Lesson 9

to make something sacred through religious rituals

The priest consecrated the church with a special ceremony, dedicating it to divine worship.

to decline in quality, condition, or overall state

If left untreated, metal exposed to harsh weather can deteriorate over time.

to avoid giving a direct answer by being deliberately ambiguous

The politician prevaricated when asked about the budget cuts.

to completely destroy something, particularly a problem or threat

The international community is collaborating to eradicate the illegal wildlife trade.

to protect a person or an animal against a disease by giving them a preventive shot against specific diseases

Parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children to shield them from preventable illnesses.

to postpone something that needs to be done

She procrastinated studying for her exam until the night before.

done on purpose

His deliberate choice of words conveyed a sense of seriousness.

to pronounce or utter something in a clear and precise way

It's important for public speakers to articulate their words effectively to engage the audience.

to become thin or malnourished and physically fade away

to make a place, substance, etc. dirty or harmful by adding dangerous material

The factory's discharge pipes contaminated the river with toxic chemicals.

to fully remove or get rid of something

The exterminator worked to eliminate the infestation of pests in the house.

to change or adjust something in order to achieve a desired effect

Engineers modulate the frequency of radio signals to ensure clear communication.

to corrupt something by adding inferior substances, especially to reduce its purity or quality

The vendor was fined for adulterating olive oil with cheaper vegetable oils.

to refuse or reject something valuable

to terminate an agreement, right, law, custom, etc. in an official manner

The government decided to abrogate the outdated trade agreement.

to grow plants or crops, especially for farming or commercial purposes

The farm cultivates wheat to supply local bakeries.

to cause a feeling of strength and energy

A relaxing vacation can rejuvenate your body and mind.

to make an attempt at matching or surpassing someone or something, particularly by the means of imitation

The young athlete aspired to emulate the achievements of their Olympic hero.

to cause someone to feel extremely embarrassed or ashamed, often by publicly exposing their weaknesses or shortcomings

The bully's cruel words were meant to humiliate his victim in front of their peers.

to fold something into parallel ridges or grooves