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strife

noun/straɪf/

definition

bitter conflict or struggle

example

The region has been plagued by ethnic strife for decades, resulting in numerous conflicts and casualties.

synonyms
conflicttussleclash
word origin — Middle English, from Old French 'estrif', meaning 'strife' or 'dispute', from Latin 'disceptare' meaning 'to debate' or 'to argue'.

TOEFL Vocabulary — Set 65

Set 65 of TOEFL Vocabulary covers 5 words: strife, allure, forbearance, affiliation, martyr. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. strife · noun/straɪf/

    bitter conflict or struggle

    The region has been plagued by ethnic strife for decades, resulting in numerous conflicts and casualties.

    Synonyms: conflict, tussle, clash

    Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'estrif', meaning 'strife' or 'dispute', from Latin 'disceptare' meaning 'to debate' or 'to argue'.

  2. allure · noun/əˈlʊr/

    the quality of being powerfully attractive or fascinating

    The allure of the city's vibrant nightlife attracted tourists from all over the world.

    Synonyms: attraction, appeal, charm

    Origin: from Old French 'alurrer', meaning 'to attract or entice', from Latin 'allurare' meaning 'to lure at' or 'to attract'

  3. forbearance · noun/fɔrˈbɛrəns/

    the act of refraining from enforcing a debt or obligation

    The lender showed forbearance by postponing the payment deadline for the struggling borrower.

    Synonyms: tolerance, self-restraint, patience

    Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'forbearance' or 'forber' (to refrain) from Latin 'forbeari', meaning to hold back or refrain.

  4. affiliation · noun/əˌfɪlieɪʃən/

    the state of being closely associated with or connected to a person, group, or organization

    Her affiliation with the local charity has greatly increased their outreach efforts.

    Synonyms: association, connection, alliance

    Origin: From Latin 'affiliatio', meaning 'adoption, relation', from 'affiliare' ('to adopt, to connect').

  5. martyr · noun/ˈmɑr.tər/

    a person who suffers death or great suffering on behalf of a belief or cause

    She became a martyr for her beliefs, sacrificing everything for the cause of justice.

    Synonyms: sacrificer, victim, sufferer

    Origin: from Old French 'martrre', from Latin 'martyr' which means 'witness', from Greek 'martys' meaning 'witness'/one who bears witness