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aback ADVERB

● taken aback = surprised, thrown, shocked, stunned, confused, astonished, staggered, startled, bewildered, astounded, disconcerted, bowled over (informal), stupefied, floored (informal), knocked for six, dumbfounded, left open-mouthed, nonplussed, flabbergasted (informal)abandon VERB 1 She claimed that her friends had abandoned her. = leave, strand, ditch (slang), leave behind, walk out on, forsake, jilt, run out on, throw over, turn your back on, desert, dump, leave high and dry, leave in the lurch 2 The authorities have abandoned any attempt to distribute food. = stop, drop, give up, halt, cease, cut out, pack in (Brit. informal), discontinue, leave off, desist from ◼ OPPOSITE: continue 3 They were persuaded to abandon their lawsuit. = give up, resign from, yield, surrender, relinquish, renounce, waive, cede, forgo, abdicate ◼ OPPOSITE: keep ▸ NOUN He has splashed money around with abandon. = recklessness, dash, wildness, wantonness, unrestraint, careless freedom ◼ OPPOSITE: restraint ● abandon ship The crew prepared to abandon ship. = evacuate, quit, withdraw from, vacate, depart fromabandoned ADJECTIVE 1 abandoned buildings that become a breeding ground for crime = unoccupied, empty, deserted, vacant, derelict, uninhabited ◼ OPPOSITE: occupied 2 a newsreel of abandoned puppies = deserted, dropped, rejected, neglected, stranded, ditched, discarded, relinquished, left, forsaken, cast off, jilted, cast aside, cast out, cast away 3 people who enjoy a wild, abandoned lifestyle = uninhibited, wild, uncontrolled, unbridled, unrestrained, unconstrained ◼ OPPOSITE: inhibitedabandonment NOUN 1 memories of her father's complete abandonment of her = desertion, leaving, forsaking, jilting 2 the abandonment of two North Sea oilfields = evacuation, leaving, quitting, departure, withdrawal 3 Rain forced the abandonment of the next day's competitions. = stopping, cessation, discontinuation 4 their abandonment of the policy = renunciation, giving up, surrender, waiver, abdication, cession, relinquishmentabate VERB 1 The storms soon abated. = decrease, decline, relax, ease, sink, fade, weaken, diminish, dwindle, lessen, slow, wane, subside, ebb, let up, slacken, attenuate, taper off ◼ OPPOSITE: increase 2 a government programme to abate greenhouse gas emissions = reduce, slow, relax, ease, relieve, moderate, weaken, dull, diminish, decrease, lessen, alleviate, quell, mitigate, attenuate ◼ OPPOSITE: increaseabatement NOUN 1 Demand for the product shows no sign of abatement. = decrease, slowing, decline, easing, sinking, fading, weakening, relaxation, dwindling, lessening, waning, subsiding, ebbing, cessation, let-up (informal), slackening, diminution, tapering off, attenuation 2 noise abatement = reduction, slowing, relief, easing, weakening, dulling, decrease, lessening, cutback, quelling, moderation, remission, slackening, mitigation, diminution, curtailment, alleviation, attenuation, extenuationabattoir NOUN = slaughterhouse, shambles, butcheryabbey NOUN = monastery, convent, priory, cloister, nunnery, friaryabbreviate VERB = shorten, reduce, contract, trim, cut, prune, summarize, compress, condense, abridge ◼ OPPOSITE: expandabbreviated ADJECTIVE = shortened, shorter, reduced, brief, potted, trimmed, pruned, cut, summarized, compressed, concise, condensed, abridged ◼ OPPOSITE: expandedabbreviation NOUN = shortening, reduction, résumé, trimming, summary, contraction, compression, synopsis, précis, abridgmentabdicate VERB 1 The last French king abdicated in 1848. = resign, retire, quit, step down (informal) 2 Edward chose to abdicate the throne, rather than give Mrs Simpson up. = give up, yield, hand over, surrender, relinquish, renounce, waive, vacate, cede, abjure 3 Citizens of the world should not abdicate responsibility for the environment. = renounce, give up, abandon, surrender, relinquish, waive, forgo, abnegateabdication NOUN 1 the abdication of Edward VIII = resignation, quitting, retirement, retiral (chiefly Scot.) 2 Edward was titled Duke of Windsor after his abdication of the throne. = giving up, yielding, surrender, waiving, renunciation, cession, relinquishment, abjurationabdomen NOUN = stomach, guts (slang), belly, tummy (informal), midriff, midsection, makutu (N.Z.), puku (N.Z.) ◼ RELATED WORD: adjective abdominalabdominal ADJECTIVE = gastric, intestinal, visceralabduct VERB = kidnap, seize, carry off, run off with, run away with, make off with, snatch (slang)abduction NOUN = kidnapping, seizure, carrying offaberrant ADJECTIVE 1 His rages and aberrant behaviour worsened. = abnormal, odd, strange, extraordinary, curious, weird, peculiar, eccentric, queer (old-fashioned), irregular, erratic, deviant (old-fashioned), off-the-wall (slang), oddball (informal), anomalous, untypical, outré 2 cruel and aberrant acts = depraved, corrupt, perverted, perverse, degenerate, deviant, debased, debauchedaberration NOUN = anomaly, exception, defect, abnormality, inconsistency, deviation, quirk, peculiarity, divergence, departure, irregularity, incongruityabet VERB 1 We shall strike hard at terrorists and those who abet them. = help, aid, encourage, sustain, assist, uphold, back, second, incite, egg on, succour 2 The media have abetted the feeling of unreality. = encourage, further, forward, promote, urge, boost, prompt, spur, foster, incite, connive atabetting NOUN = help, backing, support, aid, assistance, encouragement, abetment, abettalabeyance NOUN ● in abeyance = shelved, pending, on ice (informal), in cold storage (informal), hanging fire, suspendedabhor VERB = hate, loathe, despise, detest, shrink from, shudder at, recoil from, be repelled by, have an aversion to, abominate, execrate, regard with repugnance or horror ◼ OPPOSITE: loveabhorrent ADJECTIVE = hateful, hated, offensive, disgusting, horrible, revolting, obscene, distasteful, horrid, repellent, obnoxious, despicable, repulsive, heinous, odious, repugnant, loathsome, abominable, execrable, detestableabide VERB 1 I can't abide people who can't make up their minds. = tolerate, suffer, accept, bear, endure, brook, hack (slang), put up with, take, stand, stomach, thole (Scot.) 2 to make moral judgements on the basis of what is eternal and abides = last, continue, remain, survive, carry on, endure, persist, keep on ● abide by something They have got to abide by the rules. = obey, follow, agree to, carry out, observe, fulfil, stand by, act on, comply with, hold to, heed, submit to, conform to, keep to, adhere to, mindabiding ADJECTIVE = enduring, lasting, continuing, remaining, surviving, permanent, constant, prevailing, persisting, persistent, eternal, tenacious, firm, fast, everlasting, unending, unchanging ◼ OPPOSITE: briefability NOUN 1 No one had faith in his ability to do the job. = capability, power, potential, facility, capacity, qualification, competence, proficiency, competency, potentiality ◼ OPPOSITE: inability 2 Her drama teacher spotted her ability. = skill, talent, know-how (informal), gift, expertise, faculty, flair, competence, energy, accomplishment, knack, aptitude, proficiency, dexterity, cleverness, potentiality, adroitness, adeptnessabject ADJECTIVE 1 Both of them suffered abject poverty. = wretched, miserable, hopeless, dismal, outcast, pitiful, forlorn, deplorable, pitiable 2 He sounded abject and eager to please. = servile, humble, craven, cringing, fawning, submissive, grovelling, subservient, slavish, mean, low, obsequious ◼ OPPOSITE: dignified 3 an abject traitor = despicable, base, degraded, worthless, vile, sordid, debased, reprehensible, contemptible, dishonourable, ignoble, detestable, scungy (Austral. & N.Z.)ablaze ADJECTIVE 1 Shops, houses and vehicles were ablaze. = on fire, burning, flaming, blazing, fiery, alight, aflame, afire 2 The chamber was ablaze with light. = bright, brilliant, flashing, glowing, sparkling, illuminated, gleaming, radiant, luminous, incandescent, aglow 3 She was ablaze with enthusiasm. = passionate, excited, stimulated, fierce, enthusiastic, aroused, animated, frenzied, fervent, impassioned, fervidable ADJECTIVE = capable, experienced, fit, skilled, expert, powerful, masterly, effective, qualified, talented, gifted, efficient, clever, practised, accomplished, competent, skilful, adept, masterful, strong, proficient, adroit, highly endowed ◼ OPPOSITE: incapableable-bodied ADJECTIVE = strong, firm, sound, fit, powerful, healthy, strapping, hardy, robust, vigorous, sturdy, hale (old-fashioned), stout, staunch, hearty, lusty, right as rain (Brit. informal), tough, capable, sturdy, Herculean, fighting fit, sinewy, fit as a fiddleabnormal ADJECTIVE = unusual, different, odd, strange, surprising, extraordinary, remarkable, bizarre, unexpected, curious, weird, exceptional, peculiar, eccentric, unfamiliar, queer (old-fashioned), irregular, phenomenal, uncommon, erratic, monstrous, singular, unnatural, deviant (old-fashioned), unconventional, off-the-wall (slang), oddball (informal), out of the ordinary, left-field (informal), anomalous, atypical, aberrant, untypical, outré ◼ OPPOSITE: normalabnormality NOUN 1 Further scans are required to confirm any abnormality. = strangeness, deviation, eccentricity, aberration, peculiarity, idiosyncrasy, irregularity, weirdness, singularity, oddness, waywardness, unorthodoxy, unexpectedness, queerness, unnaturalness, bizarreness, unusualness, extraordinariness, aberrance, atypicalness, uncommonness, untypicalness, curiousness 2 Genetic abnormalities are sometimes associated with paternal DNA. = anomaly, flaw, rarity, deviation, oddity, aberration, exception, peculiarity, deformity, irregularity, malformationabnormally ADVERB = unusually, oddly, strangely, extremely, exceptionally, extraordinarily, overly, excessively, peculiarly, particularly, bizarrely, disproportionately, singularly, fantastically, unnaturally, uncannily, inordinately, uncommonly, prodigiously, freakishly, atypically, subnormally, supernormallyabode NOUN = home, house, quarters, lodging, pad (slang, old-fashioned), residence, habitat, dwelling (formal, literary), habitation (formal), domicile, dwelling placeabolish VERB = do away with, end, destroy, eliminate, shed, cancel, axe (informal), get rid of, ditch (slang), dissolve, junk (informal), suppress, overturn, throw out, discard, wipe out, overthrow, void, terminate, drop, trash (slang), repeal, eradicate, put an end to, quash, extinguish, dispense with, revoke, stamp out, obliterate, subvert, jettison, repudiate, annihilate, rescind, exterminate, invalidate, bring to an end, annul, nullify, blot out, expunge (formal), abrogate (archaic), vitiate (archaic), extirpate (archaic), kennet (Austral. slang), jeff (Austral. slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: establishabolition NOUN = eradication, ending, end, withdrawal, destruction, removal, overturning, wiping out, overthrow, voiding, extinction, repeal, elimination, cancellation, suppression, quashing, termination, stamping out, subversion, extermination, annihilation, blotting out, repudiation, erasure, annulment, obliteration, revocation, effacement, nullification, abrogation, rescission, extirpation (formal), invalidation, vitiation, expunctionabominable ADJECTIVE = detestable, shocking, terrible (informal), offensive, foul, disgusting, horrible, revolting, obscene, vile, horrid, repellent, atrocious, obnoxious, despicable, repulsive, base, heinous, hellish (informal), odious, hateful, repugnant, reprehensible, loathsome, abhorrent, contemptible, villainous, nauseous, wretched, accursed, execrable, godawful (slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: pleasantabomination NOUN 1 What is happening is an abomination. = outrage, bête noire, horror, evil, shame, plague (informal), curse, disgrace, crime, atrocity, torment, anathema, barbarism, bugbear 2 He had become an object of abomination. = hatred, hate, horror, disgust, dislike, loathing, distaste, animosity, aversion, revulsion, antagonism, antipathy, enmity, ill will, animus, abhorrence, repugnance, odium (formal), detestation, execrationaboriginal ADJECTIVE = indigenous, first, earliest, original, primary, ancient, native, primitive, pristine, primordial, primeval, autochthonousaborigine NOUN = original inhabitant, native, aboriginal, indigeneabort VERB The take-off was aborted. = stop, end, finish, check, arrest, halt, cease, bring or come to a halt or a standstill, axe (informal), pull up, terminate, call off, break off, cut short, pack in (Brit. informal), discontinue, desistabortion NOUN 1 Doctors advised her to have an abortion. = termination, feticide (archaic), aborticide (archaic), miscarriage, deliberate miscarriage 2 the abortion of the original nuclear project = failure, disappointment, fiasco, misadventure, vain effortabortive ADJECTIVE = failed, failing, useless, vain, unsuccessful, idle, ineffective, futile, fruitless, unproductive, ineffectual, miscarried, unavailing, bootlessabound VERB Stories abound about when he was in charge. = be plentiful, thrive, flourish, be numerous, proliferate, be abundant, be thick on the ground, superabound ● abound with or in something Venice abounds in famous hotels. = overflow with, be packed with, teem with, be crowded with, swell with, crawl with, swarm with, be jammed with, be infested with, be thronged with, luxuriate withabout PREPOSITION 1 She knew a lot about food. = regarding, on, re, concerning, touching, dealing with, respecting, referring to, relating to, concerned with, connected with, relative to, with respect to, as regards, anent (Scot.) 2 For 18 years, he wandered about Germany, Switzerland and Italy. = around, over, through, round, throughout, all over 3 The restaurant is somewhere about here. = near, around, close to, bordering, nearby, beside, close by, adjacent to, just round the corner from, in the neighbourhood of, alongside of, contiguous to, within sniffing distance of (informal), at close quarters to, a hop, skip and a jump away from (informal) ▸ ADVERB 1 The rate of inflation is running at about 2.7 per cent. = approximately, around, almost, nearing, nearly, approaching, close to, roughly, just about, more or less, in the region of, in the vicinity of, not far off 2 The house isn't big enough with three children running about. = everywhere, around, all over, here and there, on all sides, in all directions, to and fro, from place to place, hither and thither ● about to I think he's about to leave. = on the point of, ready to, intending to, on the verge or brink ofabout-turn NOUN The decision was seen as an about-turn for the government. = change of direction, reverse, reversal, turnaround, U-turn, right about (turn), about-face, volte-face, turnabout, paradigm shift ▸ VERB She about-turned abruptly and left. = change direction, reverse, about-face, volte-face, face the opposite direction, turn about or around, turn through 180 degrees, do or perform a U-turn or volte-faceabove PREPOSITION 1 He lifted his arms above his head. = over, upon, beyond, on top of, exceeding, higher than, atop ◼ OPPOSITE: under 2 the people above you in the organization = senior to, over, ahead of, in charge of, higher than, surpassing, superior to, more powerful than ◼ OPPOSITE: subordinate to 3 I want to be honest, above everything else. = before, more than, rather than, beyond, instead of, sooner than, in preference to ▸ ADVERB A long scream sounded from somewhere above. = overhead, upward, in the sky, on high, in heaven, atop, aloft, up above, skyward ▸ ADJECTIVE The department posted the above picture on its website. = preceding, earlier, previous, prior, foregoing, aforementioned, aforesaid ◼ RELATED WORD: prefixes super-, supra-, sur-abrasion NOUN 1 He had severe abrasions to his right cheek. = graze, scratch, trauma (Pathology), scrape, scuff, chafe, surface injury 2 The sole of the shoe should be designed to take constant abrasion. = rubbing, wear, scratching, scraping, grating, friction, scouring, attrition, corrosion, wearing down, erosion, scuffing, chafing, grinding down, wearing away, abradingabrasive ADJECTIVE 1 She was unrepentant about her abrasive remarks. = harsh, cutting, biting, tough, sharp, severe, bitter, rough, hard, nasty, cruel, annoying, brutal, stern, irritating, unpleasant, grating, abusive, galling, unkind, hurtful, caustic, vitriolic, pitiless, unfeeling, comfortless 2 an all-purpose non-abrasive cleaner = rough, scratching, scraping, grating, scuffing, chafing, scratchy, frictional, erosive ▸ NOUN Avoid abrasives, which can damage the tiles. = scourer, grinder, burnisher, scarifier, abradantabreast ADVERB a group of youths riding four abreast = alongside, level, beside, in a row, side by side, neck and neck, shoulder to shoulder ● abreast of or with We'll keep you abreast of developments. = informed about, in touch with, familiar with, acquainted with, up to date with, knowledgeable about, conversant with, up to speed with (informal), in the picture about, au courant with, au fait with, keeping your finger on the pulse ofabridge VERB = shorten, reduce, contract, trim, clip, diminish, decrease, abstract, digest, cut down, cut back, cut, prune, concentrate, lessen, summarize, compress, curtail, condense, abbreviate, truncate, epitomize, downsize, précis, synopsize (U.S.) ◼ OPPOSITE: expandabridged ADJECTIVE = shortened, shorter, reduced, brief, potted (informal), trimmed, diminished, pruned, summarized, cut, compressed, curtailed, concise, condensed, abbreviated ◼ OPPOSITE: expandedabroad ADVERB 1 About 65 per cent of our sales come from abroad. = overseas, out of the country, beyond the sea, in foreign lands 2 There is still a feeling abroad that this change must be recognized. = about, everywhere, circulating, at large, here and there, current, all over, in circulationabrupt ADJECTIVE 1 His abrupt departure is bound to raise questions. = sudden, unexpected, hurried, rapid, surprising, quick, swift, rash, precipitate, hasty, impulsive, headlong, unforeseen, unanticipated ◼ OPPOSITE: slow 2 He was abrupt to the point of rudeness. = curt, direct, brief, sharp, rough, short, clipped, blunt, rude, tart, impatient, brisk, concise, snappy, terse, gruff, succinct, pithy, brusque, offhand, impolite, monosyllabic, ungracious, discourteous, uncivil, unceremonious, snappish ◼ OPPOSITE: polite 3 narrow valleys and abrupt hillsides = steep, sharp, sheer, sudden, precipitous ◼ OPPOSITE: gradualabruptly ADVERB 1 He stopped abruptly and looked my way. = suddenly, short, unexpectedly, all of a sudden, hastily, precipitately, all at once, hurriedly ◼ OPPOSITE: gradually 2 'Good night then,' she said abruptly. = curtly, bluntly, rudely, briskly, tersely, shortly, sharply, brusquely, gruffly, snappily ◼ OPPOSITE: politelyabscess NOUN = boil, infection, swelling, blister, ulcer, inflammation, gathering (informal), whitlow, blain, carbuncle, pustule, bubo, furuncle (Pathology), gumboil, parulis (Pathology)abscond VERB = escape, flee, get away, bolt, fly, disappear, skip, run off, slip away, clear out, flit (informal), make off, break free or out, decamp, hook it (slang), do a runner (slang), steal away, sneak away, do a bunk (Brit. slang), fly the coop (U.S. & Canad. informal), skedaddle (informal), take a powder (U.S. & Canad. slang), go on the lam (U.S. & Canad. slang), make your getaway, do a Skase (Austral. informal), make or effect your escapeabsence NOUN 1 I see you've been busy in my absence. = time off, leave, break, vacation, recess, truancy, absenteeism, nonappearance, nonattendance 2 In the absence of a will, the courts decide who the guardian is. = lack, deficiency, deprivation, omission, scarcity, want, need, shortage, dearth, privation (formal), unavailability, nonexistenceabsent ADJECTIVE 1 He has been absent from his desk for two weeks. = away, missing, gone, lacking, elsewhere, unavailable, not present, truant, nonexistent, nonattendant ◼ OPPOSITE: present 2 'Nothing,' she said in an absent way. = absent-minded, blank, unconscious, abstracted, vague, distracted, unaware, musing, vacant, preoccupied, empty, absorbed, bemused, oblivious, dreamy, daydreaming, faraway, unthinking, heedless, inattentive, unheeding ◼ OPPOSITE: alert ● absent yourself He pleaded guilty to absenting himself without leave. = stay away, withdraw, depart, keep away, truant, abscond, play truant, slope off (informal), bunk off (slang), remove yourselfabsentee NOUN = nonattender, stay-at-home, truant, no-show, stayawayabsent-minded ADJECTIVE = forgetful, absorbed, abstracted, vague, absent, distracted, unaware, musing, preoccupied, careless, bemused, oblivious, dreamy, faraway, engrossed, unthinking, neglectful, heedless, inattentive, unmindful, unheeding, apt to forget, in a brown study, ditzy or ditsy (slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: alertabsolute ADJECTIVE 1 A sick person needs to have absolute trust in a doctor. = complete, total, perfect, entire, pure, sheer, utter, outright, thorough, downright, consummate, unqualified, full-on (informal), out-and-out, unadulterated, unmitigated, dyed-in-the-wool, thoroughgoing, unalloyed, unmixed, arrant (derogatory), deep-dyed 2 a ruler with absolute power = supreme, sovereign, unlimited, ultimate, full, utmost, unconditional, unqualified, predominant, superlative, unrestricted, pre-eminent, unrestrained, tyrannical, peerless, unsurpassed, unquestionable, matchless, peremptory, unbounded 3 the doctrine of absolute monarchy = autocratic, supreme, unlimited, autonomous, arbitrary, dictatorial, all-powerful, imperious, domineering, tyrannical, despotic, absolutist, tyrannous, autarchical 4 He brought the absolute proof that we needed. = definite, sure, certain, positive, guaranteed, actual, assured, genuine, exact, precise, decisive, conclusive, unequivocal, unambiguous, infallible, categorical, unquestionable, dinkum (Austral. & N.Z. informal), nailed-on (slang)absolutely ADVERB 1 She is absolutely right. = completely, totally, perfectly, quite, fully, entirely, purely, altogether, thoroughly, wholly, utterly, consummately, every inch, to the hilt, a hundred per cent, one hundred per cent, unmitigatedly, lock, stock and barrel ◼ OPPOSITE: somewhat 2 'It's worrying, isn't it?' 'Absolutely.' = definitely, surely, certainly, clearly, obviously, plainly, truly, precisely, exactly, genuinely, positively, decidedly, decisively, without doubt, unquestionably, undeniably, categorically, without question, unequivocally, conclusively, unambiguously, beyond any doubt, infalliblyabsolution NOUN = forgiveness, release, freedom, liberation, discharge, amnesty, mercy, pardon, indulgence, exemption, acquittal, remission, vindication, deliverance, dispensation, exoneration, exculpation, shriving, condonationabsolve VERB = excuse, free, clear, release, deliver, loose, forgive, discharge, liberate, pardon, exempt, acquit, vindicate, remit, let off, set free, exonerate, exculpate ◼ OPPOSITE: condemnabsorb VERB 1 Refined sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly. = soak up, drink in, devour, suck up, receive, digest, imbibe, ingest, osmose 2 a second career which absorbed her more completely than acting ever had = engross, hold, involve, fill, arrest, fix, occupy, engage, fascinate, preoccupy, engulf, fill up, immerse, rivet, captivate, monopolize, enwrapabsorbed ADJECTIVE = engrossed, lost, involved, fixed, concentrating, occupied, engaged, gripped, fascinated, caught up, intrigued, wrapped up, preoccupied, immersed, dialed in, locked in, riveted, captivated, enthralled, rapt, up to your earsabsorbent ADJECTIVE = porous, receptive, imbibing, spongy, permeable, absorptive, blotting, penetrable, pervious, assimilativeabsorbing ADJECTIVE = fascinating, interesting, engaging, gripping, arresting, compelling, intriguing, enticing, preoccupying, enchanting, seductive, riveting, captivating, alluring, bewitching, engrossing, spellbinding ◼ OPPOSITE: boringabsorption NOUN 1 Vitamin C increases absorption of iron. = soaking up, consumption, digestion, sucking up, osmosis 2 He was struck by the artists' total absorption in their work. = immersion, holding, involvement, concentration, occupation, engagement, fascination, preoccupation, intentness, captivation, raptnessabstain from VERB = refrain from, avoid, decline, give up, stop, refuse, cease, do without, shun, renounce, eschew, leave off, keep from, forgo, withhold from, forbear, desist from, deny yourself, kick (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: abandon yourselfabstention NOUN 1 Abstention is traditionally high in this region. = abstaining, non-voting, refusal to vote 2 a daylong abstention from food and water = abstinence, refraining, avoidance, forbearance, eschewal, desistance, nonindulgenceabstinence NOUN = abstention, continence, temperance, self-denial, self-restraint, forbearance, refraining, avoidance, moderation, sobriety, asceticism, teetotalism, abstemiousness, soberness ◼ OPPOSITE: self-indulgenceabstract ADJECTIVE starting with a few abstract principles = theoretical, general, complex, academic, intellectual, subtle, profound, philosophical, speculative, unrealistic, conceptual, indefinite, deep, separate, occult, hypothetical, generalized, impractical, arcane, notional, abstruse, recondite, theoretic, conjectural, unpractical, nonconcrete ◼ OPPOSITE: actual ▸ NOUN If you want to submit a paper, you must supply an abstract. = summary, résumé, outline, extract, essence, summing-up, digest, epitome, rundown, condensation, compendium, synopsis, précis, recapitulation, review, abridgment ◼ OPPOSITE: expansion ▸ VERB The author has abstracted poems from earlier books. = extract, draw, pull, remove, separate, withdraw, isolate, pull out, take out, take away, detach, dissociate, pluck out ◼ OPPOSITE: addabstracted ADJECTIVE = preoccupied, withdrawn, remote, absorbed, intent, absent, distracted, unaware, wrapped up, bemused, immersed, oblivious, dreamy, daydreaming, faraway, engrossed, rapt, absent-minded, heedless, inattentive, distrait, woolgatheringabstraction NOUN 1 Is it worth fighting in the name of an abstraction? = concept, thought, idea, view, theory, impression, formula, notion, hypothesis, generalization, theorem, generality 2 He noticed her abstraction and asked, 'What's bothering you?' = absent-mindedness, musing, preoccupation, daydreaming, vagueness, remoteness, absence, inattention, dreaminess, obliviousness, absence of mind, pensiveness, woolgathering, distractedness, bemusednessabsurd ADJECTIVE = ridiculous, crazy (informal), silly, incredible, outrageous, foolish, unbelievable, daft (informal), hilarious, ludicrous, meaningless, unreasonable, irrational, senseless, preposterous, laughable, funny, stupid, farcical, illogical, incongruous, comical, zany, idiotic, nonsensical, inane, dumb-ass (slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: sensibleabsurdity NOUN = ridiculousness, nonsense, malarkey, folly, stupidity, foolishness, silliness, idiocy, irrationality, incongruity, meaninglessness, daftness (informal), senselessness, illogicality, ludicrousness, unreasonableness, preposterousness, farcicality, craziness (informal), bêtise (rare), farcicalness, illogicalnessabsurdly ADVERB = ridiculously, incredibly, unbelievably, foolishly, ludicrously, unreasonably, incongruously, laughably, irrationally, implausibly, preposterously, illogically, inanely, senselessly, idiotically, inconceivably, farcicallyabundance NOUN 1 a staggering abundance of food = plenty, heap (informal), bounty, exuberance, profusion, plethora, affluence, fullness, opulence, plenitude, fruitfulness, copiousness, ampleness, cornucopia, plenteousness, plentifulness ◼ OPPOSITE: shortage 2 What customers want is a display of lushness and abundance. = wealth, money, funds, capital, cash, riches, resources, assets, fortune, possessions, prosperity, big money, wad (U.S. & Canad. slang), affluence, big bucks (informal, chiefly U.S.), opulence, megabucks (U.S. & Canad. slang), tidy sum (informal), lucre, pretty penny (informal), pelf (archaic), top whack (informal)abundant ADJECTIVE = plentiful, full, rich, liberal, generous, lavish, ample, infinite, overflowing, exuberant, teeming, copious, inexhaustible, bountiful, luxuriant, profuse, rank, well-provided, well-supplied, bounteous, plenteous ◼ OPPOSITE: scarceabundantly ADVERB = plentifully, greatly, freely, amply, richly, liberally, fully, thoroughly, substantially, lavishly, extensively, generously, profusely, copiously, exuberantly, in plentiful supply, luxuriantly, unstintingly, bountifully, bounteously, plenteously, in great or large numbers ◼ OPPOSITE: sparselyabuse NOUN 1 an investigation into alleged animal abuse = maltreatment, wrong, damage, injury, hurt, harm, spoiling, bullying, oppression, imposition, mistreatment, manhandling, ill-treatment, rough handling 2 A group of people started to heckle and shout abuse. = insults, blame, slights, curses, put-downs, libel, censure, reproach, scolding, defamation, indignities, offence, tirade, derision, slander, rudeness, vilification, invective, swear words, opprobrium, insolence, upbraiding, aspersions, character assassination, disparagement, vituperation, castigation, contumely, revilement, traducement, calumniation 3 an abuse of power = misuse, corruption, perversion, misapplication, exploitation, misemployment, misusage ▸ VERB 1 People responsible for abusing prisoners must be held accountable. = ill-treat, wrong, damage, hurt, injure, harm, mar, oppress, maul, molest, impose upon, manhandle, rough up, brutalize, maltreat, handle roughly, knock about or around ◼ OPPOSITE: care for 2 He alleged that he was verbally abused by other soldiers. = insult, injure, offend, curse, put down, smear, libel, slate (informal, chiefly Brit.), slag (off) (slang), malign, scold, swear at, disparage, castigate, revile, vilify, slander, defame, upbraid, slight, inveigh against, call names, traduce (formal), calumniate, vituperate ◼ OPPOSITE: praiseabusive ADJECTIVE 1 a cruel and abusive partner = violent, wild, rough, cruel, savage, brutal, vicious, destructive, harmful, maddened, hurtful, unrestrained, impetuous, homicidal, intemperate, raging, furious, injurious, maniacal ◼ OPPOSITE: kind 2 He was alleged to have used abusive language. = insulting, offensive, rude, degrading, scathing, maligning, scolding, affronting, contemptuous, disparaging, castigating, reviling, vilifying, invective, scurrilous, defamatory, insolent, derisive, censorious, slighting, libellous, upbraiding, vituperative, reproachful, slanderous, traducing, opprobrious, calumniating, contumelious ◼ OPPOSITE: complimentaryabut VERB = adjoin, join, touch, border, neighbour, link to, attach to, combine with, connect with, couple with, communicate with, annex, meet, unite with, verge on, impinge, append (formal), affix toabysmal ADJECTIVE = dreadful, bad, terrible (informal), awful, appalling, dismal, dire, ghastly, hideous, atrocious, godawful (informal)abyss NOUN = chasm, gulf, split, crack, gap, pit, opening, breach, hollow, void, gorge, crater, cavity, ravine, cleft, fissure, crevasse, bottomless depth, abysmacademic ADJECTIVE 1 the country's richest and most famous academic institutions = scholastic, school, university, college, educational, campus, collegiate 2 The author has settled for a more academic approach. = scholarly, learned, intellectual, literary, erudite, highbrow, studious, lettered 3 These arguments are purely academic. = theoretical, ideal, abstract, speculative, hypothetical, impractical, notional, conjectural ▸ NOUN He is an academic who believes in winning through argument. = scholar, intellectual, don, student, master, professor, fellow, pupil, lecturer, tutor, scholastic, bookworm, man or woman of letters, egghead (informal), savant, academician, acca (Austral. slang), bluestocking (usually derogatory), schoolman (U.S. rare, old-fashioned)academy NOUN = college, school, university, institution, institute, establishment, seminary, centre of learning, whare wananga (N.Z.)accede to VERB 1 Why didn't you accede to our demands at the outset? = agree to, accept, grant, endorse, consent to, give in to, surrender to, yield to, concede to, acquiesce in, assent to, comply with, concur to 2 when Henry VIII acceded to the throne = inherit, come to, assume, succeed, come into, attain, succeed to (an heir), enter upon, fall heir toaccelerate VERB 1 Growth will accelerate to 2.9 per cent next year. = increase, grow, advance, extend, expand, build up, strengthen, raise, swell, intensify, enlarge, escalate, multiply, inflate, magnify, proliferate, snowball ◼ OPPOSITE: fall 2 The government is to accelerate its privatisation programme. = expedite, press, forward, promote, spur, further, stimulate, hurry, step up (informal), speed up, facilitate, hasten, precipitate, quicken ◼ OPPOSITE: delay 3 Suddenly the car accelerated. = speed up, speed, advance, quicken, get under way, gather momentum, get moving, pick up speed, put your foot down (informal), open up the throttle, put on speed ◼ OPPOSITE: slow downacceleration NOUN = hastening, hurrying, stepping up (informal), expedition, speeding up, stimulation, advancement, promotion, spurring, quickeningaccent NOUN He has developed a slight American accent. = pronunciation, tone, articulation, inflection, brogue, intonation, diction, modulation, elocution, enunciation, accentuation ▸ VERB She had a round face accented by a little white cap. = emphasize, stress, highlight, underline, bring home, underscore, accentuate, give emphasis to, call or draw attention toaccentuate VERB = emphasize, stress, highlight, accent, underline, bring home, underscore, foreground, give emphasis to, call or draw attention to ◼ OPPOSITE: minimizeaccept VERB 1 All old clothes will be gratefully accepted by the organizers. = receive, take, gain, pick up, secure, collect, have, get, obtain, acquire 2 Everyone told me I should accept the job. = take on, try, begin, attempt, bear, assume, tackle, acknowledge, undertake, embark on, set about, commence, avow, enter upon ◼ OPPOSITE: reject 3 I do not accept that there is any kind of crisis in the industry. = acknowledge, believe, allow, admit, adopt, approve, recognize, yield, concede, swallow (informal), buy (slang), affirm, profess, consent to, buy into (slang), cooperate with, take on board, accede, acquiesce, concur with 4 Urban dwellers have to accept noise as part of city life. = stand, take, experience, suffer, bear, allow, weather, cope with, tolerate, sustain, put up with, wear (Brit. slang), stomach, endure, undergo, brook, hack (slang), abide, withstand, bow to, yield to, countenance, like it or lump it (informal)acceptability NOUN = adequacy, fitness, suitability, propriety, appropriateness, admissibility, permissibility, acceptableness, satisfactoriness ◼ OPPOSITE: unacceptabilityacceptable ADJECTIVE 1 There was one restaurant that looked acceptable. = satisfactory, fair, all right, suitable, sufficient, good enough, standard, adequate, so-so (informal), tolerable, up to scratch (informal), passable, up to the mark ◼ OPPOSITE: unsatisfactory 2 a most acceptable present = pleasant, pleasing, welcome, satisfying, grateful, refreshing, delightful, gratifying, agreeable, pleasurableacceptance NOUN 1 The party is being downgraded by its acceptance of secret donations. = accepting, taking, receiving, obtaining, acquiring, reception, receipt 2 a theory that is steadily gaining acceptance = acknowledgement, agreement, belief, approval, recognition, admission, consent, consensus, adoption, affirmation, assent, credence, accession, approbation, concurrence, accedence, stamp or seal of approval 3 a letter of acceptance = taking on, admission, assumption, acknowledgement, undertaking, avowal 4 He thought about it for a moment, then nodded his reluctant acceptance. = submission, yielding, resignation, concession, compliance, deference, passivity, acquiescenceaccepted ADJECTIVE = agreed, received, common, standard, established, traditional, confirmed, regular, usual, approved, acknowledged, recognized, sanctioned, acceptable, universal, authorized, customary, agreed upon, time-honoured ◼ OPPOSITE: unconventionalaccess NOUN 1 The facilities have been adapted to give access to wheelchair users. = admission, entry, passage, entrée, admittance, ingress 2 a courtyard with a side access to the rear gardens = entrance, road, door, approach, entry, path, gate, opening, way in, passage, avenue, doorway, gateway, portal (literary), passagewayaccessibility NOUN 1 the town's accessibility to the city = approachability, availability, readiness, nearness, handiness 2 growing fears about the cost and accessibility of health care = availability, possibility, attainability, obtainabilityaccessible ADJECTIVE = handy, near, nearby, at hand, within reach, at your fingertips, reachable, achievable, get-at-able (informal), a hop, skip and a jump away ◼ OPPOSITE: inaccessibleaccession ● accession to = succession to, attainment of, inheritance of, elevation to, taking up of, assumption of, taking over of, taking on ofaccessory NOUN 1 an exclusive range of bathroom accessories = extra, addition, supplement, convenience, attachment, add-on, component, extension, adjunct, appendage, appurtenance 2 She was charged with being an accessory to the embezzlement of funds. = accomplice, partner, ally, associate, assistant, helper, colleague, collaborator, confederate, henchman or woman or person, abettor ▸ ADJECTIVE Minerals are accessory food factors required in maintaining health. = supplementary, extra, additional, accompanying, secondary, subordinate, complementary, auxiliary, abetting, supplemental, contributory, ancillaryaccident NOUN 1 She was involved in a serious car accident last week. = crash, smash, wreck, collision, pile-up (informal), smash-up (informal) 2 5,000 people die every year because of accidents in the home. = misfortune, blow, disaster, tragedy, setback, calamity, mishap, misadventure, mischance, stroke of bad luck 3 She discovered the problem by accident. = chance, fortune, luck, fate, hazard, coincidence, fluke, fortuityaccidental ADJECTIVE 1 The jury returned a verdict of accidental death. = unintentional, unexpected, incidental, unforeseen, unintended, unplanned, unpremeditated ◼ OPPOSITE: deliberate 2 accidental discoveries of literary treasures = chance, random, casual, unintentional, unintended, unplanned, fortuitous, inadvertent, serendipitous, unlooked-for, uncalculated, contingentaccidentally ADVERB = unintentionally, casually, unexpectedly, incidentally, by accident, by chance, inadvertently, unwittingly, randomly, unconsciously, by mistake, haphazardly, fortuitously, adventitiously ◼ OPPOSITE: deliberatelyacclaim VERB He was acclaimed as the country's greatest modern painter. = praise, celebrate, honour, cheer, admire, hail, applaud, compliment, salute, approve, congratulate, clap, pay tribute to, commend, exalt, laud (literary), extol, crack up (informal), eulogize ▸ NOUN She won critical acclaim for her performance. = praise, honour, celebration, approval, tribute, applause, cheering, clapping, ovation, accolades, plaudits, kudos, commendation, exaltation, approbation, acclamation, eulogizing, panegyric, encomium ◼ OPPOSITE: criticismacclaimed ADJECTIVE = celebrated, famous, acknowledged, praised, outstanding, distinguished, admired, renowned, noted, highly rated, eminent, revered, famed, illustrious, well received, much vaunted, highly esteemed, much touted, well thought of, lionized, highly thought of ◼ OPPOSITE: criticizedaccolade NOUN 1 the ultimate accolade in the sciences = honour, award, recognition, tribute 2 We're always pleased to receive accolades from our guests. = praise, approval, acclaim, applause, compliment, homage, laud (literary), eulogy, congratulation, commendation, acclamation (formal), recognition, tribute, ovation, plauditaccommodate VERB 1 Students are accommodated in homes nearby. = house, put up, take in, lodge, board, quarter, shelter, entertain, harbour, cater for, billet 2 He has never made an effort to accommodate photographers. = help, support, aid, encourage, assist, befriend, cooperate with, abet, lend a hand to, lend a helping hand to, give a leg up to (informal) 3 She walked slowly to accommodate herself to his pace. = adapt, match, fit, fashion, settle, alter, adjust, modify, compose, comply, accustom, reconcile, harmonizeaccommodating ADJECTIVE = obliging, willing, kind, friendly, helpful, polite, cooperative, agreeable, amiable, courteous, considerate, hospitable, unselfish, eager to please, complaisant ◼ OPPOSITE: unhelpfulaccommodation NOUN 1 The government is to provide accommodation for 3,000 homeless people. = housing, homes, houses, board, quartering, quarters, digs (Brit. informal), shelter, sheltering, lodging(s), dwellings 2 Religions have to make accommodations with larger political structures. = adaptation, change, settlement, compromise, composition, adjustment, transformation, reconciliation, compliance, modification, alteration, conformityaccompaniment NOUN 1 He sang to the musical director's piano accompaniment. = backing music, backing, support, obbligato 2 The recipe makes a good accompaniment to ice-cream. = supplement, extra, addition, extension, companion, accessory, complement, decoration, frill, adjunct, appendage, adornmentaccompany VERB 1 Ken agreed to accompany me on a trip to Africa. = go with, lead, partner, protect, guide, attend, conduct, escort, shepherd, convoy, usher, chaperon 2 This volume of essays was designed to accompany an exhibition. = occur with, belong to, come with, supplement, coincide with, join with, coexist with, go together with, follow, go cheek by jowl withaccompanying ADJECTIVE = additional, added, extra, related, associate, associated, joint, fellow, connected, attached, accessory, attendant, complementary, supplementary, supplemental, concurrent, concomitant, appendedaccomplice NOUN = partner in crime, ally, associate, assistant, companion, accessory, comrade, helper, colleague, collaborator, confederate, henchman or woman or person, coadjutor, abettoraccomplish VERB = realize, produce, effect, finish, complete, manage, achieve, perform, carry out, conclude, fulfil, execute, bring about, attain, consummate, bring off (informal), do, effectuate ◼ OPPOSITE: failaccomplished ADJECTIVE = skilled, able, professional, expert, masterly, talented, gifted, polished, practised, cultivated, skilful, adept, consummate, proficient ◼ OPPOSITE: unskilledaccomplishment NOUN 1 The accomplishments of the past year are quite extraordinary. = achievement, feat, attainment, act, stroke, triumph, coup, exploit, deed 2 (often plural) She can now add basketball to her list of accomplishments. = talent, ability, skill, gift, achievement, craft, faculty, capability, forte, attainment, proficiency 3 His function is vital to the accomplishment of the mission. = accomplishing, effecting, finishing, carrying out, achievement, conclusion, bringing about, execution, completion, realization, fulfilment, attainment, consummationaccord NOUN 1 The party was made legal under the 1991 peace accords. = treaty, contract, agreement, arrangement, settlement, pact, deal (informal) 2 I found myself in total accord. = sympathy, agreement, concert, harmony, accordance, unison, rapport, conformity, assent, unanimity, concurrence ◼ OPPOSITE: conflict ▸ VERB On his return home, the government accorded him the rank of Colonel. = grant, give, award, render, assign, present with, endow with, bestow on, confer on, vouchsafe (old-fashioned), impart with ◼ OPPOSITE: refuse ● accord with something Such an approach accords with the principles of Socialist ideology. = agree with, match, coincide with, fit with, square with, correspond with, conform with, concur with, tally with, be in tune with (informal), harmonize with, assent withaccordance NOUN ● in accordance with = in agreement with, consistent with, in harmony with, in concert with, in sympathy with, in conformity with, in assent with, in congruence withaccordingly ADVERB 1 We have different backgrounds. Accordingly we will have different futures. = consequently, so, thus, therefore, hence, subsequently, in consequence, ergo, as a result 2 It is a difficult job and they should be paid accordingly. = appropriately, correspondingly, properly, suitably, fitlyaccost VERB = confront, challenge, address, stop, approach, oppose, halt, greet, hail, buttonholeaccount NOUN 1 I gave a detailed account of what had happened that night. = description, report, record, story, history, detail, statement, relation, version, tale, explanation, narrative, chronicle, portrayal, recital, depiction, narration 2 These obscure little groups were of no account in national politics. = importance, standing, concern, value, note, benefit, use, profit, worth, weight, advantage, rank, import (formal), honour, consequence, substance, merit, significance, distinction, esteem, usefulness, repute, momentousness 3 a detailed account of all expenditures = ledger, charge, bill, statement, balance, tally, invoice, computation ▸ VERB The first day of the event was accounted a success. = consider, rate, value, judge, estimate, think, hold, believe, count, reckon, assess, weigh, calculate, esteem (formal), deem, compute, gauge, appraise, regard as ● account for something 1 Computers account for 5% of the country's electricity consumption. = constitute, make, make up, compose, comprise 2 How do you account for the company's high staff turnover? = explain, excuse, justify, clarify, give a reason for, give an explanation for, illuminate, clear up, answer for, rationalize, elucidate 3 The squadron accounted for seven enemy aircraft in the first week. = put out of action, kill (informal), destroy, put paid to, incapacitate ● on account of He declined to give the speech on account of a sore throat. = by reason of, because of, owing to, on the basis of, for the sake of, on the grounds ofaccountability NOUN = responsibility, liability, culpability, answerability, chargeabilityaccountable ADJECTIVE = answerable, subject, responsible, obliged, liable, amenable, obligated, chargeableaccountant NOUN = auditor, book-keeper, bean counter (informal)accounting NOUN = accountancy, auditing, book-keepingaccoutrements PLURAL NOUN = paraphernalia, fittings, dress, material, clothing, stuff, equipment, tackle, gear, things, kit, outfit, trimmings, fixtures, array, decorations, baggage, apparatus, furnishings, trappings, garb, adornments, ornamentation, bells and whistles, impedimenta, appurtenances, equipageaccredit VERB 1 The degree programme is fully accredited by the Institute of Engineers. = approve, support, back, commission, champion, favour, guarantee, promote, recommend, appoint, recognize, sanction, advocate, license, endorse, warrant, authorize, ratify, empower, certify, entrust, vouch for, depute 2 The discovery of runes is, in Norse mythology, accredited to Odin. = attribute, credit, assign, ascribe, trace to, put down to, lay at the door ofaccredited ADJECTIVE = authorized, official, commissioned, guaranteed, appointed, recognized, sanctioned, licensed, endorsed, empowered, certified, vouched for, deputed, deputizedaccrue VERB = accumulate, issue, increase, grow, collect, gather, flow, build up, enlarge, follow, ensue, pile up, amass, spring up, stockpileaccumulate VERB = build up, increase, grow, be stored, collect, gather, pile up, amass, stockpile, hoard, accrue, cumulate ◼ OPPOSITE: disperseaccumulation NOUN 1 accumulations of dirt = collection, increase, stock, store, mass, build-up, pile, stack, heap, rick, stockpile, hoard 2 The rate of accumulation decreases with time. = growth, collection, gathering, build-up, aggregation, conglomeration, augmentationaccuracy NOUN = exactness, precision, fidelity, authenticity, correctness, closeness, truth, verity, nicety, veracity, faithfulness, truthfulness, niceness, exactitude, strictness, meticulousness, carefulness, scrupulousness, preciseness, faultlessness, accurateness ◼ OPPOSITE: inaccuracyaccurate ADJECTIVE 1 a more accurate description of the terrain = precise, right, close, regular, correct, careful, strict, exact, faithful, explicit, authentic, spot-on, just, clear-cut, meticulous, truthful, faultless, scrupulous, unerring, veracious ◼ OPPOSITE: inaccurate 2 Their prediction was accurate. = correct, right, true, exact, faithful, spot-on (Brit. informal), faultless, on the money (informal)accurately ADVERB 1 The test can accurately predict what a bigger explosion would do. = precisely, rightly, correctly, closely, carefully, truly, properly, strictly, literally, exactly, faithfully, meticulously, to the letter, justly, scrupulously, truthfully, authentically, unerringly, faultlessly, veraciously 2 The book is more accurately described by its subtitle. = exactly, rightly, closely, correctly, definitely, truly, properly, precisely, nicely, strictly, faithfully, explicitly, unequivocally, scrupulously, truthfullyaccusation NOUN = charge, complaint, allegation, indictment, impeachment, recrimination, citation, denunciation, attribution, imputation, arraignment, incriminationaccuse VERB 1 He accused me of being lazy. = point a or the finger at, blame for, denounce, attribute to, hold responsible for, impute blame to ◼ OPPOSITE: exonerate 2 Her assistant was accused of theft and fraud by the police. = charge with, indict for, impeach for, arraign for, cite, tax with, censure with, incriminate for, recriminate for ◼ OPPOSITE: absolveaccustom VERB = familiarize, train, coach, discipline, adapt, instruct, make used, school, season, acquaint, inure, habituate, acclimatize, make conversantaccustomed ADJECTIVE 1 I was accustomed to being the only child amongst adults. = used, trained, familiar, disciplined, given to, adapted, acquainted, in the habit of, familiarized, seasoned, inured, habituated, exercised, acclimatized ◼ OPPOSITE: unaccustomed 2 He took up his accustomed position at the fire. = usual, established, expected, general, common, standard, set, traditional, normal, fixed, regular, ordinary, familiar, conventional, routine, everyday, customary, habitual, wonted ◼ OPPOSITE: unusual