undergo, extenuate, usurp, forage, investigate: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 108. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. undergo · verb/ˌʌndərˈɡoʊ/

   to experience or endure something, typically a process or change

   She decided to undergo surgery to address her chronic health issues.

   Synonyms: experience, endure, sustain

   Origin: Middle English, from 'under-' meaning 'among' + 'go' meaning 'to go'

2. extenuate · verb/ɪkˈstɛn.ju.eɪt/

   to make الخفف or lessen the seriousness of something

   The court decided to extenuate the defendant's sentence due to his difficult upbringing, which helped lessen the seriousness of his actions.

   Synonyms: mitigate, alleviate, diminish

   Origin: from Latin 'extenuare', meaning 'to make thin' or 'to lessen'

3. usurp · verb/juˈzɜrp/

   to seize and take control of something without authority or right

   The ambitious general sought to usurp the throne from the rightful king during the chaos of war.

   Synonyms: seize, appropriate, commandeer

   Origin: from Old French 'usurper' and Latin 'usurpare', meaning 'to seize for oneself'

4. forage · verb/ˈfɔrɪdʒ/

   to search for food or provisions

   During the winter months, many animals have to forage for food as it becomes scarce in their natural habitat.

   Synonyms: scavenge, seek, rummage

   Origin: from Middle English 'foragen', from Old French 'forage', meaning 'straw, fodder', from 'forager', meaning 'to search for food'

5. investigate · verb/ɪnˈvɛstɪgeɪt/

   to examine or inquire into systematically

   The police decided to investigate the sudden disappearance of the local journalist.

   Synonyms: examine, inquire, probe

   Origin: from Latin 'investigare', meaning 'to trace out, track down' composed of 'in-' (upon) and 'vestigium' (footprint, track)