absurd  =  adj. clearly false, without reason
syn. ridiculous
adv. absurdly
n. absurdity

Confidentially, I think his suggestion is absurd.

They are absurdly irrational about the issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

abuse = n. the act of using or treating things in an incorrect way
syn. misuse
adv. abusively
n. abuse

The constant abuse of the environment will have grave consequences in the future.

He received an abusive letter from an irate citizen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

allocation = n. a share; a part set aside for a special purpose
syn. distribution
adj. allocated
v. allocate

His allocation of materials was gradually used up.

Allocating office space in the building was a difficult task.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

balanced  =  adj. a state where everything is of the same size or weight; an element on one side that counters an equal element on the other
syn. equalized
v. balance
n. balance

He made a balanced presentation of both points of view.

The museum contains a pleasant balance of paintings from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

conservation = n. the act of using carefully; setting aside for future use
syn. preservation
v. conserve
n. / adj. conservative = favoring traditional values
n. conservationist
n conservatism

Conservation of forest land is the primary objective of the National Forest Service.

The Republican party is generally known to be more conservative than the Democratic party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fallacious = adj. having errors
syn. incorrect
adv. fallaciously
n. fallacy

His fallacious argument could not be defended.

It is a fallacy to think that money will bring you happiness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

feasible = adj. able to be done
syn. possible
adv. feasibly
n. feasibility

It is a feasible design for the high-rise building.

Before they begin the project, a study must be done of its feasibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lack = n. a need for; an insufficient amount
syn. shortage
v. lack

There was an inordinate lack of rain last fall.

The brilliant mathematician lacked communication skills and other social amenities, so most people regarded him as an extremely unpleasant individual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

means = n. ways
syn. methods

He was told to finish the job by any means available to him.

One of the most convenient means of communicating with someone in writing is by email.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

narrow = adj. small from one side to the other; limited
adv. narrowly
n. narrowness

The canal was extremely narrow.

The driver narrowly escaped injury when his car went off the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

preconception = n. an opinion formed in advance without experience or knowledge of something
syn. bias, prejudice
adj. preconceived
v. preconceive

It is difficult to overcome preconceptions if we are not open to new ideas.

His preconceived notions about Los Angeles disappeared after he visited the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

robust = adj. showing good health; in good shape
syn. energetic
adv. robustly
n. robustness

The robust economy is expected to continue growing quickly.

The new product is selling robustly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

steady = adj. firm; in a fixed position; without change; reliable, dependable
syn. constant
adv. steadily
v. steady
n. steadiness

Steady growth is projected for companies involved in genetic engineering.

The secretary has steadily earned respect for his work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

swift = adj. quick
syn. fast
n. swiftness
adv. swiftly

The contestants were swift thinkers.

They swiftly agreed with the conclusion of the report.