B 1 … laud
… laud
… Critics lauded the novel for its bold narrative style.
… The scientist was lauded for her groundbreaking research.
… Laud is to praise highly or enthusiastically.
… laud
/ laud
… Critics lauded the novel for its bold narrative style.
/ Critics lauded the novel for its bold narrative style.
… Critics lauded the novel for its bold narrative style.
… The scientist was lauded for her groundbreaking research.
/ The scientist was lauded for her groundbreaking research.
… The scientist was lauded for her groundbreaking research.
B 2 … loathe
… loathe
… He loathes being the center of attention.
… Many citizens loathed the corrupt administration.
… Loathe is to feel intense dislike or disgust for something.
… loathe
/ loathe
… He loathes being the center of attention.
/ He loathes being the center of attention.
… He loathes being the center of attention.
… Many citizens loathed the corrupt administration.
/ Many citizens loathed the corrupt administration.
… Many citizens loathed the corrupt administration.
B 3 … loiter
… loiter
… Several teenagers loitered near the entrance despite warnings.
… He was fined for loitering around the restricted area.
… Loiter is to stand or wait somewhere without purpose.
… loiter
/ loiter
… Several teenagers loitered near the entrance despite warnings.
/ Several teenagers loitered near the entrance despite warnings.
… Several teenagers loitered near the entrance despite warnings.
… He was fined for loitering around the restricted area.
/ He was fined for loitering around the restricted area.
… He was fined for loitering around the restricted area.
B 4 … mete
… mete
… Justice was meted out swiftly after the investigation.
… The committee meted out strict penalties for misconduct.
… Mete is to distribute or allot something, especially punishment.
… mete
/ mete
… Justice was meted out swiftly after the investigation.
/ Justice was meted out swiftly after the investigation.
… Justice was meted out swiftly after the investigation.
… The committee meted out strict penalties for misconduct.
/ The committee meted out strict penalties for misconduct.
… The committee meted out strict penalties for misconduct.
B 5 … mince
… mince
… She minced her words to avoid offending the audience.
… The chef minced the garlic before adding it to the sauce.
… Mince is to soften one’s words or to cut food into very small pieces.
… mince
/ mince
… She minced her words to avoid offending the audience.
/ She minced her words to avoid offending the audience.
… She minced her words to avoid offending the audience.
… The chef minced the garlic before adding it to the sauce.
/ The chef minced the garlic before adding it to the sauce.
… The chef minced the garlic before adding it to the sauce.
B 6 … mire
… mire
… The negotiations became mired in endless disputes.
… The truck was mired in thick mud after the storm.
… Mire is to become stuck in difficulty or mud.
… mire
/ mire
… The negotiations became mired in endless disputes.
/ The negotiations became mired in endless disputes.
… The negotiations became mired in endless disputes.
… The truck was mired in thick mud after the storm.
/ The truck was mired in thick mud after the storm.
… The truck was mired in thick mud after the storm.
B 7 … modulate
… modulate
… He modulated his voice to calm the anxious crowd.
… The device modulates the signal to improve clarity.
… Modulate is to adjust or regulate something, especially sound or intensity.
… modulate
/ modulate
… He modulated his voice to calm the anxious crowd.
/ He modulated his voice to calm the anxious crowd.
… He modulated his voice to calm the anxious crowd.
… The device modulates the signal to improve clarity.
/ The device modulates the signal to improve clarity.
… The device modulates the signal to improve clarity.
B 8 … muddle
… muddle
… The unclear instructions muddled the entire team.
… His thoughts were muddled by exhaustion.
… Muddle is to confuse or mix things up in a disorganized way.
… muddle
/ muddle
… The unclear instructions muddled the entire team.
/ The unclear instructions muddled the entire team.
… The unclear instructions muddled the entire team.
… His thoughts were muddled by exhaustion.
/ His thoughts were muddled by exhaustion.
… His thoughts were muddled by exhaustion.
B 9 … muffle
… muffle
… Thick curtains muffled the noise from outside.
… Her scarf muffled her voice as she spoke.
… Muffle is to make a sound quieter or less distinct.
… muffle
/ muffle
… Thick curtains muffled the noise from outside.
/ Thick curtains muffled the noise from outside.
… Thick curtains muffled the noise from outside.
… Her scarf muffled her voice as she spoke.
/ Her scarf muffled her voice as she spoke.
… Her scarf muffled her voice as she spoke.
B 10 … mull
… mull
… She mulled over the proposal for several days.
… The board is mulling the possibility of restructuring.
… Mull is to think deeply about something.
… mull
/ mull
… She mulled over the proposal for several days.
/ She mulled over the proposal for several days.
… She mulled over the proposal for several days.
… The board is mulling the possibility of restructuring.
/ The board is mulling the possibility of restructuring.
… The board is mulling the possibility of restructuring.
B 11 … nag
… nag
… He nagged his colleague about missing the deadline.
… Persistent doubts nagged at her throughout the project.
… Nag is to annoy or bother repeatedly.
… nag
/ nag
… He nagged his colleague about missing the deadline.
/ He nagged his colleague about missing the deadline.
… He nagged his colleague about missing the deadline.
… Persistent doubts nagged at her throughout the project.
/ Persistent doubts nagged at her throughout the project.
… Persistent doubts nagged at her throughout the project.
B 12 … nibble
… nibble
… The rabbit nibbled on the fresh lettuce.
… She only nibbled at her food, too nervous to eat.
… Nibble is to eat something in small bites.
… nibble
/ nibble
… The rabbit nibbled on the fresh lettuce.
/ The rabbit nibbled on the fresh lettuce.
… The rabbit nibbled on the fresh lettuce.
… She only nibbled at her food, too nervous to eat.
/ She only nibbled at her food, too nervous to eat.
… She only nibbled at her food, too nervous to eat.
B 13 … parch
… parch
… The intense heat parched the farmland.
… Hours of hiking left him parched and exhausted.
… Parch is to make extremely dry or thirsty.
… parch
/ parch
… The intense heat parched the farmland.
/ The intense heat parched the farmland.
… The intense heat parched the farmland.
… Hours of hiking left him parched and exhausted.
/ Hours of hiking left him parched and exhausted.
… Hours of hiking left him parched and exhausted.
B 14 … patter
… patter
… Rain pattered softly against the window.
… The children’s feet pattered across the hallway.
… Patter is to make a rapid, light tapping sound.
… patter
/ patter
… Rain pattered softly against the window.
/ Rain pattered softly against the window.
… Rain pattered softly against the window.
… The children’s feet pattered across the hallway.
/ The children’s feet pattered across the hallway.
… The children’s feet pattered across the hallway.
B 15 … pelt
… pelt
… Protesters pelted the building with stones.
… Heavy rain pelted the roof all night.
… Pelt is to throw things at someone or to strike repeatedly.
… pelt
/ pelt
… Protesters pelted the building with stones.
/ Protesters pelted the building with stones.
… Protesters pelted the building with stones.
… Heavy rain pelted the roof all night.
/ Heavy rain pelted the roof all night.
… Heavy rain pelted the roof all night.
B 16 … persevere
… persevere
… Despite repeated failures, she persevered until she succeeded.
… The team persevered through harsh conditions to finish the mission.
… Persevere is to continue despite difficulty or obstacles.
… persevere
/ persevere
… Despite repeated failures, she persevered until she succeeded.
/ Despite repeated failures, she persevered until she succeeded.
… Despite repeated failures, she persevered until she succeeded.
… The team persevered through harsh conditions to finish the mission.
/ The team persevered through harsh conditions to finish the mission.
… The team persevered through harsh conditions to finish the mission.
B 17 … perturb
… perturb
… The sudden resignation perturbed the entire department.
… His strange behavior perturbed his friends.
… Perturb is to disturb or unsettle someone.
… perturb
/ perturb
… The sudden resignation perturbed the entire department.
/ The sudden resignation perturbed the entire department.
… The sudden resignation perturbed the entire department.
… His strange behavior perturbed his friends.
/ His strange behavior perturbed his friends.
… His strange behavior perturbed his friends.
B 18 … probe
… probe
… Investigators probed the cause of the unexpected outage.
… Journalists probed the minister with difficult questions.
… Probe is to examine or investigate thoroughly.
… probe
/ probe
… Investigators probed the cause of the unexpected outage.
/ Investigators probed the cause of the unexpected outage.
… Investigators probed the cause of the unexpected outage.
… Journalists probed the minister with difficult questions.
/ Journalists probed the minister with difficult questions.
… Journalists probed the minister with difficult questions.
B 19 … procure
… procure
… They managed to procure rare materials for the experiment.
… The agent procured confidential documents through covert means.
… Procure is to obtain something, especially with effort or difficulty.
… procure
/ procure
… They managed to procure rare materials for the experiment.
/ They managed to procure rare materials for the experiment.
… They managed to procure rare materials for the experiment.
… The agent procured confidential documents through covert means.
/ The agent procured confidential documents through covert means.
… The agent procured confidential documents through covert means.
B 20 … prod
… prod
… She prodded him to submit the application before the deadline.
… The scientist prodded the sample to observe its reaction.
… Prod is to push someone to act or to poke something.
… prod
/ prod
… She prodded him to submit the application before the deadline.
/ She prodded him to submit the application before the deadline.
… She prodded him to submit the application before the deadline.
… The scientist prodded the sample to observe its reaction.
/ The scientist prodded the sample to observe its reaction.
… The scientist prodded the sample to observe its reaction.
B 21 … proffer
… proffer
… He proffered a detailed explanation to address their concerns.
… She proffered her assistance despite being exhausted.
… Proffer is to offer something for acceptance.
… proffer
/ proffer
… He proffered a detailed explanation to address their concerns.
/ He proffered a detailed explanation to address their concerns.
… He proffered a detailed explanation to address their concerns.
… She proffered her assistance despite being exhausted.
/ She proffered her assistance despite being exhausted.
… She proffered her assistance despite being exhausted.
B 22 … promulgate
… promulgate
… The government promulgated new regulations to address the crisis.
… The organization promulgated its findings through a public report.
… Promulgate is to officially announce or make something widely known.
… promulgate
/ promulgate
… The government promulgated new regulations to address the crisis.
/ The government promulgated new regulations to address the crisis.
… The government promulgated new regulations to address the crisis.
… The organization promulgated its findings through a public report.
/ The organization promulgated its findings through a public report.
… The organization promulgated its findings through a public report.
B 23 … pry
… pry
… Reporters tried to pry into the actor’s private life.
… He pried open the old wooden box with a screwdriver.
… Pry is to inquire too closely into something or to force something open.
… pry
/ pry
… Reporters tried to pry into the actor’s private life.
/ Reporters tried to pry into the actor’s private life.
… Reporters tried to pry into the actor’s private life.
… He pried open the old wooden box with a screwdriver.
/ He pried open the old wooden box with a screwdriver.
… He pried open the old wooden box with a screwdriver.
B 24 … purport
… purport
… The document purports to show evidence of misconduct.
… He purported to be an expert, though his knowledge was limited.
… Purport is to claim or appear to do something, often falsely.
… purport
/ purport
… The document purports to show evidence of misconduct.
/ The document purports to show evidence of misconduct.
… The document purports to show evidence of misconduct.
… He purported to be an expert, though his knowledge was limited.
/ He purported to be an expert, though his knowledge was limited.
… He purported to be an expert, though his knowledge was limited.
B 25 … quaver
… quaver
… His voice quavered as he delivered the emotional speech.
… The old man’s hands quavered while signing the document.
… Quaver is to shake or tremble, especially in voice or movement.
… quaver
/ quaver
… His voice quavered as he delivered the emotional speech.
/ His voice quavered as he delivered the emotional speech.
… His voice quavered as he delivered the emotional speech.
… The old man’s hands quavered while signing the document.
/ The old man’s hands quavered while signing the document.
… The old man’s hands quavered while signing the document.
B 26 … ramble
… ramble
… He rambled on for an hour without making a clear point.
… The path rambles through dense forest and open meadows.
… Ramble is to talk or walk in a long, confused, or aimless way.
… ramble
/ ramble
… He rambled on for an hour without making a clear point.
/ He rambled on for an hour without making a clear point.
… He rambled on for an hour without making a clear point.
… The path rambles through dense forest and open meadows.
/ The path rambles through dense forest and open meadows.
… The path rambles through dense forest and open meadows.
B 27 … reconcile
… reconcile
… The two sides finally reconciled after months of bitter conflict.
… She struggled to reconcile her ideals with the harsh realities of the job.
… Reconcile is to restore harmony or make two things compatible.
… reconcile
/ reconcile
… The two sides finally reconciled after months of bitter conflict.
/ The two sides finally reconciled after months of bitter conflict.
… The two sides finally reconciled after months of bitter conflict.
… She struggled to reconcile her ideals with the harsh realities of the job.
/ She struggled to reconcile her ideals with the harsh realities of the job.
… She struggled to reconcile her ideals with the harsh realities of the job.
B 28 … reiterate
… reiterate
… The spokesperson reiterated that the policy would not change.
… He reiterated his concerns despite being ignored.
… Reiterate is to say something again for emphasis or clarity.
… reiterate
/ reiterate
… The spokesperson reiterated that the policy would not change.
/ The spokesperson reiterated that the policy would not change.
… The spokesperson reiterated that the policy would not change.
… He reiterated his concerns despite being ignored.
/ He reiterated his concerns despite being ignored.
… He reiterated his concerns despite being ignored.
B 29 … relish
… relish
… She relished the opportunity to work with world‑class researchers.
… He relished every moment of the challenging expedition.
… Relish is to enjoy something deeply.
… relish
/ relish
… She relished the opportunity to work with world‑class researchers.
/ She relished the opportunity to work with world‑class researchers.
… She relished the opportunity to work with world‑class researchers.
… He relished every moment of the challenging expedition.
/ He relished every moment of the challenging expedition.
… He relished every moment of the challenging expedition.
B 30 … reproach
… reproach
… She reproached him for failing to meet the deadline.
… His disappointed gaze reproached her more than words ever could.
… Reproach is to express disapproval or disappointment.
… reproach
/ reproach
… She reproached him for failing to meet the deadline.
/ She reproached him for failing to meet the deadline.
… She reproached him for failing to meet the deadline.
… His disappointed gaze reproached her more than words ever could.
/ His disappointed gaze reproached her more than words ever could.
… His disappointed gaze reproached her more than words ever could.
B 31 … reprove
… reprove
… The teacher reproved the student for his careless behavior.
… She gently reproved him for arriving late again.
… Reprove is to criticize or correct someone, often mildly.
… reprove
/ reprove
… The teacher reproved the student for his careless behavior.
/ The teacher reproved the student for his careless behavior.
… The teacher reproved the student for his careless behavior.
… She gently reproved him for arriving late again.
/ She gently reproved him for arriving late again.
… She gently reproved him for arriving late again.
B 32 … resume
… resume
… After a brief interruption, the speaker resumed his presentation.
… Flights resumed once the storm had passed.
… Resume is to begin again after a pause.
… resume
/ resume
… After a brief interruption, the speaker resumed his presentation.
/ After a brief interruption, the speaker resumed his presentation.
… After a brief interruption, the speaker resumed his presentation.
… Flights resumed once the storm had passed.
/ Flights resumed once the storm had passed.
… Flights resumed once the storm had passed.
B 33 … salute
… salute
… The soldiers saluted their commander as he entered.
… The award ceremony saluted her decades of service.
… Salute is to show respect or honor through gesture or recognition.
… salute
/ salute
… The soldiers saluted their commander as he entered.
/ The soldiers saluted their commander as he entered.
… The soldiers saluted their commander as he entered.
… The award ceremony saluted her decades of service.
/ The award ceremony saluted her decades of service.
… The award ceremony saluted her decades of service.
B 34 … scoff
… scoff
… Critics scoffed at the proposal, calling it unrealistic.
… He scoffed at the idea that he needed help.
… Scoff is to mock or speak about something with contempt.
… scoff
/ scoff
… Critics scoffed at the proposal, calling it unrealistic.
/ Critics scoffed at the proposal, calling it unrealistic.
… Critics scoffed at the proposal, calling it unrealistic.
… He scoffed at the idea that he needed help.
/ He scoffed at the idea that he needed help.
… He scoffed at the idea that he needed help.
B 35 … seclude
… seclude
… The author secluded himself in a cabin to finish the manuscript.
… She felt secluded from the rest of the community.
… Seclude is to keep someone away from others.
… seclude
/ seclude
… The author secluded himself in a cabin to finish the manuscript.
/ The author secluded himself in a cabin to finish the manuscript.
… The author secluded himself in a cabin to finish the manuscript.
… She felt secluded from the rest of the community.
/ She felt secluded from the rest of the community.
… She felt secluded from the rest of the community.
B 36 … seduce
… seduce
… The luxurious lifestyle seduced him into reckless spending.
… The advertisement seduced consumers with promises of instant success.
… Seduce is to attract or lure someone into doing something, often unwisely.
… seduce
/ seduce
… The luxurious lifestyle seduced him into reckless spending.
/ The luxurious lifestyle seduced him into reckless spending.
… The luxurious lifestyle seduced him into reckless spending.
… The advertisement seduced consumers with promises of instant success.
/ The advertisement seduced consumers with promises of instant success.
… The advertisement seduced consumers with promises of instant success.
B 37 … sever
… sever
… The country decided to sever diplomatic ties with its neighbor.
… The rope severed under the strain of the heavy load.
… Sever is to cut off or end a connection completely.
… sever
/ sever
… The country decided to sever diplomatic ties with its neighbor.
/ The country decided to sever diplomatic ties with its neighbor.
… The country decided to sever diplomatic ties with its neighbor.
… The rope severed under the strain of the heavy load.
/ The rope severed under the strain of the heavy load.
… The rope severed under the strain of the heavy load.
B 38 … shriek
… shriek
… She shrieked in terror when the lights suddenly went out.
… The children shrieked with excitement at the surprise.
… Shriek is to scream loudly and sharply.
… shriek
/ shriek
… She shrieked in terror when the lights suddenly went out.
/ She shrieked in terror when the lights suddenly went out.
… She shrieked in terror when the lights suddenly went out.
… The children shrieked with excitement at the surprise.
/ The children shrieked with excitement at the surprise.
… The children shrieked with excitement at the surprise.
B 39 … smear
… smear
… The politician claimed the accusations were part of a smear campaign.
… Grease smeared across his hands as he fixed the engine.
… Smear is to damage someone’s reputation or to spread a substance messily.
… smear
/ smear
… The politician claimed the accusations were part of a smear campaign.
/ The politician claimed the accusations were part of a smear campaign.
… The politician claimed the accusations were part of a smear campaign.
… Grease smeared across his hands as he fixed the engine.
/ Grease smeared across his hands as he fixed the engine.
… Grease smeared across his hands as he fixed the engine.
B 40 … smother
… smother
… Thick smoke smothered the entire room within minutes.
… She smothered her child with affection.
… Smother is to suffocate or overwhelm something completely.
… smother
/ smother
… Thick smoke smothered the entire room within minutes.
/ Thick smoke smothered the entire room within minutes.
… Thick smoke smothered the entire room within minutes.
… She smothered her child with affection.
/ She smothered her child with affection.
… She smothered her child with affection.
B 41 … smuggle
… smuggle
… The gang smuggled rare artifacts across the border.
… He was caught smuggling prohibited items through customs.
… Smuggle is to move goods secretly and illegally.
… smuggle
/ smuggle
… The gang smuggled rare artifacts across the border.
/ The gang smuggled rare artifacts across the border.
… The gang smuggled rare artifacts across the border.
… He was caught smuggling prohibited items through customs.
/ He was caught smuggling prohibited items through customs.
… He was caught smuggling prohibited items through customs.
B 42 … sneer
… sneer
… He sneered at the suggestion, dismissing it as naïve.
… The guards sneered at the prisoners as they passed.
… Sneer is to smile or speak in a mocking, contemptuous way.
… sneer
/ sneer
… He sneered at the suggestion, dismissing it as naïve.
/ He sneered at the suggestion, dismissing it as naïve.
… He sneered at the suggestion, dismissing it as naïve.
… The guards sneered at the prisoners as they passed.
/ The guards sneered at the prisoners as they passed.
… The guards sneered at the prisoners as they passed.
B 43 … spout
… spout
… He spouted statistics to defend his argument.
… The whale spouted water high into the air.
… Spout is to speak at length in an aggressive way or to send out liquid forcefully.
… spout
/ spout
… He spouted statistics to defend his argument.
/ He spouted statistics to defend his argument.
… He spouted statistics to defend his argument.
… The whale spouted water high into the air.
/ The whale spouted water high into the air.
… The whale spouted water high into the air.
B 44 … squander
… squander
… She squandered her inheritance on frivolous purchases.
… The team squandered a golden opportunity to win.
… Squander is to waste something, especially money or chances.
… squander
/ squander
… She squandered her inheritance on frivolous purchases.
/ She squandered her inheritance on frivolous purchases.
… She squandered her inheritance on frivolous purchases.
… The team squandered a golden opportunity to win.
/ The team squandered a golden opportunity to win.
… The team squandered a golden opportunity to win.
B 45 … squint
… squint
… She squinted at the tiny text on the screen.
… The bright sunlight made him squint as he stepped outside.
… Squint is to narrow the eyes to see more clearly.
… squint
/ squint
… She squinted at the tiny text on the screen.
/ She squinted at the tiny text on the screen.
… She squinted at the tiny text on the screen.
… The bright sunlight made him squint as he stepped outside.
/ The bright sunlight made him squint as he stepped outside.
… The bright sunlight made him squint as he stepped outside.
B 46 … stagger
… stagger
… He staggered under the weight of the heavy boxes.
… The shocking news staggered the entire community.
… Stagger is to walk unsteadily or to shock greatly.
… stagger
/ stagger
… He staggered under the weight of the heavy boxes.
/ He staggered under the weight of the heavy boxes.
… He staggered under the weight of the heavy boxes.
… The shocking news staggered the entire community.
/ The shocking news staggered the entire community.
… The shocking news staggered the entire community.
B 47 … reel
… reel
… He reeled backward after being struck by the sudden blow.
… The company reeled from the financial scandal.
… Reel is to lose balance or to be overwhelmed by shock.
… reel
/ reel
… He reeled backward after being struck by the sudden blow.
/ He reeled backward after being struck by the sudden blow.
… He reeled backward after being struck by the sudden blow.
… The company reeled from the financial scandal.
/ The company reeled from the financial scandal.
… The company reeled from the financial scandal.
B 48 … totter
… totter
… The elderly man tottered across the room with a cane.
… The fragile tower tottered before collapsing.
… Totter is to move in an unsteady, shaky way.
… totter
/ totter
… The elderly man tottered across the room with a cane.
/ The elderly man tottered across the room with a cane.
… The elderly man tottered across the room with a cane.
… The fragile tower tottered before collapsing.
/ The fragile tower tottered before collapsing.
… The fragile tower tottered before collapsing.
B 49 … stifle
… stifle
… The government attempted to stifle dissent among the population.
… She stifled a laugh during the serious meeting.
… Stifle is to suppress or hold something back.
… stifle
/ stifle
… The government attempted to stifle dissent among the population.
/ The government attempted to stifle dissent among the population.
… The government attempted to stifle dissent among the population.
… She stifled a laugh during the serious meeting.
/ She stifled a laugh during the serious meeting.
… She stifled a laugh during the serious meeting.
B 50 … subdue
… subdue
… The police subdued the suspect after a brief struggle.
… She managed to subdue her anger before responding.
… Subdue is to bring something under control or restrain it.
… subdue
/ subdue
… The police subdued the suspect after a brief struggle.
/ The police subdued the suspect after a brief struggle.
… The police subdued the suspect after a brief struggle.
… She managed to subdue her anger before responding.
/ She managed to subdue her anger before responding.
… She managed to subdue her anger before responding.
