Proficient Plus — Set 60

Set 60 of Proficient Plus covers 5 words: sunder, stigmatize, tattle, tweak, construe. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. sunder · verb/ˈsʌndər/

   to split apart or divide

   The strong wind seemed to sunder the old tree into two pieces.

   Synonyms: split, divide, cleave

   Origin: from Old English 'sundorian', meaning to separate or divide

2. stigmatize · verb/ˈstɪɡ.mə.taɪz/

   to mark someone or something as disgraceful or shameful

   People often stigmatize those who struggle with mental health issues, making it hard for them to seek help.

   Synonyms: label, brand, mark

   Origin: from the Greek word 'stigma' meaning 'mark' or 'puncture'

3. tattle · verb/ˈtæt.əl/

   to report someone's wrongdoing or misbehavior to an authority figure

   If you see someone breaking the rules at school, it is good to tattle to the teacher.

   Synonyms: snitch, inform, squeal

   Origin: The word 'tattle' comes from the Middle English word 'tatel', which means to talk or prattle, and is of uncertain origin.

4. tweak · verb/twiːk/

   to make small adjustments or improvements to something

   I need to tweak the design of my poster to make it look better.

   Synonyms: adjust, modify, refine

   Origin: The word 'tweak' possibly comes from the 16th-century dialectal English word 'tweak', meaning to pull or twist sharply.

5. construe · verb/kənˈstru/

   to interpret or explain the meaning of something

   The teacher asked us to construe the poem and find its hidden meaning.

   Synonyms: interpret, explain, clarify

   Origin: from Latin 'construere' meaning 'to build together'