unleash, elaborate, denounce, disperse, disparage: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 83. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. unleash · verb/ʌnˈliʃ/

   to set free or release from restraint

   The new marketing campaign is designed to unleash creativity within the team, allowing them to explore innovative ideas.

   Synonyms: release, set free, liberate

   Origin: from Middle English 'unleshen', from 'un-' meaning 'not' + 'leash' meaning 'to bind' or 'restrain'

2. elaborate · verb/ɪˈlæbəreɪt/

   to provide more details or information about something

   During the meeting, she was asked to elaborate on her research findings to provide a clearer understanding of the results.

   Synonyms: expand, elucidate, clarify

   Origin: The word 'elaborate' originates from the Latin 'elaborare', which means 'to work out' or 'to produce by labor'.

3. denounce · verb/dɪˈnaʊns/

   to publicly declare something to be wrong or evil

   The activists chose to denounce the government's decision to cut education funding as unjust and harmful to students.

   Synonyms: condemn, criticize, censure

   Origin: Middle English denuncen, from Latin denuntiare, meaning 'to announce or proclaim' (de- 'down' + nuntiare 'to announce')

4. disperse · verb/dɪsˈpɜrs/

   to spread or distribute widely

   The government plans to disperse the aid supplies to the affected regions as quickly as possible.

   Synonyms: distribute, spread, scatter

   Origin: from Latin 'dispersus', the past participle of 'dispérgere', meaning 'to scatter' or 'to disperse'.

5. disparage · verb/dɪˈspær.ɪdʒ/

   to speak of or treat slightingly; belittle

   It's unfair to disparage the efforts of the volunteers who worked tirelessly for the charity event.

   Synonyms: deprecate, belittle, denigrate

   Origin: from Middle French 'desparager', from 'des-' (meaning 'not') + 'parage' (meaning 'nobility or lineage')