tribulation
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C1 noun ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃən

tribulation

Meaning
A difficult time or suffering experience
Example
He endured many tribulations in his early years.
C1 noun /ˌpærəfəˈneɪliə/

paraphernalia

Meaning
Miscellaneous articles, especially equipment needed for a particular activity.
Example
The fisherman carried all his fishing paraphernalia in a large box.
C1 noun /ˈwɔːtəʃɛd/

watershed

Meaning
An event or period marking a turning point in a situation; also refers to a ridge dividing two drainage areas.
Example
The independence movement was a watershed in the nation's history.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdʒʊəriəs/

injurious

Meaning
Causing or likely to cause harm or damage.
Example
Smoking is injurious to health.
C1 adjective /ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd/

multifaceted

Meaning
Having many different aspects or features
Example
The multifaceted approach to the problem resulted in innovative solutions.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈfɛnsəbl̩/

indefensible

Meaning
not able to be protected or justified
Example
The minister’s remarks were considered indefensible by the public.
C1 adjective/noun /ˈnɜːr.tʃɚ.ɪŋ/

nurturing

Meaning
The process of caring for and encouraging growth or development.
Example
A nurturing environment helps children thrive.
C1 adjective /dɪˈrɒɡətɔːri/

derogatory

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

hedonist

Meaning
A person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure is the most important thing in life.
Example
She was called a hedonist because she always prioritized enjoyment over duty.
C1 adjective /ˈæm.ɪ.kə.bəl/

amicable

Meaning
Having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor.
Example
They reached an amicable agreement.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈskruːʃieɪtɪŋ/

excruciating

Meaning
causing extreme physical or mental pain
Example
She was in excruciating pain after the accident.
C1 verb /rɪˈpʌls/

repulse

Meaning
to drive back an attack or attacker by force; to cause intense dislike or disgust
Example
The army managed to repulse the enemy attack.
C1 adjective /ˈʃɪvəlrəs/

chivalrous

Meaning
Behaving in a courteous, gallant, and honorable way, especially toward women.
Example
He was chivalrous, always opening doors for others.
C1 adjective /ˌmel.ənˈkɒl.ɪk/

Melancholic

Meaning
sad and thoughtful; feeling or expressing sadness
Example
The melancholic music made everyone feel sad.
C1 noun /riˈæktənt/

reactant

Meaning
A substance that takes part in and undergoes change during a chemical reaction.
Example
Oxygen is a reactant in the process of combustion.
C1 adjective /ɔːˌθɒr.ɪˈteə.ri.ən/

authoritarian

Meaning
Demanding absolute obedience to authority; excessively controlling or strict in governance.
Example
Authoritarian parenting often limits a child's independence.
C1 noun /haɪˈpɒtənjuːs/

hypotenuse

Meaning
the longest side of a right-angled triangle, opposite the right angle.
Example
In a right triangle, the hypotenuse is always longer than the other two sides.
C1 noun /kənˈtɪn.dʒən.si/

contingency

Meaning
A provision for an unforeseen event or circumstance, especially in financial planning.
Example
The company has a contingency plan for economic downturns.
C1 verb /ˈspɪərˌhɛd/

spearhead

Meaning
to lead or initiate an action, project, or movement
Example
She spearheaded the campaign for environmental awareness.
C1 noun /ˈɑːrmfʊl/

armful

Meaning
As much as can be carried in one or both arms.
Example
She carried an armful of books into the library.
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 noun /frɪˈvɒləti/

frivolity

Meaning
Lack of seriousness; silly or trivial behavior.
Example
The teacher discouraged frivolity during the exam.
C1 verb /bɪˈhoʊld/

behold

Meaning
to see or observe something, especially something remarkable or impressive
Example
She stood quietly to behold the sunrise over the hills.
C1 noun /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/

sustainable agriculture

Meaning
Farming practices that meet current food needs while preserving environmental resources and maintaining the ability to produce food for future generations through ecologically sound methods.
Example
Sustainable agriculture practices protect the environment while ensuring food security.
C1 verb /wiːld/

wield

Meaning
To hold and use a weapon, tool, or power effectively.
Example
The warrior wielded his sword with great skill.
C1 verb /sɪˈdjuːs/

seduce

Meaning
to attract someone into doing something, especially something they might not normally do
Example
The advertisement was designed to seduce customers into buying luxury products.
C1 noun /ˈiːdɪkt/

edict

Meaning
An official order, proclamation, or decree issued by an authority.
Example
The king issued an edict banning smoking in public places.
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 adjective ˈfɔːr.mɪ.də.bəl

formidable

Meaning
Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable.
Example
The boxer was a formidable opponent in the ring.
C1 noun /fɪˈlæn.θrə.pi/

philanthropy

Meaning
the desire to promote the welfare of others, often expressed by the generous donation of money to good causes
Example
Philanthropy has helped improve healthcare in many developing countries.
C1 noun /ˌɔːkʃəˈnɪər/

auctioneer

Meaning
a person who conducts auctions by calling out bids and selling items to the highest bidder
Example
The auctioneer quickly raised the price as bidders competed for the painting.
C1 noun /oʊˈbɪt.ʃu.er.i/

Obituary

Meaning
a notice of someone's death published in a newspaper; biographical account of deceased person
Example
The newspaper published his obituary yesterday.
C1 adverb /ˈmerɪli/

Merrily

Meaning
in a cheerful and joyful manner
Example
The children played merrily in the garden.
C1 noun /ˈsɜːr.vɪ.tuːd/

Servitude

Meaning
the state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful
Example
Many people fought to escape the servitude imposed by the colonial system.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈtʃælɪndʒd/

Unchallenged

Meaning
not disputed or questioned; accepted without opposition; having no rival
Example
He remained the unchallenged champion for five years.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪn.tɪ.leɪ.tɪŋ/

scintillating

Meaning
brilliantly clever, exciting, or sparkling
Example
Her scintillating conversation kept everyone entertained.
C1 verb /ˈblækən/

blacken

Meaning
to make something black or darker; to stain, soil, or tarnish
Example
Smoke from the fire began to blacken the walls.
C1 verb /priːˈɛmpt/

pre-empt

Meaning
to act in advance to prevent an anticipated event from happening; forestall
Example
The government moved to pre-empt a crisis by introducing new policies.
C1 noun /ˈleɪ.dəl/

Ladle

Meaning
a large deep spoon with a long handle, used for serving soup or other liquids
Example
Use the ladle to serve the hot soup into bowls.
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 adjective /priːˈɛmɪnənt/

preeminent

Meaning
Surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way.
Example
She is a preeminent scientist in the field of genetics.
C1 noun /dɪˈkriː/

Decree

Meaning
an official order issued by a legal authority; a judicial decision or edict
Example
The king issued a decree that all citizens must pay additional taxes.
C1 noun kənˈsjuː.mə.rɪ.zəm

consumerism

Meaning
The tendency to increase consumption of goods and the importance given to consuming products.
Example
Modern consumerism leads to increased demand for luxury goods.
C1 verb/adjective /ˈɡræspɪŋ/

grasping

Meaning
Holding firmly; or (as an adjective) excessively greedy.
Example
The child was grasping her mother’s hand tightly.
C1 adverb /ˈmiːk.li/

Meekly

Meaning
in a quiet, gentle way; without resistance or protest
Example
He meekly accepted the criticism without arguing.
C1 adjective /aʊtˈmoʊdɪd/

outmoded

Meaning
No longer in fashion or useful; outdated.
Example
That old computer is completely outmoded.
C1 noun /brəˈzɪər/

Brassiere

Meaning
a woman's undergarment designed to support the breasts
Example
She bought a comfortable brassiere for daily wear.
C1 noun /ˌsəʊʃəˈbɪləti/

sociability

Meaning
The quality or state of being sociable; friendliness.
Example
Her sociability made her popular in the office.
C1 adjective /ˌsuːɪˈsaɪdəl/

Suicidal

Meaning
relating to or having thoughts of killing oneself; extremely dangerous or harmful
Example
The reckless driving was suicidal behavior.
C1 adjective /ˈbleɪtənt/

blatant

Meaning
done openly and unashamedly; obvious and offensive
Example
The company's blatant disregard for safety regulations angered the public.
C1 adjective /ˌɪn.dɪˈspen.sə.bəl/

indispensable

Meaning
Absolutely necessary, essential
Example
Water is indispensable for human survival.
C1 adjective /ˌsɛm.iˈæn.ju.əl/

semiannual

Meaning
Occurring twice a year; every six months.
Example
The company holds a semiannual meeting with all employees.
C1 noun ˌpraɪ.vɪ.taɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

privatization

Meaning
The transfer of a business, industry, or service from public to private ownership and control.
Example
The privatization of state-owned companies increased efficiency.
C1 adjective /ˌhoʊlˈhɑːrtɪd/

wholehearted

Meaning
showing complete sincerity and commitment; fully enthusiastic
Example
She gave her wholehearted support to the project.
C1 adjective /kɪˈnɛtɪk/

kinetic

Meaning
Relating to or resulting from motion.
Example
Kinetic energy increases as the object moves faster.
C1 noun /ˈɛər.luːm/

heirloom

Meaning
a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations
Example
The ring is a family heirloom passed down from her grandmother.
C1 noun /juːˈtoʊpiə/

utopia

Meaning
An imagined perfect society or place where everything is ideal.
Example
Many philosophers dreamed of creating a utopia for humanity.
C1 verb /ˈtrɪkl̩/

trickle

Meaning
To flow or fall in a small, slow stream or drops.
Example
Water began to trickle down the wall after the heavy rain.
C1 adjective /ˌʌn.əˈdʌl.tə.reɪ.tɪd/

Unadulterated

Meaning
not mixed or diluted with any different or extra elements; pure
Example
She felt unadulterated joy when she heard the news.
C1 verb /dɪˈsɛləˌreɪt/

decelerate

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

shudder

Meaning
to tremble or shake suddenly, often due to fear, cold, or strong emotion
Example
She shuddered at the thought of walking alone in the dark forest.
C1 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈbloʊn/

overblown

Meaning
excessively exaggerated or inflated
Example
The controversy was overblown by the media.
C1 adjective /ˈsiːzənəbəl/

Seasonable

Meaning
occurring at the right time; appropriate for the season; timely
Example
The seasonable rain helped the farmers with their crops.
C1 noun/verb /freɪ/

fray

Meaning
As a noun, a fight or heated dispute; as a verb, to unravel or wear out through friction.
Example
He tried to stay calm, but his nerves began to fray during the argument.
C1 verb /rɪˈtɔːrt/

retort

Meaning
To reply quickly or sharply, often in a witty or angry manner.
Example
He quickly retorted that he was not to blame.
C1 noun/verb /ɪˈstiːm/

esteem

Meaning
Respect and admiration, typically for a person.
Example
She is held in high esteem by her colleagues.
C1 noun ˌɪnˈsaɪtfʊlnɪs

insightfulness

Meaning
The capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a person or thing.
Example
His insightfulness helped solve the complex problem.
C1 adjective /səˈriːn/

serene

Meaning
Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.
Example
The lake had a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
C1 noun /ˈælkəmi/

alchemy

Meaning
A medieval practice combining elements of chemistry and philosophy, aimed at transforming matter, especially turning base metals into gold.
Example
Medieval scientists devoted their lives to alchemy.
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 /ɪnˈsaɪtmənt/

incitement

Meaning
the action of provoking unlawful or violent behavior
Example
He was arrested for incitement to riot.
C1 verb /əˈbeɪt/

abate

Meaning
to become less intense or widespread
Example
The storm began to abate after midnight.
C1 verb /ɪnˈɡroʊs/

engross

Meaning
to absorb all the attention or interest of someone
Example
She was so engrossed in the book that she forgot the time.
C1 verb /ɪnˈdɪr/

endear

Meaning
To cause someone to be loved or liked.
Example
Her kindness and generosity endeared her to the community.
C1 noun /ruːz/

Ruse

Meaning
an action intended to deceive someone; a trick or stratagem
Example
The thief used a clever ruse to distract the guard.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈmɑːrʃən/

martian

Meaning
Related to the planet Mars; or an imaginary being from Mars.
Example
The movie showed a Martian visiting Earth.
C1 verb /ɪnˈθrɔːl/

enthrall

Meaning
to captivate or hold someone’s attention completely
Example
The magician’s tricks enthralled the children.
C1 verb /ˈiːvzdrɒp/

eavesdrop

Meaning
to secretly listen to a conversation
Example
She stood near the door to eavesdrop on their conversation.
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 /ˌrɛfjʊˈteɪʃən/

refutation

Meaning
The act of proving a statement or argument to be false or incorrect.
Example
Her essay was a strong refutation of the opposing theory.
C1 noun, adjective /ˈsɛntənəri/ or /sɛnˈtɛnəri/

centenary

Meaning
The hundredth anniversary of a significant event; relating to a period of 100 years.
Example
The school celebrated its centenary with a grand event.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪv/

Indecisive

Meaning
unable to make decisions quickly; hesitant; wavering
Example
She was indecisive about which university to attend.
C1 noun /sɪˈkriː.ʃən/

Secretion

Meaning
a process by which substances are produced and discharged from a cell or gland
Example
Insulin secretion is crucial for blood sugar regulation.
C1 verb /ˌriːˈkæst/

recast

Meaning
To present or change something in a different form or style.
Example
The director decided to recast the role with a younger actor.
C1 adjective /pərˈpetʃuəl/

perpetual

Meaning
never-ending or continuous
Example
She lived in perpetual fear of being discovered.
C1 adjective /ˌiːɡəˈtɪstɪkəl/

egotistical

Meaning
Excessively self-absorbed or conceited.
Example
Her egotistical behavior made it difficult for her to maintain friendships.
C1 noun /ˈtraɪæd/

triad

Meaning
a group of three closely related people or things
Example
The project was managed by a triad of experts.
C1 verb /məˈtɪərɪəlaɪz/

materialize

Meaning
To become real or actual; to appear suddenly or in a physical form.
Example
The opportunity he had been waiting for finally materialized.
C1 adjective /ˈloʊli/

lowly

Meaning
humble in status, position, or manner
Example
She rose from a lowly position to become the company's CEO.
C1 noun /ˈʃær.ən fruːt/

Sharon fruit

Meaning
a sweet orange persimmon fruit that can be eaten when firm
Example
The Sharon fruit is sweet and can be eaten like an apple.
C1 verb /brɔɪl/

broil

Meaning
To cook food by direct heat, usually under a grill or over a fire.
Example
She broiled the chicken until it was golden brown.
C1 noun /ˈlʌɡ.ɪdʒ væn/

Luggage van

Meaning
a vehicle designed for carrying luggage and cargo
Example
The luggage van carried all the passengers' suitcases.
C1 noun /ˌmiːtiəˈrɒlədʒi/

meteorology

Meaning
The scientific study of the atmosphere and weather.
Example
He chose to specialize in meteorology to study weather patterns.
C1 noun /ˈmɪl.ɪ.tənt/

Militant

Meaning
A person who uses aggressive or violent methods to promote a political or social cause
Example
The militant group demanded immediate political reforms.
C1 noun ˌlɪb.ər.ə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

liberalization

Meaning
The removal or loosening of restrictions on something, typically an economic or political system.
Example
The liberalization of trade policies attracted foreign investments.
C1 noun /ˈzeɪni/

Zany

Meaning
amusingly unconventional and idiosyncratic; a comical person; foolishly playful
Example
He has a zany sense of humor that makes everyone laugh.
C1 noun/verb /reɪn/

rein

Meaning
A strap used to control a horse; to control or guide something.
Example
The rider pulled the rein to stop the horse.
C1 verb /əˈprɛs/

oppress

Meaning
to keep someone down by harsh and unfair use of authority; to suppress
Example
The dictator oppressed the people for decades.
C1 noun /juːnəˈnɪməti/

Unanimity

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

atrophy

Meaning
a decrease in size or wasting away of a body part, tissue, or ability due to lack of use
Example
Without regular exercise, muscles may atrophy over time.
C1 noun /ˈɒptɪks/

optics

Meaning
The branch of physics dealing with light and vision.
Example
She studied optics to understand how lenses work.
C1 noun /ˈnɔːrməlsi/

normalcy

Meaning
The condition of being normal; a return to usual or expected conditions.
Example
After the flood, the town struggled to regain a sense of normalcy.
C1 noun, adjective /dɪˈfiːtɪst/

defeatist

Meaning
A person who expects or is excessively ready to accept failure; showing a tendency to expect defeat.
Example
His defeatist attitude discouraged the rest of the team.
C1 noun /ˌkɒndʒʊˈɡeɪʃən/

conjugation

Meaning
the variation of the form of a verb to indicate tense, person, and number
Example
French verbs have complex conjugations.
C1 verb /ˈprɒfəsaɪ/

prophesy

Meaning
to state or predict that something will happen in the future, especially as if divinely inspired
Example
The monk prophesied that peace would return to the land.
C1 noun /ˈmɛdli/

medley

Meaning
A mixture of different things, especially musical tunes combined together.
Example
The band played a medley of popular songs.
C1 noun /ˈɑːdəsi/

odyssey

Meaning
a long, adventurous journey; a series of experiences
Example
Her career has been an odyssey of challenges and achievements.
C1 adjective /ˈnjuː.ɑːnst/

nuanced

Meaning
Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression; having fine gradations of meaning, tone, or feeling.
Example
His analysis of the novel was highly nuanced.
C1 noun /ɪɡˈzɜːr.ʃən/

exertion

Meaning
Using energy or effort to achieve something.
Example
Excessive exertion can lead to fatigue and burnout.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɑːrʃəl/

Impartial

Meaning
treating all sides fairly; unbiased; neutral
Example
A good judge must remain impartial throughout the trial.
C1 noun /ˈem.ɪ.nəns/

Eminence

Meaning
fame or recognized superiority; high rank or status
Example
The professor achieved eminence in the field of quantum physics.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəkˈnɒlɪdʒd/

unacknowledged

Meaning
Not recognized, admitted, or accepted; ignored or unnoticed
Example
Her contributions to the project went unacknowledged.
C1 verb /wɪns/

wince

Meaning
To make an involuntary movement of the face or body as a result of pain or distress.
Example
He winced when the doctor touched his injured arm.
C1 adjective/noun /ˈkɜːrsɪv/

cursive

Meaning
Written with characters joined together in a flowing manner.
Example
The teacher asked students to write the essay in cursive handwriting.
C1 verb /lætʃ/

latch

Meaning
to fasten or close something with a latch
Example
She latched the door before leaving the house.
C1 noun /ˌrɛfəˈrɛndəm/

referendum

Meaning
a general vote by the population on a single political issue
Example
The government held a referendum on the new constitution.
C1 adjective /ɡlʌm/

Glum

Meaning
sad; dejected; downcast; gloomy
Example
He looked glum after hearing the bad news.
C1 adjective ləˈθɑːrdʒɪk

lethargic

Meaning
Being inactive due to lack of physical or mental energy
Example
After a heavy meal, he felt lethargic and sleepy.
C1 noun ˈlaɪv.li.hʊd

livelihood

Meaning
A means of securing the necessities of life; a way of making a living.
Example
Fishing is the primary livelihood of coastal communities.
C1 verb /ˈbɒɡəl/

boggle

Meaning
to overwhelm or confuse; to be astonished or puzzled by something
Example
The complexity of the puzzle boggled his mind.
C1 noun /ˈprɒvənəns/

provenance

Meaning
The origin or source of something.
Example
The museum verified the provenance of the ancient manuscript.