Category: Verbs

To lambaste something or someone is to criticize them very harshly. Lambaste is also sometimes used as a synonym of beat meaning “to assault.” The coach lambasted the team for its poor play.

(+ object) to make (someone) less angry : to calm (someone) down He tried to mollify his critics with an apology. All attempts to mollify the extremists have failed. The landlord fixed the heat, but the tenants still were not Read More …

To flout something, such as a law or rule, is to treat it with contemptuous disregard. A teenager flouting a curfew, for example, will not hide the fact that they are out past the time they are required to be Read More …

(no object) 1 always followed by an adverb or preposition : to fall suddenly straight down especially from a very high place The acrobat plummeted into the net. The car plummeted to the bottom of the canyon. The satellite plummeted Read More …

(+ object) to reduce the pain or trouble of (something) : to make (something) less painful, difficult, or severe The doctor tried to alleviate (=relieve) her symptoms/suffering. finding ways to alleviate stress The new tunnel should alleviate (=lessen, reduce) traffic Read More …

To allege something is to assert it without proof or before proving it. Consumer advocates allege that the company knew about the faulty switches but sold the product anyway.

(+ object) formal to correct (something that is wrong) The hotel management promised to rectify the problem/situation.

To refurbish something is to brighten or freshen it up, or to repair and make improvements to it. They are refurbishing the old house with the hopes of selling it for a profit. The store refurbishes and sells computers that Read More …

(no object) to become gradually smaller toward one end leaves that taper to a point Her slacks taper (=become narrower) at the ankle. taper off (phrasal verb) to become gradually less and less : to decrease slowly Production has been Read More …

(+ object) to wrap (someone, especially a baby) tightly with a blanket, pieces of cloth, etc. He swaddled the baby in a blanket.