Set 19 · Study 1 / 5

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depress

verb/dɪˈprɛs/

to lower in strength or intensity; to make someone feel sad or despondent

The constant rain and gloomy weather can really depress my mood during winter.

saddenlowerdiminish
word origin — from Latin 'deprimere', meaning 'to press down', from 'de-' (down) + 'premere' (to press)

IELTS Vocabulary — Set 19

Set 19 of IELTS Vocabulary covers 5 words: depress, initiate, stretch, sting, ascertain. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. depress · verb/dɪˈprɛs/

    to lower in strength or intensity; to make someone feel sad or despondent

    The constant rain and gloomy weather can really depress my mood during winter.

    Synonyms: sadden, lower, diminish

    Origin: from Latin 'deprimere', meaning 'to press down', from 'de-' (down) + 'premere' (to press)

  2. initiate · verb/ɪˈnɪʃ.iˌeɪt/

    to begin or start something

    The company plans to initiate a new marketing campaign next quarter to boost sales.

    Synonyms: commence, start, launch

    Origin: from Latin 'initiatus', the past participle of 'initiare', meaning 'to begin'.

  3. stretch · verb/strɛtʃ/

    to extend or enlarge in size, range, or capacity

    She decided to stretch her muscles before the workout to prevent injury.

    Synonyms: extend, enlarge, expand

    Origin: Middle English 'strecche', from Old English 'streccan', meaning to stretch, pull out.

  4. sting · verb/stɪŋ/

    to pierce or wound with a sharp or pointed object or to cause a sharp pain or discomfort

    The bee will sting if it feels threatened, leaving a painful mark on the skin.

    Synonyms: prick, pierce, stab

    Origin: Old English 'stingan', meaning 'to sting or prick'; related to Proto-Germanic '*stingwōną'.

  5. ascertain · verb/ˌæsərˈteɪn/

    to find out or determine with certainty

    The detective worked tirelessly to ascertain the truth behind the mysterious disappearance.

    Synonyms: establish, determine, discover

    Origin: Middle French 'assurtenir', from 'assurer' meaning to assure or make certain