expression of annoyance or sulkiness
Example
The child began to pout when he didn’t get the toy.
C1 verb /ˈpoʊ.lə.raɪz/

polarize

Meaning
to divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs
Example
The controversial decision polarized public opinion.
C1 adjective /ˈviːəmənt/

Vehement

Meaning
showing strong feeling; forceful; passionate; intense
Example
She gave a vehement denial of the accusations.
C1 noun ɪmˈpɛə(r)mənt

impairment

Meaning
The state of being damaged or weakened; a disability or handicap.
Example
Hearing impairment can be caused by long-term exposure to loud noise.
C1 adverb /ˈhɑr.tɪ.li/

Heartily

Meaning
in a sincere and enthusiastic manner; wholeheartedly
Example
She heartily welcomed her guests to the party.
C1 noun /ˈpɒlɪɡlɒt/

polyglot

Meaning
a person who knows and can use several languages
Example
She is a polyglot, fluent in English, Spanish, and Bengali.
C1 noun ˌæmbɪˈɡjuːɪti

ambiguity

Meaning
The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
Example
The ambiguity of the statement caused confusion among the team.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdɪrmənt/

endearment

Meaning
A word or phrase expressing affection or love.
Example
She whispered a gentle endearment to her child.
C1 adjective ˈɪn.lənd

Inland

Meaning
Situated in the interior of a country; away from the coast.
Example
Inland transport boosts local trade.
C1 noun ˈpraʊ.es

prowess

Meaning
Skill or expertise in a particular activity or field.
Example
Prowess in sports enhances team strength.
C1 noun /ˈædʒʌŋkt/

adjunct

Meaning
a thing added to something else as a supplementary part
Example
The professor worked as an adjunct at the university.
C1 adjective /ˈwer.i/

Wary

Meaning
cautious; careful to avoid danger or problems
Example
She was wary of strangers approaching her at night.
C1 noun /kənˈsep.ʃən/

Conception

Meaning
the forming of an idea or plan; the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm; the action of conceiving
Example
The conception of this innovative project took several months of brainstorming.
C1 verb ɪɡˈzæsərbeɪt

exacerbate

Meaning
To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.
Example
Climate change exacerbates flooding issues.
C1 noun /ˈpɔːsɪti/

paucity

Meaning
the presence of something in only small or insufficient quantities
Example
The project was delayed due to a paucity of funds.
C1 adjective /əˈlʊr.ɪŋ/

Alluring

Meaning
attractive and tempting; fascinating
Example
The alluring fragrance of roses filled the garden.
C1 adjective /əˈθɔːrɪtətɪv/

authoritative

Meaning
Having or showing authority; commanding and self-confident; reliable as a source of information.
Example
She spoke in an authoritative tone that silenced the room.
C1 noun /ˈmɜːrsəˌnɛri/

mercenary

Meaning
a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army; also used to describe someone motivated solely by money.
Example
The mercenary fought for whoever paid the highest wage.
C1 adjective /ˈædʒ.aɪl/

agile

Meaning
able to move quickly and easily; quick and adaptable in thinking or action
Example
The startup team was agile in responding to market changes.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈsaɪtəbl̩/

excitable

Meaning
easily excited or emotionally aroused
Example
The child was excitable and laughed at every small thing.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈɡreɪnd/

engrained

Meaning
Firmly fixed or established; difficult to change.
Example
Cultural practices are often deeply engrained in the fabric of society.
C1 noun /rɪˈkɒnɪsəns/

reconnaissance

Meaning
A survey or exploration, especially for military or strategic purposes.
Example
The soldiers conducted a reconnaissance of the enemy camp.
C1 adjective /ˈʌpərˌmoʊst/

uppermost

Meaning
situated at the highest place or most important
Example
Her family's safety was uppermost in her mind during the crisis.
C1 adjective /rɪˈtæl.i.ə.tɔːr.i/

retaliatory

Meaning
Taking action in response to another's action, characterized as punitive, revengeful, or counteractive.
Example
The country imposed retaliatory tariffs in response to trade sanctions.
C1 noun /hjuːˈmɪl.ɪ.ti/

humility

Meaning
The quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance.
Example
She accepted the award with grace and humility.
C1 verb /ˈpæs.ɪ.faɪ/

pacify

Meaning
To quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of someone.
Example
The mother tried to pacify her crying child.
C1 adjective /pəˈfʌŋk.tər.i/

perfunctory

Meaning
done without much effort, interest, or thought
Example
He gave a perfunctory nod and walked away.
C1 verb /ˈhaɪbərˌneɪt/

hibernate

Meaning
To spend the winter in a dormant state, as some animals do.
Example
Bears hibernate in caves during the winter.
C1 adjective /ˈlɔː.də.bəl/

laudable

Meaning
Deserving praise and admiration.
Example
Her efforts to help the poor are truly laudable.
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 /ɪˈmoʊbəl/

immobile

Meaning
unable to move or be moved
Example
After the accident, he was immobile for weeks.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnˈpɑr.də.nə.bəl/

Unpardonable

Meaning
too bad to be forgiven; inexcusable
Example
His betrayal of trust was an unpardonable offense.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpjʊərəti/

impurity

Meaning
the state of being unclean or contaminated; a substance that makes something impure
Example
The scientist removed every impurity from the water sample.
C1 adverb /ˌðɛərˈʌv/

Thereof

Meaning
of that; from that
Example
The contract and all amendments thereof must be signed.
C1 noun /ˈfæk.ʃən/

Faction

Meaning
a small organized dissenting group within a larger one
Example
Different factions within the party disagreed about the new policy.
C1 verb /ɪɡˈzɔːlt/

exalt

Meaning
to praise highly or raise in rank, honor, or power
Example
The community exalted the teacher for his dedication.
C1 noun /ˈdʒet.i/

Jetty

Meaning
a landing stage or small pier at which boats can dock or be moored
Example
The fishing boats were tied up at the wooden jetty near the harbor.
C1 verb /dɪˈbɑːr/

debar

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

guarded

Meaning
Cautious and careful in speech or action, often to avoid giving too much away.
Example
He gave a guarded reply to the journalist.
C1 verb /ɪˈkɒnəmaɪz/

economize

Meaning
To reduce spending or use resources carefully.
Example
Families are trying to economize by cutting unnecessary expenses.
C1 verb /əˈlɒt/

allot

Meaning
to give or assign something, often a share or portion, to someone
Example
Each student was allotted ten minutes to present.
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 noun /ˌdɜːrməˈtɑːlədʒɪst/

dermatologist

Meaning
A doctor who specializes in the treatment of skin diseases.
Example
She consulted a dermatologist for her skin allergy.
C1 noun /ɪnˈfjuːʒən/

infusion

Meaning
the act of introducing something into another; a drink made by steeping leaves or herbs in liquid
Example
She prepared a calming infusion of chamomile tea.