TOEFL Vocabulary — Set 14

Set 14 of TOEFL Vocabulary covers 5 words: debilitate, shrink, enhance, prohibit, garner. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. debilitate · verb/dɪˈbɪlɪˌteɪt/

   to weaken or make incapacitated

   The prolonged illness was enough to debilitate her, leaving her unable to perform daily tasks.

   Synonyms: weaken, incapacitate, undermine

   Origin: from Latin 'debilitare', meaning 'to weaken', from 'debilis' meaning 'weak'

2. shrink · verb/ʃrɪŋk/

   to become smaller in size, amount, or value

   If you wash this sweater in hot water, it may shrink significantly.

   Synonyms: reduce, decrease, contract

   Origin: Middle English 'shrinken', from Old English 'scrincan', meaning 'to become smaller or diminish'.

3. enhance · verb/ɪnˈhæns/

   to improve or increase the quality, value, or extent of something

   The new software update will enhance user experience by making the interface more intuitive.

   Synonyms: improve, increase, boost

   Origin: Middle English enhauncen, from Old French enhauncer, from en- 'in' + hauncer 'to raise, lift'

4. prohibit · verb/prəˈhɪbɪt/

   to forbid by law or authority

   The new law will prohibit smoking in all public places to protect citizens from secondhand smoke.

   Synonyms: forbid, ban, restrict

   Origin: from Latin 'prohibere', meaning 'to hold back or keep from'.

5. garner · verb/ˈɡɑrnər/

   to gather or collect something, especially information or approval

   The scientist aimed to garner support from the community for her groundbreaking research project.

   Synonyms: gather, collect, accrue

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'gerner' which means 'to store, to gather' and from Latin 'granarium' meaning 'granary'.