durable = adj. something that doesn't wear out easily
syn. sturdy
n. durability
n. duration = time during which something lasts

It was a durable refrigerator, but it finally broke down.

The durability of tires is a key factor in determining their quality.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
favor = v. to like one thing more than another
syn. prefer, support
adv. favorably
adj. favorable = advantageous
adj. favorite
n. favor

The supervisor favored the first of the two plans.

The outcome of the election was favorable for the opposition party.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
gain = v. to get something needed or useful; to increase the amount of something
syn. acquire, attain, obtain
adj. gainful
n. gain

He gained a lot of experience working as a volunteer.

Although they invested heavily in new equipment, they experienced no significant gain in profits.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
generate = v. to bring into existence
syn. create, produce
adj. generated
n. generation (= the "average" time between the birth of parents and the birth of their children)
n. generator

The appearance of the iceberg generated a lot of anxiety among passengers.

The generator provides power to the building in case of a blackout.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
halt = v. to discontinue doing something
syn. stop
adv. haltingly
adj. halting
n. halt

Bus service to the city was halted by the strike.

The thunderstorm put a halt to the outdoor concert.
("to put a halt to something" is an expression)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
handle = v. to deal with or control
syn. manage
n. handling

They handled themselves very well given the circumstances.

The President's handling of the crisis was widely applauded, although more by his party than the opposition.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
harbor = v. to give protection; to have a desire or opinion (usually bad) that is hidden
syn. shelter

Edith had been extremely kind to her sister, who, nonetheless, apparently harbored very negative feelings toward her.

They harbored the political refugee in their home.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
harmful = adj. something that produces a negative result, e.g., illness, pain, damage
syn. injurious, unhealthy
adv. harmfully
v. harm
n. harm

Smoking is definitely harmful to both the smokers themselves and those around them.

The expression "to keep out of harm's way" basically means "to be careful".
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
insignificant = adj. not important; of little value
syn. meaningless, trivial
adj. insignificantly
n. insignificance

The amount of rainfall this summer has been insignificant.

The insignificance of his comment became apparent with the passing of time.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
mysterious = adj. not easily understood or figured out
syn. baffling
adv. mysteriously
n. mystery
n. mysteriousness

The boy's mysterious disappearance convinced everyone that he had been kidnapped. In reality, he had run away from home to join the circus.

Many people believed the mysterious lights in the sky to be UFOs.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
perilous = adj. threatening or risky; harmful
syn. dangerous
adv. perilously
n. peril

Though parachute jumping is obviously perilous, many people find it an exciting sport.

The child didn't realize it was in great peril when it tried to touch the rattlesnake.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
postpone = v. to reschedule for later
syn. put off, delay
n. postponement

The baseball game was postponed because of rain.

The postponement of the flight for three hours was unavoidable.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
promote = v. to advertise; to give someone a higher position
syn. advance, further
n. promoter
n. promotion

Many nations promote tourism to attract foreign currency.

The customers responded favorably to the half-price promotion.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
reject = v. not to accept
syn. refuse
n. rejection

The insurance company rejected the claim.

The publisher's rejection of his work was difficult for him to understand
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
substantial = adj. solid, strong; of importance
syn. considerable, significant
adv. substantially
adj. substantive

The discovery of a vaccine for smallpox was a substantial medical achievement.

This substantive article will change your opinion of rock music.