Essentials – English Vocabulary – Week 11 debase:
[dih-BEYS] Verb
Meaning
To reduce in quality or value. To lower in rank, dignity, or significance
Usage
● The value of the painting was debased because of the copycat. ● He refuses to debase himself by doing tasks that are beneath his rank.
Synonyms
degrade, shame, cheapen, demean, demoralize
Antonyms
boost, enhance, esteem, honour
decisive:
[dih-SAHY-siv] Adjective
Meaning
Having the power or quality of deciding. Characterized by or displaying no or little hesitation.
Usage
● Johnny offered a decisive solution to the team's urgent issues. ● The military needs men with decisive manner and strong conviction.
Synonyms
definite, conclusive, critical, crucial, definitive, determined, firm
Antonyms
inconclusive, indefinite, ineffective
decorum: [dih-KAWR-uh m] Noun Meaning
Usage
Dignified propriety of behaviour, speech, dress, etc. The quality or state of being decorous, or exhibiting such dignified propriety. ● The aristocrats are known for their decorum and elegant demeanour ● he teacher was impressed with the decorum of the students during lunch
Synonyms good manners, civility, correctness, decency Antonyms
immorality, impropriety, rudeness
deflect:
[dih-FLEKT] Verb
Meaning
To bend or turn aside; Turn from a straight course or straight line.
Usage
● She's very good at deflecting mean criticisms and ignoring rude comments. ● Neo was amazing when he deflected bullets in The Matrix.
Synonyms
avert, bend, cover up, divert, pivot
Antonyms
stay, straighten
deliberate:
[dih-LIB-er-it] Adjective/Verb
Meaning
Usage
Carefully weighed or considered. (adj.) To consider carefully. (v.) ● The deliberate lie is so obvious to anyone who hears it. (adj.) ● The students deliberated yesterday about the party theme. (v.)
Synonyms
intentional, calculated, careful, cautious, conscious, meticulous
Antonyms
careless, heedless, ignorant
delinquent: [dih-UNG-kwuh nt] Adjective/Noun Meaning
Usage
Failing in or neglectful of a duty or obligation. (adj.) A person who is delinquent. (n.) ● The teenagers are showing delinquent behaviour. (adj.) ● Study hard so you don't become a delinquent and end up being a failure. (n.)
Synonyms
irresponsible, offending, overdue, tardy
Antonyms
punctual
delirious:
[dih-LEER-ee-uh s] Adjective
Meaning
Wild with excitement, enthusiasm, etc.
Usage
● She is feeling delirious because of the high fever and headache. ● Maddy is delirious with happiness on winning the lottery.
Synonyms
crazed, insane, ecstatic, thrilled, manic
Antonyms
balanced, rational, reasonable, sane
demean:
[dih-M EEN] Verb
Meaning
To lower in dignity, honour, or standing
Usage
● He thinks cleaning is a demeaning job meant only for uneducated people. ● He demeaned himself by indulging in vandalism.
Synonyms
humiliate, belittle, debase, degrade, despise
Antonyms
uplift, improve, elevate
demeanour [dih-MEE-ner] Noun : Meaning
Usage
A conduct, behaviour or attitude. ● Jimmy has a friendly demeanour that everybody likes and gains him many friends. ● Her demeanour was quite offensive to the group which caused them to boot her out.
Synonyms
behaviour, attitude, disposition, poise, presence
Antonyms
none
demise:
[dih-MAHYZ] Noun
Meaning
Termination of existence or operation; Death. ●
Usage
Everybody was so surprised by her tragic demise during her vacation. ● The Romans brought about the demise of the Greeks.
Synonyms
collapse, departure, dissolution, downfall, extinction, failure
Antonyms
beginning, rise, start
demote:
[dih-MOHTI Verb
Meaning
To reduce to a lower grade, rank, class, or position.
Usage
● One more violation and you'll be demoted to the lowest position. ● It is rare to demote an officer to a private, but it can happen.
Synonyms
downgrade, bump, dismiss, relegate
Antonyms
promote, keep
denote:
[dih-NOHTI Verb
Meaning
To be a mark or sign of. To be a name or designation for.
Usage
● A high fever often denotes viral or bacterial infection which could be serious. ● This trademark denotes high quality.
Synonyms
designate, mean, stand for
Antonyms
conceal, deny, disprove