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ace NOUN

1 the ace of hearts = one, single point 2 a first-world-war flying ace = expert, star, champion, authority, winner, professional, master, pro (informal), specialist, genius, guru, buff (informal), wizard (informal), whizz (informal), virtuoso, connoisseur, hotshot (informal), past master, dab hand (Brit. informal), maven (U.S.) ▸ ADJECTIVE It's been a while since I've seen a really ace film. = great (informal), good, brilliant, mean (slang), fine, champion, expert, masterly, wonderful, excellent, cracking (Brit. informal), outstanding, superb, fantastic (informal), tremendous (informal), marvellous (informal), terrific (informal), mega (slang), awesome (slang), dope (slang), sick (slang), admirable, virtuoso, first-rate, brill (informal), bitchin' (U.S. slang), chillin' (U.S. slang), booshit (Austral. slang), exo (Austral. slang), sik (Austral. slang), ka pai (N.Z.), rad (informal), phat (slang), schmick (Austral. informal), beaut (informal), barrie (Scot. slang), belting (Brit. slang), pearler (Austral. slang)acerbic ADJECTIVE = sharp, cutting, biting, severe, acid, bitter, nasty, harsh, stern, rude, scathing, acrimonious, barbed, unkind, unfriendly, sarcastic, sardonic, caustic, churlish, vitriolic, trenchant, acrid, brusque, rancorous, mordantache VERB 1 Her head was hurting and she ached all over. = hurt, suffer, burn, pain, smart, sting, pound, throb, be tender, twinge, be sore 2 It must have been hard to keep smiling when his heart was aching. = suffer, hurt, grieve, sorrow, agonize, be in pain, go through the mill (informal), mourn, feel wretched ▸ NOUN 1 You feel nausea and aches in your muscles. = pain, discomfort, suffering, hurt, smart, smarting, cramp, throb, throbbing, irritation, tenderness, pounding, spasm, pang, twinge, soreness, throe (rare) 2 Nothing could relieve the terrible ache of fear. = anguish, suffering, pain, torture, distress, grief, misery, mourning, torment, sorrow, woe, heartache, heartbreakachievable ADJECTIVE = attainable, obtainable, winnable, reachable, realizable, within your grasp, graspable, gettable, acquirable, possible, accessible, probable, feasible, practicable, accomplishableachieve VERB = accomplish, reach, fulfil, finish, complete, gain, perform, earn, do, get, win, carry out, realize, obtain, conclude, acquire, execute, bring about, attain, consummate, procure, bring off (informal), effectuate, put the tin lid onachievement NOUN 1 a conference celebrating women's achievements = accomplishment, effort, feat, deed, stroke, triumph, coup, exploit, act, attainment, feather in your cap 2 It is the achievement of these goals that will bring lasting peace. = fulfilment, effecting, performance, production, execution, implementation, completion, accomplishment, realization, attainment, acquirement, carrying out or throughachiever NOUN = success, winner, dynamo, high-flyer, doer, go-getter (informal), organizer, active person, overachiever, man or woman of action, wheeler-dealer (informal)aching ADJECTIVE 1 The aching joints and fever should last no longer than a few days. = painful, suffering, hurting, tired, smarting, pounding, raw, tender, sore, throbbing, inflamed, excruciating, agonizing 2 an aching need for approval = longing, anxious, eager, pining, hungering, craving, yearning, languishing, thirsting, ardent, avid, wishful, wistful, hankering, desirousacid ADJECTIVE 1 This apple juice has gone off and is somewhat acid. = sour, sharp, tart, pungent, biting, acidic, acerbic, acrid, acetic, vinegary, acidulous, acidulated, vinegarish, acerb ◼ OPPOSITE: sweet 2 a comedy told with compassion and acid humour = sharp, cutting, biting, severe, bitter, harsh, stinging, scathing, acrimonious, barbed, pungent, hurtful, sarcastic, sardonic, caustic, vitriolic, acerbic, trenchant, mordant, mordacious ◼ OPPOSITE: kindlyacidity NOUN = sourness, bitterness, sharpness, pungency, tartness, acerbity, acridness, acidulousness, acridity, vinegariness, vinegarishnessacknowledge VERB 1 I acknowledge that I made a mistake. = admit, own up to, allow, accept, reveal, grant, declare, recognize, yield, concede, confess, disclose, affirm, profess, divulge, accede, acquiesce, fess up (slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: deny 2 He saw her but refused to even acknowledge her. = greet, address, notice, recognize, salute, nod to, accost, tip your hat to ◼ OPPOSITE: snub 3 They sent me a text acknowledging my request. = reply to, answer, notice, recognize, respond to, come back to, react to, write back to, retort to ◼ OPPOSITE: ignoreacknowledged ADJECTIVE = accepted, admitted, established, confirmed, declared, approved, recognized, well-known, sanctioned, confessed, authorized, professed, accredited, agreed uponacknowledgment or acknowledgement NOUN 1 He appreciated her acknowledgement of his maturity. = recognition, allowing, understanding, yielding, profession, admission, awareness, acceptance, confession, realization, accession, acquiescence 2 He smiled in acknowledgement and gave her a bow. = greeting, welcome, notice, recognition, reception, hail, hailing, salute, salutation (formal) 3 Grateful acknowledgement is made for permission to reprint. = appreciation, answer, thanks, credit, response, reply, reaction, recognition, gratitude, indebtedness, thankfulness, gratefulnessacme NOUN = height, top, crown, summit, peak, climax, crest, optimum, high point, pinnacle, culmination, zenith, apex, apogee, vertex ◼ OPPOSITE: depthsacolyte NOUN 1 To his acolytes, he is known simply as 'The Boss'. = follower, fan, supporter, pupil, convert, believer, admirer, backer, partisan, disciple, devotee, worshipper, apostle, cohort (chiefly U.S.), adherent, henchman, habitué, votary 2 When they reached the shrine, acolytes removed the pall. = attendant, assistant, follower, helper, altar boy or girl, altar serveracquaint VERB = tell, reveal, advise, inform, communicate, disclose, notify, enlighten, divulge, familiarize, apprise, let (someone) knowacquaintance NOUN 1 I exchanged a few words with an old acquaintance. = associate, contact, ally, colleague, comrade, confrère ◼ OPPOSITE: intimate 2 He becomes involved in a real murder mystery through his acquaintance with a police officer. = relationship, association, exchange, connection, intimacy, fellowship, familiarity, companionship, social contact, cognizance, conversance, conversancy ◼ OPPOSITE: unfamiliarityacquainted ADJECTIVE ● acquainted with = familiar with, aware of, in on, experienced in, conscious of, informed of, alive to, privy to, knowledgeable about, versed in, conversant with, apprised of, cognizant of, up to speed with, au fait withacquiesce VERB = submit, agree, accept, approve, yield, bend, surrender, consent, tolerate, comply, give in, conform, succumb, go along with, bow to, cave in (informal), concur, assent, capitulate, accede, play ball (informal), toe the line, hoist the white flag ◼ OPPOSITE: resistacquiescence NOUN = agreement, yielding, approval, acceptance, consent, harmony, giving in, submission, compliance, obedience, conformity, assent, accession, concord, concurrenceacquire VERB = get, win, buy, receive, land (informal), score (slang), gain, achieve, earn, pick up, bag, secure, collect, gather, realize, obtain, attain, amass, procure, come into possession of ◼ OPPOSITE: loseacquisition NOUN 1 the President's recent acquisition of a helicopter = acquiring, gaining, achievement, procurement, attainment, acquirement, obtainment 2 her latest acquisition, a bright red dress = purchase, buy, investment, property, gain, prize, asset, possessionacquisitive ADJECTIVE = greedy, grabbing, grasping, hungry, selfish, avid, predatory, rapacious, avaricious, desirous, covetous ◼ OPPOSITE: generousacquit VERB He was acquitted of disorderly behaviour by magistrates. = clear, free, release, deliver, excuse, relieve, discharge, liberate, vindicate, exonerate, absolve, exculpate ◼ OPPOSITE: find guilty ● acquit yourself Most men acquitted themselves well throughout the action. = behave, bear yourself, conduct yourself, comport yourselfacquittal NOUN = clearance, freeing, release, relief, liberation, discharge, pardon, setting free, vindication, deliverance, absolution, exoneration, exculpationacrid ADJECTIVE 1 The room filled with the acrid smell of tobacco. = pungent, biting, strong, burning, sharp, acid, bitter, harsh, stinging, irritating, caustic, astringent, vitriolic, highly flavoured, acerb 2 He is soured by acrid memories he has dredged up. = harsh, cutting, biting, sharp, bitter, nasty, acrimonious, caustic, vitriolic, trenchant, mordant, mordaciousacrimonious ADJECTIVE = bitter, cutting, biting, sharp, severe, hostile, crabbed, sarcastic, embittered, caustic, petulant, spiteful, churlish, astringent, vitriolic, acerbic, trenchant, irascible, testy, censorious, rancorous, mordant, peevish, splenetic, mordacious ◼ OPPOSITE: good-temperedacrimony NOUN = bitterness, harshness, rancour, ill will, virulence, sarcasm, pungency, asperity, tartness, astringency, irascibility, peevishness, acerbity, churlishness, trenchancy, mordancy ◼ OPPOSITE: goodwillacrobat NOUN = gymnast, balancer, tumbler, tightrope walker, rope walker, funambulistacross PREPOSITION 1 Anyone from the houses across the road could see him. = over, on the other or far side of, past, beyond 2 The film opens across America in December. = throughout, over, all over, right through, all through, covering, straddling, everywhere in, through the whole of, from end to end of, over the length and breadth of ▸ ADVERB Trim toenails straight across using nail clippers. = from side to side, athwart, transversely, crossways or crosswiseacross-the-board ADJECTIVE = general, full, complete, total, sweeping, broad, widespread, comprehensive, universal, blanket, thorough, wholesale, panoramic, indiscriminate, all-inclusive, wall-to-wall, all-embracing, overarching, all-encompassing, thoroughgoing, without exception or omission, one-size-fits-all ◼ OPPOSITE: limitedact VERB 1 I have no reason to doubt that the bank acted properly. = do something, perform, move, function, go about, conduct yourself, undertake something 2 They were just acting tough. = play, seem to be, pose as, pretend to be, posture as, imitate, sham, feign, characterize, enact, personify, impersonate, play the part of 3 She told her parents of her desire to act. = perform, mimic, mime ▸ NOUN 1 My insurance covers acts of sabotage. = deed, action, step, performance, operation, doing, move, blow, achievement, stroke, undertaking, exploit, execution, feat, accomplishment, exertion 2 His anger was real. It wasn't just an act. = pretence, show, front, performance, display, attitude, pose, stance, fake, posture, façade, sham, veneer, counterfeit, feigning, affectation, dissimulation 3 an Act of Parliament = law, bill, measure, resolution, decree, statute, ordinance, enactment, edict 4 Numerous bands are playing, as well as comedy acts. = performance, show, turn, production, routine (informal), presentation, gig (informal), sketch ● act for someone Because we travel so much, we asked a broker to act for us. = stand in for, serve, represent, replace, substitute for, cover for, take the place of, fill in for, deputize for, function in place of ● act on something 1 A patient will usually listen to the doctor's advice and act on it. = obey, follow, carry out, observe, embrace, execute, comply with, heed, conform to, adhere to, abide by, yield to, act upon, be ruled by, act in accordance with, do what is expected 2 The medication acts very fast on the central nervous system. = affect, change, influence, impact, transform, alter, modify ● act up I could hear him acting up downstairs. = misbehave, carry on (informal), cause trouble, mess about, be naughty, horse around (informal), give trouble, give someone grief (Brit. & S. African), give botheracting NOUN She has returned home to pursue her career in acting. = performance, playing, performing, theatre, dramatics, portraying, enacting, portrayal, impersonation, characterization, stagecraft ▸ ADJECTIVE The new acting President has a reputation for being independent. = temporary, substitute, intervening, interim, provisional, surrogate, stopgap, pro temaction NOUN 1 He was the sort of person who didn't like his actions questioned. = deed, move, act, performance, blow, exercise, achievement, stroke, undertaking, exploit, feat, accomplishment, exertion 2 The government is taking emergency action to deal with the crisis. = measure, act, step, operation, manoeuvre 3 a libel action brought by one of the country's top bureaucrats = lawsuit, case, cause, trial, suit, argument, proceeding, dispute, contest, prosecution, litigation 4 Hollywood is where the action is now. = energy, activity, spirit, force, vitality, vigour, liveliness, vim 5 Her description of the action of poisons is very accurate. = effect, working, work, force, power, process, effort, operation, activity, movement, influence, functioning, motion, exertion 6 Ten soldiers were wounded in action. = battle, war, fight, fighting, conflict, clash, contest, encounter, combat, engagement, hostilities, warfare, fray, skirmish, sortie, affrayactivate VERB = start, move, trigger (off), stimulate, turn on, set off, initiate, switch on, propel, rouse, prod, get going, mobilize, kick-start (informal), set in motion, impel, galvanize, set going, actuate ◼ OPPOSITE: stopactivation NOUN = start, triggering, turning on, switching on, animation, arousal, initiation, mobilization, setting in motion, actuationactive ADJECTIVE 1 Having an active youngster about the house can be quite wearing. = busy, involved, occupied, engaged, lively, energetic, bustling, restless, on the move, strenuous, tireless, on the go (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: sluggish 2 the tragedy of an active mind trapped by failing physical health = energetic, strong, spirited, quick, vital, alert, dynamic, lively, vigorous, potent, animated, vibrant, forceful, nimble, diligent, industrious, sprightly, vivacious, on the go (informal), alive and kicking, spry, full of beans (informal), bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: inactive 3 Guerrilla groups are active in the province. = in operation, working, live, running, moving, acting, functioning, stirring, at work, in business, in action, operative, in force, effectual, astiractivist NOUN = militant, partisan, organizer, warrioractivity NOUN 1 There is an extraordinary level of activity in the market. = action, work, life, labour, movement, energy, exercise, spirit, enterprise, motion, bustle, animation, vigour, hustle, exertion, hurly-burly, liveliness, activeness ◼ OPPOSITE: inaction 2 Activities range from canoeing to birdwatching. = pursuit, act, project, scheme, task, pleasure, interest, enterprise, undertaking, occupation, hobby, deed, endeavour, pastime, avocationactor or actress NOUN You have to be a very good actor to play that part. = performer, player, artiste, leading man or lady, Thespian, luvvie (informal), trouper, thesp (informal), play-actor, dramatic artist, tragedian or tragedienne

actual ADJECTIVE 1 They are using local actors or the actual people involved. = genuine, real, true, confirmed, authentic, verified, truthful, bona fide, dinkum (Austral. & N.Z. informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: unreal 2 She had written some notes, but she hadn't started the actual work. = real, substantial (formal), concrete, definite, tangible ◼ OPPOSITE: theoretical

actuality NOUN 1 It exists in dreams rather than actuality. = reality, truth, substance, verity, materiality, realness, substantiality, factuality, corporeality 2 You may theorise, but we are concerned with actualities. = fact, truth, reality, verityactually ADVERB = really, in fact, indeed, essentially, truly, literally, genuinely, in reality, in truth, in actuality, in point of fact, veritably, as a matter of factacumen NOUN = judgment, intelligence, perception, wisdom, insight, wit, ingenuity, sharpness, cleverness, keenness, shrewdness, discernment, perspicacity (formal), sagacity, smartness, smarts (slang, chiefly U.S.), astuteness, acuteness, perspicuityacute ADJECTIVE 1 The war aggravated an acute economic crisis. = serious, important, dangerous, critical, crucial (informal), alarming, severe, grave, sudden, urgent, decisive 2 His back is arched as if in acute pain. = sharp, shooting, powerful, violent, severe, intense, overwhelming, distressing, stabbing, cutting, fierce, piercing, racking, exquisite, poignant, harrowing, overpowering, shrill, excruciating 3 His relaxed exterior hides an extremely acute mind. = perceptive, sharp, keen, smart, sensitive, clever, subtle, piercing, penetrating, discriminating, discerning, ingenious, astute, intuitive, canny, incisive, insightful, observant, perspicacious (formal)adage NOUN = saying, motto, maxim, proverb, dictum, precept, by-word, saw (old-fashioned), axiom, aphorism, apophthegm (rare)adamant ADJECTIVE = determined, firm, fixed, stiff, rigid, set, relentless, stubborn, uncompromising, insistent, resolute, inflexible, unrelenting, inexorable, unyielding, intransigent, immovable, unbending, obdurate, unshakable ◼ OPPOSITE: flexibleadapt VERB 1 Things will be different and we will have to adapt. = adjust, change, match, alter, modify, accommodate, comply, conform, reconcile, harmonize, familiarize, habituate, acclimatize 2 Shelves were built to adapt the library for use as an office. = convert, change, prepare, fit, fashion, make, shape, suit, qualify, transform, alter, modify, tailor, remodel, tweak (informal), metamorphose, customizeadaptability NOUN = flexibility, versatility, resilience, variability, convertibility, plasticity, malleability, pliability, changeability, pliancy, adjustability, compliancy, modifiability, adaptableness, alterabilityadaptable ADJECTIVE 1 They are adaptable foragers that can survive on a wide range of foods. = flexible, variable, versatile, resilient, easy-going, changeable, modifiable, conformable 2 We hope to make the workforce more adaptable and skilled. = adjustable, flexible, compliant, malleable, pliant, plastic, modifiable, alterableadaptation NOUN 1 Most creatures are capable of adaptation when necessary. = acclimatization, naturalization, habituation, familiarization, accustomedness 2 He won two awards for his screen adaptation of the play. = conversion, change, shift, variation, adjustment, transformation, modification, alteration, remodelling, reworking, refittingadd VERB 1 Banks add all the interest and other charges together. = count up, total, reckon, sum up, compute, add up, tot up ◼ OPPOSITE: take away 2 She wants to add a huge sports complex to the hotel. = include, attach, supplement, increase by, adjoin, annex, amplify, augment, affix, append (formal), enlarge by ● add to something Smiles and cheerful faces added to the general good feeling. = increase, boost, expand, strengthen, enhance, step up (informal), intensify, raise, advance, spread, extend, heighten, enlarge, escalate, multiply, inflate, magnify, amplify, augment, proliferate ● add up 1 Many of the children could not add up properly. = count up, add, total, count, reckon, calculate, sum up, compute, tally, tot up, add together 2 They arrested her because her statements did not add up. = make sense, hold up, be reasonable, ring true, be plausible, stand to reason, hold water, bear examination, bear investigation ● add up to something All this adds up to very bad news for the car industry. = mean, reveal, indicate, imply, amount to, signifyaddict NOUN 1 He's only 24 years old and a drug addict. = user, abuser, druggie (informal) 2 She's a TV addict and watches as much as she can. = fan, lover, nut (slang), follower, enthusiast, freak (informal), admirer, buff (informal), junkie (informal), devotee, fiend (informal), adherent, rooter (U.S.), zealot, groupie (slang), aficionado ◼ RELATED WORD: suffix -holicaddicted ADJECTIVE = hooked (informal), dependent ◼ RELATED WORD: suffix -holicaddiction NOUN 1 She helped him fight his drug addiction. = dependence, need, habit, weakness, obsession, attachment, craving, vulnerability, subordination, enslavement, subservience, overreliance 2 (with to) I've developed an addiction to rollercoasters. = love of, passion for, attachment to, fondness for, zeal for, fervour for, ardour foraddictive ADJECTIVE = habit-forming, compelling, compulsive, causing addiction or dependency, moreish or morish (informal)addition NOUN 1 This book is a worthy addition to the series. = extra, supplement, complement, adjunct, increase, gain, bonus, extension, accessory, additive, appendix, increment, appendage, addendum 2 It was completely refurbished with the addition of a picnic site. = inclusion, adding, increasing, extension, attachment, adjoining, insertion, incorporation, annexation, accession, affixing, augmentation ◼ OPPOSITE: removal 3 simple addition and subtraction problems = counting up, totalling, reckoning, summing up, adding up, computation, totting up, summation ◼ OPPOSITE: subtraction ● in addition to There's a postage and packing fee in addition to the repair charge. = as well as, along with, on top of, besides, to boot, additionally, over and above, to say nothing of, into the bargainadditional ADJECTIVE = extra, more, new, other, added, increased, further, fresh, spare, supplementary, auxiliary, ancillary, appendedadditive NOUN = added ingredient, artificial or synthetic ingredient, E number, extra, supplementaddled ADJECTIVE = confused, silly, foolish, at sea, bewildered, mixed-up, muddled, perplexed, flustered, befuddledaddress NOUN 1 The address on the envelope was illegible. = direction, label, inscription, superscription 2 We had turned up for the meeting at the wrong address. = location, home, place, house, point, position, situation, site, spot, venue, lodging, pad (slang, old-fashioned), residence, dwelling (formal, literary), whereabouts, abode, locus, locale, domicile 3 (Computing) = URL, website, addy (informal), IP address, web address 4 The president had scheduled an address to the people for that evening. = speech, talk, lecture, discourse, sermon, dissertation, harangue, homily, oration, spiel (informal), disquisition ▸ VERB 1 She will address a conference on human rights next week. = give a speech to, talk to, speak to, lecture, discourse, harangue, give a talk to, spout to, hold forth to, expound to, orate to, sermonize to 2 The two ministers did not address each other directly. = speak to, talk to, greet, hail, salute, invoke, communicate with, accost, approach, converse with, apostrophize, korero (N.Z.) ● address yourself to something We have addressed ourselves to the problem of ethics throughout. = concentrate on, turn to, focus on, take up, look to, undertake, engage in, take care of, attend to, knuckle down to, devote yourself to, apply yourself toadept ADJECTIVE He is an adept guitar player. = skilful, able, skilled, expert, masterly, practised, accomplished, versed, masterful, proficient, adroit, dexterous ◼ OPPOSITE: unskilled ▸ NOUN He was an adept at getting people to talk confidentially to him. = expert, master, genius, buff (informal), whizz (informal), hotshot (informal), rocket scientist (informal), dab hand (Brit. informal), maven (U.S.)adequacy NOUN = sufficiency, capability, competence, suitability, tolerability, fairness, commensurateness, requisiteness, satisfactorinessadequate ADJECTIVE 1 One in four people are without adequate homes. = passable, acceptable, middling, average, fair, ordinary, moderate, satisfactory, competent, mediocre, so-so (informal), tolerable, up to scratch (informal), presentable, unexceptional ◼ OPPOSITE: inadequate 2 an amount adequate to purchase another house = sufficient, enough, capable, suitable, requisite ◼ OPPOSITE: insufficientadherent NOUN Communism was gaining adherents in Latin America. = supporter, fan, advocate, follower, admirer, partisan, disciple, protagonist, devotee, henchman or woman or person, hanger-on, upholder, sectary ◼ OPPOSITE: opponent ▸ ADJECTIVE an adherent bandage = adhering, holding, sticking, clinging, sticky, tacky, adhesive, tenacious, glutinous, gummy, gluey, mucilaginousadhere to VERB 1 All members adhere to a strict code of practice. = follow, keep, maintain, respect, observe, be true, fulfil, obey, heed, keep to, abide by, be loyal, mind, be constant, be faithful 2 He urged them to adhere to the values of Islam. = be faithful, follow, support, respect, observe, be true, obey, be devoted, be attached, keep to, be loyal 3 Small particles adhere to the seed. = stick to, attach to, cling to, unite to, glue to, fix to, fasten to, hold fast to, paste to, cement to, cleave to, glue on to, stick fast to, cohere toadhesion NOUN = sticking, grip, attachment, cohesion, coherence, adherence, adhesiveness

adhesive NOUN Glue the mirror in with a strong adhesive. = glue, cement, gum, paste, mucilage ▸ ADJECTIVE adhesive tape = sticky, holding, sticking, attaching, clinging, adhering, tacky, cohesive, tenacious, glutinous, gummy, gluey, mucilaginousad hoc ADJECTIVE An ad hoc committee was set up to examine the problem. = makeshift, emergency, improvised, impromptu, expedient, stopgap, jury-rigged (chiefly Nautical) ◼ OPPOSITE: permanentadjacent ADJECTIVE The fire quickly spread to adjacent shops. = adjoining, neighbouring, nearby, abutting ◼ OPPOSITE: far awayadjoin VERB = connect with or to, join, neighbour (on), link with, attach to, combine with, couple with, communicate with, touch on, border on, annex, approximate, unite with, verge on, impinge on, append (formal), affix to, interconnect withadjoining ADJECTIVE = connecting, nearby, joined, joining, touching, bordering, neighbouring, next door, adjacent, interconnecting, abutting, contiguous (formal)adjourn VERB = postpone, delay, suspend, interrupt, put off, stay, defer, recess, discontinue, put on the back burner (informal), prorogue, take a rain check on (U.S. & Canad. informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: continueadjournment NOUN = postponement, delay, suspension, putting off, stay, recess, interruption, deferment, deferral, discontinuation, prorogationadjudge VERB = judge, determine, declare, decide, assign, pronounce, decree, apportion, adjudicateadjudicate VERB 1 = decide, judge, determine, settle, mediate, adjudge, arbitrate 2 = judge, referee, umpireadjudication NOUN = judgment, finding, ruling, decision, settlement, conclusion, verdict, determination, arbitration, pronouncement, adjudgmentadjudicator NOUN = judge, referee, umpire, umpie (Austral. slang), arbiter, arbitrator, moderatoradjunct NOUN = addition, supplement, accessory, complement, auxiliary, add-on, appendage, addendum, appurtenanceadjust VERB 1 I felt I had adjusted to the idea of being a mother very well. = adapt, change, settle, convert, alter, accommodate, dispose, get used, accustom, conform, reconcile, harmonize, acclimatize, familiarize yourself, attune 2 To attract investors the country has adjusted its tax laws. = change, order, reform, fix, arrange, alter, adapt, revise, modify, set, regulate, amend, reconcile, remodel, redress, rectify, recast, customize, make conform 3 Liz adjusted her mirror and edged the car out. = modify, arrange, fix, tune (up), alter, adapt, remodel, tweak (informal), customizeadjustable ADJECTIVE = alterable, flexible, adaptable, malleable, movable, tractable, modifiable, mouldableadjustment NOUN 1 A technician made an adjustment to a smoke machine at the back. = alteration, setting, change, ordering, fixing, arrangement, tuning, repair, conversion, modifying, adaptation, modification, remodelling, redress, refinement, rectification 2 He will need a period of adjustment. = acclimatization, settling in, orientation, familiarization, change, regulation, settlement, amendment, reconciliation, adaptation, accustoming, revision, modification, naturalization, acculturation, harmonization, habituation, acclimation, inurementadminister VERB 1 Next summer's exams will be straightforward to administer. = manage, run, control, rule, direct, handle, conduct, command, govern, oversee, supervise, preside over, be in charge of, superintend 2 The doctor came to watch the nurses administer the medications. = dispense, give, share, provide, apply, distribute, assign, allocate, allot, dole out, apportion, deal out 3 He is shown administering most of the blows. = execute, do, give, provide, apply, perform, carry out, impose, realize, implement, enforce, render, discharge, enact, dispense, mete out, bring offadministration NOUN 1 Standards in the administration of justice have degenerated. = management, government, running, control, performance, handling, direction, conduct, application, command, provision, distribution, governing, administering, execution, overseeing, supervision, manipulation, governance, dispensation, superintendence 2 They would like the college administration to exert more control. = directors, board, executive(s), bosses (informal), management, employers, directorate 3 He served in posts in both the Ford and Carter administrations. = government, authority, executive, leadership, ministry, regime, governing bodyadministrative ADJECTIVE = managerial, executive, management, directing, regulatory, governmental, organizational, supervisory, directorial, gubernatorial (chiefly U.S.)administrator NOUN = manager, head, official, director, officer, executive, minister, boss (informal), agent, governor, controller, supervisor, bureaucrat, superintendent, gaffer (informal, chiefly Brit.), organizer, mandarin, functionary, overseeradmirable ADJECTIVE = praiseworthy, good, great (informal), fine, capital, noted, choice, champion, prime, select, wonderful, excellent, brilliant, rare, cracking (Brit. informal), outstanding, valuable, superb, distinguished, superior, sterling, worthy, first-class, notable, sovereign, dope (slang), world-class, exquisite, exemplary, first-rate, superlative, commendable, top-notch (informal), brill (informal), laudable, meritorious, estimable, tiptop, A1 or A-one (informal), bitchin' (U.S. slang), chillin' (U.S. slang), booshit (Austral. slang), exo (Austral. slang), sik (Austral. slang), ka pai (N.Z.), rad (informal), phat (slang), schmick (Austral. informal), beaut (informal), barrie (Scot. slang), belting (Brit. slang), pearler (Austral. slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: deplorableadmiration NOUN = regard, surprise, wonder, respect, delight, pleasure, praise, approval, recognition, affection, esteem, appreciation, amazement, astonishment, reverence, deference, adoration, veneration, wonderment, approbationadmire VERB 1 He admired the way she had coped with life. = respect, value, prize, honour, praise, appreciate, esteem, approve of, revere, venerate, take your hat off to, have a good or high opinion of, think highly of ◼ OPPOSITE: despise 2 I admired her when I first met her and I still think she's marvellous. = adore, like, love, desire, take to, go for, fancy (Brit. informal), treasure, worship, cherish, glorify, look up to, dote on, hold dear, be captivated by, have an eye for, find attractive, idolize, take a liking to, be infatuated with, be enamoured of, lavish affection on 3 We took time to stop and admire the view. = marvel at, look at, appreciate, delight in, gaze at, wonder at, be amazed by, take pleasure in, gape at, be awed by, goggle at, be filled with surprise byadmirer NOUN 1 He was an admirer of her grandmother's paintings. = fan, supporter, follower, enthusiast, partisan, disciple, buff (informal), protagonist, devotee, worshipper, adherent, votary 2 Susie had caught the eye of many an admirer. = suitor, lover, beau (old-fashioned), wooeradmissible ADJECTIVE = permissible, allowed, permitted, acceptable, tolerated, tolerable, passable, allowable ◼ OPPOSITE: inadmissibleadmission NOUN 1 There has been a slight increase in hospital admissions. = admittance, access, entry, introduction, entrance, acceptance, initiation, entrée, ingress 2 She wanted an admission of guilt from her father. = confession, admitting, profession, declaration, revelation, concession, allowance, disclosure, acknowledgement, affirmation, unburdening, avowal, divulgence, unbosomingadmit VERB 1 A huge proportion of them admit to regularly breaking the laws of the road. = confess, own up, confide, profess, own up, come clean (informal), avow, come out of the closet, sing (slang, chiefly U.S.), cough (slang), spill your guts (slang), fess up (slang) 2 I am willing to admit that I do make mistakes. = allow, agree, accept, reveal, grant, declare, acknowledge, recognize, concede, disclose, affirm, divulge ◼ OPPOSITE: deny 3 Journalists are rarely admitted to the region. = let in, allow, receive, accept, introduce, take in, initiate, give access to, allow to enter ◼ OPPOSITE: keep outadmittance NOUN = access, entry, way in, passage, entrance, reception, acceptanceadmittedly ADVERB = it must be admitted, certainly, undeniably, it must be said, to be fair or honest, avowedly, it cannot be denied, it must be allowed, confessedly, it must be confessed, allowedlyadmonish VERB 1 They admonished me for taking risks with my health. = reprimand, caution, censure, rebuke, scold, berate, check, chide, tear into (informal), tell off (informal), reprove, upbraid, read the riot act to someone, carpet (informal), chew out (U.S. & Canad. informal), tear someone off a strip (Brit. informal), give someone a rocket (Brit. & N.Z. informal), slap someone on the wrist, rap someone over the knuckles ◼ OPPOSITE: praise 2 Your doctor may one day admonish you to improve your posture. = advise, suggest, warn, urge, recommend, counsel, caution, prescribe, exhort (formal), enjoin, forewarnadmonition NOUN = reprimand, warning, advice, counsel, caution, rebuke, reproach, scolding, berating, chiding, telling off (informal), upbraiding, reproof, remonstrance (formal)ado NOUN = fuss, to-do, trouble, delay, bother, stir, confusion, excitement, disturbance, bustle, flurry, agitation, commotion, pother (literary)adolescence NOUN = teens, youth, minority, boyhood, girlhood, juvenescenceadolescent ADJECTIVE 1 her adolescent years = young, growing, junior, teenage, juvenile, youthful, childish, immature, boyish, undeveloped, girlish, puerile, in the springtime of life 2 An adolescent should have an adult in whom they can confide. = immature, young, teen (informal), juvenile, youthful ▸ NOUN Adolescents are happiest with small groups of close friends. = teenager, girl, boy, kid (informal), youth, lad, minor, young man, youngster, young woman, juvenile, young person, lass, young adultadopt VERB 1 Pupils should be helped to adopt a positive approach. = take on, follow, support, choose, accept, maintain, assume, select, take over, approve, appropriate, take up, embrace, engage in, endorse, ratify, become involved in, espouse 2 There are hundreds of people desperate to adopt a child. = take in, raise, nurse, parent, rear, foster, bring up, take care of ◼ OPPOSITE: abandonadoption NOUN 1 They gave their babies up for adoption. = fostering, adopting, taking in, fosterage 2 the adoption of Japanese management practices = embracing, choice, taking on, taking up, support, taking over, selection, approval, following, assumption, maintenance, acceptance, endorsement, appropriation, ratification, approbation, espousaladorable ADJECTIVE = lovable, pleasing, appealing, dear, sweet, attractive, charming, precious, darling, fetching (informal), delightful, cute, captivating, cutesy (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: hatefuladoration NOUN = love, honour, worship, worshipping, esteem, admiration, reverence, estimation, exaltation, veneration, glorification, idolatry, idolizationadore VERB = love, honour, admire, worship, esteem, cherish, bow to, revere, dote on, idolize ◼ OPPOSITE: hateadoring ADJECTIVE = admiring, loving, devoted, worshipping, fond, affectionate, ardent, doting, venerating, enamoured, reverential, reverent, idolizing, adulatory ◼ OPPOSITE: hatingadorn VERB = decorate, enhance, deck, trim, grace, array, enrich, garnish, ornament, embellish, emblazon, festoon, bedeck, beautify, engarlandadornment NOUN 1 a building without any adornment or decoration = decoration, trimming, supplement, accessory, ornament, frill, festoon, embellishment, frippery 2 Cosmetics are used for adornment. = beautification, decorating, decoration, embellishment, ornamentationadrift ADJECTIVE 1 They were spotted adrift in a dinghy. = drifting, afloat, cast off, unmoored, aweigh, unanchored 2 She had the growing sense that she was adrift and isolated. = aimless, goalless, directionless, purposeless ▸ ADVERB They are trying to place the blame for a policy that has gone adrift. = wrong, astray, off course, amiss, off target, wide of the markadroit ADJECTIVE = skilful, able, skilled, expert, bright, clever, apt, cunning, ingenious, adept, deft, nimble, masterful, proficient, artful, quick-witted, dexterous ◼ OPPOSITE: unskilfuladulation NOUN = extravagant flattery, worship, fawning, sycophancy, fulsome praise, blandishment, bootlicking (informal), servile flattery ◼ OPPOSITE: ridiculeadult NOUN Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. = grown-up, mature person, person of mature age, grown or grown-up person, man or woman ▸ ADJECTIVE 1 a pair of adult birds = fully grown, mature, grown-up, of age, ripe, fully fledged, fully developed, full grown 2 people working in the adult entertainment industry = pornographic, blue (old-fashioned), dirty, offensive, sexy, erotic, porn (informal), obscene, taboo, filthy, indecent, sensual, hard-core, lewd, carnal (formal), porno (informal), X-rated (informal), salacious (formal), prurient (formal), smuttyadulterer or adulteress NOUN = cheat (informal), love rat (slang), love cheat (slang), fornicatoradulterous ADJECTIVE = unfaithful, cheating (informal), extramarital, fornicating, unchasteadultery NOUN = unfaithfulness, infidelity, cheating (informal), fornication, playing the field (slang), extramarital sex, playing away from home (slang), illicit sex, unchastity, extramarital relations, extracurricular sex (informal), extramarital congress, having an affair or a fling ◼ OPPOSITE: faithfulnessadvance VERB 1 Rebel forces are advancing on the capital. = progress, proceed, go ahead, move up, come forward, go forward, press on, gain ground, make inroads, make headway, make your way, cover ground, make strides, move onward ◼ OPPOSITE: retreat 2 Too much protein in the diet may advance the ageing process. = accelerate, speed, promote, hurry (up), step up (informal), hasten, precipitate, quicken, bring forward, push forward, expedite, send forward, crack on (informal) 3 The country has advanced from a rural society to an industrial power. = improve, rise, grow, develop, reform, pick up, progress, thrive, upgrade, multiply, prosper, make strides 4 Many theories have been advanced as to why this is. = suggest, offer, present, propose, allege, cite, advocate, submit, prescribe, put forward, proffer, adduce, offer as a suggestion ◼ OPPOSITE: withhold 5 I advanced him some money, which he promised to repay. = lend, loan, accommodate someone with, supply on credit ◼ OPPOSITE: withhold payment ▸ NOUN 1 She was paid a £100,000 advance for her next two novels. = down payment, credit, fee, deposit, retainer, prepayment, loan 2 They simulated an advance on enemy positions. = attack, charge, strike, rush, assault, raid, invasion, offensive, onslaught, advancement, foray, incursion, forward movement, onward movement 3 These two vaccines are a huge advance for preventing cancer. = improvement, development, gain, growth, breakthrough, advancement, step, headway, inroads, betterment, furtherance, forward movement, amelioration, onward movement ▸ ADJECTIVE The event received little advance publicity. = prior, early, previous, beforehand ● in advance The subject of the talk is announced a week in advance. = beforehand, earlier, ahead, previously, pre-need, in the lead, in the forefrontadvanced ADJECTIVE = sophisticated, foremost, modern, revolutionary, up-to-date, higher, leading, recent, prime, forward, ahead, supreme, extreme, principal, progressive, paramount, state-of-the-art, avant-garde, precocious, pre-eminent, up-to-the-minute, ahead of the times ◼ OPPOSITE: backwardadvancement NOUN 1 He cared little for social advancement. = promotion, rise, gain, growth, advance, progress, improvement, betterment, preferment, amelioration 2 her work for the advancement of the status of women = progress, advance, headway, forward movement, onward movementadvantage NOUN 1 A good crowd will be a definite advantage to the team. = benefit, use, start, help, service, aid, profit, favour, asset, assistance, blessing, utility, boon, ace in the hole, ace up your sleeve ◼ OPPOSITE: disadvantage 2 Men still have an economic position of advantage over women. = lead, control, edge, sway, dominance, superiority, upper hand, precedence, primacy, pre-eminence 3 The great advantage of home-grown fruit is its magnificent flavour. = superiority, good, worth, gain, comfort, welfare, enjoyment, mileage (informal)advantageous ADJECTIVE 1 Free exchange of goods was advantageous to all. = beneficial, useful, valuable, helpful, profitable, of service, convenient, worthwhile, expedient ◼ OPPOSITE: unfavourable 2 She was determined to prise what she could from an advantageous situation. = superior, dominating, commanding, dominant, important, powerful, favourable, fortuitousadvent NOUN = coming, approach, appearance, arrival, entrance, onset, occurrence, visitationadventure NOUN I set off for a new adventure in the US on the first day of the year. = venture, experience, chance, risk, incident, enterprise, speculation, undertaking, exploit, fling, hazard, occurrence, contingency, caper, escapade ▸ VERB The group has adventured as far as the Alps. = venture, risk, brave, dareadventurer NOUN 1 ambitious political adventurers = mercenary, rogue, gambler, speculator, opportunist, charlatan, fortune-hunter 2 A round-the-world adventurer was killed when her plane crashed. = venturer, hero, traveller, heroine, wanderer, voyager, daredevil, soldier of fortune, swashbuckler, knight-errantadventurous ADJECTIVE = daring, dangerous, enterprising, bold, risky, rash, have-a-go (informal), hazardous, reckless, audacious, intrepid, foolhardy, daredevil, headstrong, venturesome, adventuresome, temerarious (rare) ◼ OPPOSITE: cautiousadversary NOUN = opponent, rival, opposer, enemy, competitor, foe (formal, literary), contestant, antagonist ◼ OPPOSITE: allyadverse ADJECTIVE 1 The decision would have no adverse effect on the investigation. = harmful, damaging, conflicting, dangerous, opposite, negative, destructive, detrimental, hurtful, antagonistic, injurious, inimical, inopportune, disadvantageous, unpropitious, inexpedient ◼ OPPOSITE: beneficial 2 Despite the adverse conditions, the road was finished in just eight months. = unfavourable, bad, threatening, hostile, unfortunate, unlucky, ominous, unfriendly, untimely, unsuited, ill-suited, inopportune, disadvantageous, unseasonable 3 The campaign has received adverse publicity. = negative, opposing, reluctant, hostile, contrary, dissenting, unwilling, unfriendly, unsympathetic, ill-disposedadversity NOUN = hardship, trouble, distress, suffering, trial, disaster, reverse, misery, hard times, catastrophe, sorrow, woe, misfortune, bad luck, deep water, calamity, mishap, affliction, wretchedness, ill-fortune, ill-luckadvert NOUN = advertisement, bill, notice, display, commercial, ad (informal), announcement, promotion, publicity, poster, plug (informal), puff, circular, placard, blurb, banner adadvertise VERB = publicize, promote, plug (informal), announce, publish, push (informal), display, declare, broadcast, advise, inform, praise, proclaim, puff, hype, notify, tout, flaunt, crack up (informal), promulgate, make known, apprise, beat the drum (informal), blazon, bring to public noticeadvertisement NOUN = advert (Brit.), bill, notice, display, commercial, ad (informal), announcement, promotion, publicity, poster, plug (informal), puff, circular, placard, blurbadvice NOUN 1 Don't be afraid to ask for advice when ordering a meal. = guidance, help, opinion, direction, suggestion, instruction, counsel, counselling, recommendation, injunction, admonition 2 Most have now left the country on the advice of their governments. = instruction, notification, view, information, warning, teaching, notice, word, intelligenceadvisable ADJECTIVE = wise, seemly, sound, suggested, fitting, fit, politic, recommended, appropriate, suitable, sensible, proper, profitable, desirable, apt, prudent, expedient, judicious ◼ OPPOSITE: unwiseadvise VERB 1 I would strongly advise against it. = recommend, suggest, urge, counsel, advocate, caution, prescribe, commend, admonish, enjoin 2 I must advise you of my decision to retire. = notify, tell, report, announce, warn, declare, inform, acquaint, make known, apprise, let (someone) knowadviser NOUN = counsellor, authority, teacher, coach, guide, lawyer, consultant, solicitor, counsel, aide, tutor, guru, mentor, helper, confidant, right-hand man or woman or person, consigliereadvisory ADJECTIVE = advising, helping, recommending, counselling, consultativeadvocacy NOUN = recommendation, support, defence, championing, backing, proposal, urging, promotion, campaigning for, upholding, encouragement, justification, argument for, advancement, pleading for, propagation, espousal, promulgation, boosterism, spokesmanshipadvocate VERB They advocate fewer government controls on business. = recommend, support, champion, encourage, propose, favour, defend, promote, urge, advise, justify, endorse, campaign for, prescribe, speak for, uphold, press for, argue for, commend, plead for, espouse, countenance, hold a brief for (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: oppose ▸ NOUN 1 He was a strong advocate of free market policies. = supporter, spokesman or woman or person, champion, defender, speaker, pleader, campaigner, promoter, counsellor, backer, proponent, apostle, apologist, upholder, proposer 2 When she became an advocate there were only a few women practising. = lawyer, attorney, solicitor, counsel, barristeraegis NOUN = support, backing, wing, favour, protection, shelter, sponsorship, patronage, advocacy, auspices, guardianshipaesthetic ADJECTIVE = ornamental, artistic, pleasing, pretty, fancy, enhancing, decorative, tasteful, beautifying, nonfunctional