Essentials Vocabulary - Week 4
assess:
[uh-SES] Verb
Meaning
To fix or determine the amount of (damages, a tax, a fine, value etc.) To estimate officially the value of (property, income, etc.) as a basis for taxation.
Usage
● ●
Tom’s house is being assessed so he can put it up on the market. The damage from the fire was assessed at £400,000.
Synonyms
appraise, check, determine, estimate, evaluate
Antonyms
none
assimilate: Meaning
Usage
[uh-SIM-uh-leyt] Verb To take in and understand fully. To absorb and digest. ● ●
Children need to be able to assimilate new ideas. She had to assimilate a lot of information on her first day of class.
Synonyms
comprehend, grasp, incorporate, understand
Antonyms
exclude, misinterpret, mistake, misunderstand
astound:
[uh-STOUND] Verb
Meaning
To overwhelm with amazement. Shock with wonder or surprise. ●
Usage ●
The librarian was astounded by the number of books missing from the shelves. He was astounded by the awesome present from his mother.
Synonyms
Astonish, bewilder, confound, confuse, dumbfound
Antonyms
calm, clarify
astute:
[uh-STOOT] Adjective
Meaning
Having insight or shrewdness. ●
Usage ●
Dr. Washington is an astute member of the faculty and an award-winning researcher. The investigator’s astute observation solved the case quickly.
Synonyms
canny, intelligent, keen, clever, crafty
Antonyms
foolish, idiotic, inept, naive
augment:
[awg-MENT] Verb
Meaning
Usage
To make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength or extent. ● ●
His fortune is augmented by the success of his business. The plan is to augment our current solution to solve the root cause of the problem.
Synonyms
amplify, boost, enhance, enlarge, expand
Antonyms
compress, condense, contract, decrease
austerity:
[aw-ster-i-tee] Noun
Meaning
Usage
Severity/harshness of manner, life etc. Difficult economic condition caused by reduced government spending. ● ●
The spendthrift man did not believe in austerity. The austerity measures taken by the government makes the lives of the people more difficult.
Synonyms
severity, harshness, frugality, strictness
Antonyms
informality, kindness, mildness
avid: Meaning
[AV-id] Adjective Showing great enthusiasm for or interest in. ●
Usage ●
She is an avid comic book collector who regularly attends comic conventions. The actor ensured that he made time for his avid fans.
Synonyms
enthusiastic, ardent, keen, devoted
Antonyms
indifferent, apathetic, reluctant
awe: Meaning
[aw] Noun/Verb An overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like. (noun) To inspire with reverence or dread. (verb) ●
Usage ●
Jessica is in awe of the places she visited during her European trip. (noun) She’s awed by the fact that she is meeting her music idol. (verb)
Synonyms
admiration, apprehension, astonishment, dread
Antonyms
disregard, apathy
barometer: Meaning
Usage
[buh-ROM-i-ter] Noun A scientific instrument that measures atmospheric pressure. Anything that indicates changes. ● ●
A new barometer is essential for accurate weather prediction. The quizzes are a good barometer of improvements in scholastic performance.
Synonyms
weatherglass
Antonyms
none
belated:
[bih-LEY-tid] Adjective
Meaning
Coming or being after the customary, useful, or expected time. Late, delayed, or detained ●
Usage
●
Belated birthday greetings are still very much appreciated and enjoyed. We started the discussion without the belated participant because our timeline is hectic.
Synonyms
delayed, late, overdue, tardy
Antonyms
early, on time, punctual
bellow:
[BEL-oh] Verb/Noun
Meaning
To emit a hollow, loud, animal cry, as from a bull or cow. (verb) An act or sound of bellowing. (noun) ●
Usage
●
Her bellowing startled the entire auditorium and alarmed everyone. (verb) The cow’s bellow is loud enough to be terrifying and made the kids cry. (noun)
Synonyms
Roar, yell, shout, holler, scream
Antonyms
Whimper, whisper
benevolent: [buh-NEV-uh-luh nt] Adjective Meaning
Usage
Characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings. Intended for benefits rather than profit. ● ●
Mary was attracted to the benevolent attitude of the group. The school received generous gifts from the benevolent alumni.
Synonyms
benign, caring, compassionate, generous, humane
Antonyms
cruel, hateful, mean, merciless