Set 161 · Study 1 / 5

Exit

dampen

verb/ˈdæmpən/

definition

to make damp or moist

example

The rain began to dampen the ground, making it perfect for planting seeds.

synonyms
moistenwethumidify
word origin — Middle English damp(en), from the Old English

GRE Vocabulary — Set 161

Set 161 of GRE Vocabulary covers 5 words: dampen, decry, descry, disburse, discomfit. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. dampen · verb/ˈdæmpən/

    to make damp or moist

    The rain began to dampen the ground, making it perfect for planting seeds.

    Synonyms: moisten, wet, humidify

    Origin: Middle English damp(en), from the Old English

  2. decry · verb/dɪˈkraɪ/

    to publicly denounce or criticize something

    Many activists decry the government's inaction on climate change, calling for immediate reforms.

    Synonyms: denounce, condemn, criticize

    Origin: The word 'decry' originates from the French 'décrire', meaning 'to describe' or 'to proclaim', which is derived from the prefix 'de-' and the verb 'crier', meaning 'to cry out'.

  3. descry · verb/dɪsˈkraɪ/

    to catch sight of or discover by looking carefully

    As I stood on the cliff, I was able to descry a tiny sail on the horizon, barely visible against the vast ocean.

    Synonyms: detect, discern, spot

    Origin: Late Middle English, from the prefix 'de-' meaning 'down' or 'away' and 'scrier' meaning to 'cry out' or 'describe'.

  4. disburse · verb/dɪsˈbɜrs/

    to pay out or distribute money

    The government will disburse funds to support local businesses affected by the pandemic.

    Synonyms: allocate, pay out, distribute

    Origin: From Old French 'desbourser', meaning 'to pay out', from 'borser' meaning 'to put forth'.

  5. discomfit · verb/dɪsˈkʌm.fɪt/

    to make someone feel uneasy or embarrassed

    His unexpected question about her personal life seemed to discomfit her during the otherwise light-hearted discussion.

    Synonyms: embarrass, unsettle, disconcert

    Origin: The word 'discomfit' originates from the Old French 'desconfit', meaning 'defeated'. It is derived from the Latin 'discomfitus', which combines 'dis-' (not) and 'confitus', the past participle of 'confundere', meaning 'to mix together'. Originally, it had a military sense of 'defeating' an enemy, but its meaning has evolved to include causing confusion or embarrassment.