Rise, Fall, Success and Change. Wordlist
accelerate verb
to make something happen faster than before
to accelerate (bb464)
Events accelerated faster than anyone expected.
achieve verb
to succeed in reaching a goal through effort
to achieve (bb465)
He never achieved what he originally hoped for.
achievement noun
something successful that required effort and determination
an achievement (bb466)
Small achievements can greatly change confidence.
adapt verb
to change behaviour or habits to suit new situations
to adapt (bb467)
Can people adapt easily to sudden change?
adjust verb
to make small changes to improve something
to adjust (bb468)
The seat can be adjusted easily.
alter verb
to change something slightly, usually to improve it
to alter (bb469)
They altered the plan slightly to save time.
blame noun
responsibility for a mistake or problem
a blame (bb470)
Who gets the blame when plans fail?
bound adjective
certain or very likely to happen
bound (bb471)
Mistakes are bound to happen while learning.
breakthrough noun
an important discovery or development
a breakthrough (bb472)
Scientists announced a major breakthrough in cancer research last month.
challenge verb
to test someone’s ability or confidence
to challenge (bb473)
The job doesn’t really challenge her.
completion noun
the act of finishing something fully and successfully
a completion (bb474)
Completion was delayed because several important documents were missing.
contract verb
to become smaller or shorter
to contract (bb475)
The economy will contract by two per cent this year.
cope verb
to manage a difficult situation successfully
to cope (bb476)
How do people cope with constant stress?
decline noun
a gradual decrease in quality, number, or strength
a decline (bb477)
Is this decline temporary or serious?
downwards adverb
moving or changing to a lower level
downwards (bb478)
The trend moved downwards after interest slowly disappeared.
enhance verb
to improve the quality, value or attractiveness of something
to enhance (bb479)
The new lighting really enhances the atmosphere in the restaurant.
exceed verb
to go beyond a limit or be greater than expected
to exceed (bb480)
Don’t exceed the speed limit on this narrow country road.
expand verb
to become larger or to make something increase in size
to expand (bb481)
The city has expanded rapidly over the past two decades.
expansion noun
the act of becoming larger or making something grow bigger
an expansion (bb482)
They’re planning a major expansion of the hospital next summer.
failed adjective
not successful or not having achieved what was intended
failed (bb483)
The failed attempt left everyone feeling disappointed and frustrated.
gain verb
to obtain or achieve something wanted or needed gradually
to gain (bb484)
He has gained support from major figures in the AI industry.
honour verb
to show great respect for someone or something
to honour (bb485)
The school honoured him with a special award.
maintain verb
to keep something at the same level or condition
to maintain (bb486)
Regular exercise helps you maintain a healthy body weight.
narrow verb
to reduce something in size, range, or difference
to narrow (bb487)
Can we narrow down the options to just three choices?
overcome verb
to succeed in dealing with or controlling a problem successfully
to overcome (bb488)
He finally overcame his fear of speaking in public.
pace noun
the speed at which something happens or someone moves forward
a pace (bb489)
The teacher slowed the pace so everyone could understand better.
probable adjective
likely to happen, exist or be true in the future
probable (bb490)
It seems probable that they’ll accept our proposal very soon.
pursue verb
to try to achieve something over a period of time
to pursue (bb491)
Are you still pursuing your goal of starting your own business?
reduction noun
the act of making something smaller or less in amount
a reduction (bb492)
The company announced a reduction in staff numbers last week.
reward verb
to give something good in return for effort or behaviour
to reward (bb493)
They rewarded her with a promotion after five successful years.
sharp adjective
sudden and large
sharp (bb494)
House prices saw a sharp increase over the summer period.
shift verb
to move or change from one position or state gradually
to shift (bb495)
The public’s attitude had shifted dramatically.
steadily adverb
in a gradual, continuous and regular way over time
steadily (bb496)
The population has been growing steadily for several years now.
steady adjective
continuing at the same rate without major changes or problems
steady (bb497)
There’s been a steady stream of customers all day long.
strengthen verb
to make something stronger or become more powerful or effective
to strengthen (bb498)
The new measures should strengthen security at all airport terminals.
transfer verb
to move someone or something from one place to another
to transfer (bb499)
The film studio is transferring to India.
transform verb
to change something completely, usually in a positive or dramatic way
to transform (bb500)
Artificial intelligence might dramatically transform the way we work and live.
upwards adverb
towards a higher position, level or amount than before
upwards (bb501)
The balloon drifted upwards into the clear blue sky.