Читать книгу Collins English Thesaurus Essential - Collins Dictionaries, Collins Dictionaries - Страница 133

coma NOUN = unconsciousness, trance, oblivion, lethargy, stupor, torpor, insensibilitycomatose ADJECTIVE 1 The right side of my brain had been so severely bruised that I was comatose for a month. = unconscious, in a coma, out cold, insensible 2 Granpa lies comatose on the sofa. = inert, stupefied, out cold, somnolent, torpid, insensible, dead to the world (informal), druggedcomb VERB 1 Her reddish hair was cut short and neatly combed. = untangle, arrange, groom, dress 2 Officers combed the woods for the murder weapon. = search, hunt through, sweep, rake, sift, scour, rummage, ransack, forage, fossick (Austral. & N.Z.), go through with a fine-tooth combcombat NOUN Over 16 million men died in combat during the war. = fight, war, action, battle, conflict, engagement, warfare, skirmish ◼ OPPOSITE: peace ▸ VERB new government measures to combat crime = fight, battle against, oppose, contest, engage, cope with, resist, defy, withstand, struggle against, contend with, do battle with, strive against ◼ OPPOSITE: supportcombatant NOUN His grandfather was a Boer war combatant. = fighter, soldier, warrior, contender, gladiator, belligerent, antagonist, fighting man, serviceman or servicewoman ▸ ADJECTIVE the monitoring of ceasefires between combatant states = fighting, warring, battling, conflicting, opposing, contending, belligerent, combativecombative ADJECTIVE = aggressive, militant, contentious, belligerent, antagonistic, pugnacious, warlike, bellicose, truculent, quarrelsome ◼ OPPOSITE: nonaggressivecombination NOUN 1 A combination of factors are to blame. = mixture, mix, compound, blend, composite, amalgam, amalgamation, meld, coalescence 2 The company's chief executive has proposed a merger or other business combination. = association, union, alliance, coalition, merger, federation, consortium, unification, syndicate, confederation, cartel, confederacy, cabalcombine VERB 1 Combine the flour with water to make a paste. = amalgamate, marry, mix, bond, bind, compound, blend, incorporate, integrate, merge, put together, fuse, synthesize ◼ OPPOSITE: separate 2 Disease and starvation are combining to kill thousands. = join together, link, connect, integrate, merge, fuse, amalgamate, meld 3 Different states or groups can combine to enlarge their markets. = unite, associate, team up, unify, get together, collaborate, join forces, cooperate, join together, pool resources ◼ OPPOSITE: split upcombustible ADJECTIVE = flammable, explosive, incendiary, inflammablecome VERB 1 We heard the train coming. = approach, near, advance, move towards, draw near 2 Two police officers came into the hall. = arrive, move, appear, enter, turn up (informal), show up (informal), materialize 3 The water came to his chest. = reach, extend 4 Saturday's incident came without warning. = happen, fall, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 5 The wallpaper comes in black and white only. = be available, be made, be offered, be produced, be on offer ● come about A lasting solution to this problem can only come about through dialogue. = happen, result, occur, take place, arise, transpire (informal), befall, come to pass ● come across as something or someone = seem, look, seem to be, appear to be, give the impression of being ● come across someone I recently came across a college friend in New York. = meet, encounter, run into, bump into (informal) ● come across something He came across the jawbone of a 4.5 million-year-old marsupial. = find, discover, notice, unearth, stumble upon, hit upon, chance upon, happen upon, light upon ● come at someone A man came at him with an axe. = attack, charge, rush, go for, assault, fly at, assail, fall upon, rush at ● come back She came back half an hour later. = return, reappear, re-enter ● come between people It's difficult to imagine anything coming between them. = separate, part, divide, alienate, estrange, set at odds ● come by something How did you come by that cheque? = get, win, land (informal), score (slang), secure, obtain, acquire, get hold of, procure, take possession of ● come down 1 Interest rates are coming down. = decrease, fall, drop, reduce, go down, diminish, lessen, become lower 2 The rain began to come down. = fall, descend ● come down on someone If she came down too hard on him, he would rebel. = reprimand, blast, carpet (informal), put down, criticize, jump on (informal), rebuke, dress down (informal), tear into (informal), diss (slang), read the riot act, lambast(e), bawl out (informal), rap over the knuckles, chew out (U.S. & Canad. informal), tear (someone) off a strip (Brit. informal), give (someone) a rocket (Brit. & N.Z. informal) ● come down on something (one or other side of an argument) He clearly came down on the side of the President. = decide on, choose, favour ● come down to something In the end it all comes down to a matter of personal preference. = amount to, boil down to ● come down with something (an illness) He came down with chickenpox. = catch, get, take, contract, fall victim to, fall ill, be stricken with, take sick, sicken with ● come forward A witness came forward to say that she had seen him that night. = volunteer, step forward, present yourself, offer your services ● come from something 1 Nearly half the students come from France. = be from, originate, hail from, be a native of 2 Chocolate comes from the cacao tree. = be obtained, be from, issue, emerge, flow, arise, originate, emanate ● come in 1 They were scared when they first came in. = arrive, enter, appear, show up (informal), cross the threshold 2 My horse came in third in the second race. = finish ● come in for something (criticism or blame) The plans have already come in for fierce criticism. = receive, get, suffer, endure, be subjected to, bear the brunt of, be the object of ● come into something (money or property) My father has just come into a fortune. = inherit, be left, acquire, succeed to, be bequeathed, fall heir to ● come off It was a good try but it didn't quite come off. = succeed, work out, be successful, pan out (informal), turn out well ● come on 1 He is coming on very well at the violin. = progress, develop, improve, advance, proceed, make headway 2 Winter is coming on. = begin, appear, take place ● come out 1 The book comes out this week. = be published, appear, be released, be issued, be launched 2 The truth is beginning to come out now. = be revealed, emerge, be reported, be announced, become apparent, come to light, be divulged 3 I'm sure it will come out all right in the end. = turn out, result, end up, work out, pan out (informal) ● come out with something Everyone burst out laughing when he came out with this remark. = say, speak, utter, let out ● come round or around 1 Beryl came round last night to apologize. = call, visit, drop in, stop by, pop in 2 It looks like they're coming around to our way of thinking. = change your opinion, yield, concede, mellow, relent, accede, acquiesce 3 When I came round I was on the kitchen floor. = regain consciousness, come to, recover, rally, revive ● come through He's putting his job at risk if he doesn't come through. = succeed, triumph, prevail, make the grade (informal) ● come through something (a negative or bad experience) We've come through some rough times. = survive, overcome, endure, withstand, weather, pull through ● come to When he came to and raised his head he saw Barney. = revive, recover, rally, come round, regain consciousness ● come to something The bill came to over a hundred pounds. = amount to, total, add up to ● come up Sorry I'm late – something came up at home. = happen, occur, arise, turn up, spring up, crop up ● come up to something Her work did not come up to his exacting standards. = measure up to, meet, match, approach, rival, equal, compare with, resemble, admit of comparison with, stand or bear comparison with ● come up with something Several members have come up with suggestions of their own. = produce, offer, provide, present, suggest, advance, propose, submit, furnishcomeback NOUN 1 (informal) The former world champion is making a comeback. = return, revival, rebound, resurgence, rally, recovery, triumph 2 I tried to think of a witty comeback. = response, reply, retort, retaliation, riposte, rejoindercomedian NOUN = comic, laugh (informal), wit, clown, funny man or woman, humorist, wag, joker, jester, dag (N.Z. informal), card (informal)comedy NOUN 1 a comedy set in 18th-century Ireland = light entertainment, sitcom (informal), soap opera (slang), soapie or soapy (Austral.) ◼ OPPOSITE: tragedy 2 He and I provided the comedy with songs and monologues. = humour, fun, joking, farce, jesting, slapstick, wisecracking, hilarity, witticisms, facetiousness, chaffing ◼ OPPOSITE: seriousnesscomfort NOUN 1 She had enough money to live in comfort for the rest of her life. = ease, luxury, wellbeing, opulence 2 I tried to find some words of comfort to offer her. = consolation, cheer, encouragement, succour, help, support, aid, relief, ease, compensation, alleviation ◼ OPPOSITE: annoyance ▸ VERB He put his arm round her, trying to comfort her. = console, encourage, ease, cheer, strengthen, relieve, reassure, soothe, hearten, solace, assuage, gladden, commiserate with ◼ OPPOSITE: distresscomfortable ADJECTIVE 1 Dress in loose comfortable clothes that do not make you feel restricted. = loose-fitting, loose, adequate, ample, snug, roomy, commodious ◼ OPPOSITE: tight-fitting 2 A home should be comfortable and friendly. = pleasant, homely, easy, relaxing, delightful, enjoyable, cosy, agreeable, restful ◼ OPPOSITE: unpleasant 3 Lie down on your bed and make yourself comfortable. = at ease, happy, at home, contented, relaxed, serene ◼ OPPOSITE: uncomfortable 4 She came from a stable, comfortable, middle-class family. = well-off, prosperous, affluent, well-to-do, comfortably-off, in clover (informal)comforting ADJECTIVE = consoling, encouraging, cheering, reassuring, soothing, heart-warming, inspiriting ◼ OPPOSITE: upsettingcomic ADJECTIVE The novel is both comic and tragic. = funny, amusing, witty, humorous, farcical, comical, light, joking, droll, facetious, jocular, waggish ◼ OPPOSITE: sad ▸ NOUN At that time he was still a penniless, unknown comic. = comedian, funny man or woman, humorist, wit, clown, wag, jester, dag (N.Z. informal), buffooncomical ADJECTIVE = funny, entertaining, comic, silly, amusing, ridiculous, diverting, absurd, hilarious, ludicrous, humorous, priceless (informal), laughable, farcical, whimsical, zany, droll, risible (formal), side-splittingcoming ADJECTIVE 1 This obviously depends on the weather in the coming months. = approaching, next, future, near, due, forthcoming, imminent, in store, impending, at hand, upcoming, on the cards, in the wind, nigh, just round the corner 2 He is widely regarded as the coming man of Scottish rugby. = up-and-coming, future, promising, aspiring ▸ NOUN Most of us welcome the coming of summer. = arrival, approach, advent, accessioncommand VERB 1 He commanded his troops to attack. = order, tell, charge (formal), demand, require, direct, bid, compel, enjoin ◼ OPPOSITE: beg 2 the French general who commands the UN troops in the region = have authority over, lead, head, control, rule, manage, handle, dominate, govern, administer, supervise, be in charge of, reign over ◼ OPPOSITE: be subordinate to ▸ NOUN 1 The tanker failed to respond to a command to stop. = order, demand, direction, instruction, dictate, requirement, decree, bidding, mandate, canon, directive, injunction, fiat, ultimatum, commandment, edict, behest, precept 2 the struggle for command of the air = domination, control, rule, grasp, sway, mastery, dominion, upper hand, power, government 3 In 1942 he took command of 108 Squadron. = management, power, control, charge, authority, direction, supervisioncommandeer VERB = seize, appropriate, hijack, confiscate, requisition, sequester, expropriate (formal), sequestratecommander NOUN = leader, director, chief, officer, boss, head, captain, ruler, commander-in-chief, commanding officer, C in C, C.O., sherang (Austral. & N.Z.)commanding ADJECTIVE 1 Right now you're in a very commanding position. = dominant, controlling, dominating, superior, decisive, advantageous 2 The voice at the other end of the line was serious and commanding. = authoritative, imposing, impressive, compelling, assertive, forceful, autocratic, peremptory ◼ OPPOSITE: unassertivecommemorate VERB = celebrate, remember, honour, recognize, salute, pay tribute to, immortalize, memorialize ◼ OPPOSITE: ignorecommemoration NOUN 1 A special commemoration for her will be held next week. = ceremony, tribute, memorial service, testimonial 2 a march in commemoration of the victims = remembrance, honour, tributecommemorative ADJECTIVE = memorial, celebratorycommence VERB 1 They commenced a systematic search of the area. = embark on, start, open, begin, initiate, originate, instigate, inaugurate, enter upon ◼ OPPOSITE: stop 2 The academic year commences at the beginning of October. = start, open, begin, go ahead ◼ OPPOSITE: endcommencement NOUN = beginning, start, opening, launch, birth, origin, dawn (literary), outset, onset, initiation, inauguration, inception, embarkationcommend VERB 1 She was highly commended for her bravery. = praise, acclaim, applaud, compliment, extol, approve, big up (slang), eulogize, speak highly of ◼ OPPOSITE: criticize 2 I can commend it to you as a sensible course of action. = recommend, suggest, approve, advocate, endorse, vouch for, put in a good word forcommendable ADJECTIVE = praiseworthy, deserving, worthy, admirable, exemplary, creditable, laudable, meritorious, estimablecommendation NOUN = praise, credit, approval, acclaim, encouragement, Brownie points, approbation, acclamation, good opinion, panegyric, encomiumcommensurate ADJECTIVE 1 Employees are paid salaries commensurate with those of teachers. = equivalent, consistent, corresponding, comparable, compatible, in accord, proportionate, coextensive 2 The resources available are in no way commensurate to the need. = appropriate, fitting, fit, due, sufficient, adequatecomment VERB 1 Stuart commented that this was very true. = remark, say, note, mention, point out, observe, utter, opine, interpose 2 (usually with on) So far Mr Aziz has not commented on these reports. = remark on, explain, talk about, discuss, speak about, say something about, allude to, elucidate, make a comment on ▸ NOUN 1 He made these comments at a news conference. = remark, statement, observation 2 He had added a few comments in the margin. = note, criticism, explanation, illustration, commentary, exposition, annotation, elucidationcommentary NOUN 1 He gave the listening crowd a running commentary on the game. = narration, report, review, explanation, description, voice-over 2 He will be writing a twice-weekly commentary on American society and culture. = analysis, notes, review, critique, treatisecommentator NOUN 1 a sports commentator = reporter, special correspondent, sportscaster, commenter 2 He is a commentator on African affairs. = critic, interpreter, annotatorcommercial ADJECTIVE 1 In its heyday it was a major centre of commercial activity. = mercantile, business, trade, trading, sales 2 Whether the project will be a commercial success is still uncertain. = profitable, popular, in demand, marketable, saleable 3 There's a feeling among a lot of people that music has become too commercial. = materialistic, mercenary, profit-making, venal, monetary, exploited, pecuniarycommiserate VERB (often with with) = sympathize, pity, feel for, console, condolecommission VERB You can commission them to paint something especially for you. = appoint, order, contract, select, engage, delegate, nominate, authorize, empower, depute ▸ NOUN 1 She approached me with a commission to write the screen play for the film. = duty, authority, trust, charge, task, function, mission, employment, appointment, warrant, mandate, errand 2 He got a commission for bringing in new clients. = fee, cut (informal), compensation, percentage, allowance, royalties, brokerage, rake-off (slang) 3 The authorities have been asked to set up a commission to investigate the murders. = committee, board, representatives, commissioners, delegation, deputation, body of commissionerscommit VERB 1 I have never committed any crime. = do, perform, carry out, execute, enact, perpetrate 2 The government have committed billions of pounds to the programme. = give, deliver, engage, deposit, hand over, commend (formal), entrust, consign ◼ OPPOSITE: withhold 3 Offenders would be committed to these prisons by the local courts. = put in custody, confine, imprison, consign ◼ OPPOSITE: release ● commit yourself to something She didn't want to commit herself to working at weekends. = pledge to, promise to, bind yourself to, make yourself liable for, obligate yourself tocommitment NOUN 1 a commitment to the ideals of Bolshevism = dedication, loyalty, devotion, adherence ◼ OPPOSITE: indecisiveness 2 I've got too many commitments to take on anything more right now. = responsibility, tie, duty, obligation, liability, engagement 3 We made a commitment to keep working together. = pledge, promise, guarantee, undertaking, vow, assurance, word ◼ OPPOSITE: disavowalcommittee NOUN = group, commission, panel, delegation, subcommittee, deputationcommodity NOUN (usually plural) = goods, produce, stock, products, merchandise, warescommon ADJECTIVE 1 Earthquakes are fairly common in this part of the world. = usual, standard, daily, regular, ordinary, familiar, plain, conventional, routine, frequent, everyday, customary, commonplace, vanilla (slang), habitual, run-of-the-mill, humdrum, stock, workaday, bog-standard (Brit. & Irish slang), a dime a dozen ◼ OPPOSITE: rare 2 It is common practice for people to invest in holiday homes here. = popular, general, accepted, standard, routine, widespread, universal, prevailing, prevalent 3 They share a common language. = shared, collective 4 He proclaims himself to be the voice of the common people. = ordinary, average, simple, typical, undistinguished, dinki-di (Austral. informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: important 5 She might be a little common at times, but she was certainly not boring. = vulgar, low, inferior, coarse, plebeian ◼ OPPOSITE: refined 6 social policies which promote the common good = collective, public, community, social, communal ◼ OPPOSITE: personalcommonplace ADJECTIVE The practice was virtually unheard of twenty years ago, but has now become commonplace. = everyday, common, ordinary, widespread, pedestrian, customary, mundane, vanilla (slang), banal, run-of-the-mill, humdrum, dime-a-dozen (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: rare ▸ NOUN It is a commonplace to say that the poetry of the first world war was greater than that of the second. = cliché, platitude, banality, truismcommon sense NOUN = good sense, sound judgment, level-headedness, practicality, prudence, nous (Brit. slang), soundness, reasonableness, gumption (Brit. informal), horse sense, native intelligence, mother wit, smarts (slang, chiefly U.S.), witcommon-sense ADJECTIVE = sensible, sound, practical, reasonable, realistic, shrewd, down-to-earth, matter-of-fact, sane, astute, judicious, level-headed, hard-headed, grounded ◼ OPPOSITE: foolishcommotion NOUN = disturbance, to-do, riot, disorder, excitement, fuss, turmoil, racket, upheaval, bustle, furore, outcry, uproar, ferment, agitation, ado, rumpus, tumult, hubbub, hurly-burly, brouhaha, hullabaloo, hue and crycommunal ADJECTIVE 1 Communal violence broke out in different parts of the country. = community, neighbourhood 2 The inmates ate in a communal dining room. = public, shared, general, joint, collective, communistic ◼ OPPOSITE: privatecommune NOUN = community, collective, cooperative, kibbutzcommune with VERB 1 He set off from the lodge to commune with nature. = contemplate, ponder, reflect on, muse on, meditate on 2 We were encouraged to commune with grown-ups as equals. = talk to, communicate with, discuss with, confer with, converse with, discourse with, parley with, korero (N.Z.)communicable ADJECTIVE = infectious, catching, contagious, transferable, transmittablecommunicate VERB 1 My natural mother has never communicated with me. = contact, talk, speak, phone, correspond, make contact, be in touch, ring up (informal, chiefly Brit.), be in contact, get in contact, email or e-mail, text, message 2 The result will be communicated to parents. = make known, report, announce, reveal, publish, declare, spread, disclose, pass on, proclaim, transmit, convey, impart, divulge, disseminate ◼ OPPOSITE: keep secret 3 typhus, a disease communicated by body lice = pass on, transfer, spread, transmitcommunication NOUN 1 The problem is a lack of real communication between you. = contact, conversation, correspondence, intercourse (formal), link, relations, connection 2 Treatment involves the communication of information. = passing on, spread, circulation, transmission, disclosure, imparting, dissemination, conveyance 3 The ambassador has brought a communication from the President. = message, news, report, word, information, statement, intelligence, announcement, disclosure, dispatch, email or e-mail, text ▸ PLURAL NOUN Violent rain has caused flooding and cut communications between neighbouring towns. = connections, travel, links, transport, routescommunicative ADJECTIVE = talkative, open, frank, forthcoming, outgoing, informative, candid, expansive, chatty, voluble, loquacious, unreserved ◼ OPPOSITE: reservedcommunion NOUN = affinity, accord, agreement, unity, sympathy, harmony, intercourse (formal), fellowship, communing, closeness, rapport, converse, togetherness, concordCommunion NOUN = Eucharist, Mass, Sacrament, Lord's Suppercommuniqué NOUN = announcement, report, bulletin, dispatch, news flash, official communicationcommunism NOUN (usually cap.) = socialism, Marxism, Stalinism, collectivism, Bolshevism, Marxism-Leninism, state socialism, Maoism, Trotskyism, Eurocommunism, Titoismcommunist NOUN (often cap.) = socialist, Red (informal), Marxist, Bolshevik, collectivistcommunity NOUN 1 He's well liked by the local community. = society, people, public, association, population, residents, commonwealth, general public, populace, body politic, state, company 2 a township on the outskirts of the mining community = district, area, quarter, region, sector, parish, neighbourhood, vicinity, locality, locality, locale, neck of the woods (informal)commute VERB 1 She commutes to London every day. = travel 2 His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. = reduce, cut, modify, shorten, alleviate, curtail, remit, mitigatecommuter NOUN = daily traveller, passenger, suburbanitecompact1 ADJECTIVE 1 a thick, bare trunk crowned by a compact mass of dark-green leaves = closely packed, firm, solid, thick, dense, compressed, condensed, impenetrable, impermeable, pressed together ◼ OPPOSITE: loose 2 The strength of the series is in its concise, compact short-story quality. = concise, brief, to the point, succinct, terse, laconic, pithy, epigrammatic, pointed ◼ OPPOSITE: lengthy ▸ VERB The soil settles and is compacted by the winter rain. = pack closely, stuff, cram, compress, condense, tamp ◼ OPPOSITE: loosencompact2 NOUN The Pilgrims signed a democratic compact aboard the Mayflower. = agreement, deal (informal), understanding, contract, bond, arrangement, alliance, treaty, bargain, pact, covenant, entente, concordatcompanion NOUN 1 He has been her constant companion for the last six years. = friend, partner, ally, colleague, associate, mate (informal), gossip (archaic), buddy (informal), comrade, accomplice, crony, confederate, plus-one (informal), consort, main man (slang, chiefly U.S.), homeboy (slang, chiefly U.S.), cobber (Austral. & N.Z. old-fashioned, informal) 2 She was employed as companion to a wealthy old woman. = assistant, aide, escort, attendant 3 The book was written as the companion to a trilogy of television documentaries. = complement, match, fellow, mate, twin, counterpartcompanionship NOUN = fellowship, company, friendship, fraternity, rapport, camaraderie, togetherness, comradeship, amity (formal), esprit de corps, convivialitycompany NOUN 1 She worked in an insurance company. = business, firm, association, corporation, partnership, establishment, syndicate, house, concern 2 He was a notable young actor in a company of rising stars. = group, troupe, set, community, league, band, crowd, camp, collection, gathering, circle, crew (informal), assembly, convention, ensemble, throng, coterie, bevy, assemblage, party, body 3 The division consists of two tank companies and one infantry company. = troop, unit, squad, team 4 I would be grateful for your company on the drive back. = companionship, society (old-fashioned), presence, fellowship 5 Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realise you had company. = guests, party, visitors, callerscomparable ADJECTIVE 1 They should be paid the same wages for work of comparable value. = equal, equivalent, on a par, tantamount, a match, proportionate, commensurate, as good ◼ OPPOSITE: unequal 2 The scoring systems used in the two studies are not directly comparable. = similar, related, alike, corresponding, akin, analogous, of a piece, cognate, cut from the same clothcomparative ADJECTIVE = relative, qualified, by comparison, approximatecompare VERB Compare the two illustrations in Fig 60. = contrast, balance, weigh, set against, collate, juxtapose ● compare to something Commentators compared his work to that of James Joyce. = liken to, parallel, identify with, equate to, correlate to, mention in the same breath as ● compare with something The flowers here do not compare with those at home. = be as good as, match, approach, equal, compete with, come up to, vie, be on a par with, be the equal of, approximate to, hold a candle to, bear comparison, be in the same class ascomparison NOUN 1 There are no previous statistics for comparison. = contrast, distinction, differentiation, juxtaposition, collation 2 There is no comparison between the picture quality of the two formats. = similarity, analogy, resemblance, correlation, likeness, comparabilitycompartment NOUN 1 We shared our compartment with a group of students. = section, carriage, berth 2 I put the ice cream in the freezer compartment of the fridge. = bay, chamber, booth, locker, niche, cubicle, alcove, pigeonhole, cubbyhole, cell 3 We usually put the mind, the body and the spirit into three separate compartments. = category, area, department, division, section, subdivisioncompass NOUN Within the compass of a book of this size, such a comprehensive survey is not practicable. = range, field, area, reach, scope, sphere, limit, stretch, bound, extent, zone, boundary, realmcompassion NOUN = sympathy, understanding, charity, pity, humanity, mercy, heart, quarter, sorrow, kindness, tenderness, condolence, clemency, commiseration, fellow feeling, soft-heartedness, tender-heartedness, aroha (N.Z.) ◼ OPPOSITE: indifferencecompassionate ADJECTIVE = sympathetic, kindly, understanding, tender, pitying, humanitarian, charitable, humane, indulgent, benevolent, lenient, merciful, kind-hearted, tender-hearted ◼ OPPOSITE: uncaringcompatibility NOUN 1 The committee will consider the bill's compatibility with human rights law. = agreement, consistency, accordance, affinity, conformity, concord, congruity, accord 2 She had concerns about their compatibility as friends. = like-mindedness, harmony, empathy, rapport, single-mindedness, amity (formal), sympathy, congenialitycompatible ADJECTIVE 1 Free enterprise, he argued, was compatible with Russian values and traditions. = consistent, in keeping, consonant, congenial, congruent, reconcilable, congruous, accordant, agreeable ◼ OPPOSITE: inappropriate 2 She and I are very compatible – we're interested in all the same things. = like-minded, harmonious, in harmony, in accord, of one mind, of the same mind, en rapport (French) ◼ OPPOSITE: incompatiblecompatriot NOUN = fellow countryman, countryman, fellow citizencompel VERB = force, make, urge, enforce, railroad (informal), drive, oblige, constrain, hustle (slang), necessitate, coerce, bulldoze (informal), impel, dragooncompelling ADJECTIVE 1 He puts forward a compelling argument against the policy. = convincing, telling, powerful, forceful, conclusive, weighty, cogent, irrefutable 2 = fascinating, gripping, irresistible, enchanting, enthralling, hypnotic, spellbinding, mesmeric ◼ OPPOSITE: boringcompendium NOUN = collection, summary, abstract, digest, compilation, epitome, synopsis, préciscompensate VERB 1 To ease financial difficulties, farmers could be compensated for their loss of subsidies. = recompense, repay, refund, reimburse, indemnify, make restitution, requite, remunerate (formal), satisfy, make good 2 She compensated for her burst of anger by doing even more for us. = make amends for, make up for, atone for, pay for, do penance for, cancel out, make reparation for, make redress for 3 The rewards more than compensated for the inconveniences involved in making the trip. = balance, cancel (out), offset, make up for, redress, counteract, neutralize, counterbalancecompensation NOUN 1 He received one year's salary as compensation for loss of office. = reparation, damages, payment, recompense, indemnification, offset, remuneration, indemnity, restitution, reimbursement, requital 2 The present she left him was no compensation for her absence. = recompense, amends, reparation, restitution, atonementcompete VERB 1 The stores will inevitably end up competing with each other for increased market shares. = contend, fight, rival, vie, challenge, struggle, contest, strive, pit yourself against 2 She has competed twice in the Berlin marathon. = take part, participate, be in the running, be a competitor, be a contestant, playcompetence NOUN 1 I regard her as a woman of integrity and high professional competence. = ability, skill, talent, capacity, expertise, proficiency, competency, capability ◼ OPPOSITE: incompetence 2 They questioned her competence as a pharmacist. = fitness, suitability, adequacy, appropriateness ◼ OPPOSITE: inadequacycompetent ADJECTIVE 1 He was a loyal and very competent civil servant. = able, skilled, capable, clever, endowed, proficient ◼ OPPOSITE: incompetent 2 I don't feel competent to deal with a medical emergency. = fit, qualified, equal, appropriate, suitable, sufficient, adequate ◼ OPPOSITE: unqualifiedcompetition NOUN 1 There's been some fierce competition for the title. = rivalry, opposition, struggle, contest, contention, strife, one-upmanship (informal) 2 In this business you have to stay one step ahead of the competition. = opposition, field, rivals, challengers 3 He will be banned from international competitions for four years. = contest, event, championship, tournament, head-to-headcompetitive ADJECTIVE 1 Modelling is a tough, competitive world. = cut-throat, aggressive, fierce, ruthless, relentless, antagonistic, dog-eat-dog 2 She has always been a fiercely competitive player. = ambitious, pushing, opposing, aggressive, two-fisted, vying, contentious, combativecompetitor NOUN 1 The bank isn't performing as well as some of its competitors. = rival, competition, opposition, adversary, antagonist 2 One of the oldest competitors in the race won the silver medal. = contestant, participant, contender, challenger, entrant, player, opponentcompilation NOUN = collection, treasury, accumulation, anthology, assortment, assemblagecompile VERB = put together, collect, gather, organize, accumulate, marshal, garner, amass, cull, anthologizecomplacency NOUN = smugness, satisfaction, gratification, contentment, self-congratulation, self-satisfactioncomplacent ADJECTIVE = smug, self-satisfied, pleased with yourself, resting on your laurels, pleased, contented, satisfied, gratified, serene, unconcerned, self-righteous, self-assured, self-contented ◼ OPPOSITE: insecurecomplain VERB = find fault, moan (informal), grumble, whinge (informal), beef (slang), carp, fuss, bitch (slang), groan, grieve, lament, whine, growl, deplore, grouse, gripe (informal), bemoan, bleat, put the boot in (slang), bewail, kick up a fuss (informal), grouch (informal), bellyache (slang), kvetch (U.S. slang), nit-pick (informal)complaint NOUN 1 There have been a number of complaints about the standard of service. = protest, accusation, objection, grievance, remonstrance (formal), charge 2 I don't have any complaints about the way I've been treated. = grumble, criticism, beef (slang), moan, bitch (slang), lament, grievance, wail, dissatisfaction, annoyance, grouse, gripe (informal), grouch (informal), plaint, fault-finding 3 Eczema is a common skin complaint. = disorder, problem, trouble, disease, upset, illness, sickness, ailment, affliction, malady, indispositioncomplement VERB Nutmeg complements the flavour of these beans perfectly. = enhance, complete, improve, boost, crown, add to, set off, heighten, augment, round off ▸ NOUN 1 The green wallpaper is the perfect complement to the old pine of the dresser. = accompaniment, companion, accessory, completion, finishing touch, rounding-off, adjunct, supplement 2 Each ship had a complement of around a dozen officers and 250 men and women. = total, capacity, quota, aggregate, contingent, entirety

USAGE This is sometimes confused with compliment but the two words have very different meanings. As the synonyms show, the verb form of complement means 'to enhance' and 'to complete' something. In contrast, common synonyms of compliment as a verb are praise, commend, and flatter.

complementary ADJECTIVE = matching, companion, corresponding, compatible, reciprocal, interrelating, interdependent, harmonizing ◼ OPPOSITE: incompatiblecomplete ADJECTIVE 1 He made me look like a complete idiot. = total, perfect, absolute, utter, outright, thorough, consummate, out-and-out, unmitigated, dyed-in-the-wool, thoroughgoing, deep-dyed 2 A complete tenement block was burnt to the ground. = whole, full, entire ◼ OPPOSITE: partial 3 Scientists have found the oldest complete skeleton of an ape-like man. = entire, full, whole, intact, unbroken, faultless, undivided, unimpaired ◼ OPPOSITE: incomplete 4 the complete works of Shakespeare = unabridged, full, entire 5 The work of restoring the farmhouse is complete. = finished, done, ended, completed, achieved, concluded, fulfilled, accomplished ◼ OPPOSITE: unfinished ▸ VERB 1 the stickers needed to complete the collection = perfect, accomplish, finish off, round off, crown, cap ◼ OPPOSITE: spoil 2 He had just completed his first novel. = finish, conclude, fulfil, accomplish, do, end, close, achieve, perform, settle, realize, execute, discharge, wrap up (informal), terminate, finalize ◼ OPPOSITE: startcompletely ADVERB = totally, entirely, wholly, utterly, quite, perfectly, fully, solidly, absolutely, altogether, thoroughly, in full, every inch, en masse, heart and soul, a hundred per cent, one hundred per cent, from beginning to end, down to the ground, root and branch, in toto (Latin), from A to Z, hook, line and sinker, lock, stock and barrelcompletion NOUN = finishing, end, close, conclusion, accomplishment, realization, fulfilment, culmination, attainment, fruition, consummation, finalizationcomplex ADJECTIVE 1 His complex compositions are built up of many overlapping layers. = compound, compounded, multiple, composite, manifold (formal), heterogeneous, multifarious 2 in-depth coverage of today's complex issues = complicated, difficult, involved, mixed, elaborate, tangled, mingled, intricate, tortuous, convoluted, knotty, labyrinthine, circuitous ◼ OPPOSITE: simple ▸ NOUN 1 Our philosophy is a complex of many tightly interrelated ideas. = structure, system, scheme, network, organization, aggregate, composite, synthesis 2 I have never had a complex about my height. = obsession, preoccupation, phobia, fixation, fixed idea, idée fixe (French)

USAGE Although complex and complicated are close in meaning, care should be taken when using one as a synonym of the other. Complex should be used to say that something consists of several parts rather than that it is difficult to understand, analyse, or deal with, which is what complicated inherently means. In the following real example a clear distinction is made between the two words: the British benefits system is phenomenally complex and is administered by a complicated range of agencies.

complexion NOUN 1 She had short brown hair and a pale complexion. = skin, colour, colouring, hue, skin tone, pigmentation 2 The political complexion of the government has changed. = nature, character, make-up, cast, stamp, dispositioncomplexity NOUN = complication, involvement, intricacy, entanglement, convolutioncompliance NOUN 1 The company says it is in full compliance with US labor laws. = conformity, agreement, obedience, assent, observance, concurrence ◼ OPPOSITE: disobedience 2 We seem to have reached unprecedented depths of compliance and timidity. = submissiveness, yielding, submission, obedience, deference, passivity, acquiescence, complaisance, consent ◼ OPPOSITE: defiancecompliant ADJECTIVE = obedient, willing, accepting, yielding, obliging, accommodating, passive, cooperative, agreeable, submissive, conformist, deferential, acquiescent, complaisant, conformablecomplicate VERB = make difficult, confuse, muddle, embroil, entangle, make intricate, involve ◼ OPPOSITE: simplifycomplicated ADJECTIVE 1 The political situation in this region is very complicated. = involved, difficult, puzzling, troublesome, problematic, perplexing ◼ OPPOSITE: simple 2 a complicated voting system = complex, involved, elaborate, intricate, Byzantine ◼ OPPOSITE: understandablecomplication NOUN 1 The age difference was a complication to the relationship. = problem, difficulty, obstacle, drawback, snag, uphill (S. African), stumbling block, aggravation 2 Her poetry was characterised by a complication of imagery and ideas. = complexity, combination, mixture, web, confusion, intricacy, entanglementcomplicity NOUN = collusion, conspiracy, collaboration, connivance, abetmentcompliment NOUN She accepted the compliment with good grace. = praise, honour, tribute, courtesy, admiration, bouquet, flattery, eulogy ◼ OPPOSITE: criticism ▸ PLURAL NOUN 1 Give my compliments to all your colleagues. = greetings, regards, respects, good wishes, salutation ◼ OPPOSITE: insult 2 That was an excellent meal – my compliments to the chef. = congratulations, praise, commendation ▸ VERB They complimented me on my performance. = praise, flatter, salute, congratulate, pay tribute to, commend, laud, extol, crack up (informal), pat on the back, sing the praises of, wax lyrical about, big up (slang), speak highly of ◼ OPPOSITE: criticize

USAGE Compliment is sometimes confused with complement.

complimentary ADJECTIVE 1 We often get complimentary remarks regarding the quality of our service. = flattering, approving, appreciative, congratulatory, eulogistic, commendatory ◼ OPPOSITE: critical 2 He had complimentary tickets for the show. = free, donated, courtesy, honorary, free of charge, on the house, gratuitous, gratiscomply VERB = obey, follow, respect, agree to, satisfy, observe, fulfil, submit to, conform to, adhere to, abide by, consent to, yield to, defer to, accede to, act in accordance with, perform, acquiesce with ◼ OPPOSITE: defycomponent NOUN Enriched uranium is a key component of nuclear weapons. = part, piece, unit, item, element, ingredient, constituent ▸ ADJECTIVE Polish factories will be making component parts for the aircraft. = constituent, composing, inherent, intrinsiccompose VERB 1 They agreed to form a council composed of leaders of the rival factions. = put together, make up, constitute, comprise, make, build, form, fashion, construct, compound ◼ OPPOSITE: destroy 2 He started at once to compose a reply to her letter. = create, write, produce, imagine, frame, invent, devise, contrive 3 The drawing is beautifully composed. = arrange, make up, construct, put together, order, organize ● compose yourself She quickly composed herself before she entered the room. = calm yourself, be still, control yourself, settle yourself, collect yourself, pull yourself togethercomposed ADJECTIVE = calm, together (slang), cool, collected, relaxed, confident, poised, at ease, laid-back (informal), serene, tranquil, sedate, self-controlled, level-headed, unfazed (informal), unflappable, unruffled, self-possessed, imperturbable, unworried, keeping your cool, as cool as a cucumber, chilled (informal), grounded ◼ OPPOSITE: agitatedcomposite ADJECTIVE The chassis is made of a complex composite structure incorporating carbon fibre. = compound, mixed, combined, complex, blended, conglomerate, synthesized ▸ NOUN Spain is a composite of diverse traditions and people. = compound, blend, conglomerate, fusion, synthesis, amalgam, meldcomposition NOUN 1 Materials of different composition absorb and reflect light differently. = design, form, structure, make-up, organization, arrangement, constitution, formation, layout, configuration 2 Bach's compositions are undoubtedly among the greatest ever written. = creation, work, piece, production, opus, masterpiece, chef-d'oeuvre (French) 3 Write a composition on the subject 'What I Did on My Holidays'. = essay, writing, study, exercise, treatise, literary work 4 Let us study the composition of this painting. = arrangement, balance, proportion, harmony, symmetry, concord, consonance (formal), placing 5 These plays are arranged in order of their composition. = production, creation, making, fashioning, formation, putting together, invention, compilation, formulationcompost NOUN = fertilizer, mulch, humuscomposure NOUN = calmness, calm, poise, self-possession, cool (slang), ease, dignity, serenity, tranquillity, coolness, aplomb, equanimity, self-assurance, sang-froid, placidity, sedateness ◼ OPPOSITE: agitationcompound NOUN Organic compounds contain carbon in their molecules. = combination, mixture, blend, composite, conglomerate, fusion, synthesis, alloy, medley, amalgam, meld, composition ◼ OPPOSITE: element ▸ ADJECTIVE a tall shrub with shiny compound leaves = complex, multiple, composite, conglomerate, intricate, not simple ◼ OPPOSITE: simple ▸ VERB 1 Additional bloodshed will only compound the misery. = intensify, add to, complicate, worsen, heighten, exacerbate, aggravate, magnify, augment, add insult to injury ◼ OPPOSITE: lessen 2 An emotion oddly compounded of pleasure and bitterness flooded over me. = combine, unite, mix, blend, fuse, mingle, synthesize, concoct, amalgamate, coalesce, intermingle, meld ◼ OPPOSITE: dividecomprehend VERB = understand, see, take in, perceive, grasp, conceive, make out, discern, assimilate, see the light, fathom, apprehend, get the hang of (informal), get the picture, know ◼ OPPOSITE: misunderstandcomprehensible ADJECTIVE = understandable, clear, plain, explicit, coherent, user-friendly, intelligiblecomprehension NOUN = understanding, grasp, conception, realization, sense, knowledge, intelligence, judgment, perception, discernment ◼ OPPOSITE: incomprehensioncomprehensive ADJECTIVE = broad, full, complete, wide, catholic, sweeping, extensive, blanket, umbrella, thorough, inclusive, exhaustive, all-inclusive, all-embracing, overarching, encyclopedic ◼ OPPOSITE: limitedcompress VERB 1 Poor posture can compress the body's organs. = squeeze, crush, squash, constrict, press, crowd, wedge, cram 2 Textbooks compressed six millennia of Egyptian history into a few pages. = condense, contract, concentrate, compact, shorten, summarize, abbreviate, zip (data)compressed ADJECTIVE 1 a biodegradable product made from compressed peat and cellulose = squeezed, concentrated, compact, compacted, consolidated, squashed, flattened, constricted 2 All those three books are compressed into one volume. = reduced, compacted, shortened, abridgedcompression NOUN = squeezing, pressing, crushing, consolidation, condensation, constrictioncomprise VERB 1 The exhibition comprises 50 oils and watercolours. = be composed of, include, contain, consist of, take in, embrace, encompass, comprehend 2 Women comprise the majority of this hospital's medical staff. = make up, form, constitute, compose

USAGE The use of of after comprise should be avoided: the library comprises (not comprises of) 6,500,000 books and manuscripts. Consist, however, should be followed by of when used in this way: Her crew consisted of children from Devon and Cornwall.

compromise NOUN Be willing to make compromises between what your friend wants and what you want. = give-and-take, agreement, settlement, accommodation, concession, adjustment, trade-off, middle ground, half measures ◼ OPPOSITE: disagreement ▸ VERB 1 I don't think we can compromise on fundamental principles. = meet halfway, concede, make concessions, give and take, strike a balance, strike a happy medium, go fifty-fifty (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: disagree 2 He had compromised himself by accepting the money. = undermine, expose, embarrass, weaken, prejudice, endanger, discredit, implicate, jeopardize, dishonour, imperil ◼ OPPOSITE: supportcompulsion NOUN 1 He felt a compulsion to talk about his sporting achievements all the time. = urge, need, obsession, necessity, preoccupation, drive 2 Students learn more when they are in classes out of choice rather than compulsion. = force, pressure, obligation, constraint, urgency, coercion, duress, demandcompulsive ADJECTIVE 1 He is a compulsive liar. = obsessive, confirmed, chronic, persistent, addictive, uncontrollable, incurable, inveterate, incorrigible 2 This really is compulsive reading. = fascinating, gripping, absorbing, compelling, captivating, enthralling, hypnotic, engrossing, spellbinding 3 an almost compulsive desire to play tricks = irresistible, overwhelming, compelling, urgent, besetting, uncontrollable, drivingcompulsory ADJECTIVE = obligatory, forced, required, binding, mandatory, imperative, requisite, de rigueur (French) ◼ OPPOSITE: voluntarycompute VERB = calculate, rate, figure, total, measure, estimate, count, reckon, sum, figure out, add up, tally, enumeratecomrade NOUN = companion, friend, partner, ally, colleague, associate, fellow, mate (informal), pal (informal), buddy (informal), compatriot, crony, confederate, co-worker, main man (slang, chiefly U.S.), blood (Brit. slang), homeboy (slang, chiefly U.S.), cobber (Austral. & N.Z. old-fashioned, informal), compeercomradeship NOUN = fellowship, solidarity, fraternity, brotherhood, sisterhood, companionship, camaraderie, kotahitanga (N.Z.)