Verbs Usually Passive

abbreviate verb [ T usually passive ]

to make a word or phrase shorter by using only the first letters of each word

'Daniel' is often abbreviated to 'Dan'.

'Chief Executive Officer' is abbreviated as 'CEO'.

acclaim verb [ T often passive ]

to give public approval and praise

She was universally/widely/publicly acclaimed for her contribution to the discovery.

She is being acclaimed (= publicly recognized) as the greatest dancer of her generation.

accost verb [ T often passive ] formal

to go up to or stop and speak to someone in a threatening way

I'm usually accosted by beggars and drunks as I walk to the station.

acquit verb -tt-

1. [ T often passive ] to decide officially in a court of law that someone is not guilty of a particular crime

She was acquitted of all the charges against her.

Five months ago he was acquitted on a shoplifting charge.

action verb [ T usually passive ]

to do something to deal with a particular problem or matter

I'll just run through the minutes of the last meeting, raising those points which still have to be actioned.

adduce verb [ T often passive ] formal

to give reasons why you think something is true

None of the evidence adduced in court was conclusive.

adjudge verb [ T often passive ] formal

to announce a decision or consider something, especially officially

[ + to infinitive ] Half an hour into the game Paterson was adjudged to have fouled Jackson and was sent off.

[ + noun or adjective ] In October 1990, Mirchandani was adjudged bankrupt.

Fairbanks was adjudged the winner.

administer verb MANAGE

1. [ T often passive ] to control the operation or arrangement of something; to manage or govern

The country was administered by the British until very recently.

The economy has been badly administered by the present government.

adulterate verb [ T always passive ]

to make food or drink weaker or to lower its quality, by adding something else

There were complaints that the beer had been adulterated with water.

affront verb [ T usually passive ] formal

to insult or offend someone

I was most affronted by his comments.

an affronted look/glance

appoint verb ARRANGE

2. [ T usually passive ] formal to arrange a date or time when a meeting or other event will happen

A date has been appointed for the election.

apprentice verb [ T usually passive ] old use

to make someone an apprentice

Michelangelo was apprenticed to Ghirlandaio in Florence for three years.

array verb [ T usually passive ]

1. to arrange a group of things in a particular way

A large number of magazines were arrayed on the stand.

Arrayed (= Standing in a group) before him were 40 schoolchildren in purple and green.

array verb [ T usually passive ]

2. to arrange a group of soldiers in a position for fighting

asphyxiate verb [ T often passive ] formal

to cause someone to be unable to breathe, usually resulting in death

The murder inquiry found that the children had been asphyxiated.

assail verb formal

2. [ T often passive ] to cause someone to experience a lot of unpleasant things

to be assailed by doubts/fears/problems

assign verb [ T ] CHOOSE

1. [ often passive ] to give a particular job or piece of work to someone

[ + two objects ] UN troops were assigned the task of rebuilding the hospital.

The case has been assigned to our most senior officer.

attract verb

2. [ T usually passive ] If you are attracted by or to someone, you like them, often finding them sexually interesting.

I'm not physically/sexually attracted to him.

ban verb [ T usually passive ] -nn-

to forbid (= refuse to allow) , especially officially

The film was banned (= the government prevented it from being shown) in several countries.

[ + from + -ing verb ] She was banned from driv ing for two years.

baptize , UK usually baptise verb [ T usually passive ]

to make someone officially a member of the Christian Church in a service of baptism

[ + object + noun ] Were you baptized a Catholic?

bedeck verb [ T usually passive ] literary

to decorate or cover

The hall was bedecked with flowers.

behead verb [ T often passive ]

to cut off someone's head

besiege verb [ T often passive ]

1. to surround a place, especially with an army, to prevent people or supplies getting in or out

The town had been besieged for two months but still resisted the aggressors.

besiege verb [ T often passive ]

2. When someone is besieged, a lot of people surround them

When the pop star tried to leave her hotel she was besieged by waiting journalists and fans.

besiege verb [ T often passive ]

3. to make many requests or complaints about something

After showing the controversial film, the television company was besieged with phone calls from angry viewers.

bestow verb [ T often passive ] formal

to give something as an honour or present

The Chancellorship of the University was bestowed upon her in 1992.

The George Cross is a decoration that is bestowed on British civilians for acts of great bravery.

bestrew verb [ T usually passive ] bestrewed , bestrewn or bestrewed literary

to lie covering a surface, or to cover a surface with things that are far apart and in no particular arrangement

During the festival, the city streets are bestrewn with flowers.

bewitch verb

1. [ T often passive ] to attract or interest someone a lot so that you have the power to influence them

He was bewitched by her beauty.

bill verb ADVERTISE

2. [ T usually passive ] to advertise something with a particular description

The film was billed as a romantic comedy.

blacklist verb [ T often passive ]

to put someone's name on a blacklist

They were blacklisted because of their extreme right-wing views.

blanket verb [ T often passive ] literary

to cover something completely with a thick layer

Outside the fields were blanketed in fog.

border verb FORM EDGE

1. [ T usually passive ] to form a line around the edge of something

The fields are bordered by tall trees.

bound verb BORDER

2. [ T usually passive ] to mark or form the limits of

The village is bounded on one side by a river.

buoy verb MAKE HAPPIER

2. [ T usually passive ] to make someone feel happier or more confident about a situation

She was buoyed (up) by the warm reception her audience gave her.

buoy verb MAKE SUCCESSFUL

3. [ T usually passive ] to support something and make it more successful

House prices have been buoyed (up) in the area by the possibility of a new factory opening.

burn verb burnt or burned , burnt or burned DAMAGE

2. [ T always passive ] to cause emotional pain or damage to someone

bury verb [ T ]

2. usually passive to cover something or someone completely with a large quantity of something

If an avalanche strikes, skiers can be buried alive by snow.

cage verb [ T usually passive ]

to put or keep birds or animals in a cage

caged birds/animals

Sam's been prowling about like a caged animal all morning.

cake verb [ T usually passive ]

to cover something or someone thickly with a substance that then dries out

The men were caked in layers of filth and grime.

boots caked with mud

cap verb -pp- LIMIT

1. [ T often passive ] to put a limit on the amount of money that can be charged or spent in connection with a particular activity

High spending councils have all been (rate/charge) capped.

Our mortgage is capped at 8.75% for five years.

capitalize , UK usually capitalise verb MONEY

2. [ T often passive ] to supply money to a business so that it can develop or operate as it should

carry verb APPROVE

8. [ T usually passive ] to give approval, especially by voting

The motion/proposal/resolution/bill was carried by 210 votes to 160.

charge verb ORDER

8. [ T often passive ] formal to order someone to do something

He was charged with tak ing care of the premises.

charm verb [ T often passive ]

to attract someone or persuade someone to do something because of your charm

We were charmed by his boyish manner.

chasten verb [ T usually passive ] formal

to make someone understand that they have failed or done something wrong and make them want to improve

He was chastened by the defeat and determined to work harder.

choke verb FILL

3. [ T usually passive ] ( also choke up ) to fill something such as a road or pipe, so that nothing can pass through

At lunchtime the streets were choked with traffic.

circumscribe verb

1. [ T often passive ] formal to limit something

Their movements have been severely circumscribed since the laws came into effect.

There followed a series of tightly circumscribed visits to military installations.

closet verb [ T usually passive ]

to put yourself in a place, especially a closed space, and stay there

[ R ] Two weeks before my exams I closeted my self (away) in my room with my books and I didn't speak to anyone.

The President is closeted with (= having a private meeting with) his advisers.

cocoon verb [ T usually passive ]

to protect someone or something from pain or an unpleasant situation

As a student you're cocooned against/from the real world.

colonize , UK usually colonise verb [ T often passive ]

to send people to live in and govern another country

Peru was colonized by the Spanish in the sixteenth century.

colour UK , US color verb INFLUENCE

3. [ T often passive ] If something colours your opinion of something, it influences your opinion in a negative way

I'm sure my views on marriage are coloured by my parents' divorce.

I'm trying not to let my judgment be coloured by that one incident.

commercialize , UK usually commercialise verb [ T usually passive ]

to organize something to make a profit

commission verb MILITARY

2. [ T usually passive ] to give someone the official authority to be an officer in the armed forces

Grandfather was commissioned as Group Captain in the RAF just before the war.

compound verb WORSEN

1. [ T often passive ] to make a problem or difficult situation worse

Her terror was compounded by the feeling that she was being watched.

His financial problems were compounded when he unexpectedly lost his job.

Severe drought has compounded food shortages in the region.

concentrate verb COME TOGETHER

2. [ T usually passive or I usually + adverb or preposition ] to bring or come together in a large number or amount in one particular area

Most of the country's population is concentrated in the north.

In the dry season, the animals tend to concentrate in the areas where there is water.

concuss verb [ T often passive ]

to give someone concussion

confine verb

2. [ T usually passive ] to keep someone closed in a place, often by force

The hostages had been confined for so long that they couldn't cope with the outside world.

constrain verb [ T often passive ]

to control and limit something

The country's progress was constrained by a leader who refused to look forward.

convict verb [ T usually passive ]

to decide officially in a court of law that someone is guilty of a crime

He has twice been convicted of robbery/arson.

couple verb JOIN

1. [ T usually passive usually + adverb or preposition ] to join or combine

The sleeping car and restaurant car were coupled together .

High inflation coupled with low output spells disaster for the Government in the election.

cow verb [ T usually passive ]

to frighten someone into doing something, using threats or violence

The protesters refused to be cowed into submission by the army.

craft verb [ T often passive ]

to make objects, especially in a skilled way

These bracelets were crafted by native Americans.

a beautifully crafted silver brooch

criticize , UK usually criticise verb

1. [ I T often passive ] to express disapproval of someone or something

The government is being widely criticized in the press for fail ing to limit air pollution.

We'll get nowhere if all you can do is criticize.

crop verb -pp- PLANT

5. [ T usually passive ] to grow crops on land

The land is intensively cropped.

crush verb SHOCK

4. [ T usually passive ] to upset or shock someone badly

He was crushed by the news of the accident.

damn verb PUNISH

2. [ T usually passive ] (especially of God) to force someone to stay in hell and be punished forever

As a child she was taught that she would be damned for her sins.

daunt verb [ T often passive ]

to make someone feel slightly frightened or worried about their ability to achieve something; to discourage

She was not at all daunted by the size of the problem.

dazzle verb

2. [ T usually passive ] If you are dazzled by someone or something, you think they are extremely good and exciting

I was dazzled by his charm and good looks.

decimate verb [ T usually passive ]

to kill a large number of something, or to reduce something severely

Populations of endangered animals have been decimated.

deflate verb WEAKEN

2. [ T often passive ] to cause something to become weaker

The party's ambitions have been rather deflated by the two recent by-election defeats.

deflate verb LESS CONFIDENT

3. [ T often passive ] to make someone lose confidence or feel less important

They were totally deflated by losing the match.

deluge verb [ T usually passive ]

to cover something with a lot of water

The city was deluged when the river burst its banks.

figurative We've been deluged with (= have received a lot of) replies.

deselect verb [ T often passive ] UK specialized

to choose, as a local political party, not to have the person who already represents your party as your candidate at the next election

design verb INTEND

2. [ T usually passive ] to intend

This dictionary is designed for advanced learners of English.

[ + to infinitive ] These measures are designed to reduce pollution.

detail verb ORDER

2. [ T + to infinitive often passive ] to order someone, often a small group of soldiers or workers, to perform a particular task

Four soldiers were detailed to check the road for troops.

detain verb [ T often passive ]

1. to force someone officially to stay in a place

A suspect has been detained by the police for further questioning.

Several of the injured were detained overnight in hospital.

detain verb [ T often passive ]

2. to delay someone for a short length of time

I'm sorry I'm late - I was unavoidably detained.

determine verb DECIDE

1. [ T often passive ] to control or influence something directly, or to decide what will happen

The number of staff we can take on will be determined by how much money we're allowed to spend.

Your health is determined in part by what you eat.

Eye colour is genetically determined.

[ + question word ] formal A pitch inspection will determine wh ether or not the match will be played.

People should be allowed to determine their own future.

disable verb PERSON

1. [ T often passive ] to cause someone to have an illness, injury or condition that makes it difficult for them to do the things that other people do

She was disabled in the accident.

discount verb REDUCE

2. [ T often passive ] to reduce the price of something

discounted goods/rates

discover verb

2. [ T often passive ] to notice that a person has a special talent or quality and to help them to become successful

Los Angeles is full of beautiful girls working as waitresses, hoping to be discovered by a movie agent.

dismiss verb END JOB

2. [ T often passive ] to remove someone from their job, especially because they have done something wrong

He has been dismissed from his job for incompetence.

dissolve verb END

2. [ T often passive ] to end an official organization or a legal arrangement

Parliament has been dissolved.

Their marriage was dissolved in 1968.

distil verb -ll- INFORMATION

2. [ T usually passive ] literary to get or show only the most important part of something

Over 80 hours of footage have been distilled into these 40 minutes.

divide verb DISAGREE

6. [ T often passive ] to cause a group of people to disagree about something

The party is divided on/over the issue of capital punishment.

domesticate verb [ T often passive ]

to bring animals or plants under human control in order to provide food, power or companionship

Dogs were probably the first animals to be domesticated.

doom verb [ T usually passive ]

to make someone or something certain to do or experience something unpleasant, or to make something bad certain to happen

[ + to infinitive ] Are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past?

Mounting debts doomed the factory to closure.

doorstep verb -pp-

1. [ T often passive ] UK disapproving If you are doorstepped by journalists , they come to your house and ask you to speak or answer questions, even if you do not want them to

He complained about being doorstepped by the press.

dot verb -tt-

2. [ T often passive ] to be spread across an area, or to spread many similar things across an area

We have offices dotted about/all over the region.

The countryside is dotted with beautiful churches.

draft verb UK MILITARY

2. [ T usually passive ] mainly US ( UK conscript ) to order people by law to join the armed forces

He was drafted ( into the army) at eighteen.

drench verb [ T often passive ]

to make someone or something extremely wet

A sudden thunderstorm had drenched us to the skin .

The athletes were drenched in/with sweat.

earmark verb [ T often passive ]

to keep or intend something for a particular purpose

Five billion dollars of this year's budget is already earmarked for hospital improvements.

earth verb [ T usually passive ] UK ( US ground )

to put an earth (= wire) between a piece of electrical equipment and the ground

You could get a nasty shock from that water heater if it isn't earthed properly.

eclipse verb IMPORTANCE

2. [ T often passive ] to make another person or thing seem much less important, good or famous

The economy has eclipsed all other issues during this election campaign.

eject verb

1. [ T often passive ] to force someone to leave a particular place

A number of football fans had been ejected from the bar for causing trouble.

electrocute verb [ T often passive ]

to kill someone by causing electricity to flow through their body

He was electrocuted when he touched the bare wires.

eliminate verb

2. [ T often passive ] to defeat someone so that they cannot continue in a competition

He was eliminated in the third round of the competition.

emblazon verb [ T usually passive ] ( also blazon )

to print or decorate something in a very noticeable way

Her name was emblazoned across the front of the theatre.

cars emblazoned with the company logo

enact verb MAKE LAW

1. [ T often passive ] specialized to put something into action, especially to change something into a law

A package of economic sanctions is to be enacted against the country.

encode verb

1. [ T often passive ] to change something into a system for sending messages secretly, or to represent complicated information in a simple or short way

Many satellite broadcasts are encoded so that they can only be received by people who have paid to see them.

Some music CDs are now encoded with information about the performers and their music.

encrypt verb [ T usually passive ]

to change electronic information or signals into a secret code (= system of letters, numbers or symbols) that people cannot understand or use on normal equipment

Your financial information is fully encrypted and cannot be accessed.

enrage verb [ T often passive ]

to cause someone to become very angry

Plans to build a new nightclub in the neighbourhood have enraged local residents.

He was enraged at the article about him.

enslave verb [ T often passive ]

1. to control and keep someone forcefully in a bad situation, or to make a slave of someone

Women in this region were enslaved by poverty.

The early settlers enslaved or killed much of the native population.

enslave verb [ T often passive ]

2. literary to control someone's actions, thoughts, emotions, or life completely

We are increasingly enslaved by technology.

Guilt enslaved her.

entangle verb [ T usually passive ]

1. to cause something to become caught in something such as a net or ropes

The dolphin had become entangled in/with the fishing nets.

enthrone verb

2. [ T often passive ] humorous to be positioned somewhere where you look or feel important

She sat in the dining room, enthroned on an old high-backed chair.

entomb verb [ T often passive ] formal

to bury someone or something

The nuclear waste has been entombed in concrete many metres under the ground.

entwine verb [ T often passive ]

to twist something together or around something

The picture captures the two lovers with their arms entwined.

establish verb START

1. [ T often passive ] to start a company or organization that will continue for a long time

The brewery was established in 1822.

These methods of working were established in the last century.

expurgate verb [ T usually passive ] formal

to remove parts of a piece of writing that are considered likely to cause offence

The book was expurgated to make it suitable for children.

fix verb CHEAT

6. [ T often passive ] to do something dishonest to make certain that a competition, race, or election is won by a particular person

Several jockeys were arrested on suspicion of fixing the race.

It sounds like the election was fixed.

flabbergast verb [ T often passive ] informal

to shock someone, usually by telling them something they were not expecting

He was flabbergasted when we told him how cheap it was.

flank verb [ T usually passive ]

to be at the side of someone or something

The president was flanked by senior ministers.

flavour UK , US flavor verb [ T often passive ]

to give a particular taste to food or drink

This sauce is flavoured with garlic and herbs.

You can use fresh herbs to flavour the soup.

floor verb SURPRISE/CONFUSE

2. [ T often passive ] informal to surprise or confuse someone so much that they are unable to think what to say or do next

I didn't know what to say - I was completely floored.

frame verb MAKE GUILTY

2. [ T often passive ] informal to make a person seem to be guilty of a crime when they are not, by producing facts or information which are not true

He claimed he'd been framed by the police.

gag verb -gg- STOP TALKING

3. [ T often passive ] to prevent a person or organization from talking or writing about a particular subject

The media have obviously been gagged because nothing has been reported.

gazump verb [ T often passive ] UK informal

to refuse to sell a house that you own to someone you have agreed to sell it to, and to sell it instead to someone who offers to pay more for it

Sally's offer for the house has been accepted, but she's worried she might be gazumped.

gazunder verb [ T often passive ] UK informal

to unfairly demand a reduction in the price you have agreed to pay for a house just before you buy it

gentrify verb [ T often passive ] disapproving

to change a place from being a poor area to a richer one, by people of a higher social class moving to live there

The area where I grew up has been all modernized and gentrified, and has lost all its old character.

ghettoize , UK usually ghettoise verb [ T often passive ]

to treat a particular group in society are as if they are different from the other parts of society and as if their activities and interests are not important to other people

Feminist writers, she claimed, had been ghettoized, their books placed on separate shelves in the shops.

The TV company is aware of the danger of ghettoizing disability issues by offering 'specialist' programmes.

glut verb [ T often passive ] -tt-

Higher mortgage rates and over-building left some markets glutted with unsold houses.

greet verb

2. [ T often passive ] If you are greeted by a sight, sound or smell, you notice it immediately when you arrive somewhere

As we walked into the house, we were greeted by a wonderful smell of baking.

grip verb -pp- EMOTION

3. [ T usually passive ] When an emotion such as fear grips you, you feel it strongly

Then he turned towards me and I was suddenly gripped by fear.

ground verb KEEP ON LAND

3. [ T often passive ] If aircraft are grounded, they are prevented from flying or ordered not to fly

The snowstorm meant that all planes were grounded.

hamstring verb [ T often passive ] hamstrung , hamstrung

to limit the amount of something that can be done or the ability or power of someone to do something

The company was hamstrung by traditional but inefficient ways of conducting business.

handcuff verb [ T often passive ] ( informal cuff )

to put handcuffs on someone

He arrived in court handcuffed to two police officers.

hedge verb

1. [ T + adverb or preposition usually passive ] to limit something severely

We've got permission, but it's hedged about/around with strict conditions.

hit verb hitting , hit , hit SHOOT

4. [ T often passive ] to shoot at or bomb a place or person, causing damage or injury

Two schools were hit during the air raid.

He was hit in the neck by a bullet from a sniper.

Try to hit the middle of the target.

hospitalize , UK usually hospitalise verb [ T often passive ]

to take someone to hospital and keep them there for treatment

His wife's been hospitalized for depression.

hype verb [ T often passive ] ( also hype up )

to repeatedly advertise and discuss something in newspapers, on television, etc. in order to attract everyone's interest

It's being hyped as the musical event of the year.

hypnotize , UK usually hypnotise verb

2. [ T usually passive ] to keep your attention so strongly that you feel unable to move or look away

I was hypnotized by his steely grey eyes.

immortalize , UK usually immortalise verb [ T often passive ]

to make someone or something so famous that they are remembered for a very long time

Marlene Dietrich was immortalized through her roles in films like 'The Blue Angel'.

impale verb [ T often passive ]

to push a sharp object through something, especially the body of an animal or person

The dead deer was impaled on a spear.

imprison verb [ T usually passive ]

to put someone in prison

He was imprisoned in 1965 for attempted murder.

figurative Unable to go out because of the deep snow, she felt imprisoned in her own house.

incapacitate verb [ T often passive ]

to make someone unable to work or do things normally, or unable to do what they intended to do

The accident left me incapacitated for seven months.

Rubber bullets are designed to incapacitate people rather than kill them.

incense verb [ T usually passive ]

to cause someone to be extremely angry

The editor said a lot of readers would be incensed by my article on abortion.

I was so incensed by what he was saying I had to walk out.

incise verb [ T usually passive ] formal

to cut the surface of something carefully with a sharp tool

The design is incised into a metal plate.

a shield incised with Celtic symbols

inhabit verb [ T often passive ]

to live in a place

These remote islands are inhabited only by birds.

intern verb [ T often passive ]

to put someone in prison for political or military reasons, especially during a war

Many foreigners were interned for the duration of the war.

jail , UK old-fashioned gaol verb [ T often passive ]

to put someone in a jail

He was jailed for three years.

kindle verb FEELING

2. [ T often passive ] literary to cause strong feelings or ideas in someone

Her imagination was kindled by the exciting stories her grandmother told her.

malign verb [ T often passive ]

to say false and unpleasant things about someone or to unfairly criticize them

She has recently been maligned in the gossip columns of several newspapers.

Much- maligned for their derivative style, the band are nevertheless enduringly popular.

mangle verb

1. [ T often passive ] to destroy something by twisting it with force or tearing it into pieces so that its original form is completely changed

My sweater got mangled in the washing machine.

His arm was mangled in the machine.

marginalize , UK usually marginalise verb [ T often passive ]

to treat someone or something as if they are not important

Now that English has taken over as the main language, the country's native language has been marginalized.

martyr verb [ T often passive ]

to kill someone because of their religious or political beliefs

maul verb [ T often passive ] ANIMAL

1. If an animal mauls someone, it attacks them and injures them with its teeth or claws (= long sharp nails)

A small boy had been mauled by the neighbour's dog.

maul verb [ T often passive ] CRITICIZE

2. to criticize something or someone severely

Both films were mauled by the critics.

mesmerize , UK usually mesmerise verb

1. [ T often passive ] to have someone's attention completely so that they cannot think of anything else

I was completely mesmerized by the performance.

mine verb BOMB

2. [ T often passive ] to place or hide mines in an area of land or sea

The desert was heavily mined.

mob verb [ T ]

1. [ T usually passive ] -bb- to come together around someone in a crowd to express admiration, interest or anger

They were mobbed by fans when they arrived at the theatre.

Let's not go to the Old Town tonight - it's always mobbed (= there are always a lot of people there) on Fridays.

motivate verb

1. [ T often passive ] to cause someone to behave in a particular way

Like so many people, he's motivated by greed.

He is genuinely motivated by a desire to help people.

mystify verb [ T often passive ]

to confuse someone by being or doing something very strange or impossible to explain

I was mystified by her decision.

Most Americans seem totally mystified by cricket.

nark verb ANNOY

1. [ T usually passive ] UK slang old-fashioned to annoy someone

I was a bit narked by David's comment.

nauseate verb [ T often passive ] formal

to cause someone to feel as if they are going to vomit

He's nauseated by the smell of meat cooking.

nettle verb [ T often passive ] mainly UK

to make someone annoyed or slightly angry

She looked up at me sharply, clearly nettled by the interruption.

notice verb

2. [ T often passive ] to bring someone to the attention of the public, usually because of their unusual skill, etc

She was first noticed by the critics at the age of 12, and went on to become a world-famous violinist.

obliterate verb

1. [ T often passive ] to remove all signs of something, either by destroying it or by covering it so that it cannot be seen

The missile strike was devastating - the target was totally obliterated.

All of a sudden the view was obliterated by the fog.

oppress verb RULE

1. [ T often passive ] to govern people in an unfair and cruel way and prevent them from having opportunities and freedom

For years now, the people have been oppressed by a ruthless dictator.

orchestrate verb [ T often passive ] MUSIC

1. to arrange or write a piece of music so that it can be played by an orchestra

orchestrate verb [ T often passive ] ARRANGE

2. to arrange something carefully, and sometimes unfairly, so as to achieve a wanted result

Their victory was largely a result of their brilliantly orchestrated election campaign.

ordain verb CHURCH

1. [ T often passive ] to officially make someone a priest or other religious leader, in a religious ceremony

He was ordained (as) a priest in Oxford cathedral in 1987.

orphan verb [ T usually passive ]

to make someone an orphan

He was orphaned as a baby (= His parents died when he was a baby) .

The children were orphaned by the war (= their parents were killed in the war) .

out verb [ T often passive ]

If a famous person is outed, their homosexuality (= being sexually attracted to people of their own sex) is made public when they want to keep it secret

Hardly a week went by without someone famous being outed.

outfit verb [ T often passive ] outfitting , outfitted , outfitted

to provide someone or something with equipment or clothes

The ambulances have all been outfitted with new radios.

outvote verb [ T usually passive ]

to defeat someone by winning a greater number of votes

The Democrats were outvoted, as usual.

informal I suggested we should go for a pizza, but I was outvoted (= most people did not want to) so we went for a curry.

overawe verb [ T usually passive ]

to cause someone to feel a mixture of extreme respect and fear

Some of the players were totally overawed by playing their first game at the national stadium.

overburden verb [ T often passive ]

to make someone or something work too hard or carry, contain or deal with too much

Insurance companies are already overburdened with similar claims.

Now 5000 new children will be attending the district's already overburdened school system.

overcome verb overcame , overcome UNABLE TO ACT

2. [ T usually passive ] to prevent someone from being able to act or think in the usual way

They were overcome by fumes from the fire and had to be carried out of their houses.

Overcome with/by emotion, she found herself unable to speak for a few minutes.

overcook verb [ T often passive ]

to cook food for longer than necessary, reducing its quality as a result

The chicken was overcooked and dry.

overexpose verb [ T usually passive ]

to give too much light to a piece of photographic film when taking a photograph

Unfortunately the light was too bright and my photos were all overexposed.

overlay verb [ T often passive ] overlaid , overlaid

1. to cover something with a layer of something

The foundation of the house is built from rubble overlaid with concrete.

overpay verb [ T often passive ] overpaid , overpaid

to pay someone too much

I felt I should tell my boss she'd overpaid me by £50.

disapproving City lawyers are grossly overpaid for what they do.

overrate verb [ T often passive ]

to have too good an opinion of something

Be careful not to overrate the opposition.

overshadow verb [ T often passive ]

1. to cause someone or something to seem less important or less happy

Karen has always felt overshadowed by her famous elder sister.

My happiness was overshadowed by the bad news.

overshadow verb [ T often passive ]

2. (of a building) to be much taller than another building and therefore block the sun from it

Grand Central Station in New York is overshadowed by the PanAm building.

overwhelm verb EMOTION

2. [ T usually passive ] to cause someone to feel sudden strong emotion

They were overwhelmed with/by grief when their baby died.

I was quite overwhelmed by all the flowers and letters of support I received.

parachute verb

2. [ T usually + adverb or preposition ] to drop someone or something from an aircraft by parachute

[ often passive ] Thousands of leaflets were parachuted behind enemy lines.

phase verb [ T often passive ]

to introduce something in stages over a particular period of time

The reduction in armed forces will be phased over the next ten years.

pipe verb TUBE

2. [ T usually passive + adverb or preposition ] to transport in a pipe

Hot water is piped to all apartments from the central boiler room.

figurative Music is piped throughout the hotel complex.

pluck verb REMOVE

3. [ T usually passive ] to remove someone suddenly from a situation that is ordinary

He was plucked from obscurity to star in the film.

politicize , UK usually politicise verb [ T often passive ]

to make something or someone political, or more involved in or conscious of political matters

The whole issue has become increasingly politicized.

a highly politicized debate

prescribe verb GIVE MEDICINE

1. [ T often passive ] (of a doctor) to say what medical treatment someone should have

The drug is often prescribed for ulcers.

[ + two objects ] I've been prescribed painkillers.

price verb

1. [ T often passive ] to say what the price of something is

The car is priced at £28 000.

There is a lack of reasonably priced housing for rent.

prize verb REWARD

2. [ T often passive ] to think that someone or something is very valuable or important

In parts of Asia this plant is prized for its medicinal qualities.

I prize that intimacy above everything.

prohibit verb

1. [ T often passive ] to officially forbid (= refuse to allow) something

Motor vehicles are prohibited from driving in the town centre.

The government introduced a law prohibiting tobacco advertisements on TV.

Parking is strictly prohibited between these gates.

project verb CALCULATE

1. [ T usually passive ] to calculate an amount or number expected in the future from information already known

[ + to infinitive ] Government spending is projected to rise by 3% next year.

promote verb RAISE

2. [ T often passive ] to raise someone to a higher or more important position or rank

If I'm not promoted within the next two years, I'm going to change jobs.

She's just been promoted to senior sales rep.

If Coventry City win this match, they'll be promoted to the Premier League.

promote verb RAISE

3. [ T often passive ] US If a student is promoted, they go up to the next higher grade (= level in school) .

quarter verb CUT INTO FOUR

1. [ T often passive ] to cut something into four parts

quarter verb SOLDIER

2. [ T usually passive + adverb or preposition ] to send especially soldiers to live in a place

The soldiers were quartered with (= they lived with) local villagers during the war.

rack verb [ T often passive ]

to cause physical or mental pain, or trouble, to someone or something

Even at the end, when cancer racked his body, he was calm and cheerful.

The dog was already racked by/with the pains of old age.

He was racked by/with doubts/guilt.

ravage verb [ T often passive ]

to cause great damage to something

The area has been ravaged by drought/floods/war.

ravish verb PLEASURE

1. [ T usually passive ] literary to give great pleasure to someone

I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.

recognize , UK usually recognise verb ACCEPT

3. [ T often passive ] If a person's achievements are recognized, official approval is shown for them

The Prime Minister recognized her services to her country by awarding her an MBE.

reincarnate verb

1. [ T always passive ] If a dead person or animal is reincarnated as someone or something else, their spirit returns to life in that person or animal.

remand verb [ T often passive ] legal

1. to send someone accused of committing a crime away from court until their trial begins

He was remanded on theft charges.

The accused was remanded in custody (= kept in prison before the trial began) for a week.

remaster verb [ T often passive ]

to make a new master (= a recording from which all copies are made) of an earlier recording, usually in order to produce copies with better sound quality

The soundtrack of 'The Godfather' was digitally remastered and transformed from mono to stereo.

repulse verb formal DISLIKE

2. [ T often passive ] If something repulses you, it causes you to have a strong feeling of dislike, disapproval or disgust

The tourists were repulsed by the filthy conditions.

retire verb STOP WORKING

3. [ T often passive ] If an employer retires an employee, they make that person leave their job, usually at a time when they are near to the age at which they would normally stop working, or because they are ill

Following the merger, he was retired with a generous pension.

roof verb [ T often passive ]

to put a roof on a building

ruffle verb

2. [ T often passive ] to annoy or upset someone, or to make them very nervous

He's easily ruffled by criticism.

rumble verb DISCOVER

2. [ T usually passive ] UK informal to discover the true facts about someone or something secret and often illegal

I'm afraid our little tax dodge has been rumbled.

satiate verb [ T often passive ] formal

to completely satisfy yourself or a need, especially with food or pleasure, so that you could not have any more

He drank greedily until his thirst was satiated.

saturate verb MAKE WET

1. [ T often passive ] to make something or someone completely wet

The grass had been saturated by overnight rain.

He had cut his leg badly, and his trousers were saturated with/in blood.

say verb said , said THINK

5. [ T always passive ] When something or someone is said to be a particular thing, that is what people think or believe about them

[ + ( that ) ] It is said (that) Latin is a difficult language to learn.

[ + to be + noun or adjective ] He's said to be over 100.

scandalize , UK usually scandalise verb [ T often passive ]

If you are scandalized by someone's behaviour, you disapprove of it and are shocked by it because you think it is against moral laws.

The whole village was scandalized by her second marriage.

scar verb [ T often passive ] -rr-

to have or leave a scar

He was scarred as a result of the fire.

figurative His experiences in the army left him scarred for life (= had a serious mental effect on him for the rest of his life) .

schedule verb [ T often passive ]

to arrange that an event or activity will happen at a particular time

The meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

[ + to infinitive ] The train is scheduled to arrive at 8.45, but it's running twenty minutes late.

school verb [ T ] formal

2. [ T often passive ] to teach a child

Her children are well schooled in correct behaviour.

seduce verb ATTRACT

2. [ T usually passive ] to cause someone to do something that they would not usually consider doing by being very attractive and difficult to refuse

I wouldn't normally have bought this, but I was seduced by the low price.

They were seduced into buy ing the washing machine by the offer of a free flight to the United States.

seduce verb ATTRACT

3. [ T usually passive ] If you are seduced by something, you like it because it seems attractive

Almost every visitor to Edinburgh is seduced by its splendid architecture.

see verb seeing , saw , seen USE EYES

3. [ T often passive ] to be the time or place when something happens

This summer has seen the end of water restrictions in the area thanks to a new reservoir.

seed verb SPORT

3. [ T usually passive ] to make a player a seed

[ + adjective ] Jones, seeded second, has won her last ten matches.

seize verb

4. [ usually passive ] If a strong emotion or pain seizes you, you feel it suddenly

I was suddenly seized by/with a feeling of great insecurity and loneliness.

settle verb LIVE

5. [ I or T often passive ] to arrive, especially from another country, in a new place and establish yourself, taking the land as your own

America was first settled by people who came across from Asia over 25 000 years ago.

shoehorn verb [ T often passive ] informal

to fit something tightly in a particular place, often between two other things

This tiny restaurant is shoehorned between two major banks.

sidetrack verb [ T usually passive ]

to direct a person's attention away from an activity or subject towards another one which is less important

Ruth was looking for an envelope in a drawer when she was sidetracked by some old letters.

The students sidetracked their teacher into talking about her hobby.

I'm sorry I'm late - I got sidetracked.

signpost verb ROAD SIGN

1. [ T usually passive ] to show the direction of something on a signpost

The road wasn't very well signposted (= provided with signposts) .

We found where we were going very easily, because it was signposted (= the direction was shown by signposts) all the way.

silver verb [ T often passive ]

to cover something, especially a window, with a thin layer of silver-coloured material in order to make a mirror

source verb [ T often passive ]

to get something from a particular place

Where possible the produce used in our restaurant is sourced locally.

starve verb

2. [ T often passive ] If you are starved of something necessary or good, you do not receive enough of it

People starved of sleep start to lose their concentration and may hallucinate.

stigmatize , UK usually stigmatise verb [ T often passive ]

to treat someone or something unfairly by disapproving of them

People should not be stigmatized on the basis of race.

stump verb CRICKET

4. [ T usually passive ] If the person hitting the ball in cricket is stumped, their turn to try scoring points is ended by a member of the other team knocking the bails off the stumps with the ball while they are outside a safe area.

stymie verb [ T often passive ] stymieing informal

to prevent something from happening or someone from achieving a purpose

In our search for evidence, we were stymied by the absence of any recent documents.

suffuse verb [ T often passive ] literary

to spread through or over something completely

His voice was low and suffused with passion.

survey verb LOOK AT

3. [ T often passive ] UK ( US AND Australian inspect ) If a building is surveyed, it is examined carefully by a specially trained person, in order to discover whether there is anything wrong with its structure.

swamp verb TOO MUCH/BIG

2. [ T often passive ] If something swamps a person, system or place, they receive more of it than they can easily deal with

Foreign cars have swamped the UK market.

I'm swamped with work at the moment.

Don't let feelings of depression swamp you.

task verb [ T usually passive ]

to give someone a task

We have been tasked with setting up camps for refugees.

tickle verb PLEASE

3. [ T often passive ] informal If something tickles you, you find it funny or it pleases you

old-fashioned I was tickled pink (= very pleased) to hear the news.

tier verb [ T often passive ]

to arrange or organise something in tiers

The seats in the theatre were steeply tiered.

timetable verb [ T usually passive ] UK ( US schedule )

to plan when something is going to happen

[ + to infinitive ] We are timetabled to go to the British Museum on Thursday and the Tower of London on Friday.

The lecture is timetabled for 5.00 p.m.

tinge verb [ T usually passive ]

to contain a slight amount of

Her joy at the birth of her son was tinged with sadness that her father had not lived to see him.

tip verb -pp- END

5. [ T usually passive ] to cover the end of something pointed with a liquid, a colour, etc.

The giraffe was killed with a spear that had been tipped with poison.

tip verb -pp- INFORMATION

7. [ T often passive ] mainly UK to say that someone is likely to be successful or achieve something

He is being tipped as the next Prime Minister.

[ + to infinitive ] Davis is being tipped to win the championship.

traumatize , UK usually traumatise verb [ T usually passive ]

to shock and upset someone severely and for a long time

She was completely traumatized by the death of her mother.

trouble verb CAUSE DIFFICULTIES

2. [ T often passive ] to cause someone to have a problem or difficulties

He has been troubled by a knee injury for most of the season.

undercook verb [ T often passive ]

to not cook something enough

unravel verb -ll- or US USUALLY -l- DESTROY

3. [ I T usually passive ] If a process or achievement that was slow and complicated unravels or is unravelled, it is destroyed

As talks between the leaders broke down, several months of careful diplomacy were unravelled.

veil verb MATERIAL

1. [ T often passive ] to cover something, especially the face or body, with a veil

In some societies, women are expected to be veiled when they go out in public.

wound verb [ T usually passive ] HURT

1. to damage an area of the body, especially by making a cut or hole in the skin

Flying glass wounded her in the face and neck.

The police chief was badly wounded in the explosion.

wound verb [ T usually passive ] UPSET

2. to make someone feel upset

He was deeply wounded by her fierce criticism.

wrench verb

3. [ T usually passive ] to suddenly take someone from people they love, causing them great unhappiness

At the age of eight, she was wrenched from her foster parents and sent to live with another family.

yank verb

2. [ T often passive ] mainly US informal to suddenly remove someone or something

I was yanked out of school and forced to seek work.

yoke verb CONNECT

2. [ T often passive ] formal to combine or connect two things

All these different political elements have somehow been yoked together to form a new alliance.

zone verb [ T usually passive ] specialized

to give a special purpose to a particular area, such as an area in a town

The former dockyard has been zoned for tourist use.

double-book verb [ I T often passive ]

to promise the same room, seat, ticket, etc. to different people

The room was double-booked so they had to give us a different one.

pink-slip verb [ T often passive ] US informal

to get rid of someone or something that is no longer needed

sin-bin verb [ T usually passive ]

to send a player to the sin-bin

Thomas was sin-binned for a professional foul.

wrong-foot verb

2. [ T often passive ] to cause someone to be in a difficult situation by doing something unexpected

The company was completely wrong-footed by the dollar's sudden recovery.

baptize , UK usually baptise verb [ T usually passive ]

to make someone officially a member of the Christian Church in a service of baptism

[ + object + noun ] Were you baptized a Catholic?

colonize , UK usually colonise verb [ T often passive ]

to send people to live in and govern another country

Peru was colonized by the Spanish in the sixteenth century.

commercialize , UK usually commercialise verb [ T usually passive ]

to organize something to make a profit

draft verb UK MILITARY

2. [ T usually passive ] mainly US ( UK conscript ) to order people by law to join the armed forces

He was drafted ( into the army) at eighteen.

earth verb [ T usually passive ] UK ( US ground )

to put an earth (= wire) between a piece of electrical equipment and the ground

You could get a nasty shock from that water heater if it isn't earthed properly.

emblazon verb [ T usually passive ] ( also blazon )

to print or decorate something in a very noticeable way

Her name was emblazoned across the front of the theatre.

cars emblazoned with the company logo

flavour UK , US flavor verb [ T often passive ]

to give a particular taste to food or drink

This sauce is flavoured with garlic and herbs.

You can use fresh herbs to flavour the soup.

ghettoize , UK usually ghettoise verb [ T often passive ]

to treat a particular group in society are as if they are different from the other parts of society and as if their activities and interests are not important to other people

Feminist writers, she claimed, had been ghettoized, their books placed on separate shelves in the shops.

The TV company is aware of the danger of ghettoizing disability issues by offering 'specialist' programmes.

handcuff verb [ T often passive ] ( informal cuff )

to put handcuffs on someone

He arrived in court handcuffed to two police officers.

immortalize , UK usually immortalise verb [ T often passive ]

to make someone or something so famous that they are remembered for a very long time

Marlene Dietrich was immortalized through her roles in films like 'The Blue Angel'.

jail , UK old-fashioned gaol verb [ T often passive ]

to put someone in a jail

He was jailed for three years.

marginalize , UK usually marginalise verb [ T often passive ]

to treat someone or something as if they are not important

Now that English has taken over as the main language, the country's native language has been marginalized.

politicize , UK usually politicise verb [ T often passive ]

to make something or someone political, or more involved in or conscious of political matters

The whole issue has become increasingly politicized.

a highly politicized debate

scandalize , UK usually scandalise verb [ T often passive ]

If you are scandalized by someone's behaviour, you disapprove of it and are shocked by it because you think it is against moral laws.

The whole village was scandalized by her second marriage.

stigmatize , UK usually stigmatise verb [ T often passive ]

to treat someone or something unfairly by disapproving of them

People should not be stigmatized on the basis of race.

survey verb LOOK AT

3. [ T often passive ] UK ( US AND Australian inspect ) If a building is surveyed, it is examined carefully by a specially trained person, in order to discover whether there is anything wrong with its structure.

timetable verb [ T usually passive ] UK ( US schedule )

to plan when something is going to happen

[ + to infinitive ] We are timetabled to go to the British Museum on Thursday and the Tower of London on Friday.

traumatize , UK usually traumatise verb [ T usually passive ]

to shock and upset someone severely and for a long time

She was completely traumatized by the death of her mother.

choke verb FILL

3. [ T usually passive ] ( also choke up ) to fill something such as a road or pipe, so that nothing can pass through

At lunchtime the streets were choked with traffic.

hype verb [ T often passive ] ( also hype up )

to repeatedly advertise and discuss something in newspapers, on television, etc. in order to attract everyone's interest

It's being hyped as the musical event of the year.