Advanced — Set 26

Set 26 of Advanced covers 5 words: endeavour, atrocity, mishap, exemption, vengeance. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. endeavour · noun/ɪnˈdɛvə/

   an effort to do something

   After years of effort and hard work, the physicist gained worldwide recognition for his scientific endeavors.

   Synonyms: attempt, struggle, undertaking

2. atrocity · noun/əˈtrɑsədi/

   behavior, act, or event that is extremely cruel, typically violent

   In his latest novel, the author describes some of the atrocities that he had witnessed during the war.

   Synonyms: brutality, inhumanity, a violent crime

   Origin: mid 16th century (in the sense ‘cruelty’): from French atrocité or Latin atrocitas, from atrox, atroc- ‘cruel’

3. mishap · noun/ˈmɪsˌ(h)æp/

   an unfortunate accident or situation

   After a series of mishaps, such as losing their keys and forgetting their passports, the family missed their train and couldn't leave for vacation.

   Synonyms: setback, adversity, misfortune

   Origin: Middle English: from mis- + hap

4. exemption · noun/ɪɡˈzɛm(p)ʃ(ə)n/

   the act of freeing someone from a responsibility or an obligation, or when a condition is not applicable in a certain case

   Non-profit organizations receive certain tax exemptions allowing them to save money annually.

   Synonyms: exception, exclusion

   Origin: late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin exemptio(n-), from eximere ‘take out, free’

5. vengeance · noun/ˈvɛndʒəns/

   an act of punishment on someone in return for harm done

   The neighbor got vengeance on the school kids who had broken his window by stabbing their soccer ball.

   Synonyms: revenge, retaliation

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French, from venger, vengier ‘avenge’, from Latin vindicare ‘vindicate’