July 24, 2024

Residents of Australian town fight to stop 1,800 new homes in koala habitat

1.  band together  [band tuh–GETH-er ] 

*Additional info: An antonym of this phrase is separate.*

2.  outcome [OUT-kuhm ] 

*Additional info: A related word is effect.*

3.  remnant  [REM-nuhnt ] 

*Additional info: An antonym of this word is whole.*

4.  enrage  [en-REYJ ] 

*Additional info: Its root word is rage, which means “intense anger.”*

5.   pen  [pen ] 

*Additional info: A related word is compose.*

=====

1.  band together >  to unite as a group to achieve something

2.  outcome  >  the result or effect of an action, situation, or event

3.  remnant >  a small part of something that’s left after the rest of it has been consumed, destroyed, etc.

4.  enrage  >  to make someone very angry

5.   pen  >  to write something

July 23, 2024

Summer camps adapt to more frequent heat waves

1.  ripple [RIP–uhl ]

*Additional info: This verb is always followed by an adverb or a preposition.*

2.  administrator [ad-MIN–uh-strey-ter ]

*Additional info: Its verb form is administer (ex. He was tasked to administer new school policies).*

3.  exhaustion [ig-ZAWS-chuhn ] 

*Additional info: The adjective form of this word is exhausted (ex. The farmer was exhausted after working the whole day).*

4.  exertion  [ig-ZUR-shuhn ] 

*Additional info: A related phrase is hard work.*

5.  eagerly [EE-ger-lee ] 

*Additional info: Its adjective form is eager (ex. Everyone is eager to hear the good news).*

-----

1.  ripple > to move or pass through or over someone or something, affecting the areas or people it touches

2.  administrator  >  a person whose work is to manage and control the operation of a company, school, etc.

3.  exhaustion >  the state of being extremely tired

4.  exertion  >  the use of a lot of physical and/or mental effort

5.  eagerly >  with an enthusiastic desire or interest to do something

July 22, 2024

July 21, 2024

 California governor wants to restrict smartphone usage in schools

1. pledge  [plej]

*Additional info: A related verb is swear.*

2.  extracurricular  [ek-struh-kuh–RIK-yuh-ler] 

*Additional info: The prefix extra- means “outside or beyond.”*

3.  restrictive [ri-STRIK-tiv] 

*Additional info: The verb form of this word is restrict (ex. The employees were restricted to work from home).*

4.  algorithm  [AL-guh-rith–uhm] 

*Additional info: Another meaning of this word is “a set of mathematical instructions or rules that, especially if given to a computer, will help calculate an answer to a problem.”*

5.  fine [fahyn] 

*Additional info: An antonym of this word is reward.*

------

1.  pledge >  to make a serious or formal promise

2.  extracurricular  [ek-struh-kuh–RIK-yuh-ler] >  relating to an activity pursued in addition to the normal course of study or work

3.  restrictive>  limiting the freedom or ability to do something

4.  algorithm   >  (in social media) the way content is filtered, ranked, selected, and recommended to users

5.  fine [fahyn] >  to make someone pay money as a punishment for breaking a law or rule

July 20, 2024

July 19, 2024

July 18, 2024

 Not yet as famous as ramen or sushi, humble onigiri rice ball is soul food of Japan

1.  lexicon [LEK-si-kon]

*Additional info: A related word is vocabulary.*

2.  epitomize [ih-PIT–uh-mahyz] 

*Additional info: A related word is represent.*

3.  cuisine [kwi-ZEEN] 

*Additional info: This word usually follows a noun to specify its kind (ex. French cuisine, Japanese cuisine).*

4.  perennial [puh–REN-ee-uhl]

*Additional info: A related word is continual.*

5.  versatile[VUR-suh-tl] 

*Additional info: The noun form of this word is versatility (ex. Her versatility as a musician allows her to play multiple instruments).*

------

1.  lexicon  > the collection of all the words used in a particular language or subject

2.  epitomize  > to be the best or perfect example of something

3.  cuisine  > the style of cooking or preparing food, often specific to a particular country or region

4.  perennial > lasting or existing for a long time

5.  versatil > able to adapt or be used for many different ways or purposes

July 17, 2024

Thieves more and more are targeting copper-rich cables at electric vehicle charging stations

1.  predicament  [pri-DIK–uh-muhnt] 

*Additional info: A related word is crisis.*

2.  exasperating [ig-zas-puh–REY-ting]

*Additional info: A related word is irritating.*

3.  strenuous/ [STREN-yoo-uhs] 

*Additional info: An antonym of this word is easy.*

4.  exclusively [ik-SKLOO-siv-lee] 

*Additional info: The adjective form of this word is exclusive (ex. exclusive offer, exclusive resort).*

5.  swipe  [swahyp] 

*Additional info: This word is used in an informal context.*

--------

1.  predicament  > a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation

2.  exasperating > very annoying or frustrating

3.  strenuous >  using a lot of effort or energy

4.  exclusively >  limited to a specific person, thing, or group

5.  swipe  > to steal something quickly

July 16, 2024

July 15, 2024

 Tobacco-like warning label for social media sought by US Surgeon General who asks Congress to act

1.  mandatory  [MAN-duh-tawr-ee] 

*Additional info: A related word is necessary.*

2.  prevalent [PREV–uh-luhnt]

*Additional info: Its noun form is prevalence (ex. There was a prevalence in online shopping and food delivery during the pandemic).*

3.  depend on someone or something[dih-PEND on]

*Additional info: A variation of this phrase is depend upon (someone/something).*

4. bipartisan  [bahy-PAHR-tuh-zuhn]

*Additional info: Some nouns that are usually used with bipartisan are support, effort, solution, and cooperation.*

5.  enact  [en-AKT]

*Additional info: The verb may also mean “to perform a story or play.”*

-----

1.  mandatory > required by a law, rule, or policy

2.  prevalent >  common in a certain place, at a specific time among a particular group of people

3.  depend on someone or something >  to need the help and support of someone or something to be successful or survive

4. bipartisan  > relating to or involving members of two political parties, especially with opposing views

5.  enact [en-AKT] >  to officially make a proposal into a law

July 14, 2024

School’s out, and the kids are bored. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

1.  inclination [in-kluh–NEY-shuhn] 

*Additional info: The verb form of this word is incline (ex. I naturally incline to help others).*

2.  underestimate [uhn-der-ES-tuh-meyt]

*Additional info: The antonym of this word is overestimate.*

3.  subjective[suhb-JEK-tiv] 

*Additional info: The antonym of this word is objective.*

4.  manifest [MAN–uh-fest]

*Additional info: Some related words are display and show.*

5.  chronic [KRON-ik]

*Additional info: Some nouns that can be used with this word are condition and disease.*

----

1.  inclination >  a feeling that makes you want to do something; or a tendency to do something

2.  underestimate  > to think that something is not as good or important as it really is

3.  subjective  >  based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions rather than facts

4.  manifest [MAN–uh-fest ] >  to appear or become apparent

5.  chronic >  (of a disease) continuing for a long time and cannot be cured

July 13, 2024

 The IRS wants to end another major tax loophole for the wealthy and raise $50 billion in the process

loophole / ˈlupˌhoʊl / [LOOP-hohl ] (n.) – an error or weakness in a law or rule that allows people to benefit from it by avoiding what the law or rule intended them to do

Example: The company found a loophole in the law to avoid paying extra taxes.

Additional info: A related word is escape.

shell game / ʃɛl geɪm / [shel geym ] (n.) – an action that is meant to trick or deceive people

Example: The charity’s online campaign was a shell game. Only a small amount of the funds went to the real cause.

Additional info: This noun literally means “a gambling game in which a small object is hidden under one of several quickly shuffled containers, tricking players into guessing incorrectly.” An image of a literal shell game: https://securityintelligence.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/what-you-need-to-know-about-moving-target-defense.jpg

cut back / kʌt bæk / [kuht bak ] (phrasal v.) – to reduce the amount of something

Example: The company cut back on plastic packaging because of environmental concerns.

Additional info: The phrasal verb is usually followed by the preposition on.

audit / ˈɔ dɪt / [AW-dit ] (n.) – an official examination of a company’s financial records to make sure they are correct

Example: The audit reports showed that the company followed all financial regulations.

Additional info: Another meaning of the word is “a detailed examination of something to check its quality and condition.”

depreciation / dɪˌpri ʃiˈeɪ ʃən / [dih-pree-shee-EY-shuhn ] (n.) – the decrease in the value of an asset over time, because it gets older or is used

Example: The depreciation of the tablet was evident as newer versions with better features were released annually.

Additional info: The antonym of this word is appreciation.

July 12, 2024

July 11, 2024

 Former OpenAI employees lead push to protect whistleblowers flagging artificial intelligence risks

retaliation / rɪˌtæl iˈeɪ ʃən / [ri-tal-ee-EY-shuhn ] (n.) – the act of doing something bad or harmful to someone, often because he/she has done something bad or harmful first

Example: The company faced retaliation from the workers after cutting their benefits.

Additional info: The verb form of this word is retaliate (ex. The workers retaliated against the company after losing their benefits).

buy into (something) / baɪ ˈɪn tu / [bahy IN-too ] (phrasal v.) – to believe in and accept something, such as an idea, concept, or suggestion

Example: Tommy bought into the idea of a vegetarian diet after his sister showed him delicious meat-free recipes.

Additional info: Some related words are agree and acknowledge.

rigorous / ˈrɪg ər əs / [RIG-er-uhs ] (adj.) – done very carefully and with strict attention to detail

Example: The scientific research required rigorous testing to confirm the results.

Additional info: A related word is thorough.

signatory / ˈsɪg nəˌtɔr i / [SIG-nuh-tawr-ee ] (n.) – a person, country, or organization that has signed an official document or agreement

Example: The international environmental agreement had over 50 signatories from different countries.

Additional info: This word is usually used in a formal context.

perk / pɜrk / [purk ] (n.) – a benefit that is received by someone as a result of his/her job, position, or situation

Example: The new job offers several perks, including health insurance and a company car.

Additional info: A related word is advantage.

July 10, 2024

Doodling artist scrawls the walls of fashionable London restaurant

1.  compulsive [kuhm-PUHL-siv] 

*Additional info: The noun form of the word is compulsion (ex. He has the compulsion to check his phone every few minutes).*

2.  trendy  [TREN-dee] 

*Additional info: An antonym of this word is old-fashioned.*

3.  meditative  [MED-i-tey-tiv] 

*Additional info: A related word is thoughtful.*

4.  doodle [DOOD-l]

*Additional info: An image of a doodle: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Luise_Kritzelzeichnung.jpg/640px-Luise_Kritzelzeichnung.jpg*

5.  commission [kuh–MISH–uhn] 

*Additional info: A related word is hire.*

--------

1.  compulsive > having the tendency to do something excessively or repetitively, often without being able to control it

2.  trendy   >  fashionable or stylish in a way that is currently popular

3.  meditative  >  involving a state of calm and focused attention, often associated with meditation

4.  doodle > a simple drawing made without much thought, often while a person is thinking about something else

5.  commission >  to formally request or authorize someone to do something, typically as part of his/her job or duty

July 9, 2024

 Divers Plunge Into The World's Deepest Pool in Dubai

1.  sunken  [SUHNG-kuhn]

*Additional info: It is always used before a noun.*

2.  record-breaking [REK-erd-brey-king] 

*Additional info: The noun form of this word is record-breaker (ex. The new product launch turned out to be a record-breaker).*

3.  pump  [puhmp]

*Additional info: This word may be used with the prepositions into, out of, and through.*

4.  somewhat [SUHM-hwuht] 

*Additional info: Some related phrases are a little and kind of.*

5.  unconventional [uhn-kuhn-VEN-shuh-nl]

*Additional info: The antonym of this word is conventional.*

------

1.  sunken >  having fallen to the bottom of the sea, river, etc.

2.  record-breaking  >  achieving a better result or surpassing a previous record

3.  pump >  to make gas or liquid to move somewhere, typically with the use of a machine or device.

4.  somewhat >  to some degree or extent

5.  unconventional >  very different from what most people traditionally use or accept

July 8, 2024

 Demand for food delivery has skyrocketed. So have complaints about some drivers

1. moped/ [

   MOH-ped

   ]  *Additional info: 

   An image of a moped: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moped#/media/File:Honda_Hobbit.jpg

   *
2. crackdown  [

   KRAK-doun

   ] *Additional info: 

   Its phrasal verb form is crack down (ex. City officials will crack down on sellers of fake items).

   *
3. imminent  [

   IM–uh-nuhnt

   ]  *Additional info: 

   Some of the nouns used with imminent are danger, threat, and disaster.

   *
4. impound [

   im-POUND

    ] * Additional info: 

   Some related words are keep and seize.

   *
5. terrorize [

   TER–uh-rahyz

    ] 
   *Additional info: 

   In British English, it is spelled as terrorise.

   *

-------

1. moped  >  a small motorcycle with pedals like a bicycle
2. crackdown >  an increased effort to punish people for doing something illegal
3. imminent  >  relating to an unpleasant event happening very soon
4. impound >  to use legal powers to take away an object involved in an illegal activity
5. terrorize > to make someone feel extremely afraid
   
   

July 7, 2024

 Rural pharmacies fill a healthcare gap in the US. Owners say it’s getting harder to stay open

1.  touchstone [ TUHCH-stohn]

*Additional info: Another meaning of the word is “a black stone used to test the purity of gold or silver.”*

2.   unrelenting [ uhn-ri-LEN-ting]  

*Additional info: When used to describe a person’s behavior, this word means “doing something in a determined way without accepting defeat.”*

3.   dynamics [dahy-NAM-iks]

*Additional info: The adjective form of this word is dynamic (ex. a dynamic process, a dynamic economy).*

4.   staple [STEY-puhl]

*Additional info: This word may also be used as an adjective (ex. staple food, staple product).*

5. dead in the water [ded in thuh WAW-ter]

*Additional info: A related noun is failure.*

---

1.  touchstone >  a standard by which something is judged or measured

2.   unrelenting >  (of a situation) unpleasant and happening for a long time without stopping

3.   dynamics >  the forces or processes that cause change and development within a system or group

4   staple  >  something that’s considered an important part of something

5. dead in the water >  unlikely to succeed

July 6, 2024

The UN says more aquatic animals were farmed than fished in 2022. That’s the first time in history

1.  top  [top] 

*Additional info: This word may also be used as a noun (ex. The singer’s new album has reached the top of the music charts in over 20 countries).*

2.  aquaculture [AK-wuh-kuhl-cher] 

*Additional info: A related phrase is fish farming.*

3.  haul  [hawl] 

*Additional info: A related word is harvest.*

4.  stagnate [STAG-neyt]

*Additional info: The noun form of the word is stagnation (ex. The company is experiencing stagnation).*

5.  nutritional  [noo-TRISH–uh-nl]

*Additional info: Its root word is nutrition, which means “the process of giving or getting the right type of food for good health and growth.”*

----

1.  top  >  to be the most successful

2.  aquaculture  >  the practice of raising or growing water animals and plants for food

3.  haul >  the amount of fish or any marine life caught at one time

4.  stagnate  > to stay the same or stop growing

5.  nutritional  >  relating to nutrition or the aspects of food that help someone to stay healthy

July 5, 2024

 Coffee, sculptures, and financial advice. Banks try to make new branches less intimidating

1. airy  [AIR-ee]

*Additional info: The noun form of this word is airiness (ex. The airiness of the room made it feel much larger than it actually was).*

2. stale  [steyl] 

*Additional info: Some related words are boring and dull.*

3.  cookie-cutter [KOOK-ee KUHT-er] 

*Additional info: This word is often used negatively.*

4. clutter  [KLUHT-er] 

*Additional info: The adjective form of this word is cluttered (ex. I don’t like a cluttered room, so I clean mine every day).*

5.  intimidating  [in-TIM-i-dey-ting] 

*Additional info: The verb form of this word is intimidate (ex. The boss’s angry tone was meant to intimidate the employees).*

------

1. airy > having a lot of open space through which light and air can enter

2. stale  >no longer new or interesting, often because of becoming too familiar

3.  cookie-cutter >similar or looking very much like the others of the same kind, especially in a way that is not unique, original, or creative

4. clutter   >to fill something in a way that is messy and badly organized

5.  intimidating   > making someone feel nervous and scared, often making him/her lose his/her confidence

July 4, 2024

 AI race for chatbot training data could run out of human-written text

1.  exhaust  [ig-ZAWST ] 

*Additional info: A related phrase is use up.*

2.  tap into  [tap IN-too ] 

*Additional info: A related phrase is benefit from.*

3.  trajectory / [truh–JEK-tuh-ree ] 

*Additional info: The word trajectory literally means “a path an object follows when it moves through the air or space, such as when it is hit or kicked.”*

4.  specialized  [SPESH–uh-lahyzd ] 

*Additional info: Some antonyms of this word are general and broad.*

5.  degraded / dɪˈgreɪ dɪd / [dih-GREY-did ] 

*Additional info: The verb form of this word is degrade (ex. It is normal for phone batteries to degrade over time).*

------

1.  exhaust >  to use something completely so that nothing is left

2.  tap into  > to use something, such as money, knowledge, or other resources, in a way that helps achieve good results

3.  trajectory  > a path or direction that something, such as a career or situation, follows as it develops, leading toward a specific result

4.  specialized >  developed or used for a particular purpose, function, or field of knowledge

5.  degraded > reduced in quality, value, or strength

July 3, 2024

Ford refurbishes old train station, a former eyesore that had become a symbol of Detroit’s decline

1.  monolithic [mon-uh–LITH-ik]

*Additional info: A related word is massive.*

2.  ominously [OM–uh-nuhs-lee]

*Additional info: The adjective form of the word is ominous (ex. Ominous dark clouds gathered in the sky, signaling an approaching storm).*

3.  heyday [HEY-dey]

*Additional info: A related word is peak.*

4.  abandonment  [uh–BAN-duhn-muhnt]

*Additional info: The adjective form of the word is abandoned (ex. The abandoned factory eventually collapsed).*

5.  materialize  [muh–TEER-ee-uh-lahyz]

*Additional info: An antonym of this word is disappear.*

----

1.  monolithic  > large, powerful, and difficult to change or break down

2.  ominously >  in a way that suggests something bad might happen

3.  heyday > the period of greatest success, popularity, or power

4.  abandonment >  the act of leaving someone/something entirely, usually without intending to return

5.  materialize  >  to happen or become real

July 2, 2024

 Inside world’s first ‘cobot hub’

1. capitalize on (something)  [

   KAP-i-tl-ahyz on

   ]
   Additional info: 

   A related phrase is take advantage of.

   
   
2. logistics  [

   loh-JIS-tiks

   ] 
   Additional info: 

   The adjective form of the word is logistical (ex. The shipping company is experiencing a logistical problem).

   
   
3. collaborative  [

   kuh–LAB-er-uh-tiv

   ] 
   Additional info: 

   Its verb form is collaborate (ex. Two teams collaborated to make the presentation successful).

   
   
4. find (one’s) place  [

   fahynd pleys

   ]
   Additional info: 

   A related idiom is find oneself.

   
   
5. automation [

   aw-tuh–MEY-shuhn

   ]
   Additional info: 

   A related phrase is machine control.

---------------

1. capitalize on something >  to use a situation or event for one’s benefit
2. logistics > the business of transporting things, such as goods or resources, to places where they are needed
3. collaborative > involving two or more people, companies, etc., working together to accomplish a goal
4. find (one’s) place > to find one’s purpose in an environment, setting, etc.
5. automation > the practice of performing tasks by robots or computers rather than by people

July 1, 2024

Poppi faces lawsuit from consumer who questions its gut health claims

1. gut  [

   guht

   ] 
   *Additional info: 

   This word is used in an informal context.*

   
   
2. confer  [

   kuhn-FUR

   ] 
   *Additional info: 

   This word also means “to talk with someone and exchange ideas.”

   *
3. baseless [

   BEYS-lis

    ] 
   *Additional info: 

   Some antonyms of this word are logical and reasonable.

   *
4. allegation [

   al-i-GEY-shuhn

    ] 
   *Additional info: 

   Its verb form is allege (ex. She alleges that a staff member is stealing from the company).

   *
5. wellness  [

   WEL-nis

    ] 
   *Additional info: 

   The noun may also mean “activities aimed to help people feel healthier and happier, or the business of providing these activities.”

   *

-----

1. gut > a person’s stomach
2. confer >  to give or provide something, such as an ability, a quality, or a benefit, to someone or something
3. baseless > not supported by proof or evidence
4. allegation > a statement, made without proof, that someone has done something illegal or wrong
5. wellness >  the quality and state of being healthy
   
   

June 31, 2024

June 30, 2024