alarming, encouraging, exhausting, puzzling, pleasing: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Upper-Intermediate set 44. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. alarming · adjective/əˈlɑrmɪŋ/

   concerning or frightening, making people feel worried or afraid

   The sudden increase in pollution levels in the city is alarming, and it poses a serious threat to public health.

   Synonyms: worrying, disturbing

2. encouraging · adjective/ɪnˈkərɪdʒɪŋ/

   giving courage or confidence or hope

   The new regulations enforced by the government allowed the country to obtain encouraging results in the health and education sectors.

   Synonyms: promising, reassuring, supportive

3. exhausting · adjective/ɪɡˈzɔstɪŋ/

   extremely tiring

   What many people prefer to do after an exhausting day at work is to do some mindless Facebook scrolling.

   Synonyms: tiresome, draining

4. puzzling · adjective/ˈpəz(ə)lɪŋ/

   difficult to understand or explain

   In a job interview, the interviewer tend to ask puzzling questions to test the limits of prospect employees.

   Synonyms: baffling, bewildering

5. pleasing · adjective/ˈplizɪŋ/

   giving pleasure and satisfaction

   After the accident, she had to go through many cosmetic operations in order to have a pleasing appearance.

   Synonyms: amusing, enjoyable, entertaining