The Minister of Health had to address the concerns of the public for the growing number of contagious diseases immigrants bring to the country.
synonyms
focus onconcentrate on
word origin — Middle English (as a verb in the senses ‘set upright’ and ‘guide, direct’, hence ‘write directions for delivery on’ and ‘direct spoken words to’): from Old French, based on Latin ad- ‘towards’ + directus (see direct). The noun is of mid 16th-century origin in the sense ‘act of approaching or speaking to someone’
address, aid, regulate, promote, threaten: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 words from Upper-Intermediate set 63. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
address · verb/ˈæˌdrɛs/
to direct one's efforts towards something
The Minister of Health had to address the concerns of the public for the growing number of contagious diseases immigrants bring to the country.
Synonyms: focus on, concentrate on
Origin: Middle English (as a verb in the senses ‘set upright’ and ‘guide, direct’, hence ‘write directions for delivery on’ and ‘direct spoken words to’): from Old French, based on Latin ad- ‘towards’ + directus (see direct). The noun is of mid 16th-century origin in the sense ‘act of approaching or speaking to someone’
aid · verb/eɪd/
to give help or assistance
The developed countries in the world are believed to have the responsibility of aiding women in difficult situations in Third World Countries.
Synonyms: assist, help, alleviate
Origin: late Middle English: from Old French aide (noun), aidier (verb), based on Latin adjuvare, from ad- ‘towards’ + juvare ‘to help’
regulate · verb/ˈrɛɡjəˌleɪt/
to control an activity or process by means of rules
The commission has proposed new steps aimed at regulating the trade of hunted animals, which was protested by Greenpeace.
Synonyms: administer, control, coordinate
Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘control by rules’): from late Latin regulat- ‘directed, regulated’, from the verb regulare, from Latin regula ‘rule’
promote · verb/prəˈmoʊt/
to contribute to the progress of something
The goal of Olympics held every 4 years is to promote equality and diversity among people of all countries by using sports as a tool.
Synonyms: improve, encourage, advocate
Origin: late Middle English: from Latin promot- ‘moved forward’, from the verb promovere, from pro- ‘forward, onward’ + movere ‘to move’
threaten · verb/ˈθrɛtn/
to present a danger to something
Wild plant trade is banned in all the European countries by law as it threatens rare species living in the forests.
Synonyms: intimidate, warn
Origin: Old English thrēatnian ‘urge or induce, especially by using threats’, from thrēat (see threat)