assuage, upbraid, blurt, grate, eddy: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Proficient Plus set 11. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. assuage · verb/əˈsweɪdʒ/

   to make an unpleasant feeling less intense

   The teacher tried to assuage the students' fears about the difficult exam.

   Synonyms: alleviate, relieve, pacify

   Origin: from Old French 'assouagier', meaning to soften or diminish, derived from Latin 'adsuaviare' meaning to soothe.

2. upbraid · verb/ʌpˈbreɪd/

   to scold or criticize someone severely

   The teacher had to upbraid the student for not doing his homework.

   Synonyms: rebuke, reprimand, scold

   Origin: from Middle English 'upbraiden', from up- + braiden (to reproach).

3. blurt · verb/blɜrt/

   to say something suddenly and without careful consideration

   He didn't mean to blurt out the secret during the meeting.

   Synonyms: exclaim, spill, say

   Origin: The word 'blurt' originated in the early 19th century, possibly as a variant of the Middle English word 'blerten,' which means to break wind or to make a noise.

4. grate · verb/ɡreɪt/

   to reduce food to small shreds by using a grater

   Please grate the cheese for the pizza.

   Synonyms: shred, chop, cut

   Origin: from Old French 'grater', of unknown origin

5. eddy · noun/ˈɛdi/

   a circular movement of water causing a small whirlpool

   The leaves floated in the eddy near the edge of the river.

   Synonyms: whirlpool, swirl, vortex

   Origin: Middle English, from Old English 'ǣddi', possibly related to the word 'áed', meaning 'to eddy'.