Ripples in a Pond

intimidating or indicating hatred or anger

As he clenched his fists, his baleful posture indicated his suppressed anger.

a North American songbird with a red beak, the male of which has bright red plumage

The male cardinal sang loudly from a branch near the feeder.

simultaneously occurring with something else as it is either related to it or an outcome of it

With the rapid growth of the city came the concomitant challenges of increased traffic and infrastructure demands.

producing results that are contrary to what was intended

His constant interruptions during the meeting were counterproductive, derailing the discussion.

of no determination, competence, or strength

His feckless attempts to fix the problem only made things worse.

not relevant or significant to the current situation, discussion, etc.

In the grand scheme of the project, the temporary setback was deemed immaterial to the overall timeline.

just beginning to take shape

His ideas were still inchoate, more instinct than strategy.

lacking significance or importance

The typo in the report was inconsequential and did not affect the overall message.

lasting for only a brief period

The transitory nature of childhood makes it precious and fleeting.

a sweet dish made with layers of cake, custard, jelly, and cream

a light substance produced in a chemical process that can be formed into different shapes when heated

Many household items, such as containers and toys, are made from plastic.

extraordinary and serving as a warning or sign of future events, often suggesting something bad or threatening

The dark clouds gathering on the horizon looked portentous, hinting at a severe storm approaching.

a public exhibition of an artist's work over a period of time, showing their career development

The museum hosted a retrospective of the painter's entire career.

to make someone or something more powerful, important, or wealthy

The company's new policies are designed to aggrandize the CEO's influence.

to end or lessen a person's anger by giving in to their demands

The leader's decision to address the issues directly appeased the public's outrage.

to gradually decrease in strength, value, or intensity

The effectiveness of the treatment has attenuated over time.

to have a rapid development or growth

The tech industry continues to burgeon with the introduction of innovative products.

to become less in size or width, creating a sensation of tightness

His chest constricts when he experiences high levels of anxiety.

to end by coming to a climactic point

Their efforts culminate in a successful outcome.

to change direction or turn aside, typically as a result of encountering an obstacle or external force

When light travels from air into water, it tends to deflect.

to lift or move something from a lower position to a higher one

He elevated the box onto the shelf.

to bathe or treat with warm liquids, often for healing purposes

The nurse fomented the injury with a warm herbal compress.

to push someone into taking action, particularly by evoking a strong emotion in them

It took a serious crisis to really galvanize politicians into compromising and passing long-stalled reforms.

a pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished

to use a thin and warm layer of a substance that is usually made of beeswax to remove unwanted hair from the skin

She waxes her legs every month to keep them smooth and hair-free.

to incorrectly state what or who created or caused something

The professor accidentally misattributed the quote to the wrong author.

to get something, often with difficulty

She obtains a new book from the library every week.

to move back and forth repeatedly between two points or positions

The pendulum swung back and forth, oscillating steadily over time.

to cause a person or thing to come across as less significant

His older brother's achievements in sports overshadowed his own academic success in the family.

to expand to every part of a thing

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee permeated the entire kitchen, awakening the senses.

to grow in amount or number rapidly

As technology improved, the number of smartphone users began to proliferate.

walk through mud or mire

to take something or someone's position or place, particularly due to being more effective or up-to-date

The new company guidelines will supersede the outdated policies from last year.

a thing that reduces the chances of someone doing something because it makes them aware of its difficulties or consequences

Increased security measures serve as a deterrent to potential thieves.

the moment in which a situation or life is at its lowest or worst

After losing his job and his home, he felt he had reached the nadir of his life.

someone or something that comes before another of the same type, acting as a sign of what will come next

The invention of the telegraph was a precursor to modern communication technologies.

to keep something bad under control in order to prevent deterioration or to slow down its spread or development

He wrapped a bandage tightly around his sprained ankle to check the swelling.

move or draw together at a certain location

The parade spectators began to converge on the main square to witness the festivities.

the situation or condition that is currently at hand

The committee decided to maintain the status quo rather than implementing new changes.

to help reduce the severity of an unpleasant feeling

She tried to assuage his fears by reassuring him that everything would be alright.

the highest point that a certain celestial body reaches, directly above an observer

At noon, the sun reached its zenith, directly overhead.