endeavour, atrocity, mishap, exemption, vengeance: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced set 26. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. endeavour · noun/ɪnˈdɛvə/

   an effort to do something

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

   Synonyms: attempt, struggle, undertaking

2. atrocity · noun/əˈtrɑsədi/

   an extremely cruel or violent act

   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/

   official permission not to follow a rule or fulfill an obligation

   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’