The draw of YA dystopian fiction (Dystopia the genre)

barrage (n.) /bəˈrɑːʒ/

1. A great number of complaints, criticisms, or questions directed at someone all at once.

2. A continuous gunfire in a particular direction.

3. a wall or barrier built across a river to store water, prevent a flood, etc.

Ex:

1. The minister faced a _ of hostile questions from reporters.

2. The infantry troops advanced under the cover of a heavy artillery _.

3. Engineers constructed a tidal _____ to prevent floods.

bear the brunt of (idiom)

To receive the main force or worst part of something unpleasant (such as an attack or hardship). Ex: Small businesses _____ the economic recession.

bleak (adj.)

1. Offering little or no hope; gloomy and depressing.

2. (of a place or weather) cold and unpleasant

Ex: 1. The company's financial future looks _ after losing its main client.

2. The coastline appeared _ and desolate in the winter rain.

burgeon (v.)

To begin to grow, expand, or develop rapidly. Ex: The city's tech sector began to __ in recent years.

clique (n.) /kliːk/

A small, exclusive group of people with shared interests who do not readily allow others to join them. Ex: A tight-knit __ of popular students dominated the school council.

cut-throat (adj.)

Competing in a severe, fierce, and aggressive way without regarding others' welfare. Ex: The advertising industry is known for its __ competition.

dehumanising (adj.)

Making someone feel or seem less like a human being by removing their human qualities, dignity, or individuality. Ex: Workers protested against the __ conditions inside the factory.

dilemma (n.)

A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones. Ex: She faced a __ over whether to stay in her career or move abroad.

dragoon into (v.) /drəˈɡuːn/

To force, coerce, or persuade someone into doing something against their will. Ex: He was ___ed ___ organizing the charity event against his wishes.

dwindle (v.)

To gradually become smaller, weaker, or fewer in number or size. Ex: The team's chances of winning __d as time ran out.

faction-divided (adj.)

Split, partitioned, or conflicted into opposing groups or factions. Ex: The __ political party struggled to pass any new legislation.

grace (v.)

1. to bring honour to somebody/something; to be kind enough to attend or take part in something

2. To decorate or make sth more atrractive

Ex:

1. Her portrait __d the cover of the international fashion magazine.

2. Elegant oil paintings __d the walls of the grand reception hall.

gritty realism (n.)

A style of art, literature, or filmmaking that depicts harsh, unpleasant, and unvarnished real-life situations without romanticizing them. Ex: The novel was praised for its __ in portraying urban poverty.

hard-pressed (adj.)

1. Finding sth very difficult to do.

2. Experiencing lots of problems, especially from a lack of money or time.

Ex: 1. You will be __ to find a better deal in this market.

2. Hard-pressed junior doctors want shorter working hours.

horrendous (adj.) /hɑɹˈɛndəs/

Extremely unpleasant, shocking, terrible, or horrifying. Ex: The family suffered through a __ traffic accident on the highway.

imminent (adj.)

Coming or likely to happen very soon (especially of something dangerous or unpleasant). Ex: The dark clouds indicated that a heavy storm was __.

inevitable (adj.)

Certain to happen and impossible to avoid or prevent. Ex: Accidental errors are __ when launching a completely new system.

momentum (n.)

1. The force or energy that keeps sth increasing and developing.

2. a force that is gained by movement

Ex: 1. The campaign gained _ after receiving endorsements from key figures.

2. The car gathered _ as it rolled down the hill.

patronise (v.)

1. To speak to or treat someone in a way that seems friendly but shows you think you are superior to them.

2. (formal) To be a regular customer of a store, restaurant, or business.

Ex: 1. Stop _____ing me; I understand the instructions perfectly well.

2. Local residents frequently __ the family-owned bookstore on the corner.

mould (n.) /məʊld/

a container that you pour a liquid or soft substance into, which then becomes solid in the same shape as the container. Ex: The education system was criticized for forcing students into a __.

status quo (n.)

The existing state of affairs, especially regarding social, economic, or political issues. Ex: The new political movement aims to challenge the established __.

sugar-coat (v.)

To make an unpleasant situation, fact, or piece of news seem less serious or more acceptable than it really is. Ex: The manager did not __ the bad news about company layoffs.

totalitarian (adj.)

​(of a country or system of government) in which there is only one political party, which has complete power and control over the people Ex: Citizens under the __ regime lived under constant government surveillance.

upsurge (n.)

A sudden and significant increase, rise, or growth in something. Ex: There was a sudden __ in online shopping during the holidays.