Advanced English (2) • NOUNS • 'D'

noun [U ] C2 • synonyms: propriety, dignity, civility • basic decency / show decency / common decency • freq in AmE: 6/10

behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality, respectability, or civility; the quality of being proper, modest, or considerate

collocation with decency noun [U ] C2 • cross / go beyond / stay within the bounds of decency • freq in AmE: 5/10

the limits of acceptable, respectful, or morally appropriate behavior — often used to criticize actions that cross ethical or social lines

collocation with decency noun [U ] C2 • have the decency to apologize / to admit / to call; someone didn’t even have the decency to do something • freq in AmE: 6/10

to behave in a way that shows basic respect, responsibility, or moral awareness — especially when someone might expect an apology, explanation, or gesture of integrity

noun [C or U ] C1 • synonyms: betrayal, desertion, abandonment • political defection / defection from ideals / defection to the enemy • freq in AmE: 5/10

the act of abandoning allegiance, loyalty, or commitment to a cause, group, or set of values — often in favor of an opposing side

noun [C usually singular or U ] C1 US formal (UK demeanour) • synonyms: manner, attitude • calm/confident/professional demeanor; maintain/project/adopt/criticize someone’s demeanor; demeanor under pressure/in public/in conflict • freq in AmE: 6/10

a person’s outward behavior, manner, or way of presenting themselves — especially in terms of attitude, emotional tone, or social presence

collocation with demeanor noun [C usually singular ] C1 • synonyms: restrained attitude, subdued manner, understated presence • low-key demeanor under pressure/in public/in leadership; maintain/project/adopt a low-key demeanor • freq in AmE: 3/10

a calm, restrained, and understated way of behaving or presenting oneself — often marked by emotional control, quiet confidence, or deliberate avoidance of attention

noun [C or U ] C2 • synonyms: death, downfall, collapse • demise of empire/tradition/industry; mourn/hasten/witness demise • freq in AmE: 6/10

the end or failure of something, especially a system, institution, or era; also used formally to refer to death, particularly of a person in high position

noun [U ] C2 • synonyms: resistance, rebellion, disobedience • act of defiance; in the defiance of something; defiance of rules/authority; respond in defiance • freq in AmE: 6/10

behavior that shows open resistance or refusal to obey authority, rules, or expectations

collocation with defiance noun [U ] C2 • synonyms: gesture of rebellion, protest, symbolic resistance • a bold/quiet act of defiance; against rules/authority; seen as defiance • freq in AmE: 7/10

a deliberate action that openly resists authority, rules, or expectations; a symbolic or practical gesture of rebellion or refusal to comply

collocation with defiance noun [U ] C2 • synonyms: against, despite, contrary to • in defiance of law/orders/authority; act/speak in defiance of • formal, rhetorical, often political • freq in AmE: 7/10

used to describe actions that deliberately go against rules, orders, expectations, or authority — often with a tone of resistance, protest, or disregard

noun [C or U ] C1 • synonyms: anti-utopia, nightmare society, oppressive system • dystopian future/society/vision; live in/escape a dystopia; totalitarian/technocratic dystopia • freq in AmE: 7/10

an imagined society that is deeply flawed, oppressive, or nightmarish — often characterized by totalitarian control, environmental collapse, or loss of individual freedom

noun [C or U ] C2 • synonyms: loss, denial, hardship • deprivation of liberty/sleep/rights/resources; suffer/live in deprivation; social/economic deprivation • freq in AmE: 6/10

the state of having something taken away or withheld, especially something essential like freedom, rights, sleep, or basic needs

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: interior style, arrangement, design • modern/minimalist/cozy decor; change/update/enhance decor; decor reflects/complements space; home/event/room decor • freq in AmE: 7/10

the style and arrangement of furniture, colors, and decorative elements in a room or space; reflects visual atmosphere and taste

noun [C or U ] C1 • synonyms: flirtation, fling, escapade • romantic/playful/brief dalliance; engage in/enjoy/regret a dalliance • freq in AmE: 4/10

a brief or casual romantic or sexual involvement; more broadly, playful or non-serious engagement with someone or something

noun [C ] C1 religious • synonyms: follower, believer, student of Jesus • true/devoted disciple of Christ; live as/become a disciple • freq in AmE: 6/10

a follower and student of Jesus Christ, committed to learning from His teachings, living according to His example, and spreading His message

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: disagreement, tension, disunity • social/political/interpersonal discord; discord between individuals/factions; cause/fuel/resolve discord • freq in AmE: 5/10

disagreement or lack of harmony between people, groups, or ideas; often refers to tension, conflict, or emotional disconnection in social or interpersonal contexts

noun [plural ] C1 • synonyms: crowds, masses, throngs • arrive/leave/appear in droves; people in droves • freq in AmE: 6/10

large crowds or groups of people or animals moving together, especially in a way that suggests mass behavior or overwhelming numbers

adverbial phrase C1 with droves noun [plural ] C1 • synonyms: en masse, by the hundreds, in great numbers • arrive/leave/appear in droves; people in droves • freq in AmE: 6/10

in large numbers; used to describe people or animals arriving, leaving, or acting collectively in overwhelming quantities

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: relocation, expulsion, shift • mass/forced displacement; displacement of people/communities; emotional/geographic displacement; engine displacement • freq in AmE: 5/10

the act of forcing someone or something to move from its usual place or position; can refer to physical, social, emotional, or mechanical contexts

noun [C ] C1 finance/business • synonyms: deposit, initial payment, upfront cost • down payment on house/car/loan; make/afford/require a down payment; save for down payment; 20% down payment; down payment as commitment • freq in AmE: 7/10

an initial amount of money paid at the time of purchase, especially for expensive items like property or vehicles, with the remainder to be paid later (often through installments or loans)

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: bias, prejudice, discernment • racial/gender/age discrimination; discrimination against/in favor of; fight/prevent discrimination; perceptual discrimination • freq in AmE: 8/10

unfair treatment of people based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or disability; also, the ability to notice subtle differences between things

noun [C ] C1 • synonyms: tyrant, autocrat, despot • brutal/self-proclaimed dictator; overthrow/confront dictator; dictator controls/oppresses/silences; dictator and regime/fear/censorship • freq in AmE: 7/10

a ruler who has complete power over a country, especially one who uses it in a cruel or oppressive way and does not allow opposition

noun [U ] C1 formal • synonyms: spread, distribution, propagation • dissemination of info/research/data; facilitate/control dissemination; public/digital/academic dissemination; dissemination channels/strategies • freq in AmE: 4/10

the act of spreading information, ideas, or knowledge widely so that it reaches many people; often used in academic, medical, political, or media contexts

collocation with dissemination noun [U ] C1 formal • synonyms: info sharing, communication, spread • dissemination of accurate/false/sensitive info; facilitate/control dissemination; digital/public dissemination • freq in AmE: 4/10

the act or process of spreading information widely so that it reaches many people; often used in formal, institutional, or strategic contexts

collocation with demise noun [C or U ] C2 • synonyms: passing, death, downfall • mourn/announce/witness someone’s demise; tragic/inevitable demise; political/professional demise; legacy of someone’s demise • freq in AmE: 4/10

a formal or euphemistic way to refer to a person’s death; often used to soften the impact or convey respect. Can also be used metaphorically to describe the downfall or end of a person’s influence, career, or reputation.

collocation with demise noun [C or U ] C2 • synonyms: collapse, end, downfall • demise of democracy/tradition/print media; mourn/witness/analyze demise; causes/legacy of demise; cultural/political/economic demise • freq in AmE: 5/10

a formal or literary way to describe the end, collapse, or failure of an institution, system, tradition, idea, or enterprise

noun [C or U ] C1 formal • synonyms: military strength, deterrence capability • enhance/build/assess defense capability; cyber/nuclear/conventional capability; NATO’s collective defense capability • (freq: 4/10)

the total capacity — including resources, technologies, personnel, and strategic readiness — that enables a state, alliance, or military force to defend itself against threats or aggression

noun [U ] C1 formal • synonyms: prevention, dissuasion, deterrent • nuclear/military/criminal deterrence; deterrence strategy/doctrine; deterrence through punishment/strength; credible/effective deterrence • (freq: 5/10)

the use of threats, consequences, or demonstrated strength to prevent someone — especially an adversary — from taking unwanted or aggressive action

noun [C ] C1 formal • synonyms: preventive measure, disincentive • serve as deterrent to crime/aggression; strong/visible/credible deterrent; deterrent effect/role/value; nuclear/legal/economic deterrent • (freq: 5/10)

a measure, object, or condition that discourages someone from taking a particular action — especially by making the consequences undesirable or risky

noun [U ] C2 formal, law • synonyms: slander, libel, false accusation • sue for/deny/commit defamation; defamation case/claim/law; defamation of character/reputation

the act of damaging someone’s reputation by making false or harmful statements; often subject to legal action

noun [C ] C2 legal • synonyms: libel suit, slander lawsuit • defamation case filed/won/settled

a legal proceeding in which someone sues another party for making false and damaging statements that harm their reputation — typically involving libel (written) or slander (spoken)