wither, embroil, plunder, relegate, annul: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Proficient set 25. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. wither · verb/ˈwɪð.ɚ/

   to become dry and shriveled

   The flowers began to wither under the hot sun.

   Synonyms: dry, shrivel, fade

   Origin: Old English 'wither', related to the Proto-Germanic 'witheran' meaning to become dry or decay.

2. embroil · verb/ɪmˈbrɔɪl/

   to involve deeply in an argument or conflict

   The disagreement between the two friends began to embroil their entire group in the conflict.

   Synonyms: involve, entangle, implicate

   Origin: from Middle French 'engrouiller', meaning to confuse or mix up

3. plunder · noun/ˈplʌndər/

   the act of stealing goods typically using force or violence

   The soldiers returned home after a long war, bringing back their plunder from enemy villages.

   Synonyms: robbery, theft, pillage

   Origin: from Middle Dutch 'plunder' meaning to pillage

4. relegate · verb/ˈrɛləˌɡeɪt/

   to assign to a lower position or rank

   After the new manager came, they decided to relegate the older employees to less important tasks.

   Synonyms: downgrade, degrade, demote

   Origin: from Latin 'relegare', meaning 'to send away or remove' (re- meaning 'again' + legare meaning 'to send').

5. annul · verb/əˈnʌl/

   to declare invalid or null

   The court decided to annul the marriage because it was not legal.

   Synonyms: invalidate, nullify, cancel

   Origin: from Latin 'annullare', meaning 'to make void'