Читать книгу Collins English Thesaurus Essential - Collins Dictionaries, Collins Dictionaries - Страница 121

appal VERB = horrify, shock, alarm, frighten, scare, terrify, outrage, disgust, dishearten, revolt, intimidate, dismay, daunt, sicken, astound, harrow, unnerve, petrify, scandalize, make your hair stand on end (informal)appalled ADJECTIVE = horrified, shocked, stunned, alarmed, frightened, scared, terrified, outraged, dismayed, daunted, astounded, unnerved, disquieted, petrified, disheartenedappalling ADJECTIVE 1 They have been living under the most appalling conditions. = horrifying, shocking (informal), terrible, alarming, frightening, scaring, awful, terrifying, horrible, grim, dreadful, intimidating, dismaying, horrific, fearful (informal), daunting, dire, astounding, ghastly, hideous, shameful, harrowing, vile, unnerving, petrifying, horrid, unspeakable, frightful, nightmarish, abominable, disheartening, godawful (slang), hellacious (U.S. slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: reassuring 2 I've got the most appalling headache. = awful, terrible, tremendous, distressing, horrible, dreadful, horrendous, ghastly, godawful (slang)apparatus NOUN 1 a massive bureaucratic apparatus = organization, system, network, structure, bureaucracy, hierarchy, setup (informal), chain of command 2 He was rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus. = equipment, machine, tackle, gear, means, materials, device, tools, implements, mechanism, outfit, machinery, appliance, utensils, contraption (informal)apparel NOUN = clothing, dress, clothes, equipment, gear (informal), habit, outfit, costume, threads (slang), array (poetic), garments, robes, trappings, attire, garb, accoutrements, vestments, raiment (archaic, poetic), schmutter (slang), habilimentsapparent ADJECTIVE 1 I was a bit depressed by our apparent lack of progress. = seeming, supposed, alleged, outward, exterior, superficial, ostensible, specious ◼ OPPOSITE: actual 2 The presence of a star is already apparent in the early film. = obvious, marked, clear, plain, visible, bold, patent, evident, distinct, open, understandable, manifest, noticeable, blatant, conspicuous, overt, unmistakable, palpable, undeniable, discernible, salient, self-evident, indisputable, much in evidence, undisguised, unconcealed, indubitable, staring you in the face (informal), plain as the nose on your face ◼ OPPOSITE: unclearapparently ADVERB = seemingly, outwardly, ostensibly, speciouslyapparition NOUN = ghost, spirit, shade (literary), phantom, spectre, spook (informal), wraith, chimera, revenant, visitant, eidolon, atua (N.Z.), kehua (N.Z.)appeal VERB The UN has appealed for help from the international community. = plead, call, ask, apply, refer, request, sue, lobby, pray, beg, petition, solicit, implore, beseech, entreat, importune, adjure, supplicate ◼ OPPOSITE: refuse ▸ NOUN 1 The government issued a last-minute appeal to him to return. = plea, call, application, request, prayer, petition, overture, invocation, solicitation, entreaty, supplication (formal), suit, cry from the heart, adjuration ◼ OPPOSITE: refusal 2 It was meant to give the party greater public appeal. = attraction, charm, fascination, charisma, beauty, attractiveness, allure, magnetism, enchantment, seductiveness, interestingness, engagingness, pleasingness ◼ OPPOSITE: repulsiveness ● appeal to someone The idea appealed to him. = attract, interest, draw (informal), please, invite, engage, charm, fascinate, tempt, lure, entice, enchant, captivate, allure, bewitchappealing ADJECTIVE = attractive, inviting, engaging, charming, winning, desirable, endearing, alluring, winsome, prepossessing ◼ OPPOSITE: repellentappear VERB 1 It appears that some missiles have been moved. = seem, be clear, be obvious, be evident, look (like or as if), be apparent, be plain, be manifest, be patent 2 He did his best to appear more confident than he felt. = look (like or as if), seem, occur, look to be, come across as, strike you as 3 A woman appeared at the far end of the street. = come into view, emerge, occur, attend, surface, come out, turn out, arise, turn up, be present, loom, show (informal), issue, develop, arrive, show up (informal), come to light, crop up (informal), materialize, come forth, come into sight, show your face ◼ OPPOSITE: disappear 4 a poem which appeared in his last collection of verse = come into being, come out, be published, be developed, be created, be invented, become available, come into existence 5 She appeared in several of her own plays. = perform, play, act, enter, come on, take part, play a part, be exhibited, come onstageappearance NOUN 1 He had the appearance of a college student. = look, face, form, air, figure, image, looks, bearing, aspect, manner, expression, demeanour, mien (literary) 2 The sudden appearance of the deer caught me by surprise. = arrival, appearing, presence, turning up, introduction, showing up (informal), emergence, advent 3 They gave the appearance of being on both sides. = impression, air, front, image, illusion, guise, façade, pretence, veneer, semblance, outward showappease VERB 1 The offer has not appeased separatists. = pacify, satisfy, calm, soothe, quiet, placate, mollify, conciliate ◼ OPPOSITE: anger 2 Cash is on hand to appease mounting frustration. = ease, satisfy, calm, relieve, diminish, compose, quiet, blunt, soothe, subdue, lessen, alleviate, lull, quell, allay, mitigate, assuage, quench, tranquillizeappeasement NOUN 1 He denies there is a policy of appeasement. = pacification, compromise, accommodation, concession, conciliation, acceding, propitiation, mollification, placation 2 the appeasement of terror = easing, relieving, satisfaction, softening, blunting, soothing, quieting, lessening, lulling, quelling, solace, quenching, mitigation, abatement, alleviation, assuagement, tranquillizationappellation NOUN = name, term, style, title, address, description, designation, epithet, sobriquetappend VERB = add, attach, join, hang, adjoin, fasten, annex, tag on, affix, tack on, subjoin ◼ OPPOSITE: detachappendage NOUN = attachment, addition, supplement, accessory, appendix, auxiliary, affix, ancillary, adjunct, annexe, addendum, appurtenanceappendix NOUN = supplement, add-on, postscript, adjunct, appendage, addendum, addition, codicilappetite NOUN 1 a slight fever, headache and loss of appetite = hunger 2 our growing appetite for scandal = desire, liking, longing, demand, taste, passion, stomach, hunger, willingness, relish, craving, yearning, inclination, zeal, zest, propensity, hankering, proclivity, appetence, appetency ◼ OPPOSITE: distasteappetizer NOUN = hors d'oeuvre, titbit, antipasto, canapéapplaud VERB 1 The audience laughed and applauded. = clap, encourage, praise, cheer, hail, acclaim, laud (literary), give (someone) a big hand ◼ OPPOSITE: boo 2 You should be applauded for your courage. = praise, celebrate, approve, acclaim, compliment, salute, commend, extol, crack up (informal), big up (slang), eulogize ◼ OPPOSITE: criticizeapplause NOUN = ovation, praise, cheering, cheers, approval, acclaim, clapping, accolade, big hand, commendation, hand-clapping, approbation, acclamation, eulogizing, plauditappliance NOUN = device, machine, tool, instrument, implement, mechanism, apparatus, gadget, waldoapplicable ADJECTIVE = appropriate, fitting, fit, suited, useful, suitable, relevant, to the point, apt, pertinent, befitting, apposite, apropos, germane, to the purpose ◼ OPPOSITE: inappropriateapplicant NOUN = candidate, entrant, claimant, suitor, petitioner, aspirant, inquirer, job-seeker, suppliant, postulantapplication NOUN 1 His application for membership was rejected. = request, claim, demand, appeal, suit, inquiry, plea, petition, requisition, solicitation 2 Students learned the practical application of the theory. = relevance, use, value, practice, bearing, exercise, purpose, function, appropriateness, aptness, pertinence, appositeness, germaneness 3 his immense talent and unremitting application = effort, work, study, industry, labour, trouble, attention, struggle, pains, commitment, hard work, endeavour, dedication, toil, diligence, perseverance, travail (literary), attentiveness, assiduity, blood, sweat, and tears (informal) 4 = program, package, software, app (informal), killer application or killer appapply VERB 1 I am continuing to apply for jobs. = request, seek, appeal, put in, petition, inquire, solicit, claim, sue, requisition, make application 2 The rule applies where a person owns stock in a company. = be relevant, concern, relate, refer, be fitting, be appropriate, be significant, fit, suit, pertain, be applicable, bear upon, appertain 3 The government appears to be applying the same principle. = use, exercise, carry out, employ, engage, implement, practise, execute, assign, administer, exert, enact, utilize, bring to bear, put to use, bring into play 4 Applying the dye can be messy, particularly on long hair. = put on, work in, cover with, lay on, paint on, anoint, spread on, rub in, smear on, shampoo in, bring into contact with ● apply yourself If you apply yourself, there's no reason why you shouldn't pass. = work hard, concentrate, study, pay attention, try, commit yourself, buckle down (informal), be assiduous, devote yourself, be diligent, dedicate yourself, make an effort, address yourself, be industrious, persevereappoint VERB 1 It made sense to appoint a banker to this job. = assign, name, choose, commission, select, elect, install, delegate, nominate ◼ OPPOSITE: fire 2 We met at the time appointed. = decide, set, choose, establish, determine, settle, fix, arrange, specify, assign, designate, allot ◼ OPPOSITE: cancelappointed ADJECTIVE 1 The appointed hour for the ceremony was drawing near. = decided, set, chosen, established, determined, settled, fixed, arranged, assigned, designated, allotted 2 The recently appointed captain led by example in the first game. = assigned, named, chosen, commissioned, selected, elected, installed, delegated, nominated 3 beautiful, well-appointed houses = equipped, provided, supplied, furnished, fitted outappointment NOUN 1 his appointment as foreign minister in 2015 = selection, naming, election, choosing, choice, commissioning, delegation, nomination, installation, assignment, allotment, designation 2 He is to take up an appointment as a researcher with the Society. = job, office, position, post, situation, place, station, employment, assignment, berth (informal) 3 She has an appointment with her accountant. = meeting, interview, date, session, arrangement, consultation, engagement, fixture, rendezvous, tryst (archaic), assignation 4 He is the new appointment at RSA. = appointee, candidate, representative, delegate, nominee, office-holderapportion VERB = divide, share, deal, distribute, assign, allocate, dispense, give out, allot, mete out, dole out, measure out, parcel out, ration outapposite ADJECTIVE = appropriate, fitting, suited, suitable, relevant, proper, to the point, apt, applicable, pertinent, befitting, apropos, germane, to the purpose, appertaining ◼ OPPOSITE: inappropriateappraisal NOUN 1 Self-appraisal is never easy. = assessment, opinion, estimate, judgment, evaluation, estimation, sizing up (informal), recce (slang) 2 He has resisted being drawn into the business of cost appraisal. = valuation, pricing, rating, survey, reckoning, assayappraise VERB = assess, judge, review, estimate, survey, price, rate, value, evaluate, inspect, gauge, size up (informal), eye up, assay, recce (slang)

appreciable ADJECTIVE = significant, marked, obvious, considerable, substantial, visible, evident, pronounced, definite, noticeable, clear-cut, discernible, measurable, material, recognizable, detectable, perceptible, distinguishable, ascertainable, perceivable ◼ OPPOSITE: insignificantappreciably ADVERB = significantly, obviously, definitely, considerably, substantially, evidently, visibly, markedly, noticeably, palpably, perceptively, measurably, recognizably, discernibly, detectably, distinguishably, perceivably, ascertainablyappreciate VERB 1 Anyone can appreciate our music. = enjoy, like, value, regard, respect, prize, admire, treasure, esteem, relish, cherish, savour, rate highly ◼ OPPOSITE: scorn 2 She never really appreciated the depth of the conflict. = be aware of, know, understand, estimate, realize, acknowledge, recognize, perceive, comprehend, take account of, be sensitive to, be conscious of, sympathize with, be alive to, be cognizant of ◼ OPPOSITE: be unaware of 3 I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention that. = be grateful for, be obliged for, be thankful for, give thanks for, be indebted for, be in debt for, be appreciative of ◼ OPPOSITE: be ungrateful for 4 There is little confidence that houses will appreciate in value. = increase, rise, grow, gain, improve, mount, enhance, soar, inflate ◼ OPPOSITE: fallappreciation NOUN 1 They cheered in appreciation. = admiration, liking, respect, assessment, esteem, relish, valuation, enjoyment, appraisal, estimation, responsiveness 2 the gifts presented to them in appreciation of their work = gratitude, thanks, recognition, obligation, acknowledgment, indebtedness, thankfulness, gratefulness ◼ OPPOSITE: ingratitude 3 They have a strong appreciation of the importance of economic incentives. = awareness, understanding, regard, knowledge, recognition, perception, sympathy, consciousness, sensitivity, realization, comprehension, familiarity, mindfulness, cognizance ◼ OPPOSITE: ignorance 4 You have to take capital appreciation of the property into account. = increase, rise, gain, growth, inflation, improvement, escalation, enhancement ◼ OPPOSITE: fall 5 I had written an appreciation of his work for a magazine. = review, report, notice, analysis, criticism, praise, assessment, recognition, tribute, evaluation, critique, acclamationappreciative ADJECTIVE 1 There is a murmur of appreciative laughter. = enthusiastic, understanding, pleased, aware, sensitive, conscious, admiring, sympathetic, supportive, responsive, knowledgeable, respectful, mindful, perceptive, in the know (informal), cognizant, regardful 2 We are very appreciative of their support. = grateful, obliged, thankful, indebted, beholdenapprehend VERB 1 Police have not apprehended the perpetrator. = arrest, catch, lift (slang), nick (slang, chiefly Brit.), capture, seize, run in (slang), take, nail (informal), bust (informal), collar (informal), pinch (informal), nab (informal), take prisoner, feel your collar (slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: release 2 Only now can I begin to apprehend the power of these forces. = understand, know, think, believe, imagine, realize, recognize, appreciate, perceive, grasp, conceive, comprehend, get the message, get the picture ◼ OPPOSITE: be unaware ofapprehension NOUN 1 It reflects real anger and apprehension about the future. = anxiety, concern, fear, worry, doubt, alarm, suspicion, dread, unease, mistrust, misgiving, disquiet, premonition, trepidation (formal), foreboding, uneasiness, pins and needles, apprehensiveness ◼ OPPOSITE: confidence 2 information leading to the apprehension of the alleged killer = arrest, catching, capture, taking, seizure ◼ OPPOSITE: release 3 the sudden apprehension of something = awareness, understanding, knowledge, intelligence, ken, perception, grasp, comprehension ◼ OPPOSITE: incomprehensionapprehensive ADJECTIVE = anxious, concerned, worried, afraid, alarmed, nervous, suspicious, doubtful, uneasy, fearful, disquieted, foreboding, twitchy (informal), mistrustful, antsy (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: confidentapprentice NOUN = trainee, student, pupil, novice, beginner, learner, neophyte (formal), tyro, probationer ◼ OPPOSITE: masterapprenticeship NOUN = traineeship, probation, studentship, novitiate or noviciateapprise VERB = make aware, tell, warn, advise, inform, communicate, notify, enlighten, acquaint, give notice, make cognizantapproach VERB 1 When I approached them they fell silent. = move towards, come to, reach, near, advance, catch up, meet, come close, gain on, converge on, come near, push forward, draw near, creep up on 2 When he approached me about the job, my first reaction was disbelief. = make a proposal to, speak to, apply to, appeal to, proposition, solicit, sound out, make overtures to, make advances to, broach the matter with 3 The bank has approached the issue in a practical way. = set about, tackle, undertake, embark on, get down to, launch into, begin work on, commence on, make a start on, enter upon 4 They race at speeds approaching 200mph. = approximate, touch (informal), be like, compare with, resemble, come close to, border on, verge on, be comparable to, come near to ▸ NOUN 1 At their approach the little boy ran away and hid. = advance, coming, nearing, appearance, arrival, advent, drawing near 2 The path serves as an approach to the boat house. = access, way, drive, road, passage, entrance, avenue, passageway 3 (often plural) There had already been approaches from interested buyers. = proposal, offer, appeal, advance, application, invitation, proposition, overture 4 We will be exploring different approaches to information-gathering. = way, means, course, style, attitude, method, technique, manner, procedure, mode, modus operandi 5 the nearest approach to an apology we have so far heard = approximation, likeness, semblanceapproachable ADJECTIVE 1 We found him very approachable and easy to talk to. = friendly, open, cordial, sociable, affable, congenial ◼ OPPOSITE: unfriendly 2 It is approachable on foot for only a few hours a day. = accessible, attainable, reachable, get-at-able (informal), come-at-able (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: inaccessibleappropriate ADJECTIVE It is appropriate that Irish names dominate the list. = suitable, right, fitting, fit, suited, correct, belonging, relevant, proper, to the point, in keeping, apt, applicable, pertinent, befitting, well-suited, well-timed, apposite, apropos, opportune (formal), becoming, seemly, felicitous, germane, to the purpose, appurtenant, congruous ◼ OPPOSITE: unsuitable ▸ VERB 1 Several other newspapers have appropriated the idea. = seize, take, claim, assume, take over, acquire, confiscate, annex, usurp, impound, pre-empt, commandeer, take possession of, expropriate (formal), arrogate ◼ OPPOSITE: relinquish 2 He is sceptical that Congress will appropriate more money for this. = allocate, allow, budget, devote, assign, designate, set aside, earmark, allot, share out, apportion ◼ OPPOSITE: withhold 3 What do they think about your appropriating their music and culture? = steal, take, nick (slang, chiefly Brit.), pocket, pinch (informal), pirate, poach, swipe (slang), lift (informal), heist (U.S. slang), embezzle, blag (slang), pilfer, misappropriate, snitch (slang), purloin, filch, plagiarize, thieve, peculate (literary)appropriateness NOUN = suitability, fitness, relevance, correctness, felicity, rightness, applicability, timeliness, aptness, pertinence, fittingness, seemliness, appositeness, properness, germaneness, opportuneness, becomingness, congruousness, felicitousness, well-suitednessappropriation NOUN 1 The government raised defence appropriations by 12 per cent. = setting aside, assignment, allocation, earmarking, allotment, apportionment 2 fraud and illegal appropriation of land = seizure, taking, takeover, assumption, annexation, confiscation, commandeering, expropriation (formal), pre-emption, usurpation, impoundment, arrogationapproval NOUN 1 The proposed modifications met with widespread approval. = consent, agreement, sanction, licence, blessing, permission, recommendation, concession, confirmation, mandate, endorsement, leave, compliance, the go-ahead (informal), countenance, ratification, the green light, assent, authorization, validation, acquiescence, imprimatur, concurrence, O.K. or okay (informal), endorsation (Canad.) 2 an obsessive drive to win public approval = favour, liking, regard, respect, praise, esteem, acclaim, appreciation, encouragement, admiration, applause, commendation, approbation, good opinion ◼ OPPOSITE: disapprovalapprove VERB MPs approved the bill by a majority of 97. = agree to, second, allow, pass, accept, confirm, recommend, permit, sanction, advocate, bless, endorse, uphold, mandate, authorize, ratify, go along with, subscribe to, consent to, buy into (informal), validate, countenance, rubber stamp, accede to, give the go-ahead to (informal), give the green light to, assent to, concur in, O.K. or okay (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: veto ● approve of something or someone Not everyone approves of the festival. = favour, like, support, respect, praise, appreciate, agree with, admire, endorse, esteem, acclaim, applaud, commend, be pleased with, have a good opinion of, regard highly, think highly ofapproving ADJECTIVE = favourable, admiring, applauding, respectful, appreciative, commendatory, acclamatoryapproximate ADJECTIVE The times are approximate only. = rough, close, general, near, estimated, loose, vague, hazy, sketchy, amorphous, imprecise, inexact, almost exact, almost accurate ◼ OPPOSITE: exact ● approximate to Something approximating to a just outcome will be ensured. = resemble, reach, approach, touch, come close to, border on, come near, verge onapproximately ADVERB = almost, about, around, generally, nearly, close to, relatively, roughly, loosely, just about, more or less, in the region of, in the vicinity of, not far off, in the neighbourhood ofapproximation NOUN 1 That's a fair approximation of the way the next boss will be chosen. = likeness, approach, correspondence, resemblance, semblance 2 That's an approximation, but my guess is there'll be a reasonable balance. = guess, estimate, conjecture, estimation, guesswork, rough idea, rough calculation, ballpark figure (informal), ballpark estimate (informal)a priori ADJECTIVE = deduced, deductive, inferentialapron NOUN = pinny, overall, pinafore (informal)apropos ADJECTIVE Having scarcely joined in the conversation before, it was not apropos to do it now. = appropriate, right, seemly, fitting, fit, related, correct, belonging, suitable, relevant, proper, to the point, apt, applicable, pertinent, befitting, apposite, opportune (formal), germane, to the purpose ● apropos of Apropos of the party, have you had any further thoughts on a venue? = concerning, about, re, regarding, respecting, on the subject of, in respect of, as to, with reference to, in re, in the matter of, as regards, in or with regard toapt ADJECTIVE 1 The words of this report are as apt today as they were in 1929. = appropriate, timely, right, seemly, fitting, fit, related, correct, belonging, suitable, relevant, proper, to the point, applicable, pertinent, befitting, apposite, apropos, opportune (formal), germane, to the purpose ◼ OPPOSITE: inappropriate 2 She was apt to raise her voice and wave her hands about. = inclined, likely, ready, disposed, prone, liable, given, predisposed, of a mind 3 She was never a very apt student. = gifted, skilled, expert, quick, bright, talented, sharp, capable, smart, prompt, clever, intelligent, accomplished, ingenious, skilful, astute, adroit, teachableaptitude NOUN = gift, ability, talent, capacity, intelligence, leaning, bent, tendency, faculty, capability, flair, inclination, disposition, knack, propensity, proficiency, predilection, cleverness, proclivity (formal), quickness, giftedness, proneness, aptnessarable ADJECTIVE = productive, fertile, fruitful, fecund, cultivable, farmable, ploughable, tillablearbiter NOUN 1 the court's role as arbiter in the law-making process = judge, referee, umpire, umpie (Austral. slang), arbitrator, adjudicator 2 Sequins have often aroused the scorn of arbiters of taste. = authority, expert, master, governor, ruler, dictator, controller, lord, punditarbitrary ADJECTIVE 1 Arbitrary arrests were common. = random, chance, optional, subjective, unreasonable, inconsistent, erratic, discretionary, personal, fanciful, wilful, whimsical, capricious ◼ OPPOSITE: logical 2 the arbitrary power of the autocratic state = dictatorial, absolute, unlimited, uncontrolled, autocratic, dogmatic, imperious, domineering, unrestrained, overbearing, tyrannical, summary, magisterial, despotic, high-handed, peremptory, tyrannousarbitrate VERB = decide, judge, determine, settle, referee, umpire, mediate, adjudicate, adjudge, pass judgment, sit in judgmentarbitration NOUN = decision, settlement, judgment, determination, adjudication, arbitramentarbitrator NOUN = judge, referee, umpire, umpie (Austral. slang), arbiter, adjudicatorarc NOUN = curve, bend, bow, arch, crescent, half-moonarcade NOUN = gallery, mall, cloister, portico, colonnade, covered walk, peristylearcane ADJECTIVE = mysterious, secret, hidden, esoteric, occult, recondite, cabbalisticarch1 NOUN 1 The theatre is located under old railway arches in the East End. = archway, curve, dome, span, vault 2 Train the cane supports to form an arch. = curve, bend, bow, crook, arc, hunch, sweep, hump, curvature, semicircle ▸ VERB the domed ceiling arching overhead = curve, bridge, bend, bow, span, arcarch2 ADJECTIVE a slightly amused, arch expression = playful, joking, teasing, humorous, sly, mischievous, saucy, tongue-in-cheek, jesting, jokey, pert, good-natured, roguish, frolicsome, waggisharchaic ADJECTIVE 1 archaic sculpture and porcelain = old, ancient, antique, primitive, bygone, olden (archaic) ◼ OPPOSITE: modern 2 These archaic practices are advocated by people of limited outlook. = old-fashioned, obsolete, out of date, antiquated, outmoded, passé, old hat, behind the times, superannuated ◼ OPPOSITE: up-to-datearched ADJECTIVE = curved, domed, vaultedarcher NOUN = bowman (archaic), toxophilite (formal)archetypal or archetypical ADJECTIVE = typical, standard, model, original, normal, classic, ideal, exemplary, paradigmatic, prototypal, prototypic or prototypicalarchetype NOUN = prime example, standard, model, original, pattern, classic, ideal, norm, form, prototype, paradigm, exemplararchitect NOUN 1 Employ an architect to make sure the plans comply with regulations. = designer, planner, draughtsman or woman or person, master builder 2 the country's chief architect of economic reform = creator, father, shaper, engineer, author, maker, designer, founder, deviser, planner, inventor, contriver, originator, prime mover, instigator, initiatorarchitecture NOUN 1 He studied architecture and design at college. = design, planning, building, construction, architectonics 2 a fine example of Moroccan architecture = construction, design, style 3 the architecture of muscle fibres = structure, design, shape, make-up, construction, framework, layout, anatomyarchive NOUN I decided I would go to the archive and look up the issue. = record office, museum, registry, repository ▸ PLURAL NOUN the archives of the Imperial War Museum = records, papers, accounts, rolls, documents, files, registers, deeds, chronicles, annalsarctic ADJECTIVE = freezing, cold, frozen, icy, chilly, frosty, glacial, frigid, gelid, frost-bound, cold as iceArctic ADJECTIVE = polar, far-northern, hyperboreanardent ADJECTIVE 1 an ardent opponent of the war = enthusiastic, keen, eager, avid, zealous, keen as mustard ◼ OPPOSITE: indifferent 2 an ardent lover = passionate, warm, spirited, intense, flaming, fierce, fiery, hot, fervent, impassioned, emotional, ablaze, lusty, vehement, amorous, hot-blooded, warm-blooded, fervid ◼ OPPOSITE: coldardour NOUN 1 Their romantic ardour had cooled. = passion, feeling, fire, heat, spirit, intensity, warmth, devotion, fervour, vehemence, fierceness 2 my ardour for football = enthusiasm, zeal, eagerness, earnestness, keenness, avidityarduous ADJECTIVE = difficult, trying, hard, tough, tiring, severe, painful, exhausting, punishing, harsh, taxing, heavy, steep, formidable, fatiguing, rigorous, troublesome, gruelling, strenuous, onerous, laborious, burdensome, backbreaking, toilsome (literary) ◼ OPPOSITE: easyarea NOUN 1 the large number of community groups in the area = region, land, quarter, division, sector, district, stretch, territory, zone, plot, province, patch, neighbourhood, sphere, turf (slang), realm, domain, tract, locality, neck of the woods (informal) 2 You will notice that your baby has two soft areas on its head. = part, section, sector, portion 3 Although large in area, the flat did not have many rooms. = range, reach, size, sweep, extent, scope, sphere, domain, width, compass, breadth, parameters (informal), latitude, expanse, radius, ambit, footprint 4 She was involved in every area of the project. = realm, part, department (informal), field, province, arena, sphere, domainarena NOUN 1 the largest indoor sports arena in the world = ring, ground, stage, field, theatre, bowl, pitch, stadium, enclosure, park (U.S. & Canad.), coliseum, amphitheatre 2 He has no intention of withdrawing from the political arena. = scene (informal), world, area, stage, field, theatre, sector, territory, province, forum, scope, sphere, realm, domainarguably ADVERB = possibly, potentially, conceivably, plausibly, feasibly, questionably, debatably, deniably, disputably, contestably, controvertibly, dubitably, refutablyargue VERB 1 They were still arguing. I could hear them down the road. = quarrel, fight, row, clash, dispute, disagree, feud, squabble, spar, wrangle, bicker, have an argument, cross swords, be at sixes and sevens, fight like cat and dog, go at it hammer and tongs, bandy words, altercate 2 The two of them were arguing this point. = discuss, debate, dispute, thrash out, exchange views on, controvert 3 His lawyers are arguing that he is unfit to stand trial. = claim, question, reason, challenge, insist, maintain, hold, allege, plead, assert, contend, uphold, profess, remonstrate (formal), expostulate 4 I'd like to argue in a framework that is less exaggerated. = demonstrate, show, suggest, display, indicate, imply, exhibit, denote, evince (formal)argument NOUN 1 There's a strong argument for lowering the price. = reason, case, reasoning, ground(s), defence, excuse, logic, justification, rationale, polemic, dialectic, line of reasoning, argumentation 2 The issue has caused heated political argument. = debate, questioning, claim, row, discussion, dispute, issue, controversy, pleading, plea, contention, assertion, polemic, altercation, remonstrance, expostulation, remonstration 3 She got into a heated argument with a stranger. = quarrel, fight, row, clash, dispute, controversy, disagreement, misunderstanding, feud, barney (informal), squabble, wrangle, bickering, difference of opinion, tiff, altercation ◼ OPPOSITE: agreementargumentative ADJECTIVE = quarrelsome, contrary, contentious, belligerent, combative, opinionated, litigious, disputatious ◼ OPPOSITE: easy-goingarid ADJECTIVE 1 the arid zones of the country = dry, desert, dried up, barren, sterile, torrid, parched, waterless, moistureless ◼ OPPOSITE: lush 2 the only joy his arid life had ever known = boring, dull, tedious, dreary, dry, tiresome, lifeless, colourless, uninteresting, flat, uninspired, vapid, spiritless, jejune (old-fashioned), as dry as dust ◼ OPPOSITE: excitingarise VERB 1 if a problem arises later in pregnancy = happen, start, begin, follow, issue, result, appear, develop, emerge, occur, spring, set in, stem, originate, ensue, come about, commence, come to light, emanate, crop up (informal), come into being, materialize 2 I arose from the chair and left. = get to your feet, get up, rise, stand up, spring up, leap up 3 He arose at 6:30 a.m. as usual. = get up, wake up, awaken, get out of bed 4 the flat terrace, from which arises the volume of the house = ascend, rise, lift, mount, climb, tower, soar, move upwardaristocracy NOUN = upper class, elite, nobility, gentry, peerage, ruling class, patricians, upper crust (informal), noblesse (literary), haut monde (French), patriciate, body of nobles ◼ OPPOSITE: commonersaristocrat NOUN = noble, lord, lady, peer, patrician, grandee, nobleman, noblewoman, aristo (informal), childe (archaic), peeressaristocratic ADJECTIVE 1 a wealthy, aristocratic family = upper-class, lordly, titled, gentle (archaic), elite, gentlemanly, noble, patrician, blue-blooded, well-born, highborn (old-fashioned) ◼ OPPOSITE: common 2 He laughed it off with aristocratic indifference. = refined, fine, polished, elegant, stylish, dignified, haughty, courtly, snobbish, well-bred ◼ OPPOSITE: vulgararm1 NOUN 1 She stretched her arms out. = upper limb, limb, appendage 2 the research arm of Congress = branch, part, office, department, division, section, wing, sector, extension, detachment, offshoot, subdivision, subsection 3 Local people say the long arm of the law was too heavy-handed. = authority, might, force, power, strength, command, sway, potency 4 = inlet, bay, passage, entrance, creek, cove, fjord, bight, ingress, sea loch (Scot.), firth or frith (Scot.) ● an arm and a leg = a lot of money, a bomb (Brit. slang), a fortune, a pile (informal), big money, a packet (slang), a bundle (slang), big bucks (informal, chiefly U.S.), a tidy sum (informal), a king's ransom, a pretty penny (informal) ● would give your right arm for something = would do anything for, would kill for, would sell your own grandmother for (informal), would give your eye teeth forarm2 VERB 1 She had armed herself with a weapon. = equip, provide, supply, outfit, rig, array, furnish, issue with, deck out, accoutre 2 She armed herself with all the knowledge she could gather. = provide, prime, prepare, protect, guard, strengthen, outfit, equip, brace, fortify, forearm, make ready, gird your loins, jack up (N.Z.) ▸ PLURAL NOUN The organization has an extensive supply of arms. = weapons, guns, firearms, weaponry, armaments, ordnance, munitions, instruments of wararmada NOUN = fleet, navy, squadron, flotillaarmaments PLURAL NOUN = weapons, arms, guns, ammunition, weaponry, ordnance, munitions, materielarmed ADJECTIVE = carrying weapons, provided, prepared, supplied, ready, protected, guarded, strengthened, equipped, primed, arrayed, furnished, fortified, in arms, forearmed, fitted out, under arms, girded, rigged out, tooled up (slang), accoutredarmistice NOUN = truce, peace, ceasefire, suspension of hostilitiesarmour NOUN = protection, covering, shield, sheathing, armour plate, chain mail, protective coveringarmoured ADJECTIVE = protected, mailed, reinforced, toughened, bulletproof, armour-plated, steel-plated, ironclad, bombproofarmoury or (U.S.) armory NOUN = arsenal, magazine, ammunition dump, arms depot, ordnance depotarmy NOUN 1 After returning from abroad, he joined the army. = soldiers, military, troops, armed force, legions, infantry, military force, land forces, land force, soldiery 2 data collected by an army of volunteers = vast number, host, gang, mob, flock, array, legion, swarm, sea, pack, horde, multitude, throngaroma NOUN = scent, smell, perfume, fragrance, bouquet, savour, odour, redolencearomatic ADJECTIVE = fragrant, perfumed, spicy, savoury, pungent, balmy, redolent, sweet-smelling, sweet-scented, odoriferous ◼ OPPOSITE: smellyaround PREPOSITION 1 The journey was around eighty miles. = approximately, about, nearly, close to, roughly, just about, in the region of, circa (of a date), in the vicinity of, not far off, in the neighbourhood of 2 a prosperous suburb built around a new mosque = surrounding, about, enclosing, encompassing, framing, encircling, on all sides of, on every side of, environing ▸ ADVERB 1 What are you doing following me around? = everywhere, about, throughout, all over, here and there, on all sides, in all directions, to and fro 2 It's important to have lots of people around. = near, close, nearby, handy, at hand, close by, close at hand ◼ RELATED WORD: prefix circum-

arousal NOUN = stimulation, movement, response, reaction, excitement, animation, stirring up, provocation, inflammation, agitation, exhilaration, incitement, enlivenmentarouse VERB 1 His work has aroused intense interest. = stimulate, encourage, inspire, prompt, spark, spur, foster, provoke, rouse, stir up, inflame, incite, instigate, whip up, summon up, whet, kindle, foment, call forth ◼ OPPOSITE: quell 2 He apologized, saying this subject always aroused him. = inflame, move, warm, excite, spur, provoke, animate, prod, stir up, agitate, quicken, enliven, goad, foment 3 We were aroused from our sleep by a knocking at the door. = awaken, wake up, rouse, wakenarraign VERB = accuse, charge, prosecute, denounce, indict, impeach, incriminate, call to account, take to taskarrange VERB 1 She arranged an appointment for Friday afternoon. = plan, agree, prepare, determine, schedule, organize, construct, devise, contrive, fix up, jack up (N.Z. informal) 2 He started to arrange the books in piles. = put in order, group, form, order, sort, class, position, range, file, rank, line up, organize, set out, sequence, exhibit, sort out (informal), array, classify, tidy, marshal, align, categorize, systematize, jack up (N.Z. informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: disorganize 3 The songs were arranged by a well-known pianist. = adapt, score, orchestrate, harmonize, instrumentarrangement NOUN 1 (often plural) I am in charge of all the travel arrangements. = plan, planning, provision, preparation 2 The caves can be visited only by prior arrangement. = agreement, contract, settlement, appointment, compromise, deal (informal), pact, compact, covenant 3 an imaginative flower arrangement = display, grouping, system, order, ordering, design, ranging, structure, rank, organization, exhibition, line-up, presentation, array, marshalling, classification, disposition (archaic), alignment, setup (informal) 4 an arrangement of a well-known piece by Mozart = adaptation, score, version, interpretation, instrumentation, orchestration, harmonizationarray NOUN 1 the markets with their wonderful arrays of fruit and vegetables = arrangement, show, order, supply, display, collection, exhibition, line-up, mixture, parade, formation, presentation, spectacle, marshalling, muster, disposition (archaic) 2 Bathed, dressed in his finest array, he was ready. = clothing, dress, clothes, threads (slang), garments, apparel (old-fashioned), attire, garb, finery, regalia, raiment (archaic, poetic), schmutter (slang) ▸ VERB 1 A number of cups and saucers were arrayed on a side table. = arrange, show, group, order, present, range, display, line up, sequence, parade, exhibit, unveil, dispose, draw up, marshal, lay out, muster, align, form up, place in order, set in line (Military) 2 a priest arrayed in white vestments = dress, supply, clothe, wrap, deck, outfit, decorate, equip, robe, get ready, adorn, apparel (archaic), festoon, attire, fit out, garb, bedeck, caparison, accoutrearrest VERB 1 Seven people were arrested for minor offences. = capture, catch, lift (slang), nick (slang, chiefly Brit.), seize, run in (slang), nail (informal), bust (informal), collar (informal), take, detain, pinch (informal), nab (informal), apprehend, take prisoner, take into custody, lay hold of ◼ OPPOSITE: release 2 The new rules could arrest the development of good research. = stop, end, hold, limit, check, block, slow, delay, halt, stall, stay, interrupt, suppress, restrain, hamper, inhibit, hinder, obstruct, retard, impede ◼ OPPOSITE: speed up 3 As he reached the hall, he saw what had arrested her. = fascinate, hold, involve, catch, occupy, engage, grip, absorb, entrance, intrigue, rivet, enthral, mesmerize, engross, spellbind ▸ NOUN 1 information leading to the arrest of the bombers = capture, bust (informal), detention, seizure, apprehension ◼ OPPOSITE: release 2 a cardiac arrest = stoppage, halt, suppression, obstruction, inhibition, blockage, hindrance ◼ OPPOSITE: accelerationarresting ADJECTIVE = striking, surprising, engaging, dramatic, stunning (informal), impressive, extraordinary, outstanding, remarkable, noticeable, conspicuous, salient, jaw-dropping ◼ OPPOSITE: unremarkablearrival NOUN 1 the day after his arrival = appearance, coming, arriving, entrance, advent, materialization 2 They celebrated the arrival of the New Year. = coming, happening, taking place, dawn (literary), emergence, occurrence, materialization 3 A high proportion of the new arrivals are skilled professionals. = newcomer, arriver, incomer, visitor, caller, entrant, comer, visitantarrive VERB 1 Fresh groups of guests arrived. = come, appear, enter, turn up, show up (informal), materialize, draw near ◼ OPPOSITE: depart 2 They needed to be much further forward before winter arrived. = occur, happen, take place, ensue, transpire (informal), fall, befall 3 These are cars which show you've arrived. = succeed, make it (informal), triumph, do well, thrive, flourish, be successful, make good, prosper, cut it (informal), reach the top, become famous, make the grade (informal), get to the top, crack it (informal), hit the jackpot (informal), turn out well, make your mark (informal), achieve recognition, do all right for yourself (informal) ● arrive at something She arrived at the airport early this morning. = reach, make, get to, enter, land at, get as far asarrogance NOUN = conceit, pride, swagger, pretension, presumption, bluster, hubris, pomposity, insolence, hauteur, pretentiousness, high-handedness, haughtiness, loftiness, imperiousness, pompousness, superciliousness, lordliness, conceitedness, contemptuousness, scornfulness, uppishness (Brit. informal), disdainfulness, overweeningness ◼ OPPOSITE: modestyarrogant ADJECTIVE = conceited, lordly, assuming, proud, swaggering, pompous, pretentious, stuck up (informal), cocky, contemptuous, blustering, imperious, overbearing, haughty, scornful, puffed up, egotistical, disdainful, self-important, presumptuous, high-handed, insolent, supercilious, high and mighty (informal), overweening, immodest, swollen-headed, bigheaded (informal), uppish (Brit. informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: modestarrow NOUN 1 warriors armed with bows and arrows = dart, flight, reed (archaic), bolt, shaft (archaic), quarrel 2 A series of arrows point the way to his grave. = pointer, indicator, markerarsenal NOUN 1 = store, stock, supply, magazine, stockpile 2 Terrorists had broken into the arsenal and stolen a range of weapons. = armoury, storehouse, ammunition dump, arms depot, ordnance depotart NOUN 1 the first exhibition of such art in the West = artwork, style of art, fine art, creativity 2 the art of romance = skill, knowledge, method, facility, craft, profession, expertise, competence, accomplishment, mastery, knack, ingenuity, finesse, aptitude, artistry, artifice (archaic), virtuosity, dexterity, cleverness, adroitnessartful ADJECTIVE 1 the smiles and artifices of someone subtly artful = cunning, designing, scheming, sharp, smart, clever, subtle, intriguing, tricky, shrewd, sly, wily, politic, crafty, foxy, deceitful ◼ OPPOSITE: straightforward 2 There is also an artful contrast of shapes. = skilful, masterly, smart, clever, subtle, ingenious, adept, resourceful, proficient, adroit, dexterous ◼ OPPOSITE: clumsyarticle NOUN 1 a newspaper article = feature, story, paper, piece, item, creation, essay, composition, discourse, treatise 2 household articles = thing, piece, unit, item, object, device, tool, implement, commodity, gadget, utensil 3 article 50 of the UN charter = clause, point, part, heading, head, matter, detail, piece, particular, division, section, item, passage, portion, paragraph, provisoarticulate ADJECTIVE He is an articulate young man. = expressive, clear, effective, vocal, meaningful, understandable, coherent, persuasive, fluent, eloquent, lucid, comprehensible, communicative, intelligible ◼ OPPOSITE: incoherent ▸ VERB 1 He failed to articulate an overall vision. = express, say, tell, state, word, speak, declare, phrase, communicate, assert, pronounce, utter, couch, put across, enunciate, put into words, verbalize, asseverate (formal) 2 She articulated each syllable. = pronounce, say, talk, speak, voice, utter, enunciate, vocalize, enouncearticulation NOUN 1 an actor able to sustain clear articulation over long periods = expression, delivery, pronunciation, saying, talking, voicing, speaking, utterance, diction, enunciation, vocalization, verbalization 2 a way of restricting their articulation of grievances = voicing, statement, expression, verbalization 3 the articulation of different modes of production = joint, coupling, jointing, connection, hinge, junctureartifice NOUN 1 the artifice and illusion of sleight-of-hand card tricks = cunning, scheming, trick, device, craft, tactic, manoeuvre, deception, hoax, expedient, ruse, guile, trickery, duplicity, subterfuge, stratagem, contrivance, chicanery, wile, craftiness, artfulness, slyness, machination 2 a combination of theatrical artifice and dazzling cinematic movement = cleverness, skill, facility, invention, ingenuity, finesse, inventiveness, deftness, adroitnessartificial ADJECTIVE 1 free from artificial additives and flavours = synthetic, manufactured, plastic (slang), man-made, non-natural 2 The voice was affected, the accent artificial. = insincere, forced, affected, assumed, phoney or phony (informal), put on, false, pretended, hollow, contrived, unnatural, feigned, spurious, meretricious ◼ OPPOSITE: genuine 3 The sauce was glutinous and tasted artificial. = fake, mock, imitation, bogus, simulated, phoney or phony (informal), sham, pseudo (informal), fabricated, counterfeit, spurious, ersatz, specious ◼ OPPOSITE: authenticartillery NOUN = big guns, battery, cannon, ordnance, gunnery, cannonryartisan NOUN = craftsman or woman or person, technician, mechanic, journeyman, artificer, handicraftsman, skilled workerartist NOUN = creator, master, maker, craftsman or woman or person, artisan (obsolete), fine artist, draughtsman or woman or personartiste NOUN = performer, player, entertainer, Thespian, trouper, play-actorartistic ADJECTIVE 1 They encourage children to be sensitive and artistic. = creative, cultured, original, sensitive, sophisticated, refined, imaginative, aesthetic, discerning, eloquent, arty (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: untalented 2 an artistic arrangement = beautiful, fine, pleasing, lovely, creative, elegant, stylish, cultivated, imaginative, decorative, aesthetic, exquisite, graceful, expressive, ornamental, tasteful ◼ OPPOSITE: unattractiveartistry NOUN = skill, art, style, taste, talent, craft, genius, creativity, touch, flair, brilliance, sensibility, accomplishment, mastery, finesse, craftsmanship, proficiency, virtuosity, workmanship, artistic abilityartless ADJECTIVE 1 his artless air and charming smile = natural, simple, fair, frank, plain, pure, open, round, true, direct, genuine, humble, straightforward, sincere, honest, candid, unaffected, upfront (informal), unpretentious, unadorned, dinkum (Austral. & N.Z. informal), guileless, uncontrived, undesigning ◼ OPPOSITE: artificial 2 a spiritless and artless display of incompetence = unskilled, awkward, crude, primitive, rude, bungling, incompetent, clumsy, inept, untalented, maladroit ◼ OPPOSITE: artfularty ADJECTIVE = artistic, arty-farty (informal), arty-crafty (informal)as CONJUNCTION 1 All eyes were on her as she continued. = when, while, just as, at the time that, during the time that 2 Behave towards them as you would like to be treated. = in the way that, like, in the manner that 3 This is important as it sets the mood for the day. = since, because, seeing that, considering that, on account of the fact that ▸ PREPOSITION I had natural ability as a footballer. = in the role of, being, under the name of, in the character of ● as for or to As for giving the children fizzy drinks, I don't think that's a very good idea. = with regard to, about, re, concerning, regarding, respecting, relating to, with respect to, on the subject of, with reference to, in reference to, in the matter of, apropos of, as regards, anent (Scot.) ● as it were I understood the words, but I didn't, as it were, understand the question. = in a way, to some extent, so to speak, in a manner of speaking, so to sayascend VERB 1 I held her hand as we ascended the steps. = climb, scale, mount, go up ◼ OPPOSITE: go down 2 A number of steps ascend from the cobbled street. = slope upwards, come up, rise up ◼ OPPOSITE: slope downwards 3 Keep the drill centred as it ascends and descends in the hole. = move up, rise, go up ◼ OPPOSITE: move down 4 They ascended 55,900 feet in their balloon. = float up, rise, climb, tower, go up, take off, soar, lift off, fly up ◼ OPPOSITE: descendascendancy or ascendence NOUN = influence, power, control, rule, authority, command, reign, sovereignty, sway, dominance, domination, superiority, supremacy, mastery, dominion, upper hand, hegemony, prevalence, pre-eminence, predominance, rangatiratanga (N.Z.) ◼ OPPOSITE: inferiorityascendant or ascendent ADJECTIVE Radical reformers are once more ascendant. = influential, controlling, ruling, powerful, commanding, supreme, superior, dominant, prevailing, authoritative, predominant, uppermost, pre-eminent ● in the ascendant Geography, drama, art and English are in the ascendant. = rising, increasing, growing, powerful, mounting, climbing, dominating, commanding, supreme, dominant, influential, prevailing, flourishing, ascending, up-and-coming, on the rise, uppermost, on the way upascension NOUN 1 the first gas balloon ascension = rise, rising, mounting, climb, ascending, ascent, moving upwards 2 fifteen years after his ascension to the throne = succession, taking over, assumption, inheritance, elevation, entering uponascent NOUN 1 He led the first ascent of K2. = climbing, scaling, mounting, climb, clambering, ascending, ascension 2 It was a tough course over a gradual ascent. = upward slope, rise, incline, ramp, gradient, rising ground, acclivity 3 The elevator began its slow ascent. = rise, rising, climb, ascension, upward movementascertain VERB = find out, learn, discover, determine, confirm, settle, identify, establish, fix, verify, make certain, suss (out) (slang), ferret outascetic NOUN He left the luxuries of court for a life as an ascetic. = recluse, monk, nun, abstainer, hermit, anchorite, self-denier ◼ OPPOSITE: hedonist ▸ ADJECTIVE priests practising an ascetic life = self-denying, severe, plain, harsh, stern, rigorous, austere, Spartan, self-disciplined, celibate, puritanical, frugal, abstemious, abstinent ◼ OPPOSITE: self-indulgentascribe VERB = attribute, credit, refer, charge, assign, put down, set down, impute

ashamed ADJECTIVE 1 He was ashamed at how shabbily he had dressed for the occasion. = embarrassed, sorry, guilty, upset, distressed, shy, humbled, humiliated, blushing, self-conscious, red-faced, chagrined, flustered, mortified, sheepish, bashful, prudish, crestfallen, discomfited, remorseful, abashed, shamefaced, conscience-stricken, discountenanced ◼ OPPOSITE: proud 2 She made up the story because she was ashamed to tell her family she was jobless. = reluctant, afraid, embarrassed, scared, unwilling, loath, disinclinedashen ADJECTIVE = pale, white, grey, wan, livid, pasty, leaden, colourless, pallid, anaemic, ashy, like death warmed up (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: rosyashore ADVERB = on land, on the beach, on the shore, aground, to the shore, on dry land, shorewards, landwardsaside ADVERB She closed the book and laid it aside. = to one side, away, alone, separately, apart, alongside, beside, out of the way, on one side, to the side, in isolation, in reserve, out of mind ▸ NOUN She mutters an aside to the camera. = interpolation, remark, parenthesis, digression, interposition, confidential remarkask VERB 1 'How is Frank?' he asked. = inquire, question, quiz, query, interrogate ◼ OPPOSITE: answer 2 We had to ask him to leave. = request, apply to, appeal to, plead with, demand, urge, sue, pray, beg, petition, crave (informal), solicit, implore, enjoin, beseech, entreat, supplicate 3 She asked me back to her house. = invite, bid, summonaskance ADVERB 1 They have always looked askance at the western notion of democracy. = suspiciously, doubtfully, dubiously, sceptically, disapprovingly, distrustfully, mistrustfully 2 'Do you play chess?' he asked, looking askance at me. = out of the corner of your eye, sideways, indirectly, awry, obliquely, with a side glanceaskew ADJECTIVE She stood there, hat askew. = crooked, awry, oblique, lopsided, off-centre, cockeyed (informal), skewwhiff (Brit. informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: straight ▸ ADVERB Some of the doors hung askew. = crookedly, to one side, awry, obliquely, off-centre, aslant ◼ OPPOSITE: straightasleep ADJECTIVE = sleeping, napping, dormant, crashed out (slang), dozing, slumbering, snoozing (informal), fast asleep, sound asleep, out for the count, dead to the world (informal), in a deep sleep