Vocabulary Word Meanings: From Euphemism, Evasive to Exacerbate
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Euphemism
noun- a word or phrase that՚s used to make an unpleasant idea sound better
Also used as: Euphemistic (adj) , euphemistically (adv)
Passed away is a euphemism for died. Continental breakfast is a euphemism for muffins and coffee.
Evasive
adj- tending to avoid giving direct answer, neither, not yes, no
Look like: Eva՚s hive
Also used as: Evade (verb) ; evasiveness (noun)
The nervous witness avoided eye contact and his answers were evasive
Enigma
noun- mystery; puzzle
Also used as: Enigmatic (adj)
The origin of Saturn՚s rings remains a puzzling enigma.
Enmity
noun- mutual hatred
Connect with: noun- friendship. it՚s easy to tell these two worlds apart, because enmity looks like enemy.
The enmity between the two warring nations is centuries old.
Endorse
verb- promote; recommend
Also used as: Endorsement (noun)
Celebrity endorsements can be effective.
Exalt
verb- raise in rank; elevate; praise
Also used as: Exalted (adj) ; exaltation (noun)
Sentence: The popular queen was exalted by all.
Expunge
verb- erase
Sentence: an asteroid could expunge an entire city.
Expurgate
verb- to remove offensive words, ideas or symbols, censor
Also used as: Expurgation (noun) ; expurgatory (adj)
Sentence: some people want to expurgate racist and sexist language from literature.
Extraneous
adj- unnecessary; irrelevant
Also used as: Extraneously (adv) ; extraneousness (noun)
Sentence: a good editor will eliminate extraneous words and phrases.
Extricate
verb- to free from a trap or difficult situation; to disentangle
Also used as: Extrication (nun) ; extricable (adj)
Sentence: the fox worked for hours to extricate itself from the trap.
Exacerbate
verb- to make a bad situation worse.
Also used as: Exacerbation (noun)
Trying to put out a fire with gasoline will only exacerbate the problem.