estrange, avert, recede, converge, inundate: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 27. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. estrange · verb/ɪˈstreɪndʒ/

   to cause someone to stop feeling affection for someone else

   His constant criticism began to estrange him from his friends, who felt unappreciated and disconnected.

   Synonyms: alienate, detach, distance

   Origin: from Middle French 'estranger', from Latin 'extraneus' meaning 'foreign, external'

2. avert · verb/əˈvɜrt/

   to prevent something from happening or to turn away from

   The quick response of the firefighters helped avert a major disaster in the city.

   Synonyms: prevent, stave off

   Origin: from Latin 'avertere', meaning 'to turn away'

3. recede · verb/rɪˈsid/

   to move back or withdraw

   As the tide began to recede, the beach was gradually revealed, exposing seashells and rocks hidden beneath the water.

   Synonyms: withdraw, retreat, subside

   Origin: from Latin 'recedere', meaning 'to go back'

4. converge · verb/kənˈvɜrdʒ/

   to come together from different directions and meet at a common point

   The two rivers converge at the base of the mountain, creating a stunning view.

   Synonyms: meet, intersect, merge

   Origin: from Latin 'convergere', which means 'to incline together, meet' (com- 'together' + vergere 'to incline').

5. inundate · verb/ˈɪn.ʌnˌdeɪt/

   to overwhelm someone with things to be dealt with or to flood with water

   After the hurricane, the town was inundated with water, causing widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.

   Synonyms: overwhelm, flood, engulf

   Origin: From Latin 'inundare', meaning 'to overflow' or 'to flood', derived from 'in-' (into) and 'undare' (to flow or surge).