RENOUNCE

Her ex-husband renounced his claim to the family house.

Many were executed for refusing to renounce their religion.

UNDERMINE

Britain was accused of undermining international efforts to reduce pollution.

Our confidence in the team has been seriously undermined by their recent defeats.

THRIVE

His business thrived in the years before the war.

PAMPER

She pampered herself with a trip to the beauty salon.

GLISTEN

Their faces were glistening with sweat.

DESIGNATE

1. This floor has been designated a no-smoking area.

2, The director is allowed to designate his/her successor.

REAR

In these waters dolphins breed and rear their young.

Most farmers in the area rear sheep.

FORGE

She forged a new career in the music business.

SCRAMBLE

1. He scrambled up the cliff and raced towards the car.

2. Shoppers were scrambling to get the best bargains.

ROAM

After the bars close, gangs of youths roam the city streets.

She roamed around America for a year, working in bars and restaurants.

UNEARTH

The remains were unearthed last year by archaeologists.

The newspaper has unearthed some disturbing facts.

BOOST

1. Their share price climbed again today, boosted by rising sales.
a drug that boosts serotonin levels in the body

2. an attempt to boost the minister’s popularity

PROSECUTE

You'll be relieved to hear that our clients have decided not to prosecute.

SWELL

1. My arm swelled up where I was stung by a bee.
2. Her heart seemed to swell with tears, but none cam though her eyes.

CITE

1. This book was cited most frequently by the leading authors.

2. She cited three reasons why people get into debt.

SACK

Anna, another sacked female employee, also attempted suicide after she was dismissed.

TO GIVE SOMEONE THE SACK
My boss gave me the sack for coming to work drunk.

DEFY

1. A few workers have defied the majority decision and gone into work despite the strike.

2. His eyebrows were raised, mouth puckered, his eyes sly, defying me to ask more questions.

ENDORSE

The proposal was endorsed by the majority of members.

CRANE

Anna craned her head over his shoulder to look at what he was doing.
Mike was craning his neck to get a glimpse of the movie star.

SHUDDER

I still shudder when I think of the risks we took.

She shuddered with horror.

Sarah shuddered at her touch, feeling a little uncomfortable.

FLUTTER

Leaves fluttered down onto the path.
Butterflies fluttered about in the sunshine.
A white bird poised on a wire and fluttered its wings.

ENRAGE

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

Why was she so much enraged?

SWOOP

The small bird swooped down and landed by the girls hand.

I gasped in horror as a immense bird swooped over us.

FLOOD

Our washing machine broke down yesterday and flooded the kitchen.
The whole town flooded when the river burst its banks.

WRESTLE

Their children were the kids I wrestled with and fought with and played Star Wars with.’

OPT

Instead of a soft drink she opted for water.

Fewer students than ever are opting to study maths at a higher level.

MAR

It was a really nice day, marred only by a little argument in the car on the way home.
I hope the fact that Louise isn't coming won't mar your enjoyment of the evening.

SLASH
/slæʃ/
1. The museum was broken into last night and several paintings were slashed.
She tried to commit suicide by slashing her wrists.
2. Prices have been slashed by 50 percent!

PERCEIVE
/pəˈsiːv/
1. How do the French perceive the British?
Women's magazines are often perceived to be superficial.
2. Bill perceived a tiny figure in the distance.
I perceived a note of unhappiness in her voice.