Actions & Objects/Structures 🦿

Knock out

One punch was enough to ________ him ____

Our team was ________(ed) ____ of the tournament in the first round

The medication might ________ you _____ for a few hours

Synonyms: Incapacitate, render unconcious, defeat, eliminate

Formality: Informal🔴

Peg

Hang your coat on the ____ by the door

He managed to ____ the blame on someone else

The tent was secured with metal ____(s)

Synoyms: Pin, dowel, hook; identify, classify, label

Formality: Neutral ⚪ - Physical

Informal 🔴 - Alternative meaning

Stamp

She ________(ed) her foot in frustrations

The company ________(s) its logo on all its products

Don’t forget to put a _________ on the envelope

Definition: To bring down (one's foot) heavily and noisily; to impress a pattern or mark on a surface or object; a small adhesive piece of paper affixed to something as a mark of postage.

Formality: Neutral ⚪

Convey

The pipes ________ water to the house

His facial expession _________(ed) his disappointment

Words alone cannot fully ________ my gratitude

Synonyms: Transport, carry, transmit; communicate, express, impart

Formality: Formal🔵

Hut

They lived in small ____ in the woods

The hikers found shelter in a remote mountain ____

The children built a play ____ in the garden

Synonyms: Shack, cabin, shed 🛖

Formality: Neutral ⚪

Fort

The soilders defended the _____ against the invaders

The children built a _____ out of blankets and pillows

Synonyms: Fortress, citadel, stronghold

Formality: Neutral ⚪

Compound

Water is a chemical __________ of hydrogen and oxygen

The ambassador lives in a secure ________

His illness was compounded by a lack of sleep

Synonyms: Mixture, complex, enclosure, aggravate

Formality: Neutral ⚪

Rafters

The old barn had exposed wooden ________ supporting the roof.

* We hung decorations from the ________ for the party.

* The choir's voices echoed off the ________ of the cathedral.

* Synonyms: Beams, joists, supports

* Definition: One of several main sloping timbers forming the framework of a roof.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Gauge

The mechanic used a ________ to check the tire pressure.

* It's hard to ________ his true feelings.

* We need to ________ public opinion before making a decision.

* Synonyms: Measure (verb), estimate (verb), meter (noun)

* Definition: (Noun) An instrument or device for measuring the amount or contents of something, or the strength or intensity of something. (Verb) To estimate or determine the amount, level, or content of.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Pave

They plan to ________ the old dirt road next summer.

* Hard work doesn't always ________ the way to success.

* The city decided to ________ the new pedestrian walkway.

* Synonyms: Surface, concrete, prepare (figurative)

* Definition: To cover (a piece of ground) with flagstones or concrete to make a firm, level surface. (Figurative) to prepare the way for something.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Chipped away

The sculptor slowly ________ at the marble block.

* Her confidence was gradually ________ by constant criticism.

* They managed to ________ at the mountain of paperwork.

* Synonyms: Eroded, diminished, reduced (gradually)

* Definition: (Past tense of chip away) To remove small pieces from something; to gradually reduce or diminish something.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Counter

She placed the groceries on the kitchen ________.

* He tried to ________ the argument with facts.

* The boxer delivered a powerful ________ punch.

* Synonyms: Worktop (noun), oppose (verb), retort (verb)

* Definition: (Noun) A long flat-topped fixture in a store or bank, across which business is conducted with customers; a flat surface in a kitchen. (Verb) To speak or act in opposition to; to defend against.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Cellar

We store our old furniture in the damp ________.

* The wine was kept in a cool, dark ________.

* The building has a large underground ________.

* Synonyms: Basement, dungeon, vault

* Definition: A room below ground level in a house or other building, often used for storing wine or coal.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Plumbing

There's a leak in the bathroom ________.

* We need to call a plumber to fix the ________.

* The house has old ________ that needs to be updated.

* Synonyms: Pipework, drainage, water system

* Definition: The system of pipes, tanks, fittings, and other apparatus required for the water supply, heating, and sanitation in a building.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Hinge

The door creaked on its rusty ________.

* Our entire plan will ________ on the weather cooperating.

* He used a small ________ to attach the two pieces of wood.

* Synonyms: Joint, pivot, depend (verb)

* Definition: (Noun) A movable joint or mechanism on which a door, gate, or lid swings as it opens and closes. (Verb) To depend entirely on.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Cord

He tied the package with a piece of string ________.

* Make sure to unplug the power ________ before working on the appliance.

* The athlete's vocal ________ were strained after the concert.

* Synonyms: Rope, string, cable

* Definition: (Noun) A length of string, rope, wire, or similar material; (Anatomy) a structure in the body resembling a cord, especially the vocal cord or spinal cord. (Verb) To tie or secure with a cord.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Wire

Be careful not to trip over the loose ________.

* The birds sat on the telephone ________.

* He had to ________ the new lamp to the electrical circuit.

* Synonyms: Cable, conductor, string

* Definition: (Noun) Metal drawn out into a thin flexible thread or rod. (Verb) To provide (a building or electrical device) with electrical circuits or wiring.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Abridge

Examples:

* The publisher decided to ________ the lengthy novel for a younger audience.

* They needed to ________ the report to fit the time limit.

* This edition is an ________ version of the original text.

* Synonyms: Shorten, condense, truncate

* Definition: To shorten (a book, movie, or speech) without losing the sense.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal

Afflict

Examples:

* The drought continued to ________ the farmers in the region.

* She was ________ by a severe illness for many years.

* Poverty and disease often ________ developing nations.

* Synonyms: Trouble, torment, burden

* Definition: (Of a problem or illness) cause pain or suffering to; affect or trouble.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal

Airtight

Examples:

* Store the leftover food in an ________ container to keep it fresh.

* The lawyer presented an ________ case with no weaknesses.

* The plan needed to be completely ________ to avoid any leaks.

* Synonyms: Sealed, impermeable, foolproof (figurative)

* Definition: Impermeable to air or other gases; (of an argument or plan) having no weak points.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Anoit

Examples:

* The priest will ________ the sick with holy oil.

* He was effectively ________ as the next leader of the party.

* The queen was formally ________ in a grand ceremony.

* Synonyms: Consecrate, bless, designate

* Definition: To smear or rub with oil, typically as part of a religious ceremony; to formally choose someone as a successor or leader.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal (especially in religious context)

Barricade

Examples:

* The priest will ________ the sick with holy oil.

* He was effectively ________ as the next leader of the party.

* The queen was formally ________ in a grand ceremony.

* Synonyms: Consecrate, bless, designate

* Definition: To smear or rub with oil, typically as part of a religious ceremony; to formally choose someone as a successor or leader.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal (especially in religious context)

Batter

Examples:

* The strong winds began to ________ against the windows.

* She made a delicious pancake ________.

* The old door was badly ________ and chipped.

* Synonyms: Strike, hit repeatedly (verb), mixture (noun)

* Definition: (Verb) To strike repeatedly with hard blows; to beat with successive blows so as to damage or make dilapidated. (Noun) A mixture of flour, eggs, and milk or water, used to make cakes, pancakes, or to coat food before frying.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Cannon

Examples:

* The old fort still had several powerful ________ on display.

* They heard the roar of the ________ as it fired.

* The ball was ________ed off the wall and into the net.

* Synonyms: Artillery, gun (large), shoot (verb)

* Definition: (Noun) A large, heavy piece of artillery, typically mounted on wheels; (Billiards) A shot in which the cue ball strikes two other balls. (Verb) To collide with (something) forcefully.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Chamber

Examples:

* The king held court in the grand royal ________.

* The bullet entered the ________ of the revolver.

* The legal case was heard in the judge's private ________.

* Synonyms: Room, compartment, council (figurative)

* Definition: A large room, especially one used for formal or public events; a natural or artificial hollow space; an enclosed space or compartment; a legislative or judicial body.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal

Forge

Examples:

* The blacksmith used a ________ to shape the metal.

* The two nations worked to ________ a new alliance.

* He tried to ________ a signature on the document.

* Synonyms: Anvil, workshop (noun), create, build, fabricate (verb), fake, counterfeit (verb)

* Definition: (Noun) A blacksmith's workshop; (Verb) To make or shape (a metal object) by heating it in a fire or furnace and beating or hammering it; to create (a relationship or new conditions); to produce a fraudulent imitation of (a document or signature).

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (for metalwork/create), 🔵 Formal (for counterfeiting)

Gauntlet

Examples:

* The medieval knight wore a metal ________ on his hand.

* They had to run the ________ of reporters outside the courthouse.

* He threw down the ________ as a challenge.

* Synonyms: Glove (armored), ordeal, challenge (figurative)

* Definition: (Noun) A protective glove, typically of mail or plate worn by a knight in armor; (Figurative) an intimidating or dangerous series of challenges or difficulties ("run the gauntlet").

* Formality: 🔵 Formal (for glove), ⚪ Neutral (for figurative usage)

Guardrail

Examples:

* The car crashed through the ________ and went down the embankment.

* Safety engineers installed a new ________ along the dangerous curve.

* Children should always hold onto the ________ on stairs.

* Synonyms: Barrier, safety rail, railing

* Definition: A rail or barrier that provides protection or prevents falls.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Gutter

Examples:

* Leaves often clog the roof ________s in autumn.

* The rainwater drained into the street ________.

* (Figurative) He rose from the ________ to become a successful businessman.

* Synonyms: Channel, drain, ditch (literal), squalor (figurative)

* Definition: (Noun) A shallow trough fixed beneath the edge of a roof for carrying off rainwater; a channel at the side of a street or road for drainage. (Verb) (Of a candle) melt rapidly and drip away.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Impale

Examples:

* The hunter would ________ his catch on a sharp stick.

* The victim was tragically ________d on the iron fence.

* The ancient warriors would ________ their enemies' heads on stakes.

* Synonyms: Pierce, skewer, spear, transfix

* Definition: To pierce or transfix with a sharp instrument.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal

Juice up

Examples:

* We need to ________ the battery before the trip.

* He tried to ________ his presentation with some exciting graphics.

* The coach tried to ________ the team's morale.

* Synonyms: Charge, energize, enhance, boost (informal)

* Definition: (Informal) To add power or energy to something; to make something more exciting or effective.

* Formality: 🔴 Informal

Lean on

Examples:

* She often had to ________ her family for emotional support.

* Don't hesitate to ________ me if you need help with the project.

* The police tried to ________ him for information.

* Synonyms: Rely on, depend on, pressure, coerce (informal)

* Definition: To rely on (someone) for support; to put pressure on (someone).

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Lock down

Examples:

* The school went into ________ during the emergency.

* They needed to ________ the exact specifications for the new product.

* The police were ordered to ________ the entire neighborhood.

* Synonyms: Secure, seal off (area), finalize, confirm (details)

* Definition: To restrict access to or movement within an area, as a security measure; to make something secure or certain.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Picketing

1. Examples:

   • Workers were ________ outside the factory in protest.

   • The union organized a peaceful ________ demonstration.

   • They were arrested for illegal ________ near the government building.

2. Synonyms: Protesting, demonstrating, boycotting (related activity)

3. Definition: (Present participle of picket) Standing or marching outside a place of work or other venue as a protest or to deter others from entering during a strike.

4. Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Pillage

1. Examples:

   • The invading army proceeded to ________ the conquered city.

   • The museum contained artifacts rescued from years of ________.

   • The Vikings were known for their raids and ________ing.

2. Synonyms: Loot, plunder, ransack, ravage (verb/noun)

3. Definition: (Verb) To rob a place using violence, especially in wartime; (Noun) The action of pillaging a place or thing.

4. Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Poach

1. Examples:

   • They tried to ________ salmon from the protected river.

   • (Figurative) The rival company tried to ________ our best employees.

   • She decided to ________ an egg for her breakfast.

2. Synonyms: Steal (animals), infringe (rights), lure away (employees), cook (egg)

3. Definition: To hunt or catch (game or fish) illegally on land that is not one's own or in contravention of official protection; (figurative) to entice (employees or customers) away from another company; to cook (an egg) without its shell in or over boiling water.

4. Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Prevail

1. Examples:

   • Justice will eventually ________.

   • The team managed to ________ despite being down by two goals.

   • A sense of calm eventually ________ed throughout the room.

2. Synonyms: Triumph, win, overcome, dominate, be widespread

3. Definition: To prove more powerful or superior; to be widespread or current.

4. Formality: 🔵 Formal

Rig

1. Examples:

   • The oil company operated an offshore drilling ________.

   • He used some ropes to ________ a makeshift shelter.

   • The sailing ship had a complex mast and sail ________.

2. Synonyms: Platform (drilling), apparatus, assemble, set up (verb)

3. Definition: (Noun) A large piece of equipment used for a particular purpose (e.g., oil rig, camera rig); the arrangement of masts and sails on a sailing vessel; (Verb) To provide (a sailing vessel) with masts, spars, and sails; to assemble and arrange (equipment) for use.

4. Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Rigged

1. Examples:

   • The election results were clearly ________.

   • He felt the game was ________ against him.

   • The boat was expertly ________ with new sails.

2. Synonyms: Fixed, manipulated, tampered with (unfairly), equipped (properly)

3. Definition: (Past tense/participle of rig) Managed or conducted fraudulently so as to produce a result or situation that is not fair or in accordance with the law; equipped (a sailing vessel) with spars, ropes, and sails.

4. Formality: ⚪ Neutral (can be informal for unfair, formal for ship)

Shore up

1. Examples:

   • They had to ________ the collapsing wall with wooden beams.

   • (Figurative) The government tried to ________ the failing economy.

   • We need to ________ our defenses against cyberattacks.

2. Synonyms: Support, reinforce, strengthen, prop up

3. Definition: (Phrasal verb) To support or strengthen (a building or other structure) with a shore or prop; to support or strengthen (something) with additional aid or resources.

4. Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Tenement

1. Examples:

   • The family lived in a crowded ________ building in the city.

   • Many poor immigrant families resided in inner-city ________s.

   • The old ________ houses were in dire need of repair.

2. Synonyms: Apartment building (often dilapidated), slum dwelling

3. Definition: A room or a set of rooms forming a separate residence within a house or block of apartments; (especially of a large building divided into apartments) a house or block of buildings divided into separate dwellings, especially one that is run-down and overcrowded.

4. Formality: ⚪ Neutral (often implies poor conditions historically or currently)

Snuck in

He secretly ________ through the back door to avoid being seen.

* The children ________ some extra candy when their parents weren't looking.

* I think someone ________ a few more items into the cart when I wasn't paying attention.

* Synonyms: Slipped in, sneaked in, crept in

* Definition: (Informal, past tense of … in) Entered a place stealthily or without permission.

* Formality: 🔴 Informal