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bar (someone)

to officially prevent someone from entering a place or doing something (formal/legal)
Synonyms: ban, prohibit, forbid
Opposites: allow, permit, admit

• The law ~ him from applying for citizenship.

• Protesters were ~ from entering the building.

• He was ~ from competing due to doping charges.

pull out of

to withdraw from a commitment, agreement, or location (neutral/formal)
Synonyms: withdraw, back out, exit
Opposites: join, enter, commit to

• The company ~ the deal at the last minute.

• Troops ~ the region after peace talks failed.

• She ~ the competition due to injury.

leak

the release of secret or private information without authorization (neutral)
Synonyms: disclosure, exposure, spill
Opposites: cover-up, secrecy

• The email ~ caused a scandal in the company.

• There was a ~ of classified documents online.

• Officials denied responsibility for the ~.

vow /vaʊ/

to make a serious promise or determination to do something (formal)
Synonyms: promise, swear
Opposites: break a promise

• She ~ never to let that happen again.

• The president ~ to improve education reform.

• He ~ revenge for the attack on his village.

clear of (something)

to prove someone is innocent or free of blame, suspicion, or danger (formal/legal)
Synonyms: find not guilty
Opposites: accuse, blame, convict

• The court ~ her ~ all charges.

• He was ~ wrongdoing after the investigation.

• The path was finally ~ debris and reopened.

up

to increase or raise something (e.g., prices, stakes, risk) (informal)
Synonyms: raise, increase, boost
Opposites: lower, cut, reduce

• The store ~ their prices before the holidays.

• The team ~ their efforts after halftime.

• She ~ the bid to outmatch the competition.

rule out

to eliminate as a possibility; to decide that something is not an option (neutral/formal)
Synonyms: eliminate, dismiss, exclude
Opposites: consider, allow for, include

• Investigators ~ foul play in the accident.

• The coach ~ starting him due to injury.

• They haven’t ~ the possibility of relocation.

seize /si:z/

to take something by force or legal authority, especially something illegal or important (formal/legal)
Synonyms: confiscate, capture, take hold of
Opposites: release, return, let go

• Authorities ~ over $10 million in counterfeit goods.

• Customs ~ the drugs at the border.

• Police ~ weapons during the raid.

hail

to publicly praise or welcome someone or something enthusiastically (formal)
Synonyms: praise, acclaim
Opposites: criticize, condemn, dismiss

• The film was ~ as a masterpiece.

• Scientists ~ the breakthrough as revolutionary.

• He was ~ a hero after saving the boy.

clash

to fight or argue strongly, especially between groups or individuals (neutral/formal)
Synonyms: fight, conflict, collide
Opposites: agree, reconcile, align

• Protesters ~ with police downtown.

• Their views ~ on almost every issue.

• The two leaders ~ during the debate.

toll /toʊl/

the number of deaths or casualties caused by an event; also used figuratively for emotional/physical damage (formal)
Synonyms: cost, loss, impact
Opposites: gain, benefit, recovery

• The death ~ from the earthquake has risen.

• The constant stress took a heavy ~ on her health.

• The war left a psychological ~ on survivors.

rally /ˈræli/

a large public gathering, especially to support a political cause or show public protest (neutral/formal)
Synonyms: protest, demonstration, march, gathering

• Thousands attended the ~ calling for climate action.

• The campaign held a final ~ before the election.

• The ~ turned peaceful despite earlier tensions.

bid

an attempt to achieve or win something, often used in political, business, or competitive contexts (neutral/formal)
Synonyms: attempt, offer, effort
Opposites: withdrawal, surrender, retreat

• Her ~ for the presidency was announced Monday.

• The company made a ~ to acquire its rival.

• In a ~ to cut emissions, the city launched new regulations.

blast

a powerful explosion, often caused by bombs or natural forces; also used for loud sounds or strong criticism (neutral/formal)
Synonyms: explosion, detonation, burst
Opposites: silence, calm, stillness

• A massive ~ shook the downtown area.

• Three people were injured in the ~ at the factory.

• The senator received a ~ of criticism after his comments.

crackdown /ˈkrækˌdaʊn/

strong action taken to enforce laws or regulations and punish illegal or unwanted behavior (neutral/formal)
Synonyms: enforcement, repression
Opposites: tolerance

• The government launched a ~ on drug trafficking.

• There has been a recent ~ on cybercrime.

• Police announced a ~ on reckless driving.

slash

to reduce something drastically, especially prices, budgets, or spending (neutral/informal)
Synonyms: cut, reduce, decrease
Opposites: increase, raise, boost

• The company ~ its workforce by 30%.

• Due to inflation, they ~ prices during the holiday sale.

• The city ~ funding for public transportation.