Helpful and Harmful Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering terms for processes, support, obstruction, effectiveness, and harm as presented in the lecture notes.

exploit (v.)

to use something to one's advantage; often implies unfairness, but can also refer to practical or strategic use.

leverage (v.)

to make use of; to achieve a particular result.

utilize (v.)

to make effective use of.

employ (v.)

to apply or make use of a skill or resource.

expedite (v.)

to speed something up; to do something quickly.

facilitate (v.)

to assist; to aid the progress of something or someone.

conducive (adj.)

making something possible or easy to do.

accommodate (v.)

to provide something needed or wanted.

apt (adj.)

appropriate; suited to a purpose.

relevant (adj.)

important or meaningful to the current topic, subject, or situation.

pertinent (adj.)

important to the current situation or matter.

efficacious (adj.)

producing the desired outcome or result.

practical (adj.)

concerned with what is real rather than imagined or theoretical.

pragmatic (adj.)

realistic; concerned with real applications, consequences, or events.

reinforce (v.)

to strengthen or support something.

bolster (v.)

to support or hold up.

buttress (v.)

to reinforce; to provide physical support.

means (n.)

a method or tool used to achieve a result or objective.

medium (n.)

a method or tool for doing something.

mechanism (n.)

a system or process designed for a particular goal.

boon (n.)

something that provides an advantage or positive gain.

benign (adj.)

not harmful; gentle and kind.

innocuous (adj.)

not likely to cause harm or offense.

nuisance (n.)

something that causes inconvenience or irritation.

forestall (v.)

to prevent something from happening by acting before it can occur.

preclude (v.)

to make something impossible; to prevent something from happening.

impede (v.)

to slow or delay the progress of something.

inhibit (v.)

to restrain or hold back; to prevent someone or something from doing something.

hamper (v.)

to slow the movement or progress of someone or something.

hinder (v.)

to slow or obstruct the progress of someone or something.

thwart (v.)

to successfully stop someone or something; to prevent something from happening.

stymie (v.)

to prevent or hinder the progress of.

undermine (v.)

to gradually damage or weaken something or someone.

compromise (v.)

to endanger or weaken.

crude (adj.)

unfinished; rough (as in rough draft).

makeshift (adj.)

serving as a temporary substitute.

rudimentary (adj.)

basic or simple in form.

exacerbate (v.)

to make more severe.

aggravate (v.)

to worsen a problem or condition; informally, to irritate or provoke.

endanger (v.)

to cause (someone) to be at risk.

jeopardize (v.)

to put someone or something in danger or at risk.

adverse (adj.)

unfavorable or harmful; preventing or opposing success.

detrimental (adj.)

tending to cause harm; to have a negative effect.

insidious (adj.)

subtle and dangerous; gradual and harmful.

pernicious (adj.)

extremely harmful or wicked.

bane (n.)

a cause of great distress or harm.