lynch, augment, deplore, condone, postulate: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Proficient set 27. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. lynch · verb/lɪnʧ/

   to execute someone without a legal trial, typically by hanging

   Many people were angry, and they wanted to lynch the criminal who harmed their friend.

   Synonyms: hang, execute, kill

   Origin: The term 'lynch' is believed to originate from the name of Charles Lynch, an American revolutionary who, in the 18th century, took matters into his own hands to punish suspected criminals without legal authority.

2. augment · verb/ɔɡˈmɛnt/

   to make something greater by adding to it

   The teacher decided to augment the lesson with more examples to help the students understand better.

   Synonyms: increase, expand, boost

   Origin: from Latin 'augmentare', meaning 'to increase'

3. deplore · verb/dɪˈplɔr/

   to express strong disapproval of something

   Many people deplore the violence in movies because it can affect young viewers.

   Synonyms: disapprove, regret, condemn

   Origin: from Latin 'deplorare', meaning 'to wail or lament over' (de- 'down from' + plorare 'to weep')

4. condone · verb/kənˈdoʊn/

   to accept and allow behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive to continue

   The teacher does not condone cheating in her class.

   Synonyms: ignore, tolerate, pardon

   Origin: from Latin 'condonare', meaning 'to give up, remit, forgive'

5. postulate · noun/ˈpɑːstjələt/

   a statement accepted as true without proof as the basis for reasoning or argument

   In math class, we learned a postulate that says through any two points, there is exactly one line.

   Synonyms: assumption, premise, hypothesis

   Origin: from Latin 'postulatum', meaning 'demand, ask'