Читать книгу Collins English Thesaurus Essential - Collins Dictionaries, Collins Dictionaries - Страница 122

aspect NOUN

1 Climate affects every aspect of our lives. = feature, point, side, factor, angle, characteristic, facet 2 The house has a south-west aspect. = position, view, situation, scene, bearing, direction, prospect, exposure, point of view, outlook 3 The snowy tree assumed a lifeless aspect. = appearance, look, air, condition, quality, bearing, attitude, cast, manner, expression, countenance (literary), demeanour, mien (literary)aspirant NOUN He is among the few aspirants with administrative experience. = candidate, applicant, hopeful, aspirer, seeker, suitor, postulant ▸ ADJECTIVE aspirant politicians = hopeful, longing, ambitious, eager, striving, aspiring, endeavouring, wishfulaspiration NOUN = aim, longing, end, plan, hope, goal, design, dream, wish, desire, object, intention, objective, ambition, craving, endeavour, yearning, eagerness, Holy Grail (informal), hankeringaspire to VERB = aim for, desire, pursue, hope for, long for, crave, seek out, wish for, dream about, yearn for, hunger for, hanker after, be eager for, set your heart on, set your sights on, be ambitious foraspiring ADJECTIVE = hopeful, longing, would-be, ambitious, eager, striving, endeavouring, wannabe (informal), wishful, aspirantass NOUN 1 She was led up to the sanctuary on an ass. = donkey, moke (slang), jennet 2 He was regarded as a pompous ass. = fool, jerk (slang), idiot, plank (Brit. slang), berk (Brit. slang), wally (slang), prat (slang), charlie (Brit. informal), plonker (slang), coot, twit (informal, chiefly Brit.), oaf, jackass, dipstick (Brit. slang), schmuck (U.S. slang), dork (slang), nitwit (informal), dolt, blockhead, ninny, divvy (Brit. slang), pillock (Brit. slang), nincompoop, dweeb (U.S. slang), putz (U.S. slang), weenie (U.S. informal), eejit (Scot. & Irish), numpty (Scot. informal), doofus (slang, chiefly U.S.), daftie (informal), twerp or twirp (informal), dorba or dorb (Austral. slang) ◼ RELATED WORDS: adjective asinine; name of male jack; name of female jennyassail VERB 1 These newspapers assail the government each day. = criticize, abuse, blast, put down, malign, berate, revile, vilify, tear into (informal), diss (slang), impugn, go for the jugular, lambast(e) 2 He was assailed by a young man. = attack, charge, assault, invade, set about, beset, fall upon, set upon, lay into (informal), maltreat, belabourassailant NOUN = attacker, assaulter, invader, aggressor, assailerassassin NOUN = murderer, killer, slayer, liquidator, executioner, hitman or woman (slang), eliminator (slang), hatchet man or woman or person (slang)assassinate VERB = murder, kill, eliminate (slang), take out (slang), terminate, hit (slang), slay, blow away (slang, chiefly U.S.), liquidateassassination NOUN = murder, killing, slaughter, purge, hit (slang), removal, elimination (slang), slaying, homicide, liquidationassault NOUN The rebels are poised for a new assault. = attack, campaign, strike, rush, storm, storming, raid, invasion, charge, offensive, onset, onslaught, foray, incursion, act of aggression, inroad ◼ OPPOSITE: defence ▸ VERB The gang assaulted him in the street. = strike, attack, beat, knock, punch, belt (informal), bang, batter, clip (informal), slap, bash (informal), deck (slang), sock (slang), chin (slang), smack, thump, set about, lay one on (slang), clout (informal), cuff, flog, whack, lob, beset, clobber (slang), smite (archaic), wallop (informal), swat, fall upon, set upon, lay into (informal), tonk (slang), lambast(e), belabour, beat or knock seven bells out of (informal)assay VERB = analyse, examine, investigate, assess, weigh, evaluate, inspect, try, appraiseassemblage NOUN = group, company, meeting, body, crowd, collection, mass, gathering, rally, assembly, flock, congregation, accumulation, multitude, throng, hui (N.Z.), conclave, aggregation, convocation (formal), runanga (N.Z.)assemble VERB 1 There was nowhere for students to assemble before classes. = gather, meet, collect, rally, flock, accumulate, come together, muster, convene, congregate, foregather ◼ OPPOSITE: scatter 2 The assembled multitude cheered as the leaders arrived. = bring together, collect, gather, rally, summon, accumulate, round up, marshal, come together, muster, convene, amass, congregate, call together, foregather, convoke (formal) 3 She was trying to assemble the bookcase when it collapsed. = put together, make, join, set up, manufacture, build up, connect, construct, erect, piece together, fabricate, fit together ◼ OPPOSITE: take apartassembly NOUN 1 She waited until quiet settled on the assembly. = gathering, group, meeting, body, council, conference, crowd, congress, audience, collection, mass, diet, rally, convention, flock, company, house, congregation, accumulation, multitude, throng, synod, hui (N.Z.), assemblage, conclave, aggregation, convocation (formal), jamaat, runanga (N.Z.) 2 They are famous for their self assembly furniture range. = putting together, joining, setting up, manufacture, construction, building up, connecting, erection, piecing together, fabrication, fitting togetherassent NOUN He gave his assent to the proposed legislation. = agreement, accord, sanction, approval, permission, acceptance, consent, compliance, accession, acquiescence, concurrence ◼ OPPOSITE: refusal ● assent to something I assented to the publisher's request to write this book. = agree to, allow, accept, grant, approve, permit, sanction, O.K., comply with, go along with, subscribe to, consent to, say yes to, accede to, fall in with, acquiesce in, concur with, give the green light toassert VERB 1 We assert that the bill violates the First Amendment. = state, argue, maintain, declare, allege, swear, pronounce, contend, affirm, profess, attest, predicate, postulate, avow, aver, asseverate (formal), avouch (archaic) ◼ OPPOSITE: deny 2 The republics began asserting their right to govern themselves. = insist upon, stress, defend, uphold, put forward, vindicate, press, stand up for ◼ OPPOSITE: retract ● assert yourself She's speaking up and asserting herself much more now. = be forceful, put your foot down (informal), put yourself forward, make your presence felt, exert your influenceassertion NOUN 1 assertions that the recession is truly over = statement, claim, allegation, profession, declaration, contention, affirmation, pronouncement, avowal, attestation, predication, asseveration (formal) 2 They have made the assertion of ethnic identity possible. = insistence, defence, stressing, maintenance, vindicationassertive ADJECTIVE = confident, firm, demanding, decided, forward, can-do (informal), positive, aggressive, decisive, forceful, emphatic, insistent, feisty (informal), pushy (informal), in-your-face (Brit. slang), dogmatic, strong-willed, domineering, overbearing, self-assured ◼ OPPOSITE: meekassertiveness NOUN = confidence, insistence, aggressiveness, firmness, decisiveness, dogmatism, forcefulness, positiveness, pushiness (informal), forwardness, self-assuredness, decidedness, domineeringness ◼ OPPOSITE: meeknessassess VERB 1 The test was to assess aptitude rather than academic achievement. = judge, determine, estimate, fix, analyse, evaluate, rate, value, check out, compute, gauge, weigh up, appraise, size up (informal), eye up 2 What is the assessed value of the property? = evaluate, rate, tax, value, demand, estimate, fix, impose, levyassessment NOUN 1 He was referred to a specialist for assessment. = judgment, analysis, determination, evaluation, valuation, appraisal, estimation, rating, opinion, estimate, computation 2 inflated assessments of mortgaged property = evaluation, rating, rate, charge, tax, demand, fee, duty, toll, levy, tariff, taxation, valuation, impostasset NOUN = benefit, help, service, aid, advantage, strength, resource, attraction, blessing, boon, good point, strong point, ace in the hole, feather in your cap, ace up your sleeve ◼ OPPOSITE: disadvantageassiduous ADJECTIVE = diligent, constant, steady, hard-working, persistent, attentive, persevering, laborious, industrious, indefatigable, studious, unflagging, untiring, sedulous, unwearied ◼ OPPOSITE: lazyassign VERB 1 Later in the year, she'll assign them research papers. = give, set, grant, allocate, give out, consign, allot, apportion 2 He assigned her all his land. = allocate, give, determine, fix, appoint, distribute, earmark, mete 3 Did you choose this country or were you simply assigned here? = select for, post, commission, elect, appoint, delegate, nominate, name, designate, choose for, stipulate for 4 Assign the letters of the alphabet their numerical values. = attribute, credit, put down, set down, ascribe, accreditassignment NOUN 1 The course involves written assignments and practical tests. = task, work, job, charge, position, post, commission, exercise, responsibility, duty, mission, appointment, undertaking, occupation, chore 2 I only ever take photos on assignment. = selection, choice, option, appointment, delegation, nomination, designation 3 The state prohibited the assignment of licences to competitors. = giving, issuing, grant, distribution, allocation, earmarking, allotment, designation, consignment, dealing out, assignation (Scots law), apportionmentassimilate VERB 1 They had been assimilated into their local community. = adjust, fit, adapt, accommodate, accustom, conform, mingle, blend in, become like, homogenize, acclimatize, intermix, become similar, acculturate 2 My mind could only assimilate one possibility at a time. = learn, absorb, take in, incorporate, digest, imbibe (literary), ingestassist VERB 1 They decided to assist me with my chores. = help, back, support, further, benefit, aid, encourage, work with, work for, relieve, collaborate with, cooperate with, abet, expedite, succour, lend a hand to, lend a helping hand to, give a leg up to (informal) 2 a chemical that assists in the manufacture of proteins = facilitate, help, further, serve, aid, forward, promote, boost, ease, sustain, reinforce, speed up, pave the way for, make easy, expedite, oil the wheels, smooth the path of, assist the progress of ◼ OPPOSITE: hinderassistance NOUN = help, backing, service, support, benefit, aid, relief, boost, promotion, cooperation, encouragement, collaboration, reinforcement, helping hand, sustenance, succour, furtherance, abetment ◼ OPPOSITE: hindranceassistant NOUN = helper, partner, ally, colleague, associate, supporter, deputy, subsidiary, aide, aider, second, accessory, attendant, backer, protagonist, collaborator, accomplice, confederate, auxiliary, henchman or woman or person, right-hand man or woman or person, adjutant, helpmate, coadjutor (rare), abettor, cooperatorassociate VERB 1 We've got the idea of associating progress with the future. = connect, couple, league, link, mix, relate, pair, ally, identify, unite, join, combine, attach, affiliate, fasten, correlate, confederate, yoke, affix, lump together, cohere, mention in the same breath, conjoin, think of together ◼ OPPOSITE: separate 2 They found out they'd been associating with a criminal. = socialize, mix, hang (informal, chiefly U.S.), accompany, hang out (informal), run around (informal), mingle, be friends, befriend, consort, hang about, hobnob, fraternize ◼ OPPOSITE: avoid ▸ NOUN the restaurant owner's business associates = partner, friend, ally, colleague, mate (informal), companion, comrade, affiliate, collaborator, confederate, co-worker, workmate, main man (slang, chiefly U.S.), cobber (Austral. & N.Z. old-fashioned, informal), confrère, compeer, E hoa (N.Z.)associated ADJECTIVE = connected, united, joined, leagued, linked, tied, related, allied, combined, involved, bound, syndicated, affiliated, correlated, confederated, yokedassociation NOUN 1 the British Olympic Association = group, company, club, order, union, class, society, league, band, set, troop, pack, camp, collection, gathering, organization, circle, corporation, alliance, coalition, partnership, federation, bunch (informal), formation, faction, cluster, syndicate, congregation, batch, confederation, cooperative, fraternity (U.S. & Canad.), affiliation, posse (slang), clique, confederacy, assemblage, social network (Computing) 2 The association between the two companies stretches back 30 years. = friendship, relationship, link, tie, relations, bond, connection, partnership, attachment, intimacy, liaison, fellowship, affinity, familiarity, affiliation, companionship, comradeship, fraternization 3 the association of the colour green with nature = connection, union, joining, linking, tie, mixing, relation, bond, pairing, combination, mixture, blend, identification, correlation, linkage, yoking, juxtaposition, lumping together, concomitanceassorted ADJECTIVE = various, different, mixed, varied, diverse, diversified, miscellaneous, sundry, motley, variegated, manifold (formal), heterogeneous ◼ OPPOSITE: similarassortment NOUN = variety, choice, collection, selection, mixture, diversity, array, jumble, medley, mixed bag (informal), potpourri, mélange (French), miscellany, mishmash, farrago, hotchpotch, salmagundi, pick 'n' mixassuage VERB 1 She was trying to assuage her guilt. = relieve, ease, calm, moderate, temper, soothe, lessen, alleviate, lighten, allay, mitigate, quench, palliate ◼ OPPOSITE: increase 2 The meat they'd managed to procure assuaged their hunger. = calm, still, quiet, relax, satisfy, soften, soothe, appease, lull, pacify, mollify, tranquillize ◼ OPPOSITE: provokeassume VERB 1 It is a mistake to assume that the two are similar. = presume, think, believe, expect, accept, suppose, imagine, suspect, guess (informal), take it, fancy, take for granted, infer, conjecture, postulate (formal), surmise, presuppose ◼ OPPOSITE: know 2 She will assume the role of Chief Executive. = take on, begin, accept, manage, bear, handle, shoulder, take over, don, acquire, put on, take up, embrace, undertake, set about, attend to, take responsibility for, embark upon, enter upon 3 He assumed an air of superiority. = simulate, affect, adopt, put on, imitate, mimic, sham, counterfeit, feign, impersonate 4 If there is no president, power will be assumed by extremist forces. = take over, take, appropriate, acquire, seize, hijack, confiscate, wrest, usurp, lay claim to, pre-empt, commandeer, requisition, expropriate (formal), arrogate ◼ OPPOSITE: give upassumed ADJECTIVE = false, affected, made-up, pretended, fake, imitation, bogus, simulated, sham, counterfeit, feigned, spurious, fictitious, make-believe, pseudonymous, phoney or phony (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: realassumption NOUN 1 They are wrong in their assumption that we are all alike. = presumption, theory, opinion, belief, guess, expectation, fancy, suspicion, premise, acceptance, hypothesis, anticipation, inference, conjecture, surmise, supposition, presupposition, premise, postulation 2 = taking on, managing, handling, shouldering, putting on, taking up, takeover, acquisition 3 the government's assumption of power = seizure, taking, takeover, acquisition, appropriation, wresting, confiscation, commandeering, expropriation (formal), pre-empting, usurpation, arrogationassurance NOUN 1 an assurance that other forces will not move into the territory = promise, statement, guarantee, commitment, pledge, profession, vow, declaration, assertion, oath, affirmation, protestation (formal), word, word of honour ◼ OPPOSITE: lie 2 He led the orchestra with assurance. = confidence, conviction, courage, certainty, self-confidence, poise, assertiveness, security, faith, coolness, nerve, aplomb, boldness, self-reliance, firmness, self-assurance, certitude, sureness, self-possession, positiveness, assuredness ◼ OPPOSITE: self-doubtassure VERB 1 'Everything's going to be okay,' he assured me. = convince, encourage, persuade, satisfy, comfort, prove to, reassure, soothe, hearten, embolden, win someone over, bring someone round 2 Last night's victory has assured their promotion. = make certain, ensure, confirm, guarantee, secure, make sure, complete, seal, clinch 3 We can assure you of our best service at all times. = promise to, pledge to, vow to, guarantee to, swear to, attest to, confirm to, certify to, affirm to, give your word to, declare confidently toassured ADJECTIVE 1 He was much more assured than in recent appearances. = confident, certain, positive, bold, poised, assertive, complacent, fearless, audacious, pushy (informal), brazen, self-confident, self-assured, self-possessed, overconfident, dauntless, sure of yourself ◼ OPPOSITE: self-conscious 2 Our victory is assured; nothing can stop us. = certain, sure, ensured, confirmed, settled, guaranteed, fixed, secure, sealed, clinched, made certain, sound, in the bag (slang), dependable, beyond doubt, irrefutable, unquestionable, indubitable, nailed-on (slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: doubtfulastonish VERB = amaze, surprise, stun, stagger, bewilder, astound, daze, confound, stupefy, boggle the mind, dumbfound, flabbergast (informal)astonished ADJECTIVE = amazed, surprised, staggered, bewildered, astounded, dazed, stunned, confounded, perplexed, gobsmacked (informal), dumbfounded, flabbergasted (informal), stupefiedastonishing ADJECTIVE = amazing, striking, surprising, brilliant, stunning, impressive, overwhelming, staggering, startling, sensational (informal), bewildering, breathtaking, astounding, eye-opening, wondrous (archaic, literary), jaw-dropping, stupefyingastonishment NOUN = amazement, surprise, wonder, confusion, awe, consternation, bewilderment, wonderment, stupefactionastound VERB = amaze, surprise, overwhelm, astonish, stagger, bewilder, daze, confound, stupefy, stun, take your breath away, boggle the mind, dumbfound, flabbergast (informal)astounding ADJECTIVE = amazing, striking, surprising, brilliant, impressive, astonishing, staggering, sensational (informal), bewildering, stunning, breathtaking, wondrous (archaic, literary), jaw-dropping, eye-popping (informal), stupefyingastray ADJECTIVE or ADVERB Many items of mail being sent to her have gone astray. = off the right track, adrift, off course, off the mark, amiss ● lead someone astray The judge thought he'd been led astray by others. = lead into sin, lead into error, lead into bad ways, lead into wrongastringent ADJECTIVE 1 an astringent lotion = contractive, contractile, styptic 2 an astringent satire on Hollywood = severe, strict, exacting, harsh, grim, stern, hard, rigid, rigorous, stringent, austere, caustic, acerbicastrology NOUN = stargazing, astromancy, horoscopyastronaut NOUN = space traveller, cosmonaut, spaceman, spacewoman, space pilotastronomical or astronomic ADJECTIVE = huge, great, giant, massive, vast, enormous, immense, titanic, infinite, gigantic, monumental (informal), colossal, boundless, galactic, Gargantuan, immeasurableastute ADJECTIVE = intelligent, politic, bright, sharp, keen, calculating, clever, subtle, penetrating, knowing, shrewd, cunning, discerning, sly, on the ball (informal), canny, perceptive, wily, crafty, artful, insightful, foxy, adroit, sagacious (formal)asunder ADVERB or ADJECTIVE (literary) = to pieces, apart, torn, rent, to bits, to shreds, in pieces, into piecesasylum NOUN 1 They applied for asylum after fleeing their home country. = refuge, security, haven, safety, protection, preserve, shelter, retreat, harbour, sanctuary 2 He spent the rest of his life in an asylum. = psychiatric hospital, hospital, institutionatheism NOUN = nonbelief, disbelief, scepticism, infidelity, paganism, unbelief, freethinking, godlessness, irreligion, heathenismatheist NOUN = nonbeliever, pagan, sceptic, disbeliever, heathen (old-fashioned), infidel, unbeliever, freethinker, irreligionistathlete NOUN = sportsperson, player, runner, competitor, contender, sportsman, contestant, gymnast, games player, sportswomanathletic ADJECTIVE She was tall, with an athletic build. = fit, strong, powerful, healthy, active, trim, strapping, robust, vigorous, energetic, muscular, swole (slang), hench (informal), two-fisted, sturdy, husky (informal), lusty, herculean, sinewy, brawny, able-bodied, well-proportioned ◼ OPPOSITE: feebleathletics PLURAL NOUN intercollegiate athletics = sports, games, races, exercises, contests, sporting events, gymnastics, track and field events, games of strengthatmosphere NOUN 1 These gases pollute the atmosphere of towns and cities. = air, sky, heavens, aerosphere 2 The muted decor adds to the relaxed atmosphere. = feeling, feel, air, quality, character, environment, spirit, surroundings, tone, mood, climate, flavour, aura, ambience, vibes (slang)atom NOUN = particle, bit, spot, trace, scrap, molecule, grain, dot, fragment, fraction, shred, crumb, mite, jot, speck, morsel, mote, whit, tittle, iota, scintilla (rare)atone VERB = make amends, pay, do penance, make reparation, make redressatonement NOUN = amends, payment, compensation, satisfaction, redress, reparation, restitution, penance, recompense, expiation (formal), propitiationatrocious ADJECTIVE 1 The food here is atrocious. = shocking, terrible (informal), appalling, horrible, godawful (slang), hellacious (U.S. slang), execrable, detestable ◼ OPPOSITE: fine 2 The treatment of the prisoners was atrocious. = cruel, savage, brutal, vicious, ruthless, infamous, monstrous, wicked, barbaric, inhuman, diabolical, heinous, flagrant, infernal, fiendish, villainous, nefarious, horrifying, grievous ◼ OPPOSITE: kindatrocity NOUN 1 Those who committed this atrocity should be punished. = act of cruelty, wrong, crime, horror, offence, evil, outrage, cruelty, brutality, obscenity, wrongdoing, enormity, monstrosity, transgression, abomination, barbarity, villainy 2 stomach-churning tales of atrocity and massacre = cruelty, wrong, horror, brutality, wrongdoing, enormity, savagery, ruthlessness, wickedness, inhumanity, infamy, transgression, barbarity, viciousness, villainy, baseness, monstrousness, heinousness, nefariousness, shockingness, atrociousness, fiendishness, barbarousness, grievousness, villainousnessatrophy VERB 1 His muscle atrophied, and he had difficulty walking. = waste away, waste, shrink, diminish, deteriorate, decay, dwindle, wither, wilt, degenerate, shrivel 2 If you let your mind stagnate, this talent will atrophy. = decline, waste, fade, shrink, diminish, deteriorate, dwindle, wither, wilt, degenerate, shrivel, waste away ▸ NOUN 1 exercises to avoid atrophy of cartilage = wasting away, decline, wasting, decay, decaying, withering, deterioration, meltdown (informal), shrivelling, degeneration, diminution 2 levels of consciousness which are in danger of atrophy = wasting, decline, decay, decaying, withering, deterioration, meltdown (informal), shrivelling, degeneration, diminution, wasting awayattach VERB 1 Attach labels to things before you file them away. = affix, stick, secure, bind, unite, add, join, couple, link, tie, fix, connect, lash, glue, adhere, fasten, annex, truss, yoke, append (formal), make fast, cohere, subjoin, bootstrap to ◼ OPPOSITE: detach 2 They have attached much significance to your visit. = ascribe, connect, attribute, assign, place, associate, lay on, accredit, invest with, impute, reattribute ● attach yourself to or be attached to something He attached himself to a group of poets known as the Martians. = join, accompany, associate with, combine with, join forces with, latch on to, unite with, sign up with, become associated with, sign on with, affiliate yourself withattached ADJECTIVE I wondered if he was attached. = spoken for, married, partnered, engaged, accompanied ● attached to She is very attached to her family and friends. = fond of, devoted to, affectionate towards, full of regard forattachment NOUN 1 I feel a strong attachment to my home town. = fondness, liking, feeling, love, relationship, regard, bond, friendship, attraction, loyalty, affection, devotion, fidelity, affinity, tenderness, reverence, predilection, possessiveness, partiality, aroha (N.Z.) ◼ OPPOSITE: aversion 2 Some models come with attachments for dusting. = accessory, fitting, extra, addition, component, extension, supplement, fixture, auxiliary, adaptor or adapter, supplementary part, add-on, adjunct, appendage, accoutrement, appurtenanceattack VERB 1 The duo are believed to have attacked several people in South London. = assault, strike (at), mug (informal), set about, ambush, assail, tear into, fall upon, set upon, lay into (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: defend 2 The infantry's aim was to slow attacking forces. = invade, occupy, raid, infringe, charge, rush, storm, encroach 3 He publicly attacked the people who've been calling for a secret ballot. = criticize, blame, abuse, blast, pan (informal), condemn, knock (informal), slam (slang), put down, slate (informal), have a go (at) (informal), censure, malign, berate, disparage, revile, vilify, tear into (informal), slag off (Brit. slang), throw shade (at) (slang), diss (slang), find fault with, impugn (formal), go for the jugular, lambast(e), pick holes in, excoriate, bite someone's head off, snap someone's head off, pick to pieces ▸ NOUN 1 a campaign of air attacks on strategic targets = assault, charge, campaign, strike, rush, raid, invasion, offensive, aggression, blitz, onset, onslaught, foray, incursion, inroad ◼ OPPOSITE: defence 2 He launched an attack on businesses for failing to invest. = criticism, panning (informal), slating (informal), censure, disapproval, slagging (slang), abuse, knocking (informal), bad press, vilification, denigration, calumny, character assassination, disparagement, impugnment 3 It brought on an attack of asthma. = bout, fit, access, spell, stroke, seizure, spasm, convulsion, paroxysmattacker NOUN = assailant, assaulter, raider, intruder, invader, aggressor, muggerattain VERB 1 He's halfway to attaining his pilot's licence. = obtain, get, win, reach, effect, land (informal), score (slang), complete, gain, achieve, earn, secure, realize, acquire, fulfil, accomplish, grasp, reap, procure 2 attaining a state of calmness and confidence = reach, achieve, realize, acquire, arrive at, accomplishattainable ADJECTIVE = achievable, possible, likely, potential, accessible, probable, at hand, feasible, within reach, practicable, obtainable, reachable, realizable, graspable, gettable, procurable, accomplishable ◼ OPPOSITE: unattainableattainment NOUN 1 the attainment of independence = achievement, getting, winning, reaching, gaining, obtaining, acquisition, feat, completion, reaping, accomplishment, realization, fulfilment, arrival at, procurement, acquirement 2 their educational attainments = skill, art, ability, talent, gift, achievement, capability, competence, accomplishment, mastery, proficiencyattempt VERB We attempted to do something like that here. = try, seek, aim, struggle, tackle, take on, experiment, venture, undertake, essay (formal), strive, endeavour, have a go at (informal), make an effort, make an attempt, have a crack at, have a shot at (informal), try your hand at, do your best to, jump through hoops (informal), have a stab at (informal), take the bit between your teeth ▸ NOUN 1 a deliberate attempt to destabilize defence = try, go (informal), shot (informal), effort, trial, bid, experiment, crack (informal), venture, undertaking, essay (formal), stab (informal), endeavour 2 an attempt on the life of the Prime Minister = attack, assaultattempted ADJECTIVE = tried, ventured, undertaken, endeavoured, assayedattend VERB 1 Thousands of people attended the funeral. = be present, go to, visit, be at, be there, be here, frequent, haunt, appear at, turn up at, patronize, show up at (informal), show yourself, put in an appearance at, present yourself at ◼ OPPOSITE: be absent 2 I'm not sure what he said – I wasn't attending. = pay attention, listen, follow, hear, mark, mind, watch, note, regard, notice, observe, look on, heed, take to heart, pay heed, hearken (archaic) ◼ OPPOSITE: ignore 3 horse-drawn coaches attended by liveried footmen = escort, conduct, guard, shadow, accompany, companion, shepherd, convoy, usher, squire (old-fashioned), chaperon ● attend to someone The main thing is to attend to the injured. = look after, help, mind, aid, tend, nurse, care for, take care of, minister to, administer to ● attend to something You had better attend to the matter in hand. = apply yourself to, concentrate on, look after, take care of, see to, get to work on, devote yourself to, occupy yourself withattendance NOUN 1 Her attendance at school was sporadic. = presence, being there, attending, appearance 2 Some estimates put attendance at 60,000. = turnout, audience, gate, congregation, house, crowd, throng, number presentattendant NOUN He was working as a car-park attendant. = assistant, guide, guard, servant, companion, aide, escort, follower, steward, waiter, usher, warden, helper, auxiliary, custodian, page, menial, concierge, underling (derogatory), lackey, chaperon, flunky ▸ ADJECTIVE His victory, and all the attendant publicity, were deserved. = accompanying, related, associated, accessory, consequent, resultant, concomitantattention NOUN 1 He turned his attention to the desperate state of housing in the province. = thinking, thought, mind, notice, consideration, concentration, observation, scrutiny, heed, deliberation, contemplation, thoughtfulness, attentiveness, intentness, heedfulness 2 a demanding baby who wants attention 24 hours a day = care, support, concern, treatment, looking after, succour, ministration 3 Let me draw your attention to some important issues. = awareness, regard, notice, recognition, consideration, observation, consciousness ◼ OPPOSITE: inattention ▸ PLURAL NOUN His attentions to the slideshow were drifting. = courtesy, compliments, regard, respect, care, consideration, deference, politeness, civility, gallantry, mindfulness, assiduities ◼ OPPOSITE: discourtesyattentive ADJECTIVE 1 I wish you would be more attentive to detail. = intent, listening, concentrating, careful, alert, awake, mindful, watchful, observant, studious, on your toes, heedful, regardful ◼ OPPOSITE: heedless 2 He is a wonderful host and is always attentive to his guests. = considerate, kind, civil, devoted, helpful, obliging, accommodating, polite, thoughtful, gracious, conscientious, respectful, courteous, gallant ◼ OPPOSITE: neglectfulattenuate VERB = weaken, reduce, contract, lower, diminish, decrease, dilute, lessen, sap, water down, adulterate, enfeeble, enervate, devaluateattenuated ADJECTIVE 1 rounded arches and attenuated columns = slender, extended, thinned, slimmed, refined, stretched out, lengthened, drawn out, spun out, elongated, rarefied 2 The vaccination contains attenuated strains of the target virus. = weakened, reduced, contracted, lowered, diminished, decreased, dilute, diluted, lessened, devalued, sapped, watered down, adulterated, enfeebled, enervatedattest VERB = testify, show, prove, confirm, display, declare, witness, demonstrate, seal, swear, exhibit, warrant, assert, manifest, give evidence, invoke, ratify, affirm, certify, verify, bear out, substantiate, corroborate, bear witness, authenticate, vouch for, evince (formal), aver, adjure ◼ OPPOSITE: disproveattic NOUN = loft, garret, roof spaceattire NOUN = clothes, wear, dress, clothing, gear (informal), habit, uniform, outfit, costume, threads (slang), array (poetic), garments, robes, apparel (old-fashioned), garb, accoutrements, raiment (archaic, poetic), vestment, schmutter (slang), habilimentsattitude NOUN 1 the general change in attitude towards them = opinion, thinking, feeling, thought, view, position, approach, belief, mood, perspective, point of view, stance, outlook, viewpoint, slant, frame of mind 2 He has a gentle attitude. = manner, air, condition, bearing, aspect, carriage, disposition, demeanour, mien (literary) 3 scenes of the king in various attitudes of worshipping = position, bearing, pose, stance, carriage, postureattorney NOUN = lawyer, solicitor, counsel, advocate, barrister, counsellor, legal adviserattract VERB 1 Summer attracts visitors to the countryside. = allure, interest, draw, invite, persuade, engage, charm, appeal to, fascinate, win over, tempt, lure (informal), induce, incline, seduce, entice, enchant, endear, lead on, coax, captivate, beguile, cajole, bewitch, decoy, inveigle, pull, catch (someone's) eye ◼ OPPOSITE: repel 2 Anything with strong gravity attracts other things to it. = pull (informal), draw, magnetizeattraction NOUN 1 It was never a physical attraction, just a meeting of minds. = appeal, interest, draw, pull (informal), come-on (informal), charm, incentive, invitation, lure, bait, temptation, fascination, attractiveness, allure, inducement, magnetism, enchantment, endearment, enticement, captivation, temptingness, pleasingness 2 the gravitational attraction of the Sun = pull, draw (informal), magnetismattractive ADJECTIVE 1 We are often drawn to attractive people. = seductive, charming, tempting, interesting, pleasing, pretty, fair, beautiful, inviting, engaging, likable or likeable, lovely, winning, sexy (informal), pleasant, handsome, fetching (informal), good-looking, glamorous, gorgeous (informal), magnetic, cute, irresistible, enticing, provocative, captivating, beguiling, alluring, bonny (Scot. & Northern English dialect), winsome, comely (old-fashioned), prepossessing, hot (informal), fit (Brit. informal), lush (slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: unattractive 2 Co-operation was more than just an attractive option. = appealing, pleasing, inviting, fascinating, tempting, enticing, agreeable, irresistible ◼ OPPOSITE: unappealingattributable ADJECTIVE = ascribable, accountable, applicable, traceable, explicable, assignable, imputable, blamable or blameable, placeable, referable or referrableattribute VERB They attribute their success to external causes such as luck. = ascribe, apply, credit, blame, refer, trace, assign, charge, allocate, put down, set down, allot, impute ▸ NOUN He has every attribute a footballer could want. = quality, point, mark, sign, note, feature, property, character, element, aspect, symbol, characteristic, indication, distinction, virtue, trait, hallmark (Brit.), facet, quirk, peculiarity, idiosyncrasyattribution NOUN = ascription, charge, credit, blame, assignment, attachment, placement, referral, assignation, imputationattrition NOUN = wearing down, harrying, weakening, harassment, thinning out, attenuation, debilitationattuned ADJECTIVE = accustomed, adjusted, coordinated, in tune, in harmony, in accord, harmonized, familiarized, acclimatizedatypical ADJECTIVE = unusual, exceptional, uncommon, singular, deviant (old-fashioned), unconventional, unique, unorthodox, uncharacteristic, out of the ordinary, unrepresentative, out of keeping, uncustomary, nonconforming, unconforming ◼ OPPOSITE: normal